November 15, 2025 • 24 mins
Yours Truly, Johnny Dollar was a radio drama aired between 1949 and 1962. "The man with the action-packed expense account, America’s fabulous freelance insurance investigator, Johnny Dollar". Of the eight different actors who played Johnny Dollar, Bob Bailey is likely considered the most popular. Bailey's interpretation presented a tough, streetwise character, but also sensitive and thoughtful. During it's time, Yours Truly, Johnny Dollar attracted some of the best writers in Hollywood, including Jack Johnstone, E. Jack Neuman, Robert Ryf, and Les Crutchfield.
Hope you enjoy this episode of Yours Truly, Johnny Dollar! Find all our OTR radio stations and podcasts at theaterofthemind-otr.com - Audio Credit: The Old Time Radio Researchers Group. - Podcasts @ Spreaker | Apple | YouTube | Spotify | iHeart | Amazon
Hope you enjoy this episode of Yours Truly, Johnny Dollar! Find all our OTR radio stations and podcasts at theaterofthemind-otr.com - Audio Credit: The Old Time Radio Researchers Group. - Podcasts @ Spreaker | Apple | YouTube | Spotify | iHeart | Amazon
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Transcript
Episode Transcript
Available transcripts are automatically generated. Complete accuracy is not guaranteed.
Speaker 1 (00:03):
I no for Johnny Dollar. I have your call to
Universal Adjustice Bureau in the Hartfort Oh, thank you operator.
Hello at mccrack and Johnny Dollar. Patt, Oh, Johnny, I've
been trying to reach you. I'm in Sara so to Florida,
down here the better part of a week and just
thought i'd check to see Johnny. I'm glad you called.
(00:24):
Can you grab a plane out of the West coast?
Don't see why? Not good? Are you? Contact with the
Arthur Arthur at Western Maritime and Property Office in Beverly Hill?
Got it? What's it all about? That piracy? According to him?
What was that? You heard me? Now for a second there,
I thought you said piracy. Maybe you'd better go out
there and see him. Huh yeah, but I still don't
(00:45):
believe it, Oh, Mob Bailey. In the Exciting Adventures of
a Man with the Action backed Expensive Goud, America's fabulous
freelance insurance Investigator, Yours truly, Shouney Dollar, Welcome, William Bendix.
(01:12):
Nobody can act up to par with a nasty cold.
I checked my cold distress the fast way with four
way cold tablets. Yes, tests of four leading cold tablets
proved four way fastest acting of all amazing four way
starts in minutes to relieve aches, pains, headache, reduced fever,
calm up that stomach. Also overcomes irregularity. Four ways the
(01:33):
fast way to relieve those cold mysteries. Then you feel
better quickly. Four way cold tablets only twenty nine and
fifty nine cents. Now word about another fine product of
Grove Laboratories. Does dandruf dull your hair? Leave scalp itchy,
get pitched, dandruf remover shampoo and get rid of unsightly
dandrup in three minutes. Three minutes with pitch regularly is
guaranteed to keep embarrassing dandrup away forever. Apply Fitch before
(01:57):
wedding hair rub in one minute, add water, leather one minute,
rinse one minute. Every trace of dandrew goes down the
drave three minutes with fitch. Unsightly Dandruf's gone. Fitch can
also leave your hair of the thirty five percent writer
fits dandrep remover shamboo and now act one of yours truly.
Johnny Dollar expense accounts submitted by special investigator Johnny Dollar
(02:33):
the Western Maritime and Property Insurance Company Beverly Hills Office
following has the account of expenses incurred during my investigation
of the val Daro matter. Expense account out of one
one hundred and forty six eighty five plane ticket to
Los Angeles. Earl Porman, with whom I just finished working
(02:54):
on a case, drove me from Sarasota to the International
Airport in Tampa. Know why not, Johnny? Or are you kidding?
In this day and age a bunch of bearded gorillas
stripped to the ways, bandanas wrapped around their heads, waving
cut I didn't see that and long, john Silver, I
suppose leading the boarding party or that kind of stuff
(03:14):
went out a couple of hundred years ago. Sure, sure,
but you remember that balatial yacht that was boarded and
taken over just off San Salvador about a year ago.
Speaker 2 (03:23):
Wow?
Speaker 1 (03:23):
Yeah, convicts from a prison colony on the island of Isabella.
They had control of that yacht for three days, Johnny.
When they left, they took along everything of value they
could get their hands up. Yeah, I remember, you don't
call that piracy? Well maybe so you think that's what
happened in this case. There's only one way to find
out the flight to Los Angeles was uneventful thanks to
(03:48):
the time zone differential. It was only four point thirty
PM when I arrived. I had them two six dollars
even for a cab to the Beverly Hilt where I
parked my bags. I had him three ten cents for
a home call to Arthur. Arthur, who, if I remember correctly,
what's quite a character good insurance man. But uh well
what character? Right? Him? Four thirty five cents for a
cab to his office on Worship Boulevard. Yes, it all
(04:11):
happened somewhere off the coast of Mexico. Mister Boustan and
his party would get cruising around. They were just taking
life of Baldiston is the owner of the arts h
V Boston. Oh, he's a big stock booker. He lives
in Beverly Hills thirty one twenty four roxburge Gun and
what's the name of his jo, the Bouderyl. It is
(04:31):
a tremendous job. It's trumb metal over one hundred feet
from Stimmster Wow feet long? Arthur, where does he keep it? Now?
Was all with his dark He's down in Balbo. Oh
you knew a Balbo? Yes? Yes, one of the nicest
places by the old and all of California, John me
if I ever was retired. What were the guests on board?
