Dragnet: The Big Switch 01/12/1954

Summary

Choice Classic Radio Detectives | Old Time Radio
Episode: Dragnet: The Big Switch
Release Date: February 4, 2025

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Introduction

In this gripping episode of Dragnet, Choice Classic Radio presents "The Big Switch," an authentic tale of crime and investigation from the Golden Age of Radio. Set against the backdrop of 1950s Los Angeles, Detectives Joe Friday and Frank Smith delve into a complex case that intertwines personal relationships, narcotics, and deceit.

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Case Overview

[02:35] The story unfolds on a warm Thursday morning when a young woman, Mona Fenton, is found in a hotel room on Grand Avenue under suspicious circumstances. What appears to be an attempted suicide raises immediate red flags for Detectives Friday and Smith, prompting a thorough investigation.

Joe Friday: "Your message amplified. Ready to share your message with the world? Start your podcast journey with Podbean."
(00:01)
Note: This promotional segment is part of the transcript but will be bypassed in the narrative summary.

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Initial Investigation at the Hospital

Upon arrival at Georgia Street Receiving Hospital, Detectives Friday and Smith examine Mona's condition with Dr. Hall.

Joe Friday: "Hi, Doc. Is this the girl?"
(02:56)

Doctor Hall: "We think she's gonna live, but there's no way of telling right now how much damage has been done to the brain tissue."
(03:01)

Despite the doctor's cautious optimism, the detectives notice inconsistencies in Mona's identity that deepen the mystery.

Joe Friday: "Another thing that doesn't make much sense, Doc. She registered into the hotel as Mrs. John Norris."
(03:57)

Frank Smith: "Near as we can find out, she wasn't married."
(04:01)

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Interview with the Hotel Clerk

Detectives visit the hotel to gather more information. The hotel clerk provides crucial details about Mona's stay and the events leading up to her discovery.

Hotel Clerk: "Jeff got paid last night. Got his week's wages last I saw him. He's on his way out on the town with some of his friends."
(06:15)

The detectives learn about Jeff Christensen, the man who checked Mona into the hotel, and his sudden disappearance raises further suspicions.

Joe Friday: "Anybody been in this room since the other officers left?"
(05:40)

Hotel Clerk: "No, sir. Told me to lock it until you could see it."
(05:45)

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Mona's Mother: Seeking Clues

The investigation leads Friday and Smith to Mona's mother, Mrs. Fenton, who provides personal insights into her daughter's life.

Mrs. Fenton: "She first had this crazy idea when she first told me about it. I knew something like this would happen."
(11:28)

Through their dialogue, the detectives uncover Mona's strained relationship with her mother and her troubled romantic life.

Mrs. Fenton: "Richard Burdick. Nice boy. Mona and he were planning to get married when they got out of school."
(12:56)

However, Mona's recent behavior and associations suggest deeper issues involving narcotics and coercion.

Joe Friday: "Do you know if she's been under a doctor's care?"
(12:30)

Mrs. Fenton: "No, I don't think so. Why do you ask that?"
(12:46)

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Unraveling Relationships and Motives

Further investigations reveal Mona's involvement with Richard Burdick and Terry Hamilton, each playing pivotal roles in her downfall.

Peggy Gregson: "Talk to Dick Burdick. Talk to him. He'll be able to tell you."
(20:30)

Peggy, a friend of Mona's from her workplace at a drive-in restaurant, implicates Terry Hamilton as a source of Mona's troubles.

Peggy Gregson: "He's a real bum. You ask me, I think there's something wrong with him. You know, in the head."
(20:35)

Terry's abusive behavior and manipulation through narcotics become apparent, painting a darker picture of Mona's circumstances.

Mona Fenton: "I think that's the reason."
(24:07)

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Confronting the Culprits

Detectives Friday and Smith trace Terry Hamilton to his residence, uncovering his involvement in narcotics distribution and his direct impact on Mona's life.

Narrator: "Terry Norris Hamilton was tried and convicted of violation of the State Narcotics Act of felony one count."
(27:58)

Simultaneously, Richard Burdick's disappearance adds another layer to the case, although no criminal record links him to other offenses.

Narrator: "Mona Irene Fenton pled guilty to the same charge and was placed on probation for a period of three years."
(27:58)

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Climactic Resolution

In a final confrontation, Mona confronts her captor, Terry Hamilton, revealing the extent of his control over her.

Mona Fenton: "I think that's the reason."
(24:07)

Joe Friday: "How about this Richard Burdick?"
(24:20)

Through Mona's revelations, the detectives piece together the motive behind her attempted suicide, attributing it to Terry's coercion and the loss of her relationship with Richard.

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Conclusion and Legal Proceedings

The episode concludes with the legal aftermath of the case, highlighting the convictions of Terry Hamilton and Mona Fenton, underscoring the tragic consequences of narcotics abuse and manipulation.

