Podcast Summary: Harold’s Old Time Radio

Episode: Amos & Andy – "Amos Is Missing"

Date: March 26, 2026
Host: Harold's Old Time Radio

Episode Overview

This classic episode from the golden age of radio centers on the humorous predicament of Andy Brown and friends as they attempt to solve the mystery of Amos’s disappearance just as their regular show is about to begin. Their search leads them on a madcap journey through NBC studios, with appearances and gags featuring other radio luminaries such as Fibber McGee and Molly, Bob Hope, and Red Skelton. The show is filled with signature banter, musical interludes, commercials for Rinso detergent, and laugh-out-loud asides that showcase the spirit of old-time radio comedy.

Key Discussion Points & Episode Breakdown

1. The Mystery: Where’s Amos?

• Opening Situation (00:31–02:13):

  • Andy Brown discovers Amos is missing right as the show is set to begin.
  • Neither the Kingfish nor Lightning can be found.
  • Andy speculates Amos may be interacting with other NBC stars.

  Andy Brown (01:50): “We can't go on with the show. Amos is missing. He ain't here. And I can't find the Kingfish or Lightning neither.”

• Searching the Studios (02:13–07:02):

  • Gabby Gibson joins Andy in the search, invoking the French phrase “Cherchez la femme,” to comedic effect.
  • Comic crossover with Fibber McGee and Molly—mix-ups about radio tubes and missing cast members ensue.
  • The segment is interrupted by comedic misunderstandings and a running gag about identifying Amos by increasingly absurd characteristics.

  Gabby Gibson (02:49): "Cherche and a femi. That means find a woman."

  Andy Brown (02:53): "Yeah, well, you sure say la femi and I'll sure say la ama. Come on me..."

  Bud McGee (05:09): “Holy smoke, you're not the Andy of Amos and Andy, are you?”

2. Accidental Mayhem & Slapstick

• Physical Comedy with the Closet (07:57–08:03):

  • Andy ends up buried under a pile of junk in Fibber McGee’s infamous closet—a direct nod to a radio running gag.
  • Gabby and Molly react in alarm and rush to help Andy.

  Molly McGee (07:59): “Oh, my gosh. He's buried under that pile of junk!”

3. The Show Must Go On (08:24–10:55)

• Filling in for Missing Friends:

  • Gabby volunteers to help, referencing his role in "Song of the South" and launching into a spirited rendition of "Zippity Doo Dah" with playful lyrics referencing being both onscreen and on radio.

  Gabby Gibson (09:11): "Zippity doo dah zippity a, My, oh my, what a wonderful day... Mr. Bluebird on my shoulder..."

4. Classic Radio Crossover & More Gags (14:14–18:47)

• Bob Hope Show Interlude (15:10–18:47):

  • Andy and friends visit Bob Hope’s studio, enjoying a mix of topical jokes about 1947, horse races, and Hollywood routines.
  • This section is peppered with classic one-liners and musical gags, continuing the theme of star-studded NBC antics.

  Female Singer (17:37): “He was so slow, his saddle made up into a murphy bed.”

  Molly McGee (17:46): "But he really ran a heads up race."

5. In and Out of Other Shows (21:54–29:03)

• Meeting Red Skelton/Clem Kadiddlehopper (21:54–28:13):

  • Andy and Gabby try to get help from Red Skelton’s character Clem Kadiddlehopper, leading to country-folk humor and wordplay about big pants, hiding money in shoes, and misadventures in the city.

  Gabby Gibson (24:07): "Well, that’d be hard to say. You see, I'm sort of a stranger around here..." Gabby Gibson (24:49): "Who's wearing shoes?"

• News: Amos Found! (28:16–31:27):

  • News arrives from Amos’s wife Ruby: Amos is in the hospital after an operation.
  • The friends scramble to find a nickel for a payphone to call him, another classic comedic scramble.

6. Reunited – Over the Phone (29:28–30:14)

• Heartfelt Update and Reunion:

  • Andy talks to Amos, who reassures the crew he’ll be back next Tuesday and expresses gratitude for the help from NBC stars and the many flowers in his hospital room.

  Andy Brown (29:30): “Well, how you feel?” Amos Jones (29:31): “Oh, I come along pretty good, Andy. And I hope to be back with you fellas next Tuesday... My room is full of flowers.” Andy Brown (30:00): “That's great. By the way, Amos, we can't find the Kingfish or Lightning neither. You know where he is?” Amos Jones (30:09): “Well, funny thing about this thing here, Andy. It always was and always will be that every time I get sick, that Kingfish and Lightning always gets sick with me.”

• Kingfish and Lightning Join the Call:

  • A quick round of greetings all around, with more jokes about slightly used flowers.

7. The Closing Message & Period Commercials (31:27–32:57)

• Sentimental Close:
  • Andy reflects on taking care of what you have, offering a message of thrift and care appropriate for the era.
  • Extended period commercials for Rinso detergent stress the importance of saving kitchen fats for soap production—a direct tie-in to 1940s wartime conservation efforts.

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On Amos’s Whereabouts:
  Andy Brown (01:50): “We can't go on with the show. Amos is missing. He ain't here. And I can't find the Kingfish or Lightning neither.”
• Classic Andy & Gabby Banter:
  Gabby Gibson (02:49): "Cherche and a femi. That means find a woman."
  Andy Brown (02:53): "Yeah, well, you sure say la femi and I'll sure say la ama. Come on me..."
• Hospital Update:
  Amos Jones (29:31): “Oh, I come along pretty good, Andy. And I hope to be back with you fellas next Tuesday.”
• Banter About the Cast’s Absences:
  Amos Jones (30:14): “It always was and always will be that every time I get sick, that Kingfish and Lightning always gets sick with me.”
• Gabby’s Shoes Joke:
  Gabby Gibson (24:49): "Who's wearing shoes?"

Important Timestamps

• 00:31 – Andy opens the show and makes the shocking discovery that Amos is missing.
• 05:09 – McGee realizes Andy is “the Andy” of Amos and Andy.
• 07:59 – Andy’s brush with Fibber McGee’s notorious closet.
• 08:24 – Gabby offers musical relief: “Zippity Doo Dah.”
• 15:10 – Encounter with Bob Hope’s show and a burst of topical humor.
• 21:54 – Crosses over to Red Skelton’s Clem Kadiddlehopper.
• 28:19 – Amos’s location is revealed: he’s in the hospital.
• 29:28 – Heartwarming phone call with Amos from his hospital bed.
• 31:27 – Andy’s nostalgic closing thoughts and period advertising.

Overall Tone & Style

The episode is characterized by rapid-fire gags, pun-filled wordplay, and vaudevillian routines, epitomizing the charm and communal spirit of old-time radio. Crossovers with other radio personalities (Fibber McGee and Molly, Bob Hope, Red Skelton) evoke a playful sense of live variety and improvisation. Emotional notes are struck with the gentle concern for Amos’s health and the joy of reunion.

For New Listeners

This episode is a stellar example of "Amos & Andy’s" comedic style, blending slapstick, verbal comedy, musical numbers, and meta references to the golden age of radio. It’s packed with fun character moments, classic 1940s radio commercial breaks, and a sense of affectionate camaraderie among all the “cast”—real or imagined—within the NBC radio family.

(Skip to: 00:31 for show start, 05:09 for Fibber McGee fun, 08:24 for "Zippity Doo Dah," 15:10 for Bob Hope, 21:54 for Red Skelton, 28:19 for Amos’s revelation, 29:28 for phone reunion.)