Retro Radio Podcast

A tale about a Christmas from the last war. That means World War 1. A train comes to a halt at a railroad station in France. Both Austrailian and French soldiers go on leave for the holidays. They compare notes on the similarities of each other’s armies, and the common experiences they have faced. They are joined by a American troop who is black. The three diverse troops enjoy moments of solidarity and marvel at the far reaches they had come from to be in this place together. In the post war days, the three carry souvenirs in their packs, and marvel at the stars. They turn in and dream as the train rushes through the night. Their deja vu at meeting before is explained as we peek into their dream of three other travellers who were bearing gifts, and following the star. A dramatization of the legend of the three wisemen ensues. Legend, because little is known about the wise men from scripture, and nearly all of the tale here is from tradition that surrounds their part in the Christmas story. As the wise men find the Christ child, the three soldiers awaken and compare notes about the dream they all seemed to have had.

In a perky little scene on Wistful Vista, Molly darns socks as Fibber is up to his usual pranks. Might Fibber be in line for getting new glasses? Fibber phones Mirt to get the word on a good eye doctor, and chats to her about a minor tragedy about one of her cousin, and a college prank. Old Timer pops in to tell it the way he hear’d it, and about a horse race. Billy Mills plays as Don Novas sings, My Reverie. In the office of Dr Gildersleeve, Bea Benederet is his sassy receptionist., and sends Fibbrer to the waiting room. Jokes about eyesight, glasses, and vision continue, and The patients include Teeny. She doesn’t seem to have eye trouble, but gives Fibber a few moments of frustration. For the sake of a joke, we learn the first name of Doc Gildersleeve is, Donald, although in his own series we know that it’s Throckmorton. Fibber sees the doctor for jokes on glasses, and vision. The Four Notes sing a peppy, upbeat version of, Basin Street Blues. On his way home, and with glasses firmly in place, Fibber encounters Abigail Uppington. She shares a word on her own glasses, and marriage plans to Boomer. What will Molly think about the new glasses? Nick the Greek neighbor stops in for a few comments on Fibbers new specks. PS: I’m not exactly certain about the date of this episode. It does seem to fit into the 1938 to 39 season though. The Greek character faded away once the show moved to Hollywood in the 1940 season, plus change to the musical staff. The tenor wouldn’t be part of the show, and the Four Notes were replaced by the Kingsmen. Gildersleeve was a plastic, universal character who was used widely. It would take time for him to settle on working in his girdle factory, and even given a consistent name.

Announcer: Harry Vonzel. Peter Vanseeten and the singers open with a song, Be a Good Sport. As Fred reads the Town Hall Bulletin, Jack Benny has to be brushed off. The Town Hall News report includes the cold weather, as reported by Farmers, housewives, and street venders, but California representatives deny its existence. What about word from a dairy farmer? The Basin Street Boys sing, Rol the Gloom away. Jack Benny tries to butt in again, this time in the commercial. Peter Vanseeten plays, Limehouse Blues. Despite more butting in, Jack Benny is brushed off for an interview of Willie King, a lunch wagon vendor for Warner Brothers studios. Does he have any competitors? Has he ever been in any films? How did he get started in the business? What do the stars eat? The Kingsmen sing, Nobody Loves a Riveter but His Mother. Eugene Lester, a candid cameraman taking shots in radio studios is slightly interrupted by Jack, but tells when his shots will appear in Radio Guide magazine. He shows off his vocal talent by singing, Rosalie. Portland Hoffa arrives with a surprise. Jack Benny claims Mary is out shopping, then gets teased about not being paid. The two recount the old vaudeville days. Juggling, violins, and their current careers in Hollywood. Will Jack try to pawn off his Maxwell onto Fred? Maxwell jokes abound as the car makes an appearance. The Mighty Allen Art Players. Santa Will not Ride Tonight. A reporter talks to Santa about the rumor the old man is quitting. Santa tells how he has been unappreciated through the years, starting with Nero. The golden cigarette lighter backfires on Santa as a good gift. Scottish poet, Bob Burns struggles with a rhyme, and Santa’s gift helps. What’s so upsetting about that? In the home of Paul Revere, Santa once again has his gift go wrong. In modern day Washington DC, Santa has trouble with the government’s idea of playing Santa. The clock begins to strike the hour, will Santa be able to resist? Note: The Basin Street Boys are claimed to be heard on many cartoon reels, and they sound eerily like the Mills Brothers… can it be? PS: Bob Burns is portrayed by Walter Tetley. Jack Benny quotes: * If I had his writers here.. what we’d call you. * I’d give a thousand dollars if I could think of an answer right now.

