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About This Quiz
"Dragnet" is the franchise that just won't die; since it premiered on radio in the 1940s, it's been rebooted in some format or another virtually every decade since then. The series started out as a radio show, which aired for 314 episodes between 1949 and 1957. In 1951, it moved to TV -- which meant fans could listen to radio broadcasts and watch new episodes of the series each week on television.  The original TV run ended in 1959, before the series was brought back for just shy of 100 episodes in the late '60s... then another 50-plus episodes in the late '80s... and yet another 22 episodes in the early '00s.ÂÂ
So what is it that keeps "Dragnet" so popular year after year, with new generations of fans? It could be the gritty yet positive portrayal of law enforcement that the show offers, or it could be the "ripped from the headlines" realism promised at the start of each episode. Whatever the attraction, there's no question that the show is one for the ages, entertaining fans for well over half a century.
How well do you know this TV stalwart? Do you remember which actor played the straight-faced Sergeant Joe Friday? Can you recall the first name of Friday's long-term partner, Officer Smith? Do you know which city the iconic police procedural was set in? If you know the answers to these and other "Dragnet" questions, you might have what it takes to ace this quiz about the classic series!
Who plays Sergeant Joe Friday in the 1951 and 1967 series?
Robert Conrad.
James Allen.
Jack Webb.
Jack's first credited onscreen roll happened in 1948 when he played Lee Whitey in 'He Walked by Night.' His last role was in the 1978 sci-fi series 'Project U.F.O.' as the Announcer/Narrator.
Victor Freely.
'Dragnet' has spanned the TV world, movies, and _________.
Radio.
'Dragnet', the radio show, played live from June 1949 – July 1957. The show had 314 episodes,each with a run time of 30 minutes.
Internet.
Billboards.
Magazines.
What rank did Joe Friday hold within the police department?
Inspector.
Sergeant.
As the '50s version of 'Dragnet' was coming to a close, Friday was promoted to the rank of lieutenant. When the series returned in the '60s, he was back as a sergeant with no onscreen explanation as to why.
Corporal.
Sheriff.
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'Dragnet' takes its name from _________.
A planet.
The USA.
A method of catching criminals.
Dragnet is a police term that is a system of steps measures for catching criminals or suspects. The term derives from the process of dragging in a fishing net.
A book.
What young actor starred in eight of the 1967 'Dragnet' episodes and went on to be in 'Adam-12'?
Art Balinger.
Ed Deemer.
Kent McCord.
Kent McCord had his first onscreen credit playing Kent in the 1962 TV series 'The Adventures of Ozzie and Harriet .' His latest appearance was in 2005 as Vice Admiral Sommerville in 'Tides of War.'
William Boyett.
In what popular California city did 'Dragnet' take place?
Los Angeles.
Los Angeles is Spanish for "The Angels." Located in Southern California, it is the major hub of films and TV.
San Diego.
Carson City.
Big Sur.
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What was the opening narration of 'Dragnet'?
"You're going to jail."
"This isn't going to end well for someone."
"The story you are about to hear is true. Only the names have been changed to protect the innocent."
The opening narration went through tweaks over time. Eventually, "only" and "ladies and gentlemen" got axed and "hear" got changed into "see," for TV.
"Bad guys do bad crimes."
Who played Joe Friday's partner in the 1967 version of 'Dragnet?'
Harry Morgan.
Harry Morgan is known as the beloved Col. Sherman T. Potter in the hit series 'M*A*S*H.' His last role was in 1999 playing Fletcher Conklin in the TV series 'Love and Money.'
Don Ross.
Howard Culver.
Len Wayland.
At the end of each episode, what did the viewers hear about the criminals?
How they died.
Their love life.
How much money they made.
The fate of the real criminal.
After it is announced, "The story you have just seen was true. The names were changed to protect the innocent," the announcer tells a short paragraph about the trial. Afterwards, it was revealed to the viewers what happened to the criminal after the trial.
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Other than 'Adam-12', 'Dragnet' is one of the most influential ____________ dramas in TV history.
Horror.
Police procedural.
