
Today's Mystery: On a tip from his informant, Smokey, Johnny travels to San Francisco to investigate a fire everyone insists was an accident. Original Radio Broadcast Date: April 12,. 1959 Originated from Hollywood Stars: Bob Bailey as Johnny...
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Liberty Mutual Spokesperson
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Smokey Sullivan
Sorry.
Liberty Mutual Spokesperson
Book with support, not surprises, Verbo Care and 24. 7 Life Support. If you know you're verbo terms apply. See for details. And Doug, there's nowhere I wouldn't go to help someone customize and save on car insurance with Liberty Mutual. Even if it means sitting front row at a comedy show.
Johnny Dollar
Hey everyone, check out this guy and his bird.
Narrator/Various Characters
What is this your first date?
Liberty Mutual Spokesperson
Oh no. We help people customize and save on car insurance with Liberty Mutual together. We're married. Me to a human, him to a bird.
Narrator/Various Characters
Yeah, the bird looks out of your league.
Liberty Mutual Spokesperson
Anyways, get a'@libertymutual.com or with your local agent.
Narrator/Various Characters
Liberty. Liberty.
Johnny Dollar
Liberty.
Narrator/Various Characters
Liberty.
Adam Graham
Welcome to the great detectives of Old Time Radio. From Boise, Idaho, this is your host, Adam Graham. In a moment I'm 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 as you are making your travel plans, remember johnnydoller air.com johnnydoller air.com is a Priceline affiliate link, so part of your purchase price will support the great detectives of Old Time Radio at no additional cost to you. So remember, when making your travel plans, check johnnydoller air.com first. Alright, well, from April 5, 1959, here is the first Frisco fire matter.
Narrator/Various Characters
Time now for
Johnny Dollar
Johnny Dollar.
Smokey Sullivan
Yeah.
Narrator/Various Characters
What?
Johnny Dollar
Who's that?
Smokey Sullivan
Smokey.
Johnny Dollar
Smokey? Smokey Sullivan?
Smokey Sullivan
Yeah.
Narrator/Various Characters
Holy.
Johnny Dollar
Do you always call people at 5:30 in the morning? Oh, hiya Smokey. How are things down in New York?
Smokey Sullivan
I'm living out here in Frisco now. Oh, you know about the big fire out here?
Johnny Dollar
Now, Smokey, don't tell me you've been up to your old tricks.
Smokey Sullivan
You know I wouldn't do nothing like that, Johnny, after the good way you've been treating me.
Johnny Dollar
Well, I hope not. But what about this fire?
Smokey Sullivan
Big warehouse.
Johnny Dollar
They're in San Francisco.
Smokey Sullivan
The Barnwell warehouse. It's still burning, Johnny.
Johnny Dollar
Arson.
Smokey Sullivan
Yeah, I know who did it.
Johnny Dollar
There must be insurance in a big warehouse.
Narrator/Various Characters
Yeah.
Johnny Dollar
So as soon as I can check it out, I'll look. Where'll I find you?
Smokey Sullivan
Where'll you stay, Johnny?
Johnny Dollar
Let's see. At the Huntingdon Hotel, up on Nob Hill.
Smokey Sullivan
Me? In a nice place like that?
Johnny Dollar
Well, unless I know where to call you.
Smokey Sullivan
It's okay, Johnny. I'll call you.
Johnny Dollar
And you're sure it's arson?
Smokey Sullivan
I'm sure.
Johnny Dollar
Then I'll see you.
Narrator/Various Characters
Bob Bailey in the exciting adventures of the man with the action packed expense account. America's fabulous freelance insurance investigator.
Johnny Dollar
Yours truly, Johnny Dollar.
