Yours Truly, Johnny Dollar: The Hapless Ham Matter 01/03/1960

Summary

Podcast Summary: "Yours Truly, Johnny Dollar: The Hapless Ham Matter" (01/03/1960)

Podcast: Choice Classic Radio Detectives | Old Time Radio
Episode: Yours Truly, Johnny Dollar: The Hapless Ham Matter
Original Air Date: January 3, 1960
Podcast Release Date: April 6, 2026

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Overview

In this classic detective radio episode, Johnny Dollar, the freelance insurance investigator with the “action-packed expense account,” is drawn into a murder case by a frantic call from Walter E. Lynch, who claims his life is in danger. What at first appears to be the ramblings of a crackpot quickly turns deadly serious when Lynch is found murdered. The investigation unravels a complex plot involving family betrayal, inheritance, and a clever attempt at deception—all in the golden age style of radio drama.

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Key Discussion Points & Plot Breakdowns

1. The Urgent Call from Walter E. Lynch

• Walter E. Lynch implores Johnny Dollar to come to Manchester, Connecticut, claiming his life is threatened. He refuses to go into detail or involve the police.
• Lynch's urgency is palpable:

  Lynch: "You must come out here right away, Mr. Dollar. Protect me." (00:30)

2. Johnny Dollar’s Reluctance and Insurance Angle

• Dollar is skeptical and only shows interest once insurance is mentioned:

  Dollar: "Well, isn't that something for the police to handle?" (01:01)
  Lynch: "Why of course there is. My own." (01:07)

• Johnny verifies the existence of Lynch’s policy (Eastern Trust, $50,000, beneficiary: nephew Fred Lynch).

3. Assigning the Case

• Pat McCracken, Johnny's contact, authorizes the investigation at company expense after confirming Lynch’s policy details.
• Notable banter reflects Dollar’s world-weary tone:

  McCracken: “If you would have your telephone number unlisted, you'd save yourself a lot of these nuisance calls.” (05:53)

4. Discovery of Murder

• Upon arriving at Lynch’s address, Dollar finds multiple police cars—Lynch has been stabbed to death.
• Sergeant Beakley confirms:

  Beakley: "He's dead... Murdered." (08:17)

• The murder weapon is described as a long, thin, double-edged blade, which puzzles the doctor on scene.

  Doctor: "Very unusual instrument... Both edges very sharp." (11:18)

5. The Prime Suspect: Fred Lynch

• Motive: Fred, Lynch's nephew, had been cut off from his late mother’s inheritance by his uncle.
• Old neighbor Mr. Halsey provides a timeline:

  Halsey: "He was here this morning. From 9:30 to a few minutes of 10." (13:01)

• Doctor estimates time of death as "about 10 o'clock" (13:14).

6. Alibi Verified—or Is It?

• Johnny Dollar himself was called by “Walter Lynch” at 10:08 a.m., which would seem to provide Fred an alibi since he’d already left.

  Dollar: "He called me on the phone...at exactly 8 minutes after 10." (14:48)

• However, nobody other than Fred is seen visiting the house, prompting tension about how this could be unless someone is lying or the timeline is manipulated.

7. Johnny Dollar’s Breakthrough

• Suspicious, Dollar checks Fred’s New York residence. The room is filled with theatrical memorabilia and costumes.
• Unexpectedly, he’s greeted by a supposed agent, “Jerry Allen,” but quickly takes control and confronts Fred.
• Dollar tricks Fred into performing a theatrical reading, including faking his uncle’s voice over the phone, confirming his suspicion.

  Dollar (to Fred): "Say something like, you must come here right away to protect me." (21:18)
  Fred (imitating Lynch): "You must come here right away to protect me." (21:21)

• This exposes Fred’s plot: after killing his uncle, he used his acting talent to make a call to Dollar, creating a false alibi.

8. The Weapon and Arrest

• Dollar identifies the murder weapon as a prop from Fred’s theatrical costumes:

  Dollar: "Arabian, isn't it? Long, thin blade... from one of your costume plays." (22:11)

• When Fred threatens Dollar, Johnny shoots him in the hand to disarm him.
• Case closed: Fred's attempt at a “perfect crime” failed thanks to Johnny’s sharp instincts and knowledge of show business tricks.

