Andrews Sisters - Guest: Xavier Cugat
Podcast: Harold's Old Time Radio
Host: Harlow Wilcox
Air Date: March 30, 2026
Overview
This episode of “Harold’s Old Time Radio” features a lively musical variety broadcast from the golden age of radio. The Andrews Sisters headline as the main performers, supported by Kurt Massey, Vic Schoen and his orchestra, and The Ambassadors vocal group. The special guest is the legendary bandleader Xavier Cugat, who brings his trademark Latin flair to the show. The episode blends favorite popular songs, lighthearted banter, homage to American GIs, and celebrates the cultural exchange between the US and Latin America.
Key Segments and Insights
1. Opening & First Musical Numbers
- [00:36] Harlow Wilcox welcomes listeners, introducing sponsors Nash Motor Cars and Kelvinator home appliances, and the evening's stars.
- [01:26] The Andrews Sisters perform “On the Sunny Side of the Street,” displaying their signature harmonies and upbeat style.
- Quote, Patty Andrews (03:25): “I'm glad you liked it.”
- [03:59] The Andrews Sisters sing “Waiting for the Train to Come In,” expressing the longing of home-front women for their loved ones during wartime.
2. Banter & Solo Performances
- [06:28] Kurt Massey is introduced with playful dialogue, then performs “I Can't Begin to Tell You.”
- The conversation reveals the personalities of the ensemble, keeping the tone light and humorous.
- Quote, Harlow Wilcox (06:52): “Aha. No Tongue tied Troubadour? Just moonlight and Rose's tycoon setting up a song cue.”
- Massey’s crooning style stands out, connecting emotionally with listeners.
3. Andrews Sisters Showcase
- [11:03] Signature performance of “Beat Me Daddy, Eight to the Bar” captures their energetic blend of swing and close harmonies, evoking the World War II era’s spirit.
- [13:10] Playful vocal interludes and audience recognition drive home the sisters’ popularity.
4. Green Room Guest: Xavier Cugat
- [13:43] Harlow introduces Xavier Cugat as “the first and certainly the most popular ambassador of musical goodwill from Pan America.”
- Quote, Harlow (14:40): “You bring out the North American side. Very informal, but still very serious. You know, Patty, I... I have always gone for blonde girls. Oh, la ruvias que cosas machulas.”
- [15:04] Warm banter between Cugat and the Andrews Sisters, switching between English and playful Spanish, reinforcing cross-cultural appreciation.
- [15:57] Performance of “Tico Tico,” bringing Latin rhythms and excitement to the broadcast, demonstrating Cugat’s influence on American popular music.
5. Acclaim for Xavier Cugat
- [18:24] Cugat is presented with a symbolic “Green Room award” for bringing the “South American way all the way up to North America.”
- Quote, Harlow Wilcox (18:24): “For your outstanding contribution to the world of entertainment...”
- Cugat (18:32): “Muchas gracias, Harlow. Muchas gracias and thank you and good night everyone.”
6. Songs for the Troops & Homefront
- [18:48] The Andrews Sisters dedicate a song to GIs: “Special delivery from the Andrew Sisters to those wonderful GIs we met overseas.”
- [19:58] “Did You Ever Get That Feeling in the Moonlight?” evokes nostalgia and the longing of separation due to war.
7. Comedy & Duet Interludes
- [23:52] Patty and Kurt perform the duet “No Can Do,” mixing comedic elements and flirtatious banter reflecting post-war American optimism.
8. Closing Musical Highlights
- [26:07] Introduction and performance of “It Might as Well Be Spring,” with alternating verses between Kurt Massey and the Andrews Sisters, showcasing their vocal chemistry.
- [30:04] The finale emphasizes post-war patriotism:
- Quote, Patty Andrews (30:08): “The bonds you buy this time pay for victory, pay for peace. And that's worth all the money we've got.”
9. Announcements & Farewell
- [30:15] Harlow Wilcox previews the next program’s guest (George Jessel) and signs off on a note of gratitude and anticipation.
Memorable Quotes & Moments
- Patty Andrews [03:25]: “I’m glad you liked it.”
- Harlow Wilcox [14:40]: “You bring out the North American side. Very informal, but still very serious. You know, Patty, I have always gone for blonde girls. Oh la ruvias que cosas machulas.”
- Harlow Wilcox [18:24]: “For your outstanding contribution to the world of entertainment bringing the South American way all the way up to North America. Here’s a model of the green room deck, a symbol of the Nash Kelvinator Green Room award.”
- Patty Andrews [30:08]: “The bonds you buy this time pay for victory, pay for peace. And that’s worth all the money we’ve got.”
Timestamps for Noteworthy Segments
- 00:36: Show introduction and sponsor welcome
- 01:26: “On the Sunny Side of the Street” – Andrews Sisters & Kurt Massey
- 03:59: “Waiting for the Train to Come In” – Andrews Sisters
- 06:39: “I Can’t Begin to Tell You” – Kurt Massey
- 11:03: “Beat Me Daddy, Eight to the Bar” – Andrews Sisters
- 13:43: Introduction to Xavier Cugat / Green Room
- 15:57: “Tico Tico” – Xavier Cugat with Andrews Sisters
- 18:24: Cugat receives Green Room award
- 19:58: “Did You Ever Get That Feeling in the Moonlight?” – Andrews Sisters
- 23:52: “No Can Do” – Patty Andrews & Kurt Massey
- 26:29: “It Might as Well Be Spring” – Kurt Massey & Andrews Sisters
- 30:04: Finale / Bonds message
- 30:39: Next week’s preview
Conclusion
This episode is a vibrant showcase of mid-century American radio variety, blending the unique talents of the Andrews Sisters, Kurt Massey, and their guest, Xavier Cugat. The performances, both playful and sentimental, are interspersed with warm, witty exchanges and messages of homefront support. The program demonstrates the powerful combination of entertainment and social connection that radio provided in the postwar era. As always, the closing patriotic message invites listeners to contribute to ongoing national efforts, wrapping up with a promise of more star-studded performances next week.