Buster Brown Gang 52-10-04 (xx) The Boy Who Wouldn't Obey

Summary

Podcast Summary: Harold's Old Time Radio - Buster Brown Gang 52-10-04 (xx) The Boy Who Wouldn't Obey

Date: October 3, 2025
Host: Harold's Old Time Radio
Episode: The Boy Who Wouldn't Obey

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Main Theme & Purpose

This episode revives the classic Buster Brown Gang radio show, featuring The Boy Who Wouldn’t Obey. Set in the golden age of radio, it tells a dramatic yet charming cautionary tale about family struggles, childhood rebellion, and parental discipline. The show explores how a boy named Tom, his misadventures, and his parents’ efforts to correct his course create both tension and teachable moments. It mixes morality, period humor, and old-school commercials for Buster Brown shoes, transporting listeners back to a time when families gathered around the radio for stories and life lessons.

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Key Discussion Points and Insights

1. Parental Concerns and Seeking Help

• Setup: Tom's parents, Fred and Margaret Carey, are at their wits' end dealing with their disobedient son.

• Scene: They consult Dr. Willard about Tom’s behavior—his lying, skipping school, and disregard for authority.

• Insight: Dr. Willard points out the dangers of inconsistent discipline and suggests moving from physical punishment to a system of consistent consequences and rewards.

  Notable Quote:
  "You indulge until he's thoroughly spoiled and then try to whip him into shape."
  — Dr. Willard (03:12)

2. New Discipline System Introduced

• Suggestion: Instead of spanking, deprive Tom of valued privileges in response to misbehavior, but provide the opportunity to earn them back through good conduct.

• Parental Reluctance: Fred is skeptical but agrees to try Dr. Willard’s method.

  Notable Quote:
  "Deprive him of enough things in a fair manner and believe me, the shoe'll pinch."
  — Dr. Willard (04:11)

3. Tommy’s Reaction and Escalating Trouble

• Confronting Tommy: His parents begin enforcing the new rules. He loses out on skiing for lying about homework (07:12), then has his allowance stopped after skipping school for a movie (09:19).
• Defiance: Tommy is openly resentful and dismissive of the punishments (“Who cares about that crummy old bike anyhow?” at 10:46).
• Parental Doubt: Margaret worries that deprivation is making Tommy worse.

4. Parental Perseverance Despite Setbacks

• Dr. Willard's Advice Reinforced: Dr. Willard reassures the parents to remain consistent and patient, emphasizing change takes time, especially with a spoiled child.

• Hopeful Signs: After a family dinner, Tommy appears to accept responsibility and chooses homework over risky behavior (12:02–12:18).

  Notable Quote:
  "You know best, dad, huh? Okay, I won't go."
  — Tommy (12:02)

5. Parental Reward and Sudden Twist

• Rewarding Good Behavior: Fred and Margaret plan to return Tommy’s bike as a reward (13:18).

• Unexpected Disappointment: They discover Tommy and his skates are gone—implying he lied and sneaked out, likely to the dangerous lake they forbade.

• Dramatic Cliffhanger: The episode ends with his parents racing out to the lake, vowing stern consequences.

  Memorable Moment:
  "Right or wrong this time, that kid gets the licking of his life. I'm through."
  — Fred Carey (13:58)

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Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments (with Timestamps)

• On Modern Discipline:
  "You indulge until he's thoroughly spoiled and then try to whip him into shape."
  — Dr. Willard [03:12]

• The New System:
  "Deprive him of enough things in a fair manner and believe me, the shoe'll pinch. He'll learn to appreciate these things you take away, too, because he'll miss them. But you have to give him a chance to earn them back, too."
  — Dr. Willard [04:11]

• Parent Frustration:
  "Fred, I'm beginning to think Dr. Willard's wrong. It's taking things away from Tommy. It's making him worse."
  — Margaret Carey [10:55]

• On Patience:
  "We've spoiled Tommy for 13 years. We can't unspoil him in a week."
  — Dr. Willard (paraphrased by Fred) [11:09]

• A Glimmer of Hope:
  "Well, maybe you know best, dad, huh? Okay, I won't go. I've got some arithmetic to do and history composition."
  — Tommy [12:02]

