Yours Truly Johnny Dollar: The Doting Dowager Matter (EP4925)

Summary

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The Great Detectives of Old Time Radio

Episode Summary: Yours Truly, Johnny Dollar – The Doting Dowager Matter (EP4925)

Host: Adam Graham
Date: March 6, 2026
Original Air Date of Episode: January 25, 1959
Featured Actors: Bob Bailey (Johnny Dollar), Eleanor Audley (Mrs. Dora Harkness Ballin), et al.

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Episode Overview

This episode features “The Doting Dowager Matter,” a classic mystery from the long-running detective audio series “Yours Truly, Johnny Dollar.” Host Adam Graham introduces this oddball case, where Johnny Dollar investigates the theft—and subsequent ransom demand—of a seemingly worthless statuette, prized by an eccentric, wealthy dowager. The episode quickly veers from standard mystery formula into a story full of familial manipulation, emotional entanglements, and a healthy dose of wry, character-driven humor, making for one of Johnny’s "wackiest" cases.

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Key Discussion Points and Insights

1. Initial Setup: The Missing Statuette and Eccentric Wealth

• Johnny receives a call from George Reed at Floyd’s of England insurance company regarding a client, Mrs. Dora Harkness Ballin. She is extremely wealthy but “a real eccentric.” Her little statuette—a junky piece believed to resemble a Civil War ancestor—has gone missing. Dollar is sent to New York to placate her and protect the valuable insurance account.
  • Notable Quote (03:04):
    George Reed: “She carries hundreds of thousands of dollars worth of personal property insurance... but for some reason or other she attaches particular value to this statuette.”

2. Meet the Family: Dysfunction and Dependence

• At the impressive Ballin mansion, Johnny encounters:
  • Harold Winters (nephew): Easily cowed and attached to his aunt; hints at the unimportance of the “junk” statue, but Johnny recognizes deeper issues of independence and family tension.
  • Mrs. Dora Harkness Ballin (the dowager): Strong-willed, emotionally manipulative, determined that Johnny will recover her “priceless” statuette—or she’ll cancel all her insurance.
  • Nancy Gavin (Harold’s girlfriend): Eager for Harold to stand up for himself and start a life with her, away from Aunt Dora’s influence.
  • Higgins (butler): Observant, keeps house running.
  • Atmosphere and Tone: The mansion and its characters ooze pre-Victorian drama, and Dollar quickly senses the potential for family intrigue behind the missing item.

3. The Ransom Note – Stakes Are Raised

• A poorly written ransom note arrives, demanding $75,000 for the return of the “General.” The money’s to be delivered by Harold; if he contacts the police or discloses drop-off details, his life is threatened.
  • Notable Quote (09:06):
    Mrs. Ballin (reading): “It’s a ransom note... They want $75,000.”
  • Johnny's reaction (10:02):
    Johnny Dollar: “$75,000? For that little piece of pot metal?”

4. Family Dynamics Explode

• Johnny probes the underlying issues: Is Harold willing to leave his aunt if given the chance? A rare moment of honesty breaks out.
  • Memorable Exchange (15:00):
    Johnny Dollar: “Would you leave your aunt if you could?”
    Harold Winters (reluctantly): “Yes. Yes, I would.”
  • Nancy and Johnny challenge Mrs. Ballin’s possessiveness, exposing her manipulative hold over Harold.

5. Revelations and Double-Bluff

• As Johnny connects the dots, Mrs. Ballin reveals she intentionally made the statue appear valuable as an experiment, hoping to inspire Harold to show some initiative.
  • Deep Insight (17:22):
    Mrs. Ballin: “That’s because I am as I am, and can’t change. But I kept hoping that he would change... somehow, sometime, he would make just one desperate move to break away from me.”
  • Her admission (18:08):
    “So I made a fuss over the cheap little statuette I picked up at Coney Island... It was the only sentimental value it had.”
• Outcome: Mrs. Ballin is delighted Harold finally acted independently—even if it involved faking a theft and ransom. She plans to give the couple the money as a wedding gift (with extra thousands thrown in) and is happy to be rid of the ugly statuette.

6. Johnny’s “Investigation” and Epilogue

• Johnny “gives up the case,” seeing the family matter for what it is.
• Conversation with Harold clarifies: Harold and Nancy were in on it, aware enough of Aunt Dora’s quirks that they didn’t plan a real crime—just played the game she set up.
  • Humorous Close (20:10):
    Johnny Dollar: “And if you like, I’ll send you the statuette when this is all over as a souvenir... Well, I’ll be. I’ve handled some pretty wacky cases, but this was, by long odds, the wackiest... And yet, why complain when it’s a good living?”

