Dragnet: The Big Small 01/10/1956

Summary

---

Dragnet: "The Big Small" – January 10, 1956

Podcast: Choice Classic Radio Detectives | Old Time Radio
Date Released: July 14, 2026
Summary Prepared By: Podcast Summarizer

---

Episode Overview

In this episode of Dragnet ("The Big Small"), Detective Sergeant Joe Friday and his partner Frank Smith pursue an elusive and unusually effective check forger. The suspect is described by witnesses as a kindly old woman who expertly exploits her grandmotherly appearance to manipulate merchants. The story unfolds as Friday and Smith piece together clues, leading to a surprising revelation about the forger's true identity and motivations.

---

Key Discussion Points & Story Progression

Setting the Scene: The Crime & Suspect Description

• Forgery Detail Assigned: (02:38)
  • Joe Friday introduces the case: A skilled female check forger is targeting Los Angeles merchants using letters and a warm demeanor to gain victims’ trust.
  • Ms. Parkinson, a victim, describes the suspect as a sweet, “motherly” woman with distinctive traits: white hair in a bun, teal blue suit, a strong French perfume, and “not more than five foot one…maybe 100 pounds.” (04:48–05:32)
  • Merchants are repeatedly fooled by her, often due to her use of supposed personal letters as identification.
  • Notable Quote (Ms. Parkinson, 03:00):
    “If she's got her picture in here, I'll find it for you. Never forget that face. So sweet. And kind. They sort of reminded me of my mother, rest her soul.”

Breaking the Pattern: Dead Ends & Informant Intel

• Stalled Investigation: (06:09)
  • Two weeks of investigation yield 12 more forgeries and $2,500 in losses. All leads, mug books, and handwriting analysis come up empty.
  • “Her take was estimated to be over $2,500… check she passed were always for the same amount, $50.” (06:09)
• Informant's Tip-Off: (07:30–13:13)
  • Harry Allanson, a police informant, sees a woman matching the description in Jack’s Bar, noting her heavy perfume and odd, calculated behavior.
  • He observes her using a “Lillian Halstead” driver’s license—something that catches his attention.
  • Notable Quote (Harry Allanson, 09:34):
    “Well, Jack started to pour some of it for her, and she stopped it. Said that she wanted California sherry… She was kind of cute about it. Pretty little woman perched up on that stool. Looked a little like a cartoon.”

The Misdirection: The Halsteads and the Lost License

• Visiting Mr. Halstead: (13:50–16:26)
  • The detectives follow up at the Halstead residence and Bernard Halstead’s School of Dramatic Arts.
  • Mr. Halstead reveals his wife is not the suspect—she is much younger and out of town.
  • The critical clue: Lillian Halstead’s driver's license was lost months ago and likely used by the suspect.
  • Notable Quote (Mr. Halstead, 16:02):
    “We think your wife's license has been used as identification by some check forger.”

The Real Culprit: Peggy Small

• A Theatrical Twist: (18:15–20:52)
  • Mr. Halstead suspects a former student, Peggy Small. According to him, Peggy specialized in acting like an elderly woman, practicing character walks, makeup, and handwriting for hours.
  • Peggy was so focused on perfecting her “old woman” act, she refused normal acting roles—even turning down a term contract from a major film studio.
  • Notable Quote (Mr. Halstead, 19:09):
    “She didn't want to work, wasn't interested in anything but learning how to be an old woman…”
  • Her motive for acting this way: to “come out on it,” suggesting single-minded ambition and possibly frustration at career rejection.

Climax: Apprehension in the Act

• The Stakeout and Arrest: (21:50–25:26)
  • Detectives stake out Peggy Small's boarding house and respond to a call from a dry goods store where the forger attempts to cash another check.
  • Peggy, in full disguise and using Mrs. Halstead's driver’s license, denies wrongdoing during interrogation, threatening legal action.
  • Her ruse breaks when confronted with evidence and witnesses. She admits her true identity and removes her wig, revealing herself as a young woman.
  • Notable Quotes:
    • (Peggy Small, 24:55):
      “All right. I lose. I guess I should have known. Mind if I take this wig off? It's kind of warm in here.”
    • (Peggy Small, 25:26):
      “They wanted character women. Didn't want any young women. Character women. That's what they wanted. So I got to be the best of them.”

Resolution: The Price of Deception

• Confession and Motivation: (25:12–26:11)

  • Peggy confesses her ambition was to “leave this lousy town” and make it in New York, believing her talents would be recognized there—unlike Los Angeles.
  • Joe Friday closes with a pointed remark:
    • (Joe Friday, 26:03):
      “Yes, ma'. We know it here, too.”

• Case Closure: (26:16–27:02)

  • Narrator explains the outcome: Peggy Small is tried and convicted on 10 counts of forgery and sentenced to the California Institution for Women.

---

Memorable Moments & Notable Quotes

• Victim Sympathy:
  Ms. Parkinson on the forger’s motherly act (03:00):
  “Never forget that face. So sweet. And kind. They sort of reminded me of my mother…”

• The Informant’s Tip (Harry Allanson, 09:34):
  “Pretty little woman perched up on that stool. Looked a little like a cartoon…”

• The Dramatic School’s Theory (Mr. Halstead, 19:20):
  “Don’t act—live. She did just that. Learned the makeup problems, dress, walk, everything.”

• Confession (Peggy Small, 25:26):
  “They wanted character women... So I got to be the best of them. They didn’t want me the way I am. I didn’t want to work any other way.”