• Brewing Trouble:
  "He's been working hard for more than an hour. Why don't we both go in and tell him? It'll make him happy, Fred."
  — Margaret Carey [13:22]

• The Reveal:
  "He's not here... his skates are gone... And so's Pete."
  — Margaret Carey and Narrator [13:37–13:49]

• Cliffhanger Resolve:
  "Right or wrong this time, that kid gets the licking of his life. I'm through."
  — Fred Carey [13:58]

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Timestamps for Key Segments

• [02:06] – Parents seek Dr. Willard’s help for Tommy’s behavior
• [04:11] – Dr. Willard details the new discipline method
• [07:12] – Tommy is punished for lying about homework
• [09:19] – Tommy receives a consequence for skipping school
• [10:55] – Parental doubts emerge
• [12:02–12:26] – Tommy appears to comply and parents feel hopeful
• [13:22–13:49] – Parents discover Tommy missing with his skates
• [13:58] – Fred heads out determined to enforce discipline at the lake

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Overall Tone and Style

The episode brims with vintage radio energy: strong narrative voices, period mannerisms, and playful Buster Brown shoe commercials. The characters speak in earnest, sometimes exasperated tones, reflecting real family worries and moral dilemmas of the era. The episode strikes a balance between stern morality, comic interludes, and the rollercoaster of hope, setback, and suspense characteristic of classic family radio dramas.

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Conclusion

The Boy Who Wouldn’t Obey blends wholesome nostalgia with timeless lessons on parenting, consequences, and the challenge of guiding a rebellious child. The show’s cliffhanger leaves listeners eager for resolution, perfectly capturing the suspenseful, teaching spirit of old time radio storytelling—with a memorable warning to children and parents alike about the consequences of disobedience and the patience required to instill change.

Transcript

[Sarah]

Hey, this is Sarah. Look, I'm standing out front of a.m. p.m. Right now and, well, you're sweet and all, but I found something more fulfilling. Even kind of cheesy. But I like it. Sure, you met some of my dietary needs, but they've just got it all. So farewell, Oatmeal. So long, you strange soggy.

[Fred Carey]

Break up with bland breakfast and taste AM PM's bacon, egg and cheese biscuit made with ktree eggs, smoked bacon and melty cheese on a buttery biscuit. AM PM Too much Good stuff.

[Tommy Carey]

Hey, kids, it's the Buster Brown Show. Come on, Pete. Jump. Here we go. See, Pete, we rode that freight and we didn't get hurt either. Mom and dad tell me not to fool around the freight yards. What do they know? Him and that stupid teacher. Kids, don't miss this exciting story of Tom and Pete. And to tell it here is Smilin Ed McConnell. Yes, yes, Smilin Ed it is. Buster Brown.

[Narrator]

Gang, I got you. You've got shoes.

[Tommy Carey]

Everybody's gotta have shoes.

[Narrator]

But there's only one kind of shoes for me.

[Tommy Carey]

Little Buster Brown.

[Fred Carey]

Shoes.

[Narrator]

Oh, yes, kids, Buster Brown's on the air out here in Hollywood with Smack. Squeaky the Mouse, Midnight the Cat and Froggy the Gremlin. And we're going to start our story program off right now with our story. Well, kids, our story today is about a boy named Tom and his dog named Pete. Tom Carey lived with his mother and father in a house that stood at the very edge of a big city. Oh, just about where the city stopped and the country began. However, our story begins in the office of one Dr. Willard who is being visited by Tom's mother and father, Fred and Margaret Carey.

[Tommy Carey]

Step right in, please. The doctor will see you now.

[Margaret Carey]

Thank you. Well, Dr. Willard, I. Well, we feel sort of silly coming to you about Tommy.

[Dr. Willard]

Silly, my dear, but I brought the child into the world and I've taken care of him ever since.

[Fred Carey]

I don't know, but he isn't sick.

[Dr. Willard]

Doctor isn't sick?

[Fred Carey]

No.

[Dr. Willard]

All right, you'd better tell me all about it. Sit down.

[Margaret Carey]

Oh, thank you. Well, it's just that. Well, we can't do a thing with him.

