December 5, 2025 • 33 mins
Today's Mystery: Johnny's called in to determine whether a theatrical producer died of natural causes or was murdered.
Original Radio Broadcast Date:August 24, 1958
Originated from Hollywood
Stars: Bob Bailey as Johnny Dollar.Virginia Gregg, Bartlett Robinson, Marvin Miller, Junius Matthews
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Join us again tomorrow for another detective drama from the Golden Age of Radio.
Original Radio Broadcast Date:August 24, 1958
Originated from Hollywood
Stars: Bob Bailey as Johnny Dollar.Virginia Gregg, Bartlett Robinson, Marvin Miller, Junius Matthews
When making your travel plans, remember http://johnnydollarair.com
Become one of our Patreon Supporters at https://patreon.greatdetectives.net
Thank you to our Patreon Supporter of the Day: Candyce, Patreon supporter since October 2021.
Take the listener survey…http://survey.greatdetectives.net
Give us a call 208-991-4783
Become one of our friends on Facebook.
Follow us on Twitter @radiodetectives
Join us again tomorrow for another detective drama from the Golden Age of Radio.
Mark as Played
Transcript
Episode Transcript
Available transcripts are automatically generated. Complete accuracy is not guaranteed.
Speaker 1 (00:28):
Welcome to the Great Detectives of Old Time Radio from
Boy Seataho. This is your host, Adam Graham. In a moment,
we're going to bring you this week's episode of Yours
Truly Johnny Dollar. But first I want to encourage you.
If you're enjoying the podcast, please follow us using your
(00:51):
favorite podcast software. A reminder that you can order Great
Detectives of Old Time Radio t shirt or all over
hoodie for yourself or for a loved one to make
great presence. Go over to t shirt dot Great Detectives
dot net to place.
Speaker 2 (01:12):
Your order now.
Speaker 1 (01:14):
I will note on today's episode that we are missing
a little bit of the start. We don't hear the
phone ring or Johnny's greeting, but we're not missing any
essential plot elements. But the start is going to be
a bit of brop. Just letting you know so. Here
from August twenty fourth, nineteen fifty eight is the Noxious
(01:37):
Needle Matter.
Speaker 3 (01:40):
I wish you'd to.
Speaker 4 (01:41):
Investigate the death of one of our times. All right,
have you ever heard of Jalem of School, the theatrical producer.
Speaker 5 (01:48):
Yeah, sure, well, famous for the beautiful girls he employed
in his reviews.
Speaker 4 (01:54):
Well, well, do I remember now what about him the papers?
You know that he died yesterday. No, I didn't know
as natural causes, but you think otherwise.
Speaker 5 (02:05):
I do because of the the bene Fisher named in
his three quarter of a million dollars insurance policies.
Speaker 4 (02:13):
Three quarters of a million. Yes, so I think you'd
come over here and see me. Yeah, mister Westbury, I
think i'd better.
Speaker 3 (02:29):
Bob Bailey in the Exciting Adventures of the Man with
the Action Pact Expense account America's fabulous freelance insurance investigators,
truly Johnny Dellar, and now at one of yours, truly
Johnny Dollar, expense accounts urted by special investigator Johnny Dollar
(03:05):
the Worldwide Mutual Insurance Company home office, Hartford, Kennedy. Following
is an account of expenses incurred during my investigation of
the noxious needle matter expense account. I out oft won
eighty five cents for a taxi to the office of Worldwide.
When I got there, I had to go through a
receptionist and two secretaries to get into mister Waldo. R.
(03:27):
Westbury's private office.
Speaker 4 (03:33):
Who you sit down, mister Dollar. Thanks wow.
Speaker 5 (03:38):
Here's the policy I mentioned, providing seven hundred and fifty
thousand dollars insurance on the Jala Mont Schofield.
Speaker 3 (03:45):
That's a lot of money, mister Westburrey. Incidentally, was he
married Schofield.
Speaker 5 (03:51):
Surrounded by beautiful women all his professional life?
Speaker 4 (03:54):
No, that hose has beneficiary.
Speaker 5 (03:56):
This policy has been in effect only thirteen years. But
look here, look at these writers changing the beneficiars.
Speaker 4 (04:06):
Goldie Laferne sounds like a burlesqueen. She was after his money.
Of course. Toodle's Tempest, Wow, he hurried him, baby Boodles Baker,
that's worse.
Speaker 3 (04:19):
Bubbles Jones, Holy Pepper, Capriest, Carstairs, Cupcake Delawn And hey,
what's this doing here?
Speaker 4 (04:28):
Mary T. Smith? She is the prison beneficiar. And that's
quite a condown from all those babes. Mister Dollar.
Speaker 5 (04:36):
The initial TEA stands for torso the stage designation she used.
Speaker 4 (04:44):
And you think she bumped him off to collect the
insurance bumped him? Uh? Yes, I do.
Speaker 3 (04:51):
But if a medical report says the old man died
of natural causes at the.
Speaker 4 (04:55):
Time of his death, Mary Smith, Mary T.
Speaker 5 (04:59):
Smith, this is his private dress, responsible for his care,
the medication he received, and so forth. Ah, I see,
I'm glad you do, because if you can prove she
murdered him in spite of the doctor's report. Yes, you
can save our company a great deal of money. I
don't often say this, mister Bellar, but in view the
amount involved, there will be no questioning any innecessary items
(05:22):
on your expense account, no matter how high. Surely you
wouldn't think of missing any unnecessary expenditure.
Speaker 4 (05:30):
Dream on, mister Waterbury.
Speaker 3 (05:34):
Nothing you say that Scofield died today, yesterday afternoon?
Speaker 5 (05:38):
Where that is home in Cranford, New Jersey? And all
his doctor was, Yes, doctor Leonard Foot. God, I wonder
where this nurse is? Anybody keeping an eye on her?
Speaker 4 (05:48):
Yes, you're punder there at Scopfield's home. Obviously she's a
very smart woman. You mean smart enough not to run.
I'd put it the other.
Speaker 5 (05:56):
Way, mister Beller, smart enough to have made him name
in his policy and to stay.
Speaker 4 (06:01):
Around to collect. You know anything about her, only that
she was a show girl before making this pretense of
being a nurse.
Speaker 3 (06:08):
Yeah, but if a doctor was willing to have her
take care of him, you know anything about him? Frankly, No,
then I have a sneaking suspicion I'd better pay him
a visit.
Speaker 6 (06:21):
I had him two four.
Speaker 3 (06:22):
Dollars and fifteen cents for another taxi than a train
down to New York. At Grand Central, I ran up.
I had him three fifty bucks deposit on the drive
your own car. I had him four fifty cents to
get through the tunnel to Jersey. In the city of Elizabeth,
I headed west and rob twenty eighth to the pretty
little town of Cranford, then.
Speaker 4 (06:39):
Directly to the combination hallman office of.
Speaker 3 (06:41):
Doctor Lennon Foot, where I cooled my heels for a
half hour in the reception room.
Speaker 4 (06:50):
Coming please, mister Dollar, I'm sorry they've had to keep
you waiting.
Speaker 3 (06:55):
Oh that's cut a right down here. But if little
Jimmy Sayer doesn't stop eating greenow, he's going to have
worse than a tummy age. Your company called that you'd
be here because of the death of Jay Lamont Schofield.
Sit down, I'll be.
Speaker 4 (07:07):
Very honest with you.
Speaker 3 (07:08):
Doctor Is Insurance Company thinks your opinion of death from
natural causes might be wrong. My tentative opinion, mister Dollar,
Lamont Scofield suffered from well rather than boy with a
lot of medical terminology.
