October 10, 2025 • 32 mins
Today's Mystery: Johnny is called in when three members of the board of a small company covered by a group life policy are murdered in a short period of time.
Original Radio Broadcast Date: June 29, 1958
Originated from Hollywood
Stars: Bob Bailey as Johnny Dollar. Virginia Gregg, Les Tremayne, Forrest Lewis, Herb Vigran, Junius Matthews, Frank Gerstle
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Join us again tomorrow for another detective drama from the Golden Age of Radio.
Original Radio Broadcast Date: June 29, 1958
Originated from Hollywood
Stars: Bob Bailey as Johnny Dollar. Virginia Gregg, Les Tremayne, Forrest Lewis, Herb Vigran, Junius Matthews, Frank Gerstle
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: Philip, Patreon supporter since June 2023
Take the listener survey…http://survey.greatdetectives.net
Give us a call 208-991-4783Become 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.
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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 Boise, Idaho.
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 do want to encourage you.
If you're enjoying the podcast, please follow us using your
favorite podcast software. And I also want to encourage you
(00:53):
as you are making your travel plans. Remember Johnny Dollar
air dot com. Johnny Dollar air dot Com is a
price line of few, so part of your purchase price
supports the great detectives of Old time radio at no
additional costs to you. So remember when making your travel plans,
check Johnny Dollar air dot com. First now from June
twenty ninth, nineteen fifty eight. Here is the ugly patterned matter.
Speaker 2 (01:20):
From Hollywood. It's time now, Paul, Johnny Dollar.
Speaker 3 (01:28):
This is Barry Winters, a Master's Insurance and Trust.
Speaker 2 (01:30):
Oh hi, Barry, it's been here.
Speaker 3 (01:32):
Sure, Johnny, because we don't usually have trouble with our accounts.
Speaker 2 (01:35):
You mean you didn't, huh until now?
Speaker 3 (01:37):
Well, yeah, I'm afraid that's about the size of it.
And this time it's bad trouble.
Speaker 2 (01:41):
Tell me all.
Speaker 3 (01:42):
Simplex tackle company Johnny over.
Speaker 2 (01:44):
In Danbury fishing Tackle.
Speaker 3 (01:45):
That's right?
Speaker 2 (01:46):
Oh, how come I never heard of them?
Speaker 3 (01:48):
A little small outfit to kind of glorified partnership.
Speaker 2 (01:52):
What does that mean?
Speaker 3 (01:53):
What's owned by nine men? One of them Hanley Thomas
as president. The others are secretary treasurer and a flock
of vice president.
Speaker 2 (02:00):
So what's happened?
Speaker 3 (02:01):
The nine of them, plus the twenty or thirty workers
of the plant are all covered by a group life
insurance deal.
Speaker 2 (02:08):
And listen, yeah, we've just.
Speaker 3 (02:09):
Had to pay off on three policies in a row.
Speaker 2 (02:12):
Well that's too bad. But why call on me?
Speaker 3 (02:14):
Be cause, Johnny, why those three deaths were all murdered?
Speaker 2 (02:25):
Wob Bailey and the Exciting Adventures of the Man with
the Action Packed Expense Account America's Fabulous Freeliance Insurance Investigator
ors Truly Johnny Dollar expense account submitted by a special investigator,
(02:50):
Johnny Dollar, the Master's Insurance and Trust Company, Home Office, Hartford, Connecticut,
following us an account of expenses incurred during my investigation
of the Ugly pattern matter expense account A one a
dollar even taxi the very Winner's office at Masters, where
I hoped he could give me something more to work
(03:11):
on than he had over the fawn. And you know something,
as it turned out, he gave me a lot more
than he thought he did. The police, sure, they've been
working on these murders, Johnny, but they hadn't come up
with anything except the theory that one man is behind
them all. Why very? Because the victims have all been
members of the Simplex Tackle Company. Well, but because they've
all occurred within a month, because each of them occurred
(03:33):
on a Wednesday pattern, Huh, that's right? And also, Johnny,
because there's been no apparent reason for any of them.
Have the police found anything? Nothing, same kind of weapon
used in each case. No. The first was a VP
named Adams run over by a car. Sure it was
an accidental, the police say no. The second, John Bowers,
(03:54):
was strangled and Frank Dalvers was shot in his own home.
Now pattern there, I mean, in the way they occur?
Apparently not, But Henley Thomas and the police don't agree.
Thomas is president of Simplex, you said, and a real
financial wizard used to be a promoter. Not much ethics,
but a sharp businessman. As a friend or a partner,
I imagine he's well he's a fine man. Here, I'll
(04:18):
give you a complete list of the officers of the company,
their rank and their salary. Well, I don't know exactly
what good that will, hear you? Huh? And this is
a list of the employees. Have those employees? Alvin check On.
Sergeant Dennis over there at homicide made quite a point
of it, so did mister Thomas. Well, why don't I
run over there and talk with them? And of the
Danbury police. I think you'd better, And Johnny, the sooner
(04:41):
the better. Why do you say that the pattern? There
are still six officers left in that company, That is
six who are still alive. Item two another buck for
a cab back to my apartment. There I picked up
my own car, and from here on end the charge
will be for mileage, except for item three four quarter
for at tank of mobile gas. It was almost noom
(05:03):
by the time I'd covered the sixty odd miles of
the Simplex factory on the far edge of Danbury. To
my surprise, was quite a plant, new and modern in
every way. A receptionist took my card and a few
minutes later I was ushered into the office of Handley Thomas. President. Oh,
this is a terrible thing. Adams, Bowers, Frank Dowvers all
within a few weeks. Barry Winters back in Hartford, seems
(05:23):
to think these murders have all been the work of
one man. Police, and I concur in that theory. There's
been a sort of pattern followed with the crazy killer,
but not an actual method, mister Thomas, Oh no, I'll
grant you that's true. Car accident, strangling, pistol shot. But
they were done by someone who must have been very
permitted with his victims. How do you mean, oh, someone
who knew, for instance, that Van Adams took a long
(05:45):
walk alone each night. He knew the route that he took.
Same thing applied to the second victim. John Bowers always
drove to work through the Little Woods. Was there he
was stopped and strangled. Frank Doalvers always stayed at home
alone on Wednesday nights while his wife was out playing bridge.
Someone in on him? Huh had the police checked in? Well?
It was someone he must have let in. In other words,
someone he knew. That's a possibility. I suppose I understand
(06:09):
you've checked on all your employees, Yes, right off the bat,
as much as we or rather as much as the
police could any particular reason to suspect one of them, well,
only because they were all in position to know these
men pretty well, know their habits. We're a small company,
mister Dollar. Our employees, including the girls in the office,
only number twenty one. That was your only reason to
think one of them may have done it. Oh, of
(06:31):
course we've had our share of labor troubles, a few
dissidents in the ranks, so to speak. I suppose some
of them resent the rather top heavy management here. You mean,
in fact, there are nine executives to only twenty one employees. Yes,
and I must confess the profits have been pretty good lately.
Barry Winters gave me a list of here it is
now according to this, all of these what is it,
(06:55):
mister Dollar. I got thinking on the way over here. Yeah,
part of the pattern you mentioned. The three men were
killed in well, in alphabetical order. What Yes, Adams, Bowers, Dalvers.
