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Johnny Dollar
Welcome to Choice Classic Radio where we bring to you the greatest old time radio shows like us on Facebook. Subscribe to us on YouTube and thank you for donating@ChoiceClassicRadio.com. Johnny Teller.
Pat McCracken
Yeah.
Johnny Dollar
What?
Pat McCracken
I said yeah.
Johnny Dollar
What's that supposed to mean? And who are you?
Pat McCracken
Oh, Johnny, this is Pat McCracken at Universal Adjustment Bureau.
Johnny Dollar
Well, hi, Pat. But what's with the crazy dialogue?
Pat McCracken
Oh, that word, that.
Johnny Dollar
Yeah.
Pat McCracken
Was most of the conversation I got from some crazy character who just called in.
Johnny Dollar
I'm afraid I don't dig you.
Pat McCracken
Oh, he called about five minutes ago. Said he'd been trying to reach you, but he got no answer.
Johnny Dollar
I was out picking up a morning paper. Who was he, Pat?
Pat McCracken
He wouldn't say. He just gave his phone number.
Johnny Dollar
Wait a minute. There's only one man in the world talks like that.
Smokey Sullivan
Yeah?
Johnny Dollar
Yeah. Was the call from San Francisco?
Pat McCracken
No, no. Oh, Los Angeles.
Johnny Dollar
Well, then maybe I was. Oh. Because the man I was thinking of. Wait a minute.
Pat McCracken
Yes, yes, I'm waiting, John.
Johnny Dollar
Tell me just one thing, Pat. Well, have any of your insurance companies been having to pay off on any big fires lately? I mean, out in Los Angeles on any fires. You'd better start checking with those companies out there.
Pat McCracken
Oh, wait a minute.
Johnny Dollar
Do it, Pat, and I'll lay odds that you get a handful of arson reports.
Pat McCracken
Arse.
Johnny Dollar
Yes, Johnny.
Pat McCracken
Just because some silly guy calls up and all he says is yeah.
Johnny Dollar
Hey, let me have that phone number he gave you.
Pat McCracken
Oh, Johnny, come on.
Johnny Dollar
Come on, Pat. What is it?
Pat McCracken
Hollywood 83142.
Johnny Dollar
Okay, now you go ahead and check with your west coast insurance company, Johnny. And get ready to pay my expense account to Los Angeles.
Pat McCracken
Are you kidding? Are you trying to tell me that the way some jerk says yeah means arson on the West Coast? Now, don't be silly.
Johnny Dollar
You want to bet?
Pat McCracken
Oh, John.
Johnny Dollar
Pat, I'll call you back.
Narrator / Announcer (possibly Dan Coverley)
CBS radio brings you Bob. Bob Bailey. In the exciting adventures of the man with the action packed expense account. America's fabulous freelance insurance investigator, yours truly, Johnny Duller.
Commercial Announcer
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Narrator / Announcer (possibly Dan Coverley)
And now, act one of yours truly, Johnny Doll.
Johnny Dollar
Expense account submitted by special investigator Johnny Dollar to the Universal Adjustment Bureau home office, Hartford, Connecticut. Following is an account of expenses Incurred during my investigation of the Burning Desire matter. Yeah. As I told Pat McCracken, There was only one person I knew whose conversation might consist mostly of that one word. So. Expense account item 250 for a phone call to Hollywood 83142.
Narrator / Announcer (possibly Dan Coverley)
Hello?
Johnny Dollar
Hello?
Smokey Sullivan
Yeah.
Johnny Dollar
Yeah, I thought so. Yeah, Smokey Sullivan. Well, Smokey, this is Johnny Dollar.
Smokey Sullivan
Yeah.
Johnny Dollar
Hey, you tried to call me here in Hartford. I was out. You called Universal Adjustment Bureau? I got the message. Here I am.
Smokey Sullivan
Yeah, Johnny only.
Johnny Dollar
What are you doing in la? Last time I saw you was in San Francisco.
Smokey Sullivan
Got a job here, Johnny. Legit.