• Poignant Ending (Joe Friday, 26:03):
  “They know whether you're real or whether you're just a phony. They know it there… Yes, ma'am. We know it here, too.”

---

Timestamps for Key Segments

| Timestamp | Segment Description | |-----------|--------------------| | 02:38 | Joe Friday sets the case: elderly female check forger | | 03:00–05:55 | Ms. Parkinson describes the suspect and circumstances of the fraud | | 06:09 | Police investigation stalls; summary of losses | | 07:30–13:13 | Informant Harry Allanson describes encounter with the suspect | | 13:50–16:26 | Interview with Mr. Halstead about his wife and lost license | | 18:15–20:52 | Halstead explains Peggy Small’s acting specialization | | 21:50–22:44 | Peggy’s last known address and stakeout setup | | 23:35–24:52 | Police interrogate the disguised Peggy Small | | 24:55–26:11 | Peggy confesses and removes her disguise | | 27:02 | Case resolution and sentencing summary |

---

Conclusion

"The Big Small" offers a classic Dragnet blend of procedural police work and human drama, with a memorable twist: the forger isn’t a sweet old lady, but a failed actress whose greatest role was that of a convincing criminal. Through authentic dialogue, colorful witnesses, and a procedural tone, the episode explores ambition, deception, and the lengths someone will go to be recognized—even if only as a master criminal.

---

Transcript

[Narrator/Announcer]

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].

[Sponsor/Chesterfield Advertiser]

Sound off for Chesterfield. Chesterfield, the only cigarette in America to give you premium quality in both regular and king size and brings you dragnet.

[Narrator/Announcer]

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 the forgery detail. A check forger has been hitting the merchants in your city. From the MO she uses, you know she's an expert. You've got a description, your job getter. There's only one premium quality cigarette in America available in both regular and king size and that is Chesterfield.

[Sponsor/Chesterfield Advertiser]

Premium quality in a cigarette means the world's best tobaccos, the best ingredients, the best cigarette paper. Only Chesterfield gives you this premium quality

[Narrator/Announcer]

in both popular sizes. King size Chesterfield contains tobaccos of better quality and higher price than any other king size cigarette. That's certainly important to every king size smoker. Of course it's the same fine tobacco as in regular Chesterfield. There is absolutely no difference except that king size Chesterfield is larger, contains so much more of these premium quality tobaccos that you get more than a fifth longer smoke from king size Chesterfield.

[Sponsor/Chesterfield Advertiser]

Yes, the modern way to sell cigarettes. This is the Chesterfield way, premium quality, both regular and king size.

[Narrator/Announcer]

And either way you like them, Chesterfields are much milder. Chesterfield is best for you.

[Sponsor/Chesterfield Advertiser]

Dragnet. The documented drama of an actual crime. For the next 30 minutes, in cooperation with the Los Angeles Police Department, you will travel step by step on the side of the law through an actual case transcribed from official police files. From beginning to end, from crime to punishment, Dragnet is the story of your police force in action.

[Detective Joe Friday]

It was Wednesday, February 6th. It was cool in Los Angeles. We were working the day watch out of forgery detail. My partner's Frank Smith. The boss is Captain Welsh. My name is Friday. I was on my way back from the forgery office and it was 10:22am when I got to the mug room.

[Ms. Parkinson]

I'm sure about it, officer. If I ever see that woman again, I'll know her. Don't you have any doubt about it. I'll know her.

[Detective Joe Friday]

Yes, ma'.

[Ms. Parkinson]

Am.

[Detective Joe Friday]

Now if you'll just look for this book, please. Have you seen anyone who might be the woman, Ms. Parkinson?

[Ms. Parkinson]

No, not yet, sergeant. But if she's got her picture in here, I'll find it for you. Never forget that face. So sweet. And kind. They sort of reminded me of my mother, rest her soul. That's why I cashed the check for I never would have done it if there hadn't been something like that.

[Detective Joe Friday]

Yes, ma'.

[Lillian Halstead / Peggy Small]

Am.

[Detective Joe Friday]

I wonder if you'd mind running over it again for us. Might have been something you forgot, maybe.

[Ms. Parkinson]

Oh, no, no. I wouldn't forget anything about her. But I can tell you about it if you'd like.

[Detective Joe Friday]

All right, fine, Ms. Parkinson, if you just start at the beginning again.

[Ms. Parkinson]

Fine. Would you mind calling me Ethel? I don't much care for formality. Feel better when people call me by my given name?

[Detective Joe Friday]

Yes, ma', am. If you go right ahead, please.

[Ms. Parkinson]

Well, this morning when I found out about it, like to peeled right over. When the check came back from the bank, opened up the other mail, mostly from people who want to sell me things for the store. And there it was. Let it from the bank with a check inside stable to one of those forms. You know, the kind they just checked with a pencil. Like I said, there it was. Place it was checked for. The account was unknown. You can just bet I got on the phone and called the bank people.

[Detective Joe Friday]

Yes, ma', am, I understand.

[Ms. Parkinson]

I told them they'd made some sort of mistake, that they'd better set it right. I was so sure that you wouldn't do a thing like this. Well, you know how banks are. They said they'd check it for me, and I waited on the phone while they did. And they said it wasn't any mistake. Well, you can just bet that I was hopping mad.

[Narrator/Announcer]

Yeah, well, what kind of identification did

[Detective Joe Friday]

the woman use to get you to cash the check?

