Captain Danger 19xx.xx.xx The Alternative

Summary

Podcast Summary: Captain Danger 19xx.xx.xx - The Alternative

Podcast Information:

• Title: Harold's Old Time Radio
• Host/Author: Harolds Old Time Radio
• Episode: Captain Danger 19xx.xx.xx - The Alternative
• Release Date: February 2, 2025

---

Introduction

"Captain Danger 19xx.xx.xx - The Alternative" transports listeners to the thrilling world of adventure and mystery reminiscent of the Golden Age of Radio. This episode sets the stage for an epic journey into the South Seas, where danger and excitement await. The story revolves around the Dangerfield siblings, Danny and Diana, who are thrust into an unexpected adventure that challenges their dreams and family legacy.

Main Characters

• Captain Danger (Hiram Dangerfield): A seasoned and somewhat intimidating figure who commands respect. He embodies the spirit of adventure and is pivotal to the siblings' journey.

• Danny Dangerfield: The eager and somewhat skeptical older sibling who harbors dreams of becoming a magician. He grapples with the prospect of abandoning his aspirations for family obligations.

• Diana Dangerfield: Danny's sister, who aspires to be an inventor. She shares her brother's reluctance about the impending decision but maintains a more optimistic outlook.

• Mr. Satterfield: The family's attorney who delivers the crucial news about the grandfather's last wishes, acting as the catalyst for the unfolding events.

• Doolittle Jones: The butler assigned to accompany Danny and Diana on their expedition. His eccentric behavior hints at hidden depths and possible complications ahead.

Plot Overview

The episode opens with the Narrator setting a vivid scene of mysterious and perilous locales across the Pacific and Atlantic Oceans, such as the Timor Sea, Banda Sea, Coral Sea, and the ominous jungles of Borneo. The allure of these exotic places paints a picture of the adventures that lie ahead under the leadership of Captain Danger.

Danny and Diana Dangerfield are introduced in an attorney's office, visibly distressed by the news they've received. They're about to learn that their grandfather, a man of adventure and business in the South Seas, has left them an inheritance that requires them to abandon their personal dreams and take up his endeavors.

Key Topics and Discussions

1. The Grandfather's Legacy:

   • Mr. Satterfield reveals that Danny and Diana are faced with a significant decision: pursue traditional education paths or take over their grandfather's South Seas empire. This empire includes pearl fishing beds, island plantations, copper sheds, and trading schooners.
   • Quote (06:51):

     Mr. Satterfield: "Your grandfather's sincere wish that you two will step into his shoes someday and carry on that South Sea island business."

2. Personal Aspirations vs. Family Duty:

   • Danny expresses his reluctance to leave his dream of becoming a magician.
   • Diana wishes to pursue inventions, conflicted by her family's expectations.
   • Quote (09:10):

     Danny Dangerfield: "I want to be a lady magician."

3. The Alternative Choice:

   • The siblings are given an "alternative" to attending different schools if they refuse the family business.
   • Quote (09:33):

     Mr. Satterfield: "You have the alternative—either join the South Seas expedition or choose the traditional educational paths."

4. Introduction to Doolittle Jones:

   • Doolittle, the butler, is introduced as an essential companion for the journey. His unnerving demeanor hints at future challenges.
   • Quote (10:04):

     Danny Dangerfield: "He's out in the waiting room, waiting."

5. Doolittle's Eccentricity:

   • Upon his entrance, Doolittle exhibits bizarre behavior, mentioning cannibals and imaginary threats, which raises doubts about the expedition's safety.
   • Quote (11:06):

     Doolittle Jones: "Listen. You hear that? You hear that? That's a flock of big crocodiles sneaking up on me."

Conflicts and Tensions

The primary conflict arises from Danny and Diana's struggle between honoring their grandfather's legacy and pursuing their personal dreams. Their reluctance is compounded by Mr. Satterfield's pressure and Doolittle's erratic behavior, which suggests that joining the expedition may not be as straightforward or safe as it initially appears.

Insights and Themes

• Adventure vs. Normalcy: The episode juxtaposes the allure of adventure in the South Seas against the conventional paths Danny and Diana initially prefer.

• Family Expectations: The pressure to uphold family legacy poses a significant internal conflict for the siblings, highlighting themes of duty and personal fulfillment.

• Mystery and Suspense: Doolittle's strange actions inject an element of unpredictability, setting the tone for potential dangers lurking in their upcoming journey.

