Y O U R S T R U L Y, J O H N N Y D O L L A R
--------- --------- ----------- -----------
The Serials: 1955 - 1956
First Show: Oct 3, 1955 Last Show: Nov 2, 1956
Number Serials: 55 Audition Shows: Dec 7, 1948
Jan 14, 1949
Series Description:
From 1949 through 1962, Johnny Dollar was heard each week over CBS
stations. Johnny's job was insurance fraud investigation but each
show we learned how he build his expense account.
The shows were 30-minute adventures except for a period of slightly
longer than one year starting on October 3, 1955. During this time,
Johnny made his appearence Monday through Friday, for 15 minutes
each day. Johnny, at this time, was played by Bob Bailey, the third
person to play the part (not counting the 1948 audition). These 15
minute shows are the topic of this log.
With a few exceptions, these shows consisted of a 5-part serial,
starting on Monday and running to its conclusion on Friday. There
were two exceptions; one 6-part and one 9-part serials. The 6-part
adventure started on the Friday after the 1956 Republican Convention.
The 9-part serial ran Monday through Friday of the first week and
Monday through Thursday of the second week.
Bob Bailey is considered by many to be the best Johnny Dollar and
the extended time of each adventure allowed better story line and
character development. The combination makes the serials a most
enjoyable listen.
Log Comments:
The broadcast date of the first show of a serial is the date shown
in the date column. For those serials with more than 5 shows, more
information follows the title. The numbering column (#) numbers the
serials, not the episodes.
The dates for one series are in question, "The Kranesburg Matter".
It is listed in a number of catalogs and logs as a 7-part series. At
the end of the previous series, "The Crystal Lake Matter", Bob Bailey
announces the next series will start on the following Friday and be
off Monday through Thursday due to Republican Convention coverage.
At the end of episode 2 of "The Kranesburg Matter", Bob Bailey
announces the series will continue Monday. There are no other
announcements for skipped days. I've listened to all six episodes
and they dovetail nicely. From this, I conclude there were only six
episodes, they started on Thurdays, August 23, 1956, aired August 24
and resumed Monday and ran through Thursday. Any information here
would be greatly appreciated.
Chronological Log:
Date # Title
------------ -- ----------------------------------------------
Aug 29, 1955 -- "The Trans-Pacific Arson Matter"
Audition with Gerald Mohr as Johnny Dollar
Oct 03, 1955 1 "The McCormick Matter"
Oct 10, 1955 2 "Molly K Matter"
Oct 17, 1955 3 "Chesapeake Fraud Matter"
Oct 24, 1955 4 "Alvin Summers Matter"
Oct 31, 1955 5 "The Valentine Matter"
Nov 07, 1955 6 "The Lorco Diamonds Matter"
Nov 14, 1955 7 "The Broderick Matter"
Nov 21, 1955 8 "Amy Bradshaw Matter"
Nov 28, 1955 9 "The Henderson Matter"
Dec 05, 1955 10 "The Cronin Matter"
Dec 12, 1955 11 "Lansing Fraud Matter"
Dec 19, 1955 12 "The Nick Shurn Matter"
Dec 26, 1955 13 "The Forbes Matter"
Jan 02, 1956 14 "The Caylin Matter"
Jan 09, 1956 15 "The Todd Matter"
Jan 16, 1956 16 "The Ricardo Amerego Matter"
Jan 23, 1956 17 "The Duke Red Matter"
Jan 30, 1956 18 "The Flight Six Matter"
Feb 06, 1956 19 "McLain Matter"
(Episode 3 missing)
Feb 13, 1956 20 "Que Bono Matter"
Feb 20, 1956 21 "Bennett Arson Fraud"
Feb 27, 1956 22 "Fanthom Five Matter"
Mar 05, 1956 23 "Plant Agent Matter"
Mar 12, 1956 24 "Clinton Matter"
Mar 19, 1956 25 "Jolly Roger Fraud Matter"
Mar 26, 1956 26 "Lamar Matter"
Apr 02, 1956 27 "Salt City Matter"
(Episode 2 missing)
Apr 09, 1956 28 "Laird Douglas Douglas of Heatherscote Matter"
Apr 16, 1956 29 "The Shepherd Matter"
Apr 23, 1956 30 "The Lonely Hearts Matter"
(Episode 4 missing)
Apr 30, 1956 31 "The Calaklese Matter"
May 07, 1956 32 "The Silver Blue Matter"
May 14, 1956 33 "The Medium Matter, Well Done"
May 21, 1956 34 "The Tears Of Night Matter"
May 28, 1956 35 "The Reasonable Doubt Matter"
Jun 04, 1956 36 "The Indestructable Mike Matter"
Jun 11, 1956 37 "Laughing Matter"
Jun 18, 1956 38 "The Pearling Matter"
Jun 25, 1956 39 "The Long Shot Matter"
Jul 02, 1956 40 "Touch Of Midas Matter"
Jul 09, 1956 41 "The Shady Lane Matter"
Jul 16, 1956 42 "Star Of Capetown Matter"
Jul 23, 1956 43 "The Open Town Matter"
Jul 30, 1956 44 "Sea Legs Matter"
(Episode 5 missing)
Aug 06, 1956 45 "The Alder Matter"
Aug 13, 1956 46 "The Crystal Lake Matter"
Aug 23, 1956 47 "The Kranesburg Matter" (6 PARTS)
Dates: Aug 23, Aug 24 and Aug 27 thru Aug 30.
