← Down These Mean Streets (Old Time Radio Detectives)
Down These Mean Streets (Old Time Radio Detectives)
Episode 632 - TV is the Thing This Year (Boston Blackie, Dragnet, Whistler, & Johnny Dollar)
02:03:23
Don’t change the channel! Each of this week’s radio mysteries involve that exciting new medium - television. A man is poisoned on the air as he’s about to reveal a murderer’s identity in a syndicated adventure of Boston Blackie, and the cops...
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Vincent Price
Get this and get it straight. Crime is a sucker's road and those who travel it wind up in the gut of the prison of the grave. The story you are about to hear is true. Only the names have been changed to protect the innocent. The Adventures of Sam Spade Detective the Adventures of the Saint Starring Vincent Price. Bob Bailey in the exciting adventures of the man with the action packed expense account. America's fabulous freelance insurance investigator. Yours truly, Johnny Dollar. This is the cold season. What do medical authorities say about the common cold? Doctors tell us there's no known drug which will cure a cold. There are effective medications for treating complications accompanying or following a cold. If you've been taking sensible precautions and still have one cold after another, it's best to see your doctor. And here's another important health tip. When you have a cold and need a laxative, that's the time to rely on gentle Ex Lax. Pleasant tasting chocolated Ex Lax helps you toward your normal regularity gently, overnight. Exlax gets along with any cold remedies you may be taking. And Ex Lax works where nature wants, in the lower tract, not the stomach. Taken at bedtime, Ex Lax won't disturb sleep. Gives you the closest thing to natural action. The next morning, you're well on your way towards your normal regularity without upset or discomfort. So when you have a cold and need a laxative, take XLax, the laxative you can use with complete confidence. Ex Lax helps you towards your normal regularity gently overnight. Ex Lax say, there's a girl in our neighborhood who's always been mighty fond of Brenda. Starr follows her adventures regularly in the funny papers. So she was mighty thrilled when she found that Brenda is one of the characters in that new series of comic buttons that that Kellogg's Pep is putting out. So thrilled, in fact, that she started to specialize in collecting Brenda Star buttons. And she already has five of them pinned right on her jacket. Of course, most of the fellows and girls in the gang think that it's more fun to collect different buttons and. And that's why they want Cindy and Vitamin Flint, Heart and Superman and all the others, of course. However you do it, it's dog gone, exciting fun. As you know. The best part is these comic buttons are so easy to get. You don't send in any money, not even the box Stop. And you can't buy them anywhere. But there's one of these exciting prizes in every package of Kellogg's Pet the Sunshine cereal. The crisp, tender whole wheat flakes with that catchy sunshine flavor makes mighty good eating for breakfast so crisp and fresh and toasty that, well, you want to pitch right in and eat hearty. And that's always a good idea on a cold morning. Yes, sir. Kellogg's Pep is mighty good for you. Mom knows that, so remind her to get plenty of pee. He Pee the Sunshine Cereal. Kellogg's Pep to every woman listening tonight, I want to say a special word about making every dinner or supper you serve taste better. I want to urge you to start serving Roma wine with your meals. It's simple, the cost is very, very little, and it works magic in making food more enjoyable. You can serve Roma wine with any meal or anytime, in any kind of glass you wish. Serve it chilled. Try different kinds of Roma wine until you find those you enjoy most of all. Try hearty red Roma California Burgundy or the delicately delicious Roma California Sautern. The cost is mere pennies a glassful, but you'll find even a pickup supper tastes like a banquet. Get Roma wines today and if your dealer is temporarily out of them, please try again soon. Just ask for R O M a Roma Wines, America's largest selling wines made in California for enjoyment throughout the world. A word of advice for those of you who suffer from acid indigestion, heartburn or gas. Do you know about the little white tablets in the little green pocket roll? Just a waiting for the moment when you need them to bring your acid indigestion under control. Chums are the little white tablets in the little green pocket. Road chums for the tumm T u m s bring relief quicker than you'd ever guess. Best for any kind of acid distress. Keep them handy in the pocket roll. Keep your tummy under TUMS control. The modern TUMS formula has never been surpassed for effectiveness. Always carry Tums 10 cents 3 roll pack a quarter or get the new 6 roll Tums pack with free metal carrier only 49 cents. Next time you bounce out of bed in the morning. Well, you do bounce, don't you? Okay, let's say next time you get out of bed, head for the Wheaties. Sure enough, head for the Wheaties at 7am and see how they help at 11am as they can make a difference at 11. And they can make a difference at the breakfast table. It's likely to be a pleasanter place with a bowl full of crisp little old Wheaties next to your spoon and napkin. The reason is of course, the whole hearted whole wheat Taste of Wheaties. You're getting all that sweet as a nut whole wheat flavor in every Wheaties flake. Pour on the milk put on the fruit and dig right in to one of the finest openings any morning ever had. And then see how much finer the morning itself goes when you've started with breakfast of champions. That full whole wheat really gives with vitality. You know, there's a whole kernel of wheat in every flake of Wheaties. Now, see if you don't notice the difference all morning long. Less of the mid morning slump, more of the up and atom punch. Know what I mean? All right, then you try it tomorrow. Next day for a good breakfast. For a good morning, start with Wheaties. See yourself how wheaties at 7 can help at 11. I dedicate this program to the fight against crime. Not merely crimes of violence and crimes of dishonesty, but crimes of intolerance, discrimination and bad citizenship. Crimes against America. Comfortable, Mary? Mm. Barry, is it time yet? Yeah, a minute or two. Swell apartment my friend Charlie Kingston has here. Yeah, it was nice of inverters. Borrow it so we could use television. Imagine seeing Inspector Faraday on a television screen. One of the nicest ways of seeing Faraday. You know, so near and yet so far away. Turn it on, Vicky, will you? Okay, let's see. What's this little knob does? Well, screen's lighting up. Edison and Blackie. Wonderful team. Ooh. Hey, I see something on the screen. Yeah, so do I, but it's a little blurred. They must be televising Faraday's mind. I think it needs a little shop. At tuning the set or the mind? Both. Hey, that's better, isn't it? Much. Oh. Oh, Blackie, there's Faraday. Yeah, I see him and three other men around the table. Well, in as much as they're broadcasting Civic Forum. That's as it should be. The inspector seems a little nervous, doesn't he? Because he's hitting the water pitcher. He probably read somewhere that all speakers drink a glass of water before they go on. Well, the other members of the Forum must have read the same thing. No? It's hot in the television studio, Mary. You know, Blackie, it's hard to realize that here we are sitting at home watching and listening to something taking place miles away. Don't you think television's wonderful? Oh, I don't know. It'll never replace the horse. Hmm. You know, I think it's about time you told me I was wonderful, too, Blackie. I don't think you ever replaced the horse either. Hey. Hey, I think that's Inspector Faraday. Yeah, yeah. Now it's his turn to speak. I'll turn the radio Quad on. Oh, good. This is going to be fun. Ladies and gentlemen, we continue our roundtable discussion by presenting an outstanding civic leader, Cyrus Baxter. Oh, it's not Faraday after all. Should I turn it down? Well, let's hear what Baxter has to say. I think Faraday should follow him. He's sitting next to him. Mr. Baxter seems to be a bit thirsty, too. Well, he's finally put down that water glass. Now maybe he'll. Ladies and gentlemen, I have come here tonight for a specific purpose. Make accusation against one of. Hey. Hey. What's happening to him? He's grabbing his throat. He's choking, Mary. Looks like he's falling back right into Faraday's arm. Which means that somebody laid a murder right in Faraday's lap. It's summer money time. Yes, it's summer money time. Come to Beneficial. Now it's summer money time. Right now it's summer money time at Beneficial Finance Company. Get the cash you want for a wonderful vacation, to clean up leftover bills or for any good reason. You'll find the service just a little faster, just a little friendlier. And you get this Beneficial extra. Your own international credit card, good for cash wherever you go. Cash. Just say the word. You're the boss at Beneficial, where it's summer money time. And now back to Boston. Blackie. Enemy to those who make him an enemy. Friend to those who have no friend. There's Faraday over there with the police photographers, Mary. He looks awful worried, Blackie. He looks confused, but then he always does. Well, darling, Faraday really isn't his partner. If Baxter was murdered with Faraday right in the room, the police commissioner will do some plain and fancy screaming, and you know it. No question about that. Oh, hold it, honey. We've been detected. Here comes the inspector. Hi, Ferdy. Blankie, before I do anything else, I've got one thing to say to you. Get out of here. Hello, Inspector Faraday. Hello, Ms. Wesley. I make that two things, blankie. Get out and stay out. Oh, if I get troubles, I know. I saw you by television. You photographed badly. I'm not talking about that, and you know it. Cyrus Baxter was standing right next to me when he was murdered. Then he was murdered, huh? Why did you do it, Paranet? What do you mean, why did I do it? I didn't kill him, Blackie. Not beat it. Sure. Inspector, did you find out yet what poison was used? Poison? Who said it was poison? How could it be poison? I drank from the same pitcher of water. So did everybody at the table. We weren't poisoned, were we? Oh, I don't know. How do you feel, Inspector? I feel great. I feel like throwing you right out of here. Oh, Blackie, why don't you stop? Darling, Inspector Faraday has enough. I'm sorry. Say, Inspector, Baxter was just about to accuse somebody of something when the poison hit him. Who said it was poison? I told you it couldn't be poisoned. Excuse me. Inspector Faraday. The medical examiner just finished with the body. He said to tell you Baxter was poisoned by the water. He won't be able to identify the poison until after the autopsy. Okay, Blackie, beat it. I'll take it from here alone. I'll go. But you won't be alone, Inspector. There's a person heading this way right now with purpose in his footsteps and you in his mind. Do you know him, Inspector? That's Rex Daniels. He was secretary to Mr. Baxter. Inspector. Inspector Faraday, I've got to talk to you for a moment. Not now. I think you'd better listen to him, Faraday. And now. And nobody tells me what I better do. What do you want, Daniels? Inspector, I know what Mr. Baxter was going to say when he fell dead. I helped him prepare the indictment. What kind of an indictment was that? Daniels? Who are you? Oh, he's Boston. Blackie, who is Baxter going to indict? A man named Thomas. Ralph Thomas. Mr. Baxter was going to expose him to the Forum members. We knew he was farming out city contracts, costing the taxpayers additional money. Thomas, huh? Hey, we all had dinner at his house tonight. Who's all, Inspector? Well, me, Baxter, Ralph Thomas, and then there was Inspector Faraday. And you, too, Waters. Waters, huh? What do you do? Shut up, lanky. Mr. Waters has political connections. Very good one, too. Oh, I remember you, Mr. Waters. I saw you on our television stand. Yes, Yes, I was scheduled to speak before. Well, before the unfortunate accident. It wasn't an accident. It was murder. Somebody wanted to keep Baxter quiet. Faraday, you say you had dinner at Ralph Thomas's? Yeah, four of us. Baxter, Mr. Waters, Thomas and I. Hey, Thomas could have poisoned Baxter then. And have the poison take effect at exactly the right moment. Faraday, I don't think that happens, except in books. So you don't think it happens? Well, who cares what you think? I'm gonna go to work on Thomas right now. Are you sure Baxter was gonna accuse Thomas Daniels? Of course I'm sure. Well, you're giving us some action, Inspector. That's all I wanted to be sure of. Lorne Daniels. Yes, sir. Thank you, Inspector Faraday. Thank you. Very much. I was very fond of my employer. Yeah, I know. Wait a minute. Do you figure to step into his job, Daniels? Well, I. I hadn't thought about it much. But I guess I am the only one who could handle it right away. That's