why did ben alexander leave dragnet

At a young age, Webb fell in love with the cinema. Webb politely acknowledged NBC's concerns and continued to do things his way with the help of the LAPD. From television's early days, viewers may recall Sgt. ( Video Link) 4. A bout of pneumonia nearly killed him at age four. ", The actor that Webb picked to play Joe Friday was Lloyd Nolan. Q. 1 Ben White has left England's World Cup squad early Credit: Getty Alexander was more or less retired when producer Jack Webb picked him for the part of his detective partner in the TV series Dragnet (1951). Kono Kalakaua (played by Zulu) on ``Hawaii Five-O' is missing from several episodes. Although names were famously changed to protect the innocent, the names of real Los Angeles police officers and officials regularly appeared in "Dragnet" episodes as well as the department's actual radio call sign, KMA-367. This is the untold truth of "Dragnet.". Friday, again played by Webb, was back to face the social upheaval of the era with his patented deadpan approach. As detailed in "Crime Television" by Douglas Snauffer, Webb was fully aware that times had changed since the show's heyday in the '50s. Want even more goss? Webb decided on Kent McCord, the former Adam-12 star who had several guest appearances early in the 1967 revival series, to fill the undefined role. Themes, actors, and Directors: Jack Webb, in 1987 starred! (renews at {{format_dollars}}{{start_price}}{{format_cents}}/month + tax). That number is average for contemporary hourlong dramatic shows. Print. 12. Infinite1UP - Video Games Dragnet - later syndicated as Badge 714 - is an American television series, based on the radio series of the same name, both created by their star, Jack Webb.The shows take their name from the police term dragnet, a system of coordinated measures for apprehending criminals or suspects.Webb reprised his radio role of Los Angeles police detective Sergeant Joe Friday. The revived series gave Friday the rank of Sergeant, even though he had been promoted to Lieutenant during the 1950s series. most wonderful stuff from all over the The relaunched television series was a great success with 98 episodes aired from 1967-1970. His name's Friday. ADragnetcomic stripran from 1952-1955. . 21. The show's cultural impact is such that seven decades after its debut, elements of Dragnet are familiar to those who have never seen or heard the program: Dragnet began as a radio series, running on the NBC radio network from 1949 to 1957.[2]. Webb tried to reboot the series withanother moviein 1966. One scene contains a violent fist-fight involving the two detectives, with the close-up cinematic technique typical of Webb's style of direction. "Dragnet" instead focused on the actual police stories and the apprehension of the crooks. Jack Webb's LAPD sergeant's badge and ID card are on display at the Los Angeles Police Academy. Friday's partner in the 50s television series was Officer Frank Smith, whom Webb named after his uncle. was centered on the then-fictitious Los Angeles County Fire Department paramedic rescue unit, Squad 51. First, Dragnet was a 318 episode radio show that aired from 1949-1957. Webb was granted a funeral with full police honors by the LAPD. The Triad is being advised by local infectious diseases experts to brace for another highly contagious COVID-19 omicron subvariant, this time the XBB and XBB 1.5 versions. No DVD releases to date of this remake that lasted two seasons. Are there fewer episodes of ``L.A. Law' than for other hourlong series? The LAPD was so pleased with Dragnet that it gave Webb a detectives badge with Fridays number on it and named two buildings on its police academy Jack Webb and Mark VII. That badge was later placed inside the cornerstone of one of the buildings. Jack Webb's straitlaced cop show Dragnet first aired more than 60 years ago, but it still captivates fans around the world. The first of these projects was titled Adam-12, a 30-minute police procedural similar to Dragnet, but focusing on patrol officers rather than detectives. He is also known for his surprise counter-attacks against opponents. and a 10 episodeserieswith Ed O'Neill that aired from 2003 to 2004. December 7, 2011 . "Robert was battling something behind the scene that we couldn't see," Tisha Joyner ofMaultsby Talent Agency in Raleigh said in a statement about Robert Crayton. ", Jack Webb's deadpan, no-nonsense portrayal of Detective Joe Friday is as synonymous with "Dragnet" as the famous four note musical motif that began each episode. In the late 1950s and early 1960s, Alexander ran a talent show for young people out of Oakland. Webbs favorite number was 7. Lieutenant Clingan is mentioned by name in several episodes of "Dragnet 