
Today's Mystery: Johnny goes to South Carolina to investigate the disappearance of an ex-mobster who had gone straight. Original Radio Broadcast Date: June 22, 1958 Originating from Hollywood Starring: Bob Bailey as Johnny Dollar; Jeanne Tatum;...
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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. 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 vary underwritten by Liberty Mutual Insurance Company and affiliates.
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Excludes Massachusetts.
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What do you think makes the perfect snack? Hmm, it's gotta be when I'm really craving it and it's convenient. Could you be more specific? When it's cravinient. Okay. Like a freshly baked cookie made with real butter, available right down the street at a.m. p.m. Or a savory breakfast sandwich I can grab in just a second at AM pm. I'm seeing a pattern here.
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Well, yeah, we're talking about what I.
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Crave, which is anything from AM pm. What more could you want? Stop by AM PM where the snacks and drinks are perfectly craveable and convenient. That's cravenience and AM pm Too much good stuff.
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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 Doller. But first, I do want to encourage you. If you are enjoying the podcast, please follow us using your favorite podcast software. I also want to encourage you to check out the Great Adventurers of Old Time Radio podcast this week playing Buck rogers in the 25th century. On Tuesday, we started the first of two episodes featuring Buck Rogers. And for that episode I'm joined by Alan Liska, who wrote the Yours Truly Johnny Dollar comic and he's got a new Buck Rogers comic and is sharing some of his insights on the character and on the surviving radio episodes. I encourage you to check that out@great adventures.info we have the very first episode of Buck Rogers posted and we'll have the next part posted next Tuesday. Again, check that out@great adventures.info. all right, well, we kind of got out of order. The episode that I played last week I should have played this week, and so we kind of got them reversed. But after that we'll be back on track. Here though, from June 22, 1958, is.
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The virtuous mobster manor from Hollywood. It's time now for Johnny Duller. Hi there, Johnny. This is your old pal, Lefty. Lefty for sure. You remember Lefty Stimper, huh? You know, down here in Virtue. Virtue V I R G of ichu, South Carolina. Oh, sure. You remember me and the boys. We occupied this Caraway plantation down here on the Pee Dee River. Well, sure, of course. Listen, are you having trouble again with old man Caraway? Oh, no, sir, not a bit. And you know how we stopped them, me and the boys, from making trouble for us? How, Lefty? We bought them out, that's how. Yeah, we give them 100 GS for the place. Cash money. Now we own a whole entire plantation. Well, good for you. But now what's your problem? Well, Johnny, we fixed this place up real nice since you seen it. You know, we spent a lot of dawn on it. So? So we want to buy a lot of new insurance on it. Oh, well, then hop on over to Georgetown and see your old friend Joe Picatello about it. Old friend, huh? After all, he's your insurance agent.
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Yeah.
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Is he? Well, sure, of course he is. Didn't he send you all the other insurance? You Lefty, has something happened to Joe? Yeah, only I don't know what it is. What do you mean? Well, that's just it. I don't know. I talked to him on the phone, asked him to come out here. He says okay, but he don't come. You think somebody's knocked him off? Then I call him again. He says okay again. He'll be right over. But he still don't come. Well, have you gone over to Georgetown to see him? To see what's the matter? Five, six, maybe even half a dozen times. But every time he ain't dead. Lefty. I don't get it. That's what I'm trying to tell you. There's something wrong about it, Johnny. And if I was you, I'd come down here and find out. You know something? I think you're right. Bob Bailey and the exciting adventures of the man with the action packed expense account. America's fabulous freelance insurance investigator. Yours truly, Johnny Doer. And now, act one of yours, truly, Johnny Dollar. Expense account submitted by special investigator Johnny Dollar. To the Continental Insurance Company home office, New York, New York. Following is an account of expenses incurred during my investigation of the virtuous mobs. Expense Account Item 1, 7.85. Train to New York City and taxi to the office of Continental Insurance Company. Fortunately, my contact there, Ben Orloff, was in. Come in, Mr. Dollar. Come in. Thanks. How are you? Sit down. Thanks. Now, Mr. Orloff, wait a minute. Don't tell me you never received that check for your services down in South Carolina. Oh, yes, I got that I had that mailed out to you nearly two months ago. Yes, I said I got it. I. Oh. Oh, good. Incidentally, I thoroughly enjoyed your report on that case. The Village of Virtue matter, you called it.
