The Great Detectives of Old Time Radio

Episode: Dragnet: The Big Set-Up (EP4809)
Date: September 25, 2025
Host: Adam Graham
Featured Drama: Dragnet, “The Big Set-Up” (Originally aired July 12, 1951)

Episode Overview

This episode of "Dragnet," titled "The Big Set-Up," explores the systematic investigation and eventual takedown of a clever burglary ring terrorizing Los Angeles’ wealthy residents. Host Adam Graham presents the original radio play, in which Detectives Joe Friday and Ben Romero pursue a gang responsible for high-value burglaries of furs and jewels. The episode highlights the classic methodical approach of Dragnet: suspicion, stakeouts, careful deduction, and ultimately, a surprising twist concerning the real criminal mastermind.

Key Discussion Points & Plot Breakdown

1. Crime Background & Case Setup

• Burglary Pattern: A series of high-end home burglaries have netted $100,000 in furs and jewels over three months.
• Modus Operandi: The gang targets homes when the residents are away, frequently tying up and locking staff in closets (04:33–05:55).
  • Quote:
    • Detective Joe Friday: “A gang of clever thieves... There’s no clue to their identity. Your job: Get them.” (03:12)
• Pressure on Police: Intense scrutiny from victims, insurance companies, and the press (05:55–06:26).

2. Investigative Insights

• The detectives notice victim patterns: all were recently seen publicly wearing their valuables, but left them at home on the night of the burglaries (07:05–09:41).
  • Quote:
    • Detective Joe Friday: “We all pretty much agree there must be a finger man working with the gang–somebody who knows the victims aren’t home. Somebody who also knows they’re not wearing the furs or jewels that night.” (08:03)
• Theory Developed: The gang’s “finger man” is likely spotting wealthy guests at nightclubs, then tipping off the burglars when their valuables are left at home.
• Stakeouts: Police place six likely nightspots under surveillance, but progress is slow (09:41-10:46).

3. Breakthrough: Eyewitness Description

• A new burglary at a dentist’s home yields a critical lead when the maid, Ms. Ilsa Bergstrom, glimpses a masked burglar’s face and scar (10:46–13:41).
  • Quote:
    • Ms. Bergstrom: “One of the men, I knocked his hat off... I pulled the thing on his face, the mask almost. Blond hair, not so much on top… there was a scar going over that way.” (12:02)
• Delivers a vital suspect description, enabling the detectives to search police records for ex-cons matching the profile.

4. Tracing Suspects

• Detectives check out Russell Snow, who matches the description, but find he’s gone; his brother mentions a friend, Matt Garson (14:38–17:25).
• Suspect Connections: Garson recently worked at the Park Tivoli nightclub—one of the staked-out locations—positioned ideally to “finger” wealthy prospects (18:15–18:36).

5. Nailing the “Finger Man” (and Woman)

• Garson’s girlfriend, Virginia Ramsey, works the club’s hat check stand. A search of her apartment yields stolen property (19:34–20:59).
• Arrest & Interrogation: Virginia is brought in for questioning, denying everything at first (21:05–23:32), but under pressure, finally confesses.
  • Quote:
    • Virginia Ramsey (breaks down): “I’ll tell you about it. I know Matt Garson. He’s one of the gang… When I was checking coats and things at the club, I was supposed to watch for customers with money, expensive furs and jewels… then I’d tell Matt, he’d tell the others.” (23:32–23:57)

6. The Set-Up and Sting Operation

• Virginia reveals details of the gang’s targeting method and their next mark (24:00–24:44).
• Police arrange a trap, foiling the next burglary in progress and arresting the gang, including Russell Snow, Matt Garson, and Howard Farris (24:48–25:50).

7. Surprise Twist: The Mastermind

• Under interrogation, Garson and the others claim Virginia Ramsey is the true ringleader—a 23-year-old woman orchestrating all planning and distribution (26:07–26:24).
  • Quote:
    • Matt Garson: “There’s only one boss in this operation… Yeah, Virginia Ramsey.” (26:24)
• Recovery of nearly all stolen loot from Virginia’s bank safety deposit box and rented garage (27:20–27:33).
  • Quote:
    • Virginia Ramsey, when confronted: “I didn’t think you’d find out. I didn’t think you’d ever find out… Pretty smart setup though, don’t you think, Sergeant?” (27:20–28:09)
    • Detective Joe Friday: “You’re in jail, aren’t you?” (28:09)

8. Resolution & Reflection

• Trial Outcome: Virginia and the male gang members are convicted and sent to prison (28:17).
• Notable Closing Line:
  • Adam Graham (host): “That one error led to the police getting their big lead and ultimately prison time for all involved.” (30:52)

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• "Even burglars should be gentlemen, a little bit." – Ms. Bergstrom’s wry, foreigner’s comment contrasts American crooks with European ones (13:32).
• The twist: The seemingly "finger man" is actually a young woman, Virginia Ramsey, manipulating seasoned thieves for her own gain (26:24–28:09).
• Friday’s laconic putdown: “You’re in jail, aren’t you?” when Ramsey boasts about her cleverness (28:09).

Important Timestamps

• 04:33–05:55: Discovery and police frustration at lack of leads.
• 07:05–09:41: Detectives deduce the gang’s pattern; suspicion of a finger man.
• 10:46–13:41: Maid’s eyewitness testimony breaks the case open.
• 18:15–18:36: Link to nightclub and “finger man” theorized.
• 19:34–23:32: Search, arrest, and interrogation of Virginia Ramsey.
• 23:32–24:44: Ramsey reveals methodology and next target.
• 24:48–25:50: Sting operation, arrest of burglars.
• 26:07–28:09: Unexpected revelation: Ramsey the true ringleader; final confrontation.
• 28:17: Trial and sentencing summary.

Host Commentary (Adam Graham) Highlights

• Comment on Burglar Etiquette: Adam riffs humorously on Ms. Bergstrom’s remark about “gentlemen burglars” (30:52–31:20), reflecting that burglars avoid confrontations to minimize witnesses, not out of honor.
• Listener Feedback: Reads praise for the humor and delivery of Dragnet’s cast—especially Ben Romero’s characterization and quips (31:20–33:45).
• Reflection on Cast Dynamics: Discusses actor Martin Yarborough’s understated comic skills and partnership dynamic (32:52–33:45).

Episode Takeaways

• Dragnet exemplifies procedure and logic: attention to the smallest slip-up can break a case wide open.
• Even those seemingly on the periphery—in this case, a hat check girl—can be central to a major criminal operation.
• The episode ends with a reflection on the perils of “smart” criminality: “You’re in jail, aren’t you?”

For classic radio detective fans, this is a quintessential Dragnet: methodical, taut, and capped off with a surprising, character-driven twist.