Yours Truly Johnny Dollar: The Carman Kringle Matter (EP4870)

Summary

---

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.

---

Transcript

[Martha Stewart]

The holidays are about giving something truly special. I'm Martha Stewart and I believe the best gifts aren't just beautiful, they're useful every single day. Lennox has brought timeless beauty and lasting quality to our tables for generations. And their Lennox Spice Village is the perfect holiday gift for someone you love or for yourself. It's more than a spice rack. It's a charming collection of hand painted houses that turn ordinary spices into extraordina. Imagine cinnamon from a tiny Victorian cottage or oregano from a pastel townhouse. Suddenly, a simple meal becomes a moment to savor. Because spices can be more than ingredients, they can inspire memories, warmth and joy all year long. Give a gift that lasts beyond the holidays. Discover the [e-mail] SpiceVillage I'm Martha Stewart and I believe the best gifts are not only beautiful, but useful every single day. And Lenox has brought timeless beauty and lasting quality to our tables for generations. And their Lenox Spice Village is the perfect holiday gift for someone you love or for yourself. Spice Village transforms everyday spices into inspired memories filled with warmth and joy all year long. Give a gift that lasts beyond the holidays. Discover the [e-mail] SpiceVillage if you're the.

[Podcast Host (Adam Graham)]

Purchasing manager at a manufacturing plant, you know having a trusted partner makes all the difference. That's why, hands down, you count on Grainger for auto reordering. With On Time Restocks, your team will have the cut resistant gloves they need at the start of their shift and you can end your day knowing they've.

[Johnny Dollar (Bob Bailey)]

Got safety well in hand.

[Podcast Host (Adam Graham)]

Call 1-800-GRAINGER click granger.com or just stop by Granger for the ones who get it done. Welcome to the Great Detectives of Old Time Radio from Boise, Idaho, this is your host, Adam Graham. In a moment, we're going to bring you this week's episode of yours truly, Johnny Dollar. But first, I do want to encourage you. If you're enjoying the podcast, please follow us using your favorite podcast software. And remember, as you're making your Travel plans for 2026 to check out johnnydollerair.com johnnydoller air.com is our Priceline affiliate link, so if you make your purchase through there, part of your purchase price goes to support the great detectives of Old Time Radio at no additional cost to you. Remember to check johnnydoller air.com first. But now, from December 22, 1957, here is the Carmen Kringle matter.

[Johnny Dollar (Bob Bailey)]

Johnny Teller that McCracken Johnny, how's the weather in Palm Springs? A blonde in a bikini just melted past my Poolside window. Goodbye now. Oh, don't hang up, Johnny. This job's just a few miles north of where you are. It'll take maybe a day to clear it up. You said that last Christmas. Pat and I got trapped in a blizzard. This season I soak in the sun. Happy New Year, John boy. We have a bonus list in this office. Your name could be on it. Near where I am, huh? It's a ghost town named Calico. An old prospect named Kringle who's breathing his last up there. I thought all prospectors never died. He wants to change the beneficiary on a $50,000 policy. But a nephew, Ned Kringle, threatens suit if we let him. So you contact our agent, Gene Craig and Barstow. Who's the new beneficiary? Carmen Kringle. Carmen A Borrow a burrow?

[Gene Craig / Marshal Ed Knoller]

Yeah.

[Johnny Dollar (Bob Bailey)]

If I don't hear from you, Johnny. Merry Christmas. 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. And now, act one of yours truly, Johnny Dollar. Expense accounts submitted by Special investigator Johnny Dollar to the home office Universal Adjustment Bureau, Hartford, Connecticut. Following is an account of expenses incurred during my investigation of the Carmen Kringle matter. Expense account, item $1.40. Telegram to Gene Craig and Barstow. Telling him where and when to meet me. Item $250 even to Al Sterner for his charter plane to the ghost town of Calico. The guidebook says there's something about desert country that's good for the soul. And in spite of the air bumps, I got a panoramic view of the Great Mo. Took my breath away. The sun setting rays hit the weird mineral straighters of the Calico Range and turned them into a patchwork of beauty. Night comes quickly in this country. And I turned to Al when a Christmas tree cluster of blinking lights appeared under our wing. By way of answer, he put the plane into a glide and set us down on the smooth surface of a dry lake bed. Johnny, you want me to wait around till your friend shows up?

