Dragnet 1967 (1967) s01e13 Episode Script

1
[Friday Narrating]
This is the city— Los Angeles, California.
Like any other city, there are
a great many ways to make money here
or lose it.
This is one way. In the state of
California, it's legal,
provided you buy a ticket of admission
and place your bets here.
In California, over $600 million
is wagered annually at racetracks.
All open, aboveboard
and within the law.
Like any other legitimate business
where great amounts of money
are involved,
there are those who cut themselves in
for an illegal percentage.
Sections of this volume
were enacted just for them.
It all begins with a 10-cent phone call
to a man who keeps his business records
on a plastic tabletop.
and who doesn't bother to enter
his profit and loss in the company ledger.
Or who keeps his records on
a highly volatile material
known as flash paper.
A simple kitchen match
is often his key to freedom.
When this happens,
it becomes part of my job.
I carry a badge.
It was Monday, January 9.
It was warm in Los Angeles.
We were working the day watch
out of Administrative Vice Division.
The boss is Captain Harry Nelson.
My partner's Bill Gannon.
My name's Friday.
Bill Gannon invited me to join him
at an interdenominational breakfast
sponsored by Police Post 38 1
of the American Legion.
It was almost over.
[Man Narrating]
The story you are about to see is true.
The names have been changed
to protect the innocent.
Gentlemen.
Again, I want to
thank our three guests
and to say that I'm glad
so many of you were able to
be with us this morning.
Now I'll call on the chaplain
of the Los Angeles Police Department
for the benediction.
Sergeant William Riddle.
Will you all please rise?
Shall we pray?
Our Heavenly Father, we thank you this
morning for one of life's great prizes,
the chance to work hard
at a work worth doing.
We thank you for the words,
"law, justice, freedom"
and the opportunity we in this room
have to protect their meaning.
Lord, the Psalmist has said,
"Through God we shall do valiantly."
We ask that this might be true
in our day-to-day battle against crime.
Dismiss us with thy blessing. Amen.
[All]
Amen.
The meeting is adjourned.
Thank you all for coming.
[Chattering]
- See? I told you you'd enjoy yourself.
- It was fine.
- You oughta come to more of these, Joe.
- Well, I'm not a member of the Legion.
Too bad. But you can come
as my guest as often as you like.
- How often do they have this breakfast?
- Once a year.
- You know, there's one thing
I didn't know.
- What's that?
- I didn't know the department
had a chaplain.
- You didn't?
No.
Why?
I just didn't know, that's all.
How long has he been with us?
Six, seven years now.
I'm surprised you didn't know, Joe.
- What else does he do on the job?
- Joe, he's the chaplain. He doesn't
have to do anything else.
What else would you expect him to do?
I don't know.
I just wondered, that's all.
- Well, it's like I've always said.
- What's that?
Joe, you're a heathen.
[Friday Narrating]
9:28 a.m. Bill and I returned to the office.
Captain Nelson wanted to see us.
How are you doing on
the Westerfeldt book?
Looks like we've got the back
office pinned down, but we don't have
probable cause for a search warrant yet.
All right. Maybe North Hollywood's
found some daylight for us.
- Yeah? What've they got, Skipper?
- 318 out in the Valley. Domino Bar and Grille.
Looks like the bartender's
taking the action.
Name's Richard Clinger.
No previous record.
Westerfeldt's been seen in the joint.
Seems pretty friendly with Clinger.
You figure operating
the location?
That's right. But you'll have to
sit this one out, Gannon.
You worked North Hollywood too long.
Pretty good chance you'll be burned.
You continue on
the Westerfeldt surveillances.
See if you can find a tie between
him and that back-office clerk.
Yes, sir. Who's working it
out in North Hollywood?
[Intercom Buzzes]
Yes. Send him in.
Friday, the man you'll be
operating with is here now.
Friday and Gannon,
Sergeant Bill Riddle.
North Hollywood Vice.
Riddle's all I see out there.
Come on in, Sergeant.
Thought you gave
a real nice benediction
this morning, Chaplain.
Thanks.
One thing I wanna make clear,
Riddle's had his share
of Vice experience.
When he's not in those dress blues,
he's a policeman like the rest of us.
He's made his share of cases
the same as any other man
in the department.
- Well, maybe there's
one slight difference.
- What's that?
The only time I drink is on the job.
[Friday Narrating]
9:40 a.m. Riddle, Gannon and I
met in the squad room
to work out plans for operating
the Domino Bar and Grille.
