The Senior Citizen

Even if you aren't a DRAGNET buff, you have to love this episode for the appearance of Burt Mustin, who at the time was 83 years young. One of Hollywood's oldest working actors, and never giving up. Burt made three appearances on the show in the 60s, also appearing in the 50s in one of the original black and white episodes. Remembered by producer Jack Webb.

The story is campy fun and true, based on a real case from the files of the LAPD. Burt plays a senior citizien with multiple names (Charles Augustus William Smith?) who has turned to a life of crime. He's on the prowl as a neighborhood cat burglar -- and who would ever suspect him.

There's a poignant side of the story, often played into Dragnet episodes; seniors resorting to robbery to support themselves. The catch is this ain't small stuff, Mr. Smith seems to be a pro at what he's doing. Burt Mustin a must see, and rather fast on his feet as he slips around corners.

Great Bit; Friday watching Gannon eat lunch -- or whatever the heck he's eating at the restuarant.

Filmed at Universal in North Hollywood, fun to spot the backlot sets, if not real street locations in the area seen on many tv shows. Look for Natalie Masters as a neighbor, cast in Webb's other cop show, ADAM 12.

Often billed as SEASON 10, though technically this is SEASON 2 EPISODE 7 of the color series, Dragnet 1968. DVD box sets released 2005, 2010 and 2018. A deluxe cover with Friday and Gannon for all us fans.

The title gives the first half of this episode away. While the cops try to guess who could robbing all these homes during the daylight hours, we know it's a "senior citizen" because the title tells us so.

Well, Burt Mustin makes up for that gaffe, being absolutely hilarious as the self-described "world's oldest cat burglar."

Goofy characters helped make Dragnet so different from normal cop shows, and really contributed to its popularity over the years. The episodes are still fun to watch over 40 years later, thanks to guys like "Charlie Augustus William Smith Smith." The actor who played him, Mustin, is a very familiar face to those who watched television back in its early days. Burt was the old fireman "Gus" on Leave It To Beaver, if that helps you identify him. He also was a regular on shows like Petticoat Junction, My Three Sons, The Andy Griffith Show and others. It's pretty unusual to begin a career when you're in the late '60s, but that's what Burt did!

Anyway, Mustin is flat-out hilarious in this episode, one of the funniest crooks the Dragnet boys ever arrested. It makes for a fun episode.