Yours Truly Johnny Dollar: The Gruesome Spectacles Matter (EP4900)

Summary

---

Podcast Summary: Yours Truly, Johnny Dollar – "The Gruesome Spectacles Matter"

The Great Detectives of Old Time Radio
Host: Adam Graham
Episode Date: January 30, 2026
Main Case Aired: Originally September 28, 1958

---

Episode Theme and Purpose

In this episode, Adam Graham presents a classic installment from Yours Truly, Johnny Dollar: "The Gruesome Spectacles Matter." The story showcases Johnny Dollar, a freelance insurance investigator, unraveling the suspicious death of a policyholder in rural New York. The episode is a quintessential golden age radio mystery—built on forensic deduction, tense confrontations, and a twisty reveal. Graham’s after-episode commentary explores both the pleasures and clichés of Johnny Dollar stories, and responds to listener feedback about recent podcast episodes.

---

Key Discussion Points & Episode Breakdown

I. Johnny Dollar Takes the Case

• [02:32–04:13]

  • Johnny receives a call from Ed Barrett, insurance agent at Tri State Life.

  • Tommy Hargrave, Barrett’s friend, died in a car accident at his lodge near Bethel, NY.

  • Though Ed believes the case is routine, company policy—especially with a double indemnity clause and a $70,000 policy—requires investigation.

  • Hargrave’s wife, Mary, is the beneficiary.

    Ed Barrett: “Just go on up there and help her all you can.” (03:25)

II. The Crime Scene: Accident or Murder?

• [04:49–10:22]
  • Johnny narrates his journey to Bethel, describing the quiet crossroad town and the scene of the crash.
  • He’s confronted by Chief Amos Skinner—mistakenly, at rifle-point—until they clear up their identities.
  • Examining the accident site, Johnny and Chief Skinner note oddities:
    • The car only rolled onto its side (not a full somersault).
    • All windows are closed except the driver’s.
    • The body’s position under the car seems impossible to explain.
  • First conclusion:

    Chief Skinner: “Tommy was murdered, that’s what. And the car pushed over on him to make it look like an accident.” (10:24)

III. Digging Deeper: Motive, Means, and Clues

• [11:57–15:39]
  • Chief Skinner recounts how they found out: Mary Hargrave, returning from shopping in New York, found the wreck and reported it.
  • Mary supposedly has an alibi, but no solid evidence.
  • At the car, they find:
    • Keys in the ignition but turned off—suggesting the car was pushed, not driven.
    • Steering wheel wiped clean of prints.
    • Broken spectacles inside; Tommy didn’t wear glasses, but Mary did.

    Johnny Dollar: “Did Tommy Hargrave wear glasses, spectacles, Tommy?” (14:31)

IV. Forensics and Confrontation

• [15:02–16:24]
  • With Dr. Walton, the town physician:
    • Hargrave’s body has bruises inconsistent with the accident—evidence of a struggle and wounds likely caused by a pistol butt.
    • The broken glasses seem to belong to Mary, Hargrave’s wife, but upon review, Dr. Walton notes the prescription doesn’t match hers.

    Dr. Walton: “This lens, the one that’s still intact, bears no resemblance to yours at all.” (21:15)

V. The Twist—Not the Wife, but the Bookie

• [18:37–23:23]

  • Johnny, Skinner, and Walton visit Mary Hargrave.

  • She’s using an old pair of glasses and is unconcerned about her husband’s death.

  • Johnny suspects something else is afoot:

    • Tommy Hargrave was a gambler, and had been boasting about a big win.

    “Mrs. Hargrave, did your husband owe a lot of money on his betting?” (21:49)

    • The optometrist identifies the glasses as belonging to Barney Marston, the local bookie.
    • Johnny confronts Marston—with physical evidence tying him to a recent fight with Hargrave.
    • Mystery solved: Marston killed Hargrave to avoid paying out a $25,000 gambling debt.

    Johnny Dollar: "Barney wanted to put up a fight... But then he couldn’t seem to explain the various and sundry bruises he was carrying around." (23:38)

---

Notable Quotes and Memorable Moments

• Rural Detective Charm:

  • Chief Skinner’s folksy and fumbling but ultimately honest style:

    Chief Skinner: “Praise be to Betsy. Well, I might have known it was someone like you. The way you outsmarted me...” (07:48)

• Classic Johnny Dollar Skepticism:

  Johnny Dollar: “Well, just my suspicious mind showing, I guess.” (03:59)

• Tidy Deduction:

  • Johnny applies a layer of dust to the steering wheel to check for prints—a simple but clever 1950s forensic trick:

    Johnny Dollar: “Some of this fine dust ought to bring out any fingerprints on the steering wheel ... This wheel has been carefully wiped off.” (14:12)

• Wildest Hunch?:

  Johnny Dollar: “This is probably the wildest hunch I’ve ever had.” (21:47)

---

Adam Graham’s Commentary and Listener Feedback

[27:09–34:48]

Graham’s Reflections on the Episode

• Praises the logical, evidence-focused structure and the substantial on-scene investigation.
• Notes recurring Johnny Dollar tropes: skeptical insurance agent, unnecessary peril with the sheriff, exaggerated hype from Johnny ("wildest hunch").