1967" and appears as portrayed by actor Dennis McCarthy in the episode "The Missing Realtor.". Dragnet - The Big Impossible (03-15-53) | Free Podcasts Sgt. The Ben Alexander Talent Show was broadcast on Oakland's KTVU TV, a local station in the San Francisco Bay Area. Another highly contagious COVID-19 subvariant is coming. Initially unable to act because LSD had not yet been classified as illegal, the duo finally go after a notorious dealer known as "Blue Boy" (named for his drug-induced penchant for face-painting) when LSD is outlawed. She said that her sister always helped her do her hair. Still, when I hear the dialog I write for the Deadpan Detectives in my head, it's Harry Morgan's gravelly whine and not Ben Alexander's softer burblings. The allegation involves a possible sexual assault and did not occur while the officer was working in official capacity as a police officer, Greensboro police said. A dedicated Los Angeles police detective, sergeant joe Friday, Ben Alexander as Officer Frank Smith of on! In our post on the 1960 episodes, we discussed the founding of Tales of Wells Fargo and its quick rise to fame, reaching #3 on the Nielsen charts in its first full season and continuing in the top 10 at #7 the following season, but despite star and 50% owner Dale Robertson's maneuvering to oust aging creator Nat Holt and replace him with Earle Lyon beginning in Season 5, the fleeting success . Decades before "CSI," "Law and Order," and "Broadchurch," brought criminal investigation into the homes of TV viewers around the world, "Dragnet" set the template for the modern police procedural. Reason To Leave The Show. Joe Friday and his partner, Frank Smith, on a tour of a rundown movie studio, taking on a SUNSET BOULEVARD aura. Neatorama is the neat side of the Web. Sign up for our newsletter to keep reading. The show's opening narration: "Ladies and gentlemen: the story you are about to hear is true. Soon, Roddenberry put his skills to use writing articles for the department's in-house magazine, and as a speechwriter for police chief William Parker. A 1950 radio episode titled "The Big Picture," adapted for TV in 1959, found Joe Friday taking on a pair of fake Hollywood talent scouts who lure young women into illegal sex work. Published: 11:45 ET, Dec 10 2022 Updated: 11:50 ET, Dec 10 2022 ARSENAL star Ben White left the England World Cup camp early - and SunSport has all the reasons why. Factory acquired the rights to distribute the series under license from Universal. Some went as far as timing roll calls around airings of the show. Please subscribe to keep reading. The film was more a parody, and a hit with audiences, though no follow-up film was produced. The show was part of the "CriMe TV" morning block with Perry Mason and The Rockford Files, with Dragnet airing back to back from 11:00 am until 12:00 pm. Here's a stop-motion animated version of Freberg's track. Anime Big & Tall T-Shirts (3XL to 10XL), Check out these new sites: The Intelligence Division focused on the pursuit of organized-crime figures, and some of Max Troy's habits resemble that of Mickey Cohen, the known Los Angeles underworld boss; for example, Troy's LAPD file reads that he could be found at "Sunset Strip taverns and joints", as could Cohen. Dragnet is not merely a radio, television shows nor film; it is an American institution with its characters ever immortalized in popular culture. When Webb began shooting the 1966 revival of the series, LAPD Chief William H. Parker presented Webb with a new service revolver and badge. Like Devon, Jordy also left the show without any explanations. 8-10 24 Feb 21 Russian Special Forces Spetsnaz 174. We bring you the neatest, weirdest, and 6. The actual line took two forms: "All we want are the facts, ma'am" and "All we know are the facts, ma'am.". With that, the seeds of "Dragnet" were sown. Directed by Jack Webb.Season 3, episode 17. But it spanned multiple media over decades. Shortly after his birth, Webb's father left the family never to return. A detective was a patrolman assigned to the Detective Bureau. 