Yours Truly Johnny Dollar: The Charmona Matter (EP4555)

Summary

The Great Detectives of Old Time Radio
Episode Summary: "Yours Truly Johnny Dollar: The Charmona Matter (EP4555)"
Release Date: November 22, 2024
Host: Adam Graham
Featured Actor: Bob Bailey as Johnny Dollar

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Overview

In "The Charmona Matter," detective Johnny Dollar delves into a complex case involving insurance fraud, deceit, and unexpected twists. Set against the backdrop of a post-hurricane landscape, the episode masterfully unfolds the mystery surrounding the disappearance of Charles Francis Keeley and his luxurious 62-foot yacht, the Charmona.

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Act 1: The Disappearance

Johnny Dollar is approached by Byron Kay from Intercoastal Maritime and Life Insurance Company in Boston. The case at hand involves Charles Francis Keeley, a once-successful promoter and stock manipulator who seemingly vanished after taking his yacht, the Charmona, across Lake Erie for repairs.

Key Points:

• Charles Keeley's Background: A wealthy man with a beautiful home, a devoted wife, and a luxurious yacht.
• The Incident: In early June, Keeley fails to return from Detroit after a hurricane moves north, causing his yacht to disappear.
• Initial Investigation: Life preservers from the yacht wash ashore near Lindsey, Erie, but Keeley's wife, Mona, shows no immediate concern.

Notable Quote:

Johnny Dollar: "I'm on my way."
(02:14)

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Act 2: Uncovering the Truth

Arriving in Buffalo, Johnny checks into the Statler Hotel and proceeds to interview Mona Keeley. Mona presents herself as a composed and sorrowful widow, but subtle inconsistencies in her demeanor raise Johnny's suspicions.

Key Points:

• Interview with Mona Keeley: Mona appears selective and evasive, mentioning her loneliness and the disappearance of Paul Matthews, the yacht's pilot.
• Discovery of Clues: Johnny examines Keeley's home, finding numerous unpaid bills and expensive items, suggesting financial strain.
• Confrontation: Mona catches Johnny reviewing her desk, leading to a tense standoff where she brandishes a .25 caliber Colt.

Notable Quotes:

Mona Keeley: "I don't know why you registered at a hotel, Johnny. May I call you Johnny?"
(06:19)

Byron Kay (Johnny): "That thing in your hand is about as accurate as a slingshot."
(17:51)

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Act 3: The Confrontation and Resolution

Johnny's investigation leads him to Cleveland, where he anticipates uncovering the truth at a local hospital. However, an unexpected phone call from Harry Nelson, a friend of Charles Keeley, reveals that Keeley is indeed alive and recovering from the yacht's sinking.

Key Points:

• Revelation of Fraud: Charles Keeley admits to deliberately sinking the Charmona to claim insurance, motivated by financial desperation.
• Mona's Deception Exposed: Mona intended to collect on the insurance payout by faking grief over her husband's disappearance and manipulating Johnny.
• Final Confrontation: With evidence in hand, the police arrest Mona, bringing the case to a close.

Notable Quotes:

Charles Keeley: "All I can say is I'm glad there are courts to take care of situations like this."
(20:36)

Byron Kay (Johnny): "The crash of the Charmona was no accident."
(17:38)

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Conclusion

"The Charmona Matter" exemplifies the classic elements of Golden Age radio detective dramas, blending suspense, character development, and a satisfying resolution. Johnny Dollar's keen investigative skills unravel a web of deceit, ultimately delivering justice.

Listeners are treated to a richly woven narrative that not only entertains but also highlights the timeless allure of mystery-solving. With compelling performances and intricate plotting, this episode stands as a testament to the enduring charm of old-time radio fiction.