  Adam Graham: “That was totally unnecessary if the sheriff had just gone ahead and identified himself rather than pointing a gun...” (27:54)

• Observes that the mystery is not as wild or unusual as Johnny claims, and that the plot follows established patterns (gambling debts as motive).

Listener Comments & Feedback

• Responds to critical feedback on a prior episode ("Wayward Diamond Matter"), noting complaints about the script’s quality and repetitive exposition.
• Defends the show's investigation of insurance issues as plausible, even when fraud hasn’t yet occurred.
• Acknowledges the hard work involved in writing, producing, and directing these vintage shows.
• Shares Patreon recognition and thanks to supporters (e.g., Beverly).

---

Key Timestamps

• [02:32–04:13] – Johnny Dollar takes the case from Ed Barrett.
• [04:49–10:22] – Crime scene examination and first suspicions of murder.
• [11:57–15:39] – Forensic clues surface; the case grows more complex.
• [15:02–16:24] – Dr. Walton discovers evidence of a struggle.
• [18:37–23:23] – Visit to Mary Hargrave; the bookie twist revealed.
• [27:09–34:48] – Adam Graham’s review and listener feedback.

---

Tone & Style

The show is filled with sharp, sometimes playful detective dialogue, colored by rural Americana (Chief Skinner), Johnny Dollar’s dry skepticism, and a focus on tangible old-school deduction. Adam Graham’s commentary is warm, knowledgeable, and peppered with wry humor.

---

Summary for New Listeners

This episode of Yours Truly, Johnny Dollar blends small-town character, classic whodunit logic, and a twist reflective of America’s mid-century fascination with gambling and crime. It showcases the strengths—and some clichés—of vintage radio detective work, capped with Adam Graham’s accessible and thoughtful insight. Whether you’re a nostalgia fan, a mystery lover, or exploring old-time radio for the first time, this episode charms and informs in equal measure.

---

Transcript

[Grainger HVAC Technician Narrator]

If you're an H VAC technician and a call comes in, Grainger knows that you need a partner that helps you find the right product fast and hassle free. And you know that when the first problem of the day is a clanking blower motor, there's no need to break a sweat. With Grainger's easy to use website and product details, you're confident you'll soon have everything humming right along. Call 1-800-GRAINGER Click grainger.com or just stop by Grainger for the ones who get it done.

[Grainger Purchasing Manager Narrator]

If you're the purchasing manager at a manufacturing plant, you know having a trusted partner makes all the difference. That's why, hands down, you count on Grainger for auto reordering. With on time restocks, your team will have the cut resistant gloves they need at the start of their shift and you can end your day knowing they've got safety well in hand. Call 1-800-GRAINGER click granger.com or just stop by Granger for the ones who get it done.

[Narrator/Announcer]

Foreign.

[Adam Graham (Podcast Host)]

Welcome to the Great detectives of Old Time Radio from Orlando, Florida. This is your host, Adam Graham. In a moment, we're going to bring you this week's episode of yours truly, Johnny Dollar. But first, I do want to encourage you. If you are enjoying the podcast, please follow us using your favorite podcast software. Also, when you're making your travel plans, remember johnnydoller air.com johnnydoller air.com is a Priceline affiliate, so part of your purchase price supports the great detectives of Old Time Radio at no additional cost to you. Again, when you're making your travel plans, remember johnnydoller air.com first. Now, from September 28th of 1958, here is the gruesome spectacle matter.

[Narrator]

From Hollywood. It's time now for.

[Johnny Dollar]

Johnny$.

[Ed Barrett]

Johnny, this Ed Barrett at Tri State Life and Casualty in New York.

[Johnny Dollar]

Oh, hi, Ed.

[Narrator]

How are you?

[Ed Barrett]

A little sick at the moment.

[Johnny Dollar]

Oh, what's the matter?

[Ed Barrett]

I was planning to go up to the fishing lodge of a friend of mine over the weekend, Tommy Hargrave.

[Johnny Dollar]

Oh, but now you've had to call it off and brother, I know exactly how you feel.

[Ed Barrett]

No, Johnny, I don't think you do.

[Johnny Dollar]

Look, Ed, I'm a fisherman myself and when something interferes with going. What was that?

[Ed Barrett]

I just received word that Tommy had a car accident up there. Car rolled over on him. He was killed instantly.

[Johnny Dollar]

Oh, I'm sorry, Ed.

[Ed Barrett]

Yeah, and company policy being what it is, since he carried 70,000 in insurance, double indemnity since there was an accident involved Well, I gotta order the usual investigation.

[Johnny Dollar]

Yeah, sure, I see. Who's the beneficiary?

[Ed Barrett]

His wife, Mary.

[Narrator/Announcer]

They.

[Johnny Dollar]

They get along all right?

[Ed Barrett]

No, as a matter of fact. Nah. Now, look, Johnny, don't get any crazy ideas. Just go on up there and help her all you can.

[Johnny Dollar]

Oh, sure, sure. Where, Ed?

[Ed Barrett]

Place is called Shadow Hill, near the little town of Bethel, New York. Yeah, up in Sullivan County. The police department is a man named Skinner.

[Narrator]

Police?

[Johnny Dollar]

If everything's okay.

[Ed Barrett]

It was Skinner who called me, that's all.

[Johnny Dollar]

Oh. Oh, okay, Ed, I'm on my way. And if I dig up anything, Johnny.

[Ed Barrett]

I assure you that everything's all right about this one.