Narrator: "Terry Norris Hamilton was tried and convicted of violation of the State Narcotics Act of felony one count."
(27:58)

Narrator: "Mona Irene Fenton pled guilty to the same charge and was placed on probation for a period of three years with the provision that she be placed under the care of a competent psychiatrist."
(27:58)

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Notable Quotes with Timestamps

• Joe Friday: "Another thing that doesn't make much sense, Doc. She registered into the hotel as Mrs. John Norris."
  (03:57)

• Mrs. Fenton: "When she wanted to quit school and take the job in that drive-in restaurant. The most ridiculous thing I ever heard of."
  (11:28)

• Peggy Gregson: "Because it's true. No other reason. He's a real bum. You ask me, I think there's something wrong with him."
  (20:35)

• Mona Fenton: "I used narcotics... He was gonna marry me. Then he didn't. He said he would and he didn't."
  (24:02)

• Narrator: "Terry Norris Hamilton was tried and convicted of violation of the State Narcotics Act of felony one count."
  (27:58)

---

Insights and Themes

"Dragnet: The Big Switch" delves into themes of personal responsibility, the destructive nature of addiction, and the complexities of human relationships. Through the meticulous investigation led by Detectives Friday and Smith, listeners are exposed to the harsh realities of the era's societal issues, particularly the hidden struggles with narcotics that could devastate lives.

The episode also highlights the procedural aspects of police work during the 1950s, emphasizing thoroughness and attention to detail in solving crimes. The interplay between personal testimonies and official investigations showcases the challenges detectives face in uncovering the truth amidst layers of personal conflict and societal pressures.

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Conclusion

"Dragnet: The Big Switch" stands as a compelling narrative that not only entertains but also sheds light on critical social issues of its time. Choice Classic Radio successfully captures the essence of old-time radio dramas, offering listeners a vivid portrayal of crime-solving and the human stories intertwined within.

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Note: Promotional segments for Podbean and Chesterfield cigarettes present in the transcript have been intentionally omitted to focus solely on the narrative content of the episode.

Transcript

[Joe Friday]

Your message amplified. Ready to share your message with the world? Start your podcast journey with Podbean. Podbean. Podbean. Podbean. Podbean, the AI powered all in one podcast platform.

[Frank Smith]

Thousands of businesses and enterprises trust Podbean to launch their podcasts.

[Joe Friday]

Launch your podcast on Podbean today.

[Hotel Clerk]

My school uses Podbean.

[Joe Friday]

My church too.

[Mrs. Fenton]

I love it.

[Joe Friday]

I really do.

[Doctor Hall]

Welcome to Choice Classic Radio where we.

[Joe Friday]

Bring to you the greatest old time radio shows. Like us on Facebook. Subscribe to us on YouTube and thank you for [e-mail].

[Narrator]

Ladies and gentlemen, the story you are about to hear is true. The names have been changed to protect the innocent.

[Commercial Announcer]

Dragnet is brought to you by Chesterfield. Made by Liggett and Myers. First major tobacco company to give you a complete line of quality cigarettes.

[Narrator]

You're a detective sergeant. You're assigned a homicide detail. A young girl has been found in a cheap hotel room. Apparently an attempted suicide. There's reason to suspect foul play. Your job, investigate. To sell a product, you have to make it good and keep it good. What do the latest reports show about Chesterfield? Well, our research laboratory has compared it with the leading cigarettes in the country. Chesterfield is highest in quality, low in nicotine. Another good reason why thousands of people are changing to Chesterfield every day. Smoke America's most popular two way cigarette, regular or king size. You'll find Chesterfield really mild, really satisfying. Best for you.

[Commercial Announcer]

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 a official police files. From beginning to end, from crime to punishment. Dragnet is the story of your police force in action.

[Joe Friday]

It was Thursday, November 19th. It was warm in Los Angeles. We were working the day. Watch out. A homicide detail. My partner is Frank Smith. The boss is Captain Lorman. My name's Friday. We just gotten a call from Georgia Street Receiving Hospital and it was 9:46am when we got to the second floor. The treatment room?

[Mona Fenton]

Yes.

[Joe Friday]

Would I see Dr. Hall, please?

[Frank Smith]

Come in. Joe.

[Joe Friday]

Joe.

[Frank Smith]

Frank.

[Joe Friday]

Hi, Doc. Is this the girl?

[Narrator]

Yeah.

[Doctor Hall]

How's she doing?

[Frank Smith]

I'm not sure yet. Just finished the transfusion.

[Joe Friday]

When are you gonna know?

[Frank Smith]

We think she's gonna live, but there's no way of telling right now how much damage has been done to the brain tissue.

[Joe Friday]

Mm.

[Frank Smith]

Bad bruise on her face. Must have received a bad blow. Might have gotten it when she fell. Let's go outside, huh? I can use the Smoke.

[Joe Friday]

Okay.

[Frank Smith]

Well, if there's any change, I'll be out in the hall.

[Mona Fenton]

All right, doctor.

[Frank Smith]

You got a cigarette? I'm fresh out.

[Joe Friday]

Yeah. Here you are, Frank.

[Doctor Hall]

Yeah, thanks. Here's a match.

[Joe Friday]

Thanks.

[Doctor Hall]

I didn't know you gave transfusions in.

[Joe Friday]

Cases like this, Doc.

[Frank Smith]

Don't have to very often. You see, thing like this, the carbon monoxide in the gas joins with the hemoglobin and the red cells won't let go. Blood takes the monoxide through the system and suffocates the brain tissue. We've given her some coramine, helped speed up the heart action. Way it looks, she's got a good chance of living. But we won't know how bad it really is until later.

[Joe Friday]

It's a rough one, isn't it?

[Frank Smith]

You find out who she is?

