Dragnet: The Big Grab 06/21/1955

Summary

Podcast Summary: Dragnet – "The Big Grab" (06/21/1955)

Podcast: Choice Classic Radio Detectives | Old Time Radio
Episode: Dragnet: The Big Grab
Release Date: March 31, 2026
Main Theme:
This episode of Dragnet features the case of a six-year-old girl's kidnapping for ransom. The story follows Sgt. Joe Friday, his partner Frank Smith, and the LAPD as they race against time to rescue the missing child, Grace Marchand, and apprehend her abductor. The episode captures the procedural rigor, emotional stakes, and methodical police work characteristic of Dragnet.

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Key Discussion Points & Narrative Breakdown

1. Setting the Stage: The Kidnapping

• [00:21 – 03:17]
  • The Crime: A six-year-old girl, Grace Marchand, is kidnapped by a young man from outside her private school. The only witness is questioned for details.
  • Initial Evidence: A suspect sketch and a ransom note delivered by a neighborhood boy (paid by the kidnapper).
  • Ransom Note: Cut-and-paste from newspaper, demanding $50,000, warning not to involve police ([03:37]).
  • Police Mobilization: Massive search and investigation commenced, involving all available police resources and coordination with neighboring departments.
  • Emotional Impact: The parents, especially Mrs. Marchand, are distraught and resistant to police interference.

2. Tension with the Family

• [03:17 – 08:20]
  • At the Marchand Home:
    • Officers discuss the ransom note and security strategy.
    • The parents debate whether to cooperate with the police. Mrs. Marchand is openly hostile, fearing for her daughter’s safety due to police involvement.
    • Memorable Quote (Mrs. Marchand, [07:31]): "You're not going to be happy until she's dead, are you?"
  • Police Dilemma:
    • The officers must respect the family's wishes but remain determined to continue surveillance discreetly.

3. Developing the Investigation

• [08:20 – 10:14]
  • Surveillance Decision:
    • Officers decide to maintain covert surveillance, realizing the family won't cooperate openly.
    • Notable Quote (Sgt. Friday, [08:35]): "I wonder if it makes any difference. Maybe we lost already."
  • Mr. Marchand’s Change of Heart:
    • Mr. Marchand, reflecting on the situation, contacts Friday and Smith at an all-night diner ([10:07]).
    • He agrees to let them assist with preparing the ransom—so long as his wife is kept in the dark about police involvement.

4. Preparing for the Ransom Drop

• [12:09 – 14:08]
  • Money Preparation:
    • Crime lab recommends dusting the ransom with silver nitrate, which marks the suspect’s hands for later identification ([12:28–12:49]).
    • Bills are cataloged, and special packaging is prepared (marked brown paper or newspaper).
  • Coordinating the Arrest:
    • Police set up teams, helicopters, and vehicles for surveillance and pursuit.
    • The kidnapper’s second contact comes, specifying a 6 PM exchange ([14:11]).

5. The Stakeout and Launch of the Rescue Operation

• [15:58 – 19:57]
  • Surveillance in Action:
    • Cops are strategically placed; radio contact is established between teams.
    • Emotional tension builds as Marchand waits for instructions. He receives the final call with detailed drop instructions ([18:47]).

6. Confrontation and Rescue

• [19:57 – 23:16]
  • On the Road:
    • Marchand (with Sgt. Friday hidden in the car) follows the kidnapper’s instructions toward Zuma Beach.
    • Kidnapper signals with headlights; tension peaks as the exchange is about to happen ([20:21]).
    • The kidnapper attempts to flee. Marchand rams the abductor’s car in desperation, halting his getaway ([21:02]).
  • The Arrest:
    • Despite initial resistance, Friday and Smith extract a confession and location of Grace (Piedmont Hotel, room 506).
    • Emotional outburst: Mr. Marchand threatens the kidnapper ([21:46–21:56]):

      "If you don't make him tell me, I'll do it myself. I'll kill him. If he's hit her, I'll kill him right here." – Frank Smith

    • Kidnapper, injured, finally reveals the girl's location and admits acting alone.
    • Officers coordinate the immediate rescue.

7. Resolution and Aftermath

• [23:16 – 24:00]
  • Epilogue:
    • Announcer details the outcome: Martin Francis Langer is convicted and sentenced to life in San Quentin for kidnapping ([23:16]).

