Yours Truly Johnny Dollar: The Hollywood Mystery Matter (EP4915)

Summary

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Podcast Summary: The Great Detectives of Old Time Radio

Episode: Yours Truly, Johnny Dollar: The Hollywood Mystery Matter (EP4915)
Host: Adam Graham
Date: February 20, 2026
Original Airdate of Drama: January 4, 1959

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Overview of the Episode

This episode spotlights an installment of the classic detective radio drama "Yours Truly, Johnny Dollar" entitled "The Hollywood Mystery Matter." The broadcast centers on Johnny Dollar, an insurance investigator, as he attempts to unravel a mystery of embezzlement — with a twist involving mistaken destinations, family loyalty, and a sentimental ending. After the episode, host Adam Graham provides commentary, historical background, and answers to listener questions.

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Key Discussion Points and Insights

1. Setup of the Case (03:01–06:04)

• Johnny Dollar receives a cryptic call from Parley Barron in Hollywood, warning him about an embezzlement at the Berkeley Furniture Manufacturing Company in Hartford. The caller instructs Johnny to check with the company and the insurance firm, then contact him in Hollywood.
  • Notable sequence: The informant is oddly well-informed and mysterious, hanging up before Johnny can get details.

2. Investigation at Berkeley Furniture (06:04–09:59)

• Johnny speaks with Mr. Berkeley, the company head. Berkeley suspects a trusted, long-serving bookkeeper, Parley Barron, who has apparently fled town. Berkeley is more interested in recovering the money and reputation than prosecuting.
  • Quote:
    • Mr. Berkeley: "What I want is that money back. I don't care what you do with the deep." (06:20)
    • Johnny Dollar (challenging the stinginess): "Yeah, or as little as you thought you could get away with." (07:21)

3. Searching for the Suspect (09:59–12:32)

• Johnny visits Barron's apartment, guided by the building manager, and learns Parley left suddenly with his belongings. It's revealed Parley has a close relationship with his niece, Ginny Lockhart, whom Johnny narrowly misses in the lobby.
• Discovery of Parley’s farewell note: Barron reveals he has a week to live and plans to finally "really live" in Hollywood, implying he won’t return.
  • Excerpt from the note:
    • "I have less than a week to live... for the first time in my life... I'm going to really live." (12:39–13:20)

4. The Chase Leads Awry (13:20–15:26)

• Johnny tries to follow Ginny, believing she's en route to Hollywood, California, but ends up on a plane to Miami instead due to a mix-up. The supposed "Hollywood" destination is revealed to be Hollywood, Florida—not California.
  • Memorable moment:
    • Stewardess: "This is a non stop flight to Miami." (15:01)
    • Johnny Dollar: "What?" (15:01)

5. Climactic Confrontation in Hollywood, Florida (17:07–21:33)

• Johnny and Ginny reunite in Hollywood, Florida, at the Diplomat Hotel, about to confront Parley Barron.
• Emotional exchange between Johnny and Ginny over Parley’s fate—the morality of turning him in versus letting him enjoy his final days.
  • Conversations:
    • Ginny: "Does that dirty old company want the money or does it want him, Johnny?" (20:14)
    • Johnny: "Hated the thought of having to deprive that poor old man of this one last chance..." (19:33)

6. Surprising Resolution (21:05–21:33)

• Twist: Parley isn’t dying after all—the doctor’s test results were mixed up. Ginny reveals this to Johnny, who decides to handle things with compassion.
  • Revelation:
    • Ginny: "The doctor told him wrong. The lab reports had got mixed up. ...he isn’t going to die." (21:04)

7. Host Commentary and Listener Feedback (23:48–33:54)

• Adam Graham’s insights:
  • Discusses the sentimental angle of the story—a hallmark of Jack Johnstone’s Johnny Dollar scripts.
  • Notes the clever misdirection relying on the existence of Hollywood, Florida versus California.
  • Commentary on the liberties insurance investigators take in the series—able to search rooms and board planes solely on their credential.
  • Historical trivia: Repeats of unusual character names (Parley Barron) in other Johnny Dollar episodes.
  • Investigates a reference made in the episode to a supposed Johnny Dollar adventure in the February 1959 issue of Harper’s Bazaar, discusses period fiction publishing, and promises to report findings.
• Listener Comments:
  • Discusses old radio PSAs and voice actor speculation.
  • Light-hearted complaints about episode scheduling confusion.
  • Observations about driver fatality statistics in Rhode Island, prompted by previous episode content.
  • Remarks on portrayals of professional versus ad-hoc law enforcement on radio “Johnny Dollar.”

