Yours Truly, Johnny Dollar is a captivating radio series that aired for over twelve years, from 1949 through 1962, featuring the adventures of Johnny Dollar, America’s freelance insurance investigator. Known for his action-packed expense account, Johnny's escapades took him around the world, often with a unique twist that set the show apart from other detective series.
The show is notable for its innovative storytelling, where Johnny would often share insights and background information while filling out his expense accounts. With a rotating cast of actors portraying Johnny Dollar, including the popular Bob Bailey, the series evolved into a serialized format that allowed for deeper character development and engaging storylines.
Throughout its run, Yours Truly, Johnny Dollar attracted some of the best writers in Hollywood and featured a stellar supporting cast, making it a beloved classic of the Golden Age of Radio.
This recording is part of the Old Time Radio collection.
Only discovered YTJD in 2021. My favourite John Lund, then Charles Russell, then Bob Bailey. I listened in order so thw early eps left the biggest impression. That original theme tune is unsurpassed by the 1955 onwards tune. As alienating as the Daily ep run was, the show just isn't at its best as 70 minutes, I'll agree Bob Bailey is just about the definitive version even if he's not my personal favourite. I like all 6 actors a lot.
This list of avalable eps is incomplete. Found in recent are are:
#178 "The Stanley Price Matter" (01-Sep-53)
#194 "The Rudy Valentine Matter" (22-Dec-53)
#208 "The Undried Fiddle Back Matter" (30-Mar-54)
#220 "The Arthur Boldrick Matter" (22-Jun-54)
#227 "The Sarah Martin Matter" (10-Aug-54)
#571 "The Fire in Paradise Matter" (26-Jan-58)
#589 "The Froward Fisherman Matter" (01-Jun-58)
Had to Dig for My Favorites
(5 stars)
Max Reiner
Looks like you do have them all here. I'd like to share with others two of my favorites: #530 Ghost to Ghost, which has an all-star cast, including Bob Bruce, who was the narrator for some Disney cartoons. Some unusual MUTEL music bridge cues, too. And also #472 Blooming Blossom with Howard McNear as an eccentric collector. He was "Doc" on radio's Gunsmoke, which was the BEST Gunsmoke.
I'd like to hear from other old time radio lovers.
Who Knew?
(5 stars)
Bix12
The premise for this program might seem a bit preposterous to some-a world traveling freelance insurance investigator named Dollar who not only solves the tough cases but pads his expense account along the way. But believe it or not, this is a great show! Superb production standard, great writing, and an excellent cast...especially the 5 + part shows. One of the best!
It's like having good friend.
(5 stars)
weisersteve
I have this web site on my computer as well as a similar one on my phone.I have been a fan of Old Time Radio for over 45 years,Johnny Dollar has become on of my favorite show to listen too, and I feel I have gotten to know Johnny quite well and the character is so well written that Johnny could be a real person out there.Talk about a great way to pass time, this show is awesome, and one would think that it might get old really quick because of the similarities between each show, but in fact it is quite the opposite. Every job Johnny takes on brings a fresh new look at the deviousness, and cleverness that each human potentially has and therefore brings a lot of originality to each show.There are many more positive adjectives I can use to describe this show but lets just say that it contains all the necessities of an award winning show!
the best ever
(5 stars)
dafreeman
i grew up with the majority of the radio shows that the "youngters" are enjoying now. i ate lunch during "young dr. malone" and dinner with "the lone ranger." by far, YTJD is the best!
when it went off the air in "62, i was in junior high school, and plus, the beatles were the cat's meow! ANYWAY, my favorite YTJD is "cui bono" from 2/13/56 and "indestructible mike" from 6/4/56. these two shows were in the 15 format or 5 shows a week on the average.
i have 7 mp3s of YTJD and dick powell is indeed doing his audition for the fist johnny dollar. i am glad he went on to do richard diamond private detective and rogue's gallery. this way, we got to listen to bob bailey at his best. i listen to them all, expecially philo vance (my #2 guy) but wne i want to just put my feet up and my earphones on, YTJD is the man.
Favorite Johnny Dollar actor
(5 stars)
Rick Botti
In my opinion Bob Bailey and Mandel Kramer were the best for two reasons. Bob Bailey defined the role when the revised program went on its new 15 minute format. The writing changed, Johnny was not just another tough guy padding his expense account and busting heads. The revised character was a lot deeper. Bob Bailey performed the role of the new Johnny Dollar very well, and with the show's improved writing and sound effects Bob Bailey was indeed Johnny Dollar. Mandel Kramer came in later at the end of the program's run and also did a fine job, IMHO preserving the JD that Bailey defined but just a little different. All in all the two actors took the series to the top of that genre.
A "No rating"
Ravenal2320
This set seems corrupted. Attempts to d/l Bob Bailey's 15-minute episodes from the latter 50s for transfer to Sansa and SanDisk mp3 players produced some zany results.
File transfer seemed fine; the Music and Playlist produced with the mp3 player attached via USB are "perfect".
But, on the player itself, several of the programs have been displaced by the August 12, 1962 episode "The Oldest Gag Matter" with Mandell Kramer! And these eps do appear on the playlist read from the device.
In other words, a download of seven sets, 35 episodes, resulted in 28 of the desired programs and 7 repeats of the Kramer ep.
program stops and ruins the pleasure of listening
(2 stars)
purpletiger1
Johnny Dollar is high on my list of favorite detectives. These and other shows keep me company during the long lonely shifts at work. Sadly though, the pleasure of this audio company is being corrupted by glitches that cause cut-outs and breaks that start the show over. It is truly very annoying.
It is not an isolated incident. PLEASE, look into it and fix it. Because of the glitches, I cannot give as high a rating as I would like.
the project has done an outstanding recovering and restoring these shows, please help.
