⭐ Yours Truly, Johnny Dollar

THE NORA FAULKNER MATTER

Original Air Date: June 28, 1959 Starring: Bob Bailey Writer/Director: Jack Johnstone Supporting Cast: Virginia Gregg, Lawrence Dobkin, Harry Bartell, Jack Kruschen

Summary

Johnny Dollar is called in when Nora Faulkner, a young woman with a modest life‑insurance policy, disappears under troubling circumstances. Her aunt fears she may have fallen victim to a dangerous crowd, and the insurance company suspects the disappearance may be tied to fraud or foul play.

Johnny's investigation uncovers a trail involving a manipulative boyfriend, a forged signa...

⭐ Yours Truly, Johnny Dollar

THE ALVIN'S ALFRED MATTER

Original Air Date: July 19, 1959 Starring: Bob Bailey Writer/Director: Jack Johnstone Supporting Cast: Virginia Gregg, Lawrence Dobkin, Harry Bartell, Jack Kruschen

Summary

Johnny Dollar is assigned to investigate the suspicious death of Alvin Alfred, a quiet, seemingly harmless man who was found dead under circumstances that don't add up. Alvin carried a modest life‑insurance policy, but the company believes foul play may be involved — and that someone close to him may have engineered his death for profit.

Johnny's investigation uncovers a tang...

⭐ Yours Truly, Johnny Dollar

THE BOLT OUT OF THE BLUE MATTER

Original Air Date: July 26, 1959 Starring: Bob Bailey Writer/Director: Jack Johnstone Supporting Cast: Virginia Gregg, Carlton G. Young, Ralph Moody, James McCallion

Summary

Johnny Dollar is dispatched to the storm‑swept Massachusetts coast after Thelma Jane Weatherby reports that her uncle, retired sea captain Amos Weatherby, is in mortal danger. She believes her former fiancé, Roger Burton — a man Captain Amos once exposed as a "wife killer" — has returned to make good on his threat of revenge.

As a violent...

1. "The Jack Madigan Matter " Release Date: October 21, 1950. [1] Cast: Stars Edmond O'Brien as Johnny Dollar. [1] Basic Summary: The Assignment: Johnny is hired by a panicked local bail bondsman who finds himself in an impossible legal jam. The Disappearance: Two crucial federal witnesses scheduled to testify against a notorious, dangerous gangster named Jack Madigan have completely vanished into thin air. The Stakes: The bondsman was pressured into putting up the bond money for them by Madigan's associates. Johnny must navigate a dark web of underworld intimidation to locate the witnesses before Madigan can silence them for good. [1, 2, 3] 2. "The Joan Sebastian Matter " Release...

. "The Sudden Wealth Matter " Release Date: December 13, 1959. Cast: Stars Bob Bailey as freelance insurance investigator Johnny Dollar. Basic Summary: Johnny is called from Hartford to investigate a rash of sudden, suspicious life insurance policy cancellations. He tracks the thread to a corrupt, sweet-talking broker who is targeting unsuspecting locals. The broker convinces these individuals to liquidate their stable insurance assets to invest in a sketchy stock market scheme that falsely promises to "double their money" in less than three weeks. Johnny must expose the financial fraud and the sheer greed driving the operation before the racketeer vanishes with the victims...

⭐ 1001 RADIO DAYS

Yours Truly, Johnny Dollar

SHOW NOTES — "The Story of the Big Red Schoolhouse Matter" & "The Dead First Helpers Matter"

This week at 1001 Radio Days, we bring you two powerful back‑to‑back investigations from the early Edmond O'Brien era of Yours Truly, Johnny Dollar — stories that showcase the grit, danger, and moral complexity that made the 1950 run one of the most compelling in the series.

🎓 THE STORY OF THE BIG RED SCHOOLHOUSE MATTER

Original Broadcast: April 4, 1950 Starring: Edmond O'Brien Written by: E. Jack Neuman & John Michael Hayes

Johnny D...

⭐ 1001 RADIO DAYS

Yours Truly, Johnny Dollar — Episode Show Notes

🎙️ THE BLOOD RIVER MATTER

Original Air Date: July 9–13, 1956 Starring: Bob Bailey as Johnny Dollar Series: CBS Radio — The Five‑Part Serial Era

⭐ Episode Summary

Johnny Dollar heads deep into the Louisiana bayou country to investigate the suspicious death of a man whose life insurance policy has suddenly become very valuable — and very contested. The case centers around Blood River, a remote, swamp‑choked region where secrets sink faster than bodies.

