Retro Radio Podcast

In the lull between Christmas and New Years Day, Leroy is bored. Though he has some pretty cool toys, chemistry set, and wood-burning kit, he seems to find ways to pester his uncle. A newspaper article hints at some good news for the Water Commissioner. A letter from the vacationing Leila Ransom picks is spirits up even further. What does SWAK mean on the outside of an envelope? Is that a good thing? Will Gildy find any privacy to read his letter? Even on his way to the office seems to offer nothing but distractions. Floyd the barber shares the town gossip, and confirms the big government contractor who has come to town. Will Gildy be part of the big time wheeling and dealing? A home emergency calls Gildy home to calm the frantic situation, when Leroy has concocted a batch of nitro glycerin with his home chemistry set. Maybe Peavey can offer some professional advice? The government contractor may be able to solve the problem. Note: In epilog Gildy tells about his upcoming appearance on the Fibber McGee and Molly show.

Just two days after Pearl Harbor, the show opens with war news updates. Bills have piled up, and Fibber sorts through them. A postcard isn’t just an advertisement, it offers 40% off merchandise. Before the McGees can do anything about it, Billy Mills enters to tell about his Christmas shopping. Why does coffee make Billy sleepy? Abigail Uppington arrives to learn about Fibber’s influence to get 40% off at the store. The Kingsmen sing, Chew. Adding to Fibbers shopping list, a friend named Mort phones to get a discounted shotgun. Molly begins to wonder what kind of mess Fibber is getting into. Harlowe Wilcox visits to pitch the sponsor. Will he have an addition to Fibber’s growing shopping list? The next knock at the door finds the mayor to tell about the Arabian Nights. Latrivia needs a large globe to display in his office. Wallace arrives to tell about his wife’s sense of humor. He tells about a snake bite incident, and wants Fibber to add dumbbells to his list. There’s just a quick trip to the hall closet, then Martha Tilton sings, The Last Time I Saw Paris. Home again after a horrible shopping trip, Molly finds out how much the trip really cost, plus delivery charges. The phone starts ringing, the door knocks come, all with complaints that the goods Fibber promised are much less, and smaller in their reality.

Our heroes are afraid as the giant approaches, but soon find out he is a gentle and kind giant. He carries all his new friends to find some food to eat. The twins agree to help the giant if they can, and the giant gives them a whistle to use to call him if they get into trouble. PS: Are you looking for downloads related to the Cinnamon Bear? Try googling: : “Bear Facts Download Land” for the latest in story books and coloring books. I had a link for it, but it seems have to become broken.

Captain Mannering gets a word of advice from Jones before the men begin arriving. He briefs them on the command post, and how to react should there be an invasion from the enemy. Despite interruptions, the men have the plan to place the machine gun. The best location is at Godfrey’s cottage/ As long as they can find the key to let them in. When Mannering is down in the vault, an alarm is sounded. Is it the signal for an invasion? With most of the Home Guard off to see a training film, a skeleton crew heads off to place that machine gun. Will the nice Mrs Godfrey cooperate with the Home Guard? This won’t mess up the furniture, will it? Anticipating action, the men discuss western movies, where the Indians attack/ is this a foreshadowing of things to come? Noises have the men on edge, but it’s just the Godfrey’s parrot. Will the brave men survived the night?

Taking some veiled jabs at his favorite rival, Jack Benny, Fred changes to joke about a plan in New York to use magnets to clean the streets. Allen’s Alley residents John Doe, Mrs Noosebaum, Mulligan, and even Falstaff Openshore all report in on a newspaper strike. Riesa Stevens, star of the Metropolitan Opera, jokes with Fred, then singf, Ave Maria. Portland Hoffa tells Fred about her downtown shopping experience, and her mom’s Christmas plans. Fred introduces the modern tale of Santa Claus, and how he may not be delivering on Christmas this year. The drama presents the reason for the sit down strike. Will little Billy Jones be able to race to the North Pole and convince Santa to come through? We learn of Santa’s past troubles with historic figures such as Nero, Nappoleon, and Paul Revere. Is there any sign that modern times will fare any better for the red suited holiday icon?

