Yours Truly, Johnny Dollar: The Night in Paris Matter 08/16/1959

Summary

Podcast Summary: "Yours Truly, Johnny Dollar: The Night in Paris Matter"

Podcast: Choice Classic Radio Detectives | Old Time Radio
Episode Air Date: December 15, 2025
Original Broadcast: August 16, 1959
Starring: Bob Bailey as Johnny Dollar

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Episode Overview

In this classic old-time radio episode, insurance investigator Johnny Dollar is sent to Paris to recover the stolen Olney diamond necklace, valued at three-quarters of a million dollars. The case draws him into a web of deception involving old contacts, dangerous criminals, and a beautiful stranger. True to the tone of Johnny Dollar’s adventures, this episode features international intrigue, double-crosses, witty banter, and a touch of romance—all delivered in classic hard-boiled detective style.

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Key Discussion Points & Plot Breakdown

1. The Assignment (00:17–02:16)

• Johnny receives a call from George Reed at Floyd's of London, summoning him for an assignment in France concerning the stolen Olney diamonds.
• Johnny jokes about the Parisian underworld contact, Louis de Marsac, known as "Le Chat Gris" (the Gray Cat).
• The expense account is humorously discussed, with Johnny angling for generous allowances.
  • Quote (00:41): Johnny - "Because at night, all cats are gray."

2. Negotiating with Le Chat Gris (02:16–04:15)

• Johnny contacts Louis de Marsac, who predictably asks for a hefty fee for information.
• A lively negotiation ensues, eventually settling on $2,000 for de Marsac's help.
  • Quote (03:14): de Marsac - "You hurt me. You touch me to the crate."
  • Quote (03:53): Johnny (negotiating down): "Okay, $2,000 bucks."

3. The Mysterious Annette (04:28–05:55)

• On the flight to Paris, Johnny meets Annette Dubois, a charming, attractive woman traveling alone.
• They exchange flirtatious banter, hinting at possible future involvement.
  • Quote (05:48): Annette - "You certainly don't beat around the bush, do you? ... I like that."

4. Danger at de Marsac’s Apartment (06:00–07:41)

• Johnny finds de Marsac’s apartment ransacked and empty.
• He is attacked by an unknown assailant, then regains consciousness to find a note:
  • Quote (09:17): Johnny - "If I ever catch up with him, he's going to be a lot sorrier."

5. A Meeting in the Beatnik Café (08:43–13:01)

• De Marsac contacts Johnny, urging him to meet at a café, warning he's in danger.
• The café scene is full of Parisian beatnik atmosphere; de Marsac appears unexpectedly.
• Suspicion grows about who can be trusted.
• De Marsac reveals the culprit behind the theft is Francois Dubuisson, and offers to help double-cross him—for a price.

6. The Setup for the Sting (13:01–15:15)

• De Marsac has told Dubuisson that Johnny (posing as "Robert Matthews" from Texas) will buy the diamonds for 15 million francs.
• Johnny makes preparations in his hotel, including setting up a dummy to fool any attackers.

7. The Confrontation & Betrayal (15:16–18:04)

• Johnny receives a call from Dubuisson, who insists on caution, warning he's armed.
• When Dubuisson and Annette arrive, their ruse is exposed.
• Annette is revealed as an accomplice, ready to kill Johnny. Tension escalates.

8. The Twist and Resolution (17:44–18:47)

• De Marsac intervenes at the last moment, saving Johnny and subduing Annette.
  • Quote (17:55): de Marsac - "Such a pity, monsieur, that I should stoop so low as to strike a beautiful woman."
• The Paris police handle the aftermath, with the necklace secured and Johnny reflecting on the cost of informants in detective work.

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Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• Johnny Dollar’s irony:
  "I wish I could make a trip to France. At somebody else's expense." (00:23, Johnny)
• Witty negotiation:
  "Well, it was nice to talk to you. See you around sometime." (03:27, Johnny—leveraging de Marsac’s greed)
• Annette’s flirtation:
  "You certainly don't beat around the bush, do you? ... I like that." (05:48, Annette)
• De Marsac’s fatalistic humor:
  "In my business with some of the terrible people I have to deal with, this sort of thing happens all the time." (10:37, de Marsac—about being a target himself)
• Johnny’s philosophy:
  "People simply don’t realize how most of the crimes in this world are solved not by Sherlock Holmes-type detective work... but through informants." (13:33, Johnny)
• Climactic confrontation:
  "Annette, your last mistake. Because of this silencer, nobody will ever know." (17:39, Annette—threatening Johnny)
• De Marsac’s rescue:
  "...I should stoop so low as to strike a beautiful woman." (17:55, de Marsac)