(04:52):
We'll see his wife of course, and mister and missus
Gerald Hooper and young Richard Spidle and Lee Wilwey, just
cruising around, Yes, but they'd planned to stay line up
Zan Francisca well had big charity ball up there the
thirty off. That's why they all had their finest clothes,
the most expensive jewelry with him, a three hundred and
(05:12):
ninety four thousand dollars worth of jewelry sewing, plus a
few other things too, mostly silverware. Things like that. Actually
was reported to me by one of the guests on
the yachts. These these pirates simply pulled alongside in the
middle of the night, held them at gunpoint, took the
stuff on the left, said I had it. There were
two of them. Oh my, they must have been a
(05:33):
horrid fella justwear off the coast of Mexico. To this happened, well,
I am not quite sure. Mister Baldiston Mozilla, well, he
was kind of vague about where it happened. He's kind
of a vague. Maybe I better talk to him. And yes,
by old means Johnny, Yeah, but I'll see you later.
(05:54):
I had a five fifty bucks to pass it on
a rental car. I drove to the Baliston's home on
North Roxbury. It was a tremendous place and one of
the most wealthy parts of Beverly Hills. A snansy looking
sports car was parked in the broad driveway, and as
I walked up to the front door, another car, big sedan,
pulled in the drive. A heavy set, well dressed round
A nice looking man of about fifty get out of
(06:15):
it and came over to me. Are you looking for someone,
young man? Well, I believe this is the Balliston residence.
That's right, and I'm Harry Baldiston. Oh my name is Dollar,
mister Pollaston, Johnny Dollar, the insurance investigator of mister Off
the sent Port. That's right. Well, come in, come in.
We'll have a cocktailor too. I understand it's that time
(06:36):
of day, and I'm sure you won't object out of
that good and I'll tell you all about the unfortunate
affair aboard the Baldero happened just night before lastnaut So
I understand, but I am not quite clear as to
just exactly where you were when it happened down off
the Mexican coast. Dollar that nks. Yes, it took us
nearly twelve hours to get back to Balboa and at
(06:57):
eleven knots where you can figure it off yourself. Mary Lee,
come on down, dear. I want you to meet mister
Johnny Dollar. Oh, I'll pour us a drink and tell
you all about it. So he poured. His wife joined
us and we talked. But I'm afraid I didn't learn
(07:19):
much more than I already knew. They'd both been asleep
when it happened. The so called pirates had come aboard
very quietly, bothly and their guests had been held in
their respective cabins by one of the men while the
other gathered the lute. The men had worn long oil
skin raincoats, had nylon stockings pull over their faces to
conceal their identity. Only one of the guests, Lee Wilway,
(07:40):
had even seen the boat they'd used. Bauldison never did
tell me definitely where it happened. And the more I listened,
the more suspicious I got. Yeah, suspicious of him back too,
of yours, truly, Johnny Dollar. In a moment there goes
(08:01):
a treasure car, there goes another, and another, and one
of them may be your car. Yes, folks, you may
have a Fram Treasure Hunt filter in your car worth
one thousand dollars and not even know it. A Fram
filter worth one thousand silver dollars. A filter change is
important to today's cars, so important that Fram Corporation, in
conjunction with its silver anniversary, is paying sixty thousand dollars
(08:25):
in cash to get you to check your filters now.
Last year, ten thousand secretly numbered Fram filters were distributed
all over the United States and installed in cars during
regular servicing. These filters are worth from one dollar to
one thousand dollars. You may have one in your car
and not even know it. A Fram filter worth one
thousand silver dollars. Check your oil filter and air filter now.
(08:46):
If there's a specially numbered Fram filter in your car,
you will win up to one thousand silver dollars and
your dealer will win the same amount. Get in on
Pram's Big Silver Treasure Hunt. Check your car filters now,
Act two of yours, truly, Johnny Dollar and the ball
Durrel mattered well. Dollar, It was hard to tell just
(09:13):
where we were. I keep an engineer on board, and
he'd been at the wheel most of the day, but
you were anchored for the night. That's right, you see,
we were just killing time until it was time to
head north to San Francisco and that charity ball the
ladies wanted to go to.
Speaker 2 (09:27):
Yes, it's the charity ball, and after waiting two months.
Speaker 1 (09:31):
Now I suppose we just have to forget this. The
all of jewelry gone. Didn't you check your position to
find your way back to Balba? Just headed east then
follow the shoreline. You say that one of your guests incidentally,
I want to check with them. Oh, by all means,
I'll give you that. Yes, there may have been details
that we've forgotten, overlooked. After all, we were a bit
upset over what had happened, and probably more than a
(09:53):
little confused.
Speaker 2 (09:54):
Well I know I was.
Speaker 1 (09:55):
You said that one of your friends got to look
at the boat these menus. Yes, yes, Lee, railway ran
up on deck. Of course, it was dark and it
was some fog, but Lee said it was a black boat. Well, now,
your long black speedboat. Maybe by the time the rest
of us got up there had completely disappeared. When I
had the beacon, start the diesels, and we made the
(10:16):
run back to Balboa. You notified the coastguard, of course,
not until he got in. What well, Lee had been
pooling the radio earlier. The rest of us were in
the main cabin playing cards, and well, when we tried
to send out a call, the transmitter wouldn't work. Well,
I find this Lee will Way.
Speaker 2 (10:34):
Yeah, I've written down the address for you and our
other guests too, mister.
