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← All Dragnet episodes

The story you're about to hear is true. Only the names have been changed to protect the innocent. Fatima cigarettes, best of all long cigarettes, brings you Dragnet. You're a detective sergeant. You're assigned to Blanco Detail. An expert confidence man has resumed operations in your city. His criminal record dates back 35 years. He's a master in the art of the gentle swindle. Your job, stop him. If you want a long cigarette, smoke the best of all long cigarettes. Smoke Fati…

Transcript

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Synopsis

In The Big Grifter, the story unfolds as detectives Joe Friday and Ben Romero are alerted to the return of Charles Wallace, a notorious con-man with a long history of deception. With a criminal record that reads like a novel, Wallace has recently swindled two used-car dealers for $2,000 each, using his charm and cunning to manipulate them into accepting bad checks. The detectives are tasked with stopping him before he can exploit more victims in Los Angeles.

Cast›

Barton Yarborough

Jack Webb

Network›

NBC

Network

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← PreviousThe Big GirlNext →The Big Kill

Credits

  • Audio from Internet Archive (OTRR_Dragnet_Singles). Curated by OTRR. Goldie does not claim ownership of this broadcast.
  • Cast and sponsor data from RadioGold Index (J. David Goldin / UMKC Libraries).
  • Historical context from Wikipedia (CC BY-SA).

Dragnet_50-02-23_037_The_Big_Grifter.mp3

Dragnet, Episode 37

The Big Grifter

Thursday, February 23, 1950 · 29:21

Dragnet, Episode 37

The Big Grifter

Thursday, February 23, 1950 · 29:21

Summary

Detectives Friday and Romero investigate a master con-man named Charles Wallace, who has swindled used-car dealers out of thousands. They must find a way to stop his elaborate schemes before he strikes again.

  • Tense
  • Crime
  • Psychological
  • Blackmail
  • Drama
  • Mystery
  • Thriller

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Ep 681 · Thursday, June 30, 1955 · 23:58

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That night in history

Headlines

  • 1950 — General elections are held in the United Kingdom.

On the air that night›

  1. DragnetThe Big GrifterCurrently listeningEpisode 37
  2. Mr. Keen, Tracer of Lost PersonsThe Tea Leaf Murder Case (2nd half only)Episode 1279
  3. SuspenseSlow BurnEpisode 373