Just the Facts, Ma'Am: The Authorized Biography of Jack Webb [ILLUSTRATED] (Paperback)

~ (Author), Eugene, Ph.D. Alvarez (Author)

Editorial Reviews

Product Description

On television he was just a cop doing his job. But Jack Webb, in his low-key tough-guy approach in portraying Los Angeles police sergeant, Joe Friday, became an American cult hero. Today, Dragnet continues to appear on cable and syndicated television as a result of Jack Webb’s single-minded determination and his unflagging attention to detail. His non-stop work ethic produced some of television’s greatest moments, but it also took a devastating toll on his personal and professional relationships.

This authorized biography recalls how Webb grew up in poverty but was able to use his creative talents to find success in high school and in the Army Air Corps. After being discharged, Webb found a position as a local radio announcer in San Francisco and was recruited to do the voice of a hard-boiled San Francisco detective for a weekly program. The popularity of Pat Novak for Hire led to other radio jobs in the forties, culminating in Jack’s creation of Dragnet. The success of Dragnet came from its accurate depiction of the life of a regular policeman, with stories based on files found in the Los Angeles Police Department archives.

When television’s popularity increased Webb successfully transitioned the Dragnet series to the small screen and experienced unprecedented popularity. Webb would go on to produce great television classics such as Adam-12 and Emergency. When he passed away in 1982, he had left behind a television legacy of gritty realism that lives on today.

From the Publisher

His portrayal of Joe Friday on Dragnet and his creation of Adam-12 and Emergency make Jack Webb of one entertainment's greatest icons. The authors reveal the private side of Jack Webb, a mixture of creativity, hard work, and mercurial temperament. With the help of Webb's daughter, Stacy, Moyer and Alvarez give Dragnet fans an honest portrayal of a driven and complicated man.

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Product Details

• Paperback: 288 pages
• Publisher: Seven Locks Press; illustrated edition edition (April 2001)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 092976529X
• ISBN-13: 978-0929765297
• Product Dimensions: 9 x 6 x 0.7 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.2 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (5 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #829,827 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

16 of 16 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Great book of TV Legend, July 22, 2001

By	Herm Saunders, Producer of Adam-12, Mark VII ... (California) - See all my reviews

As one of Jack Webb's Mark VII and "Adam-12" producers, I want to applaud the authors for writing, "Just the Facts, Ma'am. The Authorized Biography of Jack Webb." The book, among many subjects, includes interesting information about Webb's talented and beautiful first wife Julie London and her second husband, jazz great Bobby Troup. The book brought other treasured memories back to me, such as my being the best man at Webb's marriage to the beautiful Jackie Loughery, Miss USA and the leading lady in Webb's film, "The D.I." Webb's daughter Stacy greatly contributed to this book and I was pleased to assist and advise the authors in the completion of this work. Much attention is given to Jack's radio days, and his TV "Dragnet," "Adam-12," "Emergency," and many other Mark VII projects many persons know little about. The book covers all of Webb's movies, and offers personal and unknown insights about Jack Webb. Numerous photographs were generously offered by Jack's closet family members and friends. They along with the story documentation, and chronology of Webb's life enhance this much needed biography of one of Hollywood's most innovative film pioneers. I highly recommend this authorized biography, and accurate book about my friend and television legend-Jack Webb. "Just the Fact's, Ma'am" is an enjoyable and enlightening read.

11 of 12 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Just the facts, little critical analysis, January 9, 2002

By	David C. Hill "*** Dave" (Centennial, CO USA) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

As an authorized biography, and one written in collaboration (before her death) with Webb's daughter, it's not surprising that this volume is both informative of the minutiae of Webb's life and is almost completely uncritical of the man, his working methods, his relationships, and his works.

More annoying is the very poor organization. Facts are presented with little relationship to each other, and very little of a negative or human nature is passed along. Chronology is more or less tossed out the window. Particular works are referred to out of order, and rarely is much detail given about the shows themselves, or Webb's creative choices. Anecdotes are chock-a-block with each other, with paragraphs inserted, apparently at random, of laundry lists of Webb's cars, or his favorite foods.

Excessive space is given to mini-biographies of some of the major players in Webb's life -- and contributors to the book. Do we really need to know the genesis of Bobby Troup's "Get Your Kicks on Route 66" in a biography of Jack Webb?

The book's notes and bibliography are extensive, and it's clear the authors had good access to any number of important people. I only wish they had done a better job of giving us a better organized work, and had taken a more analytical approach to Webb and his work, rather than a 280-page press release of his life.

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars The Man behind the badge, June 3, 2001

By	"dltnkt" (DesMoines, Iowa) - See all my reviews

A fairly well written biography of one of Americas most loved and alsomost parodied TV cops. A good insight into the man behind the myth with lots of photographs. Things may not always be phrased just right in the book but you will come away with a greater understanding of Webb the man and perhaps even a greater appreciation of his work. For Webb fans a definite read.