1001 RADIO DAYS

THE CURSE OF THE KAMASHEK MATTER YOURS TRULY JOHNNY DOLLAR

1001 RADIO DAYS

Show Notes

1001 RADIO DAYS Yours Truly, Johnny Dollar THE CURSE OF THE KAMASHEK MATTER Starring: Bob Bailey as the man with the action‑packed expense account

⭐ EPISODE SUMMARY (Spoiler‑Safe) Johnny Dollar is dispatched to investigate a bizarre claim involving an ancient artifact known as the Kamashek Idol — a relic whispered to carry a deadly curse. When its latest owner dies under mysterious circumstances, the insurance company wants answers, and Johnny finds himself navigating a maze of superstition, greed, and fear. What begins as a routine inquiry quickly turns into a tense, atmospheric case involving collectors, rival dealers, and people who seem far too eager to blame the idol for the tragedy. Johnny must separate myth from motive, superstition from cold reality, and determine whether the "curse" is just a convenient cover for murder.

⭐ WHAT MAKES THIS EPISODE STAND OUT A rare "supernatural‑tinged" Dollar case with noir edges

A suspicious death tied to an artifact with a dark reputation

A cast of characters who all have something to hide

Johnny's trademark dry humor cutting through the fog of superstition

A clever unraveling that exposes the human motives behind the myth

⭐ ATMOSPHERE & KEY ELEMENTS A shadowy world of artifact collectors and dealers

Rumors of a curse that seems to follow the idol's owners

A trail of clues buried beneath fear, folklore, and deception

Johnny navigating between legend and logic

A satisfying conclusion that reminds listeners why Dollar remains one of radio's sharpest investigators

⭐ LISTENER NOTE If you're enjoying Yours Truly, Johnny Dollar here at 1001 Radio Days, be sure to check out our sister show 1001 Radio Crime Solvers, where we're now running classic Dragnet episodes — crisp, authentic police drama straight from the golden age of radio. It's the perfect companion to Johnny Dollar's world of insurance intrigue and noir‑style mystery.

⭐ SUPPORT THE 1001 STORIES NETWORK If you love these classic radio mysteries, please take a moment to leave a review wherever you listen. Reviews help new listeners discover the show and keep these timeless dramas alive. Share the episode with friends who enjoy old‑time radio, mystery, and classic detective storytelling. And if you'd like to support the 1001 Stories Network and help us continue producing and preserving these shows, consider joining us at Patreon. Your support keeps the archives open and the episodes coming.

More from 1001 RADIO DAYS

Oct 21, 2026

⭐ Yours Truly, Johnny Dollar THE ALVIN'S ALFRED MATTER Original Air Date: July 19, 1959 Starring: Bob Bailey Writer/Director: Jack Johnstone Supporting Cast: Virginia Gregg, Lawrence Dobkin, Harry Bartell, Jack Kruschen Summary Johnny Dollar is assigned to investigate the suspicious death of Alvin Alfred, a quiet, seemingly harmless man who was found dead under circumstances that don't add up. Alvin carried a modest life‑insurance policy, but the company believes foul play may be involved — and that someone close to him may have engineered his death for profit. Johnny's investigation uncovers a tangle of deceit involving a manipulative woman, a forged signature, and a carefully staged accident designed to look natural. As he digs deeper, Johnny realizes Alvin Alfred was targeted precisely because he seemed like the last man anyone would murder. The case becomes a study in how greed can turn the most unassuming life into a deadly opportunity.

Oct 18, 2026

⭐ Yours Truly, Johnny Dollar THE BOLT OUT OF THE BLUE MATTER Original Air Date: July 26, 1959 Starring: Bob Bailey Writer/Director: Jack Johnstone Supporting Cast: Virginia Gregg, Carlton G. Young, Ralph Moody, James McCallion Summary Johnny Dollar is dispatched to the storm‑swept Massachusetts coast after Thelma Jane Weatherby reports that her uncle, retired sea captain Amos Weatherby, is in mortal danger. She believes her former fiancé, Roger Burton — a man Captain Amos once exposed as a "wife killer" — has returned to make good on his threat of revenge. As a violent storm rolls in, Johnny discovers Burton's elaborate murder setup: an old stone blockhouse once used as a sailing‑ship jail, now housing power company transformers. Burton plans to lure the captain inside and electrocute him by throwing a remote switch that energizes a metal railing. But nature intervenes. A lightning bolt strikes the tower's rod, surges down the wire, and detonates the installation — killing Burton instantly and leaving Johnny shaken but alive. With the threat ended, Johnny files his expense account (totaling $171.50) and signs off with his trademark closing: "End of report… Yours Truly, Johnny Dollar."

Oct 16, 2026

1. "The Jack Madigan Matter " Release Date: October 21, 1950. [1] Cast: Stars Edmond O'Brien as Johnny Dollar. [1] Basic Summary: The Assignment: Johnny is hired by a panicked local bail bondsman who finds himself in an impossible legal jam. The Disappearance: Two crucial federal witnesses scheduled to testify against a notorious, dangerous gangster named Jack Madigan have completely vanished into thin air. The Stakes: The bondsman was pressured into putting up the bond money for them by Madigan's associates. Johnny must navigate a dark web of underworld intimidation to locate the witnesses before Madigan can silence them for good. [1, 2, 3]

Oct 14, 2026

. "The Sudden Wealth Matter " Release Date: December 13, 1959. Cast: Stars Bob Bailey as freelance insurance investigator Johnny Dollar. Basic Summary: Johnny is called from Hartford to investigate a rash of sudden, suspicious life insurance policy cancellations. He tracks the thread to a corrupt, sweet-talking broker who is targeting unsuspecting locals. The broker convinces these individuals to liquidate their stable insurance assets to invest in a sketchy stock market scheme that falsely promises to "double their money" in less than three weeks. Johnny must expose the financial fraud and the sheer greed driving the operation before the racketeer vanishes with the victims' life savings. [1, 2, 3]

Oct 11, 2026

⭐ 1001 RADIO DAYS Yours Truly, Johnny Dollar SHOW NOTES — "The Story of the Big Red Schoolhouse Matter" & "The Dead First Helpers Matter" This week at 1001 Radio Days, we bring you two powerful back‑to‑back investigations from the early Edmond O'Brien era of Yours Truly, Johnny Dollar — stories that showcase the grit, danger, and moral complexity that made the 1950 run one of the most compelling in the series.

See all episodes →