goldie

Free old time radio — transcripts, sponsor breaks intact, open catalog for listeners and builders.

Listen

  • Shows
  • Calendar
  • Search
  • Halloween
  • Genres
  • Moods
  • Themes
  • People
  • Sponsors
  • Upcoming series

Builders

  • Developers
  • Goldie for AI (MCP)
  • api.goldie.fm
  • mcp.goldie.fm
  • llms.txt

Company

  • About
  • Contact
  • Privacy
  • Terms
  • Goldie Pro

Audio from Internet Archive · Logs from the Old Time Radio Researchers. Goldie does not own the recordings.

Privacy · Terms · Contact · Developers · Catalog API api.goldie.fm · MCP mcp.goldie.fm · AI / MCP docs

goldie
ShowsCalendarAIPro
  1. Home
  2. /Shows
  3. /Dragnet
  4. /The Big Talk
← All Dragnet episodes

Ladies and gentlemen, the story you are about to hear is true. The names have been changed to protect the innocent. You're a detective sergeant. You're assigned a robbery detail. A watch salesman tells you his sample case has been stolen. He says he knows the man who did it. If you're going to do your job, find him. Dragnet. The document a 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…

Transcript

Loading transcript…

Synopsis

In the Dragnet episode The Big Talk, the story begins with Sergeant Friday and his partner, Frank Smith, on the robbery detail in Los Angeles. They are approached by Russell Liggins, a watch salesman who reports that his sample case filled with valuable watches has been stolen. Liggins recounts his evening, where he met two men at a bar who expressed interest in his products. He describes how they offered to drive him to the airport the next morning, raising suspicions about their true intentions.

Cast›

Ben Alexander

Jack Webb

Network›

NBC

Network

Featured in playlists›

Goldie Originals that include this night

Drive-Time Dial

Open road, closed case — half-hour windows.

24 episodes

You might also like

Shared stars, moods, and themes across the catalog

Suspense

Sorry, Wrong Number

An invalid woman overhears a chilling conversation about a planned murder while struggling with a malfunctioning telephone. As she fights to alert the authorities, the stakes rise with each passing moment.

Ep 43 · Tuesday, May 25, 1943 · 29:38

The Lone Ranger

Return of Cavendish

The Lone Ranger and his nephew, Dan Reed, embark on a journey to Bryant's Gap, where they confront the legacy of the Cavendish gang. As they reflect on the past, they prepare for a confrontation that could change their lives forever.

Ep 3128 · Friday, January 30, 1953 · 24:55

Secrets of Scotland Yard

Crime On The Railway

In Crime On The Railway, Tivebrook reveals the growing issue of organized crime on the railways, highlighting various methods of theft and the challenges faced by railway police. The stakes are high as criminals adapt their tactics to evade capture.

Ep 12 · Saturday, January 12, 1957 · 26:27

Broadway Is My Beat

The Joey Herbie and Beebe Murder Case

Detective Danny Clover investigates the suspicious death of Nancy Lee, who dies just days after a car accident. The case reveals a web of deceit involving her beneficiaries, including Joey Pell and Herb Morrie.

Ep 179 · Saturday, August 22, 1953 · 29:46

The Black Museum

A Trunk

In this episode of The Black Museum, a seemingly ordinary trunk leads to a chilling murder investigation. The trunk's contents reveal a dark story of blackmail and death that Inspector Walsh must unravel.

Ep 47 · Tuesday, December 2, 1952 · 25:53

21st Precinct

The Suit

A shooting occurs in a bar in the 21st Precinct, prompting an urgent police response. As officers investigate, they uncover conflicting witness accounts and the motive behind the crime.

Ep 63 · Wednesday, September 22, 1954 · 28:03

More from Dragnet

Same series — shared cast and standout nights

Dragnet

The Big Eavesdrop

Sergeant Friday and Frank Smith overhear a man confessing to murder while waiting for a narcotics deal. They devise a plan to use an impersonator to extract a confession from the killer.

