Alka Seltzer - 1953 - Choo Choo Train

Summary

Harold's Old Time Radio

Episode: Alka Seltzer - 1953 - Choo Choo Train

Host: Harold's Old Time Radio
Aired: March 22, 2026

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Episode Overview

This episode transports listeners back to the Golden Age of Radio, featuring a classic 1953 episode of "The Alka Seltzer Show" starring beloved singing duo Kurt Massey and Martha Tilton, with music by Country Washburn. The main theme is joy, harmony, and nostalgia, focusing on playful and romantic musical duets that showcase mid-century American radio charm. The focus is on lighthearted entertainment, catchy tunes, and gentle comedic banter—all wrapped up in the signature advertising style of the era.

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Key Discussion Points and Highlights

1. Opening and Introduction

• The show jumps right into the action with a lively performance by Kurt Massey and Martha Tilton, skipping extended opening banter or intros.
• [00:38] Announcer sets the scene:
  "The Alka Seltzer Show Transcribed in Hollywood. Featuring radio's favorite singing stars Kurt Massey and Martha Tilton with the music of country Washburn."

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2. Musical Numbers and Duets

“Choo Choo Train”

• [00:55-02:25]
  • Kurt and Martha perform a cheerful train-themed duet, filled with playful imagery and a honeymoon storyline.
  • Notable quote:
    Kurt Massey, setting up the duet:
    “Choo choo train chug chugging at the station... All aboard Choo choo train... It’s heaven to be ridin’ Honeymoon express.” ([01:00-01:58])

"No Other Love" (Rogers & Hammerstein)

• [02:38-04:33]
  • The duo sings a romantic standard, showcasing their harmonies and chemistry.
  • Notable lyric:
    “No other love have I, only my love for you... Waiting to hear you, no other love have I, forever love.” ([03:59-04:33])

"When Love Goes Wrong" (Duet)

• [05:53-07:02]
  • A bluesy number, mixing humor and heartache.
  • Playful torch song banter:
    Martha Tilton:
    “When love goes wrong, nothing goes right. The blues all gather round you... a man ain’t fit to live with and a woman is a sorry sight.” ([06:22-06:37])

"You, You, You" (Trio with piano)

• [07:20-08:53]
  • The duo, joined by Mr. Levere on piano, sing a breezy romantic trio.
  • Notable playful intro:
    Kurt Massey:
    "Martha, we promised an all duet show—but you know, I think we could stretch a point and sneak in one trio, don’t you?" ([07:02])

Instrumental/Orchestral Interlude

• [09:04-10:16]
  • Country Washburn and his band perform a lively instrumental during a comedic coffee break.
  • Martha:
    "Well, that was brisk and refreshing. And I refer to both the coffee and that highbrow Cathy Clatch music." ([10:16])

"My Love, My Love" (Duet)

• [10:30-12:10]
  • Another heartfelt romantic duet underscores the couple theme.
  • Powerful lyric:
    “As endless as the sea is the love that he gave to me... as long as I shall live, you’ll always be my love.” ([11:36-12:10])

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3. Signature Alka Seltzer Advertising Segments

"One A Day" Vitamins

• [04:33-05:53]
  • A classic, upbeat “singing ad” promoting One A Day vitamins, stressing health and daily habits.

Alka Seltzer Spot

• [12:31-13:11]

  • The hosts and announcer tout the speedy relief and bubbly personality of Alka Seltzer.
  • Announcer:
    "Man, I feel better. That’s what you say when you try Alka Seltzer for fast relief from acid indigestion... thousands of sparkling bubbles soothe and settle the stomach." ([12:34-13:09])

• Catchy jingle:
  Martha & Kurt (singing):
  "Speedy Alka Seltzer, feel better feeling comes in record time..." ([13:11-13:14])

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4. Memorable Banter & “All Duet” Theme

• Repeated references to performing “all duets” today, leading to playful asides and humorous asides about working together.
• Notable exchange:
  Martha Tilton:
  "All duet? Well, Kurt, here's our chance to find out if two heads are better than one." ([02:33])

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5. Closing & Signature Song

• Final duet, inviting listeners to return for another daily show.
• [13:37-14:00]
  • Kurt and Martha:
    "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, Tuesday, Monday."
• Announcer reminds listeners to stock up on Alka Seltzer and lists the benefits again.

