Dragnet: The Big Switch 11/23/1954

Summary

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Podcast Summary: Dragnet – "The Big Switch" (11/23/1954)

Podcast: Choice Classic Radio Detectives | Old Time Radio
Episode: Dragnet: The Big Switch
Air Date (Original): November 23, 1954
Analysis Date: November 11, 2025
Host: Jack Webb as Detective Joe Friday (no host commentary present in content)

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Episode Overview

This Dragnet episode, originally aired in 1954, dramatizes a real-life homicide case as investigated step-by-step by Detective Joe Friday and his partner Frank Smith. The episode follows the investigation of the mysterious death of George Pilsen, a 57-year-old night shift worker found dead by his wife. The story navigates through suspects, forensics, and suspicions, culminating in a psychological study of motive and confession.

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Key Discussion Points & Case Progression

1. Report of the Crime & Initial Investigation

• Setting: 906 S. Norwood Street, Los Angeles; July 8, 11:03 a.m.
• Detective Friday and Smith respond to a call from Marie Pilsen reporting the death of her husband, George Pilsen.
• Initial observations suggest a head wound, indicating possible murder. The body shows little sign of struggle; theft of a watch and diamond ring reported (07:30).
• Crime lab and coroner are called in (02:39, 07:30).

2. Interview with Marie Pilsen – The Victim’s Wife

• Marie describes a typical morning, leaving for shopping around 9:00 a.m. and returning at approximately 10:30 a.m. to find her husband dead (04:08).
• Reveals insight into their 30-year marriage, her childlessness and emotional state, highlighting her collection of elephants as a pseudo-family (05:28).
• “Maybe one exception. You see over there on the table? My collection of elephants. I started collecting them as a little girl. I always thought that one day I’d have a little girl. I’d give them to her. We never had any children, so my children have been pretend.” (05:28, Marie Pilsen)
• No known enemies; marriage described as ordinary. She admits to usual marital disputes but "nothing serious" (06:04).

3. Neighborhood Canvass – Sam Mordell’s Testimony

• The detectives interview Sam Mordell, a retired railroad man and woodcarver, living across the street.
• Mordell reports seeing a man leave the Pilsen home at exactly 10:00 a.m., noting the time by his railroad watch (09:45). He identifies the man’s vehicle as a green panel truck with the name "Ray" or "Gray" on the side, used for a lawnmower service (10:00-11:14).
• “My eyes are good yet, but only the Ray part was real clear... could have been Gray, Bray or Crazy.” (11:14, Sam Mordell)

4. Tracing the Lawnmower Service – Ray Power

• Detectives check classified listings and locate “Gray’s Lawnmower Service.”
• They meet Ray Power, new owner of the business, who admits to having a green panel truck and having visited the Pilsen house that morning for a pickup, entering briefly when no one answered but claims seeing nobody and leaving quickly (16:03).
• “I walked into a house. I didn’t do anything wrong. If there was someone there, ask them... Be a little hard to do, huh?” (16:50, Ray Power)
• Power is temporarily held as a suspect, but evidence is inconclusive: no physical items from the crime scene are found with him, and he maintains his innocence (17:14).

5. Advancement in Forensic Evidence

• Crime lab cannot find fingerprints of anyone but the victim and wife.
• Autopsy reveals large amounts of barbiturates in Pilsen’s system. Forensic evidence suggests he was poisoned and likely dead before the head wounds were inflicted (18:30).

6. Marie Pilsen’s Mental State and Confession

• Detectives re-interview Marie; a neighbor, Lydia Shires, reveals that Marie feared her husband was poisoning her and trying to drive her insane (21:10).
• Lydia says, “It was George, her husband, that made her sick. Kept telling her she was going crazy. Said she was gonna die. Finally, she got to believing the things he was saying.” (21:38, Lydia Shires)
• Marie admits to having a nervous breakdown, believing her husband was drugging her, and ultimately confesses to administering barbiturates to George and then striking him upon returning from shopping (23:44).

7. Emotional Climax & Resolution

• Marie’s emotional confession is powerful; she references jealousy over a suspected other woman and wanting Lydia to inherit her “children” – the elephant collection (24:18).
• “I want you to take my family. My elephants. I want you to have them.” (24:18, Marie Pilsen)

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Notable Quotes & Moments

• Marie Pilsen: "How do you sum up thirty years in one or two sentences? Good, bad and happy, unhappy—it was all those." (05:00)
• Sam Mordell: “That’s why I’m carving this chain. It’s going to be the longest chain ever carved out of a single piece of wood. When I finish, I’m going to sweep them all up and weigh them. You know, give the reporters something to write about.” (12:20, Sam Mordell)
• Ray Power (suspect): "I walked into a house... If there was someone there, ask them... Be a little hard to do, huh?" (16:50)
• Marie’s Confession: “He’d put [pills] in my food or in my drink. You sure he did that? Yes. I counted the capsules in the bottle every time I took one... I wrote the number down on paper so I’d be sure. Some were always missing. I knew he’d been giving them to me.” (23:02, Marie Pilsen)

