Dragnet: The Big Show (EP5014)

Summary

Podcast Summary: The Great Detectives Present Dragnet (Old Time Radio)

Episode: Dragnet – The Big Show (EP5014)

Date: July 9, 2026
Host: Adam Graham

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Episode Overview

This episode revisits a classic 1952 Dragnet radio episode titled "The Big Show," in which Sergeant Friday and his partner Ed Jacobs investigate the case of an abandoned infant at a Los Angeles bus depot. The mystery deepens as the officers uncover layers of compassion, deception, and the troubled inner life of a woman in crisis. Adam Graham reflects on the episode’s emotional complexity and the approach taken by police working in the Juvenile Division, emphasizing Dragnet's humanistic storytelling.

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Key Discussion Points and Insights

The Case Begins: A Baby Abandoned at the Bus Depot

• [03:53] The episode opens with the police responding to a call about a seven-week-old baby left behind in a depot waiting room. Marjorie Lewis, a recently arrived traveler, says she was left with the child by another woman, Dorothy Miller, who never returned.
• [04:50] [05:34] Mrs. Lewis shares her supposed backstory of meeting Dorothy Miller on the bus from Tucson to Los Angeles, describing Miller as a friendly, attentive mother, and the baby as well cared for.

Details and Red Flags in Testimony

• [07:01] [07:27] The detectives press Mrs. Lewis for details: She provides a physical description of Dorothy Miller, but nothing detailed about her background, family, or contacts.
• [10:01] [10:22] Clues begin to appear odd, like the special medical formula for the baby—a detail heightening the child's vulnerability and Mrs. Lewis’s apparent concern.
• [12:10] Policewoman Betty Stone finds a hospital bill for Dorothy Miller in Mrs. Lewis's luggage, offering their first concrete lead.

Investigation: Contradictions and Clues

• [13:00] [14:06] The officers canvass the bus terminal and its staff but fail to find anyone matching Dorothy Miller’s description.
• [14:44] [15:12] The bus driver’s testimony contradicts Mrs. Lewis's story: he recalls only Mrs. Lewis with a baby—no sight of a young woman fitting Miller’s description.

The Truth Unravels

• [16:38] [19:06] When confronted, Mrs. Lewis initially clings to her version, but mounting evidence pushes her toward confession.
  • QUOTES:
    • "There is no Dorothy Miller. There never was. There's no such person, ma'am." – Sergeant Friday [19:03]
    • "That's what you really think. I invented it. I made it all up." – Mrs. Marjorie Lewis [19:06]
• Mrs. Lewis admits the baby is her own, and the Dorothy Miller identity was a fabrication. Overcome with emotional distress, she reveals the pressures and loneliness that led her to give up her child.

Emotional Conflict and Resolution

• [20:33] [24:23] Mrs. Lewis recounts her isolation during her husband's military deployment, her resulting actions, and the turmoil over her child’s birth:
  • "I love him, Sergeant. I tried to explain. I didn't want to be alone. Having him away all the time… I started going out, having dates. I had to get out... Just always drank too much… There's one party, don't even remember who I went with. Guess it was drinking. I don't know." – Mrs. Marjorie Lewis [21:03–22:22]
  • "Maybe it wasn't Walter's baby, but it was mine. It was mine." – Mrs. Marjorie Lewis [23:13]
  • She expresses her agonizing choice: "My husband or my baby. Which one?" – Mrs. Marjorie Lewis [24:23]
• [25:00] [26:26] Emotional reunion with her husband, Captain Walter Lewis, who is eventually moved by the situation:
  • "It's gonna be all right, honey. Nothing to cry about. Everything will be all right." – Captain Walter Lewis [26:26]
  • He chooses compassion and chooses to see his newborn son.

Case Outcome

• [27:14] A meeting with the District Attorney results in no criminal charge being filed. The Lewises are given custody of the baby.
  • "In the interests of justice, no criminal complaint be filed against Mrs. Marjorie Lewis. The baby was released to the custody of her and her husband." – Narrator/Announcer [27:20]

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Host Commentary and Reflections

Adam Graham’s Observations

• [29:55] Adam calls the episode "a favorite of mine" and highlights the humane elements:

  "It's a very human episode on a lot of levels... the case itself comes down to messy human failings and trying to figure out how to deal with it."

• He praises Friday and Jacobs for showing compassion, helping to mediate the difficult conversation between Mrs. Lewis and her husband.
• Graham underscores the episode’s nuanced take—it acknowledges wrongdoing but focuses on understanding, not excusing, and the importance of keeping perspective.

  "As the episode made no attempt to excuse immoral behavior, but rather showed a compassionate response in the aftermath for all involved. I think it's actually quite a beautiful story, particularly for series like Dragnet, which can often have some really rough turns."

• He notes that, while the radio version was not controversial, the TV adaptation drew criticism from some viewers for supposedly excusing adultery—a misreading of Dragnet's intent.

Listener Comments and Feedback

• Spotify Comment: Addresses the difference between homicide and murder in a previous Dragnet episode, emphasizing the nuance of legal and moral context.
• Listener Survey: Praise for Adam Graham as host: "...a well considered guide to old radio dramas."
• Patreon Shout-out: Brenda is thanked for her support.

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Notable Quotes and Moments

• The Lie is Revealed:

  "There is no Dorothy Miller. There never was."
  – Sergeant Friday [19:03]

• Marjorie's Despair:

  "My husband or my baby. Which one?"
  – Mrs. Marjorie Lewis [24:23]

• Compassion and Forgiveness:

  "It's gonna be all right, honey. Nothing to cry about."
  – Captain Walter Lewis [26:26]

• Host Reflection:

  "The case itself comes down to messy human failings and trying to figure out how to deal with it."
  – Adam Graham [29:55]

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Important Timestamps

• 03:53 – Police interview Mrs. Lewis about the abandoned baby.
• 12:10 – Key clue discovered: hospital bill to Dorothy Miller.
• 14:44 – Bus driver contradicts Mrs. Lewis’s story.
• 16:38 – Confrontation and unraveling of the truth.
• 19:03 – Mrs. Lewis confesses Dorothy Miller doesn't exist.
• 20:33–24:23 – Mrs. Lewis’s emotional breakdown and backstory.
• 25:00–26:26 – Husband learns the truth, chooses compassion.
• 27:14–27:42 – Legal resolution and family reunification.
• 29:55 – Adam Graham’s commentary and modern perspective.