But now that I look at this list again, of
course the pattern again? No, No, I think that was
(07:16):
just coincidence. The pattern, if there is one, is based
on their order of rank. That is, if these salary
figures mean anything, I'm not sure I understand look, first
was Adams at the lowest salary among you officers. Oh, yes,
Adams received twelve year Yeah. Look, Bowers came in next
to thirteen to five. You're right, and Frank Dealver's earned
fifteen thousands. So if this pattern should continue, you mean
(07:38):
to say you think there might be more of these murders.
If this pattern continues, the next to go would be
could hit would be James Williams or Charles Hart, both
earning sixteen five. Then a couple more than you, mister Thomas,
Mister Dolley, Well, I find James Williams. Well, Williams is
on vacation the little place not far from here, Parvin's Pond,
(08:00):
last week on Monday. Have you heard from him? Oh? No,
I haven't, of course. If the alphabetical pattern is the
right theory. Oh excuse me, yes, sergeant, then as much
as Thomas. Oh it's a sergeant at homicide, mister Downers,
so I hear. I'll hold the phone so you can
get ready, Thomas, Yes, sergeant.
Speaker 3 (08:16):
I'm afraid I have some bad news for him.
Speaker 2 (08:19):
Oh not the one of your partners, Williams. Mister John Williams, Yes.
Speaker 3 (08:23):
Discovered his body over at Parvin's pond. This morning he's
been murdered.
Speaker 2 (08:28):
Good Lord, Act two of yours, truly Johnny Dollar in
a moment.
Speaker 4 (08:48):
Our flag now numbers fifty stars, and behind each star
there stands yet another flag representing one of the fifty states.
Massachusetts state flag, bearing a green pine tree, is the
of the famous Liberty Tree flag that came out of
Boston to serve all the original thirteen colonies. It was
under the Liberty Tree flag that the Sons of Liberty
(09:08):
met and planned the Boston Tea Party, that our floating
batteries on the Delaware River defended Philadelphia, and on the
Charles River defied house canons. Beneath the trees inscribed the
state motto ensu pettit placidam sub lebortate quietum. By the sword,
we seek peace, but peace only under liberty. These words
(09:30):
were originally written by the famous English patriot Algernon Sidney
about sixteen fifty nine. This was a message intended for
King George the Third. Unhappily it went unheeded. Massachusetts state flag,
the flag of the sixth state to enter the Union,
was adopted on March eighteenth, nineteen oh four.
Speaker 2 (09:49):
And now Act two of yours, truly, Johnny Dollar and
the ugly pattern matter, another of the executives of the
Simplex Tackle Company murdered, bludgeoned to death and his little
vacation cabin on Parvin's Pond some forty miles north of Danbury.
(10:10):
And again it was according to pattern. How those carefree
kids can fish and water ski out there when there's
been a murder right under their noses. Yes, Sergeant, I
know what you mean, mis the cabin mister Williams was using, Yes, sir,
he came up here on his vacation Monday morning last
week alone. There we are who knew he was coming
to this particular spot, Sergeant? Why everybody down at the planet?
(10:33):
I guess now the way the doc and I figured
it out, mister Williams had just come in from fishing.
Now you see there, he'd just tossed his rodden stringer
on the bed. Everything's just the way it was, except
for his body. That's in Danbury at the corners. You
said he was bludgeoned to death with that or from
his rowboat. You see it laying there on the floor. Yeah,
I see who found his body? Little old lady from
(10:57):
the cabin next door. She'd stop by this morning to
bring him some cook He's knocked on the door, The
door swung open, and there he was. And the doc
says the body was lying there. Ever since have you
checked that? Or for Prince a killer must have used gloves.
What about footprints? Well, if there were any, the vacation
crowd tramped him out long before we got here. Now,
the way we figure is that he came in here
Wednesday night off the lake Wednesday, Yes, mister Dollar, just
(11:19):
like the other ones that happened on Wednesday. We could
go tomorrow. The pattern again, yes, sir, And if you
ask me, it's the pattern of a madman, and this
being a Tuesday, and what possible motive could there be
for it? And he asked me, it's one of the
employees there at the plant. After all, for such a
small company, nine big money making officers, at least there
was nine. Yeah, I know what you mean. Are those
(11:40):
twenty one employees paid pretty well? Nope, in spite of
the company making a lot of money. What with this recession?
Where on rate the science man, most of the so
called recessions a lot of bump? I agree with you.
Everybody get out and dig instead of sitting around hoarding
their money. Well, what I was going to say is
that those executives took advantage and held down wages in
spite of all the money they're making. So just let
(12:01):
one crazy hot heead find out how good they're doing.
How well have you checked those employees the best we could.
I talked with every one of them myself. How about
the officers of the company. There's not one of them
would do a thing like that. They're all fine, man,
asked mister Thomas. Sure, they're hard headed businessmen, everyone looking
out for himself. But they're all fine men. And they're
all making plenty of money. Oh, which reminds me. What's that,
(12:24):
mister donar a list of the officers and their salaries,
and according to this, if there's to be another victim,
another Oh no, I worked out another step in the
pattern of these murders based on the earnings of these men. Then,
mister Dollar, who will be It won't be anybody if
I can help it. But Sergeant, I may have to
ask you to put a twenty four hour watch over
(12:44):
an officer of that company named mister Charles Hart. I
didn't bother explaining my own idea the pattern to Sergeant Dennis.
After all, my theory could be wrong. But I drove
back to the Simplex in the office of Charles Hart.
I found only a secretary there.
Speaker 5 (13:05):
No, he isn't here, mister Dollac.
Speaker 2 (13:07):
Where is he?
Speaker 5 (13:08):
Be perfectly honest about it. I don't know.
Speaker 2 (13:11):
Hasn't he been in at all today?
Speaker 5 (13:12):
No, sir, hasn't been in since about last Wednesday.
Speaker 2 (13:15):
Looks, whatever your name is, have you called his home
his wife?
Speaker 5 (13:19):
He's a bachelor, mister Dowler, and lives in a little
apartment in Danbraeth.
Speaker 2 (13:23):
Have you tried to call him? Well, no, sir, you
see there, mister Thomas know about his not being here.
There's nothing unusual about Charlie's leaving without telling us, mister,
mister Thomas. He often goes off on sales trips like this.
He was last seen the day mister Williams was killed. Well,
surely you don't think Charlie Hart had anything to do
with Jim Williams being Oh no, did you find out
anything over at Parbn's Pond? No, not much. I'm afraid
(13:46):
could this Charlie Hard have had any reason for wanting
Williams out of the organization and Adams and Bowers and dollars.
Speaker 5 (13:52):
Of course, yes, yes he could.
Speaker 2 (13:55):
What miss Gregg, what do you mean by that?
Speaker 5 (13:58):
Mister Hart was the one who built up this company,
the one who developed the products, but all his money
in it, just as he's the one who sold all
the product that made all the money. He and mister
Adams were the ones who started the business.
Speaker 2 (14:09):
Is that true, mister Thomas, Yes, of course.
Speaker 5 (14:11):
And when mister Thomas and his relatives came along, Mis greg.
