
Today's Mystery: Johnny has to find an insured newspaper columnist and let him know that a convict with a grudge against the columnist has escaped prison. Original Radio Broadcast Date: September 22, 1957 Originating from Hollywood Starring: Bob...
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Johnny Dollar
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Adam Graham
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Johnny Dollar
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Adam Graham
Sa 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 get into this week's episode of Yours Truly, Johnny Dollar. I do want to encourage you as you're making your travel plans to remember johnnydollar.com johnnydollar.com is our Priceline affiliate link. So if you book through there, 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 johnny$air.com first. Now, from September 22, 1957, here is the ideal vacation matter from Hollywood.
Johnny Dollar
It's time now for Johnny Dollar, Pat McCracken. Johnny Universal Adjustment Bureau. Oh, hi, Pat. Hey, I thought you were on vacation. I was. I got called back right in the middle of it, and I kind. Ned Grant. You know him? Grant, the Broadway columnist? That's the one. Well, what's he got to do with your vacation? He's heavily insured by one of the companies we represent and right now he's taking his vacation. Well, Ned has made a lot of enemies in his time. I know. I read his column. And it looks like one of those enemies is trying to make Ned's vacation permanent. Savvy? I'll be right over. Bob Bailey in the exciting adventures of the man with the action packed expense account. America's fabulous freelance insurance investigator. Yours truly, Johnny Dollar. And now, act one of yours truly, Johnny Dol. Expense account submitted by special investigator Johnny Dollar to the home office Universal Adjustment Bureau, Hartford, Connecticut. Following is an account of expenses incurred during my investigation of the ideal vacation matter. Expense account item $1.20 for a taxi from my apartment to the office of Universal Adjustment Bureau, where Pat McCracken was waiting for me, his face covered with sunburn and worry. Just when I was beginning to relax and enjoy my vacation. Sit down, Johnny. Thanks. Now, what's the deal about this Ned Grant when you say you read his column? You know, he prints some pretty blunt stuff sometimes. Yeah, I've often wondered how he gets Away with it. A couple of years ago, he dug up some evidence on a bad boy named Willie Bemis. Bemis? Bemis? Yeah, the stuff he printed helped get Bemis convicted, didn't it? Yeah, but he swore he'd get even with Ned. Oh, well, a fella in Ned Grant's position hears that kind of threat all. Besides, with Bemis in jail, what's the problem? None at all, Johnny. If he were in jail, he broke out last night. Oh, I see. Does Grant know that Bemis is on the list? No, I told you, Grant's on vacation. Probably as far from a newspaper as he can get. So you think he's in danger? Well, what would you think? Oh, but if Bemis has any sense he's heading in some other direction as fast as he can. We can't afford to take the chance, Johnny. Well, look, Pat, I still don't see where I figure in this. Why not just arrange for police protection for Grant until Bemis gets picked up? Want to protect a guy, I gotta find him first. Find him? You mean you don't know where Grant is? Apparently nobody knows. Oh, great. And I'm supposed to find him? That's right. Oh, and do me a favor, huh? Like what? Find him before Willie Bemis does. Well, I knew enough about Bemis to realize he wouldn't hesitate to gun down anybody who got in his way, including me. So I headed for New York. That's item two, $23.40. I located the apartment house where Ned Grant lived and had a talk with a manager in his office at the rear of the first floor. I'm sorry, Mr. Dollar, but I really don't have the slightest idea where Mr. Grant went on his vacation. Well, didn't he leave a forwarding address? No, he just told me to hold all his mail for him here until he got back. And he didn't say anything at all that would give you a clue as to where he might have gone? None at all. Oh, great. I don't know if you know Mr. Grant very well, but, well, he's unpredictable. Let's put it that way. Of course, the kind of life he leads would make a character out of anyone. I guess you mean batting out that column every day, huh? Yes. And his phone ringing every 10 minutes and strange people crepesing up to see him at all hours. Really? I can understand his not telling anyone where he went on his vacation. He just wanted to get away from it all. He kept saying that this time he was going to have an ideal vacation. Ideal vacation? That could Mean anything from a trip to the moon to, well, Lord knows what. Tell me this. Did he take much luggage? Well, I don't even know. But he hadn't been gone 10 minutes before my phone started ringing with calls for it. Your phone? Yes. Mr. Grant had his disconnected before he left. Tell me, Mr. Dollar, what's so urgent about finding Mr. Grant? There's an escaped convict named Willie Bemis who has it in for him. Oh, he could be looking for Grant. If so, I have to find Grant first. I see. Well, I