Johnny Dollar and Casey, Crime Photographer

Summary

Case Closed! – Episode Summary

Podcast: Case Closed! (old time radio)
Host: RelicRadio.com
Air Date: October 8, 2025
Episodes Featured:

1. Yours Truly, Johnny Dollar – “The Smoky Sleeper Matter” (August 25, 1957)
2. Casey, Crime Photographer – “Lady in Distress” (October 23, 1947)

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Episode Overview

This episode of Case Closed! offers two classic golden-age radio crime dramas:

• Johnny Dollar tackles an apparent arson case and insurance fraud, ultimately exposing a widespread scam in the bedding industry.
• Casey, Crime Photographer investigates the disappearance of a Southern heiress singer entangled in blackmail, fake murder, and nightclub rackets.

Both stories showcase sharp detective work, colorful characters, and the twisting schemes that defined mid-century radio mysteries.

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Story #1: Yours Truly, Johnny Dollar – "The Smoky Sleeper Matter"

Main Theme

Johnny Dollar, an insurance investigator, probes a suspicious warehouse fire at a bedding company's facility. While the initial evidence points to an accidental cause, Dollar suspects a deeper fraud involving forged invoices, fake retail values, and insurance chicanery.

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Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. The Case Setup and Initial Suspicions (00:00–03:00)

• Johnny is called by Fred Larkin at the New Jersey Fire and Casualty to investigate a fire in Vineland, NJ.
• The loss involves $83,000 of bedding. The insured is Ben Murray, owner of a Philadelphia furniture chain.
• The business is known for aggressive sales tactics, including "switching" merchandise and manipulating customers.

Memorable exchange:

• Fred Larkin (02:16): “His salesmen are the sharpest bunch you ever saw. Too sharp, if you ask me. Almost like a bunch of con men.”

2. Digging into Murray's Operations (03:00–09:00)

• Johnny visits Ben Murray, observing chaotic business practices and hints of shady dealings such as altering labels and staged sales.
• Murray bristles at Johnny’s questions, defensively claiming honest business but revealing more than he intends.

Notable quotes:

• Ben Murray (06:53): “Volume, Dollar, that's what does it. I work on a narrow margin, see? Sometimes I even lose money just to keep the volume up.”
• Johnny Dollar (07:12): “Narrow profit margin, huh?”

3. Examining the Fire and Its Aftermath (09:00–13:50)

• Johnny visits the remains of the warehouse with Sergeant Tomasso and arson expert Adam Bowles.
• Bowles claims an old alcoholic, Jerry Cumber, accidentally started the fire by falling asleep with a cigarette.
• Dollar isn't convinced, noting inconsistencies and suspicious product labels.

Adam Bowles (12:11): “I found out who started the fire... Poor old Jerry Cumber... He went to sleep with a lighted cigarette in his fingers.” Johnny Dollar (13:25): “After a couple of things I heard at the Benmer office, plus a couple of things I've seen here, Adam, I think this case is just starting for me.”

4. Following the Money (15:33–19:00)

• Johnny telephones Larkin to double-check the manufacturer's invoices for the bedding losses.
• He discovers Murray insured the goods for more than double their actual purchase price using fraudulent invoices, inflating both insurance and tax benefits.

Larkin (16:55): “They cost Ben Murray exactly $25.50 a piece.” Johnny (18:08): “Give me the name and address of the manufacturer... Golden Bedding Corporation, Wood Vine, New Jersey.”

5. Undercover at the Manufacturer (19:00–25:24)

• Johnny, posing as a furniture buyer, confronts Golden Bedding’s president and uncovers cooperation in the invoice fraud.
• The manufacturer confirms the scam: falsified invoices, fake retail tags, mass production of inferior goods, and kickbacks.

Manufacturer (22:56): “For you... I'll name you a price that you... But on the books? I send you a bill says $29.96 double? ...For tax purposes, I'd only be showing about half the profit I was actually making. Smart boy, Bonnie.”

• When Johnny reveals his true identity and threatens legal action, the manufacturer panics, offering a bribe.

Johnny Dollar (25:25): "You ruined me. Yes, Fred. I'm afraid that your nice client, Ben Murray, based his insurance claim on a lot of values that didn’t exist on the hiked up prices. Hiked up to cheat you and the income tax boys. And if that isn’t outright fraud, I’ll eat my shirt."

6. Resolution and Justice

• Johnny instructs Larkin not to pay the claim and to pursue legal steps against both Murray and Golden Bedding.
• The episode closes with Johnny’s signature expense statement—a fraction of the $83,000 scam prevented.

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Key Timestamps

• 00:00 – Johnny takes the case
• 03:00 – Explanation of Murray’s “special sales” business model
• 06:53 – Volume and profit margins exposed
• 09:00 – Arrival at warehouse; details of arson claim
• 13:25 – Johnny expresses ongoing suspicion
• 16:54 – Invoicing investigation reveals fraud
• 19:00 – Johnny's "undercover" meeting with Golden Bedding’s president
• 22:56 – Smuggling details of fake invoicing and manufacturing scam
• 25:25 – Johnny shuts down the fraud, exposes Murray and Golden

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Story #2: Casey, Crime Photographer – "Lady in Distress"

Main Theme

Casey investigates the strange case of Mary Bell Warren, a Southern heiress and nightclub singer, who borrows money from a cowboy, disappears, and is found to be embroiled in a blackmail and murder hoax in a seedy nightclub.

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Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. The Call for Help and Setup (30:13–31:10)

• Cowboy Tom Morrissey helps a distressed Southern woman, “Mary Bell,” who flees shadowy pursuers in a club district.
• She refuses to go to the police and borrows $100 from him.
• Tom, lovestruck, enlists Casey’s help to find her when she fails to meet him later.

2. Uncovering Mary Bell’s Identity (33:00–35:45)

• Casey and Tom discover from society files that Mary Bell is indeed a real heiress, contradicting earlier suspicions that she was running a scam.
• They trace her recent performance as a singer at Pink Banister’s club, suggesting she is undercover.

3. The Club Connection and First Clues (38:00–40:25)

• At Bannister’s club, Casey learns Mary Bell (alias Lottie Dunbar) left early due to sickness after witnessing a fight in the club.
• Suspicion arises that she was snooping, which led the club goons to keep her under surveillance.

4. The Nightclub Rackets and a Chase (41:56–44:39)

• Casey, Annie, and Tom are tailed by a Bannister thug after visiting Mary Bell’s hotel.
• After a car chase, they capture the thug and force him to reveal that Mary Bell was caught snooping on Bannister's crime after a staged fight.

5. Confessions and Conspiracies (46:30–48:21)

• South American playboy Senor Gallo confesses to a supposed murder in Bannister’s office, which the club boss claims to have covered up.
• Casey and Tom realize this "murder" is likely a con, intended to blackmail wealthy or vulnerable patrons.

Senor Gallo (47:08): “Last night in that office, I killed a man.” Casey (51:49): “There wasn’t any killing. Those guys simply put on an act that was convincing to Gallo, expected to collect millions for covering up his crime. But Ms. Warren got wise to the gag and Gallo confessed.”

6. Solving the Case and the Real Motive (49:31–54:24)

• Bannister's scheme is fully exposed—he’d faked murders and used them to blackmail the wealthy.
• Mary Bell was working to exonerate her brother, a previous victim of the racket, explaining her undercover role.
• Police raid Bannister’s hideout and rescue Mary Bell.
• Tom and Mary Bell are reunited, hinting at budding romance.

7. Epilogue and Reflections (54:24–55:54)

• The team discusses Mary Bell's cleverness, and the scheme’s collapse.
• Lighthearted banter closes the story as Casey and Ethelbert contemplate the future of Tom and Mary Bell.