Speaker 4 (07:21):
Let's say he had a heart condition one that required
that he'd take it easy, and of course medication, what
kind of medication?
Speaker 3 (07:27):
Digitalis for the most part, to limit the frequency of
his heart contractions. And more recently he's been receiving intervened
injections of sidyllanid.
Speaker 4 (07:36):
His nurse gave him the injections. Yes, it's under my orders.
I understand she's an old Burls queen. Some years ago
he starred Mary in one of his Broadway productions. It
was a flop. But shouldn't he have had a regular
license registered nurse.
Speaker 3 (07:54):
She was a registered nurse, mister dollar. Is she still
a good looker? Of the years, Lamont kept himself pretty well,
surrounded by.
Speaker 4 (08:04):
Well, some of them were very pretty. Girls were not
this merry, so I doubt they were all after his money,
including Mary.
Speaker 3 (08:11):
Well, mister Dollar, I told you my tentative opinion was
death due to natural cause, so the papers reported. And now,
let's face it, doctor, if she hastened his demise by
saying overdose of one of those injections I learned, and
while acting under your orders, by using something that you
put into her hand, now justin could look pretty bad
for you too, couldn't it. Are you trying to am
(08:33):
just stating imply that I might have conspired with that
girl to bring about the death of which is.
Speaker 4 (08:39):
Always a possibility, now, isn't it.
Speaker 3 (08:42):
Well, are such tactics usually part of an investigation like this?
Why not if you were gilly, if I could get
your riled up, catch you off your guard.
Speaker 4 (08:52):
I see, I don't like you, Dollar. I shall expect
your apology.
Speaker 3 (08:59):
I'll see, as I started to say before you interrupted me,
I learned just this morning from Monty's attorney that Mary
Smith is the heir to Lamonta State and the beneficiary
to his insurance policy.
Speaker 4 (09:12):
You didn't know this before I did not.
Speaker 3 (09:16):
Nonetheless, a result, I have ordered his body held at
the Coltner's office.
Speaker 4 (09:21):
Oh yes, so that the complete authopsy can be made.
I see, I'm sorry that. Would you like a towel,
mister Dollar, towel to wipe the egg off your face?
Speaker 6 (09:43):
Act too of yours? Truly, Johnny Dollar?
Speaker 3 (09:45):
In a moment, Sometimes we may wonder why a football
team doesn't quit playing and walk off the field when
it finds itself fifty points behind with only a few
minutes of play to go.
Speaker 4 (09:57):
What is that indomitable spirit that fills men with hope
and keeps them.
Speaker 3 (10:02):
Going in spite of terrific art, keeps them going just
to play the game according to the rules.
Speaker 4 (10:08):
Just to get the job done as well as they
know how.
Speaker 3 (10:13):
This kind of spirit pervaded the feelings of heavy bomber
crews of the Ninth Air Force on that day of
Glory August first, nineteen forty three, the day of one
of the most secretly fanned surprised bombing missions of World
War II, the day of the low level attack on
the Romanian oil refineries at Floesti, more than one hundred
(10:36):
seventy B twenty four heavily loaded bombers took off in
a swirl of red dust from Benghazi, Libya, to bomb
a highly defended priority target. The element of surprise in
the low level attack was to be one of their
greatest weapons, but things went wrong from the start. Three
planes exploded during takeoff operations, eleven more aborted due to
(11:01):
engine trouble. Of those that reached the target area, less
than one third returned to home base. The leaders of
the mission encountered navigation difficulties and difficulty in identifying the
specific target, and due to the loss of that elemental
hope surprised. They also encountered devastating enemy firepower from black
(11:26):
and fighting. The mission was partially successful, but a horrifying experience.
Five Medals of Honor were awarded to the heroes of
the Ploesti Raid for valorous action above and beyond the
call of duty. At any time the men would have
been justified in turning back, but they had a code
(11:48):
of conduct that made them want to see the unequal game.
Speaker 4 (11:52):
Through to the end.
Speaker 6 (11:55):
It was a job that had to be done.
Speaker 3 (11:58):
A charge mudge of the light Brigade in the air
as they flew down the valley of death to glory,
and now act too of yours, truly, Johnny Dollar and
the noxious negal matter.
Speaker 4 (12:21):
Yes, mister Dollar.
Speaker 3 (12:22):
As soon as I learned that this ex show girl
was to be La Montscofield's sole heir, well, I realized
the same possibility that I'm sure you must be considering
that she may have helped him over the hill. Precisely,
I know, all things being equal, doctee, do you feel
that he should have lived on a whund where a
bad heart is concerned. One can never be certain, of course,
(12:43):
but knowing his desire to live his willingness to adhere
to my instructions and take care of himself. Plus the
medication I provided, medication given by this Mary Smith. Yes,
I will agade you. He could live on for ten
or thirteen years. Why don't we know the results of
the autopsy. A toxicologist by the name of Stanley has
been called in at my request. It may take several days.
(13:06):
I see meantime, then I'm going to see this Mary Smith. Incidentally,
the police found no sign of any poison of anything
it might have been.
Speaker 4 (13:15):
Used to cause Lamont's death. You mean the police have
been in on this sy. They've been very thorough.
Speaker 3 (13:21):
Then one of the autopsy and a toxicologist, because the
least detectable means would have been an overdose of medication.
Speaker 4 (13:28):
I see, now talk to her.
Speaker 3 (13:30):
I've really told you all I can, mister Doner. Why
don't you go along and see Mary Smith?
Speaker 4 (13:34):
Then?
Speaker 3 (13:34):
When I intended but not tell me, oh me if
you need me. After you talk with the curved mister Donnan.
When that TOPSY report comes through, I'll let you know.
Speaker 4 (13:43):
Goodbye, mister doll And that was all I could get
out of the Home of the Light.
Speaker 3 (13:52):
Jay Lamont's Goofield turned out to be a small place
on Third Street, nestling among some fine old oak trees,
and gave it a quiet sort of isolation, a park
cry from the bright lights of Broadway.
Speaker 4 (14:03):
Apparently he had taken his doctor's advice.
Speaker 3 (14:06):
I wondered about the ex Burley queen turned nurse who's
managed to save enough of her looks and figure.
Speaker 4 (14:12):
To charm them into leaving her his all.
Speaker 3 (14:14):
Matter of fact, I've often wondered how a lot of
those old war horses, Yes, oh, how do you doing.
Speaker 4 (14:24):
That? Is a I'm looking for a miss Mary Smith.
I'm Mary Smith, old war horse.
Speaker 3 (14:38):
Believe me, I'd guessed wrong, because when it comes to
describing Mary Smith, well.
Speaker 4 (14:45):
There's only one word that does justice to her.
Speaker 6 (14:47):
Wow.
Speaker 3 (14:48):
She was in the mid twenties, tall, blonde and beautiful. Yeah,
she looked as though she just stepped out of charms
of the writs.
Speaker 4 (14:55):
And I say it again, Wow, just stand there. Who
are you, oh, Johnny Dollar, I'm an insurance investigator.
Speaker 6 (15:07):
Oh see, I've heard of you, Johnny.
Speaker 7 (15:09):
You know something even better looking than I.
Speaker 4 (15:12):
Thought you'd be on you can? Yeah? Thanks?
Speaker 6 (15:17):
Why is he think you here?
Speaker 7 (15:18):
There's no question about my getting money's insurance, sister, Well.
Speaker 3 (15:21):
It's just that the company always demands a routine investigation,
and where it's such a large.
Speaker 4 (15:27):
Summers involved, No kidding, sit down, yeah, thanks, no thanks?
Speaker 7 (15:33):
Oh, come on, have one with me? And so glom
around here since Monty died and nobody here except a
lot of crape hangers, little one.