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Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• Walter E. Lynch (urgent & flustered): “What is the matter with you? If my life is in danger, I need your protection.” (01:13)
• Sergeant Beakley (on Lynch’s character): “Not one of the Lynch tribe was any good. Ask me, the town will be glad to see this one out of the way.” (10:52)
• Mr. Halsey (opinionated neighbor): “The theater. That's all he cares about. Theater in New York City. That pit of iniquity.” (12:01)
• Johnny Dollar (epiphany): “Because Walter E. Lynch was still alive after 10 o'clock... Because I myself was talking to him at exactly eight minutes after 10.” (14:47)
• Johnny Dollar (busting Fred):

  “The same voice you faked over the telephone to sound like your uncle. Killed him, left his home... then ran to the bus depot and called me up with that phony voice to make an airtight alibi.” (21:41)

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Timestamps for Key Segments

• 00:17: Lynch’s initial call to Johnny Dollar
• 04:58: Confirming the insurance policy and decision to investigate
• 07:51: Arrival and discovery of murder
• 11:14: Doctor’s report on the unusual knife
• 13:01: Halsey establishes Fred’s timeline
• 14:47: Johnny Dollar deduces the alibi is fake
• 16:24: Act Two opens; investigation focuses on the alibi
• 18:00: Dollar enters Fred’s New York residence
• 21:18–21:42: Fred is tricked into revealing how he faked his uncle’s voice for the call

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Episode Tone & Style

The episode exudes classic hardboiled detective energy, peppered with dry wit, period-accurate banter, and clever deductions. The sound design and character voices evoke the “golden age of radio,” while the plot highlights Johnny Dollar’s skills as a wry, relentless investigator.

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Final Thoughts

"The Hapless Ham Matter" showcases the unique flavor of "Yours Truly, Johnny Dollar"—where insurance investigations lead to mystery, danger, and unexpected theatricality. The clever use of voice acting as the murderer's tool and the layered character dynamics between Johnny, the police, and the suspects make for a tightly woven, entertaining detective story.

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If you love classic radio detective stories, this episode is a pitch-perfect example of the genre’s charm and inventiveness.

Transcript

[Choice Classic Radio Announcer]

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]

Johnny Dollar, Duller.

[Walter E. Lynch]

The investigator?

[Johnny Dollar]

That's right. Insurance investigator.

[Walter E. Lynch]

Then you're the man I want the man I need immediately.

[Johnny Dollar]

Well, it just happens I'm late for an appointment. Mister. Mister. What did you say your name is?

[Walter E. Lynch]

I didn't, but it's Lynch, Walter E. Lynch. And you must come out here right away, Mr. Dollar. Protect me.

[Johnny Dollar]

Protect you?

[Walter E. Lynch]

Yes, I live over here in Manchester.

[Johnny Dollar]

Manchester, Connecticut?

[Walter E. Lynch]

Yes, that's right. My address is 13421 Peachtree Lane.

[Johnny Dollar]

13421.

[Walter E. Lynch]

Now, can you come out here right away?

[Johnny Dollar]

Well, I told you I have an appointment to keep.

[Walter E. Lynch]

Well then I hope it's a brief one. You'll come here as soon as you're through with it.

[Johnny Dollar]

Well, that depends, Mr. Lynch. What seems to be the trouble?

[Walter E. Lynch]

I thought I made it clear to you, $, my life has been threatened.

[Johnny Dollar]

Well, isn't that something for the police to handle?

[Walter E. Lynch]

The police?

[Johnny Dollar]

After all, unless there's insurance involved.

[Walter E. Lynch]

Why of course there is. My own.

[Johnny Dollar]

Oh, what company, Mr. Lynch?

[Walter E. Lynch]

Company?

[Johnny Dollar]

Yeah, that's right.

[Walter E. Lynch]

Well now, what is the matter with you? What difference does it make? If my life is in danger, I need your protection.

[Johnny Dollar]

Okay, okay. Who made this threat against your life and why?

[Walter E. Lynch]

Oh, good heavens, man, do I have to go into that sort of detail on the telephone?

[Johnny Dollar]

Well, unless I know what this is all about and look, you didn't answer my question, Mr. Lynch. Have you told the police about this?