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Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• Eccentric Richness:
  • Mrs. Ballin (07:17): “If you don’t find out who stole it and get it back, I’ll cancel every bit of my insurance. Sit down.”
• Familial Manipulation:
  • Mrs. Ballin (10:12): “That statue means everything to me... At least it looks like him.”
  • Johnny Dollar (13:40): “You know something, Mrs. Balin? I’m beginning to think you’re wrong.”
• Reversal and Meta-Humor:
  • Mrs. Ballin (18:43): “I’m tickled pink that he’s finally shown some guts and gumption. And you can’t call him a thief over that piece of junk.”
  • Johnny Dollar (20:02): “Expense account total, including all the incidentals I could think of... $17.80. Homme. Yours truly, Johnny Dollar.”

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Commentary & Listener Feedback (Adam Graham, ~23:21)

• Wild vs. Wacky
  Adam notes this is one of Johnny’s “wackiest” cases, different from his wildest. “Wackiness” stems from Johnny as straight man to eccentric clients rather than adventure and implausibility.
• Performance Praise
  Eleanor Audley’s portrayal is highlighted for adding color and depth, far beyond her typical “snooty old woman” roles.
• Missed Potential and Genre Conventions
  Listeners comment on story “appetizer” feel—runtime cuts mean less meat, leading to a slimmed-down plot.
• Insurance Protocol and Characterization
  Listeners parse Johnny’s financial quirks and company policy realism, with Adam explaining why Johnny “waives” expenses in certain episodes.

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Timestamps for Key Segments

• [02:36] – Case Introduction & Setup
• [03:03 - 07:10] – Introduction to Mrs. Ballin and Harold
• [09:06] – Discovery of Ransom Note
• [10:12 - 12:08] – Debating Value, Threats, and Family Attachment
• [13:40 - 15:47] – Family Confrontation: Harold’s Honesty
• [17:04 - 18:43] – Mrs. Ballin’s Experiment and Emotional Wrap-Up
• [20:02] – Johnny’s Exit and Expense Account Gag
• [23:21] – Host Commentary & Listener Feedback

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Final Thoughts

This “Johnny Dollar” episode is a delightful departure from the action-driven norm, blending sly humor with family psychodrama and upending detective expectations. It demonstrates Johnny's role not as a classic gumshoe, but as a bemused, compassionate observer of human foibles—particularly the quirky rituals of the American rich. For fans, it’s a showcase of sharp writing, tight performances, and genre playfulness.

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For full episodes and more classic detective audio dramas, visit:
greatdetectives.net

Reviewed and summarized by The Great Detectives of Old Time Radio podcast summarizer.

Transcript

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[Johnny Dollar (Bob Bailey)]

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[Mrs. Dora Harkness Ballin]

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[Adam Graham (Podcast Host)]

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 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, check johnnydollerair.com first. Johnnydollarair.com is a Priceline affiliate link, so part of your purchase price supports the Great Detectives of Old Time Radio at no additional cost to you. So remember, when making your travel plans, check johnnydollerair.com first. But now, from January 25, 1959, here is the doting dowager matter

[Johnny Dollar (Bob Bailey)]

from Hollywood. It's time now for. Johnny Duller. George Reed here. Oh, hi, George. How are things at Floyd's of England? Very good, as a matter of fact. Very good. Well, now it can't all be good or you wouldn't be calling me. Well, to tell the truth, I do have a small problem. Figures. No figures. The word singular. Huh? A small figure. A statuette belonging to Mrs. Dora Harkness Ballon down in New York.

[Mrs. Dora Harkness Ballin]

Balin.

[Johnny Dollar (Bob Bailey)]

