Andrews Sisters - Guest - Ethel Merman

Summary

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Podcast Summary: Harold's Old Time Radio

Episode: Andrews Sisters - Guest - Ethel Merman
Date: March 28, 2026
Host: Andre Barouche (on behalf of Nash Kelvinator)
Featured Artists: The Andrews Sisters, Kurt Massey, Vic Schoen & His Orchestra, Ethel Merman

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Episode Overview

This episode of Harold's Old Time Radio brings listeners to a lively broadcast from Detroit’s Masonic Temple in the 1940s, celebrating Nash Kelvinator employees and featuring The Andrews Sisters. The highlight is a special guest appearance by Broadway legend Ethel Merman. Listeners are treated to a medley of classic tunes, lighthearted banter, product plugs characteristic of the era, and nostalgic callbacks to America's Golden Age of Radio entertainment.

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Key Discussion Points & Musical Highlights

1. Opening Festivities in Detroit

• The show opens in front of a live audience from Detroit, sending best wishes to 5,000 Nash Kelvinator employees and friends.
  • Andre Barouche: “A low bow and the best wishes from our gang as they sing ‘I Wish I Were in Michigan.’” [00:35]

Featured Song: "I Wish I Were in Michigan"

• The Andrews Sisters warmly perform a special version, tailored with references for their Detroit audience.
  • Patty Andrews: “We chose it especially for you Michiganders.” [03:19]

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2. Andrews Sisters Medley & Banter

"Sealed with a Kiss"/"Come to Baby, Do" [04:13]

• The sisters deliver playful harmonies about returning home and rekindling love.
• Maxine Andrews: “I took a choo choo choo choo / Fast as I could take a choo choo / I came a long, long, long long way to take you in my arm...” [04:13]

Andrews Sisters & Andre Barouche: Vintage Commercial Banter [06:32]

• Transitioning with humorous back-and-forth about Nash cars and Kelvinator appliances, blending sponsor plugs with personal jokes.
  • Patty Andrews (joking): “When you take a gander at a Kelvinator…I say to myself, what a beautiful, beautiful refrigerator.” [07:02]
  • Andre Barouche: “Ain’t it the trut?” [07:11]

"It's Been a Long, Long Time" [07:14]

• The Andrews Sisters’ lush harmonies evoke wartime longing and reunions.

"Patience and Fortitude" [10:56]

• Performed as a cheerful, witty lesson in perseverance, with clever references to comic and pop culture.
  • Maxine Andrews: “River waves away the rock with patience, fortitude / Rust will spoil the strongest lock with patience, fortitude…” [11:27]

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3. Ethel Merman’s Grand Entrance [13:51]

• Andre Barouche introduces Ethel Merman, celebrating her Broadway stardom and teasing her signature Gershwin number from Girl Crazy.
  • Andre Barouche: “If you remember Girl Crazy, you remember that George Gershwin wrote one of the very best scores of his career…That girl, Ethel Merman. That song, I Got Rhythm.” [15:18]

Ethel Merman performs "I Got Rhythm" [15:26]

• A showstopping rendition, Merman’s famous voice energizes the crowd.
  • Ethel Merman: “I got rhythm, I got music, I got my man, who could ask for anything more?” [15:26]

Memorable Exchange

• The hosts surprise both Merman and the Andrews Sisters with "Green Room Awards" for outstanding entertainment.
  • Maxine Andrews (playful): “Wait a minute now, Andre, before you can get another word in…This is not in the script. They just surprised us!” [17:55]

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4. More Andrews Sisters, Duets & Closing Numbers

"Lily Bell" [18:19]

• The Andrews Sisters sing a melody about a sparkling-eyed girl, charming the audience.

Patty Andrews & Kurt Massey Duet: "I'm Gonna Love That Guy" [23:15]

• Romantic, lightly teasing duet about love and longing, reflecting era’s musical theatre styles.
  • Patty Andrews: “I’m gonna love that gal like she’s never been loved before.” [24:50]

"Symphony" [26:08]

• Closing ensemble number, filled with poetic metaphors about love.