Speaker 2 (14:16):
What she says is true, mister Dollar, Charlie Hart and
Ben Adams did start this business. They took on a
couple of partners, Al Bauers and Frank Dalvers. They were
the ones who decided on the expansion program, who came
to us for the financing.
Speaker 5 (14:29):
The other's gone. It should have been mister Hart's company.
Speaker 2 (14:31):
Wait, miss greg, Our financing made this present operation possible.
But to imply that Charlie could have been driven by
jealousy or well, are any other motive to commit these crimes?
That's absurd. How could you suggest such a thing, Miss Gregg.
Speaker 5 (14:44):
I didn't say he did it.
Speaker 2 (14:46):
I only try to know what you said, And you've
said en up, tell me one thing, mister Thomas. Yes,
what happens to his share of the business when one
of the partners dies or in this case, when he's murdered, Well,
the other partners absorb his shit. Then if Charlie Hard
eliminated one of you, it would add to his holdings.
That's true. Okay, I'll see you later. But mister Dollar,
(15:06):
if you believe for one moment that Charlie Hart, why
I've blown him for a year. Yeah, well, I think
I want to know him a little better. Act three
of yours, truly, Johnny Dollar. In a moment, what does
a man's life mean to him? Some men will commit
(15:27):
suicide for little or no apparent reason. Others get blind
and liquor and drive their unguided missiles into other automobiles,
sometimes killing more than a half dozen people. Life to
those men seems worthless. But when the time comes to
go forward into battle or to resist severe interrogation in
an enemy prisoner of war camp, life seems suddenly to
(15:48):
take on all the aspects of a precious gem. For
some men, it isn't easy to overcome that undesirable condition
of paralyzing fear. When the chips are down, But let
me tell you of one man who dimmed during World
War II in Europe. Staff Sergeant John W. Minnick, assigned
to the eighty third Infantry Division, United States Army, sat
(16:10):
down and cried bitterly when he first faced the prospect
of battle, of having to kill or be killed. Drafted
at the age of thirty six, Minnick felt he was
a little old to find himself in such a bewildering
and unhappy situation. While in camp, he wasn't much in discipline,
but in the heat of battle, a great change came
over him, and he became the perfect infantry soldier. In
(16:33):
a number of bloody engagements, he was noted for several
valued actions, which earned him two Bronze Stars and the
Distinguished Service Cross. Specializing in scuffing patrols behind enemy lines,
Sergeant Minnick, one day in November nineteen forty four, led
his men through a minefield in a fog laden forest.
Suddenly they were confronted with a hail of machine gun fire.
(16:56):
Minnick went into action. No man could stop him that day.
In rapid succession, with his men hot on his heels
and his submachine gun blazing, he knocked out a machine
gun nest killed twenty two and captured twenty three of
the enemy, broke up an important security outpost, broke the
back of the enemy battalion, and was spearheading the attack
(17:16):
to take battalion headquarters when he stepped on a land
mine and became a legendary Medal of Honor hero. Sergeant
Minnick had cried when he first wanted a battle, but
he became the perfect infantry soldier when the chips were down.
He had learned well his soldier's cold, and now at
free of yours. Truly, Johnny Dollar and the ugly pattern matter,
(17:45):
it was pretty plain that Charlie Hart, supposedly next on
the list of victims, had plenty of motive for eliminating
some of his partners in the Simplex Tackle Company. I
guess the same apply to any other member of the company.
But he, having started the business, knew all about the others,
their plans, their habits, and he be the last seen
just prior to the murder of James Williams. I got
his address, hopped into my car and go back to Denvery.
(18:05):
But ringing his bell and pawning on his door got
me nothing.
Speaker 4 (18:11):
Here here, young man, you want mister Hart to publify
them the fact.
Speaker 2 (18:16):
Are you the building superintendent? That's right, and I want
you to let me in the mister Heart's apartment were
all right?
Speaker 3 (18:20):
Here?
Speaker 2 (18:21):
Here are mia coetenentials. I'm an insurance investigator investigation. Yeah yeah,
see Johnny dollars for sure. And if that isn't enough,
here's a five spot via trouble ten where.
Speaker 5 (18:39):
But now don't to let on?
Speaker 2 (18:41):
Okaydad? Thanks? M hm.
Speaker 6 (18:48):
Anyway, yeah hmm, the same list that I got to
the office the officers of our company, mister Hutt. That's right,
Charlie Hick should have looked behind the door and.
Speaker 2 (19:07):
You barged in here. Yeah, well, look, would you like
to point that thing the other way please? I'm sorry,
mister Dollar, of course. Oh you know who I am. Yes, yes,
I heard you through the door, all right? Is that
the gun that killed one of your partners? That killed one? No,
but listen, tomorrow's another Wednesday, Wednesday, mister do I know?
And look look at that list you're holding. I finally
(19:28):
realized that the progression in which these murders are happening, oh,
on the basis of our salaries at the company. Adams
Bowers Dolvers. Then Williams are me. Yes, you've circled William's name. Yes,
because he got it last week. That's why I'm staying
in here, locked in because tomorrow if the killer strikes again,
that crazy maniac killer maybe or maybe that's what he'd
(19:50):
like everyone to think. Charlie, a couple of questions, anything, anything,
if I can help you stop this. That company was
once yours. Yes, that's right. You're the boss, the head
man until Hanley Thomas came along. Yes, Hanley and his
brothers and his brother in law, and they took over
as first in rhyme, but they were entitled to della.
What was there? Money made the company what it is.
(20:12):
I'm not an administrator, a man who knows and plays
all the angle time. I'm just a worker in a
sales time. Wait a minute, you mean you you're content
with the present set up. Yes, yes, of course, in
spite of the prodding of a sweet old secretary who
thinks that wait a minute, these murders, mister, you stay put,
keep that gun, and don't move out of this apartment
(20:32):
until I tell you to, no matter who comes to
the door to save your life. You think you know Kelly.
It's been right on of my nose. The obvious, almost
too obvious. But I had no proof of anything, only
a hunch, but a potent one. So how to prove
it out? Bluff? It might work if I was right.
I drove into police headquarters and picked up Sergeant Dennis.
(20:52):
They're out to the Simplex Tackle Company. But when I
walked in it was after hours. No secretary's about. When
I walked into the office, I borrowed the sergeant's hand
cuffs and made him wait outside. His ear glew to
the door. Well, mister Dollar, I didn't expect you backs.
What do the handcuffs mean? They mean arrest the murder
of your partners. That's a very bad joke, you and
(21:14):
your brothers and brother in law, the whole company of yours,
once you got rid of the men who started it,
who made it possible for your capital and make it payoff.