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Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• “The embezzler of the $10,000 was Parley Barron. The same man who’d called me on the phone...before the company even knew the money was missing.” (Johnny Dollar, 09:59)
• “Yeah, or as little as you thought you could get away with.” (Johnny Dollar to Mr. Berkeley, 07:21)
• “I have less than a week to live...for the first time in my life...I’m going to really live.” (Parley Barron’s letter, 12:39)
• “This is a non stop flight to Miami.” (Stewardess, 15:01)
• “Does that dirty old company want the money or does it want him, Johnny?” (Ginny Lockhart, 20:14)
• “He isn’t going to die...he’s going to be all right.” (Ginny Lockhart, 21:15)
• “Maybe I’m just a sucker for a good looking girl...I don’t care. Happy New Year to you, too. Yours truly, Johnny Dollar.” (Johnny Dollar, 21:33 to 22:23)

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Timestamps for Important Segments

| Timestamp | Segment Description | |--------------|-----------------------------------------------| | 03:01 | Johnny receives the mysterious call | | 06:04 | Johnny meets Mr. Berkeley, learns about case | | 09:59 | Johnny investigates Parley’s apartment | | 12:39 | Discovery of Parley’s farewell letter | | 14:36–15:01 | Plane ticket confusion, heading to Miami | | 17:07 | Arrival in Hollywood, Florida | | 19:33–20:14 | Argument over Parley’s destiny, ethics | | 21:05–21:33 | The twist: Parley is not dying | | 23:48 | Adam Graham’s post-episode analysis | | 24:32–33:00 | Listener questions and historical context |

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Original Tone and Style

• The Johnny Dollar script balances wisecracking detective banter ("That is really no concern of yours") with genuine empathy (“Hated the thought of having to deprive that poor old man of this one last chance…”).
• Host Adam Graham maintains an informal, analytic, and affectionate style, mixing behind-the-scenes trivia with good-natured listener interaction.

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Summary

This episode of "The Great Detectives of Old Time Radio" offers a classic Johnny Dollar adventure with a human touch: a sentimental case of embezzlement becomes a chase not only across the country (or so it seems), but toward understanding, compassion, and a clever twist. Host Adam Graham’s commentary situates the episode in radio history, explores scriptwriter Jack Johnstone’s quirks, and connects with the listenership over radio nostalgia, research rabbit holes, and the pleasures of classic radio drama.

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Transcript

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[Johnny Dollar]

Sam.

[Adam Graham]

Welcome to the Great Detectives of Old Time Radio from Boise, Idaho. This is your host, Adam Graham. In a moment, we're going to bring you this week's episode of yours truly, Johnny Dollar. But first, I do want to encourage you. If you are enjoying this podcast, please follow us using your favorite podcast software. And a reminder, as you're making your travel plans, remember johnnydoller air.com johnnydoller is a Priceline affiliate link. So part of your purchase price supports the great detectives of Old Time Radio at no additional cost to you. So remember, when making your travel plans, check johnnydoller air.com first. But now, from January 4, 1959, here is the Hollywood mystery matter.

[Grainger Announcer]

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 can 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 grainger.com or just stop by Grainger for the ones who get it done.

[Narrator]

From Hollywood. It's time now for.

[Johnny Dollar]

Johnny Deller.

[Parley Barron / Hal Spidel]

Mr. Dollar, my name is Parley Barron. I'm calling from Hollywood.

[Johnny Dollar]

Hollywood? What insurance company, Mr. Barron?

[Parley Barron / Hal Spidel]

None. You handle all investigations for Eastern Liability and Trust?

[Johnny Dollar]

Yeah, I guess I do.

[Parley Barron / Hal Spidel]

Well, I am sure that they'll be calling you in shortly.

[Johnny Dollar]

What about, sir?

[Parley Barron / Hal Spidel]

A little matter of embezzlement.

[Ginny Lockhart]

Oh.

[Parley Barron / Hal Spidel]

Nearly $10,000 that's been stolen from the Berkeley Furniture Manufacturing Company there in Hartford.

[Johnny Dollar]

You're connected with Berkeley Furniture?

[Parley Barron / Hal Spidel]

No, no, actually I am not.

[Johnny Dollar]

Then what's your connection with this embezzlement?

[Parley Barron / Hal Spidel]

I suggest you check with Berkeley and of course, the insurance company.

[Johnny Dollar]

Of course. When you have learned the facts from

[Parley Barron / Hal Spidel]

them, I am sure you will find it of the utmost importance to contact me.

[Johnny Dollar]

You sent in Hollywood?

[Parley Barron / Hal Spidel]

Yes. Goodbye, Mr. Dollar.

