 From Hollywood it's time now for Edmond O'Brien as Johnny dollars that plane crash Johnny that you here. Yes. I just turned off my radio. Oh, it's horrible. Who is this? Oh, I'm sorry. It's Sam Harris Columbia. Oh sure. Does your company carry the policies on that airline? Yes, but I'm not thinking of that that crash was planned They're definite about it now. Yes an explosion some kind of a bomb there were 13 people killed in the plane They don't know how many in the houses that crashed into we've got to place Responsibility the company wants to do whatever it can. We've got to find whoever is responsible sure mr. Harris You want me to go on? Yes, we do their airline representative is a man named Reed go out and do everything you can Edmond O'Brien in a transcribed adventure of the man with the action-pact expense account America's fabulous freelance insurance investigator yours truly Johnny dollar expense account submitted by special investigator Johnny dollar to home office Columbia all risk insurance company The following is an accounting of expenditures during my investigation of the fairway matter Expense account item one two fifty cab fare to the scene of the plane crash Which is you know covered quite a bit of territory the fairway Airlines plane had taken off at 8 20 p.m Had reached an altitude of no more than a thousand feet and then had crashed Setting a fire two houses a short distance from the Springfield Hartford Airport I got there a little after 9 30 One house had been partially saved But the other had been completely demolished the family of four living in it and killed Parents of one child in the first house weren't expected to live Beyond twisted pieces of the plane was scattered across a few Fragments still smoking and turned white by the phone from chemical extinguishers This read I've got the law I'll read Mr. Carl Reed Please go and wait in your car We'll let you know as soon as we can My baby Yes, my name is Donna the insurance company Insurance company Lord. This is hard at the time to worry about money. I'm a private investigator They've hired me to help him any way I can and fix the plane. I'm sorry. I miss understood. I guess I You have to excuse me. This is good. You there are some things I have to do Come along Gee doesn't know about the explosion Chance where the daughter wasn't on the plane. She was You haven't told me I can let her hope for a couple of more hours. Why shouldn't I? I had to tell too many people. It's just horrible. I Think even worse than if it had been an accident and you know, it was premeditated when you know someone planned it What kind of person would would you have to beat it to plan something like this sound to believe Mr. Reed But we have proof Explosion in the extreme after section destroyed all the control cables to the tailors. I don't suppose the civil aeronautics man Descending one of their best Captain Lenhardt of the state police is here though. Oh, I'd like to speak to him You have any idea where he is the last time I saw him It's left But see the group of men over by the hangar. Yeah, they Collected the bodies there They did as many identifications as possible. I know it's bad Mr. Reed, but don't you go to pieces now? I wouldn't help I'll see you later. Yeah, I remembered captain Jim Lenhardt from a case we chaired last year and I found him in the group of silent man The silence and the expressions told better than words how they felt about the row of sheet draped bodies on the ground I was read making up. I thought he was going to pieces a little while ago. He's still in pretty bad shape No, he's not alone But for us anyway, darling, it could have been worse playing could have been filled. Yeah, that crossed my mind When you and I are thinking together captain that our approach will be to find out if we can Which victim was the planned victim what we have now I don't see any other way to start do you know The possibilities as I see them murder with a motive suicide disguised or Homicidal maniac that must cover I have men covering the airport with two miles circle around it They're orders are to question everybody they spot search every car It's about all we can do tonight. Now. I'll see you in the morning, and if it's all right with you It sure is glad to have you on the case. I'll meet you in my office at nine. Good. No You get the rest of these poor devils into the moored how to find out who they are The next morning the official findings were released the explosive had been nitroglycerin They've been detonated by some electrical means which it was assumed was connected to a timing device that had not yet been found Captain Lenhart's man had questioned the number of suspicious characters near the airport without results But he himself had received an anonymous tip on a possible suspect a Wilbur wheeler Who was a member of the ground crew that had serviced the plane just before its takeoff? Wheeler was shown to the captain's office