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The Wonderful Gildersleeve: Dancing Faculty / Marjorie&#39s Hotrod Boyfriend / Magazine Salesman



Aiding and abetting the periodically frantic daily life in the Gildersleeve home was loved ones cook and housekeeper Birdie Lee Coggins (Lillian Randolph). While in the initial season, beneath author Levinson, Birdie was often portrayed as saliently much less than brilliant, she slowly created as the authentic brains and caretaker of the domestic beneath writers John Whedon, Sam Moore and Andy White. In quite a few of the afterwards episodes Gildersleeve has to accept Birdie’s commonsense strategy to some of his predicaments. By the early 1950s, Birdie was heavily depended on by the rest of the family members in satisfying many of the functions of the household matriarch, no matter if it be providing audio information to an adolescent Leroy or tending Marjorie’s small children.

By the late 1940s, Marjorie gradually matures to a young girl of marrying age. For the duration of the 9th season (September 1949-June 1950) Marjorie fulfills and marries (May well 10) Walter “Bronco” Thompson (Richard Crenna), star football participant at the local higher education. The occasion was common more than enough that Search devoted 5 pages in its Could 23, 1950 concern to the wedding. Following living in the identical domestic for a number of many years with their twin infants Ronnie and Linda, the newlyweds move up coming door to continue to keep the increasing Gildersleeve clan near alongside one another.

Leroy, aged 10–11 through most of the 1940s, is the all-American boy who grudgingly tactics his piano classes, gets lousy report playing cards, fights with his good friends and are not able to remember to not slam the door. Whilst he is faithful to his Uncle Mort, he is always the 1st to deflate his ego with a nicely-placed “Ha!!!” or “What a character!” Commencing in the Spring of 1949, he finds himself in junior superior and is at very last permitted to improve up, establishing interactions with the women in the Bullard house throughout the street. From an awkward adolescent who hangs his head, kicks the ground and giggles anytime Brenda Knickerbocker will come in close proximity to, he transforms himself overnight (November 28, 1951) into a a lot more experienced young guy when Babs Winthrop (both women played by Barbara Whiting) approaches him about researching together. From then on, he branches out with interests in driving, enjoying the drums and dreaming of a musical career.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wonderful_Gildersleeve

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The Terrific Gildersleeve: Flashback: Gildy Meets Leila / Gildy Plays Cyrano / Jolly Boys 4th of July



Aiding and abetting the periodically frantic everyday living in the Gildersleeve household was family cook and housekeeper Birdie Lee Coggins (Lillian Randolph). Whilst in the initially period, beneath writer Levinson, Birdie was usually portrayed as saliently considerably less than vibrant, she bit by bit designed as the actual brains and caretaker of the domestic underneath writers John Whedon, Sam Moore and Andy White. In many of the afterwards episodes Gildersleeve has to admit Birdie’s commonsense approach to some of his predicaments. By the early 1950s, Birdie was intensely depended on by the relaxation of the loved ones in satisfying many of the features of the household matriarch, no matter whether it be providing seem guidance to an adolescent Leroy or tending Marjorie’s children.

By the late 1940s, Marjorie slowly but surely matures to a young woman of marrying age. During the 9th period (September 1949-June 1950) Marjorie fulfills and marries (May perhaps 10) Walter “Bronco” Thompson (Richard Crenna), star soccer player at the area university. The function was well known plenty of that Seem devoted 5 webpages in its May well 23, 1950 problem to the marriage. Immediately after residing in the same household for a couple years with their twin toddlers Ronnie and Linda, the newlyweds transfer following doorway to preserve the expanding Gildersleeve clan shut with each other.

