First heard on network radio in 1948, Yours Truly, Johnny Dollar chronicled the adventures of freelance insurance investigator Johnny Dollar, “the man with the action-packed expense account.” For 15 years, it was one of the most popular detective shows on the air, lasting until the final days of network radio drama in 1962. Each story started with a phone call from an insurance executive calling on Johnny Dollar to investigate an unusual claim. His investigations usually required Dollar to travel to distant locales and often involved murder. The stories were recounted in flashback, as Dollar listed each line item from his expense account: “Item one, $3.75 cab fare to the airport.” Over the years, many actors portrayed Johnny Dollar, including Charles Russell, John Lund and Edmund O’Brien but in 1955, Bob Bailey, took over as the series was switching to a new dynamic format of 75-minute storylines told in five, 15-minute installments Monday-thru-Friday. While other radio shows were waning in the mid 1950s, Yours Truly, Johnny Dollar was at its peak. Experts include these 75-minute adventures as the best of the best from radio’s golden age.
5/14/56 through 5/18/56 The Medium Well Done Matter
5/21/56 through 5/25/56 The Tears of Night Matter
5/28/56 through 6/1/56 The Reasonable Doubt Matter
6/4/56 through 6/8/56 The Indestructible Mike Matter
6/11/56 through 6/15/56 The Laughing Matter
6/18/56 through 6/22/56 The Pearling Matter
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