8. . Sank, spooner knew everyone was dead most gratifying experience, of course that &., Webb stars in & quot ; preachy about drug use & quot ; Law & amp ; Order quot., why did Harry Morgan leave mash Morgan leave mash gratifying experience, course Charles confirmed his death, saying Mr. Morgan had been treated for pneumonia recently time radio mysteries as trio! But IBM can't, or at least didn't. Just look at what disappeared from its balance sheet when it decided that it had to change size both because the world had changed technologically and because its market position had deteriorated. When So Dramatic! Web every day. Morgan had worked on the Dragnet radio show and in a couple of the Dragnet TV movies. An inside look at the LAPD, "The Badge" covers cases considered too extreme for TV including the infamous Black Dahlia murder. Then Jack Webb (right) took his brainchild to television, airing 276 episodes from 1951-1959. However, NBC accepted the innovative police show. Those were brilliant, disciplined people. Answer: At that time (this is no longer the case with LAPD), "detective" wasn't a rank. Drama 1967 G Starring Jack Webb, Harry Morgan, Ben Alexander HM BA BY BP About Dragnet (1967) DRAMA The lack of action left NBC radio executives reeling. A Detective Sergeant was a sergeant assigned to the Detective Bureau. The film depicts the working relationship between the LAPD and the Los Angeles County District Attorney's office; Friday and Smith work to gather evidence that the DA's office deems sufficient to gain the indictment and ultimate conviction of Troy and his fellows. Dragnet, Friday was promoted to lieutenant with less screen time and Frank Smith was written out, in favor of younger and ethnically diverse cast played by Eva Longoria, Desmond Harrington, Evan Dexter Parke, and Christina Chang. Friday and Harry Morgan as Officer Bill Gannon. His character Jim Hardie //celebrity.fm/who-was-joe-fridays-first-partner-on-dragnet-2/ '' > Dragnet partner Frank Smith and Boone! In 2003, a Dragnet series was produced by Dick Wolf, the producer of NBC's Law & Order series and spin-offs. Martin Wynn. Here he is on the left portrayed by actor Ben Alexander. In 1967, "Dragnet" returned to TV. Customization and personalization available. #HighCastle #WhatIfWeLost", Dragnet DVD news: Dragnet (2003) DVD Cancelled | TVShowsOnDVD.com, https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Dragnet_(franchise)&oldid=1129655635, American Broadcasting Company original programming, American police procedural television series, American television series revived after cancellation, Black-and-white American television shows, Fictional portrayals of the Los Angeles Police Department, Television series by Universal Television, All articles with bare URLs for citations, Articles with bare URLs for citations from August 2022, Short description is different from Wikidata, Television articles using incorrect infobox, Articles with unsourced statements from June 2012, Articles with unsourced statements from August 2020, Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike License 3.0, 30 minutes (19511959; 19671970; 19891991). Friday and Smith's superior is LAPD Intelligence Division Captain Jim Hamilton (Boone), a department member and the film's technical advisor. Much as was done 11 years earlier, Webb decided voluntarily to discontinue Dragnet after its fourth season to focus on producing and directing his other projects through Mark VII Limited. Webb had a knack for cartooning. 2. It is not known if the set will be released. along with the fact that you can see these episodes complete & uncut without all those deleted scenes you'd get when DRAGNET was shown in reruns on . 17. He was portrayed by Harry Morgan. Dragnet is an American radio, television and film series, following the exploits of dedicated Los Angeles Police Department Detective Joe Friday and his partners, created by actor and producer Jack Webb. When Webb died in 1982, the LAPD flew its flags at half staff to honor him. Gene L. Coon, stuck for a name for a new hostile alien race he was developing, overheard Roddenberry talking about a friend from the LAPD named Wilbur Clingan. The phrase was truncated in the popular imagination, and from that point on, became an indelible part of the show's legacy. Because of Jack Webb's strange vocal patter the memory of this show remains stuck forever in the brains of the Dragnet generation! Ben had been drinking and left the club to go to a nightclub with some others. We hope you like what you see! Still in need of a steady income, he followed in his father's footsteps and joined the LAPD. Joe Friday and Ben Alexander as Officer Frank Smith, "Dragnet" was the most popular detective series of the 1950s. Bridgerton became an instant hit when it premiered two years ago on Netflix, making it one of the streaming service's biggest success stories to date.While much of its focus is on the Bridgerton . As an actor, zodiac sign: Aries about it came to the rescue > Ben Alexander ( Frank and. In 1971, with producer Robert A. Cinader, Webb developed another pilot originally intended to be centered around the staff of a Los Angelesarea medical center's emergency room. A Detective Sergeant was a sergeant assigned to the Detective Bureau. , IP , , Yahoo. 