Speaker 1 (10:37):
And missus Hooper and mister Spidal. Thank you now, mister Dollar,
mister Pulston is I'll see you lady. Yeah, there was
something very funny about this whole thing, but I wasn't
quite sure just what I checked with mister missus Hooper, elderly,
very quiet and dignified. Their story was this of the
(11:00):
Baldistons except one thing. They weren't it all sure? It
had taken them many twelve hours to get back to ports.
I drove to the address of Lee Wilway. It was
a small apartment of Low Wiltshire. After all, of Lee
was the only one awake and alert enough to have
taken a good look at the pirates in their boats. Yeah,
and what about the yachts radio that wouldn't work after
Lee had spent the evening fooling with it. Yeah, oh,
(11:24):
I beg well that is I'm looking for Lee Wilwaie Finley.
Who are you? They believe me? Charles of the Ritz
would have been proud of this one eleven doll twenty
three or four. She was tall, slim and a pretty
face topped with red hair that looked oh so carefully disarranged. Yeah,
(11:47):
she was a beauty. And yet as we talked, I
couldn't quite picture this gal on a yachting trip with
the Baltistans.
Speaker 2 (11:53):
Yay you No, I haven't at least idea where we
were when it happened, Johnny, it could have been a
million miles out to see. But if Baldy, I mean
mister Baldiston says it took us twelve hours to get back,
it must have taken us twelve hours.
Speaker 1 (12:06):
And you're sure you didn't recognize either of the men
who boarded the yachtlee huh.
Speaker 2 (12:10):
I certainly didn't. But I saw the boat they had
was a long black one, solid black, solid black.
Speaker 1 (12:16):
Did anyone else on board see that boat? No? I
don't think so. What did you do after they left?
Speaker 2 (12:24):
Went up to the bridge to the radio. Didn't they tell.
Speaker 1 (12:28):
You to call a coast guard? Yeah, sure, only they
said you were at the radio earlier, Yeah, just listening.
Speaker 2 (12:36):
But after it was over, and I tried to call
the coast guard, well it just wouldn't work.
Speaker 1 (12:40):
Like another drink, Johnny, the Ballistins and Whoopers were playing
bridge earlier.
Speaker 2 (12:44):
Yes, look, Johnny, if you had dinner yet?
Speaker 1 (12:45):
What were the other guests Dickie boy, Yes, stick Spidle.
And what did he do after you were bored in robs? Huh?
Speaker 2 (12:53):
He was probably Downnie his cabin with his head under
the cover, scared to death. He had any nerve he
could have stopped them too, What do you mean, Well,
his was the one cabin they didn't go into, They
didn't bother him, and he knew there was a rifle
they used for shooting sharks. You know, it was on
the rack just outside his door. And if he'd come
up shooting with it while or those pirates would have
jumped overboard and run for home. I just bet they would.
(13:15):
Apparently you don't think much of the stick spinal, would you,
I mean acting like that, I mean doing nothing when
he could have.
Speaker 1 (13:22):
Incidentally, when I stopped at the Baldistons. I saw a
sports car outside.
Speaker 2 (13:26):
Oh yeah, isn't it a dream boat? It's Larry's.
Speaker 1 (13:30):
Who's Larry, Larry Baldiston. He's my.
Speaker 2 (13:35):
Gee, Johnny. I'm getting hungry. Why don't we have another
drinks and then have some dinner.
Speaker 1 (13:40):
Sorry, I'm afraid of cancer.
Speaker 2 (13:43):
I'm not used to being turned down, Johnny.
Speaker 1 (13:46):
Well, I'm sorry, but there are a couple of people
I've got to see. Oh like who your friend, Dick's
Spidal among others.
Speaker 2 (13:52):
Oh, i'll see you laterally, I'll be here, Johnny.
Speaker 1 (14:00):
I guess I'm not as familiar with the streets of
Los Angeles as I'd thought. It took me over a
half an hour to find Spidal's apartment. It was one
of those outres swank affairs, just off Sweets or Avenue Bellow,
the famous sunset strip. I parked under a big palm tree.
Then as I backed out of my car, another one
roar it up and stopped behind me, where the headlights
quartly blinded me. Just to minute you, ah, Johnny Dollar,
(14:23):
that's right, who are you here? Act free of yours? Truly,
Johnny Dollar. In a moment ever have trouble sleeping nights
(14:44):
because of acid indigestion, heartburn, or gas. Then remember, for
acid indigestion, nothing but Tom's work so fast to make
you feel so good, So long Toms work fast. Get
rid of the burning excess acids that won't let you
sleep in a matter of second. Should be to feel better,
and Tom's relief stays with you. You relax, go to
(15:04):
sleep pleasantly because Toms bring complete relief. Get rid of
burning excess stomach acids completely. Nothing but Tom's work so
fast to make you feel so good, so long, so
an acid indigestion keeps you awake. Take Tom's. Keep a
handy roll of tombs on the night table within easy reach.
And remember there's no mixing or fixing with Tom's. You
(15:26):
don't even need to get out of bed. Get the
very best. Get tombs ten cents three rollback a quarter,
or get the new six roll pack with free metal
carrier only forty nine cents. Always carry Tom's tums, keep
your tummy under Tom's control, and now act three of
yours truly Johnny Dollars. The headlights of want Banker's car
(15:51):
ha quightly blinded me, but i'd seen enough of it
to know it was the same one I'd seen at
the home of mister Pauliston, Yeah, his son, Larry's. But
I came to the buy myself a park behind the
wheel of my own car, and lying on the seat
beside me were five crisp hundred dollar bills and a note,
take this money and get out of town. It said,
(16:12):
you have no case anyway, because the things that were
stolen off the yacht have been returned, so you may
as well leave while you have your health, no signature.