Johnny Dollar
Hey, that's the stuff. Pays off too, doesn't it? Yeah.
Smokey Sullivan
You're my friend, Johnny. You've done a lot for me. So when I got a chance to help you.
Johnny Dollar
Well, there's something doing out there, Smokey, that I ought to know about.
Smokey Sullivan
A bunch of fires, Johnny.
Johnny Dollar
Arson, huh?
Smokey Sullivan
Yeah.
Johnny Dollar
Is there insurance involved?
Smokey Sullivan
Why else? Anybody use a torch?
Johnny Dollar
Yeah, you got a point there. But do you have any lead on whoever is behind the fires?
Smokey Sullivan
Yeah, so you better come out here, Johnny.
Johnny Dollar
Okay, the first plane I can get. Where'll I find you?
Smokey Sullivan
322 South Equity Avenue.
Johnny Dollar
South Equity. Okay, Smokey, I'll be there.
Smokey Sullivan
Yeah.
Johnny Dollar
Aha. Now I'll call to Pat McCracken, pack my bag and Johnny Dollar.
Pat McCracken
Oh, Johnny, thank goodness.
Bertha Fletcher / Landlady
Pat.
Johnny Dollar
Yes, I just about to pack up.
Pat McCracken
And why did you ever get off that phone of yours?
Johnny Dollar
I was talking to the guy who tele.
Pat McCracken
Listen to me, Johnny, you were right. Only reason that nobody smelled a rat is because a different insurance company was stuck with each of those fires out there. So until I called him to give me a report. Oh, and listen.
Johnny Dollar
I'm listening, Brad.
Pat McCracken
According to the LA police, every one of them could have been arson.
Johnny Dollar
Okay, I'll grab the first seven of
Pat McCracken
them in a row. Johnny, that we know about so far. I mean, I haven't got the reports in yet from all the companies. And I'm also waiting for another report from the police. Now, Johnny. Johnny, Your best contact officer.
Johnny Dollar
That I've already got.
Pat McCracken
What?
Johnny Dollar
Yeah.
Pat McCracken
You mean that character who called us up?
Mickey Fortina
Yeah.
Pat McCracken
Look, will you please tell me who is he?
Johnny Dollar
What does he know about this Universal Adjustment? Putting the old expense account on this. Yes, of course. Then I'll give it all to you in the usual report. See you. Sorry, Pat, I gotta catch a plane. Expense Account, Item 2. $162.85 Plane Ticket from Hartford to Los Angeles. Thanks to the time differential, it was only shortly after dark when the big mainliner sat down at the LA International Airport. Item 3, 750 for a cab to Smokey's address. It was hardly Beverly Hills or Bel air, believe me. 322South Equity was in a beat up part of a downtown industrial section. A weather beaten three story house with a sign out front that said Borders by the week of month.
Bertha Fletcher / Landlady
Yeah? Who are you?
Johnny Dollar
Well, my name is just.
Bertha Fletcher / Landlady
What's a fancy dresser like you want around a place like this, huh?
Johnny Dollar
Well, I'm looking for a man by the name of Smokey Sullivan. I understand he lives here.
Bertha Fletcher / Landlady
That's right. Are you. Are you the man he said he was expecting?
Johnny Dollar
That's right. My name is Johnny Duller.
Bertha Fletcher / Landlady
Well, he didn't tell me what the name was, but if you're sure he was expect.
Johnny Dollar
I'm sure. Now where is his room?
Bertha Fletcher / Landlady
Now I don't know.
Johnny Dollar
Where is his room, please?
Bertha Fletcher / Landlady
Well, it's up on the second floor. It's just to the right after you get up the stairs.
Johnny Dollar
Okay, thank you very much.
Bertha Fletcher / Landlady
Well, now maybe you better watch.
Johnny Dollar
All right, I'll find it. Thanks a lot.
Bertha Fletcher / Landlady
No, what I mean is I thought you'd already come on me. What I mean is.
