
Today's Mystery: Johnny is called in to investigate when a model with a $100,000 policy on her face is attacked by a mysterious assailant. Original Radio Broadcast Date: November 3, 1957 Originating in Hollywood Starring: Bob Bailey as Johnny...
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Dorothy Blair
Foreign.
Adam Graham
Welcome to the Great Detectives of Old Time Radio from Boise, Idaho, this is your host, Adam Graham. In a moment, this week's episode of yours truly, Johnny Dollar. But I do want to encourage you if you're enjoying the podcast, to please follow us using your favorite podcast software. And as you're making your travel plans, remember johnnydoller air.com johnnydoller air.com is a Priceline affiliate link, so part of the purchase price supports the Great Detectives of Old Time Radio at no additional cost to you. So remember, when making your travel plans, check johnnydollerair.com first. Now, from November 3, 1957, here's the model picture matter.
Johnny Dollar
From Hollywood. It's time now for Johnny Dollar. Pat McCracken, Johnny. Universal adjustment Bureau. Oh, hi, Pat. What's on your mind? A beautiful model, name of Dorothy Blair. Ooh. Hey, wait. The girl with the million dollar face? That's the one. Well, you probably got company, H. She's on a lot of people's minds. Well, she's no daydream to me. She's a nightmare. Oh, come. That face of hers may not be worth quite a million, but it's worth at least 100,000. That's what we've got it insured for. So? So it looks like somebody's trying to tear it up. The policy? No, her face. She got slugged last night. Want to look at her? Sure. 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 Dollar expense account submitt 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 model picture matter expense account item one, $20 cents for a taxi from my apartment to your office, Pat, where I picked up Dorothy Blair's address, then headed for New York. That's item 23620. I arrived at her apartment just as the doctor left. Even with a couple of bandages on her face, I think you got a bargain, Pat. Ensuring it for only a hundred thousand.
Dorothy Blair
I guess I'm lucky, Mr. Dollar. My doctor says there won't be any permanent scars.
Johnny Dollar
Well, just what happened, Miss Blair?
Dorothy Blair
Well, I came home last evening about dinner time. I opened the door to my apartment here and started to reach for the light switch. Then suddenly I saw a shape beside me in the dark. And before I could do anything, he. He hit me on the side of the head. I think it was a gun. It stunned me, and I fell to the floor.
Johnny Dollar
Then what?
Dorothy Blair
I. I remember hearing the door slam. When I could get on my feet and turn on the light. Whoever it was had gone.
Johnny Dollar
I see. You think it could have been a burglar looking for money or valuables?
Dorothy Blair
I don't think it was a birdcare, Mr. Dollar.
Johnny Dollar
You mean you have some idea who it was?
Dorothy Blair
Well, Jerry Dunsmuir.
Johnny Dollar
Who's he?
Dorothy Blair
A fashion photographer. A creep, Mr. Dollar. Oh, the real article. Believe me, they ought to put that guy's eyes in jail.
Johnny Dollar
You modeled for him before?
Dorothy Blair
About a year ago. I swore I'd never do it again, and I didn't until yesterday.
Johnny Dollar
Well, go on.
Dorothy Blair
Jerry'd gotten a commission to do a spread on winter fashions. He wanted to make some street shots with me and tweeds, things like that.
Johnny Dollar
Street shot?
Dorothy Blair
Well, I figured the street would be a lot safer for me than his studio.
Johnny Dollar
But it didn't turn out that way, huh?
Dorothy Blair
No. After the second picture, he started in again with the same old line. And he's not very subtle, believe me.
Johnny Dollar
So?
Dorothy Blair
So I walked out on him. He didn't like it.
Johnny Dollar
But is that enough reason for him to break into your apartment and slug you?
Dorothy Blair
It wouldn't be for most people. But like I say, he's a creep.