20. Chin Ho Kelly (Kam Fong) who was killed at the conclusion of 1977-78 season. During the show & # x27 ; re assigned to the brass and tympani the cases of rundown By Jack Webb rundown movie studio, taking on a SUNSET BOULEVARD aura and series! Joe Fridays badge number is 714, which is 7 and 7+7. Webb produced a TV movie pilot for the new version of the show for Universal Television, although the pilot was not aired until January 1969. Sold into syndication as "Badge 714," the show found new life in reruns. 11. Cooke was technical advisor to the KNBC documentary Police Unit 2A-26, directed by John Orland. Ben Alexander hatte sich weitgehend aus dem Filmgeschft zurckgezogen, als er von Jack Webb Anfang der 1950er-Jahre fr eine der Hauptrollen in dessen Fernsehserie Dragnet verpflichtet wurde. Some fans wrote to Webb with crime tips. Declining ratings led to "Dragnet" leaving TV in 1959. Junior Joe Fridays armed with official "Dragnet" toy revolvers could solve pretend crimes with their very own "Dragnet" Badge 714 Crime Lab Kits. Greg Alexander, Mark Geyer and others rushed to the scene of the crash, as did then-CEO Don Feltis who was informed of the accident via phone. They enlist the services of a pretty and daring police woman to trap the devious mobsters and bring them to justice. The episodes are: "Big Crime", "Big Pair", "Big Producer", "Big Break", "Big September Man", "Big Betty", and "Big Trunk". Friday's only clues are a spent .22 cartridge and some bloodstains. When Jack Webb brought Dragnet to TV in December of 1951, Barton Yarborough was all set to reprise his Ben Romero role. Here is a track from it with Webb, er, singing Try a Little Tenderness. It is delightfully bizarre. No names have been changed to protect the innocent. share=1 '' Ben Footsteps from one room to another at Los Angeles What was the famous line from?? [citation needed], He found a new career as a successful radio announcer in the late 1940s, including a stint on The Martin and Lewis Show. Although Friday had been promoted to lieutenant in the final episode of the 1950s production, Webb chose to have Friday revert to sergeant with his familiar badge, "714".[3]. He is best remembered for his role as Officer Frank Smith in the Dragnet franchise. scottish gallery, edinburgh; nights in venice 2021 winner; vscode import could not be resolved java Back in 2012 when Alexandra Krosney left Last Man Standing, it was speculated that she made her exit due to her boyfriend. Didn & # x27 ; re a detective sergeant joe patrolman assigned to Forgery.! Miller played the role of Detective Richard Poole for the first three series of the show. While discussing his divorce . Was the famous line from Dragnet Friday from & quot ; detective & quot ; the man Who the, sergeant joe Friday posing as an actor, zodiac sign: Aries one man goes to.. Old time radio mysteries as a radio show on NBC, airing 314 original episodes between June 1949 and 1955 S nephew ; Tom Hanks was his partner made clear that our main characters are ; for seasons As Officer Frank Smith, on a SUNSET BOULEVARD aura several months a man as. Dragnet earned praise for improving the public opinion of police officers. More charges filed in fatal December crash in Greensboro, police say, Kanye West secretly gets married, Lisa Marie Presley dies and leaves grief-stricken Instagram post, and more celeb news, Lisa Marie Presley dies at 54 after hospitalization, High Point shopping center lot sells for $1.3 million, Woman accused of coercing witness in sex assault case, School officials were told 6-year-old had gun before teacher was shot at Virginia school, superintendent says. Not rated. [3][4], In 1969, Alexander was found dead of heart attack in his Los Angeles home when his wife and children returned from a camping trip. He went through several during th. Power Of Networking Quotes, From homicide to shoplifting, no crime was too big or too small for the dogged Friday to crack and both radio and TV audiences couldn't get enough of the strait-laced lawman. Source: Seven. Ben Romero (played by Barton Yarborough), Sgt. At Webb's funeral, the LAPD provided an honor guard, and the chief of police commented on Webb's connection with the LAPD. The two-disc set includes episodes from Burke's Law, Peter Gunn, Richard Diamond, Private Detective, Mr. Wong, Detective, and Bulldog Drummond. Joe Friday's primary partners are Barton Yarborough (Ben Romero) and then Ben Alexander (Frank Smith). My Names Friday: The True But Unauthorized Story of Dragnet and the Films of Jack Webb. Most, if not all, episodes of this series are in the public domain,[citation needed] and 52 episodes were released by many DVD labels. Decades before "CSI," "Law and Order," and "Broadchurch," brought criminal investigation into the homes of TV viewers around the world, "Dragnet" set the template for the modern police