Johnny Dollar
Smokey. Hey, smokey. It's johnny dollar. Huh? What was that? Smokey. Now what's all the re. Oh no. Smokey, can you hear me? Who did this? Are you? Good lord. Smokey had really had it. Whoever beaten him up probably would have killed him if I hadn't come along and scared him away. I looked out of the broken window, but of course was too late to see who'd done this. Meantime, the landlady appeared and I had to get me some towels in a basin of cold water.
Bertha Fletcher / Landlady
Here you are, mister.
Johnny Dollar
Oh, good. Thanks. Thanks a lot.
Bertha Fletcher / Landlady
Somebody sure lays into him, I'll say that. You ask me to wonder if he stays alive.
Johnny Dollar
He'll be all right. He'd better be.
Bertha Fletcher / Landlady
You're lucky you come along to see him is all I got to say.
Johnny Dollar
Yeah, you better give me a couple more towels and maybe another basin of water.
Bertha Fletcher / Landlady
No, wait.
Johnny Dollar
What?
Bertha Fletcher / Landlady
You won't need him, mister. I got a much better idea if I can find it.
Johnny Dollar
Hey, Smokey,
Bertha Fletcher / Landlady
to find that bottle. Well, here it is. Yes, sir. This here will fix him up.
Johnny Dollar
Smokey, can you hear me?
Bertha Fletcher / Landlady
Chim up quicker than the wing.
Johnny Dollar
It's Johnny. Johnny Dollar.
Bertha Fletcher / Landlady
Here. Now mister, you just pour a slug of this down his gullet and see if it don't bring him to, huh?
Johnny Dollar
Oh yeah, good idea. Let me have that.
Bertha Fletcher / Landlady
Oh, he's here. Real genuine California cognac. It is.
Johnny Dollar
And soak up another towel for me, would you, please?
Bertha Fletcher / Landlady
Sure will, mister.
Johnny Dollar
All right. Here now, Smokey. Here. See if you can get down some of this. Easy now.
Smokey Sullivan
That's it.
Johnny Dollar
Atta boy.
Mickey Fortina
Really. Yeah.
Johnny Dollar
A little more of this. Here.
Bertha Fletcher / Landlady
Here. You know, before you come up here. Mistress, I tried to tell you.
Johnny Dollar
Easy now, Smoky.
Bertha Fletcher / Landlady
Yeah? I tried to tell you. I thought that other man that come up here to see him was the one he was expecting. Here, now, here's his fresh towel.
Smokey Sullivan
Thanks.
Johnny Dollar
Did you say other man?
Bertha Fletcher / Landlady
That's right. Come in just before you.
Johnny Dollar
Did you know him? Who?
Smokey Sullivan
He was the chimp. What?
Johnny Dollar
What's Mohi?
Smokey Sullivan
The chimp. That's who it was. The chimp. Yeah. Strong arm for Mickey Fortina.
Johnny Dollar
Who's Mickey Fortina?
Mickey Fortina
He.
Smokey Sullivan
He's the one.
Johnny Dollar
Oh, now, look. Look, Smokey, maybe you'd better wait until you feel better.
Bertha Fletcher / Landlady
You and I should get a doctor.
Smokey Sullivan
Oh, now, listen, Johnny.
Johnny Dollar
Yeah?
Smokey Sullivan
Unless you stop, there's gonna be a lot more fires around here.
Bertha Fletcher / Landlady
Fires? That's what he said.
Johnny Dollar
Just don't Worry about it, Mrs. Miss.
Bertha Fletcher / Landlady
Fletcher. Bertha Fletcher. That's my Johnny.
Smokey Sullivan
Johnny, listen.
Johnny Dollar
Okay, Mrs. Fletcher.
Narrator / Announcer (possibly Dan Coverley)
You.
Johnny Dollar
You go along. I'll take care of him.
Bertha Fletcher / Landlady
Oh, well, now, I. I don't know. You sure I hadn't better get a doctor?
Johnny Dollar
No, no, no. I'll take him to a hotel.
Bertha Fletcher / Landlady
In his condition. I'll look after him.
