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Detectives on the Air

Presented by OTR.FM Network

Detectives on the Air: Classic Radio Sleuths from the Golden Age

Step into the world of shadowy alleys, smoky offices, and cunning criminals with Detectives on the Air—your portal to the greatest detective dramas from the golden age of radio. Join iconic sleuths like Johnny Dollar, Richard Diamond, Philip Marlowe, Philo Vance, and more as they solve thrilling mysteries and navigate the noir landscapes of classic crime. Each episode brings you a timeless tale of intrigue, suspense, and old-time detective work, perfect for fans of vintage radio and true crime. Rediscover these radio legends, and let their gripping stories captivate your imagination once more!

314 episodes

  1. The Duke Red Matter Ep 2

    Sep 16, 2026 · 15 min

    Originally Aired: January 24, 1956 Johnny Dollar #312, "The Duke Red Matter Ep 2," Johnny Dollar continues his investigation into the death of the racehorse Duke Red, and things are starting to look suspicious. After sending injury reports to Cleveland for verification, Johnny visits the Abbott breeding farm to question owner Seamster Abbott directly. Upon arrival, he witnesses a heated argument between Abbott and his daughter Terry, who seems deeply upset about the horse's destruction. When Johnny finally speaks with Terry, she makes a shocking claim: Duke Red shouldn't have been shot, and his death was like murder. She insists the horse was the only valuable animal on the ranch and hints that the injury reports may not tell the whole story. When Abbott appears, tension escalates quickly. He's defensive about Johnny's investigation methods and angry that Johnny spoke to veterinarian Dr. Gorey before coming to him. Abbott accuses Johnny of sneaking around and questions why the insurance company sent him at all. As Abbott grows increasingly hostile about Johnny's inquiries into the accident details, his behavior raises more red flags. With Terry's explosive accusations, the fired office manager Monroe's hasty claim filing, and Abbott's evasive attitude all pointing toward something deeper, Johnny realizes this case is far from straightforward. Become a supporter of this podcast

  2. The Duke Red Matter Ep 1

    Sep 15, 2026 · 15 min

    Originally Aired: January 23, 1956 Johnny Dollar #311, "The Duke Red Matter Ep 1," Johnny Dollar travels to San Pietro, California, to investigate a $65,000 insurance claim on Duke Red, a valuable racehorse allegedly injured and destroyed. Upon arrival, he encounters immediate complications: Mr. Abbott, the horse's owner, is unavailable, and his business manager Monroe, who filed the claim just days earlier, has mysteriously left town without a forwarding address. A nervous secretary named Judy stonewalls Johnny's questions about Monroe's sudden departure. When Johnny visits Dr. James Gorey, the veterinarian who treated Duke Red, the case grows more suspicious. Gorey claims the horse suffered catastrophic injuries from backing into a tractor and had to be destroyed immediately, but Johnny discovers troubling gaps in the story. No photographs or x-rays were taken of the injuries, no other witnesses were present except Abbott himself, and the carcass was cremated the same night. With no physical evidence to verify the claim and a defensive veterinarian refusing to answer questions about his thirty-year reputation, Johnny realizes this straightforward insurance claim may be hiding something far more sinister. Become a supporter of this podcast

  3. The Ricardo Amerigo Matter Ep 5

    Sep 14, 2026 · 15 min

    Originally Aired: January 20, 1956 Johnny Dollar #310, "The Ricardo Amerigo Matter Ep 5," Johnny Dollar has discovered two identical violins in violin maker Eric Snowden's shop, one supposedly the genuine $30,000 Amati insured violin belonging to the late concert violinist Ricardo Amerigo, whose car was found in a South Jersey swamp with a sawed-through steering arm. After switching the violins in Snowden's cabinet with the one from the swamp, Johnny uses violinist Jerry Goldsmith to test which instrument is authentic. When Johnny narrowly dodges a flower pot that falls from Snowden's third-floor window, he realizes the danger he's in and alerts insurance man Harry Branson and the police. Returning to Snowden's shop, Johnny confronts the violin maker with his discovery. The genuine Amati is not the one from the swamp, but rather the copy Snowden had hidden in his cabinet. As the police arrive, Snowden admits he created an identical copy of the priceless Amati, claiming the loss of such a magnificent instrument would have been unthinkable. But Johnny suspects Snowden's involvement goes deeper, potentially connecting him to Ricardo Amerigo's murder. Become a supporter of this podcast

