Watch Dragnet

Settle in for a thrilling police procedural with "Dragnet", the 1954 film adaptation of the popular radio and television program of the same name. The movie stars Jack Webb as Sergeant Joe Friday, a no-nonsense investigator with the Los Angeles Police Department. When the film opens, Friday and his partner, Officer Frank Smith (played by Ben Alexander), are called to a suburban Los Angeles residence where a teenage girl has been reported missing. The girl's family is frantic, and Friday and Smith immediately start interviewing witnesses and gathering evidence.

Their investigation leads them down a dangerous path, as they uncover a ring of drug dealers and smugglers who have been preying on the youth of the city. The drug dealers are elusive, but Friday and Smith are determined to bring them to justice.

Meanwhile, Friday also finds himself drawn to a young social worker named Grace Downey (played by Ann Robinson). Grace is dedicated to helping the youth of the city and shares Friday's compassion for the victims of the drug trade. As they work together to track down the perpetrators, Friday and Grace find themselves falling in love.

The tension builds as Friday and Smith get closer to cracking the case, but they also find themselves in increasing danger as the drug dealers become aware of their investigation. The film culminates in a thrilling climax as Friday and his team race to apprehend the criminals and save the missing girl.

Webb's performance as Friday is impeccable, and his deadpan delivery of lines like "Just the facts, ma'am" has become legendary. Alexander excels as Friday's loyal partner, and their banter and camaraderie provide much-needed levity in an otherwise tense and serious film.

Richard Boone also gives a standout performance as the film's villain, a suave and dangerous drug kingpin who will stop at nothing to protect his empire. Boone's commanding presence and chilling demeanor create a formidable adversary for Friday and his team.

The film's direction by Jack Webb himself is straightforward and efficient, mirroring Friday's own no-nonsense approach to police work. The script, also written by Webb, is tightly plotted and keeps the pace brisk throughout.

Overall, "Dragnet" is a gripping police thriller that will keep viewers on the edge of their seats. Its portrayal of the dangerous underworld of drugs remains relevant today, making it a timeless classic of the genre.

Dragnet is a 1954 crime movie with a runtime of 1 hour and 28 minutes. It has received mostly positive reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 6.6.