Amos & Andy 43-12-31 New Year's Eve

Summary

Amos & Andy – “New Year's Eve” (Original Air Date: Dec 31, 1943)

Harold’s Old Time Radio – December 31, 2025 Podcast Release

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Overview

This classic radio episode of Amos & Andy, originally aired on December 31, 1943, revolves around New Year's Eve with Andy desperate to secure a tuxedo for his big date with Amethyst Dunbar. What begins as a comedic struggle to dress up for the night spirals into a poignant and surreal encounter, as Andy confronts the outgoing year, 1943, personified as a troubled and weary character. Blending humor and history, the episode mixes the show’s trademark wit with a thoughtful reflection on the trials, losses, and small victories of 1943, ultimately delivering a moving allegory about the passing of time and the arrival of hope in the new year.

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Key Discussion Points and Story Beats

1. Andy’s Tuxedo Troubles (00:36–06:42)

• Andy’s Predicament: Andy can’t find a suitable tuxedo in town for his New Year’s Eve date.
• Wartime Hardships: Jokes about shortages (“substitutes for everything”) and a “cakeless cake” reference home-front rationing during WWII.
  • Andy: "There was not only fraying on the cuffs, but there was fraying on the frayin." [01:26]
  • Amos: "You know the reason for it all. A certain man is trying to give the world a substitute for freedom..." [02:14]
• Kingfish’s Grievances: Kingfish commiserates about his own tough year, especially with his wife.
  • Kingfish: “It seem like at the end of every year she takes all the little fights that we done had during the year and piles them up into one big one.” [02:49]
• Negotiating a Tuxedo: Kingfish claims he can find Andy a tuxedo—for a price—eventually swindling Andy for $18. [05:57]
  • Andy: “Me paying $18 to rent a tuxedo, it must be love.” [09:51]

2. The Reveal of the Tuxedo Scam (10:05–11:15)

• Lightning delivers the tuxedo; Andy discovers it’s actually Kingfish’s old suit, further showing Kingfish’s opportunism.
  • Andy: “This suit belongs to the Kingfish! And he charged $18 for it.” [11:15]
  • Lightning: “Well, he sure is done pulled a fast one on you.” [11:24]

3. The Surreal Meeting with 1943 (13:14–20:12)

• The Year 1943 Personified: As Andy dozes, “1943” enters, characterized as a hardened, remorseful fugitive awaiting execution at midnight.
  • Year 1943: “You’re talking face to face with a year. 1943. That’s me.” [14:33]
• Confession & Reflection: 1943 recounts a life of hardship, war, and loss, referencing WWII adversaries as characters from his “neighborhood” (Adolf, Benito, Tojo).
  • Year 1943: “I got mixed up with a guy named Adolph... the guy who thought he was too smart to hang wallpaper is going to wind up hanging himself.” [15:38]
  • Amos: “1943, you put out a lot of lights all over this world. But as you leave us tonight, we ought to remember that you left the light burning in the Statue of Liberty.” [18:32]
• Moments of Good in a Bad Year: Despite the suffering, they acknowledge glimmers of hope: the preservation of liberty, the printing of the Bible, a record potato crop, and the discovery of penicillin.
  • Amos: “You look down on a scientist working on some old stale mold and you let that man discover a new drug that will save millions of human lives.” [19:13]
• Passing the Torch: 1943 expresses regret but urges hope and teamwork for 1944, who “will have 24 hours longer… the extra day of leap year.”
  • Year 1943: “And one more thing before I go... if you’ll all pull together... that day can be the day of victory. Well, here I go. God bless you. Happy New Year. Come on in 1944. Goodbye.” [20:14]

4. Dream Ends – Return to Comic Reality (21:42–24:11)

• Andy Wakes Up: Amos wakes Andy, who is disoriented but moved; the segment blurs the line between allegory and reality.
• Finding the Lost Money: In Kingfish’s old tuxedo, Andy discovers $35 that Kingfish had claimed to lose.
  • Andy: “Amos, this is the $35 the Kingfish was telling us about that he never remembered where he put it!” [23:33]
  • The group shares a moment of warmth as Andy finally readies for his date.

