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