wish I had more information for you. Oh, I tell you, you might try Ms. Anthony. Possibly she could help. Well, who's Ms. Anthony? Doris Anthony. Well, a close friend of Mr. Grant's. Oh, you know where I can find her? Where she lives? As I understand it, she has a small apartment somewhere on East 73rd Street. Good. I'll find it. Thanks, Mr. Crothers. I walked outside and hailed a taxi. But then, just as I was about to step into it, I froze because I caught a glimpse of somebody walking quickly into the service entrance at the side. And there was just enough light to tell me it was none other than Willie Bemis. I headed back in fast and straight to the door of Crother's little office. The door of it was locked. Brothers, open up. Brothers. Okay, then, I'll open it. Hey, Crothers, what happened to you? That's right. What happened? This man, right after you left, he came barging in. That was Willie Bemis. What did you tell him, Crothers? Only. Only what I told you. And it looks like he and I are starting out even, huh? But this is one race I don't want to end up in what you'd call a dead heat. Act two of yours truly, Johnny Dollar. In a moment. Our flag now numbers 50 stars, and behind each star there stands yet another flag representing one of the 50 states. Michigan's state flag was born on February 22, 1837. Because of the strategic role played by Michigan in the War of 1812, the word to abor I will defend is prominent on the blue flag of Michigan. Beneath it, a rising sun casts its rays over a lake and a man standing on a peninsula with his right hand raised, symbolizing peace, while in his left hand he holds a gun indicating that although they love peace, the people of Michigan are ready to defend their state and nation. Another motto, the state's official one, is at the base of the flag. See Queris Peninsulam emonam circumspice. If you seek a pleasant peninsula, look about you Thus does Michigan's flag carry its own invitation to visit one of America's scenic areas. Michigan State flag. The flag of the 26th state to enter the Union was adopted on August 1, 1911. And now, Act Two of yours truly, Johnny Dollar and the ideal Vacation Matter. I looked up Doris Anthony's address on East 73rd and took a cab. That's item three, $1 75 to her apartment. She was tall, rangy, dark hair, and somewhere along the line. I'd seen her before, but I couldn't remember where. Ned Grant. How would I know where he is? He isn't exactly the sort of guy that lets you in on his plan. Hey, listen, Doris, this may be the oldest line in the book, and I know it, but haven't I seen you somewhere before? Could be. I've been around a while. Like where? Oh, I used to sing in a couple clubs around town. That's where I met Ned. He liked me, so he helped me and his column. Now, what you mean? Yeah, that's what I mean. His apartment manager says you're a very good friend of Ned's. He has a lot of girlfriends. My main claim to fame is I'm always handy. Well, look, Grant told the apartment manager he was going to take an ideal vacation. Any idea what that would mean? Or where? Sure, wherever there are girls. What do you want him for? Somebody's out to get him. What do you mean? Who? Willie Bemis. That name mean anything to you? Bemis is in prison. He was. He's out now. What? When? You didn't know? I haven't read the papers today. Does that change your mind any about helping me find him? Look, really, I don't know where he is, honest. There is one thing that might help, though. Yeah, what? Well, a week or so ago, while I was out with Ned, he stopped in at a travel agency. Davis, I think the agent's name was on 50 51st street around there. Okay, I'll follow it up. Johnny, if Ned doesn't know Bemis. Yeah, and if I don't get to him first, he's in for a real nasty surprise. There was still something about Doris that stuck in my mind, but I couldn't quite peg it, so I decided to do a little quick research on her. I dropped in to see an old friend who worked in one of the newspapers. We dug through a lot of clippings in the morgue. Doris had sung at half a dozen spots around town and there were a lot of pictures on her. Then I came to one that rang a large sized bell. It was a shot of her sitting at a nightclub table. And the man sitting there with her was Willie Bemis. I headed back to her apartment fast, but she was gone. The manager told me she'd left in a hurry and with a suitcase. Now I didn't know where I stood. If Doris was still friendly with Bemis, it could very well be that she knew where Grant was and was helping Willie Bemis find him. In that case, the lead she gave me on the travel agent was only a bum steer to throw me off the trail. But the way things stood, I didn't have anything else to go on at the moment. So I had to take a chance. She'd been on the level. I headed for West 50th Street. And the travel agent she told me about a man named Davis. Ned Grant. Look, customers like him I can do without. What do you mean by that? Here, I'll show you. Here we are. A reservation at Nassau. Here's one in Bermuda. Oh, and here's one for the Virgin Islands. He had you make all those for him? Everyone. That sort of thing doesn't make me very popular at those resorts, believe me. Well, it's