July 31, 2023 • 25 mins
Dragnet, one of the most iconic old-time radio series, captivated audiences during its heyday. Originally airing from 1949 to 1957, with a revival in the 1960s, Dragnet brought a realistic and gritty portrayal of law enforcement to the airwaves. Created and produced by Jack Webb, who also starred as Sergeant Joe Friday, the show followed the investigations of the Los Angeles Police Department. Known for its distinctive rapid-fire dialogue and the infamous line "Just the facts, ma'am," Dragnet presented a no-nonsense approach to solving crimes. With its emphasis on authenticity, the series drew inspiration from actual police cases and featured real stories from the LAPD. This immersive experience, combined with Webb's impeccable delivery, made Dragnet a beloved and enduring radio program, allowing listeners to vicariously experience the challenges and triumphs of law enforcement. Check out all of the great radio programming available to one and all at www.xzbn.net
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Episode Transcript
Available transcripts are automatically generated. Complete accuracy is not guaranteed.
(00:03):
Dragon, ladies and gentlemen. Thestory you're about to hear is true.
The names have been changed to protectthe innocent. You're a detective sergeant.
(00:24):
You're assigned to homicide detail. Asix year old girl has been taken from
the streets of your city. There'sno leader or whereabouts or to the identity
of the kidnapper. Your job findthem. There was Monday, May first,
it was warm in Los Angeles.We're working today watch out a homicide
detail. My partner's Franks Smith.The boss is Captain Warman. My name's
(00:46):
Friday. As I'm our way backfrom the business office. And it was
seven twenty eight pm when I gotto Room forty two, Homicide Squadron.
Now here was a little thicker,you know, more of it, more
like this. Yeah, yeah,that's about it. Short, real short.
I don't know what about the eyes, Well, they were kind of
close together. Hi, Joe WeirdFranco and Chief Brown called. He went
down there, How you doing good? Hey, take look at you so
(01:08):
huh yeah, yeah that's it rightarm the old button. Yeah, a
couple more eyebrows, more eyebrows,a couple more Yeah, Yeah, that's
it. Yeah, say this fullis pretty good. Black. Those guys
at the beach. Guys at thebeach, you know, they draw your
picture while you wait two bits somethinglike that, and they draw a picture.
It looks just like the guy thattook the girl. Sure feel bad
(01:32):
about that, I really do,sir. I was just sitting there,
you don't, folding up the papersfrom a route, just sitting folding.
All of a sudden, I seethis thing happened right in front of me.
You know, car just pulled upthe grab and they grabbed the girl.
It was more than one, huh, he said, they grabbed the
girl. Well, no, no, I just said that, you know,
an expression. It didn't mean therewas more than one. Just said
that, you know how you do? Yeah, just one kid, that's
(01:53):
what he was, young kid goingforward, just like a part. Yeah.
I just talked to Chief Brown.He wants to know how the pictures
come about finished, why books likewe might need it right away. The
family just got a ransom note.The suspect was described as WMA, twenty
(02:17):
six years old, five feet eightand a half inches in height and weigh
about one hundred and forty pounds.At approximately three ten that afternoon, he
approached a private school in the Hollywoodarea unforced Grace marsh End, aged six,
into his car. The only witnessto the kidnapping, had spread the
alarm. In a matter of minutes, every police officer in the area had
the description of the man and thecar he was driving. Where did the
(02:38):
crime? Had gone out to allpolicemen in southern California and we're all looking
for a little girl. Units fromJuvenile Division, working under Captain John Powers
joined in the search. A roundupof known deviats was started. All available
information sources were tapped, but inspite of our efforts, at the end
of four and a half hours,the child still hadn't been found. Eight
o two pm, Frank and Idrove out to the house. We parked
our car in an X block andwalked to the marsh endsidence where we met
(03:00):
with Captain Powers and the missing girl'sparents. I thought we could talk and
here Marshands are pretty upset. Whatabout that note? It's downtime, Layton.
Prints are going over how to gethere? Kid brought it? What
about him? Sixteen years old?Is in the neighborhood before to get it?
Says A man approach him in thedrug store at the corner. I
asked him to deliver a letter.If you kid a buck or didn't know
what was in the letter, whatdid it say? I got a copy
(03:22):
on it. Yeah, you wantto see your kid alive? Get fifty
thousand dollars in smaller mark bills readyand you'll get a phone call. Don't
tell the police. Don't tell anyoneif you do. Forget about your daughter.
I wasn't written, Captain. Wordswere cut out of the evening paper
and past on a plain white sheet. Anything here we don't know yet.
Soon there's latent princes through with it. Larry Sloan is going over what about
this Marshan? Can he swing thatton of money? And guess so?
(03:44):
He says he will. Are they'regonna go along with us? I'm not
sure missus. Marshan would like usto get off their side. How about
him? He wants his daughter back. Aren't you going to talk to him?
I guess we better. What aboutthe phone? Did you make arrangement
Salvath coverage? Oh yeah, yeah, there's next mentioned in the study.
You can use that. It's closeenough to the one of the master bedrooms,
so we can talk to the marshhands while they're on that one.
(04:04):
Okay, anything you turn up downtimestill a question, deviat. Well,
we've taken a kid who brought thenote downtown. I'm gonna have him checked
the mug books and we better lethim see that drawing too. Yeah about
the house, you got it coveredpretty good. Yeah. There's a team
from Hollywood across the street. Notone out in the back where they want
to cross the streets in a neighbor'shouse. The other ones in the car
back. Okay, let's go.Yeah, they're in the living room.
(04:27):
Awre they taking rough? Here yougo. You gotta get them out of
the hawk. I know they're gonnago and every non not. Just calmed
down, dude, How are youhaving powers? Mister Marsham. There is
a certain Friday and his partner FrankSmith. This is my wife area.
Is there anything new if you foundher yet? No, man, I'm
not yet. I told her therebecause I get it back. Just mention
(04:51):
take it easy, dude, wouldbe all right if I take her upstairs?
