All for Edmund O'Brien as Johnny Dollars, Ramy DEPOPMA, Britannia Casualty in Life.
Oh yeah, miss Raymie, thanks for calling back. I just wanted
to get something straight. If a murderer is executed, does his policy payoff?
That's an unusual question as far as I know. Yes, but we
have a famous situation. Well, put on your makeup, it's liable to
happen any minute, Edmund O'Brien. In another transcribed adventure of the Man with
the action packed expense account, America's fabulous freelance insurance investigator, Yours truly,
Johnny Dolla. Expense account submitted by a special investigator Johnny Dolla to Brittannia Casualty
in Life, Hotford, Connecticut. The following is an accounting of expenditures during
my investigation of Stuart Palmer, the man who wrote himself to death. Expense
account. I had him one one hundred and twenty FI dollars and forty two
cents air and miscellaneous travel expenses from Hartford to Chicago and the Cook County jail.
Well, you can make up your own mind about him. Dollar.
He's like all those hits. He isn't guilty, he's crazy. Oh,
Lieutenant, Oh hi Margaret, it's this is mister Dollar. It's an insurance
dick. He wants to talk to Palmers call him out with him. Short
thing, Lieutenant, Hey, Parma, mother's here. I'll see you on
your way out down here. Yeah, thanks a lot, Lieutenant. Here's
your point, mister Dollar. You'll have to talk from them through the bridge.
Stuart Thoma. Yeah, my name is Dollar, Britannic casualty in life
sent me out here. Understand you're in some difficulty. There's anything I can
do to help you. Didn't come here to help you. You came to
investigate my new policy now, Love, I don't need your help or anybody
else's. I paid my first premium. That's told you where the company need
be concerned about. They're concerned about the fact that you're being held on suspicion
of murders. That doesn't affect the policy. Have you retained counsel? That's
not your business. Thanks for the cooperation. Nice to meet friends in a
strange city. You're gonna have him Markowitz? Well, Dollar lovable, isn't
he have you got on him? Oh? Not much. Some whiner was
killed in the Clark Street pool and Palmer was holding one of the cues.
We pulled him in with about fourteen others. When are you going to release
him? We're not sure he's been in before, you know, tell me
what's the matter with him? Who knows he's a writer? Crime stuff hangs
around the West Madison district a lot of the time. Calls it research.
Does he still have that kenword address? Wait a six, yeah, fifty
seven fifteen. Well, I hope it. Wife is jollier than he is.
Oh, miss Martin, Oh, I'm sorry. I thought you were
somebody else. I am. My name is Dollar. I'm an insurance investigator.
I'm sorry. We have all the insurance we can use, I said,
investigator. I want to talk to you about your husband. Oh,
come in, Why do you do this to him? I why? It's
like he says, you're all after him. You don't like him because he's
a genius. You don't understand him, You'll never understand. You can try
all you want to, as Stewart says, when one human being does something
better than another human being, that's when they attack him. Well, go
ahead, look missus, Palmer, I'm on your side. I'm not the
police. Oh, now, why don't you sit down. I'll explain the
whole thing to you. Come on, that's better. Now. Your husband
took out one hundred thousand dollars life insurance policy last week. There's certainly nothing
wrong with that, is Palmer? Please? This week your husband is arrested
on suspicion of murder. There, I see you don't know anything about him,
and already you're accusing him of the most awful thing. I am not
accusing him of anything, missus Palm, I'm just trying to help. I
talked with your husband a little while ago. He wasn't very cooperative. I'd
hoped you would be. Well, you put him in jail and then you
were expecting to be cooperative. Does he have a lawyer? Yes, of
course, mister Martin. That's who I thought you were. How does mister
Martin feel about this, which he's been very nice do it isn't worried.
