Tag: Virginia Gregg

Yours Truly Johnny Dollar: The Silent Queen Matter, Episodes Three, Four, and Five (EP4345)

Bob Bailey

Today’s Mystery:

It turns out a murdered penny arcade owner was the long-thought-dead husband of a silent movie queen. That’s the first of many lies Johnny has to sort through to find the truth.

Original Radio Broadcast Dates: October 31, November 1 and 2, 1956

Originating from Hollywood

Starring: Bob Bailey as Johnny Dollar; Paula Winslowe; Virginia Gregg; Vic Perrin; Paul Dubov; Frank Gerstle; John Dehner; Lawrence Dobkin; Chester Stratton

When making your travel plans, remember http://johnnydollarair.com

Become one of our Patreon Supporters at patreon.greatdetectives.net

Thank you to our Patreon Supporter of the Day: Peter, Patreon Supporter since April 2020

Take the listener survey at http://survey.greatdetectives.net

Give us a call at 208-991-4783

Follow us on Twitter @radiodetectives

Join us again tomorrow for another detective drama from the Golden Age of Radio.

Yours Truly Johnny Dollar: The Silent Queen Matter, Episodes One and Two (EP4342)

Bob Bailey

Today’s Mystery:

Johnny Dollar goes to Venice, California to investigate the murder of a penny arcade operator who named a silent movie star as his beneficiary.

Original Radio Broadcast Dates: October 29 and 30, 1956

Originating from Hollywood

Starring: Bob Bailey as Johnny Dollar; Paula Winslowe; Virginia Gregg; Vic Perrin; Paul Dubov; Frank Gerstle; John Dehner; Lawrence Dobkin; Chester Stratton

Also a discussion of all the possible origins of the phrase, “The Real McCoy”

When making your travel plans, remember http://johnnydollarair.com

Become one of our Patreon Supporters at patreon.greatdetectives.net

Thank you to our Patreon Supporter of the Day: Jesse, Patreon Supporter since March 2016

Take the listener survey at http://survey.greatdetectives.net

Give us a call at 208-991-4783

Follow us on Twitter @radiodetectives

Join us again tomorrow for another detective drama from the Golden Age of Radio.

Yours Truly Johnny Dollar: The Phantom Chase Matter, Episodes Six and Seven (EP4336)

Bob Bailey

Today’s Mystery:

Johnny wakes up in Barbados after being knocked out, and finds himself no closer to apprehending the junior partner of a New York investment firm who is accused of embezzling $120,000.

Original Radio Broadcast Dates: October 22 and 24, 1956

Originating from Hollywood

Starring: Bob Bailey as Johnny Dollar; Michael Ann Barrett; Jack Edwards; Ben Wright; Virginia Gregg; Don Diamond; Forrest Lewis; Richard Crenna

When making your travel plans, remember http://johnnydollarair.com

Become one of our Patreon Supporters at patreon.greatdetectives.net

Thank you to our Patreon Supporter of the Day: Jamison, Patreon Supporter since June 2015

Take the listener survey at http://survey.greatdetectives.net

Give us a call at 208-991-4783

Follow us on Twitter @radiodetectives

Join us again tomorrow for another detective drama from the Golden Age of Radio.

Yours Truly Johnny Dollar: The Phantom Chase Matter, Episodes One and Two (EP4330)

Bob Bailey

Today’s Mystery:

Johnny is sent on the trail of a partner in a Wall Street investment firm, who jumped bail after being charged with embezzling $120,000.

Original Radio Broadcast Dates: October 15 and 16, 1956

Originated from Hollywood

Starring: Bob Bailey as Johnny Dollar; Michael Ann Barrett; Jack Edwards; Ben Wright; Virginia Gregg; Don Diamond; Forrest Lewis; Richard Crenna

When making your travel plans, remember http://johnnydollarair.com

Become one of our Patreon Supporters at patreon.greatdetectives.net

Welcome to our latest Patreon Supporter, Allen

Thank you to our Patreon Supporter of the Day:LanceDon-Patreon Supporter Since January 2022

Take the listener survey at http://survey.greatdetectives.net

Give us a call at 208-991-4783

Follow us on Twitter @radiodetectives

Join us again tomorrow for another detective drama from the Golden Age of Radio.

Twice Told Tale – The McCoy: Three Wayward Girls and Yours Truly Johnny Dollar: The Starlet Matter

Once again, we take a look at an old time radio script that was recycled. In this case, the script was a pilot for a new radio series, The McCoy, and then was reused as an episode of Yours Truly Johnny Dollar.

