Yours Truly Johnny Dollar: The Froward Fisherman Matter (EP4805)

Summary

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The Great Detectives of Old Time Radio

Episode: Yours Truly, Johnny Dollar: The Froward Fisherman Matter (EP4805)
Air Date: September 19, 2025
Host: Adam Graham

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Episode Overview

In this episode of "The Great Detectives of Old Time Radio," host Adam Graham presents a newly rediscovered episode of "Yours Truly, Johnny Dollar," titled "The Froward Fisherman Matter," first broadcast June 1, 1958. The story follows insurance investigator Johnny Dollar as he searches for the missing—and possibly deceased—fishing enthusiast Bertram R. Hallsworthy, whose wife has filed a hefty life insurance claim. What initially seems a straightforward disappearance takes Dollar from Indiana to the shores and lakes of the United States, unearthing family tension, mystery, and some surprising information about freshwater striped bass.

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Key Discussion Points and Episode Breakdown

1. Case Introduction & Background

[02:50]

• Johnny Dollar receives a call from Clark Sourceness of Continental Insurance and Trust Company regarding a missing client, Bertram Hallsworthy, whose wife has filed a $160,000 life insurance claim.
• Hallsworthy, a wealthy fishing tackle inventor, has been "fishing all over the country" for 10-15 years and disappeared after a trip to Florida.
• His wife, Mrs. Hallsworthy, isn't particularly sentimental:

  "I suppose I may as well tell you, too. Sit down. But I'm convinced now that Bertram's dead."
  (Mrs. Hallsworthy, [06:40])

2. Interviewing Mrs. Hallsworthy & Early Suspicions

[06:20-09:23]

• Dollar visits the Hallsworthy lake lodge in Indiana. The marriage was strained; Mrs. Hallsworthy resents her husband's fishing obsessions and is largely unmoved by his disappearance.
• She recounts Bertram’s wanderings from Florida to Kentucky and relates her certainty of his death to his silence, not hard evidence:

  "My husband is dead. If he weren't, I would have heard from him."
  (Mrs. Hallsworthy, [09:07])

• Hallsworthy's habit of carrying large sums of cash and the detail that he left a note about returning to fishing raise more questions.
• Notably, the only possible clue is the note found in the freezer with some bass fish.

3. Police Consultation & Bass Clue

[09:23-13:59]

• Lieutenant Bascom, Fort Wayne Missing Persons Bureau, has little new info. The only lead is the striped bass in Hallsworthy’s freezer:

  "Be home again one of these days. Maybe. Meantime, I'm going back to get some more of these beauties."
  (Bertram Hallsworthy’s note, [09:03])

• Local police investigated possible sightings along the Atlantic coast and even the West Coast—but no trace.

4. The Fishy Lead: Stripers in Fresh Water?

[13:59-18:10]

• Johnny discovers, via a family lawyer and the legendary angler-writer Emmett Gowen, that Bertram was an especially "froward" (contrary) fisherman, always seeking out obscure or contrary angling pursuits.
• The key insight: Stripe bass had been introduced successfully into only a few inland freshwater lakes—most notably Lake Moultrie in South Carolina. This contradicts the prevailing assumption that the bass in the freezer must have come from the ocean:

  "What was that word he said? Forward. The froward fisherman."
  (Johnny Dollar, [18:05])

5. Climax: The Meeting at Lake Moultrie

[18:10-20:50]

• Johnny tracks his lead to Lake Moultrie and finds Bertram alive and well, simply indulging his urge for out-of-the-way fishing—and teaching his wife a lesson in absence.
• Bertram's own words reveal his motivation:

  "I figured that maybe if I worry her a little bit about what maybe happened to me, maybe she'd be a mite more tolerant. And... maybe I could be a little more tolerant too. And then maybe we'd be happy again like we used to do."
  (Bertram Hallsworthy, [19:50])

• The couple eventually reconcile, even appearing together in a fishing magazine.

6. Host Commentary & Listener Feedback

[21:45-25:38]

• Adam Graham reflects on the story's whimsical, light tone, its educational fishing content, and the realism of its marriage dynamics:

  "He was wanting things to be better again and owned that he needed to be willing to change as much as her... as bitter as her words were to Johnny, I do think she missed him."
  (Adam Graham, [22:18])

• Discusses period-accurate details about cash travel and addresses listener questions on detective story quality—emphasizing the mix of actor, script, director, and sound design.