Leroy, aged 10–11 in the course of most of the 1940s, is the all-American boy who grudgingly practices his piano classes, gets terrible report cards, fights with his buddies and simply cannot bear in mind to not slam the door. Though he is faithful to his Uncle Mort, he is usually the initially to deflate his moi with a perfectly-placed “Ha!!!” or “What a character!” Beginning in the Spring of 1949, he finds himself in junior large and is at previous permitted to expand up, setting up relationships with the girls in the Bullard household across the avenue. From an awkward adolescent who hangs his head, kicks the floor and giggles anytime Brenda Knickerbocker will come near, he transforms himself overnight (November 28, 1951) into a more mature youthful guy when Babs Winthrop (both equally girls performed by Barbara Whiting) methods him about researching jointly. From then on, he branches out with interests in driving, enjoying the drums and dreaming of a musical career.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Good_Gildersleeve

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Suspense: 19 Deacon Avenue / A Week Ago Wednesday / The Home in Cypress Canyon



The program’s heyday was in the early 1950s, when radio actor, producer and director Elliott Lewis took around (even now all through the Wilcox/Autolite run). Right here the product reached new stages of sophistication. The producing was taut, and the casting, which experienced constantly been a powerful level of the series (that includes these kinds of movie stars as Orson Welles, Joseph Cotten, Henry Fonda, Humphrey Bogart, Judy Garland, Ronald Colman, Marlene Dietrich, Eve McVeagh, Lena Horne, and Cary Grant), took an unpredicted convert when Lewis expanded the repertory to include things like quite a few of radio’s well-known drama and comedy stars — usually enjoying from sort — this kind of as Jack Benny. Jim and Marian Jordan of Fibber McGee and Molly were heard in the episode, “Backseat Driver,” which originally aired February 3, 1949.

The maximum manufacturing values improved Suspense, and several of the shows keep their electricity to grip and entertain. At the time he took around Suspense, Lewis was acquainted to radio lovers for participating in Frankie Remley, the wastrel guitar-actively playing sidekick to Phil Harris in The Phil Harris-Alice Faye Display. On the May 10, 1951 Suspense, Lewis reversed the roles with “Loss of life on My Hands”: A bandleader (Harris) is horrified when an autograph-seeking supporter accidentally shoots herself and dies in his lodge room, and a vocalist (Faye) attempts to assist him as the townfolk phone for vigilante justice in opposition to him.

With the rise of television and the departures of Lewis and Autolite, subsequent producers (Antony Ellis, William N. Robson and others) struggled to preserve the series irrespective of shrinking budgets, the availability of less name actors, and listenership decrease. To help you save cash, the plan often applied scripts to start with broadcast by one more noteworthy CBS anthology, Escape. In addition to these tales of unique experience, Suspense expanded its repertoire to contain extra science fiction and supernatural content material. By the finish of its run, the collection was remaking scripts from the extensive-canceled program The Mysterious Traveler. A time travel tale like Robert Arthur’s “The Male Who Went Back to Preserve Lincoln” or a thriller about a dying ray-wielding mad scientist would alternate with additional operate-of-the-mill criminal offense dramas.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Suspense_%28radio_drama%29

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Our Overlook Brooks: Exchanging Items / Halloween Get together / Elephant Mascot / The Get together Line



Our Miss Brooks is an American circumstance comedy starring Eve Arden as a sardonic high faculty English instructor. It started as a radio display broadcast from 1948 to 1957. When the demonstrate was adapted to tv (1952–56), it became one of the medium’s earliest hits. In 1956, the sitcom was tailored for significant display in the film of the same identify.

Connie (Constance) Brooks (Eve Arden), an English trainer at fictional Madison Large University.
Osgood Conklin (Gale Gordon), blustery, gruff, crooked and unsympathetic Madison Superior principal, a in close proximity to-continuous agony to his school and students. (Conklin was played by Joseph Forte in the show’s first episode Gordon succeeded him for the relaxation of the series’ run.) From time to time Conklin would rig competitions at the faculty–these as that for promenade queen–so that his daughter Harriet would win.
Walter Denton (Richard Crenna, billed at the time as Dick Crenna), a Madison High student, perfectly-intentioned and clumsy, with a nasally significant, cracking voice, often driving Miss Brooks (his self-professed most loved trainer) to faculty in a damaged-down jalopy. Skip Brooks’ references to her own ordinarily-in-the-shop auto turned 1 of the show’s running gags.
Philip Boynton (Jeff Chandler on radio, billed from time to time below his beginning name Ira Grossel) Robert Rockwell on both radio and tv), Madison Superior biology trainer, the shy and frequently clueless object of Skip Brooks’ affections.
Margaret Davis (Jane Morgan), Skip Brooks’ absentminded landlady, whose two logos are a cat named Minerva, and a penchant for whipping up exotic and normally inedible breakfasts.
Harriet Conklin (Gloria McMillan), Madison Superior student and daughter of principal Conklin. A someday appreciate curiosity for Walter Denton, Harriet was truthful and guileless with none of her father’s malevolence and dishonesty.
Stretch (Fabian) Snodgrass (Leonard Smith), dull-witted Madison High athletic star and Walter’s greatest close friend.
Daisy Enright (Mary Jane Croft), Madison Substantial English teacher, and a scheming experienced and passionate rival to Overlook Brooks.
Jacques Monet (Gerald Mohr), a French instructor.