[Johnny Dollar]

Oh, sure, sure.

[Ed Barrett]

You say that as though you don't believe it.

[Johnny Dollar]

Well, just my suspicious wine showing, I guess. Forget it.

[Narrator]

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 Doll. Expense account submitted by Special Investigator Johnny Dollar to the Tri State Life and Casualty Insurance Company, New York, NY. Following is an account of expenses incurred during my investigation of the gruesome spectacle.

[Narrator]

Matter.

[Johnny Dollar]

Expense account, item 1,620Fair and incidentals. Hartford to New York. Item 2,50 bucks deposit on a rental car. I swung north, crossed the George Washington Bridge, then picked up Highway 17 through Goshen with its famous racetrack, through the summer resort town of Monticello, then past White Lake, a good fishing spot, to the little town of Bethel. It really isn't much more than a crossroads. A couple of filling stations, a general store and post office, and Emmer's Hotel, where I park my bags. Shadow Hill, however, turned out to be a beautiful summer lodge sitting high above the edge of a nearby private lake. From the highway, I could see the narrow, winding road that led from the lodge down to the lake shore. I could also see the spot where a car had apparently taken a corner too quickly skidded and rolled over to where it lay on its side. Then, shortly after pulling off the highway, I could see something else. Another car just short of where the accident had occurred. It was half hidden in a clump of trees that bordered the road. And as I slowly pulled up to it, a man suddenly jumped out and leveled an old 3030 rifle at me.

[Chief Amos Skinner]

Stop right there. Don't come any closer.

[Johnny Dollar]

Ah, well, now, just a minute, mister.

[Narrator]

Who are you?

[Chief Amos Skinner]

What are you doing around here, stranger?

[Dr. Walton]

Huh?

[Johnny Dollar]

Yeah, I guess you call me a stranger, but look, then maybe you're the.

[Chief Amos Skinner]

Stranger I'm looking for. Get out of that car with your hands up over your head and don't try no funny business.

[Johnny Dollar]

Hey, what is this, a holdup?

[Chief Amos Skinner]

Do like I tell you to and be quick about it.

[Johnny Dollar]

Okay, whatever you say. Come on.

[Narrator/Announcer]

Come on.

[Johnny Dollar]

I like camp. Seem to. This door doesn't seem to want to.

[Chief Amos Skinner]

You trying to pull some trick?

[Johnny Dollar]

No.

[Chief Amos Skinner]

Open that door.

[Johnny Dollar]

Well, it's stuck, I guess.

[Chief Amos Skinner]

Here, I'll do it. Now then, I'm kidding.

[Johnny Dollar]

Yeah. Now I'll take that gun.

[Chief Amos Skinner]

Oh, no, you won.

[Johnny Dollar]

All right, all right. Up on your feet.

[Chief Amos Skinner]

Just a minute. Shot.

[Johnny Dollar]

Turn around. Come on. Go on, turn around.

[Chief Amos Skinner]

You just look here, s. You just.

[Johnny Dollar]

Take it easy, old man. And remember, I have the gun now.

[Chief Amos Skinner]

I'll lock you up for this. That's what I'll do.

[Johnny Dollar]

Your what?

[Chief Amos Skinner]

Yes, sir. Interfering with the law this way.

[Narrator/Announcer]

The law?

[Johnny Dollar]

You?

[Chief Amos Skinner]

That's right. See, here's my badge. See?

[Johnny Dollar]

Oh, okay then. Look, Mr. Skinner.

[Chief Amos Skinner]

You look.

[Adam Graham (Podcast Host)]

You.

[Chief Amos Skinner]

Yeah, how do you know my name?

[Johnny Dollar]

You are Mr. Skinner, aren't you?

[Chief Amos Skinner]

Why, sure I am. Amos Skinner. Only it's Chief Skinner to you. Police Chief Skinner. And if you think you're going to get away with this, you. What's the idea?

[Johnny Dollar]

Oh, Chief, it looks like you're just the man I came to see. Only maybe you'd better have your gun back. Here.

[Chief Amos Skinner]

Well, all right, all right. Now you. You just put your hands up and. Hey, now, just a doggone minute. Who are you?

[Johnny Dollar]

Johnny Dollar.

[Chief Amos Skinner]

Johnny Dollar? That what you said? That's right, the Johnny Dollar.

[Johnny Dollar]

I'm an insurance investigator.

[Chief Amos Skinner]

Praise be to Betsy. Well, I might have known it was someone like you. The way you outsmarted me, banging the car door against me that way.

[Johnny Dollar]

I'm sorry about that, Johnny.

[Narrator/Announcer]

I'm.

[Chief Amos Skinner]

I'm real proud to meet you. And believe me, son, I'm. I'm just mighty glad you're here.

[Johnny Dollar]

Oh, why do you say that?

[Chief Amos Skinner]

Just you look here, Johnny. Over the edge of this road. Look, you see it down there? That car?

[Johnny Dollar]

Is that the car in which Mr. Thomas Hargrave was killed?

[Chief Amos Skinner]

Oh, you know about that?

[Johnny Dollar]

That's what I came here to investigate.

[Chief Amos Skinner]

Well, all right then. Now you listen here to me, Johnny. Well, I'm the one that Telephoned down to Mr. Hargrave's insurance company down to New York.

[Johnny Dollar]

So I understood.

