Podcast Summary: Dragnet – "The Big Locker" (Original Air Date: 11/02/1954)

Podcast: Choice Classic Radio Detectives | Old Time Radio
Hosted by: Choice Classic Radio
Episode Title: Dragnet: The Big Locker
Release Date: October 28, 2025

Episode Overview

This episode of "Dragnet" presents a classic police procedural set in 1950s Los Angeles. Detectives Joe Friday and Frank Smith investigate a pawn shop transaction involving a suspicious emerald ring, leading to a larger case of burglary, false leads, and an eventual sting operation. The story is based on true police files, following the detectives step-by-step from suspicion to resolution, characteristic of the realistic, understated Dragnet style.

Key Discussion Points & Story Progression

1. Pawn Shop Encounter (02:42–06:28)

• Detectives Friday and Smith, assisting on a burglary detail, check pawn shops for stolen goods.
• At the Pacific Loan Company, they interact with their contact Herb and casually discuss guitars before pivoting to official business.
• A suspicious man, James Federer, attempts to sell an emerald ring well below market value.
  • Quote (05:53):
    Joe Friday: "Rings worth close to a thousand."
    Frank Smith: "He wanted to sell it for $20."
• Federer claims he found the ring at MacArthur Park and maintains it’s his, but is inconsistent during questioning.

2. Questioning and Investigative Dead End (06:28–07:59)

• Federer is brought in; background checks reveal a petty criminal record.
• He insists the ring was found, not stolen, and offers to show where in the park.
  • Detectives are unable to break his story, nor find direct evidence linking him to theft. He is released when nothing further surfaces and the ring is booked as found property.

3. The Mysterious Letter & The Greyhound Bus Depot (08:03–11:07)

• Friday receives an anonymous, typewritten letter:
  • Quote (08:06):
    Frank Smith: “You did me a favor. Now I’m gonna do you one. Go to the Greyhound bus depot, rental locker number 103.”
• Investigators find a box of jewelry in the depot’s abandoned items, matching those previously reported stolen.
• Mrs. Carlton Hendricks, the burglary victim, is summoned for identification.
  • Memorable Character (11:14):
    Mrs. Hendricks offers light comic relief with her personality and stories about each piece of jewelry.

4. Identifying the Stolen Goods (11:07–14:48)

• Mrs. Hendricks positively IDs most items, sharing anecdotes for each, but notes an important emerald ring is not present.
• Detectives realize the ring in question may be the one previously held by Federer.
  • Quote (14:29):
    Mrs. Hendricks: “There, you see? Nothing to worry about. I just knew when I saw you two men that everything was going to be all right. My friends are right. I can read character.”

5. Hunt for the Suspect(s) (15:08–17:10)

• With new evidence, a warrant is issued for Federer, but he's gone from his known addresses.
• Five days later, he's caught attempting auto theft and brought in for further questioning.

6. The True Story Emerges (17:10–19:32)

• Federer denies writing the anonymous letter and insists he received the ring from a woman, Jill Mason, to whom he was owed money.
  • Quote (18:20):
    James Federer: “I didn’t write that letter. I don’t know who did, but it wasn’t me.”
• Pressured by detectives, Federer gives Jill Mason’s details.

7. Jill Mason's Confession (19:53–23:34)

• Detectives find Mason, who’s nursing visible bruises. She reveals the ring came from her boyfriend, Steve Remsen.
• After a drunken, violent fight with Remsen, Mason gave the ring to Federer for repayment. Remsen warned her not to pawn it, fearing the cops would find out about the rest of the stolen goods.
  • Quote (21:24):
    Jill Mason: “I'm beat as it is. More than one way.”
  • She confesses to sending the letter tipping off police as revenge.

8. Setting the Trap and Apprehension (23:34–25:35)

• Mason assists police in setting a trap for Remsen. After hours of waiting at her apartment, Remsen arrives.
  • With police hiding inside, Mason buzzes him up and he’s arrested without incident.
  • Quote (25:11):
    Steve Remsen: “You and the cops. I should have finished what I started with you.”

9. Case Resolution (26:30–27:45)

• Trial outcome:
  Steve “Lynn” Remsen is convicted of second-degree burglary.
• The episode wraps up with Dragnet’s iconic summary of justice served.

Memorable Moments & Notable Quotes

• Mrs. Hendricks’ Charm Bracelet Description (12:42):
  “All those things have a special meaning. My husband gave them to me. The little stop and go light—oh, that was silly. I was just learning to drive...”
• Detective Banter (05:06):
  Joe Friday: “He couldn’t afford a spaceship.”
  Frank Smith: “Yeah, I don’t guess there are too many secondhand spaceships for sale, are there?”
• On Evidence Trail (09:41):
  Ralph Thomas: “You’d be surprised at how fast they accumulate.”
• On Morality (17:16):
  James Federer: “You take a chance, you get caught, it’s bad. But you ain’t getting credit for something you didn’t do.”
• On Friendship (14:48):
  Mrs. Hendricks: “I’m going to have to get in touch with Carlton. I’ll need another charm for my bracelet... Two little gold bloodhounds.”

Timestamps for Key Segments

• 02:42 — Start of investigation at the pawn shop
• 05:15 — First confrontation with James Federer
• 06:28 — Federer’s interrogation and story about the ring
• 08:06 — Receipt of the anonymous letter about the bus depot
• 09:41 — Inventory of abandoned locker items at Greyhound depot
• 11:07 — Mrs. Hendricks IDs stolen jewelry
• 14:29 — Mrs. Hendricks recognizes the importance of the ring
• 17:10 — Federer’s second interrogation and confession of new story
• 19:53 — Jill Mason’s confession and the tip-off letter revealed
• 23:34 — Stakeout for Remsen at Mason’s apartment
• 25:35 — Arrest of Steve Remsen
• 26:30 — Legal resolution/epilogue

Tone & Style

The episode maintains the signature Dragnet style—concise, witty, and deeply procedural. Dialogue is realistic, sometimes dryly humorous, and the characters’ personalities (notably Mrs. Hendricks and Jill Mason) inject both levity and authenticity.

Conclusion

This “Dragnet” episode exemplifies the genre's strengths: methodical police work, human flaws, and understated surprises. The case unravels via misdirection, clever investigation, the spite of bruised relationships, and ultimately the intersection of crime and character. For classic radio fans or newcomers, it’s a tight, engaging piece of detective drama.