Yours Truly, Johnny Dollar: The Deadly Doubt Matter 01/11/1959

Summary

Podcast Summary

Podcast: Choice Classic Radio Detectives | Old Time Radio
Episode: Yours Truly, Johnny Dollar: The Deadly Doubt Matter (01/11/1959)
Release Date: August 18, 2025
Host: Choice Classic Radio

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Episode Overview

This episode features a suspenseful detective story from the golden age of radio, starring Bob Bailey as insurance investigator Johnny Dollar. "The Deadly Doubt Matter" immerses listeners in a late-night murder mystery: Johnny Dollar is roused by an impromptu phone call from a distressed woman who fears she may have killed a man. As the investigation unfolds, Johnny must navigate conflicting accounts, suspicious alibis, and New York’s underworld to uncover the truth.

Tone: Noir, hard-boiled, classic detective—clever, world-weary, yet compassionate.

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Key Discussion Points & Story Progression

1. The Midnight Call & Emergency ([00:47])

• Carol Carson calls Johnny Dollar, shaken past midnight.
  • Carol: "I think I've just killed him, Mr. Dollar." (01:28)
• Johnny rushes to Everett Reed’s apartment; Carol is dazed and confused.
  • Finds a dead man (Everett Reed), Carol unsure of her involvement.
  • Johnny (to Carol): "Come on now, get hold of yourself, girl." (03:11)

2. Piecing Together a Foggy Night ([03:28])

• Carol tries to recall the evening:
  • She drank with Reed, felt dizzy, wandered the streets, apparently followed by a man named Tom.
  • Recalls only fragments—cup of coffee under a neon sign, a man with "curly hair, dark eyes." (05:43)
  • Carol: "It seemed like a long time, but… my head was spinning and everything was pretty hazy." (05:05)

3. Investigation & Conflicting Evidence ([06:21])

• Johnny involves Detective Lieutenant Mike Tovich.
  • Checks Carol’s story: she was at a bar for only a minute, leaving much time unaccounted.
  • Tovich, skeptical: "So she’s covered for one minute out of two hours." (07:54)
• Johnny calls his insurance contact, secures official involvement.
• Larry Bowman (Carol’s fiancé) tries to fake an alibi for her but gets caught in the lie.

4. Motives, Suspects, Dead Ends ([09:54])

• Focus shifts to Reed’s recent gambling winnings.
  • Potential suspects include gamblers like Jack Vissel—quickly dismissed.
  • Johnny’s hunch: a debt-related motive.

5. Break in the Case: Tom Appears ([14:38])

• Johnny, exhausted, is approached by Tom, the man who followed Carol.
  • Tom: "I'm the guy you've been looking for. My name’s Tom… I'm her alibi." (15:08)
  • Tom verifies Carol's story: with her for at least an hour, covering the probable time of death.

6. The Scene Unravels / The Real Killer ([17:14])

• Johnny shadows Carol as she returns home—sees Tom follow her.
• Inside, Johnny catches Carol handing money to Tom, who’s extorting her for the alibi.
  • Tom (attempting a bribe): "Cut yourself in on the pie." (17:55)
• Larry Bowman bursts in, tries to kill Tom, is stopped by Johnny.
  • Johnny reveals Larry as the actual murderer ("Larry Bowman's the killer." 18:51).

7. Motive and Clean Up ([18:55])

• Carol explains: Larry was gambling, lost more than he could pay.
• She went to Reed to appeal for him; Reed drugged her drink. In the confusion, Larry killed Reed.
  • Carol, distraught: "How do you figure a thing like that, Johnny. How do you figure it?" (19:57)
• Johnny’s closing: "That’s the trouble with gambling. You push your luck too far, and sooner or later, you’re bound to lose." (20:13)

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Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• Carol’s initial fear:
  • "I think I've just killed him, Mr. Dollar." (01:28)
• Johnny, comforting Carol:
  • "Come on now, get hold of yourself, girl." (03:11)
• Lieutenant Tovich, skeptical about alibi:
  • "So she’s covered for one minute out of two hours." (07:54)
• Tom, stepping forward:
  • "I'm her alibi." (15:08)
• Tom, revealed as blackmailer:
  • "Cut yourself in on the pie, I’m willing to have a partner." (17:55)
• Final reflection on crime and fate:
  • "You push your luck too far, and sooner or later, you’re bound to lose." (20:13)

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Timestamps of Important Segments

• [00:47] – Carol calls Johnny, admits possible crime.
• [02:43] – Johnny arrives at crime scene.
• [03:28] – Carol recounts foggy timeline.
• [06:21] – Lieutenant Tovich begins questioning.
• [14:38] – Johnny meets Tom, gains key alibi.
• [17:14] – Confrontation and reveal of the true killer.
• [18:55] – Carol reveals motive; case closed.