all I wanted to know. You can go now. But I'll be seeing you. And you too, Wallace. Goodbye, Inspector. We'll be seeing you Friday. Hey, hey. Does anybody remember I'm still here? See that you stay here and keep lanky with you. I'm going to see this Ralph Thomas. That's right, Inspector. Between the two of us, we'll make him talk. Yeah, he's going to talk between the one of us. And that means me. And it also means you're going to keep away from his house. Far away. You get that? So longy. Goodbye, Inspector. Oh, Miss Wesley. I'm sorry. Goodbye. Goodbye. Come on, Mary. Would it be impolite to ask where? To a phone booth. I'm going to call this Ralph Thomas and arrange to meet him before Farenger can get to him. And the subject we'll discuss when we meet will be another man's poison. Ralph Thomas residence. Hello, is Mr. Thomas at home? I'm sorry, sir, he is not. This is Inspector Allen of the police. Did you serve the dinner at Mr. Thomas's house tonight? Why, yes, Inspector. Of course I did. I just wanted to be sure it was you. Tell me one thing. Who cooked the dinner? I did, sir. It's one of my duties. Was anything wrong? I don't know yet. Tell me this. Did everyone at the table eat the same food? Oh, yes, sir. And every bit of it too, if you'll pardon me. And there's nothing else. This is my night off and I was just about to leave the house. One thing more. Do you know where Mr. Thomas is? This is his bowling night, sir. The Academy alleys. You might find him there. Thank you very much. Goodbye. I'm in luck, Mary. Oh, yes. Yes, Blacky. What? Yes, Mary. Mr. Thomas has gone bowling. And the chance to see him alone is right down my alley. How'd it go tonight, Mr. Thomas? Wild Joe had a 165 average for seven games. Not bad. Not bad. Good night, Joe. Good night, Mr. Thomas. See you same time next week. All right, Joe. Good night, Mr. Thomas. I'd like to see you at the same time this week. Who are you? Boston Blackie. The name mean anything to you? Brigley. You were looking for me. That's pretty apparent, isn't it, Mr. Thomas? Did you know that Cyrus Baxter Was murdered tonight? No, I didn't. How did it happen? You don't seem very upset. There isn't much difference between life and death. It's the presence of one because of the absence of the other. Did you follow me? It's a little beyond my depth, Thomas, but murder isn't. By the way, Baxter did have dinner at your house. Yes, that's right, he did. So, Inspector Faraday, the police and Richard Waters, were they poisoned too? I never said that Baxter was poisoned. No, you didn't. But you mentioned he was murdered and brought up the fact that he had dinner at my house. Pretty obvious conclusion, don't you think either? An obvious conclusion? A definite knowledge. Look, Thomas, you're in a spot. Baxter was preparing to expose you publicly at that forum. Did you know that? No. But it's possible my business is a little out of the ordinary. Just what is your business? Just what business is it of yours? Actually, none. But the police are after you, and if you're innocent, it's just possible I might be able to help. You don't think I poisoned Baxter? No. I think you're too smart to do that. But come to think of it, this had to be a pretty smart stunt. What are you talking about? Four men had dinner together, and there three of those men drank from the same water. Picture the water was poisoned, but only one man died. That's a pretty good trick. Tell me how it was done. Maybe you'll tell me. First of all, did all four of you eat the same food at dinner? Identical. Cream soup, roast beef, boiled potatoes, lima beans, dessert and coffee. Baxter had no coffee. Is that important? You know it's not. Who prepared the dinner? Thomas Jones, my butler. He's a very good cook. I talked to him earlier. I understand he has the night off. Will he be home later? I think so. He has an apartment over the garage, generally in by midnight. On his night off. I think I'll go to see him. Maybe your butler will open the door to a solution of this case. Darling, this is my idea of completely nothing. How can you say that, Mary? Well, that's easy. I'll show you. Blackie, darling, this is my idea of completely nothing. See, we're on the trail of a killer gal en route to what may turn out to be a killer's quarters in yon garage. So suppose we find the butler. Then what? Then we what? Somebody's following us. Get into these bushes quick. We're all right. But I don't hear any. Hey. Hey. Hey. I do hear footsteps. Keep out of this Mary. I'll handle him, whoever he is. Wait here, Blackie. I mean, wait here quietly. I'm gonna grab him. And, baby, when I grab somebody, they say, gramp. Hi. You're new around here, huh? Say, you know about this Nationwide Auto Insurance we're singing about? I sure do. The best and not expensive. Oh, yeah? Nationwide Auto Insurance gives you all the coverage you need. Oh, Nationwide doesn't cut corners. It's quality auto insurance at real low cost. Kidding. So good. Over two and a quarter million by Nationwide. Hey, you know a lot about it. I should. I'm a vice president with a company. And you're doing the jingle. Well, I just kept singing along. Nationwide all know the curious. Your best buy by far. Nationwide Always the best for you and your car. And now back to Boston, Blackie. While Blackie and Mary Wesley were watching by television, Sara Spaxter fell dead in the television studio just as he was about to indict Ralph Thomas, political lobbyist. Thomas secretary Rex Daniels and Richard Waters, a civic board member, are under suspicion as well as Thomas. When investigation shows that Baxter was poisoned and that he had had dinner with the others at Thomas house, a search is made for the butler who cooked and served the dinner en route to his quarter in the Thomas garage. Blackie and Mary realize they are being followed and Blackie jumps on the man. Well, friends, that ought to hold you for a while. How do you like your face? Getting an awful massage. I got him. And exercise. Hand me the flashlight, Mary, so I can see what I nabbed and what kind of a head I'll have hanging in my trophy room. Black Tone. Black, you dope. Let me at. Oh, it's Inspector Faraday. Oh, flattened. Oh, golly. I'm sorry, Inspector. I didn't know it was you. Here, let me help you up. What's the idea of hopping on me? Well, I didn't know it was you. What was the idea of trailing me? I didn't know it was you either. I saw two figures. One of them was mine. The good one. Mary. Well, cut it out. Both here. Where are you going, Blakey? Oh, nowhere. Just out for a stroll. Yeah, I know. Me too. Only I took my stroll first. I got to this garage 20 minutes ago. Nobody answered the door in Thomas's house, so I thought I'd try here. Was anybody in the garage, Inspector? Nobody to speak of. Just a corpse. That's nobody to speak to. Was it the butler? Yeah. Knifed. Oh, I give a lot to know. Why, I could tell you. I don't want to Know that Badly. Come on. Let's get into Thomas house and wait for him to come home. All good police inspectors have skeleton keys, right, Inspector? I got something better. You. Now, look. Can you open that back door, blankie? I don't know. I haven't seen it yet. But past performances were in my favor. I know. There it is. Go to work. Okay. This is awfully illegal, Inspector. Yeah. Murder is a little bit against the law too. How you telling? Pretty well. There. The door unlocked. Well, open it. Right. Gas, blankie. I smell gas. Keep out of the way, Mary. Come on, Inspector. Put your handkerchief over your nose and come on. Okay, I'm with you. Break that window. Inspector first. Okay. Put the placard on it so I can see what I'm doing. Right. Right over here. Okay. Hey. Hey. Look, Inspector. That body on the floor. It's Thomas. That makes the third one. First Baxter, then his butler, now Thomas here. He killed the first two and then committed suicide. Well, that washes this case. Inspector, come here, quick. Now, what is it, genius? Nothing that you'd be interested in, except Thomas isn't dead. He broke in here just in time. Not dead. But he's gotta be dead. This room was loaded with gas from that kitchen range. Not too loaded. Whoever did this might have wanted it to look like suicide, but didn't stuff the cracks under the doors. And we broke in in time to save Thomas. Look at this bump on the back of Thomas's head. He got it when the gas hit him and he fell off that chair. He could have gotten it when somebody hit him, turned on the gas and left him here. That's what you think. As soon as Thomas revives, I'm taking him to headquarters and booking him for murder. Go ahead. But get an apology ready, kid. You're gonna need it when it turns out that Thomas is inn. Just keep driving anywhere, Mary. It doesn't matter where we go as long as I have time to think. You got time to think out loud? Yeah, I suppose so. Mary, would Thomas be clever enough to fake an attack on himself, hoping to throw us off the track? Well, what would he hope to gain back here? He'd hope to throw suspicion on somebody else. Ralph Waters or Rex Daniels backs his secretary. I mean, he figured you'd break in in time to fade him. Maybe. What bothers me, too, is that poisoning of Baxter. Faraday tells me there was poison found in the water that everybody at the Forum drank. Yet it affected only Baxter. How can that be? I don't know. Would. Would finding a motive help you Blackie. No, not in this case, Mary. Everybody had a motive. Don't they always in mystery stories? Invariably. Only mystery stories generally wind up with a solution. I'd like to know what this one is. You'll find it, darling. I know you will. That line came out of the same mystery story. Hey. Well, let's go to work. Suppose you drive me to Ralph Water's house, and as the dog said when he went flea hunting, we start from scratch. I don't think there's anything further I care to say to you, Daniels. And certainly nothing further I care to hear from you. Good day. Not so fast, Mr. Waters. I happen to be very fond of Mr. Baxter. I admit that very much. Good day, Mr. Waters. You had opportunity to poison that drinking water at the television studio. And reason enough to want Mr. Baxter dead. So did you, for that matter. I had reason. Baxter's job. You've got it now. Maybe you'd better leave before I start putting pieces together. You're trying to insinuate I killed Mr. Baxter, the man who gave me the only chance I ever had. I could kill you for saying that. Stop it. Stop it. Stop it. You better stop it. Daniels. Take your hands off him. What do you want here, Blackie? Mr. Water's alive, for one thing. Have him arrested. Blackie, he. He almost killed me just now. Yes, I know. I saw that. And it gave me an idea. All I've got to do is to put that idea of mine into execution. And both of you better hope it isn't your execution I'm talking about. Lights hurt your eyes, Thomas? Too bad. Go on, talk. Inspector. Folks. Faraday, there isn't anything I can tell you except what I've already told you. I know nothing of how Mr. Baxter or my butler were killed or who tried to kill me and make it look like suicide. Thomas, I'm gonna. Oh, yeah, Faraday speaking. Well, what is it, Frankie? You want me to do what? Are you kidding? Of course I won't. Sure. I want to solve this case. And that's the way to do it, huh? Okay. What can I lose? Except a couple of hours right away. 8:00 clock tonight is okay. Goodbye, Thomas. You're gonna have a dinner party at your house again tonight. And then we go to the television studio just like we did last night. What's the reason for all this, Inspector? It's Blackie's idea. He says he's going to make a murderer show his hand so we can get a look at his face. Gentlemen. As you know, Inspector Faraday, Mr. Waters, Mr. Thomas and I have just come here to the television studio from a dinner where we ate exactly what was served at the dinner last night. This farce is a little late in getting started, isn't it? That's what I said. Maybe, Mr. Waters, but the ending is worth it. Come on, Blackie. Come on. Do something. I will, Faraday. I'll start with a roll call. First. Inspector Faraday of the police. What do I do now? Bow? Not until this case is solved, though, fella. Rex Daniels, secretary to the late Cyrus Baxter. Here. Richard Waters, member of the city Finance Council. Here. Blackie and Ralph Thomas. Political hanger on, holding no office, but packing a lot of weight. Thank you, sir. It's very hot in the studio under these lights. Gentlemen. Here in this pitcher of ice water, I will all be able to have a drink. But I'm going to improve the taste a little. The small bottle I asked you for, Inspector, please. Yeah. Thank you. There's poison in this water, gentlemen. The same poison that killed Baxter. I'm going to pour it into the water pitcher. And now I'm going to drink a glass of the water. There. Now, here's a glass of water for you, Waters. For you, Thomas. And for you, Daniels. And for you, Faraday. Okay. Now, I want all of you to drink the water together. Come on now. 1. 