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Yes.
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So why a group of ex gangsters should decide to settle in a town called Virtue, I'll never understand. Well, were they really behaving themselves, as your report indicated? Or had they been using that old plantation for a sort of hideout? Their records have been cleaned down there for over 20 years now. Is that so? Well. Well, maybe the answer to organized crime is to give all those fellows a nice, quiet plantation to live on. Yes. I must say that when our agent down there, Joseph Picatello. It's about Joe that I've come to talk. I must say that I was a bit concerned when I found Joe had sold policies to characters like Lefty Stemper and Bully Magoon and flippy lack of Mr. Orloff. Why, those were the very sort of men that Thomas E. Dewey chased out of New York when he was DA some years ago, Mr. Oliver. That was before Dewey became governor, you know. So naturally, I. What were you going to say about Joe Picatelli? Have you heard from Joe recently? No. No, I don't think I have, now that you mention it, because I just talked over the phone. Wait. You must understand one thing, Mr. Donneller. What's that? Our office down there in Georgetown is probably the smallest one we have in the whole country. Joe really doesn't handle much business for us, you know. Yes, I understand. I understood that when I talked to him in April. If it weren't for those. Those mobsters over in virtue. Mobsters, Mr. Arnold? Well, if it wasn't for them and some of the townspeople to whom we've issued policies, I. Mr. Donner, has something happened to Joe Piccatello? That's what I want to find out. Because now that I think about it. Excuse me, Ms. Bailey. Yes, Mr. Orloff? Did you ever get a reply on the harmon policy from Mr. Picatello in our Georgetown office? No, sir. I've written Mr. Picatello several times now. Thank you. $. We wrote Joe about that Harmon matter over four weeks ago. Well, didn't it occur to you to phone him and find out why he hasn't answered you? But it involves such a small policy that. Yes? Perhaps I'd better try to call him. Ms. Bailey, wait. Yes? Nothing. What? I said nothing. Well, Mr. Dollop. Oh, Mr. Roloff. If something has happened at Joe Pegatello. Well, look, instead of spreading the alarm, how about if I quietly run on down there. But have you reason to believe something wrong has happened to him? Only from what his clients down there at the plantation have told me over the phone. You. You think perhaps some of his old gangland enemies have got to him after 20 years? I don't know. But if you locate my expense account, I'll go down there and see. Well, now, Mr. Donald. And if you won't, I'll get down there anyway. But there's the danger too. This might be a very dangerous. Let me. Let me hear from you. As soon as you can, Mr. Dollar. Act two of yours truly, Johnny Dollar. In a moment. And now for another episode in the life of Sergeant Donald Bellwether, my husband. Oh, Donald. It's your pouring, isn't it? Can you see all right? Oh, yeah. I can see those windshield wipers are operating with mechanical perfection. You notice there are no more streaks either, since I put on the new rubber blade. You know, I think every driver should have his windshield wipers in good order. It's much safer. It would be much safer if everyone would slow down during wet weather. Like my husband is doing right now. Just being cautious, Reba. We don't want an accident in this downpour. We don't want an accident anytime. Yeah, that's for sure. Well, the experts say that accidents just don't happen. Something causes accidents, and that cause can be prevented. By the way, dear, in what kind of weather do you think most accidents occur? Oh, I'd say in rain or snowy weather. Or in slippery weather when visibility is unfair. That's the wrong answer, dear. Wrong? Are you. Are you serious? Statistics show that 8 out of 10 accidents occur when the weather is clear or with a cloudy overcast. Are you positive? I wonder why. Oh, here's our house. Oh, yeah. Upset. Now, you sit right here, Reba. I'll get out with the umbrella, and then I'll come around and open your door. All right, honey. I