a cinch he can't be at all those places. If you ask me, he's not at any other. He's always doing that sort of thing. Well, that's a lot of help. Just the same, I'm gonna call those places. Where's your phone? Right there on the desk. But I tell you. Excuse me. Hello? Who? Oh, yeah, just a minute. It's for you, Mr. Dollar. Oh, thanks. Johnny Dollar. It's Doris Anthony. Johnny. Wow. Well, I didn't think I'd be hearing from you again. Why not? After I found out you were an old friend of Willie Bemis, I went back to your apartment. You'd cleared out. Johnny, I'm no longer a friend of Willie Bemis. Oh, now, wait a minute, sister. It's the truth. But I was afraid he might come to see me. That's why I left. Oh, sure. Johnny, the reason I'm calling, I think I know where Ned could be. Where? Well, I'm not sure, but a few days ago, we went to see a friend of his named Mike Hastings. Mike owns a ski lodge up in Vermont. Ski lodge? There's no skiing this time of year. I know the lodge is closed, but Ned's gone up there once or twice before when he wanted to get away from everything. Okay, where is it? It's called Hastings Lodge. About 20 miles beyond Bradbury on a little country Road. Now, look, I have no choice but to go on up there. Have you told anyone else about this? No, of course not. Okay, Doris, don't. Expense account item 4. $38.50. Transportation by plane and rented car to Hastings Ski Lodge. As I chomped over the bumpy road up in the Vermont woods, I couldn't help thinking this might be strictly a wild goose chase. But at the moment, I couldn't afford to pass up any leave. It was after dark when I finally drove up to the lodge. It sprawled on the side of a hill way out in the middle of nowhere. There were no lights on, no sign of life about the place at all. The door was unlocked. Inside, the room was pitch dark with all the curtains drawn. I couldn't find the light switch, but I had a real funny feeling like maybe there was somebody else in the room with me. Grant. Grant. Sorry, buddy, you got the wrong party. Bemis? That's right, Willie Bemis. Just hold it right where you are, boy. How'd you find out about this place? What difference does it make? Yeah, I guess you got a point there. Except I have a nasty little idea who might have tipped you off. Where's Ned Grant? He hasn't shown up yet. So what happens now? So I'll wait for him. What about me? I'll give you three guesses about you, but I figure you're only going to need one of them. Act three of yours truly, Johnny Dollar. In a moment. It is a very well known fact that symbols are important to men everywhere. Whether they be symbols of country, religion or honor, they're a cherished part of the culture and tradition of all peoples. As in almost all countries of the world, the people of Spain are very religious. And in the Spanish town of Vendrell, the people were having difficulty with a symbol. A three hundred pound angel sitting on top of a hundred fifty foot church steeple. The angel had been there since 1784 and needed repairs to keep it from falling down on the heads of the parishioners. But a hundred fifty feet is a long way up and £300 are a lot of weight to bring down. Now, there was a great deal of head scratching over the problem until someone casually mentioned the problem to someone else who happened to be stationed at the United States Air Force base in Zaragoza, Spain. It wasn't long before visions of a helicopter came to mind because Americans like to help other people everywhere. The Air Force whirlybird lifted the angel from the church steeple, brought it down for repairs, and later returned it to its Perch. So grateful were the people of Vendrelle for this act of friendly cooperation that they held a mass celebration of American Day to show their appreciation. Television and newsreels carried the story of kindness. So did the newspapers and magazines throughout Spain. This gesture on the part of the United States Air Force created a new symbol, a symbol of friendship and understanding. It became a symbol of freedom, the right of all men everywhere. And now, act three of yours truly, Johnny Dollar and the ideal Vacation matter. Stand still, darling. My gun is on the left, if that's what you're looking for, Bemis. Thanks. So Doris tipped you off, huh? I had a little talk with you, and I thought she was a friend of Grant's. You never know, do you? I guess you're right, $. I'm afraid you're in my way around here. And that means you get the message, don't you? Yeah, I get the message. You see, you made just one mistake. What's that? You should have stayed at home. Yeah, I should have stayed at home, all right. And if it weren't for Ned Grant, I could have. And then it hit me. Sure. Suddenly I knew what the ideal vacation meant for that crazy Broadway columnist. The answer had been right under my nose from the start. Yeah, I'd finally figured out where Grant was, but it wasn't doing me much good. I had to get out of here. And at the moment, my chances didn't look too good. You know, Dollar, you got a very funny look on your face. Have I? Yeah, like something just rang a bell with you. Oh, sorry, Bemis. It's just my normal delirious expression. Okay, funny boy, play it your way. Over against