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Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On Mrs. Hallsworthy’s bluntness:

  "We haven't [been too happy]. That's why I'm not sitting around moping and moaning and weeping over his passing."
  (Mrs. Hallsworthy, [07:47])

• On the key clue:

  "Those fish are found on the coast of New York, New England... but not this time of year."
  (Lieutenant Bascom, [11:58])

• On the twist:

  "I figured that maybe if I worry her a little bit about what maybe happened to me, maybe she'd be a mite more tolerant."
  (Bertram Hallsworthy, [19:50])

• Adam Graham on “the froward fisherman”:

  "This Mr. Holsworthy character was froward enough that if he had lived in the 21st century he would have taken cash."
  (Adam Graham, [23:30])

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Important Timestamps

• 02:50: Case assignment from Clark Sourceness; Bertram’s background and disappearance
• 06:20: Interview with Mrs. Hallsworthy at Lake James
• 09:23: Visit to Missing Persons Bureau; discovery of note and striped bass clue
• 13:59: Talk with family lawyer and Emmett Gowen; key term “froward fisherman”
• 18:10: Johnny’s trip to Lake Moultrie; encounter with Bertram
• 19:50: Bertram explains himself to Johnny
• 21:45: Adam Graham’s commentary on the episode’s themes and realism
• 23:00+: Listener feedback on the Johnny Dollar series and detective fiction

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Tone and Style

The episode’s tone is whimsical and lightly humorous, with a healthy dose of sentimental reflection and classic radio drama intrigue. Adam Graham’s post-show remarks maintain a warm, nostalgic, and conversational style, inviting listener interaction and appreciation for both story and history.

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Summary

"The Froward Fisherman Matter" is a mystery that marries an unusual premise (a missing fisherman, a fishy clue, a marriage in doldrums) with authentic detective work and a human, rather than criminal, resolution. Johnny Dollar’s investigation, powered by intuition and serendipity, leads to an ending more about mutual understanding and the quirky passions of its characters than about crime or villainy. The twist—striped bass in the wrong water at the wrong season—proves a perfect plot hook for an old-school radio whodunit.

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Transcript

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[Johnny Dollar]

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[Johnny Dollar]

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[Adam Graham]

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[Johnny Dollar]

It.

[Adam Graham]

Welcome to the Great Detectives of Old Time Radio from Boise, Idaho. This is your host, Adam Graham. In a moment we are 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 our listener support and appreciation campaign continues to and you can become one of our ongoing Patreon supporters for as little as $2 per month at Patreon greatdetectives.net Now today we're playing another one that this one was a home recording. It's only recently come into circulation and we played it for Bob Bailey's 110th birthday a couple years ago. But now, from June 1, 1958, here is the Froward Fisherman Manor from Hollywood.

[Johnny Dollar]

It's time now for Johnny dollar Clark Sourceness, Mr. Dollar Continental Insurance and Trust Company, Fort Wayne, Indiana. What can I do for you sir? If you have time, I wish you'd come out here and see me. Mind telling me what it's all about? Well, as I understand it, you're Quite a fisherman. Well, I like to think so. That you've fished all over the country at one time or another? Not as much as I like, but. Now, what's on your mind? Tell me, in the course of your travels, have you ever run across a client of mine named Bertram R. Hallsworthy? No, I can't say that I have. He a fisherman too? That's all he's done for the last 10 or 15 years. Good man. Is he looking for a fishing pal? His wife has just filed a claim against his life insurance policy. $160,000. Oh, died, huh? Disappeared, Mr. Dollar. Think you might be able to find him for us? I think I could try. Expense accounts. Admitted by special Investigator Johnny Dollar to the Continental Insurance and Trust Company, Fort Wayne, Indiana office. The following is an account of expenses incurred during my investigation of the forward fisherman.

[Mrs. Hallsworthy]

Matter.