[Ms. Parkinson]

She had several letters from her son. At least that's who she said they were from. I bet she hasn't even got a son. No, sir. I'll bet she hasn't.

[Detective Joe Friday]

Well, do you usually cash checks with that little identification?

[Ms. Parkinson]

No, I don't, as a rule. I usually ask for a driver's license and a Social Security card. Figured if a person's got one of those, that means that he's working. Figures. Because the check is good.

[Detective Joe Friday]

Well, that's not always true, you know.

[Ms. Parkinson]

Then don't I know it now? You just said I do last time. I'll cash a check for anyone I haven't known for 10 years.

[Detective Joe Friday]

Had you seen this woman around your store before this time?

[Ms. Parkinson]

I've been trying to think about that. The shop isn't very big, but we do a pretty good business. Sometimes there are several people waiting, get in a hurry, you know, and you aren't sure who you talk to?

[Detective Joe Friday]

Yes, ma'.

[Lillian Halstead / Peggy Small]

Am.

[Ms. Parkinson]

Yeah, I've seen her in the store before, but when I stop and really think about it, I'm not too sure. You know how that is.

[Detective Joe Friday]

Yes, ma', am, I do.

[Ms. Parkinson]

When you bought it right down. I don't think I have seen her before. She just had one of those faces that you figure.

[Lillian Halstead / Peggy Small]

Sure.

[Ms. Parkinson]

You know, looks like such a lovely person.

[Detective Joe Friday]

I see.

[Narrator/Announcer]

About how old do you think she was, ma'?

[Ms. Parkinson]

Am? Like I said, I guess about 62, maybe a little older. Might have been 65. Not much over that, though. Pretty hair. Pure white. Had it fixed in a real soft wave over her forehead. Old fashioned kind of war in a bun, you know, man bun. Had the hair all rolled up and pinned up back here. Back of her neck was white.

[Detective Joe Friday]

You say hair was white?

[Ms. Parkinson]

Yeah. Looks so nice to see a woman act and look her age. So many of them tried to look younger, you know.

[Detective Joe Friday]

Yes, ma'. Am.

[Narrator/Announcer]

How about her clothes?

[Ms. Parkinson]

Oh, she was well dressed. Had a sort of teal blue suit on a black coat. Looked kind of like it might have been cashmere. Looked real nuts, little spring gloves and all.

[Mr. Halstead]

You say she was a small woman, is that right?

[Ms. Parkinson]

Yes, she was little. Real straight. No shoulders back. But she was a little one. Not more than five foot one or maybe two.

[Detective Joe Friday]

Would she be slight or heavy?

[Lillian Halstead / Peggy Small]

Big.

[Ms. Parkinson]

Pardon?

[Detective Joe Friday]

Well, how much would you say she weighed?

[Ms. Parkinson]

Maybe 100 pounds. Says she wasn't much heavier than that. Not sure 100 pounds.

[Narrator/Announcer]

Was there anything unusual about her?

[Detective Joe Friday]

Anything that might make her stand out?

[Ms. Parkinson]

No, no, I don't think so. Except maybe it was a perfume, ma'.

[Narrator/Announcer]

Am.

[Lillian Halstead / Peggy Small]

Perfume?

[Ms. Parkinson]

You know how you kind of expect a little old lady to wear something kind of mild like violet, maybe some light?

[Detective Joe Friday]

Yes, ma'.

[Lillian Halstead / Peggy Small]

Am.

[Ms. Parkinson]

Well, she had a real heavy perfume on. Felt kind of like a French scent. Real heavy. Like I said, it was. One thing I couldn't figure out.

[Detective Joe Friday]

What's happening?

[Ms. Parkinson]

Well, she did have nice clothes and all, but all in all, she didn't look like she had a lot of money. Just moderate, you know. That perfume must have been expensive. Must have cost a lot.

[Detective Joe Friday]

Well, I guess she's making enough to afford it.

[Lillian Halstead / Peggy Small]

Lamp.

[Detective Joe Friday]

10:34am Mrs. Parkinson continued to look through the mug books. She was unable to identify the woman who had passed the bad check. The merchants of the city had been victimized for the past three weeks by a forger. All of them described her as a kindly old lady, using letters from her son in the east as identification. Frank and I had run the description. We'd gotten through R and I with no result. The stats office had made several runs on the MO and all leads furnished by them had been checked out. But they let us know where. We'd obtain copies of the forged checks and they'd been processed by Don Meyer in handwriting, but he'd been unable to offer us any new information. The names on each of the checks were different. We checked each of them out, but the leads went nowhere. All of the stores in the central area had been alerted. Descriptions had been distributed to the neighborhood merchants, but the check passing continued. We checked with our informants, but they failed to come up with any information. Two weeks passed. The woman hit 12 more times. Her take was estimated to be over $2500. The check she passed were always for the same amount, $50. When it seemed necessary, she would purchase merchandise in order to cash the check. The article she chose were in a price range so that the store owner would often cash the check rather than lose the sale. Thursday, February 21, 8:34am Frank and I got back to the office. I get it. Fortunately. Friday. Yeah. All right.

[Ms. Parkinson]

Where?

[Detective Joe Friday]

How soon? All right. No, we'll see you there.

[Narrator/Announcer]

What is it?

[Detective Joe Friday]

Harry Allison informing? Yeah. Says he wants to see us right away.

[Sponsor/Chesterfield Advertiser]

Yeah.