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Key Timestamps

• 30:13 – Tom meets Mary Bell and learns of her distress
• 33:00 – Casey looks up Mary Bell’s background
• 37:30 – Annie recognizes Mary Bell as a club singer
• 38:15 – Bannister’s evasive answers prompt further suspicion
• 41:56 – Mary Bell is missing from her hotel
• 42:26 – The Bannister enforcer is tailed
• 44:16 – The thug spills the kidnapping plot
• 46:30–47:08 – Gallo confesses to the fake murder
• 51:49 – Casey reveals the entire murder was a staged blackmail plot
• 52:05 – Mary Bell is rescued
• 54:07 – The true motive: clearing her brother’s name
• 55:10 – Closing reflection and comic relief

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Notable Quotes

• Fred Larkin (Johnny Dollar, 02:16): “His salesmen are the sharpest bunch you ever saw. Too sharp, if you ask me. Almost like a bunch of con men.”
• Ben Murray (Johnny Dollar, 06:53): “Volume, Dollar, that's what does it. I work on a narrow margin, see?”
• Johnny Dollar (25:25): “Your nice client, Ben Murray, based his insurance claim on a lot of values that didn’t exist on the hiked up prices.”
• Senor Gallo (Casey, 47:08): “Last night in that office, I killed a man. … I am a murderer.”
• Casey (51:49): “There wasn’t any killing. Those guys simply put on an act that was convincing to Gallo, expected to collect millions for covering up his crime. But Ms. Warren got wise to the gag and Gallo confessed.”

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Episode Highlights

• Johnny Dollar’s persistence peels away the layers of a fire-for-insurance racket, outsmarting both insured and manufacturer.
• Casey’s cynical compassion cuts through a tangle of deception, eventually rescuing a brave woman and exposing a lucrative blackmail scheme.
• Sharp, period dialogue and dark comic relief balance the suspense.

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Conclusion

This episode stands out for the complexity of its cons and the resourcefulness of both heroic investigators. "The Smoky Sleeper Matter" is a masterclass in insurance fraud detection, while "Lady in Distress" delivers a twisty noir adventure set among nightclub crooks and society heiresses. Both are quintessential golden age crime radio stories—crackling with tension, wit, and that uniquely vintage hardboiled charm.

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Next Week:
Look forward to another gripping Johnny Dollar case: The case of a girl who is willing to kill for money she didn't need.
(Johnny Dollar: "Join us, won't you?" [Episode Teaser, 26:50])

Transcript

[Johnny Dollar]

Welcome back to Case Closed Mystery and Crime from the Golden Age of Radio. Every Wednesday@ Relicradio.com our first story comes from yours truly, Johnny Dollar. This week we'll hear the Smoky sleeper matter from August 25, 1957. After that, it's Casey, crime photographer and the lady in distress. That episode aired October 23, 1947. From Hollywood, it's time now for Johnny Dollar. Fred Larkin. Johnny. New Jersey Fire and Casualty. Hope I didn't get you out of bed. Well, you sure did, Freddie, but how are things in Trenton? In Trenton, fine. In the little town of Vineland. I'm not so sure. Vineland, about halfway between Philadelphia and Atlantic City. That's the place. What goes down there? Fire, arson, that's what. I hope you can find out. Well, any reason for suspicion? Yes. The man who holds the policy on $83,000 worth of bedding. Bedding, mattresses, box springs. It went up in smoke two days ago. Okay, friend, I'll grab the first train.

[Casey]

Bob Bailey.

[Johnny Dollar]

End the exciting adventures of the man with the action packed expense account. America's fabulous freelance insurance investigator, yours truly, Johnny Dollar. And now, act one of yours truly, Johnny Dollar, expense account submitted by special investigator Johnny Dollar to the New Jersey Fire and Casualty Insurance Company home office, Trenton, New Jersey. Following is an account of expenses incurred during my investigation of the Smoky Sleeper matter. Expense account Item 1, 1075, Fair and Incidentals, Hartford to Trenton. Item 2, $0.80 Taxi to Fred Larkin's office on West State Street. He lost no time in getting right to the point. That's right. 83,000 total loss. Well, who's filed the claim, Fred? Name is Ben Murray, sole owner and manager of Ben Murrh Furnitures Sales in Philadelphia. Sort of a small chain scattered around all over the city. I thought you said the loss was in Fineland. It was. That's where he had a big warehouse. All of his stores are in Philly. He claims it's cheaper than maintaining a big warehouse in the city. Also, apparently it's close to a couple of sources of supply. He's been a good account, Johnny. We've made a lot of money on his policies. Well, it sounds like you've issued him quite a few now.

[Casey]

We have.

[Johnny Dollar]

You see, in addition to the usual coverage on his stores, we've issued him a lot of short termers on warehouse contents from time to time. I don't quite see what you mean. His whole business is based on special sales. Free inventory, going out of business, distressed merchandise, fired water damage sales. Summer, winter, spring and fall sales Anything you can think of. No kidding. Periodically he loads up his vinyl warehouse with stuff he's accumulated for the next big sale. And we insure it. This time it was $83,000 worth of box springs and mattresses. That's a lot of bedding for just one sale. Don't worry, he'd have got rid of it. His salesmen are the sharpest bunch you ever saw. Too sharp if you ask me. Almost like a bunch of con men. You know what switching means in the retail trade? Isn't that when they advertise a well known item at a very low price, that's it. Then when you try to buy it, they just happen to have sold the last one. That's it. But by that time they've got you in the store where they can use the high pressure pitch to sell you some inferior item at an even higher price. And on a no return basis. Yeah, by the time the customer gets wise, it's too late. Exactly. I suspect they're not above using the label switch too, you know, have some local manufacturer make up a cheap item, then put a nationally recognized label on it. Or a pretty good copy. My, my, what nice clients you have, Freddy. Now what can we do, Johnny? As long as we don't catch him red handed in something that directly affects us, you don't need to write any more policies. The company says different. At least until such a time as they try to pull something on us or we find proof of such doings. I see. Where will I find this Ben Murray? Either his main office in Philadelphia or down in Vineland, looking over what's left in the shell of that warehouse. On what exactly does Murray base the amount of his claim? Face value of the policy. Which in turn was based on the cost of the goods to him. Huh. You mean you used the figures he gave you? Hardly. We got the figures from the actual bill sent him by the manufacturer. Well, I wondered. I don't blame you. No, Johnny, that 83,000 is exactly what the mattresses and box springs cost him. It was a special order from one manufacturer made up especially for one big sale. Can your secretary check on Murray's whereabouts for me? Sure. All right, then let me use your phone. I may be able to save us all a lot of time labor. And so I call my old friend Adam Bowles, who lived within a few miles of Vineland, who before he retired was one of the top arson men in the country. Investigator. I mean, he wasn't home, but I left word for him to drive to Vineland and Meet me in the lobby of the East Landis Hotel whenever I got there. Meanwhile, Fred's secretary had learned that Ben Murray was in his Philadelphia office. Expense account, item 3, 560 for a train to Philadelphia and cab to the main office of Benmer Furniture Sale. The place was a madhouse. Okay, Dollar, go ahead in. It's that first office on the right. Thanks. And listen, wait a minute. Sales department. Call me back. I'm busy. Listen, dollar, if you can get a word in edgewise with Ben, ask him where's the contracts for that West Philadelphia deal, will you? Oh, sure. Sales department. Yeah, I'll turn a hose on you when I stop and call it a flood sale. How'd my dad make the picture in that advertisement look good? See? Put a lot of stuff around. Pictures on the wall, rug on the floor, stuff like that. Yeah, make the suckers think they're getting a 25 piece dining room suit. Not just a table, four chairs and 20 crummy dishes. $. Sit down. Thanks. Yeah, make it look like they'll be getting everything they see in the ad. Yeah. Now, did you get them sofas in from Sterling? Okay, put a price ticket of 95 bucks on them and then mark it down to 49.95 and we'll clean out the whole. Mr. Murray, huh? He what? Sterling charges 25 bucks for those lousy sofas. Listen, we're giving them $22.50 for him. Except for the demonstrator we show on the floor. The good one. Who does he think he is telling me the price he's gonna charge me? Oh, that lousy bunch of chisels trying to hike the price on me. Boy, what a business. From the looks of that outer office, you've got plenty of it.

