Dragnet (1954 film)
Dragnet is a 1954 American crime film directed by Jack Webb and written by Richard L. Breen. The film stars Webb, Ben Alexander, Richard Boone, Ann Robinson, Stacy Harris, Virginia Gregg and Vic Perrin. The film was adapted from the radio series of the same name, and is part of the wider Dragnet media franchise. The film was released by Warner Bros. on September 4, 1954.[1][2]
| Dragnet | |
|---|---|
 Theatrical release poster | |
| Directed by | Jack Webb |
| Produced by | Stanley D. Meyer |
| Screenplay by | Richard L. Breen |
| Starring | Jack Webb Ben Alexander Richard Boone Ann Robinson Stacy Harris Virginia Gregg Vic Perrin |
| Music by | Walter Schumann |
| Cinematography | Edward Colman |
| Edited by | Robert M. Leeds |
Production company | |
| Distributed by | Warner Bros. |
Release date |
|
Running time | 88 minutes |
| Country | United States |
| Language | English |
| Budget | $500,000 |
Plot
The film uses the inverted detective story format. Los Angeles police detective Sergeant Joe Friday hunts down the killer of a mobster, Miller Starkie, focusing on West Coast mafia second-in-command Max Troy (played by Harris). The vendetta between Friday and Troy becomes increasingly bitter and personal as the film proceeds, leading to a brawl at a private card game between Friday, Frank Smith, and several of Troy's henchmen. A policewoman (Robinson) infiltrates Troy's nightclub and is able to obtain vital information on the Starkie killing.
Cast
- Jack Webb as Sergeant Joe Friday
- Ben Alexander as Officer Frank Smith
- Richard Boone as Capt. James E. Hamilton
- Ann Robinson as Officer Grace Downey
- Stacy Harris as Max Troy
- Virginia Gregg as Ethel Starkie
- Vic Perrin as Deputy D.A. Adolph Alexander
- Georgia Ellis as Belle Davitt
- James Griffith as Jesse Quinn
- Dick Cathcart as Roy Cleaver
- Malcolm Atterbury as Lee Reinhard
- Willard Sage as Chester Davitt
- Olan Soule as Ray Pinker
- Dennis Weaver as Police Capt. R.A. Lohrman
- Monte Masters as Fabian Gerard
- Herb Vigran as Mr. Archer
- Virginia Christine as Mrs. Caldwell
- Guy Hamilton as Walker Scott
- Ramsay Williams as Wesley Cannon
- Dub Taylor as Miller Starkie (uncredited)
- Harper Goff as Employee, Melrose Bridge Club (uncredited)
- William Boyett as Grand Jury Bailiff (uncredited)
- Ken Osborne as Thief (uncredited)
- Meg Myles as Singer at Talent Office (uncredited)
References
- "Dragnet (1954) - Overview". TCM.com. Retrieved 2015-04-18.
- Crowther, Bosley (August 21, 1954). "Dragnet (1954) Article 1 -- No Title; 'Dragnet' Has Debut at Victoria Theatre". Retrieved 2015-04-18.