The Great Detectives of Old Time Radio

Dragnet: "The Big Late Script" (EP4819)

Air Date: July 26, 1951 (original); Podcast released October 9, 2025
Host: Adam Graham

Episode Overview

This episode of Dragnet, "The Big Late Script," dramatizes a tense and procedural case of kidnapping and ransom in 1950s Los Angeles. Detectives Sergeant Joe Friday and Officer Ben Romero investigate the disappearance of businessman Tony Richmond, who is taken from his home by two unidentified men. The episode meticulously follows the detectives' efforts to ensure Richmond's safe return, uncovering clues through interviews, stakeouts, and methodical police work, culminating in the rescue of the victim and the capture of his kidnappers.

Key Discussion Points & Plot Breakdown

The Abduction and Initial Investigation

• Opening Scene (03:33):

  • Joe Friday returns to the homicide office after receiving a call about Tony Richmond's disappearance.
  • Richmond, a garage owner and sports promoter, went missing after answering his door at 9 P.M.
  • Witnesses: His family at home; a neighbor saw him leave with two men, seemingly under duress.
  • Scarce evidence: No clear vehicle description or motive.

• First Ransom Call (06:31):

  • Mrs. Richmond receives a phone call: $20,000 ransom demanded for Tony's safe return.
  • Police explain the priority is Richmond’s safety over immediately catching the criminals.

At the Richmond House – Family Tensions & Police Procedure

• Interview with Mrs. Richmond (08:07):

  • Mrs. Richmond is anxious and distrustful of police involvement, fearing publicity or harm.
  • Detectives insist on cooperation, outline strategy: answer the phone, stall for time, have a male 'relative' (actually Friday) deliver the ransom (12:00).

• Second Ransom Call (12:43):

  • Call comes in; abductor refuses discussion, insists on small bills and threatens to kill Richmond if police are involved.
    • Quote:
      "Don't try stalling, lady. Just listen. Here are the instructions. I'm only going to say them once. $20,000 small bills by tomorrow… Bring the cops in on this or we'll kill your husband tonight." — Kidnapper (13:08)
  • Mrs. Richmond collapses from stress after the call; police doctor helps.

The Waiting Game – No Contact and Frayed Nerves

• Staking Out and Surveillance (14:03–17:00):

  • Detectives maintain stakeouts at home, Richmond’s work, and his banks.

  • Multiple days pass with no further contact, increasing dread among the family and officers.

  • Mr. Wellman (Richmond’s father-in-law) provides a somber reflection on ambition and fate (16:07).

    • Quote:
      "You work hard…get your big checkbook and everything you want. Just look what happens. Poor Tony works night and day for the money. Right now, he's no better off than the guy who’s only worth a dime. They don’t hold beggars for ransom, do they?" — Fred Wellman (17:22)

Twist: The Victim Escapes

• Tony Richmond’s Call Home (18:12):
  • Unexpectedly, a call comes from Tony himself. He escaped his captors at a dairy ranch near Sepulveda after freeing himself.
    • Quote:
      "This is Tony Richmond. Where’s my wife?... I got away... a dairy ranch near Sepulveda... You’re cops? You drive out with a red light on and honk the horn." — Tony Richmond (18:41)
  • Officers follow directions and safely retrieve Tony, confirming his identity.

The Capture of the Abductors

• Stakeout and Arrest (22:30):

  • Tony helps police locate the shack where he was held.
  • Detectives stake out the location. Early next morning, a suspect (Gerald Adams) returns and is apprehended after a brief confrontation.
  • His accomplice later is also arrested.

• Interrogation and Case Closure (25:15):

  • Adams denies involvement, but his partner confesses and implicates him.
  • Forensic evidence links Adams to the crime scene.
    • Quote:
      "There's one thing you didn't show him. Yeah? How to tie a knot." — Sergeant Friday (26:39)
      (on how Richmond’s escape foiled the plan)

• Epilogue (26:51):

  • Both Adams and his partner are tried and sentenced to life in prison for kidnapping for ransom.

Notable Quotes & Moments

• On Ransom Risks:
  "You give them $20,000, they'll want $40,000. Give them just one opening, they're gonna run it into the ground. They'll take everything they can get. And you still won't have your husband back."
  — Sergeant Friday, cautioning Mrs. Richmond (08:37)

• On Police Priorities:
  "Our first problem is to get your husband home safe. When we've got that done, we can worry about the abductors."
  — Sergeant Friday (12:04)

• On the Nature of Crime and Fate:
  (Fred Wellman's reflection)

Timestamps for Important Segments

• 03:33 – Detectives introduced to the case, discussion of Richmond's disappearance
• 06:31 – First ransom call
• 08:07 – Interview with Mrs. Richmond and procedural briefing
• 12:43 – Second ransom call, threats escalated
• 14:03 – Police arrange neighborhood and financial stakeouts
• 17:00 – Fred Wellman's philosophical monologue
• 18:12 – Tony Richmond’s call; escape and meeting location arranged
• 22:30 – Richmond’s story; shack location; stakeout begins
• 23:42 – Arrest of Gerald Adams at the shack
• 25:15 – Interrogation and confession of accomplice
• 26:51 – Sentencing and epilogue

Host Commentary (Adam Graham)

• Reflections on the Case (29:31):
  • Adam notes the mystery was solved not through intricate deduction, but due to the criminal’s incompetence and the victim’s resourcefulness.
  • Discusses the likely origin of the episode title, "The Big Late Script," amusingly speculating it might be a placeholder for a script completed last-minute.
    • Quote:
      "Sometimes you have to work to solve the mystery. Sometimes it kind of solves itself as the kidnapping plan fell apart due to an incompetent accomplice and a resourceful victim." — Adam Graham (29:31)
  • Explains the rigors of radio scriptwriting, especially for a demanding weekly show like Dragnet.

Listener Feedback

• On a Previous Episode ("The Big Setup"):
  • Commenter Harrison muses about criminals’ lack of professionalism when robbing places with live-in staff.
• YouTube Comments:
  • Sarge714 and Alfred thank Adam for his work and for appropriate content warnings, affirming the importance of context in classic radio dramas.

Summary and Takeaway

This episode exemplifies Dragnet’s hallmark: a measured, realistic depiction of police work, emphasizing teamwork, procedure, and diligence over flashes of inspiration. The resolution is brought about by both expected police methods and the unexpected survival instincts of the victim, while also offering a stark, down-to-earth reflection on crime and the unpredictable hand of fate.

Next Dragnet episode airs next Thursday. Tomorrow: Yours Truly, Johnny Dollar.