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Conclusion

A classic tale of misdirection and uncertainty, this episode captures what made "Yours Truly, Johnny Dollar" so enduring: a sharp-witted investigator, sympathetic suspects, and a twist that upends assumptions. The episode masterfully builds suspense as Johnny pieces together a night shrouded in doubt, ultimately uncovering betrayal close to home. The language and banter are unmistakably noir, filled with tension and empathy—an exemplary entry in golden age radio detective drama.

Transcript

[A]

Your message amplified. Ready to share your message with the world? Start your podcast Journey with Podbean. Podbean. Podbean. PodBean. PodBean, the AI powered all in one podcast platform. Thousands of businesses and enterprises trust Podbean to launch their podcasts. Launch your podcast on podbean today. My school uses Podbean. My church too. I love it. I really do. 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 [e-mail] Johnny Dollar.

[B]

This is Carol Carson, Mr. Dollar. Oh, you don't know me and I'm sorry to be calling so late.

[A]

What time is it anyway?

[B]

About 1am A friend of yours, Mr. Ralston, mentioned your name to me yesterday.

[A]

What? Ralston.

[B]

He said you were here in New York for the weekend and mentioned your hotel.

[A]

Look, Ms. Carson is in.

[B]

Yes, Carol Carson.

[A]

Yeah, it's nice talking to you and all that, but it is rather late.

[B]

I realized what had happened. A few moments ago you were the first person I thought of. Maybe you can help me, Mr. Dollar, I need help.

[A]

What's the trouble?

[B]

I'm at the apartment of Everett reed on East 67th. Could you come over?

[A]

Any particular reason?

[B]

Yes. I think I've just killed him. Mr. Dollar.

[A]

I'll be right over. Bob Bailey in the exciting adventures of the man with the action packed expense account. America's fabulous freelance insurance investigator. Yours truly. And now act one of yours truly, Johnny Dollar. Expense accounts 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 de doubt matter expense account item $180 cab from my hotel to the apartment of Everett reed on East 67th. Carol Carson was waiting for me at the door. She looked sort of dazed as she pointed to a body on the floor.

[B]

He's dead, Mr. Dollar.

[A]

Everett read I'd see one.

[B]

Yes, this is his apartment.

[A]

You said over the phone you thought you'd kill him. Well, he's dead all right.

[B]

That's not what I meant. I meant I thought I was the one who killed him. I'm not sure. Oh, I.

[A]

Oh, I don't know.

[B]

Doesn't seem to matter. He's dead. I guess that's all that matters. He's dead.

[A]

Come on now, get hold of yourself, girl.

[B]

Sorry. I guess I'm not making much sense. I feel sort of funny. Lightheaded.

[A]

All right. Yeah. Let us sit down.

[B]

Thanks.

[A]

Now, why don't you start at the beginning?

[B]

All right. I came to see everett tonight. About 11 o'. Clock.

[A]

I guess he was a friend of yours.

[B]

No, he sent for me. I had to come.

[A]

Mind telling me why?

[B]

He insisted that I have a drink with him. Then I started to feel funny.

[A]

How so?

[B]

Dizzy. I had to get some air.

[A]

You think there was something in the drink?

[B]

There must have been. He didn't want me to leave, but I had to.

[A]

What time was that?

[B]

11:30, I think. A little before, maybe.

[A]

Go on.

[B]

I wandered around the street. I was in kind of a daze.

[A]

How long were you wandering around?

[B]

It seemed like a long time.

[A]

Then what?

[B]

I came back here to the apartment. I had a terrible headache. I remember walking in the door and. Well, that's all.

[A]

That's all? What do you mean, that's all?

[B]

That's all I remember. I must have passed out. When I came to, I was lying on the floor and that gun was near my hand. In front of me was. That's when I called you.

[A]

That's all you can tell me?

[B]

I'm afraid so. It isn't much, is it? Sure isn't, Mr. Dollar. I can't believe I killed him. I couldn't have.

[A]

Now, look, Carol. You say you left this apartment a little before 11:30. The Police Medical examiner will be able to tell the approximate time of death. If you weren't here at that time.