[Chief Amos Skinner]

I did it as a favor to Mary and she's wife on account of she was so broke up and all. Never did like her, but she was. Well, she was pretty upset.

[Johnny Dollar]

Very considerate of you, Chief.

[Chief Amos Skinner]

And I told the insurance company just what I told everybody else, that Tommy Hargrave took this Turn in the road too fast. Now, you see the turn right above here?

[Johnny Dollar]

Yeah. That's a sharp one.

[Chief Amos Skinner]

Well, he took this turn too fast and skidded off the side and the car went over and pinned him underneath it. And that was. That killed him.

[Johnny Dollar]

Wow.

[Chief Amos Skinner]

All right, now, Johnny, I just come over here from old Doc Walton's. It was down to dock that I took Tommy's body yesterday just after it happened. And you know why I come back here?

[Johnny Dollar]

Well, I can think of one good reason from something you just told me.

[Narrator/Announcer]

Yeah?

[Johnny Dollar]

And from what I can see of the car down there.

[Mary Hargrave]

Yeah?

[Chief Amos Skinner]

Well, it was because I suddenly started thinking, how could a man who knows his road so well ever make a mistake of. Hey, what were you gonna say?

[Johnny Dollar]

Well, Chief, that car was coming down the road down from the lodge, wasn't it?

[Chief Amos Skinner]

That's right.

[Johnny Dollar]

That means he made a left hand turn right here.

[Chief Amos Skinner]

Correct. The car went off the road, fell on its side and leaned right where you landed. Right where you see it. Right on top of Tommy Hargrave.

[Johnny Dollar]

That car is a sedan.

[Chief Amos Skinner]

That's right.

[Johnny Dollar]

And even from here, I can see that the windows are all closed except for the one next to the driver's seat.

[Chief Amos Skinner]

Correct.

[Johnny Dollar]

But now. And it's obvious it didn't roll completely over.

[Chief Amos Skinner]

No, sir. It just flipped over on its side and slid down there.

[Johnny Dollar]

And yet you say that Tommy Hargrave's body was under it?

[Chief Amos Skinner]

That's right. Under the right side of the car where we practically had to dig it up.

[Johnny Dollar]

Hey, can you tell me how he could have fallen under that side of the car?

[Narrator/Announcer]

Windows closed?

[Chief Amos Skinner]

Johnny.

[Dr. Walton]

Yeah.

[Chief Amos Skinner]

Tommy was murdered, that's what. And the car pushed over on him to make it look like an accident. And. And Johnny, you proved it.

[Johnny Dollar]

Couple of other things we've got to prove, Chief.

[Chief Amos Skinner]

Hey, like what?

[Johnny Dollar]

Who murdered him and why?

[Narrator]

Act two of yours truly, Johnny Dollar in a moment. Our flag now numbers 50 stars and.

[Johnny Dollar]

Behind each star there stands yet another.

[Narrator]

Flag representing one of the 50 states.

[Johnny Dollar]

Rhode island state flag is white with an anchor. First used as a colony symbol in 1647.

[Narrator/Announcer]

The motto Hope was added in 1664.

[Johnny Dollar]

When the government was organized under a charter from King Charles II.

[Narrator]

A circle of 13 gold stars were.

[Johnny Dollar]

Added for the original 13 colonies.

[Narrator/Announcer]

This is the flag of a unique colony and state which carried out a.

[Johnny Dollar]

Most noble experiment in freedom.

[Narrator/Announcer]

The Royal Charter of 1663 reads, to hold forth a lively experiment that a.

[Johnny Dollar]

Most flourishing state may stand and best.

[Narrator/Announcer]

Be maintained with full liberty and religious concernments.

[Johnny Dollar]

Rhode island state flag, the flag of.

[Narrator/Announcer]

The 13th state to enter the Union was adopted on May 19, 1897.

[Narrator]

And now Act 2 of yours truly, Johnny Dollar and the gruesome spectacle matter.

[Johnny Dollar]

All right, Chief, tell me this. When and how did you learn of this so called accident that killed Tommy.

[Chief Amos Skinner]

Hargrave for Mary, his wife? Oh, it was like this, Johnny. I was sitting down at Bob and Ernie's.

[Johnny Dollar]

Who are Bob and Ernie?

[Chief Amos Skinner]

When they run that mobile gas station down the highway you pass on the way.

[Johnny Dollar]

Oh, go on.

[Chief Amos Skinner]

Well, we were just sitting there talking about the Hamiltonian and all the money.

[Johnny Dollar]

What do you mean the Hamiltonian?

[Chief Amos Skinner]

You know, the big harness race they run down the Goshen every year. Oh yeah, why it's world famous. Bigger than the Kentucky dirt.

[Johnny Dollar]

Yes, I know.

[Narrator/Announcer]

Go on.

[Chief Amos Skinner]

Well, we was talking about how much money Barney Marson has made taking bets on those races and we.

[Johnny Dollar]

Oh, chief, you mean you have a bookie here in Bethel and that you as chief of police condone such goings on?

[Chief Amos Skinner]

Well, now we.

[Johnny Dollar]

Oh, I'm surprised at you, Chief.

[Chief Amos Skinner]

Oh, well, it's just a little sort of harmless betting is all. Oh, sure, every man's entitled to a little. Well, you know how it is.

