WEBVTT 00:00.000 --> 00:12.160 Ladies and gentlemen, the story you are about to hear is true. 00:12.160 --> 00:14.880 The names have been changed to protect the innocent. 00:14.880 --> 00:17.160 Drag men. 00:17.160 --> 00:22.480 You're a detective sergeant. 00:22.480 --> 00:27.120 You're assigned the forgery detail. 00:27.120 --> 00:31.720 For the past several months, a man posing as an actor has been passing worthless checks 00:31.720 --> 00:32.720 in your city. 00:32.720 --> 00:36.600 You've got a description of the suspect, but no lead to his whereabouts. 00:36.600 --> 00:40.600 Your job, get him. 00:40.600 --> 00:44.800 Drag men. 00:44.800 --> 00:46.960 The documented drama of an actual crime. 00:46.960 --> 00:51.920 For the next 30 minutes, in cooperation with the Los Angeles Police Department, you will 00:51.920 --> 00:56.320 travel step by step on the side of the law to an actual case transcribed from official 00:56.320 --> 00:57.320 police violence. 00:57.320 --> 01:03.040 From beginning to end, from crime to punishment, Dragnet is the story of your police force 01:03.040 --> 01:04.040 in action. 01:04.040 --> 01:05.040 It was Tuesday, January 10th. 01:05.040 --> 01:06.040 It was foggy in Los Angeles. 01:06.040 --> 01:07.040 We were working the day watch out a forgery division. 01:07.040 --> 01:08.040 My partner is Frank Smith. 01:08.040 --> 01:09.040 The boss is Captain Wells. 01:09.040 --> 01:10.040 My name is Friday. 01:10.040 --> 01:11.040 I was on my way back to the office from a cup of coffee. 01:11.040 --> 01:12.040 It was 412 p.m. when I got to forgery. 01:12.040 --> 01:13.040 The squadron... 01:13.040 --> 01:14.040 I told her to report it herself. 01:14.040 --> 01:15.040 Told her it was her duty as a citizen. 01:15.040 --> 01:16.040 It is her duty, isn't it? 01:16.040 --> 01:17.040 Yes, ma'am. 01:17.040 --> 01:18.040 Hi, Joe. 01:18.040 --> 01:19.040 I'm a police officer. 01:19.040 --> 01:20.040 I'm a police officer. 01:20.040 --> 01:21.040 I'm a police officer. 01:21.040 --> 01:22.040 I'm a police officer. 01:22.040 --> 01:23.040 I'm a police officer. 01:23.040 --> 01:24.040 I'm a police officer. 01:24.040 --> 01:27.040 I got a call from one of the officers. 01:27.040 --> 01:28.040 He said it is a duty, isn't it? 01:28.040 --> 01:29.040 Yes, ma'am. 01:29.040 --> 01:30.040 Hi, Joe. 01:30.040 --> 01:31.040 Hi. 01:31.040 --> 01:32.040 Mrs. Neskitt, this is my partner, Sergeant Friday. 01:32.040 --> 01:33.040 Mrs. Neskitt? 01:33.040 --> 01:34.040 Yes, Sergeant. 01:34.040 --> 01:35.040 Seems Mrs. Neskitt's mother got stuck with a bum check, Joe. 01:35.040 --> 01:36.040 She's a landlady out on Westman. 01:36.040 --> 01:37.040 Well, not a landlady, exactly. 01:37.040 --> 01:38.040 Only rents a couple of rooms, more for company than anything. 01:38.040 --> 01:39.040 Dad left a plane to get by on. 01:39.040 --> 01:40.040 Yes, ma'am. 01:40.040 --> 01:41.040 And we can help her out if it was necessary. 01:41.040 --> 01:42.040 Dick and me. 01:42.040 --> 01:43.040 Dick's my husband. 01:43.040 --> 01:44.040 We can help her out. 01:44.040 --> 01:49.520 So far, she's managed pretty well by herself, but if she pulls any more fool stunts like 01:49.520 --> 01:54.760 like this. Sony has a three dollar bill, see right there? No such account, big as lies, 01:54.760 --> 01:59.760 stamped all over it. I just don't understand her, I just don't understand her at all. 01:59.760 --> 02:02.960 Well, anybody can take a bad check on this nascot no matter how careful they are. Even 02:02.960 --> 02:06.560 with good identification you can be fooled. When they do they report it, don't they? 02:06.560 --> 02:11.000 Well, yes ma'am, usually. Look at the date. Way last December, over a month ago. 02:11.000 --> 02:15.600 Yeah. Over a month ago and she hasn't done a thing about it. Didn't intend to either. 02:15.600 --> 02:18.400 Didn't even want me to know. Good thing I started early this year. 02:18.400 --> 02:21.040 Early ma'am? When I'm in some tax. How I found out about 02:21.040 --> 02:22.040 the check. Oh. 02:22.040 --> 02:26.320 I used to work in a tax office so I always make out mother's returns. If I didn't do 02:26.320 --> 02:31.200 it I don't know who could. Doesn't keep any records. Just stubs and a few bills. Well, 02:31.200 --> 02:35.440 someday they'll audit her and she'll find out. Well why didn't your mother report this 02:35.440 --> 02:40.000 check herself, you know? You tell me. The man had an honest face. That's about all I 02:40.000 --> 02:42.200 can get out of her. How'd she happen to take it? 02:42.200 --> 02:45.440 It was supposed to be for his first month's rent. Well, and she's not out of any cash. 02:45.440 --> 02:51.560 Sure she's out cash. Twenty dollars. That's what she's out. He made the check for seventy. 02:51.560 --> 02:56.200 A month's rent's only fifty. Not a lot of money but twenty dollars is twenty dollars. 02:56.200 --> 02:59.080 That's better. And it's a principal too. Yeah. 02:59.080 --> 03:01.520 An actor or something like that. Ma'am. 03:01.520 --> 03:06.160 The fellow gave it to her. Mother says she remembered his name from the movies. That's 03:06.160 --> 03:10.360 how she happened to take the check. I don't see why she'd trust an actor anymore than 03:10.360 --> 03:13.760 she would somebody else. Can I see that please? 