Narrator/Various Characters
A handcuffed thief makes a desperate bid to escape. A frantic dope addict crashes through a fiberboard wall at the police station house. It's part of the daily routine In New York's 16th police precinct, hell's Kitchen. In the new issue of look magazine, you'll follow tough, dedicated cops as they track down the man who pulled the trigger. Run down a burglar, subdue a drug addict, and you'll learn in look the kind of guy it takes to make a detective. What he thinks about his job, what he thinks about the kinds of people he has to deal with. It's all here in Look's exciting picture story, Detectives at Work. An uphill fight in a tough city where the crime rate has risen almost 10% in the last year. Where 40% of the nation's drug addicts fight, steal or beg for a fix. Where an entire neighborhood suddenly becomes silent when the police department tries to track the man behind the gun. You'll see it all in look magazine's dramatic picture story, Detectives at Work. It's in the latest issue of look, and it's on your newsstands now. Get your copy of Look Today.
Johnny Dollar
Account submitted by special investigator Johnny Dollar to the Greater Southwest Insurance Company, San Francisco office. Following is an account of expenses incurred during my investigation of the Frisco fire matter. First of all, I had to make sure my expenses to the west coast wouldn't have to come out of my own pocket. So expense account item1.10 cents for a call that got Pat McCracken of Universal Adjustment Bureau out of his bed. I asked him to dig up some facts and figures for me in a hurry. Within 20 minutes, he called me back. Johnny Dollar.
Smokey Sullivan
Well, Johnny, I've been on the phone to San Francisco ever since you called me.
Johnny Dollar
You were right about the big fire.
Narrator/Various Characters
Yeah?
Smokey Sullivan
How did you find out about it?
Johnny Dollar
Never mind that, Pat. Just keep talking.
Smokey Sullivan
Well, it's a warehouse. It's owned and operated by Mr. Peter H. Barnwell. And he has an office at 1427 Commack Street.
Johnny Dollar
1427 Commac. Got it. And the insurance?
Smokey Sullivan
340,000.
Narrator/Various Characters
Wow.
Smokey Sullivan
Carried by Greater Southwest Insurance Company.
Johnny Dollar
Pat, if I hurry, I can just make plane connections.
Narrator/Various Characters
No, wait a minute.
Johnny Dollar
Thanks, Pat. Thanks a lot. Item 2, 201 88, plane fare. Hartford to New York to San Francisco. And believe me, those jet flights on American get you there in a hurry. I left New York at 8am and pulled into San Francisco before noon. Pacific time, of course. Item three, a dime for a newspaper at the airport. Apparently the fire had burned itself out. Item 4, 6, 7, 5, taxi to Peter H. Barnwell's office on Commack Street. The reception room was jammed.
Lysol Character
No, no, there's no point in sending anybody over here because he won't see them.
Narrator/Various Characters
Now, listen, Chick, I'll get you tickets
Johnny Dollar
for any show in town if you just.
Lysol Character
No, I tell you, he won't see any of you.
Johnny Dollar
Not even me.
Lysol Character
Now, why don't you reporters just go back to your papers and wait until Mr. Barnwell's ready to talk to you.
Johnny Dollar
My card, miss.
Lysol Character
It's no use, miss.
Johnny Dollar
Will you read it, please?
Lysol Character
But he doesn't want to see any reporters, right?
Narrator/Various Characters
Oh, yeah.
Lysol Character
Just a minute, Mr. Dollar.
Narrator/Various Characters
Now, how do you write that, buddy? What paper are you from? Yeah, yeah, the Bingville Bugle.
Johnny Dollar
That's out near Bum Spun, Oklahoma.
Smokey Sullivan
Oh, now look, wise guy.
Johnny Dollar
Look.
Lysol Character
Mr. Dollar. Mr. Dollar. Dollar, will you come in, please, Mr. Dollar?
Johnny Dollar
Oh, sure. Thanks.
Narrator/Various Characters
Now, wait a minute.
Johnny Dollar
You Johnny Dollar, the insurance.
Lysol Character
Right in here, sir.
Johnny Dollar
Thanks.
Narrator/Various Characters
Hey, wait a minute. Sit down, Mr. Dollar. Make yourself at home.
Johnny Dollar
Well, I must say, you weren't at all upset about the loss of your warehouse.
Narrator/Various Characters
Should I be? Sit down. Sure, Mr. Dollar. That building's been a losing propos because of its bad location. Because of zoning restrictions and the cost of tearing it down, I've done nothing but lose money on it. Oh, but I've been very careful to keep up the insurance. So now that it's gone up in flames, I shall at long last collect on it.