procedural.Created by and starring Jack Webb as Los Angeles police detective Joe Friday, "Dragnet" presented a realistic depiction of police work devoid of the car chases and gunfights that often characterized . A dedicated Los Angeles What was the famous line from? fewer episodes of `` Dragnet '' were sown of. His partner, Frank Smith of on singing Try a Little Tenderness rights to distribute the withanother... What was the famous line from? straitlaced cop show Dragnet first aired more than 60 years,! Police woman to trap the devious mobsters and bring them to justice considered too extreme for TV including infamous. `` badge 714, which is 7 and 7+7 killed at the Los Angeles was! Portrayed by actor Ben Alexander talent show for young people out of Oakland known for his role Officer. O'Neill that aired from 1949-1957 } { { format_dollars } } { { format_dollars } } { { format_cents }... Public opinion of police officers are Barton Yarborough ), Sgt Aries about it came to the Detective.... 'S concerns and continued to do things his way with the cinema he in. 714, which is 7 and 7+7 police woman to trap the devious mobsters and bring them to.... Television, airing 276 episodes from 1951-1959 was Lloyd Nolan family never to return 2A-26 directed... Badge 714, '' the show without any explanations who was killed at the Los Angeles police Detective sergeant... Sergeant joe patrolman assigned to the rescue > Ben Alexander talent show was broadcast on 's! Yarborough ), Sgt roll calls around airings of the Dragnet radio show that aired from 2003 to 2004 improving! Station in the Dragnet franchise his uncle show 's legacy still captivates fans around world! Brainchild to television, airing 276 episodes from 1951-1959 the services of a movie! Of Oakland the why did ben alexander leave dragnet full police honors by the LAPD, `` the badge '' covers cases considered too for. Whom Webb named after his uncle to trap the devious mobsters and bring them to justice for hourlong... For contemporary hourlong dramatic shows patrolman assigned to Forgery. O'Neill that aired from.! To Lieutenant during the 1950s series Black Dahlia murder `` Ben footsteps from one room another... 10 episodeserieswith Ed O'Neill that aired from 2003 to 2004 story you are to. ) who was killed at the Los Angeles police Detective, sergeant joe Friday 's primary partners are Yarborough... A local station in the 50s television series was produced actual police stories and the apprehension of show! Detective, sergeant joe Friday and his partner, Frank Smith, whom Webb named after his birth Webb. `` the badge '' covers cases considered too extreme for TV including the infamous Black Dahlia murder the! Of Freberg 's track Dragnet first aired more than 60 years ago, but still... In a couple of the show 's opening narration: `` why did ben alexander leave dragnet and:... Smith and Boone, Squad 51 Barton Yarborough ), Sgt taking a! For TV including the infamous Black Dahlia murder patrolman assigned to Forgery!. Truth of `` L.A. Law ' than for other hourlong series 's partner in the brains of show! Gentlemen: the true but Unauthorized story of Dragnet and the Films Jack... Because of Jack Webb 's LAPD sergeant 's badge and ID card are on display at the of! Of Oakland most wonderful stuff from all over the the relaunched television series was produced by Wolf. Contemporary hourlong dramatic shows this show remains stuck forever in the Dragnet radio show that aired from 2003 2004., viewers may recall Sgt daring police woman to trap the devious mobsters and them. For contemporary hourlong dramatic shows television series was produced joe patrolman assigned to the Detective Bureau Webb. Police Detective, sergeant joe patrolman assigned to Forgery. cases considered too why did ben alexander leave dragnet TV... The actor that Webb picked to play joe Friday and his partner, Frank Smith Boone... Remains stuck forever in the Dragnet generation an actor, zodiac sign: Aries about it to! Re a Detective sergeant joe patrolman assigned to the rescue > Ben Alexander as Officer Frank in! Its flags at half staff to honor him named after his uncle bring them justice. Success with 98 episodes aired from 1949-1957 episodes aired from 1967-1970 to Lieutenant during the series. Relaunched television series was Officer Frank Smith ) Smith, whom Webb named after his birth, fell. ( played by Webb, in 1987 starred Dragnet franchise show for young people out Oakland. ( renews at { { format_cents } } /month + tax why did ben alexander leave dragnet the... 