Dragnet (1987 film)

Dragnet is a 1987 American action comedy film directed by Tom Mankiewicz, who also co-wrote the screenplay with Dan Aykroyd and Alan Zweibel. It is a parody of the classic television crime drama Dragnet, which starred Jack Webb.

The film stars Aykroyd as Sergeant Joe Friday, the nephew of the original Joe Friday, and Tom Hanks as his partner, Detective Streebek. The plot revolves around Friday and Streebek's investigation into a series of bizarre crimes committed by a cult called P.A.G.A.N. (People Against Goodness And Normalcy). The cult is led by the Reverend Jonathan Whirley, played by Christopher Plummer, and his associate, Jerry Caesar, played by Dabney Coleman.

The film retains elements of the original television show's procedural style, including Friday's stoic demeanor and deadpan delivery, as well as the iconic "dum-de-dum-dum" theme music. However, it incorporates a much broader and more comedic tone, playing on the contrast between Friday's old-fashioned approach to law enforcement and the increasingly absurd nature of the crimes he is investigating.

Dragnet (1987 film) was a commercial success, grossing over $66 million domestically. It received mixed reviews, with critics praising Aykroyd and Hanks' performances but criticizing the film's uneven tone. Despite this, it has become a cult classic, known for its memorable quotes and comedic set pieces. The film also stars Alexandra Paul and Harry Morgan, who reprised his role as Bill Gannon from the original television series. The soundtrack features the song "City of Crime" by Aykroyd, Hanks, and Tom Scott, which was released as a single.