Since Joe Friday, the hero of radio, television, and film is
not eligible, I nominate Joe Friday, the hero of one novel
(CASE No. 561) by Richard S. Prather, one novel (DRAGNET
1968) by David H. Vowell, two novels
(THE CASE OF THE COURTEOUS KILLER and THE CASE OF THE CRIME
KING) and one short story collection (DRAGNET) by Richard
Deming, and one syndicated newspaper strip
(DRAGNET), to say nothing of being the subject of an
Edgar-nominated (and, come May, perhaps Edgar-winning) book
in the critical/biographical category, MY NAME'S FRIDAY by
Michael Hayde.
Really, leaving him off of the list just because he was
originally created for the broadcast medium is silly.
DRAGNET's influence, not only on television, but on prose
fiction is obvious and undeniable. The term "police
procedural" was COINED to describe DRAGNET. If you doubt
Webb's influence on the form, check out any 87th Precinct
novel, particularly the earliest ones which were written at
the height of DRAGNET's popularity. Hell, the opening of
every 87th Precinct book is deliberately evocative of
DRAGNET's opening. Friday is a hugely important character in
the history of hard-boiled crime fiction and to deny him a
chance to even compete for a place on the list because of the
medium he originated in simply makes no sense.
JIM DOHERTY
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