There was only one person in the world I wanted
to see at that moment, Larry Baliston. But I fell
(16:32):
a bit rocky since I was at the front door
of Dick's Spidal's apartment, since I've really come to see him,
and if I was lucky, he might have a good
stiff drink. Eddy dealing better now, mister Dollard, Yeah, yeah,
I am thikstick. It's Richard if you don't mind, Oh yeah, sure,
but go on with what you were saying. Well, old
(16:53):
thing was absurd, of course, but the only reason missus
Baldiston insisted on taking Lee on that yachting drip into
the charity affair and of course I was supposed to
be her escort, was to shame her, to shore up.
How do you mean? Well, after all, in spite of
her beauty, she is a rather common person, not the cheap.
So missus Bollaston hoped that facing her the ladies and
(17:14):
gentlemen who attend the ball would embarrass her. Oh I
see that she'd realize she has no place among people
like ourselves. People like you were just too good for her.
Well put it bluntly, yes. In any event, Missus Ballliston
hoped it would break off this rather sordid romance. Romance
see and Lawrence Boalisten Larry, she calls him, and Lee
(17:34):
is only after his money, But I take it Larry
got wind of this little plan. Lawrence said that he
would prevent its being carried out if it was the
last thing he ever did. So he stayed the piracy.
Oh I'm sure it was. He He's always done silly
things like that, mister Dolla rich headstrong, spoiled as he is.
So when I heard the noise up on deck, I
can be locked myself in my cabin and refused to
(17:55):
Budge and he and whoever he had helping him board
the arts or because you were scared. Thank your pardon,
thanks a lot. It's rich help oh Unincidentally, yes, you
think Lee will Waye was in too. That that's why
she spent so much time on the ship's radio earlier
in the evening indubilible, so that she could guide him
(18:17):
to the yacht in his speedboat. His speedboat, of course,
there's all sorts of radio equipment of board. What color
is that speedboat? Mahogany? We said the pirates were using
a solid black boat, which simply proved she was on
to his plan. And the stupid the wench was lying,
that's all. Maybe you're rights. Thanks Dick, it's Richard. If
(18:37):
you don't, mister Dollar, do come in. Thank you missus Wallerston.
Speaker 2 (18:48):
My husband's on the telephone talking to the engineer of
a yacht down in Balboa.
Speaker 1 (18:51):
And what do you think of that? I think I
can get us. Fine, just stay on watch and I'll
be back down there to pick those things up in
the morning. Goodbye. It's true Mary Lee whoever took them
promise returned everything to the boat. Everything is Oh, mister Dollar,
did you hear that? Yes? I heard. Where's your son
Larry or Lawrence? Or whatever you call him. Larry was
(19:13):
a matter of fact. Yeah, boy came in just a
little while ago. Where is he in the study?
Speaker 2 (19:18):
I believe he said he had a call to make
on the other phone.
Speaker 1 (19:22):
Ranks. Why what's through? Mister? Yes? I thought it was
a window Lee trying to make up to that guy Dollar.
And let me tell you this. Let me give you this, Clarry, Clarry,
what is it? Once more? Larry?
Speaker 2 (19:41):
Now listen, Well, if that's the way you feel about it,
you and that family, if yours.
Speaker 1 (19:46):
Can I said to you want some more? Do you
want to start talking? Okay, Okay, I did it. I
read the whole thing, Jimmy driscoll and I because I
was fed up with the way mother was trying to
run my life. Yeah, but maybe she was right about
Lee after all, of course she was. But no, Dolly,
(20:07):
if you think you can get away with barging in
here and slugging me, yeah, why not? Marry? Huh? You
had enough? Yeah? Okay, Okay, sorry, mister Balliston. But I
(20:28):
kind of owe it so Dollar. I've been hoping somebody
do that for a long time. Sure, I I've spoiled
him too. Been my fault as much as his mother's.
But I never had any idea you'd carry things as
far as he did. Of course, if you like, sir,
I could prefer assault charges for his attack on me earlier. No, no, no,
(20:49):
I don't think it'll be necessary, and I'm much obliged
to you. Just leave him alone, Mary Lee, I suppose
you leave us alone? Well, I said, hoping, who's the
dollar me on this case? Forget it the five hundred
(21:10):
that Larry mistakenly try to bribe me with, plus a
nice fat check for mister Ballaston. Well once is the
thought of it hurts me. Let's forget the expense account.
SOO okay, okay, yours truly Johnny Dollar, our star will
(21:37):
return in just a moment. Who's gonna win the thorough
Red Kentucky Cup thorough Bred? Who's gonna win that horse
and make it pay? By well Kentucky tuck by Black
has to find the winner. So the horse is here
that I've is near? Gettar in paint Faine to day. Yes,
(22:00):
enter the annual Derby Day Contest sponsored by Kentucky Club's
nine brands of Pipe Tobaccos. First prize of door Bread
bay Coat, son of famous oil capital who won over
five hundred eighty thousand dollars. Junkie Ted Atkinson helps select
this prize code. You'll name him and he's yours. He
could win a fortune for you. Yet Kentucky Club Derby
(22:20):
Day contest entry blanks free at Tobacco clunters. Now, hey,
who's gonna win the thorough bred?
Speaker 2 (22:26):
Kentucky Club's thorough bread Who's gonna win that horse and
make it pay money?
Speaker 1 (22:31):
Well, Kentucky Club Pipe Toracco has to find a winner.
