Remember when we discussed the authenticity of David Simon’s report of what he saw while observing Baltimore’s homicide unit? We had discussed whether or not the detectives altered their actions since they knew that Simon was observing them. I would like to bring that same discussion to Dragnet from Mitell’s reading to this post.
Besides the obvious difference in style, casting, and video techniques between Homicide and Dragnet, I think that Dragnet was filtered much more than Homicide. Mitell writes that Web created a system with LAPD Chief William Parker to provide stories for the series. Although the show was suppose to be a realistic interpretation of policemen in the 50’s, the LAPD had control on how they would be presented. Mitell explicitly states that the LAPD would make changes to the script before shopping that would create “positive images” of the LAPD (134). Even after the approval of the scripts, the LAPD continue to mold the series to represent them in the best way possible by having a representative of their field on set during filming. It does seem a bit ridiculous that the LAPD has so much amount for developing the direction and style of Dragnet. While I understand that they do have a right to have some say about their portrayal, all of the edits they are allowed to make diminishes some authenticity to the amount of realism produced in the series. The LAPD was seen in a good manner that they even used Dragnet episodes during their training for new officers. Even though the series is praised for being one of the most realistic portrayals of a police unit, it seems as if the LAPD had too much power to sugar coat the series.
Mitell’s explanation of the amount of power the LAPD had in their relationship with Webb reinforces the notion that Simon broke many boundaries by reporting as truthfully as possible what he had observed in Baltimore. This reading has convinced me to appreciate the guts that the producers and writers of Homicide had to stay true to Simon’s observations.
2 responses so far ↓
mass_andy // 29 September 2009 at 1.56 pm
What I was most interested in with respect to the influence of the LAPD on Dragnet was that no unsolved cases were shown, because both Webb and the LAPD feared it would make officers or the department look bad. This is obviously in sharp contrast to Homicide where the unsolved murder of Adena Watson is an ongoing plot point that is the focus of the first season and recurs throughout the series. Obviously, presenting cases that go unsolved adds to the realistic nature that Homicide was shooting for. In this aspect, I think Dragnet would have benefited immensely from having episodes where the case goes unsolved. Not only would it contribute to realism, but it would help paint the darker and gritty picture of LA that Dragnet was going for. Finally, I think the prospect of failure would make the show much more suspenseful. For this I’m thinking more about Law and Order. In 99% of the cases on Law and Order the right bad guy is caught about halfway through the episode, and then he is successfully prosecuted in the second half. However the bad guy occasionally gets away, either because the police can never find enough evidence for arrest, or because they win the case at trial. While this is rare, the fact that the audience knows failure is possible makes the successes more satisfying and less taken for granted.
sprinkles // 29 September 2009 at 5.31 pm
I would agree that Dragnet was definitely filtered more. The point that mass_andy makes about not showing any unsolved cases is a good example. Also, it is clear that it was filtered more because none of the detective show any type of emotion. They are simply mindless, crime-solving machines. We also must consider that in the time that Dragnet was on the air, television was much more censored than it is now. It was clear that this was the case from just the clip we saw in class. After the one detective was hit with a chair, he had no reaction. The violence also seemed very limited. This is in contrast to Homicide, where they are willing to show dead bodies.
I would also agree that it is ridiculous that the LAPD had so much directive power in regards to Dragnet. In a way, that show became propogande for them. As a result, the product seems less realistic than Homicide.