5. Heartfelt New Year’s Message from Amos & Andy (24:16–26:16)

• Gratitude to Sponsors & Listeners: In a genuine holiday message, Amos & Andy directly address their audience, thanking sponsors, cast, and especially listeners for their support.
  • Amos: “We are rich in friends. And truthfully, that is the most important thing we know of… from our hearts we want to thank you sincerely.” [25:32]
  • Andy: “We promise you that during the coming year we will redouble our efforts to bring you the best that’s in us.” [26:02]
• A Toast to Victory & Hope: They express hope for Allied victory and peace in the New Year, closing with Auld Lang Syne.

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Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On Hardship and Humor:
  • Andy: “Soon we'll have a cakeless cake. Oh, this is a bad year. Substitutes for everything.” [02:06]
• On the Siege of 1943:
  • Year 1943: “They thought 1917 was tough, and they thought 1929 was pretty bad.” [14:18]
• Personification of History:
  • Year 1943: “When a year realizes that it only has a few more hours to live, a lot goes through his mind. Especially a year like me.” [15:05]
• Hope Amid Gloom:
  • Amos: “You can find a little good in him… 1943, you put out a lot of lights all over this world. But... you left the light burning in the Statue of Liberty.” [18:20–18:32]
• Passing the Torch to 1944:
  • Year 1943: “Try to remember that even a good year can’t do it all by himself. Give the kid a little help and be patient with him. The tide has already begun to turn.” [20:14]
• On Community and Friendship:
  • Amos: “At the end of the year, everybody sort of takes inventory, and... we find that we are rich in friends. And truthfully, that is the most important thing we know of.” [25:33]

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Timeline of Important Segments

| Timestamp | Segment Description | |-----------|---------------------| | 00:36–06:42 | Andy's search for the tuxedo, led into comic negotiation with Kingfish | | 10:05–11:15 | Andy discovers Kingfish’s scam | | 13:14–20:12 | Surreal sequence: Andy meets and converses with “the year 1943” | | 21:42–24:11 | Andy wakes; lost $35 is found in the tuxedo | | 24:16–26:16 | Amos & Andy deliver their heartfelt New Year's address |

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Tone and Language

• The episode mixes light-hearted, rapid-fire banter, with unexpectedly weighty, reflective dialogue.
• The dreamlike sequence with “1943” stands out for its symbolic, earnest, and moving tone, contrasting with the rest of the episode’s comic realism.

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Conclusion

This episode is a masterful blend of period humor and wartime commentary, using the familiar struggles of Andy and the gentle wisdom of Amos to reflect on a difficult year. Through comedy, fantasy, and direct audience address, the show underscores a message of endurance, gratitude, and hope—reminding listeners that even the “bad years” contain seeds of goodness and that the potential for a better future depends on everyone pulling together.

Transcript

[Narrator/Announcer]

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Good evening. The makers of the new Rinso bring you the Amos and Andy show with their guest tonight, Mr. Edward G. Robins. Well, it's New Year's Eve and our friend Andrew H. Brown hopes to go out on a big date with the very attractive Amethyst Dunbar. His one great problem is finding a tuxedo. And after scouring the whole town without success, things look bad for Andy. At the moment he is telling his troubles to Amos.

[Amos]

So you couldn't find a tuxedo in the whole town, huh? Anda?

[Andy]

Not one? Well, I did find one, but you ought to see the shape it was in. There was not only fraying on the cuffs, but there was fraying on the frayin.

[Amos]

Yeah, that's bad Ory.

[Andy]

Yeah, and my gal won't go out with me unless I dress up formal or. The whole tuxedo situation is just like everything else this past year. You can't get nothing nowhere no how. I'll sure be glad when this crazy year goes out tonight.

[Amos]

Well, Ann, it's just like that. Oh, we gotta learn to do without certain things. You know what Ruby made for supper tonight?

[Andy]

No, what?