[Dr. Willard]

Can't do anything with Tom?

[Margaret Carey]

No.

[Fred Carey]

Oh, now, come, come.

[Dr. Willard]

What's this all about?

[Fred Carey]

Well, you see, Doc, he. Well, he's become very hard to handle. He won't study. He lies about his schoolwork. He sneaks out of classes. He won't obey us in anything. We can't believe a word he says.

[Dr. Willard]

Oh, now, you make poor Little Tommy sound pretty much like a criminal.

[Margaret Carey]

Oh, don't say that, Doctor. That's just what we're trying to prevent. The way he's carrying on now, we're afraid that might happen.

[Dr. Willard]

Be surprised how many boys or little villains grow up to be mighty fine men. But of course, all children do need sensible training.

[Fred Carey]

But that's just it, Dr. Willard. I've spanked the boy and raised the devil with him time after time. But it just doesn't do any good.

[Dr. Willard]

I think you've made a common mistake. Many parents make it. They indulge their child until he's thoroughly spoiled and they try to whip him into shape.

[Fred Carey]

Well, we can't let him skip school without punishment.

[Dr. Willard]

Of course not. But honestly, have your whippings accomplished anything?

[Margaret Carey]

Well, no. He usually works after a whipping. But what else can you do?

[Dr. Willard]

I'm coming to that. Now, you say he doesn't appreciate anything he has.

[Fred Carey]

That's right.

[Dr. Willard]

Well, I'm going to prescribe a method that will not only help discipline the boy, but will make him appreciate what he has, too.

[Fred Carey]

Oh, sounds like magic. But let's have a doctor.

[Dr. Willard]

Well, first, cut out all the nagging and spanking.

[Tommy Carey]

Yeah.

[Dr. Willard]

Next time he lies or misbehaves, weigh the crime, if you can call it that, very carefully. And as punishment, deprive him of something you feel is fair. Punishment for the deed committed. For instance, if it's a little thing, take a movie away from him. If it's a serious thing, well, maybe for two or three weeks, you fight.

[Fred Carey]

Oh, gee, I don't know, Doctor. In a way, we've tried that.

[Dr. Willard]

Have you tried it consistently?

[Fred Carey]

Well, no.

[Margaret Carey]

It sounds good to me, Doctor.

[Dr. Willard]

It is good. Deprive him of enough things in a fair manner, and believe me, the shoe'll pinch. He'll learn to appreciate these things you take away, too, because he'll miss them. But you have to give him a chance to earn them back, too. He must be fair in every instance.

[Margaret Carey]

Earn him back?

[Fred Carey]

Yes.

[Dr. Willard]

When he does something good, reward him. When he's bad, take something away from him.

[Fred Carey]

By gosh, Doctor, it makes sense. We will try it.

[Narrator]

Oh, you bet your life. I know you're going to like this story. Yes, sir. You know a good story when you hear it. You bet. Just like you know good shoes when you see them. That's why it's Buster Brown shoes for all of us. We're buddies and we stick together. We know Buster Browns are good shoes. Cause they're made good with good materials. Yes, and the men who make Buster Browns know just what my buddies want when it comes to style, too. That's why you just can't beat Buster Brown. Oh, they feel swell and they looks well. And they wear and wear and wear. You know, my gang wouldn't have any other kind of shoes than Buster Brown. And you want Buster Browns, too. Then you'll be a real member of Smiling Ed's Buster Brown Gang. But just one rule we all remember. Be sure to look inside the shoe for that picture of the boy and his dog.

[Tommy Carey]

That's my dog, Tig. He lives in a shoe. I'm Buster Brown. Look for me in there, too.

[Narrator]

Yes, that's right. Look for the picture of the boy and his dog inside the shoe. Then you'll know they're genuine Buster Brown shoes. Now back to our story. Well, kids, you remember that Mr. And Mrs. Carey went to see Dr. Willard when their boy Tom became such a problem they couldn't handle him. They explained to Dr. Willard that the boy lied, wouldn't do his schoolwork, cheated and so forth. And no matter the punishment, it didn't seem to do any good. They were at their wits end. Then the doctor told them to quit spanking and nagging the boy and recommended they punish him by taking things away from him when he was bad and rewarding him when he was good. Sounded like a good plan. And they went home determined to try it.

