Podcast Summary: Harold's Old Time Radio

Episode: Date With Judy 46-01-01 Ep134 – "New Year's Resolutions"

Date: December 31, 2025
Host: Harold's Old Time Radio

Overview

This delightful episode of A Date with Judy takes listeners back to postwar 1940s America, delivering a warm, comedic story centered on New Year’s Day at the Foster household. The theme revolves around New Year’s resolutions, family hijinks, youthful schemes, and the gentle chaos that erupts as each family member tries—often unsuccessfully—to keep their fresh resolutions. The antics, misunderstandings, and outlandish efforts to help each other, all seasoned with period-appropriate humor, make for an entertaining and nostalgic listening experience.

Key Discussion Points & Story Breakdown

1. Judy’s New Year’s Resolution (01:19–02:08)

• Judy Foster calls Mr. Pringle to wish him a Happy New Year. She resolves to “scatter herself more widely” by going steady with three boys instead of only his son Oogie:

  “I have resolved to scatter myself more widely.” – Judy Foster (01:35)

• Her tongue-in-cheek reasoning is that this will give Oogie’s family “two thirds more of him” at home.
• Family responds with a mix of skepticism and amusement.

2. The Foster Family’s Morning After (03:24–04:46)

• Melvin Foster (the father) stumbles in, suffering from too many "hot dogs" at the party (“I know I should never have had that sixth one.” – 03:55).
• Playful banter arises about the family’s “dissipation” and hangover remedies.

3. Resolutions Around the Table (04:50–06:09)

• Judy dramatically vows to “make the supreme sacrifice” by giving up thinking about movie star Van Johnson, presumably for Oogie’s benefit (05:13).
• Mrs. Foster jokes about giving up thoughts of actor Monty Woolley.
• Melvin resolves to “keep [his] temper until 6:00 tonight,” staking a $15 bet with Ed Emerson (06:21).
• The family doubts his ability to last the day, poking fun at his notorious impatience.

4. Melvin’s Secret Scheme (07:09–09:05)

• Melvin privately conspires with Emerson: the $15 bet is a ruse for Melvin to buy a fight ticket under his wife’s radar, with the plan that Emerson will "win" the bet and treat him to the prizefight as a reward (07:41–08:53).

5. Judy & Randolph’s Counter-Plot to Help Father (09:05–10:44)

• Judy and her younger brother, Randolph, decide to “protect” their father from losing his temper and the $15 by eliminating his daily annoyances before he encounters them (e.g., buying a fresh paper, shoveling the snow).
• “I think the least we could do is devote one day to being of value to Father.” – Judy Foster (09:33)

6. Comedic Chain of Misunderstandings (10:56–15:08)

• The children intercept everyday irritations—fresh paper delivered, snow shoveled, furnace checked—while Melvin is puzzled by the abnormal tranquility.
• Melvin then endeavors to create his own irritation by plotting to “let the air out of one of [his] tires” so he can justify losing his temper and complete his ruse (12:49–13:14).

7. George Evans Enters the Fray (14:41–16:07)

• Melvin recruits his sales manager, George Evans, to prank him—Evans is supposed to call and stage a crisis, giving Melvin an excuse to blow up (15:24–15:54).
• Judy answers the call, misunderstanding George’s story, and believes he’s really in jail (16:07), setting off a madcap subplot.

8. Judy’s Rescue Mission (17:38–22:40)

• Determined not to disturb their father, Judy and Randolph set out to bail George Evans out of jail without money, invoking ideas like asking his fiancée (Ethel Collier) for help.
• At Ethel’s house, a classic comedy of errors unfolds: Ethel thinks George is just ill, Judy insists he’s in jail, and confusion ensues.
• Ethel becomes angry at the idea George lied about his illness to party on New Year's Eve.

Notable Quote:

“Well, when a girl is engaged to be married to the man she loves, there isn’t anything she wouldn’t do for him when he’s in trouble, is there?” – Judy Foster (19:35)

9. Culmination at the Jail (22:55–25:50)

• In a comedic climax, everyone ends up at the city jail—though no one is actually incarcerated.
• Melvin is exasperated by the chaos, and George is infuriated that his reputation is being maligned.
• The misunderstandings and assumptions spiral—the Foster adults think George really got drunk (“higher than a kite”) and spent the night in jail.

10. Resolution and the Final Twist (26:13–29:11)

• Melvin maintains his composure through all adversity, surprising his wife, Dora, with his self-control.
• Dora presents Melvin with fight tickets she bought for a fraction of what he was ready to pay, unraveling his convoluted scheme.
• Melvin finally loses his temper when Emerson acts without him, causing him to lose the bet—“Why, I'll—!” (28:40)
• The family is left amused and Melvin indignant, but all is well in the Foster home for the New Year.

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• Judy’s Comedic Teen Logic:
  “I have resolved to scatter myself more widely.” (01:35)
• Father’s Hangover:
  “My stomach feels like the inside of a rotary engine.” – Melvin Foster (03:46)
• Sacrificial Resolutions:
  “To solemnly resolve that for three whole months I will give up thinking about Van Johnson.” – Judy Foster (05:18)
• Parenting Schemes:
  “Now look, Emerson, I can't talk loud...We better run through it again. I lose my temper and then you drop in this afternoon to collect the bet.” – Melvin Foster (07:09)
• The Cumulative Chaos:
  “Your children, Mr. Foster, your children said I was higher than a kite.” – George Evans (25:02)
• Classic ’40s Moral:
  “Oh, what a tangled web we weave when first we practice to deceive. Shakespeare, burn.” – Melvin Foster (28:48)

Important Segment Timestamps

• 01:19 — Judy’s New Year’s resolution
• 03:24 — Foster family’s morning & father’s hangover
• 05:01 — Judy’s “supreme sacrifice” for Oogie
• 06:28 — Melvin bets to keep his temper
• 07:09 — Melvin’s secret plan with Emerson
• 09:20 — Judy & Randolph’s plan to protect father
• 12:49 — Melvin’s (failed) flat tire scheme
• 14:41 — Melvin ropes in George Evans
• 16:07 — Start of Judy’s “jail break” plot
• 19:20 — Conversation with Ethel Collier
• 22:55 — Jail confusion and family convergence
• 28:01 — Dora reveals she bought the fight tickets
• 28:40 — Melvin finally loses his temper

Concluding Notes

This episode expertly uses misunderstandings, family affection, and sly humor to deliver a gentle morality tale about honesty, self-restraint, and the tangled nature of even the simplest deceptions. The characters’ earnest attempts to help one another, the sharp one-liners, and the classic “plan backfire” structure are all trademarks of Golden Age radio comedy, giving modern listeners a sweet and whimsical view of Americana gone by.

For more vintage family fun, continue tuning in to Harold’s Old Time Radio every week!