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 Child
← All Dragnet episodes

The story you're about to hear is true. The names have been changed to protect the innocent. You're a detective sergeant. You're assigned a juvenile detail. You get a call from Georgia Street Receiving Hospital. A two-year-old child has been brought in. Her condition is critical. There's evidence of foul play. Your job, check it out. It was Sunday, August 14th. It was warm in Los Angeles. We were working the night watch out of juvenile detail. My partner is Frank Smith. The…

Transcript

Loading transcript…

Synopsis

In The Big Child, the episode opens with a grim situation: a two-year-old girl named Melissa is brought to Georgia Street Receiving Hospital in critical condition, having suffered convulsions. Detectives Joe Friday and his partner Frank Smith are called to investigate the circumstances surrounding her poisoning. As they arrive at the hospital, they learn that the child has tragically died, prompting an urgent need to uncover the truth behind her untimely demise.

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

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

Secrets of Scotland Yard

Root of All Evil Money

Cecil Cameron, a decorated war hero, faces a dramatic downfall when he and his wife devise a scheme to defraud an insurance company using a fake pearl necklace. Their actions lead to a trial that reveals the complexities of morality and desperation.

Ep 48 · Sunday, February 17, 1957 · 26:07

21st Precinct

The Neighbor

A woman reports a burglar in her apartment, prompting the 21st Precinct officers to respond quickly. They discover a complex situation involving a polite but deceptive suspect.

Ep 139 · Thursday, May 31, 1956 · 26:37

Broadway Is My Beat

The Sophie Brettin Murder Case

Detective Danny Clover investigates the murder of Sophie Bretton, an elderly woman found shot in her apartment filled with books. As he delves into her life, he uncovers a web of secrets and a potential witness with a troubled past.

Ep 171 · Saturday, June 27, 1953 · 28:54

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

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

Murder›

More stories in this vein

The Devil and Mr O

Rocket from Manhattan

In Rocket from Manhattan, a group of astronauts returns from the moon, but their journey takes a dark turn as they face a dire situation in space. Tensions rise as they confront the consequences of their mission and the implications of their discoveries.

Ep 22 · Friday, February 11, 1972 · 28:36

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

Escape

Sire De Maletroit's Door

In 1429 Paris, a young cavalier finds himself lost and pursued by soldiers, leading him to a mysterious house where he encounters the enigmatic Sire de Maltois and a beautiful woman named Blanche. The stakes rise as he navigates the dangers of love and honor amidst the chaos of war.

Ep 5 · Monday, August 4, 1947 · 29:33

The Six Shooter

Audition Show

Britt Ponset, known as the sixth shooter, finds himself in Clay City with a horse in need of a shoe. As he navigates the town, he uncovers a recent robbery and the mystery surrounding it.

Ep 0 · Wednesday, July 15, 1953 · 23:28

← PreviousThe Big DealNext →The Big Momma

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_55-04-26_297_The_Big_Child.mp3

Dragnet, Episode 297

The Big Child

Tuesday, April 26, 1955 · 25:29

Dragnet, Episode 297

The Big Child

Tuesday, April 26, 1955 · 25:29

Summary

A two-year-old girl is brought to the hospital in critical condition, and detectives investigate her mysterious poisoning while searching for her missing mother. The case reveals troubling truths about family and responsibility.

  • Tense
  • Murder
  • Crime
  • Psychological
  • Drama
  • Mystery
  • Thriller

Chapters

Detective Desk

Private eyes, hardboiled and soft.

24 episodes

Tense Nights

Edge-of-seat radio.

24 episodes

Twist Ending Club

Don’t peek. The last minute is the point.

24 episodes

Psychological Thrillers

The danger is inside the room.

24 episodes

Morning Coffee Mystery

Puzzles that pair with caffeine.

24 episodes

Essential Thrillers

Pulse-up nights across the golden age.

24 episodes

Hardboiled Classics

Noir voices and cigarette-smoke cases.

24 episodes

Chet Chetter's Tales from the Morgue

Interface To Terror

Chet Chetter struggles with a new computer system at the morgue while recounting the tale of a young inventor and his brother. Tensions rise as the inventor's experiments take a dangerous turn.

Ep 8111 · Thursday, March 23, 1995 · 29:53

The Devil and Mr O

Official Killer

In Official Killer, Samuel Jones, an executioner for the state, grapples with the weight of his profession as he contemplates his own end. With a pistol in hand, he faces the ghosts of his past and the consequences of his actions.

Ep 17 · Friday, January 7, 1972 · 29:02

Dragnet

The Big Sisters

Detectives Friday and Smith investigate a reported burglary by an elderly woman, Miss Dunbetter, who claims a man stole $300 from her apartment. As they delve into the case, they uncover unexpected details about her story.

Ep 302 · Tuesday, May 31, 1955 · 29:19

Dragnet

The Big Siege

A dangerous bank robber is cornered in a house, and the police must find a way to apprehend him without further bloodshed. Tensions rise as they prepare for a standoff with the armed suspect.

Ep 301 · Tuesday, May 24, 1955 · 25:42

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 — The Bandung Conference ends: Twenty-nine non-aligned nations of Asia and Africa finish a meeting that condemns colonialism, racism, and the Cold War.

On the air that night›

  1. DragnetThe Big ChildCurrently listeningEpisode 297
  2. Fibber McGee and MollyWorld's Silliest Golf MatchEpisode 1146
  3. SuspenseSight UnseenEpisode 595