about 40 minutes after I'd gotten there Why'd you pick me to come up here? Why didn't you get straker or mills there over me? It's just routine really routine, but you must have a reason I got a right to know if you got a reason haven't I what do you think we started with you? Well, I'm asking you aren't I don't be evasive wheeler. Can't you say you don't know? The stewardess who died in that crash surely good you I know I know it We understand that she meant something to you what you in love with it Yes, we understand that you made quite a pest of yourself phoning her at home waiting for her at the airport And then a week or so ago you learned she was going to marry the co-pilot who was killed What's his name Bill Strand wasn't it willer? Yeah You're saying that you think I caused that crash you wanted to know why you were here I told you it was just routine wheeler and it would have been if you'd acted differently But it sounded as though you were trying to hide some facts from us. I won't any more I don't I don't have any reason to and why did you I don't know I've been going crazy since I heard about it last night I was still at the field night. I got sick and I had to go home now. We heard about that. I got home and I turned on my radio And I heard what caused the crash and explosion I Knew that a lot of things I've said and a lot of things I'd done were gonna make trouble for me Even getting sick and coming home was bad. What were some of the other things? I've said some pretty bad things to Shirley when I heard she was gonna marry strand Then I had a fight with him. You had a fight with him over the same thing I guess for me it was really over that He ordered me around one day and I didn't like it and that's how it started He beat me up pretty bad and then he'd have my job And I told him that I see the day is playing with him in it Would be plastered to get some hill I Know what it sounds like now, but it didn't mean anything. I would just talk There's plenty of that all right you heard enough don't I think so that's all in winter I Can go yeah Nobody would be stupid enough to compromise himself the way you did and pull a job like this I'm sure made a lot of mistakes. I know that yeah Just be around or we can find you if we want to talk to you anymore All right, I can't go back to the airport sir. I Was gonna call them and quit if it's all right with you just be where we can find you that's all I will I'm sorry a lot of people are we learn you know Well, goodbye. Well, thanks for coming down. Yes, sir. What do you think? The only reason I say forget him is because he's the first one we've questioned and things don't work out that way. Yeah Collins the man just leaving my office Name is Wheeler will be Wheeler have two of the boys get on him and stay I'll arrange to relieve him tonight Yeah, thanks I'd like to know what's in his background. I'd like to get a psychiatrist reaction. Wouldn't you we'll learn about him? No, let's get on this list of passengers and see what we can get from their survivors We spent the rest of the day in the efforts of six more of Captain Lenhart's men preparing files on the 10 dead passengers One file contained nothing but a name Rupert stone Gotten from the ticket office records is that of a man who had paid cash for space to Augusta main The hard-foot address he had given was non-existent and the phone number rang a bakery where no one had ever heard of a Rupert stone That one we dropped until the accurate identification of the bodies was complete Lenhardt and I started out to follow up a couple of the others that evening and check Mrs. Graham Yes, this is mr. Dollar. I'm Captain Lenhardt of the state police We'd like to talk to you about the death of your husband. No I've talked too much. It only keeps in my mind the things I saw in that field The women's crime. We know Mrs. Graham, but it's our job to fix the responsibility We only want to ask you a few questions You'd want to help find whoever caused all those deaths if you could wouldn't you? How can I help? May we come in? All right, but only a little while. I haven't slept. Thank you No skipper be quiet You know dog Very soon he will die And I'll be alone Please sit down. Thank you. This is great. Yeah. Thank you Mrs. Graham your husband Yes Well, he bought space to Boston didn't he? Yes His brother's there in there. Oh He was a religious man Quite often he would go to visit his brother's grave. I see I Think that's all we needed wasn't a dollar to reject his plan. Yeah. Yes. I I think that was all I think we'd better go We're sorry to have bothered you Mrs. Graham and Thank you very much for seeing us. All right. Yes. Thanks very much. Oh, don't bother to get up. You don't have to come to the door with us Good night I Couldn't cut it. I think that dog did it Sorry This doesn't happen at least since I was a rookie again it but grilling a poor woman to find out if her husband's cancer might have driven him to