[Johnny Dollar]

Yeah, but where in Holly. Hello? Hello. Oh, he's a.

[Narrator]

Bob Bailey in the exciting adventures of the man with the action backed expense account.

[Johnny Dollar]

America's fabulous freelance insurance investigator, yours truly, Johnny Dollar.

[Narrator]

And now, act one of yours truly, Johnny Dol.

[Johnny Dollar]

Expense account submitted by special investigator Johnny Dollar to the Eastern Liability and Trust Company, home office, Hartford, Connecticut. Following is an account of expenses incurred during my investigation of the Hollywood mystery matter. Expense account, item one, 10 cents for a phone call to Hal Spidel, who's my regular contact at Eastern Liability and Trust.

[Parley Barron / Hal Spidel]

Well, hi, Johnny. Nice to talk to you again.

[Johnny Dollar]

Yeah, nice to talk to you, Hal. Listen, have you received a report of loss from the Berkeley Furniture Manufacturing Company?

[Parley Barron / Hal Spidel]

Well, they're a client of ours, but no. What makes you ask a thing like that?

[Johnny Dollar]

A phone call I just got.

[Parley Barron / Hal Spidel]

They called you direct?

[Johnny Dollar]

Well, somebody did. A man by the name of Polly Bern.

[Parley Barron / Hal Spidel]

Yes, Ms. Turner. Who? Hold everything, Johnny.

[Johnny Dollar]

I'm holding.

[Parley Barron / Hal Spidel]

Hey, what did you say when we'll find out how much, Johnny?

[Johnny Dollar]

Yeah.

[Parley Barron / Hal Spidel]

You've got an assignment, boy, and it's Berkeley Furniture Manufacturing company.

[Johnny Dollar]

Embezzlement.

[Parley Barron / Hal Spidel]

Yes.

[Johnny Dollar]

10,000.

[Parley Barron / Hal Spidel]

How you found out about it? Listen, they just found out about it themselves. So get on over there and see what goes, will you, Al?

[Johnny Dollar]

Will do. Yeah, my informant, the man who'd called me, had really known something. But how to locate him? Item 2, $1.45 Taxi to the Berkeley plant on the northwest edge of town. It's a small company, but an old one. When I flashed my credentials to the receptionist, I was immediately shown into the office of the high and mighty himself.

[Mr. Berkeley]

Well, I must say, your insurance company acts very promptly, Mr. Dollar. Sit down, sir.

[Johnny Dollar]

Thanks, Mr. Berkeley.

[Mr. Berkeley]

I'll get straight to the point, sir. We've suffered a considerable loss.

[Johnny Dollar]

Yes, so I understand from Hal Spiedler at Easton liability and trust. $10,000, wasn't it?

[Mr. Berkeley]

Oh, yes, nearly $10,000. But I don't recall mentioning the amount to Mr. Spidel. In any event, Mr. Dollar, what I want is that money back. I don't care what you do with the deep.

[Johnny Dollar]

All right. Have you any idea who took it, Mr. Brickley?

[Mr. Berkeley]

I certainly have. Young Grape who, sir?

[Johnny Dollar]

One of our bookkeepers.

[Mr. Berkeley]

A gentleman who has been with the company over 30 years. What are you smiling about, Mr. Dollar?

[Johnny Dollar]

Well, he's stolen this money from you, but you still call him a gentleman.

[Mr. Berkeley]

Because I always thought he was.

[Johnny Dollar]

Did his job.

[Mr. Berkeley]

Never complain.

[Johnny Dollar]

That's your measure of a gentleman, huh?

[Parley Barron / Hal Spidel]

Eh, what's that?

[Johnny Dollar]

How much money did he earn, Mr. Berkeley?

[Mr. Berkeley]

60, $65 a week? What difference does it make?

[Johnny Dollar]

Just wondered.

[Mr. Berkeley]

An old man living alone was plenty for him.

[Johnny Dollar]

Unless, of course, he was gambling, something like that.

[Mr. Berkeley]

Gambling?

[Apartment Manager]

Him?

[Mr. Berkeley]

Of course not. Never had enough money.

[Johnny Dollar]

Trouble at home, maybe? Is he married?

[Mr. Berkeley]

No. Never be able to support a wife

[Johnny Dollar]

after 30 years with your company?

[Mr. Berkeley]

I paid him as much as I thought he was worth.

[Johnny Dollar]

Yeah, or as little as you thought you could get away with.

[Mr. Berkeley]

That is really no concern of yours. Return of the money is all right.

[Johnny Dollar]

Where does he live, Mr. Berkeley?