[Narrator / Supporting Character]

No.

[Johnny Dollar (Bob Bailey)]

No, thanks. Now there seems to be plenty of company. That's just an old coyote. Don't stand too long or you'll freeze to the spot. Okay.

[Gene Craig / Marshal Ed Knoller]

Good luck.

[Johnny Dollar (Bob Bailey)]

Call me when you want to be picked up. I watched Al's flame until it was swallowed by the darkness. Then suddenly I got that feeling in the hair on the back of my neck that I wasn't alone. The moon was up enough to make out shadows. And silhouetted in a circle around Me was a strange collection of figures. One of the pack moved toward me, and for a crazy second I thought I bumped into Santa Claus's reindeer. Then a car without lights rushing at me. The headlights slammed on and I got a glimpse of a donkey herd scattering into the night. All right, mister, walk toward me slow with your hands high. I've learned never to argue with a Winchester.94, so I followed orders. I spotted the weaving headlamps of another car approaching and prayed it was the agent Gene Coraigy. Close enough, sonny. I can pop the rattlers off a sidewinder 60 yards. So don't you make no sudden move. He was maybe 60, with gray sideburns and a frosty goatee. A Marshall's badge with pin to his leather jacket. All right, now, Mr.

[Gene Craig / Marshal Ed Knoller]

Dollar. I was supposed to meet him earlier. I'm awfully sorry, Mr. Dollar. I'm Jean Craig. I couldn't get here until I drove Doc Spangler up to Chris. He's had another setback. Marshall?

[Johnny Dollar (Bob Bailey)]

Yeah. Some darn fool let down the rail on his corral and Kris Kringle's whole herd got loose. You don't give a chuck for most of them, though. Except Carmen. Now he's fretting cause she's running wild. Almost had him tracked down when this here fella showed up. If you vouch for him.

[Gene Craig / Marshal Ed Knoller]

Gene. You are Johnny Dollar, aren't you?

[Johnny Dollar (Bob Bailey)]

Well, in a frozen facsimile.

[Gene Craig / Marshal Ed Knoller]

Come on, I'll drive you into Calico.

[Johnny Dollar (Bob Bailey)]

You tell Chris that I'll have his Carmen back in the corral before the moon's full. And Gene, tell the old sourdough to stay alive, would you? We need him around here. Sorry about mistaking you, Mr. Dollar. Gene Craig, A. J. Knew her way around. She was strictly business and filled me in fast on the old prospector with the odd name and his desire to change the beneficiary of his policy.

[Gene Craig / Marshal Ed Knoller]

Everybody calls him Chris because every year.

[Johnny Dollar (Bob Bailey)]

He loads up his Vogue with toys.

[Gene Craig / Marshal Ed Knoller]

And presents for the miners and their families back in the hills. The kids really think he is Santa Claus. I'm afraid it won't be a very merry one for them this year.

[Johnny Dollar (Bob Bailey)]

What makes everyone so sure Kris Kringle is giving up the ghost?

[Gene Craig / Marshal Ed Knoller]

That angler says there's nothing apparently wrong with him. It's more like he's given up.

[Johnny Dollar (Bob Bailey)]

Oh, what's with this Scrooge character?

[Gene Craig / Marshal Ed Knoller]

The nephew, Ned Kringle Seems all right. It's the man with him, Willie d'. Agostino. He does the talking for Ned. You think he Was going to inherit the money.

[Johnny Dollar (Bob Bailey)]

Well, maybe he's expecting to. You know, you're making a good case for Carmen.

[Gene Craig / Marshal Ed Knoller]

Sanabor will be a beneficiary, Johnny.

[Johnny Dollar (Bob Bailey)]

Chris can leave it to a three man schooner if he wants, providing a trusted copy.