03:13.760 --> 03:17.880 Parker Allington. You ever hear of him Joe? 03:17.880 --> 03:19.880 Allington? Uh huh. 03:19.880 --> 03:23.560 Well I think it sounds familiar. He was in pictures when I was a kid I believe. 03:23.560 --> 03:26.320 Oh. As I remember I never carried much for him 03:26.320 --> 03:28.400 well. If it's the same guy in the parts he played. 03:28.400 --> 03:29.880 What do you mean? Heavies. 03:29.880 --> 03:38.640 We ran the name Parker Allington through R&I and we turned up one package listing a drunk 03:38.640 --> 03:43.680 arrest in 1935. We called the Screen Actors Guild to see if they could help locate him. 03:43.680 --> 03:47.160 They said they'd check and they asked us to call back in an hour. 03:47.160 --> 03:50.600 4.30 p.m. We left the office and drove out to the Western Avenue address Mrs. Neskett 03:50.600 --> 04:00.960 had given us. It was a two story spanny stucco with a rooms for rent sign in the front window. 04:00.960 --> 04:03.960 Somebody's coming. Yes. 04:03.960 --> 04:05.960 Miss Grimm? Yes. 04:05.960 --> 04:08.960 We're police officers. This is Frank Smith. My name's Friday. 04:08.960 --> 04:10.960 Police officers? That's right ma'am. 04:10.960 --> 04:12.960 Anita. May I pardon? 04:12.960 --> 04:15.960 I'm not your daughter Anita. She sent you. Yes ma'am. 04:15.960 --> 04:19.960 I told her not to. She never does anything I tell her. Never has. 04:19.960 --> 04:22.960 You all right if we come in? Living room's a mess. 04:22.960 --> 04:26.960 Don't worry about it ma'am. I was just putting away the ornaments from the tree. 04:26.960 --> 04:29.960 It was raining last week when I took it down and I couldn't get out to the garage. 04:29.960 --> 04:33.960 Yes ma'am. I won't press any charges. 04:33.960 --> 04:38.960 Well that's up to you. I'm not against that poor man I won't. 04:38.960 --> 04:41.960 And you can't force me to press charges. No ma'am. 04:41.960 --> 04:43.960 What would you tell us about the check? 04:43.960 --> 04:47.960 There isn't much to tell. Your daughter says this man Allington gave it to you for rent. 04:47.960 --> 04:51.960 Here. Get that box out of the way so you'll have some place to sit. 04:51.960 --> 04:53.960 I'll take care of it ma'am. All right I'll put it here. 04:53.960 --> 04:56.960 Yes yes fine thanks. 04:56.960 --> 04:59.960 A check with for rent is that right? That's right. 04:59.960 --> 05:02.960 When did you take it? Last month sometime. 05:02.960 --> 05:04.960 A week or so before Christmas. 05:04.960 --> 05:06.960 The date's on it isn't it? December 9th. 05:06.960 --> 05:08.960 That's what it says. 05:08.960 --> 05:10.960 Have you ever seen Allington before? You ever met up with him? 05:10.960 --> 05:13.960 Not in person. I may have seen him in pictures. 05:13.960 --> 05:16.960 He said he'd been in a lot of pictures. He seemed familiar. 05:16.960 --> 05:18.960 Well ma'am how'd he happen to come here to rent a room? 05:18.960 --> 05:20.960 We saw the sign out in front of the window. 05:20.960 --> 05:24.960 He was living in a hotel downtown and was out with well-wished friends. 05:24.960 --> 05:26.960 Did he mention the name of the hotel? 05:26.960 --> 05:28.960 No. I don't think so. 05:28.960 --> 05:30.960 What about the people he was visiting? 05:30.960 --> 05:32.960 What about them? Well did he tell you who they were? 05:32.960 --> 05:37.960 If he may have. I couldn't say for sure. Not now. 05:37.960 --> 05:39.960 You said he saw the sign. In the window. 05:39.960 --> 05:40.960 Yes ma'am. 05:40.960 --> 05:43.960 He came in and asked about the room but was still for rent. 05:43.960 --> 05:46.960 I showed it to him. Upstairs in front. It was a real nice view. 05:46.960 --> 05:47.960 Did he agree to take it to the... 05:47.960 --> 05:49.960 Straight off. Straight off. 05:49.960 --> 05:54.960 Said he used to live in a house something like this when he first came to California years ago when his wife was alive. 05:54.960 --> 05:58.960 Sort of reminded him of better times. That's how I put it. 05:58.960 --> 06:00.960 And he gave you this check for the first month rent? 06:00.960 --> 06:02.960 Yes. 06:02.960 --> 06:07.960 I suppose Anita already told you. He made it out for twenty dollars extra. 06:07.960 --> 06:09.960 Why was that? 06:09.960 --> 06:12.960 Well he needed some cash money to hire a cab and move his things out here. 06:12.960 --> 06:14.960 And you gave him the cash? 06:14.960 --> 06:16.960 Twenty dollars. I couldn't turn him down. 06:16.960 --> 06:18.960 Why not? 06:18.960 --> 06:22.960 Well it just seemed honest that's all. You can tell when a person's honest. 06:22.960 --> 06:23.960 Yeah sometimes. 06:23.960 --> 06:28.960 And he was so anxious to get the room. He wanted to be all moved in in time for the holidays. 06:28.960 --> 06:32.960 He wanted to be with people I suppose. I felt sorry for him. 06:32.960 --> 06:34.960 Did you ask for any identification? 