
Aldrich Family - Valentine's Day Party
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The Aldrich Family Written by Clifford Goldsmith Entertainment for all the family Brought to you by Postum. A tempting, wholesome drink for all the family Postum. Well, friends, here it is another Thursday night and opportunity is knocking loudly at your door and. And knocking twice. First, it's your opportunity to put away your worries and cares for a half hour and relax and laugh with those grand people, the Aldrich family. And second, it's your opportunity to find out something about that equally grand mealtime drink, Postum. Why, even in looks, friends, Postum is a winner. The kind of drink you don't waste a second tilting to your lips. It has the kind of flavor you refer to in italics. It has the kind of hearty, robust goodness that warms the cockles of your heart. Now just don't expect when you try it that Postum is going to taste like coffee any more than you'd expect coffee to taste like tea. Remember that Postum's distinctive flavor is in a class apart. It has an extra special goodness of its own that leaves you no words for description but ah. And again. And then don't be surprised if you enjoy your meals far more than you did before. The day you start enjoying Postum. Boys like Penrod Schofield, Tom Sawyer and Huck Finn live in our memories because they typify the teenage youngsters all of us know. And Henry Aldrich is another of these real American boys. He lives in your block, perhaps in your own home. The scene opens in the Aldrich living room.
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But Mary, what have I done? You know very well what you've done, Henry Aldrich. You know very well what you've done. When didn't you and Homer ask the whole crowd here to our house for a Valentine party Saturday night? Sure, we even sent out written invitations. But Henry, that's the night I'm having my party. Mary, how could you have a party? Well, my goodness, Henry, I've been planning on it for six weeks. On a party? Yes, for my sorority. Oh, all right. Mary. Can't you meet at some other house? Henry, Mother says it's my party, and I can have it here at our house. I'm not to budge an inch. I know, but, Mary, you want it on the telephone? Yes, Mother. I'll be there just as soon as I get something straightened out. Mary, how about our invitations? What are Homer and I gonna do? I'm sure I don't know. You can have your party at Homer's house. But, Mary. But, Mary. Hello? Hello, Henry. This is Agnes. Who? Agnes. Is Homer there? No, I was just gonna call and see whether he's over at your house. There's something I have to see him about right away. Well, Henry, we're all looking forward to your party Saturday night. You are? And I was just wondering whether you'd mind calling Lillian Spencer and asking her to come. Lily and Spencer? She'd have an awfully good time, Henry. But, Agnes, I wouldn't. What do you mean by that? Well, besides, one reason I'd rather not even mention. I'm not speaking to Lillian. That's all right. I'd be glad to call her. But, Agnes. Agnes. That'll make 13. Henry. Yes, Mary. Just a second. Agnes, Homer's here. Well, tell him to come here quick. Agnes. Agnes. Okay, Whiz. Hey, Henry. I was just over to the bakery and ordered four dozen donuts.
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Homer.
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Homer, why couldn't we throw the party at your house? Why? Well, your house is a lot nearer the center of town, Homer. And your heating system's a lot better than ours. Now, listen, Henry, don't you remember the last party we threw at my house? Homer, that was just due to an unfortunate series of circumstances. Even so, my father hasn't gotten over it yet. But, Homer, let me tell you. We're giving a party Saturday night, and it doesn't want to be at your house. And it isn't going to be at mine. But, Mother, why not? Look at it this way. I'm sorry, dear.
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Alice, have you seen that piece of paper I had?
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What was it, Sam?
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It was a list of the members of the Rotary Club.
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Father, do you have any ideas as to how we could manage it?
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I haven't time to talk about anything now. I've got to go find that list.
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But, Mr. Aldrich. Henry, I'm sorry, but you may not have your party here. Please go answer the telephone. Yes, Mother. Henry, what are we gonna do? I don't know, Homer. Why do you keep asking me? Because I ordered the donuts in my name. Hello, Hello, Henry. This is Kathleen. Oh, hello. I just wanted to tell you the good news. What? Well, I don't suppose I should tell you, but I got a new evening dress. Your party. You did? An evening? But, Kathleen, it's going to be informal. Oh, no. Agnes phoned all of us and said it had been changed. We're to wear long dresses. Agnes.
