This Jack Webb Collection includes
Dragnet 369 Episodes
Jeff Regan Investigator 54 Episodes
and Pat Novak For Hire 29 Episodes
*** Dragnet 369 Episodes
Dragnet is a legendary American radio crime drama that set the standard for realistic police storytelling. Premiering on NBC in 1949, the series brought a new level of authenticity to the airwaves, captivating audiences with its methodical depiction of police work. Set in Los Angeles, Dragnet followed the investigations of Sergeant Joe Friday and his partners as they pursued criminals through careful procedure, tireless legwork, and unwavering dedication to the law.
The show was groundbreaking in its portrayal of law enforcement, offering a stark contrast to the more sensational detective dramas of its time. With its signature opening lines — “Ladies and gentlemen: the story you are about to hear is true. Only the names have been changed to protect the innocent” — Dragnet delivered tightly plotted stories based on real police cases, making it one of the most respected and influential programs of the golden age of radio.
The Stars
Jack Webb, who also created and directed the series, starred as the stoic and determined Sergeant Joe Friday. Webb’s portrayal was deliberately understated, emphasizing professionalism and procedure over emotion or personal drama. His clipped, no-nonsense delivery became iconic, embodying the show's commitment to realism.
Friday was frequently partnered with a variety of characters, most notably Sergeant Ben Romero, played by Barton Yarborough, and later Frank Smith, played by Ben Alexander. These partnerships provided a sense of camaraderie and humanity to the otherwise serious and duty-driven tone of the series.
Key Dates
• Dragnet premiered on June 3, 1949, on NBC Radio.
• The original radio series ran until February 26, 1957, spanning eight years and over 300 episodes.
• A highly successful television adaptation premiered on December 16, 1951, and became equally influential, airing in multiple runs over the decades, including the notable 1967–1970 revival, again starring Jack Webb.
Other Information
Dragnet revolutionized the police procedural genre, both in its format and style. Its scripts were based on actual case files provided by the Los Angeles Police Department, giving the stories a feeling of authenticity rarely seen in entertainment at the time. The series placed great emphasis on the day-to-day realities of police work: the paperwork, the interviews, the slow build toward an arrest, and the moral and ethical responsibilities faced by officers.
The program’s distinctive sound design, featuring terse narration and the famous four-note theme (""""Dun-dun-dun-dun!""""), became instantly recognizable. Its deliberate pacing and detailed attention to investigative process influenced countless radio, television, and film crime dramas that followed.
Dragnet was more than just a crime show — it was a tribute to the work of real-life police officers. Jack Webb’s insistence on accuracy earned him the respect of law enforcement agencies across the country, and the show helped shape the public’s perception of the police for years to come.
Today, Dragnet is considered one of the most important and enduring shows in radio and television history, remembered for its realism, its influence on the crime drama genre, and its portrayal of the American ideal of justice, duty, and integrity.
*** Jeff Regan Investigator 54 Episodes
""Jeff Regan, Investigator was a fast-paced detective drama that starred Jack Webb as a hard-boiled private eye working the seamy streets of postwar Los Angeles. Premiering in 1948, the series followed “The Lion’s Eye” — Jeff Regan — an operative for the International Detective Bureau, solving crimes and dealing with shady clients under the direction of his greedy and unscrupulous boss, Anthony J. Lyon.
Known for its tough dialogue, noir sensibility, and snappy narration, the series helped establish Jack Webb’s signature deadpan delivery and laid the groundwork for his later success with Dragnet.
The Stars
Jack Webb originally starred as Jeff Regan, bringing a cool, clipped tone to the hard-boiled detective archetype. His narration and first-person storytelling gave the show a gritty, noir feel. Frank Graham later took over the role after Webb’s departure.
Wilms Herbert played Anthony J. Lyon, Regan’s penny-pinching, double-dealing boss, whose love for profit often put Regan in difficult and dangerous situations. The dynamic between Regan and Lyon was a highlight of the show, with Lyon acting more like a shady promoter than a professional agency head.
Key Dates
• Jeff Regan, Investigator debuted on CBS Radio on July 10, 1948.
• Jack Webb starred in the initial run until December 18, 1948.
• The show returned in 1949 with Frank Graham as Regan and continued until August 27, 1950.
