The Big Kid

Originally Aired: November 10, 1953

Dragnet #221, "The Big Kid," Sergeant Joe Friday and Officer Frank Smith are working the juvenile detail when rumors surface of an impending gang war in Los Angeles. They interview seventeen-year-old Angelo "Angie" Markal, a repeat offender arrested for burglary who belongs to the Little Wall Street gang. During questioning, Friday and Smith press Angie for information about tensions brewing between two rival gangs: the Pink Rats and the Orchids. Initially resistant, the moody teenager eventually reveals the conflict started over a girl who moved from Orchid territory into Pink Rat turf, sparking a series of escalating retaliations.

The situation grows more urgent when Angie describes how Orchids attacked a Pink Rat member with a bicycle chain, leaving the victim hospitalized. Most alarming is intelligence about a planned party at a Rat member's house this Saturday night, combined with news that the Orchids recently burglarized rifles and a twelve-gauge shotgun. Friday and Smith face a ticking clock to prevent the violence before Saturday arrives and teenage gang warfare erupts on the streets of Los Angeles.

Friday - The Dragnet Podcast is your ultimate destination for reliving the thrilling world of the classic Dragnet radio show. Step back into the gritty streets of Los Angeles with Sergeant Joe Friday as he brings justice to life through captivating, true-to-form storytelling. This unparalleled collection features beautifully remastered audio, accurate transcriptions, and detailed episode descriptions to give listeners the most authentic Dragnet experience.

Whether you're a longtime fan or a newcomer to old-time radio dramas, this podcast delivers the definitive version of Dragnet, preserving its iconic legacy for generations to come. Experience crime-solving at its finest with meticulous attention to detail, including cast insights for every episode.