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Timeline of Important Segments

| Timestamp | Segment Description | |-----------|--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | 01:07 | Case summary (narrator and Joe Friday set the scene) | | 03:08 | First interview with Marie Pilsen | | 07:30 | Discovery: only watch and ring missing, crime scene examined | | 08:05 | Interview with neighbor Sam Mordell | | 09:45 | Mordell sees a suspicious truck at 10:00 a.m. | | 13:49 | Confrontation with Ray Power at the lawnmower shop | | 16:03 | Ray Power recounts visiting the Pilsen house, admits to brief entry | | 18:30 | Autopsy results: barbiturate poison found | | 19:04 | Detectives question Marie Pilsen about possible drug use | | 21:10 | Lydia Shires reveals Marie’s fear and George's psychological manipulation | | 23:44 | Marie Pilsen confesses to poisoning and then killing her husband | | 24:18 | Emotional moment: Marie bequeaths her elephant collection to Lydia | | 25:08 | Epilogue: Marie found insane, committed to state hospital |

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Final Outcome

Marie Pilsen is found legally insane by three state-appointed psychiatrists and is committed to Mendocino State Hospital for the Criminally Insane. The narrative closes on a somber note about justice, mental health, and domestic tragedy.

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Tone and Language

The episode maintains the iconic Dragnet style—stoic, efficient, procedural, and starkly compassionate in moments. The language is factual and direct, occasionally punctuated by emotionally raw confessions and reflections on marriage, loneliness, and desperation.

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This episode provides a compelling glimpse into mid-century police work and the human stories behind crime, with a special emphasis on psychological distress and hidden domestic turmoil.

Transcript

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[Detective Joe Friday]

Welcome to Choice Classic Radio where we bring to you the greatest old time radio shows like us on Facebook, subscribe to us on YouTube and thank you for [e-mail] Ladies and gentlemen, the story you are about to hear is true. The names have been changed to protect the innocent.

[Narrator]

Dragmen.

[Detective Joe Friday]

You're a detective sergeant. You're assigned a homicide detail. A call comes into the office. A woman says her husband is dead. She thinks he's been murdered. Your job, Investigate.

[Narrator]

Document a 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, July 8th. It was sunny in Los Angeles. We were working the day. Watch out. A homicide detail. My partner's Frank Smith. The boss is Captain Lorman. My name's Friday. It was 1103am when we got to 906 S. Norwood street, front door. Hi. Friday and Smith, Homicide. How are you, Carly? 1F14. Hi, Carly. Mrs. Pilsen, the victim's wife's back in the bedroom. Pretty broken up about it. What about the victim? Name's George Pilsen, age 57. No children. Just he and his wife live here. That's about all I got. She cried so much. I thought it might be better to let her rest until you got here. That's a good idea. Where's the body? In the other bedroom. I'll show you. All right. Because she felt so bad, I thought maybe she'd like me to call her doctor. Said she didn't want any. Uh huh. Mrs. Pilsen's right across the hall, right? Yeah. It's a head wound.

[Narrator]

Yeah.

[Detective Joe Friday]

Looks like somebody was serious. Yeah. Now we're gonna need the lab and Latent Prince. You want me to call? Yeah. Better call a coroner too. Will you, please? Right. Thank you. When he's lying here. Position of his hands outside the covers. Doesn't look like there was much of a struggle, does it? Oh. Could have been asleep when he got it. Better talk to his wife, huh? Yeah. Ms. Pilsen? Ms. Pilsen. Police officers.

[Marie Pilsen]

Who is this?

[Detective Joe Friday]

Police officers. We'd like to talk to you. Sorry to disturb you, man, but we'd appreciate it if you tell us what you know about all this. All right.

[Marie Pilsen]

You want to go in the sat room?

[Detective Joe Friday]

All right, That'll be fine. You go ahead, please.

[Marie Pilsen]

I couldn't talk to the other policeman.

[Detective Joe Friday]

We understand. Calls are all in, Sergeant. Anything else I can do? No thanks, Carly. We'll handle it now. Right. I'll shut off. Ms. Pilsen, this is Frank Smith. My name's Friday.

[Marie Pilsen]

Uh huh.

[Detective Joe Friday]

How you doing? Man.

[Marie Pilsen]

This is like so many other mornings. Except nobody sat in his chair. Like you are, Mr. Friday. I used to sit here and it was quiet. I didn't want to disturb George's sleep.

