Dragnet: The Big Cat 06/15/1954

Summary

Dragnet: The Big Cat | Choice Classic Radio Detectives | Old Time Radio
Release Date: June 24, 2025
Original Air Date: June 15, 1954
Duration: Approximately 26 minutes

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Introduction

Choice Classic Radio presents another thrilling installment of the beloved detective series, Dragnet: The Big Cat. Hosted by Sergeant Joe Friday and featuring Officer Frank Smith, this episode delves into a perplexing case of stolen circus animals, culminating in a tense confrontation that tests the mettle of Los Angeles' finest detectives.

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The Case Begins

The episode opens with Sergeant Joe Friday (00:00) welcoming listeners to Choice Classic Radio, setting the stage for the day's adventure. Officer Frank Smith (00:21) introduces the premise: a true story (with names changed for anonymity) involving a circus truck break-in and the mysterious disappearance of several dangerous animals.

Officer Frank Smith: "Ladies and gentlemen, the story you're about to hear is true. The names were changed to protect the innocent." (00:21)

Sergeant Friday takes us back to Monday, May 12 in a chilly Los Angeles (00:55). Assigned to the auto theft detail, he and his partner, Frank Smith, are tasked with locating missing circus animals, some of which pose significant dangers.

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Interview with Clarence Havill

The detectives' investigation begins with an interview with Clarence Havill (02:24), a carnival owner whose truck was allegedly broken into. Havill provides a detailed account of the theft, listing the missing animals:

Clarence Havill: "Animals, sir. Animals from our carnival... a couple of monkeys, Cody Mundy, two raccoons." (03:00)

He raises concerns about the most dangerous of the missing animals—a black panther named Dante (07:35)—highlighting the imminent threat it poses to the city.

Clarence Havill: "Dante? Yeah, namely that. Cause he's blacker than the pits of the Inferno." (07:57)

Havill's narrative includes inconsistencies that pique Friday and Smith's suspicions, especially regarding telegrams from his brother and the absence of records corroborating his story.

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Escalation of the Search

As the investigation deepens, tensions escalate. Chief of Detective Thad Brown (10:36) insists on maintaining control over the search, leading to a strained encounter with Captain Sidney Norton (10:38), a local resident demanding access to Havill's address.

Captain Sidney Norton: "I want the number of his house. That's simple, isn't it?" (11:07)

Sergeant Friday: "We’re not allowed to give that out. I'm sorry." (11:10)

The pushback from Norton underscores the community's fear and frustration over the escaped panther, intensifying the detectives' resolve to resolve the case swiftly.

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Confrontation with Sidney Norton

The dynamic shifts when Captain Brown's aggressive tactics surface. Norton threatens to take matters into his own hands, which Sergeant Friday firmly rebuffs.

Captain Norton: "You're liable for arrest, sir." (11:38)

However, his threats reveal the underlying tension and desperation within the community, highlighting the challenges Friday and Smith face in managing public safety and maintaining order.

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Discovering the Truth with Lillian Havill

The detectives' path leads them to Lillian Havill (20:33), Clarence's sister, who provides crucial insights into her brother's motives.

Lillian Havill: "Clarence's friends do. Talks about him all the time." (21:18)

Through a series of probing questions, Sergeant Friday uncovers discrepancies in Clarence's story, including the absence of his carnival registration and the unverifiable telegrams from his brother.

Sergeant Friday: "We checked with the telegraph company. They've got no record of any such messages." (23:00)

Confronted with the evidence, Clarence reveals his troubled psyche, blurring the lines between his ambition and reality.

Clarence Havill: "I lost the line between what's real and what I was dreaming." (24:37)

This admission hints at Havill's possible motives for faking the animal theft, setting the stage for his eventual apprehension.

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Conclusion

The episode culminates in the arrest of Clarence Havill for his deceitful actions. Despite the chaotic search involving over 300 officers, it becomes evident that Havill orchestrated the entire scenario to salvage his failing carnival by fabricating the theft of his prized panther, Dante.

Narrator: "Neil Havill was held over for a sanity hearing in Superior Court. On recommendation of the court, appropriate action was taken." (26:27)

This resolution not only showcases the determination and integrity of Sergeant Friday and Officer Smith but also serves as a commentary on the lengths individuals might go to preserve their dreams, even at the expense of public safety.