Conclusion

The episode concludes on a suspenseful note as Doolittle abruptly exits, leaving Danny and Diana in a state of unease. The Narrator hints at impending adventures and challenges, setting the stage for the next installment. Listeners are left anticipating how Danny and Diana will navigate their forced adventure and whether they will embrace or reject the perilous path set before them.

Final Quote (13:05):

Narrator: "It looks like this expedition got away to a wrong start. Dear little Jones doesn't have to go to the jungle to hear lions and tigers. He just isn't at all interested. Well, that's what he thinks. But something seems to tell me he does go. And if you don't go with him, you'll be downright sorry. What's more, you'll be more than sorry if you miss the next thrilling chapter of Captain Danger."

---

Summary: "Captain Danger 19xx.xx.xx - The Alternative" masterfully blends adventure, family drama, and suspense, reminiscent of classic radio storytelling. The episode sets up a compelling narrative that pits personal aspirations against familial obligations, all while hinting at the mysterious and dangerous adventures that await Danny and Diana in the South Seas. Listeners are left eagerly anticipating how the siblings will reconcile their dreams with the legacy they've inherited.

Transcript

[Narrator]

Captain Danger.

[Danny Dangerfield]

It's.

[Narrator]

In this world of ours there are still a few places where danger makes its home. Far beyond our own horizons dwell mystery and adventure. And the further afield we go, the more mysterious and magical those places become. Away to the south, amid the vastness of the mighty Pacific and Atlantic oceans, we find those unusual places. The Timor Sea, Banda Sea, Coral Sea, Yellow Sea. Their waves washing ashore on the Fiji Islands. Sumatra. The Galapagos, The Solomons, Sinister home of the cruel Solomon island savages. And Borneo. Borneo, that great, dark, forbidding land of Juju's and throbbing jungle drums. Even the little towns and seaports have names that are mysteriously strange to us. Surabaya, Zamboanga, Singapore, Saigon, Pidang, Indrapur, Pangopango and Zanzibar. Names that somehow whisper to us of deep black rivers, strange peoples, unbelievable customs, talking drums, danger trails, jungles, magic and mystery.

Wouldn't it be a great adventure if we could go to those places? Well, we're going. And under the leadership of one who has lived long years in the far away. With him we will sail strange seas. With him we will travel those danger trails. With him we will meet high adventure and laugh in its face. His name is Captain Danger. But first we must get acquainted with two others who are going with us on this expedition. A young lad named Danny Dangerfield and his sister Diana. You like them. You'll find them to be cheerful companions and trustworthy friends. Strangely enough, though, as yet neither Danny nor his sister know about this journey. It's going to be news to them too. So let's drop in and get acquainted. We find them sitting on a big davenport in an attorney's office. And they don't look any too happy. In another room, behind closed doors, something is happening which Dan and Diana knew had to happen and have dreaded for a long time. An old letter is being opened and read. The contents of that old letter may in the next few minutes change the course of their entire lives. What that change will be. Well, at the moment, we find Dan and Diana wondering about that too. We just step inside and there they are.

[Danny Dangerfield]

Oh, well, we'll make the best of it. Know something, Danny? That isn't the worst of it. This stuff of sitting around isn't all it's cracked up to be. It gets me down.

[Diana Dangerfield]

Yeah, it sure takes some folks a long time to read a letter.

[Danny Dangerfield]

Must be a long one, all right. Going into all the detail about something or something.

[Diana Dangerfield]

But about what?

[Danny Dangerfield]

I'll give you three more guesses.

[Diana Dangerfield]

Ah, we've already taken about 30 guesses. Then I'll bet they're all wrong.

[Danny Dangerfield]

Oh, not them all, Dan. That one about going away to school. That's the baby. Don't forget, Mr. Satterfield had an awfully sweet smile on his face. When he asked us how we like grammar school, remember?

[Diana Dangerfield]

Yeah. How come he was so interested? If we liked the other kids in the classes, why shouldn't we like them?

[Danny Dangerfield]

No reason. But anyway, there was something kind of fishy when he mentioned about making new friends.

[Diana Dangerfield]

And about that military school stuff. That sounded not so good to me.

[Danny Dangerfield]

Setting you a very lovely school for young ladies.

[Diana Dangerfield]

But that school is hundreds of miles from here.

[Danny Dangerfield]

It isn't any further away than the nearest military school. I know, but look, then do you really think that's what's going to happen?

[Diana Dangerfield]

Listen, we were called into this attorney's office for some reason, weren't we?

[Danny Dangerfield]

About a letter that Grandfather left.

[Diana Dangerfield]

Well, if the attorney starts smiling sweetly. And sort of mentioning military schools and schools for young ladies. What do you think?

