Alka Seltzer - 10/09/1953 - On The Sunny Side Of The Street

Summary

Podcast Episode Summary

Podcast: Harold's Old Time Radio
Episode: Alka Seltzer - 10/09/1953 - On The Sunny Side Of The Street
Hosts: Kurt Massey & Martha Tilton
Aired: March 22, 2026 (originally 1953 recording)

---

Episode Overview

This episode of Harold’s Old Time Radio spotlights the "Alka Seltzer Show" from October 9, 1953. Hosted by Kurt Massey and Martha Tilton, the show evokes nostalgia for the Golden Age of Radio with lively duets, smooth banter, and a heavy dose of positive thinking. The overall theme is about keeping your spirits up—accentuating the positive, letting go of life’s troubles, and embracing a cheerful outlook, all smoothly intertwined with musical classics and sponsor spots.

---

Key Discussion Points and Musical Highlights

1. Opening and Theme: “On The Sunny Side Of The Street”

• [00:48-02:14]
  • Kurt and Martha open with the warm, familiar refrain from "On The Sunny Side Of The Street."
  • The mood is set for optimism and cheerful companionship.
  • Memorable lyric by Kurt Massey:

    “Just direct your feet to the sunny side of the street...”

• The hosts promise to "stay on the sunny side" throughout the show.

2. Philosophy of Positivity

• [02:14-04:25]
  • Martha notes the best "medicine" for a down day is focusing on the bright side, even if you have to "pretend a little."
  • She sings the uplifting "Pretend," reinforcing the message of making happiness a chosen mindset.

3. Playful Banter: Apple Pie & Acid Indigestion

• [04:25-04:41]
  • Lighthearted exchange about homemade pie leading to indigestion.
  • Kurt Massey jokes:

    “She can bake an apple pie, but I cannot tell a lie. Twas her pie that gave me acid and digestion.”

4. Alka Seltzer Advertisement

• [04:41-05:32]
  • Announcer ties in product promotion with the comedic setup, offering Alka Seltzer as the “fast relief” for stomach upset.
  • Features a classic pitch about the product’s alkalizing, soothing bubbles.

5. Accentuating the Positive

• [05:32-07:00]
  • Kurt and Martha reference Johnny Mercer’s song "Accentuate The Positive."
  • Sing the tune, advocating to "eliminate the negative" and "latch on to the affirmative."
  • Quote:

    “Don’t mess with Mr. In Between.” – Kurt Massey [06:00]

6. "This Too Shall Pass Away"

• [07:02-09:18]
  • Kurt introduces a more serious, comforting ballad about how hardships are temporary.
  • Themes: Endurance, resilience, hope for better days.

7. Classic "Chin Lifter" Songs and Medleys

• [09:18-10:41]
  • Martha runs through titles and lines of other uplifting standards:
    • "Look For the Silver Lining"
    • "Forget Your Troubles and Just Get Happy"
    • "Wrap Your Troubles in Dreams"
  • Kurt and Martha alternate lead vocals and playful encouragement for listeners.

8. “No Room for Gloom” – Banter and Musical Signoff

• [10:41-11:08]
  • Martha proclaims:

    “This is no day for Johnny Ray, Kurt. We don’t allow no crying or sighing. We got no room for gloom.”

  • Kurt chimes in:

    “No, sir, nary a blue note today. If you like sad songs, you’ll have to save your sorrow for tomorrow. Smile awhile today.” [10:47]

9. Closing Verses and Moral

• [12:49-13:08]
  • Kurt and Martha summarize the show’s message:

    “Well, how’d we do with our positive thinking? Is everybody happy?”
    “We did our Pollyanna best. Well, friends, we hope that all those cheery tunes start you off on a happy birthday weekend.” – Martha [13:08]

  • They encourage family, church attendance, and looking forward to next week’s show.

---

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• Kurt Massey [04:33]:
  “She can bake an apple pie, but I cannot tell a lie. Twas her pie that gave me acid and digestion.”
• Kurt Massey & Martha Tilton [06:00]:
  “Don’t mess with Mr. In Between.”
• Martha Tilton [10:41]:
  “This is no day for Johnny Ray, Kurt. We don’t allow no crying or sighing. We got no room for gloom.”
• Kurt Massey [13:08]:
  “Well, how’d we do with our positive thinking? Is everybody happy?”

---

Important Segments & Timestamps

• [00:48] – Show begins: "On The Sunny Side Of The Street"
• [02:14] – Martha: “Pretend”
• [04:25] – The pie joke leads into Alka Seltzer ad
• [05:32] – "Accentuate the Positive" discussion and song
• [07:02] – Kurt: “This Too Shall Pass Away”
• [09:18] – Medley of classic “chin-lifter” songs
• [10:41] – Banter about not allowing sad songs; “Save your sorrow for tomorrow”
• [12:49] – Recap of positivity theme and show signoff

---

Tone and Style

The episode stays light, cheerful, and deeply nostalgic. Kurt and Martha’s banter is warm and playful, while the music is delivered with sincerity and classic 1950s radio charm. The advertisements are seamlessly woven in with the show’s humor and serve as vehicles for more musical interludes.