06:34.960 --> 06:37.960 No there wasn't any reason. I recognized his name. 06:37.960 --> 06:39.960 Said he was going to be living here. 06:39.960 --> 06:42.960 If there wasn't anything wrong with his check he'd be around to make it right. 06:42.960 --> 06:44.960 And you never heard from him again? 06:44.960 --> 06:46.960 Now that doesn't mean he was trying to cheat me. 06:46.960 --> 06:48.960 Well it looks that way ma'am. 06:48.960 --> 06:52.960 Now you folks are policemen. It's your job to suspect people of being crooked and I don't blame you. It's your job. 06:52.960 --> 06:54.960 Yes ma'am. 06:54.960 --> 06:55.960 Twenty dollars? 06:55.960 --> 06:56.960 Ma'am. 06:56.960 --> 07:01.960 Twenty dollars. Is that reason to throw a man like Mr. Ellington in jail? 07:01.960 --> 07:03.960 Well it might be more than twenty dollars. 07:03.960 --> 07:05.960 You like him don't you believe me? 07:05.960 --> 07:08.960 Yes ma'am but this man has passed quite a few checks. 07:08.960 --> 07:12.960 I told you before I won't press charges. 07:12.960 --> 07:14.960 Yes ma'am you told us. 07:14.960 --> 07:17.960 You don't understand. He didn't mean any harm. 07:17.960 --> 07:19.960 Are you sure about that Mrs. Crimp? 07:19.960 --> 07:21.960 I'm a pretty good judge of human nature. I ought to be by now. 07:21.960 --> 07:22.960 Yes ma'am. 07:22.960 --> 07:25.960 He's had lots of trouble. He's challenged him. 07:25.960 --> 07:27.960 Lots of trouble. 07:27.960 --> 07:32.960 An actor like him probably pulled down a fancy salary and never had any worries. 07:32.960 --> 07:38.960 Now it's all gone. All his money, his wife, everything. 07:38.960 --> 07:42.960 If he'd never been rich it wouldn't be so hard. You don't miss something you've never had. 07:42.960 --> 07:45.960 If you're finished with me I'd like to get on with my housework. 07:45.960 --> 07:46.960 What if we use your phone? 07:46.960 --> 07:47.960 It's in the hall I'll show you. 07:47.960 --> 07:49.960 That's all right. I'll find it. Thank you. 07:49.960 --> 07:51.960 You know I didn't mean any offense Mrs. Crimp. 07:51.960 --> 07:53.960 Oh I suppose it's just your job. 07:53.960 --> 07:55.960 There's some cookies there while you're waiting. 07:55.960 --> 07:56.960 I'd like to but not. 07:56.960 --> 07:57.960 They're homemade. 07:57.960 --> 07:59.960 They look very good. 07:59.960 --> 08:04.960 I'll go. 08:04.960 --> 08:10.960 Miss Breckhardt please. I'll wait if you don't mind. Thank you. 08:10.960 --> 08:12.960 Hello Miss Breckhardt. This is Sergeant Friday. 08:12.960 --> 08:15.960 I spoke to you a little while ago about Parker Allington. 08:15.960 --> 08:19.960 Yeah that's right. You asked me to call back. 08:19.960 --> 08:22.960 Uh huh. When was that? 08:22.960 --> 08:25.960 Oh I see. 08:25.960 --> 08:27.960 Yes it certainly does. You bet. 08:27.960 --> 08:29.960 Thank you very much. Bye. 08:29.960 --> 08:33.960 I remember this guy when I was a kid. 08:33.960 --> 08:35.960 My mom used to make him a Christmas cake. 08:35.960 --> 08:37.960 Well maybe you'd like to take a few home with you. 08:37.960 --> 08:38.960 I've got plenty extra. 08:38.960 --> 08:39.960 Well thanks anyway. 08:39.960 --> 08:42.960 They wouldn't let me inside the front door if I showed up with an armload of cookies. 08:42.960 --> 08:43.960 You ready Joe? 08:43.960 --> 08:45.960 Yeah. Would like you to come with us Miss Crimp. 08:45.960 --> 08:48.960 Me? What are they for? 08:48.960 --> 08:50.960 I want to see if you can identify the man who gave you that check. 08:50.960 --> 08:51.960 You mean you've already arrested him? 08:51.960 --> 08:52.960 No ma'am. 08:52.960 --> 08:53.960 Well I don't understand. 08:53.960 --> 08:55.960 Well we want to show you some mug shots and photographs. 08:55.960 --> 08:57.960 You want me to pick out Mr. Allington's pictures? 08:57.960 --> 08:58.960 If you can. 08:58.960 --> 09:00.960 Now that's silly. You don't need me for that. 09:00.960 --> 09:02.960 The studios must have pictures of him. 09:02.960 --> 09:04.960 The news baby. Why that sounds like silly. 09:04.960 --> 09:06.960 It wasn't Allington ma'am. 09:06.960 --> 09:07.960 What? 09:07.960 --> 09:08.960 The fellow who passed that check. 09:08.960 --> 09:09.960 What'd you find out? 09:09.960 --> 09:11.960 Allington died three years ago. 09:11.960 --> 09:21.960 Miss Breckhardt at the Screen Actors Guild had checked with a motion picture relief home. 09:21.960 --> 09:27.960 They reported that Allington had lived there from 1949 until a heart attack caused his death several years later. 09:27.960 --> 09:31.960 We managed to convince Mrs. Crimp that she'd been taken by a professional swimmer. 09:31.960 --> 09:35.960 South City Hall we showed her mug shots of known bad check artists. 09:35.960 --> 09:37.960 No that's not him. 09:37.960 --> 09:38.960 Oh how about this one? 09:38.960 --> 09:41.960 I don't think so. I'm pretty sure not. 09:41.960 --> 09:43.960 That's not him either. He's older. 09:43.960 --> 09:45.960 Well the picture might be out of date. 09:45.960 --> 09:46.960 Even so. 09:46.960 --> 09:52.960 Well that's it. Miss Crimp. Could you describe him for us? 09:52.960 --> 09:56.960 Well he was medium sized. Little taller than you are maybe. 