Bing Crosby Rosemary Clooney Show 1961-11-23 453 Thanksgiving

Summary

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Podcast Summary:

Harold's Old Time Radio
Episode: Bing Crosby Rosemary Clooney Show 1961-11-23 – "Thanksgiving"
Release Date: November 12, 2025

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Overview

This episode of Harold’s Old Time Radio transports listeners to a festive 1961 Thanksgiving broadcast of "The Bing Crosby-Rosemary Clooney Show." Against a backdrop of witty banter and classic song performances, Bing Crosby, Rosemary Clooney, and their cast celebrate the simple joys of the holiday, discuss quirky Thanksgiving traditions, and share warm humor, musical numbers, and quintessential mid-century commercials.

The episode is a charming snapshot of radio’s golden days, featuring playful improvisation and period flavor, making it a delightful listen for fans of nostalgia and vintage entertainment.

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Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Thanksgiving Traditions & Lighthearted Banter

• Show kicks off with playful excitement for Thanksgiving Day
  • Immediate focus on holiday food, with comic interruptions and eager anticipation. (00:03–00:10)
• Turkey, Chicken, or… Chirky?
  • Bing asks Rosie and Ken what they're having for dinner.
    • Rosie: "Got a big turkey going, Bing." (02:16)
    • Ken: Prefers chicken, but alternates with turkey for his wife’s sake. (02:19–02:33)
  • Hilarity ensues as they dream up new hybrid birds: “cherky” (chicken + turkey), “gookie” (goose + turkey), and “just ducky” (duck + turkey).
    • Bing: “Someday there’ll be a bird to please both you and Betty.” (02:33)
    • “What will this bird be called?” “Cherky!” (03:12–03:14)
  • “This opens up a whole can of peas, doesn’t it?”—Ken (03:31)
• Spirit of Thanksgiving
  • Lighthearted gratitude for whatever’s on the table:
    • Rosie: “I’m thankful I’m not having a turkey.” (04:45)
    • Bing: “Count your blessings, kids.” (04:48)

2. Iconic Songs Performed Live

• "It's a Most Unusual Day" (00:16–02:14)
  • Celebrates the joy and uniqueness of the holiday mood.
• "Count Your Blessings Instead of Sheep" (04:56–07:46)
  • Reassuring message to find gratitude in the little things.
    • Bing: “When I’m worried and I can’t sleep, I count my blessings instead of sheep…” (04:56)
• "Bye Bye Blackbird" (09:17–10:39)
  • An upbeat tune about moving past heartache, delivered with warmth and harmony.
• "I'll Remember Today" (13:11–14:43)
  • Reflective, romantic ballad about cherishing special moments.
• "Isn't It a Lovely Day (to be Caught in the Rain)" (15:45–18:23)
  • Clooney and Crosby swap verses in a cheerful, cozy duet.

3. Comedic Moments and Playful Puns

• Thanksgiving 'Bird Mashup' Jokes
  • Imagining scientists creating new poultry: cherky, gookie, and “just ducky." (02:41–03:52)
  • Bing: “I have word… that Dr. Marlow W. Olson of Beltsville, Maryland, is working on just such a poultry pairing. I guess they belt themselves.” (02:53)
• Party Tips with a Wink
  • Rosie offers her "household hint": always keep “Sara Lee All Butter Cakes” in the freezer for an instant party. (14:44–15:24)
  • Bing, in typical wry style: “Rosie, I knew it all the time. It’s what we do at our house that’s so smart.” (15:06)

4. Period Commercial Breaks Full of Character

• Cold Medicine Plug
  • The cast delivers a tongue-in-cheek, but earnest promotion for “4 Way Cold Tablets.” (07:52–09:02)
    • “Cold sinus and singing sure don’t mix. To feel better fast I take the newest medicine for those miseries…” – Bing (08:09)
• Shoe Repair Endorsement
  • Ken espouses the virtues of restoring old shoes with “Cat’s Paw” heels and soles, with Bing and Rosie weaving the reference into a wedding joke. (11:57–12:49)
• Sara Lee Cakes
  • Rosie and Bing’s playful ad for ready-made butter cakes, complete with jingle. (15:06–15:45)

5. Memorable Quotes and Banter

• Bing’s Thanksgiving Toast:
  • “We hope you’re all having a wonderful Thanksgiving. We have lots to be thankful for, don’t we?” (04:41)
• Ken’s deadpan on new hybrid birds:
  • “I think these are all rather remote possibilities. Actually, very remote.” (03:55)
• Rosie’s Party Secret:
  • “Be sure you always have plenty of Sara Lee All Butter cakes on hand.” (15:06)