2. No, I can't do it. I can't, I tell you. I can't. Drink it. Daniels, with a count of three. One. Two. I won't do it. It's murder. It'll kill all of us. I drank it, Mr. Waters. Remember? Sure. Sure, you drank it. But you took an antidote at dinner. You had it in your coffee, and you wouldn't serve coffee to any of us. He's trying to murder us all. Don't let him. I'm going to get out of here. I won't drink that water. Grab him, Parody. He's your murderer. Richard Waters. I'm listening, Blackie. I'm gloating, lovely one. Where shall I begin? With the reason that Waters killed Baxter. Well, that was because Baxter was going to indict Ralph Thomas. Thomas had to have a partner and a city job. That partner was Waters. If Baxter named Thomas, Thomas would pass the buck to Waters. Catch on, catch on. I know why the butler was killed, too. Waters had bribed him to put the antidote in the coffee he served at the dinner and later killed him to keep him from talking. Nice going, Waters. New Baxter drank only milk, and so he had the antidote placed in the coffee by the Butler. He believed I had done the same thing before. I drank the water and that gave him away. And then Waters later tried to kill Thomas and make it look like suicide so that Thomas would be suspected. How am I doing, Brackie? You're wonderful, Mary. But I still don't replace the horse, huh? Well, I think you were wonderful taking a chance on drinking that water you had. Had poison? Don't be silly. I knew I hadn't any poison in that water. What? It was just more water I added, that's all. Tricky, huh? Yes, darling, you're tricky, huh? And I'm thirsty, huh? So, huh, I'll pour myself a little water. I do all the talking and you get thirsty. That's what I call close friendship. Well, I'll answer that when I'm through drinking. There now, what Was it you. Oh, Blackie. Blackie. What is it, Mary? What? My throat. My throat. Oh, Black. Blackie, I'm full. It's all right, dear. I'm holding you. What is it? What's the matter? Well, with you holding me, nothing's the matter. I'm a little tricky too, darling. Ladies and gentlemen, the documented story you will hear during the next 30 minutes is not a subject commonly discussed. It is a criminal problem that is not yet nationwide. But it's a problem which is growing rapidly. We present it now so that you may recognize it for what it is if and when it invades your city. The story you are about to hear is true. Only the names have been changed to protect the innocent. Fatima best of all king size cigarettes brings you. Dragnet. You're a detective sergeant. You're assigned a bunco detail. You begin to receive reports of a vicious new racket growing in your city. The television repair racket. The repairmen lie overcharge, bill you for work not done, for parts not needed, for parts. They don't install. Your job stop them. How does Fatima compare with other king size cigarettes? Fatimas are the same length and circumference. 85 millimeters long, 1 and 164 inches around. And Fatima filters the smoke exactly the same long distance as any other king size cigarette. Tell me then, how is Fatima different from other king size cigarettes? In Fatima, the difference is quality. Fatima gives you extra mildness, a much different, much better flavor and aroma. Remember, Fatima has all the advantages of extra length plus Fatima quality which no other king size cigarette has. So insist on the best smoke. King size Fatima Best of all king size cigarettes. Dragnet. The documented drama of an actual crime for the next 30 minutes in cooperation with The Los Angeles Police Department. You will travel step by step on the side of the law through an actual case transcribed from official police files. From beginning to end, from crime to punishment. Dragnet is the story of your police force in action. It was Monday, January 19th. It was overcast in Los Angeles. We were working the day watch out of bunco detail. My partner's Ben Romero. The boss is Captain McCauley. My name's Friday. It was 9:15am when we got to the third floor of the Los Angeles Daily News. The assistant city editor's office. Hi, Friday. Come on in. Sit down. Morning, Jack. Like you to meet my partner, Ben Romero. Ben, this is Jack Knet, staff writer for the Daily News. How are you? Glad I know you been. Sit down, fellas. Thanks. We just left the skipper over at the City Hall. Did the captain brief you on this thing? Yeah, he gave us a partial fill in. We've been working on it from our end about two weeks now. Oh, Paul Price, he's our radio TV editor. Paul and I had a long session with Captain McCullough yesterday. And I guess now we're all ready to move on this thing, huh? We'll do everything we can. Would you like to fill Ben in on what you told me yesterday on the phone? Yeah. Well, Price was the one who began getting the first complaints here at the paper. Tremendous number of his readers wrote in. Complaints about being victimized by crooked television repairmen. About being charged too much for repair? Partly, yeah. Some of the people even sent in receipts with their letters. Said they felt the guys who fixed their sets were dreaming up unnecessary repairs. Charging them for work not done. Some said they knew they were built for parts not even replaced or installed in their sets. Ben, Jack told me yesterday about a letter he got from some man. Said he felt he'd been overcharged and he just started to belly ache about it. Yeah, a fellow by the name of Vincent. Said he'd just put up an old fashioned squawk about it. And repairman brought the price down at least one third. That doesn't sound very good, does it? We kind of figured operators like that must have too many repair sets on hand that their customers can't afford to bail out. That's why they cut. Sounds like a clear case of a two bit jip, doesn't it? Well, something's gotta be done about it. We're ready to give it big play in our paper. Expose the fraud for what it really is. Captain McCauley says Chief Parker's okay to our plan and we can count on full police cooperation. That's the way we got it, Jack. We were told to work with you people till we broke this thing. Fine. We dug up a little ammunition to start with, I think went around and interviewed about 15 different television repairmen in various neighborhoods. And about three out of five gave me the same pitch. Well, did they know you were with a newspaper? No. I told them I was a factory representative for a new kind of rosin core cider company and I was taking orders. Naturally, I dropped in the different stores, shot the breeze with them, and they didn't. Seemed to get wise. A couple of them even placed orders for the sar. Well, what'd you find out? Well, I just wanted to try and get the general attitude of some of these JIP artists and I really got an earful. One of the last places I hit was a tiny little hole in the wall out near Canoga Park. As I say, about two out of five are honest, hard working repairmen. This fellow was one of them. What are you getting at, Jerry? For a while this fella worked for a guy that employed about five men in his shop. Yeah. Finally quit him because he didn't like the way this big operator did business. Fellas in the next office, I want you to hear it from him. Just as I got it. Excuse me. Okay. Hank, will you come in, please? Sure. Mr. Knight, this is Hank Coulter, Sergeant Friday, Sergeant Ben Romero, Police Department. Hank, I wonder if you'd tell these officers a little of what you told me about Kilgore, TV specialist. All right. Now, suppose I'm a customer and I come into Kilgore's. I don't like the size of my repair bill. What were you instructed to say? We generally tried to talk him out of any complaint. Suppose I complained about all the multiple charges. I wanted an explanation of the work you did. What then? He just tell you that? It wouldn't do any good to explain. You wouldn't understand all the technical stuff anyway. Tell us Kilgore's attitude with the customer. You mean about the loose wire stuff? Yeah, please. Well, Kilgore used to tell us that if we only charge $0.50 for fixing a loose wire, the customer wouldn't believe we really fixed his set. So we used to charge quite a lot more. Well, how much more? For example, for a nickel's worth of wire, we'd usually charge $4.75. Pretty fair profit. It's a real rob. What else can you tell us, eh? Well, we'd never let a customer watch any of the TV Repair jobs. For example, if a customer calls and says he thinks the tube's blown out and it'll only be a simple replacement job in his home, we'd tell him the parts are getting hard to get and we'd have to take his set into the shop and charge him a higher rate because we had to pay black market prices for the tube. Was there any truth in that? I mean, about the tubes being hard to get? Not much. Some of them are getting a little hard to get. But we never paid any black market prices at Kilgore's. We just slugged the customer, that's all. Tell them about how you used to swap parts on a new set, Hank. Well, we lots of times part a new tube for one not so good. One not so good. We put in a set with a bad tube. Yeah. Then the bad tube we'd exchange at the factory under a one year guarantee. Yeah. They don't miss an angle, do they? Well, that's it. You've heard it from a man who couldn't stomach such practice and quit. Went into the business. Little bit of a shop isn't doing too well, are you, Hank? No, but I think I can build up the business. I don't make quite as much profit as Kilgore's, but I don't chisel my customers either. Thanks a lot, Hank. I wonder if you'd wait in the next office for me. Sure. Hope I've helped a little bit to crack down on some of these guys. Well, we think you have, Hank. Thanks a lot. Nice to match you. Right. See you later. See you later. Seems like a nice fella. There he is. I've checked on him and I've talked with some of his customers since I met him. He's honest. It's a pretty vicious racket, isn't it? Yeah. It ought to be stopped now. Television's a wonderful medium of entertainment. A lot of the country doesn't have it yet. But when the cable goes through and it finally opens up, the people should know about the swindlers and crooks who try to jiff them. Yeah, that's right. It's the same way when radio first came in. Always seems like when anything new comes along, anything a little complicated, maybe a little too involved for the average guy, a few smart punks victimize him. Rob the consumer blind. Well, naturally we. We gotta have some positive evidence before we can file a complaint with the city attorney on this thing. Yeah. You fellas, any ideas where to start? Well, the best way to crack down on These crooked operators is to catch em red handed with evidence that'll hold up in court. Yeah, we think maybe we've got an idea. We were talking to Dick Saunders over in our sound lab and he says that he can bungle a new TV set and we can mark it and photograph it before it goes out to be repaired. When it's returned or after it's fixed, we'll have what we need to go to court on, huh? Yeah, that's it. We can operate right out of one of our own homes. All we have to do is hope the repairman overcharges us or tries to gyp us. Yeah, that's right. Let's hope it works. Well, from what we've heard, it's got to 10am the staff writer, Jack Knett. Ben and I drove back downtown. On the way, it was decided that we'd use Kinette's home as the place from which to operate. It was centrally located and in an average neighborhood. When we got back to our office, we contacted one of the local television dealers and asked for the loan of one of their sets. They recommended K. Halbert because the chassis is easily accessible and any trouble could be located quickly because parts are visible. A 16 inch K. Halbert console model was sent to our sound lab. 10:18am we met with Dick Saunders, our police lab technician. Here's a set. 16 inch console model, serial number C2817901. What have you done to it, Dick? Well, first off, I tested the set and it performed perfectly. It's a good set. Brings in a fine picture. See 20. Test pattern's fine, huh? Yeah, it's good. Tested all the tubes? All. Okay. How are you marking the set? Here, I'll show you. Get a tube out of here. Now if you look closely here at the base of the. See it? What's that? This is it, isn't it, Dick? A little tiny dot of green paint. Yeah, that's right, Ben. I'm marking every part of this set with this tiny green dot. Looks good. If I didn't spot it, I doubt anyone else would. Especially if they didn't know about it. Yeah, that's what we're hoping. In addition to this type marking, we've taken all serial numbers off the tubes in various parts. Anything that carried any form of coating we took down. All major components have been marked. Transformers, coils, condensers, tuning units, so on. Did you get any pictures of it? Yeah, we did. Took photographs of the set in and out of the cabinet. Took them from four different angles. Just to be sure we were well covered. Well, how did you bungle it? Well, here's what I did. To put the set out of commission. I burned out the filament of the 5U 4G low voltage rectifier tube. What's the cost of that particular tube, Saunders? Well, this tube ordinarily retails for A$65 cents. What