Our Miss out on Brooks was a hit on radio from the outset in just 8 months of its start as a normal series, the display landed many honors, including 4 for Eve Arden, who gained polls in 4 particular person publications of the time. Arden had actually been the third preference to engage in the title position. Harry Ackerman, West Coast director of programming, desired Shirley Booth for the section, but as he explained to historian Gerald Nachman quite a few decades afterwards, he recognized Booth was way too targeted on the underpaid downside of general public school educating at the time to have exciting with the role.

Lucille Ball was considered to have been the following option, but she was presently committed to My Preferred Partner and didn’t audition. Chairman Invoice Paley, who was helpful with Arden, persuaded her to audition for the component. With a a bit rewritten audition script–Osgood Conklin, for case in point, was initially published as a college board president but was now prepared as the incoming new Madison principal–Arden agreed to give the freshly-revamped display a try.

Developed by Larry Berns and prepared by director Al Lewis, Our Pass up Brooks premiered on July 19, 1948. In accordance to radio critic John Crosby, her strains had been very “feline” in dialogue scenes with principal Conklin and would-be boyfriend Boynton, with sharp, witty comebacks. The interaction between the solid–blustery Conklin, nebbishy Denton, accommodating Harriet, absentminded Mrs. Davis, clueless Boynton, scheming Miss out on Enright–also obtained good opinions.

Arden gained a radio listeners’ poll by Radio Mirror journal as the major rating comedienne of 1948-49, obtaining her award at the finish of an Our Overlook Brooks broadcast that March. “I am unquestionably going to consider in the coming months to advantage the honor you’ve got bestowed on me, since I recognize that if I earn this two decades in a row, I get to keep Mr. Boynton,” she joked. But she was also a hit with the critics a winter 1949 poll of newspaper and magazine radio editors taken by Motion Image Day-to-day named her the year’s best radio comedienne.

For its overall radio daily life, the display was sponsored by Colgate-Palmolive-Peet, endorsing Palmolive soap, Lustre Creme shampoo and Toni hair treatment products. The radio collection ongoing right until 1957, a 12 months following its tv daily life finished.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Our_Miss_Brooks

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The Terrific Gildersleeve: Fishing at Grass Lake / Bronco the Broker / Sadie Hawkins Dance



Premiering on August 31, 1941, The Terrific Gildersleeve moved the title character from the McGees’ Wistful Vista to Summerfield, wherever Gildersleeve now oversaw his late brother-in-law’s estate and took on the rearing of his orphaned niece and nephew, Marjorie (originally performed by Lurene Tuttle and followed by Louise Erickson and Mary Lee Robb) and Leroy Forester (Walter Tetley). The home also bundled a prepare dinner named Birdie. Curiously, while Gildersleeve experienced from time to time spoken of his (in no way-existing) spouse in some Fibber episodes, in his possess sequence the character was a verified bachelor.

In a placing forerunner to such afterwards television hits as Bachelor Father and Relatives Affair, each of which are centered on properly-to-do uncles having in their deceased siblings’ small children, Gildersleeve was a bachelor increasing two little ones although, at first, administering a girdle production corporation (“If you want a much better corset, of program, it’s a Gildersleeve”) and then for the bulk of the show’s operate, serving as Summerfield’s h2o commissioner, between time with the ladies and evenings with the boys. The Excellent Gildersleeve could have been the to start with broadcast display to be centered on a single mother or father balancing boy or girl-rearing, work, and a social daily life, performed with flavor and genuine wit, often at the price of Gildersleeve’s now a little understated pomposity.