Yes. Terribly wealthy, but a real eccentric. So what's happened? The little statue I mentioned? It's gone. Disappeared. Oh. What's it worth? Insured value is 2650. Wow. $26.50, huh? 26 bucks and a half. Wouldn't even cover my expense account. Well, it just happens that she carries hundreds of thousands of dollars worth of personal property insurance with us. But for some reason or other she attaches particular value to this statuette. Oh, I get it. You're afraid that if we don't go through the motions of trying to find it, she might take her insurance elsewhere. Precisely. Real important to you, huh? Very. Then I take it I won't have to be chintzy with the old expense account. Well now Johnny. Okay, George, I'll be in touch. Bob Bailey in the intriguing adventures of the man with the action packed expense Account. America's fabulous freelance insurance investigator, yours truly, Johnny Dollar. Now act one of yours truly, Johnny Dol. Expense account submitted by special investigator Johnny Dollar, Deployed's of England, North American office, Hartford, Connecticut. Following is an account of expenses incurred during my investigation of the doting dowager matter. Expense account item 1790. Taxi, train fare and incidentals. Hartford to New York. Item 2 A dollar even for a cab from Grand Central Station to the address of Mrs. Dora Harkness Ballon over on East 73rd Street. It turned out to be one of New York's famous old brownstone houses, well preserved and reeking of an era long gone by. A uniformed butler ushered me into a large high ceiling drawing room and I could hardly believe my eyes. Ornate pre Victorian furnishings. Heavy red velvet draperies, huge lamps and crystal chandeliers. Oil paintings all over the place and gilded mirrors. Pretty fabulous. If you will be kind enough to wait here, Mr. Dollar, I shall tell Mrs. Ballin that you have arrived. Thank you. I know that she'll want to see you. Oh, excuse me, Master Harold. It's all right, Higgins. Has the mail come? Would you like me to check, sir? Yes, good idea. You know how Aunt Dora likes to see it the minute it gets here. Yes, sir. Yes. The mail. Dear old common everyday pit. You're here to see Mrs. Ballin? That's right. I'm Johnny Dollar. I'm Hal Winters, her nephew. Hi. Say, tell me something. Yes? About this little statue that's missing. You mean that little chunk of pot metal that's disappeared? Oh, is that what it is? Oh yes, just a piece of junk. But a couple of months ago Aunt Dora decided it looked like her grandfather when he was a general back in the Civil War. Oh, why does she value it so highly? I expect the general was the only Balan who had guts enough to do anything on his own. What do you mean? I mean instead of just living off the family shipping fortune. So when she suddenly decided the statue looked like the general. Johnny Dollar, did you say? That's right. The insurance investigator? Yes. Well, now, why should she bother you with it? I don't know. Truly, Mr. Dollar, it's not worth it. If I were you, I'd forget it. Now, if you'll excuse me, I'd better see if the morning mail has arrived. Hal, just when did the statue disappear and from where? Tanner discovered it missing from the reception room yesterday morning. Now, if you'll pardon me. Was the house broken into? Possibly, but there was no sign of it. How about guests? No, we haven't had guests for a week or more. How many servants are there? Uh, Mr. Dollar, perhaps there's something I'd better tell you about that statue.

[Mrs. Dora Harkness Ballin]

The statue of the general. I tell you, Mr. Dollar. You are Mr. Dollar, aren't you?

[Johnny Dollar (Bob Bailey)]

Yes, ma'.

[Mrs. Dora Harkness Ballin]

Am. I tell you that if you don't find out who stole it and get it back, I'll cancel every bit of my insurance. Sit down.

[Johnny Dollar (Bob Bailey)]

Thank you.

[Mrs. Dora Harkness Ballin]

Harold, my dear, ring for Higgins and have him see if the morning mail has come.

[Johnny Dollar (Bob Bailey)]

I was about to go out and look for it myself.

[Mrs. Dora Harkness Ballin]

Tyler, let Higgins do it.

[Johnny Dollar (Bob Bailey)]

It's quite all right. I don't mind.

[Mrs. Dora Harkness Ballin]

I said, let Higgins do it.

[Johnny Dollar (Bob Bailey)]

Well, I. All right, but if you'll excuse me now.

[Mrs. Dora Harkness Ballin]

Oh, why.

[Johnny Dollar (Bob Bailey)]

Why, I'd like to go up to

[Mrs. Dora Harkness Ballin]

my room for a moment to call up that. That girlfriend of yours again. Sit down.

[Johnny Dollar (Bob Bailey)]

Yes, Tana.

[Mrs. Dora Harkness Ballin]

You and that girl, that Nancy Gavin. She'd like to take you away from me, wouldn't she?

[Johnny Dollar (Bob Bailey)]

Aunt Dora?

[Mrs. Dora Harkness Ballin]

Where would you go? What would you live on? And what would I do?

[Johnny Dollar (Bob Bailey)]

Darling, I hardly think this is the.

[Mrs. Dora Harkness Ballin]

Much as I like Nancy Gavin, I see no reason why I should let her take you away from. From me. Do you?

[Johnny Dollar (Bob Bailey)]

I. Mrs. Ballin, about the statue.

[Mrs. Dora Harkness Ballin]

Yes, yes, yes, of course. Mr. Dollar, you are to leave no stone unturned. Wow.

[Johnny Dollar (Bob Bailey)]

Now, tell me. I beg your pardon, ma'.

[Mrs. Dora Harkness Ballin]

Am. Oh, Higgins, why do you sneak in on us this way? Well, what is it?

[Johnny Dollar (Bob Bailey)]

The mail just arrived, and knowing you'd

[Mrs. Dora Harkness Ballin]

want to see it, give it to Harold.

[Johnny Dollar (Bob Bailey)]

Yes. Here, I'll take care of it.

[Mrs. Dora Harkness Ballin]

Well, what letter? No postmark. But.

[Johnny Dollar (Bob Bailey)]

And it's so badly scrawled in pencil. Well, don't bother Aunt Dora with it now.

[Mrs. Dora Harkness Ballin]

But it's marked personal, sir. Let me have it.

[Johnny Dollar (Bob Bailey)]

Yes, Tanta.

[Mrs. Dora Harkness Ballin]

You may go now, Higgins.

[Johnny Dollar (Bob Bailey)]

Yes, ma'.

[Mrs. Dora Harkness Ballin]

Am.

[Johnny Dollar (Bob Bailey)]

Here, Tata. Suppose you let me see what it's all about.