[Fred Carey]

It's cold tonight.

[Narrator]

Hi, Pete.

[Fred Carey]

You always meet me at the door, don't you? Good boy.

[Tommy Carey]

Hey, Dan. Never mind. Pete, listen to me. Where are my skis? I can never find anything.

[Fred Carey]

Uh, your skis, son? Why? They're locked in the attic.

[Tommy Carey]

Locked in the attic? I want to go skiing tomorrow after school. All the kids are going to Nolan's Hill.

[Margaret Carey]

Hello, dear.

[Fred Carey]

Hi.

[Margaret Carey]

No, you're not going, Tom.

[Tommy Carey]

Huh? I'm not going.

[Fred Carey]

No.

[Tommy Carey]

Oh, Mommy, you're crazy. You're not right. I'm going. What do you mean, I'm not going?

[Fred Carey]

Just this, Tommy. You're not going. You lied about your homework again. You told me last night you finished your homework. Your teacher called me today.

[Tommy Carey]

She called you? Why, that old. Of course I finished my homework.

[Fred Carey]

You do? Tommy, you didn't do your homework. Now, let's not make it any worse.

[Tommy Carey]

She gives me a pain. She gives us too many problems. Who can do 20 problems?

[Margaret Carey]

All the other children did them, Tom.

[Fred Carey]

You. You didn't try. You simply lied about it. And as we told you, from now on, when you're bad, you're going to pay for it. And when you're good. You'll be rewarded.

[Tommy Carey]

You can tell that darn teacher she's. She's crazy. Come on, Pete. Let's go to bed.

[Fred Carey]

Just a minute, Tommy. Tommy, come here a minute.

[Tommy Carey]

I'm gonna go to bed.

[Margaret Carey]

Better let him go to bed there. He does need his sleep.

[Tommy Carey]

Let him go. Of course he let me go. That old teacher better lay off. Me too. Come on in, Pete. I'm gonna shut the door. Those skis. They hid my skis. Okay, let them hide my skis. I didn't want to go anyway. I'll show him. I got plans for tomorrow. Big plans.

[Narrator]

Yes, Tom had plans, all right, and they weren't very good ones. Of course, the boy didn't realize that he was not only hurting his mother and father and teacher, but himself as well. Anyway, next day, after putting his big plans into effect, he came home. Then after dinner, his father spoke to him.

[Fred Carey]

Tom, your teacher called us again today. Why weren't you in school?

[Tommy Carey]

I was in school. He's not.

[Fred Carey]

There's no point in lying, Tom. You skipped school.

[Tommy Carey]

All right, where was I if I wasn't in school?

[Fred Carey]

You were at the uptown movie theater.

[Tommy Carey]

I was not. I was not. How'd you know?

[Fred Carey]

Look, it's always useless to lie, Tommy. The girl at the ticket window knows you. We called and asked her, and she said she sold your ticket.

[Tommy Carey]

Well, I know all the stuff we had for school today anyway.

[Fred Carey]

Mommy, I'm stopping your allowance. There'll be no more movie money until you decide to stop lying and cheating. Do you understand?

[Margaret Carey]

Oh, Fred. Fred, I'm just frantic. Tommy should have been home hours ago. Do you think perhaps he could have met with an accident? It's so icy, and he was riding his bike.

[Fred Carey]

Well, it is possible, of course. Oh, I doubt it. Oh, I'll certainly have to do something about this. He's coming home late for supper much too often.

[Margaret Carey]

It's never as late as this, Fred. Why, it's after seven already.

[Fred Carey]

I know it. Well, it's about time. Young man, I've got a word to say to you.

[Tommy Carey]

Oh, gee, what have I done now? I didn't do nothing.

[Fred Carey]

Don't you know it's 10 after 7? You're supposed to be home at 5.

[Tommy Carey]

I met the guys and we were throwing snowballs.

[Margaret Carey]

But, Tom, Mother and dad are awfully worried about you. You know, we worry.

[Fred Carey]

Just a moment. Did you say you were throwing snowballs?

[Tommy Carey]

Yeah. Yeah, that's what I said.

