Alka Seltzer - Moon Light

Summary

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Podcast Summary:

Harold’s Old Time Radio
Episode: Alka Seltzer – Moon Light
Date: March 22, 2026
Host: Harold’s Old Time Radio
Featured: Kurt Massey, Martha Tilton, Country Washman

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Episode Overview

This episode showcases a classic “Alka Seltzer Show” from the Golden Age of Radio, featuring music, light banter, and nostalgic commercials from a time before television. It’s an evocative snapshot of families gathered around the radio, experiencing the charm of live entertainment with musical performances by Kurt Massey, Martha Tilton, and the Country Washman.

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Key Discussion Points & Notable Segments

1. Opening Musical Number: “Moonlight”

• [00:55 – 02:04]
  The show opens with a serene performance of "Moonlight" by the ensemble.
  • Quote:
    “Moonlight so soft June light / Please find my love and tell her that I’m still waiting in the pale moonlight.”
    — Country Washman

2. Moonlight – The Word’s Beauty

• [02:04 – 02:17]
  Martha Tilton extols the beauty and universal romance of the word “moonlight.”
  • Quote:
    “I think even if you didn’t understand a word of English, you’d know that moonlight meant something beautiful and romantic.”
    — Martha Tilton

3. Romantic Ballad: “My Love For You”

• [02:21 – 04:02]
  Martha sings a heartfelt original, emphasizing devotion and enduring love.
  • Quote:
    “My love for you as warm as May / will grow and grow with every passing day…”
    — Martha Tilton

4. Vintage Advertisement: Alka Seltzer

• [04:02 – 05:37]
  An energetic, rhyming musical spot on headache relief and the science behind Alka Seltzer’s effectiveness.
  • Notable for its catchy, old-fashioned jingle feel and the details on the product’s action.

5. Light Banter: Verdi & Serenades

• [05:37 – 06:01]
  A humorous musical segue as Kurt Massey quizzes Martha on Verdi’s first name, leading into a comic “Giuseppe’s Serenade.”
  • Quote:
    “Do you know he wrote a very charming serenade? ... Well, it says here Giuseppe’s serenade.”
    — Kurt Massey

6. Comic Song: “Giuseppe’s Serenade”

• [06:01 – 07:24]
  An upbeat group number playing on Italian serenade clichés and audience expectations.
  • Notable for playful lyrics and banter about mistaken composers.

7. Buzzworthy New Song: “Rags to Riches”

• [07:34 – 09:10]
  Introduction and performance of the now-classic song, “Rags to Riches.”
  • Quote:
    “Hold me and kiss me / Tell me you’re mine / Evermore / Must I forever stay a beggar / Whose golden dream will not come true?”
    — Kurt Massey & Martha Tilton
  • [09:10] Martha predicts its future hit status:
    “Hmm. The hit parade. Better save a place for that one, Kurt. I think that’s gonna go.”

8. Uplifting Medley of “Little” Songs

• [09:27 – 11:51]
  Series of short, cheery songs:

  • “Little By Little”

  • “Little Old Lady Passing By”

  • “Little People” – a cheerful ode to everyday Americans

  • “Little People” Lyric:
    “Oh, we’re just little people, you and I? ... This great big country of the brave and free was built by little people like you and me.”
    — Martha Tilton

9. Classic Product Spot: One-A-Day Vitamins

• [12:09 – 12:51]
  An informative ad underlining the importance of daily multivitamins, referencing B12 and affordability for families.

10. Public Service: Forest Fire Safety

• [12:51 – 13:13]
  Serious reminder about the dangers of forest fires with sobering statistics from California.
  • Quote:
    “People will d realize what can happen from one careless cigarette or campfire. Please, please be careful.”
    — Kurt Massey

11. Closing & Sign-off

• [13:13 – 13:22]
  Heartfelt group farewell, promising more music and connection in the next episode.

  • Quote:
    “Thanks for listening, friends, and goodbye until tomorrow.”
    — Kurt Massey
    “Same time, same station.”
    — Martha Tilton

12. Classic Advertisement: Mild Nervine

• [13:42 – 14:49]
  Spot for a calming remedy to aid restless nights—emphasizing gentle, non-drowsy relaxation.
  • Quote:
    “Remember to soothe your nerves. Get Miles Nervine at any drugstore in effervescent tablets or liquid.”

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Notable Quotes

• [02:04] Martha Tilton: “Moonlight. You know, Kurt, I think that’s the most beautiful word in our language. Moonlight. Moonlight. I think even if you didn’t understand a word of English, you’d know that moonlight meant something beautiful and romantic.”
• [05:37] Kurt Massey (joking): “Say, Martha, you’re a student of the classical composers. What was Verdi’s first name?”
• [09:10] Martha Tilton: “Hmm. The hit parade. Better save a place for that one, Kurt. I think that’s gonna go.”
• [12:51] Kurt Massey: “Friends, before we go, Martha and I have been asked to remind you once again about the serious danger of forest fires.”

