Alka Seltzer - 10/17/1953 - Moonlight When Shadows Fall

Summary

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Podcast Summary

Harold's Old Time Radio

Episode: Alka Seltzer - 10/17/1953 - Moonlight When Shadows Fall

Date Released: March 22, 2026
Host: Harold’s Old Time Radio (featuring Kurt Massey, Martha Tilton, and Announcer)

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Episode Overview

This episode transports listeners back to the Golden Age of Radio, showcasing a complete broadcast of the “Alka Seltzer Show” from October 17, 1953. Hosted by singing stars Kurt Massey and Martha Tilton, and complemented by Country Washburn’s orchestra, the program blends musical performances, lighthearted banter, and period-accurate sponsor messages—evoking the warmth and entertainment of mid-20th-century American family radio.

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Key Discussion Points and Highlights

1. Opening and Theme Introduction

• [00:39] Announcer: The episode begins with a rousing introduction—“It’s Alka Seltzer time!”—immediately setting a lively, musical tone.
• [00:56] Kurt: Launches into the titular “Moonlight When Shadows Fall,” a sentimental number establishing the nighttime, cozy mood of the show.

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2. Musical Performances

"Moonlight When Shadows Fall"

• [00:56] Kurt Massey: Performs a dreamy rendition of the theme, with lyrics about longing and waiting in the moonlight, introducing a gentle and romantic atmosphere.

"Piel Canela / I Love You Too"

• [02:13] Martha Tilton: Delivers a Latin-inspired tune, translated/playfully adapted for the audience:

  “I like to kiss you, too. You too. Oh, how I go for this. You too. You too.”
  The number has a playful, flirtatious energy, mixing Cuban musical flavors with English lyrics.

• Memorable Moment [03:50]: Martha’s vibrant vocals and the lively rhythm make this a highlight.

"Papaya Mama"

• [05:14] Kurt & Martha: Transition to a novelty, tropical-themed duet.

  “Papaya Mama, Pearl of the deep blue sea. Tell your papaya you’re coming home with me.”
  The song paints a whimsical picture of island life, bamboo skirts, and playful romance.

Instrumental Solo – "Estrellita"

• [07:11] Martha to Kurt, teasingly:

  “Oh boy, Kurt, are you in wrong with your fiddle fans! You know it’s all of a month since you treated them to a violin solo.”

• [07:12–09:05] Kurt performs a soulful violin rendition, cheered on by Martha.

Songwriter Salute – Johnny Mercer

• [09:06] Martha & Kurt: Introduce a tribute to renowned lyricist Johnny Mercer, highlighting his collaborations:

  • "Blues in the Night" by Johnny Mercer & Harold Arlen

    Martha: “My mama done told me… a man is a two-faced, a worrisome thing, who'll leave you to sing the blues in the night.” [10:24]

• Notable Quote [10:47] Kurt:

  “From Natchez to Mobile, from Memphis to St. Joe, wherever the four winds blow… there is one thing I know.”
  A quintessential piece capturing the melancholy and wisdom of Mercer’s lyrics.

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3. Banter and Light Comedy

• Kurt and Martha’s exchanges are warm and lightly teasing, imbuing the show with authenticity.

  • [07:04] Martha (ribbing Kurt):

    “Oh boy, Kurt, are you in wrong with your fiddle fans!”

• The duo’s camaraderie offers charm and comic relief between songs.

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4. Period Advertisements & Sponsor Interlude

• Frequent Alka Seltzer spots are seamlessly woven in, extolling the product’s “effective pain reliever”—often in song.

  • [04:06] Song Advertisement:

    Kurt: “Cold discomfort’s troubling you.”
    Martha: “Throat is irritated too.”
    Kurt: “Here is something you can do quick…”

  • [04:15] Announcer:

    “For fast relief from cold discomforts...try Speedy Alka Seltzer. Alka Seltzer contains an effective pain reliever, one of the most helpful known to medical science...”

• Unexpectedly catchy jingle-like reminders:

  • [12:58] Kurt:

    “When your tablets get to four, that’s the time to buy some more Alka Seltzer.”

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5. Closing and Next Episode Preview

• [13:08] Kurt:

  “That’s the end of today’s music meeting, friends. We have a 15-minute lease on the premises every day, five days a week.”

• [13:15] Martha:

  “If you’re home tomorrow or driving around in your car at this time, a simple little twist of the wrist will bring us on with more of your favorite popular music. Bye now.”

• [13:25] Kurt (sign-off song):

  “Same time, same station. Tomorrow. We’ll sing the old song, we’ll sing the new...Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday—two for you, for you, for you.”

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Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• [03:50] Martha Tilton: Playfully lyricizing the tropical theme—

  “You’re so very necessary to the future that I have in view...Do you love me? I hope you do. Because I love you too.”

• [07:11] Martha (on Kurt’s violin):

  “Oh boy, Kurt, are you in wrong with your fiddle fans! ...The sooner the better [for another solo].”

• [09:14] Kurt (on Johnny Mercer):

  “Now, for instance, here’s a current hit he wrote in collaboration with Hoagie Carmichael. Well, I guess it was you all the time. That’s why I was blue all the time.”