[Amos]

What they calls an eggless, milkless, butterless cake.

[Andy]

Yeah. Well, the way things are going, pretty soon we'll have a cakeless cake. Oh, this is a bad year. Substitutes for everything.

[Amos]

Well, Andy, you know the reason for it all. A certain man is trying to give the world a substitute for freedom. And why we is getting rid of that man. Why we got to give up a few things.

[Andy]

Yeah, I guess so. I. Wait a minute. Come in, King Fee.

[Kingfish]

Well, how are you there boys? How are you?

[Amos]

Hi there, King Fee.

[Kingfish]

Well, what you look so down the dumps boat, Anders.

[Year 1943]

Oh, I don't know.

[Amos]

Andy is mad about what a tough time he done had this year.

[Kingfish]

Well, I don't blame you, Andy. This year wasn't no rose for me neither.

[Andy]

Wasn't, huh?

[Kingfish]

No. Look how I've been living. Me and my wife been fighting. Just finished another one.

[Andy]

Sure enough.

[Kingfish]

It seem like at the end of every year she takes all the little fights that we done had during the year and piles them up into one big one. That's what you do. Sort of a review of all the little fights in one lump is what we do.

[Amos]

What is the trouble now, Kingsley?

[Kingfish]

Oh, she brung up the time that I didn't want a kin folks to visit us. She brung up the thing about me not taking the job as a doorman.

[Andy]

Oh, yeah, I was there for that one. That was a battle, all right.

[Kingfish]

It wasn't no skirmish. I know that. Then last summer she gave me $35 to pay some bills and told me to put it away and I forgot where I put it. I never did find a 35.

[Amos]

Oh, I remember that. That was last summer. Yeah.

[Kingfish]

Yeah, that started last summer. Still going on. And the funny part of it is I don't know what I done with it. Oh, we've been going hot and heavy with argument.

[Andy]

Well, I don't see why I sitting here sympathizing with you. I still gotta get a tuxedo by 9:00 tonight.

[Kingfish]

Well, you going to a party, Andrew?

[Andy]

Sure. I got a date with Amethyst Dunbar.

[Kingfish]

Oh, yeah, huh?

[Andy]

Yeah, but she won't go out with me unless I got on a tuxedo. And I was crazy about that gal.

[Amos]

Yeah, I don't know what you gonna do, Andy, if you can't rent one.

[Kingfish]

Need a tuxedo. Of course, I would lend you mine free, Anda, but I done sent it down to Georgia to my wife's brother to get married in and he ain't sent it back yet.

[Andy]

Yeah.

[Amos]

Oh, Andy's crazy about the gal he gotta date with too.

[Kingfish]

You know, I was just thinking maybe through my disconnections, I might. Might be able to dig you up a tuxedo somewhere myself. How much would you be willing to pay, Andy?

[Andy]

Well, of course I don't want to pay too much.

[Kingfish]

Oh, I would protect you there, you know. But on the other hand, it wouldn't be right to pay too little.

[Andy]

No, but if you could find me something somewhere along there in between, not quite too much and almost too little, that'd be all right.

[Kingfish]

Oh, I assure that. That we can work out something, Andy. Name your price.

[Andy]

$2.

[Kingfish]

I'll name another one.

[Amos]

Look, Kingfish, if you think you know where you can get Andy a tuxedo, why don't you find out how much it's gonna cost and then let Andy know about it.

[Kingfish]

Well, you see, Amos, plus I knows how much Anders got. It's kind of hard for me to Dick her.

[Andy]

Yeah, but the trouble is, Kingfish, I don't know whether you is dicker and the tuxedo man or dicking me. What you think of me trying Henry Van Porter? Maybe he ain't using his tonight.

[Kingfish]

No, no, now, wait a minute. Don't call up Henry. You wouldn't want to wear that old tuxedo Henry's got.

[Amos]

Why wouldn't he? King face.

[Kingfish]

What's wrong with it? Yeah, in the first place, his tuxedo got so many more holes in it. Unless you put on underwear made out of the same material, people going to think you wearing a polka dot suit. That's what they going.