[Johnny Dollar]

Yeah, I sure do. Now let's get back to the subject.

[Chief Amos Skinner]

Yeah, sure. Well, like I say, we was sitting there talking and we seen Mary Hargrave driving by on her way back from New York where she'd gone to do some shopping that day.

[Johnny Dollar]

She wasn't here when it happened?

[Chief Amos Skinner]

Well, no sir, she couldn't have been.

[Johnny Dollar]

You're sure?

[Chief Amos Skinner]

Well, like I told you, she was in New York. Anyhow, she drove on up here, saw what had happened and drove right back to tell us at the gas station. We came up here, dug Tommy's body out from under, took it down to Doc Watlin's office and that was it.

[Johnny Dollar]

How carefully have you inspected that car down there?

[Chief Amos Skinner]

Well, that's what I was about to do when you come.

[Johnny Dollar]

All right, come on, let's take a look at it.

[Chief Amos Skinner]

Why, sure, sure.

[Johnny Dollar]

Have you any way of proving Mary Hargrave was actually in New York?

[Chief Amos Skinner]

Proven where? No, I guess not.

[Johnny Dollar]

Hey, look here, Chief.

[Chief Amos Skinner]

Huh?

[Johnny Dollar]

Keys are still in the ignition but the ignition's turned off.

[Chief Amos Skinner]

You're right, Johnny, you're right. This car wasn't rid over the side of the road. It was pushed here.

[Johnny Dollar]

Let's see if we can get this door open.

[Chief Amos Skinner]

Yeah, yeah, I'll give you.

[Johnny Dollar]

Ah, let's see if some of this. Yeah, very good.

[Chief Amos Skinner]

Well, what are you doing to that.

[Johnny Dollar]

Handful of dust well, it's not very professional, but some of this fine dust ought to bring out any fingerprints on the steering wheel and we'll be no.

[Chief Amos Skinner]

Princess that I can see.

[Johnny Dollar]

You're right, Chief. This wheel has been carefully wiped off. So whoever did it, huh?

[Chief Amos Skinner]

What'd you find?

[Johnny Dollar]

Did Tommy Hargrave wear glasses, spectacles, Tommy?

[Chief Amos Skinner]

No, sir. What?

[Johnny Dollar]

Come on, Chief. First thing I want is a look at his body. Doc Walton just say, that's right. Then let's go.

[Dr. Walton]

Well, as a matter of fact, it was I who suggested to Amos to Chief Skinner I should say, that he go back and have another look at that car, Mr. Dollar.

[Johnny Dollar]

Just. Why, Dr. Walton?

[Dr. Walton]

Because a couple of things about this body made me. Well, made me wonder.

[Narrator/Announcer]

Look here.

[Dr. Walton]

The way the clothes are torn. As though he'd had some kind of a struggle. Scratches and contusions on his hands. But more important, here.

[Narrator/Announcer]

Yeah, here.

[Dr. Walton]

At the base of the skull, this mark up where that car is. There are no rocks, no stones, no anything that could make a mark like this. And there's another on the face below the eye.

[Johnny Dollar]

You know what that looks like to me, Doctor?

[Dr. Walton]

What's that?

[Johnny Dollar]

The mark from the butt of a.38 automatic. And I've seen plenty of them.

[Chief Amos Skinner]

My Betsy. Johnny, you're right.

[Dr. Walton]

That would indicate Hargrave was murdered and the car pushed over on him to make it look like.

[Chief Amos Skinner]

Yes, sir. And Johnny and me found a few other things around that car that would indicate the same thing.

[Johnny Dollar]

Doctor, I understand Tommy Hargrave did not wear glasses.

[Dr. Walton]

No, not that I know of. Of course, Mary, his wife, she wears them. Yes, she does. Can't do without them.

[Johnny Dollar]

What kind?

[Narrator/Announcer]

Well, just regular tortoiseshell.

[Johnny Dollar]

You know, something. Something like these, maybe.

[Dr. Walton]

Well, I don't know.

[Johnny Dollar]

Granted, one lens is smashed and part of the frame is broken, but is this the kind she wore?

[Dr. Walton]

Yes, Mr. Donner, I'd say so. Of course, a great many people.

[Chief Amos Skinner]

Honey, surely you don't think. His own wife.

[Johnny Dollar]

They didn't get along too well, did they?

[Chief Amos Skinner]

Well, no, but after all, when any couple's been married 10, 11 years.

[Johnny Dollar]

Also, she just happens to be the beneficiary of his sizable insurance policy.

[Dr. Walton]

Good heavens.

[Narrator/Announcer]

Mr.

[Dr. Walton]

Darling.

[Mary Hargrave]

Yeah?

[Johnny Dollar]

I think we'd better pay a little visit to Mrs. Mary Hargrave.

[Narrator]

Act Three of yours truly, Johnny Dollar. In a moment.