[Gene Craig / Marshal Ed Knoller]

Could the people of Calico be that trust if they promise to take care of Carmen?

[Johnny Dollar (Bob Bailey)]

Yeah, I guess so. Why?

[Gene Craig / Marshal Ed Knoller]

That's the way Chris wants him. That way there'll always be a business in Calico.

[Johnny Dollar (Bob Bailey)]

What happens when Carmen goes to donkey heaven? Or is it burrows that never die?

[Gene Craig / Marshal Ed Knoller]

There'll always be burrows in Calico, Johnny. And one of them should always be named Carmen.

[Johnny Dollar (Bob Bailey)]

Act two of yours truly, Johnny Dollar in a moment. Act two of yours truly, Johnny Dollar and the Carmen Kringle.

[Gene Craig / Marshal Ed Knoller]

Well, here we are, Johnny. Calico. Once the richest silver city in the West.

[Johnny Dollar (Bob Bailey)]

It was unbelievable. Like seeing a page from the past. Walter Nut, fame, creator of Nuts Berry Farm and western historian, had bought the old ghost town's battered remnants and restored it to the way it must have appeared in the wild and fevered days of the silverloads. I could make out signs nail the weathered batten boards that told of a flourishing and colorful past. Joe's Saloon, the Last Chance. Hyena House.

[Podcast Host (Adam Graham)]

Hotel.

[Johnny Dollar (Bob Bailey)]

Lanes Mercantile. The Calico Prince. High on a hill at the edge of town. People were gathered at the entrance to a cave that was illuminated by hundreds of miners lamps.

[Gene Craig / Marshal Ed Knoller]

And to get you.

[Johnny Dollar (Bob Bailey)]

Almost like it was planned.

[Gene Craig / Marshal Ed Knoller]

Miller hurting for the Christmas Eve pageant. Maybe you can spend Christmas Eve with us, Johnny. You don't have other plans?

[Johnny Dollar (Bob Bailey)]

I have a day with a steam heated swimming pool.

[Gene Craig / Marshal Ed Knoller]

What?

[Johnny Dollar (Bob Bailey)]

Come on, let's meet the old man. Expense account item 3. 100 bucks for a quarter. Perfume or a mink scarf? Anything to wipe the hurt look off of Jean Craig's face. She led me up the steps to the rickety porch of Kris Kringle's wooden shack. A tall figure carrying a black bag stepped toward us out of the shadows.

[Gene Craig / Marshal Ed Knoller]

Yeah, I'm glad to see you.

[Johnny Dollar (Bob Bailey)]

Will you drive me back to town?

[Gene Craig / Marshal Ed Knoller]

Why, certainly, Doc. Oh, this is Mr. Dollar.

[Johnny Dollar (Bob Bailey)]

Hi, Shannon.

[Gene Craig / Marshal Ed Knoller]

Hi, Chris. Is he still all right?

[Johnny Dollar (Bob Bailey)]

I couldn't say. Been sitting out here waiting for you. You haven't seen the patient. The medical man owes the duty and all that. But I'm too old to talk back to a gun.

[Gene Craig / Marshal Ed Knoller]

They wouldn't let you in.

[Johnny Dollar (Bob Bailey)]

Tired of it. Well, I'm not a medical man.

[Gene Craig / Marshal Ed Knoller]

Well, please be careful, Johnny.

[Johnny Dollar (Bob Bailey)]

I told you, Skullbone, stay away and.

[Gene Craig / Marshal Ed Knoller]

Leave the old man.

[Johnny Dollar (Bob Bailey)]

Well, if it ain't little Genie, the policy fixer.

[Gene Craig / Marshal Ed Knoller]

And who are you, Mr. Willie Dagostino. This is Johnny Dollar. He's from the insurance company to see about changing the policy.

