Podcast Summary

Podcast: The Great Detectives of Old Time Radio
Episode: Yours Truly Johnny Dollar: The Two Faced Matter (EP4855)
Host: Adam Graham
Date: November 28, 2025

Overview

This episode features a classic installment from the famed old-time radio detective series, "Yours Truly, Johnny Dollar," titled "The Two Faced Matter." Host Adam Graham guides listeners through this quirky and suspenseful mystery, introducing insurance investigator Johnny Dollar as he tackles a long-cold case involving a missing $58,000 from a traditionalist furniture company. The episode stands out for its eccentric cast of characters and clever use of period detail—the kind of storytelling Graham describes as both "colorful" and "interesting" (28:10).

Key Discussion Points and Plot Breakdown

Setting the Scene (02:53–04:22)

• Johnny receives the case:
  • Nick Walters from Northeastern Fidelity and Bonding calls Johnny Dollar about a significant theft from the Old Lang Syne Furniture Company, a quirky, tradition-bound operation in northern Massachusetts.
  • Nick emphasizes the eccentric nature of the company, warning Johnny to dress extremely formally and requesting he wear suspenders ("just remember what I told you, Johnny. The Old Lang Syne Furniture Company is run by a bunch of characters." – Nick, 04:22).

Meet the Eccentrics: At the Factory (04:22–14:12)

• Johnny visits the factory:
  • The company appears frozen in time, complete with horses and carriages instead of cars.
  • Employees all sport full beards and use century-old craftsmanship and tools.
  • Mr. J. Worthington Keasley, the senior member, reveals their adherence to tradition: "Our fathers and their fathers before them all wore full beards. Therefore, we do too. Would you like a bit of snuff, sir?" – Keasley, 07:32).
  • Keasley admits that Roscoe James Twiller, a former employee, is the only likely suspect: “He was the only one, beside myself, who had a key to the vault... The vault was empty except for this note: ‘Goodbye, suckers. – Twiller’” (09:45).

The Investigation: Chasing Shadows (14:12–17:50)

• No police allowed:
  • The company is resistant to police involvement, reflecting their insular culture (“We do not mix with the townspeople, Mr. Dollar. We don't even go into town.” – Factory worker, 16:54).
  • Johnny traces Twiller’s address to Peach Avenue in the neighboring village, through a tip from Mr. Bottomley, another bearded craftsman.

Meeting the Mayor—A Pivotal Encounter (17:51–23:15)

• Mayor Wilkins’ peculiarities:
  • Johnny finds the mayor lounging on his porch. He is bald, clean-shaven, and new to town—odd for a village defined by tradition.
  • The mayor, also chief of police, claims he came to town after Twiller disappeared and knows nothing about him.
  • Johnny is initially stumped but grows suspicious of the mayor.

The Clue from a Child (23:16–25:04)

• Art and deduction:
  • Johnny encounters young Jimmy Carter, a local kid who draws on the mayor's campaign posters.
  • Jimmy draws beards and hair on the poster, mimicking the look of the factory workers, unintentionally sparking Johnny’s epiphany about the mayor’s true identity.
  • "Don't you think he looks a lot better with some hair on his old bald head? ... Now, I'm gonna put a beard on him like some of those old men at the furniture factory." – Jimmy, 24:03.

Solution and Confrontation (25:05–27:09)

• Revealing the truth:
  • Johnny realizes Mayor Wilkins is actually Roscoe James Twiller, having disguised himself by shaving and going bald ("If I understand, all men out at the old Lang Syne Furniture... You, clean shaven, completely bald. Mr. Dollar, I should have realized by the funny pink tint on the top of your noggin that you've been using some kind of hair remover." – Johnny, 25:47).
  • Twiller confesses and is taken into custody, vowing to pay back what he can.

Coda and Commentary (28:10–31:57)

• Host Adam Graham's analysis:
  • Graham praises the episode’s eccentric tone and clever twist but laments that the episode’s title ("The Two Faced Matter") gives away the surprise too early.
  • Listener feedback highlights the show’s love for “real characters” and recurring eccentric personalities.
  • Brief discussion on how Johnstone, the show’s writer, enjoyed bringing over-the-top characters from his background in serial radio dramas.

Memorable Quotes

• On tradition and the company:
  • "Our fathers and their fathers before them all wore full beards. Therefore, we do too. Would you like a bit of snuff, sir?" – Mr. Keasley (07:32)
• On the investigation:
  • "He was the only one, beside myself, who had a key to the vault in which we kept our building fund. And when he suddenly left us three years, five months, and sixteen days ago... I should have known." – Keasley (09:34)
• On the mayor’s poster:
  • "No wonder the old boys were shocked. For his honor, the mayor of North and East North Weldon, was not only as bald as a billiard ball but, to top it off, was clean shaven." – Johnny Dollar (17:34)
• The child’s pivotal insight:
  • "Now, I'm gonna put a beard on him like some of those old men at the furniture factory." – Jimmy (24:12)
• The reveal:
  • "I should have realized by the funny pink tint on the top of your noggin that you've been using some kind of hair remover." – Johnny (25:49)

Important Timestamps

• [02:53] – Johnny is hired for the case and given eccentric instructions.
• [04:22] – Johnny arrives at the old-fashioned factory.
• [09:45] – Keasley describes the theft and shows the incriminating note.
• [14:12] – Johnny questions factory workers, who react in horror to involving police.
• [17:51] – Johnny interviews the odd, clean-shaven mayor.
• [23:16] – Johnny meets Jimmy, who inspires the solution.
• [25:05] – Johnny confronts the mayor and exposes the truth.
• [28:10] – Host analysis and listener discussion.

Tone and Style

The episode balances nostalgic charm and humor with clever detective work. The colorful, eccentric characters and old-world traditions provide a whimsical backdrop to the whodunit plot. Host Adam Graham’s commentary is conversational, insightful, and appreciative of both the writing and the radio drama's vintage quirks.

For New Listeners

Even if you haven’t heard the original broadcast, this episode is compelling for anyone who enjoys classic mysteries, comedic characters, and retro detective stories. The solution hinges on a clever disguise and a well-placed bit of childlike creativity, making for a satisfying and entertaining listening experience.

Related Links:

• The Great Detectives of Old Time Radio
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