Johnny Dollar
$340,000.
Narrator/Various Characters
That's right. And with whatever I can get from some other misguided investor of the land itself, I'll be sitting pretty.
Smokey Sullivan
I see.
Narrator/Various Characters
Now, don't get any funny ideas, Mr. Investigator. The police have found nothing whatsoever to suggest arson. Nor will they.
Johnny Dollar
You sound pretty sure of that.
Narrator/Various Characters
I'm sure of it.
Johnny Dollar
Even if it were a job that you didn't have done?
Narrator/Various Characters
I'm sure of it.
Johnny Dollar
You know something, Mr. Barnwell? I'm not sure if you can be
Narrator/Various Characters
of Any help in putting through my.
Johnny Dollar
Did you hear what I said?
Narrator/Various Characters
I heard. Mr. Dollar doesn't worry me a bit.
Johnny Dollar
Hey, fellas.
Narrator/Various Characters
My car filter may be worth a thousand bucks. How's that heard over the radio? That the people who make FRAM filters have a big treasure hunt on. So I check my oil and air filter and I'll be dog gone. If there wasn't a specially marked FRAM air filter that might pay me $1,000. No kidding. My service station man said whatever I win, he'll win the same amount. Told me a regular filter check is important to today's cars. So important that FRAM Corporation is paying $60,000 to get car owners to check their filters now.
Bill Mullen
Cash money?
Lysol Character
Sure.
Narrator/Various Characters
This is Fram's silver anniversary. Last year, 10,000 secretly numbered Fram filters were distributed all over the United States and. And installed in cars during regular servicing. Every one of them is worth cash, some as much as $1,000.
Johnny Dollar
Why, one of you guys may have
Narrator/Various Characters
one in your car and not even lost. Say, what are we waiting for?
Johnny Dollar
Let's get those filters checked.
Narrator/Various Characters
Hurry, folks. Get in on the big FRAM treasure hunt. You could win up to $1,000 in cash. Check your car filters now. And now, act two of yours truly, Johnny Dollar and the Fris.
Johnny Dollar
Expense account, item five. Two bucks for a taxi. In my opinion, Peter H. Barn. Well, had the warehouse fire set, but opinions don't count in my business. You gotta have proof. And I hadn't yet got together with my informant, Smokey Sullivan. Smokey? Once a clever arsonist himself, later a counterfeiter, bootlegger. Just about everything in the book. But from the time he helped me with a case a couple of years ago, he'd stayed on the straight and narrow. And of course, I've always paid him well for his help. Before going on to my hotel, I stopped in to see Bill Mullen of the Arson Squad.
Bill Mullen
Yeah, the papers say you're in town, Johnny. Glad to see you.
Johnny Dollar
Yeah, how are you, Bill?
Bill Mullen
But there's no reason for you to be here about that fire.
Johnny Dollar
Well, that's so.
Bill Mullen
We've already found out how it started.
Johnny Dollar
How, Bill?
Bill Mullen
Some old derelict name of Stumpy Moran used to sleep there every night. Had an old iron bed and a little sort of shack on one side of that warehouse.
Johnny Dollar
Yeah.
Bill Mullen
So last night, like a lot of the darn fools all over the country, every night he went to bed loaded and lit a cigarette. Result. No more mattress, no more shack, no more warehouse.
Johnny Dollar
What are you holding him?
Bill Mullen
Also no more Stumpy Moran.
Johnny Dollar
He died in the fire? Yep. And you're sure that's how it started?
Bill Mullen
Johnny, when you've combed through evidence on as many cases like that as I have, there's no mistaking it.
Johnny Dollar
But now, Bill, listen.
Bill Mullen
All the way from the source of the blaze to the empty bottle, the carbonized paper from the cigarette, the foil from the cigarette package, the hair from the mattress. A thousand and one little things that the ordinary person wouldn't even think to look for. So listen.
Narrator/Various Characters
Yeah?
Bill Mullen
Be a nice guy and call off the papers, will you?
Johnny Dollar
Why?
