Podcast Summary: Harold's Old Time Radio

Episode: Archie Andrews 46-07-20 – "The Hammock"
Date: September 5, 2025
Host: Harold’s Old Time Radio

Episode Overview

This episode of "Harold's Old Time Radio" presents a classic episode of The Adventures of Archie Andrews, dating back to July 20th, 1946. The central theme is a comedic misadventure revolving around Archie and his father, Mr. Andrews, both independently deciding to put up a hammock on a hot summer day. Their parallel efforts result in confusion, hard work, and ultimately the destruction (and gifting) of two hammocks—all the while, the extended family and friends bounce in and out of the story with their typical quirks.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Morning at the Andrews’ House (01:15 – 03:00)

• Archie’s Reluctance to Chores: Archie tries to avoid household chores, attempting to justify his plans by referencing famous historical figures.

  • Notable quote:
    Archie Andrews (01:47): "Where would Napoleon be if he’d spent his time mowing lawns? Or Edison, or Abraham Lincoln, or any great man. Did they putter around the house?"

• Failed Swimming Plans: Archie tries to arrange a swimming outing by calling Veronica and Betty, both of whom decline due to other commitments. Jughead also refuses because of a sunburn.

2. The Genesis of the Hammock Plan (05:16 – 06:19)

• Idea Born from Laziness: Jughead sarcastically suggests Archie should "just put up a hammock and lie there quietly" (05:45), spurring Archie’s enthusiasm for the idea.

3. Buying the Hammock from Mr. Higgins (06:19 – 07:31)

• Comic Salesmanship: Mr. Higgins, the hardware store owner, tries to upsell Archie everything except the hammock, leading to a humorous back-and-forth.
  • Notable quote:
    Mr. Higgins (06:24): "How about a new lawnmower? Got a beauty in special at 14..." Archie (06:45): "Mr. Higgins, I don't want any paint or turpentine or batteries or pails, nails or snails."

4. Swimming Option Returns—and Recedes (07:37 – 08:26)

• Veronica returns, now available to go swimming, but Archie has spent all his money on the hammock. He tries to return it, only to be upsold on a cushion for it instead.

5. Mr. Lodge and Mr. Andrews’ Hammock Conversation (09:39 – 11:09)

• The Grown-Ups’ Turn: Mr. Lodge remarks about the pleasure of a hammock, slyly prompting Mr. Andrews to want one for himself. Mr. Andrews takes pride in his handiness and heads to buy a hammock from Higgins.

6. Construction Confusion (13:02 – 15:18)

• Hammocks Too Short/Too Close: Both Archie and his father struggle with placement: Archie's hammock is too short for the trees, and Mr. Andrews’ hammock hangs so low it touches the ground.
  • Dialogue highlight:
    Archie Andrews (13:30): "Never mind, Jug. Hand me the hammock and I'll hang it. I'm anxious to see how it looks." Jughead (13:35): "Now I hang one end on this hook and the other end on the...On...well gee whiz, Jughead, it doesn't reach. Gee whiz, this hammock's too small."

7. Shuffling Back and Forth: Tools and Shade (15:34 – 19:10)

• Tool Confusion: A comedic relay of saws and two-by-fours between Archie and his dad, with Jughead as the go-between.
• Sun Problem: Both parties realize after hard labor that the sun has shifted, forcing them to move their hammocks—and dig new holes—multiple times.

8. The Final Irony (21:18 – 28:22)

• Double Hammock Realization: Betty points out Archie now has two hammocks; he’s unaware his father has put one up too. Both Archie and Mr. Andrews independently decide to take down their hammocks, gifting them away to avoid embarrassment.
  • Notable quote:
    Archie Andrews (21:41): "Betty, from now on, if anyone asks you, you tell them. For me, putting up a hammock is about the most difficult job in the world!"
  • Notable quote:
    Mr. Andrews (24:35): "If I never hear that word hammock again, it'll be too soon."

9. The Inevitable Twist (27:27 – 27:43)

• Mrs. Andrews Returns: She surprises Archie and Mr. Andrews by producing a portable hammock she purchased at Higgins, meaning all their efforts were for nothing.
  • Memorable bit:
    Mrs. Andrews (27:41): "Why, a hammer, dear." Everyone: "...A portable hammock!"

10. Closing Scene Gag (28:44 – 29:12)

• Mr. Higgins’ Mishap: In a coda, it's revealed that Mr. Higgins, the hardware store owner, fell out of his own hammock and broke his arm—a final nod to the theme’s comedic frustration.

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments (with Timestamps)

• Archie evokes famous men to escape chores:
  (01:47) "Where would Napoleon be if he’d spent his time mowing lawns?" — Archie Andrews
• Jughead on chores:
  (05:29) "You could fix that broken screen door." — Jughead
  (05:31) "What for? It'll only break again." — Archie Andrews
• Mr. Higgins’ sales persistence:
  (06:41) "How about some paint or turpentine and can?" — Mr. Higgins
• Archie’s frustration with hammock setup:
  (13:35) "Gee whiz, Jughead, it doesn't reach. Gee whiz, this hammock's too small." — Archie Andrews
• Archie and Mr. Andrews both lamenting:
  (20:01) "Gee whiz, Jug, why didn't you watch the sun?" — Archie Andrews
  (24:35) "If I never hear that word hammock again, it'll be too soon." — Mr. Andrews
• Archie gives Betty his unused hammock:
  (22:59) "You’ve got to, Betty, as a favor to me. If my father sees it, I’d never hear the end of it." — Archie Andrews
• The final twist with Mrs. Andrews' gift:
  (27:41) "Why, a hammer, dear." — Mrs. Andrews
  (27:43) "A portable hammock."

Important Segment Timestamps

• 01:00 – 04:09: Archie tries to wrangle friends for swimming; fails.
• 05:16 – 06:19: Jughead’s suggestion for a hammock is made.
• 06:19 – 07:31: Archie’s farcical visit to the hardware store.
• 07:37 – 08:26: Veronica returns; Archie can’t afford swimming.
• 09:39 – 11:09: Mr. Lodge plants the hammock idea with Mr. Andrews.
• 13:02 – 14:13: Both Archie and his father have difficulties installing hammocks.
• 15:34 – 17:48: Scramble for tools and materials.
• 19:01 – 20:15: The sun ruins the hammock setup; both must move them.
• 21:18 – 22:59: Archie realizes there are now two hammocks.
• 24:35 – 27:43: Both Archie and Mr. Andrews dispose of their hammocks, only to have Mrs. Andrews bring home a portable one.
• 28:44 – 29:12: Closing gag about Mr. Higgins’ accident with his own hammock.

Conclusion & Takeaways

This episode is a charming showcase of Archie Andrews’s gentle, circular slapstick, where the simplest tasks spiral into chaos. Its humor shines through character interplay, repeated gags, and an overarching theme of avoidable labor made worse by pride and miscommunication.

Listeners witness both generational parallels (Archie and his father) and light satire about 1940s home life. Anyone fond of classic radio, situational comedy, or the Archie Comics universe will delight in the warmth and wit of "The Hammock"—and sympathize with their vow to never again hear the word "hammock."