The Silver State Chronicles » Dragnet

RIP Harry Morgan (1915-2011)

Vinnie Vegas — Wed, 07 Dec 2011 19:59:02 +0000

Dragnet Star Passes Away

Veteran actor Harry Morgan, most famous to modern audiences as Colonel Potter from the MASH and After MASH TV series, has passed away. Here at The Silver State Chronicles, we fondly remember him as Bill Gannon, partner of Sgt Joe Friday in the 1960′s incarnation of Dragnet.

He shall be missed.

A nice article at The Muskegon Chronicle…

Actor Harry Morgan went from Muskegon High School performer to Emmy winner
By Megan Hart

Harry Morgan came a long way from the young man who acted in Muskegon High School productions.

Morgan, who was best known for the role of Col. Sherman T. Potter on the TV series “M*A*S*H,” died Wednesday at age 96.

He was born Harry Bratsburg and graduated from Muskegon High School in 1933. He later attended Muskegon Junior College (now Muskegon Community College), where he was also active in drama.

Morgan left Michigan for good to perform in New York and on the East Coast in the late 1930s. He broke into film and moved to California shortly before Pearl Harbor was attacked in December 1941, which was the subject of a feature in Monday’s Chronicle.

Morgan performed in more than 100 films and TV shows, spanning more than six decades. His last appearance was in the “M*A*S*H 30th Anniversary Reunion” in 2002. Some of his notable roles were in the 1960 film “Inherit the Wind,” and in the TV series and film “Dragnet.” He won an Emmy for Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Comedy or Variety or Music Series for his role as Col. Potter in 1980.

He returned to Muskegon only once, to film a Lifesavers commercial in 1978 with two Muskegon High School students.

“I don’t think I ever enjoyed myself more than going to high school, here,” Morgan told The Chronicle in 1978. “I was very enthusiastic about coming back, and it’s regretful that it’s too short a time to visit. There really was no reason to come back before. Most of my close friends and relatives have gone elsewhere. I’ve been invited to the class reunions, but the arrangements were too complicated.”

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In Webb We Trust!

Vinnie Vegas — Fri, 11 Sep 2009 13:04:20 +0000

A long overdue stern reprimand!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m4r6YCUtxfs

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Freedoms Foundation PSA (1968)

Vinnie Vegas — Fri, 03 Jul 2009 13:07:06 +0000

Sound insights from Mr. Jack Webb

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RDUI1a9yUL4

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Dragnet: The risks of police work

Vinnie Vegas — Fri, 26 Jun 2009 19:15:39 +0000

Sgt Friday’s partner risks life & limb

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QNx8xg0umWM

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Kinetic Typography: What does Jack Webb know?

Vinnie Vegas — Fri, 19 Jun 2009 13:01:09 +0000

“You may sell that jazz to another pothead…”

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NbzCkjfPyR0

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Sgt Joe Friday: “A Phony Badge”

Vinnie Vegas — Fri, 12 Jun 2009 15:34:48 +0000

A stern reprimand by Sgt Joe Friday

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gxhuUdZzGYw

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A cautionary example regarding the demon rum

Vinnie Vegas — Fri, 16 Jan 2009 14:28:48 +0000

Stay straight & sober, troops!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YHRPCUu9RgU

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Dragnet (1966) TV Movie Opening

Vinnie Vegas — Fri, 02 Jan 2009 14:22:09 +0000

The names have been changed to protect the innocent

This is the city…

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X6LprmdivN8

Dragnet had enjoyed a very successful run on radio and on television, but as the 1950s wrapped up, Mr. Webb grew tired of the confines of a weekly program, and Dragnet closed its final case in 1959. But in the seven years since the original version ended production, punitive “law and order” sentiments had generally fallen out of favor with the American public, particularly with the Kennedy administration and an out-of-control liberal-minded federal judiciary setting the tone for a somewhat less stringent attitude toward criminals.

The changing dynamic helped prompt Mr Webb to relaunch Dragnet on television in 1966. Mr. Webb produced a TV movie pilot for the new, color version of the show for Universal Television, although it did not air until 1969. NBC bought the show on the strength of the pilot movie and debuted it as a mid-season replacement in 1967 for the sitcom The Hero on Thursday nights in January 1967.

The 1966 TV movie is fairly rare, showing up on tv occasionally in the modern era, despite the fact that Dragnet has had succressful repeat runs on cable channels like TV Land. The opening sets the stage for the film – 3 crimes are commited in Los Angeles. Sgt Joe Friday and Officer Bill Gannon are on the case. Top shelf stuff! Enjoy!

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Sgt Friday clips the wings of some liberal punks!

Vinnie Vegas — Sat, 22 Nov 2008 02:54:47 +0000

“Don’t think you have a corner on all of virtue, vision and the country.”

It’s no secret that my favorite series on this blog is Fridays for Friday, my continuing homage to one of my great heroes and role models, Mr. Jack Webb.

Well, I found this excellent verbal reprimand of some long haired liberal punks made soft by their instant orange juice very relevant today! Enjoy!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FZo2hhvvlpw

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The Story of Old Glory, by Mr. Jack Webb

Vinnie Vegas — Fri, 26 Sep 2008 13:20:11 +0000

In Webb We Trust!

Well it’s been a while since my latest entry in the Fridays for Friday series of posts. Originally intended just for the Fall of 2007, I do like to revisit it now and then when something good crosses my desk here at the world headquarters of The Silver State Chronicles.

So when I found this great short video of Mr. Jack Webb introducing The Story of Old Glory! Enjoy!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9x8QXOtJOgM

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Dragnet 1968: The Missing Realtor

Vinnie Vegas — Fri, 25 Apr 2008 13:25:14 +0000

Dragnet: The Missing Realtor

Dragnet 1968: Episode 10

Enjoy this great episode of Dragnet 1968 – some good legwork by Joe & Bill, as a missing person’s case slowly becomes a murder case. Keep an eye out for the legendary Scatman Crothers (sporting some stylish hair)!

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The Three Stooges: Blunder Boys

Vinnie Vegas — Fri, 04 Apr 2008 13:48:36 +0000

The Three Stooges Parody Dragnet

Well, most people who know me even casually know that two of my many passions are Dragnet and The Three Stooges! I know what you’re thinking – those two things are among everyone’s many passions! And you’re probably right!

So when those Knuckleheads decided to parody Dragnet, it simply can’t fail! So please join Moe, Larry, & Shemp in their 1955 short, Blunder Boys.

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