THE FATAL FILET MATTER and THE CASQUE OF DEATH MATTER YOURS TRULY JOHNNY DOLLAR

⭐ THE FATAL FILET MATTER Broadcast: April 22, 1956 Star: Bob Bailey Network: CBS Verified Plot Summary Johnny Dollar is sent to New York to investigate the death of Chef André LeBlanc, a celebrated French chef whose life was insured for a substantial amount. LeBlanc collapsed in his restaurant kitchen after preparing a special filet dish — the "fatal filet" — for a wealthy patron. The insurance company suspects foul play because LeBlanc was in excellent health and had no known medical conditions. Dollar quickly discovers that the chef's kitchen staff is terrified, evasive, and hiding something. The restaurant's owner is desperate to avoid scandal, and the wealthy patron who ordered the filet is nowhere to be found. Dollar digs into LeBlanc's background and uncovers a trail of jealousy, professional rivalry, and a secret financial dispute. The key clue turns out to be a rare imported spice used only in LeBlanc's signature dish — a spice that, when tampered with, can become lethal. Dollar eventually exposes the killer: a rival chef who sabotaged the filet to destroy LeBlanc's reputation and steal his clientele. The motive was professional jealousy mixed with financial desperation. Tone: A tight, clever mystery with humor, culinary intrigue, and a classic Bailey‑era twist.   ⭐ THE CASQUE OF DEATH MATTER Broadcast: March 18, 1956 Star: Bob Bailey Network: CBS Verified Plot Summary Johnny Dollar is called to investigate the death of Arthur Laird, a collector of rare antiquities whose prized possession — an ancient ceremonial casque (helmet) — is rumored to carry a curse. Laird died suddenly, and the insurance company wants to know whether the casque's enormous insured value played a role. Dollar enters a world of eccentric collectors, jealous rivals, and shady dealers. Everyone connected to the casque seems to have a motive: financial gain, revenge, or belief in the artifact's supposed supernatural power. The casque itself has a violent history — previous owners died under mysterious circumstances, fueling the legend that it brings death to anyone who possesses it. Dollar's investigation reveals that Laird's death was no curse at all. The casque was used as a distraction by the real killer: a relative who stood to inherit a fortune and staged the death to look like part of the casque's "curse." The murderer attempted to use superstition to cover up a very human crime. Tone: Atmospheric, suspenseful, and steeped in old‑world intrigue — a classic Bailey detective story with a gothic edge.