[Walter E. Lynch]

Do you think I'd call on you if I had?

[Johnny Dollar]

But if your life has been threatened, the thing I tell you, it has.

[Walter E. Lynch]

What is the matter with you?

[Johnny Dollar]

All right then, calling the police.

[Walter E. Lynch]

Now you listen to me.

[Johnny Dollar]

Meantime, if I find any legitimate reason why I should make an investigation.

[Walter E. Lynch]

Don't understand. I'm not asking for investigation. I am asking for protection.

[Johnny Dollar]

And I tell you the people for

[Walter E. Lynch]

you to call my name, you have my address. Now you get on over here.

[Johnny Dollar]

Don't you see I can't be waiting for you, Mr. Lynch? Okay, mister, go ahead and wait. Of all the crackpots. I wonder though. Yeah, Johnny. Yeah, that's right.

[Pat McCracken]

Pat McCracken, Johnny. Universal adjustment.

[Johnny Dollar]

Oh, say Pat, will you find out for me what company, if any, holds a policy on a Walter E. Lynch over in Manchester? Sure, sure, Johnny, but listen, I thought

[Pat McCracken]

you were going to be here in my office at 10:00. Sharp.

[Johnny Dollar]

Pat, I'm sorry, but this signature on

[Pat McCracken]

a deposition for that arson matter you covered last night.

[Johnny Dollar]

I know.

[Pat McCracken]

I got to have it right away. See, one of our men will take it with him out to the coast on the 10:30 plane. And Johnny, it's eight minutes after right now.

[Johnny Dollar]

Yeah, I see it is, Pat. I'll be there in three minutes flat. Okay. Meantime, look up that wall of lynch for me, will you? Okay, just get on over here. Right.

[Narrator]

CBS radio brings you Bob Bailey in the exciting adventures of the man with the action packed expense account. America's fabulous freelance insurance investigator.

[Johnny Dollar]

Yours truly, Johnny Dollar.

[Commercial Announcer]

Talk about best selling records. Here's a familiar tune about America's best selling filter cigarette. Winston,

[Mr. Halsey]

Do you.

[Commercial Announcer]

Winston gives you real flavor. Full rich tobacco flavor. And you know that's because only Winston has filter blend up front. Choice flavorful tobaccos. Specially selected and specially processed for filter smoking. No wonder Winston tastes like a cigarette. Should smoke, Winston.

[Narrator]

And now, act one of yours truly, Johnny Dollar.

[Johnny Dollar]

Expense account submitted by special investigator Johnny Dollar. To insurance company home office, Hartford, Connecticut. Following is an account of expenses incurred during my investigation of the hapless ham matter. Expense account item $1.20. Plus another dollar for the cab driver who got me from my apartment. A universal adjustment bureau. In record time. I barged in on Pat McCracken without being announced. Put my John Hancock on the deposition. After which he witnessed my signature.

[Sergeant Beakley]

Right.

[Johnny Dollar]

There we are. Now here you are, Miss Dulcie.

[Pat McCracken]

Give these to Mr. Peterson and tell him happy plane trip.

[Ms. Elsie]

Yes, sir, right away.

[Pat McCracken]

Oh, and see if Bartell has found any of that lynch information I asked him about.

[Ms. Elsie]

He's been a lynching, Ms. McCracken.

[Pat McCracken]

No, no, no. Just do as I say.

[Johnny Dollar]

Go ahead.

[Ms. Elsie]

But I thought I heard you. Yes, sir.

[Pat McCracken]

What is the worry on this man Lynch, Johnny?

[Johnny Dollar]

Well, Patty sounded like a crackpot. He called me on the phone just before you did. Said his life is being threatened.

[Pat McCracken]

Oh, another one of those things, huh? Who was threatening him?

[Johnny Dollar]

Oh, I don. No, he was. Well, he was a bit evasive about it. Same as he was about naming his insurance company.

[Pat McCracken]

Well, I know I never heard of him. What did you tell him?

[Johnny Dollar]

I told him to call the police. Then unless there was some insurance angle that required investigation, you know. Right, exactly right.

[Pat McCracken]

Although of course, if Bartell does find something on him, if he is a client of one of the companies, it's

[Johnny Dollar]

still a police matter. Why call on me to play bodyguard?