Dowart knows that mister Martin can string him anytime he wants to. I see,
what does your husband write books? Well, he used to write for
the radio, but if he says, it is very limited medium. So
one morning he went to his agent and tore that contract up writing his face,
and that very day he started to write his play one hundred and forty
Take with real people and everything. He took, every one of them from
life is the play about crime. How did you know that I met your
husband doing a little research in jail. Well, they put him in jail
because they don't understand, as he says. They don't put a doctor to
bed in a hospital because he's doing research on a dangerous disease. People don't
know good from evil. That's what's wrong. They're afraid of the truth,
and that's what's right. He practically lives with this subject, criminals. He
is. He studies them. Nobody can write believably about something and theirs are
familiar with it. That's the sacrifice he makes. You don't get to see
much of him, do you. Well, his work is infinitely more important
than I am. But as soon as his play is produced, by going
Away Together, Atlantic City, you're permuted. The manuscript has been in New
York for six months now, so it shouldn't be long before he is What
is your husband's income then, for the past six months, Well, there
hasn't been much, But great art is often born of poverty. What one
hundred thousand dollars insurance policies aren't Who was this man? Neil Beesley or a
co beneficiary? Will you're going to sit here and be insulting. Perhaps you're
better leave. I've said better. You mentioned an agent. What's his name?
George Michael Koff. He's in Ingram Building. Crazy. The guy's crazy.
You can't do business with a guy like that. Art. He talks
everything's got to be art. Spends his time with bums and he calls it
art. Hasn't he done anything for six months, mister Michael kohf Not with
me? Well, let's face it, not with nobody. You know.
He could have been a good writer, this boy, but he was too
arty, not commercial. Then boom, he's got to write a play.
And where is it? Probably in the bottom drawer of Hallstein's desk, and
he's going to stay there. Here's a copy, take it along and read
it. Thanks. What about this research he does? Research? Is that
what he told you? I had to go down to the county jail and
bill him out twice. That's what washed me up some. And they they're
gonna catch him with the goods on him. You know, maybe it started
out to be researched, but it ain't. Now, well, how did
it start? With a guy named Neil Beasley? Neil Beasley? Oh you
heard him? Huh, Yeah, that's the boy. He took Palmer under
his wing, and that's where he still is. I don't know. Maybe
he can't get out. Beasley came up to the office with Palmer once.
What a character. Why does this Beasley hang out? You know who knows
nasty neighborhoods? Expense account adam too eighty cents cab fat to a nasty neighborhood.
After a lot of questions and bad bourbon, I came up with a
character who called himself Roscoe. Roscoe was the walking who's who of the district.
When I mentioned the name Beasley, he swallowed his drink, wiped the
back of his hand over his mouth, and leaned over the table toward me.
Beeesly Beasley, see Beesley, come on, here's something to stimulate your
memory. Yes, of course, Beesley. Neil Beasley been a friend of
mine for years. Slipped my mind, getting old. Beasley was born in
Cincinnati of well to do parents. They say he attended Harvard, but best
it's only a story. You know how story starts. Get the history?
Where can I find him? Any number of places? If the racetrack was
open, you'd find him there, But the racetrack ain't open. There is
his place of residence. Where is that? I don't know, but he
must live somewhere, obviously. What would you suggest you familiar with the atomic
tavern up the street? Oh, I'm a stranger in town Peoria. No,
you have the face of a Peori a salesman. I don't know something
in the eyes. Yes, well, the atomic tavern up the street.
Thanks Rascale. You never did say where you were from Hartford, Connecticut?
Have you ever in town? Looked me up four blocks away, squeezed between
a delicatessen and a shoe pola. I came upon the atomic tavern. It
exploded just as I arrived. Stay out. I still named the caller lady.
Oh, I come writing to come in? Anybody with those several tonguers
welcome? Paying? Yeah, boy Neil Disley around eh who went to him?
The name is Johnny Doll. I'm a friend of Stuart Thomas. Will
you tell him that he's at the back table? All right? Come on
with you have no bottom name for you, mister, what's business dollar?
Insurance investigation ending? I said, Anne, I'm working for a company that
holds a policy in the life of Stuart Thomas insurance racket. I wonder how
it started. I suppose somebody back in Rome that Julius sees a ten drop.
