Racket Squad

1 9 5 1 – 1 9 5 3 (USA)
98 x 25 minute episodes

This American crime drama series starred Reed Hadley as Captain John Braddock, a fictional detective working in the racket squad of the San Francisco Police Department.

Braddock did not deal with crimes of violence but instead sought to protect the public from the various confidence rackets that were a more direct threat to them than outright robbery.

The series was based on actual case records from police departments around the country and described in detail the means by which shady characters fleeced unsuspecting people of their money.

The show aired in syndication for a season (1950) before being picked up by CBS for three seasons (1951–1953).

The show dramatised the methods and machinations of con men and bunko artists, and at the end of each episode, Braddock gave viewers advice on how to avoid becoming the victim of the con illustrated in the episode.

The series was filmed at Hal Roach Studios in Culver City, California, and was sponsored by cigarette manufacturer Philip Morris, hence there was a pack of the sponsor’s brand on Braddock’s desk at the beginning and end of the episode, as well as occasional scenes of him or other characters lighting up.

Captain John Braddock
Reed Hadley

Video