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Episode Tone and Style

The episode balances Dragnet’s trademark procedural clarity with remarkable emotional depth. Dialogues convey compassion, tension, and regret. The pacing gives space for the sorrow and resolve of Mrs. Lewis, the patient but firm questioning of Friday and Jacobs, and the final, fragile hope as the family is given a second chance. Adam Graham’s closing commentary reinforces Dragnet’s legacy as both a crime drama and a window into human vulnerability.

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Transcript

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[Narrator/Sergeant Friday]

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[Adam Graham]

Welcome to the Great Detectives of Old Time Radio from Kalispell, Montana. This is your host, Adam Graham. In a moment, we're going to bring you this week's episode of Dragnet. But first I want to encourage you. If you're enjoying the podcast, please follow us using your favorite podcast software. Also, today's program is brought to you in part by the financial support of our listeners. You can support the show on a one time basis by mailing a donation to Adam Graham, P.O. box 15913. That's P.O. box 15913, Boise, ID 83715. And become one of our ongoing Patreon supporters for as little as $2 per month by going to patreon.greatdetectives.net but now, from April 10th of 1952, here is the big show.

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[Mrs. Marjorie Lewis]

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[Narrator]

The story you are about to hear is true. The names have been changed to protect the innocent. You're a detective sergeant. You're assigned a juvenile division. You get a call from one of the bus line terminals in your city. A seven week old baby has been abandoned in the depot waiting room. There's no sign of the mother, no

[Narrator/Announcer]

lead to her whereabouts.

[Narrator]

Your job?

[Sergeant Friday]

Find her.

[Narrator/Announcer]

Dragnet, the documented drama of an actual crime for the next 30 minutes in cooperation with The Los Angeles Police Department. You will travel step by step on the side of the law through an actual case transcribed from official police files. From beginning to end, from crime to punishment. Dragnet is the story of your police force in action.

[Sergeant Ed Jacobs]

It was Wednesday, August 14th. It was hot in Los Angeles. We were working the day watch out of Juvenile Division. My partner's Ed Jacobs. The boss is Captain Stein, Commander, Juvenile Division. My name's Friday.

[Narrator/Sergeant Friday]

We were on the way out from

[Sergeant Ed Jacobs]

the office and it was 11:05am when we got to the corner of 6th and Los Angeles streets. The bus depot. Excuse me, ma'.

[Narrator/Sergeant Friday]

Am.

[Narrator/Announcer]

You Mrs. Lewis?

[Mrs. Marjorie Lewis]

Yes, that's right. Are you the police?

[Sergeant Ed Jacobs]

Yes, ma'.

[Mrs. Marjorie Lewis]

Am.

[Sergeant Ed Jacobs]

This is my partner, sergeant Jacobs.

[Narrator/Sergeant Friday]

My name's Friday, Juvenile Division.

[Mrs. Marjorie Lewis]

Well, how do you do? I'm certainly glad you're here. I've been waiting around the depot for hours. I don't know what to do.

[Officer Joe]

The baby must be getting pretty heavy, ma', am, like. Sit down over here.

[Narrator/Announcer]

Tell us about it.

[Mrs. Marjorie Lewis]

All right. Thank you. Hey, that's all right, honey. You sleep now. Sleepy? Bye. Well, things such a shame.

[Sergeant Ed Jacobs]

Yes, ma'.

[Narrator/Sergeant Friday]

Am.

[Sergeant Ed Jacobs]

The report we got didn't go into detail.

[Narrator/Sergeant Friday]

Some woman left the baby with you, is that right?

[Mrs. Marjorie Lewis]

Yes, as soon as we got off the bus this morning. She said she'd only be gone a few minutes.

It's been hours.

I don't know what to do.

[Narrator/Sergeant Friday]

Well, did you know the woman, Mrs. Will?

[Mrs. Marjorie Lewis]

Her name's Dorothy Miller. She's from Arizona. Tucson. We got off the bus and she asked me if I'd hold her baby while she went to get her luggage. She said she'd meet me right there by the information desk. Been waiting ever since.

She hasn't come back. I don't know what to think of it.

[Officer Joe]

How well do you know this Dorothy Miller, man?

[Mrs. Marjorie Lewis]

Well, not too well, but she seemed like such a nice girl. Friendly and very sociable. We sat together all the way in.

[Officer Joe]

You got on the bus with her, too? Sons, that is.

[Mrs. Marjorie Lewis]

Oh, no. I'm from Cincinnati. I got on the bus there and then went down to Dallas. Had a visit with an aunt of mine down there. I got another bus to Dallas to go. Went along the southern route. Very nice. Same bus I came in on this morning. I'm out here to meet my husband, army man. He's coming in on a transport from overseas. Coming in tomorrow.

[Sergeant Ed Jacobs]

Now, you say this Dorothy Miller boarded

[Narrator/Sergeant Friday]

the bus at Tucson with a baby? She rode all the way into Los Angeles with you?

[Mrs. Marjorie Lewis]

Yes, right into the seathole. She sat in the seat next to mine. We struck up a conversation.

Got to be quite good friends. He's such a cute baby. I just can't imagine.

[Officer Joe]

How'd the Miller woman seem to you, Ms. Lewis? All right. I mean, was there anything odd about her behavior?

[Narrator/Sergeant Friday]

Anything unusual?

[Mrs. Marjorie Lewis]

No, nothing at all. Seemed to me to be a perfect mother. Took good care of the baby. Wonderful care.

That's what so upset him, for her

to go off like this.

Leave.

Leave a baby with a stranger?

It doesn't make any sense.

