The Carboniferous Dolomite Matter: Yours Truly, Johnny Dollar (July 13, 1954)

“The Carboniferous Dolomite Matter” is an episode of Yours Truly, Johnny Dollar, the old-time radio show, first broadcast July 13, 1954. Listen free on Stupid Potato.

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What happens

Johnny Dollar arrives in Sumatra to investigate sabotage at an oil well owned by Peter Van Usterhal, who is gambling $60,000 on striking oil within three weeks before his drilling permit expires. That evening, after meeting Van Usterhal and his daughter Frederica, Johnny is awakened by Inspector Pajak with shocking news: Van Usterhal has been murdered, and Johnny's own .38 caliber revolver matches the murder weapon.

Sumatra, at an oil field north of Achin and the Buieton Zorg Hotel

Characters: Johnny Dollar, Peter Van Usterhal, Frederica Reynolds, Inspector Pajak, Don Reynolds

Listen for: The explanation for the deliberate sabotage at the oil well, whether Johnny's gun was actually used in the murder, and who really killed Van Usterhal

Written from the episode itself; it never gives away the ending. Every recording is remastered for the stream: cleaned of rumble, hiss and mains hum (and the old TV whine where we found it), then levelled in two passes to steady broadcast loudness, so one show is never quieter than the next.