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Yours Truly, Johnny Dollar was a radio drama that aired on CBS Radio from February 18, 1949 to September 30, 1962. The first several seasons imagined protagonist Johnny Dollar as a standard private investigator drama.

The Golden Age of Radio: "Yours Truly, Johnny Dollar"

The era of radio drama was a time when storytelling was a purely auditory art. "Yours Truly, Johnny Dollar," which aired on CBS Radio from 1949 to 1962, was a prime example of this captivating form of entertainment. The show followed the exploits of Johnny Dollar, the "freelance insurance investigator with the action-packed expense account."

Initially, the series presented Johnny Dollar as a typical private investigator, navigating the murky waters of crime and corruption. However, as the series progressed, it evolved into a more unique format, with complex cases that often spanned five episodes, airing Monday through Friday. This serialized approach allowed for more in-depth character development and intricate plotting, setting "Yours Truly, Johnny Dollar" apart from other shows of its time.

The character of Johnny Dollar was portrayed by several actors over the years, with each bringing their own flavor to the role. Notable among them was Bob Bailey, who is often remembered as the definitive Johnny Dollar due to his long tenure and the depth he brought to the character.

The show's longevity and popularity are testaments to its quality and the talent of its cast and crew. In an age before television became the dominant medium, radio dramas like "Yours Truly, Johnny Dollar" were not just entertainment; they were a communal experience that brought families together to listen, imagine, and explore stories of intrigue and adventure.

As we look back on this golden age, we can appreciate the creativity and skill that went into producing such a show. It reminds us that storytelling is a powerful force, capable of transcending the boundaries of time, technology, and medium. "Yours Truly, Johnny Dollar" may have concluded its original run in 1962, but its legacy endures, capturing the imagination of new generations who discover these old-time radio dramas.

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CBS Radio Mystery Theater (a.k.a. Radio Mystery Theater and Mystery Theater, sometimes abbreviated as CBSRMT) was a radio drama series created by Himan Brown that was broadcast on CBS Radio Network affiliates from 1974 to 1982, and later in the early 2000s was carried by the NPR satellite feed.

The format was similar to that of classic old time radio shows like The Mysterious Traveler and The Whistler, in that the episodes were introduced by a host (E. G. Marshall) who provided pithy wisdom and commentary throughout. Unlike the hosts of those earlier programs, Marshall is fully mortal, merely someone whose heightened insight and erudition plunge the listener into the world of the macabre (in a manner similar to that of "The Man in Black" on yet another old time radio program, Suspense).

As with Himan Brown's prior Inner Sanctum Mysteries, each episode of CBS Radio Mystery Theater opened and closed with the ominous sound of a creaking crypt door, accompanied by Marshall's disturbing utterance, "Come in!… Welcome. I'm E. G. Marshall." This was followed by one of Marshall's other catchphrases, usually either "The sound of suspense" or "The fear you can hear." At the conclusion, the door would swing shut, preceded by Marshall's classic sign off, "Until next time, pleasant… dreams?" Marshall hosted the program from January 1974 until February 1982, when actress Tammy Grimes took over for the series' last season, maintaining the format.

CBSRMT was broadcast each weeknight, at first with a new program each night. Later in the run three or four episodes were new originals each week, and the remainder repeats. There were 1,399 original episodes. The total number of broadcasts, including reruns, was 2,969. Each episode was allotted a full hour of airtime, but after commercials and news, episodes typically ran for about 45 minutes.

Listen to our radio station Old Time radio https://link.radioking.com/otradio

Listen to other Shows at My Classic Radio https://www.myclassicradio.net/

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Remember that times have changed, and some shows might not reflect the standards of today’s politically correct society. The shows do not necessarily reflect the views, standards, or beliefs of Entertainment Radio