suicide Couldn't go through it a whole rotten mess. I Think it's getting us over Why don't we have a couple of drinks on the way downtown forget it for tonight, huh? I'll try to that suits me. You know Al's in front street. Yeah, it's fine anything Let's go then Your friend didn't leave. No, he had a phone. I'll catch it $2.60. Thanks. Good enough. Thank you I guess I'll have to waste mine because it seems I'm not off-duty what happened Back to that stewardess again the explosive has been checked to her equipment The lab men say some twisted metal they found used to be a first aid box I think it was in there and brings Wilbur Wheeler back again, too He's been picked up right now. I don't think I need this drink to get through a session with him We'll return you to the second act of yours truly Johnny dollar in just a moment Lee Tracy plays his rollicking screen role of Hilda Johnson newspaper man in Hectin MacArthur's perennial comedy the front page tomorrow night on CBS Broadway Playhouse It's an all-fun cast headed by Lee Tracy as Chicago's Hectin MacArthur farce about crime reporters Comes to life once again on Broadway Playhouse tomorrow night over most of these same CBS stations Now with our star Edmund O'Brien we return you to the second act of yours truly Johnny dollar Okay, Carl Lee dollar. Yeah, he was at home. Well, the guy's been under doctor's care, but I think I got what we need Have you two been getting along? Yeah, we'll just get here We were covering the point of whether or not I have a right to have him brought down here. Maybe I'm wrong You are didn't you want to come Wilbur? I Guess I don't like the idea of being watered into a police car twice in one day with everybody in the block gawking at me A lot of people have been loaded into police cars today. We were they were glad to come in and do anything They could to help clear this thing up. Well, I want to help too. I didn't mean it that way. We're glad to hear that How long have you worked for the fairway airline? About a year and a half. I guess what you do before that. What do you mean? You you still think I had something to do with that crash. That's what you mean We'd like to find out who did Wouldn't you but you think I did it and I didn't I told you I didn't even you said I didn't and it sounds like you've got nothing To worry about so calm down and answer our questions. I want to know why you're asking questions like that Why did you bring me back here because some new evidence has turned up? That's why What does that have to do with me it has to do with surely good you I don't know what you mean I I don't know what you're talking about I told you everything there was about her and me and you know that she carried a first-aid kit aboard the plane last night First-aid kit. I don't know what you mean. You don't after working there a year and a half What did you do on the plane brought food on? Check the water and a few other things things that the stewardess would be involved in she'd be there with you wouldn't she? Yeah, but I don't know what you're driving and I don't know what you mean in the back part of the plane Yes, surely was there and you were there last night. Yeah, but I would if she put a first-aid kit wheeler Why do you ask me that I don't remember? I didn't notice they had a place they kept it, but I didn't know Was it open? I don't know always in it If I know what you meant, I don't know why you're asking me these I talked to mr. Reed so I know about these things fairway is an unscheduled airline so they have their own particular routines One of them is that this first-aid kit is the stewardess's responsibility Each one is a kit they take it off the plane when they leave and they bring it aboard when they report for work I don't know what you're talking about the explosive wheeler the nitroglycerin that was hidden in that first-aid kit I didn't put it there That's what you mean, but I didn't do it. I I didn't know anything about enough explosive to tear out the whole tail Listen, I didn't do it. I didn't 13 people in that plane wheeler four people in one of the houses It crashed into probably two more in the other Wilbur wheeler was turned over to the police psychiatrist because we couldn't get any father with him And a lie detector test was arranged for the following morning The web that was tightening around him was only circumstantial and the question was Did he know that he could keep on saying he hadn't done it and that we couldn't do anything without physical proof or Was he innocent? Our last move that night was to go to wheeler's room We were looking for wire that could be checked to that use with the explosive We couldn't find that or anything else that could be a definite help But a couple of things we didn't find seemed strange. Hey, he said he came home and turned on his radio Well, there isn't a radio here. Maybe we've got him on a real lie there There's papers Lenhart. Can you find any? Well, I haven't