• A total of 40 episodes are known to survive from both versions.
Other Information
The series followed the traditional noir formula, with Regan narrating each case from his perspective — often opening with a seemingly routine job that spiraled into murder, blackmail, or betrayal. Regan was tough but principled, a detective who sought justice even when his clients — or his boss — had ulterior motives.
Set against the backdrop of 1940s Los Angeles, the show featured nightclubs, back alleys, corrupt officials, and sultry dames, giving it an unmistakably noir atmosphere. It stood out for its sharply written scripts, often rich in cynical humor and sharp observations about human nature.
Though short-lived during Webb’s tenure, Jeff Regan, Investigator played a pivotal role in his development as a radio performer and creator. Many of the stylistic elements he used here — especially the matter-of-fact tone and first-person narration — would reappear in Dragnet the following year.
Today, Jeff Regan, Investigator is regarded as a well-crafted and entertaining entry in the hard-boiled detective genre, remembered for its smart writing, noir ambiance, and for giving Jack Webb one of his earliest starring vehicles in radio.""
*** Pat Novak For Hire 29 Episodes
Pat Novak for Hire is one of radio’s most hard-boiled and poetically written detective dramas, known for its gritty atmosphere, razor-sharp dialogue, and relentless noir style. Set on the fog-drenched waterfronts of San Francisco, the show followed the tough, cynical Pat Novak — a man-for-hire whose simple jobs always spiraled into murder, betrayal, and beatings. With its moody tone and rapid-fire metaphors, the series stood out as one of the most stylized and hard-hitting programs of its era.
Starring a young Jack Webb, Pat Novak for Hire became a cult favorite for fans of dark, witty detective fiction.
The Stars
Jack Webb starred as Pat Novak, a sardonic, streetwise operator who took on odd jobs for money and always ended up knee-deep in danger. Webb’s fast, clipped delivery perfectly matched the character’s world-weary perspective and razor wit.
Raymond Burr (later famous as Perry Mason) played Novak’s nemesis, Inspector Hellman, a blustering, antagonistic police detective who constantly accused Novak of the crimes he stumbled into. Tudor Owen portrayed Novak’s alcoholic friend and philosophical sidekick, Jocko Madigan, a former doctor with a love for whisky and abstract wisdom.
Key Dates
• Pat Novak for Hire originally aired regionally on ABC’s West Coast network from 1946 to 1947.
• It returned nationally on ABC Radio from February 13 to June 18, 1949.
• Though short-lived, the show produced over 30 known episodes during its combined runs.
Other Information
What made Pat Novak for Hire unique was its dazzling, metaphor-heavy writing. Every line from Novak dripped with sardonic commentary — comparing women to razors, murderers to jigsaw puzzles, and the city to a bad dream. The noir influence was strong, but the writing elevated it into something lyrical and unforgettable.
The plots typically followed a familiar structure: Novak accepted a shady job for quick cash, got framed for murder, fought his way through thugs, and cracked the case — all while delivering narration that
could be both brutal and poetic.
The show’s dark humor, biting irony, and fatalistic worldview gave it an edge that separated it from more straightforward detective programs of the time. It remains a favorite among OTR collectors for its writing and for offering one of Jack Webb’s best pre-Dragnet performances.
Today, Pat Novak for Hire is remembered as a gem of noir radio — hard-hitting, atmospheric, and filled with some of the most memorable dialogue in the genre. Its influence can be seen in later noir pastiches and detective parodies, and it remains a masterclass in stylized storytelling.
Get All Three Jack Webb Radio Shows!
Blind Mice Mega Mall is designed for use with screen reader and low vision software for visually impaired shoppers!
The Mice have built Blind Mice exclusivily for the Blind & Low Vision Community!
The sighted have millions of web sites built for them...
Each store is an independent business owned and managed by a member of the Blind / Low Vision Community!
Please browse the great offerings from the merchants in Blind Mice Mega Mall
You will find great items and unique products for the Blind and Low Vision community.
Shop all the stores and check out just one time! The Mice make it easy to shop from all of our outstanding merchants!
Remember, the Merchants operating stores in Blind Mice Mega Mall are also part of the Blind and Low Vision Community so when you buy from them you are supporting the Blind and Low Vision Community directly!