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Notable Quotes & Moments

• Tension & Realism in Family Reactions

  "You're not going to be happy until she's dead, are you?"
  — Mrs. Marchand (07:31)

• Police Procedure Insights

  "We can dust the package and the money with silver nitrate. Matter of time, the moisture from the suspect's hands will combine with the silver nitrate and turn them white."
  — Crime Lab, Ray Pinker (12:28)

  "Well, once he picks up the money, we've got everything on our side."
  — Sgt. Friday (13:38)

• Drama at the Climax

  "If you don't make him tell me, I'll do it myself. I'll kill him. If he's hit her, I'll kill him right here."
  — Frank Smith (21:46–21:56)

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Timestamps for Key Segments

• 03:17 – Officers review ransom note, begin discussion with family.
• 07:31 – Mrs. Marchand's dramatic confrontation with police.
• 10:07 – Mr. Marchand relents, seeks help from Friday and Smith.
• 12:28–12:49 – Crime lab explains silver nitrate marking of money.
• 14:11 – Second contact from kidnapper, instructions for drop.
• 18:47 – Final detailed instructions from kidnapper.
• 20:21 – Visual contact with the kidnapper on Pacific Coast Highway.
• 21:46 – Stormy emotional climax; near-violence from Mr. Marchand.
• 22:29 – Kidnapper reveals girl’s location.
• 23:16 – Epilogue: kidnapper’s fate.

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Tone & Style

Staying true to Dragnet’s iconic style, the episode is matter-of-fact, suspenseful, and heavily procedural, focusing on the tangible methods of police work and the stark emotional consequences for all involved. The language is direct, often understated, and the drama is heightened by raw, realistic dialogue—particularly from the terrified Marchand parents and the hard-edged yet compassionate Det. Friday.

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For newcomers, this Dragnet episode offers a gripping, step-by-step account of a classic Golden Age radio police procedural—balancing methodical investigation, empathy for the victim’s family, and the tense final confrontation with a kidnapper.

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]

[Frank Smith]

Dragnet.

[Captain Warman]

Ladies and gentlemen, the story you are about to hear is true. The names have been changed to protect the innocent. You're a detective sergeant. You're assigned a homicide detail. A six year old girl has been taken from the streets of your city. There's no lead to her whereabouts or

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

to the identity of the kidnapper. Your job. Find them. It was Monday, May 1. It was warm in Los Angeles. We were working today. Watch out of homicide detail. My partner's Frank Smith. The boss is Captain Warman. My name's Friday. I was on my way back from the business office and it was 7:28pm when I got to room 42. Homicide Squadron. No, the hair was a little thicker, you know, more of it, more like this? Yeah, yeah, that's about it. Short, real short.

[Frank Smith]

Now what about the eyes?

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

Well, they were kind of close together.

[Frank Smith]

Hi Joe.

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

Hi. Where'd. Franco.

[Captain Warman]

Chief Brown called.

[Frank Smith]

He went down there.

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

How you doing? Good.

[Frank Smith]

Hey, take a look at yourself.

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

Uh huh. Yeah. Yeah, that's it. Right on the old button.

[Frank Smith]

Yeah. A couple more eyebrows.

[Captain Warman]

What?

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

More eyebrows? Couple more.

[Captain Warman]

Yeah.

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

Yeah, that's it. Yeah. Say, this fella's pretty good. A lot better than those guys at the beach. What's that?

[Frank Smith]

Guys at the beach, you know, they

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

draw your picture while you wait. Two bits, something like that, and they draw your picture. This looks just like the guy that took the girl. All right. Sure feel bad about that. I really do, sir. I was just sitting there, you know,

[Frank Smith]

folding up the papers from her out, just sitting fold.

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

And all of a sudden I see this thing happen right in front of me. Yeah. Car just pulled up to the curb and they grabbed the girl. It was more than one, huh? You said they grabbed the girl. Well, no, no, I just said that. You know, an expression. It didn't mean there was more than one. Just said that, you know how you do. Yeah, just one kid. That's what he was. Young kid.

[Martin Francis Langer (Kidnapper)]

No for it.

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

Just like a punk job.

[Frank Smith]

Yeah.

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

I just talked to Chief Brown. He wants to know how the picture's coming. Not finished. Why? Looks like we might need it right away, huh? The family just got a ransom note. The suspect was described as WMA, 26 years old. Five feet eight and a half inches in height and weighing about 140 pounds. At approximately 3:10 that afternoon, he'd approached a Private school in the Hollywood area and forced Grace Marsh and age 6 into his car. The only witness to the kidnapping had spread the alarm in the matter of minutes. Every police officer in the area had the description of the man and the car he was driving. Word of the crime had gone out to all policemen in Southern California. They were all looking for a little girl. Units from Juvenile Division working under Captain John Powers joined in the search. A roundup of known deviates was started. All available information sources were tapped. But in spite of our efforts, at the end of four and a half hours, the child still hadn't been found. 8:02pm Frank and I drove out to the house. We parked our car in the next block and walked to the Marsh and residence where we met with Captain Powers and the missing girl's parents.

