- Obscene literature and pictures are spread among youngster at a school in Los Angeles. The supplier of this illegal stuff turns out to be a former film producer from the days of silent movies.
- Synopsis - The Big Producer Airing 8-26-54 Friday, Smith are working day watch out of Juvenile Division, stopping by the principal's office of a local high school; obscene literature had been circulating via a certain senior class member, they were there to check it out. The officers ask student Steve Banner to show his locker contents, particularly some paperbacks, he shows Friday, Smith and Friday grills him on his source and the distribution to others, possibly for sale to other minors. The obscene books and photographs are confiscated, they are booked as evidence, essentially cleaning out Steve's locker. Friday, Smith drive Banner to his home, about a mile from the high school.
Steve explained he lived with his sister and brother-in-law; they were at work. They check the garage, there is a sizeable supply of obscene literature stacked in the garage. Charlie Hopkins is the man behind the material, Steve met him in a penny-arcade one day after school. Charlie asked Steve and his friend if they wanted to sell the stuff and Steve tells Friday, Smith the books sold and the pictures went even better selling. Steve tells of the party he was invited to with his buddy and their girlfriends. He comments that Charlie promised the girls he would get them into the movies. All the garage material was loaded into the police car after Steve admitted to Charlie's actions. He said he did not attend the recent parties, but indicated the girls might have. Steve directed Friday, Smith to Bud Spencer's high school, they picked Bud up and booked both juveniles.
A check of Hopkins' registration card gave his address, they pull his record which shows him working the high schools posing as a film studio producer. There was nobody at the party location given by Steve nor the address from the card. The plan now was to check on the girls, leaving a question why they were out until three drinking. Friday comments it could be traced back to the parents. Hopkins' mug shot is shown to Steve and Bud, a broadcast APB was issued for Charlie Hopkins.
Policewoman Noreen Statzel accompanies Friday, Smith out to see the two girls. Laura Osborne was their first stop. She was at a model agency according to her sister, both parents were at work. Statzel shows Osbourne a picture of Charlie Hopkins' work, Laura is surprised at what she sees, it doesn't fit her perception of Charlie. Laura says she has a date with Charlie tomorrow night, eight o'clock. A warrant was obtained on Charles Hopkins, contributing to the delinquency of a minor.
Friday, Smith stake out the cocktail lounge where the two were to meet. They spot and stop Hopkins at their car site; no residency, no car, just got into town, wearing dark glasses, walking with a newspaper. His driver's license shows the former address. Friday, Smith have Hopkins get into their car, empty his pockets, there is a parking ticket in his pocket. A search of the car reveals pictures similar to those possessed by Steve Banner and there was a key to Westside Studio, #23; Hopkins is booked via the warrant.
Friday, Smith visit the studio with Hopkins. The studio was old, it had seen better days according to Friday's narrative. The studio was from the silent era in film and Hopkins tells Friday, Smith he is a producer, has been for thirty years. Hopkins walks Friday, Smith around, pausing to tell them he was part owner of Westside years ago. He eludes questions about his occupation today. He denies knowing any of the teenagers recently working with him. He keeps denying why the police want him, as leads them around the empty studio lot. He pauses again talking about a movie he produced thirty years ago, detailing one western scene. He finally takes off his sun glasses, tears rolling down his eyes, finally admitting working the school trade, hiring the same teenagers. He says he is ashamed as he drops his dated trade papers on the empty dirt street, and walks off with Friday, Smith.
Tried, convicted of manufacturing and distributing obscene literature, Hopkins' accomplice, his former cameraman, was tried, convicted of the same charges. Charles Hopkins is now serving his term in the County Jail.
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