Lots of of the first episodes have been co-created by John Whedon, father of Tom Whedon (who wrote The Golden Women), and grandfather of Deadwood scripter Zack Whedon and Joss Whedon (creator of Buffy the Vampire Slayer, Firefly and Dr. Horrible’s Sing-Along Web site).

The critical to the exhibit was Peary, whose booming voice and facility with moans, groans, laughs, shudders and inflection was as shut to entire body language and facial recommendation as a voice could get. Peary was so efficient, and Gildersleeve turned so common a character, that he was referenced and satirized periodically in other comedies and in a several cartoons.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Good_Gildersleeve

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The Wonderful Gildersleeve: The Home Is Offered / The Jolly Boys Club Is Formed / Job Searching



The Excellent Gildersleeve (1941–1957), in the beginning composed by Leonard Lewis Levinson, was one particular of broadcast history’s earliest spin-off courses. Constructed around Throckmorton Philharmonic Gildersleeve, a character who had been a staple on the typical radio predicament comedy Fibber McGee and Molly, very first introduced on Oct. 3, 1939, ep. #216. The Wonderful Gildersleeve loved its biggest achievement in the 1940s. Actor Harold Peary performed the character in the course of its transition from the dad or mum display into the spin-off and later on in a quartet of aspect movies unveiled at the peak of the show’s reputation.

On Fibber McGee and Molly, Peary’s Gildersleeve was a pompous windbag who turned a regular McGee nemesis. “You’re a haa-aa-aa-aard guy, McGee!” grew to become a Gildersleeve catchphrase. The character was provided many conflicting initially names on Fibber McGee and Molly, and on a person episode his middle name was disclosed as Philharmonic. Gildy admits as much at the conclusion of “Gildersleeve’s Diary” on the Fibber McGee and Molly collection (Oct. 22, 1940).

He soon became so well-known that Kraft Foods—looking mostly to market its Parkay margarine distribute — sponsored a new sequence with Peary’s Gildersleeve as the central, a little bit softened and a little bit befuddled target of a energetic new family members.

Premiering on August 31, 1941, The Excellent Gildersleeve moved the title character from the McGees’ Wistful Vista to Summerfield, the place Gildersleeve now oversaw his late brother-in-law’s estate and took on the rearing of his orphaned niece and nephew, Marjorie (at first performed by Lurene Tuttle and followed by Louise Erickson and Mary Lee Robb) and Leroy Forester (Walter Tetley). The house also incorporated a prepare dinner named Birdie. Curiously, although Gildersleeve experienced often spoken of his (in no way-existing) wife in some Fibber episodes, in his possess collection the character was a verified bachelor.

In a putting forerunner to this sort of afterwards television hits as Bachelor Father and Relatives Affair, the two of which are centered on perfectly-to-do uncles using in their deceased siblings’ young children, Gildersleeve was a bachelor elevating two small children although, at very first, administering a girdle production organization (“If you want a much better corset, of course, it truly is a Gildersleeve”) and then for the bulk of the show’s operate, serving as Summerfield’s h2o commissioner, between time with the women and nights with the boys. The Good Gildersleeve may have been the very first broadcast display to be centered on a solitary mother or father balancing youngster-rearing, function, and a social everyday living, performed with taste and real wit, generally at the price of Gildersleeve’s now marginally understated pomposity.

A lot of of the unique episodes had been co-created by John Whedon, father of Tom Whedon (who wrote The Golden Ladies), and grandfather of Deadwood scripter Zack Whedon and Joss Whedon (creator of Buffy the Vampire Slayer, Firefly and Dr. Horrible’s Sing-Together Site).