Bill Mullen
Because they saw you over in Barnwell's office. They've decided it was arson and they're calling us a bunch of bums. The only reason they do it is to make headlines. So call them up and tell them to lay off, will you? Set them straight.
Johnny Dollar
Not until I'm sure they aren't. Right, Bill.
Bill Mullen
Huh? Now, wait a minute. What's that mean?
Johnny Dollar
I'll see you later. Item 6. Another taxi to the hotel. Hunting it up on Knob Hill. I went straight to my room and sat down to wait for Smokey Solomon to call. I didn't have to wait long. Smokey.
Narrator/Various Characters
Yeah.
Johnny Dollar
Well, I hear they found out how that fire started.
Smokey Sullivan
Stumpy?
Johnny Dollar
That's right. Stumpy Moran.
Smokey Sullivan
He was a friend of mine. Not much brains, Johnny, but a nice old guy. But Johnny. Yeah, he didn't do it.
Johnny Dollar
But they found all the evidence. He'd been drinking and smoking in bed.
Smokey Sullivan
He never touched a drop. Johnny, you sure he didn't smoke neither? I know. He was my pal.
Johnny Dollar
Where are you, Smokey?
Smokey Sullivan
You know where the Hungry angel is?
Johnny Dollar
The cocktail bar over on the.
Smokey Sullivan
That's right. Take the alley and back. I'm in the phone booth at the end of it. I'll be waiting for you.
Narrator/Various Characters
Okay.
Johnny Dollar
Now listen.
Smokey Sullivan
Yeah?
Johnny Dollar
Do you know who did set that fire? Yeah.
Smokey Sullivan
The only guy in the whole country who could leave no trace.
Johnny Dollar
Wait a minute.
Smokey Sullivan
And they won't even question him because he's been living straight for so long.
Johnny Dollar
Touchy Thompson.
Narrator/Various Characters
Yeah.
Smokey Sullivan
Lives in a nice house on Aldea Drive. 527. But he ain't there.
Johnny Dollar
How do you know?
Smokey Sullivan
A note on his door says gone fishing.
Johnny Dollar
You're absolutely sure it was he?
Smokey Sullivan
I'm the only one knew where to look for his sign around that fire. And I found it there. I'll show it to you.
Johnny Dollar
Proof, huh?
Smokey Sullivan
Yes, sir. Johnny, I can prove that warehouse was set. But oh, no.
Johnny Dollar
Smokey. Smokey.
Lysol Character
Sociable, up to date. Debonair.
Narrator/Various Characters
What's this, a new word game?
Lysol Character
No, I'm just mentioning the qualities that people admire in other people.
Narrator/Various Characters
Oh, I see. If you're sociable, up to date and. What was that other word? Debonair.
Lysol Character
Yes, debonair. But listen to it this way. Be sociable. Look smart, keep up to date with Pepsi. Drink light, refreshing Pepsi. Stay young and fair and debonair. Be sociable, have a Pepsi.
Narrator/Various Characters
Notice how many of your friends are serving Pepsi Cola these days? It's the up to date refreshment.
Lysol Character
Be sociable, serve Pepsi.
Johnny Dollar
In the alley behind the Hungry Angel I found a couple of policemen carefully going over every inch of the phone booth where Smokey'd called me.
Narrator/Various Characters
Yeah. Yeah, that's right. Conroy heard the shots and came running back here. You get the angle of that bullet hole, Conroy?
Johnny Dollar
Hey, listen, listen. What about Smokey?
Narrator/Various Characters
City Hospital. But he isn't gonna live, Dollar. Not a chance.
Johnny Dollar
And you have no idea who shot him?
Narrator/Various Characters
No. But you're a smart dick. Why don't you find out for it?
Johnny Dollar
All right, now, look.
Narrator/Various Characters
And let me tell you something else too, $. If that warehouse fire had been a torch job, which it wasn't, like you're blabbing it out to all the papers, your dear pal Smokey Sullivan is the only one who could have done it. So his being knocked off is good riddance.
Johnny Dollar
Why Smokey?
Narrator/Various Characters
Because we got every other firebug in this town nailed down, that's why.
Johnny Dollar
Wanna bet?