[Pat McCracken]

You know, Johnny, if you would have your telephone number unlisted, you'd save Yourself a lot of these nuisance calls. Oh, yes.

[Ms. Elsie]

Here's a photostat of the lynch policy Mr. Martell said you ask him for.

[Pat McCracken]

Oh, then there is one. Thank you.

[Ms. Elsie]

And I. I thought you were talking about some kind of a lynching somewhere, Mr. McCracken. Isn't that fun?

[Sergeant Beakley]

Yes, yes.

[Doctor]

Thank you.

[Pat McCracken]

Thank you, Ms. Elsie. That'll be all.

[Ms. Elsie]

Well, I was on. Yes, sir.

[Pat McCracken]

Now, let's see, Johnny. Walter E. Lynch policy issued 1954, Eastern Trust Insurance.

[Johnny Dollar]

Face value. Yeah, I see. 50,000 smackers.

[Pat McCracken]

A lot of money.

[Johnny Dollar]

Let's see the name of the beneficiary.

[Pat McCracken]

Oh, a nephew, Fred Lynch. New York City address. I wonder, Johnny.

[Johnny Dollar]

So do I. How well Freddie and his uncle get along.

[Pat McCracken]

Named him as beneficiary five or six years ago.

[Johnny Dollar]

Things can change path.

[Pat McCracken]

There's one way to find out.

[Johnny Dollar]

And with $50,000 to be paid out if anything does happen. Yes, yes, go ahead, Johnny.

[Pat McCracken]

Go ahead and pay Mr. Walter Lynch

[Johnny Dollar]

a little visit at company expense. Well, now? Well. Oh, sure.

[Pat McCracken]

Why not? I'll notify Eastern that we've assigned you to this, but that you'll send your expense account directly to them.

[Johnny Dollar]

Okay? Okay. It was only about 13 miles from my place to Manchester, and I used my own car. But I saw no reason for not using the old expense account. So item two was 460 for a tank full of gas. The address Mr. Lynch had given me turned out to be in a rather nice residential section. The house was a small but attractive Cape Cod affair surrounded by stately elm trees. And then I saw them in the shade of the elms at the front of the place. A couple of police cars. Just a minute there, mister. Oh, hi, officer.

[Sergeant Beakley]

Who are you and what do you want around here?

[Johnny Dollar]

Oh, my name is Dollar. Sergeant Johnny Dollar, insurance investigator. I came here to see Mr. Lynch.

[Sergeant Beakley]

Investigator, huh? Any credentials? Better let me see him.

[Johnny Dollar]

Sure. Here. Okay. Here you are. Hey, what's happening around here?

[Sergeant Beakley]

Okay, Dollar. You boys act pretty fast, don't you?

[Johnny Dollar]

What do you mean? Is Mr. Lynch in some kind of trouble?

[Sergeant Beakley]

I'd call it worse than trouble. $, he's dead.

[Johnny Dollar]

He's what?

[Sergeant Beakley]

That's right. Murdered.

[Johnny Dollar]

Well, then I'd better get inside there and see what's what.

[Sergeant Beakley]

Yeah, now, sure. Maybe you better.

[Johnny Dollar]

Inside the lynch home, the police medico in my own eyes confirmed what Sergeant Beakley had told me outside. Walter lynch was dead all right. And there was no question about his having been murdered.

[Doctor]

As you can see, Mr. Dollar, the. The knife, obviously a long, very sharp one, plunged into his Body here, directly back of the heart.

[Johnny Dollar]

Yeah, Doctor, I see.

[Doctor]

No doubt penetrated that organ. Death must have been virtually instantaneous. Yes.

[Johnny Dollar]

Any sign of the murder weapon?

[Sergeant Beakley]

We haven't found any sign of it here in the house, $. Conroy's out back looking for it and for any footprints that might give us a clue.

[Johnny Dollar]

A little rain we had last night ought to help in the footprints department.

[Sergeant Beakley]

Only it doesn't.

[Johnny Dollar]

However did. This must have come right in the front door. Hi, Dollar. Hi, Conroy. Sergeant, you want me to see what's holding up the voice from the lab?

[Sergeant Beakley]

Yeah, I'll give him a call.