[Detective Joe Friday]

Well, then your husband usually slept during the morning hours?

[Marie Pilsen]

Yes. He worked nights at the Felden Aircraft Company.

[Detective Joe Friday]

All right. Would you tell us what happened?

[Marie Pilsen]

What is it to tell? He came from shopping and found him just like he is now.

[Detective Joe Friday]

Do you remember what time it was?

[Marie Pilsen]

I don't know for sure. 10:30 somewhere around there.

[Detective Joe Friday]

When did you leave the house?

[Marie Pilsen]

About the same time I usually do. I couldn't do my housework in the morning. Didn't want to disturb George.

[Detective Joe Friday]

About when would that be?

[Marie Pilsen]

About 9 o'. Clock.

[Detective Joe Friday]

Was your husband asleep when you left?

[Marie Pilsen]

Yes. He never closed the door and I looked in before I left.

[Detective Joe Friday]

When you left the house this morning, did you lock the house?

[Marie Pilsen]

The back door was locked. Never locked the front. But I'm just going to be gone for a short while.

[Detective Joe Friday]

I see.

[Marie Pilsen]

It doesn't take me more than two hours to shop at the most.

[Detective Joe Friday]

Do you know if your husband had any enemies, Ms. Pilsen?

[Marie Pilsen]

Not that I know of. He might have, but he never said anything to me about them.

[Detective Joe Friday]

Probably won't take offense, but we have to ask this. How did you and your husband get along?

[Marie Pilsen]

I guess I should have known that I'd be suspect too.

[Detective Joe Friday]

Well, we have to ask it.

[Marie Pilsen]

I know, Mr. Friday. You men are strangers. How could you know what our marriage was like? How do you sum up 30 years in one or two sentences? Good, bad and happy? Unhappy? It was all those. I don't think our life is much different than most couples. Maybe one exception. You see over there on the table?

[Detective Joe Friday]

Yes, ma'.

[Sam Mordell]

Am.

[Marie Pilsen]

In my collection of elephants. I started collecting Them as a little girl. I always thought that one day I'd have a little girl. I'd give them to her. We never had any children, so my children had been pretend. I kept adding to the collection all these years. Each new elephant is one that my little girl or perhaps a little boy would have added. I see that I was wrong before about something I said. I said you were strangers.

[Detective Joe Friday]

Yeah.

[Marie Pilsen]

You're not really. Otherwise I wouldn't have told you. About the elephants.

[Detective Joe Friday]

Yes, ma'.

[Marie Pilsen]

Am.

[Detective Joe Friday]

Then you and your husband haven't had any quarrels recently?

[Marie Pilsen]

Usual words. Nothing serious, though.

[Detective Joe Friday]

Now, there's something else we'll have to know.

[Marie Pilsen]

Yes?

[Detective Joe Friday]

Do you know if any personal property is missing?

[Marie Pilsen]

Stolen, you mean?

[Detective Joe Friday]

That's right.

[Marie Pilsen]

Well, I'd have to look first.

[Detective Joe Friday]

What if you do that for us?

[Marie Pilsen]

Right now?

[Detective Joe Friday]

Yes, ma'. Am. If you feel up to it, we'd appreciate it if you could.

[Marie Pilsen]

You want to know about the bedroom, too?

[Detective Joe Friday]

Yes, ma'. Am.

[Marie Pilsen]

All right.

[Detective Joe Friday]

One other thing, Ms. Coulson.

[Marie Pilsen]

Yes?

[Detective Joe Friday]

Was your husband in the habit of carrying large sums of money on his person? Would you know?

[Marie Pilsen]

Oh, no. Usually carried some cash, but never large amounts.

[Detective Joe Friday]

I see. All right. Would you like to start checking now? Ms. Pilsen?

[Marie Pilsen]

Do you mind if we sit a moment longer?

[Detective Joe Friday]

No, it's all right. Take your time.

[Marie Pilsen]

I was just remembering how like other days this is. I'd sit here reading and maybe just looking at my elephants, thinking it would be real quiet and the clock would strike 12. I'd go in. Wait.

[Detective Joe Friday]

George. Yes, ma'. Am.

[Marie Pilsen]

Shall we go in?

[Detective Joe Friday]

Yes, if you're ready.

[Marie Pilsen]

Not quite time. That won't make any difference now.

[Detective Joe Friday]

Say prime.

[Marie Pilsen]

He won't hear us.