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Notable Quotes with Timestamps:

• Johnny Dollar: "I'm on my way." — (02:14)
• Mona Keeley: "I don't know why you registered at a hotel, Johnny." — (06:19)
• Byron Kay (Johnny): "That thing in your hand is about as accurate as a slingshot." — (17:51)
• Charles Keeley: "All I can say is I'm glad there are courts to take care of situations like this." — (20:36)
• Byron Kay (Johnny): "The crash of the Charmona was no accident." — (17:38)

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Whether you're a long-time fan or new to the series, "The Charmona Matter" offers a captivating glimpse into the world of Johnny Dollar, showcasing why The Great Detectives of Old Time Radio continues to enthrall audiences week after week.

Transcript

[Johnny Dollar]

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[Byron Kay]

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[Johnny Dollar]

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 get into this week's episode of yours truly, Johnny Dollar. If you are enjoying the podcast, please follow us using your favorite podcast software. A reminder, as you're making your travel plans, check johnny$air.com johnnydollar.com is our Priceline affiliate page. So part of the purchase price benefits the great detectives of Old Time Radio at no additional cost to you. So remember johnnydollar.com well, now from September 8, 1957, it's the Charmonomatter.

[Byron Kay]

From Hollywood. It's time now for Johnny Dollar. Johnny, this is Byron Kay at Intercoastal Maritime and Life in Boston. Hello. Bye. Remember Hurricane Audrey back in the latter part of June? Sure. Must have hit your company pretty hard. Yes, but if anybody ever needed help, it was those people down in Louisiana and neighboring states. Yeah. So we've paid up the claims just as fast as they've come in, except for one. Oh, what's that? One we received only a couple of days ago. Okay, bye. Give me the dope and I'll head for Louisiana on the first plane. Wrong direction, Johnny. Huh? Texas? No. Oklahoma? Arkansas? Buffalo, New York. What? And I think you'd better run over here and let me give you some facts. Yeah, yeah, I think I'd better. 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 Intercoastal Maritime and Life Insurance Company, Boston, Massachusetts. Following is an account of expenses incurred during my investigation of the Sharmona Matter expense account. Item 1, 1845. Plain fare and incidentals. Hartford to Boston and a cab to Byron Kay's office in the little building. Glad to see you, Johnny. Hi. I'm glad you can take this on for me. Sit down. Okay. Thanks. Ever hear of Charles Francis Keeley? Keeley? A very much reformed man, Johnny, who was apparently making a valiant try to live down some of the things he did earlier in his life. Like what? Well, he was a. I guess you'd call him a promoter, stock manipulator, that sort of thing. The point is, he made himself a lot of money a few years back until the authorities, the securities Exchange Commission and so forth, put a stop to his fancy dealing. Sounds like a real nice guy. In any event, he had enough money by the time he quit to live pretty well. Nice home, beautiful wife, 62 foot cruiser. And that, by the way, is our biggest problem. Oh, I wish my biggest problem was a 62 foot cruiser. It is, Johnny. No. Then tell me all. Yes. Early in June, he took his boat across Lake Erie to Detroit to have some work done on it at the Detroit Yacht Basin. Then a couple of days before the end of the month, he started back for Buffalo. Yeah, that hurricane was moving north about then, wasn't it? Yes, it was. And his failure to appear in Buffalo within a reasonable time didn't worry his wife a bit. Often, before making that same trip, he'd stopped off in Cleveland to visit some of his old cronies. But by July 20, she began to get worried. She called the friends in Cleveland. They hadn't seen him. Then she called the Coast Guard. No word. A few days later, a couple of the life preservers from his boat washed up on the south shore of Erie near the little town of Lindsey. That enough for you, Johnny? How much insurance did he carry on himself? 35,000. On the boat, 106,000. I see. Okay, bye. I'm on my way. Expense account. Item 2. Transportation to Buffalo, where I signed in at the Statler Hotel. Item three. Five. 20 for dinner, then taxi. That's item four to the Keeley home north of Delaware park on Colvin Avenue. I don't know. Just when I'd expected Keeley's wife to look like. Suffice it to say, I was pleasantly surprised. She was young, tall, blond and beautiful with eager, sparkling eyes. And none of the signs of grief I'd anticipated.

