Podcast Summary: Harold's Old Time Radio – Children's Theater Of The Air 37-12-19 Christmas Program

Date: December 21, 2025
Host: Harold’s Old Time Radio
Episode: Children’s Theater of the Air – Christmas Program (originally aired December 19, 1937)

Overview of the Episode

This holiday episode of “Children’s Theater of the Air,” originally broadcast live from Detroit in the radio golden age, offers a charming, all-children cast production focused on Christmas spirit, generosity, and music. Young performers, aged 4 to 14, sing seasonal songs, present musical skits, and promote charity and kindness—especially the Detroit Goodfellows mission, ensuring no child is forgotten on Christmas. The tone is joyful, encouraging, and occasionally sentimental, with much audience participation and heartfelt performances.

Key Discussion Points & Highlights

1. The Theatre and Its Stars

• Children are praised for learning lines by heart and delivering the show “entirely from memory and without the assistance of an adult.”
• The broadcast is “ready for television” (remarkable for 1937), and the audience is warmly invited to attend live.
• Sponsors (Farm Crest Coconut Donut Puffs) and sponsor plugs are woven into the narrative, keeping the spirit light and festive.

2. Christmas Songs and Musical Numbers

“Santa Claus is Coming to Town” & “Jingle Bells”

• The “Three Gems” (June, Edith, and Marie) perform a lively rendition of “Santa Claus is Coming to Town.”
  • Memorable quote [02:32]:
    “Better watch out, better not cry… Santa Claus is coming to town…”
• Claire Rose Keane follows with a joyful twist on “Jingle Bells,” mixing classic lyrics with playful romantic themes.
  • “I’m in love, I’m in love the jingle bells keep singing…”

“Ida (Sweet as Apple Cider)”

• Gene Fowler, introduced as “Mrs. Falder's charming daughter, Jeannie,” performs this sentimental favorite, connecting with adult listeners in the audience.

Harmonica Solo

• Robert Stevenson, “the boy with the harmonica,” gives an uplifting, wordless musical interlude.
  • “Now there's a pretty ornament to put on your Christmas tree. A nice job, Bobby Stevenson.” [05:20]

3. Interactive Skits and Games

Gloria and the Rhyming Game

• Gloria leads a fast-paced wordplay game, teaching the audience to rhyme words like “moon,” “squeeze,” and “love.”
  • Quote [08:29]:
    “How many rhymes can you get for love, love, love above—oh my, but you’re smart!”

Musical Interlude for Shut-In Children

• Cora May Isgrig dedicates a sweet number to “our little shut-in friends,” sending wishes for a speedy recovery and a merry Christmas.
  • “Who's coming Christmas day? Making our hearts so gay, taking our cares away…” [14:26]

4. Goodfellows Charity Highlight & “Forgotten” Musical Fantasy

• The show pivots to a more serious tone, focusing on the Goodfellows’ work in Detroit to ensure “no child will be forgotten on Christmas morning.”
• A musical fantasy, “Forgotten,” dramatizes the story of a poor little girl overlooked on Christmas, and her prayer for all needy children.
  • Touching Narration [18:37]:
    “She had prayed to her Christ, this poor little girl, that she might receive her small part of his favor that day. But her prayer went astray … But she had been forgotten.”
• The segment ends with a reminder and a call-to-action to support Goodfellows.
  • Call-to-Action [25:37]:
    “Show that you too are a good fellow and contribute to this worthwhile cause … so that in all Detroit no child will be forgotten on Christmas morning.”

5. “Winter Wonderland” & The Santa Claus Skit

• Marie Benner performs “Winter Wonderland,” painting a picturesque musical scene.
• Santa Claus arrives for a delightful skit centered on the tradition of receiving and cherishing Christmas toys, featuring characters like Little Boy Blue, a bisque doll (Mary Lou), and a rag doll (Betty Jane Ayling).
  • Humorous Exchange [32:55]:
    Santa: “Why, what's the matter, Santa Claus? I parked my reindeer and sleigh out in front of the Broadway Capitol Theater and got a ticket. A parking ticket? Of course not. A ticket to the Broadway Capitol Theater.”
• Performers humorously interact with “Santa” (Russell Eastman), poking fun about “Football Freddy,” misunderstandings with gifts, and the realities of being “good” at Christmas.

6. Finale & Reflection on Kindness

• The episode closes with more musical selections—June Kindler and the junior chorus—and a signature, lighthearted skit about the kitchen mishaps of “scraping the toast.”
• The show repeatedly returns to themes of gratitude, kindness, generosity, and the importance of including everyone in holiday celebrations.

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments (with Timestamps)

• “Children ranging from 4 to 14 present this radio feature entirely from memory and without the assistance of an adult.” [00:32]
• “You are cordially invited to witness this broadcast any Sunday at 12 noon at the Broadway Capitol Theatre, Grand Circus Park and Broadway in downtown Detroit.” [00:48]
• On the value of generosity:
  “I wonder how many poor little girls and boys will be forgotten this Christmas. That's something to think seriously about, Jean. And also to act upon.” [15:54]
• Forgotten Child fantasy:
  “The children of hope shall not be forlorn. St Nicholas will ride to his glory that day with plenty of time to stop on his way in the most humble cottage and palace of joy with plenty of gifts for each girl and for each boy.” [22:46]
• Encouraging community support:
  “Show that you too are a good fellow and contribute to this worthwhile cause. The old newsboys must raise $125,000 to pay for merchandise already bought the day before Christmas. The boxes addressed to Ann or to John … will be delivered by the policemen and Boy Scouts. So buy your newspaper on Tuesday.” [25:37]

Structure & Flow of the Program

1. Opening and Introduction (00:32)
   • Introduction by the host and sponsor, overview of the children’s theater, and call to attend.
2. Musical Performances (02:32–09:00)
   • Classic songs, solos, and musical games.
3. Charity and Community Messages (14:26–26:00)
   • Songs dedicated to sick children; “Forgotten” musical fantasy; charitable call-to-action for Goodfellows.
4. Lighthearted Santa Skits & Final Songs (29:10–48:55)
   • Musical numbers, playful skits with Santa and characters, ending with the cheerful “scraping the toast” song.
5. Show Close and Call for Kindness (48:55–End)
   • Final sponsor message and heartfelt wishes for a merry Christmas and inclusion of all children.

Final Impressions

This Children’s Theater of the Air episode is a heartfelt, spirited Christmas radio revue blending joyful child performances, classic songs, gentle comedy, and a robust message of charity and fellowship. Through creative skits and a touching musical fantasy, it urges listeners young and old to embrace the season’s true meaning: kindness, generosity, and ensuring no child is forgotten at Christmas.