[Detective Joe Friday]

When we checked the bedroom, Ms. Pilsen told us her husband's watch and diamond ring were missing. She said as far as she could determine, nothing else had been taken from the house. In the meantime, crews from the crime lab and Leighton Prince arrived. Frank called the office and they ram the names George and Marie Pilsen through R and R. They called back later to say they could find no record on either one of them. Further questioning of the victim's wife failed to give us any definite lead as to who our suspect might be. We left the home and began to question some of the neighbors. 1:14pm we rang the bell at the house directly across the street. We identified ourselves and Sam Mordell, the occupant, admitted it. We went into the front room.

[Sam Mordell]

I begin to think I'd have to.

[Detective Joe Friday]

Go look you fellas up. How do you mean? That, sir?

[Sam Mordell]

I saw the cars and activity over at the Pilsens. I couldn't figure out what it was. I thought it must be trouble of some kind. Well, curiosity just about got the best of me. Grab a chair. Might as well be comfortable while you're here.

[Detective Joe Friday]

Thank you, sir. Thank you very much. Ms. Mordell.

[Sam Mordell]

Don't mind all the wood shavings on the floor. You see, I'm a wood carver. It's not my job. It's just a hobby.

[Detective Joe Friday]

I'm.

[Sam Mordell]

I'm retired. I'm a railroad man.

[Detective Joe Friday]

Yes, sir.

[Sam Mordell]

Had a rug in here, but I took it out. I always like those eating places with the sawdust on the floor. You know, the kind of. Of course, shavings aren't sawdust. But then it's easier to sink them this way, too.

[Detective Joe Friday]

Yes. I wonder if you'd answer a few questions for us.

[Ray Power]

Sure thing.

[Sam Mordell]

Anyhow, if I keep on gabbing, I won't find out what this is all about. You go ahead and ask your questions.

[Detective Joe Friday]

Thank you. Do you usually sit in that chair when you work? Sure do.

[Sam Mordell]

Seldom miss a day. I call this my cab window.

[Detective Joe Friday]

What's that, sir?

[Sam Mordell]

Cab window. I used to be an engineer. Sort of got used to looking out and enjoying the scenery as it went by. Of course, now the view doesn't change much. But I still like to see what's going on in the neighborhood.

[Detective Joe Friday]

Yes. Were you sitting here this morning, sir?

[Ray Power]

Yeah.

[Sam Mordell]

Don't miss many days. I haven't the time not to get this chain finished. A lot of work to carve at the wood chain.

[Detective Joe Friday]

Yes, sir. Would you remember seeing anybody around the Pilsen residence this morning?

[Sam Mordell]

You mean besides Mrs. Pilsen?

[Detective Joe Friday]

You saw her, did you?

[Ray Power]

Sure.

[Sam Mordell]

She went shopping. She always goes Wednesday morning.

[Detective Joe Friday]

Of course.

[Sam Mordell]

Unless the weather is bad.

[Detective Joe Friday]

Yes, sir. Did you see anybody else?

[Sam Mordell]

Yes. Saw a fellow come out of there while Mrs. Pilson was at the store.

[Detective Joe Friday]

Saw a man come out of the house.

[Sam Mordell]

Yeah.

[Detective Joe Friday]

Would you remember what time that was?

[Sam Mordell]

10 o' clock shop.

[Detective Joe Friday]

You sure of that?

[Sam Mordell]

That's right. You see this watch?

[Detective Joe Friday]

Yes, sir.

[Sam Mordell]

They gave me this when I retired. You can see what it says on the back.

[Marie Pilsen]

See?

[Detective Joe Friday]

See, it's real nice.

[Ray Power]

Railroad watch.

[Sam Mordell]

Doesn't vary a bit. I don't get a newspaper, so I listen to the radio news when I'm working. Always check the time they come on because I know that my watch is right. Sometimes a couple of seconds late or early. Mostly, though, pretty much on schedule. Make good railroad men. Yes, it was 10 o' clock sharp by my watch program was three seconds late.

[Detective Joe Friday]

Yes, sir. Now, did you see that man go in?

[Sam Mordell]

No, I went out to make a pot of coffee.

[Detective Joe Friday]

How long we out of the room?

[Sam Mordell]

20 minutes. That would take any more than 20 minutes. Do you mind if I carve while we talk? I got to get this chain finished. They're going to get a new record.

[Detective Joe Friday]

Yes, you're all right. Could you describe this man for us?

[Sam Mordell]

Sure, but I can give you a better clue than that.

[Detective Joe Friday]

What's that? Mr. Medell?

[Sam Mordell]

He had a truck.

[Detective Joe Friday]

Go ahead.

[Sam Mordell]

Written on the side.

[Marie Pilsen]

Huh?

[Sam Mordell]

Man's name said he shot in lawnmower.

[Detective Joe Friday]

Do you know the name?

[Sam Mordell]

Well, I'm not really sure. Either Ray or Gray.

[Detective Joe Friday]

Was there an address?