09:56.960 --> 09:58.960 How old would you say he was? 09:58.960 --> 10:00.960 About my... any sixty. 10:00.960 --> 10:01.960 Gray hair? 10:01.960 --> 10:02.960 That's right. 10:02.960 --> 10:03.960 Any marks or scars? 10:03.960 --> 10:04.960 No not that I noticed. 10:04.960 --> 10:05.960 How about his eyes? 10:05.960 --> 10:07.960 What color were his eyes? 10:07.960 --> 10:10.960 Well I couldn't say. He was only there for a few minutes. 10:10.960 --> 10:11.960 That's very well understood. 10:11.960 --> 10:16.960 He just seemed like an average man. For his age. Gentleman. Nice looking. Sort of distinguished. 10:16.960 --> 10:17.960 Anything else about him? 10:17.960 --> 10:20.960 No. Except for his expression. 10:20.960 --> 10:21.960 What do you mean? 10:21.960 --> 10:25.960 He was kind of sad. Unhappy. Like he'd been through a lot. 10:25.960 --> 10:27.960 I guess that won't help you though. 10:27.960 --> 10:28.960 Good night. 10:28.960 --> 10:29.960 Is that all? 10:29.960 --> 10:31.960 Yes ma'am. We'll take you home now. 10:31.960 --> 10:33.960 Uh... Officer. 10:33.960 --> 10:34.960 Yes ma'am. 10:34.960 --> 10:36.960 Would you mind doing me a favor? I'd appreciate it. 10:36.960 --> 10:37.960 What is it Miss Crimp? 10:37.960 --> 10:41.960 Don't tell my daughter about all this. I mean that it wasn't Mr. Allinson. 10:41.960 --> 10:43.960 That I let somebody trick me. 10:43.960 --> 10:46.960 She'd say it proves that I'm not able to take care of myself. 10:46.960 --> 10:48.960 I've never hear the end of it. 10:48.960 --> 10:50.960 She treats me like a child as it is. 10:50.960 --> 10:52.960 Now you don't have to tell her do you? 10:52.960 --> 10:53.960 No ma'am. 10:53.960 --> 10:54.960 I'd sure appreciate it. 10:54.960 --> 10:57.960 Not that she doesn't have my best interest at heart, but... 10:57.960 --> 11:00.960 Nobody likes to be criticized all the time. 11:00.960 --> 11:02.960 Especially by their own flesh and blood. 11:02.960 --> 11:04.960 You got any children Sergeant? 11:04.960 --> 11:05.960 No ma'am. 11:05.960 --> 11:07.960 Well then you don't understand how I feel. 11:07.960 --> 11:08.960 Yes ma'am. Maybe I do. 11:08.960 --> 11:10.960 You couldn't. 11:20.960 --> 11:23.960 We drove Miss Crimp to her home and then we checked out for the night. 11:23.960 --> 11:30.960 By the end of the week two more landlady's in the western avenue area had reported receiving bad checks for a man who claimed to be Parker Allington. 11:30.960 --> 11:34.960 Their stories tallied almost word for word with what Miss Crimp had told us. 11:34.960 --> 11:36.960 January 13th, 445 p.m. 11:36.960 --> 11:40.960 Frank and I checked back into the office after an interview with one of the victims. 11:40.960 --> 11:43.960 You'd think that guy would wise up. 11:43.960 --> 11:47.960 Can't go on using a dead actor's name forever. Somebody's gonna catch on. 11:47.960 --> 11:48.960 Well they haven't so far. 11:48.960 --> 11:50.960 Sooner or later. 11:50.960 --> 11:52.960 I thought you were on a diet. 11:52.960 --> 11:53.960 Huh? 11:53.960 --> 11:54.960 I thought you were on a diet. 11:54.960 --> 11:56.960 Well Joe I gotta keep up the strength. 11:56.960 --> 11:57.960 Yes. 11:57.960 --> 11:59.960 Person needs a certain amount of sugar here. 11:59.960 --> 12:01.960 It's not so high on calories. 12:01.960 --> 12:06.960 I read an article the other day. Teaspoon full of sugar, only 35 calories. 12:06.960 --> 12:08.960 You lost any weight yet? 12:08.960 --> 12:10.960 All on my own. 12:10.960 --> 12:11.960 You haven't lost any though. 12:11.960 --> 12:14.960 No. I don't want to get thin Joe. 12:14.960 --> 12:16.960 Just sort of watching it that's all. 12:16.960 --> 12:18.960 Mm-hmm. 12:20.960 --> 12:21.960 Audrey Friday. 12:21.960 --> 12:23.960 Yes ma'am this is the right extension. 12:23.960 --> 12:26.960 Could you speak up a little please I can't hear you. 12:26.960 --> 12:28.960 Now just a minute. 12:28.960 --> 12:30.960 All right go ahead please. 12:30.960 --> 12:32.960 That's 2238. 12:32.960 --> 12:34.960 Yes ma'am I have it. 12:34.960 --> 12:36.960 Yes ma'am right away. 12:36.960 --> 12:37.960 Well looks like you had it figured. 12:37.960 --> 12:38.960 How come? 12:38.960 --> 12:39.960 Somebody did catch on. 12:39.960 --> 12:40.960 Woman over near Los Feliz Boulevard. 12:40.960 --> 12:41.960 Yeah? 12:41.960 --> 12:42.960 Fellers trying to give her a phony check. 12:42.960 --> 12:43.960 Try him? 12:43.960 --> 12:44.960 Yeah he's still there. 12:52.960 --> 12:55.960 Frank and I drove out to a side street just south of Los Feliz Boulevard. 12:55.960 --> 12:57.960 It took us 20 minutes to get to the house. 12:57.960 --> 12:59.960 When we pulled up in front of the place a lady was standing on the porch. 12:59.960 --> 13:01.960 She spotted our car and walked down the steps. 13:02.960 --> 13:03.960 Are you the policeman? 13:03.960 --> 13:05.960 Yes ma'am my name's Friday the Sprague Smith. 13:05.960 --> 13:06.960 Hello. 13:06.960 --> 13:07.960 How are you doing ma'am? 13:07.960 --> 13:08.960 You certainly didn't hurry. 13:08.960 --> 13:09.960 Well the traffic's kind of heavy this time of day. 13:09.960 --> 13:10.960 Why didn't you use your sirens? 