[Mona Keeley]

I don't know why you registered at a hotel, Johnny. May I call you Johnny?

[Byron Kay]

Why, sure.

[Mona Keeley]

Please, call me Mona. May I pour you another drink?

[Byron Kay]

No, no, thanks.

[Mona Keeley]

As I started to say, you could have stayed here. There's plenty of room, as you can see.

[Byron Kay]

Yes. Yes, this is a very beautiful house, Mona.

[Mona Keeley]

Yes, but so. So empty. Now. I get terribly lonely, Johnny.

[Byron Kay]

Well, I. Of course, I don't blame you, but. Now, suppose we talk, if you don't mind, about the.

[Mona Keeley]

Johnny, if you have to be around for a few days, why don't you move out of that hotel and. Oh, I'm sorry. I shouldn't say that. I guess I'm just. I'm sorry.

[Byron Kay]

It's all right.

[Mona Keeley]

But I am lonely.

[Byron Kay]

Sure, sure. Now, Mona, you realize this investigation is. Well, it's just routine.

[Mona Keeley]

Of course, Johnny.

[Byron Kay]

Now, as I understand, every effort has been made to find your husband.

[Mona Keeley]

Of course. And to find the Charmona.

[Byron Kay]

Charmona?

[Mona Keeley]

The cruiser.

[Byron Kay]

Oh, yes.

[Mona Keeley]

Yes, it was a beautiful thing, Johnny, but now it's gone. And Paul.

[Byron Kay]

Paul?

[Mona Keeley]

Yes, Paul Matthews was the pilot. Only he was more than that. He. He was very nice.

[Byron Kay]

Yeah. Well, now, as I. Oh, excuse me.

[Mona Keeley]

Every time that phone rings, I. I hope it's some word, some news that perhaps.

[Byron Kay]

Well, you know, I'm not sure that I do.

[Mona Keeley]

What?

[Byron Kay]

But by all means, answer it.

[Mona Keeley]

Yes, just excuse me.

[Byron Kay]

There was something distinctly wrong with this whole setup that was for sure.

[Mona Keeley]

Coast Guard. Yes. Yes, this is she. This is Mona Keeley.

[Byron Kay]

Perhaps Charles Keeley wasn't the only one in this family to arouse suspicion.

[Mona Keeley]

Say that again.

[Byron Kay]

Especially now, with nearly $150,000 involved.

[Mona Keeley]

Yes. Well, how about Paul? I said, how about Paul?

[Byron Kay]

Then when she finally finished with a phone call, came a couple of other surprises. Thank you.

[Mona Keeley]

Johnny. He's all right. That was the Coast Guard. They found him. He's all right. Isn't it wonderful?

[Byron Kay]

That was the real surprise. Not what she said, isn't it wonderful? Or even the way she said it, but something deep back in her eyes that gave her away, that told me beyond the shadow of a doubt that she was lying through her teeth. Act two of yours truly, Johnny Dollar. In a moment. It is a rare event when a young man decides to leave civilization behind and hide himself away in the steam jungle just so he can help his fellow humans in a remote corner of the world. The late Dr. Tom Dooley did just that when he left the United States to help the sick and starving jungle people in the little kingdom of Leos in Southeast Asia. Dr. Dooley's story is well known to nearly everyone. And all over the world, people talk of his little jungle hospital on stilts. That's where he treated the dread Diseases of the jungle and trained native medical technicians so that they might help their own people. Dr. Dooley wrote and lectured to many people so that the work of his medical assistance program, Medico, might go on. It was not easy for someone so young and so talented to give up the bright lights of the city and plant himself down in an unknown jungle just for the purpose of helping unfortunate people he didn't even know. But through Medico, Dr. Tom Dooley wanted to help people. He wanted to help people to help themselves. Today, the work of Medico is going forward in a number of countries. Besides Laos, young men are being sent to the United States to be schooled in medicine with the idea of returning to their own countries to help their own people. Hundreds of thousands of dollars worth of medical supplies have been donated by American businessmen and pharmaceutical companies. Today, Dr. Tom Dooley's work is being continued. For him, it is helping to create better understanding. It is an injection of the spirit of freedom, the right of all men everywhere. And now, act two of yours truly, Johnny Dollar and the Charmona Matter. The news that her husband was still alive came as quite a surprise to Mona Kili. Isn't it wonderful? She said. But I didn't believe that she meant it.