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Notable Quotes & Moments

• On the show’s harmonies:
  Kurt Massey:
  "Let's look at the vitamin picture this way, friends. Can you honestly say you get enough of the essential vitamins each day or do you sometimes wonder?" ([04:47])
• Classic comedy about coffee break:
  Martha:
  "Kurt, this steady duet work has me kind of bushed. Don't you think we could take time out for a sip of coffee?" ([08:53])

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Timestamps for Key Segments

| Segment/Narrative | Start | End | |--------------------------------------|----------|----------| | Show Introduction | 00:38 | 00:54 | | “Choo Choo Train” | 00:55 | 02:25 | | “No Other Love” (Rogers & Hammerstein) | 02:38 | 04:33 | | "One A Day" vitamin ad | 04:33 | 05:53 | | “When Love Goes Wrong” | 05:53 | 07:02 | | Trio: "You, You, You" | 07:20 | 08:53 | | Coffee Break & Instrumental | 08:53 | 10:16 | | “My Love, My Love” | 10:30 | 12:10 | | Alka Seltzer ad segment | 12:31 | 13:11 | | Show Closing duets & reminders | 13:28 | 14:49 |

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Tone and Language

The episode is delivered in a warm, friendly, and playful tone, punctuated by the polished delivery and banter characteristic of 1950s radio programming. Kurt and Martha’s rapport is easygoing and affectionate, with light comedic touches and cheerful musicality throughout.

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Summary

This episode is an audio time capsule, celebrating midcentury American entertainment through harmonious, romantic duets, lively repartee, and nostalgia-laden advertisements. With memorable numbers like “Choo Choo Train” and “No Other Love,” plus the unmistakable jingle of Alka Seltzer, listeners are treated to a charming, immersive slice of classic radio programming that warmly invites everyone back for “another visit tomorrow—same time, same station.”

Transcript

[Howie Mandel]

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[Kurt Massey]

Foreign.

[Announcer]

The Alka Seltzer Show Transcribed in Hollywood. Featuring radio's favorite singing stars Kurt Massey and Martha Tilton with the music of country Washburn.

[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 with the Alka Seltzer Show. Choo choo train chug chugging at the station Choo choo train conductor, pull a cord Choo choo train, you know our destination. All aboard Choo choo train Checking out by jiminy engineer go.

[Martha Tilton]

Choo choo choo Ta t Smoky smoke a puffin up the chimney

[Kurt Massey]

We're a groom say porter, fix a room and Porter bring us ice Porter get a

[Martha Tilton]

broom, sweep off his shoes and ride.

[Kurt Massey]

Hey, porter, thanks a lot. You've been so very nice. Porter, tell you what, here's a quater. Choo choo porter.

[Martha Tilton]

Choo choo train. Please pardon us for hiding.

[Kurt Massey]

We'll explain in case you didn't guess. Choo choo train, it's heaven to be ridin Honeymoon express. The honeymoon express.

[Martha Tilton]

Thank you.

[Kurt Massey]

Yes, sir, that old choo choo train was a double header, Martha. It sets us up very nicely for an all duet show.

[Martha Tilton]

All duet. Well, Kurt, here's our chance to find out if two heads are better than one.

[Kurt Massey]

Well, there's certainly no question about it when the two heads belong to Rogers and Hammerstein. So let's team up on one of their outstanding collaborations. No other love, No other love have I Only my love for you Only the dream with you Other love Watching the night go by Wishing that you could be Watching the night with me into the night I cry Hurry home, come home to me Set me free Free from doubt and free from longing

[Martha Tilton]

into your arms I fly

[Kurt Massey]

Locked in your arms I'll stay Waiting to hear you no other love have I Forever love. When you ask for vitamins, say one

[Announcer]

A day One a day brand.

[Kurt Massey]

Yes, for quality vitamins, say one a

[Announcer]

day one a day brand in a

[Kurt Massey]

tablet that is new with vitamin B12 too at the same low price to you. One a day.

[Announcer]

Yes, one a day brand vitamins. Let's look at the vitamin picture this way, friends. Can you honestly say you get enough of the essential vitamins each day or do you sometimes wonder? Well, to be positively sure, every day take one a day brand multiple vitamin tablets. They supply all you normally need to take of all the vitamins proved necessary. But remember, take them regularly. Not just once in a while, but every day and then you don't risk vitamin shortage. One of the common causes of a tire easy pepless feeling. One a day vitamins are now in tablet form with a much Talked about vitamin B12 added. And you'll be glad to know they cost less than 3 cents a day. When you buy the large package, tell your druggist you want one a day brand multiple vitamin tablets. In the blue box with the big red one, here's another sample of that famous brand of Massie Tilton two part harmony. Personally, I think this might be a good theme song for Dorothy Dix. When Love Goes wrong.

[Kurt Massey]

When love goes wrong Nothing goes right.

[Martha Tilton]

There's one thing I know when love goes wrong a man takes place Woman gets uppity O the sun don't beam,

[Kurt Massey]

the moon don't shine, the tide don't ebb and flow. A clock won't strike and the match won't light. When love goes wrong Nothing goes right.

[Martha Tilton]

The blues all gather round you all

[Kurt Massey]

the day is dark as night A

[Martha Tilton]

man ain't fit to live with and

[Kurt Massey]

a woman is a sorry sight.

[Martha Tilton]

It's like I said, you're better off dead.