But tell me, well, you're going to kill off your
relatives to one by one. This is the most absurd
thing about your tracts pretty well perfect crimes except for
that or you used to kill Williams. Fingerprints as big
as life all over it impossible. I figured the gloves
(21:34):
you wore must have had holes in them or have
been worn very thin. What that you just didn't notice
in the excitement of the moment. And when I finally
found those gloves, you've been out to my home. Ran second,
my own wife confessed that you went at home at
the time of any of the murders that July. She
helped me plan the whole thing. Ah, then you admit
the murders after my bluff about the fingerprints. I see,
(21:57):
But now that you know, you haven't had time to
tell anyone. Yeah, there's no one around to hear the shot,
mister dollar. Oh but I heard a real clean in
question mister Thomas. Sergeant. No, no doubt that was just
to protect myself from this time. I'm afraid that kind
of talks a little late. No, no, it is, I
got sergeant. I haven't seen that fast a draw except
(22:24):
on TV. That's where I learned it. There'll be a
lot for the courts to work on about who else
was involved with Thomas. The sergeant's bullet killed him, by
the way, and I'd call it good riddance or at
least quick justice. So expensive onun total, including a lot
(22:46):
of mileage on my car one hundred and one dollars,
even remarks why bother yours truly, Johnny Dollar. Our star
will return in just a moment.
Speaker 7 (23:07):
Our flag now numbers fifty stars, and behind each star
there stands yet another flag, representing one of the fifty states.
Alaska's state flag is dark blue, the blue of the
clear Alaska sky, and the forget Me Not the state flower.
Upon it shines eight golden stars, forming the Big Dipper
(23:28):
or the Great Bear, a symbol of strength. It points
toward the north Star, representative of our northernmost state. Alaska's
state flag, the flag of the forty ninth state to
enter the Union, was adopted on May twenty second, nineteen
twenty seven.
Speaker 2 (23:45):
Now here's our star to tell you about next week's story.
Next week, a foggy night in San Francisco Bay, A
beautiful girl and a killer join us, Won't you? Yours truly?
Johnny Dollar? Yours truly? Johnny Dollar is starring Bob Bailey
Orich Mason Hollywood, and is produced and directed by Jack Johnstone,
(24:05):
who also wrote today's story. Heard in our cast were
Virginia greg Let's Promaine Fororence Lewill's Herd, viagrants, Junius Matthews
and Frank Gerstol We sure have joined us next week
for another exciting story of yours truly, Johnny Dollar. This
is Roy Rowan speaking. This is the United States Armed
(24:40):
Forces Radio and Television Service. Welcome back.
Speaker 1 (25:35):
An interesting story adds a fair mystery with some misdirection,
although you always have to be suspicious in a Jack
Dunstone era story. When they mentioned someone used to be
a promoter, that's a big giveaway that if they're not
the villain at the very lace, they are up to
no good. This story does touch on Johnstone's own morals
(25:57):
and views of management, earning exorbitant salaries for his day.
The story also referenced the recession, and in this case
it would be the recession of nineteen fifty eight. Now,
despite what Johnny said, the recession of nineteen fifty eight
was not bunk, which was why he was not an
economist with an action packed expense account. In fact, the
(26:20):
eight month of recession saw the largest decline in GDP
between the nineteen forty five recession and the Great Recession
of two thousand and seven two two thousand and nine.
By the time this episode aired, the recession had technically
ended back in April, although a lot of people may
(26:43):
not have known. It's always a fun thing with recessions
is that people often feel the stresses in the economy
and will feel like it's a recession, but we don't
know if it is actually one, or when it started
or when it ended until the economists tell us months
or even years after the fact. Listener comments and feedback.
(27:04):
Now and we start out on Facebook with Emmett and
some thoughts on the Wayward River matter, and Emmett wrote,
this was a truly different episode, not the usual chase
the bad guy thing. But by far my favorite part
was when Johnny asked if any local store might just
(27:24):
carry dynamite. I just think, for last I'm going to
hop on down to my local hardware store and ask
them for a whole bunch of dynamite because I want
to blow an I stamp off. Let us know how
that goes, Emmett. In a similar vein over on Spotify, more,
Gerald Less Tremaine comments, that's one of my biggest pet
(27:47):
peys about living in Illinois. All our dynamite stores went
out of business. Let this be a word of warning
to you all of you kids local. If you don't,
your dynamite store might go to out of business too.
Words to take to heart. Then we have a comment
from John regarding the Midnight Sun matter. Had it been
(28:07):
established that Johnny Dollar could fly plane previously? That was
sure lucky. Anyway, their dramatic turn overshadowed the idea that
you could blow up a glacier with TNT. The script
was taking swings as big as all of Alaska. Well,
thanks so much, John, it had been established. I remember
(28:30):
back in the Sea Legs Matter that Johnny's Roague guide Oscar,
admitted he didn't have a pilot license, and Johnny said
he did and he flew the plane. Now he may
have flown in some of the subsequent episodes. That was
back during the serial era, but it was established in
(28:52):
the Sea Legs Matter. And I think that there was
a reference to believe Charles Russell as Johnny Dollar having
flown during the war. But generally I don't tend to
think that the pre Bailey stuff affects the Bailey era.
But good questioning, great comment, John. Then we have a
comment from Rhinser, who wrote joke and this is on
(29:16):
YouTube regarding the Froward Fisherman Matter. Joe Friday had a
case like this probably before, and I think that what
Ryncar's referencing here is the Big Family, and there were
some similarities between that one and the Froward Fisherman matter,
though no crossover and riding obviously in that you did
(29:40):
have a man who was a little bit older. I
don't think the guy in Dragnet was as old as
the one in Johnny Doller technically and disappeared and turned
up fishing, though in this case on a fishing boat.
Of course, there were big differences, the big one being
the guy in Dragnett essentially faked his death which kind
(30:04):
of triggered a homicide investigation, and the Frauard Fisherman was
a little bit more lighthearted, but I can definitely see
the similarities. And Mark writes, thanks for sharing a nearly
lost episode. Well, thanks so much. And now it is
time to thank our Patreon supporter of the day, and
I want to thank Philip, Patreon supporter since June twenty
(30:27):
twenty three, currently supporting the podcast at the rookie level
of two dollars or more per month. Thanks so much
for your support, Philip, and that will do it for today.
If you're enjoying the podcast, please follow us using your
favorite podcast software. And if you're enjoying the podcast on YouTube,
be sure to like the video, subscribe to the channel,
(30:48):
and mark the notification bell. We will be back next
Friday with another episode of Yours Truly Johnny Dollar. But
join us back here tomorrow for the great advances of
old time radio and cloak and Dagger.
Speaker 8 (31:03):
Where now here is your mission? This red line north
to the south is the main line of supply. At
this point there's a bridge which you are to blow up.
Why that shouldn't be tough blowing it up?
Speaker 2 (31:16):
No?
Speaker 8 (31:17):
However, five hundred yards from the bridge not here as
a German company barracksed.
Speaker 2 (31:22):
The bridge is well protected.
Speaker 8 (31:23):
It's up to you to figure out a way to
dynamite it.
Speaker 2 (31:26):
Or a about a Norwegian contact who's going to meet us.
Speaker 1 (31:28):
Well.
Speaker 8 (31:29):
When you hit the shore, take cover precisely eleven o'clock,
a man will be strolling down the beach.
Speaker 2 (31:35):
Stop him.
Speaker 8 (31:35):
Ask him how the fishing is. You'll answer, not too
good in winter. From then on you're in his hands.
You Anderson are his nephew, and you, if you're Illo,
are his cousin.
Speaker 2 (31:47):
Yeah, but I can't speak Norwegian.