Johnny finds himself navigating:

A hostile, tight‑lipped community<...

⭐ 1001 RADIO DAYS

Yours Truly, Johnny Dollar — Episode Show Notes

🎙️ THE YANKEE PRIDE MATTER

Original Air Date: December 2, 1956 Starring: Bob Bailey as Johnny Dollar Series: CBS Radio — The Five‑Part Serial Era

⭐ Episode Summary

The Yankee Pride, a cargo ship insured for a massive sum, goes down under suspicious circumstances — and Johnny Dollar is sent to investigate whether it was an accident, sabotage, or something far more profitable.

What begins as a routine maritime claim quickly turns into a high‑stakes chase involving:

A ship that may have been delibe...

1001 RADIO DAYS Yours Truly, Johnny Dollar — Episode Show Notes 🎙️ THE QUEEN ANNE PISTOLS MATTER

Original Air Date: November 4, 1950 Starring: Edmond O'Brien as Johnny Dollar Series: CBS Radio — The Action‑Packed Expense Account

A pair of rare Queen Anne dueling pistols, insured for a hefty sum, suddenly become the center of a suspicious refusal by the intended recipients. Johnny Dollar is dispatched to determine why these antiques — valuable, historic, and supposedly harmless — have triggered fear, secrecy, and a trail of evasive answers.

Johnny's investigation uncovers:

A collector with something to hide

A delivery th...

1001 RADIO DAYS

Show Notes – "The Man Who Worked Himself to Death Matter" & "The Village Scene Matter (The Missing Masterpiece)"

Yours Truly, Johnny Dollar – Edmund O'Brien Era

THE MAN WHO WORKED HIMSELF TO DEATH MATTER

A Relentless Worker, a Sudden Collapse, and a Ledger Full of Trouble

Johnny Dollar is assigned to investigate the death of a man whose reputation for tireless work bordered on obsession. When he collapses unexpectedly, the insurance company suspects more than exhaustion. Dollar's investigation uncovers financial pressure, hidden dealings, and a few people who benefited from...

1001 RADIO DAYS

Show Notes – "The Gravedigger's Spade Matter" & "The Archeologist Matter"

Yours Truly, Johnny Dollar (Double Feature)

THE GRAVEDIGGER'S SPADE MATTER

A Missing Tool, a Disturbed Grave, and a Secret Someone Tried to Bury Forever

Johnny Dollar is called in when a routine cemetery inventory reveals something deeply unsettling: a gravedigger's spade has gone missing, and one of the graves shows signs of tampering. What begins as a simple insurance inquiry quickly turns into a chilling investigation involving midnight visitors, hidden motives, and a trail of clues buried beneath lay...

1001 RADIO DAYS

Show Notes – "Death Takes a Working Day" & "The SS Malay Trader Matter"

Yours Truly, Johnny Dollar (Double Feature)

DEATH TAKES A WORKING DAY

In this tense and tightly wound Johnny Dollar mystery, the "man with the action‑packed expense account" is called in when a seemingly ordinary workday turns deadly. A man collapses under suspicious circumstances, and what first appears to be a tragic accident quickly reveals layers of motive, opportunity, and quiet deception. Johnny's investigation leads him through office politics, hidden grudges, and a trail of clues that sugge...

Each story started with a phone call from an insurance executive, calling on Johnny to investigate an unusual claim. Each story required Johnny to travel to some distant locale, usually within the United States but sometimes abroad, where he was almost always threatened with personal danger in the course of his investigations. Johnny's file on each case was usually referenced as a "matter," as in "The Silver Blue Matter" or "The Forbes Matter". Later episodes were more fanciful, with titles like "The Wayward Trout Matter" and "The Price of Fame Matter" (the latter featuring a rare guest-star appearance by...

Most episodes nstarted with a phone call from an insurance executive, calling on Johnny to investigate an unusual claim. Each story required Johnny to travel to some distant locale, usually within the United States but sometimes abroad, where he was almost always threatened with personal danger in the course of his investigations. Johnny's file on each case was usually referenced as a "matter," as in "The Silver Blue Matter" or "The Forbes Matter". Johnny's precious recreational time was usually spent fishing, and it was not uncommon for Johnny's clients to exploit this favorite pastime in convincing him to take...