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There.
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Yes, Henry. And I just wanted to tell you I'm looking forward to coming. Goodbye. Kathleen. Kathleen. What's the matter, Henry? Agnes is having them all dress up. Who gave her any authority like that? You know, Henry, what we've got to do. What? Something about the number 13. Either we've got to get rid of one of our guests, or you or I have got to drop out. Now, listen, Homer, you're not going to leave me flat? Well, I was just making a generous offer, Henry. I know. Why not call Agnes and see whether she'd have any suggestions? In what way? Well, as long as she's showing so much interest, she might be very glad to have our party at her house. Now, listen, Homer. We're not going to get Agnes any more mixed up in this than she is. Henry, didn't you ever taste the lemon meringue pie her mother makes? Yes. And there you are. Let me call her. But, Homer. Hello. Number, please? ELM 9717. ELM, 9717. Homer, how do you know her mother will make any pause? Henry, why worry about that detail when you don't even have a roof over your party? Hello? Hello, Is this. Is this Agnes? Yes, Homer, and I'm glad you called. You are? Yes. I want you to go right over to Andy Morton's and get all of his records. What for? For the party Saturday night at Henry's. At Henry's? Yes. Aren't you taking me? Well, as a matter of fact, Agnes, that's what I really called you up about. Supposing. Supposing it's raining real hard that night. What about it? Well, you wouldn't want to go out in it, would you? I mean, if it was practically the worst storm we've had all season. What made you think of that? You can't tell Agnes. Suppose it even turned to sleet and froze right on you. Oh, my. I wouldn't have ought if it did that. Well, I'm glad you'd be sensible, because I've got a wonderful solution. We're all coming over to your house. Access to affordable credit helps me pay my employees. But I don't really need it. Infliction is killing me.
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They deserve it, don't they?
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When you see your mother, tell her I found the list.
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The what, Father?
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The list of members of the Rotary Club I was looking for. Hello?
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Well, gee whiz. Hello, Aunt Harriet? This is Henry. Hello, Henry. What is it you want? I've got to get back to the kitchen. Aunt Harriet, how would you like to. How would you? Have you got a full day Saturday? No, not especially. Did your mother want me to come over for dinner? Well, if I could arrange it. Could you? What did you call me for? Why, I wanted to know whether I could borrow something. What? Your house. What's that, Aunt Harriet? I have to give a pair party that evening, see? And? And, gee, if I could arrange it so you wouldn't have to be there, Aunt Harriet, would you be interested? Why, I might. You might? Oh, boy. I'll let you have the party at my house, Henry, provided you don't invite that awful Homa Brown. Oh, where, Aunt Harriet? Hello? Hello? Hello. Is this Mrs. Tompkins? Yes. Well, this is Agnes Lawson. Do the ladies in your church serve supper sometimes? Oh, my, yes. We have beautiful equipment downstairs, right off the Sunday school room. Well, could you serve a little Valentine supper tomorrow night? Well, I guess we could. Agnes, Henry and Homer haven't any money. Kathleen. Just a minute, Mrs. Tompkins. Kathleen, the food they serve, wherever they have it, is going to cost something, isn't it? Yes. Then why not let it go toward the church and make it worthwhile? Why, all right. Hello, Mrs. Tompkins. Hello. Do you suppose you could serve something that wouldn't cost hardly anything? Oh, I guess we could. Something as simple as a bowl of soup and maybe sandwiches and. And a rice pudding. Yeah. Well, we're awfully anxious to raise some money for the new organ. And I'm sure the RA Will be more than glad.
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Hello.