[Doctor Hall]

Well, according to stuff we found in her wallet, her name's Mona Fenton.

[Joe Friday]

Another thing that doesn't make much sense, Doc. She registered into the hotel as Mrs. John Norris.

[Doctor Hall]

Near as we can find out, she wasn't married.

[Frank Smith]

How'd you come up with that?

[Joe Friday]

Well, when the office got word about it, we tried to get in touch with her husband. Called the phone number on the ID that we found in her wallet. Talked with her mother. She says a girl, single.

[Frank Smith]

How about the guy she was with? You been able to talk to him?

[Doctor Hall]

No, haven't found out who he is.

[Frank Smith]

Name doesn't check out, huh?

[Doctor Hall]

Not that we can find.

[Frank Smith]

How about the mother? She give you anything?

[Joe Friday]

Let me just talk to her for a minute. We're going over there. When we leave here, maybe she can.

[Frank Smith]

Come up with some answers.

[Joe Friday]

I sure hope so.

[Frank Smith]

Couple of more questions you can ask her.

[Joe Friday]

Yeah, what's that?

[Frank Smith]

Find out if the girl's been under a doctor's care.

[Joe Friday]

What do you mean?

[Frank Smith]

Checked her over when she came in. Found marks on her arms. Yeah, I think she's an addict.

[Joe Friday]

At 8:30am that morning, a guest in a small hotel on Grand Avenue had thought that he detected the odor of gas in the halls of the building. He notified the desk clerk and together they conducted a search of the premises. Finally, they ascertained that the escaping gas was coming from a room on the third floor of the hotel. When the desk clerk got no answer to his calls, he used a pass key to open the door. Sprawled across the bed was a girl who appeared to be in her early 20s. The gas heater in the room had been turned on full and the windows were closed, locked and stuffed with pieces of torn sheets to keep the fumes in the room. The quick action of the desk clerk had undoubtedly saved the girl's life. While the hotel guest called an ambulance, the clerk turned off the gas, opened the windows and administered artificial respiration to the girl until the ambulance crew arrived as an attempted suicide. The homicide detail had to make an investigation, and Frank and I were assigned to the case. After we talked to Doc hall at Georgia Street Receiving Hospital, we drove down to the hotel where the girl had been found.

[Hotel Clerk]

Right in here.

[Joe Friday]

Anybody been in this room since the other officers left?

[Hotel Clerk]

No, sir. Told me to lock it until you could see it.

[Joe Friday]

All right, sir. This is just the way you found it, is that right?

[Hotel Clerk]

Well, yes, of course. The gas is turned off and I open the windows, but everything else is the same.

[Joe Friday]

I see. From what you said on the phone, she came in last night. Is that right?

[Hotel Clerk]

Yes, sir. At least that's what the registration book says. They checked in at 10:15.

[Doctor Hall]

Did you take care of him?

[Hotel Clerk]

No. I was out to dinner when they got here.

[Joe Friday]

Who checked him in?

[Hotel Clerk]

Jeff. Jeff Christensen.

[Doctor Hall]

Is he around?

[Hotel Clerk]

No, not right now. He'll probably be back tonight.

[Joe Friday]

You know where we can find him?

[Hotel Clerk]

I don't know. See, Jeff got paid last night. Got his week's wages last I saw him. He's on his way out on the town with some of his friends. Jeff goes out on the town? Maybe we don't see him a couple of days.

[Joe Friday]

I see. But you figure he'll be back tonight?

[Hotel Clerk]

Oh, yes.

[Joe Friday]

Yes.

[Hotel Clerk]

Jeff only worked a couple of days last week, so he ain't gonna go on much of the town.

[Joe Friday]

Mm. Did you see the man Ms. Fenton came in with?

[Hotel Clerk]

No, I didn't. They were already in the room when I got back from dinner. I checked the book. I got the money from Jeff before I left. The man must have gone out sometime early this morning. I guess I was asleep. My room's just back of the desk. Fellow must have got out while I was asleep.

[Doctor Hall]

I see. Did you get any calls from the room at all?

[Hotel Clerk]

Not a one. Like I told those uniformed officers were here, I didn't see them at all. Not a people. Matter of fact, I was thinking how nice and quiet they were. But the way the room looks, they sure must had some sort of argument.

[Joe Friday]

Yeah. See?

[Doctor Hall]

Would you know if they brought any baggage with them?

[Hotel Clerk]

Matter of fact, I know they didn't. Sure looks like they did some heavy drinking, don't it?

[Joe Friday]

Mm.

[Hotel Clerk]

Glasses. That bottle's almost empty.

[Joe Friday]

Yeah, I'd rather you wouldn't touch the bottle.

[Hotel Clerk]

Oh, yeah?

[Joe Friday]

Yeah.

[Hotel Clerk]

Well, I won't say, you talked to the girls people yet?

[Joe Friday]

No, sir, we haven't.

[Hotel Clerk]

But you're planning to see them, aren't you?

[Joe Friday]

Yes, sir.

[Hotel Clerk]

Yeah. I wonder if you'd do me a favor. You know, when you see a people.

[Joe Friday]

Yes, sir. What's that?