Though the Cinnamon Bear has disappeared, Jim and Judy soon find him again, as well as a strange house with a talking owl named Professor Whiz. They learn about the Wintergreen Witch and her invisibility spell. In their continued search for the Crazy Quilt Dragon they meet a new friend, Fraidy Cat. For tons of cool Cinnamon Bear stuff, be sure to visit: The Bear Facts web page. The first issue of “Bear Facts” celebrated the Cinnamon Bear’s 50th birthday in 1987. THE BEAR BRIGADE is, simply, an unassuming fan club for the hero of the 26-part Christmas radio series, THE CINNAMON BEAR, created in 1937 by the late Glanville T. (Glan) Heisch. The series is so popular that I believe it has played somewhere in USA every Christmas holiday season since then.

A full 90 minutes of fun, with the glamorous, unpredictable, Talulah Bankhead. Crossing the country to broadcast from Los Angles, rather than New York, Talulah calls on Bob Hope to help with the jokes. Will she agree to be on his comedy show? Is Bob getting the finger when a joke has a little innuendo? Meredith Willson’s orchestra singers perform, I Got a Look At You. Crash, Bam, Alakazam! Talulah has her singing ability gets poked fun at by Bob, and Meredith. Meredith tells about his hometown of Mason City, Iowa, then Phil Harris finds his way on stage to add his own brand of cutting up. Though Phil cracks jokes at the husky voiced Talulah, she gets back by not admitting she has heard his latest hit record, the Thing Meredith’s singers do a medley of, Yes We Have No Bananas, Three Little Fishes, The Hutsa Song, and Talulah even helps out with The Thing. Louie Armstrong arrives to add his own husky voice to the joking around. The compliments fly for all but Talulah. Louie sings, Ain’t Misbehaving. Will Talulah get to sing a few bars with Louie? Part 2. Bob Hope is back to joke about his travels, and shares a little of what Christmas means to him. Hometown, childhood memories, relatives, humble beginnings, and traditions all get poked fun at. Bob tells about his school days, and prowess as an athlete and scholar. Dean Martin and Jerry Lewis are thrilled to have made it to the Big Show, and are full of wise cracks for their hostess, Talulah. Jerry feels slighted when Talulah has compliments for him, rather than insults. Dean sings, Hold Me Close. dean tries to get Jerry to think of where he may have heard of Talulah in the entertainment world. The suggestions of her work only fall on deaf ears. He just can’t quite place her. Will they finally be accepted by Talulah? Dean and Jerry stick up for each other as they ask Talulah to introduce them to Bob Hope. Will the veteran comedian swap some of his old jokes to them for one of their new ones? Part 3. After being the target of jokes from all of her male guests, Talulah finally gets to call on her female guests to do a dramatic sketch. Will things go better for her, just because they’re girls? First, the guys fight over who gets to take out Deborah Karr and Dorothy McGuire after the show. Frankie Lane sings, I’m Gonna Live Til I Die. The girls put on a production of, the Women. The drama deals with the relationships and gossip of the three ladies. Affaires and scandal tug at the emotions, but the gals pull through. Later, the guys do their own spoof version, the Men. Bob Hope, Dean Martin, and Jerry Lewis present the melodramatic counterpart of the tale of love lost and found. The gals make small talk about their careers in the theater and films. The jokes and snide remarks seem to cut Talulah deeper than the stuff the guys said to her through the show. Or is it just… acting! Notable lines: Bob Hope: I have to keep working, I have a government to support. Dean: There are plenty of other fish in the sea. Jerry: I don’t like fish, I like women.

Getting ready for his first day at school, Alice helps make sure Phil has his checklist of school supplies. In review, Phil complains about a conflict with other students, and trouble he has on tests. If he needs help, Alice’s brother Willie would be glad to lend a hand in his studies. A tutor hired to watch the girls even has input for Phil’s college classes. Should Phil go to a psychiatrist to bring out his personality? On the way to the doctor, Phil has a run in with a cleaning lady. The analyst learns about Phil’s musical past, then Phil sings, Minnie the Mermaid. At home, the girls learn from Alice what a psychiatrist is. might Phil be just as well to take lessons from their tutor? In flashback, Frankie sings for tips on the street,. But will he give it all up to play in Phil’s band. . We also learn about the mutual love Phil and Alice share. All the while, the analyst has plenty to interest him. The doctor seems to have helped, and Phil is in high spirits when he tells Alice how it went. As thrilled as Phil is, is this something to go bragging to his mother in law about? His ego crashes once the girl’s tutor, Mr Merton, revealed about the things the doc said about him. Alice sings, I Take to You.