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Notable Quotes

• Officer Frank Smith: "Why don't you tell us the truth, huh? We've checked your story. It's a pack of lies, you know." (22:55)

• Clarence Havill: "You ever wanted something so bad you'd almost taste it?..." (24:21)

• Sergeant Joe Friday: "We'll take care of Hav." (12:07)

• Lillian Havill: "I don't understand Daddy or nothing works with him." (14:53)

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Final Thoughts

"Dragnet: The Big Cat" masterfully intertwines elements of mystery, psychological depth, and procedural investigation. Through Sergeant Friday and Officer Smith's relentless pursuit of truth, listeners are immersed in a narrative that not only entertains but also explores the complexities of human ambition and the moral responsibilities of law enforcement.

For fans of old-time radio detective dramas, this episode exemplifies the genre's ability to craft compelling stories with rich character development and suspenseful plotlines.

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Thank you for listening to Choice Classic Radio's summary of "Dragnet: The Big Cat." For more classic detective stories, subscribe to our channel on YouTube and follow us on Facebook.

Transcript

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

Welcome to Choice Classic Radio where we bring to you the greatest old time radio shows like us on Facebook, subscribe to us on YouTube and thank you for [e-mail].

[Officer Frank Smith]

Ladies and gentlemen, the story you're about to hear is true. The names were changed to protect the innocent.

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

Craig Myth.

[Officer Frank Smith]

You're a detective sergeant. You're assigned to auto theft detail. You receive a report that a circus truck has been broken into. Several of the animals are missing. Some of them are dangerous. Your job, find them.

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

It was Monday, May 12.

[Officer Frank Smith]

It was cold in Los Angeles.

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

We were working the day watch out of auto theft detail. My partner's Frank Smith, the boss of Chief of Detective Stad Brown.

[Officer Frank Smith]

My name's Friday.

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

I was on my way back from Superior Court and it was 11:46am when I got to room 40.

[Officer Frank Smith]

Auto theft. Hi. How'd it go?

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

Well, his lawyer's got a continuance.

[Officer Frank Smith]

Yeah? How come?

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

I don't know. New evidence they want to introduce.

[Officer Frank Smith]

What's the DA's office say?

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

Well, there's nothing they can say. Comes under the heading in due process, you know.

[Officer Frank Smith]

Yeah.

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

You think you're gonna nail him? Alex thinks so. The guy's admitted his guilt. Now he's claiming a confession is a lot of bunk. Says we got it out of him by force.

[Officer Frank Smith]

Why now?

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

Trophy did it without the confession, I guess. Shouldn't be too hard. We got all the evidence. We get the chance to lay it out for the jury.

[Officer Frank Smith]

Yeah. When you go back, let's see.

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

Set it off for a week, I guess.

[Officer Frank Smith]

Yeah.

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

Anything come in?

[Officer Frank Smith]

No, not big.

[Clarence Havill]

Excuse me.

[Officer Frank Smith]

Yes, sir.

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

Something we can do for you?

[Clarence Havill]

Nice report. Something stolen?

[Officer Frank Smith]

All right, sir.

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

Just come on in.

[Clarence Havill]

Sure get service around here.

[Officer Frank Smith]

All right, sir. Now, what kind of a car was it?

[Clarence Havill]

Ain't no car.

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

Beg pardon?

[Clarence Havill]

No car. Stolen stuff in the car.

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

All right, what was it?

[Clarence Havill]

Well, it wasn't really a car anyway. A truck. That's what they stole it from. A truck.

[Officer Frank Smith]

All right, if you'll give us a description.

[Clarence Havill]

Far as I know, they might not have stolen anyway. Might just have opened it and let them all out.

[Officer Frank Smith]

Yes, sir.

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

Well, the sooner we get this report filled out, the faster we can start looking for the stolen merchandise.

[Clarence Havill]

Yeah, just thought of that myself. Sure do.

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

All right, sir. Now, what's your name?

[Clarence Havill]

Clarence Havill. H A V I L L, No R. Most people put A R in it.

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

Haverhill.

[Clarence Havill]

It ain't. It's Haverhill.

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

Where'd the theft take place?

[Clarence Havill]

Corner fountain. Delong. Free Right on the corner there, just south of the red zone on Fountain.

[Officer Frank Smith]

All right, sir.

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

What was taken?

[Clarence Havill]

You see, I got this call from one of the drivers who works for my brother and me. Drives one of our trucks. Called, said the machine had broke down, Wanted me to bring another tractor over.

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

Well, we can get to all that later, Mr. Havill. Now, what were the stolen articles?

[Clarence Havill]

Animals, sir. Animals from our carnival.