[Hotel Clerk]

Well, I don't much mind the dirty glasses and having to straighten the room up. That's all part of the hotel business. But I wish you'd say something about the torn sheets. Tell the people about them. I don't want to cause no trouble, but maybe if they know how about the sheets were all torn up, they'd want to make good on them. You will mention them, won't you?

[Joe Friday]

Yes, sir.

[Doctor Hall]

I'll call the office. Joe, have them send out a crew, see what prints we can lift.

[Joe Friday]

All right, fine. Who else has a pass key to this room?

[Hotel Clerk]

Oh, you mean beside me?

[Joe Friday]

Yes, sir.

[Hotel Clerk]

Well, ain't nobody.

[Joe Friday]

Where's the key kept?

[Hotel Clerk]

That hangs on a nail next to desk. That big nail there. It hangs right on it.

[Joe Friday]

When you came into the room, did you notice if there was anything around the door to keep the gas inside?

[Hotel Clerk]

I don't follow you.

[Joe Friday]

Well, you found pieces of torn sheets around the windows, you say, now, was there anything like that with the door?

[Mona Fenton]

Oh.

[Hotel Clerk]

Oh, yes, I'm with you now. Yeah, let me think. As I remember. No, no, there wasn't nothing there. Just around the windows.

[Joe Friday]

Was the key in the lock when you came up here?

[Hotel Clerk]

You mean inside the room?

[Joe Friday]

Yes, sir, that's right.

[Hotel Clerk]

No, no, the reason I know that for sure is that I looked through the keyhole. Tried to see what was in the room. No, sir, the key wasn't in. Of course, that don't mean nothing, sir. Well, only a couple of the rooms have keys. Anyway, we don't use them anymore.

[Joe Friday]

You mean you don't lock the doors?

[Hotel Clerk]

Sure, we lock the doors. We got them all locked all the time. This is a respectable hotel. Of course we lock the doors, but not with those keys. We got those other locks on the doors.

[Joe Friday]

Oh, I see.

[Hotel Clerk]

You see? Yeah. See there? Sort of like Yale locks, that kind, you know. That's what locks the doors, not the other keys.

[Joe Friday]

Yes, I see.

[Hotel Clerk]

Of course, we lock the doors.

[Joe Friday]

Yes. The locks catch when the door is closed, though. Is that right?

[Hotel Clerk]

Yep. Locks them tight.

[Doctor Hall]

I got in touch with Lee Jones, Joe. He sent a crew right over.

[Joe Friday]

Good.

[Doctor Hall]

I checked with Doc Hong.

[Joe Friday]

How's the girl?

[Doctor Hall]

Oh, she's coming along. Doc says she's doing better.

[Hotel Clerk]

All these fellas that you're gonna have roaming around Here. What's this all about? Is something wrong?

[Joe Friday]

We're not sure yet, sir.

[Hotel Clerk]

Oh, dear, dear. It always happens like this, don't it?

[Joe Friday]

What's that, sir?

[Hotel Clerk]

I try to run a respectable place, goodness knows I do. I keep it right up to date. There's good service and something like this happens. There was no reason for that girl to do a thing like this. Not in my hotel. Now, you cops come in here, cops gonna be all over the place. Tenants aren't gonna like it. They ain't gonna like it at all. Just because of that girl. Why'd she have to come in here and do a thing like this?

[Joe Friday]

Why'd she have to do it at all, sir? 11:26am we questioned the people in the hotel. None of them could remember hearing any undue noise coming from the room where the girl had tried to kill herself. Normally, the investigation would have been routine, but with the possibility of foul play, we had to check every angle and then check it again. The crew from the crime lab arrived and went over the room under the bed. They found an empty capsule, the type commonly used to dispense heroin. They also came up with a clean set of fingerprints on both glasses. They were photographed and the water glasses themselves were removed to the crime lab to be booked as evidence. The registration card the couple had signed was turned over to Don Meyer in handwriting. The name was checked through our record bureau, through the phone book and through the city directory. But when the leads were checked out, we were no further in knowing who the man was who'd taken the room with Mona Fenton. Word was left at the hotel for the handyman to contact us as soon as he returned. Word was also left that if the man who'd registered with the Fenton girl returned, we were to be called. 11:45am the men from the crime lab finished their investigation and returned to the office to compile the results. Frank and I left the hotel and drove out to the address listed on the girl's identification. It was a large, white colonial home near one of the colleges. We rang the doorbell and waited.

[Mrs. Fenton]

Yes?

[Joe Friday]

Mrs. Fenton?

[Mrs. Fenton]

Yes, that's right. What is it you want?

[Joe Friday]

Police officers would like to talk to you.

[Mrs. Fenton]

Oh, come in.

[Joe Friday]

Thank you.

[Mrs. Fenton]

It's about Mona, isn't it?

[Joe Friday]

Yes, ma'am.

[Mrs. Fenton]

I knew something like this would happen. I knew it all along.

[Joe Friday]

Beg your pardon?

[Mrs. Fenton]

She first had this crazy idea when she first told me about it. I knew. Kids. Try to tell them. Just try. And they tell you that times have changed. They say that you're not keeping up with the time they know it all. Nobody can tell him anything.

[Joe Friday]

What idea is this, Mrs. Fenton?

[Mrs. Fenton]

When she wanted to quit school and take the job in that drive in restaurant. The most ridiculous thing I ever heard of. But nobody could talk her out of it. Lord knows I tried. I knew something like this would happen. I just knew it.

