Podcast Summary: Yours Truly, Johnny Dollar: The Larson Arson Matter

Podcast: Choice Classic Radio Detectives | Old Time Radio
Air Date of Original Episode: November 8, 1959
Podcast Release Date: February 9, 2026
Detective: Johnny Dollar (portrayed by Bob Bailey)

Overview

This episode of "Yours Truly, Johnny Dollar" dives into an apparently straightforward insurance case involving threats of arson and murder, but quickly reveals deeper layers of deception and intrigue. Freelance insurance investigator Johnny Dollar is summoned to investigate disturbing threats against an ex-gangster, Bertie Larson, only to find himself ensnared in a plot of insurance fraud, betrayal, and attempted murder.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. The Case Introduction: A New Threat (00:17 – 03:34)

• Harry Branson from Philadelphia Mutual calls Johnny Dollar for urgent help—a policyholder, Bertie Larson (an ex-gangster involved in gambling and narcotics), has been receiving threats to his life, home, and family, especially since testifying before a live-televised investigative committee.
• Bertie’s home, personal possessions, and his life are heavily insured, with his wife Nora as the beneficiary. Recent threat escalations and a suspicious can of gasoline left on his doorstep set the stage for arson fears.

Notable Quote:
Harry Branson: “John, it may be all of them, unless you're able to put a stop to what's going on.” [00:34]

2. Digging Deeper: Insurance & Motives (03:34 – 06:55)

• Johnny arrives in Philadelphia to discuss with Harry, who outlines sizable policies on Bertie’s house, possessions, and life—totaling $70,000. Harry suspects Bertie is genuinely in danger due to his criminal connections and committee testimony.
• Larson claims anonymous phone threats warn him to “clam up,” with escalating intimidation tactics like gasoline left at his home.
• Police involvement has been nominal but ineffective; Harry insists only Johnny can “protect” the company’s interests.

Notable Quote:
Johnny Dollar (to Harry): “If everything goes, including Bertie himself, somebody’s liable to collect plenty.” [05:09]

3. The Attack: Misunderstandings and Violence (07:15 – 09:32)

• Johnny visits Bertie’s house, finds it apparently empty, but notices signs of life. Investigating a gasoline smell by the garage, he is suddenly struck from behind and loses consciousness.
• Wakes up in the hospital, attacked not by a gangster, but by Bertie himself who mistook Johnny for an arsonist. Bertie claims to be on edge from all the threats, and says his wife Nora is taking refuge in the Catskills.

Notable Quote:
Bertie Larson (apologizing): “I’m sure sorry I did it, Dollar. The hospital bill’s on me, so live it up, huh?” [10:37]

4. Police Perspective: A “Small-Time” Guy? (11:31 – 14:11)

• The sergeant handling Bertie's case is skeptical—he asserts that Bertie is small fry, claiming Bertie’s cooperation is being leveraged by the committee to smoke out bigger criminals. The threats may be fabricated for attention or profit.
• Johnny presses about the gasoline incident, but the sergeant dismisses it as an accident caused by gunshots in the scuffle.

Notable Quote:
Sergeant: “Bertie Larson isn’t the man this investigating committee's after... He was never more than a messenger boy for the big shots.” [12:17]

5. The Sting: Johnny’s Suspicion Grows (15:43 – 19:53)

• Confined to the hospital, Johnny senses something off—especially about the specific details of the gasoline and Bertie’s overblown claims.
• He sneaks out, visits the Larson home, and discovers Bertie with minimal furniture (most allegedly sent to relatives), as if preparing for a loss claim.
• Bertie describes a new attempt on his house, showing evidence of a break-in. Johnny sees through it—the “break-in” was staged from inside, no footprints outside, and the setup is classic insurance arson fraud.

Notable Quote:
Johnny Dollar (revealing the setup): “No wonder you served a term for arson, among other things. Listen, I mean, the sloppy setup you made here...” [18:40]

6. Double Cross & Arrest: The Real Plot Emerges (19:53 – 20:57)

• Confronted, Bertie tries to pull a gun, but Nora enters, aiming a weapon at Johnny.
• Bertie plans to have Nora kill Johnny, torch the house, and make it appear Johnny’s body is Bertie’s for the insurance—but Nora turns on Bertie, revealing her own plan to double-cross him as well.
• The police sergeant bursts in and saves Johnny, arresting both Bertie and Nora before they can execute their scheme.

Notable Quote:
Bertie Larson (to Nora): “We’ll fire the joint and get up in the country where Josie and Mac will swear we’ve been with them all the time!” [20:10]
Nora (double-crossing): “After this nice setup, I’d be crazy if I didn’t take all I could get out of it... Now it's you, Dollar.” [20:34]

7. Case Closed & Reflection (21:07 – End)

• Johnny tidies up loose ends: the insurance company and police take over, Bertie and Nora face justice, and the motives for the arson attempt are crystal clear—financial desperation and greed.
• Sergeant’s quick action is credited for saving Johnny.

Notable Quote:
Johnny Dollar (to Sergeant): “You know something, Sergeant? Yeah, I’m mighty glad.” [21:07]

Memorable Moments & Timestamps

| Scene/Quote | Speaker | Timestamp | |--------------------------------------------------------|------------------|-----------| | “It may be all of them, unless you’re able to put a stop to what’s going on.” | Harry Branson | 00:34 | | “If everything goes, including Bertie himself, somebody’s liable to collect plenty.” | Johnny Dollar | 05:09 | | “I’m sure sorry I did it, Dollar. The hospital bill’s on me, so live it up, huh?” | Bertie Larson | 10:37 | | “Bertie Larson isn’t the man this investigating committee’s after...” | Sergeant | 12:17 | | “No wonder you served a term for arson, among other things. Listen, I mean, the sloppy setup you made here...” | Johnny Dollar | 18:40 | | “We’ll fire the joint and get up in the country where Josie and Mac will swear we’ve been with them all the time!” | Bertie Larson | 20:10 | | “After this nice setup, I’d be crazy if I didn’t take all I could get out of it... Now it's you, Dollar.” | Nora Larson | 20:34 | | “You know something, Sergeant? Yeah, I’m mighty glad.” | Johnny Dollar | 21:07 |

Structure & Flow of the Episode

• Light banter and sarcasm typical of Johnny Dollar set an irreverent but tense tone.
• Suspense grows with each revelation, from fear of gangland retaliation to realization of an elaborate insurance scam.
• The story culminates in a classic double-cross and near-fatal encounter, all resolved by dogged investigation and timely police intervention.

Conclusion

This episode is a layered tale that showcases the dangers and duplicities lurking behind high-profile insurance cases, especially those mixing past crime with present desperation. It features classic hard-boiled dialogue, plenty of twists, and a pace that keeps listeners guessing to the very end. The chemistry between Johnny, the anxious Harry Branson, small-time con Bertie, and the cynical police sergeant brings the golden age detective drama to vivid life.

Perfect for: Fans of noir detective stories, tales of double-cross and intrigue, and admirers of the tradition of radio’s greatest gumshoes.