[Casey]

Yeah, yeah.

[Johnny Dollar]

Volume dollar, that's what does it. I work on a narrow margin, see? Yeah. Sometimes I even lose money just to keep the volume up. I got nine stores, see? They're all over Philadelphia. Hey, Ben. Yeah, what's the matter now? Hindstreet wants to know the sale prices on those three grades of Nightcloud mattresses. What'll I tell them? What are the cost prices? All the same.

[Casey]

13 bucks apiece.

[Johnny Dollar]

Cost us 13 bucks, huh? Well, price them at 39.95, 49.95 and $69.95. Okay, then. Hello. Narrow profit margin, huh? And now look, $, your card says you're an insurance investigator. That's right. Well, if it's about that fire I had down in Vineland a couple of days ago, that's exactly what it's about. Well, let me tell you something. Oh, first. Yeah, what is it? Oh, yeah. Well, listen. Hey, pick that other phone off the hook, $, that noise is killing me. Will you? Why not? I might have learned something. Well, you tell him I don't care if he's a department of Internal Revenue at first. Hello? Hey, Ben, I got a name here in the store. Found out that bed we sent her wasn't the same one she saw on the floor. No, wait just a minute. I. She threatens to go see the Better Business Bureau. Look, this isn't Ben. Huh? Just hold on a minute, will you hold on. You tell that bookkeeper we got there, he either keeps the books the way I tell him, or either he. Well, look, I'll call you back, see, you hold that call for me. $. Yeah, here. Yeah, Hello. Yeah. Yeah, well, don't take any chances. Give her anything she wants. Give her the one she saw on the floor. Go out and buy her one, a good one. Just make her happy. Keep her from. You know what I mean? Yeah. Troubles, troubles, troubles. Well, now, look, Dollar, you think there was anything wrong with that fire? You prove it, I'll give you this whole business. What do you think I am, a crook? I haven't said that yet. Then what's the idea? Investigating. Not you, but that fire. We always investigate when a claim this large is involved. Oh, yeah, do it automatically. Look, I'm trying to run an honest business here. Just barely scraping by that phone call just now. If a customer ain't 100% satisfied, we make her satisfied. Oh, sure, to keep her from blabbing about the way you rooked her. Oh, look, look, get out of here, would you? Can't you see I'm busy? I try to run a decent business here and punks like you come in and. Oh, if I'm. Yeah, hold on. Look, you've got some legit reason to investigate.

[Casey]

$.

[Johnny Dollar]

You come around then, maybe I will.

[Casey]

Now, go on, get out, will you?

[Johnny Dollar]

Gladly. Listen, Charlie, you tell him he tries to outsmart me, I'll sue him for.

[Narrator/Announcer]

Every cent he's got.

[Johnny Dollar]

Expense account, item 4. $50 deposit on a drive your own car. I crossed the Delaware River Bridge and finally picked up Route 47 for the 35 mile drive down to Vineland. Flat country, this, with plenty of beautiful trees and rich farmland. An occasional cranberry bog. The soft smell of ripening peaches greeted me from the vast orchards I passed. It was all very pleasant, certainly a complete contrast to the noisy, unhealthy joint I just Left. And I could see only too plainly why Fred Larkin suspected arson in the warehouse fire. Sure, if a character like Ben Murray didn't resort to arson, he'd feel he was missing. A good bet. Proof of arson, however, is a different matter and not always easy to come by. That's where I wanted the help of Ed Bowles. But Ed hadn't got to the hotel when I arrived in Vineland. So I drove over to the police headquarters at 610 Wood Street, a block north of Landis Avenue, the main drag. There I found Sergeant Louis Tomasso, who'd been working on the case. Be glad to take you over there, Dollar. Just the other side of Chestnut Avenue. That's over south of town. All right, Sergeant. I'd like to see that warehouse, or what's left of it. Oh, there's plenty left of the warehouse. All metal construction. Come. That in itself might make it hard to spot our Dollar. We've been over the, Lieutenant. Mr. Dollar and I are going out to the Bedmer warehouse. We went over that place with a fine tooth comb both during and after the fire. Came up with nothing, huh? Nothing that would give any cause for suspicion. Sergeant, do you know a man by the name of Adam Bowles? I certainly do. He's been giving me a lot of help with this, you know, just to sort of keep his hand in. And he's found nothing? Not a thing. Of course, he's the kind that never gives up. Yeah. Well, let's get on over and take a look at that place. It was obvious that the whole contents of that warehouse was damaged beyond repair. And apparently the big steel building had been packed to the roof. I looked over some of the damaged mattresses very carefully, sometimes with the aid of my pocket knife, and I learned some rather interesting things. Things that showed the best possible reasons for wanting to burn up a lot of merchandise like this. Hmm. Wow. Well, have you seen enough, Mr. Dollar? Yeah, I guess so. But I still want to talk to Adam Bowles, so let's go on back to. Wait a minute, wait a minute. Looks like AD Pulling up in that car there, huh? So it is. Hey, A.D. what? Johnny. Yeah. Well, hi, Sergeant. Don't tell me you sent for a half wit like Dolly. Just a minute now, Stinky. Why, the greenest rookie on the force would get and I'll brain you. You two know each other? Are you kidding?

[Casey]

Johnny. How are you, baby?

[Johnny Dollar]

Great, just great. You got my message, huh? Yeah, but I hereby inform you that as usual, you got here too late. Oh, is that so? When I Found out you were coming. I decided I'd better get to work, if only to show you up. So I did. And I found out who started the fire. Well, I've got a pretty good suspicion myself. Who did it? Ad? Poor old Jerry Cumber. Who? Jerry? The Old Town ne' er do well.

[Casey]

Yep.

[Johnny Dollar]

That poor, foolish old wino. Wow. How'd it happen? Oh, he was just wandering around that night, as he often does, with a bottle to keep him company. Found the back door of the warehouse open. Thought he'd take a little nap, or rather, sleep at all. He certainly had his choice of nice soft beds.

[Casey]

Yeah.

[Johnny Dollar]

So he went to sleep with a lighted cigarette in his fingers. There you have it. And the funny thing, Sergeant. Yeah? Only charge you can really hold the old bum on is being drunk and disorderly. And, of course, trespass. What? Well, you look it up. You'll see I'm right. As for you, Johnny, you can just go on back to your company and tell them to pay the claim. Oh, that's so. Yes, sir. Case is closed. At least for you. That's where you're wrong. Huh? After a couple of things I heard at the Benmer office, plus a couple of things I've seen here, Adam, I think this case is just starting for me. Act Two of yours truly, Johnny Dollar. In a moment.

[Narrator/Announcer]

For a long time, people have been saying that the Earth is shrinking because transportation is getting faster and faster. And because this is true, people are getting closer, too. Today, our neighbors are not only the ones who live next door to us, they're all over the world. It is axiomatic that one should help his neighbor. But Americans have gone a step further.

[Johnny Dollar]

Further.

