Podcast Summary: Harold’s Old Time Radio

Episode: Bright Star “Rodeo Star” (53-03-05)

Date: October 3, 2025
Host: Harold’s Old Time Radio

Overview

This episode of Bright Star, originally aired in 1953, centers on Susan Armstrong (Irene Dunn), editor of the Hillsdale Morning Star, and her ace reporter George Harvey (Fred McMurray). When a local rodeo and its mysterious star performer come to town, the Morning Star staff scramble for a scoop, only to find themselves caught up in mistaken identities, cowboy humor, newsroom antics, and a surprising twist: the “star cowboy” is actually a woman. The episode is a prime example of vintage radio comedy, blending sharp wit, wordplay, and farce as the characters navigate professional rivalry, Western clichés, and a tangle of personal relationships.

Key Discussion Points & Plot Events

Newsroom Banter and the Rodeo Assignment

• [00:00–01:28] The episode opens with the newsroom staff, especially Sammy the copy boy, urging Susan and George to focus less on theory and more on hot local news: the Two Bar A Rodeo.

• Humorous debate ensues over word pronunciations (e.g., “rodeo’s” vs. “rodeos”, “grimace” vs. “grimace”), poking fun at journalistic pedantry.

  Sammy: “It's all very well to get steeped at ears and theories, but we sell news. And rodeos are news. Or should I say noose?” (01:04)

• Sammy reveals that the rodeo’s star, Bobby Brundage, is seeing the press at the General Grant Hotel—suggesting Susan and George cover the story.

Mistaken Identities and Farcical Interview

• [02:39–05:18] Susan heads to the hotel, but unknowingly interviews Windsor Appleton, a rival reporter posing as Bobby Brundage.

• Windsor parodies the cowboy persona, hamming up his interview answers and flirting shamelessly with Susan.

  Windsor Appleton: “You may quote me not once, not twice, not three times, but 20 times or as many quotes as you can get into my five gallon hat. There being four quotes to each and every gallon.” (03:31)

  Susan: “Are you married, Bobby?” | Windsor: “No. And you sure are a pretty fairy.” (03:54)

• After Susan leaves, Windsor, still posing as Brundage, calls his editor at the rival News paper, gloating over his prank.

The Real Bobby Brundage and the Gender Reveal

• [06:46–09:21] George and Susan meet the real Bobby Brundage—a woman—revealing the earlier mix-up.

• Bobby is incensed at being misrepresented and threatens to sue the Morning Star for libel.

  Bobby Brundage: “First of all, not even knowing that Bobby Brundage is a gal, and then bad mouthing poor little me something fierce.… I've already telephoned the other paper in town the News to tell them that I'm suing the Star.” (07:27, 07:41)

• George, with a comic attempt at Western lingo, tries to smooth things over, attempting to dissuade Bobby from the lawsuit.

• There’s comic camaraderie struck between George and Bobby as “fellow cowhands.”

Escalating Stakes: Lawsuits, Apologies, and Job Offers

• [09:40–12:13] Bobby calls her attorney to threaten a lawsuit for $100,000, intent on “teaching them a lesson.”

• Windsor Appleton apologizes to Susan for the prank and asks for a job at the Morning Star.

  Windsor Appleton: “Well, if you lose, I'll pay the damages. I can afford it.” (11:38)

  Susan: “I'm paying my own bills, thank you. And now you can go back to the News.” (11:41)

Rodeo Shenanigans: Grand Marshal George

• [14:08–15:33] George becomes Bobby’s rodeo manager and is appointed grand marshal, despite not knowing much about horses. Comic dialogue springs from saddle types and George’s reaction to riding a notorious horse named “Murder Plot.”

• Bobby’s horse, Murder Plot, has a running gag: its ancestors were chased by Confederate cavalry—now, it gets jumpy at anything Southern.

  Bobby Brundage: “Just one little thing about Murder Plot ancestor. His was chased by Hood's cavalry in the War between the States, so Murder Plot. He gets scary anytime something Southern happens.” (15:16)

  George Harvey: “Well, I hope nobody whistles Dixie.” (15:28)

Romantic Tensions, Comic Relief, and the Big Event

• [15:45–21:34] The characters reveal insecurities and comic jealousies—Susan and George, Susan and Windsor, George and Bobby—a carousel of implied flirtations and misunderstandings.

