Episode Overview

Podcast: Harold's Old Time Radio
Episode: Arthur Smith's Corner Store (52-11-18): First Song – "I'm Saving My Coupons"
Air Date: October 26, 2025
Theme: A nostalgic visit to the golden age of American radio variety shows, centering around music, comedic banter, and slices of small-town life inside Arthur Smith's fictional “Corner Store.” The episode is filled with period humor, lively tunes, sponsor tie-ins (notably Blue Cheer detergent), and a charming window into mid-century Americana.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Warm, Comedic Banter and Storytelling

• The episode opens with a classic vaudeville-style joke involving a "gangster" and an Englishman in a saloon, setting the lighthearted, folksy tone.
  • Notable moment: Exaggerated delivery, poking fun at British stoicism:

    "The gangster walked up to him and said... Well, Englishman said, 'By Jove. There was a mob of them, wasn't it?'"
    (00:35)

2. Introduction of Show Regulars & Sponsor

• Bill Mack takes over, inviting listeners to join Arthur Smith’s Corner Store, promising music and shenanigans with the whole gang: The Cracker Jacks, Crossroads Quartet, Log Cabin Boys, and "Esau Jabber Jaw, the hired hand."
  (00:56–01:25)
• The show smoothly integrates a sponsor segment for "New Blue Cheer" detergent, blending advertisement with entertainment.

3. Feature Song: "I'm Saving My Coupons"

• Arthur Smith’s performance of "I'm Saving My Coupons": A witty, narrative-driven song about saving trading coupons for store prizes, filled with clever family-and-community humor.
  (01:32–03:22)
• Notable lyrics:
  • "My wife's been saving her coupons too. She's saved 9602. She wants a new hat, but I don't know what for; To get a new hat, she needs 9 million more." (01:50)
  • Subtle satire is presented regarding post-war consumer culture and family life.

4. Folksy Domestic Wisdom & Sponsor Chatter

• A playful dialogue between Bill Mack and Sonny, discussing how much you can "learn about a family just by looking at the laundry."
  (03:22–04:43)
• The conversation keys into domestic situations to promote Blue Cheer detergent, using lines like:
  • “You can tell what kind of housekeeper mom is, too, by the suds she uses to get every piece in her family wash spanking, brand new, clean.” — Sonny (03:51)
  • “If it's Cheer, well, she's a smart lady, because she knows how to save her energy and still hang out the cleanest, whitest wash possible.” — Bill Mack (04:02)

5. Musical Numbers and On-Air Camaraderie

• The program features additional musical performances, anchoring the show’s variety format.

a. Tommy Fail Sings "I'm a Ladies' Man"

• Introduced as the head of the meat counter, Tommy sings a lighthearted, self-deprecating song about his supposed luck with women, in classic novelty style.
  (05:32–07:29)
• Lyrics packed with tongue-in-cheek bravado and humor:

  "Been the ladies’ man since I was three, the women used to bounce me on their knee... What it is I’ve got, plenty of, make way for me, I’m a loving ladies’ man."
  (06:08)

b. Hymn of the Day: The Log Cabin Boys, "I Have Found the Way"

• Transitioning into gospel harmony, the Log Cabin Boys perform a heartfelt hymn, reflecting the era’s musical diversity and cultural values.
  (07:41–09:15)

6. Friendly Farewells and Store Values

• Arthur Smith and the ensemble close with neighborly words and another plug for Blue Cheer, reinforcing the program’s blend of homespun charm, community spirit, and product placement:

  "The doors of the corner store have been open for several years now, featuring quality products... and our number one item, Procter and Gamble’s new Cheer."
  (09:15–09:35)

• The invitation for listeners to return “same time, same station” underscores the ritual and family togetherness of the radio era.

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• “All right, all you dirty skunks, get out of here!” — Gangster joke narrative, capturing the playful, exaggerated storytelling (00:15)
• “If I die, my wife will go riding, I suppose. But if she do, I hope the darn thing is close. I'll just keep on saving and get one of those.” — Arthur Smith, singing "I'm Saving My Coupons" (03:10)
• “You may like a baseball game, but as for me, that’s a little too tame. I get my thrill just being a ladies’ man.” — Tommy Fail, "I'm a Ladies’ Man" (06:18)
• “White and bright, the modern way— and this new Blue Cheer guarantees the cleanest, whitest wash possible or double your money back.” — Blue Cheer ad copy (04:52)
• “We wouldn’t feel right coming into your home by radio unless we did just that.” — Bill Mack, before the hymn (07:35)

Timestamps for Important Segments

| Segment | Timestamp | |-----------------------------------------------------|-------------| | Opening Joke and Englishman Story | 00:01–00:39 | | Blue Cheer Sponsor Introduction | 00:45–01:25 | | Feature Song: "I'm Saving My Coupons" | 01:32–03:22 | | Folksy Blue Cheer Chatter, Family/Wash Day Talk | 03:22–04:43 | | "I'm a Ladies Man" – Tommy Fail | 05:37–07:29 | | Hymn: "I Have Found the Way" by Log Cabin Boys | 07:41–09:15 | | Farewell and Final Blue Cheer Endorsement | 09:15–09:47 |

Tone & Style

The episode maintains a warm, familial, and gently humorous atmosphere. The speakers use colloquial language, period-appropriate references, and easy banter to evoke community and nostalgia.

Summary

This episode of Harold's Old Time Radio, featuring Arthur Smith's Corner Store, is a cheerful tapestry of music, homespun humor, and domestic wisdom. The episode encapsulates mid-century American values and entertainment, blending sponsor messages with lively performances and neighborly warmth—making it a delightful window into the golden era of radio for listeners today.