[Mrs. Dora Harkness Ballin]

Be quiet, Harold. Now, Mr. Dollar.

[Johnny Dollar (Bob Bailey)]

Well, first of all, I'd like you to tell me what's the matter, Mrs. Ballum? Oh, Aunt Nora, what is it?

[Mrs. Dora Harkness Ballin]

This. This letter? Yes, It's. It's a ransom note. Ransom for the return of a statuette. The General. They want $75,000.

[Johnny Dollar (Bob Bailey)]

Act two of yours truly, Johnny Dollar. In a moment. This.

[Mrs. Dora Harkness Ballin]

This letter must.

[Johnny Dollar (Bob Bailey)]

Maybe you'd better let me see it, Mrs. Fallon.

[Mrs. Dora Harkness Ballin]

It's a ransom note demanding $75,000 for the return of my statuette of the general.

[Johnny Dollar (Bob Bailey)]

$75,000?

[Mrs. Dora Harkness Ballin]

Yes. Harold.

[Johnny Dollar (Bob Bailey)]

Oh, they can't be serious. For that little piece of pot metal?

[Adam Graham (Podcast Host)]

Sure.

[Johnny Dollar (Bob Bailey)]

They must be out of their minds.

[Mrs. Dora Harkness Ballin]

I beg your pardon.

[Johnny Dollar (Bob Bailey)]

What?

[Mrs. Dora Harkness Ballin]

That statue means everything to me. It happens to be a memento of my grandfather, the famous General Horace Harkness Balan. At least it looks like him.

[Johnny Dollar (Bob Bailey)]

But good Heavens, Aunt Dora. 75,000.

[Mrs. Dora Harkness Ballin]

Oh, do you object? Because it will mean that much less for you when I die, Harold.

[Johnny Dollar (Bob Bailey)]

Of course not. I wasn't even thinking of such a thing.

[Mrs. Dora Harkness Ballin]

Well, don't. At your age, with your lack of experience and getting along on your own, money like that would only do you harm.

[Johnny Dollar (Bob Bailey)]

Would it?

[Mrs. Dora Harkness Ballin]

Yes. You'd probably leave me. Strike out on your own, perhaps even marry. And heaven only knows what would happen.

[Johnny Dollar (Bob Bailey)]

Mrs. Ballin, are you really serious about paying this. This ransom?

[Mrs. Dora Harkness Ballin]

I have the money. I have it right here in the safe. And if it will bring back the General.

[Johnny Dollar (Bob Bailey)]

Look, why don't you let me see what I can do about it first

[Mrs. Dora Harkness Ballin]

and have it destroyed?

[Johnny Dollar (Bob Bailey)]

Destroyed?

[Mrs. Dora Harkness Ballin]

Well, here, read the letter.

[Johnny Dollar (Bob Bailey)]

It was the usual sort of thing. Poorly written on sheet paper and scribbled in pencil. And it simply said that the money in unmarked bills was to be turned over to her nephew Harold. That instructions for its delivery would be given to him later secretly. That if he then divulged the place and manner in which he was to make the payment, his life would be in danger.

[Mrs. Dora Harkness Ballin]

Don't you see, Mr. Dollar? If we don't do as they say, they might kill him.

[Johnny Dollar (Bob Bailey)]

It further said that if the police were brought in, the statue would be destroyed.

[Mrs. Dora Harkness Ballin]

I have no choice, Mr. Dollar. I'll pay the ransom.

[Johnny Dollar (Bob Bailey)]

Tanta, Harold.

[Mrs. Dora Harkness Ballin]

You will take it to them, whoever they are, when you receive their instructions.

[Johnny Dollar (Bob Bailey)]

They've threatened me.

[Mrs. Dora Harkness Ballin]

Only if we don't obey instructions.

[Johnny Dollar (Bob Bailey)]

All right. Now, look, Mrs. Balin. Yes, Tata. Listen to Mr. Dollar.

[Mrs. Dora Harkness Ballin]

I have told you. I must have the general back at any cost. Very well. No one is to leave this house except Harold, of course, when he is told to by the kidnapper.

[Johnny Dollar (Bob Bailey)]

Mrs. Balin, I won't let you do this.

[Mrs. Dora Harkness Ballin]

You fought.

[Johnny Dollar (Bob Bailey)]

It's utter nonsense for you to consider paying out that kind of money for a cheap little piece of junk. That can't possibly be worth anything to whoever took it. Except perhaps for its effect on you.

[Mrs. Dora Harkness Ballin]

I told you, young man. It's the one priceless memento I have of the great General Ballard.

[Johnny Dollar (Bob Bailey)]

Yeah, you told me.

[Mrs. Dora Harkness Ballin]

Very well. You are here on my orders, are you not?

[Johnny Dollar (Bob Bailey)]

What? Yes.

[Mrs. Dora Harkness Ballin]

All right, then. You will remain subject to my orders. Very well. Now. Hi, everybody.