The McCoy is called in by an agent who fears that one of his clients, a promising actress, will be murdered. While they’re talking, a phone call comes in and they learn she was strangled to death.

Originating in Hollywood

Audition date: April 24, 1951

Starring: Howard Duff as The McCoy; Sidney Miller; Sheldon Leonard; Cathy Lewis; Ed Max; Barton Yarborough

Johnny is sent to Hollywood because an agent fears his starlet client is going to be murdered. Johnny finds she’s already been strangled to death.

Originating in Hollywood

Original Air Date: January 16, 1953

Starring: John Lund as Yours Truly Johnny Dollar; Sidney Miller; Raymond Burr; Dick Ryan; John McIntire; Vic Perrin; Virginia Gregg; Jeanette Nolan

Fill out our advertising survey at https://adsurvey.greatdetectives.net

Become one of Our Patreon Supporters at patreon.greatdetectives.net

Patreon Supporter of the Day: Duane, Patreon Supporter since June 2023

Support the show on a one-time basis at http://support.greatdetectives.net.

Mail a donation to: Adam Graham, PO Box 15913, Boise, Idaho 83715

Take the listener survey at http://survey.greatdetectives.net

Give us a call at 208-991-4783

Follow us on Instagram at http://instagram.com/greatdetectives

Follow us on Twitter @radiodetectives

Join us again tomorrow for another detective drama from the Golden Age of Radio.

Yours Truly Johnny Dollar: The Meg’s Palace Matter, Episodes One and Two (EP4312)

Bob Bailey

Today’s Mystery:

Johnny goes to a small New England seaside town where the feisty owner of a rundown cafe has been threatened with having her place burnt down.

Original Radio Broadcast Dates: September 24 and 25, 1956

Originating from Hollywood

Starring: Bob Bailey as Johnny Dollar, Virginia Gregg, Jack Kruschen, Byron Kane, Forrest Lewis,Bert Holland, Stan Jones, Bob Bruce, Austin Green,
Harry Bartell

When making your travel plans, remember http://johnnydollarair.com

Become one of our Patreon Supporters at patreon.greatdetectives.net

Thank you to our Patreon Supporter of the Day:Garrick-Patreon Supporter since January 2018

Take the listener survey at http://survey.greatdetectives.net

Give us a call at 208-991-4783

Follow us on Twitter @radiodetectives

Join us again tomorrow for another detective drama from the Golden Age of Radio.

Yours Truly Johnny Dollar: The Imperfect Alibi Matter, Episodes Four and Five (EP4309)

Bob Bailey

Today’s Mystery:

Johnny digs through a string of lies and conflicting accounts in trying to solve the murder of a wealthy young executive.

Original Radio Broadcast Dates: September 20 and 21, 1956

Originating from Hollywood

Starring: Bob Bailey as Johnny Dollar; Virginia Gregg; Tony Barrett; Shirley Mitchell; Will Wright; Chester Stratton; Ted de Corsia; Barney Phillips; Lillian Buyeff; Harry Bartell

When making your travel plans, remember http://johnnydollarair.com

Become one of our Patreon Supporters at patreon.greatdetectives.net

Thank you to our Patreon Supporter of the Day: Loren, Patreon Supporter Since September 2021

Take the listener survey at http://survey.greatdetectives.net

Give us a call at 208-991-4783

Follow us on Twitter @radiodetectives

Join us again tomorrow for another detective drama from the Golden Age of Radio.

Yours Truly Johnny Dollar: The Imperfect Alibi Matter, Episodes One and Three (EP4306)

Bob Bailey

Today’s Mystery:

Johnny is called in when a young business executive’s window is shattered by a bullet while he’s driving.

Original Radio Broadcast Dates: September 17 and 19, 1956

Plot details on Episode 2 from The Who Is Johnny Dollar Matter, Volume 1 by John Abbott (Affiliate link)

Originating from Hollywood

Starring: Bob Bailey as Johnny Dollar; Virginia Gregg; Tony Barrett; Shirley Mitchell; Will Wright; Chester Stratton; Ted de Corsia; Barney Phillips; Lillian Buyeff; Harry Bartell

When making your travel plans, remember http://johnnydollarair.com

Become one of our Patreon Supporters at patreon.greatdetectives.net

Thank you to our Patreon Supporter of the Day:Susan, Patreon Supporter Since October 2018

Take the listener survey at http://survey.greatdetectives.net

Give us a call at 208-991-4783

Follow us on Twitter @radiodetectives

Join us again tomorrow for another detective drama from the Golden Age of Radio.

