It begins with Friday and partner Ed Jacobs in court where Conrad Buckley is on trial for a case they worked on. The prosecution witness gives testimony that would be absurd today but is presented here as reasonable. Buckley is acquitted and disappears for a few months. Upon returning, he has a wife and an expensive lifestyle. It looks like he's still a criminal, but can it be proven?
Interesting to see two character actors early in their careers: Eddie Firestone as Buckley and Tol Avery as police Captain Wisdom.
4 Reviews
Excellent bit of Television
gordonl5625 June 2017
Warning: Spoilers
DRAGNET "The Big Lamp" 1952
This is the 14th episode of the 283 episode run of the original Police Detective series, DRAGNET. This series ran from 1951 to 59.
Sgt Joe Friday (Jack Webb) and Detective Ed Jacobs (Barney Philips) are working the day watch out of Robbery Division. They are up for a day in court to testify against safe-cracker, Eddie Firestone. The Detectives and the Police forensics man, Herb Butterfield, do their bit. The jury though for some reason decides to find the crook, not guilty. Firestone blows town after his release.
Some months later there is another string of break-ins and safe robberies that fit with Firestone's style. The Detectives check out the known haunts of Firestone and soon pick up his trail. The man now seems to be married, has a fine car and a rather nice house. The Detectives wonder how he is paying for all this.
After conferring with Webb's boss, Tol Avery, the Police set up an around the clock watch on Firestone's movements. They soon discover he has a small apartment downtown. A quick look inside said flat finds a set of burglary tools and such.
Forensics Detective Butterfield has an idea on how to get clear cut proof on Firestone's next robbery. The Detectives cover Firestone's tools and garments at his apartment with a special dust. This dust will only show up under ultra violet light.
The next time a safe cracking that fits with Firestone's tactics happens, the Detectives have a look at the scene. Sure enough, there is dust on the safe etc that shows up under the ultra violet lamp. Firestone is grabbed up and shown the proof. They have him for sure this time.
This is a pretty entertaining bit of television. The cast and crew are far enough into the series, to have worked out the bugs.
This is the 14th episode of the 283 episode run of the original Police Detective series, DRAGNET. This series ran from 1951 to 59.
Sgt Joe Friday (Jack Webb) and Detective Ed Jacobs (Barney Philips) are working the day watch out of Robbery Division. They are up for a day in court to testify against safe-cracker, Eddie Firestone. The Detectives and the Police forensics man, Herb Butterfield, do their bit. The jury though for some reason decides to find the crook, not guilty. Firestone blows town after his release.
Some months later there is another string of break-ins and safe robberies that fit with Firestone's style. The Detectives check out the known haunts of Firestone and soon pick up his trail. The man now seems to be married, has a fine car and a rather nice house. The Detectives wonder how he is paying for all this.
After conferring with Webb's boss, Tol Avery, the Police set up an around the clock watch on Firestone's movements. They soon discover he has a small apartment downtown. A quick look inside said flat finds a set of burglary tools and such.
Forensics Detective Butterfield has an idea on how to get clear cut proof on Firestone's next robbery. The Detectives cover Firestone's tools and garments at his apartment with a special dust. This dust will only show up under ultra violet light.
The next time a safe cracking that fits with Firestone's tactics happens, the Detectives have a look at the scene. Sure enough, there is dust on the safe etc that shows up under the ultra violet lamp. Firestone is grabbed up and shown the proof. They have him for sure this time.
This is a pretty entertaining bit of television. The cast and crew are far enough into the series, to have worked out the bugs.
First a Jury Acquital, Finally Nabbed, Life at San Quentin
biorngm27 March 2018
Warning: Spoilers
Review - The Big Lamp Aired 6-19-52
This episode is worth watching for the guest cast acting with known character actors breaking in their craft in mid-1952. The judge is Ralph Moody and the D.A. is Parley Baer. Parley has most of his hair.
Friday, Jacobs are in Superior Court, where an ex-con is on trial for burglarizing a safe, third floor of an office building. Due to the overwhelming evidence on the suspect, Friday expects a quick verdict, instead, the jury was locked up for the night, all went home. Next morning, the suspect ex-con, was found not-guilty by the jury. The judge said he thought this was the worst miscarriage of justice in all his years in the court system. An apathetic jury tossed the case aside, and went home, no tampering, they just didn't care.
