Dranet (1951 - 1959)
"The story you are about to see is true." Dragnet was based on an early 1949 radio show called of the same name. It starred Jack Webb as Sgt. Joe Friday, a dedicated cop whose life seemed void of any interests other than being in law enforcement. He coined the phrase, "just the facts ma'am" which made him appear polite even though a little overzealous at times. "We were working the day watch" and other catch phrases - so popular as to inspire much parody - set the realistic tone of this early police drama. The show emphasized careful police work and the interweaving of policemen's professional and personal lives. A timeless classic - always entertaining.