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Hello. Is this Miss Harriet Br. Yes. Harriet, this is Mrs. Tompkins. Oh, yes. Hello. Say, I've got some good news about the organ. The organ? Yes, the one we're raising money for. At the church. Oh, a young lady just phoned and want to know whether we could have a little dinner for her. A little party tomorrow night. Good. How many are you going to serve? Well, I told her it wouldn't be worth our while unless we had at least 40. Good. And she said she cheated, but there were at least that many and she might be able to round up fiscal. Well, I'm awfully glad to hear that. That organ we have now bothers me every Sunday. And Harriet, do you suppose you could be one of the ladies that help serve tomorrow night? Yes. Oh, I would. I'd be glad to. Only I just this minute got through inviting some people over here for a party tomorrow night. Oh, yes. I'm going to give a little surprise party for my nephew Henry. I know he wants one and I'm asking in quite a few. Mrs. Carbel said she could come if it wasn't too slippery for her bad leg. Really? And another person I'm going to ask is old Mr. Perkins. Henry will like him. He's a lot of fun at a party. Good. And Ms. Frederick? She hasn't been out all winter. Good. I'm just sorry that you can't be there yourself.
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Well, I'm afraid Aunt Harriet and Henry have rather different ideas about who's welcome at a teenage boy's party. But something they probably would agree about is what makes the most welcome hot drink at mealtimes. The answer is Postum. Of course, millions of Americans will tell you that in fact, it's because postum is so popular. It's because every day more and more people are insisting on postum that there's a temporary shortage. We just can't keep pace with the fast growing demand. Even though we're making more postum today than ever before in our history. So if you can't always immediately get Postum when you ask for it at your grocer's, don't be discouraged. Don't think your grocer isn't going to get any more postum. He will. And as soon as he does get Postum, you'll get it too. So be sure to ask for it again. Now, getting back to the troubles of Henry Aldrich. Henry and Homer are trying to find a place to hold their party Saturday night. Meanwhile, unknown to them, Agnes Lawson has arranged for them to hold it at the Methodist Church. And Aunt Harriet, also unknown to them, has decided to let them hold it at her house. The scene opens in the Aldrich living room.
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Henry, will you please answer that phone? Hawaii? Yes, please Homer, would you mind answering it? And just tell whoever it is I'm not here? Henry, I'm not gonna be your personal goat. But, Homer, suppose it's Agnes trying to get us again. Just tell her again we're not speaking to her. Well, okay. And if it's somebody wanting to know where we're gonna have the party, I'll tell them it's slightly up in the air. Well, hello.
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Is Mr. Aldridge there?
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Mr. Aldridge? Why, no, he isn't. Oh.
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Well, when he comes in, could you please tell him that the Mansion House phone.
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The Mansion House? The Mansion House Hotel.
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Yes, I wanted to submit an estimate for his party Saturday night.
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A party?
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Yes, I received word that he's planning a party for Saturday night, and I wanted to give him the figures for a private dining room.
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Gee, was. I'm planning a party, but.
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Oh, are you, Mr. Aldrich?
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Yes, sir. Only. But only.
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Oh, you're the gentleman.
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Yes, sir.
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Well, I figured out an estimate for you.
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I know, but we can't afford anything that's going to cost as much as. Well, we just couldn't afford it, that's all.
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Well, this isn't going to cost so much.
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It isn't?
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No, not at all.
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How much is it?
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Well, first I'll have to know a little more. Would you want a fruit cup or tomato juice to begin with?
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What's that?
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I said, do you want a fruit cup or tomato juice?
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Why, Homer, which do you want, a fruit cup or tomato juice? Now, hurry up. We want to get a party at the Mansion household. Oh, could we have grape juice? Hello. Could we have grape juice?
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Yes, yes, you can have anything you want.
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We can? Or have anything you want. She will hurry up on the side. What do you want? I'll take fruit cup. Come on. We'll take fruit cup. No, now, wait a minute, Henry. Wait a minute. What's the matter? Make it okay. Fruit cup. Hello. Fruit cup's okay?
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Yes, Mr. Aldrich. Now, would you want chicken patties with peas or lamb chops with limas?
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Well, that sounds all right.
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Which will it be?
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What?
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Chicken patties with peas or lamb chops with limas?
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Homer, how would you like some lamb chops? All right. With lots of mashed potatoes. Well, could we have lamb chops with mashed potatoes?