does that do to this set? I mean, burning out the tube? By burning out that filament, we cause the sound and picture circuits to be completely inoperative. It won't work at all until that particular tube is replaced by a good one. Is that it? That's right, Joe. Well, how big a job would it be to trace the trouble? Well, it could easily be detected by casual observation or by noting that the tube, normally very hot, is cold. How much time would you say it would require to make a repair like this? Oh, I'd estimate not over half hour would be required to place this set in operating order. Half hour. Okay, thanks a lot. Dick, you gonna take care of getting a set out to Connect's home right away? Yeah, we have his address right here. We'll get it right out. All right, fine. If you can try to get whoever repairs this set to give you an itemized bill of all work done and parts installed. Right. In case you call more than one outfit today, here's an extra bad 5U 4G tube. Thank you, Dick. Anything you'd like to know? No, I think that about covers it for me. Jack. One more thing. I was just wondering. If somebody spots the trouble right away and replaces the tube, what do you think they ought to charge Dick, labor and all. I checked through RTA on that this morning. They said to make a house call and replace the defective tube. Should not exceed $4.50. Okay, thanks. That does it for now, huh? Yeah, I guess so. Well, you're all set then. Think we'll get what you're after? Well, we should. The odds are all on our side. 10:30am Monday, January 19th. We left the sound lab on West 1st street and walked back to Bunco division. We met with Captain McCauley and filled him in. We gave him the newspaper man Jack Cannett's address and told him he could reach us there. The console model television set was delivered to Kannett's home and properly installed. When we arrived at his home, we started going through the yellow classified section of the phone directory. We made a list of several TV service stores. Just picked at random. We chose a wide variety. We picked stores that were listed with large boxed in ads. Stores that carried no ads, just a listing. Ben called two places and staggered the call so that the repairmen would arrive about one hour apart. It was 11:30am when the first man made his service call. Bart's TV Experts on Hollywood Boulevard. It took him 45 minutes. Was 12:15 when he left. Jack Connect. Must have been one of the two out of five, huh? Yeah, he seems okay. I wonder if I could see that bill, huh? Oh. Here you go, Joe. Thanks. It looks okay. Replace 5U 4G tube, $65. Service charge 250. Total charges $4.15. That kind of bears out cadet's thinking, doesn't it? Remember when we asked him how many men worked in his shop? He said he's alone. Yeah. I think you'll find that's a pretty good barometer. All the service men working alone aren't like this guy. But the bigger percentage of the honest ones are. When's the next one due to arrive, man? Any minute now. Called a place by the name of Cheney's Video Repairs. They're over on Beverly Boulevard. Had a big ad. Looks like a pretty big outfit. Oh, here's that other defective tube that Dick gave us. Yeah. Better get it in the set. Yeah. Let's see. Here we are. 5U 4G. Okay, here you go. Thanks, Joe. Here's a new one the guy put in. Got it. Okay. Get this back on again, okay? Yeah, fine. Better turn it on to make sure it's not working. I got it. How about the tube, Ben? Can you see? Is it lighting up? No, not yet. I'll push the set back against the wall. We better leave it on for a while, Jack, just to make sure. Yeah. There we are. I gave you the other tube. Yeah, I got it right here in my pocket. Right. I'd like to try something if you fellas think it'll be okay. What's that, Jim? I got a good little camera. Leica 3F. You know, Candid. Mm. I think maybe if I turn all the three way lamps up to full. Here's a AAA fast film. It's in the camera now. Maybe we can grab some shots of the guy while he works. What do you think? Well, if you're careful. Don't let him get wise. Maybe you ought to shoot some of all of us just so he doesn't think anything about it. Yeah, that's what I figured. Just sit down on that chair over there by the set. Make him think I'm just testing or something. I think I can bring it off without Arousing any suspicion. Okay. If I get anything, the guy's out of line. We'll run the shots in the Daily News. What are you figuring on doing, Jack? You gonna run a series on the TV repair racket? Yeah, that's the plan. Lee Payne. He's our executive editor. He thinks it's high time somebody exposed the swindle in the paper. That'll be the next serviceman. I'll let him in. Right. Better turn off the set, huh? Yeah. Television repair. That's right arm from Cheney's on Beverly Boulevard. Oh, yeah. Come on in. Thanks. Oh. What seems to be the trouble? We don't know. Sets right over here. Oh, thanks. K. Halbert, huh? 16 inch. Nice set. Well, what seems to be wrong? Darn if I know, son. Nothing seems to were. How do you mean? No picture at all. How about sound? Nothing, huh? It be all right to pull the set away from the wall? Sure. Go right ahead. Can you give you a hand? Oh, no, it's all right. I can handle it. Well, I got some tools out. How long you had this set? Oh, about two, three months. Mm. Dark in here. I wonder if we could have a little more light. Sure. Let me get these lamps up for you. Oh, thanks. How's that? Oh, fine, thanks. Say, it's a nice little camera you got there. What kind is it? A Leica 3F15 lens. Been experimenting with some new indoor film. You mind being a guinea pig? Nah, it's all right with me. Shane away. Good film on me, though. Think you're gonna get anything in this light, Jack? Maybe. Worth a try, anyway. I don't know about this set. What do you mean, it looks bad? Hard to tell without getting it down the shop. Looks to me like your blocking transformer's gone. What's that mean? Well, I'll have to take the set in. Can't fix it here, huh? No, I'm afraid not. You see, your parts are getting a little hard to get these days. The set manufacturers are having a tough time getting quality parts. And sometimes we have to spend several hours just tracing the trouble. Well, I guess that knocks out the ball game tonight, huh, fellas? Sorry. Take a couple of days at least. Want to really check it over? Sure. It's not a tube? We kind of thought just a tube blew out. No, that's what most people think every time their set goes out. It's definitely not a tube. Boy, there might be some bad tubes, but your trouble's a great deal more than that, I think. Have you got any idea what it's gonna run us? It's hard to say right off hand. Four or five dollars? No, it's gonna run more than that. I'll take the set in with me now and I'll get it back to you as soon as possible. You gonna take the whole set? No, I'll just pull the chassis out of the cabinet. Leave the cabinet here. Oh, say, by the way. Yeah? If everything turns out, I'd sure like to see those pictures. Yeah. If everything turn. You are listening to Dragnet authentic cases from official police files. Now let's look at our Fatima files, listed under B. Bella James Warner. Bella Distinguished author. He says, a man who smokes as much as I do wants a cigarette that's extra mild. And I like Fatima's different flavor and aroma. Listed under S. Scanlon. Louise Scanlon, Stork Club cigarette girl. She says, more and more of my Stork Club customers are smoking king size Fatimas. They're elegant, distinctive and really extra mild. Friends, our files show Fatima sales are going up, up every day. The reason for Fatima's ever increasing popularity can be summed up in two words. Fatima quality. Fatima gives you extra mildness, a much different, much better flavor and aroma. If you smoke a king size cigarette, remember this. Fatima has all the advantages of extra length plus Fatima quality. Which no other king size cigarette has. In Fatima, the difference is quality. So insist on the best. Insist on king size Fatima. Next time, buy Fatima in the distinctive gold and yellow package. Best of all, king size cigarettes. Thursday, January 22, 9:30am The TV set was returned to reporter Jack Knet's home after having been repaired by a servicing company called Cheney's Video Repairs. We found that the man who had come to Connect's home to make the service call was Robert V. Chaney, the owner of the service outfit. Well, as soon as the set was returned, we called the sound lab and had it picked up and taken downtown. Sergeant Marshall Zeno, who was working with us out of Bunco Detail, called and said that Dick Saunders had finished his investigation and wanted to see us right away. 10:30am we went down to West First street, the police sound lab. Saunders went over his findings with us. Here are the photographs before and after. Before we go over these, let me show you what we found out about your repair job. Okay. Over here's that receipt Cheney gave you when he returned the set. Yeah. Here's what the repair bill states. Replaced vertical blocking transformer. Replaced 5U 4G tube, 6Au 6 tube and 12Au 7 tube. And the charge was $32.50 plus $0.98 tax. Or a total of $33.48. Well, how does that break down, Dick? Well, it appears that the $0.98 tax was for $28 worth of material used in the repair. Did they really put in all that stuff? You got yourself a prize package in that outfit. All they did was to replace the 5U 4G tube. That's all they did, huh? Yeah. Here's a capper. The 5U 4G is a war surplus tube, but it works. Okay. What else did you find? According to the photographs and coding system, no vertical blocking transformers, 6 au 6 tube or 12 au 7 tube were replaced. Let's get back to photos. Here, you can take these along for your package. Thanks, Dave. You can see in the set here? Yeah. Let me show you. You see, this tube is the only part mentioned in the receiver. Otherwise, that doesn't carry our green paint coating system. Let me turn the set around here. All right, Joe, try the channel selector here. Want this? Yeah. That's the tuning knob to bring in the station's channel selector, they call it. Turn it. Okay. Falls off pretty easy, doesn't it? Sure does. Here, Dick. Thanks. They left out the spring clip in here. It should have been put back in because that's what holds the knob secured to the shaft. I've had that happen on radio sets. Yeah, sometimes they're a little stubborn to put back in. But a good repairman would never leave it out. Yeah. Something else here. Trying to sit around in the back again. Oh, I'll get it, Nick. Oh, thanks, Ben. See here? See how loose the chassis is in the cabinet now? Yeah, it sure is. Wasn't that way when we got it from the K Halbert D. Any more than the channel selector was faulty. In perfect shape from the guy. Look at the size of that chassis. It's pretty heavy. Yeah, it is. Originally, there were four screws used to hold the chassis in the wood cabinet. Cheney's repair outfit only put one back in one screw to hold that heavy chassis. That's a pretty sloppy job, all right. You know what they'd probably tell you if you asked them about this? That it only requires one screw. Yeah, that's it. The bad repairman can always improve on factory standards, usually for his own convenience. Certainly doesn't improve the product. Well, looks like we got what we were after. Think we got enough, Joe? I do. Let's see what the city attorney thinks. We collected all the evidence in the case against Cheney's video repairs. We met with Captain McCauley and took it up to the second floor of the City Hall. We met with Assistant City Attorney Boyd Taylor and showed him our findings. He issued a warrant for the arrest of Robert W. Chaney, charging him with Violation of Section 484P PC one count. 