[Sam Mordell]

Yeah. It was a letter too small. Anyhow, I wasn't too interested. I sharpened my own more.

[Detective Joe Friday]

Can you tell us what kind of a truck it was?

[Sam Mordell]

Not the make, but it was a closed in kind. Green color, didn't look too new.

[Detective Joe Friday]

And you say the name on the side was either Ray or Gray. Is that it?

[Sam Mordell]

Yeah. My eyes are good yet, but only the Ray part was real clear. It looked like there could have been another letter in the front, though. Josh thought of something.

[Detective Joe Friday]

Yes, sir.

[Sam Mordell]

It didn't have to be Gray. Could have been Bray or Crazy.

[Detective Joe Friday]

Yes, sir. We can check that out now.

[Sam Mordell]

Can I ask you something? What's that, sir? What's the trouble?

[Detective Joe Friday]

Well, Mr. Pilsen's dead.

[Sam Mordell]

Well, couldn't have been a natural death. You fellas wouldn't be asking questions. That's too bad. Charge is a pretty good neighbor.

[Detective Joe Friday]

That right, sir.

[Sam Mordell]

He tough on his wife, too, being married so long and all. I went to that 25th anniversary. Isn't easy to go on alone. I lost my wife 7 years ago. Not when you've been happy, it's not easy.

[Detective Joe Friday]

Yes, Mr. Mordell, you said you could give us a description of the man you saw coming out of Pilsen.

[Sam Mordell]

Yeah. If he had anything to do with George's death, he's going to get what I wanted for so long.

[Detective Joe Friday]

What's that, sir?

[Sam Mordell]

That's when you catch him, I mean.

[Detective Joe Friday]

Yeah.

[Sam Mordell]

He'll get his name in the paper. How's that again? That's why I'm carving this chain. It's going to be the longest chain ever carved out of a single piece of wood.

[Detective Joe Friday]

Oh.

[Sam Mordell]

Almost made it a couple other times. Then I got too anxious and botched the whole thing.

[Ray Power]

See there?

[Detective Joe Friday]

Shavings. Yes, sir.

[Sam Mordell]

When I finish, I'm going to sweep them all up and weigh them. You know, give the reporters something to write about.

[Detective Joe Friday]

Well, sir, I hope this one turns out for you.

[Sam Mordell]

Thanks. I'll make it this time. Maybe it won't be on the front page, but my name will be in the paper too.

[Detective Joe Friday]

We can be sure of one thing. Yeah, you picked a little better way to get there. Sam Wardell gave us a description of the man that he'd seen. We called the office and got out a local broadcast and then we went back to the. We found a lawnmower in the backyard. Mrs. Pilsen said her husband had sent the lawnmower out to be sharpened, but she didn't know who the man was that did the work. We checked the classified directory and we found the name. Gray's Lawnmower Service. The listing had been underlined in pencil. Frank and I drove to the address. 2604 Royal street was a small shop set well back from the street. The place was locked. A clock sign on the door read, we'll be back at and the hand pointed to 4:30. We parked across the street and we waited. At 4:43pm a man answering the description we'd been given unlocked the door and entered the shop. 4:45pm.

[Ray Power]

Oh, hi. Either this is perfect timing or you've been waiting for me.

[Detective Joe Friday]

We're police officers. Uh huh.

[Ray Power]

Well, guess that writes off the timing part.

[Detective Joe Friday]

Is your name Gray?

[Ray Power]

No, it's power.

[Detective Joe Friday]

You work for a man named Gray?

[Ray Power]

It's my own business. I bought it from him.

[Detective Joe Friday]

I see.

[Ray Power]

He'd been here for some 20 years, so I just kept the name.

[Detective Joe Friday]

Do you pick up and deliver in your business? Yeah. Well, then you have a truck.

[Ray Power]

That's right.

[Detective Joe Friday]

What kind?

[Ray Power]

Panel job. Dodge.

[Detective Joe Friday]

What color?

[Narrator]

Green.

[Ray Power]

Look, I don't mind answering questions. I know you got a job to do. But the way I see it, this question and answer game plays better if we both know what counts and what doesn't. How about it?

[Detective Joe Friday]

Well, for the time being, let's just say you called it, huh?

[Ray Power]

Yeah.

[Detective Joe Friday]

We got a job to do. That's it? It'll have to be for now.

[Ray Power]

All right, I don't want to buck you guys. I got nothing to hide. But I get the same feeling when somebody won't cash a check for me. Yeah, it galls me to think I'm lined up as a bad risk.

[Detective Joe Friday]

We're not accusing you of anything. Now, we'd appreciate your cooperation, but trying to keep this in mind, we'll still get what we came here for. Now you make the choice how you want it. Okay.