- Sure never figured it, Chaplain.
- What's that, Gannon?
Well, I mean, it's kind of
unusual, isn't it?
- Maybe. But it's what I wanna do.
- Is that right?
Yeah. Before we moved out here,
I had my own church in upstate New York.
If you think about it, there's
a certain affinity between preaching
the word of God and being a policeman.
They're both on the side of right.
Makes sense. What kind of cover
will work best for you?
While I was studying theology,
I worked my way through
as a part-time surveyor.
That's what they know me as in the bar.
That leaves me out.
I don't know anything about surveying.
You don't have to.
I got enough to carry us through.
You can be the chain man. You know,
the guy that holds the rod and helps me
measure while I look through the transit?
- Sounds reasonable.
- Khaki pants, cloth jacket?
That's the idea.
I'm pretty well accepted in this joint.
They know me as Bill Radford.
But they're still too hinky
to take any of my action.
- What surveying outfit do we work for?
- I'm an independent contractor.
You work with me.
All right.
It's an off day for Santa Anita.
First post for the eastern tracks is
around 10:00 our time.
There's not much local action.
What do you say we throw 'em a curve
and start operating tonight?
Fine.
- You know, Chaplain,
no matter how you slice it—
- What's that?
this has gotta do Joe
a world of good.
[Friday Narrating]
Monday, January 9, 5:30 p.m.
Bill Riddle and I checked out an unmarked
station wagon from the carpool,
and we drove out
to the San Fernando Valley.
The Domino Bar and Grille
was located in the 2000 block
on Lankershim Boulevard.
Riddle was known in the place
and considered almost a regular.
He pointed out the waitress, Angie.
He said she was friendly.
Riddle was on a first-name basis
with Richard Clinger, the bartender.
Hiya, Bill. Rye and water?
Fine.
Angie, like you to meet
a buddy of mine. Joe Frazier, Angie.
How are you, Angie?
Hi. Haven't seen you around
for a couple of days.
Where you been hiding?
Finally picked me up
a chain man, Joe here.
Good deal.
What'll you have, Joe?
Beer's fine.
Why don't we sit at the bar,
bat the breeze with Dick?
Suits me.
What do you say, Bill?
Got me a chain man.
I'm back in business.
So Angie tells me.
Glad to hear it.
One draft, one rye.
Keep it. Buy a mink coat.
Who's he, J.P. Morgan?
No, but he got
his unemployment check today.
I'll just pick up a stole.
It's too hot in California
for a coat.
You do that.
Kinda slow, huh?
It's a little early yet.
We do pretty good late business.
Is that so?
I've been thinking about getting a
piano player, but it's pretty rough
to get a permit in this town.
Dick, Joe Frazier.
Guy I work with.
Glad to know you.
- Same here.
- So you finally got an assistant
on that surveying job, huh?
- Yep.
- I'm happy to hear it. I hated to see
all that smart going to waste.
- A little tough to get in gear
when you're from out of state.
- I know what you mean.
L.A.'s not the easiest place
to start shaking hands quick.
- This is nowhere city
as far as I'm concerned.
- That so?
They leave the sidewalks out
all night here, they roll up the town.
- Where are you from?
- Right here, born and raised.
Been the same since I can remember.
Cops keep the lid nailed down.
No action, no nothing.
I haven't been here as long as Joe,
but I gotta go along.
L.A. stands for "Low on Action."
Angie's single.
Checks out at 2:00 a.m.
Well, now, that's nice to know,
but that's not what I had in mind.
I'm talking about a little tax-free
circus money.
You gotta drive all the way down to
Caliente or out to Santa Anita.
Yeah?
I like to have a little something
going every day. Maybe nothing big,
but a little daily recreation
don't hurt anybody.
- You say you're a native here?
- That's right.
- Well, then you oughta know.
- Yeah?
It's against the law.
[Friday Narrating]
Thursday, January 12.
Three days went by.
We were certain Clinger
was taking action, but he wasn't
taking any from us.
3:30 p.m. Bill picked us up
in Unit 1K-80.
We cruised the far side of
the Valley while we talked.
We've been living with Westerfeldt.
So far, nothing.
Yeah?
We get him up in the morning,
put him to bed at night.
So far, it's the same routine.
Hasn't been near that back office.
And the clerk acts like a hermit.