  4. The Ricardo Amerigo Matter Ep 4

    Sep 13, 2026 · 15 min

    Originally Aired: January 19, 1956 Johnny Dollar #309, "The Ricardo Amerigo Matter Ep 4," Johnny continues his investigation into the death of violinist Ricardo Amerigo by visiting the bars where the alcoholic musician spent his final months. The story is always the same: Amerigo drank alone until one of his few remaining friends—agent Pete Corbyn, saxophonist Willie Elliott, fiddler Jerry Goldsmith, or violin maker Eric Snowden—would arrive to drag him away. Dollar confirms that these four men were Amerigo's only associates, all deeply concerned about his deteriorating condition. When Johnny brings the recovered Amati violin to Jerry Goldsmith for identification, something troubling emerges. Goldsmith confirms it's definitely Amerigo's instrument, but insists something is terribly wrong. Despite no visible damage, the violin's legendary tone and brilliance have vanished. Puzzled and suspicious, Johnny heads to violin maker Eric Snowden's shop on Eisminger Street, the only man allowed to work on Amerigo's prized Amati, hoping Snowden can solve the mystery of what happened to the instrument. Become a supporter of this podcast

  5. The Ricardo Amerigo Matter Ep 3

    Sep 12, 2026 · 15 min

    Originally Aired: January 18, 1956 Johnny Dollar #308, "The Ricardo Amerigo Matter Ep 3," Johnny Dollar faces mounting pressure from all sides as his investigation deepens. After retrieving what he believes to be Ricardo Amerigo's priceless Amati violin from a South Jersey swamp, Dollar brings it to Harry Branson at Philadelphia Mutual for authentication. When the supposed expert Foresto Sherniero confirms its authenticity based on little more than a label visible through the F-hole, Dollar grows suspicious. A conversation with a hotel orchestra musician reveals that thousands of violin forgeries exist, leading Dollar to question whether the instrument is genuine and why it was left in the swamp with a piece of Amerigo's monogrammed shirt. Dollar confronts booking agent Peter Corbin, who claims he was also searching the swamp for clues about his client's disappearance. Corbin insists he's innocent, pointing out that as both insurance beneficiary and executor of Amerigo's estate, he would have no reason to abandon a thirty thousand dollar violin. But when Dollar reveals that someone deliberately sawed through the steering mechanism of Amerigo's car, the case transforms from a suspicious accident into something far more sinister. Become a supporter of this podcast

  6. The Ricardo Amerigo Matter Ep 2

    Sep 11, 2026 · 15 min

    Originally Aired: January 17, 1956 Johnny Dollar #307, "The Ricardo Amerigo Matter Ep 2," Johnny Dollar arrives in Port Morris, New Jersey with retired investigator Ed Bowles, only to learn that Pete Corbin, the prime suspect in Ricardo Amerigo's murder, has mysteriously shown up in town. Sergeant Barney Peters warns that Corbin may be gunning for Johnny. Despite Ed Bowles' certainty that Corbin is their man, having both motive and opportunity as Amarigo's booking agent and insurance beneficiary, Johnny remains skeptical of the seemingly too-easy solution. While examining the bridge where Amarigo's car plunged into Lucky Ho Creek, Johnny spots what appears to be a violin case caught in the reeds. In a harrowing rescue attempt, he fights through quicksand-like muck to retrieve the thirty-thousand-dollar Ahmadi violin, nearly drowning in the process. The discovery means no insurance payout on the instrument, but Johnny makes an even more disturbing find: a piece of Amarigo's monogrammed shirt with what appear to be bloodstains, suggesting something more sinister than a simple accident. Become a supporter of this podcast

  7. The Ricardo Amerigo Matter Ep 1

    Sep 10, 2026 · 15 min

    Originally Aired: January 16, 1956 Johnny Dollar #306, "The Ricardo Amerigo Matter Ep 1," Johnny Dollar travels to Philadelphia after insurance executive Harry Branson alerts him to a puzzling case involving a missing concert violinist and his priceless violin. Ricardo Amerigo, once a brilliant performer who graced the world's finest concert halls, has disappeared after his car crashed through a bridge railing and plunged into a river near Port Morris, New Jersey. While authorities recovered the car from the inlet, Amarigo's body and his $30,000 Amati violin remain missing. The case grows more suspicious when Dollar learns that Amerigo's sole beneficiary is Peter Corbin, his own booking agent, who stands to collect on both the life insurance and the violin policy. Dollar's investigation leads him to Corbin's shabby office, where the agent reveals he bankrolled Amerigo's career and bailed him out of debt after alcoholism destroyed the violinist's reputation. When Dollar suggests the arrangement looks suspiciously convenient, Corbin's violent reaction only deepens the investigator's doubts about whether this is a tragic accident or something far more sinister. Become a supporter of this podcast