[Narrator/Announcer]

Many times in the history of mankind, nations have pooled their forces to exert a greater strength against a common aggressor. This happens not only in the face of a world war, but. But between such giant holocausts as during the Boxer uprising In China in 1900, Six nations combined their forces to come to the aid of their citizens in the thick of the fight. Undaunted by devastating enemy fire, Chief Boatswain John McCloy of the United States Naval Contingent distinguished himself by meritorious conduct above and beyond the call of duty. For his valorous action, he was awarded his first Medal of Honor. But a man of action doesn't get the job done because of possible awards. It is the spirit of his code of conduct that guides him. John McLoy was guided by that code again and again in June 1914 during the Mexican campaign, when the government of the United States was put upon once more to aid its persecuted citizens, Chief Boatswain John McCloy was constantly risking his life. Our landed troops were in danger of being annihilated on the beach at Veracruz when McCloy voluntarily filled three picket launches with riflemen and led them along the seafront to draw the enemy fire. Though badly wounded, he remained at his post and gallantly directed his part of the campaign. For this action, Chief Boatswain John McCloy was awarded a second Medal of Honor. But he hadn't been concerned with medals. His only concern was conducting himself as a man should, and that is according to the code of the American fighting man.

[Narrator]

And now, act three of yours truly, Johnny Dollar and the gruesome spectacle matter.

[Johnny Dollar]

The three of us. Dr. Walton, Police Chief Amos Skinner and I drove up to the lodge outside the little town of Bethel, New York, to see why Mrs. Mary Hargrave had killed her husband, made it look like a car accident. That is, if she did it and what little evidence we had pointed right straight at her. The obvious fact the car had been pushed over on him after he was killed. The mark showing he'd struggled for his life had been struck with the butt of a pistol. The fact he and his wife hadn't got along too well, that she was his beneficiary. And finally, there were the glasses I'd found in the car.

[Chief Amos Skinner]

My Betsy. I wonder if she found out you were here, Johnny, and has flew the coop.

[Johnny Dollar]

Isn't that her car in the yard?

[Dr. Walton]

Yes, Mr. Doll, it is.

[Chief Amos Skinner]

All right then, if she is here, well, sir, I'll arrest her right on the spot.

[Johnny Dollar]

No, no, let me handle this.

[Chief Amos Skinner]

But, Johnny.

[Johnny Dollar]

I said, please let me.

[Mary Hargrave]

Yes? Oh, Dr. Walton and Chief Skinner.

[Chief Amos Skinner]

That's right. And this here is Mr. Johnny Dollar.

[Mary Hargrave]

Oh, yes, Mr. Dollar. Mr. Barrett at the insurance company phoned that you'd be here. Won't you come in?

[Johnny Dollar]

Surely. Thank you.

[Mary Hargrave]

I'm sorry to have been so slow in answering the door, but I seem to have mislaid a pair of my glasses.

[Chief Amos Skinner]

Yeah, that.

[Mary Hargrave]

Johnny, I'm blind as a bat without them. Won't you all sit down?

[Johnny Dollar]

Thank you. Yes, thank you.

[Narrator]

Mary.

[Mary Hargrave]

I've been using an old pair of steel rims with an old prescription. But they look so terrible.

[Johnny Dollar]

When. When did you lose your glasses?

[Mary Hargrave]

Oh, I. I must have mislaid them a couple of days ago.

[Johnny Dollar]

Ha.

[Mary Hargrave]

Now, what do you mean by that, Amos?

[Chief Amos Skinner]

You know very well what I mean.

[Johnny Dollar]

You. You don't seem terribly upset about your husband's death, Mrs. Hargrave.

[Mary Hargrave]

Why should I? Mr. Dollar, we haven't been exactly getting along for years. All he seemed to care about was his fishing and betting on the horses day after day. I never did care about spending every summer up in the stock. Little town with all its dodgy people and.

[Narrator/Announcer]

Well.

[Mary Hargrave]

Oh, I didn't mean you, Dr. Walton.

[Johnny Dollar]

Oh, yes, thank you.

[Mary Hargrave]

The first thing I'll do when I collect the insurance is sell this place and go back to the city where my friends are, where there's some excitement and. Mr. Dollar, are those my glasses you have there?

[Narrator/Announcer]

Are. They.

[Mary Hargrave]

Look like mine, only what happened to them?

[Chief Amos Skinner]

Sure they are hers, Johnny.

[Mary Hargrave]

What?

[Dr. Walton]

No, no, Darla, no, I don't think they are. Let me have them, please.

[Johnny Dollar]

Sure.

[Narrator/Announcer]

Here.

[Mary Hargrave]

What's going on here?

[Chief Amos Skinner]

Johnny, we're just wasting time.

[Dr. Walton]

No, no, no, no, wait. These can't be hers.

[Chief Amos Skinner]

I should have realized it.

[Mary Hargrave]

Gentlemen, please.

[Dr. Walton]

I've seen your glasses, Mary, many times. Very thick at the edges, very thin in the center of the lens.

[Mary Hargrave]

Well, isn't this pair.

[Dr. Walton]

This lens, the one that's still intact, bears no resemblance to yours at all.

[Chief Amos Skinner]

Oh, no, no, no, no.

[Johnny Dollar]

Wait a minute. Wait. Listen, Mrs. Hargrave.

[Mary Hargrave]

Will somebody please tell me what's.

[Johnny Dollar]

Listen, will you? You say your husband was always playing the horses?

[Mary Hargrave]

Yes, of course he was. But do you mind telling me what.

[Johnny Dollar]

Even while he was up here?

[Mary Hargrave]

Yes, all the time.

[Dr. Walton]

Mr. Dollar, I don't see what you're driving at.

[Chief Amos Skinner]

I sure don't, brother.

[Johnny Dollar]

This is probably the wildest hunch I've ever had.