• [10:24] Martha (singing Mercer’s classic):

  “My mama done told me...A man is a two-faced, a worrisome thing, who'll leave you to sing the blues in the night.”

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Timestamps for Key Segments

| Segment | Timestamp | |-----------------------------------------------|---------------| | Theme Introduction & Opening Banter | 00:39–02:13 | | "Piel Canela" (I Love You Too) | 02:13–04:06 | | First Alka Seltzer Advertisement | 04:06–05:14 | | "Papaya Mama" | 05:14–07:04 | | Banter & Violin Solo ("Estrellita") | 07:04–09:05 | | Songwriter Salute: Johnny Mercer | 09:06–12:14 | | Alka Seltzer Reminder Song | 12:52–13:04 | | Sign-Off & Tomorrow’s Teaser | 13:08–13:50 |

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Final Thoughts

This episode is a vibrant time capsule, offering seamless transitions from torch songs to novelty numbers, all delivered with charm and wit by Kurt Massey and Martha Tilton. The period-perfect commercials add to the nostalgia, and the affectionate musical tributes make this a treat for classic radio fans and newcomers alike. Anyone longing for the magic of “family by the radio” evenings will find that spirit alive here.

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Transcript

[Bleacher Report Announcer / Bubba Wallace]

The Bleacher Report app is your destination for sports right now. The NBA is heating up. March Madness is here, and MLB is almost back. Every day there's a new headline, a new highlight, a new moment you've got to see for yourself. That's why I stay locked in with the Bleacher Report app. For me, it's about staying connected to my sports. I can follow the teams I care about, get real time, scores, breaking news and highlights all in one place. Download the Bleacher Report app today so you never miss a moment.

[Kurt Massey]

Alka Seltzer Speedy Alka Seltzer the Alka

[Announcer / Narrator]

Seltzer show transcribed in Hollywood. Featuring radio's favorite singing stars, Clay Massey and Martha Joseph with the music of country Washington.

[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. When the Alka Seltzer Show. Moonlight when shadows fall Moonlight I hear you call Love beams through every silvery gleam that shining eyes moonlight so soft above June light Please find my love and tell her that I am still waiting in the pale moonlight I'm waiting in the pale moonlight. And now we'll just turn that moonlight into a spotlight for Martha Tilton. Country and the band are at your service. Martha. What'll it be?

[Martha Tilton]

I'll take a Latin import, Pian Canela, which we anglos have renamed U2. U2. There's a melody that's called Pia Canella. Very popular Beneath the Cuban moon when they sip their substitute for sarsaparilla. How the Cubans love to listen to that tune. Everybody's dancing to Piel Canela. It's the favorite in the juke at sloppy Joes. It was sung to me beneath a beach umbrella. So? So I'm qualified to tell you how it goes. I like to kiss you, too. You too. Oh, how I go for this. You too. You too. Then why not try a kiss or two? A little kiss or two. You're so very necessary to the future that I have in view. I like romance. Romance. You too. You too. I wanna take a chance. You too. You too. Do you love me? I hope. I hope you do. Because I love you too. You're so very necessary to the future that I have in view. I like romance. You too. You too. I wanna take a chance. You too. You too. Do you love me? I hope you do. Because I love you too.

[Kurt Massey]

Cold discomfort's troubling you.

[Martha Tilton]

Throat is irritated too.

[Kurt Massey]

Here is Something you can do quick

[Announcer / Narrator]

for fast relief from cold discomforts. The ache all over, feverish feeling, the headache and raw, irritated throat. Try Speedy Alka Seltzer. Alka Seltzer contains an effective pain reliever, one of the most helpful known to medical science. That pain reliever is sodium acetyl salicylate, and tests prove the system absorbs more of this pain reliever faster from Alka Seltzer. Then the thousands of effervescent bubbles in a glass of Alka Seltzer and help speed pain relief and guard against stomach upset. Just drop one or two Alka Seltzer tablets into a glass of water, let it fizz and drink for fast relief from cold discomforts. Then, if your throat is raw and irritated, dissolve two Alka Seltzer tablets and a quarter glass of warm water and use as a soothing, effective gargle. You'll like Alka Seltzer. Try it now to get fast relief from discomforts of a cold. Alka Seltzer is sold at drugstores everywhere. At the soda fountain, by the glass, at the counter, by the package.

[Kurt Massey]

Well, back to work, Martha. Here we go with the newest item in the novelty department. Papaya Mama. Let's go, Papa.

[Martha Tilton]

Papaya, Papaya, Papa. Papaya, Papaya, Papaya Mama, Pearl of the deep blue sea. Tell your pap Papaya you're coming home with me.

[Kurt Massey]

Papaya Mama wears a bamboo skirt she

[Martha Tilton]

dances barefoot and her feet don't hurt.

[Kurt Massey]

We drink papaya by a moonlit shore

[Martha Tilton]

and when we kiss she hollers more, more, more. Papaya Mama, Pearl of the deep blue sea. Till you pap Papaya you're coming home with me.

