You asked the question, now you’re going to get an answer, mister!
One of the great speeches in entertainment history is this brief one by Joe Friday, in the 1954 theatrical film Dragnet. Mr. Webb delivers it with passion and sincerity. The fact is, they just don’t make them like this anymore!
Webb in Pop Culture
Seinfeld was one of the most popular tv series of the 1990s, and still has quite a fan following today. The creative forces behind the series parodied a wide range of subjects in their time, and one of the most memorable is the NY Library investigator Mr Bookman.
Well, I confess I was never a big Seinfeld fan, but when I saw this episode in syndication, it was pretty clear to me after about two lines that ‘Mr Bookman’ is a parody/homage of Jack Webb’s classic tv police officer, Joe Friday.
Or maybe it’s just my imagination: take a look and see…
Fridays for Friday Doubleheader
Last week’s doubleheader was so well received that I decided to deliver a double-dose of Jack Webb action again! This time, it’s from the 1967 Dragnet TV movie, and Joe Friday has had just about enough from a filthy child molester he has busted!
All I have to say is, “Thank God it’s Friday!”
Just The Facts…
I came across this wonderful article about Mr. Jack Webb, from the 1950s Hollywood gossip magazine TV People. Honestly, in many ways it reads like a press release, and was probably published to soften his image a bit. I still dig it!
The article was reproduced by the great folks at the website that honors Mr. Webb and Dragnet, Badge 714.
AT LONG LAST! The JACK WEBB Story That MUST be Told
by BEN ALEXANDER (from TV People, October 1957)
I have just completed a six-week swing around the country.
Personally meeting swarms of fans is a most gratifying experience, of course. But here and there a grating note crept in.
Several long-time followers of “Dragnet” and “Badge 714″ asked me, “Is it true that Jack Webb is a moody, unapproachable person in real life?”
And my categorical answer to them is this: Nothing could be further from the truth!
Whether he’s a police sergeant or Marine sergeant, Jack doesn’t change the stripes of his character. And, you can take it from me, that means he’s the same swell guy I met for the first time six years ago.
This sort of stuff has been going on for the past several years, and I don’t understand why.
The truth is that Jack works hard. Very hard. But he does not work so hard in order to escape from unhappiness, as some writers hint. He works hard just because he likes to work!
When I’m not portraying Frank Smith, no one is happier than I am when I’m at my Ford Agency, selling…. I just love to sell! Jack just loves to work on TV and movies. That’s all. It’s an all-absorbing passion with him.
Let me tell you a few things about Jack Webb, as he really is, and not as some papers and magazines have painted him.
Jack Webb Can Joke With The Best of ‘Em!
Way back in 1968, Mr. Jack Webb had brought Dragnet back to prime time television, in my personal favorite incarnation of the series. Though his character, Joe Friday, was a no-nonsense police sergeant, Mr. Webb was open to poking fun at himself, and he did just that in this celebrated skit from The Tonight Show.
I don’t know if this was done in one take or not, but it’s masterful and a fan favorite, and it consistently made it on Tonight Show prime time specials and home video compilations.
I really miss Johnny, and the special touch he brought to The Tonight Show. In any event, enjoy this classic TV comedy moment!
Jumpstarting ‘Fridays For Friday’
Here at the world headquarters for The Silver State Chronicles, things are always happening! I decided to dedicate the remaining Fridays of 2007 to one of my great heroes, Joe Friday and the series Dragnet!
We’ll start this week off with a Dragnet Doubleheader! While Jack Webb and Dragnet are often identified with great television, a lot of folks don’t know that Dragnet originated as a very successful, long running radio drama.
So how about a little dose of old time radio? Sit back and enjoy the August 14, 1952 episode of radio’s Dragnet, “The Big Drive.”
In Webb We Trust
It’s no secret that I am a big fan of Jack Webb, having mentioned his classic album ‘You’re My Girl: Romantic Reflections by Jack Webb’ in an earlier post. Well, lots of folks just loved the Nichelle Nichols song a couple of days ago, so I decided to follow up with a memorable tune by Jack Webb.
One of the most memorable tracks on this classic album is Mr. Webb’s rendition of ‘Try A Little Tenderness.’ Well, I’ve surrendered to popular demand and am sharing this wonderful track with you all! Enjoy!
We can always count on Jack Webb
I found this great clip of Sgt Joe Friday from an episode of the 1960s-70s Dragnet and had to share it! In Webb we trust!!
This also gives me a great excuse to use this image of Mr Webb’s album below – I really dig the concept of ‘Romantic Reflections by Jack Webb!’
Enjoy!
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