[Andy]

Yeah, that's bad all right.

[Kingfish]

Oh, don't worry and I'll find you a tuxedo. I'll even get you a right size 44. I know that. Meet me at the Large hall in an hour and I guarantee I'll have you one.

[Andy]

Okay, Kingfish, get on the job right away and don't fail me.

[Kingfish]

Count on me, son. I'll do everything I can to help.

[Amos]

Yeah, Well, I tell you, Andy, if the Kingfish digs up a tuxedo, I'll lend you that old set of studs I got for your stiff bosom shirt.

[Andy]

Oh, great, Amos. Thank you. I could use them. All right. You know, the last couple of formal fairs I done went to, I had to take a pencil and draw some studs over the buttonholes.

[Amos]

Well, I tell you what, Andy, you.

[Kingfish]

Call me up at home if you.

[Amos]

Want the studs and I'll bring them right over to you.

[Andy]

Okay? Gee, I sure hopes that Kingfish comes through.

[Lightning]

You sure is nervous, Ms. Andy.

[Andy]

Yeah? What is you doing here at the Lodge hall on New Year's Eve, Lightning?

[Lightning]

I was just killing time waiting for my wife to get through working at the lunchroom. Then we're going to a New Year's Eve party.

[Andy]

Yeah, well, you ain't seen the Kingfish around here, is you, Lightning?

[Lightning]

No, sir, Missand I ain't. I've been sleeping in the reading room. Look like I gonna be up till 12:30 tonight, so I won't be in shape.

[Andy]

Well, you can sleep late in the morning, can't you?

[Lightning]

No, sir. I gotta get up at 7:30 to wake up my wife so she can get to work, you know, Seem like I always on the go.

[Andy]

Yeah, well, the thing for you to do.

[Kingfish]

Hello there, brother. And how is you?

[Andy]

Oh, Kingfish, did you get me a tuxedo?

[Kingfish]

Well, yes and no, Andy. I done found a man that's got a tuxedo that fits you. The question is, is you got the money to fit the tuxedo. Now, that's the thing.

[Andy]

How much does the man want?

[Kingfish]

Well, now, I tell you, and this fellow works in a defense plant and everything with him is by the hour. Now, I done try to sell him the idea of 75 cents an hour for renting you the tuxedo. But he said that from 4 to 12 is the swing shift. It happens to be a dollar hour. That's the scale.

[Andy]

That's $8. But Kingfish, I can't get the tuxedo back by 12 o' clock midnight. I don't want people at the party saying the old year went out at 12 o' clock and Andrew Brown went out at 11:30.

[Lightning]

Maybe you could get it back by 1 o', clock, Missanda.

[Andy]

Quiet, ain't it?

[Kingfish]

And it will. Oh, let's say that it do run till 1 o'.

[Andy]

Clock. Well, to tell you the truth, Kingfish, it'd Most likely be 2 o' clock before I get home. Then in case we decide to have some scrambled eggs or something. After that, why, the whole thing might accumulate up to 5 or 6 o'.

[Amos]

Clock.

[Lightning]

I sure is not accumulating in it.

[Kingfish]

Yeah, well, now, the thing is, Andy, after midnight the rate on the tuxedo goes up to a dollar and a half hour. See, the man wants time and a half overtime on the suit.

[Andy]

That's the way that. Let me see, that's $8. Four more dollars at a dollar fifty. That's six dollars. Aunt. Eight and six is fourteen.

[Kingfish]

No, and there's more than fourteen. You see, after midnight it's New Year's Day. And on holidays he gets double time.

[Andy]

Well, now, listen, Kingfish, I gotta have that tuxedo suit, but all the money I got to my name is $18 and I.

[Kingfish]

Wait a minute. Now, there is a coincidence. That is the biggest coincidence that I ever run into. That happens to be exactly the price that I talked the man down to. $18. Now give me the money, Anders, so I can close the deal with the man before he changes mine. I'll have Lightning pick up the suit and bring it over to your room right away. I'll give you a dime, Lightning.