wonder why. Wonder why what? Why 8 out of 10 accidents happen in clear weather. Oh, well, I don't know for sure, Sergeant, but I do know that you drove very carefully tonight in the rain. Thanks. Now, if everyone drove as carefully during clear, dry weather, there'd be less accidents. I'm sure that must be it. People automatically get cautious in the rain and snow. Too bad they don't stay that way in good weather. You will, won't you? I mean, drive safely in good weather too. I promise. That's my Donald. That's my doll. And now, act two of yours truly, Johnny Dollar. And the virtuous mobs. Expense account, item 2, 28. Even transportation and incidentals. New York City to Georgetown, South Carolina. It was late when I pulled into the prosperous little Southern community. It was dark, pitch dark. Item 3, 50 bucks deposit on a rental car. Item 4, 70 cents for a sandwich and a Coke at an all night diner. Then I drove over to Joe Picatello's on a side street near the park. The small frame building that served as both office and living quarters for Joe was dark. But in the hope he might be asleep in his little apartment up above, I knocked. No answer until I was about to turn and go back to my car. There was the sound of a door slamming somewhere inside, but still no light showed. I knocked again. Then, faintly, I heard footsteps approaching. But why hadn't Joe turned on a light in there? Yeah, what do you want? Joe? Yeah? Joe, open up. It's Johnny Dollar. Johnny who? Johnny Dollar. Insurance investigator, you know. Investigator? That's what you said. Are you kidding? What's the matter with you, pal? Open up. Yeah. Hiya, Joe. What's the idea of no lights in here? You forget to pay your bill or something? Maybe. What do you want? What Investigator? You said, Willie. Did you hear that, Willie? Yeah, I heard. Hey, what is this? Don't move. Huh? Oh, no, you don't. All right, Willie. I got his gun. I hit him again. Yeah, Again. Once more. Okay, okay. There he is. I'd like a light. Yeah. What do you want I should do with him now? You're crazy, Willie. You mean you don't. Okay, but blast. I'm here. It's gonna make a lot of noise and if anybody listen. Hey, it's a car coming down the street. Investigator, you said so. He wouldn't be working alone. Come on out the back way. But I know who's gonna figure out. Get out of here. I don't see no lights on, Lefty. Well, maybe Joe's went to bed. If he's there, he didn't answer the phone when you called him. Listen, Flippy, Johnny Dollar told me I should come down here and look for Joe myself. So come on, we'll see. Whatever you say, Lefty. Only I thought that Johnny was coming down here himself. Huh? Hey, look, this door's open. You look what I stepped on. Jo. Joe, what happened to you? That. That ain't Joe. It's Johnny Dollar. Johnny Dollar. Hey, you're right, Flippy. Somebody must. Let's get away. Oh, Johnny. Johnny. Johnny, it's me. It's me, Lefty. Lefty. Me. Flippy. Johnny, you okay? You all right? Yeah, I. Oh. Holy. Done this to you, Johnny? Yeah, we'll motorize him. Hey, Flippy, turn on some lights. Yeah, yeah, sure. What hell happened in here? You know who done this to you, Johnny? Yeah, yeah, yeah, it was. Oh. Hey, come here, Flippy. Help me lay him up on the sofa. Easy, easy. Yeah, easy, Jack. Here, here. Now, Johnny, listen to me. Who, Johnny? Who? Yeah, yeah, yeah. Johnny. I can't believe it, but I could see him in the light from the street. Joe. What? What? Joe Pigatello. Smokey Picatello down next to you. Another guy with him called him Willie. Willie the Lump. Why? Why did he do it? I don't know. Acted very strange when he came to the door. But I don't get it. He was my pal. He was your pal. And, well, Willie the Lump with him. That's what I don't get. That means he's went back. That's what it means. He's went back to the old racket. Dope smuggling. Oh, no, no. Yeah, him and Willie the Lump was partners in the old days. But 20 years, Joe's Baba been straight, Lefty. A little like you and me and Bully Magoon. Yeah, for 20 years, you and me and Bully. The only guns we ever used was for hunting, for killing snakes. But not no more. What do you mean, Lefty? Joe Picatello done this to you, Johnny? Means only one thing. There's