← The Great Detectives of Old Time Radio| Daily Mystery Dramas
The Great Detectives of Old Time Radio| Daily Mystery Dramas
Yours Truly Johnny Dollar: The Two Faced Matter (EP4855)
00:30:47
Today's Mystery: Johnny is called in to investigate the theft of $58,000 from a ludite furniture manufacturing company. Original Radio Broadcast Date: August 10, 1958 Originated from Hollywood Stars: Bob Bailey as Johnny Dollar, Will Wright, Herb...
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Quote and ask about our special offers. Limu Emu and Doug. Here we have the Limu Emu in its natural habitat, helping people customize their car insurance and save hundreds with Liberty Mutual. Fascinating. It's accompanied by his natural ally, Doug. Uh, Limu is that guy with the binoculars watching us. Cut the camera. They see us. Only pay for what you need@libertymutual.com Liberty Liberty, Liberty. Liberty Savings. Very underwritten by Liberty Mutual Insurance Company Affiliates excludes Massachusetts.
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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 want to encourage you. If you're enjoying the podcast, please follow us using your favorite podcast software. And if you would like to get a Great Detectives of Old Time Radio T shirt for a loved one, you can find that@t shirt.greatdetectives.net we have four styles available with a wide variety of different designs and colors. Check it out@t shirt.greatdetectives.net now from August 10, 1958, here is the Two Face Matters.
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From Hollywood. It's time now for. Johnny Dollar. Nick Walters. Johnny Northeastern Fidelity and Bonding. Oh, hi, Nick. How's with you? Good and bad, Johnny. Good and bad. Well, I'm sure it's nothing good you've called me about. What's the problem? $58,000 lost, straight or stolen? As if I didn't know. Yeah, probably stolen. Ever hear of the old Lang Syne furniture company? I have not. Sounds like a gag. It's no gag. Some of the finest traditional furniture in the world comes out of that plant. Really? It's up in northern Massachusetts in a little town north of Pittsburgh. And it's run by a bunch of real characters. Oh, how do you mean? Well, I suggest that when you go up there you wear a dark blue suit, white shirt and black four in hand tie. Huh? Oh, and suspenders. Be sure you wear suspenders. Are you kidding? Why, why don't you come over here at the office and let me tell you about it. Yeah, Nick, I think I'd. Bob Bailey in the exciting adventures of the man with the action packed expense Account, America's fabulous freelance insurance investigator, yours truly, Johnny Do. And now act one of yours truly, Johnny Doll.
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Foreign.
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Account submitted by special investigator Johnny Dollar to the Northeastern Fidelity and Bonding Company, Home office AR Connecticut. Following us, an account of expenses incurred during my investigation of the true face matter. Expense account, item one, Expense. After shaving, showering and donning the most funereal clothes I could find, item one, a $10 taxi to nick Weldon's office at Northeast Infidelity and Bonding. Just remember what I told you, Johnny. The old Lang Syne Furniture Company is run by a bunch of characters. Yeah, that's what intrigues me. That's why I came over here. Oh, they're craftsmen all right. The old school may take them a couple of years to make an ordinary straight back chair, but when it's done, it's the most beautiful thing you ever saw. And the finish they get on the pieces, they turn out beautiful. And expensive too, huh? Oh sure, but worth it. Any piece of furniture they make will last 100, 500 years. Yeah, they're real honest craftsmen. The kind you don't see anymore? Uh huh. Well, apparently somebody wasn't too honest with them. So tell me all. Nick, Johnny. It seems one of their lads has run off with some of the company money. Yeah, you mentioned 58,000 bucks. Yep, 58,433 to be exact. And those boys are exact. Well, what do the police have to say? Nothing. They were never called in. Well why not? I told you, the place is run by a flock of real characters. Oh brother, they must be. When did this happen? Sometime within the past three and a half years. And you've just found out about it now? That's right. Well how come? I told you, John. Yeah, Frank told me there are a bunch of characters. But didn't their policy state that any claim had to be filed within 60 days of the loss? We waived that form, struck it from the policy. Why? Because they don't like to be rushed in anything. Rushed after all, like 60 days and don't forget they only discovered the loss a bit over a month ago. They even took a month to let you know about it. Yeah. And yet you say it could have occurred as much as three and a half years ago. Yeah, yeah, I know. But why don't you save the questions for Mr. J. Worthington Keasley? Who's he? The senior member of the organization, I guess you'd call him. There are no officers, you know, President, vice president and so on. You mean a company big enough to suffer a cash loss of $58,000? Johnny, I told you. Yeah, that's right. You told him. Yeah. So will you go up there and see what. What? Nick, I'm going up there for just one reason. On expense account, of course. Of course. And that is to take a good look at these crazy characters you've been talk me about. Item 2. 