Dragnet (Los Angeles, Pomona, Culver City: hotel, buy, construction)

[Taiko]

Originally Posted by Tulemutt

Heh. Don’t know where this myth comes from, but there are thousands and thousands of articles, books, movies, art / photography collections, poetries written, drawn, painted, produced by Vietnam veterans about their experiences of war.



And now back to Dragnet

I wasn't talking about memoirs and oral histories but face to face talks with men that I knew as I was entering service. Besides 6th grade teacher from a segregated engineering unit who talked briefly of being a prisoner in 1945 in the Philippines no man I knew talked about war zone service in Korea or Vietnam

[Tulemutt]

Originally Posted by Taiko

I wasn't talking about memoirs and oral histories but face to face talks with men that I knew as I was entering service. Besides 6th grade teacher from a segregated engineering unit who talked briefly of being a prisoner in 1945 in the Philippines no man I knew talked about war zone service in Korea or Vietnam

Well, I did multiple tours in Vietnam and a 22 year career ... know lots of Vietnam vets as friends. No shortage of conversation about it really at all. So, individual experiences at work, I guess.

[Patrolman]

I did two combat tours of Viet Nam (1970-1972). I rarely talk about it. Seems no one I know or who I've met is genuinely interested.

[Tulemutt]

Originally Posted by Patrolman

I did two combat tours of Viet Nam (1970-1972). I rarely talk about it. Seems no one I know or who I've met is genuinely interested.

Right. But if someone asked, would you avoid the topic?

There’s something to what you and Taiko are saying. WWII was a “good war”, Korea was the “lost war” and Vietnam was a “bad war” in most peoples’ minds. Result is WWII conversation is openly engaged, Korea is kind of “what, where ... oh yeah, heard something about that ...”, and Vietnam is “um, yeah not good”.

And I don’t initiate conversations about Vietnam with people in general, either. But I also don’t hide from any mention or conversation that comes up. If it’s an appropriate analogy to something, I’ll use it. And I find the same among most of my veteran friends and associates such as the group I work with to house homeless vets. And among each other, it comes up often one way or another.

My comment in response to Taiko was aimed at what I find to be a myth that Vietnam, and other, combat vets don’t talk about their experiences. There's no particular reluctance to acknowledge our service among many if the topic arises. But, yeah, it doesn’t come up all that much except among each other.

[Patrolman]

I'll talk about it, if asked, but that's just me. Viet Nam is ancient history, as far as I'm concerned.

[Tulemutt]

Originally Posted by Patrolman

I'll talk about it, if asked, but that's just me. Viet Nam is ancient history, as far as I'm concerned.

Right. And that was my point: I don’t find Vietnam veterans unwilling to talk about the war. I do agree that it was an unpopular war / topic for the general public.

Ancient history, sure. Helluva deep lesson for all to reflect on frequently though. “Those who cannot remember the past are condemned to repeat it." - George Santayana.

[Cinema Cat]

Originally Posted by Tulemutt

WWII was a “good war”, Korea was the “lost war” and Vietnam was a “bad war” in most peoples’ minds.

I thought Korea was the "forgotten war."

[Cinema Cat]

The funniest Dragnet parody is Seinfeld's "Library Cop" episode:



https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D9tP9fI2zbE

[Tulemutt]

Originally Posted by Cinema Cat

I thought Korea was the "forgotten war."

Yeah, that’s it ...

[Mr. Boring]

Originally Posted by Newsboy

I'm a huge fan of classic TV, especially programs that show America (and life in California) in a more innocent light. One of my all-time faves is the last incarnation of "Dragnet" from the late 1960s, which unintentionally became one of the most stilted, dated, preachy and down-right cheesy TV series of all time. This was due, of course, to the undying seriousness by which creator / producer / actor Jack Webb approached his job. He sincerely believed that the LA Police Force was the greatest in the history of the world, and he set out to convince America's TV audience that policemen were their friends, not their enemies. And he largely succeeded.

Anyway, my question is this: What's the opinion of L.A. residents -- longtime or recent -- about this most quintessential L.A. television show? When you watch it today, does it make you melancholy for a city that no longer exists, or is it a false representation of a city that NEVER was like the one Webb showed the rest of the world?

And what about those over-the-top, Chamber-of-Commerce inspired opening monologues? You know ... the ones that go "This is the city ..." then go on to espouse how great and fantastic and perfect Los Angeles is, except for those dag gum criminals! Do they make you roll your eyes? Or do they make you feel warm and fuzzy?


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X6LprmdivN8&hd=1

I think the image Dragnet portrayed of Los Angeles was reasonably accurate. People wouldn't hesitate to visit downtown or the La Brea Tar Pits or the Coliseum or Dodger Stadium with kids back then. Buses were cleaner and seemed safer. The show itself seemed a little low budget with goofy actors sometimes. Los Angeles was a lot nicer back then. Less crowded, more civilized. LAUSD was fairly high rated and California itself had a high rated educational system.

(I also enjoy watching the old Dragnets from the 1950s on YouTube plus the even older radio versions.)