[Narrator/Announcer]

What?

[Johnny Dollar]

Mrs. Hargrave, did your husband owe a lot of money on his bedding?

[Mary Hargrave]

Owe a lot? I should say not. Just the opposite. He's been going around for nearly two weeks boasting about the big killing he made if he ever collected.

[Johnny Dollar]

Doctor, let me have those glasses.

[Narrator/Announcer]

Oh, Ish.

[Johnny Dollar]

Look here. This little mark inside the temple.

[Dr. Walton]

Oh, that's the mark of the Optometrist over in Monticello. Here you see the same mark as in mine.

[Johnny Dollar]

Yeah. Okay, now, just sit tight, the three of you.

[Dr. Walton]

Oh, now, Mr. Duller.

[Chief Amos Skinner]

Now, you look here now.

[Johnny Dollar]

And, Amos, don't try arresting anybody while I'm gone.

[Chief Amos Skinner]

But don't.

[Johnny Dollar]

It might make you look a little foolish when I get back.

[Chief Amos Skinner]

Back from where?

[Johnny Dollar]

$I'Ll see you all later. Well, that's really just about all there is to this case. Oh, except, of course, for the fact the optometrist in Monticello had no difficulty at all in matching the glasses I'd found with the prescription of. Yeah, you guessed it. They had. Belonged to the bookie Chief Skinner had told me about. Barney Marston. Of course, Barney wanted to put up a fight when we faced him with the facts. But then he couldn't seem to explain the various and sundry bruises he was carrying around. Until we reminded him of the fight he'd had with Tommy Hargrave. Yeah, he'd killed him and pushed the car over on top of him. The reason for it all? Simple. Tommy had won a cool $25,000, had threatened to put him out of business if he didn't pay, which he couldn't. So Barney killed him and tried to fake the accident. And you know something? I have a sneaking suspicion Chief Amos Skinner isn't going to stand for any bookies operating in Bethel, New York, from here on out. Oh, and Mary Hargrave found the glasses she'd mislaid. Expense account total, including mileage on the rental car and the trip back to Hartford, $148. Even yours truly, Johnny Dollar.

[Narrator]

Our star will return in just a moment. Our flag now numbers 50 stars, and behind each star there stands yet another flag representing one of the 50 states. Kansas State flag is dark blue, and in the center is the state seal surmounted by a large sunflower, the official state flower. The seal reflects the history of Kansas. The train of ox wagons going west for most of the great roads pass through Kansas. An Indian is depicted chasing a herd of buffalo, recalling the words of the official state song. Oh, give me a home where the buffalo roam. For this truly was the home of the buffalo and Indian. The east is represented by a rising sun, and the promise of future prosperity is indicated by the steamboat on the river and the farmer plowing the field. Above a mountain range are 34 stars, for Kansas was the 34th state admitted to the Union. Over all is the state motto. Ad astra per aspera to the stars through difficulties. Kansas state flag. The flag of the 34th state to enter the union was adopted on March 23, 1927. Now here's our star to tell you about next week's story next week.

[Johnny Dollar]

Well, listen, I promise you the most unusual case and some of the most unexpected people you ever will. Join us, won't you? Yours truly, Johnny Doll.

[Narrator]

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 Gregg, Harry Bartel, Junius Matthews and Joe Kearns. Be sure to join us next week, same time and station for another exciting story of yours truly, Johnny Do. This is Dan Coverley speaking.

[Narrator/Announcer]

This is the united states armed forces radio and television service.

[Grainger HVAC Technician Narrator]

If you're an H VAC technician and a call comes in, Grainger knows that you need a partner that helps you find the right product fast and hassle free. And you know that when the first problem of the day is a clanking blower motor, there's no need to break a sweat. With Grainger's easy to use website and product details, you're confident you'll soon have everything humming right along. Call 1-800-GRAINGER clickgrainger.com or just stop by Grainger for the ones who get it done.

[Adam Graham (Podcast Host)]

