Babitt Sisters 1937-12-06 Babitt Sisters

Summary

Podcast Summary: Harold's Old Time Radio Episode: Babbitt Sisters 1937-12-06
Release Date: March 14, 2025

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Introduction and Context

Harold's Old Time Radio brings listeners back to the Golden Age of Radio, reviving beloved radio shows from a time before television captivated family evenings. In the episode titled "Babbitt Sisters", originally aired on December 6, 1937, host David Jordan introduces us to Martha and Abby Babbitt, two steadfast sisters navigating the evolving landscape of Hollywood.

Plot Overview

The episode unfolds in the serene, unchanged abode of the Babbitt sisters on Wilton Avenue, juxtaposed against the rapidly transforming Hollywood filled with new faces, streets, and ideas. Martha and Abby, portrayed by Martha Wentworth and Noreen Gamill respectively, embody traditional values and resist the encroaching influence of the burgeoning movie industry.

Conflict Introduction

The central conflict arises when a real estate agent offers to sell the sisters' property to the Super Colossal Film Corporation, a powerful motion picture company. This proposition ignites the sisters' determination to thwart the film company's plans to establish a studio on their street, deepening their resentment towards the movie industry.

Niece's Arrival

Adding to their woes, the sisters receive a telegram announcing the arrival of their niece, Tabitha, from Connecticut. Unlike her optimistic intentions, Martha and Abby view Hollywood as an unsuitable environment for a young girl, heightening their apprehension.

Character Dynamics and Interactions

The episode delves into the intricate relationships within the Babbitt household, highlighting the sisters' contrasting personalities and their interactions with Lily, their long-time colored laundress, and Tommy Carlton, the neighbor boy who assists with their lawn.

Morning Preparations

The narrative opens with Martha urging Abby to prepare for Tabitha's arrival:

• Martha Babbitt [03:00]: "You haven't got your dress on yet."
• Abby Babbitt [03:12]: "I've been doing it for 20 years."

Their banter reflects the underlying tension and Martha's anxiety about the impending visit.

Lily's Assistance

Lily's role as the maid adds depth to the household dynamics:

• Lily [03:57]: "Excuse me."
• Martha Babbitt [04:02]: "Come along now, Lily."

Despite Lily's dedication, Martha's impatience and Abby's occasional complaints reveal the strains within the household.

Key Moments and Quotes

Several pivotal moments and memorable exchanges drive the story forward:

1. Preparation Chaos:

   • Martha Babbitt [05:29]: "Then take those curtains down and put up the new ones that we got yesterday."
   • Lily [05:31]: "Fiddlesticks. Of course it works."

   This exchange underscores the sisters' meticulous nature and Lily's practical approach.

2. Tommy's Arrival:

   • Tommy Carlton [08:10]: "We've got plenty of time. I'm early."
   • Martha Babbitt [08:18]: "Careful that step and don't crack your head on the edge."

   Tommy's punctuality contrasts with Martha's frantic demeanor, adding a touch of humor.

3. Tabitha's Revelation:

   • Tabitha [10:07]: "I'm going into the movies."
   • Martha Babbitt [10:53]: "Oh, Contract?"

   Tabitha's ambition to join the film industry directly challenges the sisters' preconceived notions of Hollywood.

Host's Commentary and Future Directions

Towards the episode's conclusion, David Jordan provides insightful commentary on the narrative's trajectory:

"As the Babbitts is concerned, with the Super Colossal Film Studios trying to buy them out, and with the same company already owning the acting rights of their niece, what is going to happen? It is intended that this series shall depict as much reality as possible using actual names of places of interest, restaurants, names of celebrities and streets, with only the characters in the main part of the story fictional."

Jordan emphasizes the show's commitment to blending fiction with real Hollywood elements, aiming for authenticity that resonates with listeners familiar with the locale.

He further hints at character development:

"Later, the sisters will attend actual premieres, and in the course of the story, they will visit picture stars' homes. As the story progresses, the Babbitt sisters will naturally be won over to the stability and genuine friendliness of the people in the movie colony. And with the progress of the series, the Babbitt sisters will undergo a complete change in their ideas of Hollywood."

This foresight suggests an evolution in Martha and Abby's perspectives, potentially leading to a harmonious coexistence with the film industry's influences.

Conclusion

The "Babbitt Sisters" episode masterfully captures the tension between tradition and modernity, embodied by Martha and Abby's resistance to Hollywood's rapid transformation. Through engaging character interactions, humorous exchanges, and a relatable conflict, the episode sets the stage for a compelling narrative of adaptation and acceptance. David Jordan's commentary enriches the listening experience, promising a realistic portrayal of Hollywood's golden era intertwined with the fictional struggles of the Babbitt family.