Johnny Dollar
Yeah. Okay, Miss Blair. Thanks. I'll have a talk with Dunsmuir. And that was easier said than done. I took a cab to his address. That's item three, $1.60. But the studio was locked up tight. So I contacted my old friend, Detective Lieutenant Al Rico at 18th Precinct headquarters. You think you got troubles, Johnny? Try some of mine on for size. Oh, like what, Al? Like an unsolved murder I got tossed in my lap. Oh, that one I've been reading about. The girl up in. Yeah, yeah, yeah. Edith Summers. No leads. Sure, a real fat lead. Except it's no good. Her ex boyfriend, Ed Chatsworth. Lots of motive, but no case. Alibi airtight. So I got troubles. Now tell me yours. Mine? Well, I'm trying to get a lead on a fashion photographer named Jerry Dunsmuir. Dunsmuhre? I never heard of him. How come you're interested? Dorothy Blair got slugged last evening. Oh, yeah? Yeah, the girl with the million dollar face. I heard about it. She thinks Dunsmuir might have done it. I went up to his studio to have a talk with him, but it was locked up. Well, I'll have our files checked, but if we had anything hot on him, I think I'd remember. Yeah, well, it was just a chance. Excuse me, Rico. What? Yeah. Okay. I'll be right down. It was about your Jerry Dunsmuir. Johnny. Hello. A couple of my boys have found him. Great. Yeah, they found him floating face down in the river. Act two of yours truly, Johnny Dollar. In a moment, our flag. Now, number two. And now, act two of yours truly, Johnny Dollar and the model picture matter. Expense account, item 4, $1.80. Cab fare back to Dorothy Blair's apartment. She had company.
Dorothy Blair
I'd like you to meet Edward Chandler. Johnny.
Johnny Dollar
Hi. Glad to meet you, Mr. Dollar. Dorothy, I wonder if I could talk to you for a few minutes.
Dorothy Blair
Why, certainly.
Johnny Dollar
I've got to be running along anyway. Still okay for dinner?
Dorothy Blair
Honey? Sure. 8:00.
Johnny Dollar
I'll pick you up. Bye, Mr. Dollar. Yeah, so long, Chandler.
Dorothy Blair
Dorothy, did you talk to Jerry Dunsmuir?
Johnny Dollar
Now, look, you say Dunsmuir tried to get a date with you while he was taking some fashion shots of you on the street yesterday?
Dorothy Blair
That's right.
Johnny Dollar
He was pretty persistent about it.
Dorothy Blair
That's putting it mildly, John.
Johnny Dollar
And you think Dunsmuir is the one who was hiding in your apartment and slugged you last evening?
Dorothy Blair
Yes, I think he must have been the one. Why? Who else could it have been? And why are you asking me all this again?
Johnny Dollar
There's. There's nothing you haven't told me, Dorothy.
Dorothy Blair
Of course not. Why?
Johnny Dollar
Well, the police just fished Dunsmuir's body out of the river.
Dorothy Blair
He was murdered?
Johnny Dollar
I haven't seen the medical examiner's report yet, but it's a good bet. People don't usually go for a swim with all their clothes on.
Dorothy Blair
But who could, Johnny? You? You certainly don't think I had anything to do with it.
Johnny Dollar
I didn't say that, Dorothy.
Dorothy Blair
But your tone of voice, the question. Look, I'm telling you the truth, Johnny.
Johnny Dollar
Can you prove it?
Dorothy Blair
I can prove the part about him taking pictures of me yesterday. This manila envelope. It came in the mail today. Here. It's from Dunsmuir's studio. He always sends me prints. See? Here's one of me in a tweed coat. Here's one in a fingertip lens.
Johnny Dollar
Okay, okay. So he took pictures. I still want to know why you think it was Dunsmuir who slugged you if you couldn't see his face in the dark.
Dorothy Blair
I guess because of the way he looked at me yesterday afternoon when I told him to stay away from me, not to call me again for a job. Johnny, believe me.
Johnny Dollar
You didn't see him after that, huh? Unless, of course, he was the one who slugged you in the dark.
Dorothy Blair
No, I didn't have anything to do with. With what happened to him. And I don't know who did. It's the truth, Johnny.
Johnny Dollar
Okay, Dorothy. If it is, I'll find out sooner or later. But if it isn't, I'll find that out, too. Maybe Dorothy Blair was leveling with me, but there were a few pretty important facts I didn't know. Was it really Dunsmuir who'd slugged her? And who killed Dunsmuir and why? Also, this fella I'd met at Dorothy's apartment, Edward Chandler. Where had I seen his face before? Item 5, $1.75 Campfire to Dunsmuir Studio. A blonde secretary named Susan Billings was just closing up when I got there. She looked pretty dragged out.