He wouldn't live through the fifteenth of March and one, what do you
want with me? I'm looking for somebody who will makes some sense. Maybe
you're it. I understand your palmer's beneficiary. That's right, he's a good
boy. Yeah, it is not a good risk. The company enhows a
radio, right I can out here? And then he's a heady criminal.
What's your problem, dalla? Why don't you cancel the policy? And I
will if I can tell me what got him started? Well, I'll put
yourself in his place. He spends a lot of time around here learning so
he can write good stuff. He writes good stuff so good they won't buy
it, so he falls back on his education. That's logical but illegal.
All forget him, get me too. It's fate, but bumps on your
head, the lines in your hands, the stars, destiny. Who can
stop it? And it's quite a philosophy. I was looking toward the front
of the building. I hadn't seen him come in, but it was Stuart
Palmer. He was standing at the elbow of the bar, obviously looking for
his friend, but he spotted me. He started for the door. Shut
down up, sit down, and leave him alone. The cups released him.
Just leave him alone, go off. By the time I got outside,
he was half a block away, heading west and knopped over several West
Madison Street characters. And then it suddenly occurred to me that the only reason
I was chasing him was because he was running away from me. I was
fifty feet behind him when he rounded a Walgreen drug store on the corner right
the second I lost him. Then I saw him. He wasn't running,
he was turned toward me. Palmer, don't the crown. I bent over
the newsboy just long enough to see that he was dead, and I started
after Palmer again. There was no mistake about it. He wanted that policy,
and he'd kill to keep it. In just a moment, we will
return to the second act of Yours, truly, Johnny Dollar. But first,
the screen sophisticated caustic mister Belvedere ali Is Clifton Webb, We'll swap quips
with Bing Crosby on the Growner CBS Show this Wednesday night. CBS cordially invites
you to hear this great show that promises some of the best laughs of the
season when it comes your way on most of these same CBS stations this Wednesday
night. Mildred Bailey, the Rocking Chair Lady of Popy Song, also will
be on hand as guest star. So remember be listening when Clifton Webb,
Mildred Bailey, and Bing Crosby get together tomorrow night. Now, with our
star Edmund O'Brien, we return to the second act of Yours Truly, Johnny
Dollar. I lost Palmer in the next block. If daylight had held for
a little longer, maybe I could have stopped the whole thing. I looked
at my watch. It was six oh five. The Hartford office was closed.
I headed back for a phone in the Wall Green drug store. I
got to the corner just as the police and the person of Lieutenant Karragan pulled
out a dollar. I double you were doing here. Look at that kid,
Karragan, lion. If you hadn't let that maniac out, the boy
would still be hawking his papers. Hey, wait a minute, back off.
What are you talking about? Who do you think did it? Palmer?
Palmer? Are you sure he was shooting at me? I just let
him out for him? Oh, look, Dollar, there are laws.
I told you earlier. We didn't have much on him. He was clear.
Oh you share not clear on this one? Kid only had three papers?
Wet. I think you better tell me what happened Dollar? Well?
Yeah, oh hey, folks, why don't you go home? Come on,
move. I don't know what there is about people. They're just glad
it wasn't there kid. Here's the tale. I came down here to find
a guy named Neil Beasley, a friend of Palmer's. Palmer showed up to
joint. When he saw me, he made a dash up the street and
took out after him. And when I got to the corner, he opened
up. The kid was standing next to us. After the gunfiring, I
went after Palmer again. Believe me, I wish i'd caught him. Yeah,
sergeant, but I'm a general on Stuart Palmer, all a dopes in
my office? Why would he want to kill you? That's one hundred thousand
dollars question, Lieutenant. I'll be in the drug store. Got to make
a phone call. Hi, Hello, mister Sandel. Yes, went about
it at home. I'm on the Palmer case out of your Hartford office.