[Johnny Dollar (Bob Bailey)]

Who is it, Willie? Who you talking to? Relax, will you, and let him give us some tourist directions back to bar. There'll be no policy changing at this late date. Mr. Ned Kringle is very bereaved at the imminence of his uncle's demise. Just family admitted at this sad hour. So mosey along, folks. I'll leave the young man to his grief. Your foot is in the door, mister. I don't like your foot and I don't like you. His hand moved to his shoulder holster. But Gene was standing right beside me. It was Doc who suddenly shouldered past Agosino and fled up the stairs. That gave me my chance. I kicked the door wide, threw him off balance. I shoved Genie aside, and that was a mistake. Because a million Christmas tree lights blazed up on my skull. And slowly the tree lights faded away. And I saw Genie fussing over me and looking worried. A young, nice looking fellow was seated next to a marble top table. D' Agostino leaned against the stone fireplace and dangled his gun, smiling like he had a stacked deck.

[Gene Craig / Marshal Ed Knoller]

He's all right, Doc.

[Johnny Dollar (Bob Bailey)]

Nasty cut, but no fracture. I know how to pull my punches, Doc. The old man, how is he? No better, no worse. Just lying up there, staring at the ceiling.

[Gene Craig / Marshal Ed Knoller]

I want to see Chris. I have a right to. Ned, I'm an old friend.

[Johnny Dollar (Bob Bailey)]

Wouldn't it be okay if Gene just went up? Let him die in paces past Karen Ho season. Willie, these people have no. I'll get a hero boy and his feet and shove off. Go on.

[Gene Craig / Marshal Ed Knoller]

Come on, Johnny. Help me, Doc.

[Johnny Dollar (Bob Bailey)]

How's it gonna feel, Ned, sharing blood money with a hoodlum? Your uncle paid for that policy with a pick and a shovel. It took a lot of years, a lot of sweat. And he's had your name on that policy ever since you were born. Old man Kringle never saw pay dirt in his life. Natty had given money to live on, paid the premiums on his policy. Chris was always tapping the kid, claiming he had a new fine. He was going to mine a million. Willie, shut up. The old man's dying. Tell him, Madge. Tell him how the old phony was always taking the bars, making like Santa Claus with the money you give him. Willie, haven't you got a whole lot of money? I know he's been waiting a long time for this. Me, Willie d'. Agostino. That's who Is that true, Ned? Yeah. I thought my uncle would make a strike someday. I honestly thought he'd strike it rich. I know he tried.

[Gene Craig / Marshal Ed Knoller]

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?

[Johnny Dollar (Bob Bailey)]

All right, I'll get out. Get out and stay up if work. Really. This rifle will make a hole in your belly big enough to pass a borax team through. So you just drop that gun. Well, I don't know what the shouting's about, but you're guilty. Carrying sidearms. You're threatening violence, Mr. Agostino. And ain't nobody does that in calico. Long as I'm the marshal. Now, you better get Ed.

[Gene Craig / Marshal Ed Knoller]

I love you.

[Johnny Dollar (Bob Bailey)]

I'm so. Let glad to hear that. Well, how Chris is, Doc? Tell the old buzzard that I got his Carmen back in the corral. Jingle bells and all. Yeah, nice work, Ed. Now, what's holding you, mister? Okay, okay. All right. Let's go, Ned. Let the square just have a round, huh? I'm gonna stay here, Willie. I want to be here one, Chris. Hey, that's a good idea. That way. No fooling around with the will, huh? Smart kid, that Ned. See you at the funeral, huh? I'll go up now.

[Gene Craig / Marshal Ed Knoller]

You were wonderful, Marshall. You too, Johnny.

[Johnny Dollar (Bob Bailey)]

Oh, yeah, sure. I take a nice sock on the head. Hey, you folks better come up, too. Chris wants to say something. Wait a second. I figured on this Corel. Come on. D' Agostino must have had another gun in his car. One of the bullets had found the mark he intended. Woolly boy wasn't taking any chances that Carmen Kringle would inherit $50,000. We found the burrow lying on her side, quite dead. Jingle bells and all. Act three of yours truly, Johnny Dollar. In a moment.

[Martha Stewart]

Oh.

[Johnny Dollar (Bob Bailey)]

Act three of yours truly, Johnny. Johnny Dollar and the Carmen Kringle matter.

