Podcast Summary: Harold's Old Time Radio

Episode: Damon Runyon Theater – "Dancing Dan's Christmas"
Original Air Date: March 13, 1949
Podcast Release Date: December 4, 2025
Host: Harold's Old Time Radio
Featured Narrator: “Broadway” (John Brown)

Episode Overview

This episode delivers a classic Christmas tale from the "Damon Runyon Theater," dramatizing Damon Runyon's story "Dancing Dan's Christmas." Set against the backdrop of New York's underworld, it's a story of loyalty, redemption, and the hope of a better life, all wrapped in vintage Runyon humor and tough-guy patter. The story unfolds around characters seeking goodwill and peace during Christmas—even those used to a life on the wrong side of the law.

Key Discussion Points & Plot Breakdown

1. Setting the Scene – Christmas in the City

• Broadway introduces the story on Christmas, a time for “peace on earth, goodwill to men,” but notes that not everyone lives by these ideals—especially in his crowd.

  “[Christmas is] the time when everybody is saying things about peace on earth, goodwill to men. … There are certain citizens who never hear of peace and goodwill is nice, but not absolutely necessary.”
  — Broadway (00:49)

2. Tension in Mindy’s Diner (01:32–04:11)

• Broadway’s peaceful night is interrupted by Shotgun Sam, who's searching for Dancing Dan, suspected of “dancing too much with the wrong doll,” Muriel O’Neill, who is favored by the dangerous Heinie Schmitz.

• Shotgun tries to coerce Broadway into helping him find Dan, hinting at dire consequences if he refuses.

  "If you do [see Dan], Heine would take it as a personal favor if you would tell me. He would take it as a personal affront if you do not... So would I."
  — Shotgun Sam (03:21)

3. At Good Time Charlie’s – A Christmas Gathering (04:11–08:20)

• To avoid trouble, Broadway seeks refuge at Good Time Charlie’s bar, a place Dan isn’t likely to visit.

• Dan unexpectedly appears, in high spirits and hinting at a change in his life.

  "From now on, I'm going the straight and narrow. … Maybe because I'm in love… Christmas is no better time for a guy to cut out his old life and build something new for himself."
  — Dancing Dan (06:33)

• Broadway and Charlie warn Dan about Shotgun’s threat, but Dan opts to stay and toast to his new future.

4. An Unexpected Santa – Ookie’s Story (09:08–13:08)

• Their gathering is interrupted by Ookie, a friend dressed as Santa, desperate to make money for his sick wife by advertising in the cold.

• Dan selflessly insists on taking Ookie’s place as Santa, risking exposure to Shotgun for the sake of goodwill and charity.

  “No, you don’t… Fletcher’s Santa Claus is gonna walk around. … Me? I’m gonna be Santa Claus.”
  — Dancing Dan (11:33)

5. Walking the Streets – Christmas Spirit & Risks (14:35–20:38)

• Dan, now dressed as Santa, and Broadway roam the snowy streets, Dan intent on helping others and completing two crucial tasks:

  • Delivering a package to the police.
  • Putting a present in Muriel’s grandma’s stocking.

  “You are walking around in a Santa Claus suit with $50 grand worth of jewelry wrapped up in a newspaper?”
  — Broadway (16:51)

• Dan uses his Santa disguise to drum up donations for the Salvation Army and to spread Christmas cheer despite the lurking shadow of Shotgun.

6. The Big Reveal – Giving Back What’s Stolen (20:38–22:28)

• Dan’s real aim is revealed: He intends to return stolen jewelry (worth $50,000) to the police as a gesture of going straight, and to place it anonymously in Muriel’s grandmother’s stocking to claim a reward for Muriel.

  “I made a haul. 50,000 clams worth of jewelry. ... This is Christmas Eve. … I figured I’d take it back to the police because I am going straight.”
  — Dancing Dan (16:51)

7. Danger Narrowly Avoided (22:28–23:23)

• Dan narrowly avoids trouble at Muriel’s, instructs her to wait, and slips out quietly, evading both Shotgun and immediate arrest.

8. Aftermath & Redemption (23:23–25:13)

• Broadway and Charlie discuss Dan's fate:

  • Dan has confessed the jewel theft to police and left evidence so Muriel can claim the reward (which she refuses).
  • Dan receives a light sentence for turning himself in and, later, marries Muriel after his release.

  “She says she will wait for him and they will start all over again. Yep, like you say, dolls are very funny people.”
  — Good Time Charlie (24:37)

9. A Year Later – The Mystery of Mercy (25:13–26:26)

• Next Christmas, Broadway meets Shotgun Sam again, who reveals he never caught Dan due to a mistaken tip—Dan’s Christmas gamble bought him redemption and a chance for a new life.

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On Christmas Irony:
  “It says peace on earth, goodwill towards men. Okay, I’m through running away. If Shotgun wants to rub me out on Christmas Eve, let him. I’m not gonna run away anymore.”
  — Dancing Dan (12:52)

• On the Spirit of Giving:
  “Why kill yourself for a measly four bits an hour?”
  — Dan to Ookie, before volunteering as Santa (11:33)

• On Redemption:
  “This year, that stocking’s gonna get something good in it. … See this package? … I’m going straight.”
  — Dan (16:51)

• On Tough Choices:
  “Dogs are very funny people sometimes, Broadway. … She says she will wait for him and they will start all over again.”
  — Good Time Charlie (24:37)

• On Second Chances:
  “Anyway, Dan goes to the pen, but he gets a light sentence because he says he is going straight. … And the last I hear, they are living happily.”
  — Broadway (24:51)

Timestamps for Key Segments

• 00:49 – Broadway introduces the Christmas setting and themes
• 01:32 – Broadway’s run-in with Shotgun Sam
• 04:11 – At Good Time Charlie’s; Dan arrives with news
• 09:08 – Ookie arrives as Santa; Dan’s act of charity
• 11:33 – Dan volunteers to be Santa (notable, emotional juncture)
• 14:35 – Muriel calls, plans to help Dan stay safe
• 16:51 – Dan details his plan to go straight, discusses the jewel haul
• 20:11 – Dan gives generously to the Salvation Army
• 21:35 – Dan places the jewelry in Grandma O’Neill’s stocking
• 23:23 – Aftermath, Charlie explains Dan’s actions
• 25:13 – One year later, Shotgun’s perspective and final twist

Closing Thoughts

“Dancing Dan’s Christmas” is a heartwarming, wisecracking Christmas tale set in Runyon’s world of Broadway characters. The episode balances suspense, redemption, and a touch of Old New York magic, all delivered in the unique, wry tone of the storyteller Broadway. At its core, it’s about risking everything to do the right thing—even when you’re not expected to, especially at Christmas.