Podcast Summary: The Great Detectives of Old Time Radio

Episode: Yours Truly Johnny Dollar – "The Noxious Needle Matter" (EP4860)

Host: Adam Graham
Date: December 5, 2025
Original Broadcast: August 24, 1958

Overview

In this episode, Adam Graham presents a classic radio drama from the Yours Truly, Johnny Dollar series titled "The Noxious Needle Matter." Johnny Dollar, a freelance insurance investigator, is tasked with probing the suspicious death of Jay Lamont Schofield, a once-renowned Broadway theatrical producer. The primary suspect? His attractive young nurse and sole beneficiary, Mary T. Smith (a former burlesque queen), who stands to inherit a fortune. The case hinges on figuring out whether Schofield died of natural causes—or was murdered with a "noxious needle."

Graham, as always, offers insightful post-episode commentary, reflecting on Johnny Dollar's investigative tactics and narrative peculiarities of Golden Age radio.

Key Discussion Points & Storyline Breakdown

1. The Case Assignment

[03:10–04:49]

• Johnny Dollar is summoned by Waldo R. Westbury, of Worldwide Mutual Insurance Company, to investigate Schofield's death, worth a $750,000 policy.
• Schofield was known for his glamorous revues but died with his nurse, Mary T. Smith, as sole beneficiary—a notable break from his history of listing showgirls.

"Goldie Lafern. Sounds like a burlesque queen. ... Baby Boodles Baker. That's worse."
– Johnny Dollar [05:37]

• Westbury is convinced Mary orchestrated Schofield's death, despite the medical report stating natural causes.

2. Visiting the Doctor

[07:51–13:13]

• Dollar visits Dr. Leonard Foote, who oversaw Schofield’s care and affirms Mary was a registered nurse.
• Dr. Foote claims Schofield had a weak heart and needed digitalis and sedilamide injections—administered by Mary under Foote’s orders.

"She was a registered nurse, Mr. Dollar. ... Over the years, Lamont kept himself pretty well surrounded by—well, some of them were very pretty girls. But not this Mary."
– Dr. Foote [08:47]

• Johnny presses whether Mary (or Foote himself) could have hastened Schofield’s death. Dr. Foote is offended by the accusation.
• Dr. Foote has ordered an autopsy and says the police are involved, suspecting Mary as well.

"Are such tactics usually part of an investigation like this?"
– Dr. Foote
"Why not, if you were guilty. If I could get you riled up, catch you off your guard."
– Johnny Dollar [10:14]

3. Meeting Mary T. Smith

[15:19–21:21]

• Mary T. Smith is unexpectedly young and striking, not the aging former showgirl Dollar anticipated.
• She is bold, flirtatious, and candid about her ambitions and feelings toward Schofield.

"You’re even better looking than I thought you’d be. Won’t you come in?"
– Mary T. Smith [16:37]

• Mary admits she wanted Schofield’s money but denies wrongdoing, even teasing Johnny to prove she’s guilty.

"Johnny, I’ve been on 24-hour duty here for two years… There were times when I wished I could help him out of this world."
– Mary T. Smith [18:17]

• Mary offers to put her confession in writing, but remains brazen and unflappable.

"You cannot build a case on nothing but thin air."
– Mary T. Smith [21:00]
"Yeah, yeah, I know."
– Johnny Dollar

4. Breakthrough and Resolution

[23:10–25:25]

• Johnny, inspired by Mary's turn of phrase, consults his own doctor about committing a “perfect crime.”
• At the coroner’s office, Johnny suggests that an embolism (air injected into a vein) could explain Schofield’s death despite no trace of poison.
• The toxicologist finds evidence that a hypodermic used on Schofield only ever contained air—a subtle but lethal murder method.

"30, 40, 50 cc's of air. Plain air injected into a vein. Yes, of course, it could cause an embolism."
– Dr. Foote [24:21]

• With microscopic tissue traces on the “air only” needle, Mary is confronted and confesses.
• Ironically, Johnny builds a "case out of thin air," both literally and figuratively.

"Sometimes you can build a case on nothing but thin air."
– Johnny Dollar [25:25]

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• Johnny’s humor regarding Schofield’s list of beneficiaries:
  "Cupcake Delond—hey, what's this doing here? Mary T. Smith. That’s quite a come down from all those babes." [05:37]
• Johnny’s antagonistic tactics:
  "If I could get you riled up, catch you off your guard." [10:14]
• Mary’s mix of brazenness and candor:
  "I wanted him dead. I wanted his money. Did what I had to do to get it. ... You're barking up the wrong tree." [19:12–21:00]
• The literal 'case out of thin air':
  "A case built on nothing but thin air. Yeah. And the ironic part of it is the tip off came from Mary T. Smith." [25:18]

Post-Episode Commentary by Adam Graham

[27:37–29:29]

• Strengths and Weaknesses of Johnny Dollar:

  • Praises Johnny's intuitive leaps and willingness to draw inspiration from passing remarks.
  • Criticizes his tendency to antagonize suspects needlessly ("unnecessarily antagonizing so many people with murder allegations without any evidence, just to see if he can get a reaction").

• On Plausibility:

  • Finds the murderess’s confession somewhat implausible, noting the show's tendency for expedient exposition.
  • Highlights how Johnny’s reputation makes suspects inadvertently nervous—“As a criminal, you should say as little as possible to Johnny Dollar…”

• Meta Observation:

  • Notes the episode feels like a writer's exercise: "Write a story where a detective builds a murder case out of thin air."
  • Mentions this is the last “extant” episode before another lost episode, giving a bit of Johnny Dollar broadcast history for enthusiasts.

Additional Listener Discussion

[29:29–33:34]

• Listener Feedback:

  • Adam answers a question about composer David Rose and highlights Rose’s contributions to both TV and radio.
  • Recommends the old-time music series, California Melodies, for those interested in Rose’s work.

• Patreon Supporter of the Day:

  • Thanks long-term and new supporters.

• Programming Note:

  • Announces upcoming programming and historical trivia about missing episodes in the Johnny Dollar series.

Important Timestamps

• [03:10] – The case assignment from Westbury
• [07:51] – Johnny's conversation with Dr. Foote
• [15:19] – First encounter with Mary T. Smith
• [18:17] – Mary candidly discusses her life and motives
• [21:00] – Johnny challenges Mary to put her confession in writing
• [23:10] – Johnny consults a doctor about "perfect crime" methods
• [24:21] – Discovery of the murder method (air embolism)
• [25:18] – The case is “built on nothing but thin air”
• [27:37] – Adam Graham's post-episode analysis

Conclusion

This episode of Yours Truly, Johnny Dollar exemplifies classic radio detective fare—with a hard-boiled, wisecracking investigator, a web of showbiz intrigue, and an implausibly bold confession. Adam Graham’s commentary adds color and context, making the episode accessible and engaging even for non-listeners.

Memorable Takeaway:

"Sometimes you can build a case on nothing but thin air."
— Johnny Dollar [25:25]

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