[Andy]

Oh, listen, Kingfish, is I gotta pay the $18 right now?

[Kingfish]

Oh, sure, that's part of the deal. Besides that, if you stalls off in it, the scale might go up on you.

[Andy]

Okay, Kingfish, I'll do it. Me paying $18 to rent a tuxedo, it must be love.

[Lightning]

Ah, here's the tuxedo, Ms. Andy.

[Andy]

Yeah. Hurry up and unpack the box there, Lightning, and let's look at it. It's getting late, you know.

[Lightning]

Here it is now. I put them on. That's it, Mr. Anderson.

[Amos]

Yeah.

[Andy]

Let me see here.

[Lightning]

Put them up. Them pants look a little long to me.

[Andy]

Yeah, well, they'll do all right. Give me the coat. I'll slip this on. Yeah, it's a 44 all right. Now, tell me this. How do it look?

[Lightning]

Pretty good, Ms. Ann. It sure look like a old tie. Old style tuxedo or something, though.

[Andy]

Yeah, it do, don't it? I guess it ain't out of style too long, though. I wonder how old it is sometime.

[Lightning]

They got a label on the inside coat pocket that's got the date on it.

[Andy]

Yeah, Let me see here what it say. Yeah, the writing ain't too clear. March 23, 1924. Wait, here's the name of the man that owns it. George. George Kingfish. Steve Lightning. This suit belongs to the Kingfish and.

[Lightning]

He charged $18 for it.

[Andy]

That big bum. This is a fine way to finish up the year. This is to climber, axe to everything.

[Lightning]

Well, he sure is done pulled a fast one on you.

[Year 1943]

Yeah.

[Andy]

Well, I guess ain't nothing I can do about it right now.

[Lightning]

No, sir, it ain't.

[Andy]

Listen, Lightning, stop by Emerson's house and tell him to bring the studs over here.

[Amos]

Me?

[Andy]

This is a mess. Well, I guess I'll have to forget it. Listen, Lightning, I think I'm going to take a little snooze till Amos gets here. That's all this year has been good for anyway.

[Lightning]

Yeah, I said. Well, I'll get going. I better take off your coat. So you ain't going to wriggle it all up?

[Andy]

Yeah, I'll leave on the pants. I won't get them wrinkled. Oh, boy, sure feel good to stretch out here. Thank you for bringing me this suit, Lightning. Oh, me. Boy, is I tired.

[Lightning]

You want me to close the door, Ms. Anders?

[Andy]

What? The door. Close it. Oh, no. It's. Who that coming in the door?

[Year 1943]

All right, buddy, stick him up.

[Andy]

Oh, hey, wait a minute, mister. Wait a minute. Don't point that gun at me. Please don't shoot.

[Amos]

Get up.

[Andy]

Oh, yes, sir. Yeah. Don't shoot, mister. Please don't.

[Year 1943]

Up against that wall.

[Amos]

Come on, back up.

[Year 1943]

Keep your hands up.

[Andy]

Yeah, mister, you can have anything I got.

[Year 1943]

I don't want anything you got. All I want to do is to hide out here for a couple of hours.

[Andy]

Yeah. Yes, yes, yes. You can hide. I'll help you and I'll take it.

[Year 1943]

Easy, Buddy, you ain't got nothing to worry about. I just want to lay low here till midnight. Pull down that shade.

[Andy]

Yes. Yes, miss. That suit you was wearing, a. You a convict? So what?

[Year 1943]

I made my get away from the death chamber and I'm supposed to die at midnight. Now, what's it to you?

[Andy]

Oh, yes, yes. Who is you, mister?

[Year 1943]

Happens to be a number. Here it is on the shirt, see?

[Andy]

One, nine, four, three. Yeah. Excuse me, mister. 1943. But what was you in for?

[Year 1943]

Plenty of things. Plenty. But mostly murders. They thought 1917 was tough, and they thought 1929 was pretty bad.

[Andy]

1917. 1929. And, mister, that number on your shirt there. 1943. Them numbers mean something. Yeah, them is years.