only one thing we can do. No, he's right, Johnny. Oh, no, Lefty. Yeah, Johnny. First we take you back to the plantation where you get all right again. Oh, no. Listen to me. And we find Joe Pigatello flip and bullying me. We do, huh? Well, now, what are you punks doing here, huh, Joe? That's right. Who'd you expect? And what's the big eye? All right, don't move, because, Joe, I'm gonna blast your head off. Act three of yours truly, Johnny Dollar. In a moment. Do you know who said, every individual in society has certain powers, rights and privileges which no other individual can justly abridge or destroy. Those words were written by Noah Webster, the man who compiled America's first great dictionary. Mr. Webster knew that if the country which he had seen come into being were to succeed, the rights of the individual have to be protected. Each person is entitled to certain basic rights, powers and privileges which must not be taken away because of the whim of someone with greater power in the United States. The individual is important. Regardless of his wealth, power or position. The importance of the individual is closely linked to the American tradition. Remember the words of Noah Webster. They are part of your American heritage. The rights and privileges of the individual must be preserved. And now, act three of yours truly, Johnny Dollar and the virtuous mobster. To say the atmosphere was tense there in Joe Picatello's office in Georgetown, South Carolina, would be the understatement of the week. After the beating I'd taken for the ex gangster, one of his pals, my old friends Lefty and Flippy had come in that found me there. And they couldn't understand why Joe had done this to me. Unless it means he's went back. That's what it means. Went back to the rackets. Oh, Willie the Lump was with him. And the Willie was partners in the old days. Dope. Nice. So the two of them swore to get Joe. And then suddenly we looked up to see someone standing in the doorway. Joe. It was Joe Picatella. That's right. Now, who you expect and what the. All right, don't move because Joe, I'm going to blast your head off. Oh, now put that thing down, Lefty. Don't move. What is this, Lippy, A gag or something? Is it a gag what you done to Johnny Dollar, huh, Johnny? I said one move and I'll give it to you, Johnny. Turn around, Joe, or I'll shoot you in the back, you dirty. What did they do to you, Johnny? Listen, Joe. Lefty. Flippy, I'll kill you for this. What are you talking about, you dirty rat. Wait, Lefty. Johnny's my pal. Like you used to be before you went back in the racket. Went back in the racket? Yeah. Yeah, with that dope hound, little Willie the Lump. What do you know about Willie the Lump? Plenty, now that you're back with him. You're crazy. It's no good, Joe. Because Johnny recognized you, you and Willie the Lump, when you waked them over. Can I tell you that I had 20 years, you and Bully and Flippy. And we showed we could do it straight. We could be respectable. Me and the boys at the plantation, you down here. But now you spoiled it. You ruin it for all of us. Look, will you listen? Don't move. We made a deal, you and me and the boys, 20 years ago. If anybody slips, anybody breaks up our respectable life, you gotta go. Was that the deal? Yeah. Yeah, that was the deal. But you don't know what you're talking about when you say I'm going back. All right, so you're your lousy. Come. You not only go back and do this To Johnny Dollar, my friend. The guy who believed in us. Lefty. So for that you gotta go. Lefty, Listen now, Joe. Right, Lefty. Give me your gun, Lefty. No, Johnny. That was the deal. You ever use a gun on a man, you'll go up for the rest of your life. Johnny, it's for you. I'm killing him. Hand it over, Lefty. Okay. Thanks. You see, it wasn't Joe who worked me over. I thought it was. It looked like him, it sounded like him, and it was him. Look at his hands, his face, his clothes. Is this the man I fought with in here five minutes ago? Sure, maybe I did get the worst of it with two of them on top of me. But believe me, I cut them up some, too. He's right, Lefty. Yeah, but then I don't look if it wasn't him. The twin. The twin. You're right, Lefty. It must be the twin.