The vital to the demonstrate was Peary, whose booming voice and facility with moans, groans, laughs, shudders and inflection was as shut to system language and facial suggestion as a voice could get. Peary was so effective, and Gildersleeve turned so common a character, that he was referenced and satirized periodically in other comedies and in a couple of cartoons.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fantastic_Gildersleeve

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The Fantastic Gildersleeve: Marjorie the Actress / Sleigh Trip / Gildy to Run for Mayor



The Wonderful Gildersleeve (1941–1957), originally prepared by Leonard Lewis Levinson, was a single of broadcast history’s earliest spin-off systems. Built around Throckmorton Philharmonic Gildersleeve, a character who experienced been a staple on the classic radio situation comedy Fibber McGee and Molly, first introduced on Oct. 3, 1939, ep. #216. The Wonderful Gildersleeve appreciated its best accomplishment in the 1940s. Actor Harold Peary performed the character for the duration of its transition from the parent present into the spin-off and later on in a quartet of attribute movies released at the peak of the show’s attractiveness.

On Fibber McGee and Molly, Peary’s Gildersleeve was a pompous windbag who turned a regular McGee nemesis. “You happen to be a haa-aa-aa-aard gentleman, McGee!” turned a Gildersleeve catchphrase. The character was presented numerous conflicting first names on Fibber McGee and Molly, and on 1 episode his middle name was exposed as Philharmonic. Gildy admits as much at the end of “Gildersleeve’s Diary” on the Fibber McGee and Molly series (Oct. 22, 1940).

He before long grew to become so well known that Kraft Foods—looking mainly to boost its Parkay margarine unfold — sponsored a new collection with Peary’s Gildersleeve as the central, slightly softened and a little bit befuddled emphasis of a lively new relatives.

Premiering on August 31, 1941, The Excellent Gildersleeve moved the title character from the McGees’ Wistful Vista to Summerfield, the place Gildersleeve now oversaw his late brother-in-law’s estate and took on the rearing of his orphaned niece and nephew, Marjorie (initially played by Lurene Tuttle and adopted by Louise Erickson and Mary Lee Robb) and Leroy Forester (Walter Tetley). The domestic also involved a cook named Birdie. Curiously, though Gildersleeve experienced at times spoken of his (never ever-present) spouse in some Fibber episodes, in his personal series the character was a confirmed bachelor.

In a striking forerunner to such later on tv hits as Bachelor Father and Family Affair, the two of which are centered on properly-to-do uncles getting in their deceased siblings’ young children, Gildersleeve was a bachelor elevating two children even though, at first, administering a girdle producing organization (“If you want a greater corset, of course, it can be a Gildersleeve”) and then for the bulk of the show’s run, serving as Summerfield’s drinking water commissioner, among time with the females and nights with the boys. The Good Gildersleeve could have been the 1st broadcast present to be centered on a single guardian balancing boy or girl-rearing, function, and a social lifetime, performed with flavor and authentic wit, often at the expense of Gildersleeve’s now marginally understated pomposity.

Many of the primary episodes were being co-prepared by John Whedon, father of Tom Whedon (who wrote The Golden Women), and grandfather of Deadwood scripter Zack Whedon and Joss Whedon (creator of Buffy the Vampire Slayer, Firefly and Dr. Horrible’s Sing-Alongside Blog).

The crucial to the exhibit was Peary, whose booming voice and facility with moans, groans, laughs, shudders and inflection was as near to system language and facial recommendation as a voice could get. Peary was so effective, and Gildersleeve became so familiar a character, that he was referenced and satirized periodically in other comedies and in a several cartoons.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Good_Gildersleeve

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The Great Gildersleeve: Marjorie's Boy Troubles / Meet Craig Bullard / Investing a Windfall



The Great Gildersleeve (1941–1957), initially written by Leonard Lewis Levinson, was one of broadcast history’s earliest spin-off programs. Built around Throckmorton Philharmonic Gildersleeve, a character who had been a staple on the classic radio situation comedy Fibber McGee and Molly, first introduced on Oct. 3, 1939, ep. #216. The Great Gildersleeve enjoyed its greatest success in the 1940s. Actor Harold Peary played the character during its transition from the parent show into the spin-off and later in a quartet of feature films released at the height of the show’s popularity.

On Fibber McGee and Molly, Peary’s Gildersleeve was a pompous windbag who became a consistent McGee nemesis. “You’re a haa-aa-aa-aard man, McGee!” became a Gildersleeve catchphrase. The character was given several conflicting first names on Fibber McGee and Molly, and on one episode his middle name was revealed as Philharmonic. Gildy admits as much at the end of “Gildersleeve’s Diary” on the Fibber McGee and Molly series (Oct. 22, 1940).