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Yes, of course, Mr. Aldrich. Lamb chops with mashed potatoes.
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Lots of them.
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And how about limas?
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No. Who wants limas? Gee whiz.
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Well, now, about the dessert. What would you like?
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Well, what have you got?
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Well, we can give you almost Any kind of pie, ice cream, French pastry, stewed fruit.
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Stewed fruit? Listen, Henry, I'm not gonna eat any stewed fruit at my own party. Hold the line a second, Homer. We can have any dessert we want. Anything? Sure. I've got an idea. Hello. Yes, could we have pumpkin pie a la mode? That's the old fight, Henry.
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Well, I guess you could. You'd like it served in separate dishes.
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No, just dump the whole works together. Ask her about chocolate sauce. Oh, yes. Would there be an extra charge?
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For what?
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Chocolate sauce.
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Chocolate sauce?
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Yes.
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Are you sure you should have chocolate sauce?
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Oh, sure.
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Well, there might be a small charge.
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How much will the whole thing, including it all, come to?
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Well, just exactly how many are you having?
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Why, 14 with Gertie Parker.
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What's that? I understood it was 200.
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200?
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I don't know where I got the idea, but that was the message that was left here for me.
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200. 200 what, Henry?
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Mr. Aldrich, I'm afraid that for 14 we'd have to charge you at least a dollar and a half apiece.
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How much? Now, what's happened? The only thing is, gee whiz, you can't afford it. Oh, it isn't that we can't afford it. It's just that even without lima beans.
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Well, naturally. I thought you wanted something rather nice.
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Oh, we do. And I appreciate your offer. Only suppose I think it over and
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you'll call me back.
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Yes, I may, but. But if you don't hear from me, don't worry.
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Well, thank you, Mr. Aldrich.
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Goodbye and thank you. But, Mother. Mother, we can't have a lot of fly by night young people who don't take anything seriously. Dancing around us while our sorority is having a meeting here. My goodness. We have a deficit in the treasury as it is. But, dear, I'm sure they wouldn't pay any attention to your deficit. But that isn't the point. Our president gets nervous with even just us there. Mary, I was simply wondering whether there isn't some way we can help your brother. Yes? Sam, are you home?
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Yes. Hello? Hello, Mary.
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Hello, Father.
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What's the matter with you?
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Nothing. Her sorority has a deficit.
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Any phone calls for me?
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Not that I know of. There?
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No. Didn't the Mansion House phone?
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No. Sam, no. Now, Sam, you don't have to start putting in phone calls the minute you get home.
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But, Alice, I left word for them to let me know whether they could take care of our Rotary Club banquet Saturday night. And we're expecting 200 guests. Hello.
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Number, please.
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I want Elm224. Elm224, if you please.
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Sam, do you have any ideas as to where Henry could give his party?
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Why not right here, Father.
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Now, Sam.
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Hello. Hello. Is this the Mansion House? Yes. Well, listen, Mr. Ulrich. Oh, yes, yes, Mr. Ulrich. I was wondering whether you'd call me. Did I say I'd call you? Well, I understood you would. Oh, I'm sorry. I thought it was the other way around. Have you finally decided to go ahead with your party? Oh, yes, definitely. The question is, can you take care of us? I don't know why not. There's nothing complicated about it. Good. Then I don't have anything to worry about? No, not a thing. You just leave it to us. And on second thought, Mr. Aldrich, there won't be any extra charge for the chocolate sauce. Brother, why for the chocolate sauce? Oh, they won't? Well, that's fine. That's fine. Goodbye. Goodbye.
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Alice. Yes, sir?
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I've got everything all fixed. And what do you think they're throwing in the chocolate sauce?
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For What?
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I don't know, but it's very nice of them to give it to us.
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Well, isn't that fine?
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Yes, sir. I've been hoping we'd be able to have our banquet at the Mansion House. And you know, Alice, I didn't tell you before, but this year it's going to be a bit more important than usual.
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In what way?
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Well, I've heard a rumor that they're going to nominate me for president.
