Amos & Andy – “Turkey Trouble” (Originally aired November 19, 1943)

Podcast: Harold’s Old Time Radio
Episode Date: November 15, 2025 (Rebroadcast)
Featured Guest: Spring Byington (MGM Star)

Overview

This episode of Amos & Andy revolves around the classic Thanksgiving dilemma: Andy eagerly anticipates a holiday visit from his soldier nephew, Jimmy, and promises him a grand turkey dinner in New York—only to face a comically harrowing quest as turkeys are nowhere to be found. The heart and humor of the show are enriched by Kingfish’s schemes, Spring Byington’s lively guest spot, and a twist that turns personal disappointment into communal giving, capturing the spirit of wartime America.

Key Discussion Points and Episode Breakdown

1. Setting the Thanksgiving Stage (01:30–03:39)

• Andy shares nephew Jimmy’s letter about coming home from the army for Thanksgiving.
• Amos affirms support: Andy wants to impress his nephew with a big dinner, but his living conditions don’t allow for cooking. Amos and his wife Ruby agree to host the meal if Andy supplies a turkey.
• Turkey difficulty foreshadowed: Turkeys are reported as scarce; Andy is optimistic, relying on Kingfish’s butcher connections.

2. The Great Turkey Hunt (03:39–10:50)

• Meeting the Kingfish (03:39): Kingfish offers “expertise” on selecting a turkey.

  “Whenever I picks out a turkey, I always kind of feels around the legs there. That’s important.” — Kingfish (04:30)

• At the butcher: The last turkey narrowly slips away due to Kingfish’s over-hesitation, leading to a scramble to find another.
• Montage of failure: The trio visits several butcher shops—no turkeys to be found.

  “We haven’t had a turkey in here in 10 days. We got a mailing list a mile long.” — Butcher (08:23)

3. The Stakes Get Higher (09:43–10:50)

• Lightning delivers another letter: Jimmy will be bringing a friend from camp, raising the stakes. Andy’s determination to get a turkey grows.

  “Well, fellas, I really gotta get a turkey someplace. I ain’t gonna let them two boys down.” — Andy (10:29)

4. Creative Desperation: The Priority Board (10:53–17:51)

• Henry Van Porter suggests seeking government help: Maybe Andy can obtain a turkey “priority” since the dinner is for soldiers.
• Visit to the rationing board (~12:00):
  • Spring Byington (as the ration official) gets sidetracked talking about her own nephew in the army.
  • The attempt to secure an official government priority for a turkey gets comically lost in bureaucratic confusion and small talk.

    “We want you to help us if you can.” — Kingfish (13:29)
    “A priority on a turkey?...This is the first request we’ve had like this.” — Spring Byington (15:21)

• No such thing as a turkey priority: After a mistaken phone call, they learn it’s not possible.

  “I guess the boys will just have to get along without Gasol—I mean, without a turkey.” — Spring Byington (17:51)

5. All Else Fails—A Bittersweet Solution (18:08–21:42)

• Andy contemplates wild turkeys:

  “You know them Pilgrims got all of them.” — Kingfish (18:38)

• Another letter: Now, Jimmy is bringing three more army friends, compounding Andy’s anxiety.
• Ruby and Andy prepare alternatives: With no turkey in sight, they settle for frankfurters, making the best of things.

  “There ain’t nobody that can make frankfurters take like turkey.” — Andy (20:07)

6. Thanksgiving Miracle: The Unexpected Gift (20:32–21:42)

• Spring Byington arrives unexpectedly with a turkey for Andy. She explains that her family received a second turkey by surprise, so she offers it to Andy for the soldiers.

  “I want you to have it...Happy Thanksgiving.” — Spring Byington (21:02)

• The household is overjoyed and deeply grateful.

  “I wouldn’t take the thing for myself, but on account of my nephew and his soldier friends coming, it’ll sure make it nice for them.” — Andy (21:12)

7. The Ironic Twist (23:53–25:47)

• A new letter from Jimmy: At the last moment, Jimmy writes that he and the other soldiers will not be able to attend after all—they’re heading overseas.

  “Will not be able to come to New York. Neither will the other boys. We are leaving for a port of embarkation. By the time you get this, we will no doubt be on our way overseas.” — Letter from Jimmy (24:06)

• A new plan: Instead of wasting the feast, Andy decides to invite seven servicemen from the USO to share the Thanksgiving meal, turning disappointment into community support and hope.

  “Just seven boys from the USO.” — Andy (25:08)

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• Turkey selection wisdom:

  “The idea in picking out a turkey is to get one that has done led a lazy life.”
  — Kingfish (04:42)

• The Kingfish’s dubious expertise:

  “She might look nice and pretty and look good in clothes and all that stuff. At the same time, you want to get a look in her mouth to make sure that you ain't go run into 50 or 100 dollars worth of dental…”
  — Kingfish, comparing turkey selection to marriage (07:13)

• Comic bureaucratic confusion:

  “You called her.” — Andy
  “I called her?” — Spring Byington
  (16:54)

• Final twist:

  “How many guests did you invite over here for the turkey dinner?”
  “Just seven boys from the USO.”
  — Amos and Andy (25:06–25:08)

Important Segment Timestamps

• 01:30–03:39: Uncle Andy receives Jimmy’s letter; Amos and Ruby agree to host Thanksgiving dinner.
• 04:30–05:41: Kingfish’s turkey selection techniques and missed opportunity.
• 09:43–10:29: Jimmy’s letter reveals extra guest.
• 12:01–15:21: Rationing board & Spring Byington’s appearance.
• 18:08–20:18: Lack of turkey leads to alternative menu.
• 20:32–21:42: Miracle turkey delivery by Spring Byington.
• 23:53–25:08: Jimmy cannot come; Andy welcomes USO boys.

Tone and Style

The episode blends laughter, warmth, and a touch of real wartime anxiety, with the cast’s friendly ribbing and the comical bureaucracy at the rationing board. The tone is gentle and community-focused, with Andy’s genuine worry for his nephew and eventual act of charity capturing the Thanksgiving spirit.

Conclusion

"Turkey Trouble" is a classic Amos & Andy mix of slapstick, social commentary, and big-heartedness. It underscores the challenges of homefront life during WWII, especially for working-class families, while ending with a message of gratitude, improvisation, and shared hope.

For Listeners:

This episode is recommended for those who love warm, witty golden-age comedy and stories that put human connection at the center of holiday tradition.