Podcast Summary

Podcast: Harold's Old Time Radio
Episode: A Date With Judy 44-03-28 (048) Love In The Slums
Date: November 19, 2025
Host: Harold's Old Time Radio

Episode Overview

This episode features a classic broadcast of A Date With Judy, originally aired on March 28, 1944. The comedic story follows Judy Foster, her brother Randolph, and their family as they become entangled in small-town theatrics after attending a melodramatic play called "Love in the Slums." Hijinks ensue when Judy schemes to get herself and her mother cast in the local stage production by fabricating a story of family misfortune, resulting in farcical misunderstandings and social faux pas.

Tone: The episode is lighthearted, filled with 1940s-style witty banter, family humor, and gentle satire of both amateur theatricals and community gossip.

Key Discussion Points & Plot Highlights

1. Setting the Scene – The Foster Household (01:33–04:50)

• Judy and friend Barbara return home, raving about the matinee "Love in the Slums," describing it as “the most depressing, divine show.”
• Randolph distances himself from his sisters, embarrassed by their emotional reactions at the theater (“Their eyes leaked like faucets”—Randolph, 03:16), and mocks their giggling about the handsome lead.
• Family dynamics are comedic—Judy is dramatic and ambitious, Randolph is the sarcastic sibling, and their parents provide dry, gently exasperated commentary.

2. Aspirations and Rivalries (04:50–06:01)

• Judy is upset after losing a club election to Mrs. Whiteman, stoking her rivalry with the Whiteman family—especially Mrs. Whiteman's daughter, Tootsie (“You hate Mrs. Whiteman just as much as I hate her daughter, Tootsie”—Judy, 04:13).
• Aspiring for more, Judy and Barbara fantasize about being actresses, while Mrs. Foster reveals her own modest past as a high school and local festival stage star.

3. The Opportunity – Casting in “Love in the Slums” (06:01–13:21)

• Barbara excitedly announces the professional cast for "Love in the Slums" is ill, and the production needs local stand-ins.
• Judy hatches the idea to audition, with Randolph reluctantly agreeing to be her “agent” in exchange for 10% of her “earnings”—a recurring comedic motif.
• At the opera house, Mrs. Whiteman and Tootsie are revealed as Judy’s chief competition for the roles.
• Judy and Randolph spin a dramatic tale to the director, Mr. Mulligan, painting the Foster family as poverty-stricken and the father as a drunkard in order to fit the part—unbeknownst to Mrs. Foster.

“Well, you see, Mr. Mulligan, our father drinks.”
— Randolph Foster (12:58)

4. Mother and Daughter Win the Parts (13:57–15:56)

• Judy and Randolph rope Mrs. Foster into auditioning, playing on her rivalry with Mrs. Whiteman.
• The children insist she not change out of her disheveled house attire—“Mother, you look beautiful. And besides, there’s no time to change if you want to beat Mrs. Whiteman back to the theater.”—Judy (16:11).

5. The Big Night – On Stage and Off (21:28–24:28)

• The play within the play is performed; Judy’s and Mrs. Foster’s brief roles as desperate tenement-dwellers are a family triumph.
• The Whitemans bitterly observe from the audience, trading barbs and escalating the rumors about the Fosters’ supposed plight and Melvin Foster’s "drinking."
• Melvin, Judy and Randolph’s father, is flummoxed by the increasing gossip and misunderstood charity directed at the family due to Judy's lies.

“All I can say is that you ought to be ashamed of yourself. Making the women in your family work and slave to support you while you... you carouse in boxes.”
— Mrs. Whiteman confronting Melvin Foster (23:30)

6. The Fallout – Truth Revealed (24:28–28:16)

• Mr. Mulligan, meaning well, brings a bundle of old clothes for the “impoverished” Fosters, suggesting Melvin seek the “kitty cure” for his fictitious alcoholism.
• The Fosters are baffled by both the kindness and the rumor mill, as Melvin exclaims: “But I haven't touched a drop in 20 years either. Hardly.” (25:48)
• Judy finally confesses her deceit to her embarrassed father.
• Randolph deadpans, “After all, she could have said you were a dope fiend.” (26:56)

7. Restoration of Social Order – Reconciliation (28:16–End)

• Judy explains the truth to Mrs. Whiteman, who agrees to spread a retraction about the Fosters’ supposed destitution and Melvin’s reputation.
• The episode ends with a nod to the Girl Scouts’ birthday, extending good wishes, and a gentle wrap-up of the musical and cast details.

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On Judy’s ambition:
  “You act as if you don't have the slightest bit of confidence in my future.”
  —Judy Foster (09:44)

• On family theater drama:
  “Well, you certainly weren't very gallant, Randolph Foster.”—Judy (03:22)

• On amateur dramatics and community rivalry:
  “I hope you won't mind, but these clothes still have some wear in them. And I thought you might use them for yourself and your little girl.”—Wardrobe mistress’s note via Mr. Mulligan (24:58)

• Randolph’s deadpan humor:
  “After all, she could have said you were a dope fiend.”
  —Randolph Foster (26:56)

• Climactic confrontation:
  “Melvin Foster, All I can say is that you ought to be ashamed of yourself. Making the women in your family work and slave to support you...”
  —Mrs. Whiteman (23:30)

Timeline of Key Segments

| Timestamp | Segment | |-----------|-----------------------------------------------------| | 01:33 | Return from the matinee / family banter | | 04:13 | Judy’s club rivalry with Mrs. Whiteman | | 06:01 | Local casting opportunity arises | | 09:11 | Judy and Randolph prepare for the audition | | 10:33 | Audition at the opera house / meeting Mr. Mulligan | | 13:57 | Recruiting Mrs. Foster for the role | | 15:56 | The “down-and-out” look and dash to beat rivals | | 21:28 | Opening night, performance, audience reactions | | 23:30 | Mrs. Whiteman’s public accusation | | 25:48 | Charity visit from Mr. Mulligan, confusion ensues | | 26:16 | Judy confesses to the deception | | 28:16 | Judy clears the air with Mrs. Whiteman |

Conclusion

The episode is a warm, satirical romp, full of family dynamics and the complications of good intentions gone awry. Judy's ambition leads to wild exaggerations and town gossip, but everything is squared away with wit and goodwill. The Foster family’s foray into community theater brings laughter, a little chaos, and, ultimately, reconciliation with neighbors and each other.

Listeners are treated to a classic example of radio's golden age humor, sharp dialogue, and a glimpse into how small-town gossip could spiral thanks to just a little theatrical flair.