Dragnet - Volume 11 - The Big Youngster & The Big Chance

Those first four notes of its theme tune were instantly recognised and announced the start of perhaps the most famous police procedural in history. Set in Los Angeles and headed by police detective Sergeant Joe Friday the show has influenced all the many others that have followed in its illustrious footsteps.

It was based on real cases from police files. It described the methods used to track down the culprits and its technical language added to its authenticity. It was a ratings hit year in...