[Ray Power]

What are you after hot lawnmowers?

[Detective Joe Friday]

You said you made deliveries. Is that right? Do you keep a record of the calls you make? Sure we see the record.

[Ray Power]

If you want, the book's over to death in the drawer. I'll get it.

[Sam Mordell]

I'll get it. What'd you expect?

[Ray Power]

I was going to pull a gun.

[Sam Mordell]

Out of the drawer? That's the one.

[Ray Power]

Yeah.

[Detective Joe Friday]

Hey, Joe, thanks.

[Dutch Vet Service Announcer]

Time is precious and so are our pets. So time with our pets is extra precious. That's why we started Dutch. Dutch provides 24. 7 access to licensed vets with unlimited virtual visits and follow ups for up to five pets. You can message a vet at any time and schedule a video visit the same day. Our vets can even prescribe medication for many ailments. And shipping is always free. With Dutch, you'll get more time with your pets and year round peace of mind when it comes to their vet care.

[Detective Joe Friday]

These all the calls for today?

[Ray Power]

That's right.

[Detective Joe Friday]

Austin Kemper. When'd you make these calls?

[Ray Power]

What time?

[Detective Joe Friday]

That's right.

[Ray Power]

Well, Kemper this morning, Austin this afternoon.

[Detective Joe Friday]

They're the only ones you made today, huh?

[Ray Power]

Yeah. Wait a minute. Let me see the book for a second. It wasn't here. I guess I forgot to enter it.

[Detective Joe Friday]

What's that?

[Ray Power]

Another call I made.

[Detective Joe Friday]

What was that?

[Ray Power]

On Norwood Street. 906-I think it was.

[Detective Joe Friday]

Remember the name?

[Ray Power]

Pilson.

[Detective Joe Friday]

What time are you there?

[Ray Power]

I'm not sure. 9:30 or so, I guess.

[Detective Joe Friday]

Who'd you talk to?

[Ray Power]

Nobody. Didn't see anyone around.

[Detective Joe Friday]

Did you go in the house?

[Ray Power]

Why?

[Detective Joe Friday]

Did you?

[Ray Power]

Yeah, I rang the bell a couple times and I knocked.

[Detective Joe Friday]

Yeah?

[Ray Power]

I thought maybe they were in the back of the house and couldn't hear me. The door was open a little, so I walked in.

[Detective Joe Friday]

Yeah?

[Ray Power]

Went in the front room, called out, didn't get any answers, so I left.

[Detective Joe Friday]

You didn't leave the front room?

[Ray Power]

That's right.

[Detective Joe Friday]

You see anybody?

[Ray Power]

I told you I didn't. What more do you want?

[Detective Joe Friday]

You said you called out.

[Ray Power]

Yeah.

[Detective Joe Friday]

How loud?

[Sam Mordell]

What do you mean?

[Detective Joe Friday]

Loud enough to wake a person sleeping in a back bedroom, maybe?

[Ray Power]

I guess so. No one answered or came out. I know that.

[Detective Joe Friday]

All right.

[Ray Power]

Wow. Was there someone I want to call?

[Detective Joe Friday]

That's right.

[Ray Power]

Well, ask them then. I don't know what you're getting at. I walked into a house. I didn't do anything wrong. There. There was someone there. Ask them. Be a little hard to do, huh?

[Detective Joe Friday]

He's dead. We took Farrow back to the office and questioned him further. He continued to maintain his innocence. We Ran his name through R and I and found a package for him showing one arrest for suspension, suspicion of ADW as a juvenile. We booked him on suspicion of 187 PC murdered. And Frank and I went back to his shop. We thoroughly searched both the building and his truck, but we failed to turn up either the ring or the watch. Thursday morning, Leighton Prince reported that they'd found no fingerprints in the house other than those of the victim and his wife. We got a call from Ray Pinker in the crime lab. He said that George Pilson had been beaten about the head with some type of round instrument. He also substantiated our theory that there had been little struggle on the part of the victim. We called the county morgue and Dr. Sepal, who said he'd notify us as soon as he posted the body. 11:26am Joe. Mm. Just checking over these time elements. Yeah. Mrs. Pilson left at 9. It's gone about an hour and a half. The neighbors saw Para leave the house at 10, right? Yep. And if Mordell is right about how long he was gone from his front window, Para could have been there about 20 minutes. That's the way it checks out. Well, give him enough time, don't you think? Well, we've still got a figure. Maybe he's telling us the truth. Yeah, and if he is, that gives us several possibilities. When Pilsen didn't answer, maybe it's because he couldn't. Yeah, I see what you mean. I got it. Homicide Friday. Yeah, it was. Yeah, I see. Right. Be right over. It's Doxepalo. Just finished posting the body. Yeah. Possible that Pilsen wasn't killed by the head blow. What do you mean? Might have been dead before he was hit. We went over to the morgue and Dr. Cephalou said he'd found evidence of a barbiturate in the victim's body in a quantity large enough to kill him. He also pointed out that the lack of profuse bleeding from the head wounds led him to believe that the victim was dead before the beating occurred. Frank and I drove out to the. We talked to the victim's wife. We explained to her that it was necessary that we know more about her husband's physical condition prior to his death. Went into the front room and sat down.