Most episodes nstarted with a phone call from an insurance executive, calling on Johnny to investigate an unusual claim. Each story required Johnny to travel to some distant locale, usually within the United States but sometimes abroad, where he was almost always threatened with personal danger in the course of his investigations. Johnny's file on each case was usually referenced as a "matter," as in "The Silver Blue Matter" or "The Forbes Matter". Johnny's precious recreational time was usually spent fishing, and it was not uncommon for Johnny's clients to exploit this favorite pastime in convincing him to take...

🎙️ 1001 RADIO DAYS ⭐ Yours Truly, Johnny Dollar

Starring Bob Bailey — the man with the action‑packed expense account

Part 1: Monday, July 9, 1956 Part 2: Tuesday, July 10, 1956 Part 3: Wednesday, July 11, 1956 Part 4: Thursday, July 12, 1956 Part 5: Friday, July 13, 1956

Les Crutchfield

Bob Bailey – Johnny Dollar

Virginia Gregg, Lawrence Dobkin, Harry Bartell, Howard McNear, Parley Baer – supporting roles

Jack Johnstone – Producer/Director

Amerigo Marino – Music Director

Johnny Dollar is sent to investigate the death of Harold Tandom, a quiet, seemingly unremarkable man whose life insurance claim raises troubl...

🎙️ 1001 RADIO DAYS ⭐ Yours Truly, Johnny Dollar

Starring Bob Bailey — the man with the action‑packed expense account

Part 1: Monday, June 25, 1956 Part 2: Tuesday, June 26, 1956 Part 3: Wednesday, June 27, 1956 Part 4: Thursday, June 28, 1956 Part 5: Friday, June 29, 1956

Les Crutchfield

Bob Bailey – Johnny Dollar

Virginia Gregg – Pearl Carrasa

Lawrence Dobkin, Harry Bartell, Howard McNear, Parley Baer – supporting roles

Jack Johnstone – Producer/Director

Amerigo Marino – Music Director

Johnny Dollar is assigned to investigate the disappearance — and possible murder — of Pearl Carrasa, a troubled woman whose life has...

🎙️ 1001 RADIO DAYS ⭐ Yours Truly, Johnny Dollar

Starring Bob Bailey — the man with the action‑packed expense account

Part 1: Monday, May 7, 1956 Part 2: Tuesday, May 8, 1956 Part 3: Wednesday, May 9, 1956 Part 4: Thursday, May 10, 1956 Part 5: Friday, May 11, 1956

Les Crutchfield

Bob Bailey – Johnny Dollar

Virginia Gregg – Key female role

Harry Bartell, Parley Baer, Lawrence Dobkin, Howard McNear – supporting roles

Jack Johnstone – Producer/Director

Amerigo Marino – Music Director

Johnny Dollar is sent to investigate the suspicious death of Walter Patterson, a quiet, seemingly ordinary man whos...

🎙️ 1001 RADIO DAYS SHOW NOTES — Yours Truly, Johnny Dollar

Starring Bob Bailey as the man with the action‑packed expense account

These two stories come from the golden five‑part serial era (1955–1956), when writer Les Crutchfield, producer Jack Johnstone, and star Bob Bailey elevated Johnny Dollar into radio's finest detective drama.

Below are complete notes for THE BARBARA JAMES MATTER and THE BELO HORIZONTE MATTER.

Part 1: Monday, December 5, 1955 Part 2: Tuesday, December 6, 1955 Part 3: Wednesday, December 7, 1955 Part 4: Thursday, December 8, 1955 Part 5: Friday, December 9, 1955

Les Crutchfield

Jack Johnston...

⭐ THE ARROWCRAFT MATTER Broadcast Dates:

Part 1: Monday, November 7, 1955 Part 2: Tuesday, November 8, 1955 Part 3: Wednesday, November 9, 1955 Part 4: Thursday, November 10, 1955 Part 5: Friday, November 11, 1955

Les Crutchfield

Jack Johnstone

Amerigo Marino

Bob Bailey – Johnny Dollar

Virginia Gregg – Mrs. Arrowcraft

Harry Bartell – Tom Arrowcraft

Parley Baer, Jack Kruschen, Lawrence Dobkin, Howard McNear – supporting roles

Johnny Dollar is sent to investigate a suspicious death involving the Arrowcraft family — a wealthy clan with a long history of internal conflict. The case begins with a simple insur...