[Detective Joe Friday]

Says he knows the woman we're looking for. The working detective knows that he's usually only as good as his informants. Quite often, when all other means of bringing a case to a successful conclusion have failed, the only thing that will break it is information supplied by an informant. A detective will protect his informant for as long as the informant can operate. The detective is assured of a steady flow of information. 9:45am Frank and I drove over to the coffee shop at the corner of Crawford and Spring Street. Harry Allison wasn't there when we arrived. We sat down and ordered a cup of coffee. Oh, that's good and hot. Yeah, it is. Hey, pass the sugar, will you, Joe? Yeah.

[Narrator/Announcer]

There you go.

[Detective Joe Friday]

Thanks. Wonder where Alanson is.

[Narrator/Announcer]

What time did he say he'd be here?

[Detective Joe Friday]

9:45. Well, it's only a couple of minutes after that. Now he'll be here. I wonder how right his story is. What'd he tell you on the phone? Nothing. Just that he knew what we were looking for. Said if we'd meet him here, he'd fill us in.

[Narrator/Announcer]

Harry, sit down. Yeah. Sorry I'm late. Got hung up in traffic.

[Detective Joe Friday]

Oh, you got a car now, Harry?

[Narrator/Announcer]

No, I missed my streetcar. Had to wait for another. Say, you guys had breakfast yet?

[Detective Joe Friday]

Yeah, we did A little earlier.

[Narrator/Announcer]

You mind if I have something to eat? Oh, go ahead. Where's the waitress?

[Detective Joe Friday]

Well, she was here a minute ago. I don't see her now.

[Narrator/Announcer]

I'll go get it myself. Sure you guys don't want anything to eat?

[Detective Joe Friday]

No, no. Thanks just the same, Harry.

[Narrator/Announcer]

Okay. Be right back. Well, here we go again, Joe.

[Detective Joe Friday]

Yep.

[Narrator/Announcer]

Last time we met him, his meal cost 250. How much dough you got on you?

[Detective Joe Friday]

Oh, I got a couple bucks. How you fix? I'm not much better. Let's hope he doesn't order too much.

[Narrator/Announcer]

How about some more coffee for you guys?

[Detective Joe Friday]

No, no, thanks.

[Narrator/Announcer]

Harry shall be up in a minute. All right.

[Detective Joe Friday]

How about this information, Harry, about the paper hanger?

[Narrator/Announcer]

Oh, yeah. Funny the way I get it.

[Mr. Halstead]

Is that right?

[Narrator/Announcer]

Yeah, I was up in Jack's Bar last night, you know, just having a beer, shooting the breeze. All of a sudden, this old girl comes into place. Kind of set everybody back on their heels. Looks so nice.

[Detective Joe Friday]

Yeah, go ahead.

[Narrator/Announcer]

Well, she slides up on one of the stools and orders a drink. Even Jack was taken in. Changed his apron and all. Anyway, she climbs up on the stool and orders some sherry. Made a big thing of it.

[Detective Joe Friday]

How do you mean?

[Narrator/Announcer]

Well, Jack started to pour some of it for her, and she stopped it. Said that she wanted California sherry. Said she didn't want any of that imported stuff. Said her family was one of the first ones in the state and that she believed in using homegrown product. She was kind of cute about it. Pretty little woman perched up on that stool. Looked a little like a cartoon. You know, the ones with a little old lady guzzling martini?

[Detective Joe Friday]

Yeah. Oh, say, hold on a minute, will you?

[Narrator/Announcer]

My food's ready.

[Sponsor/Chesterfield Advertiser]

Be right back.

[Detective Joe Friday]

Okay. How do you like that guy?

[Narrator/Announcer]

Takes him 5 hours to get a point.

[Detective Joe Friday]

Oh, there's nothing you can do about it, Frank. He's got to tell it his way. I suppose so.

[Narrator/Announcer]

Nothing like a big breakfast. I always say, if you stoke up in the morning, you got it made for the day.

[Detective Joe Friday]

Yeah, that's right, Harry.

[Narrator/Announcer]

Farm Breakfast, they call this.

[Detective Joe Friday]

Tell you that's easy. Oh, look at that sausage.

[Narrator/Announcer]

Fried real good. I like it when it's like a rock. Can't stand pork that hasn't been cooked enough.

[Detective Joe Friday]

Yeah.

[Narrator/Announcer]

You want to go on with the story? Oh, yeah. Don't mind if I eat, do you?

[Detective Joe Friday]

Got a big day today. A lot of things to do.

[Narrator/Announcer]

No, you go right ahead, Harry. All right. Well, I could say Ms. Old Broad ordered the sherry. Well, time went on. She must have had three or four

[Detective Joe Friday]

of them, you know.

[Narrator/Announcer]

A couple other guys came in, and I moved over to make room for them. They ended up sitting right next to the woman. Hey, pass the kitchen, will you?

[Detective Joe Friday]

Oh, yeah.

[Narrator/Announcer]

There you go. Eggs aren't much good without a lot of ketchup. Gives them real flavor.

[Detective Joe Friday]

Yeah, Harry, could you get the point maybe a little sooner?

[Narrator/Announcer]

Oh, well, first off, I noticed this perfume this broad's wearing. Well, now, I tell you, it's been a long time since I smelled anything like that. Real heavy. Like the stuff they sell in France.

[Detective Joe Friday]

Yeah.

[Narrator/Announcer]

Didn't fit the woman.

[Sponsor/Chesterfield Advertiser]

Now, sir.