[Narrator/Announcer]

In addition to individuals helping individuals, now many American cities help many other cities through the Sister City program. Now, perhaps you've heard how it works. If not, here's an example or two. In the fall of 1959, a large area of Nagoya, Japan, was struck by a devastating typhoon. Her sister city, Los Angeles, California, sent tons of relief materials to Nagoya by way of an Air Force plane headed for the area. The Marines and the Navy rendered vital emergency aid during the disaster when earthquakes shook Vinha del Mar, Chile. During the summer of 1960, her sister city, Sausalito, California, sent hundreds of dollars worth of relief materials to help out. Another case in point, the school children of Clovis, New Mexico, sent a number of cultural exchange packages to students in their sister city of Adana, Turkey. There are hundreds of such examples because there are hundreds of sister cities. By using this means of diplomacy, friendship and understanding have increased throughout the world and paved the way for permanent freedom, the right of all men everywhere.

[Johnny Dollar]

And now, act two of yours truly, Johnny Dollar and the smoky sleeper matter. From the looks of things, the case was practically over. The fire at the warehouse full of box springs and inner spring mattresses had been accidental. And it looked, I underlined that word, looked as though Ben Murray's claim for reparation to the tune of $83,000 was entirely justified. AD Bowles, the finest expert on arson I knew, had produced the man who started the fire as proof. So on the surface, there was nothing for the company to do but pay Ben Murray's claim. But I smell a rat. A big one. Expense account item5.75 cents for a person to person call to Fred Larkin and Trenton. Well, Johnny, if you're satisfied with Bowles conclusion that it wasn't arson, well, that's that. We'll have to pay off the claim. What if I could prove fraud? Fraud? What do you mean? Look, Fred, you told me you saw the bills, the manufacturer's bills to Murray giving valuation on the bedding that was stored in that warehouse. Yes, I have photostats of those bills right here in my desk. But what. Good for you. Dig them out, will you? Oh, why? Go on, go on, dig them out, Fred, and read them to me. What if there was no arson? I failed to see what you're driving. Look, will you do what I ask you? I'm trying to save your company some money. All right, all right. Here.

[Casey]

Now.

[Johnny Dollar]

Now, what do you want to know? Well, the labels on the remains of the mattresses I looked at at the scene of the fire, those labels indicated there. There was a model called the Nightcloud Sleep Rest. And that checks with these bills. Let's see, there were 3,500 mattresses called Nightcloud Sleep Rest. Well, forget the quantities. What was the manufacturer's price to Ben Murray on that Night Cloud Sleep Rest? Now, let's see, Johnny. They cost Ben Murray Exactly 2550 apiece. And there's an equal number of box springs. 2550. That's right. But I overheard him say in Philadelphia that he only paid. Hmm? What, Johnny? Nothing, nothing. What other models are on those bills? Nightcloud Super Sleep and the price? Just a second. Hey, look, what you're figuring, you might be interested in knowing that the labels on that Sleep Rest indicated a retail price of $69 each. Ah, here now, Johnny. The Nightcloud supers cost Murray 2620 a piece. Wow. Hey, all right, I got it. And he claimed to be working on a narrow profit margin. Now, the Nightcloud perfection sleep cost him $27.14 each. Good. Anymore? Those were the only ones he bought and stored in the warehouse.

[Narrator/Announcer]

All right.

[Johnny Dollar]

Now give me the name and address of the manufacturer. Easy. Golden Bedding Corporation, Wood Vine, New Jersey. Good. Now, one more thing. Can you think of the name of another big chain of furniture stores? You know, like Ben Murray's, only in New York or Chicago or some other big city. Well, of course, there's Gloucer brothers in New York. Gloucer Brothers. Only they're such a disreputable outfit that when they try to talk insurance with us, Freddie, that's all the better. Thanks a lot. Now, wait, Johnny. You still haven't told me.

[Casey]

Oh, I will, Freddie.

[Johnny Dollar]

Don't you worry. I will. Why I didn't get pinched for speeding somewhere along Highway 49, I'll never know, because I certainly didn't hold back the horsepower. Just short of the town of Tuckahoe, I turned off on 557. And then a few miles later pulled into Woodvine. Although it's a small community surrounded by farms, it boasts a big hat factory, a couple of clothing factories, a vast, sprawling state institution, and on the far edge of town, the golden bedding corporation's huge plant. I figured the best thing to do was put on a bull front and bull my way into the president's office. But any such tactics proved entirely unnecessary. Barney gloucer. Uh, yes, Mr. Golden, but just Barney's good enough. I should say it is, because you must be Barney junior. I've known your papa for years. Sit down, my boy. Would you like a cigar? Why, um, no. No, thanks. You don't look like your old man, you know that? Not a bit. Of course, I haven't seen him since 42. Barney Glorner. Yeah. Well, what are you doing in this part of the country, huh, Barney? Oh, business. Pleasure. Business, huh? It's a matter we haven't had any orders from you people lately, huh? Well, up to now, I haven't really had anything to do with the business. Living off the old man's minion. Smart boy. Did you go to college? Yeah, four. Four years. Yeah, that's the way. Smart boy. Now you are in the business. Buying, maybe. If you mean from you, that depends if you're as sharp as your papa. How old is he now, huh, Pop? Yeah. Oh, let me see. How old your Mama? Mama. Look, Mr. Golden, if you. If you don't mind, we'll talk business first. Chip off the old block. Sure. Business always first after. Maybe you come out to the house and have dinner, huh? Talk over old times, Your family? Sure, maybe. All right, go right ahead. Tell me what you want to order. A thousand mattresses and box springs. 10,000. Anything you want, my boy, and at a good price. Well, like I said, that depends. Uh huh. What kind of a deal is that? What you mean? Yeah. All right, I'll tell. Your papa's a very smart man, you know that. He's a good businessman. I know what he's thinking, so I know what you're thinking. All right. You want to give me a nice big order for a lot of merchandise, I'll name you a price that you. Listen, Bonnie, I've got such a good customer in Philadelphia these days, not mentioning any names, but you'll pardon me, I don't even miss your papa's business, understand me? But to get your business back again, I'll make you the same type deal I give this man for a firm order, that is, you understand? No cancellations. You'll. You'll pre ticket the merchandise, that is, put the list price on the labels for me, for us, any price you say, regardless the cost to you. Look over here, my boy. The pictures of our merchandise here on the wall, huh? Nightcloud Perfections. Well, we put on any name you like. One should sound like some national brand will think up a name for. Not a bad deal so far. And we make up as many models as you want. You know, we change just the ticking. They look different. All 196 springs. I personally guarantee it. Only 196. That's all you need. Sure. Nobody can tell the difference, except, of course, the demonstrators you keep on the floor to show the customer. Demonstrators. You have 392 springs. Those you can jump on and bend them. Anything you like. Yeah, and the customer thinks that's the kind he's getting. What else? I tell you, Barney boy, just as smart as your old man. Yeah. Now, what about the price? Ah, the price. Now, Barney, this you can't resist, you understand? Out here in the country, low overhead, no labor problems, nobody snooping. Yeah, yeah, I know. How much? Well, for you, my boy. How many? Well, say 10,000 units. 10,000 units. All right, I'll give you a special price. How much? Well, now, this depends on the taking material. You look here, see? First class material, looks like twice the money. Go on. Plain blue and white ticking that cost you. And remember, Barney, this is very special because of your papa and getting back his business. So at 10,000 units, then this ticking $14.93. And you never saw such a buy. That okay strikes me as a little high. A little high? I'm not making a thing on it. Look at here. This the fancy taking. This is real class. $15 and 6 cents a unit. Now, you can't beat. Oh, wait a minute, wait a minute. Of course, Barney, my boy, if you want to order a few. No, no, no. I think maybe I can do better up in New England. In New England?