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Important Timestamps

• 00:17 — George Reed’s call outlining the case
• 02:16 — Negotiation with de Marsac
• 04:28 — Introduction of Annette on the plane
• 06:00 — Arrival and attack at de Marsac’s apartment
• 08:17 — Warning phone call, Johnny is told to leave
• 10:11 — Café scene with poetry and intrigue
• 12:28 — Discussion of the deal with de Marsac
• 15:15 — Setup for the deal and antagonist’s phone call
• 16:36 — The fake-out and confrontation in hotel room
• 17:44 — Final showdown; de Marsac intervenes
• 18:47 — Closing summary by Johnny

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Tone & Style

• Language: Witty, sharp, and filled with classic noir banter.
• Atmosphere: Intrigue-laden with a dark Parisian setting and international espionage flair.
• Characterization: Johnny Dollar embodies the clever, world-weary PI, while de Marsac is a slippery informant with a flair for the dramatic.

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Final Thoughts

This episode showcases Johnny Dollar’s trademark mix of humor, resourcefulness, and danger. With a blend of high-stakes negotiation, beatnik Parisian backdrops, and double-crossing criminals, “The Night in Paris Matter” is a prime example of the golden age of radio detective drama. For fans of classic, hard-boiled sleuths, it’s an entertaining ride through the shadows of international crime.

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For more episodes featuring Johnny Dollar’s globe-trotting investigations, keep tuning in to Choice Classic Radio Detectives!

Transcript

[A]

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].

[B]

Johnny Duller, George Reed here.

[A]

Well George, how's Floyd's of London? And how are you holding up in this hot weather, Johnny?

[B]

All I can say is I wish I could make a trip to France. It's a somebody else's expense.

[A]

Now what's that supposed to mean?

[B]

I just received a transatlantic telephone call. Collect by the way, from that underworld friend of yours in Paris.

[A]

De Marsac. Louis de Marsac, yes. Calls herself Le Chagri.

[B]

That's right, the gray cat. Why he ever chose to call himself that?

[A]

Because at night all cats are gray.

[B]

So he's hard to see in the dark.

[A]

Well, see enough yourself. Paris after dark. And de Marsac knows more about the dark alleys and sewers and back streets. But what he called you about, George.

[B]

He wants to talk to you about the Olney diamonds.

[A]

The what?

[B]

Three quarters of a million dollars worth of diamonds. A necklace that was stolen from the Earl of Olney during a recent visit to the United States.

[A]

The Shagri has a lead on him?

[B]

He wouldn't say. But if he has, you can get them back. Believe me. We shan't quibble over your expense account.

[A]

Including whatever may be necessary to grease the palm of De Moussac. His information usually comes pretty high, you know.

[B]

I understand that.

[A]

And a bit of an allowance, shall we say, for my own entertainment while I'm there.

[B]

Well now, don't go overboard, Johnny.

[A]

Your job. Be in touch. CBS radio brings you Bob Bailey in the exciting adventures of the man with the action backed expense account. America's fabulous freelance insurance investigator. Yours, Trlene. Johnny Dollar. Expense accounts submitted by special investigator Johnny Dollar, Deployance of London, North American office, Hartford, Connecticut. Following is an account of expenses incurred during my investigation of the night in Paris.

[B]

Matter.

[A]

Expense account item 1 $12 even for a call to Paris, France. To a man I wouldn't trust any further than you could throw the loo. Louis de Massacre.

[B]

Darling, this is your oldest, your dearest friend.

[A]

Oldest and dearest friend. One of the crookedest chiselingest connivers I ever met. But George Reed says you have some information about the only diamond. Which means you've got your hand out as usual.

[B]

Oh, believe me, Monimie, I only told him that I wish to speak to you about something. You.

[A]

You didn't hint around about those diamonds.

[B]

Well, perhaps I did make some Very slight reference about them. Yeah, when he objected to my phoning him. What? You call collect?

[A]

You know where those diamonds are? To my sec. Well, okay. How much do you want this time, monsieur?

[B]

You. You are speaking of money?

[A]

What else?

[B]

You hurt me. You touched me to the crate.

[A]

Oh, sure.

[B]

How much? Well, one might think that I slave and suffer and risk my life on your behalf. Only for money. How much?

[A]

To my sec.

[B]

Say, $10,000American.

[A]

Yeah, well, it was nice to talk to you. See you around sometime.

