Down These Mean Streets (Old Time Radio Detectives)

BONUS - Christmas Caper Countdown (Part 3)

Original Release: December 17, 2025
Host: Mean Streets Podcasts
Featured Detectives: Johnny Dollar (Charles Russell) & Nero Wolfe (Sydney Greenstreet)

Overview

This festive bonus episode counts down to Christmas with two holiday-themed mysteries from the golden age of radio. The host presents “Yours Truly, Johnny Dollar” in “Small Time Swindles of Big Department Stores” and “The New Adventures of Nero Wolfe” in “The Case of the Slaughtered Santas.” Both episodes blend classic detective intrigue with a Christmas backdrop, starring some of radio’s most iconic gumshoes.

Key Discussion Points & Episode Breakdown

1. Introduction & Podcast Purpose (00:59–02:32)

• Host introduces the Christmas Caper Countdown, featuring holiday episodes with Johnny Dollar and Nero Wolfe.
• Johnny Dollar ("man with the action-packed expense account") investigates a Christmas Eve department store crime.
• Nero Wolfe tackles the murder of sidewalk Santas, including one fearful Kris Kringle seeking protection.
• Tone is nostalgic and lively, celebrating radio detective traditions.

2. “Yours Truly, Johnny Dollar: Small Time Swindles of Big Department Stores”

(02:32–31:04)

Investigation Setup (03:11–06:10)

• Johnny Dollar receives a case from Eben Stevens: a swindler poses as a department store salesman, makes fake sales, steals cash.
• Judy Whitehall, association representative, assists Johnny.
  • Memorable Moment: Johnny flirts with Judy, quipping:

    "You know, in one department store I'm the kind of a guy that can't find a glove department. And now I've got 120 stores in which to find someone I don't even know." (05:48)

Escalation: Crime Turns Violent (06:30–09:07)

• Swindler is confronted in Miller's store; a little girl, Bobby, takes his picture, leading to a shooting (store detective killed).
• The perpetrator flees with the camera; Bobby left traumatized.

The Child Witness & Santa Claus Strategy (09:07–13:42)

• Dollar struggles to get a description from terrified Bobby.
  • Memorable Exchange:

    Bobby: "He hit me. He tried to kill me. He took away my camera." (09:24) Johnny: "Looks like as a child psychologist, I'm nothing..." (09:53)

• Judy suggests invoking Santa's authority; Bobby trusts Santa.
• Santa (store employee) is enlisted to gently persuade Bobby to talk.
  • Humorous Line:

    "You know what happens to little girls who make Santa Claus mad at them?... They don't get any toys. All they get is old sweaters and underwear." (10:24)

Break in the Case (13:42–16:11)

• Bobby gives a basic description; artist sketches suspect.
• They realize Santa in the toy department is missing—his suit stolen by the killer!
• Tension builds: Dollar realizes they may have given Bobby’s description to the murderer himself, now disguised as Santa.

Cat-and-Mouse in the Store (17:11–21:48)

• Police lock down the store; killer remains at large inside, now armed.
• Second victim: an old lady shot, further escalating the manhunt.
• Johnny advocates for store closure for safety, clashing with manager Mr. Sandler’s business priorities.

Climax: Showdown and Capture (21:48–29:06)

• Dollar and Sandler hunt for the killer among the shrouded displays.
• Dramatic gunfight; Dollar uses tactics and decoys to flush out the murderer, culminating in a brawl and Dollar trapping the villain in a packing crate.
  • Signature Noir Tone:

    "People who live in glass houses shouldn’t throw guns." (25:10)

Denouement: A Twist (29:06–31:04)

• Dollar awakes in the hospital—realizes the crate (with the killer) has been shipped off as a charity box… to New York State Prison!
• Expense account humor and witty closing.