13:10.960 --> 13:11.960 We did want to scare him off. 13:11.960 --> 13:12.960 Well it's too late for that. 13:12.960 --> 13:14.960 He left about 10-15 minutes ago. 13:14.960 --> 13:15.960 Oh I'm Daisy Willikers. 13:15.960 --> 13:17.960 Suppose you need that name for your records. 13:17.960 --> 13:18.960 Yes Mrs. Willikers. 13:18.960 --> 13:19.960 Not Mrs. 13:19.960 --> 13:20.960 Oh. 13:20.960 --> 13:21.960 You see which way he went? 13:21.960 --> 13:23.960 Took a bus on the corner probably in Hollywood by now. 13:23.960 --> 13:24.960 Well why did he leave in such a rush do you know? 13:24.960 --> 13:25.960 Got suspicious. 13:25.960 --> 13:26.960 Might have heard my phone call. 13:26.960 --> 13:29.960 Had to talk so loud to make you understand me. 13:29.960 --> 13:31.960 I tried to keep him here as long as I could. 13:31.960 --> 13:33.960 I did my best you can't ask more than that. 13:33.960 --> 13:34.960 No ma'am. 13:34.960 --> 13:35.960 Well you might as well come inside. 13:35.960 --> 13:37.960 Suppose you want a full report. 13:37.960 --> 13:39.960 That's a regular procedure isn't it? 13:39.960 --> 13:41.960 Are you familiar with police procedure are you? 13:41.960 --> 13:43.960 I watched on television go to the movies. 13:43.960 --> 13:44.960 They got it all down pat. 13:44.960 --> 13:45.960 Yes ma'am. 13:46.960 --> 13:48.960 Well he came up to my door. 13:48.960 --> 13:49.960 Oh must have been an hour ago by now. 13:49.960 --> 13:50.960 Least an hour. 13:50.960 --> 13:51.960 Yes ma'am. 13:51.960 --> 13:52.960 I asked if I had a room for rent. 13:52.960 --> 13:54.960 I told him that's what the sign said. 13:54.960 --> 13:56.960 He just laughed like he thought I'd been making a joke. 13:56.960 --> 13:58.960 Didn't know I was serious. 13:58.960 --> 13:59.960 You show him the room? 13:59.960 --> 14:00.960 Well I tried to. 14:00.960 --> 14:01.960 He hardly even glanced at it. 14:01.960 --> 14:04.960 Then he said this was exactly what he'd been looking for. 14:04.960 --> 14:06.960 That's when I first began wondering about him. 14:06.960 --> 14:07.960 What else did he say? 14:07.960 --> 14:10.960 That he used to live in a house like this when he was a little boy back east. 14:10.960 --> 14:12.960 And that it reminded him of home. 14:12.960 --> 14:14.960 I figured he was softening me up to get me to lower the rent. 14:14.960 --> 14:16.960 Well who can play at that game? 14:16.960 --> 14:17.960 Yes ma'am. 14:17.960 --> 14:18.960 What did you do? 14:18.960 --> 14:19.960 Well I upped it ten dollars. 14:19.960 --> 14:21.960 Room's not worth a cent over forty five. 14:21.960 --> 14:23.960 I asked fifty five. 14:23.960 --> 14:26.960 That way I'd be able to come down when he started playing on my sympathies. 14:26.960 --> 14:28.960 Wouldn't be out anything either. 14:28.960 --> 14:29.960 Yeah. 14:29.960 --> 14:30.960 Didn't bat an eye. 14:30.960 --> 14:32.960 When I told him it was fifty five. 14:32.960 --> 14:34.960 Said he'd take it. Just like that. 14:34.960 --> 14:36.960 I knew right away something was wrong. 14:36.960 --> 14:37.960 What happened then? 14:37.960 --> 14:39.960 Well we came downstairs into the living room here. 14:39.960 --> 14:40.960 Go ahead. 14:40.960 --> 14:43.960 Well I said I wanted the first month's rent in advance. 14:43.960 --> 14:45.960 A lot of them try to pay you by the week. 14:45.960 --> 14:46.960 Before you can turn around they're behind. 14:46.960 --> 14:48.960 Takes forever to get rid of them once they're moved in. 14:48.960 --> 14:50.960 I always insist on a full month. 14:50.960 --> 14:51.960 Yes ma'am. 14:51.960 --> 14:53.960 Well I thought either. Brought out a checkbook. 14:53.960 --> 14:55.960 Now did he ask if he could make it for a little extra? 14:55.960 --> 14:56.960 How'd you know? 14:56.960 --> 14:57.960 Well he's been around before. 14:57.960 --> 14:59.960 Twenty five extra. That's what he wanted. 14:59.960 --> 15:01.960 If he'd been around so long why haven't you picked him up? 15:01.960 --> 15:02.960 Well we're trying ma'am. 15:02.960 --> 15:05.960 A few minutes earlier this afternoon he'd solve the whole case. 15:05.960 --> 15:07.960 Well we're just as anxious to solve it as you are Mrs. Wilkerson. 15:07.960 --> 15:09.960 You say why he needed the extra cash ma'am. 15:09.960 --> 15:11.960 Something about cab fare to get his things out here. 15:11.960 --> 15:12.960 That's a lot of cab fare. 15:12.960 --> 15:15.960 That's my old word. Right to his face. Exactly what I said. 15:15.960 --> 15:17.960 He said he'd have to clear up his hotel bill too. 15:17.960 --> 15:19.960 Claim they wouldn't take a check if he was moving. 15:19.960 --> 15:20.960 That's when you called out. 15:20.960 --> 15:21.960 Of course not. 15:21.960 --> 15:24.960 Didn't call you until I was sure the check was no good. 15:24.960 --> 15:25.960 Not that I would have cashed it. 15:25.960 --> 15:28.960 But there's no point in running to the police until you got the facts to back you up. 15:28.960 --> 15:30.960 What made you so sure it was phony? 15:30.960 --> 15:31.960 Well the way he signed it. 15:31.960 --> 15:32.960 What do you mean? 15:32.960 --> 15:34.960 Parker Allington. 