[Danny Dangerfield]

And you and I will be separated. Hundreds of miles apart, maybe.

[Narrator]

Hmm.

[Danny Dangerfield]

That's gonna be just dandy. I don't think. Aw, Dan. You and me, we gotta stick side by each in this mess.

[Diana Dangerfield]

You said it. But wouldn't it look kind of silly for me to go to a school for young ladies? Just because you went there?

[Danny Dangerfield]

I'm not any sillier than me going with you to a military academy.

[Narrator]

Uh.

[Diana Dangerfield]

Oh, jiggers. Here comes the bad news.

[Mr. Satterfield]

Well, Diana, Dan. I returned bringing some news for you. Seems as if you have a very important decision to make today. So let's have a nice, long heart to heart talk, eh?

[Danny Dangerfield]

We were afraid of that, Mr. Satterfield. Oh, but don't mind us. Just go right ahead with the news.

[Mr. Satterfield]

Very well, then. To begin at the beginning. Your grandfather left with me certain instructions having to do with your welfare. He also left a letter which was to be opened on this date. The trustees of the estate in the other room there have just read the contents of that letter.

[Diana Dangerfield]

Yes, sir.

[Mr. Satterfield]

It contains your grandfather's last wishes and desires.

[Diana Dangerfield]

Wait. Mr. Satterfield. All this has something to do about Diana going away to a school for young ladies. I got a tide along to some military academy is valid?

[Mr. Satterfield]

In a manner of speaking, yes. But wait. There is, of course, an alternative.

[Danny Dangerfield]

An alternative?

[Mr. Satterfield]

This alternative. In other words, you may make a choice. As you know, Grandfather Dangerfield. During his long life in company with his brother. Built up, well, let us say, quite an empire in the South Seas.

[Diana Dangerfield]

Yes, sir. Grandfather used to tell us lots of stories about the jungles and islands and things.

[Mr. Satterfield]

Exactly. Now then, it's your grandfather's sincere wish that you two will step into his shoes someday and carry on that South Sea island business.

[Danny Dangerfield]

Danny and I carry on the South Sea island business. But we don't know anything about the South Seas.

[Mr. Satterfield]

You may learn your grandfather wished it so. You see, there are several pearl fishing beds, island plantations, copper sheds, a number of island trading schooners. And half of these things belong to you two.

[Diana Dangerfield]

Gee whiz.

[Mr. Satterfield]

The other half belongs to your grandfather's brother.

[Diana Dangerfield]

Oh, Captain Hiram Dangerfield. Yes. Grandfather told us lots about him, too.

[Danny Dangerfield]

Yes, sir. And there's a photograph of the captain at home right now. Looks like a. Well, a sort of hard boiled gentleman to me.

[Mr. Satterfield]

Looks so. Perhaps. Then again, he may not be so hard to get along with. Oh, don't let his South Sea title scare you.

[Danny Dangerfield]

You mean because. Because they call him Captain Danger.

[Mr. Satterfield]

That's just a title. Anyway, I've been in touch with him by his by correspondence. And he agrees to take you aboard his ship. I will say, however, that he's somewhat reluctant.

[Diana Dangerfield]

You mean we have to sail with him on his ship?

[Narrator]

Mm.

[Mr. Satterfield]

That's exactly what your grandfather wished. But wait. You understand, that big boat of his is rather unusual. A four masted vessel. You know, a sailing ship. But it has, in addition, very powerful engines. You see, Captain Danger's ship is his home.

[Danny Dangerfield]

And we have to be sailors.

[Mr. Satterfield]

Well, no, not exactly. In other words, Captain Danger's ship will be your schoolroom.

[Diana Dangerfield]

And a captain. A teacher, huh?

[Mr. Satterfield]

That's right. The teacher. With his instructions, you will both someday become expert traders. You would like that, Miss Diane?

[Danny Dangerfield]

No, sir, Mr. Satterfield. No, sir. Trading coconuts could never give me any thrill.

[Mr. Satterfield]

Oh, come now.

[Narrator]

It might.

[Mr. Satterfield]

Anyway, we all have to have ambitions.

[Diana Dangerfield]

Yes, sir. But you see, Diana's ambitions don't run towards coconuts. Neither do mine. We had made other plans.

[Mr. Satterfield]

Plans? You'd made other plans?

[Danny Dangerfield]

Yes, Mr. Satterfield. You see, I want to be a lady magician.

[Mr. Satterfield]

Oh, musician. You mean musician, don't you?

[Danny Dangerfield]

No, sir. Magician. Do magic stuff. It's Danny here who wants to be the musician in the family.

