Podcast Summary: Dragnet – “The Big Dig” (12/07/1954)

Podcast: Choice Classic Radio Detectives
Episode: Dragnet: The Big Dig
Date: November 25, 2025
Host: Choice Classic Radio
Main Theme:
This episode of Dragnet thrusts listeners into a tense missing person’s investigation that turns into a murder case. Sergeant Joe Friday and his partner Frank Smith must piece together confusing leads, family tensions, and forensic evidence to solve the disappearance of Margaret “Maggie” Shane. Set in postwar Los Angeles, the story combines hard-boiled realism, procedural police work, and a sobering look at personal tragedy.

Key Discussion Points & Episode Breakdown

1. The Case Begins: Disappearance and Suspicion

Timestamps: 00:49 – 03:00

• Summary:
  The story opens with Mrs. Karen Moffat reporting her sister Maggie missing, adamant that something is amiss. She insists that Maggie’s husband, Gordon Shane, is responsible:

  “I want you to arrest Maggie’s husband. …Because he killed her.”
  (Karen Moffat, 02:50–02:53)

• Notable Moment:
  Mrs. Moffat’s forthright accusation sets an accusatory and suspicious mood.

  “We were pretty close. Hardly no secrets from each other.”
  (Karen Moffat, 02:35)

2. Investigating the Shanes: Home and Husband

Timestamps: 03:00 – 10:13

• Garage Evidence:
  Friday and Smith search the Shanes’ home and garage, finding suspicious blood stains. The crime lab is called in for analysis.

  “Looks like somebody tried to hide it. Blood stains.”
  (Sergeant Joe Friday, 03:00)

• Interview with Gordon Shane:
  At his workplace, Gordon Shane insists he hasn’t seen Maggie since she left after an argument. He blames his sister-in-law for meddling and claims Maggie had many male admirers.

  “Everywhere she went, there was some guy trying to make time. Might have been someone special. I wouldn’t know.”
  (Gordon Shane, 07:13)

• Blood Stain Explanation:
  Shane claims he cut his foot in the garage—before Maggie left—and offers to show the wound as proof.

• Detective Tone:
  Joe Friday's questioning is relentless but calm, pushing Shane to clarify dates and actions despite his evasiveness.

3. Mounting Evidence & Doubt

Timestamps: 10:43 – 12:09

• Shane’s Frustration:
  Shane wonders if he can sue his sister-in-law for her accusations, revealing personal animosity.

  “If I get out of this, can I bring suit against my sister-in-law?... Seems there should be something I can do to close her mouth.”
  (Gordon Shane, 10:44–10:57)

• Handwriting and Timeline Contradictions:
  Checks written and signed by Maggie after her supposed disappearance cast doubt on Shane’s version of events.

4. Police Interrogation and New Suspect

Timestamps: 12:09 – 16:18

• Jail Interrogation:
  Shane maintains his innocence, and detectives pursue signature verification on the checks.

• Forensic Results:
  The crime lab confirms the blood stains in the garage match Shane’s blood type, not Maggie’s.

  “Stains on the floor aren’t hers. They belong to Shane.”
  (Frank Smith, 16:14)
  This exonerates Gordon Shane as the likely killer.

5. Shifting Focus: The Bar and Leonard Purdy

Timestamps: 16:43 – 19:33

• Following Maggie’s Trail:
  Interviews at Maggie’s local bar introduce Leonard Purdy, a small-time, alcoholic regular who was close with Maggie.

  “Guess if you had to nail it down, it’d be Leonard.”
  (Bartender, 17:16)

• Purdy’s Background:
  The detectives learn Purdy recently left a mental hospital, has a record, and may have unpredictable violent tendencies.

6. Locating the Suspect and Breakthrough Confession

Timestamps: 20:56 – 24:30

• Tracking Purdy:
  Police trace Purdy to a pawnshop and boarding house, where they find him—still wearing Maggie’s fur coat.

  “This coat… It’s got Margaret Shane’s name in [it].”
  (Sergeant Joe Friday, 22:13–22:16)

• Confrontation and Confession:
  Initially denying involvement, Purdy breaks down:

  “I killed her, but I don’t know where she is.”
  (Leonard Purdy, 22:36)

7. Desert Search and Resolution

Timestamps: 24:30 – End

• Locating the Body:
  Guided by Purdy and auto rental records, detectives drive into the Mojave Desert, where he directs them to where he buried Maggie after beating her to death during a drunken argument.

  “Over there, behind the bushes.”
  (Leonard Purdy, 24:21)

• Sobering Regret:
  Purdy laments his inability to stay sober, blaming his drinking for everything that went wrong:

  “If I could just stay away from it, I wouldn’t have any problems. I want to give it up. If I could just find a way.”
  (Leonard Purdy, 24:50)

• Epilogue / Case Disposition:
  The narrator confirms Purdy pled guilty to second-degree murder and was sentenced to five years to life.

Notable Quotes

• “I want you to arrest Maggie’s husband. …Because he killed her.”
  — Karen Moffat, 02:50–02:53

• “Looks like somebody tried to hide it. Blood stains.”
  — Joe Friday, 03:00

• “I didn’t kill her. Now look, leave me alone. When do I get to call a lawyer?”
  — Gordon Shane, 14:21

• “Stains on the floor aren’t hers. They belong to Shane.”
  — Frank Smith, 16:14

• “Guess if you had to nail it down, it’d be Leonard.”
  — Bartender, 17:16

• “I killed her, but I don’t know where she is.”
  — Leonard Purdy, 22:36

• “If I could just stay away from it, I wouldn’t have any problems. I want to give it up. If I could just find a way.”
  — Leonard Purdy, 24:50

Timestamps for Important Segments

• Case reported/missing persons complaint: 00:49–03:00
• Discovery of blood in garage: 03:00–04:40
• Interview with Gordon Shane (husband): 05:06–10:13
• Handwriting analysis and blood test results: 15:11–16:18
• Bar scene, learning about Leonard Purdy: 17:08–19:33
• Locating and confronting Purdy: 21:04–22:36
• Purdy’s confession and desert search: 22:48–24:41
• Conviction and sentencing: 25:02–25:35

Episode Tone & Style

True to Dragnet’s trademark style, dialogue is terse, factual, and tinged with dry wit. Joe Friday leads with directness and persistence, while the supporting cast adds emotional depth and tension—especially in scenes of confrontation or confession. The procedural drama unfolds with deliberate pacing, emphasizing logical deduction and methodical police work.

For Listeners:
This episode demonstrates the patience, skill, and empathy required of police detectives while also underlining the tragic consequences of misdirected suspicion, addiction, and domestic strife in mid-century America.
Whether you’re a fan of classic radio drama or a student of crime fiction, “The Big Dig” offers a riveting, true-to-life procedural, revealing as much about human nature as it does about police work.