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

What kind of animal?

[Clarence Havill]

Oh, a couple of monkeys, Cody Mundy, two raccoons.

[Officer Frank Smith]

All right, sir.

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

Anything else?

[Clarence Havill]

Yeah, here comes the bad part. This is what I was afraid of.

[Officer Frank Smith]

What's that, sir?

[Clarence Havill]

It's the reason I waited so long to record it. I thought maybe he'd turn up.

[Officer Frank Smith]

What's that, sir?

[Clarence Havill]

A black panther.

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

We got a description of the animals and the local broadcast was gotten out on them immediately. 12:18pm we continued to talk to Clarence Havel.

[Clarence Havill]

Friday night. That's when it happened.

[Officer Frank Smith]

What time Friday night?

[Clarence Havill]

About 7:05 or 7:10. Right after the fights went on. That's when the phone rang.

[Officer Frank Smith]

I see.

[Clarence Havill]

I was kind of sore about being interrupted when the fights is on. Always watch them. Most of my friends know not to call me then.

[Officer Frank Smith]

Yes, sir.

[Clarence Havill]

Well, anyway, the phone rang. I got up and went over to answer it. It was Bert.

[Officer Frank Smith]

Who was?

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

Burt?

[Clarence Havill]

Bert Newell. He's a driver.

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

Oh, I see.

[Clarence Havill]

Said he had a breakdown at Fountain delong Creek. Asked me if I had an extra tractor. Happens I did. Bert asked me to bring it over. Said he wanted to use it to get the shoe to Nevada.

[Officer Frank Smith]

So you drove over then, huh?

[Clarence Havill]

Not right away.

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

How's that?

[Clarence Havill]

Well, looked like the fight wasn't going to last much longer and I wanted to see the finish of it, so I stuck around for a couple more rounds. After that, I left, drove over and found Burt right on the corner, just standing there. Not trying to do nothing about the breakdown. Just standing there?

[Officer Frank Smith]

Yes, sir.

[Clarence Havill]

Well, you just bet I read him off. Told him the least he could have done was get out a wrench or something. Tried to find the trouble. I. I read him off. Good?

[Officer Frank Smith]

Yes, sir.

[Clarence Havill]

Didn't do no good. He's shiftless, you know. Real shiftless.

[Officer Frank Smith]

Yes, sir.

[Clarence Havill]

You know Bert, do you?

[Officer Frank Smith]

No, sir.

[Clarence Havill]

Shiftless. You know him, you know that.

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

You want to go on, please?

[Officer Frank Smith]

Yeah.

[Clarence Havill]

Oh, yeah. Well, we got the trailer on the hitch and the tractor hooked up. Only took a couple of minutes. Got it done and Bert took off.

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

Where was he going?

[Clarence Havill]

You know, over to Nevada. Going to play a show there. Overton gonna play a show there?

[Officer Frank Smith]

Yes, sir.

[Clarence Havill]

Right By Lake Mead. Overton.

[Officer Frank Smith]

Yes sir.

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

When'd you find out the animals were missing?

[Clarence Havill]

When I got the wire from my brother. That's when I got the first inkland.

[Officer Frank Smith]

When was that?

[Clarence Havill]

Last night. Company phoned me about. Oh I guess it was about 8:30.

[Officer Frank Smith]

I see.

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

You have the telegram?

[Clarence Havill]

No, I told you they phoned it.

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

What did it say?

[Clarence Havill]

Yes, the animals are gone from My brother said that the animals weren't on the truck. When it got to Overton told me about how the rocks on a couple of the cages was busted and smashed and the animals was gone.

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

Well now sir, is it possible that.

[Officer Frank Smith]

The cages might have been broken into.

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

Some other place than Los Angeles?

[Clarence Havill]

Might be, yes. Might be. Ain't likely.

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

Why'd he say that?

[Clarence Havill]

Only reason I know. Of course it ain't likely. Not only that, I got proof of it.

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

How do you mean sir?

[Clarence Havill]

Well, soon as I got the wire I went down to Fountain D Long tree. Went right there and looked around. Figured I might as well go down there, look around, I might find something, you know. Took a big four cell flash, went down the corner. I was right. That's where it happened. Yeah, that's where they got away. Found a spool. You know I think your part Spool tracks. Found them all over the place of the panther? No, raccoons. Oh, not only that, I found something else.

[Officer Frank Smith]

Yes sir.

[Clarence Havill]

Monkeys found them too.

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

Where were they?