Yeah? Sure, come on,Why don't you lie down, try
to get some years there. Fine, he's not gonna do any good dinner,
Come on, Maybe it might bebetter if you waited out in the
kitchen. I'll try to get acalm hard. I'm sorry, Yes,
(05:12):
come on, dud, yes Idid. Let's going well. She's taking
it pretty hard. Yeah. Theycalled the doctor. He's on his way,
as they got any other children?Yeah, boy ten? Where is
he? Sisters? Marsham took himover there this season when we're sixteens from
metro standing by a fourth from ourdetail about the sheriff's department. I talked
(05:34):
to Dick Tar. They're with usall long the morning. I'm good.
This season is better. I hopefullydoctor gets here pretty quick. Is there
anything can do? You know?The answer to that one? You like
some coffee? Go take it?Oh, thank you, John, I'm
gonna make them anyway, all right. I'm sorry about my wife. That's
all right's taking the whole thing prettyhard. They made any arrangements to get
(05:55):
the money, mister Marsham, Yes, I called my brother. There's nothing
to do about it the night,the first thing in the morning to get
it together. We'd like to bewith you. We'd like to help you
prepare the money. I don't knowquite how to say this. What's well?
I know you might are trying tohelp, but I don't want your
interfering with the payoff. That's gonnamake it a little difficult. Maybe so,
but that's the way it's got tobe, all right, that's the
way you want it. All itis. You know it's not gonna make
(06:15):
much difference. What do you mean, Well, a kidnapper probably knows we're
working on the case already. He'skinding on the fact that you won't go
along with us. What is ityou want to do, Well, we'll
help you get the money ready,to take the numbers of the bills and
prepare the package. We don't wantto endanger your daughter's life as far as
we're concerning you, and go rightahead with a payoff from your contacted But
if we can help now, it'llmake it easier after the money has been
paid on. Who who is itgoing to be easier on? You are
(06:38):
Grace? You're gonna make sure weget a back. You willing to write
insurance on that? There's no answerto that, twitter That's the whole point.
We want our daughter back. Idon't care what we have to do
or how we do it. Aslong as Grace is back, that's all.
That's important. Were gonna understand.I know what you're doing. I
appreciate it, but this is ourproblem. I don't want to take any
chances on something going wrong. Assoon as we hear from the man who
has heard, will do what hesays. And you're not going to let
us help. No, And Ithink it might be better if you called
(07:00):
your man off. You're making ithard for us. I'm not trying to,
but can't you understand all we wantus our girl back. It doesn't
make any difference how it's done.As long as she's home, that's all
it counts. What about the manwho took her? That's your problem.
As soon as Grace is home,I'll go along with you on whatever you
want to do. But until thenI don't want you meddling. But you
said they're gone, they're just leaving. You're not going to be happy until
she's dead, are you? That'snot true? Man? Well it looks
(07:21):
like it at least, Policeman.The whole thing a lot of noise,
nothing more. You're not doing anygood. Why don't you get out?
They're leaving, dear? When afterthey throw Grace up on the front law
going You know? All right?Man? Will all right, now,
that's sign out. All right,now, calm down, This isn't gonna
(07:42):
do anything. Can you prayed yourbetter lay? All right? So we'll
talk to you later as soon aswe get back. All as, that's
it. Say, as soon aswe get Grace back, I'll call you,
yessor. You're sure you won't letus help? No, you're better
go now? Oh? No?What? All right? I guess we
(08:07):
wait. Yeah, we're about thesurveillance. You're gonna call it off?
No, I don't think so we'llcheck it with the skiver. Yeah,
be a lot easier for the marshends and let us help him. At
which we know what was going on. Give us a chance. And as
we were in the cold, nothingwe can do. I wonder if it
makes any difference. Maybe we lostalready. We contacted the office and talked
(08:31):
with Captain Warmon. We told himwhat had happened at the Marshand home.
He instructed us to keep the placeunder surveillance, but not the interfere with
the movements of the family. Officersin the area were asked to stay away
from the house. If the kidnapperwanted to make contact, we would do
nothing to stop him. Eight fortysix pm. Captain Power stayed on at
the scene and Frank and I wentback to the office. We met with
Captain Warman, the Chief Detective StaffBrown. You can't call any cooperation from
(08:52):
the family then, no, Idon't think so. Father might go along
with us, but Missus Marshan isdead against it. How you handle it,
Laman, keep their place under surveillance. Wait from the Megan move.
Important thing is not to burn him. Yeah. Why did they figure to
pick up the money? Joe marshAnd said, tomorrow morning? What business
is the end? Contractor got acompany with his brother. I did a
(09:13):
lot of work in developments, justfinished a big section out of the valley.
You won't have any trouble raising themoney then, or didn't seem to
bother him. What are you gonnado about that the money? Yeah,
well, the first thing in themorning, we'll try to get in touch
with his bank, make arrangements tohave the cereal and it was on the
bills, noted Crime Lab be ableto do anything for him? Will we
check with him? Should be someway we can make it easier. And
the important thing is to get thegirl back once we know where she is.
(09:35):
We can move a lot faster.I'm a side laman, yeah,
An, you give me that addressand sir right away anyway, maybe it's
coming over to our side. Whatdo you mean it was, mister Marsham.
Yeah, he wants to see herright away. Frank and I left
(10:01):
the office and drove over to theaddress mister marsha end have given us on
the phone. Was an all nightrestaurant on Hollywood Boulevard. We found him
in a booth at the back ofthe place. I'm mister Marshall area sit
down, wanting there anything new?No, the reason I called. I
got to think, and after you'dleft, the way we acted isn't going
to help any He's not gonna makeit any easier on anybody, that's right.
(10:24):
Mabel and I talked it over.She still isn't too hot any idea,
and I'd appreciate it if you coulddo. It has to be done
without her knowing too much about it. We'll do what we can. I
don't like to have to put thiskind of restriction on you, but right
now that doesn't seem to be anyother way. We understand. Have you
hear anything else from the kid?Never not a word. Don't imagine you'll
try and contact me before I've hada chance to get the money. No,
sure, when you figure on gettingit, I'll call my bank at
(10:46):
nine try and make arrangements. Sinwe'd like to be there when you talk
to her. All right, whatare your plan on doing? Well?