[Mona Keeley]

On the south shore of the lake Johnny, near the little town of Lindsay, west of Cleveland. He was picked up on the beach by a farmer who's been caring for him ever since.

[Byron Kay]

Isn't it kind of funny that you haven't heard from him before? That hurricane was a couple of months ago.

[Mona Keeley]

He was out of his mind from the shock of what happened to him.

[Byron Kay]

Did the Coast Guard say anything about the yacht?

[Mona Keeley]

No. Johnny, I'm afraid the Charmona is at the bottom of Lake Erie.

[Byron Kay]

Where is he now?

[Mona Keeley]

In Cleveland, in a small private hospital.

[Byron Kay]

Well, hadn't you better go over there and get him? Bring him back here?

[Mona Keeley]

I told the Coast Guard we would.

[Byron Kay]

Mona, you're not really glad that he's been found, that he's still alive, are you?

[Mona Keeley]

No, I'm not. I guess I never really loved Charles. I'm not sure he really loved me. He was a big shot, always out on the town doing a lot of entertaining, that sort of thing. I was. Well, I was very pretty then. Kind of a business asset for him.

[Byron Kay]

When were you and Charles married, Mona?

[Mona Keeley]

Nine years ago.

[Byron Kay]

It looks as though he's done pretty well by you.

[Mona Keeley]

I never had any reason to complain about that. I mean, but the things he did to make his money.

[Byron Kay]

It was.

[Mona Keeley]

Well, I guess it was legal, but it wasn't right. It was almost like stealing. The way he promoted a lot of worthless inventions. Penny stocks, worthless real estate, that sort of thing. But he always did all right.

[Byron Kay]

And you?

[Mona Keeley]

Well, who worries about conscience when things are going well?

[Byron Kay]

A lot of people, Mona.

[Mona Keeley]

But then they made him stop his stop, the things he was doing. And Charles became very strange. He took up religion like a fanatic. Kept giving his money away to a lot of crazy charities. Money I could have used. And he got moody. He'd go off alone for weeks at a time, pay no attention to me. That's what I meant when I said I was lonely, Johnny. Not just since the accident that lost the boat and Paul.

[Byron Kay]

Paul again, huh?

[Mona Keeley]

Don't you understand? These crazy things have been going on for over a year now. That's why I'm not jumping with joy that Charles is alive. Do you blame me?

[Byron Kay]

Hadn't we better drive on over to Cleveland and get him?

[Mona Keeley]

All right. I'll run upstairs and change my clothes. Excuse me. I'll be ready in a minute.

[Byron Kay]

Maybe I should have felt a bit more sympathetic, but I didn't. Maybe Charles Keeley did marry her simply because he could afford to keep a smart, pretty ornament around at his beck and call. Yeah, but the chances were she'd married him solely for the things his money could buy her. She took a long time changing her clothes, which didn't surprise me. So I poured myself a drink. I glanced over some of the magazines on the coffee table. I got up and stared out of the window for want of something better to do. Wandered about the room, wandered into the oak panel den. I looked over the shelves of fine books, the gun collection and the cabinet in the corner. And almost idly, I reached out toward the leather top desk to shove back a slip of paper that stuck out of one of the drawers until I saw what it was. It was an unpaid bill, several months old from an exclusive New York shop for some very expensive gowns. And inside the drawer was packed with unpaid bills, thousands of dollars worth of them. And statements bearing a polite, firm warning to pay up or else. No wonder Keeley's sweet, charming wife had hoped she'd never hear from him again. Gone, he was worth 35,000 to her. And the yacht, 106,000. Perhaps somehow, Mona Keeley had even had a hand in the wrecking of that yacht. I wondered. And I decided I didn't care much for people like this. But my meditations were suddenly interrupted by a sound from the doorway. And there she stood, a pretty Little Pearl handled 25 caliber Colt and a dainty gloved hand.

