Standby for Crime

Crime Drama (1953)

This show from the early 1950s is a good example of the "true story" style of delivery made popular in radio's classic crime shows Gangbusters and Mr. District Attorney.Of course, the best and most popular of the "true crime" shows was Dragnet. The monotone, "just the facts" style demanded by Jack Webb in the show made two points at once. First, that the show wasn't a typical melodramatic crime show as had been on radio since the good old days, and more importantly, that we were "along for the ride" on another day at the office, in this case, a policeman's day at the "office." Not true crime, as this is drama, but this show features a very believable news anchor at a local LA radio station, KOP, Chuck Morgan. He is a pal with Lt. Bill Miggs of the police force, who tips him off to hot crime news possibilities. Also in on the capers is Carol Curtis, Morgan's gal friday. The repartee between the two is strictly old school, and enjoyable as such. Chuck persists in calling her "glamour puss." She's a blonde, natch. And a looker. The three meet all types, mostly on the shady side of the street. The dialogue is solid and makes the most of the plots. Unheralded and left for dead, Stand by for Crime is well worth your time. Especially if your time is post-WWII West Coast, and your taste is right there with Jack Webb's as perfected in Dragnet.

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For more law enforcement excitement see Nightwatch, Police Headquarters, This is Your FBI, and Tales of the Texas Rangers.