[Fred Carey]

Then how did you get the cold soot on your hands and face, huh?

[Tommy Carey]

Oh, not Just dirt, Tommy.

[Fred Carey]

You were down to the railroad freight yards hopping rides on freight cars again, weren't you?

[Tommy Carey]

I was not.

[Fred Carey]

Tommy, stop lying.

[Tommy Carey]

Well, what if I was down at the railroad yards?

[Fred Carey]

Why? Now, look, son. You were told to stay away from the yards. You could be killed. Now, look, you didn't mind and you lied. Now, the railroad yards are too far away to walk. So this is going to cost you your bicycle.

[Tommy Carey]

Who cares about that crummy old bike anyhow? Go ahead, take it.

[Fred Carey]

What?

[Tommy Carey]

Come on, Pete.

[Margaret Carey]

Fred, I'm beginning to think Dr. Willard's wrong. It's taking things away from Tommy. It's making him worse.

[Fred Carey]

Fred. Yes? I'll have to confess, dear. I called Dr. Willard today and told him the same thing you did.

[Margaret Carey]

What did he say?

[Fred Carey]

Well, he said we've spoiled Tommy for 13 years. We can't unspoil him in a week. Oh, look, honey, we've got to stick to our guns. I don't know what else to do.

[Margaret Carey]

More pot roast. Tommy, another potato.

[Tommy Carey]

Oh, gosh, no, Ma, I'm ready to bust.

[Fred Carey]

You certainly stowed away a lot of food, son.

[Tommy Carey]

Him how I'm neat it, too. I'm going ice skating tonight.

[Fred Carey]

Yeah, ice skating tonight. Look, you can't go ice skating, son. I passed the lake on the way home and the red flag. The danger signals raised.

[Tommy Carey]

Aw, gee, I can be careful, dad.

[Fred Carey]

No, no, you can't. No one can tell where the ice is thin, son. I just can't let you go ice skating when the red flag is up.

[Tommy Carey]

Why? Gee, Zack.

[Margaret Carey]

Well.

[Tommy Carey]

Well, maybe you know best, dad, huh? Okay, I won't go. I've got some arithmetic to do and history composition. I think I'd rather do that.

[Margaret Carey]

That's a very sensible attitude, son. I'm awfully happy to see you taking an interest in your studies.

[Tommy Carey]

Yep. Guess I'll get to it. Come on, Petey. Let's go up to my room. Good night, mom and dad. I'll just go to bed when I'm done.

[Margaret Carey]

Good night, Tommy.

[Fred Carey]

Good night, son. Well, did you hear what I heard?

[Margaret Carey]

Yes, and I can hardly believe it.

[Fred Carey]

Marge, honey, I think we're really making progress.

[Margaret Carey]

Isn't it wonderful? Now, wait. What else did Dr. Willard say? When Tommy does right reward him.

[Fred Carey]

Yeah, that's right. All right. If he does his homework, we will reward him. Hey, come on, honey. I'll. I'll help you with the dish. Pardon me. Oh, dear. Well, I guess I've read about everything in the paper. Say, our son's awfully quiet.

[Margaret Carey]

Yes, there hasn't been a song from his room since he went up.

[Fred Carey]

Do you think we ought to give his bicycle back to him?

[Margaret Carey]

Oh, yes. He misses the bike, I can tell.

[Narrator]

Sure he does.

[Fred Carey]

I think that's what's got him.

[Margaret Carey]

Look, dear, he's been working hard for more than an hour. Why don't we both go in and tell him? It'll make him happy, Fred.

[Fred Carey]

All right, that's the deal. Come on, Tommy.

[Margaret Carey]

Why, he's not here.

[Fred Carey]

Fred, it's cold in here. Well, no wonder the window's open. Marge, quick, see if his skates are hanging up in the closet.

[Margaret Carey]

All right. Why, they're gone.

[Narrator]

And so's Pete.

[Fred Carey]

Well, he lied again. Very cleverly. Wait till I close these windows. All right, come on.

[Margaret Carey]

Where?

[Fred Carey]

We're going to the lake. Right or wrong this time, that kid gets the licking of his life. I'm through.

[Tommy Carey]

Come on, Phoebe.