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Produced by Harold's Old Time Radio and presented by the Columbia Broadcasting System.

Transcript

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[David Jordan]

Here they are, folks, straight from the glamour city of the world, the Babbitt sisters. In another part of Hollywood. Several days ago, we met the Babbitt sisters, Martha and Abby, two lovable old maids who've lived all their lives in Hollywood. Well, they remember when Hollywood was once an orange grove and renowned Hollywood Boulevard only a cow trail. However, all about them, the scene has changed. New faces, new streets, new houses, new ideas. And Hollywood has become famous. But in the spacious grounds of the old fashioned house on Wilton Avenue, nothing is different. The fig trees continue to bear. The avocado tree grows larger each year. The house gets its yearly renovating as it did when California was just learning about tourists. And the routine of the Babbitt sisters never varies, just as their lives and the routine of hundreds of other people like the Babbitts who live in Hollywood never change. Well, the last we heard from the Babbitt sisters, a real estate man had approached them with an offer to buy their property for a motion picture company. With such a turn of events in their lives and with such a strong feeling against the motion picture industry, the sisters begin fighting the efforts of the super colossal film company to build a studio on their street. And their bitterness against the movie people increases tenfold. During the space of time between the first episode and the one you are about to hear, many of the characters in the story have been introduced, including Tommy Carlton, the boy who lives next door. The sisters have also just received a telegram announcing the arrival of their young niece from Connecticut. Well, they're not looking forward to her visit with any great pleasure, for they believe Hollywood is no place for young girls. Now, it's very early in the morning and they're in the kitchen just finishing their breakfast. At any moment, their colored laundress, Lily is expected to arrive.

[Martha Babbitt]

You'd better hurry, Abby. You sit there and dawdle over your coffee like you had all day. You haven't got your dress on yet.

[Abby Babbitt]

Well, I. I can't drink my coffee in anything but my wrapper. And you know what? I've been doing it for 20 years. My, this coffee's hot.

[Martha Babbitt]

Yes, and you make so much noise with it. But do you have to drink your second cup of coffee this morning? Bitter. I told you we should have gotten up at 5:00 this morning instead of 5:30.

[Abby Babbitt]

Well, Lily ain't here yet. You told her to be here sharp at seven. My Martha, we've got two whole hours until train time.

[Martha Babbitt]

We haven't got two hours. We got only an hour to get to Glendale. Come on, Abby. Oh, you worry me to death. You're so dilly dally sometimes. Well, look at the clock. It's seven. Oh, there's Lily now, coming through the back gate.

[Abby Babbitt]

She's certainly taking her time.

[Martha Babbitt]

She's getting old. Hurry along, Lily.

[Lily]

Yes, ma'am.

[Martha Babbitt]

We got a lot for you to do while we're going down to the train, Lily.

[Abby Babbitt]

Yes, ma'am.

[Lily]

But I got the misery in my back this morning.

[Martha Babbitt]

Oh, you always got misery in your back. You had the misery ever since I known you.

[Lily]

Excuse me.

[Abby Babbitt]

Good morning, Miss Abby.

[Martha Babbitt]

Come along now, Lily.

[Abby Babbitt]

Oh, good morning, Lily.

[Martha Babbitt]

Now, Lily, just let the kitchen go until last. Come with me upstairs and I'll show you what I want you to do in the spare bedroom.

[Lily]

Yes, ma'am. What's the matter, Ms. Abbey? You look kind of peaky this morning.

[Martha Babbitt]

Oh, she's all right, Lily.

[Abby Babbitt]

Well, we was up pretty late last night petitioning.

[Lily]

Petitioning?

[Abby Babbitt]

Lily, did you ever get up a petition, Lily?

[Lily]

Is that some kind of a game?

[Abby Babbitt]

Well, no, not exactly. It's where you put a lot of names on paper to see if you can keep somebody from doing something.

[Lily]

No, ma'am, I don't reckon it's how I has. But I has played titatoo.

[Abby Babbitt]

Well, it's more serious than that. Lily.

[Martha Babbitt]

Lily, come on. You're gonna make us miss the train.

[Lily]

Here's Mamma coming. Oh, naughty.

[Martha Babbitt]

Now, Lily, the first thing we want you to do is to get all this stuff out of the spare bedroom.

[Abby Babbitt]

Yes, we sort of shoved everything in here when we cleaned out the rest of the rooms the other week.

[Martha Babbitt]

Then after you get this stuff out of the way. Why, I want.

[Lily]

What do y'all want me to do, Ms. Morpher? Just heave it out the window?