So the horse is here, that dim is here, gets
your entry bank today. Now here's our star. I'll tell
you about next week store next week. Oh wait a minute,
related congratulations the station WGLS and Beckley, West Virginia on
its twentieth anniversary. Next week, I really go fishing. Yeah
(22:53):
for a body in the middle of Lake ned join us,
won't you? Yours truly? Johnny Deller, yours truly, Johnny Dollar,
(23:16):
starring Bob Biley. Originates in Hollywood and has written, produced,
and directed by Jack Johnston. Heard in our cast were
Virginia Gregg Eleanor Augly, Vic Hearn, Howard mcneer, Larry Dobkin,
will Wright, Carlton G. Young, and Jack Edwards, be sure
to join us next week, same time and station, or
(23:36):
another exciting story of yours, truly, Johnny Dollar, This is
Dan Cobberly speaking, who
I no for Johnny Dollar. I have your call to
Universal Adjustice Bureau in the Hartfort Oh, thank you operator.
Hello at mccrack and Johnny Dollar. Patt, Oh, Johnny, I've
been trying to reach you. I'm in Sara so to Florida,
down here the better part of a week and just
thought i'd check to see Johnny. I'm glad you called.
(00:24):
Can you grab a plane out of the West coast?
Don't see why? Not good? Are you? Contact with the
Arthur Arthur at Western Maritime and Property Office in Beverly Hill?
Got it? What's it all about? That piracy? According to him?
What was that? You heard me? Now for a second there,
I thought you said piracy. Maybe you'd better go out
there and see him. Huh yeah, but I still don't
(00:45):
believe it, Oh, Mob Bailey. In the Exciting Adventures of
a Man with the Action backed Expensive Goud, America's fabulous
freelance insurance Investigator, Yours truly, Shouney Dollar, Welcome, William Bendix.
(01:12):
Nobody can act up to par with a nasty cold.
I checked my cold distress the fast way with four
way cold tablets. Yes, tests of four leading cold tablets
proved four way fastest acting of all amazing four way
starts in minutes to relieve aches, pains, headache, reduced fever,
calm up that stomach. Also overcomes irregularity. Four ways the
(01:33):
fast way to relieve those cold mysteries. Then you feel
better quickly. Four way cold tablets only twenty nine and
fifty nine cents. Now word about another fine product of
Grove Laboratories. Does dandruf dull your hair? Leave scalp itchy,
get pitched, dandruf remover shampoo and get rid of unsightly
dandrup in three minutes. Three minutes with pitch regularly is
guaranteed to keep embarrassing dandrup away forever. Apply Fitch before
(01:57):
wedding hair rub in one minute, add water, leather one minute,
rinse one minute. Every trace of dandrew goes down the
drave three minutes with fitch. Unsightly Dandruf's gone. Fitch can
also leave your hair of the thirty five percent writer
fits dandrep remover shamboo and now act one of yours truly.
Johnny Dollar expense accounts submitted by special investigator Johnny Dollar
(02:33):
the Western Maritime and Property Insurance Company Beverly Hills Office
following has the account of expenses incurred during my investigation
of the val Daro matter. Expense account out of one
one hundred and forty six eighty five plane ticket to
Los Angeles. Earl Porman, with whom I just finished working
(02:54):
on a case, drove me from Sarasota to the International
Airport in Tampa. Know why not, Johnny? Or are you kidding?
In this day and age a bunch of bearded gorillas
stripped to the ways, bandanas wrapped around their heads, waving
cut I didn't see that and long, john Silver, I
suppose leading the boarding party or that kind of stuff
(03:14):
went out a couple of hundred years ago. Sure, sure,
but you remember that balatial yacht that was boarded and
taken over just off San Salvador about a year ago.
Speaker 2 (03:23):
Wow?
Speaker 1 (03:23):
Yeah, convicts from a prison colony on the island of Isabella.
They had control of that yacht for three days, Johnny.
When they left, they took along everything of value they
could get their hands up. Yeah, I remember, you don't
call that piracy? Well maybe so you think that's what
happened in this case. There's only one way to find
out the flight to Los Angeles was uneventful thanks to
(03:48):
the time zone differential. It was only four point thirty
PM when I arrived. I had them two six dollars
even for a cab to the Beverly Hilt where I
parked my bags. I had him three ten cents for
a home call to Arthur. Arthur, who, if I remember correctly,
what's quite a character good insurance man. But uh well
what character? Right? Him? Four thirty five cents for a
cab to his office on Worship Boulevard. Yes, it all
(04:11):
happened somewhere off the coast of Mexico. Mister Boustan and
his party would get cruising around. They were just taking
life of Baldiston is the owner of the arts h
V Boston. Oh, he's a big stock booker. He lives
in Beverly Hills thirty one twenty four roxburge Gun and
what's the name of his jo, the Bouderyl. It is
(04:31):
a tremendous job. It's trumb metal over one hundred feet
from Stimmster Wow feet long? Arthur, where does he keep it? Now?
Was all with his dark He's down in Balbo. Oh
you knew a Balbo? Yes? Yes, one of the nicest
places by the old and all of California, John me
if I ever was retired. What were the guests on board?
(04:52):
We'll see his wife of course, and mister and missus
Gerald Hooper and young Richard Spidle and Lee Wilwey, just
cruising around, Yes, but they'd planned to stay line up
Zan Francisca well had big charity ball up there the
thirty off. That's why they all had their finest clothes,
the most expensive jewelry with him, a three hundred and
(05:12):
ninety four thousand dollars worth of jewelry sewing, plus a
few other things too, mostly silverware. Things like that. Actually
was reported to me by one of the guests on
the yachts. These these pirates simply pulled alongside in the
middle of the night, held them at gunpoint, took the
stuff on the left, said I had it. There were
two of them. Oh my, they must have been a
(05:33):
horrid fella justwear off the coast of Mexico. To this happened, well,
I am not quite sure. Mister Baldiston Mozilla, well, he
was kind of vague about where it happened. He's kind
of a vague. Maybe I better talk to him. And yes,
by old means Johnny, Yeah, but I'll see you later.