325 for a bus to Fitchburg, Massachusetts. Where at the terminal I picked up a local to North Weldon, home of the old Lang Syne Furniture Company. The name was appropriate. Located on the outskirts of the quiet little New England town it consisted of a huge vine like building that looked as though it had been standing there since the year 1. Surrounded by stately elm trees and a couple of gnarled ancient oaks, it looked, well, very picturesque. A large wrought iron weathercock raced one end of the high peak shingle and looked down on broad lawns, well kept flower beds. The road leading up to it was just an old fashioned dirt road and I kicked up the dust as I plotted along. Then suddenly I stopped. For there at the side instead of automobiles were, believe it or not, horses. Horses and carriages and a bicycle or two or three. It was almost as though a picture of 50 or 60 years ago had suddenly come to life. And then inside when I found Mr. Jay Worthington Keasley, well, he looked like one of the Smith brothers and was sitting in front of a fine but ancient roll top desk. Of course we do, Mr. Dollar. Our fathers and their fathers before them all wore full beards. Therefore, we do too. Would you like a bit of snuff, sir? No, no thanks. Yes, it's one of the traditions, sir. The traditions to which we adhere in order that we may continue to fabricate the superlative furniture for which we've become famous over the past 107 years. And I take it, Mr. Keasley, that the same thing applies to the horses and carriages out there at the side. Yes, they were good enough for our grandparents, so they're good enough for us, I suppose. That's why I should have suspected Mr. Triller. Mr. Triller. Roscoe James Twiller. Mr. Darlong. Yes, sir. There's a picture of him in this group photograph taken on the occasion our 100th anniversary. I feel like I ought to yell Beaver. I'm afraid his mighty shock of hair and magnificent beard misled me back in 1941 when I hired him. Yes, and I suppose I should have known when he gave up horse from Surrey to drive one of those newfangled motor cars. Should have known what? Mr. Keasley? But he was no longer a man suited to our fine establishment. Is he the one who took off with your $58,000? $58,433.41. Are you sure? I mean, sure it was he? Beyond the shadow of a doubt, sir. 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 16 days ago. Yes. Yes, I should have known. But you didn't discover the loss until recently. It was June 21, at four minutes after 10 that I went down to the vault. For the first time in four years. We have something extra to put aside. And you discovered the money was missing? The vault was empty except for this note. Goodbye, suckers. Hollow. Signed Triller. So you see Mr. Dollop? Yes. Yes, I do. It looks like he's our man. No question about it. And you've no idea where he might have gone? None whatsoever. Well, surely there must be some clue. None whatsoever. But you must find him. But that was three and a half years ago. Exactly. Three years, five months and 16. So where do I start? Unless your country decides simply to reimburse us for our loss. That, Mr. Dollar, is up to. Act two of yours truly, Johnny Dollar. In a moment. Sometimes we may wonder why a football team doesn't quit playing and walk off the field when it finds itself 50 points behind with only a few minutes of play to go? What is that indomitable spirit that fills men with hope and keeps them going in spite of terrific odds? Keeps them going just to play the game according to the rules. Just to get the job done as well as they know how. This kind of spirit pervaded the feelings of heavy bomber Crews of the Ninth Air Force on that day of glory, August 1, 1943. The day of one of the most secretly planned surprise bombing missions of World War II. The day of the low level attack on the Romanian oil refineries at ploesti, more than 170 B24 heavily loaded bombers took off in a swirl of red dust from Benghazi, Libya to bomb a highly defended priority target. The element of surprise in the low level attack was to be one of their greatest weapons. But things went wrong from the start. Three planes exploded during takeoff operations. Eleven more aborted due to engine trouble. Of those that reached the target area, less than one third returned to home base. The leaders of the mission encountered navigation difficulties and difficulty in identifying the specific targets. And due to the loss of that elemental hope, surprise, they also encountered devastating enemy firepower from flak and fighters. The mission was partially successful, but a horrifying experience. Five Medals of Honor were awarded to the heroes of the Ploesti raid for valorous action above and beyond the call of duty. At any time. The men would have been justified in turning back. But they had a code of conduct that made them want to see the unequal game through to the end. It was a job that had to be done. A charge of the Light Brigade in the air as they flew down the valley of death to glory. And now, act two of yours truly, Johnny Dollar and the two faced matter. Okay, Mr. Keasley, it looks like this man Twiller is the one who walked off with the money in your safe when he left your employ. No question about it. And unless you can find him, your company will have to pay the full amount of the loss. Yeah, well, even if I do find him, the chances are he'll have spent that money after all. Three years and a half. Exactly. Three years, five months and 16. You say you have no idea whatsoever as to where he might have gone? With that much money, he could be anywhere in the world.