[Gene Craig / Marshal Ed Knoller]

Marshall. Johnny. How could he have been so cruel? Carmen dead. It's just not right.

[Martha Stewart]

Yeah.

[Johnny Dollar (Bob Bailey)]

I figured Dastino might be mean enough to try killing Chris's pet boy.

[Gene Craig / Marshal Ed Knoller]

We can't tell him about it. It would kill him for sure.

[Johnny Dollar (Bob Bailey)]

You'll have to know the truth, Gene. You'll have to decide about the world. Yeah. Truth is always the best. And easy this time.

[Gene Craig / Marshal Ed Knoller]

Easy, huh?

[Johnny Dollar (Bob Bailey)]

Yeah. I'll just take these bells off of this poor little feller and I'll put them where they belong. Carmen. What? Carmen, Mosey over here now. Well, you pull the switch. You put these Bells on another bullet. I didn't trust that greasy character.

[Gene Craig / Marshal Ed Knoller]

And I was right and nice girl.

[Johnny Dollar (Bob Bailey)]

Now, you folks going up and see old Chris? I'll keep an eye on this here $50,000 jackass. That's just the way it's going to be, ain't it, Johnny? Yes, sir. That's the way it's going to be. But I was wrong. The roly poly little old man in the four poster bed with his white whiskers resting on the quilt changed his mind again. Even after hearing about how the marshal saved Carmen.

[Gene Craig / Marshal Ed Knoller]

I. I wasn't gonna scratch Ned's name off of that insurance, Mrs. Donner. I tried to shake that dagger stino figuring he'd take his hooks off of Ned if he thought my Carmen was gonna get the money. Oh, I was scared for a while that I just might have to up and die to square my nephew's gambling debts.

[Johnny Dollar (Bob Bailey)]

I. I'm sorry, Chris. I'll work my fingers raw paying every cent I owe. But I'll pay him back with interest. I want you around accurate.

[Gene Craig / Marshal Ed Knoller]

Lift the lid on that foot locker and fetch me one of them bags in there. They're pretty heavy, but you look strong.

[Johnny Dollar (Bob Bailey)]

Oh, they're sure heavy enough. Kick out of the stuff with silver. It's better than silver.

[Martha Stewart]

Open it up.

[Narrator / Supporting Character]

Open it up.

[Gene Craig / Marshal Ed Knoller]

Yeah. Recognize that?

[Johnny Dollar (Bob Bailey)]

Maybe you'd better have a good sleep, Chris. This here is plain old gravel.

[Gene Craig / Marshal Ed Knoller]

Oh, plain old gravit. It's uranium dust.

[Johnny Dollar (Bob Bailey)]

Huh?

[Gene Craig / Marshal Ed Knoller]

The last batch assayed at $900 a ton. And I got a mountain I it staked out in both our names.

[Johnny Dollar (Bob Bailey)]

Ned.

[Gene Craig / Marshal Ed Knoller]

You don't care, Mr. Do. If you and Genie check with a Baro bank, you'll find that they have extend credit on the strength of that asset. You reckon you can spend two days buying enough presents so as we won't disappoint the folks hereabout?

[Johnny Dollar (Bob Bailey)]

Expensive on item four. $68 even telephone calls to five principal cities where I thought Willie D' Agostino might be remembered. The police departments had a long list of reasons why they remembered Willie. That was my Christmas present to them. Expense account item 5. Another 50 truck rental to haul the presents we bought for Ned to give away come Christmas morning. And then it was Christmas Eve. We sat on the Kringle's porch and watched the procession up to the Maggie mine. The flickering lights from the miner's lamps reflecting on the faces of the happy children. Old Chris was bundled up in blankets, his little eyes twinkling, chuckling to himself like he knew all the answers of the universe. Gene was there too.

[Gene Craig / Marshal Ed Knoller]

Kind of nice, isn't it Johnny?

[Narrator / Supporting Character]

Kind of nice.