[Johnny Dollar (Bob Bailey)]

Nancy.

[Mrs. Dora Harkness Ballin]

What's everybody looking so glum about? Hi, sweetie. Hello, Mrs. Ballin. Ms. Gavin. Mr. Dollar, this is Nancy Gavin, a friend of Harold. Johnny, darling.

[Johnny Dollar (Bob Bailey)]

Hi.

[Mrs. Dora Harkness Ballin]

Hey, I know about you, Nancy, dear. You come to find that whatchamacallit that Mrs. Ballin lost. It was stolen. Okay? Stolen. And the. The kidnappers are demanding $75,000 ransom. That's easy. Pay it. I shall. And Nancy, you are to stay right here in this house until this whole thing is over with. Auntie, I don't mind that a bit. Do we have food, wench? Seriously, Auntie, when are you going to let Hal marry me, get out on his own and leave me? Do you think for one minute that my precious Harold would do that?

[Johnny Dollar (Bob Bailey)]

Why don't you answer that, Hal?

[Mrs. Dora Harkness Ballin]

Mr. Dollar, this is none of your business. It has nothing whatsoever to do with the reason for your being here.

[Johnny Dollar (Bob Bailey)]

You know something, Mrs. Balin? I'm beginning to think you're wrong.

[Mrs. Dora Harkness Ballin]

You came here to find the statue that was stolen from me.

[Johnny Dollar (Bob Bailey)]

That's right. And maybe I'm on the track of it now. So how about it, Hal? Would you leave your aunt if you could? It was a wild guess. But the more I thought about it, the more I decided that Harold Winters answer might solve this case for me. Yeah, and that Mrs. Ballen would be pretty shocked when I put my finger on the thief, the writer of that ransom note. But you know something? I was dead wrong. Act three of yours truly, Johnny Dollar. In a moment. And now, act three of yours truly, Johnny Dollar and the doting dowager matter.

[Mrs. Dora Harkness Ballin]

Mr. Dollar, this is none of your business. It has nothing whatsoever to do with the reason for your being here.

[Johnny Dollar (Bob Bailey)]

You know something, Mrs. Ballin? I'm beginning to think you're wrong. So answer the question, Hal. Would you leave your aunt if you could? Yes. Yes, I would. What?

[Mrs. Dora Harkness Ballin]

You bet he would, Aunt Dora. You know he would. If you'd just break down and admit he's no longer a child to be tied to your apron. Strings. Give him a break and enough money to get by for a week or two and he'll show you. Don't you want him to amount to anything? Of course I do. Well, he can't, as long as you keep him tied up to you this way. But he needs me. Does he? Maybe he needs somebody like me. Somebody who loves him and will help him get somewhere. Help him to accomplish the things he can accomplish. You do love him, don't you? You bet I do. But so do I. And he loves me. He'd love you a lot more if he weren't so tied down to you, Harold.

[Johnny Dollar (Bob Bailey)]

It's true, Aunt Dora.

[Mrs. Dora Harkness Ballin]

I never knew you even thought about leaving me. About going out on your own, as you put it.

[Johnny Dollar (Bob Bailey)]

Because you never gave me a chance. Because you never thought of anyone but yourself. I'm sorry, Mr. Dollar. What? I mean that you've had to become involved in a family fight. Well, I'm not. Because now I think I know where to look for that statuette. Oh, well, I wish you luck. Come, Nancy, I want to talk to you.

[Mrs. Dora Harkness Ballin]

Sure, honey, I want to talk to you.

[Johnny Dollar (Bob Bailey)]

Now, wait just a minute.

[Mrs. Dora Harkness Ballin]

No, Mr. Dollar, let them go, because I want to talk to. To you.

[Johnny Dollar (Bob Bailey)]

Now, look, isn't it pretty obvious? I knew that something was wrong when I first got here. Hal hadn't known you were going to call me in. So that when he saw me here, you didn't.

[Mrs. Dora Harkness Ballin]

No, it was my kind, thoughtful. But the Higgins who called your insurance company, and he shouldn't have.

[Johnny Dollar (Bob Bailey)]

The fact remains that when Hal saw me here, he tried to stop that ransom note he'd planted in your mail.

[Mrs. Dora Harkness Ballin]

Now, wait.

[Johnny Dollar (Bob Bailey)]

Now, about that ransom note. It was badly written, much too badly written by someone who was trying to hide his identity, I'll wager. That paper was scribbled on. Came from right here in this house, probably. And I'll bet that if I accuse him of it, Hal will break down and admit that he wrote it.

[Mrs. Dora Harkness Ballin]

Wait, Mr. Dollar.

[Johnny Dollar (Bob Bailey)]

Yeah.

[Mrs. Dora Harkness Ballin]

I devoted many years to the care and upbringing of my nephew.

[Johnny Dollar (Bob Bailey)]

I realized that in the hope that

[Mrs. Dora Harkness Ballin]

he would someday go out on his own, accomplish something himself.