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Uh huh.
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Where did he live? I don't know, sir. What? After all, it was none of my affair. But if he worked for you a number of years, I make it a rule never to pry into the affairs of others. Except of course, for the manufacture of fine furniture is concerned. Or doesn't anybody in this organization know anything about Twiller? Possibly Mr. Bottomley. Who is he? He is presently engaged in creating a Hepplewhite table in the shop. Come, we shall speak with him. The huge shop dated back a hundred years at least. There wasn't a single power tool, not even a buzz saw. But some of the tools looked as though they might have been used to build the ark. Eight or ten men, all of them old, all wearing dark trousers, suspenders and white aprons, were busy turning out fine pieces of furniture carefully, almost loving. And every one of them wore his own distinctive old beard, who raved for tradition. Mr. Keasley led the way to a man who was gently turning the edge of some kind of a sideboard. Good morning, Mr. Bottomley. Good morning, Mr. Keasley. You must pardon this intrusion, Mr. Bottomley. It must be for good reason, Mr. Keasley, though you must understand that I cannot afford interruption if I am to finish this prudenza by the of the year coming. Of course. I wish you to meet Mr. Johnny Dollar. Good morning, Mr. Dollar.
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How are you?
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He is an investigator, Mr. Bottomley, come to get us back the money we lost. Then he must find Mr. Twiller. Exactly. Good morning, Mr. Thurston. Good morning, Mr. Mr. Keasley tells me you know where this man Twiller lived. He was my neighbor. Lived alone next door to me. Where? And I assure you, sir, I had no idea of his designs on the company building fund. Yes, I'm sure. But now, this morning he drove me to work in his carriage until he purchased that abominable motor car. Oh, I refused to ride in it, sir, and bought myself a bicycle. You did properly, Mr. Bottomley. Good morning, Mr. Woodstone. Morning, Ms. Keighley. Well, just where is it that Twiller Live, Mr. Bottomly? In the village of North Weldon. East North Weldon on Peach Avenue. Well, then perhaps the authorities there will be able to give me some kind of a lead. The authorities met the police, Mr. Keesley. The police? Good heavens. I hope not, Mr. Dollar. Surely not the police. Gentlemen, gentlemen, gentlemen, please. These gentlemen are right to Dollars. Think of the block amount would mean. Now, look, your loss amounts to $58,000. 58,400. If I don't find this man, my company's going to have to pay off. I know, but the police. Now, look, my immediate job is to find this Rosco James Twiller. And if I need the help of the police to do it. Who's the chief of police in North Weldon? Well, the. The mayor, Mr. Dollar. What's his name? John Kenworthy. Wilkins, Mr. Dollar. Any of you know him? We do not mix with the townspeople, Mr. Dollar. We don't even go into town, Mr. Dollar. But I do have a picture of the mayor here, sir. Bottomley, where did you get this? He's. He's running for re election, Mr. Keasley. I found this. This poster in my carriage. Well, get rid of it. Man, this is indecent. No, no, wait a minute. Let me see that. Terrible. Disgusting, huh? Why, it's a disgrace to have such A thing within the walls of his fine old company. Oh no. 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 billot ball but to top it off was clean shaven. Yeah, a picture like this within the walls of the All Lang Sy was real sacrament. But I still hadn't done my job. I had to find this man Triller or let the company pay out 58,000 bucks. How to find him I hadn't the least idea. Act three of yours truly, Johnny Dollar. In a moment. Times have changed and so has the man. During the 18th and 19th centuries, warfare with its musket fire and cavalry charges and cannonades was a simple, direct, easily understood type of conflict. The undisciplined but sharp eyed revolutionaries hid behind trees and hedgerows to pick off the advancing British troops. The wild dashing hell for leather cavalry charges of the Civil War and Custer's encounter with Sitting Bull and the Sioux Indians were though courageous, simple and direct. But they were far removed from the development of the atomic age which demands selectivity, skill and rigorous training. Until recently, the soldier's general level of knowledge determined his job suitability. Today, however, with more and more complex weapons and equipment being used, the military needs large numbers of skilled technicians. To that end, tests have been developed to find men with intelligence and technical aptitude and to develop in these men the needs of the future. Yes, times have changed and so has the man. And now act three