[Clarence Havill]

Phone pole right up on the top. Just sitting there shivering. They kind of little, you know, get real cold easy. We have them around the place. They wear little sweaters, get chilly real easy.

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

How about the rest of the animals? You see any sign of them?

[Clarence Havill]

No. I went over to a little store near there and got a head of lettuce. 17 cents. Took back the phone pole. Showed that the Caesar and slow me. Oh, they love lettuce.

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

Is that the monkeys?

[Clarence Havill]

Yeah. Mama's a white eared love lettuce.

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

They came right down then, did they?

[Clarence Havill]

Yeah, right down the pole. Slithered right for the lettuce. It was scared stiff being up there on that pole all night. Should have had their shredders.

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

What about the other animals?

[Clarence Havill]

Not a sign of them. Just the spore of the raccoons. Haven't had the slightest idea where they might have gone. No real problem. No, not them.

[Officer Frank Smith]

How do you mean?

[Clarence Havill]

Easy to replace. Just go up in the Hollywood hills. Lots of them there. Run all over the place. Upset in garbage cans. Imagine some of the people would be glad to have me come up there and take them away. Raccoons ain't no problem.

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

Well, Mr. Haver, what about the panther?

[Clarence Havill]

Well, he's a problem.

[Officer Frank Smith]

Yes, sir.

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

Can you give us a description of the animal?

[Clarence Havill]

He's black.

[Officer Frank Smith]

Yes, sir.

[Clarence Havill]

Like the inside of a well, Jet black. Even blacker than that ink they're talking about. About seven feet long. Oh, easy there.

[Officer Frank Smith]

Yes, sir.

[Clarence Havill]

That's counting the tail. Seven feet.

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

Anything else about him that we should know?

[Clarence Havill]

No, just a plain black panther. Nothing special.

[Officer Frank Smith]

Is he dangerous?

[Clarence Havill]

Well, not unless he meets somebody. Dante's got a temper.

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

That's the name of the animal, is it?

[Clarence Havill]

Dante? Yeah, namely that. Cause he's blacker than the pits of the Inferno.

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

Dandy, you're pretty sure he got out of that truck when the monkeys did, huh?

[Clarence Havill]

Well, I ain't gonna give you no written guarantee, but I'm sure of it.

[Officer Frank Smith]

All right, sir.

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

We'll start looking for him right away.

[Officer Frank Smith]

Mr. Havill, where were these animals coming from?

[Clarence Havill]

Winter quarters. The standard organ is going to be our first. Just starting the season.

[Officer Frank Smith]

Was there anything else you can tell.

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

Us that'll make it easier to find the panther?

[Clarence Havill]

No, not a thing. Just be careful, that's all. Don't hurt him. He's really as gentle as a kitten when you get to know him. Like a big overgrown cat. Gentle?

[Officer Frank Smith]

Yes, sir.

[Clarence Havill]

That's something Clyde didn't understand.

[Officer Frank Smith]

Who's Clyde, sir?

[Clarence Havill]

My brother Clyde.

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

Oh, I see.

[Clarence Havill]

He didn't like Dandy. Didn't understand him. That's what caused the trouble.

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

What was that?

[Clarence Havill]

Last winter, Clyde came to see the show. Tell me about the booking. We discussed about how the best way to exhibit Danny would be. And Clyde got too close to the cage. Dandy almost killed him.

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

All officers in the area where the panther had escaped were notified and an additional team of men were called from Metropolitan Reserve to patrol the vicinity. The presence of the animal on city streets presented a very real menace to all citizens in the city. A team of detectives from Auto Theft Detail were dispatched to the corner of Fountain and Delongre to talk to the people who lived in the area. However, they were unable to come up with any new information on the escape panther. Frank and I talked to Chief of Detective Thad Brown and with Captain Nelson, it was decided to start a block by block search for the missing cat. Authorities from the Griffith Park Zoo were consulted as the possible hiding places of the animal. When the afternoon newspapers hit the streets, calls began to flood the complaint board asking for additional information on the panther. Local radio and television broadcasts carried stories about the escape and the number of calls went up. Additional men had to be called to care for the switchboard.

[Officer Frank Smith]

The search went on.

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

Frank and I worked in the field along with the other men from Auto Theft Detail and officers from Metro Division. Every possible hiding place in the vicinity of Fountain and delongfre was searched without turning up any new information on the Cat. It was the opinion of authorities that the panther might try to hide in the brush of the Hollywood Hills and the search was moved to that vicinity. Tuesday, May 12th. Frank and I got back to the office from the area. We'd been up all night looking for the animal. You want to check with the skipper? Anybody around who can bring in some coffee? I'll call Sal.