Speaker 4 (15:43):
Well, okay, okay, they can't.
Speaker 7 (15:47):
Just sit around and look grief stricken.
Speaker 4 (15:51):
Have you been grief stricken? Marrying you?
Speaker 2 (15:53):
What the truth?
Speaker 7 (15:55):
No? What good was doing Maty living that way? Now,
able to tear around like he used to, putting on
shows and having a big time here Johnny, his July
love and the pursuit of happiness school.
Speaker 4 (16:12):
Oh that's better.
Speaker 3 (16:13):
I really needed that.
Speaker 7 (16:15):
She's got a lot of money, Johnny. I, oh no,
not much. No, I never had any either, but I
will now plenty.
Speaker 4 (16:25):
And you know your la Mont's skill feels fair.
Speaker 2 (16:28):
You got your life.
Speaker 4 (16:29):
I do.
Speaker 7 (16:30):
I hadn't work for it long enough, feeding him and
nursing him, taking care of him and sending off a
lot of old biddies from the old days who were
trying to get their claws on him.
Speaker 4 (16:38):
But you managed to get your claws on him.
Speaker 6 (16:40):
Wouldn't you have done the same thing?
Speaker 7 (16:43):
See not staid off.
Speaker 4 (16:45):
Took him a long time to die, though, didn't they, Johnny.
Speaker 7 (16:48):
I've been on twenty four hour duty here for two years,
for two solid years, and I make no bones about it.
Speaker 6 (16:52):
There were times when I thought he was going to
live forever.
Speaker 7 (16:55):
There were times when I wished.
Speaker 6 (16:56):
I could help him out of this world. So finally
it did, Johnny, Hey, let me freshen your drink.
Speaker 4 (17:04):
Mary, I think you'll kill le Monscofield. Well, i'd like
to see you prove. I don't think i'll have to.
Speaker 3 (17:14):
Oh why not?
Speaker 7 (17:16):
Isn't that why you came here?
Speaker 4 (17:17):
No, I can't to make sure you don't try to
slip off when the autopsy report comes. Oh is that scary?
Speaker 6 (17:26):
No, of course not.
Speaker 3 (17:28):
Let's face it, Mary, when somebody shows an attitude like yours,
it means you're completely innocent.
Speaker 4 (17:33):
Sure, Oh, Killy is the devil the linked It makes
it very confusing for you and for the police. Don't
so you're having a ball, of course I am.
Speaker 7 (17:44):
Listen, Johnny, I don't blame your.
Speaker 6 (17:45):
Bit for thinking I killed many. I wanted it and did.
I wanted his money.
Speaker 7 (17:49):
Did what I had to do to get it, and
then I'm going to get it.
Speaker 4 (17:52):
Yeah, did what you had to do.
Speaker 3 (17:54):
So if the autopsy shows he was given poison, don't
worry it wrong, or that he was given an overdose
of digital tell us or whatever.
Speaker 4 (18:00):
It is he was getting.
Speaker 7 (18:01):
Now that would be stupid. But nobody here but me,
nobody but you, that Minnesotan says, except me, for over
a week until last time doctor Foot came to see.
Speaker 4 (18:10):
You're sure that?
Speaker 6 (18:11):
Of course?
Speaker 3 (18:12):
Then if somebody did kill him, it would have to
be you, nobody else. Remember that, marrying Would you like.
Speaker 7 (18:19):
Me to put it down on paper for you and
sign it?
Speaker 3 (18:22):
Yeah?
Speaker 4 (18:24):
Sure, I'll do anything, Johnny. If it'll confuse all right,
then start writing?
Speaker 8 (18:30):
Why not?
Speaker 7 (18:33):
Now, let's see I marry T Smiths.
Speaker 6 (18:37):
That all right for Scott?
Speaker 7 (18:39):
No?
Speaker 4 (18:39):
No, no, no, keep keep writing. I'm taking right, I
marry Smith Oh.
Speaker 3 (18:47):
Yes, doctor, yes, ah, I see, not even the possibility
of too much of.
Speaker 4 (19:00):
I see. And you're sure, prissy, sure, okay? Doctor?
Speaker 7 (19:06):
He disappointed Johnny because they found no poison, no overdose
of sedilis.
Speaker 4 (19:13):
I guess you know the answer, don't you? Of course
I do.
Speaker 7 (19:16):
The autopsy showed nothing. You can't build the case out
of thin air.
Speaker 4 (19:20):
So here, gus your little.
Speaker 7 (19:22):
Paper all signed and see you, Johnny, I don't want it,
and you said you did.
Speaker 4 (19:28):
You're far too smug married, I have a right to be.
Speaker 7 (19:32):
You're barking up the wrong tree. You cannot build the
case on nothing.
Speaker 3 (19:36):
That thin air.
Speaker 4 (19:37):
Yeah, yeah, I know.
Speaker 6 (19:38):
So what do I do, Johnny?
Speaker 7 (19:40):
Just sit here and wait until your company pays you
the money, until the estate is settled, or can I collect?
Speaker 4 (19:45):
Yeah? Yeah, Mary, you stay right here, and thanks for
saying that.
Speaker 7 (19:51):
Huh, johnnybody, you mean.
Speaker 6 (20:05):
Fact three of yours, truly, Johnny Dollar.
Speaker 4 (20:07):
In a moment, times have changed, and so has the man.
Speaker 8 (20:12):
In the year seventeen seventy five, a patriotic, enterprising American
by the name of David Bushnell invented a strange craft.
It was constructed of two oak beams resembling two platters,
clapped together and propelled by a water screw attached to
a hand operated crank. Another water screw regulated the depth
(20:34):
to which the craft could descend. This was the American Turtle,
the first United States submarine.
Speaker 4 (20:43):
One hundred and.
Speaker 8 (20:44):
Seventy nine years later, nineteen hundred and fifty four, the
United States came up with another first.
Speaker 4 (20:52):
This time, however, it.
Speaker 8 (20:53):
Was a three thousand ton, fifty five million dollar vessel
powered by an atomic reactor. It was the Muscles, the
world's first had empowered submarine, and wealthy American Turtle was
a one man operation dependent on courage and brawn. The
Nautilus is a complicated network of advanced electronics, the operation
(21:18):
of which is dependent upon a team of highly trained,
skilled navy men know their jobs and do them well.
Speaker 4 (21:27):
Yes, times have changed, so has the man, and.
Speaker 3 (21:31):
Now act free of yours, truly, Johnny Dollar and the
nutious needle matter expense account out of four to three
seventy for a monk called my own doctor back in Heartred,
a man very much interested in criminal medicine. I asked
him about a couple of ideas I suddenly had for
committing the so called perfect crime. I got some enlightening answers,
(21:55):
then hung up and drove into the car in his office.
Speaker 6 (21:58):
I told you over the phone, Dollar, we found nothing
to indicate this.
Speaker 4 (22:02):
Excuse me, doctor Foot.
Speaker 3 (22:03):
You're a toxicologist who did the autopsy, Doctor Stanley, Yes.
Speaker 4 (22:06):
Mister Dollar, and as doctor Food to listen, Kudla.
Speaker 3 (22:10):
Monsco Field possibly have died of an embo, of an
emboless in the brain.
Speaker 4 (22:15):
Maybe Wall, Yes, I suppose. Can you find out by
further examination? Then go to it? What is this? Dollar?
Are you trying to play?
Speaker 3 (22:22):
Doctor?
Speaker 4 (22:23):
Now? I told you in the beginning, I don't like
your attacking. You are right, mister Dolla. An embolis in
the brain.
Speaker 6 (22:39):
What should have led you to sus?