  8. The Todd Matter Ep 5

    Sep 9, 2026 · 15 min

    Originally Aired: January 13, 1956 Johnny Dollar #305, "The Todd Matter Ep 5," Johnny Dollar recovers in a hospital bed after being shot during a disastrous confrontation at an apartment building. Sergeant Mapes reveals the devastating aftermath: Melva Charles was stabbed to death by her husband William, who then opened fire, killing an innocent bystander named Henderson and wounding several others before Mapes shot him down. William Charles now lies dying in the room directly above Johnny. When Mapes wheels Johnny upstairs, the dying burglar confesses to killing Gloria Tierney after she rejected his marriage proposal and the stolen mink coat he gave her, choosing instead to reunite with her former husband. Charles refuses to reveal where he hid the rest of the stolen Todd jewelry, dying with one final laugh at Johnny's expense. Three days later, Johnny drags himself out of bed to meet with Mapes at headquarters, where they puzzle over the missing loot. When Mrs. Stromberg, Gloria's landlady, appears with sympathy, Johnny confronts her with a shocking accusation: she introduced Gloria to William Charles and knew all along about the stolen mink coat, deliberately misdirecting Johnny on the night of the murder. Become a supporter of this podcast

  9. The Todd Matter Ep 4

    Sep 8, 2026 · 15 min

    Originally Aired: January 12, 1956 Johnny Dollar #304, "The Todd Matter Ep 4," Johnny Dollar continues his investigation into a stolen mink coat that has turned deadly. After Gloria Tierney, the woman found wearing the hot fur, is murdered on the street, Johnny works alongside Sergeant Mapes and the New York police to track down her mysterious boyfriend, Bill Chambers. Gloria's grief-stricken ex-husband, Bill Powers, identifies Chambers from a photograph and reveals that Gloria had promised to remarry him despite Chambers' wealthy advances. As the investigation deepens, police discover that William Chambers is actually William Charles, a career thief with multiple aliases and convictions for car theft. The manhunt intensifies as Charles desperately tries to raise money, pawning stolen items from the Todd burglary and selling his distinctive black Cadillac. His fingerprints confirm his identity, but he remains elusive despite an all-points bulletin. Just when the trail seems to be cooling, Johnny receives a mysterious phone call from someone claiming to have information about Charles' whereabouts, setting up a clandestine meeting at a Manhattan restaurant that could break the case wide open. Become a supporter of this podcast

  10. The Todd Matter Ep 3

    Sep 7, 2026 · 15 min

    Originally Aired: January 11, 1956 Johnny Dollar #303, "The Todd Matter Ep 3," Johnny and Sergeant Dan Mapes rush to Police Emergency Hospital after receiving word about Gloria Tierney, the woman connected to a stolen mink coat worth $11,000 from the Todd burglary. Despite their urgent need to question her, Gloria slips away after only managing to whisper one word: Bill. The name of the man who shot her is all they get before she dies at 3:35 in the afternoon, leaving Johnny with an unexpected sense of loss over a woman he barely knew but who seemed like someone special. As Johnny and Mapes drown their frustration in terrible whiskey, they begin piecing together Gloria's life. Her apartment yields letters from her father in Riverside, California, and a photograph inscribed "Love Bill." The landlady, Mrs. Stromberg, identifies the man in the photo as Gloria's boyfriend who drove a black Cadillac, but the real breakthrough comes from vital statistics: Gloria was married and divorced from a man named Bill Powers. With a lead finally in hand, Johnny and Mapes head to Powers' address in Westchester County. Become a supporter of this podcast

