Dragnet was a hard-hitting police drama from the 1940s that brought listeners into the gritty world of Los Angeles law enforcement with stark realism and clipped dialogue. Led by the no-nonsense Sergeant Joe Friday, each case was “just the facts” as he pursued justice through methodical investigation and moral resolve.
In the Dragnet episode “The Big .22 Rifle for Christmas,” also known by fans as the “naked plated gun” episode, Friday and Smith investigate the tragic shooting of a young boy on Christmas Eve. The emotional case centers on a missing .22 rifle and the harsh reality of how easily preventable accidents can change lives forever.