[Mr. Berkeley]

In a small apartment on the north side of town.

[Johnny Dollar]

And when did you last see him?

[Mr. Berkeley]

Yesterday. Yesterday morning. Said he had to see his doctor in the afternoon. Yes, it's against my usual practice, but I let him off.

[Johnny Dollar]

But, of course, you decided to dock his pay.

[Mr. Berkeley]

Naturally. I have to keep discipline in a place like this.

[Johnny Dollar]

Oh, sure.

[Mr. Berkeley]

And this morning when I opened the safe, I discovered that the money was missing. $9,984.75. The cash that we had on hand for emergencies. I also discovered that he hadn't come to the office. So I phoned his apartment. And I learned that our respected gentleman bookkeeper left town yesterday afternoon, bag and baggage.

[Johnny Dollar]

That doesn't necessarily mean that he took the money.

[Mr. Berkeley]

I'd like to know why not.

[Johnny Dollar]

What, was he the only one who had access to the safe?

[Mr. Berkeley]

Of course, not all of the bookkeepers have.

[Johnny Dollar]

How many of them? Others, I mean.

[Mr. Berkeley]

3. But you think for one minute they dare take that money and then come back here and face me?

[Johnny Dollar]

Maybe you got a point there.

[Parley Barron / Hal Spidel]

What?

[Johnny Dollar]

Have you notified the police of this loss?

[Mr. Berkeley]

No. I prefer that the whole thing be kept as quiet as possible for the sake of my company's reputation. Please remember that, sir.

[Johnny Dollar]

Whatever you say, Mr. Berkeley.

[Mr. Berkeley]

That's why I have no desire to prosecute him. Why, I'll refuse to even file charges as long as I get the money back.

[Johnny Dollar]

Yeah. Now, what's his address?

[Mr. Berkeley]

11231 North Maple Street 112 31. But as I told you, he isn't there. He's left town.

[Johnny Dollar]

Yeah, you told me how old a man is.

[Mr. Berkeley]

He's 60s. But what difference does that make? Oh, and Mr. Dollar?

[Johnny Dollar]

Yeah.

[Mr. Berkeley]

Just how did you happen to know about this so soon? I mean, the amount that was stolen

[Johnny Dollar]

from somebody who called me on the phone. Somebody who apparently knew a good deal about it. If I can locate him, get in touch with him, he can probably be a lot of help in running down this.

[Mr. Berkeley]

This.

[Johnny Dollar]

Come to think of it, you haven't told me what his name is.

[Mr. Berkeley]

The bookkeeper, the embezzler.

[Johnny Dollar]

Yeah.

[Mr. Berkeley]

Baron, sir. What? Yes. Parley Baron.

[Narrator]

Act two of yours truly, Johnny Dollar, in a moment. And now, act two of yours truly, Johnny Dollar and the Hollywood My.

[Johnny Dollar]

So the embezzler of the $10,000 was Parley Baron. The same man who'd called me on the phone apparently called me before the company even knew the money was missing. And he'd had the audacity to inform me that I should contact him. Yeah, somewhere in Hollywood. Which is like saying the needle is somewhere in the haystack. Item 3, 2, 50 for a taxi to the little apartment house on North Maple Street. I paid off the driver, then walked into the open foyer and looked for the usual bank of mailboxes to find out which apartment was parley Baron. Hey, you want me to wait for you, mister? No, no, it's all right, driver. You go ahead if you want to. Now, let's see. Nelson, Davis, Paris. Oops.

[Ginny Lockhart]

Excuse me, sir.

[Johnny Dollar]

It's all right. Spalding, Pierce, Robeson.

[Mr. Berkeley]

Patsy.

[Ginny Lockhart]

Wait a minute.

[Johnny Dollar]

Oh, here we are. Baron, apartment 103.

[Apartment Manager]

Just a minute, young man. Are you a salesman?

[Johnny Dollar]

No, I was just looking up the apartment number of Mr. Parley Baron.

[Apartment Manager]

Well, he ain't here, mister.

[Johnny Dollar]

You're sure?

[Apartment Manager]

No, sir. He left here bagging baggage yesterday afternoon.

[Johnny Dollar]

Any idea where he went? No.

[Apartment Manager]

Who are you, cops or something?

[Johnny Dollar]

Here, my credentials.

[Apartment Manager]

Johnny Dollar. Insurance?

[Johnny Dollar]

That's right. Now, look, I want you to let me into his apartment.

[Parley Barron / Hal Spidel]

Well, yes, sir.

[Apartment Manager]

Right this way. Something wrong, Mr. Dollar?

