The Great Detectives of Old Time Radio

"Yours Truly, Johnny Dollar: The Carmen Kringle Matter" (EP4870) – December 19, 2025

Main Theme / Purpose

This festive, feel-good Johnny Dollar episode, originally broadcast December 22, 1957, finds our intrepid insurance investigator drawn into a heartwarming Christmas mystery in a California ghost town. The “Carmen Kringle Matter” balances the show’s trademark suspense and sharp dialogue with themes of redemption, community, and generosity—and just a dash of old West eccentricity. Host Adam Graham’s post-show commentary provides context about the episode, cast, and writer Bob Bailey.

Key Discussion Points & Plot Breakdown

1. Case Assignment & Setting the Scene

• [03:33] Johnny Dollar, enjoying the sun in Palm Springs, is drawn away for “just one day” of work—investigating a prospector’s policy change in nearby Calico, an old mining ghost town.
• The prospect: Chris Kringle (yes, really), wants to change his $50,000 insurance beneficiary from his nephew Ned to Carmen Kringle—a beloved burro (donkey).
• Johnny is skeptical but intrigued by the odd setup and festive names.

“He wants to change the beneficiary on a $50,000 policy. But a nephew, Ned Kringle, threatens suit if we let him. ... Who's the new beneficiary? Carmen Kringle. ... A burro?” – Johnny Dollar (Bob Bailey) [04:21]

2. Arrival in Calico and Meeting the Locals

• [06:17] Johnny’s arrival is suitably eerie: a herd of donkeys, a threatening figure with a rifle (Marshal Ed Knoller), and Gene Craig, the capable local insurance agent.
• The audience learns Chris is beloved for his annual toy deliveries—“the kids really think he IS Santa Claus.” The town is preparing for their Christmas festivities, but Chris is declining rapidly.

“Everybody calls him Chris because every year he loads up his burro with toys and presents for the miners and their families back in the hills. The kids really think he is Santa Claus.” – Gene Craig [08:37]

3. The Real Threat: Greed, Guns, & Family

• Chris’ nephew Ned seems out of sorts, but it’s Ned’s companion, the menacing Willie D’Agostino, who presents the real threat—he’s a hoodlum bent on ensuring Ned inherits.
• Tensions escalate: The doctor is kept out at gunpoint, and Johnny is knocked out by D’Agostino when trying to force entry.

“His hand moved to his shoulder holster. ... That gave me my chance. I kicked the door wide, threw him off balance. ... a million Christmas tree lights blazed up on my skull.” – Johnny Dollar [12:21]

4. The Emotional Center: Small Town Values

• Neighborly affection and honest motives contrast with outside greed.
• Gene defends Chris’ reputation and the importance of Carmen to the community, arguing Calico itself could become Carmen’s “beneficiary.”
• When D’Agostino starts taunting Ned about being used by his uncle, Gene reminds him of Chris’s real “riches”—his generosity and the townsfolk’s dedication.

“He did strike it rich, Ned. When he dies, every man, woman, and child in this town will mourn him. You live in their hearts. What will people remember about you, Mr. D’Agostino?” – Gene Craig [14:59]

5. Crisis: A Christmas Crime

• D’Agostino, intent on blocking the policy change to Carmen the burro, attempts to kill her. The burro is found apparently shot, bells and all.

“We found the burro lying on her side, quite dead. Jingle bells and all.” – Johnny Dollar [16:26]

6. Resolution: Truth, Misunderstanding, and Redemption

• In a clever twist, Johnny switches the bells to another burro for safekeeping—Carmen is alive after all.
• Chris reveals he never intended to disinherit Ned; the planned beneficiary change was just a ruse to scare off D’Agostino, buying time and protecting his nephew from bad influences.

“I wasn’t gonna scratch Ned’s name off of that insurance, Mr. Dollar. I tried to shake that D’Agostino, figuring he’d take his hooks off of Ned if he thought my Carmen was gonna get the money.” – Chris Kringle [18:49]

• The “poor prospector” is richer than he seems—not with silver, but uranium dust, and plans for Ned to “work off” his debts and thus earn the inheritance honestly. The townspeople come together for their holiday pageant, Chris recovers, and Johnny Dollar enjoys “the best holiday I ever had.”

7. Festive Finale

• Christmas Eve in Calico features a joyful procession, full of warmth and community spirit. Carmen (alive and well) even features as the nativity donkey.

“From all of us to all of you, may this be your very merriest Christmas ever. Yours truly, Johnny Dollar.” – Johnny Dollar [21:18]

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• Johnny Dollar’s skepticism, warmth, and humor play throughout, especially as he adapts from city slicker to small-town guest.
• Gene’s heartfelt defense of Chris' legacy and the true riches of community.
• D’Agostino’s villainy offers a sharp contrast to the tenderness of the townsfolk.

Best Johnny Dollar Lines:

“You tell Chris that I'll have his Carmen back in the corral before the moon's full. ... Sorry about mistaking you, Mr. Dollar. ... Well, in a frozen facsimile.” [08:02]

Gene to D’Agostino:

“What will people remember about you, Mr. D’Agostino?” [14:59]

Chris on his true intent:

“I tried to shake that D’Agostino, figuring he’d take his hooks off of Ned if he thought my Carmen was gonna get the money.” [18:49]

Johnny’s closing benediction:

“From all of us to all of you, may this be your very merriest Christmas ever.” [21:18]

Important Timestamps

• [03:33] — Johnny receives the case assignment.
• [06:08] — Johnny lands in Calico; eerie arrival.
• [08:37] — Town’s affection for Chris as “Santa Claus.”
• [12:21] — Showdown at Chris’s cabin; Johnny knocked out.
• [14:59] — Gene’s defense of Chris and rebuke of D’Agostino.
• [16:26] — Carmen the burro appears dead; rising tension.
• [18:49] — Chris reveals his real plan; resolution.
• [21:18] — Christmas Eve procession; Johnny’s sign-off.

Host Commentary & Episode Insights (Adam Graham)

• [23:58+] Host Adam Graham praises the episode’s heart, “nice, sweet Christmas script” that remains authentic to Johnny Dollar’s investigative style.
• Notes the writing credit is actually a pseudonym for Bob Bailey (the voice of Johnny Dollar), a common practice of the era to circumvent union restrictions on actors also writing scripts.
• Provides background on Bailey’s writing career and attempts at Hollywood screenwriting, highlighting both his creative versatility and the industry challenges of the time.
• Observes that, while not as intense as some Johnny Dollar Christmas episodes, this entry is one of the “most enjoyable” for Johnny.
• Listener feedback and historical asides enhance appreciation for both the show’s storytelling and the world of classic radio drama.

Final Thoughts

This episode delivers Christmas spirit without sacrificing the classic detective intrigue. Heartfelt, atmospheric, and well-paced, “The Carmen Kringle Matter” combines small-town Americana, clever plotting, and radio nostalgia—making for a memorable holiday treat in the Johnny Dollar canon. Host Adam Graham's retrospective adds rich historical context about the performers and show business of mid-century radio.