  11. The Todd Matter Ep 2

    Sep 6, 2026 · 15 min

    Originally Aired: January 10, 1956 Johnny Dollar #302, "The Todd Matter Ep 2," Johnny Dollar finds himself deep in a dangerous investigation when Gloria Tierney, a young woman wearing a stolen mink coat from a six-month-old burglary, is gunned down on the street. After meeting her outside her apartment building, Johnny witnesses a man in a black 1955 Cadillac Coupe de Ville fire three shots into Gloria, leaving her fighting for her life in a police emergency hospital. Now Johnny must answer to Sergeant Daniel Mapes of the New York Police Department, who is skeptical of Johnny's story and frustrated by the investigator's refusal to reveal his confidential source - an ex-convict who tipped him off to Gloria's involvement in the Todd case, a $75,000 burglary claim. As the police comb Gloria's apartment for clues and canvass the neighborhood for witnesses, Johnny and Sergeant Mapes question her landlady, Mrs. Stromberg. The investigation reveals troubling gaps in what anyone knows about the unconscious victim. Gloria doesn't appear to have a job, her family is somewhere in California, and her mysterious benefactors and boyfriends remain unidentified. With Gloria unable to speak and the shooter still at large, Johnny must navigate both the police investigation and his own search for answers. Become a supporter of this podcast

  12. The Todd Matter Ep 1

    Sep 5, 2026 · 15 min

    Originally Aired: January 9, 1956 Johnny Dollar #301, "The Todd Matter Ep 1," Johnny receives an unexpected phone call from Arin Vance, a con man he helped send to prison seven years earlier. Instead of seeking revenge, Vance offers Dollar information about the Todd case, a six-month-old burglary that cost the insurance company $75,000 in stolen jewelry, silver, and apparel from Norman Todd's Long Island home. The case has gone completely cold until Vance provides a crucial lead: a stolen mink coat with serial number 27356, now in the possession of Gloria Tierney at a New York City address. In exchange for this tip, the desperate ex-con demands $2,500 to start his new life in Indiana. Dollar verifies Vance's information with his company and reluctantly agrees to provide a post-dated check that can be stopped if the lead proves false. After putting Vance on a plane to Indiana, Johnny heads to New York to investigate Gloria Tierney. He discovers she's lived at the East 57th Street address for only a year and has no police record. When Gloria calls his hotel late that night, Dollar arranges to meet her, sensing this case may finally break wide open. Become a supporter of this podcast

  13. The Caylin Matter Ep 5

    Sep 4, 2026 · 15 min

    Originally Aired: January 6, 1956 Johnny Dollar #300, "The Caylin Matter Ep 5," Johnny Dollar arrives at police headquarters to witness Sergeant Reynosa's interrogation of Marty Midnight, the young stripper arrested at the bus depot with a ticket to San Diego. The defiant facade of the hardened nightclub dancer quickly crumbles when Reynosa reveals her real identity as Jean Luann Jackline. Terrified that her parents will discover what she's become, the scared young woman begins to talk. She insists Eddie Kaylin killed Mike Kelso in self-defense during a robbery attempt and claims she knew nothing about Eddie's death until she saw police at her apartment. Despite her tearful protests of innocence, the evidence mounts against her, including a witness who saw her leave the scene and wipe down the gun. Johnny later visits Lila Kaylin, the widow still reeling from her husband's betrayal and death. As they reflect on Eddie's magnetic but destructive charm and why women fell for his lies, they're interrupted by a phone call from Sergeant Reynosa that promises to shake up the investigation once again. Become a supporter of this podcast

  14. The Caylin Matter Ep 4

    Sep 3, 2026 · 15 min

    Originally Aired: January 5, 1956 Johnny Dollar #299, "The Caylin Matter Ep 4," Johnny pieces together the truth about Eddie Kalin's first "death" while investigating his actual murder. At the apartment of Marty Midnight, a strip club performer, Johnny explains to Sergeant Reynosa how he deduced Eddie was alive all along. The locked apartment door on the night Eddie supposedly died was the crucial clue—only Eddie himself would have locked it out of habit while fleeing. Johnny theorizes that Eddie killed Mike Kelso in self-defense, then burned Kelso's body in his own car to fake his death and escape with sixty thousand dollars in poker winnings. Eddie and Pete Steiner had been hiding with Marty, planning to flee the country. Now Eddie is genuinely dead, shot in Marty's apartment, and both she and Pete have vanished with the money. The investigation takes a turn when Jeanette Dubois, a French neighbor, arrives to give her eyewitness account. She saw Marty emerge from the apartment in a white raincoat immediately after the shots, wiping something down before throwing it back inside and fleeing into the night. Become a supporter of this podcast