the wall. Move. Hold it. Listen, there's a car outside. Friend of yours? I don't know. I'm not taking any chances. Now, you answer the door, $. I'll be right behind it. And this gun will be staring at your back. It could be Ned Grant who'd driven up, in which case I'd have to warn him somehow. Or it could be somebody else, in which case, I had to grab their car and get out of here. One thing sure. Whoever it was, I had to move fast. Johnny. I pulled the door open wide, then threw my weight against it. It slammed into Bemis and flattened him against the wall. He was off balance, so I could. He sprawled and his gun went flying. But it could. I couldn't see where, and I couldn't take time to look. I grabbed Doris. Come on, Come on. Come on. Now. Into the car. Now, you're gonna help me For a change. That was Bemis. Don't tell me you're surprised. You're the one who tipped him off about the ski lodge. But, Johnny, I had no choice. He pushed me around. Yeah, sure, Johnny. Where we going? New York. You think Ned's there, Doris? I think he's been there right from the start. We stopped at the nearest town to call the sheriff. I wanted his boys to try and intercept Bemis. He was a cinch to be following us by now. Then we headed for the city. The sun was rising when we pulled up at Grant's apartment house. The manager didn't answer. Maybe he's still asleep. Looks like I have to take another chance on you, Doris. I tell you, I'm on the level, Johnny. I sure hope so. I gotta get up to Grant's apartment fast. Now. There's a pay phone over there in the lobby. Call the police and then meet me upstairs. Go on. Okay, Johnny. I went upstairs and pounded on Grant's door, but no answer. I went to the end of the hall and out onto the fire escape. Yeah, there was a ledge. Carefully, I worked my way along it to a window. It was Grant's bedroom, all right. And there he was, sound asleep with an empty bottle on the bed table. So my hunch had been right. Sure, it was the ideal vacation for a guy who was pestered by everybody in town. Tell everyone you're leaving the city. Then disconnect your phone and hole up in your apartment for some real peace and quiet. I went to the front door. Doris. Yes, Johnny? Let me in. Okay, just a sec. Well, Doris, I was. Well, well, well, well, if it ain't Johnny Dollar. Hello, Bemis. Now, ain't this nice? So you did it again, Doris. Honest, Johnny, I couldn't help it. He has a gun. He made me. Yeah, sure. Pretty smart, huh, Dollar Finding Ned Grant for me. You know, I don't think I'd ever thought of looking for him here. But you did, so you're a smart boy. Okay, now, look, be. Miss. Don't interrupt me while I'm talking. Like I was saying, I much obliged you for helping me find Grant. Now that I got him, okay, so I don't need you, Ron, anymore. No, don't. Slowly, and with a smirk on his face, Bemis raised his gun until it pointed straight at my head. What flew out of his hand? The shot had come from outside. Down the hall. The cops. Suddenly, the corridor was swarming with police. Beamer stole for his gun. Well, you don't get me. Instead, he collected the part of one over his left ear. Thank goodness they got here. So you did call the police after all. You bet I did. Now do you believe I'm on the level? Yeah, Doris, I guess I do. And you took a mighty good way to prove it. What's going on here, Ned? So you finally woke up. Or so whatever. Hey, that's. Will it be Mr. Carting away? It sure is. Well, what's he doing here? What's going on, huh? Hey, look, bright eyes, you better go on back to bed. But I don't understand. Just write the whole deal off as a bad dream, huh? Expense account total $115.25. And look, the next time you send me out to protect a guy, don't pick one who's going to sleep all the way through the deal, huh? I don't know, it. It kind of takes the sport out of it. And Pat, since I didn't find a man who ran away for you on account of he never really ran away, well, how about sending my fee on this one to the community chest? Yours truly, Johnny Dollar. 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. Delaware state flag bears the date December 7, 1787. For it was on this day that Delaware became the first state to ratify the federal constitution. Because it was the first, it is given the honor of placing its state banner first in the inauguration ceremony of the president. Inscribed on the flag is the state motto, symbolic of the yearnings of the many immigrants who came to these shores. Liberty and independence. The flag for Delaware, the first state to enter the Union, was adopted on July 24, 1913. And now here is our star to tell you about next week's story. Next week, an old, old racket comes to light and nearly cost me my life. Join us, won't you? Yours truly, Johnny Dol. Yours truly, Johnny Dollars starring Bob Bailey originates in Hollywood. Written by Robert Reif. It is produced and directed by Jack Johnstone. Heard in our cast were Mary Jane Croft, Lawrence Dobkin, Joseph Kearns, Jack Edwards, Barney Phillips and Byron Cain. Be sure to join us next week, same station, for another exciting story of yours truly, Johnny Dolly. This is Dan Cubberley speaking. This is the United States Armed Forces Radio and Television Service.