[B]

That's just it, Mr. Dallow. I don't know how long I was on the streets. It seemed like a long time, but. Well, my head was spinning and everything was pretty hazy.

[A]

Well, you gotta remember where you went. Try to think.

[B]

It's no good. I. Wait, Cottie. A cup of coffee.

[A]

You stopped somewhere for a cup of coffee?

[B]

I think so.

[A]

Where?

[B]

I remember a neon sign on 3rd Avenue.

[A]

Oh, you gotta do better than that.

[B]

That's all I remember.

[A]

Did you talk to anyone while you were walking around?

[B]

I don't. Yes. Yes. Somebody was following me, I think. A man. He was following me for quite a while. He told me his name. Ted? No. Tom. Yes, it was Tom.

[A]

What'd he look like?

[B]

Curly hair. I remember that. Dark eyes.

[A]

Oh, look. That description fits thousands of guys in New York.

[B]

I know, Mr. Dallas. The whole story. Well, it doesn't sound very convincing, does it?

[A]

I called Detective Lieutenant Mike Tovich of Homicide and he was there 10 minutes later. He was still questioning her when I left. Item 2, $1 drinks for me while I thought about the whole deal. Of all the guys in New York, why did she have to pick on me. But, yeah, I'd do what I could to help her. That story of hers, it sounded so phony, it just might be true. Act two of yours truly, Johnny Dollar. In a moment, yours truly, Johnny Dollar. And the deadly doubt matter. Item 3, $2.20. A telephone call to Pat McCracken at Universal Adjustment Bureau. Yeah? Everett Reed had been insured by one of Universal's member companies. So I got myself officially assigned to the case. Then I went to work picking out Carol Carson's story, what there was of it, and it wasn't much. All she remembered was wandering around the streets, getting a cup of coffee somewhere on 3rd Avenue and being followed by a guy named Tom. I started checking every joint on 3rd Avenue from 60th to 70th Streets. An hour and a half later, I hit pay dirt at Eddie's Bar and Grill. Yeah, Yeah, I think I remember all right. Carson. Carol Carson. Her name don't mean nothing, but from the description you give me. Yeah, sure, I remember now. I remember thinking she looked kind of funny when she walked in. Like she was in daze or something. All right, all right. Now, what time was it when she came in here? I don't know. Two, three hours ago. That's not good enough. Was it 11, 11:30? Midnight? Well, what? Well, maybe around midnight. Maybe. What's wrong? Yeah. You sure about that? As far as I can remember. I kind of remember somebody in the doorway after she come in, but I didn't know if there was somebody with her or not. What happened then? So she asked for a cup of coffee, so I poured it and set it down in front of her. So she left. She what? Yeah. Nothing left. Still acting sort of funny, I see. How much of a time can you account for that? Huh? I mean, how long was she here in your place? No more than about one minute, Mac. Oh, Gracie, I am for a $80 campbed at police headquarters and Lieutenant Mike Tovich in Homicide. Look, Johnny, you're not trying to tell me I should buy an alibi like Carol Carson's, are you? So it is pretty vague, Mike. Vague enough to be true. At least she was telling the truth about going into that yo on 3rd Avenue for a cup of coffee. So she's covered for one minute out of two hours. Two hours? She said she went to Reed's apartment about 11 o', clock, right? The medical examiner says time of Reed's Death was between 11:30 and 12:30. She called you at 1 o'. Clock. But if she can prove she was out of that apartment for that Hour. She's only proved she was out of it for a minute. Plus the time it took to get to 3rd Avenue and back, say, five minutes each way. That would still give her plenty of time to kill him. But if we could find this guy named Tom she says she was that was following her around, maybe he could prove she was out of the apartment during the time of the murder. Oh, sure, that was a real helpful description. She gave us curly hair and dark eyes. Look, Johnny, so you're taking a liking to her, that's too bad, but don't let it make a fool out of you. Mike, did Carol tell you why she went to Reed's apartment? No. No, she wouldn't talk about it. She also wouldn't explain a lump she has on the side of her head. Lump she has? Yeah, we think she got it fighting with Reed. What do you know about him? Bad boy, a big gambler. And the way we heard, he'd been winning pretty big lately. Podbean. Your message amplified. Ready to share your message with the world? Start your podcast journey with podbean. Podbean, the AI powered all in one podcast platform. Thousands of businesses and enterprises trust Podbean to launch their podcast. Use Podbean to record your podcast. Use PodBean AI to optimize your podcast. Use PodBean AI to turn your blog into a podcast. Use Podbean to distribute your podcast everywhere. Launch your podcast on Podbean today. It's been so long. How have you been? Hello? I'm doing well, Dave. Why are you talking that way? Please say one for a compliment or two for a question. Yeah, this is weird. I think I'm gonna go.