[Sergeant Ed Jacobs]

Well, now, you say you talked to

[Narrator/Sergeant Friday]

this Dorothy Miller quite a bit along the way, ma'.

[Sergeant Friday]

Am.

[Mrs. Marjorie Lewis]

I beg your pardon.

What was that?

[Officer Joe]

Maybe if we move out the car, Joe, it'd be a lot easier to talk out there.

[Narrator/Sergeant Friday]

That's a good idea. Ms. Lewis, would you mind coming along with us to our car park? Just down the street.

[Sergeant Ed Jacobs]

Should be a little quieter.

[Mrs. Marjorie Lewis]

Yes, all right. I have these two believers.

[Officer Joe]

No, don't get them, ma'.

[Sergeant Friday]

Am.

[Mrs. Marjorie Lewis]

Oh, thank you.

[Narrator/Sergeant Friday]

Be out this way for you.

[Sergeant Friday]

Excuse me.

[Narrator/Sergeant Friday]

Sorry. Pardon me.

[Sergeant Friday]

Sorry.

[Narrator/Announcer]

Pardon me, please.

[Narrator/Sergeant Friday]

Help you with one of those ass.

[Officer Joe]

No, that's okay.

[Sergeant Ed Jacobs]

Just down the street here, ma'.

[Sergeant Friday]

Am.

[Mrs. Marjorie Lewis]

Oh, my goodness, isn't it a beautiful day? What a shame. All this trouble.

[Officer Joe]

Yes, ma'.

[Mrs. Marjorie Lewis]

Am.

[Narrator/Sergeant Friday]

Can you make it all right, Ms. Lois?

[Mrs. Marjorie Lewis]

Oh, yes, I think so.

[Narrator/Sergeant Friday]

Flip the valises in the back. There's plenty of room there. Yeah.

[Sergeant Friday]

Okay, raise me a hand. Okay.

[Narrator/Sergeant Friday]

Now, about this Miller woman, Ms. Lewis, I was gonna ask you.

[Mrs. Marjorie Lewis]

Yeah?

[Sergeant Ed Jacobs]

Well, did she happen to tell you where she lived?

[Narrator/Sergeant Friday]

In Tucson, if she had any people there? Any family?

[Mrs. Marjorie Lewis]

No, I don't recall anything like that. She talked about some of the girlfriends she had there, their babies. She didn't mention any of them by name, though.

[Sergeant Friday]

How about her description, Mrs. Lois? Anything unusual there?

[Mrs. Marjorie Lewis]

No, I wouldn't say so. Small girl, 5 foot 3 or 4. I'd say 110 or 15 pounds. Dark hair, shoulder length, dark eyes, nice complexion, very pretty eyes.

[Narrator/Sergeant Friday]

About how old would you say?

[Mrs. Marjorie Lewis]

20. It's what she told me, anyway. She said she had a birthday in May. I remember we talked about that. She was born under the same sign I was, Charles Kabul.

[Officer Joe]

And all the talk she had with this Miller girl, she never gave you any reason to think that anything was wrong with her? Didn't seem to be despondent, depressed about anything.

[Mrs. Marjorie Lewis]

Perfectly normal girl, as far as I could tell.

I just can't get over it.

I can't imagine her doing anything like this.

[Sergeant Ed Jacobs]

Well, how'd she seem this morning when

[Narrator/Sergeant Friday]

you got in on the Bus pretty much the same?

[Mrs. Marjorie Lewis]

Yes, I think so.

We got off the bus together.

She had her hands full with the baby, so I helped her off with the hand valley she was carrying. When we got inside the waiting room, she mentioned that she had to go pick up some luggage from the check stand. She asked me if I'd mind very much holding her baby while she went after I said no, not at all. She went around the corner of the baggage stand and that's the last I saw of her.

[Narrator/Sergeant Friday]

You checked around the depot, did you? And you had her paid?

[Mrs. Marjorie Lewis]

I talked to everyone in the place. The porters, ticket clerks, information desk, traveler's aid. Not one of them could help.

[Policewoman Betty Stone]

I tried everybody.

[Mrs. Marjorie Lewis]

There, that's all right now.

Real kind of mother.

Yes, you try.

And sweet.

Good smile. Wonderful.

Just adorable. It's a little boy. He said he's named Steven.

[Officer Joe]

Yes, ma'.

[Mrs. Marjorie Lewis]

Am.

[Officer Joe]

Well, you say you've been waiting around the depot three hours. Has the baby been fed?

[Mrs. Marjorie Lewis]

Yes. This Handsley similar girl gave me the hole. I found a bottle full of formula in it. The man at the coffee shop warmed it for me.

Little fella here finished it off.

Wait. I guess he'll be wanting some more pretty soon.

[Sergeant Friday]

I guess we better back in, huh?

[Officer Joe]

Yeah, I guess so.

[Mrs. Marjorie Lewis]

Can't imagine that. I just can't imagine it.

[Sergeant Friday]

Mrs. This little boy.

[Mrs. Marjorie Lewis]

Just look at him.

[Sergeant Friday]

Yes, ma'. Am.

[Mrs. Marjorie Lewis]

Her own baby. So small, helpless. How could she go off and leave him?

[Sergeant Friday]

Well, I guess she had a reason. Must have been important.

[Mrs. Marjorie Lewis]

Seven weeks old baby. What's more important than that?

[Narrator/Sergeant Friday]

Before we left the bus depot, Ed contacted the clerk at the depot information desk and left our card with him. If anyone came in to make inquiries about the abandoned child, he was to advise them to get in touch with us. 11:48am the woman who had been left with the baby, Mrs. Marjorie Lewis, agreed

[Sergeant Ed Jacobs]

to return to the office with us

[Narrator/Sergeant Friday]

and give us a complete report on everything she knew about the case. As soon as we got back, we briefed Captain Stein on what happened and

[Sergeant Ed Jacobs]

he assigned policewoman Betty Stone to come

[Narrator/Sergeant Friday]

in and help out with the baby.

