I Remember JFK did an article on Dragnet back in 2007, but it really didn't pay enough homage to the man behind the show, Jack Webb. With that, today's offering will attempt to give credit where credit is due, to the creative genius that accompanied one of the most familiar faces that we Boomers grew up with.
Jack Webb had an oft-imitated style of his own on the screen, one that made for great fodder for comedians, school playground thespians, and B-movie method actors. But perhaps his greatest talent lie in giving us some unforgettable television moments from shows that he created and/or produced.
Webb's first shot at creating a show without appearing onscreen was a home run to deep center. Adam-12 debuted in 1968, and enjoyed a seven-year run. The pilot revealed that officer Pete Malloy (Martin Milner, who had previously toured the country in a Vette in Route 66) was about to quit the force three weeks after losing his partner to a crook with a gun. Young, naive rookie Jim Reed was assigned to the depressed Malloy for a one-night deal, and by morning, the veteran decides to stick around and show the plebe how to survive. Thus began a show which would be a part of Boomer kids' lives. It started out on a Saturday night, finished up on a Wednesday. But for the life of me, I can't remember what night I watched it on growing up. Saturday, I believe. Any help from you readers?
Malloy was no-nonsense, by the book (except when he needed to not be by the book), and constantly reminded the greenhorn that it was life or death out there. In other words, he was Jack Webb. Jack Webb would thus "appear" in practically all of the shows that he would produce afterwards, you just had to look for him in a more sublime game of "Spot Hitch" (played every time a Hitchcock movie was on the screen).
The show strove for realism, right down to Shaaron Claridge. Hers was the voice that would come over the radio announcing "One adam twelve, one adam twelve, respond to a 211 in progress," that of a real-life LAPD dispatcher. She even appeared personally in one episode, assisting Reed in running the plates of the next crook to be busted by the dynamic duo.
Malloy's specialty was the Death Glare, given to Reed when the lighthearted newb would tread on sacred ground and offend the serious partner's sensibilities. Example:
Malloy: You know what this is?
Reed: (smiling) Yes sir, it's a police car.
Malloy: This black and white patrol car has an overhead valve V8 engine. It develops 325 horsepower at 4800 RPM's. It accelerates from 0 to 60 in seven seconds; it has a top speed of 120 miles an hour. It's equipped with a multi-channeled DFE radio and an electronic siren capable of admitting three variables: wail, yelp, and alert. It also serves as an outside radio speaker and public address system. The automobile has two shotgun racks - one attached to the bottom portion of the front seat, one in the vehicle trunk. Attached to the middle of the dash, illuminated by a single bulb, is a hot sheet desk, fastened to which you will always make sure is the latest one off the teletype before you ever roll.
Reed: Yes, sir.
Malloy: It's your life insurance, and mine. You take care of it, and it'll take care of you.
Reed: Yes, sir. You want me to drive?
Malloy: (Death Glare)
Oh yeah. Did I mention that Malloy did all of the driving?
Jack smacked another one to deep center with the January 1972 debut of Emergency! A mid-season replacement for Larry Hagman's latest misfired shot at a post-Jeannie sitcom, the show soon caught fire among the viewers and took on a life of its own which would keep it on the air until 1978.
The show uniquely and separately told the story of the EMT's and the ER staff. Gage (Randolph Mantooth) and DeSoto (Kevin Tighe) were the paramedics most frequently featured, with others making appearances as well, but these two have to be seen as the two main stars of the bunch who would go out into the trenches and extract victims.
Once they made their way back to the ER, the Webb clone made himself manifest. It was Kelly Brackett (Mark Fuller), the no-nonsense head ER doctor who didn't have time for trivialities. He wasn't above punching out unruly patients who might threaten his near-squeeze, nurse Dixie McCall (who, interestingly, had served in a Korean MASH unit before the CBS show made such a background famous).
The show was a favorite of mine, and lingered on as a series of TV movies after it ceased to be a weekly series in 1978.
Jack's other creative efforts didn't fare so well. They included O'Hara, US Treasury, Chase (Webb was the director for this one), The D.A., and Project UFO (it actually survived a second season). Jack's company, Mark VII Productions, also was responsible for a few other series, including one success, Baa Baa Black Sheep (later retitled The Black Sheep Squadron).