The police procedural or police crime drama is a sub-genre of detective fiction. Modern police procedural shows include 'Law & Order' and 'Criminal Minds'.
Romantic.
Reality.
Joe Friday had a habit of speaking in a _________ tone.
Mono.
Webb always spoke in an even-toned pitch, without emotion. He also talked rapidly.
Slow.
Mumbled.
Soft.
What police TV show is a spin-off of 'Dragnet?'
'Law & Order.'
'CSI.'
'Adam-12.'
'Adam-12' was a police TV series that followed cops Pete Malloy and Jim Reed. The show followed the two men as they patrolled the streets of Los Angeles in their car, the 1-Adam-12.
'Cops.'
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What Los Angeles landmark graced the top of Joe Friday's badge?
City Hall.
Los Angeles City Hall was built in 1928. It houses the meeting chambers, offices of the Los Angeles City Council, and the mayor's office.
Hollywood sign.
Handcuffs.
Jailhouse.
Why couldn't Jack Webb bring 'Dragnet' back in the 1980s?
No one wanted it.
He was bored.
He decided it wasn't worth the trouble.
He died.
Jack Webb had started to bring back the series in 1982 by staying on as Joe Friday and writing/producing five scripts. Webb died suddenly in December 1982, and the comeback got axed.
Joe Friday's badge makes an appearance at the start of every episode. What is the badge number?
615.
714.
It is rumored that Jack wanted the badge number to be 777. However, he later decided to add the last two numbers together (7 + 7) and keep the first number (7) making it 714.
911.
1014.
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___________, the future writer and creator of 'Star Trek' contributed story ideas to 'Dragnet' as LAPD.
Rod Serling.
Gene Roddenberry.
Roddenberry joined the force in 1949. Jack Webb offered the officers of the LAPD $100 for story ideas. Roddenberry was an excellent writer with limited police street experience. Other officers gave Roddenberry the story, he wrote it up and sold it to Webb. Roddenberry then split the fee with the officer who fed him the story.
J. J. Abrams.
Joss Whedon.
Who did most of the narration in the opening of the 1950s and 1960s episodes?
James E. Moser.
Jack Webb.
The TV series of 'Dragnet' would begin with this narration by George Fenneman: "Ladies and gentlemen, the story you are about to see is true. The names have been changed to protect the innocent." Webb would then say, "This is the city: Los Angeles, California,' followed by a fact or topic point, his duties, and Friday's partner and boss for that episode.
Bert Holland.
Robert Clarke.
Who was Joe Friday's first partner when the show debuted in 1951?
Sgt. Ben Romero.
Barton Yarborough started his career on radio in the 1920s and in 1932 played Cliff Barbour on "One Man's Family," until his death in 1951. His role on 'Dragnet' was his last credited onscreen appearance.
Sgt. Dan Swimmy.
Sgt. Fred Gills.
Sgt. Trout Boat.
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'Dragnet' and its popular spin-off 'Adam-12' were the only two police TV series to use real ___________.
Guns.
Police Cars.
Jails.
LAPD badges.
The 714 lieutenant's badge Joe Friday carried during the final season of the 1950s series, was used by Dan Cooke when he was a lieutenant. When Webb died in 1982, badge 714 was officially retired.
How did Jack Webb prepare for 'Dragnet?'
Shadowed LAPD.
Jack Webb would frequent police headquarters and ride along with patrol officers and detectives. Webb attended some classes at the police academy to learn police jargon and other details which would make the show more authentic.
Was LAPD.
Read about LAPD.
Watched movies about LAPD.
What firearm did Joe Friday carry?
10.35 mm Ordinanza Italiana revolver.
.38 snub-nose version Smith & Wesson Model 10 revolver.
The Smith & Wesson Model 10 is a revolver used by the military and the police from the early 1900s until the present. It sports a K-frame size and up until 1960 had a thin barrel.
.32 Colt New Police revolver.
.357 Magnum Smith & Wesson revolver.
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Joe Friday and his partners were detectives in what division within the Los Angeles Police Department?
Homicide.
Petty Theft.
Varied.