[Sergeant Ed Jacobs]

A cursory examination seemed to indicate there

[Narrator/Sergeant Friday]

was nothing abnormal about the baby. No apparent deformities.

[Sergeant Ed Jacobs]

We checked the blanket and the baby's

[Narrator/Sergeant Friday]

clothing, but we found no identifying marks

[Sergeant Ed Jacobs]

of any use to it. Policewoman Stone made the baby comfortable for the time being and then she began

[Narrator/Sergeant Friday]

to check through the contents of the small valise which the baby's mother had left with Mrs. Lewis. It contained the usual assortment. Baby oil powder, dextrose a few cans of milk, a couple of blankets and a supply of diapers. Ed and I continued to interview Mrs. Lewis.

[Officer Joe]

This the Miller woman's first baby, do you know, or did she happen to mention it?

[Mrs. Marjorie Lewis]

Yes, it's her first. That's what she told me, anyway.

[Sergeant Ed Jacobs]

Did you talk about the baby's health at all?

[Narrator/Sergeant Friday]

Was there any trouble there? Would you know?

[Mrs. Marjorie Lewis]

Well, she did say she had some trouble with the formula.

[Policewoman Betty Stone]

At first.

[Mrs. Marjorie Lewis]

It didn't seem to suit the baby. Wasn't anything serious, though. As a matter of fact, that does worry me a little bit, Sergeant.

[Narrator/Sergeant Friday]

What's that?

[Mrs. Marjorie Lewis]

The baby's formula. Mrs. Miller did say it had to be fixed a special way. Some special medicine she put in it, too. Are you sure the baby's gonna get good care?

[Narrator/Announcer]

Yes, ma'.

[Officer Joe]

Am. No need to worry. He'll be moved to General Hospital. I'll look after him.

[Mrs. Marjorie Lewis]

But the special formula, the medicine she was giving him.

Will they know about that?

Will they know how to feed him?

[Narrator/Sergeant Friday]

Well, they've handled cases like this before, Ms. Lewis. They're pretty competent people. They all know what to do.

[Mrs. Marjorie Lewis]

I surely hope so. I don't know why I'm so concerned.

Guess it's just the little fella. So small, all alone, so helpless.

Terrible change.

[Sergeant Friday]

Yes, ma'.

[Narrator/Announcer]

Am?

[Sergeant Ed Jacobs]

About this special formula the baby has to have. What's the reason for that?

[Narrator/Sergeant Friday]

Would you know?

[Sergeant Ed Jacobs]

The baby been sick recently?

[Mrs. Marjorie Lewis]

No, I don't think so. Mrs. Miller did say he was a little sickly when he was born. Spent a little time in an incubator. I don't believe it was critical, though. At least, I didn't gather that.

[Sergeant Ed Jacobs]

Well, thank you very much, Ms. Lewis. Appreciate your cooperation, everything you've done on this.

[Mrs. Marjorie Lewis]

Not at all, Sergeant. I only wish I could be more help.

[Officer Joe]

You mind telling us where you'll be stopping in town, ma'?

[Sergeant Friday]

Am?

[Narrator/Announcer]

Possible.

[Officer Joe]

We might have to contact you again.

[Mrs. Marjorie Lewis]

Well, I don't have any reservations. I was thinking of staying at a hotel close to downtown.

[Sergeant Friday]

There's a big convention in town.

[Narrator/Sergeant Friday]

Most of the places are pretty crowded. We'd be glad to help you find

[Sergeant Friday]

a hotel space, if you like.

[Mrs. Marjorie Lewis]

Oh, well, that's certainly very nice of you.

[Sergeant Ed Jacobs]

Not at all.

[Policewoman Betty Stone]

Sergeant Friday, could I see you a minute, please?

[Narrator/Sergeant Friday]

Yes, all right.

[Sergeant Friday]

Would you excuse me, please?

[Mrs. Marjorie Lewis]

Sure.

[Sergeant Friday]

Yeah.

[Policewoman Betty Stone]

Betty, for a policewoman, I'm not bad at checking diapers.

[Narrator/Sergeant Friday]

How do you mean?

[Policewoman Betty Stone]

Over here.

[Mrs. Marjorie Lewis]

The valise the mother left with Mrs. Lewis.

[Sergeant Friday]

Did you come up with anything?

[Mrs. Marjorie Lewis]

Didn't think so at first.

[Policewoman Betty Stone]

Went over the valise everything inside. Nothing. And I started putting the things back in the bag. Found this and that stack of diapers there. Paid receipt for a hospital bill. Maternity ward.

[Sergeant Friday]

Santa Maria Hospital, Tucson.

[Policewoman Betty Stone]

There's a patient's name right there at the top.

[Sergeant Friday]

Dorothy Miller.

[Narrator/Sergeant Friday]

12:30pm, a local broadcast and an APB was gotten out on Dorothy Miller. Then we sent a communication to the Tucson Police Department laying out the story for them and asking them to check with the Santa Maria Hospital there for a possible lead on the missing mother. Meantime, the baby was removed to General Hospital. We found accommodations for Mrs. Lewis at a downtown hotel. We dropped her off there and then we drove back to the bus depot on 6th Street. We tried to locate the driver of the bus on which the Miller woman and her baby had arrived that morning. We were told he was off duty and that he wouldn't report back until 8 o' clock the following morning. We left our card along with a message for the driver, asking him to

[Sergeant Friday]

contact us as soon as he returned.

[Sergeant Ed Jacobs]

For the rest of the afternoon, Ed

[Narrator/Sergeant Friday]

and I, along with the two other men from Juvenile Division, checked with all the bus depot personnel, but we were unable to turn up any kind of a lead.

[Sergeant Ed Jacobs]

After that, we started making the rounds

[Narrator/Sergeant Friday]

of the hotels, bars, restaurants and taxi cab stands in the neighborhood. The same results? Nothing. 7:55am the following morning, I reported back in for work.

[Mrs. Marjorie Lewis]

Morning, Joe.

[Narrator/Sergeant Friday]

All right, Betty. Head check in yet?