Oh oh, yes, mister Dollar, isn't it that's right? How are
you making out? Well, thing's gonna be worse. Your only abo is
to cancel the policy, sir? How soon can you do that? On
good grounds? Well, I couldn't get word from the east until tomorrow afternoon
at the earliest. If you can't do it tonight, just forget the whole
thing. Idstand. Other police have put out a general alarm for the policy
holder, dead or alive, and the odds are on the headside. All
right, daughter, I'll do what I can. I'll get on the phone
to Hartford as soon as I hang up. Good. I won't keep you
waiting. Bye, Spencer, count item four a dollar ady cab fair back
to missus Palmer's apartment on the way. I suppose I should have been worried
about the one hundreds half of the worth of policy, but that didn't seem
to bother me. It was the newsboy who never knew what hit him,
and there was Palmer's wife. I'm going to have to tell her about it.
But I knew even before I got to the apartment that she'd never believe
me. I don't believe you. Of course you don't, and you don't
want to. You don't want to believe anything bad about him. You want
to just go on complimenting yourself on being married to the greatest man on earth.
But you're way wrong. Where is he? I don't know, and
you can't make me believe you. Why would he kill any party? Guess
is that he's doing it for people. Oh that's a terrible thing to say.
He wouldn't do anything wrong, even for me. He took out an
insurance policy that he couldn't afford. Why do you think he did that?
I don't know. I never understood about business. Really sure got you?
Some people have Collie dogs, and he's got you. He comes home pat
on the head, so you'll look up at him and tell him how wonderfully
is you? Know? Why? Because nobody else will. You just don't
understand. You just don't understand it all. How long has it been since
he treated you like a woman, bought your things like candy flowers? When
was the last time he spent an evening with you? Why are you saying.
I'm trying to tell you that he failed both as a writer and his
a husband. Don't you see he's trying to make it up to you.
He wants the police to kill him so you'll collect the insurance. That's a
lie. Where is he? Mariam? Hello? Yes, No, he's
here. Now why do you say that? No? Stuart? Where are
you? He hung up? Yeah? Well, look who's here? I
wish Farmer was as easy to find as you are. You won't find him
here? Does she know where he is? He just phoned her? Wouldn't
tell her? Well, it looks like a long night for her too.
Mind if I ride back to the Madison District with you, that's quite a
theory. Dollar. What happens to a guy to get him in a mess
like this? I don't know. Burn too many bridges, I guess,
made a stand with his agent, told everybody'd show him he was right now.
He can't do it people. I don't know. Maybe I've been in
homicide too long. I used to think a lot about things like this,
you know, wonder about what started these characters, What got into the place
where I'd have to go after him? No more? Their problems aren't mine.
Worry about now is how to get them without getting anybody else hurt.
You've got a nice, simple job, Lieutenant Karan. Yeah, I was
thinking of that. You want him alive the insurance company does. I hope
it works out for you. I can't take any chances. We always try
to save them for a trial. But if you're right about this one,
he'll come out with gun. Those are the kind we have to stop.
You know, this could turn into a very inferent situation. The lieutenant was
kind enough to drop the tonic tavern. The place was empty, the sirens
that frighten most of the clientele out of the precinct, all except one.
He sat in the same position, at the same table, with what looked
like the same glass of beer. Hello Beasley, mister Beasley, I was
expecting you sit down. How's the insurance business? And sometimes we sell too
much? You know where Palmer is? Surely always know where Palmer is.
He tells me things he wouldn't tell anyone else. You may not care,
mister Beasley, but you just made yourself an access rate to insurance fraud.
Not unless I tell the police where he is, and then your company is
out The hundred grand and you're in ten I'll tell you the truth. I
don't want that money. I don't want a penny of that money. Look
good. At first he wanted to give his wife a break off of me
ten grand to help him out. How did you help him out? We'll
take right now. For instance, I could have tipped the cops twice a
minute since it happened. In fact, I was supposed to. Cops would
have killed him wife, and I would have collected our money. But I
can't do it. Isn't it a little late for boy scouting? No?