Pre-empted Aug 20 thru Aug 22 for
Republican Convention coverage.
Sep 03, 1956 48 "The Curse Of Kamashek Matter"
Sep 10, 1956 49 "Confidential Matter"
Sep 17, 1956 50 "Imperfect Alibi Matter"
(Episode 2 missing)
Sep 24, 1956 51 "Megs Palace Matter"
Oct 01, 1956 52 "Picture Postcard Matter"
Oct 08, 1956 53 "Primrose Matter"
Oct 15, 1956 54 "The Phantom Chase Matter" (9 PARTS)
Dates: Oct 10 thru Oct 19 and
Oct 22 thru Oct 25
Oct 29, 1956 55 "The Silent Queen Matter"
References:
* "The Ultimate History of Network Radio Programming and Guide To All
Circulating Shows", by Jay Hickerson, Box 4321, Hamden, CT 06514
* OTR club and vendor catalogs or web sites:
* AVPRO, Don Aston, PO Box 1392, Lake Elsinore, CA 92531-1392
* Crabapple Sound, Henry Hinkel, 254 Florida Ave., Amsterdam, NY
12010
* Edward J. Carr, 216 Shaner Street, Boyertown, PA 19512
* Jerry Haendiges Productions, Jerry Haendiges, 13808 Sunset Dr.,
Whittier, CA 90602
* Radio Historical Association of Colorado, PO Box 1908,
Englewood, CO 80150
* Radio Memories, Ted Davenport, 1600 Wewoka St., North Little
Rock, AR 72116
* Radio Showcase, Steve Kelez, PO Box 4357, Santa Rosa, CA 95402
* Society to Preserve and Encourage Radio Drama, Variety And
Comedy, PO Box 7177, Van Nuys, CA 91409-7177
* Vintage Broadcasts, Andy Blatt, PO Box 50065, Staten Island, NY
10305
Other Logs or Books:
* YOURS TRULY, JOHNNY DOLLAR log, by Don Aston and Terry Salomonson,
available from AVPRO, Don Aston, Box 1392, Lake Elsinore, CA 92531
* YOURS TRULY, JOHNNY DOLLAR log, Jerry Haendiges Productions, 13808
Sunset Dr., Whittier, CA 90602 (http://www.otrsite.com)
Reader Feedback:
* Jake (no last name given) pointed out only 8 dates were listed for
the 9-episode "Phantom Chase Matter" series.
* Stewart Wright sent a correction for "The Kranesburg Matter" from
7 parts to 6 parts, based on the announcement at the end of last
episode of "The Crystal Lake Matter" (pre-empted for Republican
convention).
Last Update: May 20, 2004
This log is informational only. It does not imply that I or my
references have these shows for trade or sale. The shows may still
be protected under copyright law and should be obtained only from
authorized dealers.
The log may be freely reproduced and published on a no-profit basis.
Please send error corrections or additional information to Frank M.
Passage, 109 Elmwood Road, Verona, NJ 07044 (email: wb2ntp@arrl.net).