  15. The Caylin Matter Ep 3

    Sep 2, 2026 · 15 min

    Originally Aired: January 4, 1956 Johnny Dollar #298, "The Caylin Matter Ep 3," Johnny continues investigating the mysterious death of Eddie Kalin, convinced that Eddie may still be alive despite a body in the morgue. When Sergeant Reynosa reports that Tompo Leanly, the gambler who shot at Johnny, claims self-defense and will soon make bail, Johnny sees an opportunity. He believes the worried Leanly, fearing a double-cross, might inadvertently lead them to Eddie. Following a hunch about a locked door and Eddie's pattern of behavior, Johnny begins backtracking through Eddie's haunts and contacts. Johnny's investigation takes him to two nightspots on Santa Monica Boulevard. At the Cafe Eloines, a hostess named Pepita reveals that Eddie was there the night before his supposed death with his friend Pete Steimer, who has since vanished. She also mentions Eddie's involvement with a stripper called Marty Midnight at the Brass Monkey Inn. Johnny heads to the Brass Monkey, where he encounters a dictionary-reading bartender and watches the chorus line perform, searching for the mysterious dark-haired dancer who may hold answers about Eddie's final hours. Become a supporter of this podcast

  16. The Caylin Matter Ep 2

    Sep 1, 2026 · 15 min

    Originally Aired: January 3, 1956 Johnny Dollar #297, "The Caylin Matter Ep 2," Johnny Dollar arrives at the home of Mrs. Kalin, the widow of Eddie Kalin, whose death by fire is the subject of his insurance investigation. When Johnny makes an ominous comment about keys being enough "to hang somebody," the tense interview nearly ends before it begins. Mrs. Kalin initially refuses to cooperate, but reluctantly agrees to answer questions after Johnny warns that her unwillingness could prejudice her insurance claim. She reveals that Eddie frequented bars like the Eloinees and the Brass Monkey Inn, and mentions that his closest friend, Pete Steimer, has disappeared since the night of the murder. The police believe Eddie was killed for the large sum of money he won from a gambler named Topo Lanely. As the interview continues, Mrs. Kalin employs what Johnny recognizes as a familiar tactic, changing into something more comfortable and switching to a friendlier approach. She describes her turbulent relationship with Eddie as a "ten-ring circus from the front seat in a roller coaster," acknowledging his many affairs with showgirls while admitting she still can't believe he's really dead. Become a supporter of this podcast

  17. The Caylin Matter Ep 1

    Aug 31, 2026 · 15 min

    Originally Aired: January 2, 1956 Johnny Dollar #296, "The Caylin Matter Ep 1," insurance investigator Johnny Dollar heads to Los Angeles after Walt Albright from Trinity Mutual develops his telltale case of asthma over a suspicious death claim. Eddie Caylin died in a mysterious car fire just six weeks after his wife arranged a five thousand dollar policy with double indemnity, with only one premium paid and the widow as beneficiary. District salesman Presley Welch, a nervous rabbit of a man also plagued by asthma, confesses he should have known better than to write the policy. Eddie treated the whole thing as a joke, only signing to please his wife, laughing about needing security like "two aces up and one for the kicker." Detective Sergeant Jose Reynosa fills Johnny in on the disturbing details. Eddie's car was found burned in a ravine on Palas Verdas headland, the body inside charred beyond recognition, possibly with gasoline deliberately poured throughout. Even more troubling, the Caylin apartment showed signs of a violent struggle with broken furniture and bloodstains. Mrs. Caylin claims she was alone at a friend's cabin at Arrowhead when her husband died, but nobody can confirm her alibi. Become a supporter of this podcast

  18. The Forbes Matter Ep 5

    Aug 30, 2026 · 15 min

    Originally Aired: December 30, 1955 Johnny Dollar #295, "The Forbes Matter Ep 5," Johnny Dollar meets with Betsy Walker to inventory the expensive gifts Sheldon Forbes sent her during his misguided courtship, purchased with stolen company funds. The investigation reveals Forbes spent over $4,000 on gifts, restaurant reservations, and flowers trying to win the attention of the actress and model, who never reciprocated his interest. At the hospital, a recovering Forbes finally opens up to Dollar about his desperate motivation. He first saw Betsy at a fashion showing at his employer's office and became hopelessly infatuated, convinced that without money he had no chance with a woman so far out of his league. Forbes bitterly describes his shabby apartment and old car, contrasting them with what he believed Betsy deserved. Dollar finds himself sympathizing with the young embezzler, recognizing that Forbes experienced genuine love at first sight but handled it in the worst possible way. As Dollar prepares to leave town, having recovered what he can for the insurance company, Betsy Walker appears unexpectedly at his hotel, requesting to speak with him. Become a supporter of this podcast