Narrator/Various Characters
Mr. Dollar, I honestly don't understand it considering the way one of those bullets nicked his heart. But it looks as though that man Sullivan will live.
Johnny Dollar
The point is, doctor, can I talk to him?
Narrator/Various Characters
Well, you can try, of course. Or this way, Mr. Dolan. But he was not able to give anything to the police who just left.
Johnny Dollar
And listen, doctor, do everything you can for him, will you? I'll foot the bill.
Narrator/Various Characters
Oh, very well. Right in here.
Johnny Dollar
You mind if I talk to him alone?
Narrator/Various Characters
If you like. And if you can.
Johnny Dollar
Thanks. Smokey. Smokey.
Smokey Sullivan
Hi, Johnny.
Johnny Dollar
Oh, hi. Yeah, the doc says you're gonna be okay.
Smokey Sullivan
Yeah, can't get rid of me.
Johnny Dollar
Attaboy, Smokey.
Smokey Sullivan
I didn't talk to the cops. Just looked at him like I was dead.
Johnny Dollar
Hey, Smokey, did you see who put the slugs into you?
Smokey Sullivan
No, Johnny, but it must have been Touchy. Touchy Thompson, Same as he set that fire.
Johnny Dollar
All right, now, listen, you're in no shape to go over there and show me. But if the arson squad found no trace and believe me, they know everything
Narrator/Various Characters
to look for chemicals.
Johnny Dollar
What?
Smokey Sullivan
Touchy had chemicals. Special chemicals. Never left a trace.
Johnny Dollar
Everything leaves a trace of some kind.
Smokey Sullivan
No, he had to use a gas mask. That's what must have knocked out Stumpy Moran. Then Touchy could plant the liquor. Cigarettes.
Johnny Dollar
Then I guess the only thing I can do is try to find Touchy Thompson.
Smokey Sullivan
Johnny.
Johnny Dollar
Yeah.
Smokey Sullivan
If you do, Johnny, be careful.
Narrator/Various Characters
Yeah.
Adam Graham
Yeah.
Narrator/Various Characters
Act four of yours truly, Johnny Dollar. In a moment, Rambler station wagons lead all but two other makes in sales. Repeat, Rambler station wagons now lead all but two other makes. Car registration figures prove it. Never before has any station wagon scored such a sweeping success in so short a time. Why, the nationwide swing to Rambler. Well, listen to this. If you want America's lowest priced station wagon, Rambler has it. If you want big six passenger room plus America's easiest parking, Rambler has that most miles per gallon. Rambler has that too. Trade in value, Rambler has the highest of any low priced car. Yes, Rambler is America's top economy station wagon. But Rambler is also the compact quality car. The only car to offer personalized comfort, including front seats that glide back and forward separately adjustable headrests, reclining seatbacks, finest air conditioning at lowest cost, deep dip rust proofing. Yes, all America is discovering that Rambler station wagons are different. And Americans love that difference. So will you drive a Rambler station wagon now six or V8 at rambler dealers? And now act four of yours truly, Johnny Dollar,
Johnny Dollar
Expense account item 7, 5. 20 more taxi fares. There was nobody home at Touchy Thompson's place. Only the note on the door Smokey had told me about. Gone fishing. Fishing, huh? He was probably hiding somewhere around the town waiting for the atmosphere to clear. But how to bring him out in the open? Then I suddenly remembered an old friend of mine, Maury Webster, head man at station kcbs. I'd have made a dollar even for a cab to the Sheraton palace and the KCBS studios.
Narrator/Various Characters
Johnny, this is a pleasant surprise. Although I had heard you're in town.
Johnny Dollar
How are you, Maury?
Narrator/Various Characters
Up to my neck. We're in the midst of a big celebration. You know, our 50th anniversary. Oh, yes, sir. We were the first broadcasting station in the country and we're kind of proud of it.
Johnny Dollar
Well, I should think you would be. Let me add my congratulations.
Narrator/Various Characters
Thank you, Johnny. What brings you here, Maury?
Johnny Dollar
When is your next news broadcast?
Narrator/Various Characters
Let me see. Don Mosley will hit the air in just about seven minutes.