[Johnny Dollar]

Expense account Item 1 4680. Transportation to New York than a mainliner to Fort Wayne. Item 2 470. Taxi from Bearfield into Continental's office on Calhoun street where sources got right to the point. Bertram Hallsworthy and his wife lived in Angola. Mr. Dollar. Or rather, just above it on Lake James. Oh, yeah, that's north of here, isn't it? Yes, about 45 miles or so. He made a lot of money in his younger days. Invented a lot of things too. Mostly in the line of fishing tackle. Say, wait. Isn't he the man who invented that fast strike minnow hook? No, that was somebody out on the West Coast. I use that hook myself. Anyhow, when he retired, it was to spend all of his time fishing. That's why he bought the place on Lake James. But now you say he's disappeared. Yes. What? Well, all I know is what I've learned from his wife, and that isn't much. He took off one day last February and headed down to Florida to fish in the Gulf of Mexico along alone. His wife doesn't care for the sport the way he does. Doesn't care for it at all. Unfortunately, I find that true of a lot of wives. I know what you mean. Oh, then you're married too? Oh, sir, I told you, I'm a fisherman. But go on. Well, then in April, he showed up at home again, very briefly, just for a few hours, then took off again. That's the last we know of him. And that's all you know? Yes. The police have done a lot of legwork, checked out a lot of possibilities and so on, but have got nowhere. Then why don't I head on up there and see his wife Unless you have a better idea. I wish I had. Item 3. $50 deposit on a rental car. I headed north through Garrett, Auburn and Waterloo. When I reached Angola, I stopped at a mobile gas station across from the campus at Tri State College to ask directions. The attendant knew all about the Hallsworthy place on Lake James. I could see why when I got there a few minutes later. It was a beautiful big lodge built of native logs, sitting about 100ft above the water's edge, with its own private dock poking out into the calm blue lake. As I stood there on the broad stream porch, a big fish jumped clear off of the water. A pike, probably, or maybe.

[Mrs. Hallsworthy]

What is it? I didn't hear you ring.

[Johnny Dollar]

Oh, excuse me, I. I was admiring your beautiful view of the lake.

[Mrs. Hallsworthy]

I suppose it's beautiful to some people. What is it you want?

[Johnny Dollar]

Mrs. Hallsworthy?

[Mrs. Hallsworthy]

That's right. I'm Mrs. Hallsworthy.

[Johnny Dollar]

My name is Johnny Dollar. I'm an insurance investigator.

[Mrs. Hallsworthy]

Oh, you. Some news about my husband?

[Johnny Dollar]

No, ma', am, I'm afraid I haven't.

[Mrs. Hallsworthy]

Come in, Mr. Dollar.

[Johnny Dollar]

Thank you.

[Mrs. Hallsworthy]

So, the insurance company man and the police all I know. But I suppose I may as well tell you, too. Sit down. But I'm convinced now that Bertram's dead.

[Johnny Dollar]

Where?

[Mrs. Hallsworthy]

I don't know. But I'm certain I would have heard from him long before this. He was still alive.

[Johnny Dollar]

Is that your only reason for believing him dead?

[Mrs. Hallsworthy]

Not sufficient.

[Johnny Dollar]

Well, I don't know.

[Mrs. Hallsworthy]

It's because you never knew Bertram, nor me. Bertram loved to fish, so while never know. Once her family grew up and got married and he retired. That's all he cared about.

[Johnny Dollar]

As I understand it, he left here sometime in February.

[Mrs. Hallsworthy]

He went to Florida, to Sarasota. Florida. For some reason or other, he seemed to prefer the saltwater fishing.

[Johnny Dollar]

Oh, in spite of settling here on Lake Chain?

[Mrs. Hallsworthy]

That's right. The only reason we didn't buy somewhere on the coast is because I wouldn't put up with the dampness and mess. I've yet to find a place on the ocean where all the fishy drags into the house don't smell so. Lord knows this place is bad enough with all the mosquitoes and bugs during the summer and the birds and the frogs croaking all night.

[Johnny Dollar]

I. I take it you and your husband haven't been too happy together recently.

[Mrs. Hallsworthy]

We haven't. That's why I'm not sitting around moping and moaning and weeping over his passing.

[Johnny Dollar]

And you have no idea what might have happened to him?

[Mrs. Hallsworthy]

No.

[Johnny Dollar]

That is, yes.