[Policewoman Betty Stone]

I went out for a minute, so be right back.

[Narrator/Sergeant Friday]

What do you know?

[Sergeant Friday]

Anything new?

[Policewoman Betty Stone]

Communication for you from the Tucson pd kickback on that query you got off to him yesterday? Think I'd left it in your box.

[Sergeant Friday]

Oh, thanks, Betty. I get it. Mm.

[Sergeant Ed Jacobs]

Did you see this?

[Mrs. Marjorie Lewis]

Ed showed it to me. Yeah.

Confirms the fact the woman had her

[Policewoman Betty Stone]

baby in that hospital. Still not much help, though.

[Sergeant Friday]

Yeah. I see they checked out her last

[Sergeant Ed Jacobs]

known address in Tucson. She moved.

[Narrator/Sergeant Friday]

No forwarding address, no landing her relatives or friends.

[Policewoman Betty Stone]

The day the baby was born.

[Sergeant Friday]

Seems to check out June 24th. Makes the baby just about 7 weeks old on it. This part here doesn't make much sense, though, does it?

[Mrs. Marjorie Lewis]

The Miller girl's description?

[Sergeant Friday]

Yeah.

[Sergeant Ed Jacobs]

Liz Lewis said Dorothy Miller was small and dark.

[Narrator/Sergeant Friday]

Long dark hair, dark eyes.

[Sergeant Ed Jacobs]

People at the hospital describe her as

[Sergeant Friday]

being blonde, fairly tall, blue eyes, long blonde hair, about 29, 30 years old.

[Mrs. Marjorie Lewis]

Mrs. Lewis said the Miller girl just turned 20, didn't she?

[Sergeant Friday]

That's what she said. Sure doesn't figure.

[Mrs. Marjorie Lewis]

Little too much to write off as coincidence.

[Policewoman Betty Stone]

2 Dorothy Millers having babies, same day, same hospital.

[Sergeant Friday]

Well, I just happen to think this Description of the Miller girl?

[Mrs. Marjorie Lewis]

Uh huh.

[Sergeant Friday]

Fairly tall, long blonde hair. Ms. Lewis has long blonde hair. Hadn't you, Benny?

[Narrator/Sergeant Friday]

Oh, hi, Joe.

[Sergeant Ed Jacobs]

Hi.

[Sergeant Friday]

What's doing?

[Officer Joe]

That bus driver we wanted to talk to and want to drove the bus Dorothy Miller and the baby came in on yesterday. That description Ms. Lewis gave us of Dorothy Miller. Driver doesn't remember anyone like that on his bus. He remembered Ms. Lewis though. She didn't get on the bus at Dallas. She didn't sit next to a young girl with a baby either.

[Narrator/Sergeant Friday]

Driver says he's sure of it.

[Sergeant Friday]

Well, and what's the pitch?

[Officer Joe]

Mrs. Lewis got on the bus at Tucson. She had a baby in her arms.

[Narrator/Announcer]

You are listening to Dragnet authentic stories of your police force in action.

[Narrator/Sergeant Friday]

8:35am Ed Jacobs and I went into the adjoining room where we continued to interview the bus driver. The same man who'd been driving the bus on which Mrs. Lewis and the abandoned baby and his mother supposedly had arrived in Los Angeles the day before. The more we talked to the driver, the more he convinced us that the story we'd gotten from Mrs. Marjorie Lewis was a long way from the truth. He repeated that he was absolutely sure that Mrs. Lewis did not get on the bus at Dallas, that she boarded the bus at Tucson, and that at the time she got on, she was holding a baby in her arms. He was just as positive that Mrs. Lewis held the baby in her arms all the way to Los Angeles, and that she did not sit next to a young dark haired girl, but an elderly woman. He also told us that none of his passengers on that particular trip fitted the description of Dorothy Miller as given us by Mrs. Lewis. 8:50am before the bus driver left, we got his address and a phone number where we could get in touch with him if necessary. 9:05am Ed and I got in the car, drove to the downtown hotel where Mrs. Lewis was staying and called her room. From the phone in the lobby, she told us that her husband, Army Captain Walter Lewis, had arrived in from overseas earlier that morning and checked in at the hotel. I asked her if her husband was with her, but she said no. He was downstairs at the hotel barber shop. Ed and I got in the elevator and went up to see her. Outside and down in the street you could hear the sounds of a parade passing by. It was American Legion Convention week, the traditional parade. Some parade in it.

[Sergeant Friday]

That's beautiful.

[Mrs. Marjorie Lewis]

Oh, good morning, officers.

[Narrator/Sergeant Friday]

Thanks. Thank you very much, ma'.

[Sergeant Friday]

Am.

[Mrs. Marjorie Lewis]

What happened? Did you find out anything?

[Narrator/Sergeant Friday]

Well, a few things, ma'.

[Mrs. Marjorie Lewis]

Am.

[Narrator/Sergeant Friday]

We've been checking around two or three more questions we'd like to ask you, if you don't mind.

[Mrs. Marjorie Lewis]

Well, no, not at all. How's the baby? Are they taking care of him? Is he all right?

[Narrator/Sergeant Friday]

Yes, ma', am, he's fine. We checked at the hospital. He's doing real well.

[Mrs. Marjorie Lewis]

I'm glad. And the Miller girl, Dorothy Miller. Did you find out anything?

[Officer Joe]

We haven't been able to locate her. No trace for at all. While we're here, Ms. Lewis, few things we'd like to have you straighten out for us.

[Mrs. Marjorie Lewis]

Well, I'll do anything I can to help. I think I already told you everything I could remember about the girl.

[Narrator/Sergeant Friday]

Well, now we're going to be honest with you, Ms. Lewis. We don't think you're telling the truth.

[Mrs. Marjorie Lewis]

What I don't understand.

[Narrator/Sergeant Friday]

We talked to the man who was driving the bus you came in on yesterday. The same bus you say Dorothy Miller and her baby were on?

[Mrs. Marjorie Lewis]

Yes, that's right.