Speaker 3 (22:42):
All right now listen, I don't know where the equipment
is that Mary Smith used to give the medication to
mister Scofield. I have it all here, Dollar, the remains
of the bottle of cadillanid that I prescribed, the hypodermic
with which he administered, all in this kit which needled
at g us doctor foot. The small one, of course,
he only received two ccs. One of these others, this
big one, simply part of a set. Only the smaller
(23:03):
one ever had anything in it.
Speaker 4 (23:04):
We checked. The others never contained anything more substantial than air.
That's right, air, mister, yes, doctor safety, forty fifty species
of air clean air injected into a vein. Yes, of
course it would cause a nimbush.
Speaker 3 (23:23):
And if you had to find traces, microscopic traces of
the flesh of Lamont Scofield in that hypo that contained
nothing but air.
Speaker 4 (23:29):
Yes, yes, of course I'll go to work or it immediately.
Speaker 3 (23:33):
If he does find traces of dermal tissue on that needle,
I can't believe it.
Speaker 4 (23:39):
A case built on nothing but thin air. Yeah.
Speaker 3 (23:44):
And the ironic part of it is the tip off
came from Mary Tisse Smith. Yes, the microscope showed that
needle had been used on Jay Lamon's schofield recently. Pretty
slim evidence, I know. But when Mary was faced with it,
(24:05):
and I'm still not quite sure why. Maybe we scared,
but she broke down and confessed the murder. Yeah, She's
been wrong. Sometimes you can build a case on nothing
but thin air. Expense account total sixty cents. Yours truly,
Johnny Dollar, Yours truly.
Speaker 6 (24:46):
Johnny Dollar is coloring.
Speaker 3 (24:47):
Bob Bailey originates in Hollywood and is written, produced and
directed by Jack Johnstone. Heard in our cast where Virginia Gregg,
Margaret Robinson, Marvin Miller, and Junius Matthew Be shorted you
and the next week, same time and station for another
exciting story of Yours Truly, Johnny Dollar.
Speaker 4 (25:06):
This is Roy Rowan.
Speaker 2 (25:07):
Speaking Welcome back.
Speaker 1 (25:38):
This episode shows Johnny's strengths and weaknesses as an investigator.
His weakness, of course, is unnecessarily antagonizing so many people
with murder allegations without any evidence, just to see if
he can get a reaction. His biggest strength is his
ability to draw inspiration from random statements to solve the case.
(26:03):
I think I would call the murderess's confession implausible, given
how cocky she was, but the show avoids having to
deal with that so much by following the old rule.
If you can't make a scene plausible, just expositive. But
I don't know, maybe it wasn't so implausible. She did
every action when he got excited, and if she heard
(26:24):
of him, I assume it was from the radio show
and she was aware how this worked, and she was like,
what random thing did I just say? That's going to
lead to my undoing, and then just kind of worried
about it and ended up putting herself in a state
of mind where she might confess as a criminal. You
(26:45):
should say as little as possible to Johnny Doller, because
you don't know what little random thing is going to
lead him to solve the case. I actually think this
episode reminded me of a writing exercise like I might
and in a writing group where you're told to do
something specifically with your writing that's a little bit odd,
(27:07):
like if you were told write a story where a
detective builds a murder case out of thin air. If
that's the case, Johnstone would have done an impressive job
and all the writers would have been quite happy with
the result in this story. I should note that this
episode marks the end of a very significant streak of
(27:29):
episodes with extant recordings. The next episode, The Limping Liability
Matter is Missing that aired on August thirty first, nineteen
fifty eight. With the recent discoveries of the and I
say relatively recent, it's been a good six or seven
(27:50):
years now, I think of the Fire and Paradise matter
and the Froward Fisherman matter. The previous missing episode is
and I'm going to try to pronounce this harder since
I have not even seen it, the win it Pesaki
Wonder Matter, which aired on August eighteenth, nineteen fifty seven.
(28:10):
So we had about a year without any lost episodes,
which is the longest amount of time without a lost episode.
While the show was airing. Listener comments and feedback now
and we go over to YouTube where Ron has a comment,
and this is on our discussion of theme music. At
the end of the Wayward Killer matter a Ronsa Rites,
(28:33):
you mentioned that David Rose wrote a theme song using
a pseudonym. You mentioned he was a prolific songwriter for TV.
I did not hear you say that he pinned the
themes for Bonanza and Little House on the Prairie.
Speaker 4 (28:49):
I did not.
Speaker 1 (28:52):
I was just kind of addressing the question, but you
are certainly correct. I kind of stayed within the limits
of the question.
Speaker 2 (28:59):
But you're right.
Speaker 1 (29:00):
Those were great theme tunes, probably the best known ones,
although I also have to appreciate Highway to Heaven that
had such a gorgeous theme and not only great for
opening the show, but really accentuating some of the strong
(29:21):
emotional moments that were such a big part of that series.
And Rose was incredibly talented. Holiday for Strings might be
best remembered for being Red Skelton's theme song, but it's
a good, solid composition in its own rme. You can
hear quite a bit of David Rose in old time radio.
(29:43):
Of course, he did do the music for Red Skelton's
radio program, and you can also hear him on many
episodes of Guest Star. But for my money, one of
the most underrated old time radio music is actually a
series called California Melodies, which featured the music of David Rose,
(30:08):
and that was really the soul attraction of it, so
that gave him a lot of creative freedom. And if
you love Roses themes or great instrumental music, that series
is worth seeking out. California Melodies. But thank you so much,
appreciate the comment rits and definitely worth discussing. Now it's
(30:31):
time to thank our Patreon supporter of the day. Now,
longtime listeners will know that for the first Friday in
the month, we thank those who have been supporting the
podcast for five years this month. But in this case,
we don't actually have any Patreon supporters with an anniversary
(30:52):
this month, but I do want to go ahead and
thank Candice, who has been one of our Patreon supporters
since October twenty twenty one, currently support the podcast at
the Detective Sergeant level of seven dollars and fourteen cents
or more per month. Thanks so much for your support, Kansas,
and that will do it for today. If you're enjoying
(31:12):
the podcast, Please follow us using your favorite podcast software,
and be sure to rate and review the podcast wherever
you download it from. We'll be back next Friday with
another episode of Yours Truly Johnny Dollar. But join us
back here tomorrow for the great adventurers of old time
(31:32):
Radio and Cloak and Dagger.
Speaker 4 (31:34):
Where won't you sit down here?
Speaker 9 (31:36):
Kenna?
Speaker 4 (31:37):
My husband should be here soon. He isn't home then, No,
he's late this evening. He's almost always here by dinner time.
Speaker 6 (31:47):
I don't know where he could.
Speaker 7 (31:49):
But wait, yes, I do too.
Speaker 6 (31:51):
It doesn't matter.
Speaker 4 (31:52):
I can wait.
Speaker 7 (31:52):
No, I'm sure he's starting to see a friend down
the street.
Speaker 4 (31:56):
I'll try to find it. Really, I hope you won't.
Speaker 7 (32:00):
He'll be very eager to talk to you.
Speaker 4 (32:02):
He's quite interested in me in wine? Oh is it?
Speaker 3 (32:09):
Yes?
Speaker 7 (32:10):
He would not want to keep you waiting. You'll stay
right here and make yourself comfortable.
Speaker 3 (32:15):
I'll get it.
Speaker 9 (32:15):
Wouldn't it be easier to call your friend's house on
the telephone?
Speaker 7 (32:20):
The telephone, I wish I could hear teller, but we
had a heavy air raided off the brook last night.
Speaker 4 (32:27):
The telephone is out of order. It was a hasty
egg that she made, almost too hasty.