[B]

Talking with an automated phone tree can feel pretty ridicul.

[A]

That's why when you call Pacific Source Health Plans, you'll get a real person to answer all your important questions. Pacific Source Health Plans.

[B]

This is a real person. How can I help you?

[A]

Human service, not automated phone trees. Find a plan@pacificsource members first.com. maybe somebody he won from couldn't pay off, except with a bullet, maybe. Anything, Johnny. Prove it and I'll listen. Who did Reed run around with? You know, usual crowd. Johnny. Jack Vissel, that outfit. Now, if Reed won a lot of money from him. Like I say, Johnny, anything you can prove? Yeah, yeah, come in. Semitovich. That's right. I'm Larry Bowman. I want to know what's going on with Carol Carson. Oh, what's it to you, Mr. Bowman? She's right here saying you better locked up. That's Right. Suspicion of murder. Oh, that's ridiculous. She didn't kill anybody and you know it. Look, Mr. Bowman, if I knew it, she wouldn't be locked up, would she? Now, maybe you can tell us why she went to this Everett Reed's apartment last night. I don't know why she went, and I don't propose to ask her either. I trust the lieutenant. And if she went to see him, she had good reason. But Carol's not the kind who could kill anybody. You must have realized that just talking to her. The main thing that I realize is that my personal opinion is beside the point. Bowman. Look, the thing we need to know is if Carol was away from Reed's apartment for almost an hour and a half like she seems to think she was walking around the streets. Why didn't you say that sooner? I can prove she was. Oh, I was with her. Oh, honey, she didn't mention it. She was probably confused. You sure you're not the one who was confused? Now, look, I tell you, I was with her. Okay? Where were you? On the street. What street? Well, I don't remember. 60 68th Street, I think. That's not the street Carol says she was on. As I say, she was probably confused. Where'd you go to? To a bar. What'd you have to drink? Carol too? Sure, why not? Oh, you're fighting a losing battle, Bowen. Carol says she had a cup of Coffee on 3rd Avenue and that a guy named Tom was following her. Now, listen, you told us enough, Bowman. I can't blame you too much for trying, I guess. But it won't work. You weren't with Carol and you know it. I know she didn't kill him. You mean you hope she didn't when it comes to no one. Right now, every bit of evidence we got says she did. And we've got nothing that says she didn't. Act three of yours truly, Johnny Dollar. In a moment. Yours truly, Johnny Dollar and the deadly doubt matter. Item five. 30 cents, coffee for Larry Bowman and me at a little joint around the corner. Lieutenant, Tobage can talk about evidence until he's blue in the face. Dollar Carol's not a killer. You prove that and Tobage will be the first to listen. But cooking up phony alibis for Carol's not gonna help any. Okay, okay, so it was a stupid thing to do. I can't just stand by and do nothing. Don't you have any other leads you can follow up? One, maybe. Why? What is it? Reed was a gambler. Could be somebody was Losing big show. Carol's my fiance. I know. She doesn't have that kind of money. Anyway, she doesn't gamble. I wasn't thinking about Carol. Who then? Jack Vissel, for instance. We found out Reed's been seen with Vissel several times lately. Well, you gotta question him about it. I may as well. After all, at this point, we got nothing to lose. You're barking up a wrong tree, $. What reason would I have to kill Reed? Could be a real good reason, Thistle. Maybe you lost money to him gambling. Some nights you win, some nights you lose. So maybe you lost four nights and you won't. So maybe you owe Reed some money. Oh, that could be the motive. Look, dollar, why don't you take your crazy theory someplace else? Yeah, I owed Reed money. I owed him all at 2 bits. Now, is that enough to bump him off? So I started making the rounds along 3rd Avenue again. But I got nowhere. Nobody remembered seeing her. And nobody remembered the guy named Tom. The one she told me had been following her. Two hours later, I gave up. I was beat. I went back to my room and flopped on the bed. Yeah? Okay. Okay. Yeah. Johnny Teller? That's right. Who are you? I'm the guy you've been looking for. What? My name's Tom. I ring a bell? It sure does. Are you the one who was walking around the streets with Carol Carson? That's right. I'm her alibi. So I bust my neck trying to find you, and it ends up with you finding me. Well, I've read in the papers it looked bad for Carol. Unless they found the guy who was with her. You didn't show up any too soon. Believe me, brother. How long were you with her? Oh, I figure at least an hour. I kept following her, and once in a while she'd stop and talk, but she seemed kind of dazed. Apparently, Reed put something in her drink. Anyway, I finally gave up. I figured if it was that tough to get acquainted, what's the use? But you're willing to swear you were with her for an hour? Why, at least from around 11:30 to after 12:30. That clears her. Come on. Item six of $80 camphor to headquarters. Tom repeated a statement, and Carol identified Tom as the man who'd been following her. So it looked like it was all over.

