The Hatchet House Theft Matter: Yours Truly, Johnny Dollar (June 27, 1951)

“The Hatchet House Theft Matter” is an episode of Yours Truly, Johnny Dollar, the old-time radio show, first broadcast June 27, 1951. Listen free on Stupid Potato.

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What happens

Insurance investigator Johnny Dollar travels to London to investigate the theft of jewelry belonging to wealthy American widow Marcella Scott at her rented estate, Hatchet House. With the help of local police Inspector Sailors, Johnny begins interviewing servants and gathering information about the theft that occurred during a party, trying to determine whether it was an inside job or the work of an outsider.

London, England and Hatchet House, a historic estate near Seven Oaks, Surrey, 20 miles south of London, 1951

Characters: Johnny Dollar, Inspector Sailors, Inspector Finch, Mrs. Marcella Scott, Norman King, Garrett the butler, Millie Hanky the maid, Mr. Minnes the gardener

Listen for: Johnny's investigation of whether the theft was committed by someone at the party, an outsider who knew the party was happening, or someone who simply found an unlocked door; hints about Norman King's suspicious relationship with the widow and Millie's disapproval of their friendship; details about Mrs. Scott's financial situation and why she might need money

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.