  • Maxine Andrews: “Symphony of love, music from above…” [26:08]
  • Patty Andrews: “You walk in, and the song begins, singing violins start in my heart.” [26:25]

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Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• Detroit Dedication:

  • Patty Andrews: “We chose it especially for you Michiganders.” [03:19]

• Sponsor Humor:

  • Patty Andrews: “When you take a gander at a Kelvinator…I say to myself, what a beautiful, beautiful refrigerator.” [07:02]

• Surprise Awards:

  • Maxine Andrews: “You don’t know how I’ve been carving this all day long!” (upon receiving the Green Room Award) [18:07]

• Ethel Merman’s Broadway Recall:

  • Ethel Merman: (singing) “Who could ask for anything more?” [16:00]

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Important Timestamps

• 00:35 – Live broadcast from Detroit opens, Andrews Sisters perform "I Wish I Were in Michigan"
• 04:13 – "Sealed with a Kiss" / "Come to Baby, Do"
• 06:55 – Andrews Sisters & Andre joke about sponsors
• 07:14 – "It's Been a Long, Long Time"
• 10:56 – "Patience and Fortitude"
• 13:51 – Ethel Merman introduced in the Green Room
• 15:26 – Merman sings "I Got Rhythm"
• 17:00 – Surprise Green Room Award for Ethel Merman and the Andrews Sisters
• 18:19 – "Lily Bell"
• 23:15 – Patty Andrews & Kurt Massey duet
• 26:08 – "Symphony"
• 29:03 – Show closes, mentions upcoming guest Abbott & Costello

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Episode Tone & Style

True to old-time radio, the episode is warm, upbeat, and family-friendly. Performers engage in wholesome humor, affectionate teasing, and high-spirited musical numbers. Sponsor plugs for Nash cars and Kelvinator appliances are woven seamlessly and playfully into conversations, capturing the era’s charm.

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For Further Listening

• Next Week: Abbott & Costello and their famed “Who’s on First?” routine in the NK Green Room.

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This episode blends nostalgia, hit tunes, and star-studded camaraderie, making it a delightful trip back to radio’s golden era—even if you missed the broadcast itself.

Transcript

[Bleacher Report Announcer]

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[Andre Barouche]

Nash builders of nash motor cars. Kelvinator builders of kelvinator home appliances. Nash Kelvinator, one of America's great independent companies, welcomes you to the NK Musical Showroom starring the Andrew Sisters. This is our inviting you to listen to the music of the Andrews Sisters, Kurt Massey, the Ambassadors, Vic Schoen and his orchestra. And in the Nash Televonator green room, tonight's guest is Ethel Merman. Tonight, our showroom's located right near the NK Home Office in Detroit. And to the 5000 Nash Televonator employees and friends here in Detroit's Masonic Temple, a low bow and the best wishes from our gang as they sing I Wish I Were in Michigan I was

[Patty Andrews]

born in Michigan and I wish and wish again that I was back in the town where I was born There's a farm in Michigan and I'd like to fish again in the river that flows beside the fields of waving pond I'm lonesome so

[Maxine Andrews]

and here's the reason why I want to go back I want to go back I want to go back to the farm far away from home with the milk pail on my arm I miss the rooster the one that used to wake me up at 4am I think your great big city's very pretty.

[Patty Andrews]

Nevertheless I wanted, I want to see there a certain someone full of charm that's why I wish again that I was in Michigan.

[Maxine Andrews]

Down on the we're glad to be back we're glad to be back we're glad we're back in Michigan we're the

[Patty Andrews]

bill Goodwill again and we all our best of friends the Detroit version of this excursion it's the best there's in the land

[Maxine Andrews]

that's why we sing this kitty to your city and we insist we're so excited we were invited so we say how have you been? That's why we're glad again we're back in Michigan.

[Patty Andrews]

You know what we mean?

[Maxine Andrews]

Just ask God sponsors back in Michigan. Ah, thanks a million, folks. Glad you like the tune we chose it especially for you Michiganders.

[Andre Barouche]

And mighty nice Pick and Patty. Pick and Patty. I know them well. I think we can change the lyrics a little bit now, though, and say that you're not only in Michigan, honey, you're in solid in Michigan. And I think you and Maxine and Laverne ought to go right ahead and consolidate that solidarity with the Andrew special. That's sealed with a kiss. Come to baby do.

[Maxine Andrews]

I took a choo choo choo choo Fast as I could take a choo choo I came a long, long, long long way to take you in my arm and now it's your first move to prov been true Come to baby do I've been away way, way, way way beyond the blue horizon I'm hoping no, no, no, no no one else is on your mind. So pucker up, my sweet and meet your Waterloo. Come to. Stop me from guessing Ain't no time to te style all this messin Put your bacon baby Eddie. I wanna love, love, love you just the way I want to love you. I'm gonna try, try, try to make you try to understand. When all is said and done. Come to baby do Stop me from guessing Ain't no time to tear Stop all this messing Put your begging baby at ease. I want to love you, love you just the way I want to love you, baby. I love you and I'm going to try to make you try to understand. When all is said and done the one for me is you. Won't you, baby? Do do do do Come to baby do.