First, we want to get theserial numbers on all those bills. I'm
sure they'll cooperate. We'll check withour crime LAMB. Maybe something we can
use to prepare them and so we'llbe able to recognize it a little better.
I'll probably wants you to make upa special package too. I'm not
going to try and tell you yourbusiness. I guess you know what you're
(11:07):
doing, and we hope so.I'd like to ask a question, though,
what's it he thinks she's still alive? Well, there's no way of
knowing them. You've handled this kindof thing before, you know what the
odds are? What do you think? I don't know. I think it's
so much easier if we knew.It Just seems like she has to be
alive. I can't imagine anyone whohurt a little girl. I just can't
imagine it. Yes, first timeshe's ever been away from home. She
(11:30):
doesn't get along with strangers too.Well, poor a little kid. I'm
sorry, I'm acting like an idiot, I'm sure, or like a father.
We took mister Marshan back to hishome and then Frank and I checked
out for the night. The nextmorning, at seven thirty am, Henry
(11:52):
Marshaan, Frank and I met withRay Pinker in the crime lamb. If
you talk to Banka No, Ifigured we'd checked with you find what you
were going to want. How's themoney going to be paid? We don't
know yet. There's only been theone contact. Yeah, I saw that
density. What's the best way ofworking the deal? Right? You're gonna
get the numbers on the bills?Yeah, well the notes set to get
the amount of the small ones.I guess that means five tens and twenties
and probably for quite a few towork with order. It doesn't make a
(12:13):
lot of difference. What are yougonna do? No, we can dust
the package and the money with silvernitrate, but I'll let the matter of
time the moisture from the suspects handsof combining with the silver nitrate and turn
him white. How long will ittake depends on his body chemistry. Well
about how long could be three orfour hours. I wouldn't count on it
happening that fast though. How easyis it going to be? The spot
not too hard? Stuff looks almostlike a white topping powder to wash off
(12:35):
easy. You should last round threeto four days. Depends again on how
easily he sweats, how often hewashes his hands, Now, how he
tries to get it off. Thereany chance he'll spot it, can't miss
it once it starts to show.Well, I don't know if that's something
wrong. He might try to dosomething to grace boy. You might as
well face it, mister Merrish.And if she hasn't been returning in three
or four hours, it's probably becausehe doesn't mean to give her back,
I suppose. So as soon asyou got the instructions unwrapping the money,
(12:58):
let me know right away. We'llget it ready. What are you gonna
do? We'll mark the paper themoney is supposed to be wrapped in.
Why so we're gonna identify if hewants to package out a newspaper. We
got some on hand. We've gotsome new brown wrapping paper too. I
think we're pretty well set on thatcar I don't understand why you're doing all
this. Well, if the suspectgets away from the meeting place, we've
got to have a way to pickhim up. How's the special package going
to help? We'll be able toprove it's what the money was wrapped in,
make it easier to be sure wegot the right man you're sharing was
(13:20):
as confident as you seem to be. What do you mean that we're going
to catch the man? Well,once he picks up the money, We've
got everything on our side. You'regonna have to pick up area. Stake
done as much as we can.Depends a lot on where the contact is
made right after the payoff, willsecure the area if nobody will get out,
raised or anyway we mark the carhern to say, we could use
paint a lot of things we don'tknow about to set up be easier to
figure him. If we've got allthe information, somebody can get close enough
(13:43):
to the car, we can dropa capsule paint on top of it,
put a copter in the area,and he shouldn't have any trouble picking it
up. Friday, Yeah, boonefor you strong, Thank you take it
over there. Jomp okay, whichline great, thank you Friday speed by
what We'll be right over and wasbeginning to go what do you mean?
(14:07):
A kidnaper just called he's ready fora meet. The second contact by the
kidnappor had been made by telephone.He talked to missus Marshand and instructed her
to tell her husband to have themoney ready by six pm that evening.
They went on to say that anothercall would be made giving instructions for payment
(14:28):
of the ransom. Mister marsh andFrank and I talked with her about the
call, and then we had ameeting with Captain Armant and Chief Detector's Dad
Brown. It was decided to goahead as the kidnapper had ordered. At
nine o two am we got fiftythousand dollars from the bank. We went
back to the City Hall and talkedto Captain James Fisk. He assigned six
girls from the record section to adis. We divided them into three teams of
(14:48):
two each, one calling the numberson the bills, the other typing a
list. At three forty five pmthe job was finished. The money was
taken to the crime lab and dustedwith silver and n trade powder. Because
we didn't have the final instructions onthe delivery of the ransom. Ray Pinker
gave us a supply of plane newspapersand brown wrapping paker. Both types were
marked so they could later be identifiedin court. They also gave us pellets
(15:09):
of dark and white paint and theevent we had an opportunity to mark the
kidnappers car four thirty pm, wegot in touch with Dave Robart at the
Sound Lab and made arrangements for threeway radio equipment TVD Take Your Dad Round,
contacted army authorities and with their cooperationalwe had a helicopter standing by any
event it was needed. Teams ofmen from Metro Division and Homicide Detail were
planted in the area around the marshEnd home and at five fifteen pm Frank
(15:30):
and Is, along with marsh End, drove out to his house to wait
for the third contact from the kidnapper. Red one to red six, Red
one to red six, come in, please read six to red one.
You read me? Yeah, Jack, you're coming in. Fine, who's
riding with the order children? Yougot any word yet? No? Nothing,
We'll talk to you later. Redone out, Well, let's sit
(15:54):
o their own position, and onlygot the tough part. Yeah. Wait,
say all these cars, isn't thereas a kidnapper might see him?
No, sure, they're scattered allover the area. Matter of fact,
none of them can't even see thehouse. If it works out. But
everything's going with hers so far,keeps up. We shouldn't have any trouble
at all. Yeah. Did yourwife all right, mister Marsham, Yeah,
I guess so. She's upstairs.The doctor gave her something to make
(16:15):
her sleep. He didn't want it, but he figured it was best.