[B]

No, no, no, no, wait, wait. The only diamonds are worth millions.

[A]

Millions of francs, not dollars.

[B]

But if I could tell you where you may find them, in that case.

[A]

I might be willing to part with, say, 1000, maybe 1500. 5000 if I actually get my hands on them. I'll give you two, four, 3,000. That's final.

[B]

3,500.

[A]

Goodbye to my sack.

[B]

No, 2,500, I said. I. Huh? 2002.

[A]

Okay, 2,000 bucks.

[B]

Yeah. Then. Oh, then I think what you say cost myself up.

[A]

I'm sure you did.

[B]

But do not worry, mon ami, do not worry. I will do the same for you.

[A]

Yeah, I'm sure you will. Now, listen, if I take a plane out of New York a little after nine tonight, I should get there tomorrow at 5:45pm Paris time. Maybe I'll hang my hat at the Hotel of W. You know where that is?

[B]

What? Of course.

[A]

Then I'll pick you up at that hovel of yours at the end of the Rue de Pas de la Mole. Yeah, the Rue de Pas de la Mole.

[B]

And you bring the money for me.

[A]

I'll be there. Expense account, item 2. $1,000 worth of American Express travelers checks. 428 of them went for plane fare. Hartford to New York to Paris. The flight was uneventful except for the person who occupied the seat next to me. Annette was her name. Annette Dubois and brother. Well, she's 25 or 6, I guess. Tall, brunette and beautiful. Apparently has money of her own. I decided this trip to Paris wasn't a bad idea at all.

[B]

Johnny Dollar.

[A]

Yeah.

[B]

Oh, I know who you are. You're the insurance investigator. I hear about all the time on the radio.

[A]

Well, don't look so shocked about it.

[B]

Shocked? I'm thrilled. Tell me all about you.

[A]

Oh, I'd a lot rather talk about you. Plan to be a Paris law?

[B]

Oh, a couple of weeks, I guess. Just sort of a vacation. And I'm all alone, so I don't have any definite plan. Have you, Johnny? I have now. You certainly don't Beat around the bush, do you? You know something? I like that.

[A]

Well, good. Now, where will you be staying? All right then, as soon as I get things cleared away, I'll call you.

[B]

Are you over here to work on some kind of a case?

[A]

No, just to see an old friend of mine.

[B]

Are you by any chance things of yours, John?

[A]

The Lavoir, it's over on.

[B]

I know where it is. And as soon as you're free to call me.

[A]

Are you kidding? Well, about that time the stewardess plus her heart came around with a champagne. So what with one thing and another, the time passed quickly. Then at exactly 5:45pm Paris time, we landed at Orley. Item 3 5:20American for a taxi to my hotel. After dropping Annette off along the way, I shaved and showered, then took another cab to the dingy little apartment of Louis de Marsac at the far end of the Rue de Part de la Mole. You ask me, it's one of the most disreputable looking apartments in the whole city. Dirty, squalid, ramshackle. And of course, Le Chat Gris had to live at the top of four long flights of stairs. When I finally got up there, feeling slightly wounded, I noticed that his door at the end of the gas lit hallway was standing wide open. What? The Marsec Louie? Louis the Marac. The dingy, dark apartment of Louis de Monsac looked like a tornado had struck it. It was a shambles, as though somebody had come in and simply done as much damage as possible and yet at the same time was looking for something or someone. As for the massacre, there was no sign of him anywhere. I stood there for a moment, wondering. Wondering what to do next. Huh?

[B]

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[A]

Yeah.

[B]

Who are you, you faithful friend, Le Chakri. Now listen.

[A]

Oh, do you mind telling me what under the sun happened to this joint of yours?

[B]

Listen, please. You have turned on the light?

[A]

No, but there's enough light coming up in the street.

[B]

Yeah, yeah. Now, now you must get out of there. Oh yes, come quickly and meet me here. Now, please. You will do that?

[A]

Well, where are you?

[B]

You're alone? Yes, yes, I'm alone. Then you must leave before Somebody finds you there.

[A]

Like who?

[B]

There is no time to talk, mon ami. Come please and meet me here.

[A]

But where?

[B]

I'm at the Cafe Chez Macart.

[A]

Chezma?

[B]

Yes, it's in Saint Germain d'. Avuille. What you call beatnik.

[A]

Okay, I'll find it.

[B]

Do not delay now. You may be in danger.

[A]

Yeah, sure, sure. I'll grab a taxi. Huh? Who are you? Oh, no you don't.

[B]

Hel. Pig.