Johnny Dollar
Now, you go downstairs and get me a cab.
Bertha Fletcher / Landlady
I don't know why.
Johnny Dollar
Here's a 10 spot for your trouble and this bottle of brandy.
Bertha Fletcher / Landlady
Oh. Oh, well, thanks. You're a gem.
Johnny Dollar
Go ahead, please.
Bertha Fletcher / Landlady
Oh, yes, sir. Anything you say.
Smokey Sullivan
Charlie.
Johnny Dollar
Yeah?
Smokey Sullivan
You gotta listen to me.
Johnny Dollar
Yeah, go ahead.
Smokey Sullivan
You had come up the stairs, scared him off. The chip might have killed me.
Johnny Dollar
Well, he won't get to you again. I'm gonna take you out of this place.
Smokey Sullivan
Somebody must have tipped off Mickey Fortita. Must have known I put in that call to you. So listen, Johnny.
Johnny Dollar
Later, Smokey. After I get you out of here. Item 4, the 10 bucks to Ms. Fletcher. Item 5, a buck and a half for a cab to the Statler Hotel, where I had to show my credentials to the room clerk to get a bed for the somewhat mangled smokey Sullivan. Item 6. $15 to the doctor who came up to the room. And I must admit, got him back in a pretty good shape. Then when the doctor had left us.
Smokey Sullivan
Yeah, Johnny, all those fires, big insurance, all of them set.
Johnny Dollar
Seven of them in a row. So that means by one fireball. This Mickey Fortina you mentioned, huh?
Smokey Sullivan
No, Johnny. Mickey's too smart for that.
Johnny Dollar
What?
Smokey Sullivan
All set by different guys. I don't know who they are, but I see no remains. And the police ain't sure, but I know there was arson.
Johnny Dollar
Who's Mickey Fortina?
Smokey Sullivan
He's a go between. I seen this happen before. Yeah, Frisco, Seattle, in Denver, a lot of places. He brings in a lot of boys of his own. Everyone got a different way of setting
Johnny Dollar
the blade so the cops can't tie it up with any local boy whose methods they know. Yeah, 14 is a go between.
Smokey Sullivan
He makes the deal with whoever wants
Johnny Dollar
a fire and the police aren't onto him.
Smokey Sullivan
What for? He never set a fire himself.
Johnny Dollar
Well, I know, but he's the guy
Smokey Sullivan
that at that time the arson squad is in. The guy who done it is far away. So there's no witness can prove 14 has set up the deal.
Johnny Dollar
And the police have never been able to put the squeeze on whoever made
Smokey Sullivan
the deal for a fire and get sent up for it for being accessory or whatever you call it.
Johnny Dollar
Oh, yeah, I see what you mean.
Smokey Sullivan
Yeah, Fortina sent from me when he found out I was here in la. I. I used to know him.
Johnny Dollar
Johnny wanted you to be a torch for him, huh?
Smokey Sullivan
He just asked if I wanted to work for him. And he knew that I knew what he meant.
Johnny Dollar
But if you knew that Fortina was operating here, Smokey, how could I prove it?
Smokey Sullivan
How can I prove it now?
Johnny Dollar
Maybe I can.
Smokey Sullivan
But if he finds out I sent
Johnny Dollar
for you, Johnny, it looks to me like he already has.
Smokey Sullivan
Oh, yeah?
Johnny Dollar
All right then. If somebody who wants a fire can get to Mickey Fortina, there must be some way I can at his office. His what?
Smokey Sullivan
At his office, every night. 1025 South Spring.
Johnny Dollar
He has an office for a racket like this.
Smokey Sullivan
Why, you'd never know it. You'll see.
Johnny Dollar
Yeah, I think I'd better see. Hey, Smokey.
Mickey Fortina
You.
Johnny Dollar
Who's that?
Smokey Sullivan
You got a gun, Johnny?
Johnny Dollar
Right here and ready. Open up in there.
Smokey Sullivan
This is the police.
Johnny Dollar
Police, huh?