Sure, there wasn't anything she coulddo to heal. This whole thing has
been pretty hard on her. Maybewhen it Sevel will take both kids and
go out of town for vacation.The rest to do a good past been
pretty rough on her. I'll getit just a minute, mus much,
and give us a chance to getthat other phone. Well, you can
use the one in the breakfast room. Through that do hard, and I
don't pick up a receiver into thearmy saying now you've got it all right?
(16:36):
Anyway you say, can't I answerit now? He might not?
Wait just a second now Hello,what oh yes, no, no,
no, I can't right now?No? Yeah, uh huh. Look
Sam, I'm expecting an important calland I talk to you tomorrow. I'm
sorry about it. Yeah, sure, no, No, it's nothing else.
(17:03):
Yeah, all right, same,I'll talk to you tomorrow. Okay,
bye. Sam Nicholson wondering if Icould play golf with him any y.
I thought at first it might bethe kidnapper. It wasn't so sure
it was him. I wish somethingwould happen. It's wait, and I'll
drive me crazy. No, ifwe just knew she was all right,
(17:26):
that's all. If we just knew, I can just get another ball away.
Let's say. Now I know it'shim this time now hello, Yeah,
that's right. No, No,I was in the back of the
house. But no, the lineisn't attack. No, no, it
isn't not give me my word.Yeah, what about Grace? Is she
(17:48):
all right? Yeah? I gotit, all right, No, it's
here in the house now, that'sright. Fifty thousand dollars. Yeah,
wait a minute, but I betterget a pencil, all right, go
ahead, yeah, h No,I know where it is. Yeah,
(18:11):
all right, I'll try and findsomething. No, I'll find something.
Yeah, all right, I'll leaveas soon as I can. No,
I won't bring anybody, I swearyeah, when you have Grace there,
Hello, Hello, you heard it? Yeah, I better get started.
(18:33):
Got the man, I'll get it, he said. Grace was all right
to hear him say that, Yes, all right, he said she was
okay. Well, I hope hewas telling the truth, yes, or
sort away. You know, it'sbeen a long time second, but I
guess you never forget how to pray. The man on the phone had instructed
mister Marsham to attach a piece ofwhite material to the front of his car
and to drive north on Highway oneoh one. He said that near Zooma
(18:55):
Beach, he would indicate his presenceby flashing the headlights of his own vehicle.
Marsh was to pull over to theside of the road and walk halfway
to the kidnappers car. After await, the suspect would approach Marshan and
take the money. At that timehe'd give us information on the girl's return.
Six ten pm, all the carsin the operation were told of the
latest developments. Who decided that Iwould hide in the backseat of Marshan's car
(19:17):
with a walkie talkie and keep contactwith the other officers. Frank and Captain
Powers would be directly behind us inUnit one, Katie. As soon as
we made contact with the kidnapper,they would try to take the suspect in
the custody. The money was wrappedin the brown wrapping paper and at six
fourteen pm Marshan and I went outto his garage and got in the car.
He drove out sunset full of art, the Pacific Coast Highway and turned
right. We drove for about fortyminutes. There was no sign of the
(19:38):
kidnapper. Fred one one, Redone Bred Wonder Red two over. Johnny
signed Yet now we're approaching zoom ofbeach. Should be pretty quick now Friday.
As the car off ahead, I'djust make it out and stand by
(20:00):
Red too. I think we madecontact about yeah, yeah, I said.
He just blasted his lights. Right, we just made contact. Better
take it easy, okay, Joe, can you see us. We can
just barely make out your lights forabout a half a mile behind you,
right, Red one out. Nah, by then it's him. He flashed
(20:25):
the lights again. Okay, Delissaid, approached slowly, try to get
us close you can, all right. I'll do exactly what he says,
give him the money and try tofind out where your daughter is? Yeah,
he's driving off. What he's leaving? He isn't gonna wait. I'm
gonna stop him. I'll stop him. What are you doing? Hang on,
we're gonnahead you, all right,Marsham? Yeah, I guess so,
(20:52):
I guess him. All right?The door stop and you get the
hunt one open and thinks, soI'll try. I think I can get
it open right here, let methrough you all right? In there?
Hey, as he heard, Ihad to stop him. The one't any
other way he was gonna leave rightgive me hand on his darkness should There
(21:14):
wasn't any other way he was gonnaleave. All right? Come on,
leave me alone, go in mine, get out of there. I can't.
I think my leg's broken. Ican't move it. Let him tell
what grace he is? Make himtell you made me alone? Come on,
I'll leave, leave me alone.I can't stand anymore as grace.
Where's my daughter? When do weget him away from him? I want
to know where she is. Ifyou don't make him tell me, I'll
(21:36):
do it myself. I'll kill him. If he's head I'll kill him myight
here, I come on, letme some help kill him. Just leave
me alone with him, that's all. Just leave me alone. That won't
make it any better. Why didyou do it? Why did you run
into me? Try to take off? Don't you? I got scared.
I wanted to get out. Ididn't want to go through it as the
girl. All right, you're gonnaget me a doctor. You're gonna do
something about my leg. You're gonnado something. All right, we'll take
(21:56):
care of it. How about thegirl? Is she all right? Come
on, mister, you don't makeany rupper on yourself. What about the
girl? I'll make it. TellI don't go. I don't know anything
about it. I come on,I where's the girl? Is she all
right? Answer me? Where isshe? All right? All right,
she's okay. I didn't touch her. I didn't hurt her at all.
Hotel done? She's okay, goteldone? Hotel the Pete mont who five
(22:22):
was six? You win us alone? Yeah, there's nobody else all the
al right, yeah, yeah,all right? Yeah? How about the
kid? Peedemunt Hotel room five Osix. Better get a call out on
it right away. I'll take careof it, okay. Cavin, Hey,
Joe, you got a bad cutin your party. I must get
someone. We crashed. You know, we saw it from back there.
We didn't know what was happening.You gotta call an ambulance for me.
We'll take care of it. Youbetter do it fast. I don't know
(22:44):
how much longer I can stand it. We'll get broken. I'll never be
able to fix it, never.All right, let's go. You gotta
carry me. I can't walk,probably won't be able to walk, and
Ken, you won't have to.You're not going any place. The story
you have just heard is true.The names were changed to protect the innocent.
