Podcast Summary: Dragnet 50-10-19 ep071 "Big Grandma"
Podcast: Harold's Old Time Radio
Host: Harold's Old Time Radio
Episode Date: December 9, 2025
Original Air Date: October 19, 1950
Episode Title: "Big Grandma"
Show: Dragnet
Overview of Episode Theme
This episode of Dragnet delves into a fascinating true crime story from mid-century Los Angeles: the case of “Grandma,” an elusive and highly effective check forger. Over a decade, this suspect—described as a sweet, grandmotherly figure—passed over $20,000 in bogus checks, belying her unassuming appearance. Detectives Friday and Romero are tasked with her capture, pitting their investigative skills against one of the most unique criminals in LAPD history. The story provides an engrossing look into the patient, methodical work of police detectives and the complex character of a criminal who defies expectations.
Key Discussion Points & Investigative Steps
1. Case Introduction: The Grandma Check Forger
[02:28 – 04:50]
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Setup: A seasoned check forger (“Grandma”) is at large in Los Angeles, having cashed over $22,000 in fraudulent checks over almost a decade.
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Pattern: Operates only three months annually (April, October, December); uses multiple aliases and meticulously forges personal checks ($2–$100).
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Description: Middle-aged, kindly, "grandmotherly" woman, usually dressed plainly, recently changed her hair color and clothing style.
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Complexity: Her technique mixes amateur and professional behaviors, baffling multiple police teams for nine years.
Notable Quote:
“This old gal’s not just an ordinary paper hanger. She contradicts part of her MO… part of it she doesn’t. She takes chances an ordinary paper hanger’d never take — and she gets away with them.”
– Captain Elliott [04:21]
2. The Investigation Ramps Up
[06:59 – 09:39]
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Challenges: She’s hard to catch because her checks often go unnoticed for days; her appearance and charm disarm cashiers.
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New Tactics: More men and extended stakeouts; merchant warnings and bulletins circulated with her refined description.
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Recurring Evidence: Victims describe her as kind, motherly, unforgettable.
Notable Quote:
“She reminded him of his mother… her timing is just as good as it was nine years ago.”
– Det. Friday [07:37]
3. Interviews and Stakeouts
[10:46 – 14:16]
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Fieldwork: Detectives interview shop owners and witnesses, whose recollections reinforce the suspect’s amiable, trustworthy persona.
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Victim Statements:
- Shopkeeper regrets missing the warning circular, notes her homely, inviting manner.
- Community members echo: “Just as homey as you please.”
Memorable Moment:
Light interjection from a deli customer, showing the ordinary life backdrop against which “Grandma” strikes. [11:35–13:05]
4. The Forger’s Hiatus & Resumption
[14:16 – 18:20]
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Disappearance: Right on schedule, the forgeries suddenly stop after April, setting a pattern that the detectives use to prepare for October.
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Renewed Alert: In October, “Grandma” returns, this time making a critical mistake: using a stolen charge account plate with the name "Mary Walker."
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Handwriting Analysis: The forgeries match “Grandma’s” handwriting, confirming her resurgence.
Key Exchange:
“Well, it was only a hunch, but it was beginning to look as though the suspect had finally done what we’d been waiting nine years for her to do. She’d made a mistake.”
– Narrator [18:20]
5. The Break in the Case
[19:01 – 21:39]
- Identifying the Link:
- Victim Mary Walker hadn’t been in the city; her charger plate was likely lost or stolen at a local club meeting.
- All attendees signed an attendance book; detectives retrieve and analyze the signatures.
- Handwriting expert spots the match: “Number 32 on the list fellas. That’s it. Positive. No doubt in my mind. That’s Grandma’s handwriting.” [21:39]
6. The Suspect: Mrs. Inez Lambert
[22:11 – 25:00]
- Background Check:
- Mrs. Inez Lambert fits the suspect’s description precisely.
- Highly respected, involved in many charities, no criminal record; but her substantial charitable donations don’t match her husband’s modest salary.
- Her handwriting matches Grandma’s on multiple checks.
- Surveillance: Detectives follow Mrs. Lambert, verify her background, then conduct a home visit for questioning.
7. The Confrontation & Confession
[25:04 – 30:47]
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Home Visit: Detectives question Mrs. Lambert while she nonchalantly bakes in her kitchen (“Would either of you officers care for a cup of cocoa? Chilly out today.” [25:13]).
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Persistent Denials: She calmly denies any wrongdoing, multitasking baking with answering the detectives’ questions.
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Mounting Evidence:
- Detectives confront her with handwriting matches and evidence tying her to the forgeries.
- She remains composed, focusing on her meringue recipe.
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Breakdown & Confession:
“I never thought about anyone finding out. I guess I should have expected it, shouldn’t I? … It was all for charity. There were so many of them. Orphanages, old people’s home, Christmas poor fund… Somebody has to take care of them.”
– Mrs. Lambert [29:51]Final Exchange:
- Mrs. Lambert: “Was I wrong? Do you think the good Lord will say I was wrong?” [30:34]
- Friday: “I wouldn’t know, ma’am.”
- Mrs. Lambert: “I only wanted to help the poor, like he did. I came to help the poor.”
- Friday: “Well, there’s a big difference, ma’am… He didn’t use a checkbook.” [30:47]
8. Epilogue: Justice Served
[31:59]
- Result: Mrs. Inez Lorraine Lambert pleads guilty to two counts of forgery; remaining charges are set aside. Sentenced as prescribed by law.
Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments
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On Grandma’s Method:
“Her apparent fine sense of timing and her knowledge of psychology was far and away superior to that of the ordinary paper hanger.”
– Narrator [06:59] -
On Getting Nowhere:
“We can’t expect too much to happen the way we’re going.”
– Det. Friday, strategizing [08:14] -
Suspect’s Rationalization:
“I took money from people who had it and gave it to those who didn’t… I only wanted to help the poor, like he did.”
– Mrs. Lambert [30:19, 30:40] -
On the Difference:
“Well, there’s a big difference, ma’am. He didn’t use a checkbook.”
– Det. Friday [30:47]
Major Timeline & Timestamps
- [02:28] – Case introduction and detective assignment.
- [04:21] – Captain describes the criminal’s unusual method.
- [07:37] – Victim descriptions reinforce “grandmotherly” persona.
- [14:16] – Check forgeries stop, fitting the pattern.
- [18:20] – October resumption, key mistake made by suspect.
- [21:39] – Handwriting match to suspect’s alias.
- [25:04] – Detectives question Mrs. Lambert in her kitchen.
- [29:51] – Suspect confesses.
- [31:59] – Epilogue: Guilty plea and sentencing.
Tone & Style
The episode blends Dragnet's trademark procedural authenticity with subtle humor and empathy, especially in how the detectives interact with witnesses and eventually with Mrs. Lambert herself. The tone remains methodical, professional, and at times gently ironic, as seen in Friday’s poignant closing line.