One final note, Jack was the actor that was sought out by Animal House director John Landis to play the part of Dean Wormer. Jack turned him down.
He didn't like the fact that the students were showing a lack of respect to authority.
Comments (3)
Wow, that was a good review. I had forgotten so much brought up. I remember 1-Adam-12 quite well. We liked that as we did dragnet. We as in family. We had those back then. I remember Emergency though I never watched it but a few times. The other kids were into it. I recall SWAT, though not a Web product. Webb sort of reminds me of Shatner in a way. Webb has a unique personal style and it really caught on with viewers. Shatner has a unique style. Its not just Capt. Kirk. He is that way in everything and I do really enjoy it. Variety is nice and individuals make life more interesting.
The “respect for authority“ caught my attention. I have a mixed view on it. Respect is usually a 2 way street. You get it if you give it. Our authorities had been acting for so long without good reason or explanation that it was not so much a lack of respect as it was a stern attempt at accountability. We were at War, but why? why were young Americans dying. What real threat was tiny little Viet Nam. We had not gotten any good answers. The domino effect was all they could come up with.
I think of the absurd conservatism that made parents scream in horror such as MAD magazine’s horrible comics sure to destroy America quicker than an atomic bomb. Comics were going to bring about the end of the world, in fact. These type of absurdities, which were many, even in the 60s, really got annoying. Someone had to say something. It may not have been done perfect or done completely right, but, it got done. Animal House was about a bunch of degenerates. I enjoyed it at the time. But there was an undercurrent not really supported by the script but was there in real life. That sense that those over the students, the college staff and most authority, were so out of touch and hard to reason or communicate with, that the young lost much respect for authority.
Authority had abused its position for too long and had been too unresponsive and neglectful of its responsibility to continually review its policies and attitudes. But they remained aloof and arrogant as always. Why be reasonable when you can just apply the old iron fist and fasces? But as in all things, the youth did not temper their impetuous attitude and proceed with caution. Maybe it was not possible, anyway. There certainly was a huge split and difference between boomers and their parental generation of the 20s and 30s births.
Another observation, having recently watch some old shows on MeTV. Perry Mason, not so different from Webb in many ways, was such a moral lawyer so obedient to the law and so completely unrealistic because of that. So much of what was portrayed on TV was not realistic. They painted the world as very fair, decent, righteous, with hope, equity, dignity. It was nowhere near like that, even if it was much better than today. Dishonesty and corruption were alive and well back then. But if you believed TV and it was hopeful by it owners that you would, then you would imagine that If you ever got into trouble or petitioned your government, you would be just fine.
Yes, and perhaps you also believe in Santa, the Easter Bunny, Mother Goose and few others, too, eh?
So wide did the gap get between TV and reality that the 70s brought new violent realism to TV. Things had to be updated and admitted at least a little. The world of Leave It to Beaver or Ozzie and Harriet left an awful lot to address elsewhere. For the sake of credibility, TV execs had to bring more of real life to the tube or lose all credibility and power to create their illusions of the world.
Webb was also a righteous cop. It was delightful and made you feel good. But LA cops just did not match up with it. So TV would change a little. But cops remained with their halos for quite some time. I notice they make cop shows now that leave some grey areas of concern about cop behavior. Its nice to see it but perhaps far too little, too late. Law enforcement is a whole new thing now. I’ll just leave it at that.
Posted by Scott I | June 26, 2011 9:40 PM
Posted on June 26, 2011 21:40
Adam 12 gave Stephen J. Cannell his start in TV.
Posted by Tony | July 12, 2011 9:59 AM
Posted on July 12, 2011 09:59
Jack Webb is the man! Marine Drill sergeant too! Loved the Dragnet series as well as Adam 12! Still watch them today, but both are so dated! Crooks giving up to just a command to stop isnt realistic these days! Emergency of course was a catalyst for me joining the fire service in 1977! Emergency still holds up today! RIP Jack, we miss you!
Posted by Rivers End | November 3, 2011 8:37 PM
Posted on November 3, 2011 20:37