(23:07):
On September sixteenth, trial was heldin Department eighty nine, Superior Court
of the State of California in andfor the County of Los Angeles. Martin
Francis Langer was tried and convicted ofkidnapping for the purpose of obtaining ransom and
(23:29):
received sentence as prescribed by law.On recommendation of the jury, he was
sentenced to the State con Oftentiary atSan Quentin, California, for the rest
of his life. You have justheard Dragon, The Authentic story of your
(23:49):
Police Force in action and starring JackWebb. A presentation of the United States
Armed Forces Radio Service
Dragon, ladies and gentlemen. Thestory you're about to hear is true.
The names have been changed to protectthe innocent. You're a detective sergeant.
(00:24):
You're assigned to homicide detail. Asix year old girl has been taken from
the streets of your city. There'sno leader or whereabouts or to the identity
of the kidnapper. Your job findthem. There was Monday, May first,
it was warm in Los Angeles.We're working today watch out a homicide
detail. My partner's Franks Smith.The boss is Captain Warman. My name's
(00:46):
Friday. As I'm our way backfrom the business office. And it was
seven twenty eight pm when I gotto Room forty two, Homicide Squadron.
Now here was a little thicker,you know, more of it, more
like this. Yeah, yeah,that's about it. Short, real short.
I don't know what about the eyes, Well, they were kind of
close together. Hi, Joe WeirdFranco and Chief Brown called. He went
down there, How you doing good? Hey, take look at you so
(01:08):
huh yeah, yeah that's it rightarm the old button. Yeah, a
couple more eyebrows, more eyebrows,a couple more Yeah, Yeah, that's
it. Yeah, say this fullis pretty good. Black. Those guys
at the beach. Guys at thebeach, you know, they draw your
picture while you wait two bits somethinglike that, and they draw a picture.
It looks just like the guy thattook the girl. Sure feel bad
(01:32):
about that, I really do,sir. I was just sitting there,
you don't, folding up the papersfrom a route, just sitting folding.
All of a sudden, I seethis thing happened right in front of me.
You know, car just pulled upthe grab and they grabbed the girl.
It was more than one, huh, he said, they grabbed the
girl. Well, no, no, I just said that, you know,
an expression. It didn't mean therewas more than one. Just said
that, you know how you do? Yeah, just one kid, that's
(01:53):
what he was, young kid goingforward, just like a part. Yeah.
I just talked to Chief Brown.He wants to know how the pictures
come about finished, why books likewe might need it right away. The
family just got a ransom note.The suspect was described as WMA, twenty
(02:17):
six years old, five feet eightand a half inches in height and weigh
about one hundred and forty pounds.At approximately three ten that afternoon, he
approached a private school in the Hollywoodarea unforced Grace marsh End, aged six,
into his car. The only witnessto the kidnapping, had spread the
alarm. In a matter of minutes, every police officer in the area had
the description of the man and thecar he was driving. Where did the
(02:38):
crime? Had gone out to allpolicemen in southern California and we're all looking
for a little girl. Units fromJuvenile Division, working under Captain John Powers
joined in the search. A roundupof known deviats was started. All available
information sources were tapped, but inspite of our efforts, at the end
of four and a half hours,the child still hadn't been found. Eight
o two pm, Frank and Idrove out to the house. We parked
our car in an X block andwalked to the marsh endsidence where we met
(03:00):
with Captain Powers and the missing girl'sparents. I thought we could talk and
here Marshands are pretty upset. Whatabout that note? It's downtime, Layton.
Prints are going over how to gethere? Kid brought it? What
about him? Sixteen years old?Is in the neighborhood before to get it?
Says A man approach him in thedrug store at the corner. I
asked him to deliver a letter.If you kid a buck or didn't know
what was in the letter, whatdid it say? I got a copy
(03:22):
on it. Yeah, you wantto see your kid alive? Get fifty
thousand dollars in smaller mark bills readyand you'll get a phone call. Don't
tell the police. Don't tell anyoneif you do. Forget about your daughter.
I wasn't written, Captain. Wordswere cut out of the evening paper
and past on a plain white sheet. Anything here we don't know yet.
Soon there's latent princes through with it. Larry Sloan is going over what about
this Marshan? Can he swing thatton of money? And guess so?
(03:44):
He says he will. Are they'regonna go along with us? I'm not
sure missus. Marshan would like usto get off their side. How about
him? He wants his daughter back. Aren't you going to talk to him?
I guess we better. What aboutthe phone? Did you make arrangement
Salvath coverage? Oh yeah, yeah, there's next mentioned in the study.
You can use that. It's closeenough to the one of the master bedrooms,
so we can talk to the marshhands while they're on that one.
(04:04):
Okay, anything you turn up downtimestill a question, deviat. Well,
we've taken a kid who brought thenote downtown. I'm gonna have him checked
the mug books and we better lethim see that drawing too. Yeah about
the house, you got it coveredpretty good. Yeah. There's a team
from Hollywood across the street. Notone out in the back where they want
to cross the streets in a neighbor'shouse. The other ones in the car
back. Okay, let's go.Yeah, they're in the living room.
(04:27):
Awre they taking rough? Here yougo. You gotta get them out of
the hawk. I know they're gonnago and every non not. Just calmed
down, dude, How are youhaving powers? Mister Marsham. There is
a certain Friday and his partner FrankSmith. This is my wife area.
Is there anything new if you foundher yet? No, man, I'm
not yet. I told her therebecause I get it back. Just mention
(04:51):
take it easy, dude, wouldbe all right if I take her upstairs?
Yeah? Sure, come on,Why don't you lie down, try
to get some years there. Fine, he's not gonna do any good dinner,
Come on, Maybe it might bebetter if you waited out in the
kitchen. I'll try to get acalm hard. I'm sorry, Yes,
(05:12):
come on, dud, yes Idid. Let's going well. She's taking
it pretty hard. Yeah. Theycalled the doctor. He's on his way,
as they got any other children?Yeah, boy ten? Where is
he? Sisters? Marsham took himover there this season when we're sixteens from
metro standing by a fourth from ourdetail about the sheriff's department. I talked
(05:34):
to Dick Tar. They're with usall long the morning. I'm good.