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The.
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The twin here. All right, boys, let me in on the two, will ya? Shep Larco, the Twin, they called him. That's what the law called him. Call him and Joe the twins. Cause they looked like each other, they talked like each other. There was always the alibi for each other. But what's Shep Larko doing here? I. I can't tell you, Flippy. Not yet. All right, Joe. All right. I believe you. About not working over Johnny here because of what he says about. Well, but you know me, it mussed up. But if you and Shep are back in the rack. I'm not, Lefty. That's straight. No. All right, then tell me where you been. I. I can't tell you. Three, four weeks now. We don't know where you are. The insurance company don't know where you are.
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Well.
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I can't tell you. Now, listen. You listen. You listen. If Shep and Willie have been here, they'll be coming back. Why? Yeah, Joe, why? I can't tell you. I can't tell you. All right, listen. Well, listen then, Joe. The Secret Service, huh? Well, after those killings up in Baltimore, during that smuggling. Joe. Yeah, Johnny. They knew. The twins, Shep, Blocko and Willie. Well, the boys in Washington knew they did it, but they didn't know where to find him. Well, go on, Joe. So they sped the way. The Secret Service sped the way. That I knew where Ship and Willie were, that I would lead them to him. You knew where he was, huh? No, but the law boys knew that'd flush him out. Get Shep and Willie out looking for me, gunning for me and the Secret Service didn't keep you undercover. Yeah, until today, back in Washington. But I talked to you on your phone right here. Oh, the line was rigged through to Washington, you said. Until today, Joe. Yeah. Cause Ship and Willie didn't show, the law boys had to make them show. So then they sent you here as living bait. Yeah. And they passed the word that you'd be here. That's it, Johnny. That's why Shep and Willie were waiting here when you came. That's why they'll come back now that I'm here. Boy, have you stuck your neck out for the sake of going straight. I couldn't help myself. The Secret Service rigged it on me. Guy named Phillips. But now you're all in it. So flippy. Turn out the lights. Yeah, let's get out of here. Oh, no. What? Oh, listen. We was crooks, but never killers. But it's killers that's coming to get Joe. What do you mean, Lefty? But they won't. And they won't get you, Johnny. Sorry, Lefty. I can't move. But then we're staying for you and Joe. Yeah, right. So turn out the lights for the Bee. You're too late, boys. Ship to the Twin. That's right. Your old pal Chef Larko. Keep a ride on him, Willie. Don't worry, Shep. Investigator, huh? Dollar only at Secret Service, ain't it? Is it? I knew we should have killed you when we had your dollar. We thought these boys driving up was reinforcements. Reinforcements? We should have known the Secret Service wasn't that bright. All right, Willie, frisk him while I keep this gun on him. Sure. None of you try not $. We got his gun. Oh, okay. Just what do you intend doing, Shep? Clean Shep, what do you think? All right, Joe gets it first. Put your gun up close so it don't make no noise. Go ahead, Willie.
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Yeah.
