Jack Webb got the idea for the series Dragnet after appearing in a small role in the film He Walked By Night, the story of an actual murder of a Los Angeles policeman. Jack became friendly with the technical advisor to the film, a serving policeman in the LA robbery division, and reasoned that a drama based on the day by day activities of the police might prove popular. Dragnet was originally a radio series, airing from June 1949 to February 1957. It was here that the show's problems were ironed out, a successful format was established and the characters introduced.

By the time the show made the transition to television, Dragnet was eagerly anticipated. The television show ran from December 1951 to August 1959 and again from January 1967 to April 1970. The show's strength was undoubtedly its realism, for Jack Webb insisted that the show depict real life cases that the Los Angeles police force, in particular the robbery and homicide divisions, were tackling. Indeed, so realistic was the show that when Jack Webb died in 1982, the Los Angeles police department announced that they had 'retired' badge number 714 (Webb's number on the show) and city offices lowered their flags to half-mast in recognition, whilst members of the LAPD provided a guard of honour.

Set Comprises:

Disc 1: The Big September Man/The Big Seventeen

Disc 2: The Big Show/The Big Break

Disc 3: The Big Betty/The Big Trunk

Disc 4: The Big Boy/The Big Shoplift

Disc 5: The Big Hit-And-Run Killer/The Big Girl

Disc 6: The Big Producer/The Big Crime

Disc 7: The Big Little Jesus/The Big Frame

Disc 8: The Big Oskar/The Big Score