[Patty Andrews]

Ah.

[Andre Barouche]

Like I say, sealed with a kiss and delivered with a bang. All wonderful, kids.

[Maxine Andrews]

No, thank you, Andre. And isn time for the prize package of the love is a wonderful thing department, Kurt, man.

[Andre Barouche]

Oh, it sure is, Patty. Kurt Mann, tell us about your tune.

[Patty Andrews]

Well, Andre, I don't want to butt in on your territory, but it's a love song to Nash Kelvinator.

[Andre Barouche]

You mean when you see that new Nash?

[Patty Andrews]

Oh, I get that wonderful feeling. Boy, what line?

[Andre Barouche]

And when you take a gander at a Kelvinator, I say to myself, what

[Patty Andrews]

a beautiful, beautiful refrigerator.

[Andre Barouche]

And when you think they're back in the market again, well, Andre, all I

[Patty Andrews]

can say is it's been a long, long time.

[Andre Barouche]

Ain't it the Trut?

[Patty Andrews]

Kissed me once and kissed me twice. Kissed me once again. It's been a long, long time. Haven't felt like this, my dear since can't remember when. It's been a long, long time. You'll never know how many dreams I

[Maxine Andrews]

dreame

[Patty Andrews]

oh, just how empty they all seem we love you so Kiss me once Kiss me twice Then kiss me once again it's been a long, long time. It's been a long. It's been a long, long time I never dreamed I'd ever dreamed so many dreams about you no, just how empty they all seemed without you. I've been so lonesome Kiss me once and kiss me twice Kiss me once again it's been a long, long time.

[Andre Barouche]

You know, there's a quick way to that modern kitchen you intend to have soon. Just say you're planning a Kelvinator kitchen. It means you'll have, first of all, a big gleaming Kelvinator refrigerator with storage space for up to 30 pounds of frozen foods. With spacious glass covered crispers to keep green vegetables fresh for days. It means you'll have a beautiful new Kelvinator Automatic cook electric range. The wonder range that cooks whole meals all by itself. And you'll complete your wonderful new kitchen with a big, economical Kelvinator home freezer. So find out tomorrow all about these brilliant new Kelvinator appliances. Just ask your Kelvinator dealer. He now has one of the new Kelvinator refrigerators on display. And he's sure to have photographs and specifications of all three Kelvinator appliances. The refrigerator, the Kelvinator Automatic Cook electric range, and the Kelvinator home Freezer. Get the best things first. Get Kelvinator. Friends, does your morale sag? Is it all the same to you? Which side of bed you get out of in the morning because both sides are on the wrong side? Does your wife or husband look at you and start biting his or her nails? It is they are he or she does. Say, you're in pretty bad shape, aren't you? Well, have patience and fortitude Patience and fortitude Patience and fortitude and things will come your way

[Maxine Andrews]

Patience and fortitude Patience and fortitude Patience and. And things will come your way when you and silence you can make life dull and cooler Patience Transport and things will come your way Couldn't wait for the egg to hatch Used to burn bourbons with a match Wouldn't wait for the cake to b. But now I can see it's a big mistake Patience and fortitude Patience and fortitude Patience and fortitude and things will come your way river waves away the rock with patience, fortitude Rust will spoil the strongest lie with patience, fortitude the hottest fires will soon grow cold with vision for the dew Orphan Annie might grow old with vision for. Auntie Wins a beauty test with patience, fortitude Dick Tracy soon will get a rest have patience for the tune Bowman trains will soon have space with patience for the truth. Crossing horse will win a race.

[Patty Andrews]

Have patience for a do.

[Maxine Andrews]

Morning. Will come your way. And things will come your way.

[Andre Barouche]

In every theater in the world, there's a green room. The room where the star waits for those magic words. You're on. Our green room has traveled out to Detroit with us. And on the stage is that green door with a shiny star where our guest of the evening waits for her cue. She's a singing star who's waited in green rooms all over the country for a signal to come out and bring the house down in some of the biggest musical comedy hits America ever applauded. You remember how she stopped the show? And anything goes. Hannah Ma, Hattie Du Barry was a lady. And something for the boys. Sure, you're absolutely right. Stepping from the NK Green room is our very special guest, that wonderful singer of wonderful songs, Ethel.