[Martha Babbitt]

Oh, of course not. Oh, I'm so nervous this morning. Thinking of getting to the train on time and all. Why, let's see. Put it back in the hall closet.

[Lily]

Yes, ma'am.

[Martha Babbitt]

Then take those curtains down and put up the new ones that we got yesterday. Oh, yes. Better press them before you put them.

[Lily]

Up Is your iron a working?

[Martha Babbitt]

Why, of course. It always works.

[Lily]

Well, it didn't the last time I was here.

[Martha Babbitt]

Fiddlesticks. Of course it works.

[Abby Babbitt]

Lily's right, Martha.

[Martha Babbitt]

Well, can't you go see if it works while I show Lily the rest of the things she's got to do? Martha?

[Abby Babbitt]

Well, I've got my dress to put on.

[Martha Babbitt]

You got plenty of time to do that.

[Abby Babbitt]

And I've got my hair to take down.

[Martha Babbitt]

Well, you'll still have time to see about the iron after you fix your hair. If you just hadn't dawdled over that second cup of coffee.

[Abby Babbitt]

Oh, that's right. I get blamed for everything whenever you get in a hurry to do something. I told you last week we ought to have done this room first. I had a funny feeling.

[Martha Babbitt]

Oh, you're always getting funny feelings. Now, Lily, I want. Allie, will you please stop crying? You know you always break me up when you do that. Now, now, Lily, when you get the curtains up, take the rugs down in the garden. Put them on the back lawn. Tommy cut it yesterday. Oh, that reminds me. Where is Tommy? He ought to be coming along any minute now.

[Abby Babbitt]

Oh, Tommy's not supposed to be here until 8. Oh, Martha, you make my sign shiver all over. You're always in such hurry.

[Martha Babbitt]

Well, I got so many things in my mind, I'm almost crazy.

[Abby Babbitt]

Yes, Lily, we're almost always crazy, just pixelated. Well, I'm that way, too, because Martha gets so worked up over things.

[Martha Babbitt]

Well, I wish you would once in a while.

[Abby Babbitt]

Well, somebody's got to have the equilibrium around here.

[Martha Babbitt]

What with the moving picture, people trying to build right on top of us, and a petition that's only half full and a silly sister who thinks it's smart to send her child clear out to Hollywood on a pleasure trip. It's a wonder we aren't in the asylum. Oh, there's Tommy now. Hurry along, Abby. Don't stand there. You're not half dressed.

[Abby Babbitt]

All right.

[Martha Babbitt]

Oh, I told you not to drink that second cup of coffee, Miss Martha.

[Lily]

What else you all want me to do? I got the curtains up and the rugs cleaned and the trash in the closet.

[Martha Babbitt]

You have no such thing.

[Lily]

Yes, ma'am, our hairs. But. But I'm like Miss Abby. You give my spine the shivers, too. You just naturally get so mixed up like.

[Martha Babbitt]

Yes, yes, yes, yes. Well, don't talk so much. Now, be sure and get. Abby, stick your head out of the window and see if that's really Tommy.

[Abby Babbitt]

Oh, my. No, Martha, my hair ain't combed.

[Martha Babbitt]

Yet I never saw the beat fiddle. I might as well do it myself.

[Lily]

Ms. Marfa, you just run along now and get your hat and. And I'll haul out the window to Mr. Tommy. And don't you mind about these here rooms. I've been a cleaning for y'all for 30 years. I knows what to do.

[Martha Babbitt]

Oh, yes, that's right, Lily. Well, don't holler too loud. I don't like it. It sounds so common.

[Abby Babbitt]

I'm ready, Martha. That is, I think I'm ready.

[Martha Babbitt]

Where's my hat? Have you got the hat, Abby?

[Abby Babbitt]

Well, of course I am. What would I have your hat for?

[Martha Babbitt]

Well, you go along. Get in the car. I'll be right down.

[Abby Babbitt]

Yes, I know you will. Oh, we're coming, Tommy.

[Tommy Carlton]

We've got plenty of time. I'm early.

[Martha Babbitt]

Well, I guess I got everything but my senses this morning. Oh, good morning, Tommy. Kind of foggy. You better drive kind of slow.

[Tommy Carlton]

I will, Ms. Walther. That's the reason I'm a little early.

[Martha Babbitt]

Well, crawl in, Abby.

[Abby Babbitt]

Oh, dear, I've forgotten.

[Martha Babbitt]

Now what's the matter?

[Abby Babbitt]

Oh, I've forgotten a rabbit's foot. Oh, I never get in an automobile without it.

[Martha Babbitt]

Nonsense. Nothing but sheer nonsense.

[Abby Babbitt]

Well, I don't know. Remember that time on the state picnic? Or was it the Hollywood? Own settlers?