[Narrator/Announcer]

Didn't seem to go with the rest of her. I tried to strike up conversation, you know, Talked about the weather, stuff like that. But she wouldn't have none of it. She didn't actually tell me, but I could tell the way she answered me. You know, kind of cool.

[Detective Joe Friday]

What makes you think she might be

[Narrator/Announcer]

the one we're looking for?

[Mr. Halstead]

The way she looked, the way she worked.

[Detective Joe Friday]

What do you mean, the way she worked?

[Narrator/Announcer]

Well, I'm getting to it. Anyway, after she's had the sherry, she reaches into her purse to pay for him. Fumbles around in it for a while. Well, I couldn't help seeing what was in it. You know, what was sitting right next to her and all.

[Detective Joe Friday]

Yeah, sure.

[Narrator/Announcer]

Well, she don't come up with any money. And she starts going through her pockets, still can't find any money. Finally, she asked Jack.

[Detective Joe Friday]

Who's that, the bartender? Yeah.

[Narrator/Announcer]

Yeah, Jack. He owns a place. She asked him if he'll cash a check. Yeah, well, now, I asked you. Either one of you guys know Jack?

[Detective Joe Friday]

No, I don't think we do, Eric. No, I don't.

[Narrator/Announcer]

Well, Jack wouldn't cash a check for the treasurer of the country. Not even if he had the president to vouch for him. Been stung too many times.

[Detective Joe Friday]

Yeah.

[Narrator/Announcer]

Well, this old gal gets to him. See, I can see him start to go. He kind of hems and haws around all the time. He's trying to figure out a nice way to say no to her. Finally, he just ups and says it. Well, right after, he kind of waits

[Detective Joe Friday]

and expects her to tell him off

[Narrator/Announcer]

for being so mean to somebody like

[Mr. Halstead]

her, but she doesn't.

[Narrator/Announcer]

Just kind of punches her shoulders and

[Detective Joe Friday]

then starts digging and re.

[Narrator/Announcer]

Pursing it. Takes everything out, puts it on the bar. It happens that her driver's license is lying right there on the bar in front of me. Couldn't help but read it, you know.

[Detective Joe Friday]

Yeah, we know.

[Narrator/Announcer]

Well, I saw her name and I

[Mr. Halstead]

asked her if she'd let me buy

[Detective Joe Friday]

the wine for it. What'd you say to that?

[Narrator/Announcer]

Well, when I called her by name, she acted kind of startled, like she didn't expect it. And then she kind of smiled and said she was financially embarrassed at the moment. Something about coming away from the house without any money. But she said she thought it'd be very sweet of me if I take care of the tap. Oh, I paid Jack the money and I asked her if she'd like another one.

[Detective Joe Friday]

She said she didn't think so.

[Narrator/Announcer]

And she got all her stuff together and put it back into her purse and thanks me. Then she got up and left.

[Detective Joe Friday]

Yeah. Well, what was the name on the driver's license? Do you remember that?

[Narrator/Announcer]

Yeah, yeah, got it written down here someplace. After she left, Jack and me got talking about her. Then it hit me that she might be the one you're looking for, so I jotted down the name.

[Detective Joe Friday]

You ever see this woman before, Harry?

[Narrator/Announcer]

No. Never laid eyes on her before she walked into Jack's last night. Now, here it is. That's the name at the top of the paper, right under that's your address.

[Detective Joe Friday]

The name on the piece of paper was Lillian Halstead. Was a new name in the case. It gave an address out near Bel Air. Frank and I called the name and R and I. But they had no record on anyone answering that description. We paid the check and thanked Harry Allanson for the information, and then we drove out to. The address was a large house just off Sunset Boulevard. Mrs. Halstead wasn't in, but the maid told us that we'd find her husband at the Halstead School of Dramatic Arts. She gave us the address and Frank and I drove out to the school. It was located in a large modern building out on Wilshire Boulevard. When we got there, Mr. Halstead was working with the advanced class in the drama section. We took a seat at the rear of the auditorium and waited for him to finish. You gentlemen wish to see me?

[Narrator/Announcer]

Yes, sir.

[Detective Joe Friday]

You're Mr. Halstead, are you?

[Mr. Halstead]

That's correct.

[Detective Joe Friday]

Police officer, says my partner, Frank Smith. My name's Friday.

[Mr. Halstead]

How do you do?

[Sponsor/Chesterfield Advertiser]

They do.

[Mr. Halstead]

What is it that you'd like to see me about?

[Detective Joe Friday]

Well, can you tell us where your wife is, sir?

[Mr. Halstead]

Lillian?

[Detective Joe Friday]

Yes.

[Mr. Halstead]

Well, she's out of town.

[Lillian Halstead / Peggy Small]

Why?

[Narrator/Announcer]

What do you want with her?

[Lillian Halstead / Peggy Small]

What?

[Detective Joe Friday]

If you could describe her for us.

[Narrator/Announcer]

Why, certainly.

[Mr. Halstead]

I. I don't understand what this is all about, though.

[Detective Joe Friday]

It's just a routine investigation.

[Mr. Halstead]

Routine? What's that mean?

[Detective Joe Friday]

Well, just that we're conducting an Investigation, and a woman with the same name as your wife came up. We're just checking it out now. If you could give us a description of your wife, please.

[Narrator/Announcer]

Yes.

[Mr. Halstead]

Well, let me see. Lillian's 36. Yes, I would say she's 5ft 6 and 1 half inches. Weighs perhaps 130 pounds.