[Johnny Dollar]

Ah, just him. Routine investigation. Oh.

[Apartment Manager]

Well, I was sure he'd done nothing wrong.

[Johnny Dollar]

Oh, why do you say that?

[Apartment Manager]

Nice, quiet old man like him. Why should he? Only excitement he ever has is when his niece comes to visit with him.

[Johnny Dollar]

His niece?

[Apartment Manager]

Yes, sir. Name's Virginia. Ginny Locker. Wonderful girl. Sort of drops in here to look after him once in a while, cook

[Johnny Dollar]

him a good meal.

[Apartment Manager]

Now, here we are.

[Johnny Dollar]

Hmm. Well, it sure looks like he left in a hurry. Closet's open, doors pulled out. Where can I find this niece you mentioned?

[Apartment Manager]

Why didn't you see her when you just came in?

[Johnny Dollar]

That girl who bumped into me down in the lobby. That Was Jenny Lockhart?

[Apartment Manager]

Must have been. Guess she dropped in for a visit with her uncle, found him gone and then lit out again.

[Johnny Dollar]

And I didn't have sense enough to get a good look at her.

[Apartment Manager]

Well, now, here's a picture of her, mister. Send it to him. From her vacation last winter.

[Johnny Dollar]

Vacation, huh?

[Apartment Manager]

Blue sky and palm trees down Hollywood, I understand.

[Johnny Dollar]

Is that where she's headed for now?

[Apartment Manager]

Well, now, you got me there.

[Johnny Dollar]

Wait a minute.

[Apartment Manager]

Yes? What's that you picked up, mister?

[Johnny Dollar]

It's a Null, I guess. Yeah, it's addressed to her. Ginny, my dear, the doctor you had me see has finally told me the truth. Is this his handwriting?

[Parley Barron / Hal Spidel]

Yeah.

[Apartment Manager]

And she's all right.

[Johnny Dollar]

He's finally told me the truth. I have less than a week to live. My, my. And so, for the first time in my life, except for some happy moments with you, I'm going to really live. Make up for some of the things I've had to miss all these years. Well, say now. Yes, you may have some idea where I've gone. But please, please, dear, don't try to follow me. You're loving Hollywood.

[Apartment Manager]

Yeah, like I said, that's what.

[Johnny Dollar]

And she ran off with a taxi I had.

[Apartment Manager]

Oh, you want me to call you a taxi, mister?

[Johnny Dollar]

I sure do, brother, and fast. Item 4750 for a trip to the airport that should have got the cabbie locked up for life. We ran every stoplight along the way. So what happened? I got there just in time to see a plane taking off, and the man at the ticket counter politely informed me that Virginia Lockhart was among the passengers headed for New York. And where would she go from there? Hollywood. I bet my last nickel on it. Yeah, and she could lead me to the man I was after. I checked the schedules of all the airlines leaving New York. If I took the next plane out of Hartford, I could barely make a flight out of New York to the West Coast. In other Words, Hollywood. Item 5000, 162. 80 for a through ticket. When we arrived in New York, where I had only seconds to change planes, I was the first one off. And then I saw her. She was boarding a plane from another ramp. By breaking a couple of records for the hundred yard dash and bullying my way through the gate, I managed to climb aboard just as the doors were being closed. A quick flash at my credentials kept the stewardess from throwing me off, and in a couple of minutes we were airborne.

[Ginny Lockhart]

Now, I guess we'd better make some arrangement about your tickets, sir.

[Johnny Dollar]

Huh? Tickets?

[Ginny Lockhart]

Yes, sir.

[Johnny Dollar]

Oh, no, Here, I already have it. Hey.

[Ginny Lockhart]

Oh, thank you. I'll just. Mr. Dollar.

[Johnny Dollar]

Yeah?

[Ginny Lockhart]

I'm sorry, but this ticket is for Los Angeles.

[Johnny Dollar]

Sure, sure, that's where I'm going.

[Ginny Lockhart]

Well, not on this plane, I'm afraid. This is a non stop flight to Miami.

[Johnny Dollar]

What?

[Parley Barron / Hal Spidel]

Yes, sir.

[Ginny Lockhart]

Miami, Florida.

[Narrator]

Act three of yours truly, Johnny Dollar. In a moment. Now, act three of yours truly Johnny Dollar and the Hollywood mystery matter.

[Johnny Dollar]

Wait a minute, this plane is headed for Florida?

[Ginny Lockhart]

Yes, sir, non stop flight to Miami.

[Johnny Dollar]

But I thought this was. Look, I gotta get to Los Angeles, to Hollywood.

[Ginny Lockhart]

I'm sorry, Mr. Dollar.