of yours truly, Johnny Dollar and the two faced. I found the mayor of North Weldon sitting comfortably on the shaded porch of his home, fanning himself with an election placard and sipping at what looks suspiciously like a gym and tonic. Yes. You're certain that I can't fetch you a limeade too, Mr. Dollar? No, no thanks, Mayor Wilpins. Yes, well now, as I started to say when I first came here, I did hear something, some rumor about money having been taken from the old Lang Syne Furniture Company. But until they lodge a complaint with me, we see. I'm also chief of police. Yes, well, from what I can see, they're pretty slow about things like that. Yeah, they're slow about everything. But they make magnificent furniture. I could see that. Tell me, did you know this Roscoe Twiller at all? Gone before I came to Northwell in awe. That was only three and a half years ago. And I came after that. Yet you're the mayor of the town Village. Really, Mr. Dollar, but lovely place. I've always. I've Liked it ever since. First time I saw it. And when the people learned of my police record, my. My record in police work out in Ohio, why, they insisted that I take over my present jobs for them. I see. And you have no idea where I could get a lead on this man Twiller? No, no. Sorry. Don't the people at the furniture factory have any ideas about him? None whatsoever. You're sure? I'm sure. Yes. Well, if what you've told me is true about his taking the money, I mean, he is probably far, far away. Yep. I'm afraid so. Just as far as I am from solving this case. Well, we chatted on for a few minutes and then I left. In the hope of finding some erstwhile neighbor who might be able to give me some help. I headed across town toward Peach Avenue. And as I was about to pass the bus stop, bang, bang, bang, huh? Bang, bang, you're dead. And another red skin bit the dust. Well, hi there, fella. Cowboy, huh? Sure, I'm a cowboy and a policeman and an artist and everything. Sure. My name's Jim Carter. What's yours? Johnny, darling. Want to see some of my artistical drawings? Yeah, sure. Sure, I do, Johnny. Just look at this cigarette advertisement here on the fence. With my own crayons too. I see. How's that? Jimmy, that's the most beautiful mustache I ever saw in any girl. Sure. My teacher says I'm gonna grow up and be a great artist. Oh, sure. But first I have to get a paint set. Sure. Sure you do. And see what I've done with this one. Sure. You sure that's our mayor? Yeah. He's running for re election. That's why he has all these signs all around. Don't you think he looks a lot better with some hair on his old bald head? And a little child shall eat. Now, I'm gonna put a beard on him like some of those old men at the furniture factory. Stay with us, Jimmy. Stay with us. Ah, they're funny. Old men like this boy, they never come in town. He never. There. Doesn't that look like one of them there, Jimmy? That's so good, I'm gonna say that. Really? Yes, sir. Thanks a lot. I sure do. I didn't know I was that good. Jimmy, you'll never know how good you are. Well, is back so soon, Mr. Dollar? Mayor Wilkins. Or rather Chief Wilkins. Yeah. I have to ask you to make an arrest. You. You mean you've found the man that you've been looking for? If there's any question about it, I'll make a civilian arrest. I don't understand, sir. Only a few minutes ago. Only a few minutes ago, I was blind as a bat to the most obvious possibility in the world. You showed up in this town a short time after Roscoe Twiller left. Yes, it's true. Roscoe Twiller, with a heavy shock of hair and a thick beard. Well, if I understand, it's 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. I beg your pardon, sir. Here, look at yourself. Where'd you get that? Roscoe James Twiller, alias John Kenworthy Wilkins. Now, now, Mr. Darling. I'll bet that if I make a search of your house, I'll find the key to that vault in the furniture factory. No, I threw it away. Yeah. Do you want to make the arrest yourself, Twiller or Shallot? I don't know why Twiller gave up so easily. I guess it was because I caught him completely off guard. He even signed a confession and promised to pay back what he could. So from here on in, it's up to the courts. And all thanks to a little kid who liked to draw mustaches on billboards. Expense account total, including the finest paint set I could find for my little pal Jimmy. Oh, hey, wait. I gotta pad this. It only comes out to $9.80. Yours truly, Johnny Dollar. Yours truly, Johnny Dollar, starring Bob Bailey. Originates in Hollywood and is written, produced and directed by Jackson Johnstone. Heard in our cast were Will White, Herb Viran, Forest Lewis, Edgar Barrier, Richard Beals, Bill James and Gus Bay. Be sure to join us same time in station for another exciting story of yours truly, Johnny Dollar. This is roy rowan speaking. This is the story of the 1. As a custodial supervisor at a high school, he knows that during cold and flu season, germs spread fast. It's why he partners with Grainger to stay fully stocked on the products and supplies he needs, from tissues to disinfectants to floor scrubbers. All so that he can help students, staff and teachers stay healthy and focused. Call 1-800-GRAINGER Click grainger.com or just stop by Grainger for the ones who get it done. This is the story of the 1. As head of maintenance at a concert hall, he knows the show must always go on. That's why he works behind the scenes, ensuring every light is working. The H Vac is humming and his facility shines with Grainger's supplies and solutions for every challenge he faces. Plus 24. 