[Year 1943]

Catch on quick, don't you?

[Andy]

A missa, by any chance, is you?

[Year 1943]

Yeah, you guessed it, buddy. You're talking face to face with a year. 1943. That's me.

[Andy]

Yeah. Yes, sir. And this is the last day of the year. And you were supposed to die at midnight. Yes, sir. I can see what you mean by murders. You've been bad.

[Year 1943]

All right, now, never mind. Skip that part of it, buddy. Time is short and I gotta talk to somebody. So you stand there and listen.

[Andy]

Yes, mister. Please let me go, sir. Let me talk to you some other night.

[Year 1943]

There won't be any other night. See, this is my last chance. All I want to do is talk. Tell you what's deep down in here.

[Kingfish]

Yes. Yeah.

[Year 1943]

Yeah. See, Buddy, when a year realizes that it only has a few more hours to live, a lot goes through his mind. Especially a year like me.

[Amos]

A tough year.

[Andy]

Yes. I, I, I, I was just thinking about all the floods and the shooting bombings and stuff like that.

[Year 1943]

Yeah, I know. You're like everybody else. Glad to get rid of me. So what? I'm going to. It's just that I hate to leave without somebody knowing that it wasn't all my fault.

[Andy]

Yeah, well, you was leaving things in a mess, mister.

[Year 1943]

Yeah, well, it could have been different too, Buddy. But when I was a kid, I met a lot of wrong guys, and I'm taking the rap.

[Andy]

What you mean?

[Year 1943]

Well, I got mixed up with a guy named Adolph. I didn't have enough sense to see that he only looked tough because he was picking on little fellows. Now, when it's too late, I can see that the guy who thought he was too smart to hang wallpaper is going to wind up hanging himself.

[Andy]

Yeah. Yes, I see what you mean. Yeah.

[Year 1943]

And then there Was a fat kid in the neighborhood by the name of Benito.

[Amos]

Yeah.

[Year 1943]

I used to say to him, benny, let's play checkers. And he'd say, no, let's help Adolf play London Bridge is falling down.

[Amos]

Yeah.

[Year 1943]

And then there was a half pine by the name of Tojo. He lived over on the west side. He showed me how to sneak up on people and let them have it in my back.

[Andy]

Well, what kind of people live where you live, Mr. 1943? Wasn't there no nice kids?

[Year 1943]

Oh, yeah, sure. Right across the pond from Adolph's and Benny's was a kid named Frank. I guess his regular name was Franklin, but they called him Frank for short. He asked me to come over to his house one day and see a stamp collection.

[Andy]

Yeah? Yes. Did you go?

[Year 1943]

No, and I wish I had. Things would have been a lot different if I'd have been on his side. I used to laugh when I thought about him saving stamps. Guess nobody realized that someday he'd be saving the little countries that printed a lot of them stamps.

[Andy]

Yes, I see what you mean.

[Year 1943]

Yeah, I've been tough and I ain't making no bones about it. It's just that maybe they're coming from me. Where can I go? Where can I hide?

[Andy]

Well, don't worry, mister.

[Year 1943]

Look, look here.

[Andy]

Tell you what you do. Here, put on this old robe of mine and they won't see your prison suit. I'll tell them you as a friend of mine.

[Year 1943]

Okay, buddy, but make it snappy.

[Andy]

Yeah. Here, put it on. Yeah. There. Now put your gun in this drawer.

[Year 1943]

Yeah.

[Andy]

Now stand over there.

[Year 1943]

Okay, buddy.

[Andy]

Now stick them up, Mr. 1943.

[Year 1943]

And I ain't fooling no double cross me.

[Andy]

Keep those hands up. I mean it. Cause I don't like you no more than the rest of people do. Come in.

[Lightning]

Well, hello there.

[Amos]

Well, say, what's going on here, Amos.

[Andy]

Stand over here by me. I got him. That's a criminal. He was supposed to die at midnight. He ain't just a man. Look at him. He is a year. Look at the number on his shirt.