Dorothy Blair
Please, please, Mr. Dollar. I've already told the police all I know. Right now I don't exactly need any more questions.
Johnny Dollar
What you need right now, Susan, is a drink. Come on. Feeling better, Susan?
Dorothy Blair
Oh, yes, thanks. But I. I really don't know anything that would help you, Mr. Dollar.
Johnny Dollar
How long did you work for Jerry Dunsmuir?
Dorothy Blair
About a year.
Johnny Dollar
And you can't think of anyone who'd have reason to kill him?
Dorothy Blair
Nobody.
Johnny Dollar
You know, he had quite a reputation for being sort of eager with some of the models.
Dorothy Blair
That was a long time ago, Mr. Dollar. He'd changed.
Johnny Dollar
Not according to Dorothy Blair.
Dorothy Blair
I'm not interested in Dorothy Blair or lies about Jerry.
Johnny Dollar
Tell me, you happen to know a man named Edward Chandler? I met him at her apartment.
Dorothy Blair
No.
Johnny Dollar
Did Jerry Dunsmuir ever mention him?
Dorothy Blair
Not that I remember.
Johnny Dollar
So you think Dunsmuir had straightened himself out?
Dorothy Blair
Nettie, I know he had.
Johnny Dollar
How can you be sure?
Dorothy Blair
He told me. You see, Mr. Dollar, Jerry and I, we were going to be married.
Johnny Dollar
Either Dorothy had been lying to me about what kind of a guy Dunsmuhle was or else Susan had been living in a dream world. Either way, I was fresh out of Leeds. I headed back to Lieutenant Rico's office, hoping I'd find some there. Johnny, the only thing we know for sure about Dunsmuir is that he sure had a weakness for women. Yeah, but Susan Billings believes that she was his one true love. I know. And I've been thinking about her. Maybe she found out about Dunsmuir's activities and didn't like him. Responsibility. But if she knows more than she's told us, she's a pretty good actress. The same goes for Dorothy Blair. Which reminds me, I want to have another talk with Dorothy. I picked up a couple of names out of Dunsm's past. I want to see if they mean anything to her. Want to come along? Sure, but we'll have to hurry. Hurry?
Dorothy Blair
Why?
Johnny Dollar
She has a dinner date with a guy named Chandler at 8:00. And it's a quarter to right now. Okay, let's go there. That's her apartment house right ahead. Wait a minute. Isn't that Dorothy coming out the front door? Yeah, with Chandler. Come on, we can still catch. What's the matter? Who'd you say he was? A friend of hers. His name is Chandler. I met him in her apartment this afternoon. Johnny, remember when you came to see me today. I told you I had a murder case in my lap. I mean before the Dunsmuir murder. Sure. A girl. Edith Summers. I told you her ex boyfriend was the logical suspect. Except that he had an alibi. Ed Chatsworth. Oh, hey, wait a minute. I knew I'd seen that guy's picture somewhere. It was in the paper. Dorothy introduced him as Chandler, but his real name is Chatsworth. And now it turns out he's a friend of Dorothy's. Al, you said either Dorothy had told us all she knew or she was a pretty good actress. Yeah, it looks to me like she's a pretty good actress. Act three of yours truly, Johnny Dollar. In a moment. Who among us has not hoped for a better life? For healthy freedom, which is the right of all men everywhere? And now, act three of yours truly, Johnny Dollar and the model picture matter. Well, it had started out as a real simple assignment, but it hadn't stayed that way long. All of a sudden, we had two murders on our hands. And it looked like there was a connection between. Now, watching Dorothy Blair leave her apartment with Ed Chatsworth, we realized that she was somehow right in the middle of them. They're driving off in his car, gonna tail them out. That won't be necessary. Ever since I questioned Chatsworth about the Edith Summers killing, I've had a tail on him. No, Johnny, what we better do right now is start putting some pieces together and see what they add up to. Okay. The first victim was Edith Summers, killed