Each episode gave the viewers insight into one of the many paths of police work. Friday and his partners were detectives in the robbery, auto theft, organized crime, homicide, burglary, missing persons, juvenile crime and narcotics departments.
Narcotics.
Other than Joe Friday, what character appears in the most episodes in the 1950's version of 'Dragnet?'
Officer Frank Smith.
Officer Frank Smith was played by Ben Alexander. Ben's first confirmed onscreen appearance was in the 1916 movie 'Each Pearl a Tear.' His last was as desk Sgt. Dan Briggs in the 1960 TV series 'The Felony Squad.'
Sgt. Frank Henry.
Officer Tom Hanks.
Sgt. Big Deal.
The 1950's 'Dragnet' had which of the following words in most of the titles of each episode?
Little.
Hot.
Big.
It started with the season one, episode two 'The Big Actor.' Out of 276 episodes, the only one that did not have "big" in the title was the pilot, 'The Human Bomb.'
Cold.
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What is the name of the ominous, four-note introduction?
"Danger Ahead."
The song is also known as "The Dragnet March." It was composed by Walter Schumann and won an Emmy in 1955 for Best Original Music Composed for Television.
"Danger Zone."
"Heart's Bleed."
"Book It."
When Jack Webb died in 1982, he was buried with ________.
Full police honors.
Full police honors were something not regularly done for civilians then or presently. Joe Friday's sergeant's badge and his ID card are on display at the LAPD Academy.
No fanfare.
Military Honors.
An airshow.
What was the one topic that the 'Dragnet' producers agreed with the LAPD to never cover?
Prostitution.
Drugs.
Murders.
LAPD racial segregation policies.
The LAPD did not desegregate by race until the early 1960s. There was a strict rule that Jack Webb had to show the LAPD in a flattering light.
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Friday's partner, Bill Gannon, carried what non-regulation firearm?
.38 Smith & Wesson Model 15 revolver.
The .38 Smith & Wesson Model 15 revolver had the ability to fire six shots and was a double-action gun. It was built on a medium-sized K frame.
.41 Magnum Smith & Wesson Model 57 revolver.
.44 Special Smith & Wesson Triple Lock revolver.
.500 Trantery Webley & Scott revolver.
Dragnet the TV series spawned how many 'Dragnet' films?
1.
2.
3.
In 1954, a feature film of the same name was released. 'Dragnet 1966' was meant to bring 'Dragnet' back to TV. The made for TV film didn't come out until 1969. In 1987 the comedy version of 'Dragnet', another movie, starring Dan Aykroyd came out in the theaters.
4.
Joe Friday and the man who played him, Jack Webb, had what in common?
Army veteran.
The Army is the largest military branch in the United States. The Army is one of three military departments of the Department of Defense.
Tall men.
Left-handed.
Expressive tone.
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After Friday's partner, Ben Romero, leaves in the 1950s series, who was his partner?
Sgt. Ed Jacobs.
Sgt. Ed Jacobs was played by Barney Phillips. Barney's first onscreen role was in 1937 in 'Black Aces.' His last was in 1985 playing Dr. Batt in the movie 'Beyond Reason.'
Sgt. Dan Fisher.
Sgt. John Colt.
Sgt. Gunner Smith.
Badge 714 was used by real-life LAPD officer___________.
Paul Bayon.
Richard Clark.
Dan Cooke.
Dan Cooke retired in 1988 after 35 years on the LAPD and died of cancer in 1999. He was a technical advisor for many TV shows including 'Dragnet' and 'Adam-12.'
John Miller.
Did 'Dragnet' use the real names of the LAPD in the episodes?
Yes.
Webb worked closely with the LAPD for research and story ideas, and would often use real names of the police when presenting a case. One side note about using real names was that people would call the police department thinking Joe Friday was a real person. The cops usually told the caller that it was Friday's day off.
No.
Maybe.
No clue.
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Who played Officer Frank Smith before Ben Alexander?
Dave Brandt.
Shannon Connor.
Herb Ellis.
Herb Ellis first made his slash onscreen in the 1950s TV series 'Mysteries of Chinatown .' His last TV appearance was in 1975 as the landlord on 'Sanford and Son.'
Frank Mather.
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