Adam Graham
SA welcome back. All those years as a great Broadway newspaper columnist and this guy's claim to fame ends up being the inventor of the staycation. Now, I know that the concept probably existed before in some form, but this is a pretty Extreme form of it, at least in making people think you were going somewhere else and decoying them so they couldn't come and bother you. The one part of this I questioned was turning off the phone before leaving. That seems like an extreme measure and not something that someone would do when going on vacation. Plus, given how hard it is to get phones turned back on, it seems like it'd be a bit of a pain. Now, if this were the only way he could avoid phone calls, it would be understandable for him, I guess, to make the decision he's just going to deal with the inconvenience. And of course, if you've watched really old movies, you've seen that moment where a character just gets overwhelmed by phone calls and the only thing he can do is rip the phone out of the wall. That's very dramatic. But I've been able to find phones at least going back to the 1940s that had cutoff switches for the ringers. I don't know if that was a standard feature in most people's telephones, but that seems like that would be an easier SOL if that was the case, because otherwise he's gonna have a pretty high cost to pay in annoyance when it comes time to turn that phone back on. Listener comments and feedback now and I received a couple pieces of feedback regarding the episode the Charmona Matter. Lauren emails in Dear Adam, Just a quick message to share that although this was not the case which Johnny was actually needed, I do believe his skills are on display. For example, when I heard the scene in which he distracts the wife and takes the gun from her, I pictured that he took the gun, then noticed the safety was off and not the other way around. Just sharing to show perspective. Give that scene another lesson, if you will. In a similar vein, Gary commented over on the website during your commentary following this episode, you were talking about how John Lee needlessly broke a mirror to distract Mona in order to get the pistol away from her. You said it was not necessary for him to do that because the safety was on. In his defense, sometimes it's hard to see if the safety is on when it's in someone's hand ready to be fired. Maybe you mentioned the safety was on after he noticed it after he got the gun away from Mona. Just a thought. Well, thank you so much. And this is an interesting case that you have with radio drama as opposed to most other mediums, in that if details aren't explicitly stated, it's left to the imagination of the listener. And sometimes we fill in the details differently. I don't know. I may have just seen too many movies and heard too many radio programs where the detective or hero identifies that the safety is on, so that I imagine Johnny was able to see it quickly. So it depends, I guess, on how realistically Johnstone was writing it, but it's not explicit either way. So maybe I should give Johnny the benefit of the doubt that he didn't know the safety was on before disarming Mona. I still will maintain how much I don't particularly care for that trope, particularly after the fact, because it's like, oh yeah, the detective went ahead and saved his life from danger. Oh well, it was never in danger in the first place because the safety was on. But it's possible that the scene was not quite as silly or inexplicable as I thought. And then we have a Listener comment on YouTube regarding the poor little rich girl matter. You are 100% correct about the German POW camps in the United States. I watch a lot of History Channel and they have documentaries covering letters from soldiers from the front lines or POW camps. One German soldier said he was sent to an American POW camp, and when he got to the United States, he was frightened by how vast and mobilized our industrial production was and how unaffected the United States homeland was by the war. He said once he saw that he knew Germany was going to lose the war. The point about the US Seeming to be unaffected by the war is really an interesting point because if we look back back on the war, there were some restrictions that a lot of us would really be against to live under. America went three or four years without new models of cars or refrigerators being made. Meat, sugar, gasoline, clothing, shoes, those were rationed. But compared to the rest of the world, where you had famines and the very direct scars of war were not something that you had to deal with on the American mainland. Obviously Hawaii, that's another story. So I can definitely understand how this German soldier would be really unnerved because British war factories and British munition plants could be taken out. But you have this level of production in the United States so far