He soon became so popular that Kraft Foods—looking primarily to promote its Parkay margarine spread — sponsored a new series with Peary’s Gildersleeve as the central, slightly softened and slightly befuddled focus of a lively new family.

Premiering on August 31, 1941, The Great Gildersleeve moved the title character from the McGees’ Wistful Vista to Summerfield, where Gildersleeve now oversaw his late brother-in-law’s estate and took on the rearing of his orphaned niece and nephew, Marjorie (originally played by Lurene Tuttle and followed by Louise Erickson and Mary Lee Robb) and Leroy Forester (Walter Tetley). The household also included a cook named Birdie. Curiously, while Gildersleeve had occasionally spoken of his (never-present) wife in some Fibber episodes, in his own series the character was a confirmed bachelor.

In a striking forerunner to such later television hits as Bachelor Father and Family Affair, both of which are centered on well-to-do uncles taking in their deceased siblings’ children, Gildersleeve was a bachelor raising two children while, at first, administering a girdle manufacturing company (“If you want a better corset, of course, it’s a Gildersleeve”) and then for the bulk of the show’s run, serving as Summerfield’s water commissioner, between time with the ladies and nights with the boys. The Great Gildersleeve may have been the first broadcast show to be centered on a single parent balancing child-rearing, work, and a social life, done with taste and genuine wit, often at the expense of Gildersleeve’s now slightly understated pomposity.

Many of the original episodes were co-written by John Whedon, father of Tom Whedon (who wrote The Golden Girls), and grandfather of Deadwood scripter Zack Whedon and Joss Whedon (creator of Buffy the Vampire Slayer, Firefly and Dr. Horrible’s Sing-Along Blog).

The key to the show was Peary, whose booming voice and facility with moans, groans, laughs, shudders and inflection was as close to body language and facial suggestion as a voice could get. Peary was so effective, and Gildersleeve became so familiar a character, that he was referenced and satirized periodically in other comedies and in a few cartoons.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Great_Gildersleeve

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Calling All Cars: Swing Low Sweet Chariot / The Tilted Pan / Trail of the Numbered Bills



The radio show Calling All Cars hired LAPD radio dispacher Jesse Rosenquist to be the voice of the dispatcher. Rosenquist was already famous because home radios could tune into early police radio frequencies. As the first police radio dispatcher presented to the public ear, his was the voice that actors went to when called upon for a radio dispatcher role.

The iconic television series Dragnet, with LAPD Detective Joe Friday as the primary character, was the first major media representation of the department. Real LAPD operations inspired Jack Webb to create the series and close cooperation with department officers let him make it as realistic as possible, including authentic police equipment and sound recording on-site at the police station.

Due to Dragnet’s popularity, LAPD Chief Parker “became, after J. Edgar Hoover, the most well known and respected law enforcement official in the nation”. In the 1960s, when the LAPD under Chief Thomas Reddin expanded its community relations division and began efforts to reach out to the African-American community, Dragnet followed suit with more emphasis on internal affairs and community policing than solving crimes, the show’s previous mainstay.

Several prominent representations of the LAPD and its officers in television and film include Adam-12, Blue Streak, Blue Thunder, Boomtown, The Closer, Colors, Crash, Columbo, Dark Blue, Die Hard, End of Watch, Heat, Hollywood Homicide, Hunter, Internal Affairs, Jackie Brown, L.A. Confidential, Lakeview Terrace, Law & Order: Los Angeles, Life, Numb3rs, The Shield, Southland, Speed, Street Kings, SWAT, Training Day and the Lethal Weapon, Rush Hour and Terminator film series. The LAPD is also featured in the video games Midnight Club II, Midnight Club: Los Angeles, L.A. Noire and Call of Juarez: The Cartel.