[Diana Dangerfield]

I don't either. I want to be an inventor.

[Mr. Satterfield]

Well, well. A lady magician and a gentleman inventor.

[Danny Dangerfield]

Mr. Satterfield, please tell us, do we really have to go to the South Seas and be South Sea island traders?

[Mr. Satterfield]

Oh, no, not at all. Not at all. As I said. You have the alternative?

[Danny Dangerfield]

Yes, sir.

[Mr. Satterfield]

It's either that or it's the girls school for you, young lady. And Dan will have to enroll in the military academy upstate.

[Danny Dangerfield]

It's a swell's choice, isn't it, Dan? The one's no good and the other's worse.

[Mr. Satterfield]

And of course, if you do decide to join Captain Danger. Your grandfather desired that his butler accompany you.

[Diana Dangerfield]

You mean Doolittle Jones goes with us?

[Mr. Satterfield]

Yes. Where is he? He came here with you, didn't he? Yes.

[Danny Dangerfield]

He's out in the waiting room, waiting.

[Mr. Satterfield]

I guess I'll have him sent in here. Meanwhile, I'll leave you three to talk things over.

[Danny Dangerfield]

Yes, Mr. Satterfield.

[Mr. Satterfield]

Send Mr. Jones in here, will you, please?

[Danny Dangerfield]

Yes, sir. Right away.

[Mr. Satterfield]

And now I think I'll leave you to make your decision. Will ten minutes be enough?

[Danny Dangerfield]

More than enough, I guess, Mr. Satterfield.

[Mr. Satterfield]

Very good, then.

[Danny Dangerfield]

Well, Danny, looks like we got ourselves an alternative or something, huh?

[Diana Dangerfield]

What we got is ourselves in a swell mess, if you ask me. Whether you ask me or not, it's still a swell mess.

[Narrator]

Yes. Yes, ma'am. You always mean to bring my presents in here.

[Danny Dangerfield]

Oh, come on in. Doolittle.

[Narrator]

Doolittle out there, she don't say to me. She say, Mr. Jones, you is wished into the inside office. And here I is. And, well, for land's sake, you two tend to look blue as blue.

[Danny Dangerfield]

Please sit down, Doolittle. Right here. We got a lot of things to talk about.

[Mr. Satterfield]

Yes, ma'am.

[Narrator]

Mr. Hannah. Yas, ma'am. I sure love to talk about things. I sure love to talk.

[Diana Dangerfield]

Doolittle, have you by any chance ever had any experience with cannibals?

[Narrator]

Cannibals? No, sir. I ain't never gonna have no experience with them neither.

[Danny Dangerfield]

Ever trade any coconuts?

[Narrator]

No, ma'am, no. I eat me bloody, though. I don't eat.

[Diana Dangerfield]

Never sail on the ocean, Doolittle?

[Narrator]

Oh, sir Mustard. I don't ever aim to do no sailing on any old skipper here of the jungles.

[Danny Dangerfield]

Doolittle.

[Narrator]

Yes, ma'am. I reads me plenty about them jungles. I reads me how a little swell.

[Danny Dangerfield]

Swell. That helps a lot. For you're practically on your way to the South Sea jungles right now.

[Narrator]

Who, me?

[Diana Dangerfield]

Practically, yes.

[Narrator]

Oh, you ain't talking to me about no jungles. If in years then I don't hear a word she says. Me go to the jungles.

[Mr. Satterfield]

Lordy, lordy.

[Narrator]

I don't need to go to them there jungles to know what all happened to me. No, sir, no, ma'am. I can hear them lions a rolling right now. And I hears a million tigers a growling right in my ear.

[Danny Dangerfield]

So can I do. Almost.

[Narrator]

Listen. You hear that? You hear that? That's a flock of big crocodiles is sneaking up on me. Yeah. Oh, and look yonder. A mess of Elamopants are coming and running in the gallop. And they're all looking for Dood Jones. Oh, my. Oh, oh, oh. Here come the cannibals in person. Excuse me, folks. I gotta go now. I guess I done come in the wrong door this time. No, mister, no, master. Positively no jungle for anybody belonging to Jewel. No jungle for me.

[Danny Dangerfield]

Gosh, he's gone. Hey, Doolittle.

[Narrator]

It looks like this expedition got away to a wrong start. Dear little Jones doesn't have to go to the jungle to hear lions and tigers. He just isn't at all interested. Well, that's what he thinks. But something seems to tell me he does go. And if you don't go with him, you'll be downright sorry. What's more, you'll be more than sorry if you miss the next thrilling chapter of Captain Danger.