[Captain Warman]

Thought we could talk in here. March hands are pretty upset.

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

Yeah. What about that note?

[Captain Warman]

It's downtown. Latent printer going over it.

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

How'd he get here? Kid brought it. What about him?

[Captain Warman]

16 years old, lives in the neighborhood.

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

Where'd he get it?

[Captain Warman]

Says a man approach him in the drugstore at the corner. Asked him to deliver a letter.

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

Gave the kid a buck.

[Captain Warman]

Boy didn't know what was in the letter. What did it say? Got a copy of it here.

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

You want to see your kid alive? Get $50,000 in small unmarked bills ready. You'll get a phone call. Don't tell the police, don't tell anyone. If you do, forget about your daughter. How was it written, Captain?

[Captain Warman]

Words were cut out of the evening paper, pasted on a plain white sheet.

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

Anything there?

[Captain Warman]

We don't know yet. As soon as Leighton Prince are through with it, Larry Sloan is going over it.

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

What about this Marsh hand? Can he swing that kind of money?

[Captain Warman]

Yeah, I guess so. He says he will.

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

Are they gonna go along with us?

[Captain Warman]

I'm not sure. Mrs. Marchand would like us to get off their side.

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

How about him?

[Captain Warman]

He wants his daughter back. Well, aren't you gonna talk to him?

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

I guess we better. What about the phone? Did you make arrangements to have it covered?

[Captain Warman]

Oh, yeah, yeah. There's an extension in the study. Can you use that? It's close enough to the one in the master bedroom. So we can talk to the Marsh Hands while they're on that one.

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

Okay.

[Captain Warman]

Anything new turn up downtown?

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

No, I'm still questioning Deviates.

[Captain Warman]

Well, we've taken a kid who brought the note downtown. Gonna have him check the mug books.

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

And we better let them see that drawing too.

[Frank Smith]

Yeah.

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

What about the house? You got it covered pretty good.

[Captain Warman]

Yeah. There's a team from Hollywood across the street. Another one out in the back.

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

Where are they?

[Captain Warman]

One across the street's in a neighbor's house. The other one's in a car out back.

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

Okay, let's go, huh? Yeah.

[Captain Warman]

They're in the living room.

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

All right. How are they taking her? Rough. There you go.

[Mrs. Marshand]

We've got to get them out of the house.

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

I know.

[Frank Smith]

They're gonna ruin everything. No, no. Just calm down, dear. How are you getting pals?

[Captain Warman]

Mr. Marshan, this is Sergeant Friday and his partner, Frank Smith.

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

How are you, sir?

[Frank Smith]

How you do? This is my wife.

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

My name is Mar.

[Mrs. Marshand]

Is there anything new? Have you found her yet?

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

No, ma', am, not yet.

[Mrs. Marshand]

I told you, they're going to get her back. All this mess just going to make this mess.

[Frank Smith]

Take it easy, dear. It be all right if I take her upstairs?

[Captain Warman]

Yeah, sure.

[Frank Smith]

Come on, honey. Now, why don't you lie down, try

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

to get some rest.

[Mrs. Marshand]

They're going to bring her back.

[Frank Smith]

Crying's not going to do any good at the dinner.

[Mrs. Marshand]

Come on, you get it out of the house. I'm not going anywhere.

[Frank Smith]

Maybe it might be better if you waited out in the kitchen. I'll try to get a condom. All right, sir. I'm sorry.

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

Yes, sir.

[Frank Smith]

Come on, dear.

[Mrs. Marshand]

Did you tell him?

[Frank Smith]

Yes, I did.

[Captain Warman]

Let's go.

[Mrs. Marshand]

They're not doing anything in that.

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

She's taking it pretty hard.

[Captain Warman]

Yeah.

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

They called the doctor.

[Captain Warman]

If he's on his way.

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

Have they got any other children?

[Captain Warman]

Yeah. Boy at 10.

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

Where's he?

[Captain Warman]

His sisters. Marshan took him over there this evening.

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

Well, there are six teams from Metro standing by. Four from our detail.

[Captain Warman]

How about the sheriff's department?

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

I talked to Dick Taran. They're with us all along the line.

[Captain Warman]

Good.

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

This season's bad.

[Frank Smith]

I hope the doctor gets here pretty quick.

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

Is there anything we can do?

[Frank Smith]

You know the answer to that one. Well, you like some coffee?

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

No, thank you.