[Johnny Dollar]

Oh, not half as sorry as I am. So what do I do now?

[Ginny Lockhart]

I'm afraid there isn't much you can do, so why don't you go up in the cabin where there's one extra seat and, well, just relax and enjoy it.

[Johnny Dollar]

Okay, Miss. Great. I've been so sure it was Virginia Lockhart I'd seen climb aboard this plane that she'd lead me to her uncle in Hollywood, to wherever he was in Hollywood. So what happened? I was stuck aboard a plane to Miami. All right. I took the advice of the stewardess and walked forward into the cabin to find a seat and for once luck was with me. The one vacant seat in that whole plane was right next to. Yeah, you guessed it, to Jenny Lockhart. But why Miami? Could she possibly know that I was on the trail of parley Baron? Was this a trick to leave me off his trail? I decided there was only one thing to do. Play it like I hadn't the least idea in the world who she was and at the same time see if I could learn anything from her. As as long as we're seatmates on this trip, we may as well know each other. My name's Johnny, Johnny Dollar.

[Mr. Berkeley]

Miss.

[Ginny Lockhart]

How do you do, Mr. Dollar?

[Johnny Dollar]

Be kind of nice to get on down south and away from all the snow and cold, won't it? Would, Would you like some champagne? I. I understand. All I have to do is flag down the stewardess and she'll be. How about it?

[Ginny Lockhart]

No, thank you.

[Johnny Dollar]

Well, excuse me for saying so, but you look worried about something.

[Ginny Lockhart]

I'm sure it wouldn't interest you.

[Parley Barron / Hal Spidel]

No, no, maybe.

[Johnny Dollar]

But you know, sometimes it does a lot of good to cry on somebody's shoulder. And since we'll probably never see each other again after this trip and, well, I. I have a good broad shoulder.

[Ginny Lockhart]

Thank you, but it's not necessary.

[Johnny Dollar]

Oh, sorry, I didn't mean to. Going down to Florida for a vacation?

[Ginny Lockhart]

No, I'm going to Florida to try to save somebody's life. Oh, but I'd rather not talk about it.

[Johnny Dollar]

And she didn't. Or did she talk about anything else during the rest of the flight? As we came into Miami, I decided the only thing I could do was transfer to a plane for Los Angeles and hope for the best. But she was my only real lead to parley Baron. And if I left her here and went on to Hollywood. So I changed my mind. I decided to stay with her. Item 6, $9 even for a taxi that followed hers out of Miami Airport then headed north. And where do we end up? Hollywood. Hollywood, Florida. Hollywood by the sea. And the Diplomat Hotel. I watched her make inquiries at the desk, heard the clerk tell her Rome 7:16. I managed to get an elevator before she did. By the time she reached the door of 7:16 and raised her hand a knock. I was standing right beside her.

[Ginny Lockhart]

Mr. Johnny. Dar. What are you doing here?

[Johnny Dollar]

I've been following you, Ginny.

[Ginny Lockhart]

Why?

[Johnny Dollar]

To find your Uncle Parley Barron who stole $10,000 from the company he was working for.

[Ginny Lockhart]

He what?

[Johnny Dollar]

Yeah, and unless I'm all wet, this is the door to his suite you say he stole. I found the note he'd written to you, Jenny, back at his apartment in Hartford.

[Ginny Lockhart]

Mr. Dollar. Johnny.

[Johnny Dollar]

And it all ties up, including his phone call to me. It was to make me think he was headed for Hollywood, California, to throw me off. Give him time.

[Ginny Lockhart]

Please listen to me.

[Johnny Dollar]

He said that for once in his life, for the few remaining days of it, he was really going to live it up. So he came here to the Hollywood that you told him about. Came here for one last desperate, glorious flame.

[Ginny Lockhart]

Listen, that's what he thought. But don't you see?

[Johnny Dollar]

The more I've thought about it, thought about that crummy penny pinching outfit that he worked for for 30 miserable years. The more I hated this assignment. Hated the thought of having to deprive that poor old man of this one last chance to get some fun out of life. Because all I know about him is that he's a decent sort who's been taken advantage of.

[Ginny Lockhart]

He's a wonderful man and he's been a good man all his life.

[Johnny Dollar]

Jenny, don't you see? Unless I get him, return the $10,000 to his firm.

[Ginny Lockhart]

Johnny, listen. He can't have spent $10,000 and I'll make up the rest.

[Johnny Dollar]

Sorry, Jenny.

[Ginny Lockhart]

You're not the police, you're not the law.

[Johnny Dollar]

I have a job to do.