Johnny Dollar
That'll just give me time to knock out a news item them for him to read on the air. Oh, what Kind tell you while I'm scribbling it, if you don't mind.
Narrator/Various Characters
Well, yeah, yeah, go ahead.
Johnny Dollar
And, Maury, I have a sneaking suspicion it'll flush out an arsonist. Oh, yeah, and kill her.
Narrator/Various Characters
As briefly as possible.
Johnny Dollar
I told Maury Webster my plan, the why of it. I handed him the news item I'd cooked up. He penciled in a couple of minor changes, then gave it to his top man in the news bureau, Don Mosley. A few minutes later, there in his office, we listened to it being broadcast over the powerful facilities of KCBs
Narrator/Various Characters
on the local scene. Well, it took insurance investigator Johnny Dollar to clear up the matter of the Barnwell warehouse fire.
Johnny Dollar
Here it comes.
Narrator/Various Characters
Dollar has proved conclusively that it was set by an old hand at that business named Smokey Sullivan. His reason? To kill another man by the name of Moran, whose body was later found buried in the embers. Incidentally, Sullivan himself has just died as a result of bullet wounds, no doubt inflicted by some friend of Moran's who sought to avenge his murder. Well, as for the holdup that occurred early this morning on the Embarcadero, well, I hope it does the trick, Johnny. What are you going to do now, Maury?
Johnny Dollar
There's going to be a stakeout at the home of one John R. Thompson, formerly known as Touchy Thompson, out on Aldea Drive.
Narrator/Various Characters
Oh, then you're turning this whole thing over to the police.
Johnny Dollar
That stakeout will be me.
Narrator/Various Characters
But if Thompson did set that fire and kill Moran, I still have to prove it. Well, don't you think it's a little dangerous, Johnny?
Johnny Dollar
Could be.
Narrator/Various Characters
Well, in just a minute.
Johnny Dollar
Thanks, Maury. Thanks a lot. So I went out to Aldea Drive again, and I parked myself rather uncomfortably behind a hedge across the street from Thompson's place. Finally, it must have been around 10pm an expensive car pulled up and a man loaded with fishing gear went into the house. I waited a couple of minutes and then I went over, knocked on the door, walked in, introduced myself and laid a few cards right on the table.
Narrator/Various Characters
You crazy? Dollar didn't even know about that fire
Johnny Dollar
until you told me just now. Why lie about it, Touchy? Look, I've been fishing. Yeah? For what? An alibi.
Narrator/Various Characters
Oh, give me that.
Johnny Dollar
For trout.
Narrator/Various Characters
Look, look, look.
Johnny Dollar
Here.
Narrator/Various Characters
Here they are. Yeah, trout.
Johnny Dollar
Ever see a nicer mess of them, pick them up at any market?
Narrator/Various Characters
Not me.
Johnny Dollar
All right, who was with you?
Narrator/Various Characters
I was alone. I was over there camping beside the
Johnny Dollar
lake all the time, my sleeping bag still out in the car. What lake? Mono Lake It's a little over 200 miles east of here. Yeah, I know it well. Well, that's where I caught him. I know it well enough to know that because of the high mineral content of that water, no trout could ever survive in it.
Narrator/Various Characters
What? Now, look. Wait a minute.
Johnny Dollar
It's no good, Touchy. And with the proof I have that only you could have set that fire with some of your fancy chemic.
Narrator/Various Characters
What do you know about that?
Johnny Dollar
You got no proof.
Narrator/Various Characters
Look, perhaps she has. Touchy.
Johnny Dollar
Well, I'm glad to see you two know each other.
Narrator/Various Characters
Very smart, weren't you? Touchy?
Johnny Dollar
What do you mean?
Narrator/Various Characters
I mean the way you felt for that phony news broadcast and came back here. Phony. And $thanks for setting the stage for me.
Johnny Dollar
Yeah, what does that mean?
Narrator/Various Characters
You came here because you suspected Touchy. You had a big argument. You both pulled your guns and killed each other.
Johnny Dollar
No, wait a minute.
Bill Mullen
Wait.