[Captain Warman]

Oh, thanks.

[Frank Smith]

I'm gonna make some anyway.

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

All right.

[Frank Smith]

I'm sorry about my wife.

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

That's all right, sir.

[Frank Smith]

Taking the whole thing pretty hard.

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

You made any arrangements to get the money, Mr. Marsham? Yes.

[Frank Smith]

I called my brother. There's nothing we can do about it tonight. The first thing in the morning, we get it together.

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

We'd like to be with you. What? We'd like to help you prepare the money.

[Frank Smith]

I don't know quite how to say this.

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

What's that, sir?

[Frank Smith]

Well, I know you men are trying to help, but I don't want you interfering with the payoff that's gonna make

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

it a little difficult.

[Frank Smith]

Maybe so, but that's the way it's gotta be.

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

All right? That's the way you want it? Well, it is, you know. It's not gonna make much difference.

[Captain Warman]

What do you mean?

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

Well, the kidnapper probably knows we're working on the case already. He's counting on the fact that you won't go along with us.

[Frank Smith]

What is it you want to do?

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

Well, we'll help you get the money ready. Take the numbers of the bills and prepare the package. We don't want to endanger your daughter's life. As far as we're concerned, you can go right ahead with a payoff and you're contacted. But if we can help now, it'll make it easier after the money's been paid.

[Frank Smith]

On who, huh? Was it going to be easier on you or Grace? You're going to make sure we get it back? You're willing to write insurance on that?

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

There's no answer to that question.

[Frank Smith]

That's the whole point. We want our daughter back. I don't care what we have to do or how we do it. As long as Grace is back, that's all that's important.

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

We can understand.

[Frank Smith]

I know what you're trying to do, and I appreciate it, but this is our problem. I don't want to take any chances on something going wrong. As soon as we hear from the man who has her, we'll do what he says.

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

Then you're not gonna let us help, huh? No.

[Frank Smith]

And I think it might be better if you called your man off.

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

You're making it hard for us.

[Frank Smith]

I'm not trying to, but can't you understand? All we want is our girl back. It doesn't make any difference how it's done. As long as she's home, that's all that counts.

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

What about the man who took her?

[Frank Smith]

That's your problem. As soon as Grace is home, I'll go along with you on whatever you want to do. But until then, I don't want you meddling.

[Mrs. Marshand]

Thought you said they'd gone.

[Frank Smith]

They're just leaving.

[Mrs. Marshand]

You're not going to be happy until she's dead, are you?

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

That's not true, ma'. Am.

[Mrs. Marshand]

Well, it looks like it. All these policemen, the whole thing. A lot of noise, nothing more. You're not doing any good. Why don't you get out?

[Frank Smith]

They're leaving, dear.

[Mrs. Marshand]

When? After they throw Grace up on the front lawn? Is that where they'll go?

[Frank Smith]

All right, honey.

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

Now. All right, ma'. Am. We'll Leave.

[Mrs. Marshand]

Get out. Come on. Don't stand around.

[Frank Smith]

All right, now, that's enough, Mabel. They know it. All right, now, calm down, will you? This isn't gonna do any good.

[Mrs. Marshand]

Knock you around. You haven't done anything to make things finish. What good are they doing?

[Frank Smith]

I'm afraid you better leave.

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

All right, sir, we'll talk to you later.

[Frank Smith]

As soon as we get back up.

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

What was that, sir?

[Frank Smith]

Say, as soon as we get. Get Grace back. I'll call you.

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

Yes, sir. You sure you won't let us help? No.

[Frank Smith]

You better go now.

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

Well, now what? I guess we wait.

[Frank Smith]

Yeah.

[Captain Warman]

What about the surveillance? You gonna call it off?

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

No, I don't think so. We'll check it with the skipper. Yeah. Be a lot easier if the Martians would let us help them.

[Captain Warman]

At least we know what was going on. Give us a chance, you know. This way, we're in the cold. Nothing we can do.

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

I wonder if it makes any difference, huh? Maybe we lost already. We contacted the office and talked with Captain Lorman. We told him what had happened at the marsh and home. He instructed us to keep the place under surveillance, but not to interfere with the movements of the family. Officers in the area were asked to stay away from the house. If the kidnapper wanted to make contact, we would do Nothing to stop him. 8:46pm Captain Power stayed on at the scene and Frank and I went back to the office. We met with Captain Larman, Chief Detective Spat Brown.

[Frank Smith]

You can't count any cooperation from the family, then?

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

No, I don't think so. Father might go along with us, but Ms. Marchand is dead against it.

[Frank Smith]

How are you going to handle it, Lorman? Keep their place under surveillance. Wait for them to make a move.