Ep 182 · Sunday, December 14, 1952 · 28:59

Dragnet

The Big Laugh

A con man exploits lonely women by promising marriage, leading to heartbreak and theft. Detectives work to track him down and bring him to justice.

Ep 194 · Sunday, March 8, 1953 · 29:32

Dragnet

The Big Pill

Detectives investigate the poisoning of two Marines in a cheap hotel, suspecting foul play. The case leads them to a troubled individual with a vendetta against the military.

Ep 174 · Sunday, October 19, 1952 · 29:35

Dragnet

The Big Dive

Detectives investigate the murder of a woman found in a closet, leading them to a freighter in San Francisco. The search for her identity and the killer intensifies as they uncover clues.

Ep 177 · Sunday, November 9, 1952 · 29:27

Dragnet

The Big Small

A cunning little old lady check forger is evading capture, and detectives must unravel her deceptive facade. As they dig deeper, they discover her motivations and the lengths she'll go to escape the law.

Ep 186 · Sunday, January 11, 1953 · 29:28

Dragnet

The Big Press

Sgt. Friday and his partner investigate a pair of check forgers operating in Los Angeles. They go undercover to track down the criminals responsible for a significant financial loss.

Ep 190 · Sunday, February 8, 1953 · 29:32

Tense›

Same mood, other nights on the dial

Suspense

Sorry, Wrong Number

An invalid woman overhears a chilling conversation about a planned murder while struggling with a malfunctioning telephone. As she fights to alert the authorities, the stakes rise with each passing moment.

Ep 43 · Tuesday, May 25, 1943 · 29:38

The Lone Ranger

Cold Spring Showdown (Last Original 'Live' Broadcast)

The Lone Ranger and Tonto prepare to defend Cold Spring against a band of outlaws led by Red Eagle, who are intent on stealing a chest of gold. Tensions rise as the outlaws launch their attack on the stagecoach station.

Ep 3377 · Friday, September 3, 1954 · 23:25

Dangerously Yours

The Highwayman

In The Highwayman, a daring outlaw confronts a wealthy coachman while seeking romance with the landlord's daughter, Bess. The stakes rise as love and danger intertwine under the moonlit sky.

Ep 1 · Sunday, July 2, 1944 · 29:39

X Minus One

At the Post

A race track tout struggles to save his wife, who has fallen into a catatonic state, believing she is being controlled by aliens. He uses his knowledge of horse racing to uncover the truth behind her condition and the impending doom of mankind.

Ep 94 · Wednesday, March 27, 1957 · 22:03

The New Adventures of Nero Wolfe

Stamped for Murder

Nero Wolfe faces a pressing dilemma when a young woman seeks his help to recover her inheritance, which her father has squandered on a dubious treasure map. As Wolfe reluctantly takes on the case, the stakes rise with the revelation of swindlers and hidden value.

Ep 1 · Friday, October 20, 1950 · 29:48

Crime›

More stories in this vein

Gunsmoke

Old Faces

Tom Cook confronts Ed Ivers after Ivers insults his wife, Tilda, leading to escalating tensions in Dodge City. The stakes rise as Tom's honor and safety are put on the line in a potential gunfight.

Ep 457 · Sunday, January 8, 1961 · 24:34

The Six Shooter

Jenny

The Six Shooter encounters a young man injured in a gully and helps him reach safety, only to find himself in a tense situation with a mysterious woman at a nearby cabin.

Ep 1 · Sunday, September 20, 1953 · 28:24

An Evening With Groucho

Tough Chicago Critic Story

Groucho reflects on the tough Chicago critic Percy Hammond, who famously panned the Marx Brothers' act. He shares anecdotes about Hammond's career and his interactions with notable figures in theater.