[Johnny Dollar]

Right you are.

[Sergeant Beakley]

Meantime, Dollar, if you have any ideas.

[Johnny Dollar]

No, wait a minute. Too late, I guess.

[Pat McCracken]

There were.

[Johnny Dollar]

Any fingerprints on that telephone. Conroy's probably covered him up.

[Sergeant Beakley]

Probably covered up anyway, huh? Well, it wasn't the killer who called us about this.

[Johnny Dollar]

It was the old character lives next

[Sergeant Beakley]

door, A man named Halsey. Right now he's back home in his rocking chair at the corner window, muttering to himself, trying to recover from the shock. Maybe when he does recover, he'll be able to give us some help.

[Johnny Dollar]

How did he find out about this?

[Sergeant Beakley]

Seems he came over here to talk to Mr. Lynch about his nephew, Fred Lynch. Nobody answered his knock. The front door was wide open. So he walked in here and found this. So he picked up the phone and you know about Fred Lynch.

[Johnny Dollar]

I know he's beneficiary of his uncle's insurance.

[Sergeant Beakley]

Another good motive gone to waste.

[Johnny Dollar]

What do you mean you don't know?

[Sergeant Beakley]

About a couple, three years ago when Freddy's mother died, left him a pile of money. Only made the mistake of leaving it in charge of this one. This stiff we've got lying here.

[Johnny Dollar]

What happened, Alyssa?

[Sergeant Beakley]

Ol Crook finagled that young kid out of every cent of it so that by the time Fred was 25, entitled to it. That was about six months ago.

[Johnny Dollar]

Why, $?

[Sergeant Beakley]

Freddy ended up with nothing.

[Johnny Dollar]

His own nephew. That surprise you, $?

[Sergeant Beakley]

It's because you don't live here in Manchester. Don't know anything about the lynch family. What's left of them, which is only Freddie.

[Johnny Dollar]

Now, what's that supposed to mean?

[Sergeant Beakley]

Not one of the lynch tribe was any good. Ask me, the town will be glad to see this one out of the way.

[Johnny Dollar]

Oh, I get it.

[Sergeant Beakley]

Oh, what'd they say, Conroy? Somebody on the way over Harker will

[Johnny Dollar]

be over as soon as he clears up a hit and run over on the east side.

[Sergeant Beakley]

Okay. Well, I guess there's nothing more we can do. Go see who it Is? Yes sir.

[Johnny Dollar]

You about finished, Doc?

[Doctor]

Sergeant, this knife wound puzzles me. Puzzles me greatly.

[Sergeant Beakley]

What do you mean, Doc?

[Doctor]

Very unusual instrument. Very long, thin, with a two edged blade. Both edges very sharp.

[Pat McCracken]

That so?

[Doctor]

Yeah, very unusual.

[Johnny Dollar]

Sergeant, you said a neighbor, Mr. Halsey, found him here?

[Mr. Halsey]

Yes. Did somebody speak my name?

[Johnny Dollar]

Here's the man who was knocking on the door.

[Sergeant Beakley]

Oh, Mr. Halsey, come in.

[Mr. Halsey]

I don't know that I want her Sergeant, with that poor man laying there dead.

[Sergeant Beakley]

Mr. Halsey, this is Johnny Dollar, insurance investigator.

[Johnny Dollar]

Eh?

[Mr. Halsey]

Insurance investigator.

[Pat McCracken]

Yeah.

[Johnny Dollar]

I understand you came over here to talk with Mr. Lynch about his nephew, Mr. Halsey.

[Mr. Halsey]

Freddy? Why that. That worthless young whisker, that.

[Johnny Dollar]

Why do you say that?

[Mr. Halsey]

Well, because he. He never did a day of honest work in his life. The theater. That's all he cares about. Theater in New York City. That pit of iniquity. Spends all his time with sinful people. Actors, chorus girls and the like.

[Johnny Dollar]

I take it you don't have much use for people in show business of the earth.

[Mr. Halsey]

That's what they are. That's all they are. And he's one of them.

[Johnny Dollar]

Now Mr. Halsey, when I saw him here this morning. What? He was here?

[Mr. Halsey]

No doubt come to beg some money from his uncle.

