 WBBM FM Chicago Wrigley's Spear Mint chewing gum the refreshing delicious treat that gives you chewing enjoyment Presents for your listening enjoyment John Lund as Johnny dollar Stanley Mitchell dollar. Oh, how are you mr. Mitchell? I'm fine. Are you employed now? Not this last Tuesday, then you can take an assignment Fast as you can give it to me go to New York and see a mr. Alan Saxon He recently returned from Europe where he purchased a supposedly priceless painting Supplied to our company for insurance on it. You said supposedly priceless is there a doubt? Yeah, a big one several experts have examined the painting claim. It's a forgery Saxon yelled foul all over the place. He paid 200,000 for the article while I do a little yelling myself Oh group of experts are going to give the painting every test there is and if it stands up We're obliged to ensure it and if it doesn't I leave before Saxon comes to a boil. That's about it I'll get right on it. Mr. Mitchell The Makers of Wrigley's spear mint chewing gum bring you John Lund and a transcribed adventure of the man with the action-packed expense account America's fabulous freelance insurance investigator. Here's truly Johnny dollar Friends the makers of Wrigley's spear mint chewing gum present these weekly adventures of Johnny dollar Because they know that millions of you enjoy Johnny dollar That's true of Wrigley's spear mint chewing gum, too. It's enjoyed by millions day in and day out People find that chewing on a smooth delicious piece of Wrigley's spear mint gum somehow makes time pass more pleasantly Whether you're working driving shopping or just taking things easy that good tasty chewing gives you enjoyment and Satisfaction so always keep a package of Wrigley's spear mint chewing gum handy and whenever you want a refreshing delicious treat Chew a stink you'll like it. You really will Expense account submitted by special investigator Johnny dollar to home office great eastern life insurance company Hartford, Connecticut The following is an accounting of expenditures during my investigation of the Allen Saxon matter Expense account item one twenty one dollars and sixty-five cents train fare and incidentals between Hartford, New York City I arrived at Grand Central late in the afternoon and went directly to a hotel where I registered and made arrangements to rent a car Saxon resided in a quaint three-story house on an estate across the river in Jersey It looked impressive enough to be an annex to Fort Knox a No old cad butler met me at the door and led the way into a mahogany and leather study Where I was left to wait for the master of the house That's right Glad to know you Mitchell of your company called said you'd be down. Yes, sir. Well sit down sit out That's a guy. No, thanks Aren't you a little premature? How do you mean? Well, there'll be no positive confirmation in my painting till after it's been examined, you know, when only examination take place A nasty cough. Yeah, nasty I'm to turn the painting over to mr. Farmer from the museum tomorrow morning. I imagine I'll have it for a day or so. I understand you paid 200,000 Sure did 200,000 fat American dollars, mr. Dollar You any idea how long it takes to make 200,000 dollars, mr. Dollar? Well, that kind of depends on who's making it me I start getting senile around a buck ninety-eight You might keep hacking like this I'll end up doing business in an oxygen tent You like to see the painting mr. Dollar sure come on Mr. Dollar if I've been swindled I'm gonna cause more trouble than a hungry snake and a rabbit Who'd you buy the painting from who one of the biggest most respectable dealers in Paris is all You've ever been to Paris mr. Dollar. Yeah How about that Paris, oh, I rather enjoyed myself Yeah, I've been there a dozen times and I'll never get tired of anything not anything The last trip I met Yeah, Barbara, I didn't see you Hello, this is my impish daughter only child spoiled rotten Barbara Johnny dollar is gonna show mr. Dollar the painting Beautiful Yeah, you don't really like it. Do you mr. Dollar? Well, I really don't know much about it miss accent You don't care for it mr. Dollar I guess it's very good good dollar. That's an original marshal marshal The beginning to call that the hacking Nasty little brat, isn't she who told you the painting was a forgery Miserable little man named Lippert fancies himself and the 40 jealous of what he is give it right clavicle for that painting Right around telling everyone how old Saxon got taken for two hundred grand You're gonna be in town long stop rolling your eyes about his crew I'm not I rollin went out with high-button shoes Who did you say sold you the painting look out for her dollar get that tone? Are you gonna be in town long mr. Dollar? The painting I bought it from Renee Francois most reputable dealer in Paris He's only gonna be in town till after they established my paintings a forgery Isn't that right dollar? Who? Ronnie Francois you I'm doing my best to save you from this designing female. I agree with me. Oh Oh, yeah, I'm only gonna be in town Why not mr. Dollar? Well, because we haven't got enough food don't be ridiculous You go on back to wherever you're staying mr. Dollar and I'll get in touch the minute They finish with a painting take my word for a dollar quit while you're ahead Stick around for dinner, and you end up a crib. Oh Well, are you gonna stay for dinner? Not mr. Dollar. He is not Seems like a nice fella, but he never played polo in his life. How about a dollar now? It's just an occasional game of stickballs What position almost they got it wonderful. How's it got her man? myself You're raised in hell's