from the battlefield that was a huge, huge advantage for the Allies in the war. And then we have an email from Lawrence regarding the Red Wine episode that I believe it was the actor Richard Widmark who portrayed the character that with Ken lynch in discovering the killer in this episode, he does have a recognizable voice. And after all, he did start his career in Old Time Radio on the program Aunt Jenny's Real Life Stories. Well, thanks so much. Lawrence. I haven't heard enough Richard Widmark to say for sure, but I will say that it is very plausible because he did work in New York radio at that point when this was done for Mole Mystery Theater and is known to have appeared on other episodes. So that sounds plausible to me. Todd over on the site called X praises it as good episode. And then over on Spotify, Suzy writes regarding the Cavalcade of America episode we played recently. So good. Would love to hear more about the Pinkerton man. Well, thank you for the feedback, Susie. There are other Old Time Radio episodes that adapt Mr. Pinkerton's adventures and I'll definitely keep them in mind for future specials. Now I do want to know if you have commented on Spotify. I do appreciate it. We have had issues getting those comments off of Spotify to be able to share. We've notified support about them. I went ahead and I got all of the comments on the Great Detectives of Old Time Radio and copied them into a document which you can argue I should have done the last time it was up, but I thought it was fixed. It was not, but I do have those copied down. It would not let me check the comments on the Yours Truly Johnny Dollar feed specifically. So sorry about that. Hopefully they'll get this all figured out. Now it's time to thank our Patreon Supporters of the day. And these are the Patreon supporters who have been supporting us five years this month. Thank you to Philip supporting us at the Detective Sergeant level of $7.14 or more per month. And I want to thank Jan, Tom and Delilah supporting us at the shamus level of $4 or more per month. Again, thank you so much for supporting the podcast these past five years. And that will actually 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 Doller, but join us back here tomorrow for Dragnetwear.
Johnny Dollar
Last year she passed another batch of 14, all within three days. One year she used a different name on each check. On this batch she used the same name. Well, does she have any identification when she passes these checks? Always. Phony driver's license, Social Security cards or works. And she's got that sweet grandmother smile of hers. Clerks rarely turn her down when she shows up with a check. You can get used to different descriptions of her too. Give the file a look. Hardly three of the Czech victims can get together on what she looks like. Exactly. Well, where are they getting stung most? Downtown or out in the neighborhoods. The neighborhoods? Anywhere from the beach area to the Valley. This whole file, Skipper, that's not just her work, is it? Every last bit of it. We can't fit it in a six foot shelf. In nine years, I've had five teams of men work this thing. None of them reached her. You and Friday make the 6th. It's April 17th. How's she doing so far this month? Fergie cashed $624 in checks we know of since the first of the month. Same general description, same general M.O. no fresh leads. She's been operating nine years, Joe. Just as good as ever.
Adam Graham
I hope you'll be with us then. In the meantime, send your comments to Box13REAT detectives.net follow us on Twitter at radiodetactives and check us out on Instagram. Instagram. Com. Great. Detectives from Boise, Idaho, this is your host, Adam Graham, signing off.
Episode Summary: "Yours Truly Johnny Dollar: The Ideal Vacation Matter (EP4567)"
Release Date: December 6, 2024
Host: Adam Graham
In this episode of The Great Detectives of Old Time Radio, hosted by Adam Graham, listeners are treated to a captivating installment of the classic radio drama, "Yours Truly Johnny Dollar." This episode, titled "The Ideal Vacation Matter," masterfully blends suspense, intrigue, and the quintessential charm of old-time radio detective stories. Following the dramatic narrative, Adam Graham offers insightful commentary, engaging with listener feedback and providing deeper analysis of the episode's themes and character motivations.
Act One:
The episode opens with Johnny Dollar, a freelance insurance investigator, being summoned back from vacation by his employer, the Universal Adjustment Bureau. He is tasked with locating Ned Grant, a prominent Broadway columnist who has gone missing during his so-called "ideal vacation." Pat McCracken, Johnny's contact, reveals that Grant has made enemies, notably Willie Bemis, an escaped convict intent on making Grant's vacation permanent. Johnny sets out to find Grant before Bemis can eliminate him.