[Johnny Dollar (Bob Bailey)]

Marshall Ed Knoller was one of the wise men in the procession. I recognized the sideburns and Doc Spangler couldn't hide his height. Oh, he wore an awful beard. Ned Kringle led the Borough that carried the Blessed Mother. Yeah, you guessed it. The borough was common cringle extensive including return to Palm springs and incidental $229.75. But forget it Pat. This is the best holiday I ever had and I was only cold at the start. From all of us to all of you, may this be your very merriest Christmas ever. Yours, Truline, Johnny D.

[Gene Craig / Marshal Ed Knoller]

Sam.

[Johnny Dollar (Bob Bailey)]

Ram.

[Martha Stewart]

I'm Martha Stewart and I believe the best gifts are not only beautiful, but useful every single day. And Lenox has brought timeless beauty and lasting quality to our tables for generations. And their Lenox Spice Village is the perfect holiday gift for someone you love or for yourself. Spice Village transforms everyday spices into inspired memories filled with warmth and joy all year long. Give a gift that lasts beyond the holidays. Discover the [e-mail] SpiceVillage.

[Podcast Host (Adam Graham)]

Welcome back. A really good, sweet Christmas script with some nice heartwarming touches that doesn't get too far away from being true to the spirit of Johnny dollar. It's not the Nick Shern matter, but it's a good solid story. Really impressive because it unfolded in around 20 minutes of story time. I also understand why it'd rank higher in terms of most enjoyable Christmases for Johnny, as during the Nick Shern matter, he was shot at and nearly died in a snowstorm and had to kill a man in self defense. So only getting knocked out and having a minor concussion makes this all Christmas win. If there was one complaint I had, it was the idea of her being hurt by Johnny not expressing interest in spending the holiday. I hate to point this out, but she was trying to pick up a stranger in a friendly and not creepy way. But you still can't reasonably get upset if this stranger goes ahead and says no. Now it's worth noting that the name of the writer of the script was was Robert Bainter and that's actually a pen name for Bob Bailey with Bainter being his middle name after his godmother, early acting legend Fay Bainter. This was something done during the golden age of radio because there were rules about paying the same person for both writing and acting. And you see something very similar when Betsy Drake wrote an episode of Mr. And Mrs. Blanding's, she used a pen name for the same reason. Now, this may have been the last script that Bob Bailey wrote, but it wasn't the first. Bailey had set out on a writing career no later than 1953, though he may have started writing earlier. There are 13 scripts of Let George do it where the writer is credited as Lloyd London in 1951 and 1952. Okay, Lloyds of London. Given that's an obvious pseudonym and the industry rules I just mentioned and that Bailey would eventually get the writing bug, it seems likely that Bailey first tried writing on his own series. And that would make sense budget wise, because in 1951 and 1952 radio budgets were starting to contract and so the sponsors could have probably paid Bailey less to write the script than they would have a normal professional writer, particularly since he was also earning a salary as the star. I can't prove it, but I would be very shocked if someone else had been. Lloyd London. Bailey had actually quit Let George do it in the fall of 1953 to pursue a riding career. As he told Zuma Palmer of the Los Angeles Evening Citizen, he was under no illusion that he was a great rider. He viewed riding as a bridge to get to direct motion picture or film. Perhaps he decided to take this direction in his career after a Let George Do It TV series was shelved. The moment the production team saw him, he may have concluded that television was the future and that the way the industry worked, he'd never make it in front of the camera. And certainly there are quite a few examples of people who worked in radio and then went into writing, directing or producing behind the camera. Examples include Sheldon Leonard, Tony Barrett, as well as his predecessor as Johnny Doller Williams, Charles Russell, William Conrad, who was rejected as the On Screen Matt Dillon, produced and directed throughout the late 1950s and into the 60s. It just didn't end up working out for Bailey. He had a promising start. You might even say he made a splash. And there's a pun. It's coming up. He and co writer Hugh King sold one, perhaps two stories for movies to rko. They also co wrote an episode of the Ford Television Theater which was a backdoor pilot for a legal comedy series called the Legal Beagles. Unfortunately, neither worked out when it came to the stories that were sold to rko. One of them became the film Underwater. And in fact, I found a news report that Bailey took a vacation to Hawaii for his 40th birthday in June of 1953. And it's likely he was mixing a little business with pleasure as Hawaii would be one of the locations that the film was shot at. But the film was a troubled production. A lot of it can come back to the fact that Howard Hughes was involved and he owned RKO at the time. It was massively expensive to shoot and it took a very long time. And there was all sorts of drama surrounding the picture, including the fact that Howard Hughes was kind of creepy towards Jane Russell. The film had a big