Dragnet 1967 (TV Series) The Bank Examiner Swindle (1967) User Reviews

Hooray for Burt Mustin!

[planktonrules · 8/10 · 15 November 2009]

I have to like this episode of "Dragnet" because it features Burt Mustin in a supporting role. He appeared in three episodes and this is the least interesting among them, but Mustin's presence was so good and he was such a wonderful character actor that I recommend it highly--particularly for old farts like myself who remember seeing him on tons of TV shows in the 60s and 70s (such as "Leave it to Beaver", "All in the Family", "Phyllis" and dozens of others). Of all his appearances, however, his most memorable for me are definitely his "Dragnet" ones. Just be forewarned: his performance here might just rip out your heart.

In fact, there are several very touching scenes due to the nature of the episode. Two scumbags are posing as bank examiners and are swindling old people of their life savings. One nice old lady was saving up to buy her daughter and her family a house, another is a fading small-time actress. The actress scene, in particular, is touching--particularly when Gannon asks her for an autograph.

In a marked change, later an old lady who is a bit of a cliché appears. Unlike the others, she isn't so gullible and loves the idea of helping the police capture the crooks. She's adorable and is the stereotyped old kooky lady--and she adds a lot to the show. When the crooks approach the lady, she contacts the police and Gannon poses as her son. The final scene where the examiners show Gannon their badges is a classic.

Overall, one of the better and more emotionally-charged shows. Well written and interesting. See this one if you can.

The Introductions & Gannon's Humanity

[ccthemovieman-1 · 8/10 · 31 March 2008]

"This is the city." That traditional Dragnet opening didn't get that much of my attention when I was young but now that I'm older and appreciate history more, I find these episode introductions often fascinating. For instance, in this episode, Jack Webb shows a big city street with huge buildings and states, "This is Wilshire Boulevard. Forty years ago, these were bean fields. Now they call it 'The Miracle Mile.'"

He then mentions MacArthur Park and how a lot of old people live around there, which leads into tonight's episode: "confidence men" pilfering old people for their money. Two guys from Seattle are now in Los Angeles, bilking gullible senior citizens out of their savings. They are posing as bank examiners.

Harry Morgan ("Bill Gannon") was the most entertaining on this sting-type storyline. He does a very nice thing in here. One of the victims is an old lady who never really made it in motion pictures but still hopes to get some parts. She's a nice woman and kind of a sad figure. Bill goes back to get her autograph, which thrills her. Friday says to him, "I didn't know you collected autographs?" Bill replies, "I don't." Friday nods in appreciation for his partner's kindness.

Speaking of kindness, are there two police officers more courteous than Friday and Gannon? This episode, like all of them, are filled with "Yes, Ma'am, No Ma'am," quotes. These guys are always respectful and display good manners.

Morgan's character supplies the humor, too. Most shows has at least one short segment where he says something goofy. Here, it's about squabs and his idea to crossbreed them with homing pigeons.

The Bank Examiner Swindle

[Scarecrow-88 · 7/10 · 5 November 2011]

Watching this 60s reprisal of Dragnet, I have noticed story lines which are still quite relevant in today's age, with Bernie Madoff's name in the news for his damage to many rich clients, taking their money in the notorious swindle of swindles. In "The Bank Examiner Swindle", two cretins pose as members of a Bank Examining board taking money from the elderly, most with weak eyesight and very trusting, and it will be up to Sgt Joe Friday(Jack Webb) and his partner Bill Gannon (Harry Morgan) to catch them. Those swindled gave up their only savings further establishing how evil the con artists really are. A grandmother wanting to leave what little money she has after death to her family, a former cinema actress (with dreams of getting back into movies; albeit, delusions of grandeur) vulnerable because of her age, and an old man who spends time in the park (giving up his funeral burial money): all these victims Friday and Gannon must interview and listen in sadness at the damage such swindles done to them. In order to really nab these crooks, Friday and Gannon may have to stage an undercover operation… The key to this episode's power is in the sympathy for those victimized, the kind of folks that had very little to begin with, their fear of losing what savings they have leaving them open season for the right kind of brilliant schemers. This has a wonderful scene where Gannon asks for the actress' autograph (this whole scene is rather melancholy as she believes that her fate might attract the press, still not aware (or maybe she is) that her Hollywood stardom is a distant memory).

These Miscreants Are Real Scum.

[rmax304823 · 6/10 · 25 March 2012]

What these two scurrilous rats do is approach old retired people, tell them they're bank examiners, and ask the old folks to withdraw their savings so the bills can be marked and the bank will be secure. The old timers hand over their dough innocently, the "bank examiners" mark the bills, and then say that the money will be returned the next day. And -- Poof! They disappear in a puff of smoke like the devil in the third act of Faust.

We get a parade of elderly witnesses who have lost their nest eggs, including Bert Mustin. It's pathetic. One is a nice old movie star who has been hoping for a come back but nobody is interested. "I don't mind your usual bunko artists," growls Joe Friday, or something like that. "Most of their marks are greedy anyway, but this one takes the cake." The disappointed ex movie star, overly made up and dressed like Norma Desmond in "Sunset Boulevard," is perhaps the most pitiful creature. Nobody has showed up for the announcement of her return to the screen. Before the two cops leave, Gannon goes back to her and humbly asks her for her autograph. She's delighted. "I didn't know you collected autographs," mutters Friday. "I don't." (The point was made without the dialog -- but, okay, let's not overestimate the perspicacity of the ordinary viewer.) I've always rather liked this episode, and even more so now that I've become a washed-up old movie star myself.