Editing Dragnet (franchise) (section)

===''Dragnet'' (1954)===
{{main|Dragnet (1954 film)}}

In 1954, a theatrical [[feature film]] titled ''Dragnet'', an adaptation of the series, was released with Webb, Alexander, and [[Richard Boone]]. [[Dennis Weaver]] plays R. A. Lohrman, a detective captain. The film begins with the shooting of small-time hood Miller Starkie ([[Dub Taylor]]) on orders from his boss, Max Troy ([[Stacy Harris]]). Friday and Smith's superior is LAPD Intelligence Division Captain Jim Hamilton (Boone), a department member and the film's technical advisor. The Intelligence Division focused on the pursuit of organized-crime figures, and some of Max Troy's habits resemble that of [[Mickey Cohen]], the known Los Angeles underworld boss; for example, Troy's LAPD file reads that he could be found at "[[Sunset Strip]] taverns and joints", as could Cohen. The film depicts the working relationship between the LAPD and the [[Los Angeles County District Attorney]]'s office; Friday and Smith work to gather evidence that the DA's office deems sufficient to gain the indictment and ultimate conviction of Troy and his fellows. One scene contains a violent fist-fight involving the two detectives, with the [[close-up]] cinematic technique typical of Webb's style of direction. The movie's ending represents a departure from most ''Dragnet'' stories; no arrest is made at the story's conclusion. Chester Davitt ([[Willard Sage]]), Troy's underling and Starkie's killer, is killed by underworld figures, and Troy succumbs to cancer before the detectives, having gathered sufficient evidence against him, can make the arrest.

The film earned an estimated $4.7 million at the North American box office during its first year of release.<ref>"The Top Box-Office Hits of 1954", ''Variety Weekly'', January 5, 1955</ref><ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.tcm.com/tcmdb/title/73581/dragnet#articles-reviews |title=TCM.com |access-date=April 12, 2025 |archive-date=August 9, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240809183853/https://www.tcm.com/tcmdb/title/73581/dragnet#articles-reviews |url-status=live }}</ref>