(05:54):
I had a five fifty bucks to pass it on
a rental car. I drove to the Baliston's home on
North Roxbury. It was a tremendous place and one of
the most wealthy parts of Beverly Hills. A snansy looking
sports car was parked in the broad driveway, and as
I walked up to the front door, another car, big sedan,
pulled in the drive. A heavy set, well dressed round
A nice looking man of about fifty get out of
(06:15):
it and came over to me. Are you looking for someone,
young man? Well, I believe this is the Balliston residence.
That's right, and I'm Harry Baldiston. Oh my name is Dollar,
mister Pollaston, Johnny Dollar, the insurance investigator of mister Off
the sent Port. That's right. Well, come in, come in.
We'll have a cocktailor too. I understand it's that time
(06:36):
of day, and I'm sure you won't object out of
that good and I'll tell you all about the unfortunate
affair aboard the Baldero happened just night before lastnaut So
I understand, but I am not quite clear as to
just exactly where you were when it happened down off
the Mexican coast. Dollar that nks. Yes, it took us
nearly twelve hours to get back to Balboa and at
(06:57):
eleven knots where you can figure it off yourself. Mary Lee,
come on down, dear. I want you to meet mister
Johnny Dollar. Oh, I'll pour us a drink and tell
you all about it. So he poured. His wife joined
us and we talked. But I'm afraid I didn't learn
(07:19):
much more than I already knew. They'd both been asleep
when it happened. The so called pirates had come aboard
very quietly, bothly and their guests had been held in
their respective cabins by one of the men while the
other gathered the lute. The men had worn long oil
skin raincoats, had nylon stockings pull over their faces to
conceal their identity. Only one of the guests, Lee Wilway,
(07:40):
had even seen the boat they'd used. Bauldison never did
tell me definitely where it happened. And the more I listened,
the more suspicious I got. Yeah, suspicious of him back too,
of yours, truly, Johnny Dollar. In a moment there goes
(08:01):
a treasure car, there goes another, and another, and one
of them may be your car. Yes, folks, you may
have a Fram Treasure Hunt filter in your car worth
one thousand dollars and not even know it. A Fram
filter worth one thousand silver dollars. A filter change is
important to today's cars, so important that Fram Corporation, in
conjunction with its silver anniversary, is paying sixty thousand dollars
(08:25):
in cash to get you to check your filters now.
Last year, ten thousand secretly numbered Fram filters were distributed
all over the United States and installed in cars during
regular servicing. These filters are worth from one dollar to
one thousand dollars. You may have one in your car
and not even know it. A Fram filter worth one
thousand silver dollars. Check your oil filter and air filter now.
(08:46):
If there's a specially numbered Fram filter in your car,
you will win up to one thousand silver dollars and
your dealer will win the same amount. Get in on
Pram's Big Silver Treasure Hunt. Check your car filters now,
Act two of yours, truly, Johnny Dollar and the ball
Durrel mattered well. Dollar, It was hard to tell just
(09:13):
where we were. I keep an engineer on board, and
he'd been at the wheel most of the day, but
you were anchored for the night. That's right, you see,
we were just killing time until it was time to
head north to San Francisco and that charity ball the
ladies wanted to go to.
Speaker 2 (09:27):
Yes, it's the charity ball, and after waiting two months.
Speaker 1 (09:31):
Now I suppose we just have to forget this. The
all of jewelry gone. Didn't you check your position to
find your way back to Balba? Just headed east then
follow the shoreline. You say that one of your guests incidentally,
I want to check with them. Oh, by all means,
I'll give you that. Yes, there may have been details
that we've forgotten, overlooked. After all, we were a bit
upset over what had happened, and probably more than a
(09:53):
little confused.
Speaker 2 (09:54):
Well I know I was.
Speaker 1 (09:55):
You said that one of your friends got to look
at the boat these menus. Yes, yes, Lee, railway ran
up on deck. Of course, it was dark and it
was some fog, but Lee said it was a black boat. Well, now,
your long black speedboat. Maybe by the time the rest
of us got up there had completely disappeared. When I
had the beacon, start the diesels, and we made the
(10:16):
run back to Balboa. You notified the coastguard, of course,
not until he got in. What well, Lee had been
pooling the radio earlier. The rest of us were in
the main cabin playing cards, and well, when we tried
to send out a call, the transmitter wouldn't work. Well,
I find this Lee will Way.
Speaker 2 (10:34):
Yeah, I've written down the address for you and our
other guests too, mister.
Speaker 1 (10:37):
And missus Hooper and mister Spidal. Thank you now, mister Dollar,
mister Pulston is I'll see you lady. Yeah, there was
something very funny about this whole thing, but I wasn't
quite sure just what I checked with mister missus Hooper, elderly,
very quiet and dignified. Their story was this of the
(11:00):
Baldistons except one thing. They weren't it all sure? It
had taken them many twelve hours to get back to ports.
I drove to the address of Lee Wilway. It was
a small apartment of Low Wiltshire. After all, of Lee
was the only one awake and alert enough to have
taken a good look at the pirates in their boats. Yeah,
and what about the yachts radio that wouldn't work after
Lee had spent the evening fooling with it. Yeah, oh,
(11:24):
I beg well that is I'm looking for Lee Wilwaie Finley.
