The Kranesburg Matter - Ep 1 (1st of 6): Yours Truly, Johnny Dollar (August 24, 1956)

“The Kranesburg Matter - Ep 1 (1st of 6)” is an episode of Yours Truly, Johnny Dollar, the old-time radio show, first broadcast August 24, 1956. Listen free on Stupid Potato.

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What happens

Insurance investigator Johnny Dollar arrives in Cranesburg, Ohio to recover a stolen $20,000 pearl necklace belonging to Melba Crane, an engagement gift from her fiancé Dean Sellers. A known jewel thief named Smiley Prell has contacted the insurance company demanding ransom, but Prell claims someone is trying to double-cross him and promises Johnny more than just the necklace if he meets him that night.

Cranesburg, Ohio, a small town with a hotel, bank, country club, and boarding house; the story begins in Johnny's hotel room and takes him to the bank and a bar called the Green Lion.

Characters: Johnny Dollar, Bob Lauter, Finney S. Crane, Melba Crane, Dean Sellers, Smiley Prell, Milton Berkeley

Listen for: The mysterious hints about Melba's impulsive nature and lack of judgment, Finney Crane's sudden wealth from unknown sources, and Smiley Prell's cryptic warning about someone trying to give him a double cross.

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.