Speaker 8 (31:50):
You will not say anything at any time. You will
be known as the dumb one. Why the reason you're
called the dumb one goes back to a childhood disease
on that wed Any goodbye, gentlemen, and good luck.
Speaker 1 (32:04):
Hope you'll be with us then in the meantime, send
your comments to Box thirteen at Greatdetectives dot net, follow
us on Twitter, Radio Detectives, and check us out on Instagram, Instagram,
dot com slash Great Detectives from Boise, Idaho. This is
your host, Adam Graham signing off.
Welcome to the Great Detectives of Old Time Radio from Boise, Idaho.
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 do want to encourage you.
If you're enjoying the podcast, please follow us using your
favorite podcast software. And I also want to encourage you
(00:53):
as you are making your travel plans. Remember Johnny Dollar
air dot com. Johnny Dollar air dot Com is a
price line of few, so part of your purchase price
supports the great detectives of Old time radio at no
additional costs to you. So remember when making your travel plans,
check Johnny Dollar air dot com. First now from June
twenty ninth, nineteen fifty eight. Here is the ugly patterned matter.
Speaker 2 (01:20):
From Hollywood. It's time now, Paul, Johnny Dollar.
Speaker 3 (01:28):
This is Barry Winters, a Master's Insurance and Trust.
Speaker 2 (01:30):
Oh hi, Barry, it's been here.
Speaker 3 (01:32):
Sure, Johnny, because we don't usually have trouble with our accounts.
Speaker 2 (01:35):
You mean you didn't, huh until now?
Speaker 3 (01:37):
Well, yeah, I'm afraid that's about the size of it.
And this time it's bad trouble.
Speaker 2 (01:41):
Tell me all.
Speaker 3 (01:42):
Simplex tackle company Johnny over.
Speaker 2 (01:44):
In Danbury fishing Tackle.
Speaker 3 (01:45):
That's right?
Speaker 2 (01:46):
Oh, how come I never heard of them?
Speaker 3 (01:48):
A little small outfit to kind of glorified partnership.
Speaker 2 (01:52):
What does that mean?
Speaker 3 (01:53):
What's owned by nine men? One of them Hanley Thomas
as president. The others are secretary treasurer and a flock
of vice president.
Speaker 2 (02:00):
So what's happened?
Speaker 3 (02:01):
The nine of them, plus the twenty or thirty workers
of the plant are all covered by a group life
insurance deal.
Speaker 2 (02:08):
And listen, yeah, we've just.
Speaker 3 (02:09):
Had to pay off on three policies in a row.
Speaker 2 (02:12):
Well that's too bad. But why call on me?
Speaker 3 (02:14):
Be cause, Johnny, why those three deaths were all murdered?
Speaker 2 (02:25):
Wob Bailey and the Exciting Adventures of the Man with
the Action Packed Expense Account America's Fabulous Freeliance Insurance Investigator
ors Truly Johnny Dollar expense account submitted by a special investigator,
(02:50):
Johnny Dollar, the Master's Insurance and Trust Company, Home Office, Hartford, Connecticut,
following us an account of expenses incurred during my investigation
of the Ugly pattern matter expense account A one a
dollar even taxi the very Winner's office at Masters, where
I hoped he could give me something more to work
(03:11):
on than he had over the fawn. And you know something,
as it turned out, he gave me a lot more
than he thought he did. The police, sure, they've been
working on these murders, Johnny, but they hadn't come up
with anything except the theory that one man is behind
them all. Why very? Because the victims have all been
members of the Simplex Tackle Company. Well, but because they've
all occurred within a month, because each of them occurred
(03:33):
on a Wednesday pattern, Huh, that's right? And also, Johnny,
because there's been no apparent reason for any of them.
Have the police found anything? Nothing, same kind of weapon
used in each case. No. The first was a VP
named Adams run over by a car. Sure it was
an accidental, the police say no. The second, John Bowers,
(03:54):
was strangled and Frank Dalvers was shot in his own home.
Now pattern there, I mean, in the way they occur?
Apparently not, But Henley Thomas and the police don't agree.
Thomas is president of Simplex, you said, and a real
financial wizard used to be a promoter. Not much ethics,
but a sharp businessman. As a friend or a partner,
I imagine he's well he's a fine man. Here, I'll
(04:18):
give you a complete list of the officers of the company,
their rank and their salary. Well, I don't know exactly
what good that will, hear you? Huh? And this is
a list of the employees. Have those employees? Alvin check On.
Sergeant Dennis over there at homicide made quite a point
of it, so did mister Thomas. Well, why don't I
run over there and talk with them? And of the
Danbury police. I think you'd better, And Johnny, the sooner
(04:41):
the better. Why do you say that the pattern? There
are still six officers left in that company, That is
six who are still alive. Item two another buck for
a cab back to my apartment. There I picked up
my own car, and from here on end the charge
will be for mileage, except for item three four quarter
for at tank of mobile gas. It was almost noom
(05:03):
by the time I'd covered the sixty odd miles of
the Simplex factory on the far edge of Danbury. To
my surprise, was quite a plant, new and modern in
every way. A receptionist took my card and a few
minutes later I was ushered into the office of Handley Thomas. President. Oh,
this is a terrible thing. Adams, Bowers, Frank Dowvers all
within a few weeks. Barry Winters back in Hartford, seems
(05:23):
to think these murders have all been the work of
one man. Police, and I concur in that theory. There's
been a sort of pattern followed with the crazy killer,
but not an actual method, mister Thomas, Oh no, I'll
grant you that's true. Car accident, strangling, pistol shot. But
they were done by someone who must have been very
permitted with his victims. How do you mean, oh, someone
who knew, for instance, that Van Adams took a long
(05:45):
walk alone each night. He knew the route that he took.
Same thing applied to the second victim. John Bowers always
drove to work through the Little Woods. Was there he
was stopped and strangled. Frank Doalvers always stayed at home
alone on Wednesday nights while his wife was out playing bridge.
Someone in on him? Huh had the police checked in? Well?
It was someone he must have let in. In other words,
someone he knew. That's a possibility. I suppose I understand
(06:09):
you've checked on all your employees, Yes, right off the bat,
as much as we or rather as much as the
police could any particular reason to suspect one of them, well,
only because they were all in position to know these
men pretty well, know their habits. We're a small company,
mister Dollar. Our employees, including the girls in the office,
only number twenty one. That was your only reason to
think one of them may have done it. Oh, of
(06:31):
course we've had our share of labor troubles, a few
dissidents in the ranks, so to speak. I suppose some
of them resent the rather top heavy management here. You mean,
in fact, there are nine executives to only twenty one employees. Yes,
and I must confess the profits have been pretty good lately.
Barry Winters gave me a list of here it is
now according to this, all of these what is it,
(06:55):
mister Dollar. I got thinking on the way over here. Yeah,
part of the pattern you mentioned. The three men were
killed in well, in alphabetical order. What Yes, Adams, Bowers, Dalvers.
But now that I look at this list again, of
course the pattern again? No, No, I think that was
(07:16):
just coincidence. The pattern, if there is one, is based
on their order of rank. That is, if these salary
figures mean anything, I'm not sure I understand look, first
was Adams at the lowest salary among you officers. Oh, yes,
Adams received twelve year Yeah. Look, Bowers came in next
to thirteen to five. You're right, and Frank Dealver's earned
fifteen thousands. So if this pattern should continue, you mean
(07:38):
to say you think there might be more of these murders.
