S1E5 – Red Skelton A Christmas Story

The podcast episode “A Christmas Story” features host Red Skelton and showcases an old-time radio show with Red Skelton. The episode begins with a sponsorship plug for Nord appliances, promoting their range and highlighting that they are a division of BorgWarner.

The narrative of “A Christmas Story” begins with a humorous look at the preparations for a Christmas show, involving characters like Junior, who is initially reluctant to participate, claiming the pageant is “sissy stuff.” There is a running joke about Junior potentially ruining his reputation with the “skunk patrol.”

The story transitions into a wacky comedy involving characters debating over participating in a Christmas tree pageant and facing various silly mishaps along the way. For instance, characters face embarrassing moments like Junior wearing a Christmas tree costume incorrectly and another character, mistakenly thinking Christmas lights are juicy because they resemble oranges.

Amidst these humorous anecdotes, the show takes a surprisingly somber turn as it narrates the life of a little Christmas tree from being in the forest to getting chopped down and sold in the city. The tree reflects on its existence and purpose, feeling confused and saddened by its transient life, ornamented yet unsure of its true meaning. This segment is interspersed with more product promotions from Nord, emphasizing their features such as the auto-defrost function.

Santa Claus eventually appears, explaining to the tree its meaningful existence as a symbol of freedom and Christmas spirit, emphasizing that as long as Christmas trees are celebrated, hope and faith in goodwill and peace will persist.

The episode concludes with a final commercial endorsing Norge appliances, encouraging listeners to consider them as long-lasting Christmas gifts, and ends with host OTRW inviting listeners to tune in again next week for more of the Red Skelton Show.

S1E4 – Bob Hope Show – 1948 with Jack Benny and Doris Day

In this episode, Bob Hope, also humorously referred to as Robert Hopalong Hope, hosts a lively variety show featuring guest appearances by Jack Benny, Doris Day, and several others including Irene Ryan. The show commences with Hope introducing the line-up and highlighting the sponsor, Swan Soap. He humorously dives into a segment that satirically covers post-election political commentary, poking fun at pollsters and politicians.

Following the political satire, Hope transitions into a series of entertaining advertisements for Swan Soap, cleverly integrating promotional messages into humorous skits. One notable segment involves a fictional Mercury car giveaway, creating a playful interaction by announcing false winners to capture audience attention.

Doris Day, referred to as the singing orchid from the national flower festival, delivers musical performances which pleasantly intersperse the dialogues. Her songs highlight her vocal talent and the romantic themes of her music.

An amusing skit unfolds next, where Hope, supposedly injured during a movie shoot at Paramount, humorously discusses the implications of his injury with studio personnel who ironically express relief over his mishap. This segment features comical exchanges that include studio heads and other guests like Irene Ryan, who contributes her quirky character’s anecdotal humor.

The scene shifts to a light-hearted interaction involving Hope, Doris Day, and other characters who play on the themes of injury and misfortune with a mix of sympathy and humor. The comical misunderstandings continue as characters mistake which of Hope’s legs is injured, adding to the frivolity.

Jack Benny then makes his guest appearance, initially blending in with the band and later engaging with Hope in a playful dialogue about celebrities and insurance selling, which Benny jokingly proposes to Hope. The conversation turns towards a mock scenario where both Hope and Benny imagine themselves as disc jockeys, spinning records and poking fun at various societal and personal quirks.

Towards the close of the episode, the program returns to more music and jesting advertisements, with the hosts playfully promoting Swan Soap and riffing on its merits. The episode wraps up with a tribute to President Harry S. Truman, reflecting on his unexpected election victory, and a final nod to the show’s sponsor through a humorous jingle about Swan Soap.

Overall, the episode blends humor, music, and advertisement into an entertaining radio show format, showcasing the charismatic rapport between Bob Hope, Jack Benny, and Doris Day, as well as their ability to engage the audience with wit and satire.

S1E3 – Magnificent Montague – Gwendolyn Visits

In this episode of “The Magnificent Montague,” titled “The Comic Turmoil of Gwendolyn’s Stay,” the storyline revolves around the Montague household experiencing a chaotic week when they agree to babysit their neighbor’s daughter, Gwendolyn, while her parents are away in St. Louis. The narrative begins with the Magnificent Montague, a former revered Shakespearean actor who’s now a radio star known as Uncle Goodheart, and his interaction with his household and various community members.

As Gwendolyn arrives at the Montagues, the household dynamics are humorously disrupted. Initially, Montague is very reluctant about Gwendolyn’s stay, fearing that her presence will be a nuisance. However, his attitude begins to change as Gwendolyn charms him by expressing admiration for his past acting achievements and dedication to his radio show. Throughout her stay, Gwendolyn causes a series of misunderstandings through her imaginative phone conversations, leading the Montagues’ friends and sponsors to believe various outrageous fabrications, such as Lily Montague being too drunk to attend meetings or Edwin Montague being jailed for smuggling diamonds.

The comic turmoil peaks as these fabrications spiral out of control, affecting Edwin’s professional relationships and the Montagues’ social standing. Despite these chaotic incidents, Gwendolyn’s innocent charm and her elaborate, though false, initiative to get Montague recognized at an international Shakespeare festival win over the couple and their community.

