Dragnet: The Big Shakedown (EP5049)
Dragnet: The Big Shakedown (EP5049)  
Podcast: The Great Detectives of Old Time Radio| Daily Mystery Dramas
Published On: Thu Aug 27 2026
Description: Todays Mystery: Sergeant Joe Friday and his partner Frank Smith investigate a bookmaker’s claim that a police officer has been demanding weekly payments in exchange for allowing him to operate. But when no one matching the man’s name or description can be found in law-enforcement records, Friday and Smith begin searching for an extortionist who may not be a policeman at all.Original Radio Broadcast Date: May 22, 1952Originating from HollywoodCast:Jack Webb as Sergeant Joe FridayHerb Ellis as Frank SmithAlso featuring Vic Rodman and June WhitleyScript by Jim MoserMusic by Walter SchumannTechnical advisors: Captain Jack Donahoe, Sergeant Marty Wynn, and Sergeant Vance BrasherSupport the show monthly at patreon.greatdetectives.netPatreon Supporter of the Day:Support the show on a one-time basis at http://support.greatdetectives.net.Mail a donation to: Adam Graham, PO Box 15913, Boise, Idaho 83715Take the listener survey…http://survey.greatdetectives.netGive us a call 208-991-4783Become one of our friends on Facebook.Follow us on Instagram at http://instagram.com/greatdetectivesFollow us on Twitter@radiodetectivesJoin us again tomorrow for another detective drama from the Golden Age of Radio.