If this pattern continues, the next to go would be
could hit would be James Williams or Charles Hart, both
earning sixteen five. Then a couple more than you, mister Thomas,
Mister Dolley, Well, I find James Williams. Well, Williams is
on vacation the little place not far from here, Parvin's Pond,
(08:00):
last week on Monday. Have you heard from him? Oh? No,
I haven't, of course. If the alphabetical pattern is the
right theory. Oh excuse me, yes, sergeant, then as much
as Thomas. Oh it's a sergeant at homicide, mister Downers,
so I hear. I'll hold the phone so you can
get ready, Thomas, Yes, sergeant.
Speaker 3 (08:16):
I'm afraid I have some bad news for him.
Speaker 2 (08:19):
Oh not the one of your partners, Williams. Mister John Williams, Yes.
Speaker 3 (08:23):
Discovered his body over at Parvin's pond. This morning he's
been murdered.
Speaker 2 (08:28):
Good Lord, Act two of yours, truly Johnny Dollar in
a moment.
Speaker 4 (08:48):
Our flag now numbers fifty stars, and behind each star
there stands yet another flag representing one of the fifty states.
Massachusetts state flag, bearing a green pine tree, is the
of the famous Liberty Tree flag that came out of
Boston to serve all the original thirteen colonies. It was
under the Liberty Tree flag that the Sons of Liberty
(09:08):
met and planned the Boston Tea Party, that our floating
batteries on the Delaware River defended Philadelphia, and on the
Charles River defied house canons. Beneath the trees inscribed the
state motto ensu pettit placidam sub lebortate quietum. By the sword,
we seek peace, but peace only under liberty. These words
(09:30):
were originally written by the famous English patriot Algernon Sidney
about sixteen fifty nine. This was a message intended for
King George the Third. Unhappily it went unheeded. Massachusetts state flag,
the flag of the sixth state to enter the Union,
was adopted on March eighteenth, nineteen oh four.
Speaker 2 (09:49):
And now Act two of yours, truly, Johnny Dollar and
the ugly pattern matter, another of the executives of the
Simplex Tackle Company murdered, bludgeoned to death and his little
vacation cabin on Parvin's Pond some forty miles north of Danbury.
(10:10):
And again it was according to pattern. How those carefree
kids can fish and water ski out there when there's
been a murder right under their noses. Yes, Sergeant, I
know what you mean, mis the cabin mister Williams was using, Yes, sir,
he came up here on his vacation Monday morning last
week alone. There we are who knew he was coming
to this particular spot, Sergeant? Why everybody down at the planet?
(10:33):
I guess now the way the doc and I figured
it out, mister Williams had just come in from fishing.
Now you see there, he'd just tossed his rodden stringer
on the bed. Everything's just the way it was, except
for his body. That's in Danbury at the corners. You
said he was bludgeoned to death with that or from
his rowboat. You see it laying there on the floor. Yeah,
I see who found his body? Little old lady from
(10:57):
the cabin next door. She'd stop by this morning to
bring him some cook He's knocked on the door, The
door swung open, and there he was. And the doc
says the body was lying there. Ever since have you
checked that? Or for Prince a killer must have used gloves.
What about footprints? Well, if there were any, the vacation
crowd tramped him out long before we got here. Now,
the way we figure is that he came in here
Wednesday night off the lake Wednesday, Yes, mister Dollar, just
(11:19):
like the other ones that happened on Wednesday. We could
go tomorrow. The pattern again, yes, sir, And if you
ask me, it's the pattern of a madman, and this
being a Tuesday, and what possible motive could there be
for it? And he asked me, it's one of the
employees there at the plant. After all, for such a
small company, nine big money making officers, at least there
was nine. Yeah, I know what you mean. Are those
(11:40):
twenty one employees paid pretty well? Nope, in spite of
the company making a lot of money. What with this recession?
Where on rate the science man, most of the so
called recessions a lot of bump? I agree with you.
Everybody get out and dig instead of sitting around hoarding
their money. Well, what I was going to say is
that those executives took advantage and held down wages in
spite of all the money they're making. So just let
(12:01):
one crazy hot heead find out how good they're doing.
How well have you checked those employees the best we could.
I talked with every one of them myself. How about
the officers of the company. There's not one of them
would do a thing like that. They're all fine, man,
asked mister Thomas. Sure, they're hard headed businessmen, everyone looking
out for himself. But they're all fine men. And they're
all making plenty of money. Oh, which reminds me. What's that,
(12:24):
mister donar a list of the officers and their salaries,
and according to this, if there's to be another victim,
another Oh no, I worked out another step in the
pattern of these murders based on the earnings of these men. Then,
mister Dollar, who will be It won't be anybody if
I can help it. But Sergeant, I may have to
ask you to put a twenty four hour watch over
(12:44):
an officer of that company named mister Charles Hart. I
didn't bother explaining my own idea the pattern to Sergeant Dennis.
After all, my theory could be wrong. But I drove
back to the Simplex in the office of Charles Hart.
I found only a secretary there.
Speaker 5 (13:05):
No, he isn't here, mister Dollac.
Speaker 2 (13:07):
Where is he?
Speaker 5 (13:08):
Be perfectly honest about it. I don't know.
Speaker 2 (13:11):
Hasn't he been in at all today?
Speaker 5 (13:12):
No, sir, hasn't been in since about last Wednesday.
Speaker 2 (13:15):
Looks, whatever your name is, have you called his home
his wife?
Speaker 5 (13:19):
He's a bachelor, mister Dowler, and lives in a little
apartment in Danbraeth.
Speaker 2 (13:23):
Have you tried to call him? Well, no, sir, you
see there, mister Thomas know about his not being here.
There's nothing unusual about Charlie's leaving without telling us, mister,
mister Thomas. He often goes off on sales trips like this.
He was last seen the day mister Williams was killed. Well,
surely you don't think Charlie Hart had anything to do
with Jim Williams being Oh no, did you find out
anything over at Parbn's Pond? No, not much. I'm afraid
(13:46):
could this Charlie Hard have had any reason for wanting
Williams out of the organization and Adams and Bowers and dollars.
Speaker 5 (13:52):
Of course, yes, yes he could.
Speaker 2 (13:55):
What miss Gregg, what do you mean by that?
Speaker 5 (13:58):
Mister Hart was the one who built up this company,
the one who developed the products, but all his money
in it, just as he's the one who sold all
the product that made all the money. He and mister
Adams were the ones who started the business.
Speaker 2 (14:09):
Is that true, mister Thomas, Yes, of course.
Speaker 5 (14:11):
And when mister Thomas and his relatives came along, Mis greg.
Speaker 2 (14:16):
What she says is true, mister Dollar, Charlie Hart and
Ben Adams did start this business. They took on a
couple of partners, Al Bauers and Frank Dalvers. They were
the ones who decided on the expansion program, who came
to us for the financing.
Speaker 5 (14:29):
The other's gone. It should have been mister Hart's company.
Speaker 2 (14:31):
Wait, miss greg, Our financing made this present operation possible.