[Ginny Lockhart]

Does that dirty old company want the money or does it want him Johnny,

[Mr. Berkeley]

for the sake of my company's reputation. That's why I have no desire to prosecute him.

[Parley Barron / Hal Spidel]

Why I refuse to even file charges as long as I get the money back.

[Ginny Lockhart]

Johnny, if I give you enough to take the $10,000 back to them.

[Johnny Dollar]

Okay. Okay, Jenny, It's a deal.

[Ginny Lockhart]

Oh, thank you. I'm awfully glad. And because of something else, Johnny. The reason why I was looking for him.

[Johnny Dollar]

What do you mean?

[Ginny Lockhart]

The new doctor I'd had him go to a couple of weeks ago. My doctor. He gave him a lot of tests. Then uncle went back to see him yesterday afternoon.

[Johnny Dollar]

Yes, I understand.

[Ginny Lockhart]

It was to find out the result of the tests. And the doctor told him wrong. The lab reports had got mixed up.

[Johnny Dollar]

You mean that he isn't going to die?

[Ginny Lockhart]

No. And the doctor tried to call him but couldn't reach him. So he called me. That's why I went to his apartment. But he'd left. So I came down here to try to find him. I tried to tell you, Johnny, because. Well, don't you see? He's gonna be all right.

[Johnny Dollar]

Well then, Jenny, I guess that leaves only one more thing to be done.

[Ginny Lockhart]

What, Johnny?

[Johnny Dollar]

Tell him the good. Oh, I don't know. Maybe I'm just a sucker for a good looking girl. And maybe this makes me an accessory to the crime. But you know something, and you can blame it on the holiday season. Anything you like. I don't care. Expense account total, including the trip back to Hartford. Well, a happy New Year to you too. Yours truly, Johnny Doll.

[Narrator]

Our star will return in just a

[Johnny Dollar]

moment because of another adventure in Hollywood, Florida. But that one you'll have to read about in the February issue of Harper's Bazaar. It's just out, so grab a copy, will you? Yours truly, Johnny Dollar.

[Narrator]

Yours truly, Johnny Dol, starring Bob Bailey. Originates in Hollywood and is written, produced and directed by Jack Johnstone. Heard in our cast were Virginia Gregg, Gene Tatum, Harley Bear, Boris Lewis, Junius Matthews and Frank Gerstel. 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. Gun smoke rises today on the CBS Radio Network.

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[Adam Graham]