• George and Susan banter about ranches, money, and their own relationship, accented by comic misinterpretations (e.g., cufflinks engraved with “Bar A”) and lively interjections from Patience, a staff member.

  Susan: “Do you have her name tattooed on your chest too?” (20:26) George: “It does not say Barbara on your chest. The cufflinks. The cufflinks. It says Bar.” (20:36)

The Rodeo Climax: George’s Wild Ride

• [22:08–24:09] At the rodeo, George is forced to ride Murder Plot. The horse bolts ("He's bolting! The horse is bolting!" — Susan (23:04)), but George stays on in a slapstick spectacle.

• Comic play-by-play ensues with Susan and friends cheering.

  Susan Armstrong: “George will be killed. Phantom Cowboy.” (23:12) Sammy: “Phantom George is still on there.… Good boy, George. Cowboy. Phantom Cowboy. Break him Break him.… Ride him, George. Ride him, George.” (23:14)

• George triumphs, now a local hero; Bobby forgives him and calls off the lawsuit.

  Bobby Brundage: “Please accept my apology for starting your host of bucking. I'm not mad at you anymore, George.” (24:20)

Comic Denouement and Happy Endings

• [25:00–25:26] George and Susan reflect on the chaos and romance, joking about the pairing of Windsor Appleton and Bobby Brundage, both revealed to be from Brooklyn.

  Susan Armstrong: “Who would have dreamed it? A Gate Appleton and a corn fed Bobby Brundage, both hailing from Brooklyn.” (25:17)

• The episode ends with the suggestion everyone has found some happiness—on the range and back in the newsroom.

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• Sammy poking fun at serious news:
  “It's all very well to get steeped at ears and theories, but we sell news. And rodeos are news. Or should I say noose?” (01:04)

• Windsor Appleton’s outrageous cowboy act:
  “You may quote me not once, not twice, not three times, but 20 times or as many quotes as you can get into my five gallon hat.” (03:31)

• Susan’s exasperation after her ‘interview’:
  “Listen, you just wait until I go to press with my story on the great Bobby Brundy.” (04:26)

• The big gender reveal:
  “First of all, not even knowing that Bobby Brundage is a gal, and then bad mouthing poor little me something fierce.… I'm gonna sue that Morning Star till it really moans.” (07:27, 07:39)

• Comic Western lingo between George and Bobby:
  “6 Gun George Harvey, Shake, Pardner.” (08:23)

• On riding the infamous Murder Plot:
  “His was chased by Hood's cavalry in the War between the States, so Murder plot. He gets scary anytime something Southern happens.” (15:16)

• Slapstick at the rodeo:
  “George will be killed. Phantom Cowboy.” —Susan (23:12)
  “The horse is standing still.” —Sammy (23:55)

Timestamps for Key Segments

• 00:00–01:28 | Newsroom banter & Sammy assigns the rodeo story
• 02:39–05:18 | Susan’s farcical interview with Windsor Appleton (posing as Bobby Brundage)
• 06:46–09:21 | Discovery: Bobby Brundage is a woman, not a cowboy
• 09:40–12:13 | Bobby threatens lawsuit; Windsor Appleton apologizes
• 14:08–15:33 | George agrees to be grand marshal; comic Western tropes
• 15:45–21:34 | Romantic & professional tensions escalate
• 22:08–24:09 | The climactic rodeo scene: George’s wild ride
• 25:00–25:26 | Comic conclusion and happy endings

Tone & Style

Bright Star epitomizes classic radio comedy, blending newsroom wit, Western parody, and high-spirited camaraderie. The dialogue is quick, clever, and loaded with playful jabs—each character sporting a distinct comic flair.

For Listeners Who Missed the Episode

This episode is a perfect curtain-raiser for the joys of Old Time Radio—a lively script, sharp comedic timing, and the pure fun of mistaken identities and raucous newsroom life. Along the way, the characters skewer Western clichés and office politics, all in service of good humor and happy endings.