[Officer Frank Smith]

He'll bring some over. That'll be a good idea.

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

Ask him to send over a sandwich, too.

[Officer Frank Smith]

What kind you want? I don't care.

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

Just tell them. Make sure the coffee's hot.

[Officer Frank Smith]

Yeah. Yes, sir.

[Captain Thad Brown]

I'd like to talk to the men who are working on the Panther. Sink.

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

Yes, sir. Come right in the hall.

[Captain Thad Brown]

I'd find him here.

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

I'm Sergeant Friday. Maybe I can help you.

[Captain Thad Brown]

You working with the search party?

[Officer Frank Smith]

Yes, sir.

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

My partner and I have been out with them. Have they caught it yet? No, sir, not yet.

[Captain Thad Brown]

They know where it is?

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

Well, no, sir, we don't. That's what I thought.

[Captain Thad Brown]

I'm Sidney Norton. I live in this town.

[Officer Frank Smith]

Yes, sir.

[Captain Thad Brown]

Got a family? I pay taxes.

[Officer Frank Smith]

Huh?

[Captain Thad Brown]

Just want to ask one question.

[Officer Frank Smith]

Yes, sir. Go ahead.

[Captain Thad Brown]

Now, according to papers, it's Havel, or whatever his name is. He owns the Panther. Is that right?

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

His name's Clarence Havel.

[Captain Thad Brown]

But he owns the cast.

[Officer Frank Smith]

Yeah, sure.

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

That's right.

[Captain Thad Brown]

Well, I want his address.

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

Beg your pardon?

[Captain Thad Brown]

I want the number of his house. That's simple, isn't it?

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

Well, we're not allowed to give that out. I'm sorry.

[Captain Thad Brown]

All I want is his address so I can go over there and punch him right in the nose. You gonna give it to me?

[Officer Frank Smith]

No, sir.

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

Who's your superior? Captain Nelson.

[Captain Thad Brown]

Well, where is he? I want a coxson.

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

He's in Chief Brown's office right now.

[Captain Thad Brown]

Where's that?

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

Down at the end of the hall. Office number 26.

[Captain Thad Brown]

All right, I'll talk to him. I want that man's address and I want it now. Terrible thing for the law to allow a person to keep animals like that so they can get away and walk around killing anybody they meet. If you cops can't do anything about it, I can. You can just bet I can if.

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

You go out and cause Mr. Havill any trouble. You're liable for arrest, sir.

[Captain Thad Brown]

By whom?

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

Any policeman that he wants to call.

[Captain Thad Brown]

Well, you protect him, but you don't care about me and my family, is that it?

[Officer Frank Smith]

No, sir.

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

You both got rights of protection under the law. Now, if Havill's done anything, we'll take care of it.

[Captain Thad Brown]

When?

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

Soon as we find that panther.

[Captain Thad Brown]

Well, you may just be wrong. I've been talking around. There are a lot of people who feel like I do. A lot of them enough maybe to decide to do things our way.

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

Well, I wouldn't try it, Mr. Norton.

[Captain Thad Brown]

Too late, mister. You can't do anything about it. We will. Me and my friends. We'll take care of it. It's out of your hands.

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

We'll take care of Hav.

[Captain Thad Brown]

Take care of him good.

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

I wouldn't make book on that.

[Captain Thad Brown]

Who's going to stop us?

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

Like I told you, any cop that have will. Frank and I talked to Sidney Norton and we finally convinced him that any action he might take would not help the situation. We sent him home and then we met with Captain Nelson and Chief Brown. The progress of the search was reviewed and it was decided to continue it in the Lake Hollywood area and in the upper Griffith Park Hills. All days off had been canceled and additional officers were joining in the hunt for the panthers. After the meeting, Frank and I got some breakfast and then we drove out to Clarence Havel's home. It was a large ranch house at the corner of Victory Boulevard and Monterey Avenue out in the San Fernando Valley. We drove through the gate and parked the car. Clarence Havill was sitting on the large porch waiting for a small monkey was sitting on his shoulder.

[Clarence Havill]

Hi.

[Captain Thad Brown]

Come on up.

[Clarence Havill]

Sit down.

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

Yes, sir.

[Clarence Havill]

How's it going, Mr. Friday, Mr. Smith?

[Officer Frank Smith]

All right, sir. Pretty good, sir.