Welcome back. Jack Johnstone wrote many scripts for Johnny Dollar, but a script with a sentimental storyline, that's key. Mystery involves the fact that there is a Hollywood Florida is probably the most Jack Johnstone script idea ever. There's a lot I can say about this one. First of all, I do have to give it to parley Baron that it was clever to send Johnny on a false trail. But you know what would have been even more clever? Not giving a clue at all. Because here's the thing, this is a middle aged, downtrodden bookkeeper, not the riddle. You don't have to call and give riddles and clues about your location. Also, this is the second episode with a character named Poorly Baron. There's the poorly barren matter from 1957, which was episode 4495 for us. And in addition to this, one of the lost episodes from 1958 was the perilous Parley matter featuring a separate character named Parley. Although that does seem like there might have been some confusion as according to the notes in John Abbott's book, the who is Johnny Dollar matter, Johnny first thought it might have been a reference to a parlay at a racetrack. And someone did ask a while back when I kept referencing John Abbott for those and thought he might have been an actor of some. Well, not as far as I know. John Abbott is a radio historian who has done a lot of work on yours truly, Johnny Dollar, and in particular Life of Bob Bailey, also Charles Russell. And coming up with some great resources and information, Mr. Abbott's books, the who Is Johnny Dolormatter are reference books that I refer to quite frequently regarding this series. And he actually went to at the time the scripts were at the Thousand Oaks Library. He went through all of those scripts and wrote down the plot details and captured them so we can actually find out what happened in the lost episodes, at least those that were from Hollywood. I will also say that the powers of an insurance investigator were really quite amazing. You know, if you're just an ordinary policeman and you show up and you say, I'd like to search this room, they'll be like, you have a warrant? Well, no, then I can't let you in. But however you come in as an insurance investigator and you show them that credential, they're like, oh, sure, go ahead, search his room. You're an insurance investigator. And that means that yeah, you can just search anything and you can even board a plane. All right. You don't have a ticket for this plane and you're on board. I'm an insurance investigator. Well, that changes everything. One point of curiosity in this episode, and it kind of cuts off here, is that there's a reference to an article in the February 1959 issue of Harper's Bazaar. It's a little unclear what that story that's set in Hollywood, Florida is about, whether it's tied to Johnny Dollar or not. I was able to find a scan of the table of contents of that particular issue of Harper's Bazaar. And one thing to remember with magazines of all sorts back then is they did actually publish fiction, and Harper's Baza was no different. There's a lot of fashion stuff, but there were around five different stories in there. Now, none of those actually scream Johnny Dollar or mystery to me, but I really do want to find out what was in that magazine, and I've got resources to go through. I decided I'm gonna record this commentary first. I might even be able to find it at my local library. Looks like the Harper's Bazaar should be on pro sources, but if not, I will go down other avenues and hopefully I'll report back to you on what was the big deal in that magazine. Listener comments and feedback now. And we have some comments on Facebook regarding the double trouble matter. And this is from Gigi, who writes, love those Sergeant Donald Bellwether auto safety commercials. I wondered for a long time who the actor was before I recognized him as her vigrin. Do you have any info on these PSAs? And specifically she wants to know who played the wife in them. The PSAs were put out by the National Safety Council. I am horrible at identifying voices until I really get them down straight. And I think that can be doubly true for female voices. I did actually find an old thread discussing this on the old Time Radio Researchers Facebook group. And one person stated that Lillian Byeff was the wife. And honestly, I think that does sound about the quality of her voice, but I am open to other interpretations. And then Joey writes, Thursday morning while driving to work, I listened to Johnny Dollar and I was thinking it was Friday morning instead of Thursday. Adam, you are messing with my routine. Well, I am so sorry. There was a little bit of a mistake where both Johnny Dollar and Dragnet released the same day. So, so sorry for that little mix up. Appreciate your comment and your support, Joey. Then we turn to Spotify, where Peter writes, I was surprised to see that Rhode island still has the lowest driver fatality rate in the country. I was a little surprised by that too, because I'd watched a lot of, well, not a lot, but quite a few clips of that show that was on Caught in Providence, which was in essentially a traffic court, and it seemed like there were a lot of cases, although when I thought about it further, those seemed to deal more with parking rather than moving violations. I've never been to Rhode island myself, so that was all I had to go off of. Then we turn to the site called X with a comment on the gruesome Spectacle Matter. Jonathan said this police chief was not a credible professional. To be fair to Johnny Dolor, he wasn't really trying to capture the idea of the professional lawman. And there are quite a few episodes of Johnny Dollar where what they portray is not a professional lawman, but somebody who kind of does police work on the side. And that would happen, and may still happen today in very thinly populated low crime areas. Everybody agrees law and order is important, but you don't get enough crime and you don't have enough people to support a full time police force. So you have one person or two people who in the event of a crime or some sort of public safety emergency where a sheriff or police would be called for, would they would be willing to fill in. And so these policemen would in theory be a little less professional because it's not their full time profession and not the way they relate to the world most of the time. And Johnny Dollar, the series loves to include those sort of characters, so I wouldn't consider it a black mark against the series. It goes to the type of person that's being portrayed now. I don't know for certain how common these sort of arrangements were in 1958 or 59, or whether as Johnstone sometimes did, he was taking things that he experienced in his youth and writing about them as if they were current even though they weren't. Alright, well now it's time to thank our Patreon Supporter of the Day and I want to thank John patreon, supporter since September 2015, currently supporting the podcast at the level of $4 or more per month. Thanks so much for your support John, 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 counterspy and the great adventurers of old time radio where

[Parley Barron / Hal Spidel]

this is Harding speaking.

[Liza Goth]

This is Liza Goth, a Loganberry Point, Maine. I've caught me a spy.

[Parley Barron / Hal Spidel]

Pardon me? You say that again.

[Liza Goth]

I'm Liza Goth, a Loganberry Point, Maine, and I've caught me a spy.

[Parley Barron / Hal Spidel]

Naturally I'm a little dumbfounded. There. Where is he?

[Liza Goth]

Lying on the sofa over there.

[Parley Barron / Hal Spidel]

If he hears you, why doesn't he get up?

[Liza Goth]

Why? You ain't see the condition he's in?

[Parley Barron / Hal Spidel]

He unconscious?

[Liza Goth]

Very.

[Parley Barron / Hal Spidel]

How do you know he's a spy?

[Liza Goth]

Well, he told me about rowing alone and hearing our bellboy at the narrows and then rowing an hour and landing on our beach. Well, I was born here and I know this coast and there ain't nobody rowing from the bell buoy at the reef to this shore running ebb tide in one hour. He's a vericator.

[Adam Graham]

I hope you'll be with us then. In the meantime, do 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.

[Grainger HVAC Announcer]

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.