Podcast Summary: "Art Linkletter's House Party" (49-10-06)

Episode Theme:
A heartwarming and lively slice of 1949 Americana, this “House Party” episode, hosted by Art Linkletter, seeks the oldest father with a child under the age of one, showcases charming stories from everyday people, features candid and witty conversations with schoolchildren, and addresses consumer protection with help from the Better Business Bureau.

1. Oldest Father With a Child Under One

[00:22–04:48]

• Contest Introduction:
  • Art Linkletter explains the current week’s contest—finding the oldest father in the audience with a child under the age of one.
• Main Contestant: Owen Jensen
  • Background: 62-year-old tattoo artist, originally from Pleasant Grove, Utah, also a manufacturer for chinchilla ranchers and fur farmers.
  • Personal Story:
    • Married to “Dainty Dottie,” a former circus performer known as a “fat lady” who also became a tattoo artist after meeting Owen (“She was also a tattoo artist and she come to me to buy supplies.” [03:07])
    • Describes her weight (585 lbs.), her reduction of 125 lbs. for childbirth, and their baby born by cesarean.
    • Art’s wit is on display:

      “Think of all the tattoo territory there was, huh?” (Art, [03:19])

    • Jensen’s unique tattoo:

      “Turn around and show the folks he has tattooed inside his lower lip where it doesn't show ordinarily, his name, your name. In other words, they will always be able to know who you are.” (Art, [04:03])

  • Prizes: Pillsbury cake mix, fine toiletries, and a year’s supply of Beechnut baby foods for the family.
  • Memorable Moment:
    • Art marvels at Jensen’s story as the embodiment of American uniqueness and humor.

2. Interview with Honor Myers, Veteran Baker & Grandmother

[05:38–07:03]

• Introduction: Honor Myers, grandmother, Santa Monica resident originally from Chicago.
• Culinary Experience: Has been cooking for 30 years; self-taught baker with both successes and failures.
• Pillsbury Product Testimony:
  • Recently tried Pillsbury cake mix:

    “I tried it for the first time last Thursday.” (Honor, [06:14])
    “I was amazed to find what a good cake I could make.” (Honor, [06:18])

• Conversation Tones: Light-hearted, friendly encouragement from Art about trying new things and being open-minded.
• Prizes: Receives a waffle iron and more Pillsbury products for her enthusiastic baking.

3. Kids’ Roundtable: Five Schoolchildren Share Their Dreams

[07:03–15:10]

a) Gary Judas, 11-year-old Aspiring Actor

• Impressions: Peter Lorre, Humphrey Bogart, Jimmy Stewart.

  “I am going to kill you. I will take off your head and throw it in your face.” (as Peter Lorre, [08:22])
  “All right, Lloyd, come out of that bathroom and come clean.” (as Bogart, [08:45])

• Light banter on the future of television.

b) Rhoda Corbin, 10, Future Homemaker

• Hobbies: Making new friends.
• Life Aspiration:

  “I just want to get married.” (Rhoda, [10:24])

• Charming exchange about being called “Short Stuff” or “Peanuts.”

c) Robert Del Campo, 9, Budding Entrepreneur

• Paper Route at Crenshaw & Washington:
  • Earns about $5 a week, helped buy his own $10 coat.

    “What do you do with the money you make the $5 a week?”
    “I usually buy stuff.” (Robert, [12:39])

• Discussion on tips, gender differences in tipping, and practical business sense for a child.

d) Janice Wells, Young Actress-To-Be

• Family: Daughter of a Good Humor ice cream man.
• Favorite Ice Cream: Orange and vanilla sherbet.
• Audition:

  “Oh, how come you leave me when I love you so?” (Janice, [14:01])

• Honest review from a peer:

  “Oh, it was okay.” (Gary, [14:16])

e) Rolf Polishar, Radio Fan

• Unique Name Origin:

  “My dad took that out of the Alphabet.” (Rolf, [14:51])

• Ambition: Wants to be a radio engineer.

• Gifts to Children: All receive a Stromberg Carlson table radio and Whitaker Pixie camera with color film for their school.

• Notable Quote:

  “If you make lots of friends in your lifetime, you're going to be a very, very rich girl. … Friendship is really much more to be desired than money.” (Art, [10:14])

4. Cooking Gag: Can a Man Really Bake With Pillsbury?

[15:10–17:45]

• Comic Demonstration: Jack Slattery, the show’s comic foil, prepares a Pillsbury white cake blindfolded.
  • Proof of Ease:

    “He can do it blindfolded. And so can you. Of course, you don't have to.” (Art, [16:30])

• Jokes About Jack’s Competence: Good-natured ribbing underscores the simplicity and reliability of the product.

5. Better Business Bureau Segment With Bob Sample

[17:45–23:59]

a) Consumer Protection Warnings

• “Golden Gimmick” Scam: Fake surveyors gain access and case houses.

  “If they can't show credentials of some real survey … don't answer any questions.” (Bob Sample, [19:03])

• Advice: Demand credentials before answering surveys at the door.

b) Q&A with Audience

• Sergeant John Gleason:

  • Offers to put daughter (age 2) on TV—warned of “counselor” rackets charging fees under false pretenses.

    “Better save your money.” (Bob, [20:23]) “Your chances… would be about one in a thousand.” (Art, [20:27])

• Mrs. J. Dirr:

  • Asks about Lonely Hearts Clubs—warned of common swindles and loss of money; not a recommended way to meet people.

    “I certainly would not recommend it.” (Bob, [21:06])

• Lt. Cmdr. John Durker:

  • Mail-order insurance—advised to only deal with state-licensed companies to avoid being unable to file claims.

    “You may have to travel many, many miles to another state to collect any claim you may have.” (Bob, [22:20])

• Andrew Fair, Student:

  • Rental agency fees—warned: often non-refundable, pay only when you actually get a rental.

• Segment Tone:
  Informative, cautionary, but approachable and practical.

6. Closing and Product Segment: Pillsbury Hot Roll Mix

[23:59–End]

• Baking Advice: Encourages listeners (with characteristic enthusiasm and trust in Pillsbury) to “dress up the dining room table” with homemade rolls.

  “You just add water to the yeast, stir in the mix, and it’s that simple. … Get yourself a package of Pillsbury Hot Roll Mix today.” (Art, [23:59])

Memorable Moments & Quotes

• On American Character:

  “That is an amazing human story.” (Art on Owen Jensen, [04:22])

• On Friendship:

  “Friendship is really much more to be desired than money.” (Art, [10:14])

• On Trying New Things:

  "I think it's important that no matter how long you've been cooking, you have an open mind about trying something new." (Art, [06:42])

• On Caution With Strangers:

  “If they can't show credentials … don’t give them any information.” (Bob Sample, [19:03])

Episode Flow & Tone

Warm, genial, and full of wry humor, the episode showcases Art Linkletter’s ability to tease stories and laughter from ordinary people and gently offer life advice. The children’s segment is especially endearing and unvarnished, providing a true time capsule of American families and aspirations in the late 1940s. The Better Business Bureau discussion is lively, relatable, and relevant even decades later.

For listeners seeking an intimate, often humorous glimpse into postwar American life—with timeless lessons for both baking, friendship, and practical consumer wisdom—this episode is standout “House Party” radio.