kitchen. You know, please stay for dinner. Oh, you can talk over old time Bring back the good old days when you were out cracking skull. You were going to leave. I Am show mr. Dollar or Saxon's word is as good as his body her bond. I'm a her Sometimes I wonder come on dollar. I'll walk you to the door. You don't have to drag him Goodbye miss Saxon no Getting better, but you're putting too much of a curve on it Come on dollar Quite a girl, huh? Yeah, there's nothing really wrong just spoiled got too much money. I'd ask you to stay, but you really seem like too nice a fella Well thing Well what? Just well at the moment. That's about as glib as I can get I Left the Saxon house shook my head a few times to get my brain turned around and drove back to New York In my hotel There wasn't much for me to do until the experts examined the painting So I showered shaved got dressed in my other suit and called a few numbers I'd collected during several investigations to see if I could get what looked to be a dull evening back on its feet I struck out three times and was dialing the fourth when Yeah, come on in well, uh, yeah, yeah, sure I hope I didn't interrupt an important call. No, no Sit down Where's daddy home? He wouldn't tell me where you were staying so I found out who he was insured with I had to call his lawyer Then I called your insurance company. Oh, I'm flattered. I'm determined Daddy's liable to spank. I don't think so. He's really not the general he tries to be He blushes and lays down the law and we butt head and you get what you want if it's important enough Well, I'm sorry. I spoiled your record. You haven't Then my staying for dinner wasn't important. Oh, yes Very important. Well, then you lose You can't fight I'm joining them. Well, that's a practical bit of philosophy, but I don't see quite how it applies I've had no dinner Uh-huh, you wouldn't accept my home cooked invitation. So now it's gonna cost you my expense account just turned yellow Where would you like to take me to dinner? Where would you like me to take you to dinner shy violet? Maybe I'm not the most conventional type in the world. I'll go along with that, but I don't want to argue Don't want to have to coerce you Know what you're gonna do anything. You don't really want to do you just want me to take you to dinner It's a nice way to start off an evening. Yeah You'll take me to dinner Johnny Expense account item two twenty two dollars and seventy eight cents dinner at a small Italian restaurant I'm pretty sure the dinner was excellent, but I'm positive that Barbara Saxton was more woman than I'd run into in a long time Delilah was a girl scout by comparison We got back to the Saxton home in Jersey about three in the morning parked the car at the front door and Said good night. I had a wonderful evening. Will you call me tomorrow? Right after my two o'clock shock treatment. Why aren't you happy? Well, I'm not quite sure I Think we had a little too much to drink who had a little too much to drink. Okay. I had a little too much to drink You're fractured. I love you Johnny. Let's get married Come on dear love. Oh I don't want to go in yet. I want to get married Johnny. Let's drive to someplace where we can get married No, I'm once more clear thinking cautious bachelor. I can fix that now. Well. I'm conscious. I bet oh come on Be a good little girl Get out of that car and let me walk you to the door. I'll scream for help. You're me. The word is cow. Yes. Now come on dear You're right You're a coward but a single one now come on. Kiss me. Good night first Barbara. Kiss me. Good night, or I won't budge I'll kiss you good night at the front door It's a deal Where's your key Now honey promise the front door. This is it go front door Okay Good night, honey Let's get married. We'll talk about it tomorrow now Shh honey the door was open. I don't want to go in. I'm not gonna go Barbara. Look no Sit right down here. Oh, no, you're not That's nice Carry me Johnny Carry me to a minister and let's get married till death do us part There you're on your own good night Johnny you come back here You can't leave me just standing here like this drink a big glass of milk and get some sleep. Good night What is it? What's wrong in the library dad? Wrigley spearman chewing gum is a refreshing delicious treat you can enjoy just about any time Even when you're busy working you can slip a stick of Wrigley spearman on your mouth and enjoy that pleasant chewing a lively full-bodied Spearman flavor cools your mouth and freshens your taste the good smooth chewing helps relieve pent-up tension gives you satisfaction as A result you seem to feel more relaxed and get more enjoyment out of what you're doing So enjoy chewing Wrigley spearman gum while you work and at other times too Get a few packages next time you're at the store. That's Wrigley spearman chewing gum healthful refreshing delicious Now with our star John Lund we bring you the second act of yours truly Johnny dollar Barbara Saxon was hysterical I had a slapper to calm her down then together we went into the dark and Saxon house where I found her father Alan Saxon lying on the floor bleeding from a nasty scalp wound He's all right call a doctor Come on. Come on. Mr. Saxon you can't stop them Don't try to sit up The picture You all right What happened? Oh You better stay right there till we get a doctor. Oh, it doesn't look too bad. There's a lot of blood Just take it easy. He got it Look, it's gone. Okay. Okay, but don't try to get up. It might be a concussion Oh, he stole my painting cut it right out of the frame. Who did I don't know a man I heard something and came down Sermons night off