Ep 17 · Saturday, May 6, 1972 · 2:47

← PreviousThe Big SetNext →The Big Death

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_55-03-22_292_The_Big_Talk.mp3

Dragnet, Episode 292

The Big Talk

Tuesday, March 22, 1955 · 24:52

Dragnet, Episode 292

The Big Talk

Tuesday, March 22, 1955 · 24:52

Summary

A watch salesman reports a robbery and identifies two suspects, leading Sergeant Friday and his partner on a tense investigation. As they dig deeper, they uncover a web of crime linked to a murder and a parole violator.

  • Tense
  • Crime
  • Murder
  • Blackmail
  • Noir
  • Mystery
  • Drama

Chapters

Detective Desk

Private eyes, hardboiled and soft.

24 episodes

Tense Nights

Edge-of-seat radio.

24 episodes

Morning Coffee Mystery

Puzzles that pair with caffeine.

24 episodes

Hardboiled Classics

Noir voices and cigarette-smoke cases.

24 episodes

Must-Hear Mysteries

Whodunits that still hold the room.

24 episodes

Dragnet Blotter

Just the facts — radio division.

24 episodes

Friday Night Thrills

Weekend starts with a twist.

24 episodes

Gunsmoke

Thoroughbreds

Jack Portas arrives in Dodge with two exquisite horses and a desire to make friends, but his past may catch up with him as suspicions arise about his character.

Ep 179 · Saturday, September 17, 1955 · 29:49

Academy Award Theater

The Great McGinty

In The Great McGinty, a bartender named McGinty recounts his rise from poverty to becoming a state governor through a series of dubious political maneuvers. As he reflects on his past, he reveals the shady characters and corrupt practices that shaped his journey.

Ep 4 · Saturday, April 20, 1946

Dragnet

The Big Convertible

Detectives Friday and Smith investigate a man passing bad payroll checks across Los Angeles, using a rented car and a convincing disguise. With multiple victims and no solid leads, the pressure mounts to catch the forger before he strikes again.

Ep 306 · Tuesday, June 28, 1955 · 25:06

Dragnet

The Big Underground

Detectives Friday and Smith investigate a series of burglaries and car thefts linked to a suspect named Paul Dereaux. As they gather evidence, they face the challenge of uncovering the thief's identity before more crimes occur.

Ep 280 · Tuesday, December 28, 1954 · 25:39

Dragnet

The Big Brain

Detectives investigate a series of armed robberies where victims are locked in car trunks. They must act quickly to catch the criminals before they strike again.

Ep 171 · Sunday, September 28, 1952 · 25:17

Dragnet

The Big Chet

Detectives Friday and Smith investigate a series of jewelry store robberies committed by a pair of armed thieves. With the help of an ex-convict, they aim to track down the criminals before they strike again.

Ep 198 · Sunday, April 5, 1953 · 28:55

The Adventures of Superman

Superman Vs. Kryptonite - Pt 09

Batman and Robin race against time to find Superman, who is in danger after being captured by the corrupt George Latimer, who possesses kryptonite. The stakes are high as they attempt to outsmart Latimer and rescue their friend.

Ep 1557 · Monday, May 26, 1947 · 14:23

Dimension X

The Outer Limit

In The Outer Limit, a test pilot prepares for a groundbreaking space mission while grappling with personal anxieties about impending fatherhood. As he launches into the unknown, the stakes rise with the potential for disaster looming over the mission.

Ep 1 · Saturday, April 8, 1950 · 30:11

Dragnet

Red Light Bandit

A ruthless robber impersonates a police officer, preying on unsuspecting citizens at red traffic lights. Detectives Friday and Romero must track him down before he strikes again.

Ep 6 · Thursday, July 14, 1949 · 29:37

That night in history

Headlines

  • 1955 — A United States Navy Douglas R6D-1 Liftmaster crashes into Hawaii's Waiʻanae Range, killing 66.

On the air that night›

  1. DragnetThe Big TalkCurrently listeningEpisode 292
  2. Fibber McGee and MollyFibber Buys New HatEpisode 1121
  3. Lux Radio TheatreRawhideEpisode 915