Dragnet (1954)

When most people think of Dragnet they probably think of the shows iconic 1960's run, but as a commercial property the series dates back to the late 1940's on radio and is periodically resurrected and revised. Creator Jack Webb helmed, both in front and behind the camera, the programs various incarnations until his death in 1982. Subsequent renderings included Dick Wolfs attempted revitalization ten years ago, and a 1987 comic film starting Dan Aykroyd and Tom Hanks that got a mixed reaction from critics and which the straight laced, though certainly not humorless, Webb probably would not have approved (too much smut humor).  It was during the shows initial television run from 1951-1959 that Webb made its first theatrical rendering, 1954's Dragnet (in color).

Like its television counterpart the story portrayed in Dragnet is true (in broad outline) only the names have changed to protect the innocent (and allow Webb the artistic freedom to make  various supporting characters rather odd ball). If only there were more odd-ball characters in this, that's a lot of what made the 60's version so awesome. There are some here, particularly a rather enthusiastic museum employee, but I suppose in keeping with an Eisenhower era ethos this is a more straight forward investigative drama. The crime being invested is a mob hit on a lower level figure who was wacked for skirting the organizations rules, or something like that the story itself wasn't really that interesting (though they do create some sympathy for the victim through the character of his one legged widow).

There was as subplot about a police women (Ann Robisnon) I quite liked, but on the whole the movies nothing special, I'd have rather watched three episodes of the show from the 60's. The only other thing of note I have to say about this movie was it was more violent then I'd expected, the opening sequence features a kind of intense murder, quick and kind of shocking, and Joe Friday hits a guy in questioning, that would earned him disciplinary action in any US police force today, truly a different era. Disappointing. **