While sailing with Captain Taffy and the Candy pirates, the twins spot their Silver Star pinned to the chest of the Rolly Polly Policeman. Leaving the pirates behind, the twins set out to explore a new, and mysterious island. Once Jim and Judy explain their story, the Rolly Polly Policeman agrees to give them back their star. Before they can get together, more trouble pops up, and the Silver Star gets away again. Looking for more Cinnamon Bear stuff? Bear Facts is the one stop place for story books, coloring books, and tons of cool Cinnamon Bear stuff.

In our last episode, Jim and Judy were left in a tight spot when the Candy Pirates came onto the scene. Are the kids in danger? Are the pirates going to be as bad as the Inkapoo Indians? The pirates tell their story in song when the twins and Cinnamon Bear are captured and taken to their pirate ship.

With little introduction, Bing gets busy singing. * What Do They Do (Bing Crosby) * Dreaming of you (Bing Crosby) * Joe Frisco, well known vaudevillian, jokes with Bing, and will return for more later. * Clap Your Hands (Piano Instrumental, Skitch Henderson) * He’s Just My Kind (Peggy Lee) * Joe is back, and jokes about horses with Bing. Also doctors, health, and horse medicine. Is there a cure for the horse racing habit? * Brother Bill (Charioteers) * Baby You Can Count on Me (Peggy and Bing) * The Old Lamplighter (Bing Crosby)

Superman brings a personal Christmas greeting for listeners. A message of peace in the face of war and intolerance across the boundaries of race, religion, or beliefs. Clark Kent and Inspector Hendersen have followed Lois Lane into a church. Is her choir director actually the sinister Mr Jones? Clark gets the idea to call on Batman and Robin for help in identifying Mr Jones for certain. Batman had been on the trail of Mr Jones, but lost him. The two super heros know each others identities, and cooperate to move in on the church to capture their bad guy. Suspense builds at the anticipation of catching Mr Jones. But will Lois be branded as a criminal for her involvement with the man? There’s both good news and bad news, but the mystery has a good explanation for Lois behavior in the escapade, and secrets are promised to be revealed. What are they? I’m sure I don’t know, but that’s a story that takes us away from the Christmas season.

Crazy Quilt helps Jim, Judy and The Cinnamon Bear get past the Inkapoo Indians. They meet an odd man who turns out to be Presto the Magician. He’s not a bad man, just a bad magician. Through his bad magic, the pelican is turned up, only without the Silver Star. Note: Episodes began at Thanksgiving and ended at Christmas, with one episode airing each night. The show was created by a group of merchants as an advertising promotion, and was recorded in only a few weeks. It was produced by Lindsay MacHarrie, who also provided the voice of Westley the Whale and several other characters.

Juvenile Detail. A baby is left in the care of a young woman in a bus station, but the mother doesn’t return for it. Working the day watch with partner, Ed Jacobs, Joe Friday interviews the young woman who was given a baby to watch. why didn’t the mother ever come back? Stepping out of the noisy bus station, the cops continue the conversation in their car. How does Marjorie Louis have a relationship with Dorothy Miller, other than just being on the same bus? Leads are pursued, but Marjorie is the best source the cops have to get more details. A police woman calls Joe and Ed aside to point out clues in the babies belongings. With Marjorie in a hotel, and the baby in a hospital for safekeeping, the cops keep up the search. The description that Marjorie gives of the 20 year old dark haired Dorothy turns up some interesting twists, and hint at cover ups. The bus driver can’t remember a passenger of Dorothy’s description riding his bus. A hospital claims a woman matching Marjorie’s description just gave birth to a son. Time to catch up to Marjorie at the convention she’s attending and confront her with the facts. Why would Marjorie try to conceal her baby from her husband? Her husband had been sent overseas, and left her alone. There was no reason Marjorie couldn’t join him, but he wouldn’t allow it, and two years is a long time to be forced to wait for him. Desperate to keep it a secret, and not hurt Walter, this was the best idea she could come up with for her son. Confronting the Army Captain, the cops bring the family dirt into the open, but will it resolve the relationship, or end it?

Clark Kent is on a trail that’s sure to take him to a startling discovery. Mr Jones wants to get some kryptonite, and will stop at nothing to get it. As the police inspector and Clark eavesdrop in a retail shop, they think Lois Lane might be involved in the plot to get the atomizer with the deadly mixture inside. Is she really involved in some kind of criminal activity? Has she been tricked? , or is she too smart to fall for such a scheme. There’s nothing to do now, except trail the star reporter. Lois goes to church, seemingly to say her prayers, and sing with the Christmas choir. Is there something more sinister going on? Stay tuned for the next thrilling installment.