[Detective Joe Friday]

What color is her hair, Mr. Halstead?

[Mr. Halstead]

Well, before she left, it was sort of an auburn. Lillian said something about dyeing it red. Might have done it since she's been gone.

[Detective Joe Friday]

Where's your wife now?

[Mr. Halstead]

She's back in Washington. They're holding a drama festival and she's

[Detective Joe Friday]

back there looking it over. Do you have a picture of your wife here, Mr. Halstead?

[Mr. Halstead]

Yes, sir.

[Narrator/Announcer]

I have one on my desk in the office.

[Detective Joe Friday]

What if we take a look at it?

[Mr. Halstead]

Why, certainly.

[Narrator/Announcer]

You can go out this way.

[Detective Joe Friday]

Fine. Thank you.

[Mr. Halstead]

Here, down this way, please.

[Narrator/Announcer]

Thank you.

[Mr. Halstead]

You tell me what this investigation is that you're working on.

[Detective Joe Friday]

Well, no, sir, not right now, we can't. Oh, you can.

[Mr. Halstead]

Cloak and dagger stuff, eh?

[Detective Joe Friday]

No, sir, it's not exactly that.

[Mr. Halstead]

Oh, here, I'll get the door for you.

[Narrator/Announcer]

Thank you.

[Detective Joe Friday]

Yes, sir. Right this way.

[Mr. Halstead]

Excuse me. Mom.

[Lillian Halstead / Peggy Small]

Sorry.

[Narrator/Announcer]

Here's the picture. Lovely woman.

[Mr. Halstead]

Been a great help here at school.

[Detective Joe Friday]

Yes, sir. How long ago was this picture taken?

[Mr. Halstead]

Several months ago, I believe.

[Narrator/Announcer]

Mr. Halstead, how long has your wife

[Detective Joe Friday]

been out of town?

[Mr. Halstead]

Perhaps a week, 10 days, perhaps.

[Narrator/Announcer]

Something like that.

[Detective Joe Friday]

Does your wife drive a car, Mr. Halstead?

[Mr. Halstead]

Yes, sir, she does. Oh, I understand. The license, sir. Lillian's driver's license. That's what you hear about, isn't it?

[Detective Joe Friday]

Well, I don't understand you.

[Mr. Halstead]

Oh, you don't have to be cagey with me. Lillian lost her driver's license some time ago. Asked me to get her a new one. I didn't quite get a chance to do it. You found it. That's it, isn't it?

[Detective Joe Friday]

No, sir, that's not. We think your wife's license has been used as identification by some check forger.

[Narrator/Announcer]

You happen to know where your wife

[Detective Joe Friday]

might have lost the license?

[Mr. Halstead]

Why, no, we don't know exactly. It must have been about three months ago. She says that she dropped it here at the school, but I've looked all over for it. Haven't been able to find it. I think she just left it someplace. She's terribly careless about things like that.

[Detective Joe Friday]

Yes, you will.

[Mr. Halstead]

Is this about the old woman that's been forging the checks?

[Narrator/Announcer]

Why do you ask that, sir?

[Mr. Halstead]

Well, that's another thing that I've been meaning to call you about. I was reading the paper one night and all of a sudden it hit me, sir. Well, I could be wrong, but I think I know the girl who's doing this.

[Sponsor/Chesterfield Advertiser]

You are listening to Dragnet, the authentic story of your police force in action.

[Narrator/Announcer]

The modern way to sell cigarettes is the Chesterfield way. Premium quality in both regular and king size. And we're the only one that does it. We tell you what Chesterfields are made of to give you that premium quality in both popular sizes. Our scientists select the best materials. They select for Chesterfield, the world's best tobaccos. Blend them just right and they keep Chesterfield's tasty and fresh with the best of moistening agents. Now, here's something else that's completely modern about Chesterfield. People smoke Chesterfield and we tell you what happens scientifically but simply.

[Sponsor/Chesterfield Advertiser]

A medical specialist is making regular bi monthly examinations of a group of people from various walks of life. 45% of this group have smoked Chesterfield for an average of over 10 years. After eight months, the medical specialist reports that he observed no adverse effects on the nose, throat and sinuses of the group from smoking Chesterfield.

[Narrator/Announcer]

I'd say that means real mildness. And finally, we ask you to try Chesterfield and prove what we say. Chesterfield is best for you. They're much milder. To give you all the pleasure that the modern cigarette can give.

[Detective Joe Friday]

2:37pm we ran the name Bert Halstead through R and I, but we got no make on anyone answering his description. Halstead told us that he thought we might be looking for a girl he identified as Peggy Small. He told us that the Small girl had enrolled in the dramatic school over a year before. We asked him if he had a picture of her that we could have. He told us that he thought there was one in the files. He took us down the hall to the registration office and checked his files. He located the picture of the girl and handed it to Frank.

[Narrator/Announcer]

Just why do you think this might

[Detective Joe Friday]

be the girl we're looking for, Mr. Halstead?

[Mr. Halstead]

Well, it's the oddest thing, officer.

[Lillian Halstead / Peggy Small]

Peggy.

[Mr. Halstead]

Oh, that's Miss Small.

[Detective Joe Friday]

Yes, sir.

[Mr. Halstead]

Well, Peggy came to us about a year ago. As I said, she came out here to the coast from some little town in Idaho, I think it was. I'd have to check her entrance application to be sure, but I think it was Idaho.