[Maxine Andrews]

Thank you.

[Andre Barouche]

Thank you, everybody, and good evening. You know, Ethel, when I was running down that list of your hit shows, and incidentally, that list could have been just twice as long as it was, there was one show I very carefully left out.

[Maxine Andrews]

Yes, Andre? I was listening through the green room door and I noticed that.

[Andre Barouche]

Well, Ethel, it isn't that I forgot it. It's just that I wanted to save it for now. Folks, I know a lot of you will never forget a show called Girl Crazy. And if you remember Girl Crazy, you remember that George Gershwin wrote one of the very best scores of his career. And you certainly remember the thrill when a practically unknown girl stepped out and sang a Gershwin song and left that stage a star. That girl, Ethel Merman. That song. I got rhythm,

[Maxine Andrews]

I got rhythm I got music I got my man. Who could act more Anything more. I got daisies in green pastures I got my man. Who could ask for anything more? An old man say I don't find him. Cause you won't find him Round my door I got starlight and I got sweet dreams. I got my man. Who could ask for anything more? Who could ask for anything more? Who could ask for anything more? Who could ask for anything more? An old man's trouble Say, I don't mind him. Cause you won't find him Hanging around my front or back door. Oh, Who could ask for anything more? Who could ask for anything more?

[Patty Andrews]

Better than ever.

[Andre Barouche]

Ethel Merman. And as a symbol of our appreciation, here is a model of the green room door. The Nash Televonator Award for your outstanding contribution to the world of entertainment.

[Maxine Andrews]

Thank you very much, Andre.

[Andre Barouche]

Thank you. You know, ladies and gentlemen, it is now my very great pleasure to make another Green Room award and to make it in behalf of the 5,000 men and women of the Nash Covenator family with us here tonight. And here it is. For their outstanding contribution to the world of entertainment, the Green Room Award is hereby presented to Patty, Maxine and Laverne, our favorites in America's the Andrew Sisters, Ladies and gentlemen.

[Maxine Andrews]

Wait a minute now, Andre, before you can get another word in, believe me, ladies and gentlemen, this is not in the script. They just surprised us.

[Andre Barouche]

And you can believe that, too. Honestly, the girls didn't know a thing about him. We hope. You're holding it upside down, dear.

[Maxine Andrews]

You don't know how I've been carving this all day long.

[Andre Barouche]

Look, well, there's only one way to get out of it, and my suggestion is this. You can get out of this hole for by just going ahead and doing your swell arrangement of Lily Bell.

[Maxine Andrews]

Oh, thank you, Andre. And thank you, everybody. Who's got eyes that sparkle like a lily sprinkled with dew? Ly bell who's got lips as fresh as autumn rain? When summer is through? Would you like a sunbeam on a rainy day? You can catch a sunbeam when she smiles away who's got heavenly a flutter so they're ready to fall? Lily Bell birdies take one look at her and stop their singing to call my yours well, oh, an incidentally, there's one more thing to tell if your eyes are open and you think you're seeing a dream lay. There's one more thing to tell

[Patty Andrews]

if

[Maxine Andrews]

your eyes are open and you think you're seeing a dream. Lily. Bell,

[Bleacher Report Announcer]

the Bleacher Report app is your destination for sports right now. The NBA is heating up, March Madness is here, and MLB is almost back. Every day there's a new headline, a new highlight, a new moment you've got to see for yourself. That's why I stay locked in with the Bleacher Report app. For me, it's about staying connected to my sports. I can follow the teams I care about, get real time scores, breaking news and highlights all in one place. Download the Bleacher Report app today so you never miss a moment.

[Andre Barouche]

Hey, it's Cole Swindell. After I give everything I've got to land a perfect vocal, I usually take five before jumping into the next track. And I've learned exactly how to recharge in that time. Some folks grab coffee, I hit a quick good luck spin. Next thing you know, the break is just as fun as laying down the track. A Better break makes for a better take. Need a break? Let's check. Chamba. No purchase necessary bgw group void were prohibited by law 21/tnc supply sponsored by CHUMBA Casino. In this new age of travel, the age of overnight planes to London, of revolutionary new streamliners. Millions have been waiting for a new kind of car to appear. Now that car is coming. The new Nash 600. A car built on the same engineering ideas that fathered today's record breaking planes. Instead of having a separate body and frame, this new Nash is designed as one single unit of welded steel. Safer, stronger and hundreds of pounds lighter. Now here's what this great achievement car that will actually deliver 25 to 30 miles to the gallon of gasoline at moderate highway speeds. Now, for the first time, you can have coil springing on all four wheels. Riding comfort unlike anything you've had before. You have thrilling new performance, ease of steering. Yes, and a Nash conditioned air system that lets you ride in living room comfort on the coldest day. Nash is in production and it won't be long now until you can see this sensational new car. Your Nash dealer can tell you when he expects the new Nash 600 and the Nash Ambassador. See him and see why you'll be ahead with Nash. Well, it's time to present our whoosom twosome, Patty Andrews and Kurt Massey in a duet on the romantic side as follows.