Yours Truly Johnny Dollar: The Confidential Matter, Episodes Three, Four, and Five (EP4303)

Bob Bailey

Today’s Mystery:

Johnny’s investigation of a deceased friend and colleague who embezzled $80,000 leads him to Panama.

Original Radio Broadcast Dates: September 12, 13, and 14, 1956

Originating from Hollywood

Starring: Bob Bailey as Johnny Dollar; Virginia Gregg; Jack Edwards; Russell Thorson; Shirley Mitchell; Stacy Harris; Bob Miller; Harry Bartell; Vic Perrin;
Frank Gerstle

When making your travel plans, remember http://johnnydollarair.com

Become one of our Patreon Supporters at patreon.greatdetectives.net

Thank you to our Patreon Supporters of the Day: Will and Chris

Take the listener survey at http://survey.greatdetectives.net

Give us a call at 208-991-4783

Follow us on Twitter @radiodetectives

Join us again tomorrow for another detective drama from the Golden Age of Radio.

Yours Truly Johnny Dollar: The Confidential Matter, Episodes One and Two (EP4300)

Bob Bailey

Today’s Mystery:

Today’s Mystery: In a swirl of old memories and new shock, Johnny is summoned to unravel the sordid unraveling of a once-trusted friend. Ed Morgan, known for his honest life, is posthumously accused of embezzling a staggering $80,000. As Johnny steps into the fog of San Francisco to trace Ed’s last steps, he encounters a parade of characters who paint a picture of a man living beyond his means, a man whose life had taken a mysterious turn upon meeting the enigmatic widow, Nikki Barrett. But as Johnny delves deeper, the line between victim and thief blurs, raising the haunting possibility that Ed Morgan’s fatal accident may have been anything but.

Original Radio Broadcast Dates: September 10 and 11, 1956

Originating from Hollywood

Starring: Bob Bailey as Johnny Dollar; Virginia Gregg; Jack Edwards; Russell Thorson; Shirley Mitchell; Stacy Harris; Bob Miller; Harry Bartell; Vic Perrin;
Frank Gerstle

Quote of the Episode: “Gratuities of this nature are always so helpful in smoothing the rough pathway of human relations.”

When making your travel plans, remember http://johnnydollarair.com

Become one of our Patreon Supporters at patreon.greatdetectives.net

Thank you to our Patreon Supporter of the Day: Guy, Patreon Supporter Since September 2022

 

Take the listener survey at http://survey.greatdetectives.net

Give us a call at 208-991-4783

Follow us on Twitter @radiodetectives

Join us again tomorrow for another detective drama from the Golden Age of Radio.

Radio’s Most Essential People Countdown #5: Virginia Gregg

Previous Posts 6,78,91012-1114-1316-1518-1720-19,22-2124-2326-2528-2730-2933-3136-34,

39-37,42-4045-4348-4651-4954-5257-5560-5865-6170-66,  71-7576-80,

81-8586-9091-9596-100

 

Virginia Gregg

5) Virginia Gregg

Virginia Gregg was many things over radio. She landed recurring roles most often playing detectives’ girlfriends and girl Fridays. She was Nicki Porter to Lawrence Dobkin’s Ellery Queen, Clarie Brooks to Bob Bailey’s George Valentine, she was Helen Asher to Dick Powell’s Richard Diamond, and then she was Betty Lewis to Bob Bailey’s Johnny Dollar.  She was also Miss Wong,  the Chinese Girlfriend of Ben Wright’s Hey Boy on Have Gun Will Travel.

As impressive as these numerous recurring and ongoing rolls were, it barely touches on the depth of what she contributed. She was a true artist, a character actress par excellence. She could play a dozen femme fatales opposite Jack Webb’s Pat Novak for Hire, but also old ladies, heart broken mothers, busybodies, and little girls.

Virginia Gregg was the type of actress that made radio work.  She was the type of professional that radio depended on.  She could counted on to play any role and play it to the hilt. Jack Webb on Dragnet could call on Gregg to be tough as nails, quirky, or heartbroken, and she’d do it. During the Yours Truly Johnny Dollar serials, Gregg appeared regularly. One week she’d play a girl gone wrong, the next she’d play a big and rowdy Irishwoman who ran a dive.

Certainly Gregg wasn’t the only actress who could do this. But she was one of the most prolific, and she was the best. Without her performances, the Golden Age of radio wouldn’t have shined near as much. So she is clearly one of radio’s most indispensable people.

If you enjoyed this post, you can have new posts about Detective stories and the golden age of radio and television delivered automatically to your Kindle.