Speaker 9 (32:38):
I sat there in that empty house for a minute
or two where she had said to make myself comfortable,
and somehow I wasn't very so I got up and
went over to the telephone.
Speaker 4 (32:49):
What do you wish? I was under the.
Speaker 9 (32:52):
Impression operator that this line is out of order.
Speaker 1 (32:55):
Line is nothing out of I hope you'll be with
us then in the meantime. Send your comments to Box
thirteen at Greatdetectives dot net, follow us on Twitter at
Radio Detectives, and check us out on Instagram, Instagram, dot com,
slash Great Detectives from Boise, Idaho. This is your host,
Adam Graham.
Speaker 2 (33:16):
Sign and off.
Welcome to the Great Detectives of Old Time Radio from
Boy Seataho. This is your host, Adam Graham. In a moment,
we're going to bring you this week's episode of Yours
Truly Johnny Dollar. But first I want to encourage you.
If you're enjoying the podcast, please follow us using your
(00:51):
favorite podcast software. A reminder that you can order Great
Detectives of Old Time Radio t shirt or all over
hoodie for yourself or for a loved one to make
great presence. Go over to t shirt dot Great Detectives
dot net to place.
Speaker 2 (01:12):
Your order now.
Speaker 1 (01:14):
I will note on today's episode that we are missing
a little bit of the start. We don't hear the
phone ring or Johnny's greeting, but we're not missing any
essential plot elements. But the start is going to be
a bit of brop. Just letting you know so. Here
from August twenty fourth, nineteen fifty eight is the Noxious
(01:37):
Needle Matter.
Speaker 3 (01:40):
I wish you'd to.
Speaker 4 (01:41):
Investigate the death of one of our times. All right,
have you ever heard of Jalem of School, the theatrical producer.
Speaker 5 (01:48):
Yeah, sure, well, famous for the beautiful girls he employed
in his reviews.
Speaker 4 (01:54):
Well, well, do I remember now what about him the papers?
You know that he died yesterday. No, I didn't know
as natural causes, but you think otherwise.
Speaker 5 (02:05):
I do because of the the bene Fisher named in
his three quarter of a million dollars insurance policies.
Speaker 4 (02:13):
Three quarters of a million. Yes, so I think you'd
come over here and see me. Yeah, mister Westbury, I
think i'd better.
Speaker 3 (02:29):
Bob Bailey in the Exciting Adventures of the Man with
the Action Pact Expense account America's fabulous freelance insurance investigators,
truly Johnny Dellar, and now at one of yours, truly
Johnny Dollar, expense accounts urted by special investigator Johnny Dollar
(03:05):
the Worldwide Mutual Insurance Company home office, Hartford, Kennedy. Following
is an account of expenses incurred during my investigation of
the noxious needle matter expense account. I out oft won
eighty five cents for a taxi to the office of Worldwide.
When I got there, I had to go through a
receptionist and two secretaries to get into mister Waldo. R.
(03:27):
Westbury's private office.
Speaker 4 (03:33):
Who you sit down, mister Dollar. Thanks wow.
Speaker 5 (03:38):
Here's the policy I mentioned, providing seven hundred and fifty
thousand dollars insurance on the Jala Mont Schofield.
Speaker 3 (03:45):
That's a lot of money, mister Westburrey. Incidentally, was he
married Schofield.
Speaker 5 (03:51):
Surrounded by beautiful women all his professional life?
Speaker 4 (03:54):
No, that hose has beneficiary.
Speaker 5 (03:56):
This policy has been in effect only thirteen years. But
look here, look at these writers changing the beneficiars.
Speaker 4 (04:06):
Goldie Laferne sounds like a burlesqueen. She was after his money.
Of course. Toodle's Tempest, Wow, he hurried him, baby Boodles Baker,
that's worse.
Speaker 3 (04:19):
Bubbles Jones, Holy Pepper, Capriest, Carstairs, Cupcake Delawn And hey,
what's this doing here?
Speaker 4 (04:28):
Mary T. Smith? She is the prison beneficiar. And that's
quite a condown from all those babes. Mister Dollar.
Speaker 5 (04:36):
The initial TEA stands for torso the stage designation she used.
Speaker 4 (04:44):
And you think she bumped him off to collect the
insurance bumped him? Uh? Yes, I do.
Speaker 3 (04:51):
But if a medical report says the old man died
of natural causes at the.
Speaker 4 (04:55):
Time of his death, Mary Smith, Mary T.
Speaker 5 (04:59):
Smith, this is his private dress, responsible for his care,
the medication he received, and so forth. Ah, I see,
I'm glad you do, because if you can prove she
murdered him in spite of the doctor's report. Yes, you
can save our company a great deal of money. I
don't often say this, mister Bellar, but in view the
amount involved, there will be no questioning any innecessary items
(05:22):
on your expense account, no matter how high. Surely you
wouldn't think of missing any unnecessary expenditure.
Speaker 4 (05:30):
Dream on, mister Waterbury.
Speaker 3 (05:34):
Nothing you say that Scofield died today, yesterday afternoon?
Speaker 5 (05:38):
Where that is home in Cranford, New Jersey? And all
his doctor was, Yes, doctor Leonard Foot. God, I wonder
where this nurse is? Anybody keeping an eye on her?
Speaker 4 (05:48):
Yes, you're punder there at Scopfield's home. Obviously she's a
very smart woman. You mean smart enough not to run.
I'd put it the other.
Speaker 5 (05:56):
Way, mister Beller, smart enough to have made him name
in his policy and to stay.
Speaker 4 (06:01):
Around to collect. You know anything about her, only that
she was a show girl before making this pretense of
being a nurse.
Speaker 3 (06:08):
Yeah, but if a doctor was willing to have her
take care of him, you know anything about him? Frankly, No,
then I have a sneaking suspicion I'd better pay him
a visit.
Speaker 6 (06:21):
I had him two four.
Speaker 3 (06:22):
Dollars and fifteen cents for another taxi than a train
down to New York. At Grand Central, I ran up.
I had him three fifty bucks deposit on the drive
your own car. I had him four fifty cents to
get through the tunnel to Jersey. In the city of Elizabeth,
I headed west and rob twenty eighth to the pretty
little town of Cranford, then.
Speaker 4 (06:39):
Directly to the combination hallman office of.
Speaker 3 (06:41):
Doctor Lennon Foot, where I cooled my heels for a
half hour in the reception room.
Speaker 4 (06:50):
Coming please, mister Dollar, I'm sorry they've had to keep
you waiting.
Speaker 3 (06:55):
Oh that's cut a right down here. But if little
Jimmy Sayer doesn't stop eating greenow, he's going to have
worse than a tummy age. Your company called that you'd
be here because of the death of Jay Lamont Schofield.
Sit down, I'll be.
Speaker 4 (07:07):
Very honest with you.
Speaker 3 (07:08):
Doctor Is Insurance Company thinks your opinion of death from
natural causes might be wrong. My tentative opinion, mister Dollar,
Lamont Scofield suffered from well rather than boy with a
lot of medical terminology.
Speaker 4 (07:21):
Let's say he had a heart condition one that required
that he'd take it easy, and of course medication, what
kind of medication?
Speaker 3 (07:27):
Digitalis for the most part, to limit the frequency of
his heart contractions. And more recently he's been receiving intervened
injections of sidyllanid.
Speaker 4 (07:36):
His nurse gave him the injections. Yes, it's under my orders.
I understand she's an old Burls queen. Some years ago
he starred Mary in one of his Broadway productions. It
was a flop. But shouldn't he have had a regular
license registered nurse.
Speaker 3 (07:54):
She was a registered nurse, mister dollar. Is she still
a good looker? Of the years, Lamont kept himself pretty well,
surrounded by.