[Sergeant Beakley]

Why didn't you tell me that Mr. Halsey?

[Ms. Elsie]

Of course.

[Mr. Halsey]

His uncle cut him off from the money his mother left him. Wouldn't you have done the same?

[Johnny Dollar]

Mr. Halsey? Listen, would you.

[Mr. Halsey]

Yes, well wouldn't you? Look here now, the nectar he is in that. That sinful city down there.

[Johnny Dollar]

Wait a minute. You say that Freddy was here this morning?

[Mr. Halsey]

Yes, of course he was.

[Johnny Dollar]

When?

[Mr. Halsey]

That's why I finally made up my mind to come over here and talk to Walter about it.

[Johnny Dollar]

What time was he here?

[Mr. Halsey]

Well, from 9:30 to a few minutes of 10.

[Sergeant Beakley]

Doc, have you been able to fix the time of death?

[Doctor]

Very close, Sergeant. Yes, by the body temperature.

[Johnny Dollar]

What time would you say doctor?

[Doctor]

About. About 10 o'.

[Sergeant Beakley]

Clock.

[Johnny Dollar]

Mr. Halsey, are you sure it was a few minutes of 10 when Freddie left here?

[Mr. Halsey]

Of course I am.

[Johnny Dollar]

How sure?

[Mr. Halsey]

I was sitting by the window listening to my radio like I always do.

[Johnny Dollar]

Thought you didn't like anything about show business.

[Mr. Halsey]

Radio is different.

[Johnny Dollar]

Thanks.

[Mr. Halsey]

Freddy left his house just before the WDRC announcer gave the time as 10am and radio time is accurate time.

[Johnny Dollar]

I see what you meant Sergeant, about a motive going to waste where Freddy was concerned.

[Sergeant Beakley]

What are you talking about $? The doc says death was about 10am I know so.

[Johnny Dollar]

And Mr. Halsey, you're sure that Freddy didn't Come back here after 10.

[Sergeant Beakley]

What's the difference?

[Mr. Halsey]

Of course I am. These eyes of mine may be pretty old, but they never miss anything.

[Sergeant Beakley]

Well, what's the difference, Johnny? Freddy's the one that killed him. Lord knows he's the one logical suspect.

[Johnny Dollar]

No, no, Sergeant.

[Sergeant Beakley]

Doc says approximately 10.

[Doctor]

So.

[Sergeant Beakley]

All right, it was a few minutes of before Freddy left here. So Freddy killed him. Now look, everything ties up. Yeah, and the kind of a knot that's going to hang that door.

[Johnny Dollar]

Oh no, Sergeant, I wish it was that easy.

[Sergeant Beakley]

Oh, of course it is. Motive, opportunity, everything. It all spells Freddie Lynch.

[Johnny Dollar]

No, Conroy.

[Sergeant Beakley]

Put a tracer on him.

[Johnny Dollar]

All right, Sergeant. Sergeant, I'm afraid you're wrong.

[Sergeant Beakley]

How can I be?

[Johnny Dollar]

That is if Mr. Halsey is sure of his times.

[Mr. Halsey]

Of course I am on the radio.

[Sergeant Beakley]

Okay, $.

[Mr. Halsey]

Why?

[Johnny Dollar]

Because Walter E. Lynch was still alive after 10 o'. Clock. What are you talking about?

[Sergeant Beakley]

How do you know?

[Johnny Dollar]

Because he called me on the phone. Because I myself was talking to him. At exactly 8 minutes after 10.

[Narrator]

We'll continue with act two of yours truly, Johnny Dollar. In exactly one minute, here's Hollywood star

[Ms. Elsie]

Mona Freeman who feels like acting with a miserable cold. I relieved cold distress the fast way with four way cold tablets.

[Johnny Dollar]

Yes. Test 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.

[Ms. Elsie]

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]

Now here's a word about another fine product of Grove Laboratories. Had dandruff for years. Now get rid of it in three minutes with Fetch Dandruff Remover Shampoo. Three minutes with Fitch regularly is guaranteed to keep unsightly dandruff away forever. Apply Fitch before wetting hair. Rub in one minute, add water, lather one minute, then rinse. One minute every trace of dandruff goes down the drain. Three minutes with Fitch embarrassing. Dandruff's gone. Fitch can also leave hair up to 35% brighter. Get Fitch dandruff Remover shampoo today. And now act two of yours truly, Johnny Dollar and the hapless ham.