🎙️ 1001 RADIO DAYS SHOW NOTES — Yours Truly, Johnny Dollar

Starring Bob Bailey as the man with the action‑packed expense account

These two episodes come from the five‑part "serial era" of Johnny Dollar — the golden period (1955–1956) when writer Les Crutchfield, producer Jack Johnstone, and star Bob Bailey transformed the show into one of radio's finest detective dramas. Each story unfolds over five nightly installments, giving Bailey room to develop character, tension, and emotional depth rarely seen in radio crime shows.

Below are complete notes for THE JAMES CLAYTON MATTER and THE ELLIOT CHAMPION MATTER.

1001 RADIO DAYS

Yours Truly, Johnny Dollar

THE FISHING BOAT AFFAIR MATTER

Original Air Date: March 28, 1956 Writer: Les Crutchfield Cast:

Bob Bailey – Johnny Dollar

Howard McNear – Supporting role

Jack Kruschen – Supporting role

Virginia Gregg – Supporting role

Lawrence Dobkin – Supporting role

⭐ EPISODE SUMMARY (Spoiler‑Safe)

Johnny Dollar heads to the California coast to investigate a claim involving a fishing boat that went down under suspicious circumstances. The vessel's owner insists it was an accident. The insurance company isn't convinced. And Johnny quickly discove...

1001 RADIO DAYS

Yours Truly, Johnny Dollar

THE NIGHT IN PARIS MATTER

Original Air Date: April 4, 1956 Writer: Les Crutchfield Cast:

Bob Bailey – Johnny Dollar

Virginia Gregg – Supporting role

Lawrence Dobkin – Supporting role

Howard McNear – Supporting role

Jack Kruschen – Supporting role

⭐ EPISODE SUMMARY (Spoiler‑Safe)

Johnny Dollar heads to Paris to investigate a claim involving a missing woman whose disappearance may be tied to a dangerous romantic entanglement. What begins as a simple inquiry quickly becomes a tense chase through the city's backstre...

1001 RADIO DAYS

Yours Truly, Johnny Dollar

THE CURSE OF THE KAMASHEK MATTER

Starring: Bob Bailey as the man with the action‑packed expense account

⭐ EPISODE SUMMARY (Spoiler‑Safe)

Johnny Dollar is dispatched to investigate a bizarre claim involving an ancient artifact known as the Kamashek Idol — a relic whispered to carry a deadly curse. When its latest owner dies under mysterious circumstances, the insurance company wants answers, and Johnny finds himself navigating a maze of superstition, greed, and fear.

What begins as a routine inquiry quickly turns into a te...

⭐ 1001 RADIO DAYS

Yours Truly, Johnny Dollar

THE SELLKOF SEQUEL MATTER

Broadcast: October 1956 Star: Bob Bailey Format: 5‑Part Serial

⭐ Episode Summary (Spoiler‑Safe)

Johnny Dollar is sent to New York to investigate the suspicious death of Otto Sellkof, a wealthy importer whose life insurance claim has raised more questions than answers. Sellkof's business dealings were tangled, his associates were nervous, and his death — officially ruled accidental — doesn't sit right with the insurance company.

Dollar quickly discovers that Sellkof's past is full of shadows: questionable shipments, foreign contacts, and a trail of en...

⭐ 1001 RADIO DAYS

Yours Truly, Johnny Dollar

THE SELLKOF SEQUEL MATTER

Broadcast: October 1956 Star: Bob Bailey Format: 5‑Part Serial

⭐ Episode Summary (Spoiler‑Safe)

Johnny Dollar is sent to New York to investigate the suspicious death of Otto Sellkof, a wealthy importer whose life insurance claim has raised more questions than answers. Sellkof's business dealings were tangled, his associates were nervous, and his death — officially ruled accidental — doesn't sit right with the insurance company.

Dollar quickly discovers that Sellkof's past is full of shadows: questionable shipments, foreign contacts, and a trail of en...

