YOURS TRULY, JOHNNY DOLLAR

For over twelve years, from 1949 through 1962 (including a one year hiatus in 1954-1955), this series recounted the cases "the man with the action-packed expense account, America’s fabulous freelance insurance investigator, Johnny Dollar". Johnny was an accomplished 'padder' of his expense account. The name of the show derives from the fact that he closed each show by totaling his expense account, and signing it "End of report... Yours Truly, Johnny Dollar".

Terry Salomonson in his authoritative "A Radio Broadcast Log of the Drama Program Yours Truly, Johnny Dollar", notes that the original working title was "Yours Truly, Lloyd London". Salomonson writes "Lloyd London was scratched out of the body of (the Dick Powell) audition script and Johnny Dollar was written in. Thus the show was re-titled on this script and the main character was renamed. Why this was done was unclear – possibly to prevent a legal run-in with Lloyd’s of London Insurance Company." Although based in Hartford, Connecticut, the insurance capital of the world, freelancer Johnny Dollar managed to get around quite a bit – his adventures taking him all over the world.

There were some unusual devices used in the show that help set it apart from other shows. There was no partner, assistant, or secretary for Johnny. The character closest to a continuing role was that of Pat McCracken of the Universal Adjustment Bureau, who assigned Johnny many of his cases. Another atypical aspect gave the show additional credibility – frequently, characters on the show would mention that they had heard about Johnny’s cases on the radio. Johnny often used his time when filling out his expense accounts to give the audience background information or to express his thoughts about the current case.

No fewer than eight actors played Johnny Dollar. Dick Powell, of Rogue’s Gallery fame, cut the original audition tape, but chose to do Richard Diamond, Private Detective instead. Gerald Mohr, of The Adventures of Philip Marlowe fame, auditioned in 1955, prior to Bob Bailey getting the title role. Through the first three actors to play Johnny Dollar (Charles Russell, Edmond O'Brien, and John Lund), there was little to distinguish the series from many other radio detective series. Dollar was just another hard-boiled detective in a medium that was overloaded with the stereotype. Charles Russell, the first to play the role, would throw silver dollars to bellboys and waiters. Luckily, this trite gimmick did not survive long.

OURS TRULY, JOHNNY DOLLAR

For over twelve years, from 1949 through 1962 (including a one year hiatus in 1954-1955), this series recounted the cases "the man with the action-packed expense account, America’s fabulous freelance insurance investigator, Johnny Dollar". Johnny was an accomplished 'padder' of his expense account. The name of the show derives from the fact that he closed each show by totaling his expense account, and signing it "End of report... Yours Truly, Johnny Dollar".

Terry Salomonson in his authoritative "A Radio Broadcast Log of the Drama Program Yours Truly, Johnny Dollar", notes that the original working title was "Yours Truly, Lloyd London". Salomonson writes "Lloyd London was scratched out of the body of (the Dick Powell) audition script and Johnny Dollar was written in. Thus the show was re-titled on this script and the main character was renamed. Why this was done was unclear – possibly to prevent a legal run-in with Lloyd’s of London Insurance Company." Although based in Hartford, Connecticut, the insurance capital of the world, freelancer Johnny Dollar managed to get around quite a bit – his adventures taking him all over the world.

There were some unusual devices used in the show that help set it apart from other shows. There was no partner, assistant, or secretary for Johnny. The character closest to a continuing role was that of Pat McCracken of the Universal Adjustment Bureau, who assigned Johnny many of his cases. Another atypical aspect gave the show additional credibility – frequently, characters on the show would mention that they had heard about Johnny’s cases on the radio. Johnny often used his time when filling out his expense accounts to give the audience background information or to express his thoughts about the current case.

No fewer than eight actors played Johnny Dollar. Dick Powell, of Rogue’s Gallery fame, cut the original audition tape, but chose to do Richard Diamond, Private Detective instead. Gerald Mohr, of The Adventures of Philip Marlowe fame, auditioned in 1955, prior to Bob Bailey getting the title role. Through the first three actors to play Johnny Dollar (Charles Russell, Edmond O'Brien, and John Lund), there was little to distinguish the series from many other radio detective series. Dollar was just another hard-boiled detective in a medium that was overloaded with the stereotype. Charles Russell, the first to play the role, would throw silver dollars to bellboys and waiters. Luckily, this trite gimmick did not survive long.

The Man Called X is an espionage radio drama that aired on CBS and NBC from July 10, 1944, to May 20, 1952.[1] The radio series was later adapted for television and was broadcast for one season, 1956–1957.

People
Herbert Marshall had the lead role of agent Ken Thurston/"Mr. X", an American intelligence agent[2] who took on dangerous cases in a variety of exotic locations.[1] Leon Belasco played Mr. X's comedic sidekick, Pegon Zellschmidt,[1] who always turned up in remote parts of the world because he had a "cousin" there. Zellschmidt annoyed and helped Mr. X.