[Mrs. Hallsworthy]

Well, that is, unless he Got drowned or something like that on one of.

[Johnny Dollar]

His silly fishing expeditions.

[Mrs. Hallsworthy]

Or unless someone found out how much money he was carrying and killed him for that.

[Johnny Dollar]

He took a great deal of money with him.

[Mrs. Hallsworthy]

Yes, he always did.

[Johnny Dollar]

How much, Mrs. Halpert?

[Mrs. Hallsworthy]

He never told me. But it was thousands of dollars, you may be sure of that.

[Johnny Dollar]

He left here in February? Yes.

[Mrs. Hallsworthy]

The weather was too cold in Florida, too cold all along the Atlantic coast. At least that's what he said in his regular weekly postcard. So he tried up in Alabama, then Tennessee, and then Kentucky, and then heaven knows where. Then in April, he come back here. How long he was here?

[Johnny Dollar]

I don't know.

[Mrs. Hallsworthy]

I was in Fort Wayne for a few days.

[Johnny Dollar]

Then how do you know he was here at all?

[Mrs. Hallsworthy]

He moved one of the chairs in the living room to get to the floor safe to get some more money to waste on fishing.

[Johnny Dollar]

Well, how do you know he was going fishing again?

[Mrs. Hallsworthy]

Because of the note he left in the big freezer with the fish he brought back to put into it.

[Johnny Dollar]

Oh. May I see that note?

[Mrs. Hallsworthy]

I don't know why not, if the Missing Persons Bureau down in Fort Wayne are willing to show it to you.

[Johnny Dollar]

Oh, I see. And you're sure your husband left no clue as to where he was going?

[Mrs. Hallsworthy]

I'm very sure. Mr. Dollar?

[Johnny Dollar]

Yes?

[Mrs. Hallsworthy]

My husband is dead. He weren't, I would have heard from him. You're doing nothing but wasting your time here. My time? I've told everything I know to the police over and over again. If you think you can accomplish more than they have, why don't you go down there and talk with Lt. Bashka?

[Johnny Dollar]

Maybe I'd better. Funny, she didn't seem too concerned about her husband's disappearance. And obviously she had a lot to gain by his death. His property, whatever money was lying around. And there must be plenty. And a big hunk of insurance. Sure, maybe a talk with the police would do some good. So I left. But you know something? I unknowingly left behind me the one big fat clue to the whole situation. This is Bertram Halsworthy there at the lodge on Lake James, Indiana, had given me no clues at all as to the whereabouts of a missing husband. Lieutenant Bascom at the Bureau of Missing Persons in Fort Wayne, with some help, but not very much, Johnny. We even put out calls to every place that old Hallsworthy was ever known to go fishing. And believe me, that covers a lot of territory. He's done nothing else for the last 10 or 15 years. And he's been all over this end of the United States. His wife said he left some kind of a note. Lieutenant. Well, here's a note right here. Oh, thanks. Be home again one of these days. Maybe. Meantime, I'm going back to get some more of these beauties. That means the fish he left in the freezer up at the lodge. As usual. You'll be happier with me away. And you know something, Martha? So will I sign Bert. Wait a minute. Lieutenant. Yeah? What kind of fish did he need in that freezer? Well, I didn't recognize him. But Hal Warren, who used to pound a bee back in Jersey City did. And what are they? Striped bass. Oh, striped bass. Said he used to catch em along the Jersey shore. So we blanketed the whole Jersey coast with pictures. Description, license number of his car, description on the car, everything we had on old Hallsworth. Yeah, but wait a minute. Those fish are found on the coast of New York, New England. The whole. Yeah, yeah, I know. Down the whole South Atlantic coast too. But if you've ever fished the Atlantic coast. I have. A lot. Then you ought to know what the cops do back there kept shoving down our throats. What's that? Sure, it's cyper country, all of it. But not this time of year. Oh, yeah. Yeah, you're right. Okay. Now listen. I think I know what you're going to say. Sure. You're going to jump to the same conclusion I did that with the way they haven't been getting along with all he has to gain if he's put out of the way. It is a possibility. As for this note. Yeah, it's his handwriting all right. Checked. But it could have been written anytime in the last 15 years about any kind of fish. So it all adds up, doesn't it? She knocked him off. Nobody else in town saw him around when he was supposed to be here in April. So she may have done it anytime since he left in February, but was supposed to have left. All of which can't be proved, however, until you find his body. Plus proof that she did it. Make it a lot easier for us if she did. Wait a minute. I'll tell you where those fish could have come from. And this time of year, the Pacific coast. They're in Atlantic fish. Those diapers exclusively? No, no, not anymore. Some years ago, a bunch of them were shipped live from Toms River, New Jersey to up around San Francisco. The Sacramento River. Oh, no. Sure. And now up in Northern California. They're one of the best game fish they have. Brother, that means I start all over again. That's right. Basketball. Maybe I Better stick to the theory that she did it and buried his body somewhere around here. Now, look, get on the teletype to the police on the West Coast. I'll check back with you. Meantime, I'm going to see what I can find out about her. In the next three days, I think I talk to everybody in northern Indiana. Anybody who could possibly know or have contact with a housewife. Sure, it was freely admitted that she and her husband didn't see eye to eye on a lot of things. But nowhere did I find any reason at all for suspecting she might have done him in. I talked to friends, neighbors, the butcher, the baker, the candlestick makers, shopkeepers, businessmen, bankers. Nothing. Then finally, it was the old family lawyer who gave me a priceless piece of information. Too long to miss you, to even tolerate the thought such a thing could have happened. I should strike you down for suggesting such a possibility, Mr. Darlo. Well, sir, I'm sorry, but after all, granted, he was a roword sort of man even in his fishing. Forward. Yes, yes, that's a good description of him in recent years. Forward. Now, maybe it's her fault, but that does not in any way whatsoever imply that anything he might do or shake would possibly cause that fine woman. Wait a minute.