  19. The Forbes Matter Ep 4

    Aug 29, 2026 · 15 min

    Originally Aired: December 29, 1955 Johnny Dollar #294, "The Forbes Matter Ep 4," Johnny Dollar races against time after discovering embezzler Sheldon Forbes has attempted suicide by gas in his apartment. After dragging Forbes from the deadly fumes and calling for help, Dollar watches as emergency medical technicians fight to save the man's life. The interns work methodically with a pulmotor, uncertain whether Forbes will survive, especially if he has any underlying heart condition. While Forbes clings to life at Bellevue Hospital, Dollar retraces the man's final steps before the suicide attempt. Dollar's investigation leads him to the Empress Theater, where he learns from the stage doorman that Forbes had been a frequent visitor, repeatedly asking to see performer Betsy Walker. The trail takes Dollar to Walker's apartment near one in the morning, where the actress reveals a troubling connection to Forbes. She claims to have only met him once in her life and describes him as "quite impossible," though she struggles to explain their relationship. As Dollar presses for answers about Forbes and his desperate actions, the pieces of this puzzling case begin to emerge. Become a supporter of this podcast

  20. The Forbes Matter Ep 3

    Aug 28, 2026 · 15 min

    Originally Aired: December 28, 1955 Johnny Dollar #293, "The Forbes Matter Ep 3," Johnny continues his investigation into embezzler Sheldon Forbes, who has inexplicably refused to defend himself or return the stolen money. Attorney Ed Gumby informs Johnny that Forbes has waived trial and plans to plead guilty at the upcoming preliminary hearing. Determined to uncover the truth and give Forbes a fair chance, Johnny begins interviewing people from Forbes's life, starting with Arnold Haven, head of accounting at Century Styles Incorporated. Haven describes Forbes as a reliable employee who kept to himself and had no obvious vices or financial pressures that might explain the theft. Haven recalls noticing a change in Forbes about a month before the embezzlement, describing it as an air of anxiety. Johnny's investigation leads him to Forbes's modest apartment building, where he questions the manager, Mrs. Anastasia Kanopka. She reveals that Forbes lived a solitary, frugal life with no drinking, gambling, or romantic relationships. Inside the dingy apartment, Johnny finds evidence of extreme thrift and loneliness—cheap furniture, laundered shirts, and only a modest record player and painting supplies suggesting any personal interests. The mystery deepens as Johnny finds absolutely no trace of the missing $4,285. Become a supporter of this podcast

  21. The Forbes Matter Ep 2

    Aug 27, 2026 · 15 min

    Originally Aired: December 27, 1955 Johnny Dollar #292, "The Forbes Matter Ep 2," Johnny Dollar continues his investigation into the embezzlement case of Sheldon Thomas Forbes, who has confessed to stealing $4,285 from Century Styles. While Rob Elliott calls from the district attorney's office to sign the complaint, Dollar makes it clear his real work is just beginning: recovering the money for the insurance company. Dollar meets with court-appointed attorney Edward Gumby, a modest lawyer working out of a sparse office, who admits he hasn't yet developed any influence with his new client. The police report turns up empty as well, finding no trace of the stolen funds in Forbes' apartment or car and no evidence of expensive purchases. At the city jail, Dollar confronts Forbes directly, offering him a chance to reduce his potential sentence by revealing what happened to the money. Forbes insists he spent every dime and refuses to provide any details, acting what the sergeant calls "cop-wise" and shutting down every line of questioning. Despite Dollar's warnings that recovery could mean the difference between three and twelve years in prison, Forbes remains stubbornly silent, leaving Dollar determined to uncover the truth through other means. Become a supporter of this podcast