[Patty Andrews]

You take the cooing and you take the billing.

[Maxine Andrews]

And we'll get to the kissing together.

[Patty Andrews]

Hubba hubba hu.

[Maxine Andrews]

I'm gonna love that guy like he's never been loved before

[Patty Andrews]

I'm gonna show that gal she's the baby that I adore

[Maxine Andrews]

when he's in my arms again Our dreams will all come true in

[Patty Andrews]

the years between might never have been

[Maxine Andrews]

we'll start our lives anew I'm gonna

[Patty Andrews]

show that girl she baby, that I adore

[Maxine Andrews]

and though I miss that guy he's the fella I'm waiting for we

[Patty Andrews]

never part again she'll hold my heart

[Maxine Andrews]

again Forever and never more I'm going to love that guy like she's never been loved. We'll never part again she'll hold my heart again Forever and evermore

[Patty Andrews]

I'm gonna love that gal like she's never been

[Maxine Andrews]

Love I'm gonna love that guy like he's never been

[Patty Andrews]

we're gonna love each other like we never been loved before.

[Andre Barouche]

It's a brand new love song that Kurt Massey, Vic Schoen and the Andrew Sisters have for you tonight. One that the boys overseas heard in Paris. Paris hummed in Italy and sent right back to the USA where it looks as if it's going to make itself right at home. It's called symphony.

[Maxine Andrews]

Symphony of love. Music from above. How does it start?

[Patty Andrews]

You walk in. And the song begins. Singing violins start in my heart.

[Maxine Andrews]

Its sighs and it softly dies.

[Patty Andrews]

Sing to me

[Maxine Andrews]

Then we kiss and it's clear to me when you're near to me J. Then we kiss. And it's clear to me when you're

[Patty Andrews]

near to me you are my symphony you.

[Andre Barouche]

Well, everybody, that just about shows off every new model on display in the Nash Kelvinator musical showroom.

[Maxine Andrews]

So good night, folks. See you next Wednesday.

[Andre Barouche]

From the Andrew Sisters.

[Patty Andrews]

So long, folks.

[Andre Barouche]

From Kurt Massey.

[Maxine Andrews]

And we want to say so long to a wonderful, wonderful guy, Andre Barouche. We're going to the coast and we're sorry Andre isn't able to come with us.

[Andre Barouche]

Well, thanks very much, Patty. It's been wonderful working with you. But you've got it on the Feather McGee and Molly Show. And don't forget, next Wednesday in the Nash Kelvinator green room in Hollywood. In the showcase of the show room, Abbott and Costello doing their best love baseball comedy routine. Who's on first?

[Maxine Andrews]

And remember, we'll be with you each

[Andre Barouche]

Wednesday at the sky Nash builders of Nash motor cars. Kelvinator Builders of Kelvinator home applian. Nash Kelvinator, makers of Nash motor cars, Kelvinator and Leonard home appliances will be looking for you next Wednesday in the NK musical showroom starring the Andrew Sisters with Kurt Massey, Vic Schoen and his orchestra and the ambassadors. And in the green room, Abbott and Costello. Until then, this is Andre Barouche wishing you good evening from Detroit, home of Nash Delvinator. This is cbs, the Columbia broadcast business, knx Los Angeles Columbia station for Southern California.

[Bleacher Report Announcer]

The Bleacher report app is your destination for sports right now. The NBA is heating up. March madness is here and MLB is almost back. Every day there's a new headline, a new highlight, a new moment you've got to see for yourself. That's why I stay locked in with the Bleacher Report app. For me, it's about staying connected to my sports. I can follow the teams I care about, get real time. Scores, breaking news and highlights all in one place. Download the Bleacher Report app today so you never miss a moment. Tyler redick here from 2311 Racing. Another checkered flag for the books. Time to celebrate with Chumba. Jump [e-mail]. let's Chumba.

[Andre Barouche]

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