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Highlights

• Lyrical nostalgia through songs about love, everyday people, and moonlight.
• Light, amiable banter—a hallmark of classic radio variety.
• Product jingles and advertisements that illustrate the style and values of the era.
• Thoughtful public service message, blending entertainment with community-mindedness.
• Elegant sign-off—reminding listeners that family, music, and community are at the heart of the show.

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For fans of classic radio or newcomers curious about American broadcast history, this episode delivers humor, warmth, and a taste of simpler times—all wrapped up in melodic harmony and good spirit.

Transcript

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[Kurt Massey]

Foreign.

[Country Washman]

Seltzer Speedy Alka Seltzer.

[Announcer]

The Alka Seltzer show, transcribed in Hollywood. Featuring radio's favorite singing stars, Kurt Massey and Martha Tilton for the music of

[Country Washman]

Country Washroom, it's Alka Seltzer time. Alka Seltzer time.

[Martha Tilton]

Morning. New Tonight it's Alka Seltzer time.

[Kurt]

I'm Kurt.

[Martha Tilton]

I'm Martha.

[Country Washman]

And here we go with the Alka Seltzer Show. Moonlight when shadows fall Moonlight I hear you call Love beams Through every silvery gleam that's shining I'm pinning. Moonlight so soft June light Please find my love and tell her that I'm still waiting in the pale moonlight that I'm still waiting in the pale moonlight.

[Martha Tilton]

Moonlight. You know, Kurt, I think that's the most beautiful word in our language. Moonlight. Moonlight. I think even if you didn't understand a word of English, you'd know that moonlight meant something beautiful and romantic.

[Kurt]

You know, somehow I sense the soft

[Kurt Massey]

approach of a love song. Am I right, Martha?

[Martha Tilton]

Mm. And it's a real moody new one. My love for you. My love for you as warm as May we'll grow and grow with every passing day Come sun or rain

[Country Washman]

Come

[Martha Tilton]

smiles or tears My love for you will see us through the years I speak your name in every prayer my lips impart that I will always be first lady of your heart and may these eyes but never see My love for you without your love for me and where we are our dreams will

[Country Washman]

blend

[Martha Tilton]

from here to far beyond the journey's end. All around the town it's news A family friend that swells. Sir. When headache brings along the blues Quick Alka Seltzer now.

[Country Washman]

No need to pine and sigh no need to wait Till by and by fast relief you buy and try Quick Alka Seltzer.

[Announcer]

Yes. Quick Alka Seltzer. For fast headache relief, just dissolve 1 or 2 Alka Seltzer tablets in a glass of water. Alka Seltzer, with its effective pain reliever, is ready to go to work as soon as soon as you drink it. To bring you the Fast relief you want. The pain reliever is sodium acetyl salicylate, one of the most helpful pain relievers known today. And scientific tests prove the system absorbs more of this pain reliever faster from Alka Seltzer. So remember, one or two tablets in a glass of water, let it fizz, and there it is. Speedy, refreshing Alka Seltzer. Here's the way to fast, relieve, pleasant. Alka Seltzer is refreshing, not like taking medicine at all. And those thousands of bubbles you see actually help the pain reliever on its way. Next time, try Alka Seltzer sold at drugstore soda fountains by the glass. And buy the package at drugstore counters everywhere.

[Kurt Massey]

Say, Martha, you're a student of the classical composers. What was Verdi's first name?

[Martha Tilton]

Giuseppe.

[Kurt]

Well, that's what I thought.

[Kurt Massey]

Do you know he wrote a very charming serenade?

[Martha Tilton]

No. Are you sure, Kurt?

[Kurt Massey]

Well, it says here Giuseppe's serenade.

[Martha Tilton]

Hmm. Well, let's see if it sounds anything like Schubert's serenade.

[Country Washman]

He comes around at sundown to serenade his loved one Making love with his guitar Neath moonlit skies above oh, how

[Martha Tilton]

the ladies love him to every note they all cling they all come from miles around they hear Giuseppe sing Sing,

[Country Washman]

sing, sing your serenade Sing, sing, sing

[Martha Tilton]

your serenade Sing it again, Giuseppe Sing it again, Giuseppe Sing your serenade.

[Country Washman]

Beneath your lover's balcony Come out, angel, come out There someone who is lonely Beneath your balcony. Sing it again, Giuseppe Sing it again, Giuseppe, Sing it.