[A]

When I came to, I found myself propped up in the remains of a chair. A bottle of cognac and a glass had been placed on a table beside me. I helped myself and next to it a piece of paper. Scribbled on it were the words, your regret. I'm sorry, but believe me, if I ever catch up with him, he's going to be a lot sorrier. Another snort of cognac and I felt able to navigate. I went downstairs, grabbed a taxi, that's item for a couple of bucks. And had him take me to the place to my sack had mentioned over the phone. The Shay Macan. And what a joint. I've seen a few beatnik pads that were pretty crazy back in the States, but nothing to compare with this. It was a smoky, dark and dirty place. The beatniks backed into it were dirty too. Characters who made a business of being characters. Including a gone chick chanting some poetry in a corner. Then a wormy little man sidled up to my table out of the shadows and proceeded to help himself to my drink. Yeah, it was the Mazar. The Chagri.

[B]

You do not do not seem to know me at first.

[A]

Wanna me even when you come over and help yourself to my cognac.

[B]

In this place it is the custom. But what happened to you when you hang up the telephone on me?

[A]

Well, somebody sneaked in and worked me over to Marsac. Any idea who it might have been? No.

[B]

I hope he did not hurt you too badly.

[A]

Did all right. But why now? Why? The crazy note he left saying he was sorry.

[B]

What? Of course, monsieur.

[A]

But of course what?

[B]

Wait. He must have thought you were me because of a little deal on the statue that I made a week ago. In my business with some of the terrible people I have to deal with, this sort of thing happens all the time. But then when this man he discover he had make a mistake. Did you anatomy?

[A]

Oh, sure.

[B]

What can you the American know of the art, the poetry of today?

[A]

Now what brought that on?

[B]

Yes, I will translate for you then. My lovely, my beautiful old. Tonight nothing.

[A]

Oh to nothing.

[B]

Listen to my every magnificent Word.

[A]

Oh, now wait on nothing.

[B]

Nothing. Nothing. Nothing. Nothing. Nothing. Nothing. Nothing. Nothing.

[A]

Oh, now look for. Come on down to work.

[B]

It is all right now, huh? All right. What do you mean? It was for the benefit of the man who came by the table who looked at us.

[A]

Oh, yeah, I noticed him.

[B]

He was very curious about us. Like a spy.

[A]

A spy?

[B]

Yes, of course. He may have been from my dear friend, Monsieur Francois Dubuisson.

[A]

Wait a minute. Francois Dubasson? Isn't he the prince who got hold of that painting that was stolen from Vincent Price a while back?

[B]

Death. I helped you to recover fresh like fee.

[A]

And it was through him that you located the Blue Madonna that was taken from the gallery in Philadelphia.

[B]

And now it is Dubouson who has the only diamond.

[A]

You're sure of that? I am sure.

[B]

Also it was Dubasson who arranged to have them stolen back in your United States.

[A]

Your good friend, huh?

[B]

A tough course.

[A]

But you're perfectly willing to double cross him. Why?

[B]

Because you will pay me so well.

[A]

If I get my hands on the dime.

[B]

Oh, I have it all arranged. So if you would like to pay me now the $5,000American when I get.

[A]

My hands on them. And it's only 2000, remember.

[B]

I cheated myself.

[A]

Okay, now how do I get them?

[B]

I have told him that you are here, that you are very rich. That you will pay him 15 million francs. 15?

[A]

Well, that's close to $30,000.

[B]

It is better they remain lost to you husband.

[A]

All right, where'll I find him? This Francois de Boisson? He will come to you with the diamond?

[B]

Yes, at your hotel tonight at midnight.

[A]

He knows my name?

[B]

Well, I told him that you are Mr. Robert Matthews from Texas. Yeah.

[A]

Good. Then I'll have to take another room under that name. But of course. And you're sure he doesn't know who I really am? My business?

[B]

No, no, not because only could tell him that.

[A]

All right. Now look, Deasak, if you have any idea double crossing me, you are my oldest, my dearest.

[B]

And yet, if you were to find out that 3,000.

[A]

Okay, Deasak, if it all goes off without a hitch. But if it doesn't?

[B]

Have no fear, Monique.