[Kurt Massey]

When love has lost its glow. So take this down in black and white.

[Martha Tilton]

When love goes wrong, Nothing goes right.

[Kurt Massey]

When love goes wrong Nothing goes wrong. When love goes wrong there's very little

[Martha Tilton]

left that's

[Kurt Massey]

Nothing goes wrong. Martha, we promised that this would be an all duet show. But you know, I think we could stretch a point and sneak in one trio, don't you? Yeah.

[Martha Tilton]

We need some vocal help from the piano department. That means you, Mr. Levere. You, you, you,

[Kurt Massey]

You, you, you. I'm in love with you, you, you. I could be so true, true, true to someone like you,

[Martha Tilton]

You.

[Kurt Massey]

What you ought to do, do, do. Take me in your arms. Please do let me cling to you. You, you.

[Martha Tilton]

We were meant for each other.

[Kurt Massey]

Sure as heaven's above we were meant for each other. To have to hold and to love you, you, you there's no one like you, you youu could make my dreams come true if you say you love me Love me.

[Martha Tilton]

Kurt, this steady duet work has me kind of bushed. Don't you think? We could take time out for a sip of coffee?

[Kurt Massey]

Coffee? Hey, I think Teddy Bergman just brewed a fresh pot backstage. I can smell it from here.

[Martha Tilton]

How about that country? Why don't you and your boys fill in with about 60 seconds of O.

[Kurt Massey]

It, Sam?

[Martha Tilton]

Well, that was brisk and refreshing. And I refer to both the coffee and that highbrow Cathy Clatch music.

[Kurt Massey]

Now, all rested and ready for another twosome, Martha? Perhaps a love song this time?

[Martha Tilton]

Why, sure. Why don't we sing this one, Kurt?

[Kurt Massey]

It.

[Martha Tilton]

It should work as a duet. Even the title comes in two parts. My love, my love who makes the

[Kurt Massey]

robin sing My love, my love who

[Martha Tilton]

brings the joy to spring

[Kurt Massey]

who else but you? My love who makes my poor heart cry? My love, my love

[Martha Tilton]

whose eyes are stars on high? None else but you, my love

[Kurt Massey]

as sweet as morning mist are the lips let heaven kiss.

[Martha Tilton]

As endless as the sea is the love that he gave to me.

[Kurt Massey]

And what have I to give? My love, my love as long as

[Martha Tilton]

I shall live,

[Kurt Massey]

you'll always be my love.

[Martha Tilton]

You'll always be my love.

[Kurt Massey]

Speedy Alka Seltzer.

[Announcer]

Man, I feel better. That's what you say when you try Alka Seltzer for fast relief from acid indigestion. Alka Seltzer for that feel better feeling. Alka Seltzer reduces excess stomach acidity with instant alkalizing action. And it works so gently, too. Thousands of sparkling bubbles soothe and settle the stomach and help bring relief with gentle, effervescent action. So next time, acid indigestion makes you uncomfortable. Get that feel better feeling with Speedy Alka Seltzer. It's tangy, refreshing. You'll like Alka Seltzer.

[Kurt Massey]

Speedy Alka Seltzer.

[Martha Tilton]

Feel better feeling comes in record time

[Kurt Massey]

when your stomach feels upset. For relief, don't you forget Alka Seltzer. Now we can slip out of this double harness and go our separate ways. Martha.

[Martha Tilton]

Oh, not yet, Kurt. There's one more duet on the program. The one we sing every day when we invite everyone to come back for another visit tomorrow. Same time, same station.

[Kurt Massey]

Ah, yes, this one. You mean. 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, Tuesday, Monday.

[Announcer]

And any day is a good day to check up on your medicine cabinet needs, and certainly your family friend Alka Seltzer can be one of your most important needs. Remember, when a headache comes along, speedy Alka Seltzer brings fast relief. Alka Seltzer contains one of the most useful pain relievers known to science, and medical tests prove the system absorbs more of the pain reliever faster from Alka Seltzer. Remember, for fast, gentle headache relief, take Alka Seltzer. Get it at any drugstore. Listen to the morrow for the Alka Seltzer show, starring Kurt Massey and Martha Tilton and the music of Country Washburn and his orchestra. Today's program was transcribed in Hollywood and this is Ford Pearson speaking.

[Kurt Massey]

Foreign.

[Howie Mandel]

The Global Gaming League is presented by Atlas Earth, the fun cashback app. Hey, it's Howie Mandel and I am inviting you to witness history as me and my How We Do It Gaming team take on Gilly the King and Wallow $267 million gaming in an epic Global Gaming League video game showdown plus a halftime performance by multi platinum artist Travy McCoy. Watch all the action and see who wins and advances to the championship match right [e-mail] that's globalgamingleague.com in partnership with Level Up Expo with its two juicy

[Announcer]

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