The It's time again to itemize the expense account with America's fabulous freelance

insurance investigator yours truly Johnny Dollar. From 1955 until 1956, Dollar's Adventures were broadcast in 15-minute

installments five nights a week over CBS, with Bob Bailey in the title role. We've heard Bailey on the

podcast before both as Johnny Dollar and as George Valentine and let George

do it, but he's best remembered for his run in these five-part Johnny

Dollar storylines, which are regarded today as not only the best run of Johnny Dollar, but some of the

best drama from the Golden Age of Radio.

The character of Johnny Dollar first came to Radio in 1949, and until 1954, he was played

by Charles Russell, Edmund O'Brien, and John Longer. He was a solid radio detective

The series was a solid radio detective program but unremarkable

Despite strong lead performances especially that of Edmund O'Brien, who we've heard on the

podcast. The series left the air in September 1954, and it would stay away for over a year until

it was revived in a new format.

Jack Johnstone, radio writer, producer, and director, took the reins of the new Johnny

Dollar in October 1955.

Johnstone previously directed Jimmy Stewart in his NBC Western series, The Six Shooter.

And in addition to producing and directing Johnny Dollar, he also wrote several of the five-part episodes.

Series star Bob Bailey was coming off his radio detective run on Let George do it, and he stepped in to fill Johnny Dollar's shoes.

Earlier runs of the program had been sponsored by Wrigley's Gumb and other sponsors,

but for the most part the Bailey five-part shows ran unsponsored over CBS.

Today this series of five-part Johnny Dollar shows is regarded as a high point in the golden age of radio.

The extra running time allowed for more complex mysteries and richer characterizations,

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