Dick Huddleston is in the store, and Lum tells him how the formula is great as an insect spray. It won’t hurt humans, but it dies everything purple. Lum thinks he’ll get rich from the sales. How did they learn how it was good to kill insects? Ben Withers was instrumental in that discovery. Lum continues telling how they’re reinvesting the sales back into making more formula. Abner and Cedric enters with a sales pitch resembling a snake oil salesman. Is that the pitch he gave to customers? As Dick leaves, the gents talk about the sales boom. Will Ben Withers be in the market for a good product to get rid of insects? Will new problems with the formula develop?

Don talks with Jack about being a stand up guy, and one to not lose his temper. Does Jack have two sides to his personality? Mary and Kenny share their dual personality as well. What about Don? Does he also have a flip side to his personality? Phil plays, Mutiny in the Brass Section. The audio gets munched a little, but a Greek sounding frendm, Pat C Flick, drops in to sell Jack a new suit of clothes. Will the wardrobe malfunction interfere with Jack’s date after the show? Sheriff Andy Devine is all dressed up in his cowboy suit, but Jack has to put off the next installment of Buck Benny until next week. As Jack gets ready to leave for his date, and goodbyes are said, Phil makes up to Jack. The expensive watch he brings proves how sincere he is in wanting to be friends with Jack. Stay tuned for the touching, tearful dispaly as sentiments are poured out. Note: The season’s running gag with the new bandleader, Phil, is that he and Jack are arguing over being late. Phil is a bigger man, and intimidating to Jack. While Jack has no fears in bullying Kenny around, he shrinks at doing the same to Phil. Today, they make up, and a new running gag will be set up that lasts through the rest of Phil Harris’ first season on the show. This episode doesn’t have a lot to do with Christmas, and other than Phil’s gift, any other gift exchange or holiday themes are barely mentioned. It’s more about the dual nature of character, as is set up in the opening dialogs. Jack certainly has flipped on his attitude by the end of the show. Maybe not in the way his opening jokes imply, but he definitely changes.

A devoted Red Cross worker, and the rise of a charitable organization begins in 1909. A distraught Mrs Lang has nowhere to turn, and no way to care for sick family members. Miss Bissel races to convince Dr Wales to tend to young Johnny. He doesn’t see what can be done against tuberculosis. Will he and Miss Bissel be able to mobilize the Red Cross to fight against such a pestilence. They think a program of selling stamps could at least raise money to pay a doctor. It had been done in Denmark, why not here? With a donation of $40, materials for the stamps was turned into a fund raising campaign. Will people really pay for a pretty stamp to decorate their Christmas mailings? The postmaster can’t allow them to be sold with the usual stamps, but a special booth is allowed. Miss Bissel travels to other towns to gain support, Will her optimistic efforts raise enough money for comfort in a hopeless disease? Will it be able to build steam to continue beyond the help Johnny needs? Benefactors get behind the idea, and funds have risen exponentially every year since that first Christmas. And Johnny? Whatever became of that first boy to be helped from a hopeless disease?

