Summary of "Dragnet: The Big Chick" Episode

Podcast Information:

• Title: Choice Classic Radio Detectives | Old Time Radio
• Episode: Dragnet: The Big Chick
• Release Date: July 8, 2025
• Description: Old time radio fans! Choice Classic Radio brings to you old-time radio’s greatest detectives! Each day we feature a program chosen from the most popular shows of the period. So sit back and enjoy the best detectives The Golden Age of Radio has to offer!

1. Introduction to the Case

The episode begins with Detective Sergeant Joe Friday and his partner, Frank Smith, being briefed about a troubling case. A man named Walter Gilmer was found dead in a public park lake, with physical evidence pointing to narcotics poisoning.

• Joe Friday: "Your message amplified." (00:01)
  (Note: This line is part of the ad and is skipped in the main content.)

2. Discovery of Walter Gilmer

On Monday, July 9th, in warm Los Angeles, Joe Friday and Frank Smith leave the narcotics detail office at 10:23 AM to investigate the homicide reported in Room 42. Upon arrival, they discover Walter Gilmer's identity through fingerprinting, revealing a history of extensive criminal activity and multiple arrests since the age of 14.

• Frank Smith: "Here's a picture where we found him." (02:25)
• Joe Friday: "How do you think of that, Jack?" (03:05)

3. Initial Investigation and Leads

The detectives analyze the autopsy report, which indicates that Gilmer died of either heroin or morphine poisoning. Despite increased efforts and cooperation with Mexican authorities to curb the influx of low-grade heroin, key figures in the drug operation remain elusive. Gilmer's death presents a potential lead worth pursuing.

• Joe Friday: "We were working the day watch out of narcotics detail." (01:21)
• Frank Smith: "Died of narcotics poisoning." (03:41)

4. Interrogation of David Flack

On Thursday, July 12th, Friday and Smith interview David Flack, a friend of Gilmer, who becomes the prime suspect. Flack claims innocence, stating he found Gilmer unwell and helped him by moving his body to the lake. However, inconsistencies in his story and physical impossibility of carrying Gilmer alone raise suspicions.

• Frank Smith: "You figure you can nail me down for murder, huh?" (05:28)
• Frank Smith: "You better tell us then, huh?" (06:16)

5. Planning the Undercover Operation

With Flack's arrest providing limited information, Captain Shy decides that Joe Friday must go undercover to infiltrate the narcotics ring. Equipped with marked bills and fake identification, Friday adopts the persona of a buyer from Northern California to engage with the drug operators.

• Joe Friday: "It was set up that he and Sergeant Roxy Lucarelli would keep me under surveillance." (12:00)
• Frank Smith: "What's that? Are you trying to make a buy?" (13:00)

6. The Undercover Encounter

Friday visits a local bar to establish contact. He interacts with Dolores Page, who represents the narcotics ring. Despite initial mistrust and negotiation over the price and quantity of heroin, Friday's persistence leads to arranging a deal.

• Joe Friday: "I'm willing to pay for it, lady." (16:40)
• Dolores Page: "You're doing it wrong, Al." (22:26)

7. The Botched Deal and Confrontation

As the deal unfolds in San Diego, tensions rise when the assigned officers culminate in a confrontation. Frank Smith becomes suspicious of Joe's actions, leading to a heated exchange where Joe reveals his undercover identity. Realizing the breach, the officers move to apprehend the suspects.

• Joe Friday: "You know you're not going to get away with it, don't you?" (22:57)
• Frank Smith: "We've been working it a long time without no hitch." (20:35)

8. Arrests and Resolution

The episode culminates with the successful arrest of Dolores Page, Alfred Giles Harnett, and others involved in the narcotics operation. Walter Gilmer's demise is resolved as justice is served, highlighting the effectiveness and diligence of Joe Friday and his team.

• Joe Friday: "Come on, let's get him to the car." (24:14)
• Frank Smith: "The story you have just heard is true." (24:54)

9. Conclusion

The narrative concludes with a wrap-up of the legal consequences faced by the perpetrators, emphasizing the severity of their crimes and the robust response of the law enforcement officers involved.

• Frank Smith: "Dolores Marie Page and Alfred Giles Harnett were tried and convicted of murder in the first degree." (25:08)
• Joe Friday: "The names were changed to protect the innocent." (24:57)

Notable Quotes with Timestamps

• Joe Friday: "You better tell us then, huh?" (06:16)
• Frank Smith: "I had no part in it. None." (07:07)
• Dolores Page: "Making a big mistake, Joe." (22:30)
• Joe Friday: "I don't have to be that big." (20:55)
• Frank Smith: "We got the Rumble on you." (13:06)

Conclusion:

"Dragnet: The Big Chick" masterfully portrays the relentless pursuit of justice by Detective Sergeant Joe Friday and his team. Through meticulous investigation, undercover operations, and unwavering determination, the episode underscores the challenges and triumphs in combating narcotics-related crimes during the era. For listeners unfamiliar with the episode, this summary provides a comprehensive overview of the plot, character dynamics, and the ultimate resolution of the case.