Welcome back. Well, a decent episode. I think that the evidence is really well laid out and a good, at least a good portion of the story is spent at the crime scene and really reasoning and dealing with the evidence. It's a good basic story. Though of course there are plenty of the tropes with Johnny Dollar that can be a bit repetitive. Such as the insurance agent who calls Johnny in but is determined that there is nothing wrong with the claim. Which is why they are hiring a very expensive, well known freelance insurance investigator. Because I guess. And of course we have a moment of tension and peril where our hero gets a chance to prove his worth but that it was totally unnecessary if the sheriff had just gone ahead and identified himself rather than pointing a gun, expecting that explanation to survive. And then you had Johnny hyping the case with the dialogue that this is the wildest hunch I ever had. Not really, not even in the top 25, I don't think. I mean the idea that once you'd establish the glasses weren't the wife's, following up on the clue that the man was a gambler with the idea that he might have incurred the wrath of a professional gambler. Just kind of common sense. So maybe that was the mildest hunch you ever had. Now, of course, lines like this might lead us to take his next time tease with a bit of a shrug. Sure. Your most unusual case. We've heard that before, but we actually do know about that story thanks to John Abbott. The episode itself is missing and we'll talk about it and all the missing episodes in this sort of block of programs. But John Abbott saw the script for it and the missing matter matter begins with Johnny getting a call from Jack Johnstone about a missing script. Now, whether this episode would, quote, qualify as the most unusual case, I think it would be near the top, though there are many more details and there's something about actually hearing the script that will kind of determine how you rank it properly. Particularly when we now have the glacier ghost matter with Johnny dropping dynamite from a small plane onto a glacier in hopes of dislodging the body so that top spot would take some work. But sometimes the hyperbole just, it does make it hard to really appreciate when the show is doing something very, very different, since some stuff that's just relatively commonplace gets hyped up. Well, now we turn to listener comments and feedback. And we had a lot of comments regarding the Wayward diamond matter. We start out over on Patreon where Emmett writes, truly, this has to be one of the worst episodes Jack Johnstone wrote, and he wrote some doozies. But hearing the five minute dialogue between the two crooks explicitly explaining the details to the point where I just wanted Johnny to burst in and shut them up, that was too much. Over on Spotify, dawn writes the worst Johnny Dollar episode ever, and that includes the Mingtoy Murphy matter. It feels like Jack Johnstone had extra material from the Malibu mystery matter and wanted a long hunch. I'm going to go listen to a Barry Craig episode to restore my faith in writers. To be fair to Johnstone, he did have a lot on his plate with Johnny Doller. Written, directed and produced by Jack Johnstone. I don't think many of us have an idea the amount of work that goes into writing an entire script. You know, as director, arranging all the casting and checking actor availability, getting studio space and everything figured out. He's wearing a lot of hats. And whenever you're doing that, you have to find ways to take shortcuts and. And sometimes you find out you took one shortcut too many, which may have been the case here. Harrison Rhodes, did they reuse a Mr. Chameleon script? It felt like more. Felt more like that than a Johnny dollar script. Ouch. Mechanic66 responds, saying that the Hummerts wrote Chameleon. No matter how bad a Johnny Dollar is, it Couldn't sink to that level. Although I'll grant you this was bad. And then I also got an email from Stuart, who wrote in this email refers to the Wayward Diamond Manor Episode 4890 when the insurance adjuster, Mr. Hanley speaks to Johnny at the hotel after realizing there may be a potential claim involving the fake jewels, Mr. Hanley remarks later, I suppose she decided to lose the fakes, have them stolen and then file an insurance claim claim. Johnny responds, yeah, Mrs. Merrill is already concerned that Johnny dollars onto the scheme. So if Mrs. Merrill does not file an insurance claim on the fake diamonds, then the discussion regarding the jewels is entirely moot. In that circumstance, there is no actionable claim and therefore no case. Until a claim is formally submitted, no insurance matter truly exists. I get the point. There's no case where they where company could accuse her of fraudulently filing a claim based on what they knew. But the problem for the insurance company and for Johnny is that the insurance company is on the hook for, I believe it was $100,000 since the jewels were insured for. And just because there's not fraud now doesn't mean that there couldn't be some fraud later. The insurance company has a liability and they need to know where these tools are that they are responsible to replace if stolen. I think that from a due diligence perspective, this was very merited. I have many criticisms of the Wayward Diamond Manor as I went into at the time, but the fact that the case was investigated, that's not one of them. But I do appreciate the comments, Stuart. All right, well, now it's time to thank our Patreon supporter of the day. And I want to thank Beverly, patreon supporter since March 2020, currently supporting the podcast at the shamus level of $4 or more per month. Thanks so much for your support, Beverly. 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 us from. We will 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.

[Dr. Walton]

Where the room were in trouble, but that's putting it mildly. I found out about your gentleman, the Nazis. Somewhere along the line, you tipped them off. I followed instructions to the letters. And how did the Nazis kidnap Dr. Loda? What are you talking about? I saw her just this afternoon. Between then and now, she's disappeared from the hospital. What have you been doing since your plane landed. I want every move. I came through customs. What did you tell them? Told them I was in the watch business. Anything else? No. I went for a cab. I didn't even let that fella take my picture. What fellow in the building at the airport. Souvenir photograph. He didn't look like the real article, so I turned away. That's it. That's your mistake. When you didn't let him take your picture, they knew you had a reason. So they trailed you. That's how they knew you saw Madame Loder. That's why they grabbed her. That's why they put the Dolphin woman on you. And I thought I was being smart. Forget it. And I knew at this business. So I kidnapped her. Well, there's something we can do about it.

[Adam Graham (Podcast Host)]

I hope you'll be with us then. In the meantime, send your comments to box13greatdetectives.net follow us on Twitter @radio detectives and check us out on Instagram. Instagram.com Great detectives from Orlando, Florida, this is your host, Adam Graham, signing off.

[Grainger HVAC Technician Narrator]

This is the story of the One as an H Vac technician, he and his digital multimeter are in high demand. So when a noisy office H vac turns out to be a failing blower motor, he doesn't break a sweat. With Grainger's easy to use website and product information. He selects the product he needs to keep everything humming right along. Call 1-800-GRAINGER clickranger.com or just stop by Grainger for the ones who get it done.

[Grainger Purchasing Manager Narrator]

This is the story of the One as the purchasing manager at a manufacturing plant, she knows the only thing more important than having the right safety gear is having it there when you need it. That's why she partners with Grainger for auto reordering, so her team members can count on her to have cut resistant gloves on hand and each shift can run safely and efficiently. Call 1-800-GRAINGER clickgranger.com or just stop by Granger for the ones who get it done.