3. “The New Adventures of Nero Wolfe: The Case of the Slaughtered Santas”

(32:32–60:57)

Mysterious Murders of Santas (32:32–39:09)

• Three men dressed as Santa Claus for charity—two are killed in separate incidents.
• Third Santa (John Barton) believes he’s the real target and hires Nero Wolfe for protection.
  • Atmospheric Open:

    “This costume you see me in is responsible for it all...I’m about to be murdered.” – John Barton (37:53)

Wolfe’s Methodical Strategy (39:09–44:03)

• Wolfe refuses to let Barton leave house, asserting control.
• Archie investigates the crime scenes, visits Barton's home (meeting niece Laura Barton and half-brother Wayne Stevens), and gets updates from Inspector Kramer at police HQ.
  • Wolfe’s Deadpan Wit:

    Archie: “Can you picture me scrambling down a chimney?”
    Wolfe: “Your imagination is morbid.” (37:10)

Family Tensions & Motives (44:03–49:21)

• Wealth and inheritance surface as motives; half Barton’s estate each to Laura and Wayne.
• Archie is trailed home by Laura, whom Wolfe immediately interrogates about her potential inheritance.

Deception Revealed (50:13–59:04)

• Barton is attacked and disappears from Wolfe’s home.
• Wolfe deduces the “Santa” Barton is in fact the butler, Pleasant, sent as a decoy by the true culprit.
• The real Barton had been cleverly hiding in plain sight, disguised as a street bum (whom Archie earlier gave a quarter).
  • Key Deduction:

    “If you wanted to hide a tree, you'd hide it in a forest. If you wanted to hide a murder... you’d go about murdering several people with an ostensible, if lunatic, reason.” – Wolfe (55:57)

The Murderer Exposed (59:04–60:08)

• Wayne Stevens is unmasked as the instigator; he sought cover for killing Barton by having multiple Santa murders appear to be the work of a maniac.
• Motive: inheritance, with the murders staged as random.

Resolution & Humor (60:08–60:57)

• The real Barton thanks Wolfe; the theme of logic and disguise is playfully underscored.
  • Final Reassurance:

    “Not recognition, Mr. Barton. Logic.” – Wolfe (60:20)

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• Johnny Dollar on Christmas chaos:

  “It was the week before Christmas and all through the house a creature was stirring and boy, what a rat.” (02:32)

• On using Santa to coax a traumatized child:

  “Well, listen, Bobby, this guy Santa happens to be a good friend of mine. What do you think of that?” – Johnny Dollar (10:40)

• Nero Wolfe’s logic on camouflage:

  “If you wanted to hide a murder... you’d go about murdering several people with an ostensible, if lunatic, reason.” (55:57)

Timestamps for Important Segments

• 00:59–02:32: Episode intro, case summaries
• 03:11–06:10: Johnny Dollar receives assignment
• 09:07–13:42: Bobby, child witness, and Santa strategy
• 15:28–16:11: Realization: killer disguised as Santa
• 21:48–29:06: Manhunt, gunfight, and capture in department store
• 32:32–34:18: Nero Wolfe story opens — Santas on street corners
• 37:53: Barton seeks Wolfe’s help in person
• 44:27–49:21: Barton home, introduction of suspects and motives
• 55:57: Wolfe’s critical deduction about the murder pattern
• 59:04–60:08: Stevens unmasked as the murderer
• 60:08–60:57: Barton’s reveal and wrap-up

Tone & Style

The episode is witty, fast-paced, and richly atmospheric, showcasing the banter, sharp dialogue, and sly humor of radio’s golden age. The host and featured detectives exude the classic noir sensibilities, mixing suspense with seasonal flair.

Takeaway

This holiday episode showcases two vintage detective stories filled with murder, mistaken identity, festive mayhem, and clever sleuthing. Whether it’s Johnny Dollar’s sardonic expense account or Nero Wolfe’s unflappable logic, both mysteries deliver satisfying, Christmas-laced suspense rooted in radio’s beloved traditions.

Ideal for listeners craving old-fashioned mystery, holiday nostalgia, and sharp detective drama.