User Reviews

"The Big Bird" is a very strange episode of "Dragnet". And, since the cases are supposedly based on real cases, this makes this particular one all the more disturbing.

Sergeant Friday (Jack Webb) and Officer Smith (Ben Alexander) are investigating a very, very strange rash of burglaries. It seems that folks who have recently moved into new homes have had someone break in and steal a few items--nothing super-valuable. However, the psycho ALSO kills the pet birds in each of the homes. He (or she) is obviously casing the families and targeting bird lovers. But why?! And, if a guy could so easily kill these animals, what about people?!

As I said above, this is a very, very strange episode. It's worth seeing and engaging and is the only episode I can remember where the suspect does NOT go to jail but is committed to a psychiatric institution! Weird but worth seeing.

Review - The Big Bird Aired 10-27-55 A seven on a ten-scale rating because this episode covered another case the police have to check, it was burglaries occurring and pet birds being killed by the perpetrator. Question for the viewer is who was Art Sward? He is listed in the closing credits of the online version I viewed and he is listed in this archived episode file. There were no speaking character part unaccounted for in the credits except for Art.

Friday, Smith meet all of the victim home owners, those with pet birds suffered losses; their bird was killed. The pattern of dead bird pets is established along with new tract home owners, but not until the Captain suggests Friday, Smith become new home owners, does the pair catch the perpetrator.

Roles played by certain character actors are worth a view. George Chandler plays salesman Forrest Simple of the White Manor Homes development; perfect for the part, as he was for many during his career. William Boyett steps out of character playing an ex-con grilled by Friday; worth a look. Paul Richards left us too soon due to cancer; he left an impression playing the burglar, bird killer. This episode has the criminal institutionalized for psychiatric reasons.