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

Important thing is not to burn them.

[Frank Smith]

Yeah. When do they figure to pick up the money?

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

Joe Marshan said tomorrow morning.

[Frank Smith]

What business is he in?

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

Contractor. Got a company with his brother. I do a lot of work in developments. Just finished a big section out in the valley.

[Frank Smith]

You won't have any trouble raising the money then?

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

No, it didn't seem to bother him.

[Frank Smith]

What are you gonna do about that?

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

The money?

[Frank Smith]

Yeah.

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

Well, first thing in the morning, we'll try to get in touch with his bank. Make arrangements to have the serial numbers on the bills noted.

[Frank Smith]

Crime lab able to do anything for you?

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

Well, we check with them. Should be some way we can make it easier.

[Frank Smith]

The important thing is to get the girl back. Once we know where she is, we

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

can move a lot faster.

[Frank Smith]

Homicide, Lawman.

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

Yeah, huh.

[Frank Smith]

Wanna give me that address? Yes, sir, right away. Goodbye. Maybe it's coming over to our side.

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

What do you mean?

[Frank Smith]

That was Mr. Marshand.

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

Yeah.

[Frank Smith]

He wants to see you right away.

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

Frank and I left the office and drove over to the address Mr. Marchand had given us on the phone. It was an all night restaurant on Hollywood Boulevard. We found him in a booth at the back of the place. Hi, Mr. Martian. How are you?

[Frank Smith]

Sit down, will you?

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

Hear anything new? No.

[Frank Smith]

The reason I called, I got thinking after you'd left. The way we acted isn't going to help any. It's not going to make it any easier on anybody.

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

That's right.

[Frank Smith]

Mabel and I talked it over. She still isn't too hot on the idea. And I'd appreciate it if you could do what has to be done without her knowing too much about it.

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

We'll do what we can.

[Frank Smith]

I don't like to have to put this kind of restriction on you, but right now there doesn't seem to be any other way.

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

We understand. Have you heard anything else from the kidnapper?

[Frank Smith]

Not a word. Don't imagine he'll try and contact me before I've had a chance to get the money.

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

No, sir. When do you figure on getting him?

[Frank Smith]

I'll call my bank at nine, try and make arrangements.

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

Then we'd like to be there when you talk to him.

[Frank Smith]

All right. What do you plan on doing?

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

Well, first we want to get the serial numbers and all those bills.

[Frank Smith]

I'm sure they'll cooperate.

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

We'll check with our crime lab. Maybe something we can use to prepare the money so we'll be able to recognize it a little better. They'll probably want you to make up a special package too.

[Frank Smith]

Well, I'm not going to try and

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

tell you your business.

[Frank Smith]

I guess you know what you're doing.

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

Well, we hope so.

[Frank Smith]

I'd like to ask a question, though.

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

What's that?

[Frank Smith]

You think she's still alive?

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

Well, there's no way of knowing that.

[Frank Smith]

You've handled this kind of thing before. You know what the odds are. What do you think?

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

I don't know.

[Frank Smith]

I think it's so much easier if we knew. Just seems like she has to be alive. I can't imagine anyone who'd hurt a little girl. I just can't imagine it.

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

Yes.

[Frank Smith]

First time she's ever been away from home. She doesn't get along with strangers too well.

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

Poor little kid.

[Frank Smith]

I'm sorry. I'm acting like an idiot.

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

No, sir. More like a father. We took Mr. Marchand back to his home and then Frank and I checked out for the night. The next morning at 7:30am Henry Marshan. Frank and I met with Ray Pinker in the crime lab.

[Frank Smith]

Have you talked to the bank yet?

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

No. We figured we'd check with you, find out what you were gonna want.

[Frank Smith]

How's the money gonna be paid?

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

We don't know yet. There's only been the one contact.

[Frank Smith]

Yeah, saw that yesterday.

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

What's the best way of working the deal, Ray?

[Frank Smith]

You're gonna get the numbers on the bills.

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

Yeah.

[Frank Smith]

Well, the note said to get the amount in small ones. I guess that means five tens and twenties.

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

Probably quite a few to work with, won't it?

[Frank Smith]

Doesn't make a lot of difference.

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

What are you gonna do?

[Frank Smith]

Well, we can dust the package and the money with silver nitrate. What'll that do? Matter of time, the moisture from the suspect's hands will combine with the silver nitrate and turn them white.

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

How long will it take?

[Frank Smith]

Depends on his body chemistry.

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

Well, about how long?

[Frank Smith]

Could be three or four hours. I wouldn't count on it happening that fast, though.