[Mrs. Hallsworthy]

One word.

[Johnny Dollar]

That one word held the key to the whole matter, even in his fishing. But I didn't realize it then. Even if I had, it probably wouldn't have meant anything. That is, until I get a break the following day. The kind that comes once in a lifetime. Let's lay some cards on the table. An investigator is assigned to a case. The case gets solved, so he takes the credit whether he deserves it or not. Happens all the time. But this is one time I have to admit I deserve no credit at all. Except perhaps for just being around. All right. After checking up on Martha Hallsworthy, I was convinced she didn't kill her husband. The fact remained, he was still unaccounted for. And strangely enough, the only clue as to where he might have gone was a couple of fish Private Bass left in the freezer at his lakeside lodge in Angola, Indiana. All right. I went back to the Missing Persons Bureau in Fort Wayne to Lieutenant Bass. Sorry, Johnny, but the police on the west coast gave us nothing. They're a thorough bunch, too. If Falsworthy or his car had showed up out there, anywhere out there, they'd have had a lead for it. But they haven't. Nothing. And those two lousy fish are still our only clue. Add something else. But stripers haven't been running out on the west coast, either. The last couple of months. Well, he must have got him somewhere and brought him back. Brought? Lieutenant, What? Is there any way of knowing how long the fish have been in that freezer? Mrs. H says her husband dropped him off in April. Wait, you. You think maybe he caught him a long time ago, that they'd been there ever since? But, Johnny, that would only incriminate her. I know. And you just finished saying I know, I know. Now, listen, is there anybody around who could tell us how long they've been in that freezer? Well, I guess one of the professors at the university. You know, science department, biology, something like that. Professor Kendall. Come on, huh? We'll drag him up to the lodge and have him take a look. Whatever you say.

[Mrs. Hallsworthy]

Come on.

[Johnny Dollar]

Then came the stroke of luck I mentioned earlier. Just pure dumb luck. As Lieutenant Bascom and I were about to step into my car, an old truck with a camper's body and a boat on the trailer behind it pulled up to a stop. Excuse me, officer. Can you tell me, guys. Emmett. Emmett Gowen, world famous writer of fishing yarns and articles, who spent his whole life touring the country. Fishing, then writing about it. Emmett, you old son of a gun. How are you? Just great. Johnny, you remember my wife, Claire.

[Mrs. Hallsworthy]

Yeah. How are you, Johnny?