No, not if you could come out of it. No cops, no
cops. Just as soon as I finish my beer, we walked down Hallstead
with the red street cars rumbling by, and the fruit trucks and the chicken
wagons. I didn't notice to make the street. We turned west on,
but a block and a half later we stopped two doors away from a basement
barbershop. Well that's where he is. You're crazy to go in there,
are you? Are you staying out here? No? No, I'm going
in. But I'm crazy too. That's why you should never listen to a
guy like me. Farmer's got nothing to lose. How much do they pay
you for getting killed? Come on, if you're going, let's go.
Okay, Barma, Parma. It's Beasley that me in good work, and
me'll bring him in quickly. You've got a good line, Beasley. Mister
Beasley, so good. I believe it myself. What's that supposed to me?
Oh, Palmer, it's a bad deal all the way around. What
do you want to do? Make? You won't go down in any books?
What's got into you? You help me lay off the whole thing?
Oh? Yes, it looked good, but it won't work. He's right,
Palma, it won't work. I put through a cancelation request on your
policy, but it hasn't got yet. Bad you wouldn't have come in here.
It's no good, Palmer. Even if it doesn't come through, they'll
fight it in court after you're dead. We've got too much against you.
How far will they get without your custimony? You aren't going to be around
to give it. Well, that's no good either. If you kill me,
that'll clinch it. Oh, come on, use your head, Palmer,
you've got a chance. The newsboy is only a second degree rap.
There was no premeditation. You're trying awful hard to say that company of yours
a hundre thousand bucks. Listen, listen, there isn't a commission big enough
to make me come here. All right, then why did you come?
I don't know. Maybe maybe because way back in my mind I thought to
myself, I can get to this guy. Maybe it was your wife that
he'd become. I just saw her palma. You know you aren't doing her
any favors by getting yourself killed. She loves you too much. You can't
buy a thing like that off with one hundred grands. They're coming. I
didn't tip them. They must have followed us down. It doesn't make any
difference how they get here. Just so they come. He'll watch the dollars.
Stay away from me. Nobody's gonna stop me. Now. Hell,
this is what they all wanted, Like the big literary agent with the big
promises, great play. He tells me, this is the old friends.
So I've cut the story out of the papers, and they'll save it in
the best drawer. Poor stew they'll say they could have been a good boy.
Well right, they can save it. It's gonna pay off. That's
what counts. Won't pay off, and you know it. The only guy
that wants it this way is you, because you haven't got the guts to
go on. Farm. We know you're in there. We'll give you thirty
seconds. Farm, help me right out. Palmer. It's wait, Palmer,
it's for nothing. It's no use. Salary's going to do it.
Put all lie down on the floor. Are you in there? Married,
brun and get away from here. I want to come on in here,
Marian. What are you doing here? Don't do it? I don't want
money that wait wait a minute, did they make you come in here?
No? No, I wanted to do good goodbye Milliaan do we don't go?
Do? Come? Get on the floor. Come, there's nothing you
two stop horror crack. As you know, Palmer's policy was not canceled before
he died. But I'm sure that with a staff of legal geniuses employed by
the Britannia Company, you'll come out all right, a soft judge. You
gave Beasley sixty days for attempted assurance fraud and that was it. Expenser Count
Item six same as Item one, transportation Chicago to Hartford. Spenser Count total
six hundred and thirty five dollars and twenty four cents. Oh almost forgot item
seven thirty five cents tip to Western Union Boy telegram from Marrying Palmer contents Thought
you'd like to know Stuart's play accepted for production on Broadway. Yours Truly Johnny
Down. Yours Truly Johnny Dollars stars Edmund O'Brien in the title role. Was
written by Gildowd and David Ellis, with music composed and conducted by Lake Stephens.
Edmond O'Brien can currently be seen in the Harry M. Popkin United Artists
production d o A. Featured in tights cast were Loreen Tuttle, Larry Dobkin,
Bill Bouschet, Bill Gray, Jack Krusian, and Herb Butterfield. Yours
Truly Johnny Dollar is produced and directed by Himy del Vai