[Johnny Dollar (Bob Bailey)]

Well, now, listen.

[Mrs. Dora Harkness Ballin]

I know perhaps over the years I made him too dependent on him.

[Johnny Dollar (Bob Bailey)]

I'd say yes to that.

[Mrs. Dora Harkness Ballin]

But that's because I am as I am and I can't change. But I kept hoping that he would change. That somehow, sometime he would make just one desperate move to break away from me. But it would have to be of his own doing. So for years, people have called me eccentric and I'VE enjoyed the reputation. So I made a fuss over that cheap little statuette that I picked up in Coney island one time as a child. Of course, that was the only sentimental value it had.

[Johnny Dollar (Bob Bailey)]

But according to Heron.

[Mrs. Dora Harkness Ballin]

Oh, now, should I have picked one of the valuable artworks, paintings or sculptures that I really care about in my selfish way for this little experiment?

[Johnny Dollar (Bob Bailey)]

So you gave the worthless statuette the big build up?

[Mrs. Dora Harkness Ballin]

Yes, and he fell for it. He believed that if it was stolen, I'd give almost anything to get it back. And then finally he got up enough nerve to do something about it.

[Johnny Dollar (Bob Bailey)]

Now, just a minute, just a minute. What you're telling me is that you're tickled pink that you've made a thief out of.

[Mrs. Dora Harkness Ballin]

I'm tickled pink that he's finally shown some guts and gumption. And you can't call him a thief over that piece of junk.

[Johnny Dollar (Bob Bailey)]

But it has a price of 75,000 on it. That's what he'll be stealing if you give him that money and let him walk out of here with it.

[Mrs. Dora Harkness Ballin]

Oh, no, he won't.

[Johnny Dollar (Bob Bailey)]

What else can you call it?

[Mrs. Dora Harkness Ballin]

I like to be eccentric, remember?

[Johnny Dollar (Bob Bailey)]

Oh, Mrs. Fallon.

[Mrs. Dora Harkness Ballin]

Oh, the note. I'll enclose with it, you know, when he tells me he's received instructions about where and how it's to be delivered. What note in it? I'll say, dear Harold, the best of luck to you and Nancy. I hope you'll be tremendously happy. And I hope that now and then you'll drop in on your loving and now somewhat lonesome Aunt Dora.

[Johnny Dollar (Bob Bailey)]

I see.

[Mrs. Dora Harkness Ballin]

And I think I'll enclose a few extra thousands just in case. And as a kind of extra wedding present.

[Johnny Dollar (Bob Bailey)]

Extra wedding present?

[Mrs. Dora Harkness Ballin]

Of course, the statuette. I certainly don't want them to bring that atrocity back here. Oh, no, don't you wait. Yes, dear.

[Johnny Dollar (Bob Bailey)]

I. I just wondered if Mr. Dollar has decided how he wants to proceed with his investigation.

[Mrs. Dora Harkness Ballin]

Well, Mr. Dollar.

[Johnny Dollar (Bob Bailey)]

Hal, after getting what information I could from your aunt, what little information I could. Yes, Hal, I've decided to give up the case.

[Mrs. Dora Harkness Ballin]

Yes, Harold, you may as well show Mr. Dollar to the door.

[Johnny Dollar (Bob Bailey)]

Whatever you say, Tanta. Yeah, good bye, Mrs. Ballin. Oh, and maybe you'd better phone the insurance company about the extra fee I'm to get on this case.

[Mrs. Dora Harkness Ballin]

Oh, I did. Right after Higgins told me he'd called them.

[Johnny Dollar (Bob Bailey)]

But if he's giving up the case, dear.

[Mrs. Dora Harkness Ballin]

Show him to the door, Harold.

[Johnny Dollar (Bob Bailey)]

Yes. This way, Mr. Dolan. Yeah, thanks. Now, you listen, Hal. I can tell by your look that You've learned something, Mr. Dolan. I have. Perhaps even more than I know. So look here, do you think this will do for the sequel to the ransom note? What? You know, the instructions about where I'm to take the money. Ah, now wait a minute. You mean to say. You mean you knew? Are you kidding? That's why I tried to discourage you in the beginning. But will somebody please tell me, tell me why Tata just being herself. You don't think for a minute she'd have just handed me the money? Would have admitted she wants Nancy and me to get hitched? Don't you see? That would spoil her reputation for being an eccentric. Oh, and if you like, I'll send you the statuette when this is all over as a souvenir. Well, I'll be. Believe me, I've handled some pretty wacky cases over the years, but this was, by long odds, the wackiest. And yet, why complain when it's a good living? Expense account total, including all the incidentals I could think of and fare back to Hartford. What? $17.80. Homme. Yours truly, Johnny Dol. Our star will return in just a moment. Star? To tell you about next week's story. Next week? Well, if you've ever read the personal columns of your newspaper, you'll surely want to hear it. Join us, won't you? Yours truly, Johnny Doll. Yours truly, Johnny Dollar, starring Bob Bailey, originates in Hollywood and is written, produced and directed by Jack Johnstone. Heard in our cast were Virginia Greggs, Eleanor Audley, G. Stanley Jones, Eric Snowden and Sam Edwards. Be sure to join us next week, day or night. VRBoCare is here 247 to help make every part of your stay seamless. If anything comes up or you simply need a little guidance, support is ready whenever you reach out. From the moment you book to the moment you you head home. We're here to help things run smoothly because a great trip starts with the right support. And hey, a good playlist doesn't hurt either.