---

In summary:
This episode masterfully blends sunny optimism, time-honored standards, and friendly radio personalities. Whether you’re looking for a mood boost or a window into classic radio culture, it’s pure, positive entertainment—Alka Seltzer’s famous “feel better” feeling, both in spirit and in song.

Transcript

[Liberty Mutual / Tyler Redick]

Liberty Mutual customizes your car and home insurance. And now we're customizing this rush hour ad to keep you calm, which could help your driving. And science says therapy is great for a healthy mindset. So enjoy this 14 second session on us. I think you've done everything right and absolutely nothing wrong. In fact, anything that hasn't gone your way could probably be blamed on your father not being emotionally available because his father wasn't emotionally available, and so on. And now that you're calm and healing, you're probably driving better, too.

[Kurt Massey]

Liberty. Liberty. Liberty. Liberty. Alka Seltzer Speedy Alka Seltzer the Alka

[Announcer]

Seltzer show transcribed in Hollywood. Featuring radio's favorite singing stars, Kurt Massey and Martha Tilton with the music of country worship.

[Kurt Massey]

It's Alka Seltzer time. Alka Seltzer time.

[Martha Tilton]

Morning, noon and night. It's Alka Seltzer time.

[Kurt Massey]

I'm Kurt.

[Martha Tilton]

I'm Martha.

[Kurt Massey]

And here we go in the Alka Seltzer Show. Grab your coat and get your hat. Leave your worry on the doorstep. Just direct your feet to the sunny side of the street. Can't you hear a pitter pat? And that happy tune is your step? Life can be so sweet on the sunny side of the street. I used to walk in the shade with those blues on parade. But I'm not afraid this rover crossed over if I never have. I said I'll be rich as rock and rock gold dust at my feet on the sunny. On the sunny side of the street. Yes, sir. And that's where Martha and I are going to stay through the whole show today. On the sunny side.

[Martha Tilton]

No doubt about it, Kurt. That's the best medicine in the world to look on the bright side of things, even if you have to pretend a little. Pretend you're happy when you're blue. It isn't very hard to do. And you'll find happiness without an end whenever you pretend. Remember anyone can dream and nothing's bad as it may seem. The little things you haven't got could be a lot if you'd pretend you find a love you can share. One you can call all your own. Just close your eyes. He'll be there. You'll never be alone. And if you sing this melody

[Kurt Massey]

you'll

[Martha Tilton]

be pretending just like me. The world is mine, it can be yours, my friend. So why don't you pretend? Pretend you're happy when you're blue. It isn't very hard to do. The world is mine. It can be yours, my friend. If you will just pretend.

[Kurt Massey]

She's the apple of my eye. Me, oh my, me oh my.

[Martha Tilton]

Can she bake an apple pie? That's the question.

[Kurt Massey]

She can bake an apple pie, but I cannot tell a lie. Twas her pie that gave me acid and digestion.

[Announcer]

Uh oh, that could be the end of a beautiful romance. But let's trust the lady in question knew what to do. For acid upset stomach. For fast relief. Be wise. Alkalize with Alka Seltzer. Yes, Alka Seltzer reduces excess stomach acidity with instant alkalizing action. And those sparkling Alka Seltzer bubbles soothe and settle an unsettled stomach with gentle action. Just drop an Alka Seltzer tablet or two into a glass of water and let it fizz into a bubbling solution and drink it for fast relief. Yes, enjoy that feel better feeling you get with speedy Alka Seltzer. And saw that you're not without Alka Seltzer this weekend. We why not check your supply today? You can get Alka Seltzer at any drugstore. Buy the glass at the fountain and buy the package at the counter. Ask for Alka Seltzer. Fast relief from acid indigestion.

[Kurt Massey]

Now, if we may restate our philosophical premise for today. Let's see, just how can we sum it up in a few words? Martha?

[Martha Tilton]

We don't have to, Kurt. Johnny Mercer's done it for us. Accentuate the positive.

[Announcer]

Why, sure,

[Kurt Massey]

you got to accentuate the positive. He eliminate the negative. Lat ya to the affirmative. Don't mess with Mr. In between.

[Martha Tilton]

You've gotta spread joy up to the maximum. Brain bloom down to the minimum. Have faith. A pandemonium's liable to walk upon the scene.

[Kurt Massey]

To illustrate that last remark. Jonah and the whale, Noah and the ark. What did they do when everything looks so dark?

[Martha Tilton]

Man, they said you better access you ain't the positive.

[Kurt Massey]

Eliminate the negative. Latch up to the affirmative. Don't mess with Mr. In between. No, don't mess with Mr. In between. Martha, here's a wonderful new song that fits right into our campaign for positive thinking.

[Martha Tilton]

Well, good. Let's hear it, Kurt.