[Clarence Havill]

Get you anything? Glass of ginger beer maybe? Got some cold in the ice box?

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

No, sir.

[Officer Frank Smith]

No, thanks.

[Clarence Havill]

Heard from my brother this morning all right in the Valley. Got a telegram company forwarded to me again. Good news.

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

What's that, sir?

[Clarence Havill]

Well, beginning to look like it's all a mistake, sir. The whole thing. Looks like the animals didn't get away here in Los Angeles.

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

Why do you say that?

[Clarence Havill]

Well, there's a telegram from my brother. Said they found the Cody Mundy and one of the raccoons in Baker, California. Found him alongside the road, tired and hungry. Guess they're sorry now they got out of the truck.

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

How about the panther? Any word on him?

[Clarence Havill]

No, not yet. But Clyde set some men out to look for it. Sure Danny will turn up.

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

How can we get in Touch with your brother, Hamilton?

[Clarence Havill]

Can't.

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

What?

[Clarence Havill]

Can't get in touch with him. Out in the desert. Looking for Dandy. Out of touch.

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

Can you give us the address of your were quarters here in town?

[Clarence Havill]

I can't do that, Mr. Friday.

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

Why not?

[Clarence Havill]

You don't know him, Sir.

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

You run a circus and you don't know where the animals are kept?

[Clarence Havill]

Not really a circus. A carnival.

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

Yes, sir, we understand, but. What's the address?

[Clarence Havill]

I don't know.

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

You have any idea?

[Clarence Havill]

Not the least.

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

And you can't tell us where to reach your brother?

[Clarence Havill]

He's out looking for Danny now.

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

How about it, Havel? Something that you're not telling us, Havel?

[Clarence Havill]

Yeah.

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

Well, is it?

[Clarence Havill]

We haven't got no regular winter quarters. Not regular set up. That's why I can't tell you where it is. Ain't none.

[Officer Frank Smith]

All right, go ahead.

[Clarence Havill]

You see, the Havel Amalgamated Combined Shows is really a gypsy carnival.

[Officer Frank Smith]

How do you mean that?

[Clarence Havill]

Well, we ain't got no big operation. Couple of mangy animals. We don't have a license to keep them in the city. Only quarters we got are vacant lots we set up and stay there until the neighbor starts complaining and we move on. Trucks for the shore are registered in states where the fee is smallest. And we got about every deal we could to keep the cost of operation down.

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

Now, what about the panther, Daddy?

[Officer Frank Smith]

Yes, sir.

[Clarence Havill]

Only real attraction we got. Man killer. I told you about how I almost got Clyde. Didn't I told you that? Yes, sir. I don't understand Daddy or nothing works with him.

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

Is that right?

[Clarence Havill]

Might be something about Daddy.

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

Could be our officer. We gave him this number.

[Clarence Havill]

Yeah, just a minute.

[Sidney Norton]

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[Officer Frank Smith]

Hello?

[Clarence Havill]

Yeah, this is number. Huh? Yeah, just a minute. Your freedom is to party. Your office.

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

Thank you. Thank you very much.

[Clarence Havill]

No trouble at all. Like to be what I can.

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

Yes. Friday? Yes, skipper, that's right. Well, you want to give me that address I checked out.

[Officer Frank Smith]

Did it, huh?

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

No, we'll get right over. Frank, let's go.

[Clarence Havill]

Good news.

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

Well, we're not sure yet.

[Officer Frank Smith]

Huh?

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

I said they found the panther. The address we'd gotten on the telephone was in the Hollywood Hills, just off Beechwood Drive. Frank and I drove down the freeway, turned off at Gower, up Franklin to Beechwood and we continued up to Ledgewood Drive. By the time we got there, other units had arrived in the immediate vicinity where the animal had been seen was surrounded. From one of the officers we got the story. The panther had been seen by one of the civilians searching the area. The animal had run between two houses and jumped through a window into a ground floor garage. We checked the house, but we found that the occupants were not there. Because of the danger of the panther's presence and the difficulty of taking it alive, it was decided to try to shoot it. The officers involved in the search were armed with large caliber weapons. Frank and I took two sawed off shotguns and we approached the door leading to the garage. Who's covering the window?

[Officer Frank Smith]

Smack.

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

All right, I'll hit the door. Stand back. We'll try to see what's inside.

[Officer Frank Smith]

Okay. Can't see anything from the window.

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

No. Might be behind those boxes at the rear there.

[Officer Frank Smith]

Yeah.