15:34.960 --> 15:35.960 You knew he wasn't Allington. 15:35.960 --> 15:37.960 Well how could he be? Allington's dead. 15:37.960 --> 15:38.960 You didn't know he was dead? 15:38.960 --> 15:39.960 Yes ma'am we knew it. 15:39.960 --> 15:40.960 Well then? 15:40.960 --> 15:42.960 Miss Wilkerson are you connected with show business? 15:42.960 --> 15:43.960 I follow it that's all. 15:43.960 --> 15:47.960 Oh I don't spend all my time reading movie magazines or anything like that. 15:47.960 --> 15:50.960 But I keep up with what's going on in the field. 15:50.960 --> 15:52.960 Do you know Allington was on television last night? 15:52.960 --> 15:53.960 What's that? 15:53.960 --> 15:54.960 The late show. 15:54.960 --> 15:57.960 Picture must have been at least 20 years old. 15:57.960 --> 15:58.960 He played the villain. 15:58.960 --> 16:01.960 Did a good job considering it was 20 years ago. 16:01.960 --> 16:04.960 Gives you a funny feeling though watching somebody who isn't here anymore. 16:04.960 --> 16:05.960 Yes ma'am. 16:05.960 --> 16:09.960 Now as soon as you saw the name Allington on the check you realized the guy was the phony and called us. 16:09.960 --> 16:10.960 Is that right? 16:10.960 --> 16:11.960 Well approximately. 16:11.960 --> 16:12.960 Approximately. 16:12.960 --> 16:15.960 Well I told him I didn't know if I had the cash in the house. 16:15.960 --> 16:17.960 Said I'd have to go upstairs and make sure. 16:17.960 --> 16:19.960 I got an extension phone up there. 16:19.960 --> 16:20.960 I see. 16:20.960 --> 16:21.960 Then I can have a phone to use. 16:21.960 --> 16:22.960 Uh huh. 16:22.960 --> 16:23.960 One more thing Miss Walters. 16:23.960 --> 16:24.960 Well? 16:24.960 --> 16:25.960 We've got a description but it's rather vague. 16:25.960 --> 16:26.960 Description? 16:26.960 --> 16:28.960 Yes but this guy has been passing himself off as Allington. 16:28.960 --> 16:29.960 Oh. 16:29.960 --> 16:31.960 All we know is his medium sized gray hair and fairly well dressed. 16:31.960 --> 16:32.960 Well that's about right. 16:32.960 --> 16:33.960 Well it's not very specific. 16:33.960 --> 16:34.960 Can you add anything? 16:34.960 --> 16:36.960 You mean you want to know who he is? 16:36.960 --> 16:37.960 That's right. 16:37.960 --> 16:38.960 Robert French. 16:38.960 --> 16:39.960 Who's that? 16:39.960 --> 16:40.960 Used to play bit box in pictures. 16:40.960 --> 16:41.960 Yeah. 16:41.960 --> 16:43.960 I recognized him the minute he came through the door. 16:43.960 --> 16:50.960 Miss Walters insisted her identification of the Czech forger was correct. 16:50.960 --> 16:54.960 We drove back to the office, checked the name Wilbur French through RNI. 16:54.960 --> 16:55.960 We had nothing on him. 16:55.960 --> 16:58.960 I telephoned Miss Breckhardt at the SAG. 16:58.960 --> 17:00.960 She reported that French was a member in bad standing. 17:00.960 --> 17:02.960 Two years delinquent in his dues. 17:02.960 --> 17:08.960 She had no address listed for him but she was able to tell us that the last company he had worked for was a small TV outfit on Santa Monica Boulevard. 17:08.960 --> 17:15.960 She also told us that his file showed that he was last represented by a Paul Pilcher, an agent with officers on Sunset. 17:15.960 --> 17:17.960 January 14th, 9.35 a.m. 17:17.960 --> 17:23.960 I dropped Frank off at the Santa Monica TV company and I drove on out to interview Pilcher. 17:23.960 --> 17:25.960 Yes sir, what can I do for you? 17:25.960 --> 17:26.960 I'd like to see Mr. Pilcher. 17:26.960 --> 17:27.960 Are you a client? 17:27.960 --> 17:28.960 Police officer. 17:28.960 --> 17:29.960 My name's Friday. 17:29.960 --> 17:30.960 Oh. 17:30.960 --> 17:31.960 Is Mr. Pilcher in? 17:31.960 --> 17:32.960 Not yet. 17:32.960 --> 17:33.960 Expecting him? 17:33.960 --> 17:34.960 I don't know when exactly. 17:34.960 --> 17:36.960 Sometimes he plays tennis on Saturday mornings before he comes to the office. 17:36.960 --> 17:37.960 I see. 17:37.960 --> 17:38.960 But he'll be in. 17:38.960 --> 17:40.960 He's closing a deal with TIC. 17:40.960 --> 17:41.960 Oh. 17:41.960 --> 17:43.960 That's a studio, a new company just getting started. 17:43.960 --> 17:44.960 Oh I see. 17:44.960 --> 17:46.960 Would you like to look at the trades while you're waiting? 17:46.960 --> 17:47.960 Yesterday's. 17:47.960 --> 17:48.960 They don't come out on Saturday. 17:48.960 --> 17:50.960 Well thank you very much. 17:52.960 --> 17:54.960 Mr. Pilcher in some kind of trouble? 17:54.960 --> 17:56.960 Not as far as I know, no. 17:56.960 --> 17:58.960 That's a relief. 17:59.960 --> 18:01.960 Mr. Pilcher's office. 18:02.960 --> 18:04.960 I'm sorry he hasn't come in yet. 18:04.960 --> 18:05.960 Any minute. 18:05.960 --> 18:07.960 Would you like me to have him call you? 18:09.960 --> 18:10.960 I see. 18:10.960 --> 18:12.960 Well if you'll try again in about 15 minutes he ought to be here. 18:12.960 --> 18:13.960 Bye. 18:16.960 --> 18:17.960 Morning Mr. Pilcher. 18:17.960 --> 18:18.960 Morning. 18:18.960 --> 18:20.960 This gentleman's waiting to see you. 18:20.960 --> 18:21.960 And Mr. Brogan's office called. 