[Casey]

Who?

[Johnny Dollar]

Tell me who. Well, all right, all right. Now look, I told you, I've got a big customer in Philadelphia.

[Casey]

Well, all right, never mind.

[Johnny Dollar]

We'll do it the same way for you we do for him, all right? On the books. How do you mean? No, I mean 14.93 cents, huh? Only what would you think if the bill I send you says 29.96 double? You'd make it look like I paid twice as much. So. Yeah, yeah, for tax purposes, I'd only be showing about half the profit I was actually making. Smart boy, Bonnie. Or suppose I insured this stuff for the amount your bills showed and something happened. Well, that's right. Sure, however you want. Excuse me.

[Casey]

Hello.

[Johnny Dollar]

Oh, hello, Ben. I was just thinking of you. I hear you had a lucky fire up there. What? Oh, no, not now. Listen, Ben, I've got a customer. No, I've got an important customer here. The son of a very dear old. What? Yes, he is. Yes. A blue shirt and a bow tie. Oh, no. Then I'll call you back. Mr. Dollar? That's right. Johnny Dollar in person. Mr. From the insurance. Oh, no. Oh, no, no. Too bad, Ben. Murray's call interrupted our conversation. What advice? That was a very interesting lot of facts you gave me. And I strongly suspect it'll not only put Murray out of business, but you too, and a lot of people you've been dealing with. Brother, I hate to think of what the Better Business Bureau will do when they get hold of these facts. They say nothing of the Federal Trade Commission. But I have an ocean that to clear up one of the dirtiest chip rackets in years. There's no need. Even the long suffering public understands this sort of shady operation when it's brought to their attention. Not at all. For the decent, legitimate national firms you've been practically stealing from. $, will you please listen a minute? Yeah, go ahead. Business has been good. I've made a lot of money. Maybe you could use a little bit, you know. We'll call it the Commission, huh? Say $10,000 in cash. It Wouldn't show golden. I wouldn't even spit on that kind of money. Oh, I could maybe persuade you. You couldn't persuade me to have any part of it. Brother, you've had it coming for a long, long time. And believe me, I'm going to see that you get it. Understand? Yes, Dara. You make it. I understand. I understand you too. You dirty crook. You faker. You liar. You cheating, dirty, conniving, chiseling liar. You ruined me.

[Narrator/Announcer]

You hear?

[Johnny Dollar]

You ruined me. Yes, Fred. I'm afraid that your nice client, Ben Murray based his insurance claim on a lot of values that didn't exist on the hiked up prices. Hiked up to cheat you and the income tax boys. And if that is an outright fraud, I'll eat my shirt. So you can just forget about paying that claim or any part of it. And I hope that you and the company will take whatever legal steps are necessary to put these guys out of business. Expense account total, including incidentals. And the trip back to Hartford, $130.49 and cheap at half the price. Yours truly, Johnny Dollar. Our star will return in just a moment. Our flag now numbers 50 stars and behind each star there stands yet another flag, one of the 50 states. Kansas State flag is dark blue and in the center is the state seal surmounted by a large sunflower, the official state flower. The seal reflects the history of Kansas. The train of ox wagons going west for most of the great roads pass through Kansas. An Indian is depicted chasing a herd of buffalo, recalling the words of the official state song. Oh, give me a home where the buffalo roam. For this truly was the home of the buffalo and Indian. The east is represented by a rising sun and the promise of future prosperity is indicated by the steamboat on the river and the farmer plowing the field. Above a mountain range are 34 stars. For Kansas was the 34th state admitted to the Union. Overall is the state motto. Ad astra per aspera to the stars through difficulties. Kansas state flag. The flag of the 34th state to enter the union was adopted on March 23, 1927. Now here's our star to tell you about next week's story. Next week, the case of a girl who is willing to kill for money she didn't need. Join us, won't you? Yours truly, Johnny Doll. Yours truly, Johnny Dollar, starring Bob Bailey originates in Hollywood. It is produced and directed by Jack Johnstone, who also wrote tonight's story. Heard in our cast were Russell Thorson, Jack Edwards, Will Wright, Paul Dubov, Lawrence Dopkins and Vic Perrin, be sure to join us next week, same time and station for another exciting story of yours truly. John A$.

[Narrator/Announcer]

The anchor hawking glass Corporation brings you crime photographer.

[Casey]

Casey. What does eman S O U M A F spelled E M A N S O U m A S. Well, what spelled backward it's famous name. Famous name?

[Narrator/Announcer]

Did someone say Anchor Hocking?

[Casey]

How come Anchor Hocking?

[Narrator/Announcer]

Why, everyone knows that Anchor Hocking is the most famous name in Glen.

[Johnny Dollar]

Foreign.

[Narrator/Announcer]

Ladies and gentlemen, this is Tony Marvin. Every week at this time, the Anchor Hawking Glass Corporation of Lancaster, Ohio and its more than 10,000 employees bring you another adventure of Casey, crime photographer, ace cameraman who covers the crime news of a great city. Written by Alonzo Dean Cole. Our adventure for tonight, lady in distress. Early, about 2 o', clock, a narrow midtown street lined with raucous nightclubs. Wandering lazily along it is a tall, slim man whose costume in this metropolitan center is, well, bizarre to say the least. For from his 10 gallon hat to his high heeled boots, he's every inch the cowboy. Suddenly, from a shadow door, he hears.

[Casey]

Mr. Huck.

[Annie Williams]

Mister, please.

[Casey]

You talking to me, ma'? Am?

[Annie Williams]

Yes. Come closer. You know well, we can't be seen.

[Casey]

Well, sure, ma', am, but. What?

[Annie Williams]

I'm in desperate trouble and I simply can't go to the police. Not yet. Well, I saw you. You're appearing in the rodeo, aren't you?

[Casey]

Yes, I'm at the Coliseum.

[Annie Williams]

And you're from the south, like me.

[Casey]

I come from Texas.

[Annie Williams]

You're not a part of this town, this street. I can trust you.

[Casey]

Well, I reckon you can, ma'. Am. What you want us to do? I.

[Annie Williams]

Get a cab here for me and then ride with me to Union Terminal.

[Casey]

Well, I'd be glad to, but why?

[Annie Williams]

All I can tell you is some men are looking for me and if I'm found, I may be killed.

[Casey]

So you and Casey took in a rodeo last night, huh, Ms. Will?

[Annie Williams]

No, Casey went alone, Ethel.

[Casey]

Yeah, I went alone. I saw a swell show, too. Poor Ms. Williams, she had a date with her aunt and uncle. They spent the evening at Pinky Banister. That clip joint? Yeah. Her aunt and uncle are the adventurous type.

[Annie Williams]

Well, we had a little excitement at Bannister Club. That South American playboy, you've heard of him? Ethelbert Senior Gallows? Oh, yeah. Well, he and another inebriated gentleman got into a fist fight and had to be gently removed by Bannister's muscle men.

[Casey]

They say that rich Gallo fella always carries a gold plated gun in a diamond Studded holster for his self protection.

[Annie Williams]

No, no, there were no fireworks.

[Casey]

Boy, but I saw the real accident. The rodeo, though. Guys bulldogging steers, roping wild longhorns. I really saw a show. Quite a few of them cowboys has been coming into this bar. Gee, they're fancy dresses, you know, just like in a Gene Autry movie. There's some swell fellas among them. I got fairly well acquainted with a bunch taking publicity pictures and all that. Say, here comes one of them now. Hello, Casey. Hey, Ms. Williams. Hiya, Tom.