in her apartment, the Blackton Arms. And you figure that her ex boyfriend, Ed Chatsworth, had the motive. We heard that Chatsworth wanted to drop her, but she wouldn't drop her. But you say he has an alibi. Two people swear he was out of the city the day that she was killed. All right, all right. Dorothy Blair gets slugged in her apartment. She thinks the photographer Dunsmuhr did it. Then Dunsmuir winds up dead that night. Right. And now we find out Dorothy and Chatsworth are friends. Begins to add up. Johnny, you think Chatsworth was trying to drop Edith Summers for Dorothy? If so, maybe they rigged a deal. Chatsworth was to get out of town while Dorothy handled Edith Summers. Ah, in that case, you're figuring Dunsmuir found out about the deal and came to blackmail Dorothy, right? She won't go for it, so he slugs her. Then either she or Chatsworth or both of them decide to close Dunsmuir's mouth for keeps. Ah, it's a possibility, Al. Yeah, it is. A possibility, isn't it? Al dropped me off at my hotel and headed back to his office. Item 6, $2 drinks. While I thought about the picture Al and I had built up to explain the killings. Well, it was all pretty logical, but somehow I couldn't buy it. Maybe, like Al had hinted, that Million Dollar Face had gotten to me. If I could only talk to her alone, I felt I could find out if she was lying. About 10 o'clock, I went back to her apartment. No answer. Probably still out to dinner. I was about to leave when she stepped off the elevator.
Dorothy Blair
Why, Johnny, what are you.
Johnny Dollar
Hello, Dorothy. I'd like to talk to you.
Dorothy Blair
Well, I'm afraid I haven't time right now. Oh, Mr. Chandler's just parking his car. He'll be up in a few minutes. We have business.
Johnny Dollar
Your friend will have to wait. I want to talk with you.
Dorothy Blair
Why? All right, for just a minute. I don't understand all this, Johnny.
Johnny Dollar
Well, let's start out calling your friend Chandler by his real name, huh? Why, Ed Chatsworth.
Dorothy Blair
I don't understand. I thought his name was Chandler.
Johnny Dollar
Oh, yeah.
Dorothy Blair
What's this all about, Chandler?
Johnny Dollar
Oh, drop the act, Dorothy. I suppose the name Chatsworth doesn't mean anything to you.
Dorothy Blair
Why, no, it doesn't.
Johnny Dollar
How about Edith Summers?
Dorothy Blair
Wait. She was the girl who was killed the day before yesterday.
Johnny Dollar
She sure was.
Dorothy Blair
I read about it in the papers, but I didn't know her.
Johnny Dollar
Johnny, you're sure you and Chatsworth didn't happen to arrange her death?
Dorothy Blair
Johnny, what's this all about?
Johnny Dollar
And your friend Dunsmuir, he wasn't by any chance trying to blackmail you?
Dorothy Blair
I don't know what you were talking about. Please believe me. I didn't have anything to do with either of those killings, Johnny. I swear it.
Johnny Dollar
Okay. Okay, Dorothy. I. I guess I never could buy it, but I don't get this buddy buddy routine. You and Ed Chatsworth.
Dorothy Blair
I only met Ed Chatsworth, or Chandler, as he called himself, yesterday.
Johnny Dollar
Sean, let's have that again.
Dorothy Blair
That's right. He said he was organizing a big promotion and wanted to feature me in it.
Johnny Dollar
Why would he give you a line like that?
Dorothy Blair
I didn't realize it was a line. He sounded very convincing. He said he wanted to see some of my pictures, to see if. Pictures?
Johnny Dollar
Pictures. Wait a minute. Those pictures Dunsmuir took of you.
Dorothy Blair
Ed's coming up any minute to see them. He wanted to see some outdoor shots, he said.
Johnny Dollar
When did Dunsmuir take those shots?
Dorothy Blair
The day before yesterday.
Johnny Dollar
The day Edith was killed. Where did he take them?
Dorothy Blair
We moved around from place to place.
Johnny Dollar
You still have the pictures?
Dorothy Blair
Right there on the table.
Johnny Dollar
Come on, let's take a look. Are these all that he took?