In the concluding scenes, everyone comes to terms with the innocent mischief caused by Gwendolyn’s vivid imagination. Ironically, just as the household returns to normal, a twist reveals that Gwendolyn had convinced the community (and inadvertently herself) of a false royal command performance invitation for Montague in England, which everyone believed was true.

Overall, the episode portrays a humorous and endearing examination of childhood innocence, imagination, and the resulting chaos, set against the backdrop of a radio celebrity’s everyday life and his eternal struggle between his prestigious past and his more humble present.

S1E2 – Magnificent Montague – Gossip Column Revisited

In this episode of “The Magnificent Montague,” the day starts in the Montague apartment with the host, OTRW, narrating the scene. Agnes, the maid, prepares breakfast while handling early morning calls about gossip involving Edwin Montague. Despite the humorous banter about past friends and rumors, the mood is light and jovial between Edwin, his wife Lily, and Agnes.

The situation escalates when a gossip column by Winchell suggests that Edwin, known for his stable marriage and family life, was seen with a Copacabana showgirl. This rumor shocks Lily and Agnes, leading to humorous disbelief about the respectable Edwin being involved in such a scandal. Discussion and confusion about the identity of “Eddie Montague” ensue, with comedic comparisons to Edwin’s usual staid behavior.

Complications multiply when Lily’s mother arrives, having read the gossip column, and is determined to take Lily back to Cleveland, convinced of Edwin’s infidelity. This leads to a series of comedic misunderstandings and accusations, fueled by more gossip columns mixing Edwin Montague with various scandalous situations, including an incident with a burlesque dancer named Cuddles McClune.

Throughout the episode, Agnes, the maid, provides comic relief with her witty retorts and disbelief at the unfolding drama. The family navigates through these comedic misunderstandings, ultimately proving the rumors false and reiterating Edwin’s faithfulness and love for Lily. The show ends with a return to normalcy, despite the humorous chaos caused by the gossip columns, reaffirming the strength and love in Edwin and Lily’s marriage.

In a classic wrap-up, the show closes with a word from their sponsors and a teaser for the next episode, maintaining the light-hearted tone and the theme of love and mishaps in the Montague household.

S1E1 – Magnificent Montague – Father of the Year

In this episode of “The Magnificent Montague,” the plot revolves around a mix-up and humorous circumstances involving Edwin Montague being mistakenly chosen as “Father of the Year.” The episode opens with a committee trying to decide who to honor as Father of the Year. They mistakenly assume Edwin, known as Uncle Goodheart on his radio show, is a father. Despite his being a famous Shakespearean actor known as “The Magnificent Montague,” Edwin’s comical disdain for sentimental holidays and domestic life contrasts sharply with the warm persona he portrays on-air.

The situation escalates when a committee member dispatches someone to notify Edwin of his new title. Edwin’s wife, Lily, and their maid, Agnes, humorously discuss Edwin’s age and their disbelief about the news. Meanwhile, Edwin himself is unaware initially of what’s been set in motion.

At home, the reality of Edwin’s “honor” sets in with a visit from Mr. Henshaw of the Father’s Day committee. Hilarious misunderstandings abound, especially after it’s revealed that Edwin does not actually have a son named Cyril; Cyril Montague is his father, not his child.

Desperate to maintain the façade for the media, Edwin’s radio show director, Zinsser, suggests borrowing one of his own kids to pose as Edwin’s son. This leads to further comedic scenarios involving Edwin trying to connect with Zinsser’s suggestion, Rudy, who is far from the ideal “son” for a Father of the Year photo opportunity.

As gifts and attention pour in for Edwin’s assumed fatherhood — including a pony and a DIY boat kit — the ruse grows more complicated and absurd. Just as they almost pull it off, Edwin’s father, the actual Cyril Montague, arrives. He is thrilled at the prospect of his grandson, leading to even more comical exchanges as he mistakes the ill-matched Rudy for his grandchild.

The episode closes on a funny note with the truth revealed. The farce about Edwin being Father of the Year unravels, leaving everyone to confront the messy, humorous fallout of their deceptions and mistakes. Throughout, the episode highlights the humor in domestic life and public recognition, tied together by the delightful and sometimes acerbic interplay among Edwin, his family, and the colorful characters who believe he is Father of the Year.

Old Time Radio Weekly – Trailer Episode

Welcome to the trailer episode of “Old Time Radio Weekly”—the show that transports you back to the Golden Era of Audio, one series at a time.

Each Sunday, we’ll bring you a classic episode from the world of old-time radio. Whether you’re a longtime fan of these timeless broadcasts or new to the magic of vintage audio, you’re in for a treat. From thrilling adventures and heartfelt dramas to laugh-out-loud comedies, we’re diving deep into a rich audio history.

So, mark your calendars and get ready to gather around the radio—or whatever device you’re listening on—each week for a nostalgic journey. It’s a weekly escape into a world of classic storytelling, right at your fingertips.

Old Time Radio Weekly: Bringing the magic of radio’s finest era back to life. Don’t miss it—tune in this Sunday!