  22. The Forbes Matter Ep 1

    Aug 26, 2026 · 15 min

    Originally Aired: December 26, 1955 Johnny Dollar #291, "The Forbes Matter Ep 1," insurance investigator Johnny Dollar finds himself reluctantly accepting a case in New York as a favor to Pauline Morris at the Continental Adjustment Bureau. After taking her to dinner at the Crystal Room, Dollar learns the details: Century Styles Incorporated, a high-end dress manufacturer, has discovered a deficit of over four thousand dollars in their books, and Delaware Eastern Liability needs the claim investigated. The catch is there's practically no commission in it for Johnny, but his fondness for Pauline convinces him to take the job. Upon arriving in Manhattan, Dollar heads to Century Styles and meets the flamboyant and eccentric Robert Elliott, creator of the prestigious "Patsy's Things" evening dress line. Elliott is desperate for a quick settlement, explaining that the loss has crippled his operations and threatens to prevent him from showing his new collection before the critical end-of-month deadline. As Elliott dramatically insists he'll be "professionally cremated" without immediate compensation, Dollar begins his investigation into who stole the money, though Elliott claims to have no leads whatsoever on the mysterious thief. Become a supporter of this podcast

  23. The Nick Shurn Matter Ep 5

    Aug 25, 2026 · 15 min

    Originally Aired: December 23, 1955 Johnny Dollar #290, "The Nick Shurn Matter Ep 5," During a raging blizzard in a remote Michigan cabin, Johnny Dollar spends the long night trying to convince Kathy O'Dare to testify against nightclub owner Nick Shurn in a murder case. Kathy's young daughter Jill stays awake with them, playfully suggesting Johnny should marry her mother. After Jill goes to bed, Johnny confronts Kathy about what she witnessed the night gangster Nick Shurn shot and killed Mel Pryker. Though Kathy has been running from her past and paralyzed by fear for her daughter's safety, Johnny challenges her cowardice and urges her to show Jill courage instead of teaching her to live in fear. In a powerful moment, Kathy finally breaks down and admits the truth: she witnessed the murder, heard Pryker beg for his life, and saw Shurn standing over the body with a gun. She agrees to testify if Johnny will stand by her through the ordeal. As the storm clears and dawn approaches, Johnny holds both Kathy and little Jill, experiencing what he values in his expense account as a million-dollar feeling of having helped someone find their courage. Become a supporter of this podcast

  24. The Nick Shurn Matter Ep 4

    Aug 24, 2026 · 15 min

    Originally Aired: December 22, 1955 Johnny Dollar #289, "The Nick Shurn Matter Ep 4," finds Johnny and Mike O'Dare desperately searching for Kathy and her daughter Jill, who have vanished as a blizzard descends on Branbury, Michigan. The situation is doubly dangerous: not only is the weather deteriorating rapidly, but killer Benny Stark is somewhere in the area. Johnny pieces together that Kathy, unable to face questioning, has fled to a remote location she knew from childhood. Following Mike's knowledge of the backcountry, they trace her to Pine Lake Road, where they discover Kathy's abandoned car at the trailhead leading up Pine Creek. What Johnny doesn't tell Mike is the chilling discovery of a second vehicle hidden in the trees: Jed Wharton's stolen station wagon, belonging to Benny Stark. Sending Mike back for help from Deputy Sheriff Dan Martin, Johnny sets out alone into the worsening blizzard, following the rapidly disappearing tracks up the treacherous four-mile trail toward the remote cabins, racing against time and deadly weather to reach Kathy and Jill before Stark does. Become a supporter of this podcast

  25. The Nick Shurn Matter Ep 3

    Aug 23, 2026 · 15 min

    Originally Aired: December 21, 1955 Johnny Dollar #288, "The Nick Shurn Matter Ep 3," Johnny Dollar and Mike O'Dare man a freezing roadblock on a Michigan logging road, waiting to intercept hired killer Benny Stark, who has tracked Kathy O'Dare to her hometown of Bramberry. As they pass the long, cold hours with cigarettes and applejack, Mike opens up about his daughter, asking Johnny honestly whether Kathy is mixed up in the New York murder case. Johnny admits he's not sure, and both men acknowledge the uneasy alliance between them: Mike and Sheriff Dan Martin will protect Kathy at all costs, even if Johnny's investigation leads him to conclude she might be guilty. Through the night, cars pass their checkpoint, each one a moment of tension. Word arrives that Benny Stark has been spotted breaking through another roadblock rather than fleeing the area, confirming Johnny's suspicion that the professional killer won't give up his assignment. As Christmas carols drift from the town hall and colored lights blink in the village square, the contrast between holiday peace and deadly pursuit grows more stark. Become a supporter of this podcast