[Annie Williams]

Hello, Mr. Morrissey.

[Casey]

Finished your matinee? Yeah. Albert, shake hands with Barbecue. Tom Morris. Pleased to meet up. Glad to know you, Casey. I was over to the office a minute ago and they said I'd find you here. Oh, you want to see me about something? Yeah. Would you excuse us, Ms. Williams?

[Annie Williams]

Why, sure. Yes, of course.

[Casey]

What's wrong, fella? You look kind of worried. I'm terribly worried. I know you well enough to figure you're a good man to come to for advice. Last night, Casey, I met a young lady. Oh, wait a minute. When it comes to women, Tom, I don't know for nothing. Well, you might know how I can find her. You met her last night. You lost her already? Well, she was in big trouble, Casey. And it was really early this morning I met her. I was walking up a street near the Coliseum, sort of gawking up at them nightclub places, and she ran up and asked me for to get her in a cab the men were after. Oh, you fell for it, huh? What happened after you and the gal got in the cab? Well, I tried to persuade her to tell me about the men she was afraid of, but she said she couldn't because it concerned her family honor. Family honor? Which was also the reason she couldn't go to the police. Did she tell you anything about herself? Well, only that her friends called her Mary Bell and that she was from a fine old Southern town. You say she was young and blonde and beautiful. How much dough did she borrow from you? How'd you guess? She borrowed money. Oh, I'm kind of good at that kind of guess. It's how much? A hundred dollars. Now look here, Casey. Don't you go getting wrong ideas about that little lady. She wasn't no gold digger. What happened after she got your dog? Well, she got out of the cab and promised to meet me at noon today. I waited from noon till after 2 o' clock at the place she said she'd be, but she didn't show up. I've got to find her Casey. And if them fellas she was afraid of has done her any harm. Can't you see, Tomlin, You've been a fall guy for one of the oldest rackets in the world. I won't believe that you know your way around this city. I don't. Now, how do I go about finding Mary Bell? Take a down to police at and tell your story. But I can't do that. She didn't want the police to know. Oh, I remember. Yeah. Well, for your future protection, pal, come across the street to the express building with me. We just might find a picture of your Mary Belle in our petty rackets file. Casey, I told you I wouldn't find anyone who looked like that little lady among your pictures. A female crook. She's been smart enough not to get mugged for our files. I guess that's all. Will you do now as I asked you to do at first. Try to find a photo in your high society files. That's where she belongs. Oh yes. She's a good singer too. Singer? Yes, she gave one of them concerts here once. She gave a concert? Uh huh. She let that slip when I said she had a beautiful speaking voice. Well, let the humor you, Tom. We'll see what's cross filed under concerts. That's her, Casey. That's a picture of Mary Bell. Sure. Wait a minute, Tommy. You sure? Of course I'm sure. What's the stuff in the file say about her? Mary Bell Warren, daughter of Stephen Warren, socially prominent banker. You see, Casey? Yeah. Concert May 1945 at Maxwell Hall. House guest of Mrs. Donald P. Burgess. Hey, Mary Bell must be the real goods. Mrs. Donald P. Burgess is big stuff.

[Narrator/Announcer]

I told you.

[Casey]

Okay, I've been wrong before. Yeah. Now I want to find this gal and know what goes on as much as you do. It looks like the beginning of a front page story. Let me get that phone. But what you gonna do? Wait a minute. Hello, this is Casey. Operator, get me Mrs. Donald P. Burgess. That's right, Mrs. Donald P. Burgess. Yeah, thanks very much, Mrs. Burgess. I know I've given you cause for worrying. I'm sorry. Yes, I'll call you back the moment we learn anything. Goodbye. What'd you say, Casey? Mary Bell Warren phoned her shortly after 2:00 clock this morning. That must have been right after she left me. That's right, Tom. She asked Mrs. Burgess if she could come up to her place, that she had to have some advice. You see, something happened to her. The girl never did show up. Afraid that's the way it adds up. Too. Whatever happened must have started, though, about three months ago. What do you mean? Because Mrs. Burgess said that Ms. Warren and her family are old friends, you see. And three months ago, she got a letter from the gal's mother in the south saying that Mary Bell had abruptly decided to come here. And that phone call this morning is the first that anyone has heard from. Well, what in tarnation do you suppose? Well, what basis have I got to suppose anything? Strange Babe takes you for 100 bucks with what sounds like the gal in distress gag. Then she turns out to have a millionaire father and top hat social connections. Well, we're wasting time here. We've got to find that little. Now, wait a minute. That's too big a job for you and me, pal. We gotta take this to the cops, Neil. Yes, you're right. He'll probably crab my chance of an exclusive. But we'll take this picture of Ms. Warren and get him started.

[Annie Williams]

Casey.

[Casey]

Oh, hello, Annie. Hey, Annie, come in here. Look, you get a lot of woolen page assignments Ever run across the blonde in this picture?

[Annie Williams]

Face is familiar. Oh, Casey, I saw her last night.

[Casey]

You are, huh? You saw her last night?

[Annie Williams]

Yeah, at Pink Bannister's club.

[Casey]

Pink Bannisters?

[Annie Williams]

Yeah, she's a singer there.

[Casey]

Isn't that lousy joint?

[Annie Williams]

Oh, yeah, she did seem awfully out of place. She looked like a lady and she had a sweet voice. Why have you got her picture?

[Casey]

Come on, I'll tell you on our way to Pink Banister's. What makes you interested in my blonde singer, Casey?

[Johnny Dollar]

Oh, Ms. Williams heard her here last night.

[Casey]

Pink thought she was good.

[Annie Williams]

Good enough to deserve a little free publicity. Mr. Bannister.

[Casey]

This cowboy gonna help you get it? I've already explained that Tom Morrissey is a friend of ours. We just brought him along.

[Johnny Dollar]

That's right.

[Annie Williams]

What's the girl's name, Mr. Bannister? I didn't catch it last night.

[Casey]

Her name's Lottie Dunbar. Lottie Dunbar? Yeah. How long she worked for you? Oh, about two months. Where does she live? Montrose Hotel. Oh, not a very classy joint. How late does she work here? Well, our Last Floor Show, 3am did she work that late this morning? No, no, she said she was sick. She left early. We need more than that information. I want to know why she left your house. I asked you to keep your mouth shut. I don't get this. All right. Might as well give it to you straight. We have reason to believe that something's happened to Lottie Dunbar. Something's happened? Yes. What made her leave here early? I've already told you. Did she come to you and say she was sick? Yeah. Here in my office. Now, that's all I know.

[Annie Williams]

Was anyone with you at the time?

[Johnny Dollar]

Why?

[Casey]

Yeah, A couple of chumps had gotten into a fight on the floor. My boys brought him in here for a cooling off. I talked one of them out of it, sent him home. The other was still in here with me.

[Annie Williams]

Well, that checked Casey. I told you about that fight. And I saw Gallo leave this office and the other man hadn't come out. When I left with Uncle Wilmer, who.

[Casey]

Was this other man thinking? Just a quarrelsome drunk I'd never met before and I never want to see again. Well, after I collected the bill he owed, one of my boys put him out. Told him not to come back. Now, suppose you tell me why you think something happened to the Dunbar girl. It's too long a story to go into now. If we don't find her soon in good health, you'll hear all about it from the cops. I can't tell them any more than I've told you, Casey. Okay, thanks. Come on, Annie, let's go. Come on, Tom. Try the Montrose Hotel. Hello, King. Hello.

[Annie Williams]

Goodbye. Hello.

[Casey]

Yeah, boss? Come here. Want me? I should follow them wise guys. Yeah. I want to know every place they go and about everyone they talk to. I'll be with him all the way. And if it seems necessary. Sure, boys, I know what to do.

