Harold's Old Time Radio

Episode: Better Half – 04/16/1946

Date: March 13, 2026
Podcast Host: Harold's Old Time Radio
Theme: Radio Entertainment from the Golden Age

Episode Overview

This episode transports listeners to a 1946 broadcast of The Better Half Matinee, a light-hearted quiz and variety show that playfully pits married couples against each other to determine who is "the better half" of the family. Modern listeners are treated to a dynamic, spirited mix of quiz questions, music, product placements, audience interaction, and period humor, all capturing the atmosphere of family radio entertainment before the advent of television.

Key Segments & Highlights

1. Introduction and Setup

[00:00–02:00]

• Host welcomes the audience and introduces sponsors: Vano cleanser, La Boheme Wines, Metropolitan Life Insurance, and RKO Pictures (promoting Walt Disney’s "Make Mine Music").
• Main contestants: Mr. and Mrs. Doyle—an affable couple married for eight years, set to compete for cash, prizes, and family bragging rights.
• Tone: Playful banter, era-typical sponsor mentions, and comedic asides.

2. First Rounds: Trivia and Wordplay

[02:00–09:30]

Oyster Months & flying animals

• Mrs. Doyle nails the classic trivia about "R" months for oysters:

  • Quote:
    • "Any month that has an R in it..."
    • Host: “Eight is absolutely correct, Mrs. Doyle. Congratulations.” (04:15)

• Mr. Doyle answers that a bat is the only animal that flies, jokingly discounting human airmen:

  • Quote:
    • “A navigator.”
    • Host: “A bat is absolutely correct. ... Those fellows are more than animals. They’re great men…” (05:20)

"E.T." Word Game (questions with “-et” endings):

• Fast-paced responses, playful interruptions, and comic misunderstandings (e.g. marionette, coronet, bassinet, castanet, famous cornetists).
• Notable moment:
  • Mrs. Doyle: “I put in a baby.” [re: bassinet] (06:30)
  • Host: “Mrs. Doyle, I think you were a slight bit ahead of Mr. Doyle. We’ll give you this dol.” (06:35)
• Score updates throughout, building light suspense.

3. Speed Round: Nationalities and “Land of…”

[09:30–12:45]

• Quick-fire word association (e.g. "Land of the Rising Sun" = Japan; "Land of the Midnight Sun" = Norway)
• Both Doyles score closely; Mrs. Doyle ultimately wins the race by correctly naming "Land of Mystery" as India.
• Quote:
  • Host: “India is correct, Mr. Doyle, and gets you five more dollars. Congratulations.” (11:26)

4. Musical Challenge: The Singing Contest

[12:45–15:45]

• Humorous back-and-forth as the Doyles alternate singing higher and lower notes.
• Mrs. Doyle wins the high-note contest:
  • Host: "You certainly are the one when it comes to going up." (13:45)
• Mr. Doyle claims the lowest note, with the host poking fun at a "Bronx cheer."
• Covers all-out family fun, culminating in a water-holding, note-singing contest, which Mrs. Doyle wins “by one little gurgle.”
• Quote:
  • Host: “Mrs. Doyle wins by a hair. Mrs. Doyle wins by one little gurgle.” (15:30)

5. Prize Presentation

[15:45–18:00]

• Mrs. Doyle is crowned "the better half," wins a beautiful 17-jewel Bulova “Goddess of Time” watch.
• Mr. Doyle receives a silver-plated Ronson Queen Anne table lighter and service kit for being a good sport.
• Both get an Electromatic radio for their home.
• Memorable Interchange:
  • Host: “May we present you with this Beautiful world famous 17 Jewel Bulova, goddess of time... I hope your married life runs as smoothly as the watch.” (17:20)
  • Mrs. Doyle: “Thank you very much. That’s very, very beautiful. I hope it runs.” (17:25)

6. Challenge Round: Audience Participation

[18:00–29:00]