premiere and of course as Howard Hughes was involved, he had it underwater. The film is not well remembered. It was in fact in the book the Hollywood hall of the Most Expensive Flops by Harry and Michael Medved. This had very little to do with Bailey and Hugh King, his co writer, as they just wrote the story. But the production did not go well. As for a potential second film, in the interview that he gave to Zuma Paul Palmer, he stated that they had sold a story called Below the Timberline and this was never made. And given the fact that RKO fell In the late 1950s, it seems probable that they bought the story but just never developed it. As for the legal vehicles, I've seen the episode of the Ford Television Theater. It's not awful, but it's not good either. It's about a husband and wife attorney team who get a continuance in a legal case so that they can have a second honeymoon. However, a demand for justice upends their plans. Now, it had two good actors in the leads in Richard Denning and Lorraine Day. It's the type of series that could have worked if someone saw the potential and worked to smooth out the rough edges. It really could have made it. But it's not some cosmic injustice that it didn't. Bailey's writing career stalled out a bit. It was during these couple of years between 53 or 54 and 55, he did quite a few radio guest appearances. He also did some bit movie parts and he actually hadn't done much of either of those during his time when he was playing George Valentine on Let George Do It. And the state of his writing career may have been why he was available to do Johnny Dollar two years after stepping aside on his last program. Now, after he landed Johnny Dollar, he still continued to write. He co wrote some episodes of Fury, which is the horse version of Lassie or the horse version of Flipper. However you'd like to look at it. He also co wrote a large number of episodes of the syndicated series Hawkeye and the Last of the Mohicans. He also stated in the Zuma Palmer interview that he'd written episodes for a series called the Phantom Pirate. However, I can't find any evidence of that series actually being produced, though there was a pilot for the series earlier in the 1950s and I believe I found some whisperings of a revival in the late 50s. Likely Bailey and King sold scripts or sold storylines for series that just ended up not being produced. None of this would get Bailey close to being behind the camera. The last script he wrote that was Produced was a March 1958 episode of Fury, though given TV production timelines, it's likely that this episode was written after that. Bailey may have made a practical decision, or he may just have lost the mood to write, which to him might have been fatal for him pursuing this sort of career. Bailey described himself as someone who liked to write when he had a compulsion, whether it was early in the morning or he might get started at 10 o' clock and pull an all nighter and stay up till 4am and I think from the Zuma Palmer piece in particular, he was someone who oozed creativity. He built and sold early American furniture. He painted and even talked to a gallery owner about doing some showings. He often read about a type of dish and would spontaneously go home, take over the kitchen and try to cook it. Babeley told Palmer. If I would concentrate on one field I would probably go further, but being creative in several I feel enriches my life. Alright, well, Listener comments and feedback now and we start on YouTube with a couple of comments regarding the two face matter kind of in the same vein. Listener comments this has to be the earliest depiction of an Amish community used as a plot device that I've heard ever heard. And unseen Happiness says this sounds like someone was trying to describe or explain the Amish. Without having met any Amish people. I definitely feel like the show was maybe a little bit evocative of the Amish, yet the series didn't describe them as particularly religious or tied to any ethnic group, which may have reflected a sensitivity they've shown in other areas to going after minority religious or ethnic groups. Instead, the episode treats them as just a group of eccentrics, which can make it seem a bit shallow, particularly if you catch what Johnstone might have been going for. And then Harrison comments regarding the wayward killer manner. Gotta hate it when you toss yourself out a second floor glass window to throw off the cops, only to make yourself look even guiltier. Thanks so much. Appreciate the comment Harrison. Now it's time to thank our Patreon supporter of the day and I want to thank Debbie patreon Supporter since October 2015, currently supporting the podcast at the Detective Sergeant level of $7.14 or more per month. Thanks so much for your support, Debbie. And that will do it for today. If you're enjoying the podcast, please follow us using your favorite podcast software. And if you're enjoying the podcast on YouTube, be sure to like the video, subscribe to the channel and mark the notification bell. All those great things that help YouTube channels to grow. Please note that today we are do have an episode, a Christmas episode, on the amazing world of [e-mail] we'll be back next Friday with another episode of Yours truly, Johnny Dollar. Tomorrow we turn things over to the great adventurers of Old time radio with an encore presentation from the war. But we will be back on Sunday with a special episode.