Stops at a different liquor store
every night. They all sell scratch sheets,
but we haven't seen him buy one.
Mm-hmm.
Goes to the back office
and that's it.
Well, sooner or later, Westerfeldt's
got to shake hands with his clerk.
We'll stay with it.
How are you two doing?
Nothing so far,
but Joe has a thought.
Yeah?
There's a waitress in there, name's Angie.
She must know what's going on.
Maybe she'll share it with us.
How do you figure to work it?
Tonight Riddle
and I'll hang around till closing.
Maybe I can buy her breakfast.
I'll fill the Skipper in.
Keep in touch.
All right.
Have a good breakfast, Joe.
[Friday Narrating]
Riddle and I returned to
the Domino Bar and Grille.
We sat in a booth
until almost closing time.
1:37 a.m.
Last call.
I'm fine.
Angie?
- Yes?
- You got any plans
when you get off tonight?
- Why?
- Well, I could take you to the Cocoanut
Grove, but they'll be closed too.
- Well, then?
- How about some breakfast?
Never before noon.
You know, you oughta take him up
on it, Angie. Joe's a nice,
roundheaded, single boy.
Thanks anyway, Bill.
But you can see Angie and I
just aren't star-crossed.
Whatever that means.
Sure you don't want another?
No, thanks.
Doesn't look too promising.
Well, I don't know.
I still got 15 minutes before closing.
I'll leave you the wagon.
Good luck.
Right.
See you tomorrow, Bill.
♪[ Humming Drunkenly]
[Slurring]
I beg your pardon, sir.
May I join your party?
I'm not having any party, fella.
Do you mind if I sit down?
I'm a little road weary.
When the rest of your gang gets back,
I will move over, okay?
- You're carrying quite a load, aren't you?
- How do you mean, sir?
- You've had a little too much to drink.
- No, sir, I have not.
I may have had one or two,
but I know my "capaticy."
I do not get "drink."
Now, may I buy you a little "drunk"?
No, and I don't think
you can have one either.
Last call's over.
Last call?
♪[ Hums]
- Why don't you let me
call you a cab?
- I have one cab, sir.
Well, don't you think you oughta
climb in it and head for home?
Sir, I would just like to have
a little toast with your party.
I will buy a round of "friends"
for all of your "drinks."
I told you. There's no party here
and the bar is closed.
- Why that dirty little Ernie.
- What's that?
Ernie. That dirty little Ernie.
He lied to me again.
He told me the Checker Bar
was open till all night.
- Well, this is the Domino Bar.
- The "Donimo" Bar?
Oh, that dirty little Ernie.
He didn't even tell me
they changed the name of this place.
Here, drink this.
It'll make you feel better.
What is that?
What do you like
in your coffee?
Hot.
No, I mean cream, sugar?
Sugar? No. Sugar turns to alcohol.
It gets you all ground up inside
and it's no good.
But thank you for your "hospitulity."
♪[ Hums]
- She the owner?
- Don't you think
you better drink that, mister?
The name is Simmons.
Remember the name.
Jay Simmons.
- I am from Pismo Beach, sir.
- Well, you're a long way from home,
aren't ya? That's about 100 miles up north.
Well, I have been trying to
get to Los Angeles
for five months now to say hello
to the old gang down here, sir.
You drink that
and I'll help you into your cab.
You know, I don't drink and drive, sir.
- "Inkahol" and "gasoloon"
do not mix.
- That's right.
That's right.
- I love clam chowder.
- Is that so?
I kept looking all over
for "Pisno" Beach
just to get a bowl of clam chowder.
I found it. I have moved my home
to Pismo Beach.
I love clams. You navy? Navy.
All right, now.
Don't you think it's about time
you headed for home?
Angie, would you mind
locking up for me tonight?
Shirley's sick.
Not at all, Dick.
Hope she feels better.
Thanks. Come on, fella.
I'll get you a cab.
I have one cab, sir.
I wish to go back to Pismo Beach.
Would you get me a cab
which knows which way it is
to Pismo? And tell it I'll drive.
You're not gonna do
any driving.
I certainly am.
I'm too drunk to walk.
Come on. Let's go.
Let's you and I go out the front.
We're okay, huh?
♪[ Hums]
[Door Closes]
End of the night, Joe.
Yeah, it kind of looks that way.
How about a cigarette?
Gotta lock up.
Yeah, I know. There's no law against
smoking after 2:00 a.m. is there?
No. I guess not.
