Podcast Summary: Avalon Time – Talks About San Francisco

Podcast: Harold's Old Time Radio
Episode Date: March 17, 2026
Featured Performers: Red Skelton, Del King, Red Foley, Supporting Cast
Main Theme: A comedic and musical journey through the 1939 San Francisco World’s Fair, classic Americana, and old-time radio entertainment.

Episode Overview

This episode of "Avalon Time" whisks listeners back to the Golden Age of Radio, featuring a mix of comedy skits, musical performances, and lighthearted banter centered around the San Francisco World's Fair and nostalgic stories about small-town America. The vibrant cast, led by Red Skelton, provides both laughs and melodies, echoing the pre-television era when families gathered around the radio.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Opening Banter & Introductions (00:55-01:31)

• Del King greets listeners and introduces Red Skelton as the star, noting his signature comedic style.
• Memorable Introduction:

  "To start the show tonight, we’d like to present the only man in radio who wears suits with a built-in chest, Red Skelton." — Del King (00:16)

2. Red Skelton’s San Francisco World’s Fair Routine (01:24-02:41)

• Skelton riffs on his visit to the fair, lampooning the cold weather, the size of the fairgrounds, and features like the Hall of Science and the art exhibits.
• Jokes about the Fair:
  • "The weather was so cold, they were serving hot dogs with mustard cups and sweaters." (01:31)
  • Comments on a statue labeled “victory”:

    "He’s got one arm knocked off, his eyes gouged out, and his nose is punched in, his legs bent. Underneath it says, victory. Boy, I’d hate to see the guy that lost." — Red Skelton (02:03)

  • Gags about pickpockets and Alcatraz:

    "One thing nice about it, though. You won’t have to be worried about pickpockets. You’ll never get across that close to Alcatraz." — Red Skelton (02:14)

• Meta-humor: A joke is spoiled by Del King tipping off the audience before the show, leading to playful on-air ribbing.

3. Running Sponsor Promos (Throughout)

• Frequent, humor-laden Avalon Cigarettes plugs, emphasizing their quality and affordability.
• Example Slogan:

  "You’d never guess, but Avalons cost you less!" (00:39; throughout)

4. Musical Interlude: “The Glory of Love” (08:08-10:53)

• Red Foley and the Avalon Chorus perform a heartfelt rendition of "That’s the Glory of Love."
• Setup by Skelton's Melancholy:

  "Just a few minutes ago I saw my girl with another fella. I went down the river to end it all. When I got down there, it was frozen over, so I went ice skating instead." — Red Skelton (08:26)

5. Hometown Nostalgia: Skelton's Slap Happy Office (11:07-16:12)

• Skit featuring “Slap Happy Skelton” reflecting on his roots in Vincennes, Indiana, with a blend of local pride, historical trivia, and down-home humor.
• Notable Exchange:

  "This morning I found a diamond ring in the bathtub.”
  “A diamond ring?”
  “Put the diamond in my pocket and wiped the ring out." — Red Skelton and Assistant (11:14-11:21)

• Jokes about large families and poverty, sprinkled with sentimental references to Vincennes' history and characters.
• Light-political Humor:

  "Christopher Columbus was a Democrat. No, I’m kidding. He must have been. His project was financed by the government." — Red Skelton (12:07-12:14)

• Playful meta-commentary about calling the mayor of Vincennes, only to reveal the phone's been disconnected for two weeks (15:46-16:12).

6. Music Segment: “I’m Just Wild About Harry / After Looking at You” (16:33-21:23)

• Bob Strong’s arrangement and Bill Davis' performance energize the show.
• The Avalon Chorus delights with a medley, including “After Looking at You,” embracing the feel-good romantic tunes popular in the era.
• Notable Lyric:

  “How can a rose look sweet to me? How can I stop the heavenly after looking at you...” (19:09)

7. Comedy Sketch: Aladdin Skelton and His Magic Lamp (22:50-28:00)

• Listeners are transported to Baghdad as Skelton parodies the Aladdin tale.
• Quick-witted jokes about magic carpets (“This is a transcontinental 9 by 12.” [24:12]) and breaking the fourth wall with brand references ("...the finest Turkish and domestic tobaccos are found in Avalon Cigarettes." [25:44]).
• Absurdist slapstick: attempts to hide the lamp, threats from “forty thieves”, and playful, pun-laden one-liners:

  "You can take my lamp, but you let my secretary alone!" — Red Skelton (27:17) "Two of my men got spears pointed at your head, huh?" — Del King (27:29)

8. Sentimental Musical Close: “When Mother Nature Sings Her Lullaby” (28:17-30:22)

• Red Foley and Avalon Chorus close the main portion with a gentle, reassuring ballad:

  “Each heartache gone, many new hopes are born, when Mother Nature sings her lullaby.” — Del King (28:17)

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• Del King (on Skelton’s comedic reputation):

  "To start the show tonight, we’d like to present the only man in radio who wears suits with a built in chest, Red Skelton." (00:16)

• Red Skelton (on the World’s Fair):

  "It was the San Francisco World's Fair... Oh, I had a lot of fun out there. Only thing was cold..." (01:31)

• Skelton’s quip about historical trivia:

  "I bet you didn’t know Christopher Columbus was a Democrat. No, I’m kidding. He must have been. His project was financed by the government." (12:14)

• Comedic observation on family size:

  "How many are there in your family?"
  "Well, there’s 19 of us. Yeah, a stork visits our house quite frequently." (13:01) "Visits her. He lives there." — Red Skelton (13:06)

• On magic carpets and sponsor jokes:

  "What kind of magic carpet is this?"
  "This is a transcontinental 9 by 12." — Red Skelton (24:12)

Timestamps for Key Segments

• Opening & Introductions: 00:55–01:31
• San Francisco World’s Fair Comedy: 01:31–02:41
• Sponsor Segment (Avalon Cigarettes): Recurring—[00:39], [06:19], [06:35], [21:23], [25:44]
• "The Glory of Love" Musical Performance: 08:08–10:53
• Slap Happy Skelton’s Hometown Reverie: 11:07–16:12
• Music Medley ("I’m Just Wild About Harry"/"After Looking at You"): 16:33–21:23
• Aladdin Skelton Comedy Sketch: 22:50–28:00
• Closing Song ("When Mother Nature Sings Her Lullaby"): 28:17–30:22

Episode Tone & Style

The show is lively, affectionate, and packed with rapid-fire puns, signature shtick, and old vaudeville-style musicality. Red Skelton’s playfulness and self-deprecating humor anchor the episode, with supporting cast members riffing off his themes and brand sponsors seamlessly woven into the fabric of the comedy.

Summary

"Avalon Time – Talks About San Francisco" delivers a rich blend of classic radio humor, affectionate nostalgia, and period music. Red Skelton’s visit to the World’s Fair is the jumping-off point for sharp one-liners, rolling banter, and warmth, framed by musical interludes that balance sentiment and silliness. The show stands as a snapshot of late-1930s American entertainment: engaging, wholesome, and ever-smiling. Perfect for fans of classic radio comedy or anyone eager for a slice of yesteryear's charm.