Rating: 
Summary: EXCELLENT SUMMARY OF A LEGENDARY CAREER
Review: It's too bad that Jack Webb is better-remembered for inspiring the 1987 Ackroyd/Hanks spoof of *Dragnet* than he is for the original series, because Webb was possibly television's most influential creator. In fact, he is perhaps the closest thing TV ever came to producing what French film scholars call and *auteur*.*Dragnet* was extraordinarily influential, not only on TV, but on literature as well. Writers of cop novels like Ed MacBain and J.J. Marric cheerfully acknowledged the influence of *Dragnet* on their work. Indeed, when the term "police procedural" was first coined by mystery critic Anthony Boucher to describe crime fiction that tried to accurately portray law enforcement, it was *Dragnet* he pointed to as the best exemplar of the form. Hayde carefully traces the development of *Dragnet*, from the germ of an idea that came to Webb while he was playing a small supporting role in a 1948 cop movie, to its beginnings as a radio drama, through its debut as the most popular dramatic series on television, its release as one of the highest-grossing movie attractions of the '50s, finally to its revival in the oft-repeated 1967-70 series. He also gives deatiled accounts of Webb's other work, movies like *Pete Kelly's Blues* and *The DI*, TV shows like *Adam-12* and *O'Hara - US Treasury*, his book-length thank you note to the LAPD *The Badge*, and even his ill-advised turn as a romantic crooner in the LP *You're My Girl*. It's not only the definitive book about *Dragnet*, it's one of the very best books about a television series ever published. I wish I could say that I wrote it, but I can't. I'm sure glad Mr. Hayde did.
Rating:
Summary: "My Name's Friday"- Mr. Law and Order personified
Review: The definitive work for "Dragnet" buffs and those fascinated by the genius of Jack Webb. Mr Hayde has done his homework on this one, exploring every facet of the man, his TV and theatrical productions, successes, failures, motivations, eccentricities, and the people in his life, both personal and professional. Well written and alternately amusing, sad and informative, the author has spent years researching his subject and presents his story in a way that keeps the reader glued to the book. Nearly every page contains photos of Webb's "regulars" plus many big-name stars who cut their teeth on early Dragnet. The appendix is loaded with information on each episode from radio, '50's black and white TV, and the color series from the late '60's. In addition, his theatrical film output is reviewed picture by picture. Although obviously a big fan of Webb's, Hayde does not gloss over the failures and personal shortcomings of this brilliant but flawed personality. For all his successes, Webb apparently lacked an ability to "bond" with people and a miserable childhood undoubtedly contributed to his "control-freak" obsessions. One cannot complete this book without feeling a certain sadness for Webb- so much success and so many wonderful people entered his life, but his perfectionism kept happiness elusively from his grasp. A "must read" for early TV fans- Webb belongs in the company of Arthur Godfrey, Lucille Ball and Milton Berle in measuring his contribution to the medium. Michael Hayde's narration makes this a delightful book for all who have been enthralled by Webb's work.
Rating:
Summary: "My Name's Friday"- Mr. Law and Order personified
Review: The definitive work for "Dragnet" buffs and those fascinated by the genius of Jack Webb. Mr Hayde has done his homework on this one, exploring every facet of the man, his TV and theatrical productions, successes, failures, motivations, eccentricities, and the people in his life, both personal and professional. Well written and alternately amusing, sad and informative, the author has spent years researching his subject and presents his story in a way that keeps the reader glued to the book. Nearly every page contains photos of Webb's "regulars" plus many big-name stars who cut their teeth on early Dragnet. The appendix is loaded with information on each episode from radio, '50's black and white TV, and the color series from the late '60's. In addition, his theatrical film output is reviewed picture by picture. Although obviously a big fan of Webb's, Hayde does not gloss over the failures and personal shortcomings of this brilliant but flawed personality. For all his successes, Webb apparently lacked an ability to "bond" with people and a miserable childhood undoubtedly contributed to his "control-freak" obsessions. One cannot complete this book without feeling a certain sadness for Webb- so much success and so many wonderful people entered his life, but his perfectionism kept happiness elusively from his grasp. A "must read" for early TV fans- Webb belongs in the company of Arthur Godfrey, Lucille Ball and Milton Berle in measuring his contribution to the medium. Michael Hayde's narration makes this a delightful book for all who have been enthralled by Webb's work.