[B]

I. I guess I'll never be able to thank you enough, Johnny. Well, if it hadn't been for you.

[A]

Well, let's just say I'm the stubborn type. Carol, once I believed your story, I had to follow through on it.

[B]

It's hard to realize I'm free. It's been like a bad dream.

[A]

I'll bet Larry Bowman's glad it's over, too. Have you called him yet?

[B]

No. I'll call him from my apartment. Johnny, all I can say is thanks again.

[A]

Carol took a cab to her apartment. I started back into the building. And then out of the corner of my eye, I spotted another cab pulling away from the curb, following Carol's. And it was Tom. I figured I'd better join that procession. I tagged along to Carol's apartment. Inside, I could hear voices. The door was unlocked. Carol was in the process of handing over some money. Tom.

[B]

Johnny.

[A]

Yeah. Looks like I got here just in time to witness the payoff. So you bought yourself an alibi. Carol.

[B]

No.

[A]

Look, darling, you better stay out of it. Carol, I gotta hand it to you. You really had me fooled.

[B]

You don't understand.

[A]

Johnny, don't be a sucker. $Cut yourself in on the pie, I'm willing to have a partner. What are you talking about? Last night, when I followed Carol back to Reed's apartment, just as I was leaving, I spotted somebody coming down the fire escape. I followed him, found who he was and where he lived. Then when the story came out in the papers, I realized I knew who the killer was. I figured I could make some dough out of it. But not as long as Carol was in jail.

[B]

Johnny, Just now, when he wanted money to keep him from telling the police, I. Well, I didn't know what to do. I thought if I gave him what I had, it would keep him satisfied until I could figure out Larry. No. No.

[A]

Spun around, but it was too late. Open door. It struck Larry's arm. Deflected his shot. Before he could shoot again, I nailed him.

[B]

Johnny, are you all right? Yeah.

[A]

Larry Bowman's the killer.

[B]

I guess I was afraid of that right from the start. You see, Larry's been gambling with Reed and losing to him. I tried to make him stop, but he wouldn't. Finally lost more than he could pay.

[A]

So you went to Reed's apartment to try and square it, huh?

[B]

Reid told me maybe something could be worked out. When he put something in my drink, I realized what he meant. That's why I got out.

[A]

And Larry entered the apartment when you were away, killed Reed, slugged you when you came back and planted a gun on you?

[B]

I guess so. I wasn't sure until Tom told me he'd seen Larry climb down that fire escape first. I just. I just couldn't believe that Larry would. How do you figure a thing like that, Johnny. How do you figure it?

[A]

I didn't try to answer that one because I didn't have an answer. It just isn't any item 8, $13.40 incidentals and transportation back to Hartford. Expense account total $41 even. Yeah, Larry Bowman's gambling was a big fat mistake. First with Everett Reed and then trying to frame Carroll. I guess that's the trouble with gambling. You push your luck too far, and sooner or later, you're bound to lose. Yours truly, Johnny Duff. Our star will return in just a moment. Now here is our star to tell you about next week's story. Next week, a doting dolager who sets me out on the wildest case I ever handled. Join us, won't you? Yours truly, Johnny Dollar. Yours truly, Johnny Dollar. Salute. Station KRMG in Tulsa, Oklahoma. KRMG is our newest affiliate station and serves nearly a million families in the Southwest. Yours truly, Johnny Dollar, starring Bob Bailey. Is produced and directed by Jack Johnstone. Today's story was written by Robert Stanley Heard in the cast were Virginia Gregg, Julius Matthews, Paul Duboff, James McCallion, Alan Reed and Frank Gerstel. Join us next week for another exciting story of Yours truly, Johnny Dollar. This is Dan Coverley speaking.