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

How easy is it going to be to spot?

[Frank Smith]

Not too hard. Stuff looks almost like a white topping

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

powder the wash off easy?

[Frank Smith]

No. Should last around three to four days. Depends again on how easily he sweats, how often he washes his hands and how hard he tries to get it off.

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

Yeah. Is there any chance he'll spot it?

[Frank Smith]

Can't miss it once it starts to show. Well, then he'll know there's something wrong. He might try to do something to Grace.

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

Well, we might as well face it, Mr. Marchand. If she hasn't been returned in three or four hours, it's probably because he doesn't mean to give her back. I suppose so.

[Frank Smith]

As soon as you get the instructions on wrapping the money, let me know right away. We'll get it ready. What are you gonna do? We'll mark the paper the money's supposed to be wrapped in. Why? So I can identify if he wants the package out of newspaper. We got some on hand. Got some new brown wrapping paper too. I think we're pretty well set on that score. I don't understand why you're doing all this.

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

Well, if the suspect gets away from the meeting place, we've got to have a way to pick him up.

[Frank Smith]

How's the special package gonna help?

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

We'll be able to prove it's what the money was wrapped in. Make it easier to be sure we got the right man.

[Frank Smith]

Michelle was as confident as you seem to be.

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

How do you mean that?

[Frank Smith]

We're going to catch the man?

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

Well, once he picks up the money, we've got everything on our side.

[Frank Smith]

You're going to have the pickup area

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

staked out much as we can? Depends a lot on where the contact is made. Right after the payoff, we'll secure the area. Nobody will get out. Ray, is there any way we can mark the car?

[Frank Smith]

Hard to say.

[Captain Warman]

We could use paint.

[Frank Smith]

A lot of things we don't know about the setup. Be easy to figure them. After we've got all the information. Somebody can get close enough to the

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

car, we can drop a capsule of

[Frank Smith]

paint on top of it.

[Captain Warman]

Put a copter in the area and

[Frank Smith]

you shouldn't have any trouble picking it up.

[Mrs. Marshand]

Dodge. Friday.

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

Yeah.

[Mrs. Marshand]

Phone for you, sir.

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

Thank you.

[Frank Smith]

Take it over there, Joe.

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

Okay. Which line?

[Mrs. Marshand]

Three.

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

Thank you.

[Frank Smith]

Friday.

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

Speed. Oh, yeah. Huh? What? We'll be right over. House beginning to go. What do you mean? Kidnapper just called? Yeah, he's ready for a meet. The second contact by the kidnapper had been made by telephone. He talked to Mrs. Marchand and instructed her to tell her husband to have the money ready by 6pm that evening. They went on to say that another call would be made giving instructions for payment of the ransom. Mr. Marsh and Frank and I talked with her about the call. And then we had a meeting with Captain Warman and Chief Detective Thad Brown. It was decided to go ahead as the kidnapper had ordered. At 9:02am we got $50,000 from the bank. We went back to the City hall and talked to Captain James Fisk. He assigned six girls from the record section to aid us. We divided them into three teams of two, each one calling the numbers on the bills, the other typing a list. At 3:45pm the job was finished. The money was taken to the crime lab and dusted with silver nitrate powder. Because we didn't have the final instructions on the delivery of the ransom, Ray Pinker gave us a supply of plain newspapers and brown wrapping paper. Both types were marked so they could later be identified in court. He also gave us pellets of dark and light paint in the event we had an opportunity to mark the kidnapper's car. 4:30pm we got in touch with Dave Robart at the sound lab and made arrangements for three way radio equipment, tv. Detective Stat Brown contacted army authorities and with their cooperation we had a helicopter standing by in the event it was needed. Teams of men from Metro Division and homicide detail were planted in the area around the marsh and home. And at 5:15pm Frank and I, along With Marshan. Drove out to his house to wait for the third contact from the kidnapper. Red 1 to Red 6, Red 1 to Red 6, come in, please. Red 6 to Red 1, do you read me? Yeah, Jack, you're coming in fine. Who's riding with you? Over.

[Frank Smith]

Joden, you got any word yet?

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

Over. No, nothing. We'll talk to you later. Red One out. Well, that's it, Joe. They're all in position. Now we got the tough part.

[Frank Smith]

Yeah.

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

Wait.

[Frank Smith]

Say, all these cars, isn't there a chance a kidnapper might see them?

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

No, sir. They're scattered all over the area. Matter of fact, none of them can even see the house.

[Frank Smith]

Hope it works out.

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

Well, everything's going with us so far. Keeps up, we shouldn't have any trouble at all. Yeah. Is your wife all right, Mr. Marchand?