11:30am Thursday, January 22nd. Ben and I drove out to make the arrest. Jack Knet went along with us. This is it. Cheney's Video Repair. Yeah. Come on, Jack. There's Chaney behind the counter. Yeah. Hello there. Hi. How's the set working? All right. We did a good job on that one. Gave you a better break on the price than I thought we could. Yeah. Police officers. You're under arrest. Well, you're kidding. What for? Petty theft. Come on, let's go. Petty theft? Well, I don't understand. You're the fellows I fixed that set for up on Crescent Drive, aren't you? That's right. Your bill was a little high, wasn't it? Oh, now, wait a minute. If that's all that's bothering you, let's talk it over. Come on, let's go. Look, I can fix that up with you guys. Just tell me how much you want to pay and we'll work out something. That seems to be the way you worked our repair deal right from the start, doesn't it? Only you didn't consult us about it till now. Well, look, you know how it is in this business. If you don't charge some customers a little money, they don't think you did anything to their sets. You ought to try charging them for just the work you do. Can't we get together on this thing? Let's just forget the whole deal. You don't owe me anything. Now, here. Here. I'll refund all your money. We'll call it square. Never mind. Just leave the money in the cash register and get your coat. Can't prove anything anyway. We think we can just step around the counter this. Look, mister, you're not a cop, are you? No, I'm not. Well, then tell him. Isn't that a fair deal? I'll give you back your money. Afraid it's a little late for that, Cheney. If all this gets in the papers, I'll be ruined. You'll run out of business. That's the way we got it figured. How many men you have working here for you? 4. Why, this right here. You ever read this? Well, what is it? Oh, the thing from the rta. Here. Read article two, will you? Two? Yeah, that's right. I will conduct myself and my business in an Honest and straightforward manner meriting and inspiring the confidence of my customers. Yeah, I know about this. You're a member of the RTA Radio Technicians association, aren't you? Yeah, I am. Read Article 4, will you? I propose to charge a just and fair price for all professional services rendered. Now read this. Article 7. I will engage only in fair and ethical practices recommended and approved by the Radio Technicians association as being conducive to public confidence. Yeah, I've read all this before. It's too bad you didn't remember it. The story you have just heard was true. Only the names were changed to protect the innocent. On April 15, trial was held in Superior Court Department 82, City and County of Los Angeles, State of California. In a moment, the results of that trial. And now, here is our star, Jack Webb. Thank you, friends. This week I'll be seeing you. From page eight of Life magazine, this week's Fatima ad. Right across the top it says, in Fatima, the difference is quality. Well, in Fatima, the finest domestic and Turkish tobaccos give you extra mildness, a different better flavor and aroma. Compare Fatima with any other King size cigarette. Prove as I have what a difference Fatima quality makes. Next time buy Fatima in the golden yellow package. Best of all, King size cigarettes. Ladies and gentlemen, in the few remaining moments, we'd like to take this opportunity to thank you once again for your many kind letters of encouragement that come in from week to week. And also we'd like to answer a few questions about our program which seem common to many of the letters that we receive from you. Many of you have inquired why at the end of the program, in recounting the punishment of the criminal involved in the particular case, we generally refer to the sentence received as the term prescribed by law. Well, we use this reference for the following reason. In the state of California, the length of a convicted criminal's prison term is not set by the court, but by the state adult authority. Most of the time, a criminal is merely found guilty by the court. And then sentenced to the state penitentiary. After he serves a year in prison, the convict has a hearing before this state adult authority. At which time his actual sentence is set. So you can see why we can't give you the actual sentence in many cases. Now, other questions common to many of your letters concern some of the authentic technical police terminology which comes up from time to time on Dragnet. With the help of George Feniman, we'd like to explain some of the more common ones for you, if we may. First, you've heard us use the term or the Letters apb. Apb. That's an all points bulletin. A communication dispatched to all divisions and law enforcement agencies throughout the state. And then we feel sure that you remember the term mama sheet. A mama sheet is the master information form on a criminal in a police department file. It contains his complete description, his habits, relatives, acquaintances, everything about him known to the police. Thank you, George. And thank you, ladies and gentlemen, for your very fine letters. From time to time, if we may, we'll take this opportunity to explain a few more of our authentic police terminology. Thank you. Robert W. Cheney, owner and operator of Cheney's Video Repairs. Was tried and convicted on several counts of violating section 484pc petty theft. He was fined $200 and received the sentence as prescribed by law. Petty theft is punishable by imprisonment in the county jail for not more than six months. Ladies and gentlemen, Dragnet wishes to thank the Los Angeles Daily News and its feature writer, Jack Knett. For their valuable assistance in preparing this case for presentation. It is our combined belief and knowledge that not all television repair servicemen are dishonest and unscrupulous in their practices. A great percentage of these technicians are forthright and conduct their business in strict compliance with the code of ethics. It is these men who, when informed of the unfair conditions that exist in their trade, will drive the dishonest and crooked from their profession. You have just heard Dragnet. A series of authentic cases from official files. Technical advice comes from the office of Chief of Police W.H. parker, Los Angeles Police Department. Fatima Best of all, King Size Cigarettes has brought you Dragnet. Transcribed from Los Angeles. It's the Silver Jubilee on NBC. For 25 years, NBC has been bringing you the very best in radio entertainment. Listen now to another exciting story on counterspy, coming up on NBC. And now stay tuned for the mystery program that is unique among all mystery programs. Because even when you know who is guilty, you always receive a startling surprise at the final curtain in the Signal Oil program. The Whistler Signal. The famous Go Farther Gasoline invites you to sit back and enjoy another strange story by the Whistler. I am the Whistler, and I know many things Where I walk by night. I know many strange tales hidden in the hearts of men and women who have stepped into the shadows. I know the nameless terrors of which they dare not speak. And now for the Signal Oil Company. The Whistler's strange story marked man. The man standing in the open door of the swiftly moving boxcar looked incongruous, out of place. Certainly, Frank Seto wasn't used to this mode of travel. But even. Even with the careful planning you always employ, things can go wrong, can't they, Frank? Yes, you were the brains behind a successful swindle across the border in Tijuana, weren't you? But part two of your plan, in which you tried to outwit your own associates, backfired, didn't it, Frank? And you had to run, leaving $70,000 hidden in a baggage check stand in San Diego. And now, cowering in an empty box, moving through the outskirts of Los Angeles, you wonder if anyone followed you. Wondered what's ahead when the train rolls into the railroad yard. Then you hear the voice of your chance traveling companion. Not yet, buddy. Don't jump. Now, take it easy. I don't want to wait too long. I don't want to get mixed up with any yard cops. Sure new to you, isn't it? Driving these side door Pullmans. Them cops won't do nothing, buddy. Take my word for it. They'll just chase you out that place. You can save your advice. Okay, buddy, Okay. I just don't want you to get hurt. I could tell by the way you hopped on down in San Diego you didn't know much about travelers. Hey, you're going into the yard. She's slowing down. No, no. She's moving just as fast. Don't jump, buddy. Go. You remember all of that, don't you, Frank? The old man's warning. Your own nervous anxiety. That moment suspended in space. And then the flashing lights of a crossing signal seeming to rush at you. Strike you then. Nothing. Your mind is beginning to clear now, isn't it? And you wonder where you are. Wonder about the strange blurred circle of faces and voices he's coming to. Boy, he sure smacked that signal. What do you suppose? He jumped off that train pole and was gone so fast he could have killed himself. You sent for the ambulance? Yeah, it's on its way. Police, too? Police? No. Look, look, I'm. I'm okay. Careful, mister. Don't get up. Leave me alone. I'm all right. Look, you had a bad fall. Now you better let them check you. I'm all right, I said. But they're on their way to be here any minute. It won't hurt to let the doc skip it. Doc can look you over. Me? What for? Curiosity. I got a bad case. A very bad case. How do you know? Like you hurry away, don't you, Frank? Half running across the railroad yard, waiting until you're several blocks away before even stopping to brush off your clothes or trying to straighten yourself up on Main Street. You enter a nondescript hotel, cross the lobby. Past a group of hypnotically gazing guests watching television. You approach the desk. Hey. Hey. Anybody here? Room clerk. Well, what's the matter? What's the other fellow look like? Or did he win? Never mind the jokes. I've been traveling. Want a room and a shower? Yeah, they're separate, but we got them. Room's a dollar and a half. Shower's 50 cents in advance. Okay. Must have lost my money. Oh, sure. Oh, here, wait a minute. Wait a minute. I got enough for a couple of nights. Yeah, that's better. All right, I'll get you, kid. The shower makes you feel better, doesn't it, Frank? And a good night's sleep helps, too, even in these surroundings. And somehow you feel that you'll be able to work things. For one thing, the pressure is off for a while. The following day, except for meals, you stay close to the hotel. And that night, you even feel sufficiently relaxed to join a few of the other guests in the lobby as they watch a question and answer program on the television screen. Very good, isn't it, folks? And now, ladies and gentlemen, our next pair of contestants. This young lady whose name is Larkin. Nora Larkin. Thank you. And your young gentleman friend, Wally Neal. Wally, tell him your name. It's all right, sir. It's all right. Names aren't as important as the right answers to the question. All right. My name is Wally Neil. All right, Wally. Now, you and Ms. Larin have a chance to win some of that lucky cash we've been talking about. It's lucky for you and lucky for those you spend it on Now. Excuse me. Hey, what's the matter? Don't you like the frog ribs? Just remember, it's some business I have to attend. Tender. It's a shock, isn't it, Frank? Seeing Wally Neil on that television screen? Wally Neal, one of your partners in the Tijuana swindle. And you're certain that he's followed you, aren't you? Followed you to Los Angeles. And that's why you take a fast cab ride to the television station. Inside, you learn that you're lucky. Cash show they're breaking now. Do they come out this way? I have to meet a friend. Yes, I do, sir. Well, thanks. Thanks a lot. Look, we won $600. And if you'd like to. But, Laura, I told you I shouldn't have appeared like that. I shouldn't have let you drag me up in front of those hotels. At least you're in control, aren't you, Frank? Finding Wally Neal before he's found you. Wally's the only one who knows for certain that it was you who cheated the others. You can tie it all together. That is, if he gets an opportunity. You follow them outside and down the street to a parked car. Wally helps Nora in, and as he starts around to the driver's seat, you hurry forward. Hello, Wally. Frank. Yeah, Frank. It's a funny thing. I didn't even know you were in town. Saw you on tv. Oh, yes. Now, you just fine. Little nervous, but just fine. Came in very clear. Yes. Like to talk to you, Wally, alone. Oh, sure. Sure, Frank. Nora. Yes, Nora, this here's a friend of mine. Frank Settle. It's Nora Larkin. Ms. Larkin. How are you? He. He happened to see me on television. Can you imagine that? Oh, what a coincidence. Yeah, those things happen. Yeah, they do. Sure. Look, Nora, can I drive you home? Because Frank wants to talk to me. It's business. Sure, Frank. Come on. It's nice of you, Ms. Larkin. Not at all, Mr. Sato. Wally's mentioned you to me. Oh, yeah, Frank. Sure. Well, you're that sort of fellow, Wally. I bet you've mentioned me to lots of people. Should we get started? Sorry to break up your date, Wally. Nora's quite a girl. Yeah, she's a nice girl. Cooperative, too. Let you drop her off? No explanation. And your car? Turn up here, Wally. Well, that leads to the bridge over the freeway. That's a good place to talk. Is anywhere okay? I just parked by the curb. All right, shut her off and get out. What now, Wally? What's the matter? Conscience? Body? You talk too much to Dutch and Duke in San Diego before running out. I didn't talk to nobody. I just. Good boy. We'll still shut her off and get out. Come on. Come on. I'm not going to shove you over the rail. Nobody said you were. I know, but you're nervous, boy. Very nervous. Lots of cars rushing along down there in ca. Be a pity for anybody to fall over. Frank, Nora knows where to get us. Now, remember that. Nora knows. Boy, you are imagining things. I just want a few questions answered. You didn't try to pick up the money alone? Well, how could I? You had the check stub. You know, the check box. Yeah, but I wouldn't try anything like that. Who told the boys where to look for me? I don't know. They found out for themselves. Only the two of us knew. Somebody tells Dutch and Duke to watch for me at the railroad station. Pick me off as I get the 70,000 at the check Stand. Of course. You didn't tell him you left the money there for me, did you? I didn't tell him anything. I swear to you, Frank, I didn't. Easy, Wally. Take it easy. They didn't spot me, you know. I saw Duke waiting. Saw him before he saw me. That's why I beat it. Popped up freight and came up here. Yeah, look, I know, but, Frank, listen, I didn't tell anybody. You didn't follow me here? No, I left on my own. Why? Well, I. I wanted to be with Nora. We're gonna get married. Takes a lot of do. Now, look, look, I'm out of it. I don't even want my split on the job. Now, really, I'm out of it. Sure, sure. Why, you were pretty lucky tonight, huh? One of the lucky cash winners. Here, I'll give you my head. $300. We won 600. Nora has the rest. Here. Now, here, look in the wallet. You'll see it's all there. 