[A]

Sure, it was a kind of shady deal to make, to have to make. But under the circumstances, what else? And people simply don't realize how most of the crimes in this world are solved not by Sherlock Holmes type of detective work, not by the kind of stuff you read in the mystery magazines, but through informants. And one way or another, they all have to be paid off. Otherwise, well, look at this case. If de Bessart were to know who I really am, I'd stand a chance of not only losing the case, but my life as well. On the way back to my hotel, I began to wonder again about the man who had attacked me there at de Marsak's apartment. Who'd apparently been there before looking for someone or for me. Did he really think I was de Mersack? Or was it all just a warning to leave this case alone? There was only one way to find out. Back in my hotel, I arranged for another room under the name of Robert Matthews from Texas, usa it was the room adjoining my own, with a connecting door in it. Using my best Texas draw, I'd meet Francois Dubasson when he came at midnight with the only diamonds. 15 million francs. The my sake of told him. Little enough for a necklace worth three quarters of a million. But I've never yet paid a thief for the return of stolen goods. And I had no intention of doing so this time. I settled down to wait for midnight. And then I suddenly realized why. I'd felt only half dressed ever since I was attacked over in Demasak's apartment. Sure, my gun was missing without it. And if De la Soul was wise to me, was the phone in the other room. The one where I'd act out the part of the rich Texan if there was any pointer. Hello?

[B]

Monsieur Matthews?

[A]

Yep.

[B]

My name is De Say, I've been.

[A]

Waiting to hear from you.

[B]

You are I loaned this year.

[A]

Don't think I'd let anybody else in on our little deal, do you?

[B]

I hope not. I can be there in five minutes.

[A]

Yeah, anytime you say. I'm just laying here in bed reading to myself.

[B]

You have the necessary money with you? In cash?

[A]

Just finished taking it out of the hotel safe.

[B]

Monsieur Matthews, if we are able to make what you call a deal.

[A]

Sure we can.

[B]

But I must inform you I will come to your home prepared for any, shall we say, exigency.

[A]

Now, what's that?

[B]

The gun I carry. It has a silencer.

[A]

Five minutes, I'll be here. I suddenly had an idea that might. That might possibly work. Out of a small rug, a pair of shoes and a couple of other things, I fashioned a dummy, laid it carefully in the bed in the other room. After making sure the head of that bed was toward the door, I piled up a couple of pillows so that even if there really been someone in it, only the outline under the covers would be visible. I left a cigarette burning in an ashtray, propped up a magazine from the doorway. Then it looked like someone lying there, reading and smoking. I hoped. I unscrewed a light bulb, then stood behind the slightly open adjoining door. Come in, man, come in.

[B]

You were very foolish, Monsieur Dolair, to say you obtained the money from the hotel safe.

[A]

The night clerk has informed me otherwise.

[B]

Also, he confessed it was you who took both of these rooms.

[A]

Well, have you anything to say?

[B]

I told you Dala was here because of the jewels. Francois. Annette. Oui.

[A]

My chef is so.

[B]

Annette, you may dispose of him once and for all. Close the door. No. Look, there's a dummy in that bed. But fella has no gun now. And if he's here. Francois, take care. Don't worry. First we try that other room.

[A]

I nudged open the adjoining door and with everything I had, I pitched the light bulb across the room at the far wall.

[B]

No, he's in here.

[A]

Then I dove in low at the first of my can reach.

[B]

Annette. Annette. A bad mistake, sonny, because I have the gun.

[A]

I suppose I should have known.

[B]

Annette, your last mistake. Because of this silencer, nobody will ever know.

[A]

I'm sorry, machine. Oh, dear. Oh, thanks to my sac. Like the US Marines.

[B]

But such a pity, monsieur, huh? That I should stoop so low as to strike a beautiful woman.

[A]

Of course, the fact that it saved my life.

[B]

5000?

[A]

Sure, 5000. Of course, there'll be some fancy international legal procedure necessary, but I'm sure the company can arrange for return of the necklace to the United States. As for Dubasa and the lovely but treacherous Annette, well, the Paris police are making the arrangements for them. And I'm sure they won't be very pleasant ones. Expense account total, including a couple of nights on the town. 5,000 for Dermasac and Deluxe Transportation back home. $5,878 even. Wow. Oh, incidentally, I met a luscious little blonde on that return trip. Who was she? Now, let's not go into that. Yours, Julie.

[B]

Johnny Doll.

[A]

Here is our star to tell you about next week's story. Next week, a foggy night on the Embarcadero in San Francisco. In the shadows, a killer. Join us, won't you? Yours truly, Johnny Dollar. Yours truly, Johnny Dollar. Starring Bob Bailey Orig in Hollywood and is written, produced and directed by Jack Johnstone. Heard in our cast were Virginia Greg Forest, Lewis G. Stanley Jones, Tony Barrett, Bill James and Gus Bay. Be sure to join us next week, same time and station for another exciting story of yours truly, Johnny Dolly.