[Marie Pilsen]

Try to answer your questions, but today I'm just beginning to realize what it's going to be like being alone.

[Detective Joe Friday]

Yes, ma', am. We can understand that. We'll try to be as brief as possible.

[Marie Pilsen]

Thank you.

[Detective Joe Friday]

Now, had your Husband been under a doctor's care recently?

[Marie Pilsen]

No.

[Detective Joe Friday]

Had he been in good mental spirits?

[Marie Pilsen]

Yes.

[Detective Joe Friday]

He didn't seem unusually worried about anything?

[Marie Pilsen]

Not that I know of.

[Detective Joe Friday]

Well, now, would you tell us about yourself, Ms. Pelford?

[Marie Pilsen]

Well, what do you mean?

[Detective Joe Friday]

Well, have you been under a doctor's care recently?

[Marie Pilsen]

No. What has all this to do with my husband's death?

[Detective Joe Friday]

We'd like to know if there would be any reason for you or your husband to have a prescription for a strong barbiturate in the house.

[Marie Pilsen]

A what?

[Detective Joe Friday]

A sedative, ma'. Am.

[Marie Pilsen]

You mean, to make you sleep?

[Detective Joe Friday]

That's right.

[Marie Pilsen]

No, we did never use them.

[Detective Joe Friday]

Then you haven't had any in the house recently?

[Marie Pilsen]

I haven't. I don't think George did.

[Detective Joe Friday]

Would it be possible that your husband could have used a barbiturate and you didn't know about it?

[Marie Pilsen]

Yes, but if he did, I'm sure he'd have told me. We didn't have secrets from each other.

[Detective Joe Friday]

I see.

[Marie Pilsen]

I'll get it. Oh, Marie, you poor thing. I just got back and heard the terrible news that came right over. Thank you, Lydia, but could you come back later? Well, sure, dear. Is there anything I can do for you, lady? But I can't talk. All right, Maria, are the police here? Yes, but won't you come back later? Have you told them? Yes. Have you told them what George tried to do?

[Ray Power]

Yes.

[Detective Joe Friday]

Excuse me, ma'. Am. Couldn't help overhearing your conversation.

[Marie Pilsen]

Oh, you're the policeman. That's right.

[Detective Joe Friday]

Yes, ma'. Am.

[Marie Pilsen]

I'm Maria's neighbor.

[Detective Joe Friday]

Yes, we understand. What did you mean about Mr. Pilsen trying to do something?

[Marie Pilsen]

Well, she didn't mean anything. She was just talking.

[Detective Joe Friday]

Now, look, let's let her tell it, shall we?

[Marie Pilsen]

Maybe I shouldn't have said anything.

[Detective Joe Friday]

What did you mean, ma'? Am?

[Marie Pilsen]

Maybe it's not important.

[Detective Joe Friday]

Why don't you tell us anyway?

[Marie Pilsen]

George tried to kill Marie.

[Detective Joe Friday]

We brought the neighbor, Lydia Shires, into the house for further questioning. She explained that she was a close friend of Marie Pilson's. Was quite evident that Mrs. Pilsen didn't want her friend to talk to us.

[Marie Pilsen]

If I had any idea I was going to cause all this trouble, I'd never come over. I only meant to help Marie.

[Detective Joe Friday]

Would you tell us why you said that Mr. Pilsen was trying to kill his wife?

[Marie Pilsen]

Sure, but Marie can tell you better than I can. Oh, now, honey, don't get upset. It's gonna work out all right. Well, I'll tell you what I know. But Marie will have to fill in the details.

[Detective Joe Friday]

All right, Go ahead, please.

[Marie Pilsen]

Last week it was. She came over to my house terribly worried. She's afraid she's gonna have another nervous breakdown. Please don't, Lydia. Please don't. Now, don't. Fred, dear. We all want to help you, Ms. Pilsen.

[Detective Joe Friday]

Once more. Had you been under a doctor's care recently?

[Marie Pilsen]

It was George, her husband, that made her sick. Kept telling her she was going crazy. Said she was gonna die. Finally, she got to believe in the things he was saying.

[Detective Joe Friday]

Yeah.