But to imply that Charlie could have been driven by
jealousy or well, are any other motive to commit these crimes?
That's absurd. How could you suggest such a thing, Miss Gregg.
Speaker 5 (14:44):
I didn't say he did it.
Speaker 2 (14:46):
I only try to know what you said, And you've
said en up, tell me one thing, mister Thomas. Yes,
what happens to his share of the business when one
of the partners dies or in this case, when he's murdered, Well,
the other partners absorb his shit. Then if Charlie Hard
eliminated one of you, it would add to his holdings.
That's true. Okay, I'll see you later. But mister Dollar,
(15:06):
if you believe for one moment that Charlie Hart, why
I've blown him for a year. Yeah, well, I think
I want to know him a little better. Act three
of yours, truly, Johnny Dollar. In a moment, what does
a man's life mean to him? Some men will commit
(15:27):
suicide for little or no apparent reason. Others get blind
and liquor and drive their unguided missiles into other automobiles,
sometimes killing more than a half dozen people. Life to
those men seems worthless. But when the time comes to
go forward into battle or to resist severe interrogation in
an enemy prisoner of war camp, life seems suddenly to
(15:48):
take on all the aspects of a precious gem. For
some men, it isn't easy to overcome that undesirable condition
of paralyzing fear. When the chips are down, But let
me tell you of one man who dimmed during World
War II in Europe. Staff Sergeant John W. Minnick, assigned
to the eighty third Infantry Division, United States Army, sat
(16:10):
down and cried bitterly when he first faced the prospect
of battle, of having to kill or be killed. Drafted
at the age of thirty six, Minnick felt he was
a little old to find himself in such a bewildering
and unhappy situation. While in camp, he wasn't much in discipline,
but in the heat of battle, a great change came
over him, and he became the perfect infantry soldier. In
(16:33):
a number of bloody engagements, he was noted for several
valued actions, which earned him two Bronze Stars and the
Distinguished Service Cross. Specializing in scuffing patrols behind enemy lines,
Sergeant Minnick, one day in November nineteen forty four, led
his men through a minefield in a fog laden forest.
Suddenly they were confronted with a hail of machine gun fire.
(16:56):
Minnick went into action. No man could stop him that day.
In rapid succession, with his men hot on his heels
and his submachine gun blazing, he knocked out a machine
gun nest killed twenty two and captured twenty three of
the enemy, broke up an important security outpost, broke the
back of the enemy battalion, and was spearheading the attack
(17:16):
to take battalion headquarters when he stepped on a land
mine and became a legendary Medal of Honor hero. Sergeant
Minnick had cried when he first wanted a battle, but
he became the perfect infantry soldier when the chips were down.
He had learned well his soldier's cold, and now at
free of yours. Truly, Johnny Dollar and the ugly pattern matter,
(17:45):
it was pretty plain that Charlie Hart, supposedly next on
the list of victims, had plenty of motive for eliminating
some of his partners in the Simplex Tackle Company. I
guess the same apply to any other member of the company.
But he, having started the business, knew all about the others,
their plans, their habits, and he be the last seen
just prior to the murder of James Williams. I got
his address, hopped into my car and go back to Denvery.
(18:05):
But ringing his bell and pawning on his door got
me nothing.
Speaker 4 (18:11):
Here here, young man, you want mister Hart to publify
them the fact.
Speaker 2 (18:16):
Are you the building superintendent? That's right, and I want
you to let me in the mister Heart's apartment were
all right?
Speaker 3 (18:20):
Here?
Speaker 2 (18:21):
Here are mia coetenentials. I'm an insurance investigator investigation. Yeah yeah,
see Johnny dollars for sure. And if that isn't enough,
here's a five spot via trouble ten where.
Speaker 5 (18:39):
But now don't to let on?
Speaker 2 (18:41):
Okaydad? Thanks? M hm.
Speaker 6 (18:48):
Anyway, yeah hmm, the same list that I got to
the office the officers of our company, mister Hutt. That's right,
Charlie Hick should have looked behind the door and.
Speaker 2 (19:07):
You barged in here. Yeah, well, look, would you like
to point that thing the other way please? I'm sorry,
mister Dollar, of course. Oh you know who I am. Yes, yes,
I heard you through the door, all right? Is that
the gun that killed one of your partners? That killed one? No,
but listen, tomorrow's another Wednesday, Wednesday, mister do I know?
And look look at that list you're holding. I finally
(19:28):
realized that the progression in which these murders are happening, oh,
on the basis of our salaries at the company. Adams
Bowers Dolvers. Then Williams are me. Yes, you've circled William's name. Yes,
because he got it last week. That's why I'm staying
in here, locked in because tomorrow if the killer strikes again,
that crazy maniac killer maybe or maybe that's what he'd
(19:50):
like everyone to think. Charlie, a couple of questions, anything, anything,
if I can help you stop this. That company was
once yours. Yes, that's right. You're the boss, the head
man until Hanley Thomas came along. Yes, Hanley and his
brothers and his brother in law, and they took over
as first in rhyme, but they were entitled to della.
What was there? Money made the company what it is.
(20:12):
I'm not an administrator, a man who knows and plays
all the angle time. I'm just a worker in a
sales time. Wait a minute, you mean you you're content
with the present set up. Yes, yes, of course, in
spite of the prodding of a sweet old secretary who
thinks that wait a minute, these murders, mister, you stay put,
keep that gun, and don't move out of this apartment
(20:32):
until I tell you to, no matter who comes to
the door to save your life. You think you know Kelly.
It's been right on of my nose. The obvious, almost
too obvious. But I had no proof of anything, only
a hunch, but a potent one. So how to prove
it out? Bluff? It might work if I was right.
I drove into police headquarters and picked up Sergeant Dennis.
(20:52):
They're out to the Simplex Tackle Company. But when I
walked in it was after hours. No secretary's about. When
I walked into the office, I borrowed the sergeant's hand
cuffs and made him wait outside. His ear glew to
the door. Well, mister Dollar, I didn't expect you backs.
What do the handcuffs mean? They mean arrest the murder
of your partners. That's a very bad joke, you and
(21:14):
your brothers and brother in law, the whole company of yours,
once you got rid of the men who started it,
who made it possible for your capital and make it payoff.
But tell me, well, you're going to kill off your
relatives to one by one. This is the most absurd
thing about your tracts pretty well perfect crimes except for
that or you used to kill Williams. Fingerprints as big
as life all over it impossible. I figured the gloves
(21:34):
you wore must have had holes in them or have
been worn very thin. What that you just didn't notice
in the excitement of the moment. And when I finally
found those gloves, you've been out to my home. Ran second,
my own wife confessed that you went at home at
the time of any of the murders that July. She
helped me plan the whole thing. Ah, then you admit
the murders after my bluff about the fingerprints. I see,
(21:57):
But now that you know, you haven't had time to
tell anyone. Yeah, there's no one around to hear the shot,
mister dollar. Oh but I heard a real clean in
question mister Thomas. Sergeant. No, no doubt that was just
to protect myself from this time. I'm afraid that kind
of talks a little late. No, no, it is, I
got sergeant. I haven't seen that fast a draw except
(22:24):
on TV. That's where I learned it. There'll be a
lot for the courts to work on about who else
was involved with Thomas. The sergeant's bullet killed him, by
the way, and I'd call it good riddance or at
least quick justice. So expensive onun total, including a lot
(22:46):
of mileage on my car one hundred and one dollars,
even remarks why bother yours truly, Johnny Dollar. Our star
will return in just a moment.