- Who's Shirley?
- Who?
I heard Clinger say that Shirley
was sick.
Oh. You'll have to excuse me.
I'm tired. Shirley, that's Dick's daughter.
She's 10.
What's the matter with her?
Something to do with her heart.
I don't know exactly.
A murmur. Something like that.
- Dick's a widower, you know.
- Is that so? Seems like a nice guy.
- He is.
- How long you been
working for him, Angie?
Oh, he doesn't own the place.
Somebody by the name of
Burrows up north.
I was hired by them in San Francisco.
Told 'em I wanted to come south
and they put me in here.
- Close to three years now.
- You must know Clinger pretty well.
Not that well,
but he's been a good friend.
- That's all I meant.
- Sure.
[Chuckles]
What is it, Angie?
You don't think much of me, do you?
- Never bothered to rate you.
- Why? All men are alike and all that?
I guess. You meet all kinds
hustling drinks in a bar.
- I imagine you do.
- I say you meet 'em all,
but they're all alike.
- Not all.
- You're different?
- It's possible.
- But not probable.
- You rate Clinger pretty high.
- Why shouldn't I? He's straight,
he's good and he's honest.
- That about covers it.
- You have that tone in your voice
like you think he's not.
Well, you'd know more about that
than I would. I just met him.
Dick's a good man.
Takes care of his little girl.
No wife to help him.
He worships that child.
He's good.
If you say so.
I say so. Good night, Joe.
[Friday Narrating]
Tuesday, January 24, 1 1:35 a.m.
Riddle and I met again
with Bill Gannon.
You do any good, Gannon?
Like the pilgrims,
we're making a little progress.
What do you got?
Spotted Westerfeldt
and his back-office clerk in a meet.
They exchanged sheets.
We've gone as far as we can go.
The rest is up to you.
Yeah. All we need is that phone number.
[Friday Narrating]
Tuesday, January 24, 12:30 p.m.
We hoped that somehow
we could persuade Dick Clinger
to give us the number of the phone spot
which would give us the probable cause
to have a search warrant issued against
Westerfeldt's bookmaking operation.
It didn't look too encouraging.
How's it going, Dick?
Not so hot.
My little girl's sick again.
- Is that so? What's the matter with her?
- She has a bad heart.
Congenital defect of
the mitral valve they call it.
She's gonna have to have
open-heart surgery one of these days.
Sorry to hear it.
Poor little thing. She's only 10.
Never complains.
Never says a word about it.
She knows she has
a bad heart?
Yeah. The doctor said
she'd have to be told.
She has to take it real easy.
No running or playing with
the other kids.
Operation like that
must cost a lot of money.
It sure does. I don't know where
it's gonna come from.
I've got a little saved up,
but not nearly enough.
I want her to have a specialist—
the best.
I don't blame you. It's too bad
you don't have another job
you could work part-time at.
A lot of guys in your line
pick up a few extra bucks
working days.
- I got a little something going
on the side.
- Is that right?
Maybe I play it too close to the vest.
I don't know.
- What's that, Dick?
- A few days ago, you two
were talking about finding a little action.
- Isn't that right?
- Yeah.
- You still interested?
- What do you got in mind?
- You wanna get a little something down,
isn't that it?
- You knew that three weeks ago.
- Three weeks ago, I didn't know you.
- Who's taking the action?
- You're looking at him.
- What's the setup?
I double the line.
Thirty, twelve and six
in the first $10.
Pay up to a hundred
in the daily double.
All right. How do we get it in?
The clerk will answer, "Bottled in Bond."
You come back "100 proof."
Give your identification.
You’re Joe One for Dick.
You're Bill Five for Dick.
Got it?
Yeah.
Here's the phone number.
[Friday Narrating]
Wednesday, January 25, 4:30 p.m.
Riddle, Gannon and I reported to
Captain Harry Nelson.
- Clinger told you
you'd settle up with him?
- Yes, sir. Once a week, Monday nights.
- How much action have you
laid in so far?
- A hundred and 20 in the past two days.
I'm ahead 35-60,
but Riddle's down 50.
All right. First thing in the morning,
Joe, you and Riddle
go over to the D.A. 's office
and start the ball rolling
on the search warrants.
We'll tentatively plan to go Saturday.
Usual procedure.
Lieutenant Swenson will brief
all concerned personnel around 10:30 a.m.
Radio communications coordinated
through our office with standby crews
ready to stiff any suspected
phone spots after we serve the warrants
on Westerfeldt and the back office.