[Mona Keeley]

I'm ready, Johnny. Are you?

[Byron Kay]

So I see. Ready for what, Mona?

[Mona Keeley]

I guess that depends, doesn't it?

[Byron Kay]

Act three of yours truly, Johnny Dollar. In a moment, our flag now numbers 50 stars. And behind each star there stands yet another flag representing one of the 50 states. Wisconsin's state flag bears the state motto forward and a likeness of the state mascot, the badger. The word badger was a nickname for the miners in southwest Wisconsin during the mining boom just prior to 1830. The people who came from Illinois mined only during the good season and left during the bad. They were called suckers, just like the fish in the streams. But the busy Wisconsinites, with either too little time to leave or to build a house, moved into abandoned mine shafts to live as badgers. The Wisconsin banner pays tribute to these industrious natives. Wisconsin's state flag, the flag of the 30th state to enter the Union was adopted on April 26, 1913. And now, Act 3 of yours truly, Johnny Dollar and the Charmona matter. One Achilles stood there in the door of the den, a.25 caliber colt in her hand. Or she'd caught me going through the drawer of a desk through papers that showed only too clearly why the loss in a storm of a hundred thousand dollar yacht might well have been carefully planned. Why she wished that her husband had gone down with it.

[Mona Keeley]

You shouldn't have done it, Johnny. You shouldn't have looked in that desk.

[Byron Kay]

Pretty good proof, isn't it, Mona? The wreck of the Charmona was no accident. I don't know how your husband worked it and still managed to get back to shore alive.

[Mona Keeley]

You don't know what you're talking about.

[Byron Kay]

But he almost didn't make it, if what you've told me is the truth. Maybe that's because he didn't anticipate that the storms from Hurricane Audrey would hit Lake Erie. Maybe it's because. Well, we'll soon find out.

[Mona Keeley]

Will you?

[Byron Kay]

Yes, when we drive over to the hospital in Cleveland and talk with him. If he's really there.

[Mona Keeley]

Oh, he's there all right. And you and I are going for a drive. But not to Cleveland. All right.

[Byron Kay]

I'll put that thing down. Mona.

[Mona Keeley]

Sorry, sweetheart.

[Byron Kay]

That little thing in your hand is about as accurate as a slingshot. Now, why don't you.

[Mona Keeley]

No, don't move.

[Byron Kay]

I still don't get it, though.

[Mona Keeley]

Oh. What?

[Byron Kay]

And I'm sure you must have been in with your husband on his deliberate sinking of the yacht if you think.

[Mona Keeley]

Charles sank it deliberately. Johnny, you're all wrong.

[Byron Kay]

Then I certainly don't get it, because if. Oh, now, wait a minute. You've made a couple of cracks about. What was his name? Paul?

[Mona Keeley]

Do you want to know the truth? Paul was the pilot for Charles. And there's been no word about him, though he must have gone down with the Charmona. That's why I'm lonely and feel the way I do.

[Byron Kay]

Mona, this whole thing smells worse to me every minute.

[Mona Keeley]

He was young and he was kind and he loved me. I was glad when they found the Charmona had gone down because the money for it would be mine and I could get free of Charles and Paul. And I could. That's why I hope Charles was gone.

[Byron Kay]

Yeah. Another $35,000 for you. You're about the crummiest lot I've ever run into. Look at this, Mona, here on the desk.

[Mona Keeley]

What?

[Byron Kay]

This solid gold table light. What about it? And there beside you, that expensive mirror.

