Goldbergs 39-09-21 (xxxx) Nervous Driver

Summary

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Podcast Summary: Harold’s Old Time Radio

Episode: Goldbergs 39-09-21 (xxxx) Nervous Driver
Date: August 23, 2025
Host: Harolds Old Time Radio

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Overview

This episode of Harold's Old Time Radio presents a classic installment of “The Goldbergs,” a beloved radio show from the Golden Age of Radio. The drama centers on the Goldberg family as they return home to New York, driven by a mysterious and increasingly nervous man named George Stark. Tension builds as the Goldbergs piece together the odd behaviors of their chauffeur, ask probing questions, and wrestle with suspicions about Stark’s true motives. The family’s close interactions, concern for a sleeping baby, and intrigue surrounding a cryptic telegram drive this suspenseful episode.

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Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Suspicious Behavior on the Road

• The Goldbergs are being driven home by George Stark, who is noted to be “a daring driver” after a previous incident racing a train.
• The family begins to notice Stark’s anxiety, marked by:
  • His request for newspapers and a radio (05:15, 05:17)
  • Several unnecessary stops for cigarettes and newspapers, causing detours (05:41)
  • Questions about his motives and what he’s running from or toward.

Memorable Quote:

“He seems awfully nervous to me.”
— Jake Goldberg (05:01)

2. Molly’s Intuition and Investigations

• Molly Goldberg trusts her instincts, paying close attention to Stark’s oddities—especially his interest in news and avoidance of details about the baby's origins.
• She inspects the baby’s hand-stitched clothes, raising more suspicions.
• She questions why Stark never introduced the woman who handed over the baby at the train (08:13–08:25).

Memorable Quote:

“Why didn’t he introduce us to the lady who brought the baby on the train? Why didn’t he say if she's the mother or if she's wife?”
— Molly Goldberg (08:13)

3. Jake’s Skepticism vs. Molly's Worry

• Jake repeatedly urges Molly not to jump to conclusions, dismissing her suspicions as imagination.
• There’s a tension between Jake’s desire for peace (“I don’t want to hear another syllable pertaining to the same, not one iota, you hear?” (10:29)) and Molly’s investigative spirit.

Memorable Quote:

“Molly, please, don’t put ideas in my head. Here he comes. And please, please don’t start building up hallucinations. Please. Things are going smoothly.”
— Jake Goldberg (08:25)

4. The Mysterious Telegram

• George Stark urgently stops at a telegraph office, raising alarm (08:46).
• Molly cleverly investigates, pretending that Stark may have written the wrong address on his telegram and asks the clerk to show it to her (11:39–12:27).
• The content isn’t revealed, but Molly confirms the address is correct, adding to the mystery.

Memorable Quote:

“Would you mind showing me the telegram he sent, please?”
— Molly Goldberg (11:39)
“Yes, yes, I’m afraid it was.”
— Molly Goldberg, upon seeing the telegram (12:41)

5. Building Suspense and Unanswered Questions

• The episode ends with the Goldbergs and listeners unsure of Stark’s real intentions and what was written in the telegram.
• The host teases more developments in the next episode, intensifying the cliffhanger.

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Notable Quotes & Moments with Timestamps

• On Stark’s Nervousness:
  Jake: “He seems awfully nervous to me.” (05:01)

• On the Baby’s Clothes:
  Molly: “Look at the baby’s jacket... All handmade... Jake, Jake. This clothes and this clothes...” (07:24–07:52)

• Questioning Stark’s Motives:
  Molly: “Why didn’t he introduce us to the lady who brought the baby on the train?” (08:13)

• Jake vs. Molly:
  Jake: “This is all speculation of your own imagination, Molly. And I don’t want to hear another syllable pertaining to the same, not one iota, you hear?” (10:29)

• On the Telegram:
  Molly: “Would you mind showing me the telegram he sent, please?” (11:39)
  Molly: “Yes, yes, I’m afraid it was [the right address].” (12:41)

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Timestamps for Important Segments

• [03:54] – The family discusses the sleeping baby and Stark’s demeanor.
• [05:01–05:51] – Jake and Molly debate Stark’s nervousness.
• [07:24–07:52] – Molly closely inspects the baby's clothing.
• [08:13–08:25] – Molly’s pointed questions about the baby's origins.
• [09:43–10:29] – Molly and Sammy express discomfort and propose letting Stark go.
• [11:39–12:41] – Molly intervenes at the telegraph office and learns about the telegram.

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Tone and Atmosphere

The episode preserves the warm, chatty, and occasionally exasperated family dynamics familiar to The Goldbergs, set against a growing sense of unease and intrigue. Molly’s persistent but caring nature balances Jake’s practicality. The dialogue is natural, filled with the familial bickering and affection characteristic of the era, while a cliffhanger ending sustains suspense and audience engagement.

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Final Thoughts

This episode masterfully weaves everyday family life with a mystery subplot, keeping listeners invested through relatable characters and an unresolved tension. The mix of folksy charm and suspense is a hallmark of The Goldbergs, and listeners are left eager to discover George Stark’s true motives in the upcoming installment.

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Transcript

[Narrator/Announcer]

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[Molly Goldberg]

Us too.