[Kurt Massey]

I came to Cuba for the holiday

[Martha Tilton]

Papaya Mama took his heart away.

[Kurt Massey]

Vacation's over and it's time to go.

[Martha Tilton]

And when they kiss she hollers no, no, no. Papaya Mama, pearl of the deep blue sea. Tell ya Papaya you're coming home with me.

[Kurt Massey]

My island queen will build a hut for you. The floors and doors will be the best bamboo Underneath the Louisiana moon above we'll sip papaya and we'll love, love,

[Martha Tilton]

love in time we'll raise a little family to play beneath a new papaya tree. We'll send my papa you sense to God Cuz he'll be a prophet by

[Kurt Massey]

your grandpapa Papaya Mama, Pearl of the deep blue sea.

[Martha Tilton]

Tell your papaya you're coming home with me.

[Kurt Massey]

Papaya, papaya.

[Martha Tilton]

Oh boy, Kurt, are you in wrong with your fiddle fans? You know it's all of a month since you treated them to a violin

[Kurt Massey]

solo that long, Martha. Oh, you're kidding. Well, maybe I should get the old fiddle out and limbered up, huh?

[Martha Tilton]

The sooner the better. Let's see if you remember your fine arrangement of Estrella. Oh, thank you, Curtis. That was really good listening.

[Kurt Massey]

Well, bless your heart. Thank you.

[Martha Tilton]

Next item on the music meetin agenda is a Massie Tilton songwriter salute. This one, a salute to Johnny Mercer

[Kurt Massey]

Co. And don't forget that. Co. Jay Mercer teams up with the top names in the music business and vice versa. Now, for instance, here's a current hit he wrote in collaboration with Hoagie Carmichael. Well, I guess it was you all the time. That's why I Was blue all the Time.

[Martha Tilton]

This year, one of the biggest revivals of all time happened to a favorite that was written by Johnny Mercer in cahoots with Gordon Jenkins. Dear I thought I'd drop a line the weather's cool the folks are fine I'm in bed each night at 9 p. S. I love you

[Kurt Massey]

this man Mercy learned how to pick partners a long time ago. In 1941, he and Harold Arlin put their heads together and came up with those ever lovin, everlasting blues in the night. My mama done told me When I

[Martha Tilton]

was in pigtails My mama done told me Huh. A man's gonna sweet talk and give it a big eye but when the sweet talkin's done A man is a two faced A worrisome thing who leave you to sing the blues in the

[Kurt Massey]

night La the rains are falling Hear the trainer calling Hooey My mama done told me Hear the lonesome whistle blowing across the dressel hooey My mama done told me Ahooey a hooey O clickety klaxa Echoing back the blue

[Martha Tilton]

From Natchez

[Kurt Massey]

to Mobile From Memphis to St. Joe

[Martha Tilton]

Wherever the four winds blow I've been in some big towns and I heard me some big talk but there is

[Kurt Massey]

one thing I know A woman's a two face A worrisome thing who leave you to sing the blues and. My mama was right there's news in the mind. Alka Seltzer Speedy Alka Seltzer Headaches at

[Announcer / Narrator]

some time or another seem to come to almost everyone. And they're never welcome. So for quick headache relief, always be sure you have speedy Alka Seltzer handy. Yes, Alka Seltzer, with its effective pain reliever, can bring speedy relief. Tests actually prove the system absorbs more of the pain reliever faster. From Alka Seltzer Speedy Alka Seltzer is ready to go to work as soon as you drink the sparkling solution. Alka Seltzer is gentle too. It guards against stomach upset. So remember, in case a headache comes along, be sure you have Alka Seltzer.

[Kurt Massey]

Alka Seltzer Speedy Alka Seltzer.

[Martha Tilton]

Better see if your supply is low.

[Kurt Massey]

When your tablets get to four, that's the time to buy some more Alka Seltzer.

[Martha Tilton]

Sir.

[Kurt Massey]

Well, that's the end of today's music meeting. Friends, of course, as you know, we have a 15 minute lease on the premises every day, five days a week.

[Martha Tilton]

And if you're home tomorrow or driving around in your car at this time, a simple little twist of the wrist will bring us on with more of your favorite popular music. Bye now.

[Kurt Massey]

Till then, Same time, same station. Tomorrow. We'll sing the old song, we'll sing the new we'll sing the bright songs and maybe we'll sing a blues On Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday Two for you, for you, for you.

[Announcer / Narrator]

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The Bleacher Report app is your destination for sports right now. The NBA is heating up. March Madness is here and MLB is almost back. Every day there's a new headline, a new highlight, a new moment you've got to see for yourself. That's why I stay locked in with the Bleacher Report app. For me, it's about staying connected to my sports. I can follow the teams I care about, get real time, scores, breaking news and highlights all in one place. Download the Bleacher Report app today so you never miss a moment. Bubba Wallace here from 2311 Racing. You know what's slower than a pace car waiting at the car wash. That's when I fire up Chumba Casino. It turns those slow minutes into fast fun. With new games every week, you'll never get bored. Next time you're stuck in the slow lane, speed up with Chumba. Play [e-mail] let's Chumba.

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