[Mona Keeley]

What are you talking about?

[Byron Kay]

Well, look.

[Mona Keeley]

Why did you do that?

[Byron Kay]

To get this gun off of you. No.

[Mona Keeley]

Oh. Oh, you.

[Byron Kay]

A lot of good this would have done you with a safety arm.

[Mona Keeley]

I'll kill you for this, Johnny.

[Byron Kay]

No, I don't think so. And I don't think the police would like it if you try.

[Mona Keeley]

Oh, no. Do you think they'd blame me for trying to stop you from going through the papers in my desk for shooting you? No, wait. I didn't mean that. I couldn't have shot you. Johnny.

[Byron Kay]

Johnny, before we go, is there anything you'd like to tell me?

[Mona Keeley]

Go where?

[Byron Kay]

Is there anything you'd like to tell me about why Charles really sank the Charmona?

[Mona Keeley]

No. And I don't think you'll ever know how and why the Charmona went down.

[Byron Kay]

Want to bet? No. No. Stay right there. Now I've got the gun, remember? Hello? What? Charlie? No, this is a friend of the family. Oh, well, this is Harry Nelson. You gave me a real start. I thought Charlie had come back from his watery grave. He has, Mr. Nelson. What? Yes, he's in a Cleveland hospital. He's okay. Oh, well, then I'll talk to him when he gets back. You see, I'm the man who was going to give him 98,000 for the Charmona when he got her back from Detroit. Oh. Oh, yeah, sure. But since the Coast Guard tells me she was a complete loss, well, naturally, I think I'd have my deposit back. I'm sure you'll get it, Mr. Nelson. Yeah. Okay, mister. What did you say your name is? Bye.

[Mona Keeley]

Who was that?

[Byron Kay]

Someone who threw some very interesting light on this whole matter. Come on.

[Mona Keeley]

Where?

[Byron Kay]

Our little drive, remember? To Cleveland. During the five hour drive to Grace Hospital on the outskirts of Cleveland, I questioned her using every trick I could, but she refused to talk. The theory that Charles Keeley had deliberately sunk his yacht had gone up in smoke. If he had a buyer for it, he wouldn't need to try to collect the insurance on it. But I still knew the whole case was anything but lily white and hope that Keeley could explain a few things. When we arrived at the hospital, there was a police lieutenant in Keeley's room and a stenographer. When she saw them, Mona gasped slightly and sank into a chair to which the lieutenant promptly handcuffed her. As Charles Keeley talked, the whole case became crystal clear and at the same time about as sordid as anything I'd ever heard. I should have realized what was up when Paul Matthews suddenly refused to make the trip back to Buffalo with me. He was my pilot, Lieutenant. I phoned the Coast Guard about him as soon as. Yes, sir. It was on the Coast Guard's tip that we ordered Paul Matthews picked up. Picked up?

[Mona Keeley]

Then he's all right.

[Byron Kay]

