The Christmas Story (television episode)

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“The Christmas Story”
Dragnet episode
Episode no. Season 2
Episode 15
Written by Richard L. Breen
Directed by Jack Webb
Guest stars Harry Bartell
Bobby Troup
Fernando Vasquez
Original airdate December 21, 1967
Episode chronology
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"The Trial Board" "The Big Shipment"
List of Dragnet episodes

The Christmas Story was an episode of the television series Dragnet that aired on NBC on December 21, 1967. It starred Jack Webb (who also produced and directed), Harry Morgan, Bobby Troup and Harry Bartell. It was a remake of an episode from the 1950's Dragnet series called "The Big Little Jesus". It is the only episode in the series' run that was not based on an LAPD incident (in actuality, from the files of the San Francisco Police Department) and the only episode remade from an earlier episode. Bartell and Webb reprised their roles from Big Little Jesus.

[edit] Plot synopsis

Joe Friday and Bill Gannon are called to investigate the robbery at the San Fernando Mission church. which has a large Hispanic congregation. Father Xavier Rojas (Bartell) explains that a statue of the infant Jesus Christ is missing from the church's Nativity scene. Though the statue is of little financial value, it would be very disheartening to the conrgegation if the statue were missing at Christmas mass. However, as the theft occurred on Christmas Eve, that leaves 24 hours for Friday and Gannon to locate the statue and recover it. In spite of their best efforts, Friday and Gannon cannot locate the statue and come to the church to give Father Rojas the bad news when a young boy, Paco Mendoza (Fernando Vasquez) comes in with the statue on a red wagon. Paco explains to the Father that he'd prayed that he'd receive a wagon on Christmas and if he were given it, he'd give the infant Jesus the first ride. Needless to say, no charges are pressed. After as, as Father Rojas says, "Paco's family are very poor." Friday replies, "Are they?"

[edit] Differences in episodes

There are many similarities between The Christmas Story and The Big Little Jesus, since the same script (with some revisions) was used. There remain some differences though:

  • Friday's partner in the original is Frank Smith. Bill Gannon is his partner in the remake.
  • The church was located in downtown Los Angeles in the original, but the San Fernando Valley in the remake.
  • The main suspect, Claude Stroup, was portrayed by James Griffith in the original, and by Bobby Troupe in the remake.
  • Ralph Moody played shopkeeper Mr.Flavin in both versions.
  • Though there are some speculation that the original was filmed in color, it was filmed in black and white.
  • Sgt. Friday is a bit rougher with the suspect in the original episode.
  • When Friday realizes he cannot locate the statue in time for Christmas Mass, he says to his partner morosely "Merry Christmas" in both episodes. In the original he angrily tosses a wadded-up piece of paper. In the remake he hands Gannon a miniature office-friendly Christmas tree.