Gannon, you serve Westerfeldt.
Bowser'll take the phone spot.
Yes, sir.
- Joe, you and Riddle
take the back office.
- Yes, sir.
Go time 12: 15.
Fifteen minutes before first post.
[Friday Narrating]
Saturday, January 28, 1 1:47 a.m.
We had obtained the search warrants.
Riddle and I drove out to the Valley.
We headed for the apartment house
where the back office was located.
12: 15 p.m.
[Phone Rings]
Flash paper!
Stay put. Police officers.
Search warrant for the premises.
You're under arrest.
Here are the numbers to the fronts
and the codes.
[Friday Narrating] While I informed
the suspect of his constitutional rights,
Riddle called Captain Nelson.
He told him that we were in
and gave him the codes
and numbers for the fronts.
We asked that a black-and-white unit
transport the suspect downtown.
Saturday, January 28, 12:48 p.m.
Angie, do you mind
hanging up my coat for me?
Keep it. You'll need it.
Police officers. You're under arrest.
Conspiracy to commit bookmaking.
Oh, no.
All right, Clinger. I have to inform you
of your constitutional rights.
Look, just a minute.
I won't run out on you.
I'm not going anyplace.
But can't you give me a couple of days?
My kid's awful sick.
Sorry.
You have the right to remain silent.
[Continues]
It's not as if he murdered somebody.
He broke the law.
You sound like
a cheap, dime novel.
Do I?
Just for making a little book
so he could do better for his kid.
There are other ways.
That little girl of his.
You must feel real proud
of yourself when you think about her.
I wish he had.
[Friday Narrating]
Saturday, January 28, 4:38 p.m.
Six suspects, including the head man
of the bookmaking operation,
Gordon Westerfeldt,
were booked for conspiracy
to commit bookmaking.
Five of them were released on bail
within four hours of their arrest.
A quick evaluation of records
seized in the back office
indicated that the bookmaking operation
was handling in excess of $75,000
every week.
Identification was found on Clinger
bearing the name Ross Clement.
A check of R&I revealed that he was
wanted in Pennsylvania for forgery.
He would be held in the Central Jail,
located in P.A. B., pending extradition.
Wednesday, February 1, 1 1: 15 a.m.
Cream and sugar?
Yeah.
You just missed it.
Central Jail called.
Clinger wants to talk to
you and Riddle.
What about?
Just said it was urgent.
[Friday Narrating]
2 p.m. Bill Riddle drove in
from North Hollywood.
We met with Richard Clinger
in one of the interview rooms
at the Central Jail.
My little girl died an hour ago.
- Sorry, Clinger.
- I never told her
what the chances were.
It-It looked good for the first few hours
after the operation.
She thought she was going to get better.
They told me she was talking about
riding a horse.
She loved horses.
Then she just fell asleep,
and it was all over.
- We're sorry, Dick.
- I-I've gotta make
the arrangements somehow.
I don't know who to turn to.
I thought I'd ask you.
- Sure.
- I'd sure appreciate it.
- Tell us what you need.
- I only got $600.
Hospital bills and doctors,
it doesn't leave much.
D-Doesn't have to be
anything showy, you know.
Just something nice.
- We'll take care of it.
- You won't need a big coffin.
She's a small girl.
She never had much chance to grow much.
She's got a white dress.
It's hanging in the closet at home.
All right.
She's got some favorite things
in a little cardboard jewel box.
Will you pick out
whatever you think would look nice
and make sure they fix her hair?
But the big problem is,
you see, we never went to church.
So, I don't have a minister
or anything like that.
- I understand.
- I mean, a nice service.
That's the important part.
Somebody who'll say the right words.
Can you find someone
that can do that?
We've got somebody.
[Narrator]
The story you have just seen is true.
The names were changed
to protect the innocent.
On April 15, trial was held in Department 183,
Superior Court of the State of California,
in and for the County of Los Angeles.
In a moment, the results of that trial.
Five of the suspects were found guilty
under Sections 182.5 and 337A.
of the California State Penal Code,
Conspiracy and Bookmaking.
The four clerks were each fined
$250 and released.
Gordon R. Westerfeldt was fined
$500 and released.
In the interest of justice
, the charges
against Ross Clement, also known as
Richard Clinger, were dismissed.
He was, however, returned to
the state of Pennsylvania
to stand trial for forgery.