Shut her up, Lieutenant, or get her out of here. As I started to see, they not only picked him up but found where he bought the various parts for the little device he used. Good. Device? What are you talking about, Lieutenant? Let me tell him. Sure. Go ahead, Mr. Keeley. And this stenographer will have it all down on the record. I should have known what was up when Paul suddenly decided not to go back with me just before sailing time. You see, I have suspected for some months that he and my wife behind my back. Shut up, you rotten little. Go on, Mrs. Keefing. I should have known then, but I had to get the cruiser back to Buffalo to a friend who'd offered me cash for it. Harry Nelson? Yes. Enough to get me back on my feet again. And I didn't know why Paul had left me to make the trip alone until the explosion about five hours out. What? Yes, Mr. Dollard, up forward where there couldn't possibly have been anything explosive. A bomb of some sort. What else? $. It was luck, sheer luck that I was sailing in close, that I'd put on a life preserver because of the storm. That was the tail end of the hurricane down south, you understand? Yes, and it was luck that she went down right off Palace Rock. Yeah, that's exactly where the Coast Guard divers found her early this morning. A hole as big as a house Blown out of her front end. Yes, that storm, that hurricane may have taken a lot of lives, but it saved mine. All I can say is I'm glad there are courts to take care of situations like this. I myself would hate to have to dirty my hands any further. Yeah, it probably does take all kinds to make a world. But believe me, the world would be a lot better off without some of those kind. The claim on the yacht. Sure, it'll have to be paid. And to a man I honestly think is trying to live a decent life for a change. Expense account total, including incidentals and the trip Back to Hartford, 103.80. Yours, Tully. Johnny Dollar. Our star will return in just a moment. An old English proverb states that a friend in need is a friend indeed. We've all heard it before, but how many of us have realized the full import of its meaning? When Jose Lara Valverde, an 8 year old Spanish boy, was in need, he found out what real friendship could be. Stricken by a rare glandular disease, little Jose began to lose his fight for survival when his vital supply of drugs ran out. In a desperate call for help, an amateur radio operator named Carte broadcast a weak signal over the European airwaves. The plea was picked up by a HAM operator, Hans Ketterly in Germany, who relayed the urgent message to a nearby United States Air Force unit. The American airmen quickly dug up the only available drugs of the kind needed. They flew the Mercy package by jet to Madrid. From there, an ambulance screamed its urgent way 190 miles to Anduhar, Jose's hometown. The medicine saved his life, but only temporarily. Another source had to be found and it was again in Germany. The two rare drugs were again rushed by American jet fighter pilots, by helicopter and by Air Force staff car through high winds and thunderstorms to the bedside of the stricken boy. The medicine was given to Jose and again he responded. This same life and death drama was repeated elsewhere in Spain when men of the United States Air Force came to the rescue of another young Spanish boy in need of another rare drug. People to people, giving is more than a program. It is an act of friendship. It is a fight for freedom. The right of all men everywhere. Yours truly, Johnny Dollar, starring Bob Bailey. Originates in Hollywood.

[Johnny Dollar]

How do you feel when you switch to GEICO and save on your car insurance? It's like going to work on one Thursday morning and thinking to yourself, just one more day until Friday. But then somebody in the elevator says, happy Friday. Then you check your phone quickly and discover today is actually Friday. So yes, Happy Friday, random stranger in the elevator. Happy Friday indeed. Yep, switching and saving with Geico feels just like that. Get more with Geico. Welcome back. It's a good thing that Johnny investigated this case, because if he hadn't been on the case, he wouldn't have worked in collecting an expense account. I mean, that's about his entire impact. Even discovering the wife's profligate expenses didn't prove anything. This was the first of the three act programs, as opposed to the two act shows that we had heard for the entirety of the series run prior. I'm not a huge fan of the format, but at least it limits the length of the office scenes. This story was weak, with the femme fatale way too obvious, despite Mary Jane Croft's best efforts. And then information just continually conveniently drops into Johnny's laps, such as the buyer of the boat just randomly calling out of the blue when Johnny happens to be there and he thinks Johnny might be his dead friend, despite Johnny's voice sounding nothing like the owner of the boat. And then we have the gun scene. If the safety on the gun was on, why did Johnny break the mirror? Did he just feel like, you know, today I'm going to challenge that seven years bad luck myth. I'm going to prove it's false. Having the safety on is a bit of a cliche in golden age programs, but when that revelation is preceded by our hero taking extreme measures to disarm the person holding the useless gun, it makes him look unobservant or just makes you wonder, what was that all about? Anyway, it undermines the hero's action. It's like, oh, I'm sorry, I thought the hero had actually done something impressive. But really the highlight of the episode was the PSAs, and I think the last two were particularly strong. The Badger state origin for Wisconsin. It was interesting. As well as the story of the efforts to help the Spanish boy. It was very uplifting. I love these sort of stories. They are obscure and almost completely forgotten, but these. But these AFRTS discs allow them to be remembered. And of course, technology has changed so much since then. I find it a challenging story because of all the ways that today there are so many stories of technology being used in cruel ways or to do harm. A story like this reminds us how we can use communication technologies to actually do some remarkable good. All right, well, now we turn to listener comments and feedback and we start out on YouTube where Reinzer notes the name of the killer and the killer's brand matter. Another great episode. Bill Williams the name of the character was a popular bee actor in the mid to late 50s. He had his own TV show, Assignment underwater, and in real life was married to Barbara Hale Raymond Bursdella Street. He is the father of William Katz, the greatest American hero who also played Paul Drake Jr. Well, it is interesting to hear character names that are the names of real people. I think some of the ones we've heard include Jimmy Carter and Gene Simmons. Bill Williams, though, is an incredibly generic name. It's not a surprising that people would have it in real life. I can think of a few. You, Bill or Billy Williams. And then there's Billy Dee Williams, the actor who played Lando in Star Wars. And there are a lot of Bill Williamses listed in Wikipedia. I wouldn't even be surprised if there was a Bill Williams listening to this very episode. So a bit of a common name. And then over on the site called X. Regarding the Smokey Sleeper matter, Daniel writes, I remember this from the last time around. Great episode. Well, thanks so much, Daniel. Now it's time to thank our Patreon supporter of the day. And I want to thank Rosa. Rosa has been one of our patreon supporters since January 2020, currently supporting the podcast at the Detective Sergeant level of $7.14 or more per month. Thank you so much for your support, Rosa, and that will actually do it for today. If you're enjoying the podcast, please follow us using your favorite podcast software and be sure to rate and review the podcast wherever you download it from. We'll be back next Friday, another episode of Yours truly, Johnny Dollar. But join us back here tomorrow for.