[Kurt Massey]

Well, it's a little on the serious side. A good thought to cling to when things go wrong and worries pile up. Always remember that this too shall pass away. Stormy clouds that hide the sun. This too shall pass away. The shadows falling one by one. This too shall pass away. The lonely bells that shine. For those who know the pain of parting. This too shall pass in time and I'll behold the empty dreams that fill the night. This too shall pass away. Beyond the darkness there's a light that brings the hope of day. Your heart can borrow on the tomorrow. So when your world is bleak and cold. Be brave, be patient and behold. This too shall pass, shall pass away.

[Martha Tilton]

And let's not forget the old time chin lifters, Kurt. There's a million of them in the memory book. Look for the silver lining. Pack up your troubles. Let a smile be your umbrella. And oh, here's one that always cheers me up. Forget your troubles and just get happy. You better chase all your cares away. Sing hallelujah. Come on, get happy. Get ready for the judgment day. The sun is shining. Come on, get happy. The Lord is waiting to take your hand. Shout hallelujah. Come on, get happy. We're going to the promised land.

[Kurt Massey]

Oh, a dandy, Martha, a dandy. Here's another way to chase the blues away. Where the skies are cloudy and gray. They're only grave for a day. So wrap your troubles in dreams and dream your troubles away. Until that sunshine peeps through. There's only one thing to do. Wrap your troubles and dreams and dream your troubles away.

[Martha Tilton]

This is no day for Johnny Ray Kurt. We don't allow no crying or sighing. We got no room for gloom.

[Kurt Massey]

No, sir, nary a blue note today. If you like sad songs, you'll have to save your sorrow for tomorrow. Smile awhile today.

[Martha Tilton]

Work is play to anyone that hums.

[Kurt Massey]

Live today, tomorrow never comes. If you cheer us, Skies will clear up, clouds will pass away. Save your sorrow far tomorrow. Smile a little smile while today and your sorrow soon will pass. Alka Seltzer Speedy Alka Seltzer.

[Announcer]

Enjoy that feel better feeling. When a headache happens along to slow you down. Remember Speedy Alka Seltzer. For faster relief, just drop one or two Alka Seltzer tablets into a glass of water, let it fizz, and there it is. Alka Seltzer is ready to go to work as soon as you drink it. In fact, tests prove the system absorbs more of the pain reliever faster from Alka Seltzer. And gentle Alka Seltzer has thousands of tiny bubbles that help the pain reliever on its way. Next time a headache gets you down, get that feel better feeling with Speedy Alka Seltzer.

[Kurt Massey]

Now enjoy that feel better feeling.

[Martha Tilton]

The feel better feeling that Alka Seltzer brings.

[Kurt Massey]

When a headache gets you down, Alka Seltzer goes to town. Alka Seltzer. Well, how'd we do with our positive thinking? Is everybody happy?

[Martha Tilton]

Well, if not, it sure isn't our fault, Kurt. We did our Pollyanna best. Well, friends, we hope that all those cheery tunes start you off on a happy birthday weekend.

[Kurt Massey]

Martha and I'll be around again on Monday. And between now and then, enjoy yourself, take care of yourself and be sure to take your family to church, won't you? Bye, now.

[Martha Tilton]

Till next week, same time, same station.

[Kurt Massey]

We'll sing the old song we'll sing the new we'll sing the bright songs and maybe we'll sing the blues On Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday Two for you, for you, for you.

[Announcer]

Have you ever felt out of step? Just can't seem to get into the swing of things well, a vitamin shortage is one of the common causes of a dull, listless feeling. So take one a day. Brand multiple vitamin tablets. They supply all you normally need to take of all the vitamins proved necessary. And they're in tablet form, easy to take with no unpleasant aftertaste. Also, they now contain vitamin B12. It's easy to take and pleasant to take. One a day. Brand multiple vitamin tablets. Take them regularly, not just once in a while, but every day. Get one a day. Brand multiple vitamin tablets at any drugstore. Lesson Monday for the Alka Seltzer show, starring Card Massey and Martha Tilton with the music of Country Wash Fernandez Orchestra. Today's program was transcribed in Hollywood, and this is Fort Pearson speaking.

[Liberty Mutual / Tyler Redick]

Liberty Mutual customizes your car and home insurance. And now we're customizing this rush hour ad to keep you calm, which could help your driving. And science says therapy is great for a healthy mindset. So enjoy this 14 second session on us. I think you've done everything right and absolutely nothing wrong. In fact, anything that hasn't gone your way could probably be blamed on your father not being emotionally available because his father wasn't emotionally available, and so on. And now that you're calm and healing, you're probably driving better, too.

[Kurt Massey]

Liberty. Liberty. Liberty. Liberty.

[Liberty Mutual / Tyler Redick]

Tyler redick here from 2311 Racing, Victory Lane. Yeah, it's even better with Chumba by my side. Race to chumbacasino.com let's Chamba.

[Announcer]

No purchase necessary. VTW Group void where prohibited by law. CTNCs 21+ sponsored by Chumba Casino.