The Bank Examiner Swindle

"This is the city." That traditional Dragnet opening didn't get that much of my attention when I was young but now that I'm older and appreciate history more, I find these episode introductions often fascinating. For instance, in this episode, Jack Webb shows a big city street with huge buildings and states, "This is Wilshire Boulevard. Forty years ago, these were bean fields. Now they call it 'The Miracle Mile.'"

He then mentions MacArthur Park and how a lot of old people live around there, which leads into tonight's episode: "confidence men" pilfering old people for their money. Two guys from Seattle are now in Los Angeles, bilking gullible senior citizens out of their savings. They are posing as bank examiners.

Harry Morgan ("Bill Gannon") was the most entertaining on this sting-type storyline. He does a very nice thing in here. One of the victims is an old lady who never really made it in motion pictures but still hopes to get some parts. She's a nice woman and kind of a sad figure. Bill goes back to get her autograph, which thrills her. Friday says to him, "I didn't know you collected autographs?" Bill replies, "I don't." Friday nods in appreciation for his partner's kindness.

Speaking of kindness, are there two police officers more courteous than Friday and Gannon? This episode, like all of them, are filled with "Yes, Ma'am, No Ma'am," quotes. These guys are always respectful and display good manners.

Morgan's character supplies the humor, too. Most shows has at least one short segment where he says something goofy. Here, it's about squabs and his idea to crossbreed them with homing pigeons.