[Doctor Hall]

Yes, ma'am? Do you know any reason why your daughter might want to take her own life?

[Mrs. Fenton]

Are you a policeman, too?

[Doctor Hall]

Yes, ma'am. I'm Frank Smith. This is my partner, Joe Friday.

[Mrs. Fenton]

How do you do?

[Joe Friday]

How are you, ma'am? Do you know any reason why your daughter might want to kill herself?

[Mrs. Fenton]

It's a little hard to say, Mr. Friday.

[Joe Friday]

What's that?

[Mrs. Fenton]

Mona and I had quite an argument about her leaving school. It was one of those silly things that starts and gets all out of hand. You know, we both have pride and neither one of us was going to back down. I haven't seen Mona to talk to for over a month.

[Doctor Hall]

Does she live here, ma'am?

[Mrs. Fenton]

Yes, she does, Mr. Smith. But there's an outside entrance to her room. She comes and goes as she pleases. Doesn't eat her meal tea, so I hardly ever see her.

[Joe Friday]

Do you know if she's been under a doctor's care?

[Mrs. Fenton]

No, I don't think so. Why do you ask that?

[Joe Friday]

Well, is your daughter a diabetic?

[Mrs. Fenton]

No, she isn't. Mr. Friday, why all these questions about Mona and a doctor? What are you trying to find out?

[Doctor Hall]

Does your daughter have any special boyfriends, Mrs. Fenton?

[Mrs. Fenton]

She did have.

[Joe Friday]

Who was that?

[Mrs. Fenton]

Richard Burdick. Nice boy. Mona and he were planning to get married when they got out of school. And along with everything else that just blew up, everything seemed to go all at the same time.

[Joe Friday]

Did your daughter have any trouble with this verdict?

[Mrs. Fenton]

No, nothing you could call real trouble. It's just that they agreed to disagree. It was Mona's idea. Richard didn't want anything to change. He was very much in love with her.

[Joe Friday]

Uh huh.

[Mrs. Fenton]

Does he know about this?

[Joe Friday]

I don't think so, Ms. Fenton. We haven't told him.

[Mrs. Fenton]

I don't know what he's going to do when he hears about it. It's going to hit him awfully hard. He's the sensitive type.

[Joe Friday]

Does your daughter have any close friends that she might confide in?

[Mrs. Fenton]

I suppose she does. She's talked about some of the girls where she worked.

[Doctor Hall]

Would you give us her names, please?

[Mrs. Fenton]

Oh, yes, I will. I'll write them down for you. Those I can remember.

[Joe Friday]

All right, Fine. Has your daughter been in good Spirits lately?

[Mrs. Fenton]

As far as I know, yes. She's always seemed happy enough when I saw her. I told you, we haven't said much more than hello the last month. But she seemed happy.

[Joe Friday]

You said that she broke up with this verdict boy. Is that right?

[Mrs. Fenton]

Yes.

[Joe Friday]

When was that?

[Mrs. Fenton]

Six weeks, two months ago.

[Joe Friday]

You know what caused it?

[Mrs. Fenton]

The job? All the other things. Mona kept making dates with him and then breaking them at the last minute. I guess Richard just got tired of being stood up.

[Doctor Hall]

Well, did he and your daughter have any arguments that you know of?

[Mrs. Fenton]

No. They just decided that it wouldn't work out for them. They just decided to stop seeing each other.

[Joe Friday]

Did your daughter have any other steady boyfriends? Anyone that she saw quite a bit of, maybe?

[Mrs. Fenton]

Well, there was one boy. He was quite a bit older than Mona. She saw a lot of him the last couple of weeks.

[Joe Friday]

Know who he was?

[Mrs. Fenton]

No, I never met him. I only saw him once.

[Joe Friday]

What? If you could describe him for us.

[Mrs. Fenton]

No, I'm afraid I can't. He drove by from Ona one night, going to pick her up for a date. Parked out in front and honked the horn.

[Joe Friday]

I see.

[Mrs. Fenton]

I went to the front door to tell him to come in. Mona wasn't ready yet, but he wouldn't. Just sat out there and waited. I didn't get a good look at him.

[Doctor Hall]

Could you describe the car for us?

[Mrs. Fenton]

Not good. It was one of those foreign cars, A convertible. I think it might have been a Jaguar. I'm not sure about that, though.

[Joe Friday]

But you're sure it wasn't an American automobile?

[Mrs. Fenton]

Yes, I'm sure about that.

[Joe Friday]

All right. How about the color of the car? Can you tell us that?

[Mrs. Fenton]

It was awfully dark out there. I'm not sure. I'd rather not say, Officer, if I can't be sure, you understand that I wouldn't want to tell you something and then have it turn out to be wrong. You can understand that, can't you?

[Joe Friday]

Yes, ma'am. Of course.

[Mrs. Fenton]

Did you see Mona this morning?

[Joe Friday]

Yes, we did.

[Mrs. Fenton]

Is she all right?

[Joe Friday]

They think so, yes.

[Mrs. Fenton]

Aren't you sure?

[Joe Friday]

Well, when we talked to the doctor, they were doing everything they could. They seemed to think that she was gonna be all right. Thank God.

[Mrs. Fenton]

It's so hard, Mr. Friday, to know that your child is sick. That she tried to kill herself. To want to go to her and not be able to. It's so hard.