[Narrator/Announcer]

Our story will continue in just a moment. Well, Alex, here's tonight's question. What was the world's first one way container?

[Casey]

Shoot, Tony, what was the world's first one way container?

[Narrator/Announcer]

An egg.

[Casey]

An egg. Hey, you're right. When you open an eggshell, you know that you're the first and last to use it.

[Narrator/Announcer]

And it's the same way with the new Anchor Glass One way no deposit bottle. It's never been used before. It will never be used again.

[Casey]

The Anchor Glass one way bottle brings you beer and ale as it's meant to taste.

[Narrator/Announcer]

Clean, clear, sparkling beer that's brewery bright, unaffected by any foreign flavor.

[Casey]

And when you've enjoyed the beer, you dispose of the empty bot other food container.

[Narrator/Announcer]

No deposit, no fuss, no empties to be returned.

[Casey]

The one way bottle, the safest, most.

[Narrator/Announcer]

Convenient way to buy beer. Yes, indeed. And that's why the revolutionary new Anchor Glass One way no Deposit bottle is sweeping America. For perfect flavor, demand beer in glass bottles. For extra convenience, demand your favorite brand in the new Anchor Glass One way no Deposit bottle. A product of Anchor Hocking the most famous name in black.

[Casey]

Well, hotel manager told us Mary Bell didn't come home this morning. They've been seen since yesterday. No, I figured all this would be a waste of time. Well, let's get back to car.

[Annie Williams]

Okay.

[Casey]

Only one thing to do now. That's go to the cops.

[Annie Williams]

Which means Goodbye, exclusive.

[Casey]

Ms. Williams, how can you think of newspaper stories when that little lady may be heard?

[Annie Williams]

Oh, I'm sorry, Mr. Morris.

[Casey]

See, Tom, we gotta be impersonal in our jobs. If we weren't, we. Hey. Hey.

[Annie Williams]

What?

[Casey]

That guy getting into the green car up ahead of the. Seems to me that green convertible was behind us when we drove up here. It was? I noticed it.

[Annie Williams]

Hey, Casey, I've just placed that man. He was one of the bouncers who broke up the fight in Bannis's place last night.

[Casey]

Oh, that's very interesting, Annie. All right, I'll start our car and see what he does. You and Tom keep an eye on him.

[Annie Williams]

Okay. He's following us.

[Johnny Dollar]

All right.

[Casey]

See you alone in the car? Yeah. He may be closer to information about Mary Bell Warren than we figured a few minutes ago. That guy is failing it. I've got an idea his car lights are only about a hundred yards behind the. Now, Casey. I thought he'd creep up on it. All right, get ready for action, Tom. I'm ready.

[Annie Williams]

Now, look, Casey, the man in that car will have a gun, and neither you nor Mr. Morris, Tom and I.

[Casey]

Know what's going to happen, Annie. That mutt doesn't. We're coming to another turn. Okay, now brace yourself. I'm shutting the brakes on hard.

[Annie Williams]

He's gonna hit us, Casey.

[Casey]

No, he's working off the ropes. Had to. We're in the middle of it.

[Annie Williams]

Hit cars in the ditch.

[Casey]

All right, come on, Tom, quick.

[Narrator/Announcer]

I'm with you.

[Casey]

You stay here. Annie, drive our car to the roadside.

[Annie Williams]

Yeah, okay. I know my car.

[Johnny Dollar]

Take your hands off me. Please.

[Casey]

Take that gun. That's the only idea. You guys forced me off the road, and then you play innocent. You gonna tell us what you know about Mary Bellwater? I don't know what you're talking about. You're one of Pink Venison's gang. You've been following us. You got me wrong. We've got you right. You choking me, cowboy? Oh, squeeze the daylights out unless you talk. What's happened to Mary Bell? I never heard of that name before. I swear. Change your.

[Johnny Dollar]

Wait a minute.

[Casey]

He doesn't know that name. What happened to Lottie Dunbar? The lady who Was singing in your boss's place. Talk. You better talk, punk. You haven't got a gun. Now talk, I said. I will if you won't go to work on me. I'll spill all I got, but it ain't much. Honest. All right, spill what you got. Okay. Last night there was a fight in the club, see? Between two drunks. Yeah, that South American guy, Gallo, and another guy I never seen before. Me and Ed bounced at Jim Robbins. We broke it up and Pink had a shag to scrap us into his private office. Pink told me to get back into the club, but Jim stayed in the office. All right, go on. Well, a little later, I. I get a rush call from Jim to go with him, and all he tells me is that this here babe, this Lottie Dunbar, has just been caught snooping on the boss's private business of Rush the go getter. This was just before 2:00'? Clock? Yeah.

[Johnny Dollar]

Yeah.

[Casey]

Well, me and Jim rush out of the joint just in time to see you get into a cab with this here cowboy. So you followed us? No, I didn't follow. Jim sent me back to tell Pink everything was under control. Jim Robbins followed him? Yeah, and another cab. I don't know what happened after that. Honest.

[Johnny Dollar]

You're a liar.

[Casey]

This is how me. I ain't. I ain't. What did Pink say when you told him Robbins had everything under control? Well, he. He said to keep my mouth shut, that's all. And I ain't seen Jim Robbins since. I swear I don't know what's happened to that.

[Annie Williams]

Damn. What?

[Casey]

Tell that truth, you, Honor.

[Johnny Dollar]

A skunk.

[Casey]

Hold it, Tom. Hold it. Bannister's a cagey guy. He wouldn't let a punk like this in on anything big. Kidnapping is plenty big. We'll go to Bannister. I'll beat the truth out. Wait a minute. Wait. You mug. You said the girl was caught snooping while Gallo and that other guy were in Pink's office. That's the way I got it from Jim. I think Senor Gallo is the guy for us to call on next, Tom. Come on, punk. You're traveling with us. I can tell you nothing more. When I was in that Banister Club last night, a strange man insulted me and I struck him. Then in his office. Senor Bannister made the man apologize and I came back here to my hotel. That is all that happened in Senor Bannister's office. I think you're forgetting something that happened there, Mr. Gallo. No.

[Narrator/Announcer]

No.

[Casey]

Yes. Look here. The girl has been Kidnapped, possibly killed because she saw or overheard something in Bannister's office that you can tell us about. You gotta cover up for the rats that snatched her.

[Johnny Dollar]

I do not know.

[Casey]

You do know. I'm sure of it. Because you're scared. You're scared, and it shows in every move you make, every word you say. What are you afraid of, Gallo? Well, I. If you don't tell us, mister, we'll find out. Yes, you. You will find out. And the police. I was a fool to think could be kept a secret letter. Last night in that office, I killed a man. You killed a man? Yes.

[Narrator/Announcer]

I am a murderer.

[Casey]

Who did you kill? The man who insulted me. I was drinking too much champagne and I have bad, hot temper in that office. This man insulted me again. I remember that. Then I struck him. Then he hit me back hard to knock me down. Everything went black. When I again knew what was going on, Senor Banister and a man who worked for him were holding my arms. The man who hit me was on the floor, dead. And it was my gun that shot him. What happened then, Senor Banister? He said he will not tell police. He said he and that man who worked for him will hide the dead body and. And protect me. That's what Mary Bell overheard, Casey.

[Annie Williams]

Yes, of course.

[Casey]

What did Banister say it had cost you for his protection, Mr. Galloway? He did not say anything. He only told me to go home, that he will take care of everything and I will hear from him. You'll hear from. All right. We've got all we need to nail Bannister now, Jason.

[Annie Williams]

I'll say we have.