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Johnny Dollar
Wow. Surprise. It is. The police room clerk reported a man was brought in here. Johnny. Pat. Pat Nichols.
Narrator / Announcer (possibly Dan Coverley)
Sergeant Nichols.
Mickey Fortina
Now, Johnny.
Johnny Dollar
Good, good. How are you, boy? Now wait, wait a minute. Is this the man you brought in here? Smokey Sullivan?
Smokey Sullivan
Listen, Officer, I. Johnny, you think maybe
Johnny Dollar
Smokey is tied in with this string of fires out here?
Smokey Sullivan
No, no. Tell him, Johnny.
Johnny Dollar
No, no, no, you. You tell him, Smokey. Anything you want. Well, no, no, no.
Smokey Sullivan
Look, you know I'm. I'm no good at talking to a cop.
Johnny Dollar
Well, give it a try. And Pat, be sure you stick around to keep an eye on him. What? Smokey may need a bodyguard. You, huh? Yeah, until after I made a little business call.
Smokey Sullivan
Johnny.
Johnny Dollar
Now look, if you're out here because of those fires. Did I say I was? I didn't tell him anything like that, did I, Smokey?
Smokey Sullivan
No, Johnny, and I see what you mean.
Johnny Dollar
Now listen, just stick around, Pat. I'll see you later. If I had told Pat where I was going, he might have wanted to come along. And a man in the uniform would hardly have helped in the plan I had for trapping Mickey Fortina. But you know something? Going over to see him alone was a big mistake. One I almost didn't live to regret.
Narrator / Announcer (possibly Dan Coverley)
We'll bring you act two of yours truly, Johnny Dollar in exactly one minute.
Johnny Dollar
Here's Hollywood star Mona Freeman, who feels
Bertha Fletcher / Landlady
like acting with a miserable cold. I relieved cold distress the fast way with four way cold tablets.
Johnny Dollar
Yes, tests of all the leading cold tablets proved four way fastest acting amazing. Four way starts in minutes to relieve muscular pains and headache, reduce fever, calm upset stomach. Also overcomes irregularity when a cold strikes.
Bertha Fletcher / Landlady
Do what I do. Take four way cold tablets. It's the fast way to relieve nasty cold distress and feel better quickly.
Johnny Dollar
Four way only 29 cents.
Narrator / Announcer (possibly Dan Coverley)
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Johnny Dollar
My plan for trapping Mickey Fortino was a very simple one. I'd make like a property owner who was anxious to collect some fire insurance. Who was willing to pay in advance to make sure my property went up in flames. Easy. Or so I thought. Item 7, 85 cents per cab to the office building at 1025 South Springs. The only lights on were in suite B on the second floor. According to the directory in the lobby, that was the office of the Fortina Friendly Loan Company. Loan office, huh?
Bertha Fletcher / Landlady
Yes, sir. Can I help you?
Johnny Dollar
Yeah, I'd like to see Mr. Fortina.
Bertha Fletcher / Landlady
You got an appointment?
Johnny Dollar
No, but I'd like to make a little deal with him.
Bertha Fletcher / Landlady
Can I have your name, mister?
Johnny Dollar
It's Morris. Theodore Morris.
Bertha Fletcher / Landlady
Just a minute, huh? Excuse me.
Johnny Dollar
Yeah, sure.
Bertha Fletcher / Landlady
Man says his name is Morris. Wants to see you, Mick.
Mickey Fortina
Oh, hey, listen, has a chimp come back yet?
Bertha Fletcher / Landlady
No. And he said he was going to send Husky over there.
Mickey Fortina
Husky?
Johnny Dollar
Why?
Bertha Fletcher / Landlady
What chimp? Said he was afraid if he showed up at that hotel.
Mickey Fortina
Careful. Careful what you say. Close the door.
Bertha Fletcher / Landlady
Sure.
Johnny Dollar
The chimpanzee. And somebody was going over to the hotel. That can mean only for one thing. To get Smokey Sullivan. I carefully edged over closer to the door of Mickey's office, hoping I could hear more.
Smokey Sullivan
It was too thick.