[Joe Friday]

Try to take it easy if you can, Miss Fenton. If you'll just give us the names of the girls that she might know, we'll be on our way.

[Mrs. Fenton]

Yes, I'll write them for you.

[Joe Friday]

Thank you.

[Mona Fenton]

Excuse me.

[Joe Friday]

Shirley.

[Mrs. Fenton]

Hello? Yes, it is. What? Yes, they're here. Just a moment. It's for you.

[Doctor Hall]

I'll get a job.

[Joe Friday]

I'll get the Podbean. Your message amplified. Ready to share your message with the world. Start your podcast journey with podbean. Podbean, the AI powered all in one podcast platform.

[Frank Smith]

Thousands of businesses and enterprises trust Podbean to launch their podcasts.

[Joe Friday]

Use Podbean to record your podcast. Use PodBean AI to optimize your podcast. Use PodBean AI to turn your blog into a podcast. Use Podbean to distribute your podcast everywhere. Launch your podcast on Podbean today.

[Mrs. Fenton]

Those names for you, Mr.

[Joe Friday]

Pride, did your daughter ever refer to this man in a foreign car by name?

[Mrs. Fenton]

No, I don't think she did. All I know is that whenever she went out with him, it was the big date of the bunch.

[Joe Friday]

How often did she see him?

[Mrs. Fenton]

Maybe a couple of times a week. Might have been more. I had no way of knowing what she was doing. She kept pretty much to herself when she met him. But I could tell he was the big thing in her life. He was it.

[Joe Friday]

Yeah.

[Commercial Announcer]

See?

[Doctor Hall]

A minute.

[Joe Friday]

Yes? Excuse me, Ms. Finn.

[Mrs. Fenton]

I'll finish this list.

[Joe Friday]

Thank you. Yeah.

[Doctor Hall]

Call was from Jack Smyers at the office.

[Joe Friday]

Yeah.

[Doctor Hall]

Just removed her to the General Hospital.

[Joe Friday]

Yeah.

[Doctor Hall]

She had a relapse.

[Joe Friday]

They don't think she's gonna live.

[Commercial Announcer]

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

[Narrator]

There are good reasons why thousands of people are changing to Chesterfield every day. Why Chesterfield is the largest selling two way cigarette in America. Why Chesterfield is best for me and best for you. People these days want facts. When you want people to use your product, you have to tell them what effect it has on people who do use it regularly. That's why a doctor has examined for almost two years a large group of Chesterfield smokers. 45% of them have, on the average, been smoking Chesterfields for well over 10 years. What is the effect on these people from smoking Chesterfield? No adverse effects to the nose, throat and sinuses, says the doctor. Consider Chesterfield's record with these smokers with millions of other smokers throughout America. Another good reason for you to change to Chesterfield. Regular or king size? Chesterfield is best for me. Best for you.

[Joe Friday]

We obtained the name of the drive in restaurant where the Fenton girl was employed. We also got the names of the girls that she worked with and the address of her boyfriend, Richard Burdick. Mrs. Fenton also gave us a list of names of persons who might be able to aid us in the investigation. Under further questioning, the mother was still unable to furnish us with a motive for her daughter's attempt to take her own life. The apparent lack of a motive or any type of a suicide note, coupled with the bruise on the girl's chin, made the likelihood of foul play more than possible. 12:57pm we left the Fenton home and drove over to the drive in. We stopped on the way and put in a call to the office. There still hadn't been any report of the handyman at the hotel. The only person who could give us a description of the man had registered at the place with the Fenton girl. When we got to the drive in, we asked about a Peggy Grigson, one of the girls on the list. After a few minutes, the girl came over to our car.

[Peggy Gregson]

You want to see me?

[Joe Friday]

You Peggy Gregson?

[Peggy Gregson]

Yeah.

[Mrs. Fenton]

Why?

[Joe Friday]

We'd like to ask you some questions about Mona Fenton.

[Peggy Gregson]

Who are you guys?

[Joe Friday]

Police officers. We'd just like to talk to you.

[Peggy Gregson]

I gotta get it okayed with the manager. I'm on duty now. Lunchtime. Pretty busy. I gotta get it okayed.

[Doctor Hall]

I'll take care of it.

[Joe Friday]

All right, fine.

[Doctor Hall]

I'll check with the manager.

[Narrator]

Jones.

[Joe Friday]

Right.

[Peggy Gregson]

Hope this isn't gonna take long. I got a couple of customers waiting for orders.

[Joe Friday]

My partner will take care of it.

[Peggy Gregson]

Ain't the manager knowing that worries me. It's the tips they're gonna leave. Make what I do. And the tips are important.

[Joe Friday]

Yes, ma'am.

[Peggy Gregson]

What's all this about Mona, anyway? What are the cops after her for?

[Joe Friday]

Well, she tried to kill herself this morning.

[Peggy Gregson]

Mona?

[Joe Friday]

Yeah.

[Mona Fenton]

Why?

[Peggy Gregson]

How'd she do a thing like that?

[Joe Friday]

Well, we thought maybe you could help us there.

[Peggy Gregson]

Why me? I haven't got anything to do with it.

[Joe Friday]

Well, we understand you were pretty friendly with her.