Joe Friday, Ed Jacobs have to nail this guy in the act, since the jury was so apathetic, their chances of a conviction are only with literally hands-on evidence, while the suspect is fresh from the latest job. The Captain assists on the case, and he is played by Tol Avery. Lieutenant Lee Jones, played by Herb Butterfield, is in on the case as well. The four men all chip in to bring this loser to the big house.
The Big Lamp title refers to the ultraviolet lamp brought to the suspect's apartment proving he was burglarizing the safes earlier that evening. The chemical dust the officers had coated his clothes, shoes and tools showed he broke into the safe, i.e. hand prints on the safe door was a sure tip off.
The eleven episodes featuring Barney Phillips as Ed Jacobs early in the series were all well played; this episode was no exception. Eddie Firestone is the suspect, Conrad Buckley, and does a great job handling the role.
Friday, Jacobs are in Superior Court, where an ex-con is on trial for burglarizing a safe, third floor of an office building. Due to the overwhelming evidence on the suspect, Friday expects a quick verdict, instead, the jury was locked up for the night, all went home. Next morning, the suspect ex-con, was found not-guilty by the jury. The judge said he thought this was the worst miscarriage of justice in all his years in the court system. An apathetic jury tossed the case aside, and went home, no tampering, they just didn't care.
Joe Friday, Ed Jacobs have to nail this guy in the act, since the jury was so apathetic, their chances of a conviction are only with literally hands-on evidence, while the suspect is fresh from the latest job. The Captain assists on the case, and he is played by Tol Avery. Lieutenant Lee Jones, played by Herb Butterfield, is in on the case as well. The four men all chip in to bring this loser to the big house.
The Big Lamp title refers to the ultraviolet lamp brought to the suspect's apartment proving he was burglarizing the safes earlier that evening. The chemical dust the officers had coated his clothes, shoes and tools showed he broke into the safe, i.e. hand prints on the safe door was a sure tip off.
The eleven episodes featuring Barney Phillips as Ed Jacobs early in the series were all well played; this episode was no exception. Eddie Firestone is the suspect, Conrad Buckley, and does a great job handling the role.
So far, the best of the old "Dragnet" episodes I have seen.
planktonrules16 December 2013
Warning: Spoilers
"The Big Lamp" is an exceptionally good episode of the 1950s incarnation of "Dragnet". While most of the episodes do not exist (or at least they aren't available at the very least), about 50 do--and this is the best of the ones I've seen so far.
The show is unusual in that it begins in the courtroom. An accused thief is on trial and it seems pretty certain he'll be convicted based on expert testimony. Yet, in spite of scientific evidence and statistical proof that the man MUST have done it, the jury inexplicably acquits the guy. In a very unusual move, the judge lectures the jury on what a rotten job they did in this case--telling them that they are 'either innately dishonest or are complete morons'!
The next 2/3 of the show is about the police investigation of the same suspect once he returns to Los Angeles. Once again, a string of robberies occur that fit his m.o. and the police are determined to get him this time. What follows is an episode that emphasizes police work AND forensics. So, for those who think forensic work is new, they are in for a surprise as the methods employed in "The Big Lamp" seem very modern and surprisingly brilliant. Well worth seeing in every way.
The show is unusual in that it begins in the courtroom. An accused thief is on trial and it seems pretty certain he'll be convicted based on expert testimony. Yet, in spite of scientific evidence and statistical proof that the man MUST have done it, the jury inexplicably acquits the guy. In a very unusual move, the judge lectures the jury on what a rotten job they did in this case--telling them that they are 'either innately dishonest or are complete morons'!
The next 2/3 of the show is about the police investigation of the same suspect once he returns to Los Angeles. Once again, a string of robberies occur that fit his m.o. and the police are determined to get him this time. What follows is an episode that emphasizes police work AND forensics. So, for those who think forensic work is new, they are in for a surprise as the methods employed in "The Big Lamp" seem very modern and surprisingly brilliant. Well worth seeing in every way.
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