18:21.960 --> 18:22.960 They'll call back. 18:22.960 --> 18:23.960 Mr. Brogan's getting shaved. 18:23.960 --> 18:24.960 Yeah all right. 18:24.960 --> 18:25.960 I'm a police officer. 18:25.960 --> 18:26.960 My name's Friday. 18:26.960 --> 18:27.960 Police? 18:27.960 --> 18:28.960 That's right. 18:28.960 --> 18:29.960 What can I do for you? 18:29.960 --> 18:30.960 I'd like to talk to you for a minute. 18:30.960 --> 18:31.960 All right. 18:31.960 --> 18:32.960 Come on inside. 18:32.960 --> 18:33.960 Sit down. 18:33.960 --> 18:34.960 Thank you. 18:34.960 --> 18:35.960 Want a cigarette? 18:35.960 --> 18:36.960 Yeah, thank you. 18:36.960 --> 18:37.960 Here's your lighter. 18:37.960 --> 18:39.960 You don't mind I have a match here. 18:46.960 --> 18:47.960 Well? 18:47.960 --> 18:49.960 You handle an actor named Wilbur Frantz, Mr. Pilcher. 18:49.960 --> 18:50.960 Frantz? 18:50.960 --> 18:51.960 That's right. 18:51.960 --> 18:52.960 No, no I don't handle him. 18:52.960 --> 18:53.960 He used to be his agent, didn't you? 18:53.960 --> 18:55.960 Oh a couple of years ago, not anymore. 18:55.960 --> 18:56.960 Well what's he done? 18:56.960 --> 18:58.960 Could you tell me where I could find him? 18:58.960 --> 18:59.960 I wouldn't have any idea. 18:59.960 --> 19:00.960 I don't think he's in the office. 19:00.960 --> 19:02.960 I wouldn't have any idea. 19:02.960 --> 19:03.960 I don't think he's had much work lately. 19:03.960 --> 19:04.960 At least I haven't heard about him working. 19:04.960 --> 19:05.960 What was his last address? 19:05.960 --> 19:07.960 You come to the wrong man. 19:07.960 --> 19:09.960 Well the last address that you have for him was... 19:09.960 --> 19:11.960 I don't keep addresses of actors after they leave me. 19:11.960 --> 19:12.960 Well why did they leave you? 19:12.960 --> 19:13.960 Usual reason, no work. 19:13.960 --> 19:15.960 Pretty bad as an actor. 19:15.960 --> 19:16.960 Excuse me. 19:16.960 --> 19:17.960 Yes? 19:17.960 --> 19:19.960 I'll put him on. 19:19.960 --> 19:21.960 Hello George, how are you? 19:21.960 --> 19:22.960 Glad to hear it. 19:22.960 --> 19:23.960 And Mabel? 19:23.960 --> 19:24.960 Oh that's a shame. 19:24.960 --> 19:27.960 Seems to be a lot of it going around this time of year. 19:27.960 --> 19:28.960 Well what about Harvey? 19:28.960 --> 19:29.960 You make up your mind? 19:29.960 --> 19:32.960 Ah, I sure don't agree with you there George. 19:32.960 --> 19:34.960 He didn't look too old to test. 19:34.960 --> 19:36.960 So he's been in the business a few years. 19:36.960 --> 19:38.960 You can't hold that against him. 19:38.960 --> 19:40.960 What do you mean a new face? 19:40.960 --> 19:43.960 You'll bring out somebody from New York who's been on television a hundred times. 19:43.960 --> 19:45.960 There won't be anything new about his face. 19:45.960 --> 19:47.960 Look I'm not trying to tell you your business. 19:47.960 --> 19:49.960 I'm just trying to set a good actor in the right part. 19:49.960 --> 19:51.960 I'll be through soon Mr. Fronick. 19:51.960 --> 19:53.960 That's more like it George. 19:53.960 --> 19:54.960 Now how many weeks work? 19:54.960 --> 19:55.960 No, no George. 19:55.960 --> 19:59.960 I've read the script, Davis can't shoot that many scenes in two weeks. 19:59.960 --> 20:02.960 Twelve hundred a week, four week guarantee. 20:02.960 --> 20:05.960 Fletcher paid him twelve hundred last fall. 20:05.960 --> 20:06.960 Go ahead and check. 20:06.960 --> 20:10.960 Look George, if I was a Beverly Hills agent, you know what Harvey cost you? 20:10.960 --> 20:11.960 Well I'm not going to argue with about it. 20:11.960 --> 20:14.960 You call Fletcher, he'll tell you when he paid Harvey. 20:14.960 --> 20:15.960 I'll be here till noon if you want to make a deal. 20:15.960 --> 20:16.960 Bye. 20:16.960 --> 20:18.960 Sorry to be so long. 20:18.960 --> 20:19.960 Sure. 20:19.960 --> 20:21.960 Any suggestions on how I might get in touch with French? 20:21.960 --> 20:22.960 Screen actors Gil. 20:22.960 --> 20:23.960 Well they sent me here. 20:23.960 --> 20:25.960 What's he done? 20:25.960 --> 20:26.960 We'd rather talk to him. 20:26.960 --> 20:28.960 The last time I saw him he touched me for ten bucks. 20:28.960 --> 20:29.960 Where was that? 20:29.960 --> 20:30.960 I bumped into him on the street. 20:30.960 --> 20:31.960 Is it serious? 20:31.960 --> 20:32.960 It's just a routine investigation. 20:32.960 --> 20:34.960 Thanks very much Mr. Fletcher. 20:34.960 --> 20:36.960 Wait a minute. 20:36.960 --> 20:37.960 Yes sir? 20:37.960 --> 20:39.960 I suppose I could turn him up. 20:39.960 --> 20:40.960 It'd be a dirty trick though. 20:40.960 --> 20:41.960 I don't know why. 20:41.960 --> 20:43.960 Maybe it's my fault that he's in trouble. 20:43.960 --> 20:44.960 I didn't get him enough work. 20:44.960 --> 20:46.960 Now I hand him over to you. 20:46.960 --> 20:47.960 Makes me a heel doesn't it? 20:47.960 --> 20:48.960 You might be doing him a favor. 20:48.960 --> 20:50.960 He won't think so. 20:50.960 --> 20:51.960 You said you didn't know where he lived. 