7 customer support. His venue never misses a beat. Call quickgranger.com or just stop by Grainger for the ones who get it done.
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Welcome back. A colorful story and the eccentric nature of this factory and how it works I think really did work and make for an interesting story. And I thought the solution was clever. The big problem was that this is one where the title gave away the punchline as soon as the mayor stated that he hadn't been in town the same time as the guy who worked at the factory. You guessed it. And I think that it might have been at least a little more difficult if the title didn't give it away. Listener comments and feedback and we start out over on Spotify where Nightwing comments regarding the wayward Killer matter and the discussion of guns on planes Air hijackings is what stopped people from bringing weapons into the cabins. Yes, back in the 1960s you had people hijacking planes to fly them to Cuba and so that served to be an impetus to ban people from carrying weapons in the cabin or in their carry on luggage. So the age of Johnny Dollar being able to carry on a plane were rapidly approaching a conclusion. And then on YouTube regarding the virtuous mobster matter, Eric comments I can't help but notice that Johnstone likes to making his recurring characters real characters eccentric millionaire Alvin Cartwright, the lovelorn fighting Irish woman Meg, the guy whose name I forgot that pays all his bills in money he literally runs through the laundry. The legendary money launderer Durango Laramie. I think you mean George Reid of Floyd's of London. There might be a couple I've forgotten here, but aside from Pat McCracken and the gang at Lake Mojave, eccentricity seems to be the through line and I think that that's a fair observation and if I had a theory as to why that might be. If you look at Johnstone's radio career, he really cut his teeth artistically in a lot of the serial dramas that were broadcast and targeted towards kids, though enjoyed by adults as well. He did Buck Rogers and also directed Superman and both those series had these just very big characters who were really popular with the audience. So I think that he liked those characters from there and really went about creating the same sort of characters for Johnny Dolore. While there are people who really don't like those type of characters, there were quite enough who did to make the show successful. Well, thanks so much. Appreciate the comment, Eric now it's time to thank our Patreon supporter of the day. And I want to thank Paul, patreon Supporter since November 2024, currently supporting the podcast at the detective Sergeant level of $7.14 or more per month. Thanks so much for your support, Paul. That will do it for today. If you're enjoying the podcast, please follow us using your favorite podcast software and be sure to 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 the great adventurers of Old Time Radio as we bring you cloak and dagger wear.
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That was the difference between Guido Gordoni and me. He and his partisans fought fire with fire. They'd never heard of the democratic process, but I had and I believed in it. That was why Guido and I could fight side by side and respect each other as soldiers, and yet never become friends. You've not lived under the Fascisti, Roberto. You've not had a wife and child murdered as I have. Were the men you hung in the square responsible for that? Every black shirt is responsible. The men in the square, Alberto Pelizo, all of them. When Guido Gordoni finds them, they pay for their crimes. They should pay, of course. But. But? But, but what? What? What, Roberto? I don't like men who say yes, but I don't think they can be trusted. Guido, you have no right to say that to Roberto. Forget it, Rosa. I'm leaving all of you. Soon. You won't have to trust me much longer.
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I hope you'll be with us then. In the meantime, send your comments to Box13.8Detectives.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.
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