shouldn't have been anyone down here. What do you hit you with? flashlight I think Traitor I thought you were dead. I couldn't be I'd feel better you deserted me. Oh For Pete's sake stop that I'm the one who got clobbered He really scared me after that. Well, I couldn't help it I'm dirty low life swipe my painting. No, look Caught him in the act would have captured him too But he crowned me with a flashlight better get some hot water in a towel, but they have to take 50 stitches Just a little cut. It is not it's good for at least 50 stitches dear love. Yes, dear love get the hot water in a towel I go call the robbery details. Yes, John wait Yes, dear love. Yes, Johnny. He took me to dinner. It's 3 30 in the morning 3 35 Tuesday what time do you finish dinner? Look while you're getting your suspicions up The thief is putting a lot of miles between this house dollar answer me one question She didn't get you drunk and get you to marry her. I sure tried but you didn't no You're a lucky boy Johnny. Oh don't look so smug. You just think everyone wants to marry me for my money. Well, don't they? Not Johnny. I'm gonna call the police Wait, wait, wait just one more question if you married my daughter would it be for her money in the first place? I'm not gonna marry your daughter Johnny in the second place if I did it wouldn't be for her money See I was gonna marry her at all it'd be for Your money Barbara got a towel and some hot water and I called the police I stuck around while old Saxton gave his heroic side of the incident Then I took off and drove back to the hotel where I put in a call to the Paris branch of the company I talked with Howard Gilbert and asked him to check on the departure of René Francois Who according to Saxton wasn't expected to arrive in the States until late that afternoon? There ought to be a good reason why anyone would steal a painting that had been publicized as a possible fake Saxton wouldn't have the painting stolen because without insurance. He'd just be out the 200,000 he'd paid for it René Francois might have a reason though Because of the painting was proved a forgery his reputation would suffer not to mention having to return the 200,000 to Saxton I'll Gilbert promised to wire the information regarding Francois departure the minute he had it and I left the hotel and headed across town to see an old friend a Continental stool pigeon with a way of knowing about such things as stolen 200,000 dollar paintings It was close to five o'clock when I rang his doorbell Honorary open up not by the hair of my little goat If I owe you money come back at a respectable hour. It's Johnny dollar. I Don't believe it. Only my landlord or a vampire would go to such extremes Look, Henry, I'm gonna slip a little something under the door Okay, but you'll never go to heaven Are you that broke well until this windfall I was completely fractured but What can I do for you some information? May is this so important that you must seek me out before the the son has reason you ever heard of a mr. Alan Saxton Saxton he's been on the papers Well a few hours ago someone hit him over the head and swiped a very expensive painting Oh, is that the section who recently purchased the supposed March show? That's the one But there was some doubt as to the authenticity of the painting Experts were going to examine it today He paid 200,000 for it Marshall I Would have painted him something far superior for for much less Who do you think would pull a job like that? What is so special about a job like that? Break into a house till a painting And a mature could handle no no it's a special job for a special talent The thief knew is Marshow there were a lot of other paintings in that room Well, but he could read couldn't he Marshall certainly signed the work Or if he's a forgery whoever painted is certainly signed Marsha's name this painting wasn't signed That's one of the reasons why there's some doubt about it Not only that but why would someone take that painting when it's worthless until proven authentic You have a point I'm thinking of a European. Oh Johnny. I wouldn't touch a job like this Someone with an international reputation Please Johnny. I am innocent one of me. Please believe me someone who could possibly be hired in Paris Or if he happened to be in the United States could be contacted Someone that would know this particular Marshow and be qualified to break into the Saxton house Henry away away You have that knowing look Well, are you know I was just thinking about my landlord Yes, sooner or later, he'll trap me it's the law of average so far so far. I've cleverly avoided the same gene How much? Pardon, how much do you know? Patrick to Mars ran to 40 dollars Okay, but what sense is there in paying when it will only provide me with a legal claim to this? Disgusting really and I have no sustenance to keep me alive for longer than a week Well, I just pay him for a week. You would have me starve How much will keep you alive for two months? Well, I would at least like to take care of a green bomb delicatessen 10 bucks. Well, the exact amount is 15 You're lucky. I've got an expense account. You think I don't know it All right, who is he? Well, you might go to the Shelton arms and inquire about a man named Gaston Shambri It has been rumored that he arrived from Paris only yesterday. Who is he? Oh, that is for you to discover. There are certain things. I am bound by honor not to diverge But any policeman in the world could help you out I left a little Frenchman and went back to my hotel Where a cable was waiting from Gilbert at the Paris office It told me the René Francois had booked passage on air France and