Podcast Summary: A Date With Judy 42-09-15 (026) Aunt Lily's Wedding

Podcast: Harold's Old Time Radio
Host: Harold's Old Time Radio
Episode Date: September 16, 2025 (original broadcast September 15, 1942)
Description: A comedic slice-of-life radio drama that captures the lively, eccentric preparations for Aunt Lily’s unconventional wedding, with teenaged Judy Foster determined to make it a society event—whether anyone else wants that or not.

Main Theme and Episode Overview

This classic episode of A Date With Judy centers on Judy Foster's hilarious and frantic attempts to turn her Aunt Lily's desire for a simple home wedding into an extravagant society affair—worthy of her newfound “reporter” status at the local newspaper. As well-meaning Judy takes over every detail, chaos ensues, with misunderstandings, mismatched bridesmaids, and drenched tuxedos. The episode is a charming reflection on family, the collision of dreams and reality, and the earnest energy of adolescence.

Key Discussion Points and Insights

Judy’s “Career” and Big News (01:36–02:17)

• Judy boasts about her new “society reporter” duties at the Daily Chronicle, earning 5 cents an inch for printed content.
  • “I get 5 cents an inch for everything they print.” —Judy Foster (01:50)
• She’s thrilled to have covered the fanciest wedding in town (“Waterman Brewer nuptials”) due to the regular reporter’s absence:
  • “The bridal table was garnished with gladioli and sweet peas…” —Judy Foster reading her own article (02:17)

Aunt Lily’s Wedding Announcement (02:48–03:19)

• Aunt Lily arrives with news: she is to marry Mr. Manchester at the family home.
  • “She and Mr. Manchester are getting married.” —Aunt Lily (02:52)
• Judy immediately envisions a grand feature in the paper, promising, “We’ll simply blanket the society page inches and inches.” (03:06)
• Randolph and Judy’s playful banter pokes fun at Judy’s ambitions and Aunt Lily’s tranquility.

Clash of Visions: Simple Versus Spectacular (04:55–07:31)

• Judy begins planning an elaborate garden wedding with multiple bridesmaids, referencing the society weddings she admires.
  • “I've decided it's going to be a garden wedding.” —Judy Foster (05:51)
• Aunt Lily and Mr. Manchester try to temper expectations, insisting on something quiet:
  • “We just want to, well, get married.” —Aunt Lily (05:35)
• Judy worries about her reputation if the wedding isn’t grand enough for her society column.

Pragmatism Versus Pageantry (07:32–10:05)

• The hunt for bridesmaids begins. Aunt Lily admits she doesn’t know many local women; Judy suggests finding some from Mr. Manchester’s acquaintances.
• The humor ramps up as Judy decides to raid Mr. Manchester's old address book for potential bridesmaids.
  • “Maybe we can convert some of your friends into bridesmaids?” —Judy Foster (06:40)
• Further comic confusion arises over formalwear, with Judy balking at Mr. Manchester’s blue serge suit.

Wedding Preparations Spiral (13:06–18:25)

• Judy and Randolph head to the swap shop to replace Mr. Manchester's suit with tails (against his wishes).
• Judy assigns Mitzi the mission of helping arrange the wedding, ignoring the mounting chaos.
  • “If nobody’s going to help me give Aunt Lily a society wedding, I’ll have to do it myself. Single handed.” —Judy Foster (11:37)
• The guest and “wedding party” list grows to include obscure contacts and even business names from the address book.

Wedding Day Chaos (17:29–22:41)

• Rain clouds gather as the event begins. Family members bicker and stress, bridesmaids quarrel, and a best man with a violin materializes.
  • “He’s in the house, pacing up and down, carrying a violin case. … brought it with him in case anybody wanted him to play ‘I Love You Truly’.” —Randolph Gloucester (18:10)
• Unfamiliar (and questionably appropriate) bridesmaids start fighting in the garden, causing further embarrassment.
  • “Who are those ladies in the garden? I don't know them.” —Aunt Lily (21:27)
• Mr. Manchester struggles with his ill-fitting tailcoat sourced from the swap shop, longing for his old, comfortable suit.

Climactic Wedding Scene and Its Meltdown (24:00–29:01)

• The rain hits, soaking the wedding party; the ceremony moves inside amid utter confusion.
• Lost vows, soggy formalwear, ruined violin, and rivalry between ex-girlfriends-turned-bridesmaids culminate in a farcical climax.
• Mr. Manchester, pushed to the limit, gives Judy a playful (off-mic) spanking for her meddling ways—everyone agrees she “needed it for years.”
  • “Up until now I’ve been a quiet man… But I can restrain myself no longer.” —Donald Manchester, about to spank Judy (28:37)

Resolution and Signature Sign-off (30:32–31:14)

• Light-hearted resolution as Judy and Randolph announce that next week’s show will feature Bob Hope, ending the program on a cheerful note.

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On Judy’s ambitions:
  “Don’t be ridiculous, Randolph. I get 5 cents an inch for everything they print.” —Judy Foster (01:50)

• On the ‘perfect’ wedding:
  “We’re going to have a quiet, simple ceremony with just the family.” —Aunt Lily (05:34)

• On wedding reality:
  “I just want to have the kind of wedding you had.” —Aunt Lily (09:25)

• On blue serge suits:
  “You can swap it back right after the wedding… Don’t worry, Mr. Manchester. You can swap it back right after the wedding.” —Judy Foster (23:40)

• On wedding chaos:
  “Mother, who are those ladies in the garden? I don't know them.” —Aunt Lily (21:27)

• On rain-soaked reality:
  “For the love of heaven, it’s beginning to pour.” —Aunt Lily (26:49)

• The final straw:
  “All I want to do is get married!” —Donald Manchester (28:21)

• On finally standing up to Judy:
  “Up until now, I’ve been a quiet man who has never put his hand to a woman, but I can restrain myself no longer.” —Donald Manchester (28:37)

• Randolph (on Judy's fate):
  “Wow, he’s spanking her good.” (28:53)
  “She’s needed it for years.” —Aunt Lily (28:56)

Important Timestamps

• Judy announces new job: 01:36–02:17
• Aunt Lily’s wedding news: 02:48–03:19
• Initial wedding debate: 04:55–07:31
• Suit-swap and bridesmaids saga: 13:06–14:15
• Wedding day chaos: 17:29–22:41
• Actual wedding (and rain): 24:00–29:01
• Resolution/Bob Hope announcement: 30:32–31:14

Tone and Style

The episode sparkles with quick wit, fast-paced dialogue, and gently teasing family banter, capturing both the earnestness and comic misunderstandings of multi-generational households. The actors deliver lines with an innocence and vibrant energy true to the Golden Age of Radio—a mix of playfulness, mild exasperation, and warm-hearted zaniness.

Summary for New Listeners

If you haven’t listened, this episode is a gem of old-school family comedy—a madcap take on wedding planning, fueled by Judy’s comedic overreaching. The farce builds as her best intentions backfire, turning a modest event into an endlessly entertaining ordeal. It’s a nostalgic, delightful listen for anyone fond of golden age radio, classic sitcom antics, and the timeless struggle of dreams versus reality within the heart of a family.