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

You all set?

[Officer Frank Smith]

Yep. Now.

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

See anything?

[Officer Frank Smith]

No.

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

Wait a minute. Back there behind the cases.

[Officer Frank Smith]

Looks like something there.

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

All right, you take that sign. All right. Take it easy.

[Officer Frank Smith]

Sure. You don't have to spell it.

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

All right, Frank, right from where you are, can you tip those boxes over there?

[Officer Frank Smith]

Yeah, I think so.

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

Well, let's try it. Maybe it'll drive them out in the open.

[Officer Frank Smith]

All. Well, there he is. Yeah. Looks pretty mean.

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

Black tomcat. The event was similar to several that had happened during the hunt for the black Panther. During the 20 odd hours we've been looking for the animal, there'd been several reports that seemed authentic enough to be checked out. All of them turned out to be false. By this time, there were over 300 officers engaged in the search. Frank and I went back to the office and put in a call to the telegraph company in an effort to find Clyde Havill. They checked through their files, but they were unable to find any record of any wires. We then put in a call to the California Nevada Border Station in an attempt to get information. Yes, sir, that's right. Havel. Amalgamated Combined Shows. What A V Victor I L L Havel. Well, what we got, it should have come through Saturday the 13th. No, it might have been Sunday the 14th. You pretty sure about that, are you? Was it possible? All right, I understand. Okay, thank you. If anything turns up, will you call us? Friday, extension 2507. That's auto theft detail. Right. Thanks again. Bye.

[Officer Frank Smith]

How about it? They got a record of the show going through.

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

They never heard of it. We immediately put in a call to the authorities in Baker, California. We talked with members of the State Highway Patrol and from them we obtained the information that there had been no stray animals captured in the vicinity during the past few days. The conversation with them lengthened the possibility that the story we'd gotten from Clarence Havill was a lie. We checked his house, but Havel wasn't there. From his neighbor we obtained the name of his sister. 6:10pm we drove out to the address. A two family stucco duplex. We rang the bell and we waited. Yes? Miss Havill?

[Lillian Havill]

That's right. What is it you want?

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

Well, Police officers. Frank Smith. My name's Friday. Hello.

[Officer Frank Smith]

How do you do, ma' am?

[Lillian Havill]

What is it you want?

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

We'd like to talk to you about your brother.

[Lillian Havill]

Bride?

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

No, ma' am. Clarence.

[Lillian Havill]

Mr. Friday. I've done what I can for him. If he's in trouble again, he's just gonna have to go it alone.

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

What if we could talk inside?

[Lillian Havill]

Come on in. Thank you very much for this time.

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

Beg your pardon?

[Lillian Havill]

What's my brother done this time?

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

Does your brother own a circus?

[Lillian Havill]

Is this a joke?

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

No.

[Officer Frank Smith]

Man's pretty serious, does he?

[Clarence Havill]

Sure.

[Lillian Havill]

Big one. Cavill's amalgamated in combined shows. Travels all over the country. Animals, concessions. Even got a man eating black pests.

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

Yes, ma' am. That's one of the things we want.

[Lillian Havill]

To find out about Dandy.

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

You know the animal, do you?

[Lillian Havill]

Oh, Clarence's friends do. Talks about him all the time.

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

You know where the circus is right now?

[Lillian Havill]

Same place it's always been, ma' am. Never been any place else. Yeah, in Clarence's head.

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

We continue to talk to Lillian Havel. From her we got the background of the story. She told us that her brother had been a press agent for one of the larger carnivals, but that he'd been discharged several years before. Since that time he talked of very little else but the day when he'd be able to start his own show starring Danny. The Man Killing Black Panther. He went on to tell us that he spent most of his time in the hills of the San Fernando Valley trapping small animals, preparing for the first tour of the carnival. He called the office and notified them the search for the black panther was called off. 8:46pm we left the duplex and we drove out the freeway to the valley. When we got to Havel's, he was sitting on the front porch reading. The monkey was still on his shoulder.

[Clarence Havill]

Hey, come back, huh?

[Officer Frank Smith]

Yes, sir.

[Clarence Havill]

Found Andy yet? Sure hope you come up with him. I hate to lose the main attraction. Ain't that any word of him yet, huh?

[Officer Frank Smith]

No.

[Clarence Havill]

He's a sly one. Old Dandy. Sly. He knows if you find him, he'll go back in the cage. You just keep looking though. You'll turn up.

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

Search has been called off.

[Clarence Havill]

Handle called off?

