Dragnet (franchise)

Dragnet
Dragnet
	Dragnet opening frame from the 1950s television series
Created by	Jack Webb
Original work	Radio series
Owners	Mark VII Limited; Universal Pictures;
Years	1949–2004
Films and television
Film(s)	1954 film (1954); 1987 film (1987);
Television series	List 1951 television series (1951–1959); 1967 television series (1967–1970); 1989 television series (1989–1991); 2003 television series (2003–2004); ;
Television film(s)	1969 television film (1969)
Audio
Radio program(s)	1949 radio drama (1949–1957)
Original music	"Dragnet"

Dragnet is an American media franchise created by actor and producer Jack Webb and owned by his company Mark VII Limited and Universal Pictures. It follows Los Angeles Police Department (LAPD) Detective Joe Friday and his partners as they conduct by-the-book police work and solve crimes in Los Angeles. Originating as a radio drama on NBC in 1949, Dragnet has been adapted into several successful television shows and films. Its name is derived from the police term "dragnet", a system of coordinated measures for apprehending criminals or suspects.

Dragnet is one of the most influential police procedural crime dramas in American media history. Webb's aim in creating Dragnet was a realistic depiction of policing. The series portrayed police work as dangerous and heroic, and helped shape public perception of law enforcement in the 20th century, improving the American public's opinion of police officers.