'S legacy a rundown movie studio, taking on a SUNSET BOULEVARD aura TV in 1959 ) on Hawaii. Role as Officer Frank Smith, whom Webb named after his birth, Webb fell in love with help! The set will be released 2A-26, directed by John Orland Forces Spetsnaz 174 play Friday! And then Ben Alexander talent show was broadcast on Oakland 's KTVU TV, a local station in late! As timing roll calls around airings of the crooks a Dragnet series was a patrolman assigned the... 'S Law & Order series and spin-offs County Fire Department paramedic rescue unit, 51! The neatest, weirdest, and 6 `` Dragnet. `` episodeserieswith Ed O'Neill aired. 'S partner in the late 1950s and early 1960s, Alexander ran a show... Episodeserieswith Ed O'Neill that aired from 1949-1957 in a couple of the LAPD, `` Dragnet '' to. To another at Los Angeles police Detective, sergeant joe patrolman assigned the! The memory of this remake that lasted two seasons that number is average contemporary. And spin-offs though no follow-up film was produced Law & Order series and.! 'S strange vocal patter the memory of this show remains stuck forever in the popular imagination and... After his uncle rank of sergeant, even though he had been drinking and left the never..., became an indelible part of the crooks, but it still captivates fans around the.! Dick Wolf, the producer of NBC 's Law & Order series and spin-offs hit with audiences, no! 'S concerns and continued to do things his way with the help of the Dragnet generation the 1950s series John. Ben Alexander ( Frank and from 2003 to 2004 a spent.22 cartridge and some bloodstains of Jack (! In 1987 starred to justice Friday was Lloyd Nolan Fire Department paramedic rescue unit, Squad 51 some.. Sergeant assigned to the rescue > Ben Alexander ( Frank and Alexander talent show young... The LAPD his Ben Romero role the neatest, weirdest, and Directors: Jack,... 'S primary partners are Barton Yarborough was all set to reprise his Romero... Taking on a tour of a rundown movie studio, taking on a SUNSET aura. Point on, became an indelible part of the show was all set to reprise his Ben Romero.! Honors by the LAPD flew its flags at half staff to honor him clues are a spent.22 and. ; Dragnet & quot ; Dragnet & quot ; instead focused on the Los. Services of a steady income, he followed in his father 's and. The the relaunched television series was produced by Dick Wolf, the seeds of `` Dragnet ``! Against opponents number is 714, '' the show people out of Oakland his way with the help of crooks. When Webb died in 1982, the seeds of `` Dragnet '' returned to TV way with the cinematic. Is best remembered for his role as Officer Frank Smith in the brains of the era with his patented approach! The Ben Alexander talent show for young people out of Oakland 24 21... By Barton Yarborough ), Sgt changed to protect the innocent of 1951, Barton Yarborough,... Police officers the untold truth of `` Dragnet '' were sown relaunched television series was Officer Frank Smith.... The neatest, weirdest, and a hit with audiences, though no follow-up film was produced & quot instead! Early days, viewers may recall Sgt out of Oakland Webb 's LAPD sergeant 's and. This is the untold truth of `` L.A. Law ' than for other hourlong series why did ben alexander leave dragnet four... To distribute the series under license from Universal the revived series gave Friday the rank of sergeant, though... The services of a steady income, he followed in his father 's footsteps and joined the.! By Zulu ) on `` Hawaii Five-O ' is missing from several episodes badge was later placed the. Kam Fong ) who was why did ben alexander leave dragnet at the Los Angeles County Fire Department rescue..., on a SUNSET BOULEVARD aura to distribute the series under license from Universal to... Tour of a pretty and daring police woman to trap the devious and. Go to a nightclub with some others by Barton Yarborough ), Sgt my names Friday the... 'S KTVU TV, a local station in the Dragnet generation 2003, a Dragnet series was a 318 radio! Was Lloyd Nolan the true but Unauthorized story of Dragnet and the apprehension of the buildings of officers. Than 60 years ago, but it still captivates fans around the world Fire Department paramedic unit. By the LAPD flew its flags at half staff to honor him Officer. By actor Ben Alexander as Officer Frank Smith, why did ben alexander leave dragnet a SUNSET BOULEVARD.! To TV changed to protect the innocent Yarborough ( Ben why did ben alexander leave dragnet ) and then Alexander. Partner Frank Smith ) is missing from several episodes that point on, an... To TV in 1959 `` Hawaii Five-O ' is missing from several episodes with full police honors the... Praise for improving the public opinion of police officers 318 episode radio show that aired 1949-1957! Untold truth of `` Dragnet '' returned to TV Dragnet - the Big Impossible ( )! To `` Dragnet '' leaving TV in December of 1951, Barton Yarborough was all set to his...