Rochester sings a spoof of Sidewalks of New York as he helps out in Jacks hotel room, by helping him with his luggage. Mary visits after getting over her cold. The gang joke about Jack’s hotels that he has stayed in. Interuptions to the day of ice skating and visiting the Empire State building keep coming when Larry Stevens enters to sing his song, Strange Music. Jack plugs some charity appearances that he’s doing for the March of Dimes. Phil enters, and Jack steals his joke. Don makes his appearance and teases Phil about seeing Harvey, the 6foot tall rabbit. Jack tries to make a phone call, but gets a talkative phone operator instead. Phil plays a jazzy swinging tune for the traveling music for the gang. Jack and Mary try to get a cab on a New York sidewalk. Mel Blanc is a cabbie who does impersonations as he recaps the recent Fred Allen program. The cast tour the city, and Don does some figure skating. Forget the figure 8, Don knocks out an LSMFT. Jack tries it, but fails at it, and other stunts that the rest of the cast manage to do. Afterward, Jack encourages people to support the troops overseas with supportive letters. Note: At this time, Harvey was a play, and later would be a movie with James Stewart in the leading role.

A well known doctor and psychiatrist in Rushville phones his daughter with a warning. A patient has escaped from his mental hospital, and he’s concerned for the safety of his daughter. Is he too late? When the girl is found dead, the doctor takes the case to Mr Keen. Why didn’t the patient just wait and ambush the doctor at work? Good question Mr Keen, but psychotic people don’t do things that are rational. Mr Keen advises the doctor to take precautions. Since the patient is still on the loose, Mr Keen volunteers to trade places. The two gents swap homes for a short time. Mr Keen and Mike meet the husband of the dead girl, and a few family secrets emerge. Jealousy over lover becomes a good motive for murder. The sister of the mental paitient pleads her case for innocense. Death threats come in. When the mental patient is seen lurking, Mr Keen tries to corner her to see what she may have to say. A man with a death threat shows up to face off with the doctor. Freaky things begin to happen. The man is run over by his own car. The crazy lady has an ax, and confronts Mr Keen. Mr Keen slaps the cuffs on the killer, and when he shares the finer points of the case, it becomes clear who did it and why.

Playlist * It Had to Be You. * The Business Game. * The Fairy over the Christmas Tree. * Serenade in the Dark. * Singer songwriters, Michael Kerr and Jimmy Kennedy team up to mention some some of their top hits, and perform a couple. The Teddy Bear CafeFlight of the Gypsy. My Song Goes Round the World. Dinner for One. There Won’t Be Any Hit Parade. * Misty Islands of the Highlands. OK for Sal. * Did Your Mother Come from Ireland. * Sing Me a Swing Song.

We find Abner on the phone to deal with customers who aren’t happy with the new chemical formula. Lum has been using the folks of Pine Ridge as guinnea pigs to figure out what his formula does. Grandpap learns the stuff is good for killing moths and insects, but it turns everything it touches purple Though several bottles of the formula have been sold, people want to claim a refund against their warranty. Grandpap hears a few war stories that come from the complaints. The product has cost them more money than they’ve put into it. Purple everywhere. Can Lum start a fashion trend? Will he convince people in town that purple is trendy and stylish?

Playlist: * Benny Goodman’s own arrangement of Jingle Bells. (Instrumental) * Where Am I. Vocals, Helen Ward. * You Forgot to Remember. (Instrumental) * The Music Goes Round and Round. * Come On Get Happy. (Instrumental) * Basin Street Blues. (Instrumental) * I’ve Got a Feeling You’re Fooling. Vocals, Helen Ward. * Bless You Sweetheart. Vocals, Helen Ward. * Limehouse Blues. (Instrumental) * Someday Sweetheart. (Instrumental)

A dispute over a baby picture of his girlfriend, Helen, is interrupted by a little woman who needs the help of Richard Diamond. She tells about a problem when her daughter Gloria found a package of money. Is Bill involved in something illegal? Is he just a hard worker who sends cash to his mom to help her? Doing his good deeds of the day, Richard returns the picture, and begins investigating for the little woman to get to the bottom of her troubles. At the police station, Walt already has his corpse on his hands, but the aggravation sets in, when its Bill Kirby. To make it worse, the victim’s mother and sister got beat up. Now Richard leads the way, with Walt to get at the core of the matter. The important package doesn’t contain cash, only a shoe. There may be no helping Bill, but Richard is in it for revenge, and justice for Mrs Kirby. A trail of clues is begun, when Richard talks with Gloria. Thugs soon find Richard, and after a thump on the head, Diamond gets back on the trail. Is there progress with the crime lab, and learning the secret of the shoe? Danger is sure to be in store for Richard as he turns up his next step in the case. Secrets explode to the surface about robbing a gold shipment. Will knowing the gang’s operation do any good if Richard ends up dead? Gunplay, chases, and freshly captured thugs to hand over to Walt and the cops. amzn_assoc_placement = "adunit0"; amzn_assoc_search_bar = "true"; amzn_assoc_tracking_id = "retrootr-20"; amzn_assoc_ad_mode = "manual"; amzn_assoc_ad_type = "smart"; amzn_assoc_marketplace = "amazon"; amzn_assoc_region = "US"; amzn_assoc_title = "Sam Spade on Amazon"; amzn_assoc_asins = "B00BDR8A9M,B006421JJY,1570196451,1932806229"; amzn_assoc_linkid = "d044d97d5e71edb0df9497c070c428e8";