Johnny Dollar
And it suddenly dawned on me. If they knew I was the one who put Smokey in that hotel, they probably also knew why I'd come here. There was only one way to make sure. I'd have to go through, or at least try to go through with a bluff I planned.
Mickey Fortina
Oh, sorry to kept you waiting, Mr. Morris, is it?
Johnny Dollar
Yeah, that's right, Mr. Fortina. Ted Morris.
Mickey Fortina
Oh, Mary, when the. When he gets you, send him in.
Bertha Fletcher / Landlady
Sure, Vic.
Mickey Fortina
Come in. Please. Sit down.
Johnny Dollar
Yeah, surely. Thanks a lot.
Bertha Fletcher / Landlady
All right.
Johnny Dollar
I'll get right to the point, Mr. Fortina.
Mickey Fortina
Oh, by all means do, Mr. Morris.
Johnny Dollar
Well, I own a big shoe store over on North La Brea. Well, business has been pretty bad lately. I've been losing a lot of money, too. Too much stock on hand, big inventory. And hardest.
Mickey Fortina
Well, if it's good merchandise, I see no reason why we can't arrange A loan for you.
Johnny Dollar
A loan?
Mickey Fortina
Of course. What else?
Johnny Dollar
Well, listen, I carry a lot of insurance on not only the stock, but the building too.
Mickey Fortina
Oh, how much, Mr. Morris?
Johnny Dollar
Well, it adds up to over 185,000.
Mickey Fortina
I see. It's very commendable. But why do you tell me about this insurance?
Johnny Dollar
I said I'd get to the point. Now, listen, if that place was to burn up some night, the whole works. I'd collect a lot of money on it, all the insurance.
Mickey Fortina
And, of course, be in a position to repay whatever loan I advance to you.
Johnny Dollar
All right, stop beating around the bush. 14. I want that place burned out. Can you fix it?
Mickey Fortina
Mr. Morris, if you want a loan, possibly even a size.
Johnny Dollar
Well, you know what I want. Come on, how about it?
Mickey Fortina
As I said, possibly we can advance it to you.
Johnny Dollar
Now, look, I didn't come up here
Mickey Fortina
today as evidence of your good faith. Your, shall we say, good intentions. Are you prepared to make a down payment on such a loan? Say, $10,000 cash in advance?
Johnny Dollar
What are you talking about? Set the fire, burn the place up so I can collect the insurance and I'll give you 15,000.
Mickey Fortina
Now, just a minute. Who said anything about setting a fire?
Johnny Dollar
I did. Well,
Mickey Fortina
who sent you here? If you said it was a former client, I won't believe.
Johnny Dollar
Oh, look, does it make any difference?
Mickey Fortina
Do you by any chance know a man by the name of Smokey Sullivan?
Johnny Dollar
Sullivan?
Pat McCracken
He knows him all right, Mick.
Johnny Dollar
Well, the chimp.
Smokey Sullivan
Shut up.
Johnny Dollar
Sure. Mick, this is the guy I told you about. I come to see Smokey at his rooming house.
Mickey Fortina
What I left of him. Very interesting.
Johnny Dollar
After I ducked out, I hung around there. I seen him take Smokey in a cab. I followed him to that hotel.
Mickey Fortina
You send Husky over to take care of him?
Johnny Dollar
Sure. And listen. Yeah? I don't know what name this guy gives you, but when he knocks on Smokey's door, He says it's Johnny.
Mickey Fortina
$$ insurance stick.
Johnny Dollar
Yeah, that's right, Mickey.
Mickey Fortina
All right, so maybe I do arrange another fire with you in it. Darla.
Bertha Fletcher / Landlady
Mickey, there's a police car just pulled up in front.
Johnny Dollar
Go ahead, Jim. Yeah. Don't kill this dirty app. All right, now, Fourteener, your turn.
Mickey Fortina
Don't move. Dollar Reach for a gun and I pull this trigger.