Narrator/Various Characters
That's the only conclusion the police can possibly reach when they find your body's lying.
Johnny Dollar
Look.
Narrator/Various Characters
No. Don't make a single move$ neither of you will do anything. Because 5 seconds from now, you'll both be dead. That's where you're wrong.
Johnny Dollar
What?
Bill Mullen
Pull that trigger, Barn Willems. The last thing you'll ever do, Bill. Climb in this window, boys, and take care of it.
Narrator/Various Characters
There isn't any need for violence. Operation, sir. That's right, Barn. Well, there isn't. All right, all right. You too, Tom.
Bill Mullen
Well, Johnny.
Johnny Dollar
Now, just what under the sun ever led you to come out here?
Bill Mullen
Bill, Your old friend Smokey Sullivan called me to the hospital.
Narrator/Various Characters
He was a little worried about you.
Bill Mullen
You mind?
Narrator/Various Characters
Mind?
Johnny Dollar
You gotta be kidding.
Narrator/Various Characters
Yeah. They were both in it up to their ears.
Johnny Dollar
Each in trying to defend himself. Just put the other in there much deeper. And by the time the courts get through with them, they'll be sorry they ever lived. Expense account total, including the trip back to Hartford. And a good hefty gratuity for Smokey Sullivan, plus all his hospital bills. $923.91. Yours truly, Johnny Do.
Narrator/Various Characters
Our star will return in just a moment.
Lysol Character
I'm a mean widow, kid.
Narrator/Various Characters
And are you pleased with yourself?
Lysol Character
Sure. Cause I'm a germ. A bathroom germ. Bathrooms is where the meanest germs get to whip. Do I have fun causing odor and spreading disease?
Narrator/Various Characters
You better watch out, son, or your landlady may find out about Lysol brand disinfectant.
Lysol Character
Lysol?
Narrator/Various Characters
No, Lysol.
Lysol Character
That's what I.
Narrator/Various Characters
Well, anyway, a lot of women are finding that a dash of Lysol in their cleaning suds every week. Wipes out nasty bathroom disease. Germs like you disinfect from one cleaning to the next as no other product can. Wipes out many deadly viruses too. Lysol makes every cleaner work better. It's the easy, modern way to get bathrooms really clean and free of odors.
Lysol Character
Lysol can do that.
Narrator/Various Characters
And what's more, now besides regular Lysol, there's a new sweet smelling pine scented Lysol and they're both out to get you.
Lysol Character
Hey, was you ever a mean widow, kid?
Narrator/Various Characters
One more remark like that and I'll open this bottle of lights off.
Lysol Character
Help.
Narrator/Various Characters
Now here is our star to tell you about next week's story.
Johnny Dollar
Next week, a quiet little ranch in Oklahoma. Quiet, that is, until the shooting starts. Join us, won't you? Yours truly, Johnny Dol.
Narrator/Various Characters
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 Greg, Vic Parron, Larry Dobkin, Alan reed, Gil Stratton Jr. Paul Dubois, Bartlett Robinson, Don Mosley and Tony Barrett. Be sure to join us next week, same time and station, for another exciting story of yours truly, Johnny Dollar. This is Dan Cubberley speaking. This is the CBS Radio Network
Smokey Sullivan
and
Liberty Mutual Spokesperson
Doug, there's nowhere I wouldn't go to help someone customize and save on car insurance with Liberty Mutual. Even if it means sitting front row at a comedy show.
Johnny Dollar
Hey, everyone, check out this guy and his bird.
Narrator/Various Characters
What is this, your first date?
Liberty Mutual Spokesperson
Oh, no. We help people customize and save on car insurance with Liberty Mutual Together we're married. Me to a human, him to a bird.
Narrator/Various Characters
Yeah, the bird looks out of your league.
Liberty Mutual Spokesperson
Anyways, get a quote@libertymutual.com or with your local agent.