[Narrator/Sergeant Friday]

Well, the bus driver couldn't remember. The Miller girl told us none of his passengers even came close to her description.

[Mrs. Marjorie Lewis]

Well, there was quite a few people on the bus.

I guess you can't blame him for not remembering her.

[Officer Joe]

He remembered you, Ms. Lewis. You were sitting near the front of the bus. He doesn't remember anyone with a baby sitting next to you, though.

[Mrs. Marjorie Lewis]

I guess he made a mistake. Think he can't remember everything?

[Officer Joe]

Well, they said you were holding the baby.

[Mrs. Marjorie Lewis]

I don't understand this. What is it you're trying to find out?

[Narrator/Sergeant Friday]

When we talked to you yesterday, you told us that you got on the bus at Dallas. Isn't that right?

[Mrs. Marjorie Lewis]

Yes.

What would that have to do with it?

[Narrator/Sergeant Friday]

The bus driver says you got on a Tucson. He seemed to remember it pretty well. He says when you got on the bus, you were holding a baby in your arms.

[Mrs. Marjorie Lewis]

That's silly.

He's wrong. He must have me confused with somebody else.

[Officer Joe]

I don't see how, ma'.

[Sergeant Ed Jacobs]

Am.

[Officer Joe]

He says you were the only woman on the bus with a baby.

[Mrs. Marjorie Lewis]

What's the point of it? Sergeant, I don't understand any of this.

[Narrator/Sergeant Friday]

Well, frankly, neither do we. I don't know why you're lying to us about this, but apparently you are.

[Mrs. Marjorie Lewis]

You're wrong. I'm not lying. It happened just the way I told you. The girl gave me the baby to hold and then she disappeared. There's no reason for me to lie about that.

[Narrator/Sergeant Friday]

We found a receipt for a hospital bill and that valise with a baby's things in it. The receipt was made out to Dorothy Miller.

[Mrs. Marjorie Lewis]

Well, that proves it, doesn't. She was on the bus with me, and her baby was with her.

[Officer Joe]

The check was made with a hospital, Tucson. They remembered the name Dorothy Miller.

[Narrator/Sergeant Friday]

She gave birth to a baby boy

[Officer Joe]

about seven weeks ago. She wasn't the same girl you described to us, though description wasn't even close.

[Mrs. Marjorie Lewis]

Then it must be a mistake. I guess somebody made a mistake. I can't understand any of this.

[Officer Joe]

Well, they sent us back a description of the Dorothy Miller who stayed at the hospital. A fairly tall woman, long blonde hair, about 29 or 30. Yes, description fits you, Ms. Lewis. Fits almost perfectly.

[Mrs. Marjorie Lewis]

Well, it's wrong. Has to be wrong. The whole thing's a mistake. I beg your pie, I say the whole thing is a mistake.

It has to be.

Be wrong.

[Narrator/Sergeant Friday]

No, I don't think so, ma'.

[Sergeant Friday]

Am.

[Mrs. Marjorie Lewis]

Why don't you tell me? What do you think? Tell me, please.

[Narrator/Sergeant Friday]

There is no Dorothy Miller. There never was. There's no such person, ma'.

[Sergeant Friday]

Am.

[Mrs. Marjorie Lewis]

That's what you really think. I invented it. I made it all up.

[Sergeant Friday]

Did you?

[Mrs. Marjorie Lewis]

And the baby? What about him? There's no Dorothy Miller. What about the baby?

[Narrator/Sergeant Friday]

I don't know. You want to tell us, Ms. Lewis?

[Mrs. Marjorie Lewis]

Yes.

Yes.

[Officer Joe]

Ms. Lewis, can I get something for you?

[Mrs. Marjorie Lewis]

Thank you. I'm all right. I suppose I knew it would happen sometime. I tried not to think about it. When you called from downstairs, I knew you'd found out. That's why.

Yes. My husband was with me, isn't it?

He didn't want to embarrass me.

[Narrator/Sergeant Friday]

We wanted to give you a chance to tell your side of the story. Thought maybe you wanted to keep it from your husband.

[Mrs. Marjorie Lewis]

No. It doesn't matter. I'll tell him. He'll be back in a few minutes. He can do anything he wants. I won't blame him. He'll pack his bags and walk out and leave. And I won't blame him.

[Sergeant Friday]

All right.

[Narrator/Sergeant Friday]

You want to tell us about him?

[Mrs. Marjorie Lewis]

I think you know.

My baby. My own baby.

And I couldn't keep him.

There wasn't anything else to do.

Nothing. My own baby.

[Officer Joe]

You made up the whole story about the girl, Dorothy Miller. Her leaving the baby with you.

[Sergeant Friday]

Ms. Lewis.

[Mrs. Marjorie Lewis]

Such a beautiful day.

Big crowd for the parade. They're lined all the way up to sea.

[Narrator/Sergeant Friday]

You must have had a reason for

[Sergeant Friday]

it, Ms. Lewis, giving your baby away.

[Narrator/Sergeant Friday]

Now, do you want to tell us about her?

[Mrs. Marjorie Lewis]

Yes. All right. It won't make any difference. Done. It's all done. My husband. I'm thinking about Walter. I'm going to have to hurt him. And I don't want to hurt him. I don't know how I'm going to tell him.

[Sergeant Friday]

Tell him what, ma'? Am?

[Mrs. Marjorie Lewis]

I tried to make him understand all the time before he left for overseas. It was almost two years ago.

I tried to make him understand.

He wouldn't listen. He didn't believe me. Thought I was fooling.

[Officer Joe]

Yes, ma'.

[Sergeant Friday]

Am.

[Mrs. Marjorie Lewis]

I love him, Sergeant. I tried to explain. I didn't want to be alone. Having him away all the time. I knew there was going to be trouble. I knew it. I didn't want to be alone. He didn't understand. He only said I was fooling.

[Sergeant Friday]

Yes, ma'. Am.