This season is better. I hopefullydoctor gets here pretty quick. Is there
anything can do? You know?The answer to that one? You like
some coffee? Go take it?Oh, thank you, John, I'm
gonna make them anyway, all right. I'm sorry about my wife. That's
all right's taking the whole thing prettyhard. They made any arrangements to get
(05:55):
the money, mister Marsham, Yes, I called my brother. There's nothing
to do about it the night,the first thing in the morning to get
it together. We'd like to bewith you. We'd like to help you
prepare the money. I don't knowquite how to say this. What's well?
I know you might are trying tohelp, but I don't want your
interfering with the payoff. That's gonnamake it a little difficult. Maybe so,
but that's the way it's got tobe, all right, that's the
way you want it. All itis. You know it's not gonna make
(06:15):
much difference. What do you mean, Well, a kidnapper probably knows we're
working on the case already. He'skinding on the fact that you won't go
along with us. What is ityou want to do, Well, we'll
help you get the money ready,to take the numbers of the bills and
prepare the package. We don't wantto endanger your daughter's life as far as
we're concerning you, and go rightahead with a payoff from your contacted But
if we can help now, it'llmake it easier after the money has been
paid on. Who who is itgoing to be easier on? You are
(06:38):
Grace? You're gonna make sure weget a back. You willing to write
insurance on that? There's no answerto that, twitter That's the whole point.
We want our daughter back. Idon't care what we have to do
or how we do it. Aslong as Grace is back, that's all.
That's important. Were gonna understand.I know what you're doing. I
appreciate it, but this is ourproblem. I don't want to take any
chances on something going wrong. Assoon as we hear from the man who
has heard, will do what hesays. And you're not going to let
us help. No, And Ithink it might be better if you called
(07:00):
your man off. You're making ithard for us. I'm not trying to,
but can't you understand all we wantus our girl back. It doesn't
make any difference how it's done.As long as she's home, that's all
it counts. What about the manwho took her? That's your problem.
As soon as Grace is home,I'll go along with you on whatever you
want to do. But until thenI don't want you meddling. But you
said they're gone, they're just leaving. You're not going to be happy until
she's dead, are you? That'snot true? Man? Well it looks
(07:21):
like it at least, Policeman.The whole thing a lot of noise,
nothing more. You're not doing anygood. Why don't you get out?
They're leaving, dear? When afterthey throw Grace up on the front law
going You know? All right?Man? Will all right, now,
that's sign out. All right,now, calm down, This isn't gonna
(07:42):
do anything. Can you prayed yourbetter lay? All right? So we'll
talk to you later as soon aswe get back. All as, that's
it. Say, as soon aswe get Grace back, I'll call you,
yessor. You're sure you won't letus help? No, you're better
go now? Oh? No?What? All right? I guess we
(08:07):
wait. Yeah, we're about thesurveillance. You're gonna call it off?
No, I don't think so we'llcheck it with the skiver. Yeah,
be a lot easier for the marshends and let us help him. At
which we know what was going on. Give us a chance. And as
we were in the cold, nothingwe can do. I wonder if it
makes any difference. Maybe we lostalready. We contacted the office and talked
(08:31):
with Captain Warmon. We told himwhat had happened at the Marshand home.
He instructed us to keep the placeunder surveillance, but not the interfere with
the movements of the family. Officersin the area were asked to stay away
from the house. If the kidnapperwanted to make contact, we would do
nothing to stop him. Eight fortysix pm. Captain Power stayed on at
the scene and Frank and I wentback to the office. We met with
Captain Warman, the Chief Detective StaffBrown. You can't call any cooperation from
(08:52):
the family then, no, Idon't think so. Father might go along
with us, but Missus Marshan isdead against it. How you handle it,
Laman, keep their place under surveillance. Wait from the Megan move.
Important thing is not to burn him. Yeah. Why did they figure to
pick up the money? Joe marshAnd said, tomorrow morning? What business
is the end? Contractor got acompany with his brother. I did a
(09:13):
lot of work in developments, justfinished a big section out of the valley.
You won't have any trouble raising themoney then, or didn't seem to
bother him. What are you gonnado about that the money? Yeah,
well, the first thing in themorning, we'll try to get in touch
with his bank, make arrangements tohave the cereal and it was on the
bills, noted Crime Lab be ableto do anything for him? Will we
check with him? Should be someway we can make it easier. And
the important thing is to get thegirl back once we know where she is.
(09:35):
We can move a lot faster.I'm a side laman, yeah,
An, you give me that addressand sir right away anyway, maybe it's
coming over to our side. Whatdo you mean it was, mister Marsham.
Yeah, he wants to see herright away. Frank and I left
(10:01):
the office and drove over to theaddress mister marsha end have given us on
the phone. Was an all nightrestaurant on Hollywood Boulevard. We found him
in a booth at the back ofthe place. I'm mister Marshall area sit
down, wanting there anything new?No, the reason I called. I
got to think, and after you'dleft, the way we acted isn't going
to help any He's not gonna makeit any easier on anybody, that's right.
(10:24):
Mabel and I talked it over.She still isn't too hot any idea,
and I'd appreciate it if you coulddo. It has to be done
without her knowing too much about it. We'll do what we can. I
don't like to have to put thiskind of restriction on you, but right
now that doesn't seem to be anyother way. We understand. Have you
hear anything else from the kid?Never not a word. Don't imagine you'll
try and contact me before I've hada chance to get the money. No,
sure, when you figure on gettingit, I'll call my bank at
(10:46):
nine try and make arrangements. Sinwe'd like to be there when you talk
to her. All right, whatare your plan on doing? Well?
First, we want to get theserial numbers on all those bills. I'm
sure they'll cooperate. We'll check withour crime LAMB. Maybe something we can
use to prepare them and so we'llbe able to recognize it a little better.
I'll probably wants you to make upa special package too. I'm not
going to try and tell you yourbusiness. I guess you know what you're
(11:07):
doing, and we hope so.I'd like to ask a question, though,
what's it he thinks she's still alive? Well, there's no way of
knowing them. You've handled this kindof thing before, you know what the
odds are? What do you think? I don't know. I think it's
so much easier if we knew.It Just seems like she has to be
alive. I can't imagine anyone whohurt a little girl. I just can't
imagine it. Yes, first timeshe's ever been away from home. She
(11:30):
doesn't get along with strangers too.Well, poor a little kid. I'm
sorry, I'm acting like an idiot, I'm sure, or like a father.