[Johnny Dollar]

Sure. Claire. How are you? Emmett, what are you doing around here? Looking for a place called Lake James. Ooh, don't mention it. I want to do an article about it for one of the. Hey, why don't you come along? Hey, listen, listen. Did you ever run across an old character by the name of Bertram Hallsworthy? Sure, here and there, all over the country. When? Oh, lifetime was early last winter. Funny old coot. Good fisherman, but a real character. How do you mean? Oh, you know, Perverse, contrary, obstinate coward. Huh? Go on, Emmett. Well, you know, a real non conformist. Oh, that's what I mean. Place use live bait, you use plugs, cold and water, use a fly rod. A man who'd want to catch private bass when there are none stripers.

[Mrs. Hallsworthy]

Yes.

[Johnny Dollar]

Hey, listen, Johnny. Now, listen careful. I'm gonna tell you something about those old saltwater devils you may not believe, but so help me, I hopped into my rental car and took off. I went south on Route 31, then east into Ohio. I swung south on 25 to Knoxville, Tennessee, then east on 70, south on 16, and I finally reached Columbia, South Carolina. Then east again to a freshwater lake, Lake Moultrie. Nearly 100 miles in, lands in the ocean on the expense account. That's item $431 either. And my luck still held. It was almost dusk when I pulled up at the dock of a fishing camp at the west end of the lake. Climbing out of his boat was a grizzled old timer with a string of fish that made my eyes pop out. One of them must have been close to 30 pounds. This was a man I wanted to talk to, or rather listen to. And I did. Back in his cabin over a glass of burger.

[Mrs. Hallsworthy]

Yes, sir, Mr.

[Johnny Dollar]

Darling.

[Mrs. Hallsworthy]

I don't understand how the bass got.

[Johnny Dollar]

Into this freshwater lake any more than anybody else does. Even the Fish and Game people, stripers and freshwater. Yes, sir. And only here in Moultrie, Andover, in Lake Marion. Oh, they tried planting them in other lakes but nothing happened. They don't reproduce. And I thought I knew a lot about fish. I couldn't believe it myself when I stumbled onto it. Impossible to say, but here they are. Lunkers too. But sooner or later every Tom, Dick and Harry that owns a fishing pole is going to find out about it. And that's when I'll move along. Why, I guess I'm just a contrary old curse. Like to do things a little bit different. So when everybody else comes in, well, I'll be doing something different. Fraud. But meantime, I'm going to. What was that word he said? Forward. The forward fisherman. Sounds like a lawyer I know. Back in. When are you gonna go back home? Mr. Hall's living. How did you. Well, I figured this way. My wife Martha has been henpecking me a mite too long about all the time I spend fishing. And I figured that maybe if I worry her a little bit about what maybe happened to me, maybe she'd be a mite more tolerant. And I hate to admit this, I really do. If she will, maybe. Maybe I could be a little more tolerant too. And then maybe we'd be happy again like we used to do. Yeah, maybe so. I hope so. I don't know. Life is really funny sometimes. Old man Hallsworthy did stay away a while longer. And when he went home, his wife must have seen the light because believe it or not, a couple of weeks ago I saw her picture in the Fisherman magazine. She was holding up a nine pound pipe she had caught in late game. Expense account total $181. Even yours truly, Johnny Dollar.

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[Adam Graham]