[Byron Kay]

Dragnet, where Bert was kind of surprised. He just stood there for a minute, and the guy said, hurry up, give me the dough. And Bert said, okay, you can have everything. He reached to get the dough from the cash register. That's when the guy did it. He hit Bert right in the chest. What happened then? Bert moaned a little, fell down on the floor. I got so mad, I started running for the guy, but he swung around at me with a gun and said, stay where you are. Yeah, I didn't want to get killed. I stopped. You can't blame me for that, can you? Did you follow the man when he left? Well, you see, he backed out of the store, and when he got to the sidewalk, he jammed the gun in his pocket and ran down the street. I ran out after him, saw him jump in a taxi cab and take off. Did you get the cab's number? Well, he was too far away for that. At least halfway down the block. I know. Somebody else must have been driving it, though. How do you know that the cab was already moving when the holdup guy jumped in? He got in the front seat. How do you know it was the front seat and not the back? The way those cab doors open. You know, front doors swing out to the left, back ones swing out to the right.

[Johnny Dollar]

I hope you'll be with us then. In the meantime, send your comments to Box13REAT detectives.net follow us on Twitter at radiodetectives and check us out on Instagram instagram.com greatdetectives From Boise, Idaho, this is your host, Adam Graham, signing off. How do you feel when you switch to Geico and save on your car insurance? It's like going to work on one Thursday morning and thinking to yourself, just one more day until Friday. But then somebody in the elevator says, happy Friday. Then you check your phone quickly and discover today is actually Friday. So, yes, Happy Friday. Random stranger in the elevator. Happy Friday indeed. Yep, switching and saving with Geico feels just like that. Get more with Geico coming up this week on the Old Time Radio Snack Wagon.

[Byron Kay]

Well, boy. Yes, Mr. Finley. Where are you, boy? What about my house? Well, I'll tell you, Mr. Finley. Where's your word? You said you'd be over with the down payment. What are you made of, boy? Rock, maple or pine? Something has come up, Mr. Finley. I got 15 people after this house.

[Johnny Dollar]

Listen to the Old Time radio snack wagon, snackwagon.net or wherever you get your podcasts.