300. Yeah, it's all here. Your identification, too. Driver's license. Social Security. Take them a little while to tag you in a strange town. Frank, please. Look, I'll never tell anybody anything. I know, Wally. I know. Frank. The guardrail. Sorry, Wally. I'm not leaving my trail for the boys or anybody. Bye, Wally. Thanks for the spending money. Since Tomorrow will be St Patrick's Day, you've no doubt been getting your share of Killarney. On today's radio program, I had thought of describing how your friends will turn green with envy when you power your car with signal gasoline. Because signal gas drives sluggishness out of a motor. Like St. Patrick drove the snakes out of Ireland. Or I had thought of reminding you that your wallet would feel lucky as a four leaf clover because of signals. Good mileage, but sure and begory. When you buy gasoline, there's really just one thing that matters. You want to be sure you're getting the gasoline that helps your engine run most efficiently. And the best way to measure a gasoline's efficiency is by mileage. After all, when your engine runs more efficiently, you save gasoline. Save gasoline with quick starting. Save gasoline with smooth pickup. Save gasoline with full power. And of course, the more gasoline you save, the more mileage you enjoy. That's why mileage is the best yardstick to measure gasoline efficiency and driving pleasure. The reason why so many smart motorists today are switching to the famous go farther gasoline to signal bigaries. It's over quickly, isn't it, Frank? As a shove sends Wally Neal over the guardrail on the freeway. Bridge. And as you drive hurriedly away in Nora Larkin's car, you're still clutching the leather wallet that Wally handed over to you. He won't be identified immediately, will he, Frank? No, possibly not for several days. You smile as you light a cigarette, drive Nora's car back, park it where she'd instructed Wally to leave it, place the key under the floor mat as he was supposed to do, and then take a cab back to your hotel. From there, you put through a call to San Diego person to person to a Miss Irene Webb. That'll be 95 cents for three minutes, sir. Okay, sister. Here comes Cat. Thank you. Hello? Irene Webb? Yes. Los Angeles calling. Go ahead, please. Hello, Irene. This is Frank. Oh, Frank, baby, listen, listen. I'm mailing you a check stand, stump stand at the railroad station. Go there, pick up the package and bring it to me here at the Alden Hotel. Shall I give up my apartment, Frank? No, I wouldn't give somebody ideas. Just pack and come on. But my thing. We'll have enough to buy other things. Irene, just do as I say. How soon can you make it? The day after tomorrow, the latest. All right. If that's the best you can do. Anything else? Like what? You love me. Oh, sure. Sure, I love you. Make it fast, Irene. Goodbye. Goodbye, darling. At least that part's in motion, isn't it, Frank? Two days. It'll be that at least before Irene arrives with a stolen $70,000. But during those two days, the $300 you took from Wally's wallet, the $300 he'd won on a TV show, gives you enough to live uncomfortably, almost luxuriously. The following morning, you check out of your room. Your first stop is at a fashionable men's shop. New suit, shoes, hat. A complete change of wardrobe. And then you register at a swank Hollywood hotel, call Irene and give her your new address. Nothing but the best, Frank. You spend Wally's money freely. And late that afternoon, you're in your hotel suite when the buzzer rings. It can't be Irene, can it, Frank? She's not due until tomorrow. Hello, Frank. Well, Nora. Mind if I come in? No, of course not. Well, this is a surprise, Nora. How'd you know where to find me? Just by chance, you. You left an empty book of matches on the floor of my car. They were from the Alden Hotel. Oh. Seems when you checked out of there, you asked the desk clerk. Oh, sure, sure. I remember. He recommended this place. Oh, here, here. Sit down. Thanks. Have a drink. Just name it. I've got it. I see. Scotch. Fine. Quite a cozy little place here. What you got here, Frank? Rich uncle suddenly leave you a fortune? Nothing like that. I looked up a friend here in town this morning. He owed me a few bucks. Have plain water, Nora? Uh huh? Yeah. Hey. Huh? Thanks. Now, what's on your mind, Wally? Huh? Look, Frank, be a good boy and leave Wally alone, huh? What do you mean? He doesn't want to make any trouble for you. Really he doesn't. Okay, Nora, if you say so. That. That little affair in Tijuana, he just wants to forget about it. Well, tell him I've forgotten it, too. I wish I could. What do you mean? Well, Wally's a funny guy. Lately he's been jittery, upset. Yeah, sure, sure. Get to the point, though. Well, then, running into you last night. He's scared, Frank. Hiding out like a frightened rabbit. Hiding out? I've been up to his apartment half a dozen times today. I called him on the phone. There's no answer. I see. He's tough down to me before when he's scared. Frankie, he doesn't want to see anybody, not even me. Oh, don't worry about it, Nora. He'll be all right. Sure, sure. He's just got to think it out all by himself for a while, you know. Call me. Look, if I could just tell him you weren't so. But I'm not. I'm afraid. Thanks a lot. Yeah. Bell boy, sir. Come in. You asked for the evening paper, Mr. Set? Oh, yeah, thanks. Just put it on. Oh, there you are. Thank you, sir. Sure. Buy yourself. Something wrong, sir? No, no. Your heart suddenly leaps up into your throat, doesn't it, Frank? A folded newspaper the bellboy had tossed on the table. Nora reaching out for it. You wonder if the story is there. The story of Wally Neal's death. What Nora will think. Hold your breath as she unfolds the paper, glances casually over the front page, and then drops the paper on the chair beside him. Same old stuff. War, Congress, incontinence. That's all you read about nowadays. Look, Nora. Yeah, but Wally, I know how you feel about the guy and. Well, I'm sorry if I gave him the jitters. Let me make up for it, huh? You don't have to. No, but I insist. Why don't we run over to his place? He might be there now. Well, yeah. I tell you what. I'll take the two of you out to dinner. We'll make a night of it on me. What do you say? All right. All right, Frank. Of course, there's no answer at Wally's apartment is there, Frank. And so you take Nora on to dinner, just the two of you. An attractive girl, isn't she? Warm, exciting. And later, while you're dancing, holding her close in your arms. Oh, come on, sweetheart, Cheer up. Wally's going to be all right. I'm sorry. Sorry to spoil your evening this way. You're not spoiling anything, Nora. Not very good company, I'm afraid. I disagree. I think you're very nice company. Thanks. I mean it, Frank. H. I was wondering, do you think Wally might have. Look, sweetheart, I told you, you'll be all right. Stop worrying. Stop thinking about Wally. Just for a little while anyway, huh? Come on. All right, I'll try. You want her to forget Wally, don't you, Frank? But not only for just a little while. But you're almost certain you can get her mind off Wally. As the evening progresses, she seems to be enjoying herself. It's after three in the morning when you see her to her apartment. Leave her after making a date to call for her the next evening. The following afternoon. Hello, Frank. Hi. I thought I was to pick you up at your place later this evening. I wanted to see you soon. Is something wrong? You look like. Yeah, something's wrong here. Have you seen this paper? No. There at the bottom of the page. Okay, so what? The police found a body in the freeway. Unidentified. What's this got to do with me? Everything. I had a hunch, so I went down to the morgue an hour ago. Wally. Wally. Don't look so surprised. Wait a minute, sweetheart. You needn't put on an act, Frank. I know what happened. I know you killed Wally and I know why. Look, Nora, I know all about the job you pulled in Tijuana. I double crossed your partners in San Diego. Okay? So what? So this. Hey, look, Nora, take it easy. Better put that letter opener away. It doesn't scare me. Doesn't it, Frank? Doesn't it? As she lunges towards you, you reach out. Miss. The letter opener rips into your arm. In a blinding rage, you lash out, twist Nora's arm behind her. Then you stumble and both of you fall to the floor. You get up quickly. Nora lies very still. All right, Nora. Who is it? Me, Frank. Irene. Just a second. Quickly drag Nora Larson's body into the closet. Close the door. Look around the room. Her purse, Frank, lying there on the floor. Scoop it up, slip it under the sofa. Hello, Jo. Come in, baby. Is that the only bell for you, Dick? Come on in, baby. Sorry. After I come all the way. Get your Stuff open. That's fine, honey, fine. Well, well. Private bar. How about offering a lady? We don't have the time. Oh, no. Fine. I'll feel better if you skip right now. Why? What's the rush? Keep your mind the questions, we'll leave. Look, I'll meet you in the lobby in five minutes. Leave your stuff here. I'll have the bellhop take care of me. Go on. Oh, now, Ray, why? When you stop asking why? Do as I say. Grab a cab out to the airport. Take the next plane. New York, nicer plane. I like Seattle. Seattle? Why do we. Just a skip across the border into Canada. That's why. Baby, cars. Whatever you do, all this money kids now be very. Okay, okay. Wait, baby. Night long. Wait. Did you know there's now a new improved type automobile battery built to last up to two and a half times as long as ordinary batteries? It's the new Signal Deluxe battery which is guaranteed a full two and a half years on a service basis. One of the reasons for this amazingly long life in Signal Deluxe battery is their microporous all rubber separators which allow freer flow of acid between the plates, yet are impervious to the action of the acid. But longer life is only part the of. In addition, Signal Deluxe batteries deliver up to 35% more power and don't need water as often. So much for their quality. But how about price? Well, considered on a per month basis, which is really the only way to compare battery costs, Signal Deluxe batteries actually cost less than ordinary batteries. What's more, the generous trade in allowance Signal dealers are now giving for old batteries brings the cost even lower. And liberal credit terms are available. So if you need a new battery, head straight for a Signal service station. Be sure of genuine economy plus dependable service for a long time to come with the new 30 month guarantee signal Deluxe battery. Well, Frank, the way is clearing. But you've had to kill twice. Wally Neal and then his girlfriend, Nora Larson. Only you feel sure now that it's been worth it. If considering the 70,000 stolen dollars that Irene brought from the check stand in San Diego, you'll have to get her out of your hotel room because Nora lies dead in the closet. Now you're through with Irene too. After all your maneuvering and planning, you don't intend to share the money. You pack your bag quickly, take the money from Irene. You're sure it's going to be as simple as slipping out the back entrance of the hotel alone, aren't you? A pad for in safety. From there a Freighter to part unknown. You cross swiftly to the door and open. Hello. What do you want? My name's Roman. Lieutenant Roman Thomas. Honestly. Yeah, this is. You're Frank Turtle, aren't you? That's right. So, been throwing your money around quite freely, haven't you? Paying your bill at the Alden? Buying new clothes? What have I had? Too bad you didn't know the money was marked. Marked? Yeah. That money belonged to a gent named Wally Neal. He won it on a TV show a couple nights ago. All the bills were marked as part of a stunt. Anyone receiving any of that money was told to notify the television station. Get a fry. A man who chews well, he knew took that money. The money you'd be sitting around, clothing store, cab drivers, half a dozen witnesses. Oh, you better give these rooms a routine for people. I don't think the murder of Wally Neil was a highly advertised murder, Frankie. Too bad you didn't realize that once you killed Neil and took his money, you were a marked man. Let that whistle be your signal for the Signal Oil program the Whistler each Sunday night at the same time. Signal has asked me to remind that today the Red Cross must not only