[Amos]

1943. Oh, yeah. He's a tough guy, Andy.

[Andy]

Yeah. I'm gonna call the police and turn him in.

[Year 1943]

Okay, you got me, bud. But the cops will never get me. I'll be gone before they get here.

[Andy]

What will we do, Amos?

[Amos]

Wait a minute, Andy. Maybe. Maybe we won't turn him in.

[Andy]

But, Amos, he been the worst criminal of all of them.

[Amos]

That's right, Andy. 1943 has been bad. Full of suffering, crime and heartaches. And everything else.

[Year 1943]

All right, all right. Don't pull your punches. I can take it. Tell them how I kill 6 million people, set fire to churches and put swastikas where crosses used to be.

[Amos]

That's right. 1943. The world will never forget your sins. But you know, no matter how bad a person is, if you will look hard enough, you can find a little good in him.

[Andy]

Good.

[Amos]

1943, you put out a lot of lights all over this world. But as you leave us tonight, we ought to remember that you left the light burning in the Statue of Liberty.

[Year 1943]

Well, you noticed that, huh?

[Amos]

Yes, sir. And there's other things, too. With all the bad things you has done, you still let somebody find enough time to print more copies of a certain book than was ever printed in one year before.

[Year 1943]

The Holy Bible, say?

[Andy]

That's right.

[Amos]

And when we needed it most, 1943, you give us the biggest potato crop we ever had in our history. And somebody told me that somewhere in between your crimes you look down on a scientist working on some old stale mold and you let that man discover a new drug that will save millions of human lives. You know, Andy, New Year that folks ever tore off the calendar was all good. 1943 ain't been all bad.

[Year 1943]

Well, I'm glad to hear you say that, Buddy. Because when I took over the reins last January 1st, things weren't so hot. I don't expect history to list me with the heroes. I'm no 1776, and I know it. Still, I tried. And I'd give anything in the world if I could try again. But a year has only one chance to make good. And people have many. That's him now. The new year. Well, this is where I came in. Hand me the gun, Buddy.

[Amos]

Give it to him, Andy.

[Andy]

Well, you ain't gonna pull a fast one on us, is you?

[Year 1943]

Well, the only thing I have left to pull, Buddy, is a shade between two eternities.

[Andy]

Well, here's your gun.

[Year 1943]

There's just one bullet left in this gun that has killed so many. I saved that one for myself. Guess you better go now and let him come in. You've got a lot to do, and he'll need every minute. Who knows? Maybe he's the year the world's been waiting for. And try to remember that even a good year can't do it all by himself. Give the kid a little help and be patient with him. The tide has already begun to turn. But takes the right kind of people to make the right kind of year. And one more thing before I go. Remember that this new fellow will have 24 hours longer on the job than I had, for he'll have the extra day of leap year. Now, if you'll all pull together and do your share, that day can be the day of victory. Well, here I go. God bless you. Happy New Year. Come on in 1944. Goodbye.

[Amos]

Sake up, Andy. I brung you to studs. Oh.

[Andy]

Oh, hello. Oh, me? Why did that 1943 have to go and shoot himself? He was the best year I done ever talked to Andy.

[Amos]

You must been having a nightmare. Wake up. Come on, you got a date. You're going to be late if you don't hurry.

[Andy]

Oh, me? Amos, I guess you was right in letting him go, though.

[Kingfish]

What?

[Andy]

Well, he sure appreciated them nice things that you said about him.

[Amos]

Who, Andy?

[Andy]

1943.

[Amos]

And do you feel all right?

[Andy]

Who, me? Yeah, Joe.

[Amos]

Come on, Andy, pull yourself together. Here, I'll hold your coat for you. Here.

[Andy]

Coat.

[Year 1943]

Oh.

[Andy]

Oh, yeah. Okay. Yeah. Oh, yeah. Let's see how this tuxedo coat look on me. It's supposed to be a 44. It's an old style.

[Amos]

Yeah, I can see that.

[Andy]

Yeah. How do it look?

[Lightning]

Let me see.