Rating:
Summary: "My Name's Friday"- Mr. Law and Order personified
Review: The definitive work for "Dragnet" buffs and those fascinated by the genius of Jack Webb. Mr Hayde has done his homework on this one, exploring every facet of the man, his TV and theatrical productions, successes, failures, motivations, eccentricities, and the people in his life, both personal and professional. Well written and alternately amusing, sad and informative, the author has spent years researching his subject and presents his story in a way that keeps the reader glued to the book. Nearly every page contains photos of Webb's "regulars" plus many big-name stars who cut their teeth on early Dragnet. The appendix is loaded with information on each episode from radio, '50's black and white TV, and the color series from the late '60's. In addition, his theatrical film output is reviewed picture by picture. Although obviously a big fan of Webb's, Hayde does not gloss over the failures and personal shortcomings of this brilliant but flawed personality. For all his successes, Webb apparently lacked an ability to "bond" with people and a miserable childhood undoubtedly contributed to his "control-freak" obsessions. One cannot complete this book without feeling a certain sadness for Webb- so much success and so many wonderful people entered his life, but his perfectionism kept happiness elusively from his grasp. A "must read" for early TV fans- Webb belongs in the company of Arthur Godfrey, Lucille Ball and Milton Berle in measuring his contribution to the medium. Michael Hayde's narration makes this a delightful book for all who have been enthralled by Webb's work.
Rating:
Summary: As Solid As Joe Friday's .38 Special
Review: The subtitle succinctly describes this book: a biography of Jack Webb with the emphasis on "Dragnet" in its various forms and on his long neglected feature films. Most readers, like myself, will probably get the book for its coverage of "Dragnet" in its successive permutations: radio series (1949-55), the original TV series (1951-59), theatrical film (1954), TV movie (1966), and the second TV series (1967-70). Hayde shows that in all three media, Webb was an innovator, using new and existing technologies to enhance realism and impact and speed up production. He was a stickler for realism in everything from doorknobs to nomenclature. When "Dragnet" moved to TV, Webb kept the radio series' actors, despite the network's fears that they weren't glamorous enough for TV; besides being famously loyal, Webb wanted actors who looked like real people, not movie stars. Hayde also shows that "Dragnet" was more than just reenactment, but showed the human side of police work and the effects of crime. Some years ago, Leonard Malton wrote that Webb's theatrical films demanded reappraisal. Hayde does here, perhaps giving them their first detailed examinations since their premieres. Webb had seen radio and TV as stepping stones to film, but his features are often considered less successful than his TV shows. If so, this book shows that any shortcomings were due to writing, not acting or technique. Hayde describes the success Webb enjoyed. The "Dragnet" dum-de-dum-dum theme is one of the most recognized in the world. The two "Dragnet" TV series were huge hits in both prime time and syndication and Webb also enjoyed success with "Adam-12" and "Emergency." He realized about $2.5 million from the sale of the syndication rights to the first "Dragnet" TV series, a huge sum for the day. But as Hayde shows, Webb paid a high price, too. Three of his four marriages ended in divorce, casaulties of his workaholism. His daily regimen of 18 hours of work, three packs of cigarettes, and up to three hard drinks ruined his health and lead to an early and fatal heart attack at age 62 in December 1982. A huge amount of research obviously went into this book, including interviews with surviving associates of Webb. The writing is excellent. The book is profusely illustrated, with an especially evocative cover shot. It also contains some fascinating and useful appendices, including episode guides. But this book is more than just a history of Webb's productions. Hayde provides some very incisive analyses, giving praise and criticism when due. He does an excellent job in placing "Dragnet" in context. It may seem too cut and dry today, but "Dragnet" was a breath of fresh air at a time when most crime dramas were wildly inaccurate and consisted of screams, gunshots, sirens, and wisecracks. Hayde points out that the huge success of the original TV series in syndication showed the lucrative possibilities of that market and thus doomed live TV. Hayde also points out that the second series' drug episodes, now considered campy, reflected the horror and bewilderment that broke out when drugs hit the middle class in the 1960's. In summary, this is one of the best non-fiction books I've read. I recommend it highly, not only to Webb fans, but to any serious student of radio, TV, or film.