[Marie Pilsen]

That's when she had the breakdown.

[Detective Joe Friday]

How long ago was this?

[Marie Pilsen]

About three weeks ago.

[Detective Joe Friday]

All right. Go ahead, will you?

[Marie Pilsen]

Well, George got these pills for her. Something for her nerves to make her red.

[Detective Joe Friday]

Yeah, that may be our office, I guess. All right.

[Sam Mordell]

Hello?

[Detective Joe Friday]

That's right.

[Narrator]

No, he isn't.

[Sam Mordell]

You want to tell me who's calling?

[Detective Joe Friday]

Would you like to leave a message?

[Sam Mordell]

No, my name's.

[Detective Joe Friday]

Spare time.

[Sam Mordell]

She hung up.

[Detective Joe Friday]

Woman asking for Mr. Pilsen.

[Marie Pilsen]

Did she give her name?

[Narrator]

No.

[Detective Joe Friday]

Said she was a friend of the family.

[Marie Pilsen]

It was her. I know it. I wish I'd talked to her.

[Detective Joe Friday]

Who was it? Ms. Pilsen?

[Marie Pilsen]

I don't know her name. But she lied, you know. Friend of mine. She caused all this.

[Detective Joe Friday]

How do you mean?

[Marie Pilsen]

That's why George was trying to kill me. Me out of the way. He could have her. She'd come and live in my home. You never told me about her. I still had some pride.

[Detective Joe Friday]

All right. Now, this medicine your husband got. Was it a barbiturate?

[Marie Pilsen]

Yes. That's how he was gonna kill me.

[Detective Joe Friday]

Where'd he get the pills?

[Marie Pilsen]

I don't know. George had come in and sit on my bed in the early morning when he come in from work. He'd wake me up, tell me I was gonna lose my mind.

[Detective Joe Friday]

Yeah.

[Marie Pilsen]

Time after time, he did it. I began to think he was right. I couldn't remember doing things.

[Detective Joe Friday]

That's when you started taking these pills, huh?

[Marie Pilsen]

Yes, that's right.

[Detective Joe Friday]

I see.

[Marie Pilsen]

He'd put them in my food or in my drink.

[Detective Joe Friday]

You sure he did that?

[Marie Pilsen]

Yes. I counted the capsules in the bottle every time I took one. Got so I couldn't remember if I'd taken them or not. So I counted them. I wrote the number down on paper so I'd be sure some were always missing. I knew he'd been giving them to me.

[Detective Joe Friday]

Go ahead.

[Marie Pilsen]

That's when I told Lydia about it. She said to stop.

[Detective Joe Friday]

Is that right, Ms. Shar?

[Marie Pilsen]

Yeah. I told her not to take anymore.

[Detective Joe Friday]

Did you stop taking a sedative?

[Marie Pilsen]

Yes. Told George about what Lydia said he got mad and said I shouldn't have gone to her. He started telling me I'd go crazy if I didn't take him. He kept after me.

[Detective Joe Friday]

Is that why you killed him, Ms. Filson?

[Marie Pilsen]

Damn me. Marie did it. He kept after me. I knew he was trying to get rid of me. He'd stay out all night when he wasn't working.

[Detective Joe Friday]

Did he tell you about the other woman?

[Sam Mordell]

No.

[Marie Pilsen]

He didn't have to. I knew all the time she called here. I answered the phone. When she heard my voice, she hung up.

[Detective Joe Friday]

So you gave him the pills you'd been taking, Is that it?

[Marie Pilsen]

To make him sleep. I always had a sandwich when he came home from work. Fixed it before I went to bed.

[Detective Joe Friday]

When did you strike him?

[Marie Pilsen]

When I came home from the market. I suppose. You'll want the weapon, won't you?

[Detective Joe Friday]

Yeah. I'm a watch in the ring, too. All right.

[Marie Pilsen]

Irene. How could you do it? Had to be. He was going to kill me. She was going to live at my home with my children. Lydia. Yeah? I want you to take my family. What? My elephants. I want you to have them. All right, Marie.

[Detective Joe Friday]

You want to tell us where the weapon is, Ms. Pelson?

[Marie Pilsen]

All right. I didn't believe George. That he was telling the truth?

[Detective Joe Friday]

Yeah.

[Marie Pilsen]

He told me this would happen.

[Detective Joe Friday]

What's that?

[Marie Pilsen]

He said I was crazy.

[Detective Joe Friday]

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

[Narrator]

On November 3, trial was held in Department 97, Superior Court of the State of California in and for the county of Los Angeles. Marie Ellen Pilson was examined by three psychiatrists appointed by the state and found to be insane. She was confined to Mendocino State Hospital for the Criminally Insane for treatment.

[Detective Joe Friday]

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