be prepared to save lives and relieve suffering in any disaster that may occur anywhere in this country, in addition, it must provide blood and other needed help for our gis overseas. Goodread. This year the Red Cross needs more of us to help and more help from each of us. Featured in tonight's story were Bill Foreman as the Whistler, Jack Moyles, Doris Singleton, Larry Dobkin, Georgia Ellis and Charles Field. The Whistler was produced and directed by George W. Allen with story by Joel Malone. Music by Wilbur Hatch, was transmitted overseas by the Armed Forces Radio Service. The Whistler was entirely fictional and all characters portrayed on the Whistler are also fictional. Any similarity of names or resemblance to persons living or dead is purely coincidental. Remember to tune in at the same time next Sunday when the Signal Oil Company will bring you another strange story by Whistler Marvin Miller, speaking for the Signal Oil Company. Stay tuned now for our Miss Brook, starring Eve Arden, which follows immediately over most of these tapes. This is the CBS Radio Network, WBBM fm, Chicago. Gum. The refreshing, delicious treat that gives you chewing enjoyment presents for your listening enjoyment. John Lund as Johnny Dollar. Donald Maynard. Johnny. Hold on, Mr. Maynard. You employed? No, not a bit. Just closed out a case. Fine. Can you go to New York? Yeah, I guess so. What's it all about? Well, this company insures Maury Productions, Incorporated. It's a film, television Company shooting in New York. The star is Philip Morey. Uh huh. Well, production stopped last Wednesday. We were notified that Maury had suffered a breakdown and couldn't continue for a while. It's costing us plenty. They've got a pretty big company. Cast and crew are all under contract and have to get paid. What do you want me to do? Well, anything you can. The doctor definitely confirms the breakdown, but he says he's sure it's due to some personal crisis. See what you can find out. See if you can't do something to snap Maury out of it. Okay. Right away, huh? Soon as I pack a bag. The makers of Wrigley's Spearmint Chewing Gum bring you, John London, another adventure of the man with the action packed expensive car. America's fabulous freelance insurance investigator, yours truly, Johnny Dollar. Friends, the makers of Wrigley's Spearmint Chewing Gum present these weekly adventures of Johnny Dollar because they know that millions of you enjoy Johnny Dollar. That's true of Wrigley's Spearmint Chewing Gum too. It's enjoyed by millions day in and day out. People find that chewing on a smooth, delicious piece of Wrigley's Spearmint Gum somehow makes time pass more pleasantly. Whether you're working, driving, shopping or just taking things easy, that good tasty chewing gives you enjoyment and satisfaction. So always keep a package of Wrigley Spearmint Chewing Gum handy. And whenever you want a refreshing, delicious treat. Chew a stick. You'll like it. You really will. Expense account submitted by special investigator Johnny Dollar to home office, National Life and Casualty Insurance Company, Hartford, Connecticut. The following is an accounting of expenditures during my investigation. Investigation of the Philip Morey matter. Expense account item 1, $19.85 train fare and incidentals between Hartford and New York City. Item two, 75 cents, cab fare to a hotel where I registered and called the offices of the Maury Production Company. I made an appointment to see Mr. Milton Gradke, the producer. Expense account item three, 55 cents for another cab to Gradke's well appointed office on 45th Street. Really, Mr. Dollar, I'm just as concerned about this situation as the insurance company is. In fact, I'm probably a whole lot more concerned. A whole lot. We've got a schedule to meet, we've got a sponsor and a network to account to. And if our star is sick, I. I just came down to see if I could help. It's a breakdown, Mr. Dollar. Who can help with a breakdown? Are you a doctor? You're a close friend, huh? Yes, yes, very close. I can't do anything. How could you? What caused the breakdown? Such a question. What caused the breakdown? What causes breakdowns? Again, it's for a doctor to say. I'm only a producer. Well, the company doctor felt it was something of a personal nature. Something more than just overwork. Well, I. I know Phil is sick. He's really in a bad shape. And I know if he doesn't snap out of it, this show is going on the rocks. It may be personal, but that's not for me to say. Phil's had enough trouble in the past. Well, this time he could be ruined. Who's his personal physician? Ewing. Charles Ewing. The best man for this sort of thing. I got the best. I'd like to talk to him. He's probably over with Phil now. Oh, fine. I'll stop by. Oh, he. He won't allow you to see Phil. You can't see him, Mr. Dollar. Okay, then I'll just talk to the doctor. Maybe Ewing's back at his office now. Why don't you go over to his office instead? It'll be a whole lot easier if you go over to Mr. Grad. Key. Yes? What's the matter? Don't you want me to talk with Philip Morey? He's sick. Very sick. You sure that's all? Of course that's all. You got the doctor's report? Yeah, but if you don't mind, I'll check it myself. Your company may be in trouble, Mr. Gradke. But my company is paying for expense account item 4. $1.25 for still another cab. Philip Morey was residing in an apartment on Park Avenue. I had trouble getting by the doorman, the receptionist at the switchboard and the elevator operator. But I got by them. I walked down the third floor of the building and knocked on the door to Philip Mory's apartment. Yes, Dr. Ewing. No, he just left. My name is Dollar. I'd like to see Mr. Maury. I'm sorry, no one can see Mr. Maury. He's quite ill. Who are you? What business is that of yours? I'm a special agent for National Life and Casualty. I was sent here to make a report on Mr. Maury's condition. Then I suggest you talk to Dr. Ewing. Now, wait a minute. Look, I told you. Hey, Richard, what's the beep? What's going on? Mr. Maury? Yeah, Phil. You better go on back in your room. What do you want, Edward? My Name is $, Mr. Mori. Okay, what's it all about, huh? I told him you weren't seeing anyone? He's from the insurance company. I don't want any. You already have it. I just came down here to see if I could help. Wait a minute. I don't want any insurance. I'm a lousy risk, Phil. No, no. Go on, Ferrari, beat it. Do you hear me? Go on. Okay, okay. Don't get rough. You're in no condition. You think so, huh? Look, Mr. Maury, my company got a report that you'd suffered a breakdown. Yeah? Well, good for them. It looks to me more like a 90 proof breakdown. And it smells like it, too. What's it to you? Plenty. My company's paying a lot of money while you're laid up. As long as it's a legitimate illness, they're obligated to keep on paying. And if I'm just drunk, I doubt if my company would think kindly of you, Mr. Maury. Well, isn't that just too bad, Mr. Dollar. He didn't start hitting the bottle until last night. Just forget the excuses. Just drop it. And you get out of here now, huh? Go on, get out. Okay, okay. And tell your stinking company I'm gonna stay drunken till we have another blue snow. Okay? It's fine with me. I'll send you a sled with a coffin on it. I was supposed to help Maury straighten himself out. But this wasn't just a breakdown. He was boiled to the eyebrows. And if you could go on past performances, it was an odds on bet he'd stay that way. Expensive on item 5. $1 and 35 cents. Cab fare from the Park Avenue apartment to the hotel where I went to the bar to cool off. I had a fast one and was reaching for another when I was interrupted. Mr. Dollar. Oh, I talked with Milt Gradkin. He told me you were staying here. Okay. First let me apologize for what happened. Forget it. Can I sit down? Sure. We really didn't meet officially. I'm Richard Long. I'm the writer director on the series. If Maury stays loaded, you're gonna be out of a job. He just started drinking last night. Insurance doesn't cover a lost weekend. I'll have to report it. They'll cancel. It's gonna be rough. His wife left him. Oh, that's the reason, huh? Yeah, she's gonna sue. They've been trying to do everything we could to get Phil in shape. From the way he looked, you'd better forget it. Now. If this one blows up, he's through. He's finished for good. It's happened before. Yeah, but isn't it too bad? Yeah, I guess it is. He's one of the biggest talents we've ever had in this business, and he's gotten into more trouble. Look, I. I'm not defending his mistakes, just his talents. If you're going to ask me not to make that report, I know you've got a job. I know your company can't be expected to keep on paying while Phil's in this condition. Well, I'm glad you understand. But they've paid up till now, and believe me, you've got my word. Until last night, Phil Murray hadn't touched a drop. Well, even if that's true, Maury's drinking now, and he looks like he's good for a long, long time. He's fallen off before, hasn't he? Yes. He lost his motion picture contract the last time, didn't he? Yes, but all that straightened itself out. It looked pretty crooked this afternoon. This would never have happened in a million years if it wasn't for that wife. Well, that's another one of his patterns, isn't it? He's been sued by more ex wives. Mr. Zoller, I've never said he was right. I never said any of the trouble was anything else but his own fault. But you don't know him. Not many people do. This guy is the most considerate, charitable when he's sober. Listen, if you've got about 12 hours sometime, I'd like to impress you with some of the good things on the other side of the life. He's given Janet everything she could want. Sure. He was wrong. He should have belted her one and told her to keep in line. He's made the same mistake with every woman he's ever been involved with. And they've all taken him. Nearly everyone's taken him. Business managers, agents. You think them up and they've had their fingers in the pie for a while. It was a pretty big pie. Sounds like fodder for a good psychoanalyst. Yeah, but. Well, Janet's leaving. It was too much. Even as bad as he was, he didn't hit the bottle. He just kind of folded up. But he stayed on the wagon until last night. Yeah, her lawyer called. Phil got to the phone before I did. He was almost well. Didn't care if he ever saw her again. The lawyer said lawsuit, and Phil headed for the bar. Well, a breakdown is one thing, but a drunk is something else. And he doesn't exactly have the cleanest record in the world. A couple of his binges turned into Marathons. Oh, I don't know what to do. That's why I wanted to see him. I was sent down here to straighten him out. If I could get that dame to lay off the lawsuit. And you can. Well, maybe she thinks she's got a case. The other wives did all right. Well, that's why he flipped. He just can't afford it. You got any idea how much alimony he's paying right now? Yeah, I've heard. And it's more than just the dough this one's taking him. He's played it straight all the way. Gave her everything she wanted. Laid off the booze. Really. I know he tried to make this one work. And why did she leave him? She figured it was the right time. He's going good, still got a lot of money. She's a tramp. Does he think so? Well, he does now. I never said anything to him while they were together. And there was a lot I could have said. But, you know, you. You just don't do those things. No, it never helps. After she left him, I finally sat him down and gave it to him straight. He got sore, but he listened and he started putting things together. She played around all over the place while she was with him, but she did it smart. The old story about the husband being the last one to know. And he took it. Yeah, and it helped. I really gave it to him. Everything I knew. He must have made quite a study. She threw a few pictures my way. Well, if you know all these things, why not let her take it to court? Sounds like you've got enough honor to stop any kind of a suit. Oh, no. I said she played it smart. It's all here. Says she. Just deny it. And who's gonna call her a liar? The guy she was mixed up with, Maybe not. These guys. They were hand picked. He said she threw a few pictures your way. Look, Dollar Maury's my closest friend. What do you think I'm gonna do? Well, I came down here to see if I could help, but it looks pretty hopeless. I don't know. He looked like he was headed for a wet evening. Anyone holding his hand? Yeah, I left Milt with him. We've been working in shifts. His wife's name is Janet, isn't it? Yeah. Where does she live? 55 West 125th Street. Okay. Why don't you wait for me here? You going over to see her? I'm supposed to save my company money. Mr. Long, maybe Mrs. Mori can suggest something. Are you kidding? Yeah, but if you got a Better idea. Good luck, friends. Wrigley Spearmint Chewing Gum is a refreshing, delicious treat you can enjoy just about anytime. Even when you're busy working. You can slip a stick of Wrigley Spearmint in your mouth and enjoy that pleasant chewing. The lively, full