The Chesapeake Fraud Matter - Ep 4: Yours Truly, Johnny Dollar (October 20, 1955)

“The Chesapeake Fraud Matter - Ep 4” is an episode of Yours Truly, Johnny Dollar, the old-time radio show, first broadcast October 20, 1955. Listen free on Stupid Potato.

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What happens

Johnny Dollar investigates whether Frank Bowers of Denver is actually John Rodden, who supposedly died in a 1950 boat accident on Chesapeake Bay. Despite fingerprints proving Bowers is not Rodden, Johnny remains suspicious of Bowers's overly cooperative behavior. When Johnny confronts Bowers in a bar and reveals his doubts, Bowers makes a mysterious long-distance call to Baltimore and becomes violent, attacking Johnny before fleeing.

Denver, Colorado, with references to Chesapeake Bay and Baltimore, Maryland in 1955

Characters: Johnny Dollar, Frank Bowers, George Hanley, Pat Kelleher

Listen for: The tension builds as Johnny's instincts war against the fingerprint evidence, culminating in a bar confrontation that turns physical when Johnny accuses Bowers of lying about his identity and his connection to Baltimore.

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.