[Amos]

Well, the shoulders don't fit bad. Take the stuff out. The pocket is kind of bulging down.

[Andy]

The side and there ain't nothing in the pocket.

[Amos]

There's something in the pocket.

[Andy]

Oh, I tell you it ain't. I got my hand in there. Now I. Wait a minute. I do feel something. Let me lift it up.

[Amos]

Look, it's something in the lining.

[Andy]

Yeah. Take that safety pin out.

[Amos]

Look, Andy.

[Andy]

Well, I'll be. Dog gone.

[Kingfish]

His money.

[Andy]

10, 20, 30, 35. Amos, this is the $35 the kingfish was telling us about that he never remembered where he put it.

[Amos]

Yeah, I feel all right, Andy.

[Andy]

Amos, hand me my hat and cane, son.

[Amos]

Andy, you sure do look great.

[Andy]

Oh, Amos, I'm telling you, this is a perfect 44.

[Narrator/Announcer]

And now, ladies and gentlemen, here are Amos and Andy, who would like to say a few words to their listeners.

[Amos]

How do you do, ladies and gentlemen?

[Andy]

Hello, folks.

[Amos]

Well, this being New Year's Eve, we have asked permission to say a few words to our friends on the air.

[Andy]

At this time of the year. We would like to let you know how grateful we are to you.

[Amos]

We wouldn't feel right to let this whole year pass over the hill without expressing our deep appreciation for the people who sponsor this program and make it possible for us to be here. That is Lever Brothers, the people who make renso. We can truthfully Say that since we have started our half hour show in October, that we have never been treated with such cooperation and understanding in our entire radio career. We told you once before about going through and seeing them make soap. And we can tell you from experience that the product we represent, Rinseau, is the greatest product of its kind.

[Andy]

And we've had many letters from our listeners telling us that. We hope you folks don't get mad if you don't find that your grocer don't have it on the shelf. Because sometimes the grocer doesn't have it there. There's no Rinsel on the shelf. But it's well worth waiting for. He is getting it as fast as it can possibly be made. And by waiting for it you'll be helping yourself and helping us a lot too.

[Amos]

At the end of the year, everybody sort of takes inventory. And in our checkup at the end of 1943 tonight, we find that we are rich in friends. And truthfully, that is the most important thing we know of. We are deeply grateful to you for this and so from our hearts we want to thank you sincerely, as two people can thank their many friends. We promise you that during the coming year we will redouble our efforts to bring you the best that's in us.

[Andy]

And for the splendid cooperation that we've received from the boys in the orchestra, from our guest stars, from Harlow Wilcox, members of our cast and everyone connected with our show, we want to say to them many thanks and a happy New year.

[Amos]

And to you, our friends, we say, may the New Year bring victory to us and our valiant allied all over the world. That is our wish for a happy new year. And now let's all join in the chorus of Aulang Zion.

[Narrator/Announcer]

Perhaps you're lucky enough to have your loved one in the service home on leave. And you wouldn't be human if you didn't want to know about everything he's doing. Nor would it be unnatural for him to want to tell you. And yet that very enthusiasm, that desire to confide can bring tragedy. Even when you're with family or friends and are sure no enemy agent can hear, it isn't safe to mention items of war information. Remember, things which don't seem important to you may be of vital importance in a link of information. So don't ask and don't tell where our soldiers are, how many there are, how they are being transported, when they're going, or what kind of duty they're going on. If you do hear it from someone, don't repeat it. If you see it yourself, don't repeat it. But if you read it in the newspapers or hear it on the radio, you can talk all you like. Otherwise, mum's the word. Join us again next week at the same time for the Amos and Andy show, when the boy's guest will be the motion picture star, Pat o'.

[Andy]

Brien.

[Narrator/Announcer]

Our thanks to Edward G. Robinson for appearing with us tonight. He may currently be seen in the universal picture Flesh and Fantasy. This program is broadcast to our armed forces everywhere. This is Harlow Wilcox bidding you good night and repeating from all of us to all of you, Happy New Year.