[Detective Joe Friday]

Yes, sir.

[Mr. Halstead]

Well, instantly I knew that this girl had talent. Real talent. Deep down, talent. Right off the bat. She had the feel would have been a fine character actress.

[Narrator/Announcer]

Why do you say would have?

[Mr. Halstead]

She didn't want to work, wasn't interested in anything but learning how to be an old woman, sir. All she was interested in was learning to act like a little old woman.

[Narrator/Announcer]

We have a theory here at Halstead.

[Mr. Halstead]

Don't act live. She did just that. Learned the makeup problems, dress, walk, everything. She even used to practice writing. Like a woman of 60 or so. I used to see her practicing by the hour.

[Detective Joe Friday]

She ever give you any reason for all this?

[Mr. Halstead]

No. I asked her once, but she said that this was the way she wanted it. Now, I thought that she was trying to tell me to keep my nose out of her affairs in a nice way, so I didn't ask her again. Now, we have presentations here, you know. Each term, the class presents a play that's been written and produced by the students themselves. Peggy would always do the oldest female part in them. Never was interested in anything else. She had several good offers, but for some reason she did not take them.

[Detective Joe Friday]

What do you mean by that, sir?

[Mr. Halstead]

Well, one night a talent scout from one of the majors came out to see our play. He was quite. Majors? Oh, the studio. He was quite impressed with Peggy. Offered her a term contract. Good money. She'd have done well, but she just was not interested. I just can't understand it.

[Detective Joe Friday]

Well, do you know where she is now?

[Mr. Halstead]

No, Officer. I haven't seen Peggy since she left here. That was about four months ago.

[Narrator/Announcer]

Wonder if you could tell us where

[Detective Joe Friday]

she lived when she was enrolled here?

[Mr. Halstead]

Certainly. I have the address on her enrollment card.

[Detective Joe Friday]

Well, that's fine. We'd like to have the names and addresses of any of her close friends too, if we could.

[Mr. Halstead]

Certainly. Glad to help. You think it could be her?

[Lillian Halstead / Peggy Small]

Peggy?

[Mr. Halstead]

The woman you're looking for?

[Detective Joe Friday]

Well, it could be.

[Mr. Halstead]

Yes.

[Detective Joe Friday]

Yes.

[Ms. Parkinson]

Odd.

[Mr. Halstead]

Now, I got to thinking about it when I read about it in the papers right away. Made me think of Peggy. How she used to talk about acting.

[Detective Joe Friday]

How's that, sir?

[Mr. Halstead]

Well, she used to always say there was only one reason for doing anything and that was to come out on it. That was the trouble with most people. They just didn't know where they wanted to end up. But she knew where she was going.

[Detective Joe Friday]

Maybe she was right.

[Mr. Halstead]

I beg your pardon?

[Detective Joe Friday]

She's the one we're looking for. We know, too. 3:12pm we got Peggy Small's address from Mr. Halstead and then we went back to the office. We ran the name through R and I, but there was no record on the girl. 4:02pm Frank and I drove out to the last known address of the Small girl. It was a boarding house on 92nd Street. Peggy Small wasn't in, but the landlady told us that she usually didn't get back from work until 7 or 7:30. We asked if she knew where the girl worked, but she told us that she didn't. We arranged for a stakeout on the house, and at 4:37pm we checked back into the office. You want to check the book, Right? Anything? Don't think so.

[Narrator/Announcer]

There's a call from Faye.

[Detective Joe Friday]

Wants to know if I'll be home for dinner.

[Narrator/Announcer]

I better give her a call, Joe.

[Detective Joe Friday]

Faye's got a little hacked at me. Oh, is that so? Yeah.

[Narrator/Announcer]

Last three nights she's waited dinner for me, and I didn't make it.

[Detective Joe Friday]

Mm.

[Narrator/Announcer]

Hello, honey? Yeah, I don't know yet.

[Detective Joe Friday]

Yeah, I think so. I know, I know.

[Narrator/Announcer]

Well, maybe another hour or so.

[Detective Joe Friday]

I don't know.

[Narrator/Announcer]

Yeah, okay, honey.

[Mr. Halstead]

Bye.

[Detective Joe Friday]

If I don't make it tonight, she's gonna scalp me. I get it. Forgery Friday. Yes, ma'.

[Mr. Halstead]

Am.

[Detective Joe Friday]

What's that address again? All right. Yes, ma'. Am. We'll be right there. Your dinner's gonna have to wait. Again. Why? Dry goods store out on Main Forge is there now. In the process of the investigation, the police department had alerted the merchants throughout the city to the method of operation of the woman forger. Thousands of printed circulars had been distributed bearing her description. An artist's conception of the woman had been published in the daily papers, and the drawing had also been broadcast over the local television station. The clerk in the store we'd gotten the call from had noticed a similarity between a woman waiting to cash a check and the description from the information we'd gotten on the Hotshot. The woman was waiting for an authorization for the check. When Frank and I got to the store, we met a small elderly woman. She produced identification in the form of a driver's license bearing the name Lillian Halstead. Frank and I asked her to go with us to the city hall for questioning. A policewoman was called and the interrogation started. One look at her and you could see that she was covered with a heavy makeup.

[Lillian Halstead / Peggy Small]

I want you gentlemen to know that I resent the implication you're making the idea trying to make me out a vicious criminal.

[Detective Joe Friday]

Ma', am, we're not trying to embarrass you. We just want to get to the truth here.