[Peggy Gregson]

Sure, I was a friend of Mona's, but I don't know anything about no suicide. I don't know anything about it and I don't want to.

[Joe Friday]

Do you know any reason she might try to take her own life?

[Peggy Gregson]

Not a reason in the world. Not Mona.

[Joe Friday]

Do you know if she was under a doctor's care for any reason?

[Peggy Gregson]

No. I mean, I don't know. Didn't say anything about it. Never said a word. What she?

[Joe Friday]

Well, that's what we're trying to find out. Can you think of any enemies she had? Anybody who might have wanted to hurt her?

[Peggy Gregson]

How far is this gonna go?

[Joe Friday]

Well, how do you mean, miss?

[Peggy Gregson]

I mean, who's gonna hear about this. Who's gonna hear the answers I'm gonna give you?

[Joe Friday]

Well, no one. Now, what do you got for us?

[Peggy Gregson]

I'll give you this for free if anything happened to Mona. You go talk to Dick Burdick. Talk to him. He'll be able to tell you.

[Joe Friday]

Why'd he say that?

[Peggy Gregson]

Because it's true. No other reason. He's a real bum. You ask me, I think there's something wrong with him. You know, in the head.

[Joe Friday]

Well, do you have any reason to say that?

[Peggy Gregson]

All the reason in the world. Poor girl. This bum, all the time coming around, giving her trouble. All the time telling her how he's gonna kill her and anybody that comes near her.

[Joe Friday]

Burdick said that to Miss Fenton, did he?

[Peggy Gregson]

Half a dozen times. Was more than a week ago. Mona told me she told him off. Told him to get lost. She wanted any part of him to leave her alone. He made a big scene. Mona told me all about it. One day, this Terry drove in here. Got one of those flashy foreign cars.

[Joe Friday]

A Jaguar?

[Peggy Gregson]

I think so, yeah.

[Joe Friday]

All right, go ahead.

[Peggy Gregson]

Well, one day you drove into the place. Mona took care of him. I guess he liked Mona. Kept coming back. Always parked in her station. Anyway, this Birdie kid found out about it. Wasn't anything for him to worry about, but he made a big thing about it. Told Mona she was supposed to stop seeing Terry. Said if she didn't, he was gonna cause real trouble.

[Joe Friday]

Did he say what he was gonna do?

[Peggy Gregson]

I think he was kidding. I don't think he really meant it. He's just a kid.

[Joe Friday]

Well, what did he say?

[Peggy Gregson]

I really don't think he meant it.

[Joe Friday]

Well, all right, now, what did he say to her?

[Peggy Gregson]

Said if he found him together again, kill them both.

[Joe Friday]

We talked to the other girls in the drive in. From them, we got the same story about the scenes that Richard Burdick had created. We got more information about the threats that he'd made against the Fenton girl and Terry Hamilton. From one of the girls, we got the address of Hamilton. 2:45pm we left the drive in and drove over to the address of the girl's boyfriend, Richard Burdick. We talked to the landlady. She told us that the Burdick boy had regular habits. He paid his rent on time. He never had any visitors. She told us that he wasn't in his room at that time. But she said that she'd let us in in her company. We went upstairs. She unlocked the door, and Frank and I went in. Want to Check the bedroom. I'll take the kitchen.

[Doctor Hall]

Yeah.

[Joe Friday]

There's nothing out there. How'd you do?

[Doctor Hall]

Well, looks like we're a little late.

[Joe Friday]

What?

[Doctor Hall]

His clothes are gone.

[Joe Friday]

We checked the room further. Every indication was that Richard Burdick had left the apartment in a hurry. We talked to the landlady again. She could give us no reason for his disappearance. She gave us the name of his employer. We put in a call to them, but they told us that Burdick had failed to show up for work that day. 4:15pm we put in a call to the hotel on Grand Avenue, but the handyman still hadn't returned, and there'd been no word from him. We went back to the office and checked the name Richard Burdick through R and I, but we found no criminal record for anybody answering his description. We put out a local and an APB on him. At 4:39pm we got a call from General Hospital telling us that the Fenton girl had regained consciousness and that we could talk to her. Frank and I left the office and traveled Code two out to the hospital. The doctor on duty told us that the girl was out of danger, but that she was very weak. He asked us not to get her excited, and he let us into her room. Ms. Fenton?

[Mona Fenton]

Yes. Who are you?

[Joe Friday]

Police officers.

[Mona Fenton]

Why can't you leave me alone? Go away.

[Joe Friday]

Just a couple of questions we'd like to ask you.

[Mona Fenton]

I don't want to talk to anybody.

[Peggy Gregson]

Why?

[Mona Fenton]

Why didn't you leave things the way they were? Why didn't you leave me alone?

[Joe Friday]

Well, you had a lot of people worried, miss.

[Mona Fenton]

No reason for it. Be better all the way around if things had happened the way I planned them.

[Doctor Hall]

And you did try to kill yourself?

[Mona Fenton]

Yes.

[Joe Friday]

Who was with you in that hotel room?

[Mona Fenton]

You mean Mr. Morris?

[Joe Friday]

Yeah.

[Mona Fenton]

It was Terry. It was always Terry. He was gonna marry me. Then he didn't. He said he would and he didn't.

[Joe Friday]

That way you did what you did.

[Mona Fenton]

Yes.