Speaker 4 (08:04):
Well, some of them were very pretty. Girls were not
this merry, so I doubt they were all after his money,
including Mary.
Speaker 3 (08:11):
Well, mister Dollar, I told you my tentative opinion was
death due to natural cause, so the papers reported. And now,
let's face it, doctor, if she hastened his demise by
saying overdose of one of those injections I learned, and
while acting under your orders, by using something that you
put into her hand, now justin could look pretty bad
for you too, couldn't it. Are you trying to am
(08:33):
just stating imply that I might have conspired with that
girl to bring about the death of which is.
Speaker 4 (08:39):
Always a possibility, now, isn't it.
Speaker 3 (08:42):
Well, are such tactics usually part of an investigation like this?
Why not if you were gilly, if I could get
your riled up, catch you off your guard.
Speaker 4 (08:52):
I see, I don't like you, Dollar. I shall expect
your apology.
Speaker 3 (08:59):
I'll see, as I started to say before you interrupted me,
I learned just this morning from Monty's attorney that Mary
Smith is the heir to Lamonta State and the beneficiary
to his insurance policy.
Speaker 4 (09:12):
You didn't know this before I did not.
Speaker 3 (09:16):
Nonetheless, a result, I have ordered his body held at
the Coltner's office.
Speaker 4 (09:21):
Oh yes, so that the complete authopsy can be made.
I see, I'm sorry that. Would you like a towel,
mister Dollar, towel to wipe the egg off your face?
Speaker 6 (09:43):
Act too of yours? Truly, Johnny Dollar?
Speaker 3 (09:45):
In a moment, Sometimes we may wonder why a football
team doesn't quit playing and walk off the field when
it finds itself fifty points behind with only a few
minutes of play to go.
Speaker 4 (09:57):
What is that indomitable spirit that fills men with hope
and keeps them.
Speaker 3 (10:02):
Going in spite of terrific art, keeps them going just
to play the game according to the rules.
Speaker 4 (10:08):
Just to get the job done as well as they
know how.
Speaker 3 (10:13):
This kind of spirit pervaded the feelings of heavy bomber
crews of the Ninth Air Force on that day of
Glory August first, nineteen forty three, the day of one
of the most secretly fanned surprised bombing missions of World
War II, the day of the low level attack on
the Romanian oil refineries at Floesti, more than one hundred
(10:36):
seventy B twenty four heavily loaded bombers took off in
a swirl of red dust from Benghazi, Libya, to bomb
a highly defended priority target. The element of surprise in
the low level attack was to be one of their
greatest weapons, but things went wrong from the start. Three
planes exploded during takeoff operations, eleven more aborted due to
(11:01):
engine trouble. Of those that reached the target area, less
than one third returned to home base. The leaders of
the mission encountered navigation difficulties and difficulty in identifying the
specific target, and due to the loss of that elemental
hope surprised. They also encountered devastating enemy firepower from black
(11:26):
and fighting. The mission was partially successful, but a horrifying experience.
Five Medals of Honor were awarded to the heroes of
the Ploesti Raid for valorous action above and beyond the
call of duty. At any time the men would have
been justified in turning back, but they had a code
(11:48):
of conduct that made them want to see the unequal game.
Speaker 4 (11:52):
Through to the end.
Speaker 6 (11:55):
It was a job that had to be done.
Speaker 3 (11:58):
A charge mudge of the light Brigade in the air
as they flew down the valley of death to glory,
and now act too of yours, truly, Johnny Dollar and
the noxious negal matter.
Speaker 4 (12:21):
Yes, mister Dollar.
Speaker 3 (12:22):
As soon as I learned that this ex show girl
was to be La Montscofield's sole heir, well, I realized
the same possibility that I'm sure you must be considering
that she may have helped him over the hill. Precisely,
I know, all things being equal, doctee, do you feel
that he should have lived on a whund where a
bad heart is concerned. One can never be certain, of course,
(12:43):
but knowing his desire to live his willingness to adhere
to my instructions and take care of himself. Plus the
medication I provided, medication given by this Mary Smith. Yes,
I will agade you. He could live on for ten
or thirteen years. Why don't we know the results of
the autopsy. A toxicologist by the name of Stanley has
been called in at my request. It may take several days.
(13:06):
I see meantime, then I'm going to see this Mary Smith. Incidentally,
the police found no sign of any poison of anything
it might have been.
Speaker 4 (13:15):
Used to cause Lamont's death. You mean the police have
been in on this sy. They've been very thorough.
Speaker 3 (13:21):
Then one of the autopsy and a toxicologist, because the
least detectable means would have been an overdose of medication.
Speaker 4 (13:28):
I see, now talk to her.
Speaker 3 (13:30):
I've really told you all I can, mister Doner. Why
don't you go along and see Mary Smith?
Speaker 4 (13:34):
Then?
Speaker 3 (13:34):
When I intended but not tell me, oh me if
you need me. After you talk with the curved mister Donnan.
When that TOPSY report comes through, I'll let you know.
Speaker 4 (13:43):
Goodbye, mister doll And that was all I could get
out of the Home of the Light.
Speaker 3 (13:52):
Jay Lamont's Goofield turned out to be a small place
on Third Street, nestling among some fine old oak trees,
and gave it a quiet sort of isolation, a park
cry from the bright lights of Broadway.
Speaker 4 (14:03):
Apparently he had taken his doctor's advice.
Speaker 3 (14:06):
I wondered about the ex Burley queen turned nurse who's
managed to save enough of her looks and figure.
Speaker 4 (14:12):
To charm them into leaving her his all.
Speaker 3 (14:14):
Matter of fact, I've often wondered how a lot of
those old war horses, Yes, oh, how do you doing.
Speaker 4 (14:24):
That? Is a I'm looking for a miss Mary Smith.
I'm Mary Smith, old war horse.
Speaker 3 (14:38):
Believe me, I'd guessed wrong, because when it comes to
describing Mary Smith, well.
Speaker 4 (14:45):
There's only one word that does justice to her.
Speaker 6 (14:47):
Wow.
Speaker 3 (14:48):
She was in the mid twenties, tall, blonde and beautiful. Yeah,
she looked as though she just stepped out of charms
of the writs.
Speaker 4 (14:55):
And I say it again, Wow, just stand there. Who
are you, oh, Johnny Dollar, I'm an insurance investigator.
Speaker 6 (15:07):
Oh see, I've heard of you, Johnny.
Speaker 7 (15:09):
You know something even better looking than I.
Speaker 4 (15:12):
Thought you'd be on you can? Yeah? Thanks?
Speaker 6 (15:17):
Why is he think you here?
Speaker 7 (15:18):
There's no question about my getting money's insurance, sister, Well.
Speaker 3 (15:21):
It's just that the company always demands a routine investigation,
and where it's such a large.
Speaker 4 (15:27):
Summers involved, No kidding, sit down, yeah, thanks, no thanks?
Speaker 7 (15:33):
Oh, come on, have one with me? And so glom
around here since Monty died and nobody here except a
lot of crape hangers, little one.
Speaker 4 (15:43):
Well, okay, okay, they can't.
Speaker 7 (15:47):
Just sit around and look grief stricken.
Speaker 4 (15:51):
Have you been grief stricken? Marrying you?
Speaker 2 (15:53):
What the truth?
Speaker 7 (15:55):
No? What good was doing Maty living that way? Now,
able to tear around like he used to, putting on
shows and having a big time here Johnny, his July
love and the pursuit of happiness school.
Speaker 4 (16:12):
Oh that's better.
Speaker 3 (16:13):
I really needed that.
Speaker 7 (16:15):
She's got a lot of money, Johnny. I, oh no,
not much. No, I never had any either, but I
will now plenty.