[Johnny Dollar]

No question about it. I was the perfect alibi for Freddie Lynch. Freddie had left his uncle's house a few minutes before 10. I had talked with his uncle. At eight minutes after 10. Yeah. And when the police checked up, they learned that Freddy had taken a bus to New York at 10:15 on foot. And he was on foot. Old man Halsey had seen that he had to leave the house before 10 to make that bus.

[Mr. Halsey]

I told you, young man. These eyes of mine may be old, but they never miss a thing. He was on foot, all right. And he left his house before 10 o' clock and he didn't.

[Johnny Dollar]

But now wait, wait a minute. If someone else came in here to commit the murder after Freddy left, why hadn't old man Halsey seen that person?

[Sergeant Beakley]

You're right, dollar Nobody else came here. So it must have been Freddy killed his uncle.

[Johnny Dollar]

All right. Now look, Sergeant.

[Mr. Halsey]

Only how could he.

[Sergeant Beakley]

Because if you talked to Mr. Lynch at eight minutes after and Freddy was on his way to the bus station and he had to be.

[Johnny Dollar]

Wait, wait. Then it's impossible.

[Sergeant Beakley]

$This really bugs me.

[Johnny Dollar]

I. Listen. The murder weapon.

[Doctor]

Very unusual.

[Johnny Dollar]

I know, Doc, you told me.

[Doctor]

It must have been something I'd never seen before.

[Johnny Dollar]

I wouldn't be too sure about that. Unless you feel the same way Mr. Halsey does about show business.

[Mr. Halsey]

Terrible, sinful, iniquitous, immoral.

[Johnny Dollar]

Yeah, maybe you're right on this one.

[Sergeant Beakley]

What are you getting at, Doc?

[Johnny Dollar]

I'm getting out. Was that an express that bus that Freddie took to New York?

[Sergeant Beakley]

No, it was a local.

[Johnny Dollar]

But I don't see good luck in my own car. I can beat him down there. Do you know where he lives, Mr. Halsey?

[Mr. Halsey]

I certainly do.

[Johnny Dollar]

All right, where at?

[Mr. Halsey]

1231 West 43rd Street.

[Johnny Dollar]

Good. I'll see you later. Now don't, Sergeant. Maybe you can fix any tickets for speeding I pick up along the way. Somehow, just lucky, I guess, I managed to reach the address in New York without getting pinched. A ten dollar bill of the superintendent, that's item three, got me into the rooms of Freddie Lynch. The walls were plastered with theatrical programs and playbills, most of them from summer playhouses, off Broadway shows. In a closet I found some costumes he'd used in various productions. In one corner was a battered shield with a broken spear. Beside it, some heavy Oriental belts and jewelry. A long robe of an Arabian desert rider with a sort of turban to go with it. Yeah, everything fitted in very nice. Hey? Yeah, wide open, Freddy. Wide open just the way you left it. Come in. Come in, kid. I beg your pardon. Kind of careless, but it's all right. It's okay. Say, who are you? You kidding? Jerry Allen, the agent, you know.

[Doctor]

Agent?

[Johnny Dollar]

Yeah. Where you been, Freddy? When you didn't answer the letter in the telegram I sent you, where you been, huh, kid? Oh, you're You're a theatrical agent. What else? Listen, look. Hey, kid, get this. I got a part for you. Great part.

[Sergeant Beakley]

A great one.

[Johnny Dollar]

A good salary, too. Of course, you gotta let me represent you in the deal. But all I want's the usual 10%. How about it, huh, kid? Jerry Allen, you say? Yeah, sure, that's right. Oh, we never been introduced, but I caught you and half a dozen things. And you're good, boy, good, real good. Well, I like to think so. Sure, sure you are. And being it's my business, I gotta keep adding to my stable of actors. See what I mean? So if you want this part. Well, I. I don't think so.

[Mr. Halsey]

Why?