6. Warmth, Farewells, and Shoutouts

• Special Anniversary Mention
  • A toast to CBS affiliate KOTA on its 25th anniversary.
    • Rosie: “Remember earlier this week we mentioned CBS radio affiliate KOTA on this program?” (18:31)
    • Bing: “Congratulations. And Happy Thanksgiving to KOTA, way up north in South Dakota.” (18:41)
• Warm Sendoff
  • Bing: “Well, Rosie, I gotta cut out now. I gotta run home, put soup on.” (18:52)
  • “See you tomorrow.” (18:56)

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Notable Quotes with Timestamps

• “It’s a most unusual day…if my heart won’t behave in the usual way, well, there’s only one thing to say: it’s a most unusual, most unusual day.” – (01:08–02:14)
• “Bing, what’s for Thanksgiving dinner?” “Got a big turkey going, Bing.” “Same for us. How about you, Ken?” – (02:14–02:19)
• “Someday there’ll be chicken for you and turkey for Betty. I mean, there’ll be a combination chicken and turkey.” – Bing (02:44)
• “This opens up a whole can of peas, doesn’t it?” – Ken (03:31)
• “Count your blessings, kids.” – Bing (04:48)
• “I’m thankful I’m not having a turkey.” – Rosie (04:45)
• “When I’m worried and I can’t sleep, I count my blessings instead of sheep…” – Bing (04:56)
• “The happy wedding of his expert craftsmanship and modern equipment turns old shoes into spanking new ones.” – Ken (12:01)
• “Always have plenty of Sara Lee all butter cakes on hand.” – Rosie (15:06)
• “Well, Rosie, I gotta cut out now. I gotta run home, put soup on.” – Bing (18:52)

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Timestamps for Important Segments

• 00:16: "It’s a Most Unusual Day" song
• 02:14: Thanksgiving dinner discussion, bird hybrids banter
• 04:56: "Count Your Blessings Instead of Sheep" performance
• 09:17: "Bye Bye Blackbird" performance
• 11:43: Wedding plans, shoe repair dialogue
• 13:11: "I’ll Remember Today" ballad
• 14:44: Sara Lee cakes ad/party tip
• 15:45: "Isn’t It a Lovely Day" duet
• 18:31: KOTA radio station shoutout and sign off

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Tone & Style

Faithful to the original, the episode brims with gentle banter, warmth, cheerful humor, and a community spirit. Bing’s deadpan delivery and Rosie’s bubbly charm create a familiar, inviting environment reflective of classic family radio entertainment.

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For anyone yearning for simple cheer, musical nostalgia, and vintage radio warmth, this episode is a Thanksgiving treat from the golden age of variety radio.

Transcript

[A]

Thank you, D. Kirby.

[B]

Oh, here it is.

[A]

Thanksgiving Day.

[C]

The great day has arrived.

[D]

Let's talk about food.

[B]

Down, down.

[C]

Back.

[E]

Ken. Ken.

[B]

Later.

[A]

We got music to do.

[C]

It's a most unusual day Feel like throwing my worries away as an old native born Californian would say it's the most unusual There's a most unusual sky Not a sign of a cloud passing by and if I want to sing Throw my heart in the ring. It's a most unusual day There are people meeting people There is sunshine everywhere There are people greeting people and a. I keep feeling a spring in the air it's the most unusual time I keep feeling my temperature climb if my heart won't behave in the usual way well, there's only one thing to say It's a most unusual day There are people meeting people There is sunshine everywhere There are people greeting people and the feeling the spring makes your heart want to sing it's the most unusual time I keep feeling my temperature climb if my heart won't behave in the usual way well, there's only one thing to say if it's a most unusual Most unusual Most unusual day.

[A]

Rosie, what's for Thanksgiving dinner?

[E]

Got a big turkey going, Bing.

[A]

Same for us. How about you, Ken?

[F]

Well, Bing, we're having chicken. Turkey just isn't one of my favorites. Betty loves turkey, but she's serving roast chicken in deference to meat.

[A]

Well, now, isn't that sweet of Betty?

[F]

I think it is. Next year we'll have turkey. You see, we alternate each year.

[A]

Oh, fair's fair, you know, Right's right and wrong's nobody. You know, Ken, someday there'll be a bird to please both you and Betty.

[F]

Well, a duck does it. We both like ducks.

[A]

No, someday there'll be chicken for you and turkey for Betty. I mean, there'll be a combination chicken and turkey.

[F]

There's a cross between a chicken and a turkey in our future.

[A]

I have word from Timothy J. Leahy of Albany, California, that Dr. Marlow W. Olson of Beltsville, Maryland, is working on just such a poultry pairing. I guess they belt themselves.

[F]

That's the big place there with the turkeys.

[A]

Yeah.

[E]

A cross between a chicken and a turkey.

[A]

Yep.

[C]

What will this bird be called?

[A]

Well, it'll be called a turkey. What else? What do you think?

[B]

Sure.

[E]

Well, you could call it a. You could call it a tur.

[B]

Chick.

[F]

Yeah. Or a Turk in.

[A]

No, no, I like that better. I like turkey. Sure.

[E]

Ken, I wonder if you would serve chutney with turkey.

[A]

Chutney with cherky.

[F]

Well, the mandatory I presume. You know, this opens up a whole can of peas, doesn't it?

[A]

Say, you know, wise. What about a combination goose and turkey? A gookie.

[F]

A gookie?

[C]

Yeah, a gookie.

[E]

That would be a goose and a turkey, all right. Yeah.

[F]

What would a combination duck and turkey be?

[A]

That would be just ducky.

[E]

Oh, boy.

[F]

Sorry.

[A]

Thank you for the straight line. You laid it out there good.

[F]

I think these are all rather remote possibilities. Actually, very remote.

[A]

But I suppose we should pass on this information whether it's reliable or not. You know, it's newsy. Just on the possibility that, you know, we might be proven right someday. And that we're prophets, you see.

[C]

Sure.

[E]

It's a holiday. Let's not be ponderous or. Or even accurate.

[F]

Except with our commercials.

[E]

Oh, yes, our commercials are correct absolutely bonafide. But some of our chatter may become pretty gooky.

[B]

Real, real gooky.

[A]

Also kooky. Say, I wonder what you'd serve with a gookie. Now we got chutney with chirky. What was gookie, Rose?

[E]

Well, it should be something goopy, shouldn't it?

[A]

Oh, goopy, Goopy and gooey with gookie. Anyway, we hope you're all having a wonderful Thanksgiving. We have lots to be thankful for, don't we?

[E]

I'm thankful I'm not having a turkey.

[B]

Me too. The Spirit.

[A]

Count your blessings, kids.

[B]

When I'm worried and I can't sleep I count my blessings Instead of sheep I fall asleep counting my blessings when my bankroll is getting small I think of when I had none at all and I fall asleep counting my blessings I think about a nursery and I picture curly heads and one by one I count them as they slumber in their beds so if you're worried you can't sleep Count your blessings instead of.

[F]

Sheep.

[B]

And you'll fall asleep counting your blessings I think about a nursery and I picture curly hair and one by one I count them as they slumber in their beds so if you Mary, you can't sleep Just count your blessings instead of sheep and you'll fall asleep counting your blessings.

[A]

A quick question, Rosemary.

[E]

Shoot.

[A]

What's got show people singing the blues most of all these months?

[C]

Oh, cold miseries.

[E]

Of course.

[A]

Right. Cold miseries can certainly ruin a performance.

[E]

That's why we insist on fast relief.

[A]

Listen.

[D]

Imagine a famous singer trying to make a hit recording. When he feels miserable from cold and sinus trouble. He needs relief in a hurry.

[A]

Right, Frankie Lane? Cold sinus and singing sure don't mix. To feel better fast I take the newest medicine for Those miseries. New improved 4 way cold tablets. New 4 way contains a decongestant to drain sinus congestion while it relieves cold distress.

[D]

Clinical tests prove four Way acts faster than any other leading cold or sinus tablet in minutes. 4 way speeds pain relieving medicine all through your body in the same time. There was no trace with other brands. Only four Way starts so fast to relieve muscular pains, reduce fever, relieve headache without upsetting stomach. And four Way drain sinus congestion to restore free breathing.

[F]

You're so right.

[A]

Four Way is really great and really.

[D]

Fast to relieve cold miseries while you drain sinus congestion. Get new 4 way fastest acting of all the leading cold and sinus tablets. New improved formula. Same familiar package, only 39 cents.

[E]

Here's a hardy perennial. A perennial with wings in fact. Bye bye Blackbird.

[C]

Pack up all my care Here I go Singing low by the by Blackbird where somebody waits for me Sugar sweet so is he by my black bird no one here can love and understand me what hard luck stories they all have. Make my bed and light the lights I'll arrive late tonight Black bird.

[E]

Bye.

[C]

Bye bye oh, no one here can love and understand me what hard luck stories they all have. Made up my bill and light the light I arrive late tonight Blackbird bye bye so long bye bye.

[F]

Hey, you're in a merry mood today, Bing.

[A]

I should say. Rosie and I are going to a.

[E]

Wedding and there's nothing we like more than a good old fashioned knot tying.

[F]

I knew something was in the air by Bing's get up. Pretty fancy. By the way, Bing, what are the shoes for?

[A]

Well, it's a tie on the Newlyweds car along with the, you know, the Just Married sign.

[F]

Well, that's really old fashioned ving and wasteful too. There's lots of good service left in those shoes. If you call them the good services of your shoe repairer. The happy wedding of his expert craftsmanship and modern equipment turns old shoes into spanking new ones.

[E]

Okay, we'll switch to tin cans instead and run these shoes right down to be fixed.

[F]

Recommend the shop to us, Ken. Just look for the famous Cat's Paw cat in the window. And you can be sure you're not only getting top notch service but but the finest products as well. Quality products like famous Catspaw Twin Grip Soft resilient heels and soles. And lighter than leather, lighter than rubber. Microlite soles by Catspaw. The best underfoot.

[A]

Now folks, don't make the same mistake we did. Don't discard shoes that still have many miles of walking comfort left. See your shoe repair today.

[F]

Look for the Cat's Paw sign, a sign of quality and service for more than 57 years. Ask for famous Catspaw products by name. And look for Catspaw heels and soles on new shoes, too.

[B]

For always and always I'll remember today how you held me and kissed me in the tenderest way Even though you may leave me in my heart you will stare Though I'm lonely Tomorrow I'll remember the day for as long as I live, dear I'll remember today how you whispered I love you in the tenderest way through the winds of December and the magic of May.

[A]

Through a.

[B]

Million Tomorrow I'll remember today.

[C]

Bing. Bing.

[E]

Today I have a household hint for busy homemakers.

[A]

No, not now, Rose. This isn't that kind of a show.

[C]

But, Bing, this is about how to.

[E]

Give a perfect party.

[F]

A party.

[A]

Well, I'm not going to stand in the way of a young girl's social life.

[E]

Thank you, Bing. Besides, this is a hint that's so easy to follow. Be sure you always have plenty of Sara Lee All Butter cakes on hand.

[A]

Rosie, I knew it all the time. It's what we do at our house that's so smart.

[E]

Because, Sara Lee all butter cakes mean successful parties anytime. There's no work to entertaining because Sara Lee cakes are completely baked, iced and ready to enjoy. They make any party perfect.

[A]

A pearl of wisdom.

[E]

And there's a wonderful variety of Sara Lee cakes to choose from. They stay oven fresh in the freezer so you can stock up ahead of time.

[A]

You know, Rosie, I never get tired of hearing about Sara Lee cakes. In fact, I'll even let you sing about it.

[C]

That sounds like a cue. Merrily, merrily only Saraly tastes so good.

[E]

Now, Mr. Crosby and I mix it up a little with. Isn't it a lovely day?

[A]

Nice day for it.

[E]

Lovely.

[B]

Isn't this a lovely day to be caught in the rain? You were going on your way now you gotta remain.

[C]

Just as you were going Leaving me all at sea. The clouds broke, they broke and oh, what a break for me.

[A]

I can.

[B]

See the sun up high Though we're caught in the storm.

[C]

I can see where you and I could be Cozy and warm.

[B]

Let the rain pitter patter Butter beamy dust matter if the skies are gray.

[C]

Long as I can be with you It's a lovely day.

[B]

Isn't this a lovely day to be caught in the rain?

[C]

I was going on my way Now I've got to remain.

[B]

Just as you were going leaving me all a fuss.

[C]

The clouds broke, they broke and oh.

[B]

What a break for us.

[E]

I can.

[C]

See the sun up high though we're caught in a storm.

[B]

I can see where you and I could be cozy and warm let the rain pitter patter but it really doesn't matter if the skies are gray long as I can be with you oh, it's a lovely day It's a lovely day It's a.

[C]

Lovely day it's a lovely day it's.

[A]

A lovely day.

[C]

Save Bing.

[E]

Remember earlier this week we mentioned CBS radio affiliate kota on this program?

[A]

I do indeed, Rosie.

[E]

Well, today kota is celebrating its 25th anniversary.

[A]

We should do the handsome thing then. Congratulations. And happy thanksgiving to kota, way up north in south dakota.

[E]

And a happy thanksgiving to everyone listening, too.

[A]

Well, Rosie, I gotta cut out now. I gotta run home, put soup on.

[E]

Okay.

[C]

See you tomorrow.

[E]

Ladies and gentlemen.

[F]

Bing crosby and rosemary clooney with buddy Cole's music may be heard over these same stations each weekday, Monday through through Friday. This is ken carpenter inviting you to join us again tomorrow.

[C]

Sam.