Speaker 4 (16:25):
And you know your la Mont's skill feels fair.
Speaker 2 (16:28):
You got your life.
Speaker 4 (16:29):
I do.
Speaker 7 (16:30):
I hadn't work for it long enough, feeding him and
nursing him, taking care of him and sending off a
lot of old biddies from the old days who were
trying to get their claws on him.
Speaker 4 (16:38):
But you managed to get your claws on him.
Speaker 6 (16:40):
Wouldn't you have done the same thing?
Speaker 7 (16:43):
See not staid off.
Speaker 4 (16:45):
Took him a long time to die, though, didn't they, Johnny.
Speaker 7 (16:48):
I've been on twenty four hour duty here for two years,
for two solid years, and I make no bones about it.
Speaker 6 (16:52):
There were times when I thought he was going to
live forever.
Speaker 7 (16:55):
There were times when I wished.
Speaker 6 (16:56):
I could help him out of this world. So finally
it did, Johnny, Hey, let me freshen your drink.
Speaker 4 (17:04):
Mary, I think you'll kill le Monscofield. Well, i'd like
to see you prove. I don't think i'll have to.
Speaker 3 (17:14):
Oh why not?
Speaker 7 (17:16):
Isn't that why you came here?
Speaker 4 (17:17):
No, I can't to make sure you don't try to
slip off when the autopsy report comes. Oh is that scary?
Speaker 6 (17:26):
No, of course not.
Speaker 3 (17:28):
Let's face it, Mary, when somebody shows an attitude like yours,
it means you're completely innocent.
Speaker 4 (17:33):
Sure, Oh, Killy is the devil the linked It makes
it very confusing for you and for the police. Don't
so you're having a ball, of course I am.
Speaker 7 (17:44):
Listen, Johnny, I don't blame your.
Speaker 6 (17:45):
Bit for thinking I killed many. I wanted it and did.
I wanted his money.
Speaker 7 (17:49):
Did what I had to do to get it, and
then I'm going to get it.
Speaker 4 (17:52):
Yeah, did what you had to do.
Speaker 3 (17:54):
So if the autopsy shows he was given poison, don't
worry it wrong, or that he was given an overdose
of digital tell us or whatever.
Speaker 4 (18:00):
It is he was getting.
Speaker 7 (18:01):
Now that would be stupid. But nobody here but me,
nobody but you, that Minnesotan says, except me, for over
a week until last time doctor Foot came to see.
Speaker 4 (18:10):
You're sure that?
Speaker 6 (18:11):
Of course?
Speaker 3 (18:12):
Then if somebody did kill him, it would have to
be you, nobody else. Remember that, marrying Would you like.
Speaker 7 (18:19):
Me to put it down on paper for you and
sign it?
Speaker 3 (18:22):
Yeah?
Speaker 4 (18:24):
Sure, I'll do anything, Johnny. If it'll confuse all right,
then start writing?
Speaker 8 (18:30):
Why not?
Speaker 7 (18:33):
Now, let's see I marry T Smiths.
Speaker 6 (18:37):
That all right for Scott?
Speaker 7 (18:39):
No?
Speaker 4 (18:39):
No, no, no, keep keep writing. I'm taking right, I
marry Smith Oh.
Speaker 3 (18:47):
Yes, doctor, yes, ah, I see, not even the possibility
of too much of.
Speaker 4 (19:00):
I see. And you're sure, prissy, sure, okay? Doctor?
Speaker 7 (19:06):
He disappointed Johnny because they found no poison, no overdose
of sedilis.
Speaker 4 (19:13):
I guess you know the answer, don't you? Of course
I do.
Speaker 7 (19:16):
The autopsy showed nothing. You can't build the case out
of thin air.
Speaker 4 (19:20):
So here, gus your little.
Speaker 7 (19:22):
Paper all signed and see you, Johnny, I don't want it,
and you said you did.
Speaker 4 (19:28):
You're far too smug married, I have a right to be.
Speaker 7 (19:32):
You're barking up the wrong tree. You cannot build the
case on nothing.
Speaker 3 (19:36):
That thin air.
Speaker 4 (19:37):
Yeah, yeah, I know.
Speaker 6 (19:38):
So what do I do, Johnny?
Speaker 7 (19:40):
Just sit here and wait until your company pays you
the money, until the estate is settled, or can I collect?
Speaker 4 (19:45):
Yeah? Yeah, Mary, you stay right here, and thanks for
saying that.
Speaker 7 (19:51):
Huh, johnnybody, you mean.
Speaker 6 (20:05):
Fact three of yours, truly, Johnny Dollar.
Speaker 4 (20:07):
In a moment, times have changed, and so has the man.
Speaker 8 (20:12):
In the year seventeen seventy five, a patriotic, enterprising American
by the name of David Bushnell invented a strange craft.
It was constructed of two oak beams resembling two platters,
clapped together and propelled by a water screw attached to
a hand operated crank. Another water screw regulated the depth
(20:34):
to which the craft could descend. This was the American Turtle,
the first United States submarine.
Speaker 4 (20:43):
One hundred and.
Speaker 8 (20:44):
Seventy nine years later, nineteen hundred and fifty four, the
United States came up with another first.
Speaker 4 (20:52):
This time, however, it.
Speaker 8 (20:53):
Was a three thousand ton, fifty five million dollar vessel
powered by an atomic reactor. It was the Muscles, the
world's first had empowered submarine, and wealthy American Turtle was
a one man operation dependent on courage and brawn. The
Nautilus is a complicated network of advanced electronics, the operation
(21:18):
of which is dependent upon a team of highly trained,
skilled navy men know their jobs and do them well.
Speaker 4 (21:27):
Yes, times have changed, so has the man, and.
Speaker 3 (21:31):
Now act free of yours, truly, Johnny Dollar and the
nutious needle matter expense account out of four to three
seventy for a monk called my own doctor back in Heartred,
a man very much interested in criminal medicine. I asked
him about a couple of ideas I suddenly had for
committing the so called perfect crime. I got some enlightening answers,
(21:55):
then hung up and drove into the car in his office.
Speaker 6 (21:58):
I told you over the phone, Dollar, we found nothing
to indicate this.
Speaker 4 (22:02):
Excuse me, doctor Foot.
Speaker 3 (22:03):
You're a toxicologist who did the autopsy, Doctor Stanley, Yes.
Speaker 4 (22:06):
Mister Dollar, and as doctor Food to listen, Kudla.
Speaker 3 (22:10):
Monsco Field possibly have died of an embo, of an
emboless in the brain.
Speaker 4 (22:15):
Maybe Wall, Yes, I suppose. Can you find out by
further examination? Then go to it? What is this? Dollar?
Are you trying to play?
Speaker 3 (22:22):
Doctor?
Speaker 4 (22:23):
Now? I told you in the beginning, I don't like
your attacking. You are right, mister Dolla. An embolis in
the brain.
Speaker 6 (22:39):
What should have led you to sus?
Speaker 3 (22:42):
All right now listen, I don't know where the equipment
is that Mary Smith used to give the medication to
mister Scofield. I have it all here, Dollar, the remains
of the bottle of cadillanid that I prescribed, the hypodermic
with which he administered, all in this kit which needled
at g us doctor foot. The small one, of course,
he only received two ccs. One of these others, this
big one, simply part of a set. Only the smaller
(23:03):
one ever had anything in it.
Speaker 4 (23:04):
We checked. The others never contained anything more substantial than air.
That's right, air, mister, yes, doctor safety, forty fifty species
of air clean air injected into a vein. Yes, of
course it would cause a nimbush.