Adam Graham
Welcome back. I had to chuckle when Johnny mentioned that the paper he was from was in Bumpspom, Oklahoma. A reference to the hometown of Durango, Laramie. Another one of those deep cuts that we talked about last week. I do question a bit the newspapers covering his involvement in the case. It does add to the nationwide celebrity of Johnny through the radio. But it also raises concerns, increases some of the suspension of disbelief you have to have when he tries to be more anonymous about things. And of course, we got a little bit of a shout out to radio station KCBS, which began broadcasting in 1909. Although, as John Abbott notes in his great book the who is Johnny Dollar Matter, that there is some dispute over who exactly started the first radio station in the United States. But this sort of service to the radio stations is one of those hallmarks of the Johnstone era and certainly was a way, I think, to keep radio drama still relevant and rooted to the television by now had vastly surpassed radio in terms of the attention of the American people. But this is kind of a way to really tie it back into the local stations and into the real world in a way that you just weren't going to have on television. Now it's time to thank our Patreon supporter of the day. And I want to go ahead and thank Monica, patreon Supporter since March 2019, currently supporting these podcast at the Master detective level of $15 or more per month. Thanks so much for your support, Monica. 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'll be back next Friday with another episode of Yours truly, Johnny Dollar. But join us back here tomorrow as we give way to the great adventurers of Old Time Radio and Countersp. Where.
Narrator/Various Characters
Come in. This is peters. Counters by plane one bound for Mexico. Victoria is about 40 miles north of the uranium discovery. You don't want to stay in Victoria. There's another town 40 miles to the south of the uranium field. A Festa. You and Mr. Harding get rooms there in a ranch house.
Johnny Dollar
That would be fine for a while.
Narrator/Various Characters
We'll want to keep undercover, that's all. Now remember, Peters, I'm flying to Mexico. At your request, I brought along this map of Mexico. Mr. Harding, I'd like to show you the publicity that's gotten into the papers about a uranium deposit in Mexico. It certainly started something. What did the report from the Mexican police say about it, Peter? The port said that persons of questionable character were flocking to Victoria. Victoria? That's right here on the map. Unless I miss my guess, foreign agents are swarming there like flies to molasses. What are you chuckling about this for me? Yes, you. Oh, I. I was just thinking of a funny story. You've got something up your sleeve somehow, Peters. I have a hunch. A hunch. There are going to be some very interesting developments in those mountains within the next few days.
Adam Graham
I hope you'll be with us then. In the meantime, send your comments to Box13greatdetives.net follow us on Twitter at Radio Detectives and check us out on instagra instagram.com Great detectives from Boise, Idaho, this is your host, Adam Graham, signing off.
Liberty Mutual Spokesperson
And Doug, there's nowhere I wouldn't go to help someone customize and save on car insurance with Liberty Mutual. Even if it means sitting front row at a comedy show.
Johnny Dollar
Hey everyone, check out this guy and his bird.
Narrator/Various Characters
What is this, your first date?
Liberty Mutual Spokesperson
Oh, no. We help people customize and save on car insurance with Liberty Mutual together. We're married. Me to a human, him to a bird.
Narrator/Various Characters
Yeah, the bird looks out of your league.
Liberty Mutual Spokesperson
Anyways, get a quote@libertymutual.com or with your local agent.
Narrator/Various Characters
Liberty Liberty Liberty Liberty Spring is calling
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Host: Adam Graham
Original Air Date of Drama: April 5, 1959
Podcast Release: May 8, 2026
This episode of The Great Detectives of Old Time Radio features “The Frisco Fire Matter,” a suspenseful investigation by insurance investigator Johnny Dollar. When a massive warehouse burns down in San Francisco, Johnny is pulled into a case involving suspected arson, long-standing criminal connections, and a web of intrigue that includes insurance fraud and attempted murder. As Johnny peels back the layers, familiar faces from his past both help and hinder his quest for the truth.
The Frisco Fire Matter delivers a classic insurance mystery with familiar noir elements: a burned warehouse, a slippery owner, reformed criminals, red herrings, and Johnny’s sharp deductions. The layered plot unfolds briskly, culminating in a satisfying reversal, justice served, and a reminder that even the cleverest schemes leave traces—and friends who stand by you.
For more, visit: greatdetectives.net
Next week: Johnny heads to an Oklahoma ranch … until the shooting starts!