Welcome back. Well, this one the recording didn't have the credits, but John Abbott included them in his book the who is Johnny Dollar Matter. The cast was Byron Keane, Virginia Gregg, Harry Bartel, Will Wright, Forrest Lewis, and of course, Howard McNear. I like this story a lot in general. It's one of my favorite later Bob Bailey Johnny Dollar stories after 1956, but I like it even more within the context of where we're listening to it. It was a nice palette cleanser after yesterday's show throughout most of it. It's a pretty whimsical and light story, but still has a nice mystery going and a bit of educational content as well. I think Jack Johnstone probably did very little research on this particular story. The man loved his fishing and probably heard about it through reading about it or talking to other fishermen. And the striped bass is a really nice fish to build a mystery around. And the information in this episode is pretty accurate as far as the story goes. And then of course we get kind of a heartfelt ending. I will say that I can't recommend the method of making yourself disappear to make your spouse miss you, but you can say that there was a lot of frustration on both sides of this marriage and and he was wanting things to be better again and owned that he needed to be willing to change as much as her. And as bitter as her words were to Johnny, I do think she missed him. She was a grown woman, so she couldn't have imagined the insurance company was going to pay off her husband's life insurance because he'd been gone for two months. But the idea that he would go somewhere on one of these way out of the way fishing trips and would get himself hurt and die and she wouldn't even hear about it was probably a fear that she had and I think that was her motivation, even though she said that she was well used to the idea of it happening. Only other thing I'd comment on is that taking large amounts of cash was a lot more common Back then, out of town checks could present challenges and you could get travelers checks, but those could have their difficulties as well. And so carrying a lot of cash, while it might pose some security issues, made it easy for you to be able to get the things you wanted, particularly if you were going to go out into some far off location. Today it's far less common as most people can just take their card and your cards get accepted in even some very, very rural location. And of course if that had been the case, then the whole story doesn't happen as they'd be able to tell where he was going because he was using his card. However, I will say this, that this Mr. Holsworthy character was froward enough that if he had lived in the 21st century he would have taken cash. He's that froward Listener Comments and Feedback now and we have some comments first on the ghost to Ghost matter Norse Jeweler Johnny Dollar Dear Fred, Daphne, Velma, Shaggy, Scooby and Adam. This is how you deal with a mystery concerning a ghost. I wonder if there's any room in his expense account for a Mystery Machine. Good one. And then we have this from S. Charles Martinek. And this again on Spotify. When the writers are six minutes short, they send Johnny fishing.

[Johnny Dollar]

Lol.

[Adam Graham]

This is one of my favorite episodes. Well, I'm glad you enjoyed it. And then regarding our special, dawn writes, any episode that includes Anthony J. Lyon is a great one. And this is the road to the Valentine Manor. Susie writes, have enjoyed programs for many years. Hope there are many more to come. And then Norse jeweler Donnie Jawler wrote okay Adam, this may be a long worded question. I'll listen to all four episodes. Obviously my favorite was Bob Bailey. Okay for the most part except one. All scripts were the same. Different actors, directors, actors and portrayal. Regan went comedic, Lunde and Knotby went hard boiled and Bailey went sympathetic. So here's my question. What makes a great detective program? The actor, director, script, theme? Or is it a combination? Thanks for your time. Well, thank you so much and appreciate the question. I think it's a combination of all of that with sometimes particularly in the audio, drama, music and sound design playing a role as well. And I will say it's rare for anyone programmed to hit on all cylinders. Usually there's a bit of something that doesn't quite work, but you can enjoy it for what does. To me, the Johnny Dollar serials and the Adventures of Philip Marlowe the one with Gerald Moore are about as close to perfect as you get. And there are others that you enjoy for what they bring, like often appreciating the characters or the mystery and overlooking faults in other areas of the production. And of course, much of this comes down to individual taste. It's always fascinating. I used to like to read the IMD reviews of 1970s Columbo episodes, and every single episode would have one review saying it was the best episode ever and another saying that it was one of the weaker installments in the series. So, so much of that is down to subjective opinion. Ingrid wrote thank you and this on Facebook. Thank you for sharing these four versions of an evolving story. It was very interesting which pieces moved to the next version or were picked up later. It was kind of sad that although in both Jeff Regan and Knotbeat, the daughter had a happy ending, the two Johnny Dollar episodes were decidedly downbeat. I did appreciate your opening comments about these episodes. I might not have listened otherwise. Thanks for providing hours of listening enjoyment. Well, thank you so much and I'm glad you enjoyed it. And it really is a fascinating process. When I first heard about script recycling, it sounded like just this lazy sort of copy paste job. You know, obviously they didn't have copy paste, but just that sort of thing where you're copying from one work to another. But I really, I think when we went through the serials this last time, I really kind of started to see, well, there was a bit more to it. There's a bit more art to this creation. And it was fun to explore this. And I think the four episodes were interesting. And you're right, the first two had more of a happy ending for the daughter and the last two had a sad ending. I think that the last two were probably taking on the same question, but in a more direct way. In the first two episodes, you were dealing with someone trying to blackmail this released mobster. But the reason that the blackmail threat was viable was because if it got out, people would make judgments about the daughter and it would wreck her life and potential marriage. It's somewhat indirect because the focus is on the blackmail plot. In the last two, it's a lot more direct because she ends up being shot down because her grandfather, who never met her, who doesn't know her and has decided she's bad because her dad was bad. And for that matter, the grandpa doesn't even know the man that her dad has become after all these years in prison. But he's made the judgment, he's made the decision. And so it more directly takes us to questions about justice. You know, when is enough enough? At what point do you let people who are trying to move on go ahead and live their lives rather than constantly coming after them and their families. And of course there are complicating questions in that regard. And then I think the grandfather raises so many questions in the way that you see someone who has become so self righteous and so vengeful that he destroyed his whole family. And it just leaves you to consider that what type of society do you want and what type of person do you want to be? And that was more hinted at in the Jeff Regan and Knotbeat stories, but really brought to the forefront when it was done on Johnny Dollar. Thank you so much. And we have a review on the Apple Podcast Store. This is the Johnny Dollar feed. Specifically the John Reiner writes this is by far my number one podcast. I'm a huge fan of classic radio drama shows and yours truly is my favorite. I listen while driving, I listen while doing dishes, I listen next to the fireplace in the winter and I even go to sleep with it playing. Adam, thank you for putting this together week after week. Well, I'm so glad Appreciate you taking the time to leave that review. John. Now it's time to thank our Patreon Supporter of the day. And I want to thank Philip patreon Supporter since December 2019, currently supporting the podcast at the Detective Sergeant level of $7.14 or more per month. Thanks so much for your support, Phil Philip and that will do it for today. If you're enjoying the podcast, please follow us using your favorite podcast software. And if you're enjoying the podcast on YouTube, be sure to like the video, subscribe to the channel, leave a comment, all those great things that help YouTube channels to grow. We'll be back next Friday with another episode of Yours Truly, Johnny Dollar. And of course next Monday. Be sure and listen to our latest series Danger with Granger. And we'll be back tomorrow with the great adventurers of Old Time Radio and Cloak and Dagger, where I'm afraid the.