Who are you? They believe me? Charles of the Ritz
would have been proud of this one eleven doll twenty
three or four. She was tall, slim and a pretty
face topped with red hair that looked oh so carefully disarranged. Yeah,
(11:47):
she was a beauty. And yet as we talked, I
couldn't quite picture this gal on a yachting trip with
the Baltistans.
Speaker 2 (11:53):
Yay you No, I haven't at least idea where we
were when it happened, Johnny, it could have been a
million miles out to see. But if Baldy, I mean
mister Baldiston says it took us twelve hours to get back,
it must have taken us twelve hours.
Speaker 1 (12:06):
And you're sure you didn't recognize either of the men
who boarded the yachtlee huh.
Speaker 2 (12:10):
I certainly didn't. But I saw the boat they had
was a long black one, solid black, solid black.
Speaker 1 (12:16):
Did anyone else on board see that boat? No? I
don't think so. What did you do after they left?
Speaker 2 (12:24):
Went up to the bridge to the radio. Didn't they tell.
Speaker 1 (12:28):
You to call a coast guard? Yeah, sure, only they
said you were at the radio earlier, Yeah, just listening.
Speaker 2 (12:36):
But after it was over, and I tried to call
the coast guard, well it just wouldn't work.
Speaker 1 (12:40):
Like another drink, Johnny, the Ballistins and Whoopers were playing
bridge earlier.
Speaker 2 (12:44):
Yes, look, Johnny, if you had dinner yet?
Speaker 1 (12:45):
What were the other guests Dickie boy, Yes, stick Spidle.
And what did he do after you were bored in robs? Huh?
Speaker 2 (12:53):
He was probably Downnie his cabin with his head under
the cover, scared to death. He had any nerve he
could have stopped them too, What do you mean, Well,
his was the one cabin they didn't go into, They
didn't bother him, and he knew there was a rifle
they used for shooting sharks. You know, it was on
the rack just outside his door. And if he'd come
up shooting with it while or those pirates would have
jumped overboard and run for home. I just bet they would.
(13:15):
Apparently you don't think much of the stick spinal, would you,
I mean acting like that, I mean doing nothing when
he could have.
Speaker 1 (13:22):
Incidentally, when I stopped at the Baldistons. I saw a
sports car outside.
Speaker 2 (13:26):
Oh yeah, isn't it a dream boat? It's Larry's.
Speaker 1 (13:30):
Who's Larry, Larry Baldiston. He's my.
Speaker 2 (13:35):
Gee, Johnny. I'm getting hungry. Why don't we have another
drinks and then have some dinner.
Speaker 1 (13:40):
Sorry, I'm afraid of cancer.
Speaker 2 (13:43):
I'm not used to being turned down, Johnny.
Speaker 1 (13:46):
Well, I'm sorry, but there are a couple of people
I've got to see. Oh like who your friend, Dick's
Spidal among others.
Speaker 2 (13:52):
Oh, i'll see you laterally, I'll be here, Johnny.
Speaker 1 (14:00):
I guess I'm not as familiar with the streets of
Los Angeles as I'd thought. It took me over a
half an hour to find Spidal's apartment. It was one
of those outres swank affairs, just off Sweets or Avenue Bellow,
the famous sunset strip. I parked under a big palm tree.
Then as I backed out of my car, another one
roar it up and stopped behind me, where the headlights
quartly blinded me. Just to minute you, ah, Johnny Dollar,
(14:23):
that's right, who are you here? Act free of yours? Truly,
Johnny Dollar. In a moment ever have trouble sleeping nights
(14:44):
because of acid indigestion, heartburn, or gas. Then remember, for
acid indigestion, nothing but Tom's work so fast to make
you feel so good, So long Toms work fast. Get
rid of the burning excess acids that won't let you
sleep in a matter of second. Should be to feel better,
and Tom's relief stays with you. You relax, go to
(15:04):
sleep pleasantly because Toms bring complete relief. Get rid of
burning excess stomach acids completely. Nothing but Tom's work so
fast to make you feel so good, so long, so
an acid indigestion keeps you awake. Take Tom's. Keep a
handy roll of tombs on the night table within easy reach.
And remember there's no mixing or fixing with Tom's. You
(15:26):
don't even need to get out of bed. Get the
very best. Get tombs ten cents three rollback a quarter,
or get the new six roll pack with free metal
carrier only forty nine cents. Always carry Tom's tums, keep
your tummy under Tom's control, and now act three of
yours truly Johnny Dollars. The headlights of want Banker's car
(15:51):
ha quightly blinded me, but i'd seen enough of it
to know it was the same one I'd seen at
the home of mister Pauliston, Yeah, his son, Larry's. But
I came to the buy myself a park behind the
wheel of my own car, and lying on the seat
beside me were five crisp hundred dollar bills and a note,
take this money and get out of town. It said,
(16:12):
you have no case anyway, because the things that were
stolen off the yacht have been returned, so you may
as well leave while you have your health, no signature.
There was only one person in the world I wanted
to see at that moment, Larry Baliston. But I fell
(16:32):
a bit rocky since I was at the front door
of Dick's Spidal's apartment, since I've really come to see him,
and if I was lucky, he might have a good
stiff drink. Eddy dealing better now, mister Dollard, Yeah, yeah,
I am thikstick. It's Richard if you don't mind, Oh yeah, sure,
but go on with what you were saying. Well, old
(16:53):
thing was absurd, of course, but the only reason missus
Baldiston insisted on taking Lee on that yachting drip into
the charity affair and of course I was supposed to
be her escort, was to shame her, to shore up.
How do you mean? Well, after all, in spite of
her beauty, she is a rather common person, not the cheap.