[Casey]

Well, you call the police to arrest his murderer. I'll be on my way to Bannister Place. I'm gonna make him tell me what's been done to Mary Bell. And if she ain't alive. Wait, Tom, wait. We'd only be tipping our hand, maybe losing our chance of finding that girl.

[Annie Williams]

Casey's right, Ms. Morrissey.

[Casey]

What shall we do? First, I call the cops to arrest me? Yes, Mr. Gallo. Thing doesn't add up. Not at all. What do you mean? Gabby, I think. Oh, hello, headquarters. Connect me with homicide, will you, Captain Logan? Tom, here's what I mean. Yeah. If Ms. Warren was snooping on Bannister while he covered up a murder, he had reason for kidnapping her. But why was she snooping? Why was she working in his joint? Why didn't she run to the cops? Yeah, there's a lot of funny things. Yeah, including that crack about her family honor. And another thing oh, wait a minute. Hello, Logan? Casey speaking. Listen, Logan, I'm going to be down to headquarters in about 20 minutes with a very wealthy Senor Jose Gallo, because he says he's a murderer. He just made a confession. Yeah, well, wait a minute. Now, let me tell you something. Now, that's really important. Put a tap on Pink Banister's telephone lines, Logan. Right away. Yes, and put a shadow on him, too. The best you got. I'll tell you why when I see it. Logan is too long a story to go into now, but do it, will you, pal, and quick. We're starting right away. Goodbye, Tom. I think we can expect action from Mr. Pink Bannister very soon.

[Annie Williams]

You want him, Sharon, and there's his phone line.

[Casey]

Because he's going to receive a report from one of his hired hands as soon as it's done. Who the punk right here.

[Annie Williams]

Who, me?

[Casey]

Yes, you, with my fingers around your neck. And you'll tell him you're still spying on us. That we've been talking to Senor Gallo. That we've just left his hotel with him and you overheard us say we were taking him to police headquarters. We'll be at police headquarters when you phone that report.

[Annie Williams]

I get it, Casey. Bannister will guess that Gallo's confessed to it and he'll make some kind of a break.

[Casey]

I don't think so, Annie. You know, I've acquired a hunch about that family honor gag of Mary Bell's.

[Annie Williams]

Oh, what is it?

[Casey]

The kind of hunch I might talk myself out of if I talked about it. Let's get down to Logan. Nearly five minutes since that mug phoned our dictated report, Casey. We figured Bannister'd make a move right after. Look, allow him a few minutes to thank Logan. Punk handed him a shock with that news about Gallows.

[Annie Williams]

Also, the man on his tapped wire and those covering the club have to have time to pull you after he does something, Captain.

[Casey]

Now, this phone's completely cleared for their cause, Ms. Williams. And if Casey hasn't guessed wrong. If Casey's guessed wrong, Ms. Maribel's life won't be worth a nickel. Will you give my guests a chance, Tom?

[Annie Williams]

Hey, there's our ring.

[Casey]

Logan speaking now. Go ahead. Yeah, yeah. 1287 Jastrow Street. I got it. Okay, Flanagan, get out there the quick way. We'll be right behind you. Dennis has left the club just now with two guys tailing him and Sergeant Flanagan with the squad. Going direct as we'll go. Come on. He's gone into the house. Captain. That's all I've been waiting for, cowboy. My men have the joint completely surrounded. Come on. That big window in front, Logan. Watch out for flying glass. Ms. Williams.

[Annie Williams]

Yeah, my head's down, Captain.

[Casey]

Here goes.

[Narrator/Announcer]

Thanks. That guy, mister.

[Casey]

You two other mugs. Now get the cuffs out of, man. Come on, you two guys.

[Annie Williams]

Hey, that black haired man, Casey, he's the one Gallo had to fight with.

[Johnny Dollar]

A lie.

[Casey]

That proves my hunches. He's the guy Gallo was supposed to have murdered. Supposed to have murdered? Yes, Logan. There wasn't any killing. Those guys simply put on an act that was convincing to Gallo, expected to collect millions for covering up his crime. But Ms. Warren got wise to the gag and Gallo confessed.

[Narrator/Announcer]

Where's Ms. Mary Bell?

[Casey]

If you've harmed one hair of her head, Banister, she hasn't been hurt. We found the girl, Captain. Mary Bell.

[Annie Williams]

Oh, Mr. Morrissey. I knew you'd find me.

[Casey]

That's a pretty picture. Hold it, will you?

[Annie Williams]

Looks like romance, Casey.

[Casey]

I think it's a reasonable facsimile. There. How'd you get wise to this fake murder business, Casey? Well, Logan, all the parts wouldn't fit together in any other pattern. Look, after I get a few more pictures, I'll tell you why. Smile for the camera, Banister, will you? You dirty lousy. Such a sour disposal.

[Narrator/Announcer]

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[Casey]

Hawking.

[Narrator/Announcer]

The most famous name in glass.

[Casey]

You figured Mary Bell Warren had taken a job at Banister's joint in order to spy on him, huh, kg? Now, we know now, Albert, that Banister worked his fake murder gag on Ms. Warren's brother about a year ago has been blackmailing him ever since.

[Annie Williams]

Her brother finally confessed the supposed killing to marry Beth and she refused to believe that he'd murder anyone. So she came down here under an assumed name to get the lowdown.

[Casey]

That guy Bannister had some racket making people believe they were murderers and then blackmailing them. Yep, that's exactly what they did to Mary Belle's brother, who, like Gallo, had been drinking too much to think straight. You know, there's one thing I don't quite get yet. What's that? Ms. Mary Belle Warren had money. Why did she borrow a hundred from that cowboy? Oh, she's a smart babe, pal. In case Bannister's mugs caught up with her. You see, as Jim Robbins did, she figured the loss of 100 bucks would make Tom try to find her.

[Annie Williams]

He's convinced now that he didn't need such an incentive.

[Casey]

Think him and her are gonna team up?

[Annie Williams]

This will looks like an order for double harness.

[Johnny Dollar]

Yeah, it really does.

[Casey]

You know, Ethelbert, I suppose your. Your sister Edna would say, quote, two can live as cheaply as one, unquote. Oh, no, Casey, no. She knows better than that. She says, quote, anybody can be a cowboy. All you gotta do is sit on your kitchen stove and sing Home, Home on the Range, unquote.

[Narrator/Announcer]

Prime Photographer, starring Stott Scottsworth as Casey is brought to you each Thursday by the Anchor Hawking Glass Corporation, makers of Fire King Oven glass, Anchor Glass containers, Anchor caps and closures, all products of Anchor Hawking, the most famous name in glass. Prime Photographer is directed by John Dee. The original music is by Archie Blair and The program features Ms. Jan Minor as Anne and John Gibson as Appleburg. Herman Jettison is the Blue Note pianist. Once a year you have the wonderful opportunity of helping your community through your community chest. You're urged to give generously because in no other way can so many needy people and so many worthy causes be helped so well. The community chest everybody gives everybody benefits. This is Tony Marvin saying good night for the Anchor Hogging Glass Corporation of Lancaster, Ohio, with offices in all principal cities of the United States and Canada. Say Thursday night on CBS is the biggest show in town. So stay tuned for exciting dramatizations on Reader's Digest Radio edition which follows immediately over most of these stations.

[Johnny Dollar]

That's case closed for this week. There's more from yours truly, Johnny Dollar Casey, crime photographer, Case Closed and all of the relic radio shows. At relicradio.com you'll find our Shout Cast stream there as well. And a donate button if you'd like to help support this and all of the shows, you make it all possible. Thanks to those who have helped out. Thanks for joining me this week. I'll be back again next week with another hour of crime on Case Closed.