was due to arrive late in the afternoon. I Left climbed into the rented car and drove to the Shelton arms on East 108th Street Where a sleepy night clerk gave me Gaston Shambri's room number and accepted a ten-dollar bribe not to inform Shambri that I was on my way up A cable for you, Mr. Shambri. Oh, it's from René Francois. How do you know that? I peaked You are not a messenger boy. Sure. I am. I've got a message from René Francois Give it to me. He says to give me the painting I'm coming in. You have no right to come in. You got something to hide? Get out of here before I call the police Oh, no, I'll just stick around. But if you want to call the police, why don't you go right ahead? Maybe you'd like to tell them where you were earlier this morning. I was right here in my room I have been in my room since early last night. You didn't take a short trip over to Jersey I certainly did not you arrived from Paris yesterday. Yes, but what does oh? Oh Police you are a policeman. I'm surprised you didn't decide that when I pushed my way in here I have done nothing, but you know a René Francois. Yes, but I know nothing about the painting now look I know all about you of course, but you can't prove anything You want me to tear this apartment of pieces or do you want to hand over the Marshawn? I told you I have no painting I just said Marshawn That could be something you shampoo your hair with you mentioned the painting then Marshawn any fool would know They are one and the same as for you're tearing my apartment to pieces as you so crudely put it I think you would be making a serious mistake really you have no warrant Well now you're making a serious mistake really I don't need one you're still going under the assumption that I'm a policeman You you are not oh not a bit All right get up Now where's the painting who sent you I sent myself now. Where's the painting? Okay, no no wait a minute. It's under the pillows on the couch Why did you steal it? Maybe you didn't understand me no All right. I was tired sure you were René Francois. Yes Okay Now as long as you're so suspicious about policeman But on your clothes, I'll take you downtown introduce you to a few of the gentlemen in blue Gaston Chambret gave a complete confession to the police He'd been hired by the Paris art dealer René Francois to steal the painting had been discovered by Alan Saxton And in order to make his escape was forced to clout the old boy on the skull with his flashlight René Francois was met at the plane and when confronted with the evidence readily confessed He explained that when the Marshow was proclaimed a possible forgery He realized that if it really was his business would be ruined and he would have to return the 200,000 to Saxton He checked with the sources that had originally sold him the painting and discovered that there was a strong possibility That the painting was a fake He offered Chambret ten thousand dollars to do the job He'd arrive in the States after the robbery offer his condolences meet Chambret at a predetermined spot and take the painting Well Saxton took it in stride and after Francois gave him back the money he even laughed about it You really did a fine job dollar I'd like to make it worth your while. Well, it'll just cost you the eighty five dollars. I paid out in drives The rest goes on the expense ago. Oh You look pretty bad Terrible hangover Responsible for this you got my 200,000 bucks for me. It was that Francois. He was behind the whole thing I'm guy named Jim. Well, don't you want to hear about it Johnny? Will you take care of me? I Need somebody to take care of me. Oh dear love. I'd love to really But I've got to get back to Hartford. I can be packed in an hour. Oh, there you go I'm not rolling them. They're rolling themselves. I have absolutely no control whatsoever Johnny Dear love. Yes, dear love. Can I go with you? And no Why not? Well, I'm an insurance man. What's the matter with that? Oh, nothing only I know a bad risk when I see one Johnny I'm not a bad risk. No But I am Ah Expense account item three fifty five dollars and eighty five cents hotel bill and car rental item four nineteen dollars and sixty five cents Train fare and incidentals back to Hartford expense account total a hundred and nineteen dollars and ninety three cents yours truly Johnny dollar Remember friends Wrigley's spearmint chewing gum is a refreshing delicious treat you can enjoy us about any time Chew a few sticks of Wrigley's spearmint during the day and see how the good chewing helps you keep feeling fresh and alert a Lively full-bodied flavor of Wrigley's spearmint gum cools your mouth Freshens your taste and sweetens your breath the chewing itself gives you a nice little boost Helps you keep going at your best Millions of people get real chewing enjoyment out of Wrigley's spearmint chewing gum every day and we know you'll enjoy it too Get a few packages and always keep some handy. That's Wrigley's spearmint chewing gum healthful refreshing delicious Yours truly Johnny dollar brought to you by Wrigley's spearmint chewing gum stars John Lund in the title role and was written by Blake Edwards with music by Eddie Dunstetter featured in tonight's cast where Edgar barrier Hal March Virginia Greg and Jane Ovello Yours truly Johnny dollar was transcribed in Hollywood by Jaime Del Valle The makers of Wrigley's spearmint chewing gum hope you enjoyed tonight's story of Johnny dollar and that you're enjoying delicious Wrigley's spearmint gum every day This is Charles lion inviting you to join us again next week at the same time when from Hollywood John Lund returns as yours truly Johnny dollar This is the CBS radio network