[Frank Smith]

Yeah, I guess so. She's upstairs. The doctor gave her something to make her sleep. Didn't want it, but he figured it was best.

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

Yes, sir.

[Frank Smith]

Wasn't anything she could do to help. This whole thing's been pretty hard on her.

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

Mm.

[Frank Smith]

Maybe when it's over, we'll take both kids and go out of town for vacation. The rest of do it good.

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

Yes, sir.

[Frank Smith]

Been pretty rough on it. I'll get it.

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

Just a minute, Mr. Marchand. Give us a chance to get that other phone.

[Frank Smith]

Well, you can use the one in the breakfast room. Through that door.

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

All right. Now, don't pick up the receiver until you hear me say, now. You got it?

[Frank Smith]

All right. Anyway you say, can't I answer it now? He might not.

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

Wait just a second now. Hello? What?

[Frank Smith]

Oh, yes, Sam. No, no, no, I can't right now.

[Martin Francis Langer (Kidnapper)]

No.

[Frank Smith]

Yeah. Huh? Look, Sam, I'm expecting an important call. Can I talk to you tomorrow? I'm sorry about it. Yeah, sure. No, no, it's nothing else. Yeah. All right, Sam. I'll talk to you tomorrow. Okay, bye. Sam Nicholson wanted to know if I

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

could play golf with him anymore. Yes, sir.

[Frank Smith]

Thought at first it might be the kidnapper. It wasn't, but sure it was him. I wish something would happen. Just wait and it'll drive me crazy. Now, if we just knew she was all right.

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

That's all.

[Frank Smith]

If we just knew.

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

Let me just get that other phone.

[Frank Smith]

Wait.

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

Let's see now.

[Frank Smith]

I know it's him this time.

[Captain Warman]

Now.

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

Hello?

[Frank Smith]

Yeah, that's right. No, no, I was in the back of the house. What? No, the line is intact. No, no, it isn't. I give him my word. Yeah, what about Grace? Is you all right?

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

Yeah, I got it.

[Frank Smith]

No, it's here in the house now. That's right. $50,000. Yeah. Wait a minute. I better get a pencil. All right, go ahead. Yeah. Uh huh. No, I know where it is. Yeah, all right, I'll try and find something. No, I'll find something. Yeah, all right. I'll leave as soon as I can. No, I won't bring anybody, I swear. Yeah, Will you have Grace there? Hello?

[Martin Francis Langer (Kidnapper)]

Hello?

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

You heard it. Yeah. We better get started. You got the map?

[Frank Smith]

I'll get it. He said Grace was all right. Did you hear him say that?

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

Yes, sir, I did.

[Frank Smith]

He said she was okay. Well, I hope he was telling the truth.

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

Yes, sir, so do we.

[Frank Smith]

You know, it's been a long time, Sergeant, but I guess you never forget how to pray.

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

The man on the phone had instructed Mr. Marchand to attach a piece of white material to the front of his car and to drive north on Highway 101. He said that near Zuma beach he would indicate his presence by flashing the headlights of his own vehicle. Marchand was to pull over to the side of the road and walk halfway to the kidnapper's car. After a wait, the suspect would approach Marshan and take the money. At that time, he'd give us information on the girl's return. 6:10pm all of the cars in the operation were told of the latest developments. Was decided that I would hide in the backseat of Marshann's car with a walkie talkie and keep contact with the other officers. Frank and Captain Powers would be directly behind us in unit 1K80. As soon as we made contact with the kidnapper, they would try to take the suspect into custody. The money was wrapped in the brown wrapping paper. Paper. And at 6:14pm Marshan and I went out to his garage and got in the car. He drove out Sunset Boulevard, the Pacific coast highway, and turned right. We drove for about 40 minutes. There was no sign of the kidnapper.

[Frank Smith]

Red 2 to Red 1.

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

Red 2 to Red 1. Red 1, Red 1 to Red 2, over. How's it going, Joe? Any sign yet? No, we're approaching Zuma Beach. Should be pretty quick now it's Friday. There's a car up ahead.

[Frank Smith]

I can just make it out.

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

Stand by, Red Two. I think we made contact. How about it?

[Frank Smith]

Yeah. Yeah, that's it. He just flashed his lights.

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

Frank, we just made contact. Better take it easy. Okay, Joe, keep us posted. Can you see us? We can just barely make out your lights. We're about a half a mile behind you. Right. Red One out now. How about It.

[Frank Smith]

Martin, it's him. He flashed the lights again.

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

Okay, do what he said. Approach slowly. Try to get as close as you can. All right. I'll do exactly what he says. Give him the money and try to find out where your daughter is.