THE NICK SHURN MATTER

Broadcast: December 1955 Star: Bob Bailey Format: 5‑part serial (this summary reflects the full arc)

A brutal Michigan blizzard sets the stage for one of Johnny Dollar's most atmospheric and physically demanding investigations. When a woman named Kathy O'Dare and her young daughter Jill disappear from their home in Bramberry, Michigan, the local sheriff fears they've been abducted by Benny Stark, a violent gunman with a long criminal history.

But Johnny Dollar isn't convinced. He believes Kathy fled voluntarily — terrified, armed, and heading into the deep woods she knows be...

⭐ THE FATAL FILET MATTER

Broadcast: April 22, 1956 Star: Bob Bailey Network: CBS Verified Plot Summary

Johnny Dollar is sent to New York to investigate the death of Chef André LeBlanc, a celebrated French chef whose life was insured for a substantial amount. LeBlanc collapsed in his restaurant kitchen after preparing a special filet dish — the "fatal filet" — for a wealthy patron.

The insurance company suspects foul play because LeBlanc was in excellent health and had no known medical conditions. Dollar quickly discovers that the chef's kitchen staff is terrified, evasive, and hiding something. The restaur...

1001 RADIO DAYS

Yours Truly, Johnny Dollar

THE BIG H MATTER

THE WAYWARD HEIRESS MATTER

ANNOUNCEMENT: 1001 TRUE CRIME FROM ANOTHER TIME has returned with brand‑new episodes. We've relaunched the series with The Trunk Murderess of Phoenix (1931) — now streaming — and next week brings The Hall–Mills Church Murder Mystery, one of America's most sensational unsolved crimes. If you enjoy vintage true crime, don't miss these powerful new releases.

THE BIG H MATTER

Johnny Dollar is called in to investigate a case involving "The Big H" — a cryptic phrase that leads...

1001 RADIO DAYS

Yours Truly, Johnny Dollar

THE CAUTIOUS CELEBATE MATTER

THE WINSOME WIDOW MATTER

ANNOUNCEMENT: 1001 TRUE CRIME FROM ANOTHER TIME is back with brand‑new episodes. We've resumed our original vintage true‑crime series beginning with The Trunk Murderess of Phoenix (1931) — now streaming. Next week brings The Hall–Mills Church Murder Mystery, one of America's most haunting unsolved cases. Don't miss these powerful stories from the past.

THE CAUTIOUS CELEBATE MATTER

Johnny Dollar is dispatched to investigate a life‑insurance policy taken out by a man who seems determ...

1001 RADIO DAYS

Yours Truly, Johnny Dollar

THE FRISCO FIRE MATTER

THE FAIR WEATHER FRIEND MATTER

ANNOUNCEMENT: 1001 TRUE CRIME FROM ANOTHER TIME is back with brand‑new episodes! We've resumed our series of original vintage true‑crime stories, beginning with The Trunk Murderess of Phoenix (1931) — now available. Next week: The Hall–Mills Church Murder Mystery. Don't miss these unforgettable cases from America's past.

THE FRISCO FIRE MATTER

Johnny Dollar heads to San Francisco to investigate a suspicious warehouse fire that looks less like an accident and more like a careful...

1001 Radio Days

Show Notes – Yours Truly, Johnny Dollar: "The Lake Mead Matter" & "The Jimmy Carter Matter"

THE LAKE MEAD MATTER

 Johnny is called to Lake Mead with hopes of a fishing trip but soon gets caught upmin a murder investigation

THE JIMMY CARTER MATTER

 Johnny gets a call from a young boy in rural Massachusetts...to report a murder! By the time Johnny arrives in town, young Jimmy has disappeared! Jimmy Carter the young lad who sold newspapers and who had once helped Johnny Dollar with a previous case had s...

1001 Radio Days

Show Notes – Yours Truly, Johnny Dollar: "The Net of Circumstance Matter" & "The Balderson Matter"

THE NET OF CIRCUMSTANCE MATTER

In this tightly woven Johnny Dollar investigation, the "action‑packed expense account" leads Johnny into a case where every clue seems to tighten the noose around someone who may — or may not — deserve it. An insurance claim that looks routine at first glance begins to unravel into a web of conflicting stories, suspicious behavior, and a trail of evidence that refuses to point in a single direction. Johnny finds himself caught between a grievi...