bodied spearmint flavor cools your mouth and freshens your taste. The good, smooth chewing helps relieve pent up tension, gives you satisfaction. As a result, you seem to feel more relaxed and get more enjoyment out of what you're doing. So enjoy chewing Wrigley's Spearmint Gum while you work and at other times, too. Get a few packages next time you're at the store. That's Wrigley's Spearmint Chewing Gum. Healthful, refreshing, delicious. And now, with our star, John Lund, we bring you the second act of yours truly, Johnny Dollar. I. I left Long in the hotel bar and ran up expense account, item 6, $1 and 45 cents for one more cab to take me to Mrs. Philip Mory's apartment building. I buzzed for the elevator and when it arrived, a man stepped out and brushed my shoulder. Sorry. I'd seen him before someplace. And while the elevator took me up to the fourth floor, I tried to place him. I couldn't remember, but for some reason the man seemed to be important. I got off at the fourth floor, still trying to place the face, and walked down the hall to Mrs. Mori's apartment. Yes? Mrs. Mori? Yes? My name is Dollar. I'm a special investigator for National Life and Casualties Insurance. Yes? Well, I'm sorry, but I. My company insures your husband's television production. Oh. You mind if I come in and talk to you? No, come on in. I don't quite understand, Mr. Dollar. Mr. Dollar. Sit down, please. Oh, thanks. My husband's production company is insured. That's right. Insured for what? Oh, accidents, illness. Oh. How'd you find me, Mr. Long? I see. I have to make a complete investigation, Mrs. Mori. You see, when your husband was taken ill. Taken ill? Well, that's the report that was turned into the company. I guess you could call it that. What would you call it? He's plastered. You know what that means? I sure do. I left him. I'm going to get a divorce. Well, aside from your personal differences, if your husband is just drinking, if that's the reason that production has been held up, my company will cancel his insurance. So he won't be able to get insurance from any other company. Look, Mr. Dollar, you know anything about Phil? Well, just what I've read. Well, that's been bad, all right. But you've got to live with a guy to really get the full effect. You wouldn't believe it. Well, I understood he's been a pretty good boy until recently. Why don't you go talk to my husband? I saw him earlier today. How'd you like? Was a little tense. Was he sober? Not even close. Well, but I understand he just started drinking. Oh, that's dandy. Do you think they're going to tell you that he's been blind for the last month? You can take my word for it, he's no good. I tried. I was number four. And I certainly tried to do everything I could to make it work. Well, if it was that bad, I can't blame you. But this will ruin him. He was ruined the day he was born. Oh, he'll get along. He's still got a lot of money after all the alimony he's been paying out. Mr. Dollar, Phil has made over 6 million since he started in the business. He could still afford a dozen more wives if anyone will have him. Well, I'm glad to hear that. You'll be taken care of. You bet your life I'll be taken care of. After all I put up with, I deserve to be taken care of. Taken care of. Good. Uh huh. Well. Oh, you don't have to go. Let me buy you a drink. Well, sure. What's your poison? Anything that's handy. Just water it. Bourbon. Fine, Fine. I suppose Richard Long told you what a terrible woman I am. He mentioned something about us. Yeah, he would. He's a jealous little fellow. There you are. Oh, thanks. Cheers. Sure. Richard tried everything he could to break us up. And what a heel. After we've been married for only a couple of months, Richard started making the old pitch. How do you like that? Well, I can understand it. Thanks. But Richard's supposed to be Phil's closest friend. An attractive woman can fracture a friendship in a hurry under the right circumstances. The circumstances were anything but right, Mr. Dollar. Well, can't blame a man for trying. Don't you have any scruples? A couple, but I left them back in the third grade. Insurance business, huh? Yeah. You make a lot of money? Enough. It has other compensations. Tell me about them. Well, good drink now and then. I bet you meet a lot of interesting people. Oh, lots. Lots of. What'd you say your first name was? I didn't, but it's Johnny. Johnny Dollar. Mm. Nice expensive sound. You should get a load of my expense account sometime. I'd love to you know, I saw a picture of you once. Really? Yeah, in a bathing suit. I was a model before I met. I had lots of pictures taken in bathing suits. I think this was taken just before you married him. It was on the front page showing you were the girl that was going to be the fourth Mrs. Mori. Oh, that one. Yeah. That was a rather good one. Rather? That book there on the table is just full of pictures taken while I was modeling. Oh. Oh, this one. Mm. Browse around. I'd love to. That's a good one. Yes. Oh, and here's one. We need a whole bunch of these on the beach. This is the best one of the lot. Yeah, yeah. Nice. Nice tan. Isn't that one cute? Yeah. Yeah. Mr. Dollar, how you drink. It's just curdled. Let me build you a fresh one. Oh, no, thanks. I have to go. Oh, I'm sorry. You won't be, honey. I don't think I understand that, Johnny. I'll tell you all about it sometime. It'll give you a real kick. I left Mrs. Moray looking a little worried. And whether she knew it or not, she had a right to be. In one of the pictures she'd shown me, I'd spotted the man, the man I'd bumped into, coming out of the elevator. And I remembered who he was. Expense account item 7, $1.45. Cab fare back to the hotel where I told Richard Long about the man in the picture. Eugene's sweet. Ever heard of him? No, I couldn't remember until I saw that picture. There was a big case in la. He was convicted and sentenced. Did three years for forgery. I was in on the case. Sweet? No, I don't know. And there was a girl mixed up in it. Janet? No. No. But it was an interesting setup. Sweet introduced the girl to a wealthy old man. The girl married the wealthy old man. Now it seems the girl would have Sweet sign her husband's name to a check. Then she'd fill in the amount and cash it. Not big checks, but after about four years, they added up. Well, a man named Swift introduced Phil to Janet. I never did like him. He used to hang around all the time. Phil got tired of him in a hurry and gave him a bounce. What did he look like? He was tall, kind of greasy around the edges. Weighed about, I don't know, about as much as I do. Where does he live? I don't know. Only seen him a couple of times since Phil got rid of him. Why? You think Swift might be this. This Swede or whatever his Name is. Well, it's a long shot, but you never know. I guess I could find out. Milt might know. Would Janet? Sure, she might. Why don't we ask her? Yeah, why don't we just go back to her place and you have a look at that picture book? I'm with you. Long's car was parked outside the hotel. We piled in and drove back to Mrs. Moray's apartment building. We parked just in time to see a man enter by the front door. That's him. Swift. He just went into Janet's building and he came out about an hour ago. You mean Swift's the guy you were talking? Eugene Sweet, arrested in Los Angeles in 1949. Well, come on. It might be perfectly innocent. And a pig's eye. I bet that dame has been working the same kind of setup. You told me Sweet worked with the other one. He doesn't do anything. How does he support himself? Well, if he's with Mrs. Mori, we can always ask him. We went into the lobby and waited for the elevator to come down. Long looked happier than a kid in an acre of new cement. And there was just a chance he had a right to be. The elevator arrived and so did Milt Gradke, the producer who came busting into the lobby from the street. Milt. Richard. Richard, I've been calling you all over the place. What's the matter? Phil? He's loose. I couldn't keep him in the apartment. Oh, no. I tried, but he got rough. He tried calling Janet, but she hung up on him. Then he went wild. You think he's here with Janet? Yes, and that's not the half of it. Come on, we better get up there. There's no telling what he might do. You know about it? You mean about Sweet? Who? Sweet. I'll tell you later. I thought you meant the gun. Gun? Yes, Phil's got a gun with him. On the way up, Long explained as much as he could to Gradky. And Gradki continued to apologize for not being able to restrain Maury. We left the elevator on the fourth floor and hurried down to Mrs. Moray's apartment. The door was ajar. Sounds like they're all in there. Well, what are we gonna do? Well, if he's got a gun, he sure has. I'm going in. Get back. Get back. Afraid to do something? Put down the gun, Maury. Don't come near me. Get back. I warn you, don't anybody get near me. I swear I'll shoot. Fell. Not even you, Dick. No. You too, milk. Get back, Ms. Dane. Ms. Dane thought she was gonna take me. She's not gonna get away with it. No, please, no. No. I am through. Nothing's left. So I'm gonna do it up round. What. What do you think of this dame, Dish? Look. Look who comes to see you. His real name Sweet. Eugene Sweet. That's right, Maury. He's done time. Yeah. Maury, put down the gun. It's a better than even bet that your wife's been pulling a fancy bit of hijacking, Ms. Sweet. That's right. Tell him about it, you little tramp. Yeah, tell me about it. Look, Phil, I want the. Joseph, how did you take me? Come on. He introduced you to Janet, didn't he? Yeah. Yeah, he did. They had it all settled. She marries you, sticks around for a while, and Sweet, being a good forger, signs your name to some checks. Tell him, Janet. Phil. Phil, look, you didn't do wrong. You did everything right. For goodness sakes, Phil, nobody's gonna blame you now. Only put away that gun. Put it down, Mr. Mory. Stay back. Mr. Mori, these two men have a lot of belief in you. They think you can straighten out in spite of everything that's happened. Now, nobody's gonna blame you for anything unless you use that gun. Frankly, what happens to you doesn't make any difference to me. It doesn't make any difference to anyone. It does to these two guys. Why don't you start thinking about somebody else for a change? Let's see you prove you're worthy of their friendship. Yeah. Way. Give me that gun. Now, come on. You're not whipped. Everybody gets in a slump now and then. Come on, give me the gun. Mr. Moria. By the time the cops got there, Janet and Sweet had told me the whole story. They admitted cashing Ford's checks to the tune of $300,000. And that wasn't counting what Maury had given her. Legally, if I hadn't recognized Eugene Sweet, Janet would probably have won a nice settlement to go along with everything else. Maury had written so many checks, he never would have noticed the extra ones, though. He was a setup. He spent money hand over fist. And his business manager would never think a dozen small checks a week were forged. Expense account, item 8, $54. Hotel bill, item 9, $18.83. Train fare and incidentals, back to Hartford. Expense account total $99.38. Yours truly, Johnny Dollar. Remember, friends, Wrigley's Spearmint Chewing Gum is a refreshing, delicious treat you can enjoy just about anytime. Chew a few sticks of Wrigley Spearmint during the day and see how the good chewing helps you keep feeling fresh and alert. A lively, full bodied flavor of Wrigley Spearmint cools your mouth, freshens your taste and sweetens your breath. The chewing itself gives you a nice little boost, helps you keep going at your best. Millions of people get real chewing enjoyment out of Wrigley's Spearmint Gum every day. And we know that you'll enjoy it too. Get a few packages and always keep some handy. That's Wrigley's Spearmint Chewing Gum. Healthful, refreshing, delicious. Yours truly, Johnny Dollar, brought to you by Wrigley Spearmint Chewing Gum stars John Lund in the title role and was written by Blake Edwards with music by Eddie Dunstetter. Featured in tonight's cast were Joe Duvall, Sydney Miller, High Averback, Bill Johnstone and Jeanette Nolan. Yours truly, Johnny Dollar is produced and directed by Jaime Del Valle, the makers of Wrigley's Spearmint Chewing Gum. Hope you enjoyed tonight's story of Johnny Dollar and that you're enjoying delicious Wrigley Spearmint Gum every day. This is Charles Lyon inviting you to join us again next week at this same time when from Hollywood, John Lund returns as yours truly, Johnny Dollar. This is the CBS Radio. And now here is our star, Vincent Price. Ladies and gentlemen, in a prejudice filled America, no one would be secure in his job, his business, his church or his home. Yet racial and religious antagonisms are exploited daily by quacks and adventurers whose followers make up the irresponsible lunatic fringe of American life. Refuse to listen to or spread rumors against any race or religion. Religion help to stamp out prejudice in our country. Let's judge our neighbors by the character of their lives alone and not on the basis of their religion or origin.