[Frank Smith]

Yeah? He's driving off.

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

What?

[Frank Smith]

He's leaving. He isn't gonna wait.

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

Stop him.

[Frank Smith]

I'll stop him.

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

What are you doing? Hang on.

[Frank Smith]

We're gonna hit.

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

You all right, Marshan?

[Frank Smith]

Yeah, I guess so. I guess I'm all right.

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

The door's stuck. Can you get the front one open?

[Frank Smith]

I think so.

[Martin Francis Langer (Kidnapper)]

I'll try.

[Frank Smith]

I think I can get it open right here.

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

Let me through. You all right in there?

[Frank Smith]

Hey, is he hurt? I had to stop him. There wasn't any other way he was going to leave.

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

All right, give me a hand with this dog.

[Frank Smith]

Yeah, sure. There wasn't any other way he was gonna leave.

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

All right, come on.

[Martin Francis Langer (Kidnapper)]

Leave me alone.

[Mrs. Marshand]

Get away.

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

Come on, get out of there.

[Martin Francis Langer (Kidnapper)]

I can't. I think my leg's broken. I can't move it.

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

Tell where Gracie is.

[Frank Smith]

Make him tell.

[Martin Francis Langer (Kidnapper)]

Leave me alone.

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

Come on out.

[Martin Francis Langer (Kidnapper)]

Please, leave me alone. I can't stand anymore.

[Frank Smith]

Where's Grace? Where's my daughter?

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

When we get him away from the.

[Frank Smith]

I want to know where she is. If you don't make him tell me, I'll do it myself. I'll kill him. If he's hit her, I'll kill him right here.

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

All right, come on. Give me some help, killer.

[Frank Smith]

Just leave me alone with him, that's all. Just leave me alone.

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

That won't make it any better.

[Martin Francis Langer (Kidnapper)]

Why'd you do it? Why'd you run into me?

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

You tried to take off, didn't you?

[Martin Francis Langer (Kidnapper)]

I got scared. I wanted to get out. I didn't want to go through with it.

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

Is the girl all right?

[Martin Francis Langer (Kidnapper)]

You're gonna get me a doctor. You're gonna do something about my leg. You gotta do something.

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

All right. We'll take care of it. How about the girl? Is she all right? Come on, mister, don't make it any rougher on yourself. What about the girl?

[Frank Smith]

Make him tell.

[Martin Francis Langer (Kidnapper)]

I don't know. I don't know anything about it.

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

Come on, now. Where's the girl?

[Frank Smith]

Is she all right?

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

Answer me. Where is she?

[Martin Francis Langer (Kidnapper)]

All right.

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

All right.

[Martin Francis Langer (Kidnapper)]

She's okay. I didn't touch her. I didn't hurt her at all.

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

Where is she?

[Martin Francis Langer (Kidnapper)]

Hotel downtown. She's okay.

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

What hotel?

[Martin Francis Langer (Kidnapper)]

The Piedmont. Room 506.

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

You in this alone?

[Martin Francis Langer (Kidnapper)]

Yeah, there's nobody else.

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

All alone, all right? Yeah. Yeah. You all right.

[Frank Smith]

Yeah.

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

How about the kid? Piedmont Hotel, room 506. Better get a call out on it right away.

[Captain Warman]

I'll take care of it.

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

Okay, Captain. Hey, Joe. You got a bad cut in your farm. Yeah, I must have hit something when we crashed. Yeah, we saw it from back there. We didn't know what was happening.

[Martin Francis Langer (Kidnapper)]

You better call an ambulance for me.

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

We'll take care of it.

[Martin Francis Langer (Kidnapper)]

You better do it fast. I don't know how much longer I can stand it. It's broken. We'll never be able to fix it.

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

Never. All right, let's go.

[Martin Francis Langer (Kidnapper)]

You've got to carry me. I can't walk. Probably won't be able to walk again.

[Sergeant Joe Friday]

You won't have to, huh? You're not going anyplace.

[Captain Warman]

The story you've just heard is TR. Names were changed to protect the innocent. On September 16th, trial was held in Department 89, Superior Court of the State of California. In and for the county of Los Angeles. Martin Francis Langer was tried and convicted of kidnapping for the purpose of obtaining ransom. And received sentence as prescribed by law. On recommendation of the jury, he was sentenced to the state penitentiary at San Quentin, California, for the rest of his life.

[Frank Smith]

You have just heard Dragon, the authentic story of your police force in action. And starring Jack Webb. A presentation of the United States Armed Forces Radio.

[Mrs. Marshand]

Ra.