noticed. There aren't any unless he's got them on a site someplace Why would he do that? None in the waste paper basket You'd think a man as closely connected to this as he was would want to find out what the papers were saying, wouldn't you? Guilty or innocent. Yeah, I don't owe a dollar. I'm bushed Let's drop it for tonight. I'm ready We'll try and again tomorrow I'll drop you at home and see you about nine in the morning. The next morning Lenhart and I talked to the psychiatrist Who'd spend a couple of hours with wheeler In technical terms what he said was that wheeler was definitely suffering from a severe guilt complex But whether that meant he had actually committed the crime or had only wished secretly that harm would come to Miss Goodhew wasn't clear yet In terms of evidence that meant nothing the lack of a radio or newspapers in his room The doctor tossed off his Meaning merely that wheeler was hiding from actuality his captain Lenhart put it if that doctor thinks he helped my mental condition He's wrong There were two developments The first one was the report that the results of Wilbur wheeler's lie detector tests were negative But his reactions put the mark of guilt all over him The second came from the fairway office of Carl Reed He'd been unable to locate another of his stewardesses and when finally he'd sent someone to our apartment She'd been found shot to death We met mr. Reed at the scene of the second crime Hi, I simply had to get back in the job today Two of our flights were delayed yesterday because it might going to peace you better watch it now, mr. Reed I don't know if I take it easy you try to phone this girl and tell her to report one of your flights And when you send somebody out here, she was found dead, right? Yes I hadn't tried to contact Alice before because I knew that She and miss. Good. You had been close friends and I knew she must have felt Almost responsible for her death. Why mr. Reed? She was scheduled for the flight the other night. I thought you knew that no, we didn't I wish we had but I told you That night at the scene of the crash. I was talking to her mother. Mrs. Good. You yes I remember that you said she thought there was a chance that her daughter wasn't on the plane I told you the other girl was scheduled. Oh Mr. Reed No, you made it sound like this is good. You thought her daughter was on a different flight You didn't say anything about another stewardess. Good Lord. It's all right. It's all right, mr. Reed The human mind isn't infallible, but it can correct its mistakes. Go on. Tell us now that That's all With everything else. I suppose it didn't seem important. I know our procedure is less Exact and the larger companies that girls often traded flights. When did you find out about this trade? Not until mrs. Good. You told me that her daughter had gone to work that night. You didn't discuss it with her by any chance Oh, hi, I didn't discuss it that night and I think we'd better go see mrs. Good here darling. I think so Sergeant Collins over there will be in charge here mr. Reed. You may want to ask you a few more questions. All right Collins, I'm leaving. I'll see you at headquarters You know what this probably means the case against wheeler is shot Second stewardess, that's a pattern everything. We've tried to do has been for nothing Circumstantial evidence sometimes doesn't But we were close we settled on a stewardess anyway as the intended victim Yeah, but it doesn't help to think that maybe all those people died because of a mistake The wrong stewardess died in the crash and the killer had to come back to take care of the right one Of course, I'll tell you anything I can but we've just learned that your daughter wasn't scheduled to be on that plane This is good. You know she wasn't you know why she happened to be we understand that she and Alice Turner exchanged flights quite often But do you know how it happened the other night? No, Shirley was here at home and the phone rang. Oh, what time was that please? Oh? I hardly remember We've had an early dinner the plane took over 825 how long before then Well an hour at least No, it was less than that because Shirley left in such a hurry. What did she say? Well, she said that one of the girls was sick and she was going to take her place on a flight Just up to me in and back. She said She said she'd be home soon after midnight I've never like rushed decisions, and I've always worried when Shirley left in a hurry like that. She did it quite often Yes, they all did it six of them live here in Hartford. I Never liked it. Did she trade more often with Alice Turner than the others, do you know? Well, I don't think so No, it was an agreement almost a code if one of them couldn't work One of the others would fill in well, and it's possible that Alice Turner called some of the others before she called your daughter Yes, it is possible And I wish that I Naturally the hope that Captain Lenhard and I had was that