Rating:
Summary: As Solid As Joe Friday's .38 Special
Review: The subtitle succinctly describes this book: a biography of Jack Webb with the emphasis on "Dragnet" in its various forms and on his long neglected feature films. Most readers, like myself, will probably get the book for its coverage of "Dragnet" in its successive permutations: radio series (1949-55), the original TV series (1951-59), theatrical film (1954), TV movie (1966), and the second TV series (1967-70). Hayde shows that in all three media, Webb was an innovator, using new and existing technologies to enhance realism and impact and speed up production. He was a stickler for realism in everything from doorknobs to nomenclature. When "Dragnet" moved to TV, Webb kept the radio series' actors, despite the network's fears that they weren't glamorous enough for TV; besides being famously loyal, Webb wanted actors who looked like real people, not movie stars. Hayde also shows that "Dragnet" was more than just reenactment, but showed the human side of police work and the effects of crime. Some years ago, Leonard Malton wrote that Webb's theatrical films demanded reappraisal. Hayde does here, perhaps giving them their first detailed examinations since their premieres. Webb had seen radio and TV as stepping stones to film, but his features are often considered less successful than his TV shows. If so, this book shows that any shortcomings were due to writing, not acting or technique. Hayde describes the success Webb enjoyed. The "Dragnet" dum-de-dum-dum theme is one of the most recognized in the world. The two "Dragnet" TV series were huge hits in both prime time and syndication and Webb also enjoyed success with "Adam-12" and "Emergency." He realized about $2.5 million from the sale of the syndication rights to the first "Dragnet" TV series, a huge sum for the day. But as Hayde shows, Webb paid a high price, too. Three of his four marriages ended in divorce, casaulties of his workaholism. His daily regimen of 18 hours of work, three packs of cigarettes, and up to three hard drinks ruined his health and lead to an early and fatal heart attack at age 62 in December 1982. A huge amount of research obviously went into this book, including interviews with surviving associates of Webb. The writing is excellent. The book is profusely illustrated, with an especially evocative cover shot. It also contains some fascinating and useful appendices, including episode guides. But this book is more than just a history of Webb's productions. Hayde provides some very incisive analyses, giving praise and criticism when due. He does an excellent job in placing "Dragnet" in context. It may seem too cut and dry today, but "Dragnet" was a breath of fresh air at a time when most crime dramas were wildly inaccurate and consisted of screams, gunshots, sirens, and wisecracks. Hayde points out that the huge success of the original TV series in syndication showed the lucrative possibilities of that market and thus doomed live TV. Hayde also points out that the second series' drug episodes, now considered campy, reflected the horror and bewilderment that broke out when drugs hit the middle class in the 1960's. In summary, this is one of the best non-fiction books I've read. I recommend it highly, not only to Webb fans, but to any serious student of radio, TV, or film.
Rating:
Summary: Excellent!
Review: Whether you're a 'Dragnet' devotee or a casual fan, this book is for you. Thanks for so much time, effort, research, and dedication, Michael! It shows!
Rating:
Summary: Excellent!
Review: Whether you're a 'Dragnet' devotee or a casual fan, this book is for you. Thanks for so much time, effort, research, and dedication, Michael! It shows!
Rating:
Summary: My Name's Friday: The Unauthorized But True Story of Dragnet
Review: While any television buff would enjoy MY NAME'S FRIDAY, it is a MUST read for Dragnet or Jack Webb fans. This book documents exactly how Jack Webb came up with the idea for Dragnet and how it evolved from that moment on covering scripts, writers, stock players, and every aspect of the show. It gives us an idea of what kind of man Jack Webb was and what it was like to work with and for him. It is not, however, dry reading, but a fast moving, interesting, colorful and smoothly written account of what happened. I found the book definitely hard to put down and give it a five-star rating.
Rating:
Summary: My Name's Friday: The Unauthorized But True Story of Dragnet
Review: While any television buff would enjoy MY NAME'S FRIDAY, it is a MUST read for Dragnet or Jack Webb fans. This book documents exactly how Jack Webb came up with the idea for Dragnet and how it evolved from that moment on covering scripts, writers, stock players, and every aspect of the show. It gives us an idea of what kind of man Jack Webb was and what it was like to work with and for him. It is not, however, dry reading, but a fast moving, interesting, colorful and smoothly written account of what happened. I found the book definitely hard to put down and give it a five-star rating.
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