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You got them both. And I thought you couldn't move. Yeah, but, boy. Thanks, Johnny. Thanks. Thank Lefty for giving me his gun when I asked for it. Joe. Oh, hey, look. Any of you guys know a good doctor? Yeah. I've said it before, and I say it again. In this insurance business, you never know what you'll run into. Expense account total, including a flock of medical expenses and the trip back to Hartford. $174 even. Yours truly, Johnny Dollar. Truly, Johnny Dollar, starring Bob Bailey, originates in Hollywood and is produced and directed by Jack Johnstone, who also wrote today's story. Heard in our cast were Gene Tatum, Jack Crucian, Les Tremaine, Billy Halep, Frank Gerstel and Gil Stratton Jr. Be sure to join us next week, same time and station for another exciting story of yours truly. Johnny Dollar. This is Roy Rowan, SPE Sam 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 Limu. Is that guy with the binoculars watching us? Cut the camera. They see us. Only pay for what you need@liberty mutual.com Savings ferry unwritten by Liberty Mutual Insurance.
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Company and affiliates excludes Massachusetts welcome back. Not a bad episode. It's another example of Johnstone creating a group of characters or a single character and and rather than just having them as one time use, he decides he's going to do a callback, make them maybe recurring. I do wonder whether doing a second episode with this group was a good idea this soon, but it was enjoyable for what it was. On the bright side, now Johnny knows that a blood oath is what's keeping the ex mobsters on the straight and narrow, which should be a comfort to the insurance company as long as they don't worry too much about having to pay off in the event that someone violates the oath. Listener Comments and Feedback now we start over on YouTube. Have a comment regarding the Wayward River Matter. Listener writes the story is timeless. It could have been written about last year in North Carolina when the hurricanes came through. Well, I think definitely the idea of small towns not prepared for floods and the real risk that it poses to those communities really does make a timeless story. Maybe not going to a store to get dynamite, but the flooding part and the peril, I think. Absolutely. Then have a comment. This comes from W. Baker III regarding the Village of Virtue matter. So the first, or I guess prequel to this story writes, at the beginning of the episode, Johnny jokes about payment of his own life insurance if things don't go well. This begs the question, why would Johnny have a life insurance? Who would be the beneficiary? Well, the obvious and honest answer to both is I don't know. But I can speculate not so much on the beneficiary, but why he might have had the policy. And I think it's safe to say that we think differently about life insurance in the 21st century than people might have thought about it in the 1950s. Now, certainly it was thought about as a way to take care of your loved ones in the event of your passing, but I think it was far more common to think of life insurance, particularly whole life, as an investment vehicle now, there are still people who will think of it that way. There is a whole debate in the world of finance and personal finance on the question of whole life as an investment. But I think it was more commonly viewed that way in the late 1950s, particularly by someone like Johnny who worked in the industry. Now, today, the sort of mainstream investing advice you would hear given to someone like Johnny is to put money into an IRA and put that money into something like an S and P M Dex fund, and then also do that in post tax accounts if you had more than the maximum to save. Well, in 1958, they didn't have IRAs and they didn't have index funds. And after the great stock market crash of 1929, people were very jumpy about the idea of investing in the stock market. And in fact, if you listen to a lot of Old Time Radio, there is a very strong undercurrent of don't buy stocks, don't invest in stock. Now, not everyone held to that, but there's no indication of Johnny ever being invested in the stock market. But he also has relatively low expenses beyond his apartment rent and things he actually ends up paying for himself. And given Johnny's connections in the insurance industry, he probably could have gotten a policy at a discount. So he probably viewed the life insurance policy as an investment and it had benefits that he would have liked. There were some tax benefits, cash value of the policy built up over time, and if Johnny ever ran into a tight spot, he could borrow against that cash value. And there are probably other benefits. But my point here is that it could have very well made sense as an investment vehicle even if he didn't have any family to take care of. Particularly given that many of the things that we might use in the 21st century instead were not yet available, would not become available until the 70s. Well, now it's time to thank our Patreon Supporter of the day. And I want to go ahead and thank Carissa, Patreon supporter, since March of 2024, currently supporting the podcast at the shamus level of $4 or more per month. Thanks so much for your support, Carissa. 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 as we turn to the great adventurers of Old Time Radio and cloak and dagger.