1001 Radio Days

Show Notes – Yours Truly, Johnny Dollar: "The Shankar Diamond Matter" & "The Blue Madonna Matter"

THE SHANKAR DIAMOND MATTER

In this globe‑trotting Johnny Dollar adventure, the "man with the action‑packed expense account" is called in to investigate the disappearance of a legendary jewel — the Shankar Diamond, a stone so valuable and so steeped in rumor that its name alone can start trouble. When the diamond vanishes under suspicious circumstances, Johnny finds himself navigating a maze of international intrigue, double‑crosses, and high‑stakes deception. Every lead seems to point in a different...

⭐ YOURS TRULY, JOHNNY DOLLAR THE MERRILL KENT MATTER Show Notes for 1001 Radio Days – Edmund O'Brien Era

Broadcast Context: During Edmund O'Brien's tenure (1950–1952), Yours Truly, Johnny Dollar leaned harder into noir sensibilities—tougher dialogue, grittier pacing, and a more hard‑boiled Johnny. The Merrill Kent Matter fits squarely into that mold: a missing man, a worried wife, and an insurance policy that doesn't add up.

Story Summary: Johnny is assigned to investigate the disappearance of Merrill Kent, a policyholder whose sudden vanishing act has left the insurance company uneasy. Kent's wife insists he's simply gone off to "clear his head,"...

⭐ YOURS TRULY, JOHNNY DOLLAR THE KILLER KIN MATTER Show Notes for 1001 Radio Days – Bob Bailey Era

Broadcast Context: During Bob Bailey's run, Yours Truly, Johnny Dollar reached its peak: sharper writing, deeper character work, and mysteries that leaned into human motives rather than mechanical plot twists. The Killer Kin Matter is a prime example — a tense, emotionally charged case built around family loyalty, buried secrets, and the dangerous lengths people will go to protect their own.

Story Summary: Johnny is sent to investigate a claim involving a young man accused of murder — a killing that may or may not...

⭐ YOURS TRULY, JOHNNY DOLLAR THE TWISTED TWIN MATTER Show Notes for 1001 Radio Days – Bob Bailey Era

Broadcast Context: Bob Bailey's run transformed Yours Truly, Johnny Dollar into radio's most sophisticated detective drama. The Twisted Twin Matter is a standout from the later half of his tenure — a tight, psychological mystery built around identity, inheritance, and the dangerous rivalry between two brothers who share a face but not a conscience.

Story Summary: Johnny is sent to investigate a life insurance claim involving identical twins — one dead, one alive, and a policy that suddenly looks suspicious. The surviving twin insists...

THE HOLLYWOOD MYSTERY MATTER

Johnny Dollar receives an unexpected call from Parley Barron, a man with a reputation for being sharp, secretive, and occasionally theatrical. Barron tells Johnny he needs help with a possible embezzlement scheme involving a Hartford furniture company — but before Johnny can ask questions, Barron drops a cryptic hint about "Hollywood" and abruptly hangs up.

Johnny heads to Hartford, where he discovers that the company's books show a series of irregular withdrawals and inventory losses that don't match any legitimate business activity. The missing funds are substantial, and the pattern suggests someone inside the co...

1001 Radio Days – Yours Truly, Johnny Dollar

Episode: The Flight Six Matter

Show Notes

In this tense and fast‑moving episode of Yours Truly, Johnny Dollar, America's favorite freelance insurance investigator is dispatched to Mexico City after a shocking disaster: Flight Six, a commercial airliner carrying ten passengers, has been blown out of the sky. The insurance company faces enormous liability, and the Mexican authorities suspect sabotage. Johnny's job is to determine whether the explosion was accidental, mechanical… or murder.

From the moment he arrives, Johnny finds himself navigating a maze of confli...

1001 Radio Days – Yours Truly, Johnny Dollar

Episode: The Gruesome Spectacle Matter

Show Notes  

In this suspenseful case from Yours Truly, Johnny Dollar, America's favorite freelance insurance investigator heads to Bethel, New York to look into the death of a policyholder who was killed in what appears to be a tragic automobile accident. The man carried a $70,000 insurance policy — with double indemnity if the death proved accidental — making the stakes extremely high for the company footing the bill.

Johnny arrives to find a small town buzzing with rumors, contradictions, and a few too many...