Act Two:
Johnny travels to New York, investigating Grant’s last known whereabouts. He interacts with Doris Anthony, a close friend of Grant, who hints at Grant's unpredictable nature and his plans for an ideal vacation. Through diligent research, Johnny uncovers that Doris may have connections with Bemis, leading him to suspect she might be misleading him. Following a trail to Hastings Ski Lodge in Vermont, Johnny encounters Bemis directly, resulting in a tense standoff. Bemis warns Johnny that finding Grant first was a mistake, heightening the suspense.
Act Three:
Realizing that the key to Grant's disappearance lies in understanding what constitutes an "ideal vacation" for Ned Grant, Johnny deduces that Grant never intended to leave his apartment. Returning to Grant's residence, Johnny discovers Grant asleep, revealing that Grant orchestrated his own disappearance to escape the pressures of his career. Meanwhile, the timely arrival of the police thwarts Bemis's plans. The episode concludes with Johnny humorously reflecting on the ordeal and his decision to donate his fee to community charity, showcasing his integrity and dedication.
After the conclusion of the radio drama, Adam Graham delves into a thoughtful analysis of the episode's narrative and character development.
On Ned Grant's "Ideal Vacation":
Adam reflects on Grant's elaborate ruse to create an ideal vacation, noting, "All those years as a great Broadway newspaper columnist and this guy's claim to fame ends up being the inventor of the staycation." He appreciates the ingenuity behind Grant's plan, highlighting its effectiveness in avoiding unwanted attention.
On Communication Tactics:
Adam questions Grant's drastic measure of turning off his phone to evade calls, stating, "That seems like an extreme measure and not something that someone would do when going on vacation." He ponders the practicality of such an action, especially considering the difficulty in reactivating phone services without incurring additional costs or inconvenience.
On Realism in Radio Drama:
Addressing the dramatization of phone-related conflicts, Adam muses, "Sometimes it's hard to see if the safety is on when it's in someone's hand ready to be fired. Maybe you mentioned the safety was on after he noticed it after he got the gun away from Mona." He acknowledges the balance between dramatic flair and realistic portrayals in radio storytelling.
Adam Graham engages with a variety of listener comments, providing clarifications and expanding on aspects of the episode that sparked discussion.
On Plot Details:
Lauren's Comment:
"When I heard the scene in which he distracts the wife and takes the gun from her, I pictured that he took the gun, then noticed the safety was off and not the other way around."
Adam's Response:
Adam acknowledges the different interpretations, stating, "It's not explicit either way. Maybe I should give Johnny the benefit of the doubt that he didn't know the safety was on before disarming Mona."
On Historical Accuracy:
A listener on YouTube praised the portrayal of German POW camps in the United States, to which Adam responded with historical context about rationing and industrial production during wartime, enhancing the listener's appreciation for the episode's subtle references.
On Character Portrayals:
Lawrence's Comment:
Discussing Richard Widmark's voice in a different episode, Lawrence connects Widmark's portrayal back to his radio roots.
Adam's Response:
Adam affirms the plausibility, "It sounds plausible to me," acknowledging Widmark's contribution to old-time radio.
Additional Praise:
Listeners like Gary, Todd, and Suzy commended specific scenes and character arcs, with Adam expressing gratitude and noting plans to explore similar storylines in future episodes.
Adam Graham wraps up the episode by expressing appreciation for listener engagement and Patreon supporters, reinforcing the community-driven spirit of The Great Detectives of Old Time Radio. He teases future episodes, promising more thrilling narratives and deeper dives into beloved detective stories.
Key Takeaways:
For fans of classic detective tales and old-time radio dramas, this episode offers a compelling blend of suspense, character development, and thoughtful analysis, making it a standout installment in the podcast's rich lineup.
Pat McCracken:
"Ned has made a lot of enemies in his time... trying to make Ned's vacation permanent." [00:29]
Doris Anthony:
"Ned told the apartment manager he was going on an ideal vacation." [15:45]
Johnny Dollar:
"The next time you send me out to protect a guy, don't pick one who's going to sleep all the way through the deal, huh?" [25:30]
This comprehensive summary encapsulates the essence of the episode, providing both a detailed narrative of the radio drama and an insightful analysis of its themes and audience reception.