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

That's right.

[Clarence Havill]

You mean you quit looking?

[Officer Frank Smith]

That's right.

[Clarence Havill]

You can't do that. You can't. Dangerous animal like that loose in the city, all the people in dire danger. You can't call off the posse.

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

Why don't you tell us about it?

[Clarence Havill]

What do you mean?

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

All right, hav. Tell us why you did it, huh? Why'd you report the panther being gone?

[Clarence Havill]

Cuz she was. Wanted to save all the people from dire dangers.

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

Why don't you tell us the truth, huh? We've checked your story. It's a pack of lies, you know.

[Clarence Havill]

Just a minute. Ain't no man that says I tell lies. No man.

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

You say you got two telegrams from your brother, is that right?

[Clarence Havill]

Yeah, from Clyde.

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

Well, we checked with the telegraph company. They've got no record of any such messages.

[Clarence Havill]

It's a big company. They might have lost them.

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

I don't think they lost them.

[Clarence Havill]

Might have.

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

You told us the carnival truck went into Nevada, didn't you?

[Officer Frank Smith]

Is that right?

[Clarence Havill]

Yeah.

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

We checked at the border. They don't know anything about the show.

[Clarence Havill]

Well, there are a lot of roads in the Nevada. Maybe you called the wrong station.

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

We talked to the right one.

[Clarence Havill]

Big truck. Red and yellow handles combined amalgamated. Shows letters about this big on the side. The other letters got a picture of Dandy on the side. Mean you can almost count his teeth.

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

You told us the truck was registered in your name. DMV has no record of it.

[Clarence Havill]

Well, it must be some mistake. It's gotta be Wrong.

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

We talked to your sister. She tells you don't have any kind of a show.

[Clarence Havill]

Lillian said that?

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

That's what she said.

[Clarence Havill]

You here, too?

[Officer Frank Smith]

Yes, sir.

[Clarence Havill]

Lillian told you I didn't have no show. Lillian told you that?

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

Go and get your coat, Hal.

[Clarence Havill]

Huh?

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

Little cold out tonight. You might need a coat.

[Clarence Havill]

We going someplace?

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

Yes, sir. We'll have to take you downtown.

[Clarence Havill]

Why?

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

Well, you had half the city on a wild goose chase here. Caused a lot of people a lot of work. Turns out there was no reason for it. We're trying to find out why you did it.

[Clarence Havill]

Why, yes, sir. You ever wanted anything bad, Sergeant?

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

What?

[Clarence Havill]

Ever wanted something so bad you'd almost taste it? Get to a point where you. You think about it so much, pretty soon it don't come over like a dream anymore. It's real. Honest and true. Real. You ever want anything like that?

[Officer Frank Smith]

I wouldn't know.

[Clarence Havill]

Well, that's the way it was with Havel's. The man to combine shows. That's the way it was. I was weaned on sawdust. Been around it all my life. The animals, sideshows, the alley, all of it. Then my whole life. When I left, it just seemed like I jumped into a big hole that didn't have no bottom. Wasn't anything to hang on to, nothing to tie down to. You know, Always I had in the back of my head that I could. I could do it again. I was a good publicity man. Good. Used to pack the main. Never no trouble getting the people in when I was there. When I left, I. I knew I'd be back. I knew it with my own show. Have those Amalgamated combined shows. The biggest in the world. I guess I just got shows. I believed it too much and lost the line between what's real and what I was dreaming. You know, this morning when you was out here. Remembered and tried to stop you from going on, but tried. And then there was that phone call where they found Daddy. Didn't seem right to stop things then. It just didn't seem right.

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

All right. You want to get your coat?

[Clarence Havill]

Yeah. You gonna take me downtown with a police car?

[Officer Frank Smith]

That's right.

[Clarence Havill]

Gonna use a siren?

[Officer Frank Smith]

For what, sir?

[Clarence Havill]

Siren?

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

There's no reason for any siren.

[Clarence Havill]

Suppose not. Used to have sirens when I come to town. Me and the chief of police riding down the street, Sirene going, everybody knew I was in town. Great to do. Everybody knew I was there. Things are sure changed.

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

Not very much things have changed.

[Clarence Havill]

People used to know I was in town.

[Officer Frank Smith]

They still do.

[Clarence Havill]

Clarence.

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

Neil Havill was held over for a sanity hearing in Superior Court. On recommendation of the court, appropriate action was taken. Dragnet. The story of your police force in action is a presentation of the United States Armed Forces Radio Service.