The Great Detectives of Old Time Radio

Episode: Dragnet – The Big Waiter (EP4849)
Airdate: November 20, 2025 (original episode: Sept 13, 1951)
Host: Adam Graham

Episode Overview

This episode features an installment from the classic radio crime drama Dragnet, titled "The Big Waiter." Detective Sergeant Joe Friday and his partner Ben Romero investigate the brutal murder of a 64-year-old haberdashery owner, Joseph Wilford, found dead in the back of his Los Angeles store. As the detectives follow leads, they uncover a web of romantic entanglements and jealousy, culminating in a confession and the resolution of the case. Host Adam Graham provides insight and listener feedback after the dramatization.

Key Discussion Points and Plot Breakdown

The Crime and Initial Investigation

• Setting: Back room of a men’s clothing store, late Wednesday night.
• Crime: Joseph Wilford is found beaten and strangled; no initial trace of the killer.
  “He sure took a terrible beating. An elderly man.” – Joe Friday (06:00)
• Clues:
  • Body tied up with a woman’s slip knotted around his neck; severe head wounds.
  • Signs of a struggle—a ransacked room, overturned furniture.
  • Missing items: cash (approx. $700–$1,000) and a distinctive white gold wristwatch.

Questioning the Widow

• Character: Mrs. Agnes Wilford, the victim’s German-born wife.
• Revelations: Their marriage endured despite Joseph’s many affairs; she tolerated his infidelities. “For 10 years it’s been like this. There were many of them. Young women. Joseph didn’t try to hide it from me. I knew all about it.” – Mrs. Wilford (11:01)
• Possible Motive: Robbery for cash, but detectives are skeptical given the brutality involved.

The First Key Lead — The Nightgown and the Address Book

• Discovery: A black lace nightgown, gift-wrapped and addressed to "a beautiful girl," along with Joseph's address book.
• Significance: Nightgown gift raises questions about Wilford’s relationships. Mrs. Wilford offers the address book, listing women from Joseph’s circle.

Neighborhood Canvas and the Crime Lab

• Witness: Newsboy saw a dark-haired woman enter the store around 8:30pm.
• Physical Evidence: Woman’s slip used as murder weapon traced through laundry marks. “Lee Jones had examined it under a special fluorescent light. Found marking used by only one large laundry… the slip had been cleaned for a Ms. Elise Dressler.” – Joe Friday (14:56)

The Suspect: Elise Dressler and Max Hollins

• Elise Dressler: Showgirl, connected to Wilford via address book and laundry mark.
  • Claims innocence; worked at a club all evening.
  • Says she gave slips to be laundered to Max Hollins, who visited Wilford’s store.
  • Relationships: both Wilford and Max Hollins vied for her affection.
• Max Hollins:
  • Old friend of Wilford, brought Dressler from New York.
  • Had a heated argument with Wilford concerning Dressler, resulting in a fistfight.
  • His car yields bloodstained gloves. He’s described as a respected hotel room service manager.

Closing In – The Wristwatch and the Confession

• Pivot: Detectives find Wilford's engraved wristwatch with Hollins’ hotel assistant. “Same engraving. Agnes to Joseph.” – Joe Friday (19:38)
  • Assistant claims Hollins sold it to him.
• Interrogation at Hollins’ Hotel (20:58–25:36):
  • Hollins claims he left the store while Wilford was alive ("Everything was all right. I guess about half past six when I left…").
  • Deflects questions with reminiscences about his career and hotel service.
• Confrontation and Confession:
  • Faced with evidence, Hollins confesses to the murder, citing jealousy and financial inferiority to Wilford as motives. “I'm not sorry I killed him, but I’m not ashamed…I wanted to hurt him more, even after he was dead. After I beat, I knew it would be the worst way to hurt Joseph—to take his money.” – Max Hollins (27:17, 27:33)
  • Dismisses remorse: “Don’t you think I had a right to kill him?... Any man would have done the same.” (28:00)

Resolution

• Aftermath:
  • Max Hollins tried and convicted for murder; executed by gas chamber.
  • Case closes with Friday’s somber reflection on the nature of crime and human relationships. “The only time I met him, he was dead.” – Joe Friday (28:18)

Host Adam Graham’s Commentary & Listener Feedback

(29:40–35:43)

Adam’s Insights:

• Observes the significance of the engraved wristwatch as a clue.
• Discusses character morality: the victim’s flaws versus the killer’s choices.
• Notes Dragnet’s scripting quirks: some recurring characters are omitted based on which actor is present.

Listener Comments:

• David: Notes a previous Dragnet episode, "The Big Crazy," is filled with Edgar Allan Poe references, hypothesizing about real-life inspiration versus literary invention. “…If I were to bet, I would think that the cat was something the writers created based on what was there, but who knows? Thanks so much for the question.” – Adam Graham

• Dr. Whodunit (Spotify): Comments on the mood in a “Mr. and Mrs. North” episode, noting how jazz music heightened the creepiness.

• Adam Graham Signs Off:

  • Thanks Patreon supporter Kevin for his ongoing support at the Detective Sergeant tier.
  • Invites listeners to subscribe, follow, and provide feedback.

Notable Quotes and Memorable Moments

• “Any man would have done the same. How could you hear such talk and not kill him?” – Max Hollins, confession scene (28:00)
• “You want to tell us about it?” – Joe Friday, confronting Hollins (26:49)
• Final Joe Friday reflection:

  “I’m sorry. I wouldn’t know, mister. The only time I met him, he was dead.” (28:18)

Key Timestamps

• 04:15–07:10: Crime scene description and initial findings (body, possible robbery, brutality)
• 08:53–12:22: Mrs. Wilford’s testimony about marriage and husband’s affairs
• 14:56–15:57: Crime lab links murder weapon to Elise Dressler
• 16:04–18:09: Interview with Dressler, introduction of Max Hollins and motive triangle
• 19:12–19:41: Discovery of Wilford’s stolen watch
• 20:58–25:36: Extended scene of interrogation and stalling tactics at Hollins’ hotel job
• 27:17–28:18: Max Hollins’ full confession and psychological rationale
• 29:40–35:43: Adam Graham’s commentary and listener feedback

Summary Tone

The episode masterfully balances classic Dragnet procedural precision with emotional depth surrounding infidelity and resentment. The dialogue is clipped, pragmatic, and loaded with mid-century police lingo and gravitas, especially Joe Friday’s iconic deadpan delivery. The murder’s solution highlights both the show’s dedication to methodical police work and its sobering, human focus.

For fans of radio detectives, this episode is a compelling mixture of interpersonal drama and hardboiled detection. Adam Graham’s insights and listener engagement keep the spirit of Golden Age radio alive and meaningful for modern audiences.