[Martha Babbitt]

Well, anyway, what difference does it make? Let's decide the point at it.

[Abby Babbitt]

Oh, here comes the train down the track now.

[Martha Babbitt]

Hurry, Tommy, get the door open. Oh, fiddle if we've missed getting here on time.

[Abby Babbitt]

Oh, we're here all right.

[Martha Babbitt]

Aubrey. Shut up. You're hysterical.

[Tommy Carlton]

You've got plenty of time.

[Martha Babbitt]

There you are.

[Tommy Carlton]

Careful that step and don't crack your head on the edge.

[Martha Babbitt]

Wouldn't make much difference if I did.

[Abby Babbitt]

No, it wouldn't. It's cracked anyway, Abby. Oh, why, I mean the door frame, of course, Martha. Oh, my son's beginning to shiver. Oh, there's the train.

[Martha Babbitt]

Yes, trains always did make me nervous. Come, Abby, now, let's run.

[Abby Babbitt]

Oh, I can't run. I never ran for anything in my life.

[Tommy Carlton]

We've got plenty of time.

[Martha Babbitt]

How can you say such a thing when the train just stopping, Tommy. Now, Abby, you. You look this way and I look down that way. And don't get separated.

[Abby Babbitt]

Oh, no, we mustn't separate because she'll probably know us quicker if we're standing here together.

[Tommy Carlton]

What does she look like?

[Martha Babbitt]

Oh, she's pretty.

[Abby Babbitt]

Yes, she's pretty.

[Martha Babbitt]

Abby, will you please stop looking my way? Keep your eyes up at Daddy.

[Abby Babbitt]

But most of the people Are getting off right there for you.

[Martha Babbitt]

Hello.

[Abby Babbitt]

Abby.

[Martha Babbitt]

Oh, you perfect dears.

[Tabitha]

Getting down here so early to meet me.

[Martha Babbitt]

Oh, it's all right. We're so glad to see you.

[Abby Babbitt]

Oh, yes, we're just awfully glad to see you, Tabitha.

[Tommy Carlton]

Well, don't forget me.

[Martha Babbitt]

Of course. This is Tommy Carlton, the boy who lives next door.

[Abby Babbitt]

Yes, he cuts our grass now.

[Martha Babbitt]

Oh, nice.

[Tabitha]

Oh, I'm so tired. It's such a long way to Hollywood. But I'm finally here.

[Martha Babbitt]

Yes, it is.

[Tabitha]

Oh, it's good to be here. I worked so hard to earn this trip, this chance.

[Martha Babbitt]

Well, we just hope you're going to like your vacation real well, and we'll do everything we can to give you a good time.

[Tabitha]

But, Aunt Martha, this isn't a vacation. I'm going to stay.

[Abby Babbitt]

Oh, my Martha, she's going to stay.

[Martha Babbitt]

Oh, but you can't.

[Tabitha]

Oh, yes, but I can. I'm going into the movies.

[Martha Babbitt]

Oh, why, you wouldn't dare.

[Tabitha]

You see, I won a photographer's contest for the prettiest schoolteacher at home, and I have a contract.

[Martha Babbitt]

Oh, Contract?

[Abby Babbitt]

With the Speaker.

[Tabitha]

Super Colossal Film Corporation of Hollywood.

[Martha Babbitt]

Oh, Quick, Tommy, catch Abby. She's fainted.

[David Jordan]

Well, as Martha might say, isn't this a pretty kettle of fish? Or is it? Well, it probably is. As far as the Babbitts is concerned, with the Super Colossal Film Studios trying to buy them out, and with the same company already owning the acting rights of their niece, what is going to happen? It is intended that this series shall depict as much reality as possible using actual names of places of interest, restaurants, names of celebrities and streets, with only the characters in the main part of the story fictional. So that visitors who have been to Hollywood, for whether they came from Oshkosh or New York, will recognize the names and places. One can just imagine Mrs. Jones telling Ezra Smith, oh, I saw that place. Or we went there on our trip to Hollywood. Later, the sisters will attend actual premieres, and in the course of the story, they will visit picture stars homes. As the story progresses, the sisters are naturally won over to the stability and genuine friendliness of. Of the people in the movie colony. And with the progress of the series, the Babbitt sisters will undergo a complete change in their ideas of Hollywood. The part of Martha was played by Martha Wentworth and that of Abby by Noreen Gamill. The story of the Babbitt sisters was conceived by Ms. Wentworth and Ms. Gamill and was registered under number 12653 at the Screenwriters Guild, December 6, 1937. The script was written by Ms. Gamill. This is David Jordan speaking. And this is the Columbia Broadcasting System.