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My Name's Friday : The Unauthorized but True Story of Dragnet and the Films of Jack Webb
The complete story of "Dragnet" and the theatrical feature films of producer/director/actor Jack Webb.
- GenresNonfictionTvFilm
317 pages, Kindle Edition
First published June 1, 2001
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Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews
October 12, 2024
This book makes for a terrific companion reference tome if you're on a marathon listening binge of the classic Dragnet radio shows -as I am- this is an essential book to own.
If you're a fan of the original '50s tv series with Ben Alexander as "Frank Smith" or a fan of the Dragnet series most of us grew up with in the late 1960s with Harry Morgan as "Frank Gannon", it's a must have.
The original Dragnet tv series of the 1950s was as noir as classic tv ever got.
Really tough material.
The radio series was even more graphic.
More importantly you'll gain an appreciation of the multi-talented, incredibly driven Jack Webb.
I have gained more respect for Jack Webb after reading this book than I ever had.
Recommended!
UPDATE:
Ten years or so later and this has yet to have hit the New York Times Bestseller List.
Just wanted to express my displeasure. Oct. 12, 2024
If you're a fan of the original '50s tv series with Ben Alexander as "Frank Smith" or a fan of the Dragnet series most of us grew up with in the late 1960s with Harry Morgan as "Frank Gannon", it's a must have.
The original Dragnet tv series of the 1950s was as noir as classic tv ever got.
Really tough material.
The radio series was even more graphic.
More importantly you'll gain an appreciation of the multi-talented, incredibly driven Jack Webb.
I have gained more respect for Jack Webb after reading this book than I ever had.
Recommended!
UPDATE:
Ten years or so later and this has yet to have hit the New York Times Bestseller List.
Just wanted to express my displeasure. Oct. 12, 2024
January 19, 2019
This “unauthorized but true” book chronicles Jack Webb’s development and refinement of his ideas in regard to what a police drama should be, whether as a radio series or as a television production. Offering readers a comprehensive look at the production of the show that defined a genre, this book also contains program guides for both the radio and television episodes of “Dragnet” as well as a collection of Joe Friday’s most well-known speeches from throughout the series. The appended “A “Dragnet” Guide to the Los Angeles Police Department” includes such information as the department’s unit numbering system, division identification and function, and a glossary of police terms. It’s a fascinating glimpse into the world of television program development and the changing face of the police drama.
Recommended.
Recommended.
November 12, 2012
My Name's Friday is an enjoyable romp through the world of Jack Webb. From his days portraying hardboiled radio detectives Pat Novak and Johnny Madero to Hollywood Success, Failure, and a big comeback, Friday takes us through the highlights and lowlights of Webb's life.
Michael J. Hayde comes to the book with a great deal of respect for Webb and his work, which is an essential element in a work such as this. Hayde's work first and foremost is a Webb fan book. He gives a synopsis of each of Webb's movies and then provides a critique of them. While appreciating Webb's contributions, Hayde spares no criticism of the late 1950s Dragnet episodes, Pete Kelly's Blues, and other less than successful Webb projects. While I don't agree with all of Hayde's criticism (I loved the "Night School" episode and he didn't), his criticisms are reasoned and measured rather than spiteful. Whatever criticism Hayde has for Webb is mild compared to the well-deserved critique he slams down on the 1987 Dragnet movie with Dan Akroyd.
If there was one criticism I'd had of Hayde's book, it was where he went from TV fan to armchair psychologist, buying Webb's statements that he didn't miss having a father around as a youth. I actually after reading the book and of Webb's difficulty letting himself act believably on screen particularly in romantic scenes, as well as history of broken marriages might not have been influenced by never having a father around. Kind of off-topic from the subject of the book, I know. However, if one is going to engage in psychology, it shouldn't be done haphazardly.
Still, the book is incredible fun as a fan resource and provides a rare glimpse at a radio and TV genius that's been typecast as a stiff clown. Read it to recapture a vital part of America's television history.
Michael J. Hayde comes to the book with a great deal of respect for Webb and his work, which is an essential element in a work such as this. Hayde's work first and foremost is a Webb fan book. He gives a synopsis of each of Webb's movies and then provides a critique of them. While appreciating Webb's contributions, Hayde spares no criticism of the late 1950s Dragnet episodes, Pete Kelly's Blues, and other less than successful Webb projects. While I don't agree with all of Hayde's criticism (I loved the "Night School" episode and he didn't), his criticisms are reasoned and measured rather than spiteful. Whatever criticism Hayde has for Webb is mild compared to the well-deserved critique he slams down on the 1987 Dragnet movie with Dan Akroyd.
If there was one criticism I'd had of Hayde's book, it was where he went from TV fan to armchair psychologist, buying Webb's statements that he didn't miss having a father around as a youth. I actually after reading the book and of Webb's difficulty letting himself act believably on screen particularly in romantic scenes, as well as history of broken marriages might not have been influenced by never having a father around. Kind of off-topic from the subject of the book, I know. However, if one is going to engage in psychology, it shouldn't be done haphazardly.
Still, the book is incredible fun as a fan resource and provides a rare glimpse at a radio and TV genius that's been typecast as a stiff clown. Read it to recapture a vital part of America's television history.
March 21, 2014
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Greatly superior in organization and analysis to Just the Facts, Ma'am, this book does well both discussing Jack Webb and Dragnet, and the love-hate relationship they had with each other. With lots of examples from the various scripts Webb wrote or oversaw, the book provides a solid guide to the man and his works, and is a must-read for anyone who is interested in either.
Hayde’s work is organized well and chronologically. All of Webb’s works, including the different renditions of Dragnet are gone into in detail, and Webb’s evolving relationship to the show, and to his own creative genius and his Hollywood “star” are made understandable.
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April 10, 2025Jack Webb was an exceptional talent, but his success with Dragnet never let him wander very far from that property. He tried again and again to do projects involving jazz, most notably with Pete Kelly's Blues, but none of his other projects took off the way Dragnet did.
Hayde does an excellent job of presenting this great show that began on radio and transitioned to television, and stands the test of time, through research and passion. This book is as much about Webb's life as it is about the show because they're really tangled together.
Hayde does an excellent job of presenting this great show that began on radio and transitioned to television, and stands the test of time, through research and passion. This book is as much about Webb's life as it is about the show because they're really tangled together.
April 10, 2008
Loving the series Dragnet is really against my nature being that it is very in favor of "The Man" or status quo as it were but I just can't help it I love both the old old radio show of it and the 1950's and 1960's TV show shows. This book really help explain who jack Webb (the star of show and it creator producer and writer) was, this book was really interesting.
Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews