Podcast Summary: Beulah - Beulah Finds a Wedding Ring

Podcast: Harold's Old Time Radio
Episode Date: April 4, 2026
Host: Harold’s Old Time Radio
Show Featured: The Beulah Show, "Beulah Finds a Wedding Ring"
Original Airdate: Golden Age of Radio (date not specified)

Episode Overview

This episode features a classic installment of The Beulah Show, a beloved radio sitcom from the Golden Age of Radio. The central plot follows Beulah, the housekeeper for the Hurts family, as she finds a gold wedding ring in the street. The ensuing antics revolve around identifying the ring’s owner, the humorous misunderstandings that arise, and the warm domestic life surrounding Beulah, her friends, and employers.

The episode is packed with witty banter, sharp characterizations, and a slice-of-life depiction of mid-century American domesticity—all delivered in the show's signature jovial and conversational tone.

Key Discussion Points & Story Beats

1. Beulah’s Discovery of the Wedding Ring (02:36–05:06)

• Beulah excitedly bursts into the Hurts’ home, eager to share her discovery of the ring.

• Marlon Hurt tries to calm Beulah down, resulting in a playful moment where he asks her to “go out and come in again” so she can compose herself.

• Aunt Alice inquires about identification in the ring. Beulah misreads the "24K" stamp as a name and apartment number before Marlon corrects her (“That means it’s gold, Beulah.”).

• The conversation turns to Beulah’s personal life, specifically her ongoing relationship with Bill, laced with Beulah’s trademark humor.

  "To that boy, walking down the middle aisle means going to a movie. And the only time he say I do is when I ask him do he want some more pie."
  — Beulah (05:13)

2. Kitchen Chatter & Canning (05:45–06:49)

• Beulah discusses her canning plans for peaches, part of her practical efforts to “keep us eating this winter.”
• Aunt Alice comments on wartime shortages and the value of home canning.
• Classic domestic humor arises as Beulah and Aunt Alice discuss fruit jars and kitchen helpers, mixing up “Mason” jars for Beulah’s friend Bill Mason.

3. Profile Jokes & Rings and Relationships (07:00–09:24)

• Enter Carol Stewart, who jokes that Marlon looks like movie actor George Raft, prompting some deadpan humor about flipping coins and profiles.
• Carol is surprised to learn Beulah found a wedding ring, initially misunderstanding and thinking Beulah herself is married.
• Marlon clears up the confusion by showing Carol the ring and creating laughs about "girls always going around in circles" (marriage rings).

4. The Reward & Reading the Classifieds (11:11–12:03)

• Beulah and the family discover a newspaper ad that matches the lost ring: location, details, reward for return.

• The promise of a $50 reward sets Beulah and Aunt Alice in motion to contact the owner.

  "That does it. If it ain't scratched, it will be."
  — Beulah, joking about making sure the ring meets the ad's description (11:31)

5. Mr. Frank, the Egg & Peach Man, Pays a Visit (12:08–14:23)

• Mr. Frank (dubbed the Eggman) brings the peaches for Beulah’s canning project, delivering corny jokes (“Well, stones are free. The peaches cost money.”).
• Mr. Frank shares he’s become the “Egghead” of the Eggmen’s Association, leading to more puns and wordplay about eggs and laying.

6. Canning Talk & Planning a Picnic (14:53–16:31)

• Beulah discusses an upcoming picnic with her beau, Bill, and debates the finer points of picnic food—deviled eggs, sandwiches, and, humorously, whether to bring “ants.”
• The narrator uses this as a segue to promote Tums, tying in with the domestic setting.

7. The Ring’s Owner Found (17:02–17:28)

• Marlon calls the number from the newspaper ad and confirms the ring belongs to Mr. Ranger’s wife. He’ll visit soon to collect it.
• Beulah delightedly anticipates the $50 reward, quipping: “Lady Luck, I’m still your favorite child.”

8. Meet the New Neighbor (17:31–18:47)

• A new neighbor, Mr. Jenkins, unexpectedly enters, trying to get acquainted, leading to lighthearted exchanges about peeking out windows and moving in.
• The episode closes with playful banter between Marlon, Beulah, and Mr. Jenkins.

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• Beulah’s Excitement:

  “A gold wedding ring right down the street… You know what, Mr. Martin!”
  — Beulah (02:36)

• Wartime Resourcefulness:

  “If we don’t can, we don’t eat.”
  — Beulah (06:33)

• On Bill’s Reluctance:

  “To that boy, walking down the middle aisle means going to a movie. And the only time he say I do is when I ask him do he want some more pie.”
  — Beulah (05:13)

• Finding the Reward:

  “That does it. If it ain’t scratched, it will be.”
  — Beulah, upon hearing about scratches on the ring in the ad (11:31)

• Eggman’s Title:

  “They made me head of the Eggman's Association… Egghead of Frink they call me now.”
  — Mr. Frank (13:34–13:39)

• Picnic Humor:

  “We don’t take our own ants if that’s what you mean. They’re already weak.”
  — Beulah, on picnic food (15:36–15:41)

Timestamps for Key Segments

• Beulah Finds the Ring: 02:36–05:06
• Domestic Comedy & Canning: 05:45–06:49
• Carol Stewart’s Visit & Profile Jokes: 07:00–09:24
• Discovering the Reward: 11:11–12:03
• Mr. Frank (Eggman) Arrives: 12:08–14:23
• Picnic Talk: 14:53–16:31
• Contact with Ring’s Owner: 17:02–17:28
• New Neighbor Arrives: 17:31–18:47

Episode Tone

• Warm, light-hearted, and playful
• Lots of domestic wisdom, clever wordplay, and gently teasing dialogue
• Reflects the rhythms and routines of mid-century American life

This episode is a charming example of the sitcom style that delighted radio audiences in the 1940s and 1950s: gentle comedy, relatable situations, and memorable character interplay. Beulah’s hopeful nature, practicality, and quick wit shine as she maneuvers through small mysteries, friendly banter, and loyal domestic service—reminding listeners of a bygone era’s humor and heart.