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Really? Well, dear, you deserve it. Yeah. No wonder you want everything to be especially nice. Everything especially nice about what, Mother?
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Henry, I'm glad you came into the room. Kathleen and Agnes stopped me on the street and said they'd been trying to get you for two days.
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They did? They did, Mr. Aldrich. Did they seem apologetic?
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They said there wasn't anything for you to worry about and they'd be seeing you at the Methodist Church tomorrow night.
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At the Methodist Church? What for? I wonder what's going on over there.
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Boy, I don't know anything more about it than what I've just told you.
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Well, the nerve of them. That's what I say. You know what they're trying to do, Homer? Come to us on bended knees in the Methodist Church. We'll show them we're going to give the best party tonight this town ever saw. Where, Mother? That's the least of our worries. Something will open up. It always does. And Homer, do you know what I'm going to the phone. And do what? Double our order of Donuts. Homer, how does my neck tie look? Wait until we get up here under this lamp post, Henry, and I'll take a look at it. Let's turn here, though. My Aunt Harriet lives up the street. Okay. Your tie looks fine. You know, it was very nice of my Aunt Harriet to call me up and say we could have the party at her house. That's what I was thinking. Did I tell you what else she said? What? She said she had sort of a surprise for us. She did? Sure. You know what that means. She's probably going out and let us have the whole house to ourselves. She is? Oh, boy. Oh, boy. That's what I was thinking. Say, I wonder what's going on across the street at the Methodist church. I'm not interested. As a matter of fact, I'm not either. Hey, Henry, look up the street. Where? Well, gee, wh. What's that all about? There's something going on over at the Mansion House Hotel. Boy, they're all dressed up. There must be a lot of parties going on tonight. But, Henry, there are a couple of hundred people out there on the sidewalk. They're all trying to get in. Maybe they're all getting put out. Oh, look. There's my father. Oh, yeah, and there's mine. Where? Don't you see him with all those men, talking to him with his back against the wall? Oh, sure. Oh, there you are, Homer Brown. Gee whiz, Agnes, where did you come from? We just came from the Methodist Church. That's where we came from. Kathleen. Henry Aldrich. Do you realize everybody's waiting for you? Where? At the church? At the church. You're not interested. You're not interested in your own party? In what party? Now, listen, Agnes, have you been arranging more things? And just what, Homer Brown, do you mean by that insinuation? Now, wait a minute, Agnes. Wait a minute.
B
And before I sit down, ladies and gentlemen, I would like to extend the thanks and gratitude of the Rotary Club to several groups and, shall I say, individuals? First, I think we should thank Sam Aldrich for the very clever and original way in which he arranged this evening for us. I needn't tell you that for a few minutes. When we first went over to the Mansion House, it looked as though Sam had slipped up and arranged a table seating 16 to take care of 200 guests. But it was done, of course, simply to teach us a lesson that we mustn't expect sumptuous banquets in these days of war. In fact. In fact, this very delicious dinner consisting of pea soup and peanut Butter sandwiches and shall I say rice pudding. And let's not forget the doughnuts was just what we needed to bring us back to earth. While the 15 soldiers who were to be our guests are eating at the Mansion house and will join us later. Oh incidentally, I understand Sam arranged their dinner to end up with a triple headed dessert. And besides that, Sam Aldrich has asked me to say that we're going to put all the money that we've saved on tonight's dinner into war bonds. What's more, the treasurer of this church has just handed me a report to the effect that their organ has gone over the top. And? And I would like to extend our thanks to the good ladies of this church who dropped everything in order to make our banquet the success that it's been. I understand one lady in particular who had planned a valentine party at her house for her nephew or someone at the last minute commandeered all her adult guests and brought them down here to help serve. Leaving the youngsters to shift for themselves as best they can. And now ladies and gentlemen, may I introduce our genial chairman and next president, Sam Aldrich. Ladies and gentlemen, frankly, I don't know what to say. Well, all those parties seemed to straighten out nicely for everyone, didn't they? But if you think Mr. Ulrich's troubles are over, just you stay tuned in to find out what happened the next morning. And now let me remind you that Postum for years the favorite mealtime drink in millions of American homes is made for your convenience in two forms. Instant Postum which you make instantly in the cup. And Postum cereal which you make in pot percolator or drip maker. Both forms make the same delicious distinctive drink. So no matter which form of Postum you choose, you'll enjoy a mealtime cup that's a real treat. Good breakfast, Alice.