Jack Latham was an announcer for the program,[2] and Wendell Niles was the announcer from 1947 to 1948.[1][3] Orchestras led by Milton Charles, Johnny Green, Felix Mills,[2] and Gordon Jenkins supplied the background music.[1] William N. Robson was the producer and director. Stephen Longstreet was the writer.[4]

Production
The Man Called X replaced America — Ceiling Unlimited on the CBS schedule in 1944.[5] In 1946 it was the summer replacement for Bob Hope's program.[6]

Television
Main article: The Man Called X (TV series)
The series was later adapted to a 39-episode syndicated television series (1956–1957) starring Barry Sullivan as Thurston for Ziv Television.[7]

THE MAN CALLED X

Beginning in the summer of 1944, at the height of World War II, The Man Called X was originally a kind of "FBI" program. The series soon developed a more international approach, however, featuring danger, intrigue, and romance in exotic settings. On any given Saturday or Sunday evening, Wendell Niles would say, "Wherever there is mystery, intrigue, romance, in all the strange and mysterious places of the world, there you will find "The Man Called X".

The Man Called X starred British-born actor, Herbert Marshall as suave, sophisticated Ken Thurston, undercover international troubleshooter for a mysterious American governmental agency. He is aided and abetted by that shady character Pegon Zeldschmidt played by Leon Belasco. The Man Called X was underwritten by various companies, most notably Frigidaire and General Motors as dual sponsors. The show was directed by Jack Johnstone, and Johnny Green is credited with its music.

The Man Called X began as an eight-week series for CBS, airing from July 10 to August 28, 1944. It was picked up by the Blue Network, and ran for about six months there from September 9, 1944 through March 3, 1945. After that, The Man Called X found its final home at NBC where the series was a summer filler for the Bob Hope Show in 1945 and again in 1946. In 1947, The Man Called X finally became a regular part of the NBC lineup. It was broadcast on a variety of days and times, mostly Friday and Saturday evenings, for another seven years. The final radio show was broadcast on May 20, 1952. It was picked up as a television show in the early 1950s starring Barry Sullivan, but it did not have a long run.

- complied and edited by Claire Nava

THE MAN CALLED X

Beginning in the summer of 1944, at the height of World War II, The Man Called X was originally a kind of "FBI" program. The series soon developed a more international approach, however, featuring danger, intrigue, and romance in exotic settings. On any given Saturday or Sunday evening, Wendell Niles would say, "Wherever there is mystery, intrigue, romance, in all the strange and mysterious places of the world, there you will find "The Man Called X".

The Man Called X starred British-born actor, Herbert Marshall as suave, sophisticated Ken Thurston, undercover international troubleshooter for a mysterious American governmental agency. He is aided and abetted by that shady character Pegon Zeldschmidt played by Leon Belasco. The Man Called X was underwritten by various companies, most notably Frigidaire and General Motors as dual sponsors. The show was directed by Jack Johnstone, and Johnny Green is credited with its music.

The Man Called X began as an eight-week series for CBS, airing from July 10 to August 28, 1944. It was picked up by the Blue Network, and ran for about six months there from September 9, 1944 through March 3, 1945. After that, The Man Called X found its final home at NBC where the series was a summer filler for the Bob Hope Show in 1945 and again in 1946. In 1947, The Man Called X finally became a regular part of the NBC lineup. It was broadcast on a variety of days and times, mostly Friday and Saturday evenings, for another seven years. The final radio show was broadcast on May 20, 1952. It was picked up as a television show in the early 1950s starring Barry Sullivan, but it did not have a long run.

- complied and edited by Claire Nava

THE MAN CALLED X

Beginning in the summer of 1944, at the height of World War II, The Man Called X was originally a kind of "FBI" program. The series soon developed a more international approach, however, featuring danger, intrigue, and romance in exotic settings. On any given Saturday or Sunday evening, Wendell Niles would say, "Wherever there is mystery, intrigue, romance, in all the strange and mysterious places of the world, there you will find "The Man Called X".

The Man Called X starred British-born actor, Herbert Marshall as suave, sophisticated Ken Thurston, undercover international troubleshooter for a mysterious American governmental agency. He is aided and abetted by that shady character Pegon Zeldschmidt played by Leon Belasco. The Man Called X was underwritten by various companies, most notably Frigidaire and General Motors as dual sponsors. The show was directed by Jack Johnstone, and Johnny Green is credited with its music.

The Man Called X began as an eight-week series for CBS, airing from July 10 to August 28, 1944. It was picked up by the Blue Network, and ran for about six months there from September 9, 1944 through March 3, 1945. After that, The Man Called X found its final home at NBC where the series was a summer filler for the Bob Hope Show in 1945 and again in 1946. In 1947, The Man Called X finally became a regular part of the NBC lineup. It was broadcast on a variety of days and times, mostly Friday and Saturday evenings, for another seven years. The final radio show was broadcast on May 20, 1952. It was picked up as a television show in the early 1950s starring Barry Sullivan, but it did not have a long run.

- complied and edited by Claire Nava

Two great Johnny Dollar episodes

Two great Yours Truly Johnny Dollar episodes