The LAPD has also been the subject of numerous novels. Elizabeth Linington used the department as her backdrop in three different series written under three different names, perhaps the most popular being those novel featuring Det. Lt. Luis Mendoza, who was introduced in the Edgar-nominated Case Pending. Joseph Wambaugh, the son of a Pittsburgh policeman, spent fourteen years in the department, using his background to write novels with authentic fictional depictions of life in the LAPD. Wambaugh also created the Emmy-winning TV anthology series Police Story. Wambaugh was also a major influence on James Ellroy, who wrote several novels about the Department set during the 1940s and 1950s, the most famous of which are probably The Black Dahlia, fictionalizing the LAPD’s most famous “cold case”, and L.A. Confidential, which was made into a film of the same name. Both the novel and the film chronicled mass-murder and corruption inside and outside the force during the Parker era. Critic Roger Ebert indicates that the film’s characters (from the 1950s) “represent the choices ahead for the LAPD”: assisting Hollywood limelight, aggressive policing with relaxed ethics, and a “straight arrow” approach.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/LAPD

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Dragnet: Homicide / The Werewolf / Homicide



Dragnet is a radio and television crime drama about the cases of a dedicated Los Angeles police detective, Sergeant Joe Friday, and his partners. The show takes its name from an actual police term, a “dragnet”, meaning a system of coordinated measures for apprehending criminals or suspects.

Dragnet debuted inauspiciously. The first several months were bumpy, as Webb and company worked out the program’s format and eventually became comfortable with their characters (Friday was originally portrayed as more brash and forceful than his later usually relaxed demeanor). Gradually, Friday’s deadpan, fast-talking persona emerged, described by John Dunning as “a cop’s cop, tough but not hard, conservative but caring.” (Dunning, 210) Friday’s first partner was Sergeant Ben Romero, portrayed by Barton Yarborough, a longtime radio actor. After Yarborough’s death in 1951 (and therefore Romero’s, who also died of a heart attack, as acknowledged on the December 27, 1951 episode “The Big Sorrow”), Friday was partnered with Sergeant Ed Jacobs (December 27, 1951 – April 10, 1952, subsequently transferred to the Police Academy as an instructor), played by Barney Phillips; Officer Bill Lockwood (Ben Romero’s nephew, April 17, 1952 – May 8, 1952), played by Martin Milner (with Ken Peters taking the role for the June 12, 1952 episode “The Big Donation”); and finally Frank Smith, played first by Herb Ellis (1952), then Ben Alexander (September 21, 1952-1959). Raymond Burr was on board to play the Chief of Detectives. When Dragnet hit its stride, it became one of radio’s top-rated shows.
Webb insisted on realism in every aspect of the show. The dialogue was clipped, understated and sparse, influenced by the hardboiled school of crime fiction. Scripts were fast moving but didn’t seem rushed. Every aspect of police work was chronicled, step by step: From patrols and paperwork, to crime scene investigation, lab work and questioning witnesses or suspects. The detectives’ personal lives were mentioned but rarely took center stage. (Friday was a bachelor who lived with his mother; Romero, a Mexican-American from Texas, was an ever fretful husband and father.) “Underplaying is still acting”, Webb told Time. “We try to make it as real as a guy pouring a cup of coffee.” (Dunning, 209) Los Angeles police chiefs C.B. Horrall, William A. Worton, and (later) William H. Parker were credited as consultants, and many police officers were fans.

Most of the later episodes were entitled “The Big _____”, where the key word denoted a person or thing in the plot. In numerous episodes, this would the principal suspect, victim, or physical target of the crime, but in others was often a seemingly inconsequential detail eventually revealed to be key evidence in solving the crime. For example, in “The Big Streetcar” the background noise of a passing streetcar helps to establish the location of a phone booth used by the suspect.

Throughout the series’ radio years, one can find interesting glimpses of pre-renewal Downtown L.A., still full of working class residents and the cheap bars, cafes, hotels and boarding houses which served them. At the climax of the early episode “James Vickers”, the chase leads to the Subway Terminal Building, where the robber flees into one of the tunnels only to be killed by an oncoming train. Meanwhile, by contrast, in other episodes set in outlying areas, it is clear that the locations in question are far less built up than they are today. Today, the Imperial Highway, extending 40 miles east from El Segundo to Anaheim, is a heavily used boulevard lined almost entirely with low-rise commercial development. In an early Dragnet episode scenes along the Highway, at “the road to San Pedro”, clearly indicate that it still retained much the character of a country highway at that time.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dragnet_(series)

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