[Mrs. Marjorie Lewis]

He left for overseas in October, Walter. Almost two years ago. I went down to Wilmington. I saw him leave on the boat. I stood there and watched him go. I wasn't going to see him. 24 months. Wouldn't see him. No children, no family. It's a two room apartment. The only police. He only would have taken me with me.

[Sergeant Friday]

Where were you living at that time, ma'? Am?

[Mrs. Marjorie Lewis]

Up the coast, just besides Santa Barbara. I told Wilk I couldn't be alone. I needed something. He only had children. He'd only taken me with him. It didn't have to be this way. He could have taken me with him. He could have arranged it. He wouldn't. He left me here alone. I tried to tell him. He left me here alone.

[Sergeant Friday]

Yeah.

[Mrs. Marjorie Lewis]

I took it for a year. Whole year. Two room apartments. Being alone. I wrote to Walter twice a week. He wrote to me. Did he do any good? He didn't want me with him. Whole year. And it got too much.

[Officer Joe]

You mean you could have joined him overseas?

[Mrs. Marjorie Lewis]

I don't know why. Kept writing to him.

He kept putting me off.

A whole year. It got too much. Two room apartment alone. You can't spend your life that way. I started going out, Having dates. I had to get out. Started going to parties. Different people. Guess I drank too much. Didn't want to be alone. Just always drank too much. There's one party. Don't even remember who I went with. Guess it was drinking. I don't know. When I left. I don't even remember who I was with. It didn't have to be this way. Didn't have to happen like this.

[Sergeant Friday]

Are you all right, Ms. Lord? Is there something we can get you? No, I'm all right.

[Mrs. Marjorie Lewis]

I didn't know what to do when I found out by the doctor. He didn't understand me. I mean, the way I felt.

Said the baby would Be born in June.

I cried. He didn't understand.

[Sergeant Friday]

That's right.

[Mrs. Marjorie Lewis]

When the time came, I went to Tucson, Arizona. Had my baby. At least I wasn't alone. Used a different name at the hospital. Dorothy Miller. Maybe it wasn't Walter's baby, but it was mine. It was mine. I thought at first it wouldn't make much difference. But it did, though.

[Sergeant Friday]

Did

[Mrs. Marjorie Lewis]

I knew what it'd mean. I loved Walter. I still love him. If he found out I knew what it would mean. Couldn't even think about it. I loved Walter. I couldn't even think about telling him.

[Sergeant Friday]

So you figured on giving up the baby, huh?

[Narrator/Sergeant Friday]

Giving him away.

[Sergeant Friday]

Is that the idea?

[Mrs. Marjorie Lewis]

I can't tell you how many times I worked it out in my mind. Day after day. I almost went crazy with it. Walter, the baby.

[Sergeant Friday]

Which one?

[Mrs. Marjorie Lewis]

I finally decided. Walter, the flute's there. Won't you.

[Sergeant Friday]

Well, I wouldn't know, ma'. Am. It's your decision. It's up to you.

[Mrs. Marjorie Lewis]

I don't know how to tell it. Won't you help me? Please? Help me tell Walter.

[Sergeant Friday]

All right. You like?

[Mrs. Marjorie Lewis]

It's a terrible thing. I mean, to make a choice. When you have to hurt somebody, you have to choose between the two of them. One of them has to be hurt, ma'.

[Sergeant Friday]

Am.

[Mrs. Marjorie Lewis]

My husband or my baby. Which one?

[Narrator/Sergeant Friday]

10:38am At Mrs. Lewis request, Ed and

[Sergeant Friday]

I stayed on at the hotel room

[Narrator/Sergeant Friday]

until her husband, an army captain, Walter Lewis, returned.

[Sergeant Friday]

He was a tall, dark haired man in his late 30s.

[Narrator/Sergeant Friday]

Dark eyes, tan complexion. Mrs. Lewis was waiting in the adjoining room. It wasn't easy, but as best we could, Ed and I briefed the husband

[Sergeant Friday]

on what had happened.

[Narrator/Sergeant Friday]

His first reaction was fairly normal.

[Sergeant Friday]

He took it pretty hard.

[Narrator/Sergeant Friday]

We kept on talking to him. After a while, he calmed down. We laid out the whole story for him again.

[Sergeant Friday]

She turned the baby over to police. Is that it? She gave the baby up?

[Officer Joe]

Yes, sir. She figured it was the only thing she could do.

[Sergeant Friday]

Kind of hard to believe, isn't it? What's the answer? What am I supposed to do? Well, sir, I know it's none of our business, Captain. I think you might try looking at

[Narrator/Sergeant Friday]

it from your wife's point of view.

[Sergeant Friday]

Maybe. What do you mean? Well, it's pretty obvious she's still in love with you. I think she's showing you that. Yeah, well, she was in a jam. It was a big choice for her to make. She knew she was wrong.

[Narrator/Sergeant Friday]

She made a mistake.

[Sergeant Friday]

She was ready to pay for it. It was either you or the baby. She knew that she decided to give up the baby. Baby's all right now.

[Narrator/Sergeant Friday]

Somebody taking care of her?

[Sergeant Friday]

Yes, sir.

[Narrator/Sergeant Friday]

Baby boy.

[Sergeant Friday]

Where's Marge now? My wife? In the next room. I want to see her. Well, maybe you should wait just a little while. No, it's all right. Just want to tell her something, Marc.

[Mrs. Marjorie Lewis]

Marge. Should I say Walter. Sorry, Dar. There's anyone to say.

[Sergeant Friday]

You don't have to say anything, Marge.

[Mrs. Marjorie Lewis]

You can do what you want. I won't blame you. Got a right to do anything you want. I just want to tell you, Walter, I love you. And I'm sorry, but. It's okay.

[Sergeant Friday]

Sit down, Molly.

[Mrs. Marjorie Lewis]

Come on. I won't blame you, Alden. Anything you do, I won't blame you.

[Sergeant Friday]

It's gonna be all right, honey. Nothing to cry about. Everything will be all right. Try and take it easy, dear. You got a little mistake. I guess I made my shot. Well, I work out. Officer? Yes, sir? Like to ask you a favor. You got a car downstairs? Yeah, sure we do. Wonder if you'd mind dropping us by the hospital. Like to see my son?

