One of the photos in my Jack Webb/Dragnet collection
For all you Dragnet Fans...
While preparing my Sept. 1954 post a few weeks ago that included the showing of Dragnet at the Palace, I had a few things that I didn't have time to post. So seeing as it's Friday, we'll make it a Sgt. Friday Friday.
As I mentioned, I've been a big fan of Dragnet and Jack Webb since seeing the 1960s revival on TV. Locally the reruns appeared on Channel 43. They had a big effect on me and probably shaped a lot of my longstanding attitudes about drugs and the law.
Anyway, for some reason Dragnet seemed to figure prominently in my life during the latter part of my high school days. Besides watching the Dragnet reruns on TV, I bought an old Mad paperback (at the Book Seller Paperback Exchange on Griswold) that included a hilarious parody of the 1950s version of the show. Here it is, courtesy of Bart Solenthaler's flickr page. I love the preoccupation with cigarettes (which is understandable since the show was sponsored by a cigarette company).
I also remember seeing a Dragnet parody with Daffy Duck and Porky Pig for the first time back then. It was one of the cartoons in rotation on The Porky Pig Show, which I watched a little bit each day while getting ready to head off to Admiral King High School.
All this Dragnet influence inspired me to do a short arrangement of the Dragnet theme (complete with Dum-de-dum dum) for the Admiral King High School Marching Band trombone section to play at appropriate times during football games.
Meanwhile, a few of my A. K. high school buddies (especially Scott Welko) and I were becoming familiar with the old comedy records of Stan Freberg, which contained – what else? – several Dragnet parodies. Here's one of the most popular ones: Little Blue Riding Hood (1953).
Since then, I've continued to be a big fan of Dragnet and own all the DVDs of the 1960s revival, as well as both the 1954 movie and the 1966 TV movie (that didn't air until 1969). I have a small collection of Dragnet items including books, a few photos and even a replica Badge 714 (Sgt. Friday's) pin.
Publicity photo for Dragnet 1969
Of course, the badge is in miniature. Otherwise, I'd be guilty of violating Section 2913.44 Ohio Revised Code – Personating an officer, a misdemeanor of the first degree.
I remember when I was in high school, and someone got called down to the Principal's office, it was de rigeur for some of the students to loudly chime out, "Don-da-DANT-dant!" in unison. Does anyone else remember the awful DRAGNET and ADAM-12 remakes from the Eighties?
The Dragnet theme was written by Walter Schumann, otherwise best known for his choral LPs (the Voices of Walter Schumann) and his score for the film "The Night of the Hunter." He died at age 44 in 1958.
Ray Anthony had a hit with the Dragnet theme in 1953. There also is a Dragnet Christmas LP, which consists of the audio of a televised Christmas program. That can be found via the link below, along with the Ray Anthony record, one of the Stan Freberg parodies, a Spike Jones take-off and a Dragnet polka.
Thanks so much for the link, Buster! Your post is great and informative as usual, and the download material is fantastic. I had no idea Spike Jones did a take-off, and I'd never seen "The Christmas Story"! Thanks!!!
Jack Webb had a huge influence on how people respected the police back then. From Wiki: "(Webb) was given a funeral with full Los Angeles police honors. On Webb's death, Chief Daryl Gates announced that badge number 714, which was used by Joe Friday in Dragnet, would be retired. Los Angeles Mayor Tom Bradley ordered all flags lowered to half staff in Webb's honor for a day, and Webb was buried with a replica LAPD badge bearing the rank of sergeant and the number 714."
I never really got into Dragnet or Jack Webb,but I do like his ex wife's recordings.And Jack had a big influence on her career.Actress and jazz singer Julie London was the ultimate torch singer of the 1950's in my book.Jack and Julie met through their love of jazz.And Jack was a big jazz buff and had a big collection of jazz records.While pursuing an acting career Julie would sing for Jack at home and for friends.Julie divorced Jack in 1954 after focusing on raising their children and she released her first record in 1955.Julie had by then met her future husband,jazz legend Bobby Troup,and he encouraged Julie to get a recording contract. Julie released recordings up until 1969 and had to stop due to damage to her voice from drinking and smoking,two of the vices of a torch singer.But Julie and Jack had remained very good friends after their divorce and Jack even cast her as every horndogs favorite head nurse,Dixie McCall ,in his new ground breaking medical drama of the early 1970's,"Emergency".
I remember when I was in high school, and someone got called down to the Principal's office, it was de rigeur for some of the students to loudly chime out,
ReplyDelete"Don-da-DANT-dant!" in unison.
Does anyone else remember the awful DRAGNET and ADAM-12 remakes from the Eighties?
This is the city. Vermilion, Ohio, population ten-thousand six hundred and fifty-nine...
ReplyDeleteDon-da-DANT-dant! Don-de-dant-da-DAH!
One of your best posts.
The Dragnet theme was written by Walter Schumann, otherwise best known for his choral LPs (the Voices of Walter Schumann) and his score for the film "The Night of the Hunter." He died at age 44 in 1958.
ReplyDeleteRay Anthony had a hit with the Dragnet theme in 1953. There also is a Dragnet Christmas LP, which consists of the audio of a televised Christmas program. That can be found via the link below, along with the Ray Anthony record, one of the Stan Freberg parodies, a Spike Jones take-off and a Dragnet polka.
https://big10inchrecord.blogspot.com/2020/12/a-dragnet-christmas.html
Thanks so much for the link, Buster! Your post is great and informative as usual, and the download material is fantastic. I had no idea Spike Jones did a take-off, and I'd never seen "The Christmas Story"! Thanks!!!
DeleteA pleasure, Dan!
DeleteJack Webb had a huge influence on how people respected the police back then. From Wiki: "(Webb) was given a funeral with full Los Angeles police honors. On Webb's death, Chief Daryl Gates announced that badge number 714, which was used by Joe Friday in Dragnet, would be retired. Los Angeles Mayor Tom Bradley ordered all flags lowered to half staff in Webb's honor for a day, and Webb was buried with a replica LAPD badge bearing the rank of sergeant and the number 714."
ReplyDeleteI never really got into Dragnet or Jack Webb,but I do like his ex wife's recordings.And Jack had a big influence on her career.Actress and jazz singer Julie London was the ultimate torch singer of the 1950's in my book.Jack and Julie met through their love of jazz.And Jack was a big jazz buff and had a big collection of jazz records.While pursuing an acting career Julie would sing for Jack at home and for friends.Julie divorced Jack in 1954 after focusing on raising their children and she released her first record in 1955.Julie had by then met her future husband,jazz legend Bobby Troup,and he encouraged Julie to get a recording contract.
ReplyDeleteJulie released recordings up until 1969 and had to stop due to damage to her voice from drinking and smoking,two of the vices of a torch singer.But Julie and Jack had remained very good friends after their divorce and Jack even cast her as every horndogs favorite head nurse,Dixie McCall ,in his new ground breaking medical drama of the early 1970's,"Emergency".