Johnny Dollar
I see. Yeah. How are your eyes, Mickey? Can you see in the dark? What, without this lamp in here? Wow. I guess Smokey was right at that. Johnny. Hi, Pat.
Narrator / Announcer (possibly Dan Coverley)
You seem to think you wouldn't need
Johnny Dollar
any help around here.
Smokey Sullivan
You're right, Johnny.
Johnny Dollar
When that strong arm that Husky Castellini came up to the hotel room after him.
Smokey Sullivan
Well, I had to tell him, Johnny. I had to tell him what it was all about.
Johnny Dollar
It's okay, Smokey. It's okay. So we threw Husky and the clink and came over here. Well, I got an admission out of him, Pat. But unless you can get these goons of his to talk, I don't know what you're gonna hold him on after what just happened in here. Johnny will hold him and his goons just as long as we need to.
Narrator / Announcer (possibly Dan Coverley)
And unless they want to take the
Johnny Dollar
whole rap for him, I think they'll talk. Yeah, they talked, all right. And as a result, the police and a couple of nearby states should have no trouble at all in picking up some of the other of Fortina's boys, his hired torches. Funny, isn't it? These stupid jerks just never seem to learn. Expense account total, including hotel bill, plane ticket back to Hartford, and the sizable bit of folding money for Smokey Sullivan. 8, 7, 4, 2, 0. Yours truly, Johnny Dunham. Now, here's a word from our star
Narrator / Announcer (possibly Dan Coverley)
about the Casey handles on next week's program.
Johnny Dollar
Thank you, Daniel. It's called the Hapless Ham Matter. And, yeah, you guessed it, the ham turns out to be an actor, a really bad one, with one of the cleverest methods of committing murder I've ever known. There's a lot of action suspense in the story, and I think you'll like it. Who knows? Maybe if you listen closely, you'll be able to figure out his method even before I do. So join us, won't you? Yours truly, Johnny Dollar.
Narrator / Announcer (possibly Dan Coverley)
Yours truly, Johnny Dollar, starring Bob Bailey. Originates in Hollywood and is written, produced, produced and directed by Jack Johnstone. Heard in our cast were Virginia Gregg, Gene Tatum, Lawrence Dobkin, Vic Perrin, Paul Duboff, Don diamond and Frank Gerstel. Be sure to join us next week, same time and station for another exciting story of yours truly, Johnny Dollar. This is Dan Coverley speaking. Intrigue breeds terror as suspense. This brings a shady moonlight sail. Next on the CBS Radio Network.
Podcast: Choice Classic Radio Detectives | Old Time Radio
Episode Air Date: December 27, 1959 (Original) / March 30, 2026 (Podcast Release)
Host: Choice Classic Radio
Detective: Johnny Dollar (voiced by Bob Bailey)
In this classic episode, freelance insurance investigator Johnny Dollar is called to Los Angeles to investigate a rash of suspicious fires plaguing the city. With insurance companies quietly hemorrhaging money and signs pointing to coordinated arson, Johnny must navigate tough neighborhoods, old underworld contacts, and a web of misdirection to uncover the mastermind behind the crimes. The case is personal, as Dollar’s friend and ex-con Smokey Sullivan becomes a key informant and target.
On Arson Patterns:
On Mickey Fortina’s Modus Operandi:
On Johnny’s Undercover Bluff:
Showdown Threat:
On the Human Cost:
The tone is brisk, wisecracking, and tense—classic hard-boiled detective style. Johnny Dollar lays on the sarcasm and wit, balancing camaraderie with Smokey and the tough love approach to suspects and bureaucrats alike.
Yours Truly, Johnny Dollar: “The Burning Desire Matter” is a fast-paced, dialogue-driven insurance mystery where Johnny Dollar, aided by loyal ex-con Smokey Sullivan, tears through the smoky underworld of Los Angeles. With seven suspicious fires and a mastermind too smart to get his hands dirty, Johnny’s blend of deduction, guts, and street contacts turns a tangled insurance fraud into an open-and-shut case—proving once again why he’s America’s “fabulous freelance insurance investigator.”
End of summary.