[Narrator/Sergeant Friday]

The story you have just heard was true.

[Narrator]

The names were changed to protect the innocent.

[Narrator/Announcer]

On Thursday, August 15, a meeting was held in the District Attorney's office.

[Narrator/Sergeant Friday]

City and county of Los Angeles, State of California.

[Narrator/Announcer]

In a moment, the results of that meeting. At the meeting in the District Attorney's office, it was decided that in the interests of justice, no criminal complaint be filed against Mrs. Marjorie Lewis. The baby was released to the custody of her and her husband.

[Narrator]

Ladies and gentlemen, Betty Mills, Western representative of Radio and Television Mirror magazine.

[Policewoman Betty Stone]

The editors of Radio and Television Mirror are happy to announce that in the annual awards poll conducted by Radio and TV Mirror magazine, American radio listeners from coast to coast have voted Dragnet their favorite program of its type for the second consecutive year. In addition, the nation's radio listeners have voted Jack Webb their favorite dramatic radio actor.

[Narrator/Sergeant Friday]

Thank you very much, Betty.

[Sergeant Friday]

On behalf of our cast, our entire production staff and myself, be sure to

[Narrator]

read the feature story about Jack Webb in the current issue of Radio and Television Mirror magazine. Now, on the newsstands,

[Narrator/Announcer]

You have just heard Dragnet a series of authentic cases from official files. Technical advice comes from the office of Chief of Police W.H. parker, Los Angeles Police Department Technical Advisors, Captain Jack Donahoe, Sergeant Marty Wynn, Sergeant Vance Brazier. Heard tonight were Barney Phillips, Virginia Craig, Harry Bartel, Helen Cleave. Script by Jim Moser. Music by Walter Schumann. Hal Gibney speaking.

[Narrator]

Now it's counter spy on NBC.

[LifeLock Advertiser]

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[Mrs. Marjorie Lewis]

I thought it was safe.

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[Adam Graham]

Welcome back. Well, this one is a favorite of mine. It's a very human episode on a lot of levels. There's of course some small ways, such as having Friday and Jacobs find a hotel room with a big convention in town. That's not necessarily something you would associate that sort of level of service. I do have a sense that working in Juvenile you might have been more familiar with that sort of setup than if you'd worked in other departments. And of course, the case itself comes down to messy human failings and trying to figure out how to deal with it. And again, you see some great compassion from Friday and Jacobs in going beyond the legally required investigation to help tell the husband. And they walked a fine line in doing that. Even in suggesting that he consider things from his wife's point of view, Friday was clear that he knew that this was not really his business. They did try to achieve some level of understanding, and that also might be another reflection of the nature of the work in the Juvenile Division as opposed to other areas within the lapd. The radio version of this episode caused no particular controversy. However, once it aired on television, there were people who felt that the episode was in some way promoting or excusing adultery, which seems to sadly miss the point of what the episode was portraying as the episode made no attempt to excuse immoral behavior, but rather showed a compassionate response in the aftermath for all involved. I think it's actually quite a beautiful story, particularly for series like Dragnet, which can often have some really rough turns. All right, listener comments and feedback now. And we have a comment on Spotify regarding the Big Rose from a random Spotify user. When I find out that the person raising me is capable of murder and getting away with it when a curfew is set, I am home on time every night. Well, as I said on a recent Johnny Dollar episode, there is homicide, but not all homicides are murders by any measure. The whole situation with her sister was very fraught. It was emotionally charged. She alleged that the sister attacked her and she acted in self defense and the court believed her and even if it had been decided that the actions were inappropriate for self defense, I couldn't see her being convicted of murder, at most manslaughter. But then again, if you're a kid thinking about ditching curfew, does that fond distinction actually matter? Then we have a comment from Martin over on our listener survey, who writes with Adam as our host for Old Time Radio. We've discovered so many great programs and stories, a well considered guide to old radio dramas. Well, thank you so much. Appreciate you taking the time to fill that out from over in London, England. Now it's time to thank our Patreon supporter of the day. I want to thank Brenda, patreon supporter since September 2025, currently supporting the podcast at the Psalmist level of $4 or more per month. Thanks so much for your support, Brenda. And that'll do it for today. If you're enjoying the podcast, please follow us using your favorite podcast software. And be sure to rate and review the podcast wherever you download it from. We will be back in two weeks with another episode of Dragnet. Join us for encores next week, but join us back here tomorrow for yours truly, Johnny Dollar. Where Pollock.

[Henry Davidson]

This is Henry Davidson. Pollock. That's it. The widow with a sculpture. That's the one on her. And he lived here in his apartment too. That is before he died. That was back in 56. Left all his money, all his insurance to his wife, though goodness knows why. How did he die? In that big plane crash out over the desert. Don't you remember? Not a single survivor. What, what kind of a man was he? Oh, kept himself, didn't like people much. And his wife okay, I guess. She was a lot younger than him. Spent all his money all the time. He didn't like it. Man like that shouldn't be married. But he must have thought a lot of it'll leave her everything. He just didn't like being married, tied down, let it interfere with his work. So his death got him out of it. And give her some money to spend before she died. But somebody's been paying that money back. Well, now you think maybe she suffered a change of heart? Something like that. You think she realized she never deserved what he left her? Is that what you're thinking? Sure, that might have been a possibility. Except for one thing. The money's still coming in. Oh, hey, is there anybody to whom she might have turned over that insurance? Her give anything to anybody else? Not her. Mr. And you're absolutely sure that she's dead? I carried her in off the street after the car hit her. You don't believe me, ask a doctor. Dr. Jewel Maitland over on Park Avenue. Ask the police. Yeah, maybe I will.

[Adam Graham]

I hope you'll be with us then. In the meantime, send your comments to Box [e-mail] follow us on Twitter at Radio Detectives, and check us out on Instagram. Instagram, Slash. Great. Detectives from Boise, Idaho, this is your host, Adam Graham, signing off.