Dorothy Blair
As far as I know.
Johnny Dollar
Nothing here except you. I. It's. Wait, wait. This shot looks like the front of an apartment house. Part of the name in the picture.
Dorothy Blair
Black.
Johnny Dollar
Blackton Arms. The apartment where Edith was killed.
Dorothy Blair
Johnny, look in the background. A man stepping out of the apartment house.
Johnny Dollar
Yeah. Out of focus. Hard to hold it.
Dorothy Blair
What is it?
Johnny Dollar
Is there a service entrance to your apartment?
Dorothy Blair
Yes.
Johnny Dollar
Somebody just came in. Get down. I shoved her to the floor and hit the light switch none too soon. I eased out my gun, but couldn't see a thing. And I knew I had to locate him before he located us. There was a cigarette lighter on the coffee table. I heaved it toward the kitchen, and my aim was pretty good. The flash of his gun pegged him for me. I turned on the lights. It was Chatsworth, all right. I'd hit him in the shoulder, but he'd keep for the state.
Dorothy Blair
Johnny, he's the one who killed this Edith Thomas.
Johnny Dollar
Yeah, sure, he had an alibi rig. But he spoiled it by walking out of her apartment apartment into the background of that picture Dunsmuir took of you.
Dorothy Blair
Then he's also the one who was in my apartment.
Johnny Dollar
He probably recognized you by your face. Figured he could find the name of the photographer here. Slugged you when you came in.
Dorothy Blair
I thought it was Jerry Dunsmuir. Poor Jerry.
Johnny Dollar
Yeah. Well, I imagine when Chatsworth comes to, we'll find that he killed Dunsmuir to get the negative.
Dorothy Blair
He certainly wanted that picture.
Johnny Dollar
Yeah. Most pictures don't do people justice. But I guess this one will do him all right. Item eight, $36.80. Transportation back home. Expense account total $103. Even remarks. Well, there's a little snapper to the story, Pat. You know that picture Chatsworth was knocking himself out to get? He didn't realize it, but his face in the background was far too blurred to make an identification. Yours truly, Johnny Dollar. Our star will return in just a moment. Our flag now numbers 18. 18. Now, here is our star to tell you about next week's story. Next week. Well, the darling of me heart comes back to plague me again. My old friend, Meg McCarthy. So join us, won't you? Yours truly, Johnny Dollar. Yours truly, Johnny Dollar, starring Bob Dailey. Originates in Hollywood. Written by Robert Rife. It is produced and directed by Jack Johnstone. Heard in our cast were Virginia Gregg, Lillian Byeff, Larry Dobkins, her bellis and Harry Bartel. Be sure to join us next week, same time and station for another exciting story of yours truly. Johnny Dollar. This is Dan Coverley, spe. This is the United States Armed Forces Radio and Television Service.
Captain Morgan Representative
If you love hurricanes, daiquiris and, well, any rum cocktail, listen up. Captain Morgan's about to shake things up like never before. We're talking Bourbon Street, New Orleans, home to legendary drinks and unforgettable moments. But what if we told you the most iconic cocktails here have one thing in common? Hint it's not bourbon. That's right, it's rum. And Captain Morgan is bringing unforgettable fun to Bourbon street in a way you won't want to miss. Get ready for something big. As we gear up for Super Bowl LII, make sure to keep your eyes on NOLA's most iconic street. Who knows, Bourbon street might just need a new name. Stay tuned for clues and get ready for the most legendary adventure yet. Please drink responsibly. Captain Morgan Original Spice Rum, 35% alcohol by volume. Captain Morgan Rum Company New York, New York.