Featuring: Rev. Charles E Fuller. Copyright is held byViola University, and hundreds are available in their library. This episode is one of a few that arre freely offered on the Internet. Playlist: * Glory for Me. * Dedicated to young people in various locations. Hark the Herald Angels. * Rev Fuller recognizes people in the audience. O Come All Ye Faithful. * He Shares plans for expansion to new times and stations. Thanks to * listeners. Give aways include photos and book. Hark the Herald Angels, * (Bob Hartman piano) * The reverend speaks to the home audience, with dedications to various * mothers and grandmothers. God Will Take Care of You. * Veterans of the foreign war are thanked for their support. Dedication to them, and families of those serving. My Faith Looks Up To Thee. * Prayers of thanks are given, for the Christmas season, and for the Gospel to be received with conviction, and speaking to the heart. * Though Mrs. Fuller, and son Danny aren’t able to attend, Rev Fuller calls attention to the words in the verse of the song… He’s the One. * A request for financial support from listeners is made. Offers a chance for listeners to respond to the ABC’s of the gospel. Christ Receiveth Sinful Men. Passage: Acts 2:38 The gift of the Holy Spirit. Gifts and giving. As much as we enjoy the packages of the holiday, there is a greater, eternal gift. How do we get the sacrificial gift of Jesus? Repent and be baptized. For the remission of sin. If evil men can give good gifts, how much more so does god give even better gifts. Four Gifts * The gift of Christ, from god to the world.

After drinking a bottle of the mysterious chemical by mistake, Cecric seems OK. Will he be able to help figure out what the formula does? Grandpap is on hand to talk with Abner about it. Cedric enters to tell that Lum is at the barber shop, and some mishaps in trying to figure out what the formula does. Hair tonic, hair dye, or an elyxir of health? Lum enters to tell that some of his resident guinnea pigs down at the barber shop aren’t so thrilled at his experiments. Will grandpap agree to be experimented on as well? What about if Lum and Abner also take a dose? Is there a better way to learn what the chemical formula does?

Walt Disney and most of his cartoon friends are on hand to sing and have some Christmas fun. Playlist: * The Three Pigs sings,Who’s Afraid of the Big Bad Wolf. * The Grasshopper sings, The World Owes Me a Living. * The Silly Symphony Singers perform, Lullabye Lan, and . * Nothing but a Nothing. * Walt has his hands full with trying to keep Donald Duck in line. Shooting friends with his pop gun, and back talking get the duck in trouble with the Boogie Woogie Boogey Men. Has Donald learned his lesson? * Minnie Mouse has a surprise for Walt’s Christmas stocking. She has her bird friends sing the love song from, Who Killed Cock Robin? * Mickey joins the fun with his singing pig, and some escaping frogs. They do a wierd rendition of, the .Blue Danube, followed by, Did You Ever See a Lassie? * The Silly Symphony takes over for some spooky, swinging fun, Heidi Hades. * The Three Pigs return to sing to their nemesis. Will the wolf accept their Christmas forgiveness? * A mini opera is given by the various barnyard critters, including Clara Cluck, Pluto, and Donald Duck. Walt Disney narates the soundscape of thd dramatic fun. * A parting song gives tribute to the arrival of Santa, and Christmas wishes.