Search - Dragnet on DVD

Just the facts about this Dragnet box set

excellent-literature | NY, NY | 02/25/2008

(5 out of 5 stars)

"To address the previous reviewer's concerns, here is more detailed product info
25 Episodes from 1952-1958, black and white starring Jack Webb
5 DVDs in a collectible tin box. Includes a booklet with a bio of Webb and history of the show. Bonus disc features include a trivia quiz and direct scene access
Episode titles from the back of the box:
The Big Cast
The Big hands
The Big War
The Big Trunk
the Big Break
The Big Phone call
The Big Frame
The Big Frank
The Big False Mate
The Big Little Jesus
The Big Betty
The Big Bar
The Big .22 Rifle for Christmas
The Big Boys
The Big Seventeen
The Big Crime
The Big Girls
The Big Thief
The Big Shoplift
The Big Show
The Big Bird
The Big Hit and Run Killer
The Big September Man
The Big Producer"

A taste of the original.

J. Hoelscher | Texas | 08/15/2008

(5 out of 5 stars)

"This Dragnet set is a compilation of episodes from the original TV show that ran from 1951 to 1959. They entered the public domain due to an oversight in maintaining the copyright and now we have a sample of some of those many episodes which have never been released. The scripts in this series are nearly unmodified radio scripts and the actors were chosen more for their voices and delivery than for their looks. Each story is based on actual events, making the early Dragnet one of the first "reality" shows.

These episodes are much more noir-ish than the later shows that most of us are familiar with. The show is less pessimistic than most film noir, but still gritty and deliberately realistic. Jack Webb is outstanding, showing the passion that was robbed from him after filming hundreds of episodes and seeing his career stagnate into one role. This is a brilliant taste of the original, archetypical cop show, that, as Webb observed, "was as real as a guy pouring a cup of coffee." If you like Dragnet from any era, want to see how it became the much copied and much parodied phenomenon, know how cop shows got started, or just enjoy an outstanding bit of 50s drama, then you should drink a big gulp of Joe Friday and buy this set."

Webb is TERRIFIC

G. Thorson | Maryland United States | 09/28/2008

(5 out of 5 stars)

"We spent this weekend watching all 25 episodes all of which are 50+ years old. There has been NO, digital cleanup & picture quality/sound varies from episode to episode. Some actors & clips are used in multiple episodes in different roles which you will see. Jack Webb is terrific with his acting, dialogue & story lines. The key factor for me is Webb's/Joe Friday is believeable. Friday comes across as the real thing, GREAT! You also get an early performance from future Oscar winner Lee Marvin as a nut killer. Dennis Weaver ("McCloud"), Frances Bavier ("Aunt Bee/Andy Griffith") & a very young Martin Milner ("Adam 12") show up. Nice package job & price make this a good set to have."

Dragnet Boxed Set Review

Judith Gribble | Glendale, CA USA | 12/03/2009

(5 out of 5 stars)

"I was very pleased with the very quick service that I received from the vendor and I will definitely do business again with this vendor. I love the old Dragnet shows. I learned quite a bit from the insert that was in the box about the show itself and the actors especially Jack Webb. This was an excellent and economical purchase and I would recommend it to others."