Season 4 Episode 12
Review - The Big New Year Aired 12-12-54
Memorable episode with an assortment of notable character actors complementing the well-written drama. Definitely a ten and certainly worth watching the superb acting with a true but sad storyline. There are a number of characters we see, some we don't, but all somehow create a picture of the search for a killer on New Year's Eve and into the new year.
Friday narrates the toughest night of the year is New Year's Eve, when a city, the size of Los Angeles celebrates. Friday, Smith are working the night-watch out of Homicide Division, Special Duty. It was New Year's Eve, all available men were expected on duty, it was a big night for some. Sgt. Jack McCreadie is working with Friday, Smith at city hall.
A call comes in, code three, a shooting, all units respond. Friday says, that's us, he flips McCreadie's hat to him, grabs his coat, and the three of them are headed out to answer the call. They arrive to find Officer Lloyd Hopper dead, from gunshot wounds. He was shot twice at the base of his skull, there were four more bullet wounds in his back; a veteran homicide officer.
Friday, Smith head out to the home of the slain officer, Lloyd Harper. They both break the news to Betty Hopper, she faints, helped to a chair, as the clock strikes midnight; Smith sullenly says Happy New Year, as he and Friday bow their heads, Betty slumped in the chair.
It is two-thirty AM, a patrolman on foot, located the taxi-cab who saw a man fitting the suspect's description. The cab driver recalls a guy running through the crowd, driver opened his door, the man passed on the cab, kept running. The driver, Hoyt Wembley, said suspect left the 228 Club, a bar. Ralph Stevens, bar owner, denied it could have his patron involved in the shooting. Slugs taken from Lloyd Hopper were from a .45 Colt automatic.
Ralph Stevens is re-questioned by Friday, Smith; they press Ralph, making him admit he knew the guy. The suspect is Harry Talmadge, a hop-head, a user of heroin. They check on a hotel Talmadge last stayed; he left two months ago, no leads. A background check of suspect Harry Talmadge, confirmed his use of narcotics, and he served two terms for narcotics possession and a short term for petty theft. A broadcast and an APB went out on Talmadge, no leads were delivered from the haunts, friends and relatives. Lt. Biggeman, Narcotics Detail, provided Friday, Smith with some promising leads, i.e. the peddlers of the drug Talmadge was using, and would soon be craving.
Friday takes a call, Lt. Biggeman, found 'Bigs' Donaldson, former mule, wanting to talk to police. Friday, Smith drive to a skid row hotel where Donaldson is. Bigs tells Smith he is not pushing anymore. Bigs gives the name of Duke, a worker at the penny arcade; Duke most recently saw Talmadge.
Duke was not at work; officers relieve Friday, Smith, waiting for Duke. Duke comes home, police get Talmadge's most current address, Friday, Smith decide to check it out, Duke says he is home. Friday, Smith go to Talmadge's room, Smith walks in with his gun drawn, Friday holds back, his gun drawn, Talmadge holds his .45 to Smith's head, Friday clips him, Smith slaps the cuffs on Talmadge.
The suspect was tried and convicted for manslaughter. Harry Talmadge is now serving his term in the State Penitentiary, San Quentin, CA. Watch this episode, you will not be disappointed.
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