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Where this is Reichstagion Karl Day signing off until tomorrow morning. Heil Hitler.
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Here we go.
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Keep your fingers crossed. Don't turn off your radios. People of Freiburg, this is for you. I am your voice of freedom, bringing you news as it actually exists, not as the propaganda ministry would like you to believe. Mark, that's good.
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Wonderful.
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It wasn't 50 Sons of Freiburg who died at the Anzio beach had but 500 you mothers, wives, sweethearts who have not heard from your men. You think the mails are slow? Is that why you haven't received letters? Your men will never write again. They were killed at Anzio. Women. They are taking your men away. What do you have for compensation?
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I hope you'll be with us then. In the meantime, send your comments to Box 13@GreatDetectives.net follow us on Twitter at Radio Detectives. Check us out on Instagram. Instagram.com Great detectives from Boise, Idaho, this is your host Adam Graham, signing off.
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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. 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 Fairy Unwritten by Liberty Mutual Insurance Company and affiliates Excludes Massachusetts.
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The Great Detectives of Old Time Radio - Podcast Summary
Episode: Yours Truly Johnny Dollar: The Virtuous Mobster Matter (EP4825)
Host: Adam Graham
Date: October 17, 2025
Original Airdate of Story: June 22, 1958
In this episode, host Adam Graham presents a classic Golden Age radio mystery, “The Virtuous Mobster Matter,” from the famed series Yours Truly, Johnny Dollar. The story revisits Johnny Dollar's entanglement with a group of ex-mobsters trying to live on the straight-and-narrow in the small Southern town of Virtue, South Carolina. This installment leans into themes of trust, redemption, and consequences, as Johnny investigates the puzzling disappearance and erratic behavior of local insurance agent Joe Picatello.
[01:28 - 02:59]
[02:59 - 04:05]
[04:06 - 07:00]
“So why a group of ex-gangsters should decide to settle in a town called Virtue, I'll never understand.” – Ben Orloff [06:15]
[09:00 - 13:00]
“Yeah, what do you want?... Investigator? That’s what you said. Are you kidding?” – Joe Picatello (acting strangely) [13:48]
[14:00 - 17:00]
[18:00 - 23:00]
"You ever use a gun on a man, you'll go up for the rest of your life. Johnny, it's for you. I'm killing him." – Lefty [22:40]
[21:06 - 26:00]
“The Secret Service rigged it on me. Guy named Phillips. But now you're all in it. So Flippy. Turn out the lights.” – Joe [22:00]
[24:00 - 26:00]
"You got them both. And I thought you couldn't move!" – Lefty, as Johnny saves the day [24:36]
[26:00 - 27:20]
On Redemption:
“Twenty years, Joe's Baba [been] straight, Lefty. A little like you and me and Bully Magoon... The only guns we ever used was for hunting, for killing snakes. But not no more.” – Flippy [18:50]
On Loyalty & Codes:
“We made a deal, you and me and the boys, 20 years ago. If anybody slips... you gotta go. Was that the deal?” – Lefty [22:10]
On Twist Endings:
“Look at his hands, his face, his clothes. Is this the man I fought with in here five minutes ago? ...The twin. The twin!” – Johnny [21:50]
[27:39 - 33:26]
“Now Johnny knows that a blood oath is what's keeping the ex mobsters on the straight and narrow, which should be a comfort to the insurance company as long as they don't worry too much about having to pay off in the event that someone violates the oath.” – Adam Graham [28:10]
The episode retains the hard-boiled, laconic tone of classic radio detective fiction, mixing noir tension with glimmers of camaraderie and dry wit. Adam Graham’s commentary is genial and knows his old-time radio audience well, providing context, analysis, and a dash of wry humor for fans and newcomers alike.
For more classic detective drama, catch the next episode of The Great Detectives of Old Time Radio or visit greatdetectives.net.