Adam Graham
Welcome back. I really enjoyed this episode. Yeah, it has the typical limits of your 20 minute story, but it had a couple things that work for it. I love Dorothy's explanation of why she suspected Jerry Dunsmore because he's a creep. And Johnny goes through this whole scenario like, why would he do that? And he's like, because he's a creepy and that's valid. And you can get into a place when analyzing crime shows or even actual criminal events and be like, why would they do that? It doesn't make any sense because the person doing it's a creep and you're not a creep. You don't have a ton of experience dealing with creeps, so you don't understand. If you critique crime shows on the basis that the criminals don't do things that you do as a reasonably well adjusted person who's just looking at this as an intellectual exercise, then that's no good. I also absolutely love that it turned out that you couldn't make out the face from the picture. Now, I suppose that with modern or even 1990s techniques, someone might have been able to enhance the picture enough to make it out. But I like this ending. I've gone on a soapbox about too many stories that center around killers who get obsessed with people who took random pictures which if developed and found by the police, could tie them into a crime, but for which there's no reason for anyone to think the Police will get the pictures and connect them to the crime. Hey, there's this fashion magazine that's got a picture. I wonder if of the area it looks like the crime occurred 19 days ago. I wonder if this was done on the day of the murder. And I further wonder whether they happened to snap a picture they couldn't use of the killer photobombing their chute. Now, going back to my previous point, I'm ready to concede that it's possible this might be a case of me not understanding the criminal mind. But if that's the case, the criminal mind is dumb. So I love the idea that this was all done over a picture that couldn't have been used anyway. Now you can tell that this was a Robert Rife script, even though I don't think I heard anyone say deal. Because whether it's Dangerous Assignment or Johnny Dollar, Rife likes to have his hero commit all the way to being wrong before coming up with the correct solution. Well, now we turn to listener comments and feedback. And there were some really nice comments made about the podcast. In a post on Reddit about favor Old Time Radio podcast, a listener cited the great detectives of Old Time Radio with Adam Graham as their favorite. And another wrote, love him. Such a hoot. And another, he is my favorite too. I like that he runs through the entire catalog of a show. He introduced me to some shows that have become favorites that I otherwise would not have been tempted to try. Thanks so much. Love to hear that. And another listener says his entrepreneurial spirit cracks me up. Now excuse me while I book my next vacation on Johnny Dollar Air. That's also what I like to hear. And be sure when you do to get a room with a kitchen so that you can prepare some fish for Fulton Fish Market. But even if you can't get a room with a kitchen, you can always have some Molly B's cookies. In all seriousness, thank you so much. Appreciate your comments. Over on Spotify, old man Alan writes regarding the Silver Bell matter. Two thumbs up. Thank you so much. And then on Blueberry, we turn to our listener survey and we have a comment from John Z. In Detroit who says, I've been listening to Adam Graham's Johnny Dollar podcast for years and just found this survey page. Adam, you are amazing. There's nothing I look forward to more than turning on a Johnny Dollar Podcast and I really enjoy your commentary and historical perspective at the end. You're the best. Thank you. Thank you so much, John. I appreciate your kind comments. And now it is time to thank our Patreon supporters of the day. And I want to go ahead and thank Jenny, Gigi and Sheila. Jenny supporting the podcast at the rookie level of $2 or more per month, Gigi supporting the podcast at the psalmist level of $4 or more per month, and Sheila at the detective Sergeant level of $7.14 or more per month. All of them supporting us for five years this month since February 2020. Again, thank you all so much for your support. 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 for.
Johnny Dollar
Dragnet where Should have known better. Got the bulletin you sent out on the guy, his description, everything. I. I just wasn't thinking, I guess. He came in the market just before closing time, is that right? Yeah, a couple of minutes after 8. Looked well dressed, had a briefcase under his arm. I fell for it like the rest of them. I thought he was a salesman. How about the man's , sir? About five foot, eleven hundred seventy pounds, I guess. Gray suit. It's the same description you have printed up in the paper. Was anyone else around when the man came in the door? One of my clerks, Everett Smiley. He saw him leave and get in a car right after the robbery. Is this clerk still around? We'd like to talk to him. Oh, he went down the street a minute. He'll be right back. Yeah, maybe that's him.
Adam Graham
I hope you'll be with us then. In the meantime, send your comments to Box13greatdetives.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.
Summary of "Yours Truly Johnny Dollar: The Model Picture Matter (EP4621)"
Podcast Information:
In this episode of The Great Detectives of Old Time Radio, host Adam Graham presents a captivating installment of "Yours Truly, Johnny Dollar" titled "The Model Picture Matter." This classic detective drama, set in the late 1950s, follows the adventures of Johnny Dollar, a skilled freelance insurance investigator, as he unravels a web of deceit, jealousy, and murder within the glamorous world of fashion modeling.