• Mrs. Doyle is challenged by three audience members (a serviceman, a Bronx bachelor, and a Washington Heights resident), competing for her recently won cash.
• Challenges include naming planets, identifying coins with Indian heads, trivia about currency, and abbreviations (e.g., ROTC, K of P, K of C, IRT).
• Mrs. Doyle suffers losses but regains some of her money by answering correctly in final abbreviation round.
• Lighthearted audience banter demonstrates the game's communal, friendly tone.
• Quote:
  • Host to serviceman: “Here’s something for you to take—beautiful airplane luggage from the house of Dexter... Hope you’ll have a vacation and be able to use it, sir.” (20:45)

7. Audience Q&A: "Is the average husband afraid of his wife?"

[29:00–37:00]

• The host moves among audience members, asking women and a young boy whether husbands are afraid of their wives.
• Playful, often coy responses (“50/50”, “I wouldn’t say so”), with the host humorously coaxing them for more details.
• Prizes distributed according to random draw and participation, including fur coat care, nylon stockings, bacon, pens, and jewelry.
• Quote:
  • Mrs. Olson (audience): “Well, it’s 50/50.”
  • Host: “You’re a little bit scared of him too, eh?” (34:30)

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• Comical spouse banter:
  • Host: "How long have you been helping her off with her girdle on warm evenings, Mr. Doyle?"
  • Mr. Doyle: "Gotta be eight years." (02:10)
• Cheeky product pitch:
  • “You heard that man say port muscatel, didn’t you, Mr. And Mrs. Yes, honey, we did. ... we have a bottle of port for you, Mrs. Doyle, and a bottle of La Bohme Muscatel for you, Mr. Doyle. Hope that you will enjoy them after the show before your dinner, or with it, perhaps.” (12:00)
• Host to Mrs. Doyle (after singing contest win):
  • “You certainly are the one when it comes to going up.” (13:45)
• Prize presentation humor:
  • Mrs. Doyle: “I hope it runs.”
  • Host: “I hope your married life runs as smoothly as the watch.” (17:25)
• Audience youth participation:
  • “This is one time, Bobby, you bring home the bacon instead of your daddy.” (35:50)

Structure and Flow

• Game Show Elements: The quiz format is central, with escalating difficulty and cash prizes.
• Music & Singing: Interludes and contests provide a lively break, showcasing talent and camaraderie.
• Sponsors & Ads (in original context): Sponsors are woven into the entertainment, often with catchy product jingles and comedic asides.
• Audience Involvement: The show shines a spotlight on ordinary people, granting everyone a chance to win and be heard.
• Classic Family Humor: Good-natured ribbing about marriage, housework, and gender roles, reflective of the era.

Timestamps for Key Segments

• 00:00 – Introduction and couple introduction
• 04:15 – Mrs. Doyle answers "R month" oyster trivia
• 05:20 – Mr. Doyle answers flying animal question
• 06:30 – Bassinet answer, Mrs. Doyle’s quick wit
• 11:26 – Nationalities game, “India is correct...”
• 13:45 – Mrs. Doyle wins singing contest
• 15:30 – “Mrs. Doyle wins by one little gurgle.”
• 17:25 – Prize presentation, Bulova watch
• 20:45 – Audience challenge, serviceman receives luggage
• 34:30 – Mrs. Olson, “50/50” marriage answer
• 35:50 – Young audience member “brings home the bacon”

Conclusion

This lively episode of The Better Half Matinee is a snapshot of mid-20th-century American family radio entertainment. With games, music, and jocular audience engagement, it illustrates the enduring appeal of quiz shows and good-natured competition. The playful battle between Mr. and Mrs. Doyle, peppered with audience participation, jokes, and memorable prizes, invites listeners old and new to celebrate the warmth and wit of radio’s golden days. Mrs. Doyle’s crowning as “the better half,” complete with jewelry and radio prizes, closes the show on a triumphant, humorous note, while a parade of period-appropriate sponsor messages rounds out the nostalgic experience.