We took mister Marshan back to hishome and then Frank and I checked
out for the night. The nextmorning, at seven thirty am, Henry
(11:52):
Marshaan, Frank and I met withRay Pinker in the crime lamb. If
you talk to Banka No, Ifigured we'd checked with you find what you
were going to want. How's themoney going to be paid? We don't
know yet. There's only been theone contact. Yeah, I saw that
density. What's the best way ofworking the deal? Right? You're gonna
get the numbers on the bills?Yeah, well the notes set to get
the amount of the small ones.I guess that means five tens and twenties
and probably for quite a few towork with order. It doesn't make a
(12:13):
lot of difference. What are yougonna do? No, we can dust
the package and the money with silvernitrate, but I'll let the matter of
time the moisture from the suspects handsof combining with the silver nitrate and turn
him white. How long will ittake depends on his body chemistry. Well
about how long could be three orfour hours. I wouldn't count on it
happening that fast though. How easyis it going to be? The spot
not too hard? Stuff looks almostlike a white topping powder to wash off
(12:35):
easy. You should last round threeto four days. Depends again on how
easily he sweats, how often hewashes his hands, Now, how he
tries to get it off. Thereany chance he'll spot it, can't miss
it once it starts to show.Well, I don't know if that's something
wrong. He might try to dosomething to grace boy. You might as
well face it, mister Merrish.And if she hasn't been returning in three
or four hours, it's probably becausehe doesn't mean to give her back,
I suppose. So as soon asyou got the instructions unwrapping the money,
(12:58):
let me know right away. We'llget it ready. What are you gonna
do? We'll mark the paper themoney is supposed to be wrapped in.
Why so we're gonna identify if hewants to package out a newspaper. We
got some on hand. We've gotsome new brown wrapping paper too. I
think we're pretty well set on thatcar I don't understand why you're doing all
this. Well, if the suspectgets away from the meeting place, we've
got to have a way to pickhim up. How's the special package going
to help? We'll be able toprove it's what the money was wrapped in,
make it easier to be sure wegot the right man you're sharing was
(13:20):
as confident as you seem to be. What do you mean that we're going
to catch the man? Well,once he picks up the money, We've
got everything on our side. You'regonna have to pick up area. Stake
done as much as we can.Depends a lot on where the contact is
made right after the payoff, willsecure the area if nobody will get out,
raised or anyway we mark the carhern to say, we could use
paint a lot of things we don'tknow about to set up be easier to
figure him. If we've got allthe information, somebody can get close enough
(13:43):
to the car, we can dropa capsule paint on top of it,
put a copter in the area,and he shouldn't have any trouble picking it
up. Friday, Yeah, boonefor you strong, Thank you take it
over there. Jomp okay, whichline great, thank you Friday speed by
what We'll be right over and wasbeginning to go what do you mean?
(14:07):
A kidnaper just called he's ready fora meet. The second contact by the
kidnappor had been made by telephone.He talked to missus Marshand and instructed her
to tell her husband to have themoney ready by six pm that evening.
They went on to say that anothercall would be made giving instructions for payment
(14:28):
of the ransom. Mister marsh andFrank and I talked with her about the
call, and then we had ameeting with Captain Armant and Chief Detector's Dad
Brown. It was decided to goahead as the kidnapper had ordered. At
nine o two am we got fiftythousand dollars from the bank. We went
back to the City Hall and talkedto Captain James Fisk. He assigned six
girls from the record section to adis. We divided them into three teams of
(14:48):
two each, one calling the numberson the bills, the other typing a
list. At three forty five pmthe job was finished. The money was
taken to the crime lab and dustedwith silver and n trade powder. Because
we didn't have the final instructions onthe delivery of the ransom. Ray Pinker
gave us a supply of plane newspapersand brown wrapping paker. Both types were
marked so they could later be identifiedin court. They also gave us pellets
(15:09):
of dark and white paint and theevent we had an opportunity to mark the
kidnappers car four thirty pm, wegot in touch with Dave Robart at the
Sound Lab and made arrangements for threeway radio equipment TVD Take Your Dad Round,
contacted army authorities and with their cooperationalwe had a helicopter standing by any
event it was needed. Teams ofmen from Metro Division and Homicide Detail were
planted in the area around the marshEnd home and at five fifteen pm Frank
(15:30):
and Is, along with marsh End, drove out to his house to wait
for the third contact from the kidnapper. Red one to red six, Red
one to red six, come in, please read six to red one.
You read me? Yeah, Jack, you're coming in. Fine, who's
riding with the order children? Yougot any word yet? No? Nothing,
We'll talk to you later. Redone out, Well, let's sit
(15:54):
o their own position, and onlygot the tough part. Yeah. Wait,
say all these cars, isn't thereas a kidnapper might see him?
No, sure, they're scattered allover the area. Matter of fact,
none of them can't even see thehouse. If it works out. But
everything's going with hers so far,keeps up. We shouldn't have any trouble
at all. Yeah. Did yourwife all right, mister Marsham, Yeah,
I guess so. She's upstairs.The doctor gave her something to make
(16:15):
her sleep. He didn't want it, but he figured it was best.
Sure, there wasn't anything she coulddo to heal. This whole thing has
been pretty hard on her. Maybewhen it Sevel will take both kids and
go out of town for vacation.The rest to do a good past been
pretty rough on her. I'll getit just a minute, mus much,
and give us a chance to getthat other phone. Well, you can
use the one in the breakfast room. Through that do hard, and I
don't pick up a receiver into thearmy saying now you've got it all right?
(16:36):
Anyway you say, can't I answerit now? He might not?
Wait just a second now Hello,what oh yes, no, no,
no, I can't right now?No? Yeah, uh huh. Look
Sam, I'm expecting an important calland I talk to you tomorrow. I'm
sorry about it. Yeah, sure, no, No, it's nothing else.
