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

Summary

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

Introduction

In this episode of "Harold's Old Time Radio" titled "Buster Brown Gang 52-10-04 (xx) The Boy Who Wouldn't Obey," listeners are transported back to the Golden Age of Radio. The story revolves around Tom Carey, a troubled young boy whose rebellious behavior becomes a concern for his parents and community. Through engaging storytelling and memorable characters, the episode explores themes of discipline, responsibility, and the challenges of parenting a disobedient child.

Plot Overview

The episode opens with Tom Carey and his dog, Pete, engaging in risky behavior around the railroad freight yards despite his parents' warnings. Tom's defiance and dishonesty lead his concerned parents, Fred and Margaret Carey, to seek help from Dr. Willard.

Key Events:

1. Parental Concern and Doctor’s Visit ([01:10] - [05:07])

   • Tom's parents express their frustration to Dr. Willard about Tom's continuous disobedience, lying, and truancy.
   • Dr. Willard listens attentively, highlighting the severity of Tom's behavior and the ineffectiveness of traditional punishment methods like spanking.

2. Fred Carey's Discipline Strategy ([04:04] - [05:07])

   • Fred Carey proposes a balanced approach: "Earn him back? Yes. When he does something good, reward him. When he's bad, take something away from him." ([04:54] - [04:59])
   • This strategy emphasizes consistent and fair punishment and rewards, aiming to teach Tom the value of his possessions and responsibilities.

3. Implementation at Home ([07:04] - [13:06])

   • The next day, Tom continues his rebellious acts, such as skipping school and lying about his whereabouts.
   • Following Fred's advice, his parents begin enforcing the new disciplinary measures by withholding rewards and privileges when he misbehaves.
   • A pivotal moment occurs when Tom's bicycle is taken away after he is caught at the freight yards, pushing him to reconsider his actions.

4. Turning Point and Resolution ([14:07] - [13:06])

   • Despite initial resistance, Tom starts to show signs of improvement. He refrains from ice skating in dangerous conditions, prioritizes his studies, and begins to heed his parents' guidance.
   • The episode concludes with a sense of hope as Tom demonstrates a willingness to change, reflecting the effectiveness of Fred and Margaret's disciplined yet compassionate approach.

Character Analysis

• Tom Carey: A typical rebellious teenager struggling with authority and responsibility. His actions stem from a desire for freedom and a lack of appreciation for his privileges.

• Fred and Margaret Carey: Tom's parents embody the challenges of modern parenting. Initially frustrated and uncertain, they evolve to adopt a more structured and fair approach to discipline, balancing firmness with understanding.

• Dr. Willard: The wise and compassionate figure who provides essential guidance to the Carey parents. His insights into effective parenting strategies play a crucial role in transforming Tom's behavior.

Notable Quotes

• Fred Carey on Parenting:
  "Be surprised how many boys or little villains grow up to be mighty fine men. But of course, all children do need sensible training." ([03:28] - [03:35])

• Fred Carey Introducing the Discipline Method:
  "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." ([04:05] - [04:11])

• Dr. Willard on the New Strategy:
  "By gosh, Doctor, it makes sense. We will try it." ([04:59] - [05:07])

• Fred Carey Emphasizing Consistency:
  "Deprive him of enough things in a fair manner, and believe me, the shoe'll pinch. He'll learn to appreciate these things." ([04:17] - [04:32])

• Margaret Carey Observing Change:
  "That's a very sensible attitude, son. I'm awfully happy to see you taking an interest in your studies." ([12:34] - [12:48])

Themes and Insights

1. Effective Parenting: The episode highlights the importance of consistent and fair discipline over arbitrary punishment. Fred and Margaret's shift from spanking and nagging to a reward-punishment system underscores a more constructive approach to behavior management.

2. Communication and Trust: Tom's initial dishonesty strains the trust between him and his parents. The new method fosters open communication, encouraging Tom to be truthful and responsible.

3. Appreciation of Privileges: By withdrawing privileges when Tom misbehaves and reinstating them upon good behavior, the parents teach him to value what he has, promoting gratitude and responsibility.

4. Role of Guidance: Dr. Willard's intervention emphasizes the significance of seeking professional help when faced with persistent behavioral issues, showcasing the role of mentors in personal development.

Conclusion

"The Boy Who Wouldn't Obey" serves as a timeless narrative on the challenges of parenting a disobedient child and the transformative power of thoughtful discipline. Through relatable characters and a compelling storyline, the episode conveys valuable lessons on responsibility, trust, and the balance between firmness and understanding. Listeners are left with a hopeful message that with the right approach, even the most rebellious behavior can be guided towards positive change.

Additional Notes

While the episode is set in a bygone era, its themes remain relevant, offering insights that resonate with contemporary audiences facing similar challenges in parenting and child behavior management.

Transcript

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[Buster Brown]

Come on, Pete. Jump. Here we go. See Pete, we rolled 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? Them and that stupid teacher. Kids, don't miss this exciting story of Tom and Pete. And to tell it here is Smilin Ed McConnell.

[Smilin Ed McConnell]

Yes, sir. Brown. And it is Buster Brown. Gang, I got shoes, you've got shoes.

[Buster Brown]

Everybody's gotta have shoes.

[Smilin Ed McConnell]

But there's only one kind of shoes for me, Little Buster Brown.

[Dr. Willard]

Shoes.

[Smilin Ed McConnell]

Oh, yes. Kids, Busta Brown's on the air out here in Hollywood with Smiling in Squeaking the Mouth, Midnight the Cat, Froggy the Gremlin. And we're gonna 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.