Speaker 3 (23:23):
And if you had to find traces, microscopic traces of
the flesh of Lamont Scofield in that hypo that contained
nothing but air.
Speaker 4 (23:29):
Yes, yes, of course I'll go to work or it immediately.
Speaker 3 (23:33):
If he does find traces of dermal tissue on that needle,
I can't believe it.
Speaker 4 (23:39):
A case built on nothing but thin air. Yeah.
Speaker 3 (23:44):
And the ironic part of it is the tip off
came from Mary Tisse Smith. Yes, the microscope showed that
needle had been used on Jay Lamon's schofield recently. Pretty
slim evidence, I know. But when Mary was faced with it,
(24:05):
and I'm still not quite sure why. Maybe we scared,
but she broke down and confessed the murder. Yeah, She's
been wrong. Sometimes you can build a case on nothing
but thin air. Expense account total sixty cents. Yours truly,
Johnny Dollar, Yours truly.
Speaker 6 (24:46):
Johnny Dollar is coloring.
Speaker 3 (24:47):
Bob Bailey originates in Hollywood and is written, produced and
directed by Jack Johnstone. Heard in our cast where Virginia Gregg,
Margaret Robinson, Marvin Miller, and Junius Matthew Be shorted you
and the next week, same time and station for another
exciting story of Yours Truly, Johnny Dollar.
Speaker 4 (25:06):
This is Roy Rowan.
Speaker 2 (25:07):
Speaking Welcome back.
Speaker 1 (25:38):
This episode shows Johnny's strengths and weaknesses as an investigator.
His weakness, of course, is unnecessarily antagonizing so many people
with murder allegations without any evidence, just to see if
he can get a reaction. His biggest strength is his
ability to draw inspiration from random statements to solve the case.
(26:03):
I think I would call the murderess's confession implausible, given
how cocky she was, but the show avoids having to
deal with that so much by following the old rule.
If you can't make a scene plausible, just expositive. But
I don't know, maybe it wasn't so implausible. She did
every action when he got excited, and if she heard
(26:24):
of him, I assume it was from the radio show
and she was aware how this worked, and she was like,
what random thing did I just say? That's going to
lead to my undoing, and then just kind of worried
about it and ended up putting herself in a state
of mind where she might confess as a criminal. You
(26:45):
should say as little as possible to Johnny Doller, because
you don't know what little random thing is going to
lead him to solve the case. I actually think this
episode reminded me of a writing exercise like I might
and in a writing group where you're told to do
something specifically with your writing that's a little bit odd,
(27:07):
like if you were told write a story where a
detective builds a murder case out of thin air. If
that's the case, Johnstone would have done an impressive job
and all the writers would have been quite happy with
the result in this story. I should note that this
episode marks the end of a very significant streak of
(27:29):
episodes with extant recordings. The next episode, The Limping Liability
Matter is Missing that aired on August thirty first, nineteen
fifty eight. With the recent discoveries of the and I
say relatively recent, it's been a good six or seven
(27:50):
years now, I think of the Fire and Paradise matter
and the Froward Fisherman matter. The previous missing episode is
and I'm going to try to pronounce this harder since
I have not even seen it, the win it Pesaki
Wonder Matter, which aired on August eighteenth, nineteen fifty seven.
(28:10):
So we had about a year without any lost episodes,
which is the longest amount of time without a lost episode.
While the show was airing. Listener comments and feedback now
and we go over to YouTube where Ron has a comment,
and this is on our discussion of theme music. At
the end of the Wayward Killer matter a Ronsa Rites,
(28:33):
you mentioned that David Rose wrote a theme song using
a pseudonym. You mentioned he was a prolific songwriter for TV.
I did not hear you say that he pinned the
themes for Bonanza and Little House on the Prairie.
Speaker 4 (28:49):
I did not.
Speaker 1 (28:52):
I was just kind of addressing the question, but you
are certainly correct. I kind of stayed within the limits
of the question.
Speaker 2 (28:59):
But you're right.
Speaker 1 (29:00):
Those were great theme tunes, probably the best known ones,
although I also have to appreciate Highway to Heaven that
had such a gorgeous theme and not only great for
opening the show, but really accentuating some of the strong
(29:21):
emotional moments that were such a big part of that series.
And Rose was incredibly talented. Holiday for Strings might be
best remembered for being Red Skelton's theme song, but it's
a good, solid composition in its own rme. You can
hear quite a bit of David Rose in old time radio.
(29:43):
Of course, he did do the music for Red Skelton's
radio program, and you can also hear him on many
episodes of Guest Star. But for my money, one of
the most underrated old time radio music is actually a
series called California Melodies, which featured the music of David Rose,
(30:08):
and that was really the soul attraction of it, so
that gave him a lot of creative freedom. And if
you love Roses themes or great instrumental music, that series
is worth seeking out. California Melodies. But thank you so much,
appreciate the comment rits and definitely worth discussing. Now it's
(30:31):
time to thank our Patreon supporter of the day. Now,
longtime listeners will know that for the first Friday in
the month, we thank those who have been supporting the
podcast for five years this month. But in this case,
we don't actually have any Patreon supporters with an anniversary
(30:52):
this month, but I do want to go ahead and
thank Candice, who has been one of our Patreon supporters
since October twenty twenty one, currently support the podcast at
the Detective Sergeant level of seven dollars and fourteen cents
or more per month. Thanks so much for your support, Kansas,
and that will do it for today. If you're enjoying
(31:12):
the podcast, Please follow us using your favorite podcast software,
and be sure to rate and review the podcast wherever
you download it from. We'll be back next Friday with
another episode of Yours Truly Johnny Dollar. But join us
back here tomorrow for the great adventurers of old time
(31:32):
Radio and Cloak and Dagger.
Speaker 4 (31:34):
Where won't you sit down here?
Speaker 9 (31:36):
Kenna?
Speaker 4 (31:37):
My husband should be here soon. He isn't home then, No,
he's late this evening. He's almost always here by dinner time.
Speaker 6 (31:47):
I don't know where he could.
Speaker 7 (31:49):
But wait, yes, I do too.
Speaker 6 (31:51):
It doesn't matter.
Speaker 4 (31:52):
I can wait.
Speaker 7 (31:52):
No, I'm sure he's starting to see a friend down
the street.
Speaker 4 (31:56):
I'll try to find it. Really, I hope you won't.
Speaker 7 (32:00):
He'll be very eager to talk to you.
Speaker 4 (32:02):
He's quite interested in me in wine? Oh is it?
Speaker 3 (32:09):
Yes?
Speaker 7 (32:10):
He would not want to keep you waiting. You'll stay
right here and make yourself comfortable.
Speaker 3 (32:15):
I'll get it.
Speaker 9 (32:15):
Wouldn't it be easier to call your friend's house on
the telephone?
Speaker 7 (32:20):
The telephone, I wish I could hear teller, but we
had a heavy air raided off the brook last night.
Speaker 4 (32:27):
The telephone is out of order. It was a hasty
egg that she made, almost too hasty.
Speaker 9 (32:38):
I sat there in that empty house for a minute
or two where she had said to make myself comfortable,
and somehow I wasn't very so I got up and
went over to the telephone.
Speaker 4 (32:49):
What do you wish? I was under the.
Speaker 9 (32:52):
Impression operator that this line is out of order.
Speaker 1 (32:55):
Line is nothing out of I hope you'll be with
us then in the meantime. Send your comments to Box
thirteen at Greatdetectives dot net, follow us on Twitter at
Radio Detectives, and check us out on Instagram, Instagram, dot com,
slash Great Detectives from Boise, Idaho. This is your host,
Adam Graham.
Speaker 2 (33:16):
Sign and off.
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