So missus Bollaston hoped that facing her the ladies and
(17:14):
gentlemen who attend the ball would embarrass her. Oh I
see that she'd realize she has no place among people
like ourselves. People like you were just too good for her.
Well put it bluntly, yes. In any event, Missus Ballliston
hoped it would break off this rather sordid romance. Romance
see and Lawrence Boalisten Larry, she calls him, and Lee
(17:34):
is only after his money, But I take it Larry
got wind of this little plan. Lawrence said that he
would prevent its being carried out if it was the
last thing he ever did. So he stayed the piracy.
Oh I'm sure it was. He He's always done silly
things like that, mister Dolla rich headstrong, spoiled as he is.
So when I heard the noise up on deck, I
can be locked myself in my cabin and refused to
(17:55):
Budge and he and whoever he had helping him board
the arts or because you were scared. Thank your pardon,
thanks a lot. It's rich help oh Unincidentally, yes, you
think Lee will Waye was in too. That that's why
she spent so much time on the ship's radio earlier
in the evening indubilible, so that she could guide him
(18:17):
to the yacht in his speedboat. His speedboat, of course,
there's all sorts of radio equipment of board. What color
is that speedboat? Mahogany? We said the pirates were using
a solid black boat, which simply proved she was on
to his plan. And the stupid the wench was lying,
that's all. Maybe you're rights. Thanks Dick, it's Richard. If
(18:37):
you don't, mister Dollar, do come in. Thank you missus Wallerston.
Speaker 2 (18:48):
My husband's on the telephone talking to the engineer of
a yacht down in Balboa.
Speaker 1 (18:51):
And what do you think of that? I think I
can get us. Fine, just stay on watch and I'll
be back down there to pick those things up in
the morning. Goodbye. It's true Mary Lee whoever took them
promise returned everything to the boat. Everything is Oh, mister Dollar,
did you hear that? Yes? I heard. Where's your son
Larry or Lawrence? Or whatever you call him. Larry was
(19:13):
a matter of fact. Yeah, boy came in just a
little while ago. Where is he in the study?
Speaker 2 (19:18):
I believe he said he had a call to make
on the other phone.
Speaker 1 (19:22):
Ranks. Why what's through? Mister? Yes? I thought it was
a window Lee trying to make up to that guy Dollar.
And let me tell you this. Let me give you this, Clarry, Clarry,
what is it? Once more? Larry?
Speaker 2 (19:41):
Now listen, Well, if that's the way you feel about it,
you and that family, if yours.
Speaker 1 (19:46):
Can I said to you want some more? Do you
want to start talking? Okay, Okay, I did it. I
read the whole thing, Jimmy driscoll and I because I
was fed up with the way mother was trying to
run my life. Yeah, but maybe she was right about
Lee after all, of course she was. But no, Dolly,
(20:07):
if you think you can get away with barging in
here and slugging me, yeah, why not? Marry? Huh? You
had enough? Yeah? Okay, Okay, sorry, mister Balliston. But I
(20:28):
kind of owe it so Dollar. I've been hoping somebody
do that for a long time. Sure, I I've spoiled
him too. Been my fault as much as his mother's.
But I never had any idea you'd carry things as
far as he did. Of course, if you like, sir,
I could prefer assault charges for his attack on me earlier. No, no, no,
(20:49):
I don't think it'll be necessary, and I'm much obliged
to you. Just leave him alone, Mary Lee, I suppose
you leave us alone? Well, I said, hoping, who's the
dollar me on this case? Forget it the five hundred
(21:10):
that Larry mistakenly try to bribe me with, plus a
nice fat check for mister Ballaston. Well once is the
thought of it hurts me. Let's forget the expense account.
SOO okay, okay, yours truly Johnny Dollar, our star will
(21:37):
return in just a moment. Who's gonna win the thorough
Red Kentucky Cup thorough Bred? Who's gonna win that horse
and make it pay? By well Kentucky tuck by Black
has to find the winner. So the horse is here
that I've is near? Gettar in paint Faine to day. Yes,
(22:00):
enter the annual Derby Day Contest sponsored by Kentucky Club's
nine brands of Pipe Tobaccos. First prize of door Bread
bay Coat, son of famous oil capital who won over
five hundred eighty thousand dollars. Junkie Ted Atkinson helps select
this prize code. You'll name him and he's yours. He
could win a fortune for you. Yet Kentucky Club Derby
(22:20):
Day contest entry blanks free at Tobacco clunters. Now, hey,
who's gonna win the thorough bred?
Speaker 2 (22:26):
Kentucky Club's thorough bread Who's gonna win that horse and
make it pay money?
Speaker 1 (22:31):
Well, Kentucky Club Pipe Toracco has to find a winner.
So the horse is here, that dim is here, gets
your entry bank today. Now here's our star. I'll tell
you about next week store next week. Oh wait a minute,
related congratulations the station WGLS and Beckley, West Virginia on
its twentieth anniversary. Next week, I really go fishing. Yeah
(22:53):
for a body in the middle of Lake ned join us,
won't you? Yours truly? Johnny Deller, yours truly, Johnny Dollar,
(23:16):
starring Bob Biley. Originates in Hollywood and has written, produced,
and directed by Jack Johnston. Heard in our cast were
Virginia Gregg Eleanor Augly, Vic Hearn, Howard mcneer, Larry Dobkin,
will Wright, Carlton G. Young, and Jack Edwards, be sure
to join us next week, same time and station, or
(23:36):
another exciting story of yours, truly, Johnny Dollar, This is
Dan Cobberly speaking, who
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