Act One: The Case Unfolds
The story begins with Johnny Dollar receiving a case to investigate the assault of Dorothy Blair, a renowned model whose face is insured for $100,000. Dorothy recounts the incident where she was attacked in her apartment by an unknown assailant. Her immediate suspect is Jerry Dunsmuir, a fashion photographer known for his inappropriate demeanor towards models.
"I came home last evening about dinner time. I opened the door to my apartment here and started to reach for the light switch. Then suddenly I saw a shape beside me in the dark. And before I could do anything, he hit me on the side of the head."
Johnny begins his investigation by visiting Dorothy's apartment and interviewing her. Dorothy insinuates that Jerry Dunsmuir, with whom she had previously worked under uncomfortable circumstances, is likely responsible for the attack.
Act Two: Digging Deeper
Johnny contacts Detective Lieutenant Al Rico to discuss the case, revealing that Dunsmuir has been found dead, presumably murdered. This twist complicates the investigation, suggesting that Dunsmuir's death might be connected to Dorothy's assault.
"I have a tail on him. Ever since I questioned Chatsworth about the Edith Summers killing, I’ve had a tail on him."
Further scrutiny reveals that Dorothy was seen leaving her apartment with a man named Edward Chandler, later identified as Ed Chatsworth. The plot thickens as Johnny connects the dots between Dorothy, Chatsworth, and the recent murders.
Act Three: The Truth Emerges
As Johnny delves deeper, he uncovers that Dorothy and Chatsworth had orchestrated a scheme involving the murders of both Edith Summers and Jerry Dunsmuir to cover up their mutual interests and protect their own secrets. The pivotal moment arrives when Dorothy inadvertently connects Chatsworth to the crimes through a photograph taken by Dunsmuir, leading to Chatsworth's exposure and subsequent confrontation.
"He probably recognized you by your face. Figured he could find the name of the photographer here. Slugged you when you came in."
In a climactic revelation, Johnny confronts Dorothy, who confesses the intricate plot she and Chatsworth had devised, ultimately unraveling the mystery behind the assaults and murders.
Adam Graham provides insightful commentary throughout the episode, highlighting the psychological motivations behind the characters' actions and the clever narrative techniques employed in the storytelling.
Character Motivation: Adam emphasizes Dorothy's suspicion of Dunsmuir as stemming from his "creepy" behavior, illustrating how personal grievances can escalate into criminal actions.
"I love Dorothy's explanation of why she suspected Jerry Dunsmore because he's a creep."
Narrative Structure: He praises the plot's reliance on a seemingly insignificant photograph that ultimately serves as the linchpin for solving the case, showcasing effective storytelling that ties together disparate elements.
"I love this ending. ... it's all done over a picture that couldn't have been used anyway."
Criminal Logic: Adam critiques the portrayal of the criminal mind in the episode, questioning the rationality behind the characters' decisions while acknowledging the complexities of crime drama narratives.
"If that's the case, the criminal mind is dumb."
Dorothy Blair (05:20):
"I came home last evening about dinner time... he hit me on the side of the head."
Johnny Dollar (07:00):
"I have a tail on him. Ever since I questioned Chatsworth about the Edith Summers killing, I’ve had a tail on him."
Adam Graham Commentary (25:48):
"I love Dorothy's explanation of why she suspected Jerry Dunsmore because he's a creep... If that's the case, the criminal mind is dumb."
The episode effectively combines classic detective storytelling with modern analytical commentary, providing both entertainment and thoughtful critique. Listeners have responded positively, praising Adam Graham's ability to breathe new life into old-time radio dramas and his engaging commentary.
Adam concludes by thanking Patreon supporters and inviting listeners to continue engaging with the podcast through various platforms.
Final Thoughts
"Yours Truly Johnny Dollar: The Model Picture Matter" is a standout episode that masterfully intertwines a gripping mystery with insightful analysis. Adam Graham's expertise in old-time radio detective series shines through, offering both nostalgia and fresh perspectives for longtime fans and newcomers alike.