A
Thank you, Sam. Father, will you have another donut?
B
No thank you.
A
Go ahead, have one.
B
Henry. I have already had three.
A
Oh. You know mother, I think that was a very good idea you had about lunch. What idea was that? To make a little custard to pour over the donuts.
B
Incidentally Alice, I won't be here for dinner. Listen again next week to the Aldrich family. Same time, same station for another sparkling half hour with your favorite youngster, his family and his pals. The Aldrich Family starring Ezra Stone is written by Clifford Goldsmith. Original music is composed and conducted by Jack Miller. This is Harry von Zell saying you will enjoy fragrant, flavorful Postum. And remember, Postum contains no stimulants it cannot make you nervous. Good night. This program came to you from New York. This is the National Broadcasting Company.
Podcast: Harold's Old Time Radio
Episode: Aldrich Family – Valentine’s Day Party
Date: March 9, 2026
Theme:
A classic comedy of errors from the Golden Age of Radio, this Aldrich Family episode centers around Henry Aldrich’s desperate, bumbling quest to find a venue for a Valentine’s Day party. What begins as innocent teenage party planning quickly spirals into comedic chaos and confusion as overlapping social obligations, miscommunications, and misunderstandings involve the whole town—with hilarious results.
Main Theme:
Henry Aldrich and his friend Homer attempt to throw a Valentine’s Day party, but are thwarted by a host of obstacles: scheduling conflicts, unavailable venues, miscommunications, and the well-intentioned interference of adults and friends. Ultimately, their efforts accidentally benefit the entire community, resulting in an unexpected and heartwarming resolution.
[02:57] The episode opens in the Aldrich living room with Henry and Mary arguing over a double booking: Henry and Homer have invited their friends to a Valentine’s party, but Mary has already planned her own sorority event the same night.
[04:25] Homer is recruited, but won’t host the party at his own home due to a previous disastrous event. Discussion turns to possibly holding the party somewhere else.
[26:04] At the Rotary Club banquet, Sam Aldrich (Henry’s father) is praised for ‘ingeniously’ organizing a modest meal for the club, with the money saved allocated to war bonds and the church new organ fund.
Miraculously, all the conflicting plans fortuitously align: the grownups enjoy a meaningful Rotary Club dinner at the church, kids have their party, and everyone is happy.
| Segment | Timestamp | |-------------------------------------------------------|-------------| | House double-booking; Henry and Mary argue | [02:57] | | Homer and Henry stuck: can’t have party anywhere | [04:26–05:51]| | Phone tag with Agnes and dress code confusion | [05:51] | | Attempt to move the piano at Agnes’s house—disaster | [09:16] | | Call to Aunt Harriet; parallel plans multiply | [12:56] | | Mansion House confusion over dinner size & cost | [18:00–20:42]| | Resolution at church—community dinner and savings | [26:04] | | Morning after, donut reflection | [29:13] |
The tone is light-hearted, fast-paced, and filled with both gentle satire and warm nostalgia for simpler times. The dialogue brims with teenage earnestness, comic frustration, and the well-meaning meddling of adults. The story does a deft job of poking fun at both generational misunderstandings and the universal chaos of group event planning.
This episode offers a charming window into mid-century American family and community life. Through a comedy of youthful confusion and adult interference, the script celebrates resourcefulness, togetherness, and the accidental way in which good intentions sometimes yield the happiest endings. Anyone who’s ever tried to organize a group event—be it a kid’s birthday or a club gala—will relate to Henry’s hilarious misadventures.
For anyone yearning for the warmth and wit of Golden Age radio, this episode captures the spirit perfectly—with laughs, squabbles, and ultimately, donuts for everyone.