[Doctor Hall]

You used narcotics, Ms. Fenton?

[Mona Fenton]

Hmm?

[Doctor Hall]

Used narcotics?

[Mona Fenton]

Yes. That was Terry's idea, too. I think that's all he wanted with me, just to get me hooked so I'd have to do what he said. I think that was the reason.

[Joe Friday]

How about this Richard Burdick?

[Mona Fenton]

What about him?

[Joe Friday]

Did he have anything to do with you deciding to take your own life?

[Mona Fenton]

In a lot of ways, biggest mistake I ever made was leaving Richard. I thought it was smart. Real smart. I was gonna show him Terry. Said he'd marry me. Said he was in love with me.

[Joe Friday]

Did he get you started on Narcotics?

[Mona Fenton]

Yeah. At first it wasn't so bad. I loved him. Really, I did. Then when I had to have the fixes, he changed. Told me he couldn't give it to me anymore. That I was gonna have to pay for it. I tried to tell him. To tell him that I loved him. But I wanted to be with him. That's why I went to the hotel. To talk it over. Try to come to an understanding. Some kind of an understanding. He said that he didn't want to have anything to do with me. That he wanted no part of me anymore. Said that I was gonna have to pay for the H. From now on. I didn't have any way to pay for it. He said it wasn't any of his business.

[Joe Friday]

See? A user.

[Mona Fenton]

Yes. All so stupid. All so stupid, ma'am. The whole thing. I had it real good all the way around. And then I went ahead and ruined everything. Tore it all down. Even if I'd have killed myself, it would have been no answer. Not the right answer anyway. I know that. I know it real well.

[Joe Friday]

All right. Can you tell us where we can find this Terry?

[Mona Fenton]

You bet I can. I want to see him. Feel like I do. I want him to know what it's like.

[Joe Friday]

Will you be willing to meet with him? Make a buy of narcotics for us?

[Mona Fenton]

You name the time, I'll be there. I'll be there if I have to crawl.

[Joe Friday]

All right. You better get some rest now.

[Mona Fenton]

I guess so. I'm pretty tired. Did you see my mother?

[Joe Friday]

Yes, ma'am.

[Mona Fenton]

Is she real mad at me?

[Joe Friday]

No, I don't think she is.

[Mona Fenton]

Would you call her? Ask her to come and see me? Tell her I'm sorry. Tell her I want to see her now.

[Joe Friday]

She'll be glad to hear that.

[Mona Fenton]

I hope so. I got so much to tell her. Her and Richard. How much to tell them both?

[Joe Friday]

Alright, Ms. Fenton. We'll get in touch with her.

[Mona Fenton]

And you tell me when you want me to call Terry. You tell me.

[Joe Friday]

All right, we will.

[Mona Fenton]

Terrible thing, isn't it?

[Joe Friday]

What's that?

[Mona Fenton]

Terry. He's been around a long time. Must be other girls in the same fix, all because of him. Girls who have a bad habit and have to do what he says. Girls like me. Terrible. Nobody knows how many.

[Joe Friday]

Yes, ma'am.

[Mona Fenton]

Where's it gonna end when you meet him?

[Narrator]

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

[Commercial Announcer]

On March 10, trial was held in Department 98, Superior Court of the State of California. In and for the county of Los Angeles in a Moment the results of that trial.

[Narrator]

Now, here is our star, Jack Webb.

[Joe Friday]

Thank you, George Veniman. Obviously it would be impossible for you to question all the Chesterfield smokers that you'd run into. Yet we're convinced that you want to know what effect a product has on people who do use it regularly. Well, Chesterfield tells you. Now you've heard the report from the doctor who's been examining Chesterfield smokers. No adverse effects to the nose, throat and sinuses from smoking Chesterfield. I think it would make good sense for you to change to Chesterfield today. Smoke America's most popular two way cigarette, regular or king size. You'll find Chesterfield's best for you.

[Commercial Announcer]

Terry Norris Hamilton was tried and convicted of violation of the State Narcotics act of felony one count. He received sentence as prescribed by law. Violation of the State Narcotics Act. A felony is punishable by imprisonment in the state penitentiary for a period of from one to five years. Mona Irene Fenton pled guilty to the same charge and was placed on probation for a period of three years with the provision that she be placed under the care of a competent psychiatrist. You have just heard Dragnet a series of authentic cases from official files. Technical advice comes from the office of Chief of Police W.A. h. Parker, Los Angeles Police Department. Technical Advisors, Captain Jack Donahoe, Sergeant Marty Wynn, Sergeant Vance Brasher. Heard tonight were Ben Alexander, Vic Rodman, Virginia Gregg, Gene Tatum. Script by John Robinson. Music by Walter Schumann. Hal Gibney speaking.

[Narrator]

Watch an entirely different Dragnet case history each week on your local NBC television station. Please check your newspapers for the day and time Chesterfield has brought you. Dragnet Transcribed from Los Angeles Announcing the best of filter cigarettes. L and M filters. The L M filter is entirely pure, harmless to health. Filters out the heavy particles in the smoke. Gives you more flavor, less nicotine. L M filters and Fatima with tips of perfect cork. Both made and guaranteed by the makers of Chesterfield, Liggett and Myers Tobacco Company. Hear John Cameron Swayze and the News next on the NBC Radio Network.