The Oldest Gag Matter: Yours Truly, Johnny Dollar (August 12, 1962)

“The Oldest Gag Matter” is an episode of Yours Truly, Johnny Dollar, the old-time radio show, first broadcast August 12, 1962. Listen free on Stupid Potato.

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What happens

Insurance investigator Johnny Dollar arrives at the scene of Lloyd Briskham's death, which Sergeant Gilbert quickly deems a suicide. Briskham is found slumped over his desk with a .38 revolver in hand and powder burns indicating a close-range shot to the forehead. Johnny remains skeptical despite the physical evidence and begins interviewing those present: insurance agent Larry Spangler, Briskham's business partner John Barber, his adopted son Mike, and his employee Trudy Wilson.

Lloyd Briskham's home and study, where his body has been discovered

Characters: Johnny Dollar, Sergeant Danny Gilbert, Larry Spangler, Lloyd Briskham, John Barber, Mike Briskham, Trudy Wilson, Dr. Thaddeus Frambler

Listen for: Johnny's investigation into whether Briskham's death is truly suicide or murder, with suspicion falling on those who stand to inherit his estate

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.