Ep 5. The Big Cast

The Big Cast is the fifth episode of the first season of the classic police procedural drama, Dragnet. This episode originally aired on February 10, 1952, and was directed by Jack Webb, who also starred as the show’s main character, Sergeant Joe Friday.

The episode starts with Joe and his partner, Officer Ben Romero, getting a call about a jewelry store robbery. When they arrive at the scene, they talk to the store owner, who tells them that he was attacked by two men, who made away with his entire stock of jewelry, worth over $10,000.

Joe and Ben start their investigation by interviewing witnesses and potential suspects. One of the witnesses tells them that he saw a gray car parked near the jewelry store around the time of the robbery. Joe and Ben track down the car and find out that it was stolen a few days earlier. They also discover that the car was used in another robbery in a neighboring town.

As they gather more information, Joe and Ben start to piece together the identity of the two robbers. They find out that one of the robbers, George Lasky, is an ex-convict who is known to the police. The other robber is identified as Lasky’s brother-in-law, Roy Martin.

Joe and Ben track down Lasky’s girlfriend, who tells them that he and Martin are planning to leave town. Joe and Ben race against time to catch the robbers before they make a run for it. They eventually find Lasky and Martin hiding out in an abandoned building and arrest them.

The rest of the episode focuses on the trial of Lasky and Martin. Joe and Ben testify in court, and the prosecution presents evidence of the stolen jewelry and the stolen car. Lasky and Martin’s defense lawyer tries to poke holes in the prosecution’s case, but ultimately, the two men are found guilty and sentenced to prison.

The episode ends with Joe and Ben reflecting on their work as police officers. They discuss the importance of upholding the law and bringing criminals to justice, and the satisfaction that comes from knowing that they’ve made the city a safer place.

The Big Cast is a classic episode of Dragnet that showcases the show’s trademark attention to detail and emphasis on police work. The episode highlights Joe and Ben’s investigative skills, as well as their commitment to ensuring that justice is served. It also touches on themes of crime and punishment, and the importance of the justice system in maintaining law and order. Overall, this is a must-watch episode for fans of classic police dramas.