[Johnny Dollar]

Breakfast is not as sumptuous as it.

[Adam Graham]

Was in the old days.

[Mrs. Hallsworthy]

Paul, do not apologize for what we cannot change.

[Johnny Dollar]

Aunt Hilda is right. It was very good. The Roga brood was just as I remembered it. And these currant buns, These klentenbridges. Wonderful.

[Mrs. Hallsworthy]

I will leave you. I have a house to clean.

[Johnny Dollar]

You're still suspicious of me.

[Mrs. Hallsworthy]

Have I any reason not to be?

[Johnny Dollar]

Hilda, enough. Paul is my sister's son.

[Adam Graham]

I will stake my own life's blood.

[Johnny Dollar]

That he is to be trusted.

[Mrs. Hallsworthy]

Let us hope you do not have to.

[Johnny Dollar]

Hilda. Aunt Hilda, look this pistol. I'm giving it to you. It's the only one I have.

[Mrs. Hallsworthy]

The only one you have. And you give it to me?

[Johnny Dollar]

Yeah. I put myself at your mercy. If at any time you have proof, even the slightest, that I'm not what I claim to be, take my own gun and turn it on me.

[Mrs. Hallsworthy]

I will take your gun.

[Adam Graham]

I hope you'll be with us then. In the meantime, send your comments to box Thirteenreatetectives.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.

[Johnny Dollar]

This is the story of the One.

[Adam Graham]

As head of maintenance at a concert.

[Johnny Dollar]

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[Adam Graham]

Plus 24. 7 customer support, his venue never misses a beat.

[Johnny Dollar]

Call quickgranger.com or just stop by Grainger for the ones who get it done.

[Indeed Announcer]

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This is the story of the One As a maintenance supervisor at a manufacturing facility, he knows keeping the line up and running is a top PR priority. That's why he chooses Grainger, because when a drive belt gets damaged, Grainger makes it easy to find the exact specs for the replacement product he needs, and next day delivery helps ensure he'll have everything in place and running like clockwork. Call 1-800-granger. Click granger.com or just stop by Granger for the ones who get it done.