[Martha Tilton]

Serenity,

[Country Washman]

your lover's balcony.

[Kurt]

Well, I guess it wasn't Giuseppe Verde, Martha.

[Martha Tilton]

Well, I have a feeling you're right, Kurt. Incidentally, did you find anything interesting in that folder that came from the publishers today?

[Kurt]

Yes, I did, Martha.

[Kurt Massey]

Here's one song that looks very promising. It's called Rags to Riches.

[Country Washman]

I know I'd go from rags to riches if you would only say you care. And though my pocket may be empty I'd be a millionaire. My clothes may still be torn and

[Kurt Massey]

tatter

[Country Washman]

but in my heart I'd be a king. Your love is all that ever matters. It's everything. So open your eyes and you'll open the door to all the treasures that I'm hoping for. Hold me and kiss me Tell me you're mine Tell me you're mine Evermore Must I forever stay a beggar Whose golden dream will not come true? Or will I go from rags to riches? My fate is up to

[Martha Tilton]

you. Hmm. The hit parade. Better save a place for that one, Kurt. I think that's gonna go.

[Kurt Massey]

It looks like a winner. All right. Now, Martha, should we get a little medley going here?

[Martha Tilton]

A little one? Why, sure. Just happen to have a cute little oldie to start with. Little by little, little by little, you're winning my heart. Little by little, little by little I'm doing my part. You brightened my horizon that day I laid my eyes on you? And I says, says I Gee, he's worth a try.

[Kurt]

Little by little.

[Kurt Massey]

Very cute. Once upon a time, Horgy Carmichael wrote

[Kurt]

a little song that grew into a big, big hit.

[Country Washman]

Little old lady passing by, catching everyone's eye. You have such a charming manner, sweet and shy.

[Martha Tilton]

Our favorite little song of the moment is one that has a friendly, folksy flavor and a good thoughtful lyric. It's called Little People.

[Country Washman]

Oh, we're just little people, you and I? Just the same as every other gallon guy.

[Martha Tilton]

But this great big country of the brave and free? Was built by little people like you and me.

[Country Washman]

Oh, the only difference I can see between a millionaire and me Is that million dollars that he'd give to be just as happy as little people like you and me.

[Martha Tilton]

Oh, it doesn't take a genius to punch a clock to push a plow to get things done?

[Country Washman]

But it takes lots of little people to dig a ditch to build a bridge or carry a gun? Oh, the good Lord longest you can see. Cause he made so many ducks like you and me? Built the whole world and rested so that he be free to keep making

[Martha Tilton]

little people like you and me.

[Country Washman]

To keep making little people like you and me.

[Martha Tilton]

Cause the Lord loves little people like you and me.

[Announcer]

Lots of folks are unaware that a vitamin shortage is one of the common causes of a let down tired out feeling.

[Kurt Massey]

It's true.

[Announcer]

And it's also true that one a day brand multiple vitamins taken regularly can correct a vitamin shortage. One a day brand multiple vitamins contain all you normally need to take of all the vitamins proved necessary and say they're in easy to take tablets. What's more, they now give you the red vitamin B12. All of this and they cost you less than 3 cents a day when you buy the large package. Reasons enough why so many folks buy one a day brand multiple vitamin tablets at drugstores everywhere.

[Kurt Massey]

Friends, before we go, Martha and I have been asked to remind you once again about the serious danger of forest fires.

[Martha Tilton]

This year in California alone, millions of dollars worth of property has been destroyed.

[Kurt Massey]

People will d realize what can happen from one careless cigarette or campfire. Please, please be careful. Friends, when you're driving or camping or burning leaves around the yard.

[Country Washman]

Kurt.

[Martha Tilton]

Guess we have to close up shop now. It's that time.

[Kurt Massey]

Thanks for listening, friends, and goodbye until tomorrow.

[Martha Tilton]

Same time, same station.

[Country Washman]

We'll sing the old song we'll sing

[Kurt]

you we'll sing the bright songs and

[Country Washman]

maybe we'll sing the blues On Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday for you, are you for you.

[Announcer]

Tonight if you should face a sleepless, restless night, I hope you have Mild Nervine. You see, Miles Nervine eases that tense, jittery feeling. Mild Nervine helps you relax and lets you sleep. It doesn't put you to sleep. That's why you don't feel so all in the following day. Remember to soothe your nerves. Get Miles Nervine at any drugstore in effervescent tablets or liquid. Follow the label. Avoid excessive use tonight or any night to relax and sleep. Take Miles Nervine. Listen tomorrow for the Alka Seltzer show, starring Kurt Massey and Martha Tilton with the music of Country Washman and His Office. Today's program is transcribed in Hollywood. And this is Fort Pearson speaking.

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