[Buster Brown]

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

[Margaret Carey]

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

[Fred Carey]

Silly, my dear, but I brought the child into the world, and I've taken care of him ever since. I don't know why.

[Dr. Willard]

But he isn't sick.

[Fred Carey]

Doctor isn't sick?

[Dr. Willard]

No.

[Fred Carey]

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.

[Fred Carey]

Can't do anything with Tom?

[Margaret Carey]

No.

[Fred Carey]

Oh, now, come, come. What's this all about?

[Dr. Willard]

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.

[Fred Carey]

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.

[Fred Carey]

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

[Dr. Willard]

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.

[Fred Carey]

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.

[Dr. Willard]

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

[Fred Carey]

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

[Margaret Carey]

Well, no. He usually worse after a whipping, but what else can you do?

[Fred Carey]

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

[Dr. Willard]

That's right.

[Fred Carey]

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.

[Dr. Willard]

Oh, sounds like magic. But let's have it, Doctor.

[Fred Carey]

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

[Buster Brown]

Yeah.

[Fred Carey]

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.

[Dr. Willard]

For two or three weeks.

[Fred Carey]

You bite?

[Dr. Willard]

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

[Fred Carey]

Have you tried it consistently?

[Dr. Willard]

Well, no.

[Margaret Carey]

It sounds good to me, Doctor.

[Fred Carey]

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

[Dr. Willard]

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

[Smilin Ed McConnell]

Oh, you bet your life. I know you're going to like this. 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'll want Buster Browns, too. Then you'll be a real member of Smiling Ed 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.

[Buster Brown]

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

[Smilin Ed McConnell]

Yes, that's right. Look for the picture of the boy and his dog inside the shoes. 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.

[Dr. Willard]

It's cold tonight. Hi, Pete. You always meet me at the door, don't you?

[Smilin Ed McConnell]

Good boy.

[Buster Brown]

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

[Dr. Willard]

Your skis, son? Why, they're locked in the attic.

[Buster Brown]

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

[Margaret Carey]

Hello, dear.

[Dr. Willard]

Hi.

[Margaret Carey]

No, you're not going, Tom.

[Buster Brown]

Huh? I'm not going no. Oh, Mommy. You're crazy. You're not right. I'm going. What do you mean, I'm not going?

[Dr. Willard]

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.

[Buster Brown]

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

[Dr. Willard]

No, you do, Tommy. You didn't do your homework. Now, let's not make it any worse.

[Buster Brown]

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.

[Dr. Willard]

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.

[Buster Brown]

And not. You can tell that darn teacher She's. She's crazy. Come on, Pete. Let's go to bed.

[Dr. Willard]

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

[Buster Brown]

I'm gonna go to bed.

[Margaret Carey]

You better let him go to bed.

[Fred Carey]

There.

[Margaret Carey]

He does need his sleep, huh?

[Buster Brown]

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 him hide my speed. I didn't want to go anyway. I'll show him. I got plans for tomorrow. Big plans.

[Smilin Ed McConnell]

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.

[Dr. Willard]

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

[Buster Brown]

I was in school. He's not.

[Dr. Willard]

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

[Buster Brown]

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

[Dr. Willard]

You were at the uptown movie theater.

[Buster Brown]

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

[Dr. Willard]

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.

[Buster Brown]

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

[Dr. Willard]

Tommy, 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.

[Dr. Willard]

Well, it is possible, of course, but. Oh, I doubt it. 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.

[Dr. Willard]

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

[Buster Brown]

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

[Dr. Willard]

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

[Buster Brown]

Well, I met the guys and we were throwing snowballs.

[Margaret Carey]

But, Tom, Mother and dad are awfully worried about you, you know. We worried.

[Dr. Willard]

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

[Buster Brown]

Yeah. Yeah, that's what I said.

[Dr. Willard]

Then how did you get the cold soot on your hands and face, huh? Oh, that's just dirt, Tommy. You were down to the railroad freight yards hopping rides on freight cars again, weren't you?

[Buster Brown]

I was not.

[Dr. Willard]

I. Tommy, stop lying.

[Buster Brown]

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

[Dr. Willard]

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.

[Buster Brown]

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

[Dr. Willard]

What?

[Buster Brown]

Come on, Pete.

[Margaret Carey]

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

[Dr. Willard]

Yeah? 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?

[Dr. Willard]

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.

[Buster Brown]

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

[Dr. Willard]

Yeah. You certainly stowed away a lot of food, son.

[Buster Brown]

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

[Dr. Willard]

Yeah, Ice skating tonight. Look, you. You. You can't go ice skating, son. I passed the lake on the way home. And the red flag, they danger signals race.

[Buster Brown]

Oh, gee, I can be careful, dad.

[Dr. Willard]

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.

[Buster Brown]

I g D.

[Margaret Carey]

Well.

[Buster Brown]

Well, maybe you know best, dad, huh? Okay, I won't go. I 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.

[Buster Brown]

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.

[Dr. Willard]

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

[Margaret Carey]

Yes, and I can hardly believe it.

[Dr. Willard]

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.

[Dr. Willard]

Yeah, that's right. All right. If he does his homework, we will reward him. Hey, come on, honey. I'll help you with the dishes. 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.

[Dr. Willard]

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

[Margaret Carey]

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

[Dr. Willard]

Sure he does. 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, friend.

[Dr. Willard]

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

[Margaret Carey]

Why, he's not here.

[Dr. Willard]

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.

[Dr. Willard]

And so's Pete. Well, he lied again. Very cleverly. We like losing. All right, come on.

[Margaret Carey]

Where?

[Dr. Willard]

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

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[Dr. Willard]

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