[Adam Graham (Podcast Host)]

Welcome back. Worth noting that this episode, even though we played it right after last week's, there was another episode in between that is missing and the episode after this is missing. Now, one thing I will confess is that when I heard Johnny refer to this as his wildest case, my hackles went up. Because in my mind, the wildest case Johnny Doler has ever done is the glacier ghost matter, newly recovered, in which, in order to dislodge a body from an unreachable glacier, he threw dynamite onto the glacier from a small plane. But Johnny said something in this episode that gave me pause when he described it as his wackiest case. And I don't feel the glacier ghost matter was a wacky story. So now I am distinguishing between the wacky Johnny Dollar stories where Johnny finds him the straight man for eccentric people doing eccentric things like putting their money through the laundry or managing the singing career of a mouse, as opposed to wild cases where really strange, weird, implausible things happen in a sort of action adventure way. That said, I'm honestly not sure whether this actually does take the cake for Wackiest Case because there are a number of contenders. I mean, we have heard Johnny deal with Alvin Cartwright and his unusual animals and Durango Laramie washing cash and selling people acres of his not oil land. So I think in that way it's kind of middle of the road in terms of how high it ranks on the truly wacky meter. I feel like stating that a Floyd's of England client is eccentric is one of those things that really should just be considered as red. I mean, nearly every client they have is eccentric. Might have something to do with them taking ads out in Eccentrics Weekly, but this is the reason Johnny gets called in by them. I enjoyed Eleanor Audley in this. She was given a lot of work that just came down to playing a snooty or snobbish middle aged or elderly woman, depending on the stage of her career. However, she could handle media roles. When this episode released, we were four days away from the release of Sleeping Beauty and audiences being introduced to Maleficent and here she gets to add some color to the character. And while this is exaggerated, I think that there are many real life relationships that can have elements where they know that the way the relationship end here could talk romantic or in this case familial. We know the way that this is functioning is not good for one or both parties, but we don't know really how to make it work. Now while I suppose she could throw him out and do a sort of sink or swim buddy approach, her idea that in order for him to actually succeed in life away from her is that he is going to have to get some gumption and take some initiative. Now, is inducing him to commit a jewel theft the best way to do this? Probably not, but this is a Floyd's of England client so that's about what you'd expect. Alright, well, Listener comments and feedback now we have some comments on Spotify regarding the Hollywood mystery matter and we start with dawn who highlighted my comment. This is a middle age Bookkeeper and not the Riddler. Very good, Adam. And thanks for calling a guy in his 60s, middle aged. Unlike some other programs where anything over 40 is played as elderly. Looking at you, Dragnet, well, I guess it's somewhat of the modern perspective. They do say that 60 is the new 40. They also say that 40 is the new 30, but this does not feel like my 30s. But thanks so much. Appreciate the comment Don. Character whodunit writes, normally Johnny Dollar is a four course meal. This one seemed all appetizer. They missed all the meat and potatoes. You know, I think that's actually a really fair comparison. And this tends to happen quite a bit. Because of the reduction in episode runtime. There's not as much opportunity to fill the story and to do everything that you might do if you had say 26 minutes of storytelling time. And so some stuff gets sacrificed in the process and Johnstone seems to on occasion sacrifice the wrong thing. I mean there are episodes which are 20 minutes and half of it is Johnny talking to the insurance agent. Harrison says, I was hoping for more Parley Bear in an episode featuring a character named Parley. That's not even the most extreme under use of Parley Bear in one of these stories. I think the Parley Baron matter, one of the other episodes with a character named Parley didn't even have Parley Baron in it at all. It's an unusual choice. In most other episodes where Johnstone's naming a character after an actor, that actor actually appears like Eric Snowden. But Parley Bear did not need to actually be in the episode for a character to be named after him. Vicki writes, interesting. And John says no expense account this time because he took the bribe from the pretty niece. I don't think that's in character at all. Also on the not taking an expense account. Not sure why Johnny had the attitude he did when he was already told no prosecution was the desire. This is from mechanic66 and then why foot the bill himself for a miser annually around bad boss? So I guess a couple of different issues in those two comments. First of all, I think that John misunderstood the end. Johnny did not take a bribe. Essentially what the niece offered to do was the money that her uncle had already spent. She offered to make it good. And this pretty much resolved the issue in terms of the client and in terms of the insurance company. The boss would be repaid the full amount, the insurance company would not have to provide anything. And while as Mechanic 66 pointed out, the owner did not want to prosecute. But the thing is that really wasn't the end of the matter. If they were only able to make a partial recovery, the insurance company wasn't just going to pay off, smile and walk away. Generally, insurance contracts require if you're insured, you cooperate with the efforts of recovery and the insurance company had a number of tools available. They could press for prosecution, they could also bring a civil case, or they could some binding restitution arrangement. Regardless, Parley wasn't just going to get off the hook scot free by her going ahead and being willing to pay the difference could close the matter without the insurance company making any recovery at all. Though the talk about being an accessory after the fact was just a bit of nonsense. As to Johnny refusing the expense account, that tends to be one of his more eccentric little quirks and it's usually born out of an emotional reaction, either joy or disgust or sadness. Here I think it's an expression of gratitude for the New Year. It's an expression that he's happy for Parley Baron because of the false diagnosis and his niece's kindness, he actually gets a chance to start his life over again and have some enjoyment rather than working his life away at a job that doesn't care for him or about him and therefore have a much better outlook on life. Now I'll admit I don't totally understand this instinct. I have had times of being happy and grateful. I have never felt so happy that I think I'm gonna go ahead and not charge a large corporation money they owe me. That is just not a level of happiness I've achieved. But just as with our eccentric millionaires, if that's how Johnny wants to spend his money, that's his business. Alright then. We have a comment on YouTube this one from Mildred regarding the recent function upgrades there. The hot button is only available for the first six or seven days after a video has been uploaded and you only get three hops per week. Monday is the start of a new hop week. Well, thanks so much Mildred. That is not a feature I have understood, so I appreciate the feedback. Now it is time to thank our Patreon supporters of the day. And as this is the first Friday in February, we want to thank those who've been supporting the podcast for five years this month. And I want to thank David supporting the podcast at the Chief of detectives level of $30 or more per month MCF supporting us at the Master detective level of $15 or more per month Paul Lane supporting the podcast at the Detective Sergeant level of $7.14 or more per month thanks so much for your support and that will 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 will be back next Friday with another episode of yours truly, Johnny Dollar. Join us next Monday as we begin our second trip through the Saint, but join us back here tomorrow as we give way to the great adventurers of Old Time Radio, where, sir? Kennedy.