(17:03):
Yeah, all right, same,I'll talk to you tomorrow. Okay,
bye. Sam Nicholson wondering if Icould play golf with him any y.
I thought at first it might bethe kidnapper. It wasn't so sure
it was him. I wish somethingwould happen. It's wait, and I'll
drive me crazy. No, ifwe just knew she was all right,
(17:26):
that's all. If we just knew, I can just get another ball away.
Let's say. Now I know it'shim this time now hello, Yeah,
that's right. No, No,I was in the back of the
house. But no, the lineisn't attack. No, no, it
isn't not give me my word.Yeah, what about Grace? Is she
(17:48):
all right? Yeah? I gotit, all right, No, it's
here in the house now, that'sright. Fifty thousand dollars. Yeah,
wait a minute, but I betterget a pencil, all right, go
ahead, yeah, h No,I know where it is. Yeah,
(18:11):
all right, I'll try and findsomething. No, I'll find something.
Yeah, all right, I'll leaveas soon as I can. No,
I won't bring anybody, I swearyeah, when you have Grace there,
Hello, Hello, you heard it? Yeah, I better get started.
(18:33):
Got the man, I'll get it, he said. Grace was all right
to hear him say that, Yes, all right, he said she was
okay. Well, I hope hewas telling the truth, yes, or
sort away. You know, it'sbeen a long time second, but I
guess you never forget how to pray. The man on the phone had instructed
mister Marsham to attach a piece ofwhite material to the front of his car
and to drive north on Highway oneoh one. He said that near Zooma
(18:55):
Beach, he would indicate his presenceby flashing the headlights of his own vehicle.
Marsh was to pull over to theside of the road and walk halfway
to the kidnappers car. After await, the suspect would approach Marshan and
take the money. At that timehe'd give us information on the girl's return.
Six ten pm, all the carsin the operation were told of the
latest developments. Who decided that Iwould hide in the backseat of Marshan's car
(19:17):
with a walkie talkie and keep contactwith the other officers. Frank and Captain
Powers would be directly behind us inUnit one, Katie. As soon as
we made contact with the kidnapper,they would try to take the suspect in
the custody. The money was wrappedin the brown wrapping paper and at six
fourteen pm Marshan and I went outto his garage and got in the car.
He drove out sunset full of art, the Pacific Coast Highway and turned
right. We drove for about fortyminutes. There was no sign of the
(19:38):
kidnapper. Fred one one, Redone Bred Wonder Red two over. Johnny
signed Yet now we're approaching zoom ofbeach. Should be pretty quick now Friday.
As the car off ahead, I'djust make it out and stand by
(20:00):
Red too. I think we madecontact about yeah, yeah, I said.
He just blasted his lights. Right, we just made contact. Better
take it easy, okay, Joe, can you see us. We can
just barely make out your lights forabout a half a mile behind you,
right, Red one out. Nah, by then it's him. He flashed
(20:25):
the lights again. Okay, Delissaid, approached slowly, try to get
us close you can, all right. I'll do exactly what he says,
give him the money and try tofind out where your daughter is? Yeah,
he's driving off. What he's leaving? He isn't gonna wait. I'm
gonna stop him. I'll stop him. What are you doing? Hang on,
we're gonnahead you, all right,Marsham? Yeah, I guess so,
(20:52):
I guess him. All right?The door stop and you get the
hunt one open and thinks, soI'll try. I think I can get
it open right here, let methrough you all right? In there?
Hey, as he heard, Ihad to stop him. The one't any
other way he was gonna leave rightgive me hand on his darkness should There
(21:14):
wasn't any other way he was gonnaleave. All right? Come on,
leave me alone, go in mine, get out of there. I can't.
I think my leg's broken. Ican't move it. Let him tell
what grace he is? Make himtell you made me alone? Come on,
I'll leave, leave me alone.I can't stand anymore as grace.
Where's my daughter? When do weget him away from him? I want
to know where she is. Ifyou don't make him tell me, I'll
(21:36):
do it myself. I'll kill him. If he's head I'll kill him myight
here, I come on, letme some help kill him. Just leave
me alone with him, that's all. Just leave me alone. That won't
make it any better. Why didyou do it? Why did you run
into me? Try to take off? Don't you? I got scared.
I wanted to get out. Ididn't want to go through it as the
girl. All right, you're gonnaget me a doctor. You're gonna do
something about my leg. You're gonnado something. All right, we'll take
(21:56):
care of it. How about thegirl? Is she all right? Come
on, mister, you don't makeany rupper on yourself. What about the
girl? I'll make it. TellI don't go. I don't know anything
about it. I come on,I where's the girl? Is she all
right? Answer me? Where isshe? All right? All right,
she's okay. I didn't touch her. I didn't hurt her at all.
Hotel done? She's okay, goteldone? Hotel the Pete mont who five
(22:22):
was six? You win us alone? Yeah, there's nobody else all the
al right, yeah, yeah,all right? Yeah? How about the
kid? Peedemunt Hotel room five Osix. Better get a call out on
it right away. I'll take careof it, okay. Cavin, Hey,
Joe, you got a bad cutin your party. I must get
someone. We crashed. You know, we saw it from back there.
We didn't know what was happening.You gotta call an ambulance for me.
We'll take care of it. Youbetter do it fast. I don't know
(22:44):
how much longer I can stand it. We'll get broken. I'll never be
able to fix it, never.All right, let's go. You gotta
carry me. I can't walk,probably won't be able to walk, and
Ken, you won't have to.You're not going any place. The story
you have just heard is true.The names were changed to protect the innocent.
(23:07):
On September sixteenth, trial was heldin Department eighty nine, Superior Court
of the State of California in andfor the County of Los Angeles. Martin
Francis Langer was tried and convicted ofkidnapping for the purpose of obtaining ransom and
(23:29):
received sentence as prescribed by law.On recommendation of the jury, he was
sentenced to the State con Oftentiary atSan Quentin, California, for the rest
of his life. You have justheard Dragon, The Authentic story of your
(23:49):
Police Force in action and starring JackWebb. A presentation of the United States
Armed Forces Radio Service
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