Speaker 7 (23:07):
Our flag now numbers fifty stars, and behind each star
there stands yet another flag, representing one of the fifty states.
Alaska's state flag is dark blue, the blue of the
clear Alaska sky, and the forget Me Not the state flower.
Upon it shines eight golden stars, forming the Big Dipper
(23:28):
or the Great Bear, a symbol of strength. It points
toward the north Star, representative of our northernmost state. Alaska's
state flag, the flag of the forty ninth state to
enter the Union, was adopted on May twenty second, nineteen
twenty seven.
Speaker 2 (23:45):
Now here's our star to tell you about next week's story.
Next week, a foggy night in San Francisco Bay, A
beautiful girl and a killer join us, Won't you? Yours truly?
Johnny Dollar? Yours truly? Johnny Dollar is starring Bob Bailey
Orich Mason Hollywood, and is produced and directed by Jack Johnstone,
(24:05):
who also wrote today's story. Heard in our cast were
Virginia greg Let's Promaine Fororence Lewill's Herd, viagrants, Junius Matthews
and Frank Gerstol We sure have joined us next week
for another exciting story of yours truly, Johnny Dollar. This
is Roy Rowan speaking. This is the United States Armed
(24:40):
Forces Radio and Television Service. Welcome back.
Speaker 1 (25:35):
An interesting story adds a fair mystery with some misdirection,
although you always have to be suspicious in a Jack
Dunstone era story. When they mentioned someone used to be
a promoter, that's a big giveaway that if they're not
the villain at the very lace, they are up to
no good. This story does touch on Johnstone's own morals
(25:57):
and views of management, earning exorbitant salaries for his day.
The story also referenced the recession, and in this case
it would be the recession of nineteen fifty eight. Now,
despite what Johnny said, the recession of nineteen fifty eight
was not bunk, which was why he was not an
economist with an action packed expense account. In fact, the
(26:20):
eight month of recession saw the largest decline in GDP
between the nineteen forty five recession and the Great Recession
of two thousand and seven two two thousand and nine.
By the time this episode aired, the recession had technically
ended back in April, although a lot of people may
(26:43):
not have known. It's always a fun thing with recessions
is that people often feel the stresses in the economy
and will feel like it's a recession, but we don't
know if it is actually one, or when it started
or when it ended until the economists tell us months
or even years after the fact. Listener comments and feedback.
(27:04):
Now and we start out on Facebook with Emmett and
some thoughts on the Wayward River matter, and Emmett wrote,
this was a truly different episode, not the usual chase
the bad guy thing. But by far my favorite part
was when Johnny asked if any local store might just
(27:24):
carry dynamite. I just think, for last I'm going to
hop on down to my local hardware store and ask
them for a whole bunch of dynamite because I want
to blow an I stamp off. Let us know how
that goes, Emmett. In a similar vein over on Spotify, more,
Gerald Less Tremaine comments, that's one of my biggest pet
(27:47):
peys about living in Illinois. All our dynamite stores went
out of business. Let this be a word of warning
to you all of you kids local. If you don't,
your dynamite store might go to out of business too.
Words to take to heart. Then we have a comment
from John regarding the Midnight Sun matter. Had it been
(28:07):
established that Johnny Dollar could fly plane previously? That was
sure lucky. Anyway, their dramatic turn overshadowed the idea that
you could blow up a glacier with TNT. The script
was taking swings as big as all of Alaska. Well,
thanks so much, John, it had been established. I remember
(28:30):
back in the Sea Legs Matter that Johnny's Roague guide Oscar,
admitted he didn't have a pilot license, and Johnny said
he did and he flew the plane. Now he may
have flown in some of the subsequent episodes. That was
back during the serial era, but it was established in
(28:52):
the Sea Legs Matter. And I think that there was
a reference to believe Charles Russell as Johnny Dollar having
flown during the war. But generally I don't tend to
think that the pre Bailey stuff affects the Bailey era.
But good questioning, great comment, John. Then we have a
comment from Rhinser, who wrote joke and this is on
(29:16):
YouTube regarding the Froward Fisherman Matter. Joe Friday had a
case like this probably before, and I think that what
Ryncar's referencing here is the Big Family, and there were
some similarities between that one and the Froward Fisherman matter,
though no crossover and riding obviously in that you did
(29:40):
have a man who was a little bit older. I
don't think the guy in Dragnet was as old as
the one in Johnny Doller technically and disappeared and turned
up fishing, though in this case on a fishing boat.
Of course, there were big differences, the big one being
the guy in Dragnett essentially faked his death which kind
(30:04):
of triggered a homicide investigation, and the Frauard Fisherman was
a little bit more lighthearted, but I can definitely see
the similarities. And Mark writes, thanks for sharing a nearly
lost episode. Well, thanks so much. And now it is
time to thank our Patreon supporter of the day, and
I want to thank Philip, Patreon supporter since June twenty
(30:27):
twenty three, currently supporting the podcast at the rookie level
of two dollars or more per month. Thanks so much
for your support, Philip, and that will do it for today.
If you're enjoying the podcast, please follow us using your
favorite podcast software. And if you're enjoying the podcast on YouTube,
be sure to like the video, subscribe to the channel,
(30:48):
and mark the notification bell. We will be back next
Friday with another episode of Yours Truly Johnny Dollar. But
join us back here tomorrow for the great advances of
old time radio and cloak and Dagger.
Speaker 8 (31:03):
Where now here is your mission? This red line north
to the south is the main line of supply. At
this point there's a bridge which you are to blow up.
Why that shouldn't be tough blowing it up?
Speaker 2 (31:16):
No?
Speaker 8 (31:17):
However, five hundred yards from the bridge not here as
a German company barracksed.
Speaker 2 (31:22):
The bridge is well protected.
Speaker 8 (31:23):
It's up to you to figure out a way to
dynamite it.
Speaker 2 (31:26):
Or a about a Norwegian contact who's going to meet us.
Speaker 1 (31:28):
Well.
Speaker 8 (31:29):
When you hit the shore, take cover precisely eleven o'clock,
a man will be strolling down the beach.
Speaker 2 (31:35):
Stop him.
Speaker 8 (31:35):
Ask him how the fishing is. You'll answer, not too
good in winter. From then on you're in his hands.
You Anderson are his nephew, and you, if you're Illo,
are his cousin.
Speaker 2 (31:47):
Yeah, but I can't speak Norwegian.
Speaker 8 (31:50):
You will not say anything at any time. You will
be known as the dumb one. Why the reason you're
called the dumb one goes back to a childhood disease
on that wed Any goodbye, gentlemen, and good luck.
Speaker 1 (32:04):
Hope you'll be with us then in the meantime, send
your comments to Box thirteen at Greatdetectives dot net, follow
us on Twitter, Radio Detectives, and check us out on Instagram, Instagram,
dot com slash Great Detectives from Boise, Idaho. This is
your host, Adam Graham signing off.
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