[Johnny Dollar]

What are you talking about? Well, I'm thinking of giving up the theater. Oh, now, wait a minute. Wait a minute, kid. You fallen heir to a fortune or something. Why do you say that? Of course, if you don't want the part. No, wait. Perhaps I'd better do another play or two. Good, good. And you'll let me represent you? Well, Freddy, why not? Well, if the part is good. Is the part good? It's great, kid. It's great. And if this thing doesn't hit Broadway the first time out. Hey, listen, listen. It's a new play written by John Stone.

[Commercial Announcer]

You get that, Johnstone?

[Johnny Dollar]

No, I'm afraid I don't recall.

[Narrator]

Ever.

[Johnny Dollar]

I'm sure you've heard of him, my man. He's had more hits. Oh, and listen, Freddy, Listen. Listen to this part, all right? Okay. Starts out a young man just about your age. Second act is 20 years later. Hey, you think you can do it?

[Mr. Halsey]

Why,

[Walter E. Lynch]

of course, my good man.

[Johnny Dollar]

Good, good. And the third act, well, now, that part may be a little tough. You gotta kinda make like you're about 60. There's no problem at all, Mr. Allen.

[Walter E. Lynch]

No problem at all.

[Johnny Dollar]

Only it's a shaky old man, like he's scared to death all the time. All right, listen.

[Mr. Halsey]

All fear has grasped me by the throat.

[Walter E. Lynch]

With the overpowering terror willing up.

[Johnny Dollar]

Oh, hey, that's great. That's great. Come on, keep it up, Freddy boy, keep it up. Well, see, of course, if I had a script, I. Scared, remember? Scared. Say something like, you must come here right away to protect me. You.

[Walter E. Lynch]

You must come here right away to protect me.

[Johnny Dollar]

Oh, that's great. Great, great, great. Now say my life is in danger. I've been threatened, Mr. Dollar.

[Mr. Halsey]

My very life is a.

[Doctor]

What?

[Johnny Dollar]

What?

[Sergeant Beakley]

Dollar.

[Johnny Dollar]

That's right, Johnny Dollar. Why, this was all a trick. Yeah, you fell for it like a ton of bricks. The same voice you faked over the telephone to sound like your uncle.

[Walter E. Lynch]

Listen.

[Johnny Dollar]

Killed him. Left his home knowing that nosy old neighbor would swear as to when you left. Then ran to the bus depot and called me up with that phony voice to make an airtight alibi. To make me ready to swear your uncle was still alive after you left him there dead but a dollar.

[Commercial Announcer]

Listen.

[Johnny Dollar]

See, I'm his only kin. I'll be coming into a lot of money. His insurance and whatever money or property there is. Oh, why don't you drop dead?

[Doctor]

I see.

[Johnny Dollar]

But do you see this? So that's what you did it with.

[Pat McCracken]

Yeah.

[Johnny Dollar]

Yeah, that's right. Arabian, isn't it? I stand a long, thin blade with a double edge from one of your costume plays.

[Mr. Halsey]

Stand back, I say.

[Johnny Dollar]

Sure, sure. I don't need to be close to you to use this. My hand. You've broken my hand. Funny, I didn't think I was that good a shot. So now I'll have to make another deposition for the sake of another trial. And I'm sure that hamming it up in court won't keep Freddie from playing out the rest of his life in front of a captive audience. Expense account total, including a flock of incidentals. Well, let's call it a hundred bucks. Yours truly, Johnny Dallas.

[Narrator]

Now, here's a word from our star about the case he'll investigate on next week's program.

[Johnny Dollar]

Thanks, Danl. It's called the Unholy Two Matters and involves a pair of characters who fit that description perfectly. One of them a killer. And if you're at all curious about what to do when you've got the situation well in hand. And then suddenly a gun is shoved into the middle of your back. Well, join us, won't you? Right here on your favorite station at the usual time on Sunday. Yours truly, Johnny Dol.

[Narrator]

Yours truly, Johnny Dollar, starring Bob Bailey, originates in Hollywood and is written, produced and directed by Jack Johnstone. Heard in our cast were Virginia Greg, Chet Stratton, Lawrence Dobkin, Sam Edwards, Herb Ellis, Ralph Moody and Junius Matthews. 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.

[Johnny Dollar]

Next, Ray Bradbury's science fiction classic Zero Hour.

[Pat McCracken]

As suspense follows on the CBS radio.