[Narrator / Supporting Character]

Where you ashamed of your friendship with a private detective? Or do you consider my features more acceptable when buried beneath the depths of a snowy beer? Oh, my dear Holmes, do take me seriously. I'm not joking, I assure you. Of course you're not. Of course you're not. You. You want me to attend your party in disguise? Why? I'm giving some very valuable presents. Diamond and onyx cufflinks, platinum and ruby earrings, and then such like. And I've wrapped each of the presents in banknotes. Dear me, where are these presents now? In the sack in charge of my butler. I was going to dress up as Santa Claus and give him out myself until I got the warning letter. That's why I've come to you. Warning letter, eh? Yes, I received it by this evening's post. Listen to this. My dear Lord Widdicombe, your generosity with Christmas presents borders on ostentation. We do not approve either. We receive the £5,000 in sovereigns at Post Restaurant Box 379 by six o' clock on Christmas Eve. Or I'm afraid your Christmas party will be conspicuous by its absence of presents. Let me see that note, Wittigham, will you? Yes. Here you are. Thanks. Mm. Plain paper torn from a penny notebook. Writing is obviously disguised by George. Yes, Widdicombe, I accept the case. I'll come with you to your party at once. And furthermore, I shall follow your suggestion regarding a disguise dressed as Santa Claus. I shall be less likely to attract suspicion. I'm delighted, Holmes. But what made you decide so suddenly? This writing, my dear fellow, this writing. Oh, it's in a false hand. I know that characteristic M in my dear Witticam. I've seen it too often at the beginning of a signature.

[Podcast Host (Adam Graham)]

I Hope you'll be with us then. In the meantime, send your comments to box13reatdetectives.net, follow on Twitter Radio Detectives and check us out on Instagram instagram.com Great detectives from Boise, Idaho, this is your host, Adam Graham signing off.

[Commercial Announcer]

Save over $200 when you book weekly stays with VRBO this winter. If you need to work, why not work from a chalet? If you haven't seen your college besties since, well college you need a week to fully catch up in a snowy cabin. And if you have to stay in a remote place with your in law, you should save over 200 a week. That's the least we can do. So you might as well start digging out the long johns because saving over $200 on a week long snowcation rental is in the cards book [e-mail].

[Narrator / Supporting Character]

And.

[Johnny Dollar (Bob Bailey)]

Doug here we have the Limu Emu in its natural habitat helping people customize their car insurance and save hundreds with Liberty Mutual. Fascinating. It's accompanied by his natural ally, Doug. Uh, Limu is that guy with the binoculars watching us? Cut the camera. They see us. Only pay for what you [e-mail] Liberty Liberty Liberty Liberty Savings vary underwritten by Liberty Mutual Insurance Company and affiliates, excludes Massachusetts.

[Commercial Announcer]

At cvs, it matters that we're not just in your community, but that we're part of it. It matters that we're here for you when you need us, day or night. And we want everyone to feel welcomed and rewarded. It matters that CVS is here to fill your prescriptions and here to fill your craving for a tasty and yeah, healthy snack. At cvs, we're proud to serve your community because we believe where you get your medicine matters. So Visit [e-mail] or just come by our store. We can't wait to meet you. Store hours vary by location.