[Lillian Halstead / Peggy Small]

I'm giving you that. I'm telling you what you want to know.

[Detective Joe Friday]

All right? Now let's get it over with. What's your name?

[Lillian Halstead / Peggy Small]

Lillian Halstead.

[Detective Joe Friday]

Is this your driver's license?

[Lillian Halstead / Peggy Small]

Yes, it is.

[Detective Joe Friday]

Then the thumbprint on it should be yours, too. Is that right?

[Lillian Halstead / Peggy Small]

I'd imagine so, yes.

[Detective Joe Friday]

Well, then, suppose we go down the hall and take your fingerprints and compare it, huh?

[Lillian Halstead / Peggy Small]

You look here, young man. I know my rights. You're not dealing with some little schoolgirl this time. I've lived a long time, and I know just exactly what you can do and what you can't do. I know, for instance, you can't take my fingerprints. Unless you want to arrest me for something. You want to make a fool out of yourself to that extent and go right ahead and do it. And mark this way, young man. I'll sue you for every nickel you own. I'll let the papers know about this. They love to know how you treat old women. They just love to know.

[Detective Joe Friday]

You ever been mistreated in any way, ma'?

[Ms. Parkinson]

Am?

[Lillian Halstead / Peggy Small]

No, and I don't intend to be.

[Detective Joe Friday]

There's a man on the way down here, a man by the name of Halstead. Wife's name is Lillian Halstead. That driver's license we found in your purse, the one you claim is yours, that's registered to his wife. He's coming down here to tell us that you weren't his wife, that you stole that license, that you were a student in his dramatic school. Now, why don't you save us all a lot of trouble here. Why don't you admit that you're the woman we're looking for, that you're Peggy Small. You're no old woman.

[Narrator/Announcer]

Come on.

[Detective Joe Friday]

How about it, Miss Small?

[Lillian Halstead / Peggy Small]

All right. I lose. I guess I should have known. Mind if I take this wig off? It's kind of warm in here.

[Detective Joe Friday]

We've been kind of waiting for it. Go right ahead.

[Lillian Halstead / Peggy Small]

Good wreck while it lasted. Crummy driver's license. I was doing all right as long as I used the letters. They should have been good enough for me. I should have known.

[Detective Joe Friday]

What'd you do with the money?

[Lillian Halstead / Peggy Small]

I got it all. Every last nickel of it. I almost had enough, too.

[Detective Joe Friday]

Enough for what?

[Lillian Halstead / Peggy Small]

Leave this lousy town. Get out of here. Go back east. New York. Couple more pieces of paper and I'd haven't made. Could have left. Almost showed em. Showed em good, ma'.

[Detective Joe Friday]

Am.

[Lillian Halstead / Peggy Small]

Phone in town. Months. I found it on doors. Talking to agents, casting directors, talking to anybody who'd listen to me. Trying to get a job, trying to get a break in pictures. None of them would talk to me. Wouldn't even see me.

[Detective Joe Friday]

Yes, ma'.

[Ms. Parkinson]

Am.

[Lillian Halstead / Peggy Small]

They wanted character women. Didn't want any young women. Character women. That's what they wanted. So I got to be the best of them. They didn't want me the way I am. I didn't want to work any other way. None had you fooled. Didn't I? Had the whole town fooled. All of them. Phony place. I was going back east, back to New York. They know talent back there. They recognize it. They know whether you're real or whether you're just a phony. They know it there.

[Detective Joe Friday]

Yes, ma'. Am. We know it here, too.

[Narrator/Announcer]

The story you have just heard was true. The names were changed to protect the innocent.

[Sponsor/Chesterfield Advertiser]

On June 19, trial was held in Department 89, Superior Court of the State of California. In and for the county of Los Angeles. In a moment, the results of that trial.

[Narrator/Announcer]

Now here is our star, Jack Webb.

[Detective Joe Friday]

Thank you, George Feniman. Friends, only the modern cigarette Chesterfield gives you this scientific evidence on the effects of smoking. No adverse effects on the nose, throat and sinuses of the group from smoking Chesterfield. And only the modern cigarette Chesterfield gives you premium quality in both regular and king size. Now I know chesterfield is best for me and best for you. Buy them regular or king size. Either way, they're much milder to give you all the pleasure the modern cigarette can give.

[Sponsor/Chesterfield Advertiser]

Peggy Janice Small was tried and convicted of forgery, 10 counts. She was sentenced to the California Institution for Women at Corona, California. For the term prescribed by law. Forgery is punishable by imprisonment for a period of from 1 to 14 years in the state penitentiary.

[Mr. Halstead]

Foreign.

[Sponsor/Chesterfield Advertiser]

You have just heard Dragnet a series of authentic cases from official files. Technical advice comes from the office of Chief of Police W.H. parker, Los Angeles Police Department Technical Advisors, Captain Jack Donahoe, Sergeant Marty Wynn, Sergeant Vance Brazier. Heard tonight were Ben Alexander, June Whitley, Jack Crucian, Gene Tatum. Script by John Robinson. Music by Walter Schumann. Hal Gibney speaking.

[Narrator/Announcer]

Sound off for Chesterfield. Either way you like them regular or king size, you'll find premium quality Chesterfields much milder.

[Sponsor/Chesterfield Advertiser]

Chesterfield has brought you Dragnet. Transcribed from Los Angeles.

[Narrator/Announcer]

Tonight, it's Adventure with Barry Craig, confidential investigator on NBC.