Podcast Summary: Harold's Old Time Radio

Episode: Dragnet 50-12-21 “.22 Rifle for Christmas”

Original Air Date: December 21, 1950
Podcast Release: December 7, 2025
Host: Harold's Old Time Radio
Episode Theme:
A somber examination of tragedy during the holiday season, this Dragnet episode—“.22 Rifle for Christmas”—tells the story of a missing boy, a neighborhood on edge, and the unforeseen consequences of giving a gun as a Christmas present. Rooted in Golden Age radio drama tradition, the episode unfolds as a police procedural and a cautionary tale about children, firearms, and family heartbreak.

Main Theme and Purpose

The episode dramatizes the investigation into the apparent disappearance of a nine-year-old boy, Stanley Johnstone, shortly before Christmas. As Sergeant Joe Friday and his partner Ben Romero search for the missing boy, evidence mounts—blood stains, a missing rifle, and ultimately, another missing child—culminating in a heartbreaking revelation about a tragic accident and the perils of giving a gun to children.

Key Discussion Points and Story Flow

1. Case Introduction & Setting the Scene (02:37–05:03)

• Intro: Listeners are introduced to a homicide investigation. Sgt. Joe Friday and Ben Romero respond to a call about a missing nine-year-old boy, Stanley Johnstone, with suspicion of foul play.

• Narration: "You're a detective sergeant. You're assigned to homicide detail. A small boy is reported missing from his home. His age, 9 years. Foul play is suspected. Your job, find him." (00:55–01:08)

• The officers arrive at the Johnstone home, meet with Lieutenant Lee Jones (crime lab), and begin collecting evidence.

• Initial findings: a trail of new blood stains in the backyard and an empty .22 caliber shell casing.

2. Interviews and Escalating Concern (05:03–09:56)

• Mother’s Interview: Sgt. Friday questions Mrs. Ruth Johnstone, who describes Stanley as a good boy, not in the habit of running away, but uneasy about his length of absence:
  • "He's been gone about four hours now and I have a funny feeling about it." – Mrs. Johnstone (07:32)
• Officers learn of a .22 rifle bought as a Christmas present for Stanley, now missing—with only the gift box remaining.
• The missing gun, blood stains, empty shell, and boy's disappearance raise anxiety.

3. Widening the Search and Second Missing Child (10:25–13:07)

• Police organize a neighborhood-wide search; additional details arrive to help.
• The missing rifle matches the shell found.
• Chief Brown: "There's a missing boy and a missing gun. There's blood on the ground and an empty shell. That's enough for me... I hope it's not the hearts of that kid's parents." (11:58–12:44)
• Case takes a sadder turn: another boy, Stephen Morheim, age eight, is missing. Details begin to interlock.

4. Revelation and Tragedy (17:39–22:44)

• After hours of searching, Stanley returns home, dirty and withdrawn.
• Powerful, intimate dialogue between Stanley and his parents illustrates a child under immense emotional strain.
• The emotional centerpiece:
  • "I killed him. I killed Steve with the .22. We were only playing. But I killed him." – Stanley Johnstone (20:46)
  • In a broken voice, Stanley describes how the accident happened—he and Stevie had been playing with the unwrapped, loaded rifle. It fell, discharging into Stevie's chest.
  • "I was praying. I was praying for God to make him alive again." – Stanley (22:44)
• Friday and Romero confirm the story as accident through evidence and testimony.

5. Aftermath and Grief (23:27–27:07)

• Officers break the news to Stevie’s father, who poignantly lists the Christmas gifts he had bought;
  • "We got you a lot of nice things for Christmas. Everything you wanted. I got you the three new cars for the train..." (24:44–25:20)
• Mr. Morheim, grief-stricken yet compassionate, tells Stanley:
  • "I know it wasn't your fault, Stanley. Wonder if you'd do something for me... I want to give them [the presents] to you Christmas Eve." (26:44–26:58)
• Mrs. Johnstone reveals they were going to instruct Stanley in gun safety, but tragedy intervened.

6. Reflection and Caution (27:17–27:21)

• Sgt. Friday with a final, memorable admonition:
  • "Don’t give a kid a gun for Christmas." (27:21)

7. Resolution (27:31–28:27)

• The coroner’s inquest concludes the shooting was accidental; Stanley Johnstone is absolved.
• Episode ends, reinforcing the episode’s somber message and police procedural authenticity.

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

Emotional Highlights and Lessons

• The Parent’s Pain:

  • "[Stanley's] been gone about four hours now and I have a funny feeling about it." – Mrs. Johnstone (07:32)
  • "I was praying. I was praying for God to make him alive again." – Stanley Johnstone (22:44)
  • "We got you a lot of nice things for Christmas... I want to give them to you, Christmas Eve." – Mr. Morheim (24:44–26:58)

• Warning to Listeners:

  • "Don’t give a kid a gun for Christmas." – Sgt. Joe Friday (27:21)

• Officer’s Reflection:

  • "There's a missing boy and a missing gun. There's blood on the ground and an empty shell. That's enough for me... I hope it's not the hearts of that kid's parents." – Chief Brown (12:34–12:44)

Timeline of Key Segments

| Timestamp | Segment | |-----------|-----------------------------------------------------------| | 02:37 | Investigation begins—scene set, police gather evidence | | 06:51 | Interview with Mrs. Johnstone | | 09:50 | Discovery: gift rifle intended for Stanley is missing | | 11:56 | Police realize gravity—discussion of kids and guns | | 13:07 | Another boy (Stephen Morheim) reported missing | | 20:46 | Stanley confesses: "I killed him. I killed Steve..." | | 22:44 | Stanley: "I was praying. I was praying for God..." | | 24:44 | Mr. Morheim lists Christmas presents for son | | 26:44 | Mr. Morheim’s forgiveness: "I know it wasn’t your fault" | | 27:21 | Friday’s caution: "Don’t give a kid a gun for Christmas." | | 28:27 | Episode’s resolution—the coroner’s verdict |

Episode Tone and Style

Dragged in Dragnet’s signature procedural realism, the episode is understated yet deeply affecting, marked by brief, matter-of-fact police dialogue, punctuated by moments of heart-wrenching emotion—especially from the grieving parents and the traumatized Stanley. The cautionary tone becomes explicit in Friday’s closing moral: a direct address that lingers.

Conclusion

"Dragnet: .22 Rifle for Christmas" stands as one of the most sobering and powerful Golden Age radio dramas, blending crime investigation with a potent social message. For listeners old and new, the episode is both a gripping mystery and an urgent reminder about gun safety, responsibility, and the small tragedies that can deeply scar a community.