Podcast Summary

Podcast: Harold's Old Time Radio
Episode: Amos & Andy 39-09-21 Singing Lessons
Original Air Date: September 21, 1939 (re-broadcast October 4, 2025)
Featured Characters: Andy Brown, Amos Jones, Friend/Commentator, Henry Van Porter
Sponsor: Campbell Soup

Episode Overview

This episode of Amos & Andy, part of Harold's Old Time Radio, revolves around Andy's struggles and anxieties as he prepares for a singing recital. A series of comedic mishaps, nervous jitters (or "buck fever"), and friendly teasing paint a lively picture of life—complete with misunderstandings, neighborly banter, and charming 1930s humor. The theme touches on performance anxiety, pride, friendly rivalry, and the lengths people go to save face.

Key Discussion Points and Insights

1. Technical Difficulties and Episode Delay

• The episode opens with a real interruption (03:10), as the sponsor’s announcer explains there are technical difficulties and fills the slot with an organ interlude before Amos & Andy resumes.

2. Andy’s Singing Woes and Pre-Recital Jitters

• Andy confesses to Amos and a friend that he forgot the words to his song, had issues with his duet partner (Mrs. Van Folder), and is anxious about performing in public.

  • "Then you know that Mrs. Van Folder and myself ain't speaking to each other and we were supposed to sing together." (03:24, Andy)

• The friend zeros in on Andy’s anxiety, labeling it as "the fear germ" that starts performance nerves.

  • “You done beat round a bush. You done finally got in there where the rabbit is.” (03:48, Friend)
  • “That is the germ that starts the whole fever. That fear germ.” (03:53, Friend)

• Andy protests, denying he is scared and claiming he is “in great shape.” He’s put on bravado about being a future “success.”

  • "No, no, I tell you, I know that I gonna be a success. I know that the newspapers is all gonna Be there to hear me sing." (04:34, Andy)

3. Mockery from the Newspaper

• The friend reads aloud a satirical and mocking newspaper piece poking fun at Andy’s singing and the postponement of the recital.

  • "Andrew H. Brown contracted buck fever yesterday as the zero hour approach... Residents of Harlem claim to have never heard Mr. Brown sing. That noise you have been hearing for the past two weeks, which resembles a cow, was Mr. Brown rehearsing for his debut." (05:11, Friend quoting newspaper)
  • "We are looking forward to the recital next week when it is hoped that the teacher will be able to drug Mr. Brown sufficiently to get him on stage." (05:40, Friend quoting newspaper)

• The friend encourages Andy not to "fight the newspaper" and reminds him, "the pen is mightier than the sword."

  • "Don’t try to fight the newspaper. Remember, the pen is mightiest in the sword." (06:55, Friend)

• Andy jokes: "Yeah, I'd rather get stuck with a pen, though." (07:01, Andy)

4. The Fallout With Mrs. Van Porter

• Henry Van Porter enters and shares that Mrs. Van Porter is having a "nervous breakdown" over the recital's postponement, blaming Andy for disrupting her plans.

  • "Mrs. Van Porter is home and she's having a nervous breakdown." (07:32, Henry Van Porter)
  • "Well, her singing has nothing to do with the remark you made. I'll have you know, Andrew Brown, that she is a member of the younger set." (07:50, Henry Van Porter)

• A humorous anecdote follows regarding Mrs. Van Porter’s new dress for the recital—she borrowed it but now can't use it due to the delayed recital, causing more consternation.

  • "But now she can't use the dress for the recital. And of course, she blames you for the whole thing, Andy." (08:58, Henry Van Porter)

5. The Cost of Lessons and More Mocking

• Andy justifies being the “teacher’s pet” because he’s paid the teacher more than Mrs. Van Porter has.

  • "Well, one thing, I paid that teacher $21. I ought to get a little pettin for that. That's more than Mrs. Van Pooler done paid." (09:13, Andy)

• Ongoing complaints about Andy’s singing:

  • "Well, don't forget we gotta practice people complaining about my singing." (09:35, Andy)
  • "I have heard 'Come, Come, I love you Only' till I'm about to jump out of Orinda." (09:43, Amos)

6. The Recital is Suddenly Back On!

• Amos brings surprising news: the recital, just postponed, is suddenly rescheduled for tonight—Andy is back on the spot.

  • "She says that she is going ahead with the recital tonight. And, Andy, you has got to sing." (11:24, Amos)

• Andy, flustered but trying to play it cool, says, "Well, I'll do the best I can." (11:41, Andy)

Notable Quotes and Memorable Moments

"You done beat round a bush. You done finally got in there where the rabbit is."
— Friend, discussing Andy’s underlying fear (03:48)

"That noise you have been hearing for the past two weeks, which resembles a cow, was Mr. Brown rehearsing for his debut."
— Friend, reading from the mocking newspaper article (05:25)

"Don’t try to fight the newspaper. Remember, the pen is mightiest in the sword."
— Friend (06:55)
"Yeah, I'd rather get stuck with a pen, though."
— Andy (07:01)

"Mrs. Van Porter is home and she's having a nervous breakdown."
— Henry Van Porter, with comic melodrama (07:32)

"Well, I will be glad when this singing is over because it is about to drive me out of my own home."
— Amos, on the chaos caused by singing practice (09:29)

"She says that she is going ahead with the recital tonight. And, Andy, you has got to sing."
— Amos breaks the news (11:24)

Key Segment Timestamps

• 03:10 — Show resumes after technical difficulties, main discussion begins
• 03:24 — Andy details his recital anxieties and mishaps
• 05:11 — Friend reads the satirical newspaper article about Andy
• 07:32 — Henry Van Porter brings news of Mrs. Van Porter’s melodrama
• 08:58 — Mrs. Van Porter blames Andy for the ruined plans and dress
• 09:29 — Amos expresses frustration at the endless singing
• 11:24 — Amos reveals the recital is suddenly back on tonight

Conclusion

This episode perfectly encapsulates the comedic interplay and small-town drama of Amos & Andy. Through witty banter, public embarrassment, and the nerves of a reluctant performer, the show delivers a slice-of-life snapshot with universal resonance: everyone, sooner or later, faces a “recital” of their own. The episode’s humor, timeless anxieties, and the ever-present specter of public opinion are underscored by the cast’s playful back-and-forth and relatable predicaments.

For fans of old-time radio or newcomers, “Singing Lessons” stands out as a charming example of 1930s radio comedy at its best.