20:51.960 --> 20:52.960 Well I don't. 20:52.960 --> 20:53.960 Well how will you find out? 20:53.960 --> 20:55.960 Spread the word around that I got a job for him. 20:55.960 --> 20:56.960 He'll hear about it. 20:56.960 --> 20:57.960 I see. 20:57.960 --> 20:58.960 He'll turn up. 20:58.960 --> 20:59.960 Alright sir. 20:59.960 --> 21:00.960 Leave your number. 21:00.960 --> 21:01.960 When I hear from French I'll get in touch with you. 21:01.960 --> 21:02.960 Thank you. 21:02.960 --> 21:03.960 I still feel like a heel. 21:03.960 --> 21:04.960 Well you shouldn't. 21:04.960 --> 21:05.960 You called to turn on him. 21:05.960 --> 21:06.960 He's a bad actor. 21:06.960 --> 21:14.960 I left Fletcher's office and picked up Frank. 21:14.960 --> 21:18.960 The TV company had given him a still photo from the last production in which French had appeared. 21:18.960 --> 21:21.960 Two of the check becomes readily identified, the man in the picture. 21:21.960 --> 21:25.960 The third victim was also certain it was the same person who had posed as Allington. 21:25.960 --> 21:28.960 January 16th, 3.32 p.m. 21:28.960 --> 21:30.960 Paul Pilcher telephoned the office. 21:30.960 --> 21:33.960 He told us French was living at a hotel in Hollywood on Selma Avenue. 21:33.960 --> 21:37.960 When we got there the desk clerk said French was in his room, 17B. 21:37.960 --> 21:40.960 Huh, is that... 21:40.960 --> 21:41.960 Yeah. 21:41.960 --> 21:44.960 Who is it? 21:44.960 --> 21:45.960 I'd like to talk to you French. 21:45.960 --> 21:46.960 Just a minute. 21:46.960 --> 21:47.960 Yeah? 21:47.960 --> 21:51.960 We're police officers. 21:51.960 --> 21:52.960 Like that? 21:52.960 --> 21:53.960 Questions? 21:53.960 --> 21:54.960 Downtown. 21:54.960 --> 21:55.960 What is this, a gag? 21:55.960 --> 21:56.960 No, it's no gag. 21:56.960 --> 21:58.960 Well anybody can get hold of a badge. 21:58.960 --> 21:59.960 Who sent you, Mike, Sammy? 21:59.960 --> 22:00.960 Come on, let's go, French. 22:00.960 --> 22:01.960 Knock it off. 22:01.960 --> 22:02.960 I've been in too many pictures. 22:02.960 --> 22:03.960 I can tell actors from cops. 22:03.960 --> 22:04.960 You ever hear of Parker Allington? 22:04.960 --> 22:05.960 Yeah, I've heard of him. 22:05.960 --> 22:06.960 Worked with him in pictures. 22:06.960 --> 22:07.960 Used to be friends. 22:07.960 --> 22:08.960 Did that give you the right sign, his name? 22:08.960 --> 22:09.960 On bad checks. 22:09.960 --> 22:10.960 Now look boys, I know why they sent you pictures. 22:10.960 --> 22:11.960 You're not going to believe me. 22:11.960 --> 22:18.960 I told Mike I got a call this morning about a job. 22:18.960 --> 22:23.960 It'd be just like him to pick a time like this. 22:23.960 --> 22:25.960 Some practical joker, isn't it? 22:25.960 --> 22:26.960 No, it won't work, French. 22:26.960 --> 22:27.960 What? 22:27.960 --> 22:28.960 Come on, you know who we are and why we're here. 22:28.960 --> 22:29.960 Let's go. 22:29.960 --> 22:30.960 It's one of Mike's gags. 22:30.960 --> 22:31.960 Yeah, well three landlady's say different. 22:31.960 --> 22:32.960 Oh, you want to get your coat? 22:32.960 --> 22:33.960 It was only a few bucks. 22:33.960 --> 22:34.960 It was enough. 22:34.960 --> 22:35.960 How'd you tumble? 22:35.960 --> 22:42.960 One of the landlady's knew Allington was dead. 22:42.960 --> 22:44.960 I never figured he was that famous. 22:44.960 --> 22:45.960 She knew you too. 22:45.960 --> 22:46.960 Me? 22:46.960 --> 22:47.960 That's right. 22:47.960 --> 22:49.960 Could have known I was living here. 22:49.960 --> 22:50.960 Who told you? 22:50.960 --> 22:51.960 Come on, let's go. 22:51.960 --> 22:52.960 Pilcher. 22:52.960 --> 22:53.960 That's why I wanted to get in touch with me. 22:53.960 --> 22:54.960 I should have figured it wasn't about a job. 22:54.960 --> 22:55.960 Pilcher, wasn't it? 22:55.960 --> 22:56.960 Come on. 22:56.960 --> 22:57.960 Some agent couldn't land a job if your life depended on it. 22:57.960 --> 22:58.960 Five years. 22:58.960 --> 22:59.960 Over the years, I've been working for him. 22:59.960 --> 23:00.960 I've been working for him. 23:00.960 --> 23:01.960 I've been working for him. 23:01.960 --> 23:02.960 I've been working for him. 23:02.960 --> 23:03.960 I've been working for him. 23:03.960 --> 23:04.960 I've been working for him. 23:04.960 --> 23:05.960 For five years. 23:05.960 --> 23:07.320 Over five years I was signed with him. 23:07.320 --> 23:08.760 Never had a decent booking. 23:08.760 --> 23:09.760 Nothing that lasted. 23:09.760 --> 23:12.160 Couple of days here and there. 23:12.160 --> 23:13.160 Nothing that lasted. 23:13.160 --> 23:14.160 Don't you worry about it. 23:14.160 --> 23:15.160 This one will. 23:15.160 --> 23:29.880 Wilbur Carl Flicker, also known as Wilbur French, was found guilty on three felony warrants 23:29.880 --> 23:31.640 charging forgery. 23:31.640 --> 23:37.200 He was sentenced to the state prison as prescribed by section 470 of the California Penal Code 23:37.200 --> 23:40.760 for a period of one to fourteen years. 23:40.760 --> 24:04.200 DRAGNET is a presentation of the United States Armed Forces Radio Service. 24:04.200 --> 24:28.520 The United States Armed Forces Radio Service is a production of the United States Armed 24:28.520 --> 24:54.000 Forces Radio Service.