[Mrs. Dora Harkness Ballin]

You can see for miles.

[Johnny Dollar (Bob Bailey)]

Sure, we're about 4,000ft up.

[Mrs. Dora Harkness Ballin]

Look.

[Johnny Dollar (Bob Bailey)]

Look how those cliffs dropped right down from the side of the road.

[Mrs. Dora Harkness Ballin]

What's the matter?

[Johnny Dollar (Bob Bailey)]

Oh, I thought I'd turn and drive right up to the edge. We can sit for a few minutes and look out at the view.

[Mrs. Dora Harkness Ballin]

Henry, the front wheels are right on here. It's possible, of course.

[Johnny Dollar (Bob Bailey)]

See how I can handle a car? I didn't have a drink like you did.

[Mrs. Dora Harkness Ballin]

It's exciting.

[Johnny Dollar (Bob Bailey)]

Have another drink.

[Mrs. Dora Harkness Ballin]

All right, but I'm busy now.

[Johnny Dollar (Bob Bailey)]

Yeah, lean on my shoulder. Henry.

[Mrs. Dora Harkness Ballin]

I'm sorry.

[Johnny Dollar (Bob Bailey)]

What's the matter?

[Mrs. Dora Harkness Ballin]

Oh.

[Johnny Dollar (Bob Bailey)]

Oh.

[Mrs. Dora Harkness Ballin]

Oh. It's all right now. But something like that, like a needle.

[Johnny Dollar (Bob Bailey)]

Oh, perhaps there was a pin or something in the cushion.

[Mrs. Dora Harkness Ballin]

Oh, it felt like a 10. Henry. Yes? What stuck into me? What was it?

[Johnny Dollar (Bob Bailey)]

Why, how should I know?

[Mrs. Dora Harkness Ballin]

You do know. It was you. You've done it. There was a hypodermic needle. You poisoned me.

[Johnny Dollar (Bob Bailey)]

You had. Ain't too dangerous to have around. You and your jealous creature help your head off. Nobody will ever hear you up here. You're going over the cliff.

[Mrs. Dora Harkness Ballin]

They'll get you for this. They'll get you for me.

[Johnny Dollar (Bob Bailey)]

Oh, no. The injection was just enough to make you unconscious. When they find your body, it will have bled naturally. An accident. Your stomach full of liquor.

[Adam Graham (Podcast Host)]

In the meantime, send your comments to Box [e-mail] follow us on Twitter radiodetectives and check us out on Instagram. Instagram.com greatdetectives from Boise, Idaho, this is your host, Adam Graham, signing off.

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