we'd find another of the stewardesses Alice Turner had talked to And learned the reason she had wanted to get out of the fatal flight we didn't She hadn't called any of the others and we were left with nothing Nothing but the prospect of starting the whole investigation over from the beginning The enormity of the crime had been in all of our minds from the first night We'd never thought it might have a positive quality, but it did the horror of it led to the solving of it late that afternoon Then heart and I had found no place from which to start over I Went back to my apartment building and in the corridor just outside my door Huh? Yeah, can I help you? Pretty busy. I know you I know you I want to talk about the plane explosion. Oh All right, come on in. I can't stand anymore. I read about Alice Turner this afternoon, and I I can't stand it That's all well, you know about it. Just that all those people killed killed for nothing, and I'm partly to blame too I'm ready to give myself up. Why'd you come to me then? Why did you go to the police? Well, you can talk to somebody like you the police always bring the case for the state Okay, I'll get you anyway, but you'll know what I really said go ahead His name is church Not the church. Who is out the church? He's the chief pusher for a for a bigger narcotics outfit than you ever thought they was We've had a few cranks in this case already. Oh no crank. No crank Alice Turner was carrying the stuff for him. She wanted to get out in church one letter She's got smart. She set up a meeting with a federal man the other night. That's why she was killed All the rest doesn't make sense if she'd made this date Don't you think the Federals would have them in on this Alice didn't tell him who she was or what she did How do you know all this I'm the one that told her church was on over. I told her to drop and let the go That's my part of it. I Told the church was on to it that he'd stop us some way some way. I told her to drop in a matter what I Don't like it. Why would she put surely good you on the spot? Well, Alice didn't know what would happen. I didn't know Who could know we'd really do anything like that. Why did he if what you say is true? He could have stopped us another way That's my doing too. I kept her out of sight The other night I I told her to do anything to stay where she was and not to go to the field She believed me then I called surely good you and told her she was sick That's why she didn't go You know how the explosive was the wrecked the plane I read today the first aid kit That's where Alice carried this stuff And it was a kid how did the good you girl get it because she was called at the last minute And Alice had a things in the locker at the field on our look mr. Dollar. I wouldn't be here if I wasn't telling the truth It's a peddling route for me But I've been reading these stories about the people that got killed the families that are left Couldn't take it couldn't take it. I knew the truth And when Alice was killed there was no reason for not telling what I knew Are you ready to go to the police women? You heard what I got to say. I'm giving myself up You're a witness to that you know where this other church is Yeah, he and I we live together and you'll come with us. I have to sure Sure, I'll take you to him This is it Maria This is what I left him you go in and tell him who's here All right, just call him naturally now All right All right, are you here? Get away I got it expense account item to miscellaneous $23.45 expense account total $25 and 95 cents remarks With the cost of the other people the total hardly seems important does it? I think it would be easier to forget the $25 and the rest of the manner. So let's do it It was truly Johnny dollar Your truly Johnny dollars stars Edmond O'Brien in the title role and is written by gill doubt with music by Eddie Dunsteader Edmond O'Brien can soon be seen in the Paramount Pictures production Warpath Featured in tonight's cast were Peter Leeds Ray Hartman Martha Wentworth Bill Boucher Victor Perron and Virginia Greg Yours truly Johnny dollars transcribed in Hollywood by Jaime Del Valle This is Dan probably inviting you to join us next week at the same time When Edmond O'Brien returns as yours truly Johnny dollar Every time you buy a United States defense bond you help in our defense effort and you help build your personal security Yes defense bonds are good for you and good for your country. Remember Defense is your job by United States defense bonds Many people find their way to the police line up the innocent the vagrant the thief The surprising number of action-packed police cases began when interested parties survey The line up and that's where our thrilling lineup story begins tomorrow night over most of these same CBS station Listen for these authentic dramas about real police methods on CBS this is CBS where you'll never lose when you follow the news on the Columbia broadcasting system