[Narrator/Announcer]

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It's those Grand Goldbergs. Presented by the makers of High Test Oxydol. Going, going, almost gone. Yes, folks, I mean Oxydol's jingle Jubilee. Only two more days and this great contest is over. Only two more days left to jingle your way into $1,100. So start jingling today. Eight $100 bills given every day this week, Monday through Friday, just for best last lines to a jingle about Oxydol in washing machines. And Besides all that, $1,000 grand prize at the end of the week, $1,000 extra for the week's best daily winner. But today's Thursday, remember? So just today and tomorrow, that's all the time left to get in line for one of those hundred dollar daily prizes and that thousand dollar grand prize. So get your pencil right now because here's the jingle high test. Oxidols a delight, said a clever young housewife named right in my washing machine. It gets clothes so clean now you just add a last line that rhymes with right, a line that rhymes something like the they're really a marvelous sight. And send with your name and address and an Oxydol box top or facsimile to the Goldbergs, Cincinnati, Ohio. Now that's all it takes to line yourself up to win $1,100 before this great contest closes. Now, your entry goes in today's contest if it's received today in tomorrow's if it's postmarked before midnight tomorrow and received in Cincinnati not later than October 3rd. Now, originality, suitability and aptness are what count. Residents of continental United States, Hawaii and Canada are eligible. Winners are announced one week after each daily contest. Complete printed lists of winners are available upon written request to the Goldbergs, Cincinnati, Ohio. After the final contest. The same jingle is used throughout the contest. Now, your dealer has it and the rules. And you may send any number of entries just so. Each is accompanied by an Oxydol box top or facsimile. So don't let anything stop you from sending one or more entries with your name and address to the Goldbergs, Cincinnati, Ohio, today. Now, to be sure and get in line for $1,100 before this great contest closes tomorrow. And wait after today's show for last Thursday's winner. And now, the Goldbirds. Well, the Goldbergs are riding home to New York and very fast, too. The man they hired, a certain George Stark, is a daring driver. And yesterday he beat a train to a certain small station. But why? Why? The Goldbergs wanted to know. And then he told them, surprisingly enough, that he was picking up his baby, which he intended taking to his mother. And then we heard what he said to the woman who brought the child. And it sounded very, very queer. What is Stark up to? Listen.

[Molly Goldberg]

Put up the window on the side until the baby. Shouldn't get that drift. Right. She's sleeping. She's sleep very tightly. Baby sleeping. And Uncle David sleeping in. In the trailer. It's all right. You can talk already. She's fast asleep. It's all right. You can talk. Button up your neck, Rosalie, please. Your baby's sleeping, George.

[Jake Goldberg]

That's good.

[Narrator/Announcer]

You don't have a radio in this car, do you?

[Jake Goldberg]

No. Why? Is there anything you want to hear? No, no, nothing special.

[Narrator/Announcer]

Can I trouble you for a cigarette? I'll stop and get some later.

[Jake Goldberg]

I'm sorry. I only have a cigar. Well, I. I'll have to stop then.

[Molly Goldberg]

Rolling along.

[Jake Goldberg]

He seems awfully nervous to me.

[Molly Goldberg]

Who? Sam?

[Jake Goldberg]

The sh.

[Molly Goldberg]

To me. Two more, maybe. A man alone with.

[Narrator/Announcer]

You didn't see a newspaper this morning, did you?

[Jake Goldberg]

No. What's he want a newspaper for?

[Molly Goldberg]

Samuel? I'm a kind of Durant, maybe. He must be nervous. He wants to know. Everybody wants to know. This is like a fever. Why Sam leave?

[Jake Goldberg]

I don't know, Mother. What did he turn for? We're supposed to stay on Route 6. George, why did you turn off?

[Narrator/Announcer]

I want to get some cigarettes.

[Jake Goldberg]

I want to get a newspaper. Well, we'll be putting on about 15 miles that way if we go through the town.

[Molly Goldberg]

That's all right.

[Jake Goldberg]

I'll make it up. Is the baby sleeping, Molly?

[Molly Goldberg]

Yes, it's fast asleep.

[Jake Goldberg]

Say, George, there's a speed limit on these roads. The state troopers. No, I just said. I thought you said you saw one. Why? You afraid of him? No, no, no. Why should I be afraid of him? I just don't want it to cost you any.

[Narrator/Announcer]

We get caught speeding. Afraid I. I got nothing to be afraid of.

[Molly Goldberg]

I should nearly got up if Wendy stop. I'd like to warm a bottle for the baby.

[Narrator/Announcer]

She's still sleeping, ain't she?

[Molly Goldberg]

Yeah, but anyway. Nevertheless, I. I warm it good so it'll stay warm and we wouldn't have to stop after. Here are some stor.

[Jake Goldberg]

All right. I'll. I'll go out and get your paper. No, no, no, that's all right.

[Narrator/Announcer]

I'll be right back.

[Jake Goldberg]

Will you get me two cigars, please? Okay.

[Molly Goldberg]

What is he so nervous?

[Jake Goldberg]

Who isn't nervous these days? Who isn't nervous?

[Narrator/Announcer]

How's the baby?

[Molly Goldberg]

Sweet. Sweet. I'm glad she's sleeping. At least I'm glad she's sleeping. Jake.

[Jake Goldberg]

Yeah?

[Molly Goldberg]

Just. Just look.

[Jake Goldberg]

What?

[Molly Goldberg]

I. I just want you to look. And then don't get mad and don't holler. I just want you to look. Look, this is all hand stitched. No.

[Jake Goldberg]

What?

[Molly Goldberg]

Here, look. Look at the baby's jacket.

[Jake Goldberg]

And if. Yes.

[Molly Goldberg]

I mean, if. Yes. Look. Even the dress. All handmade. Jake. Jake. This clothes and this clothes.

[Jake Goldberg]

So what? Something awfully funny here. Please. What's so funny? How do you know where these clothes came from? He must have been a chauffeur for rich people before he took this job. Maybe they gave the clothes to him. But anyway, please, without bots. You're not writing a scenario. Now, Molly, please.

[Molly Goldberg]

All right, all right, Jake. I'm just saying. I'm just saying. So. So why didn't he introduce us to the lady who brought the baby on the train? Why didn't he say if she's the mother or if she's wife?

[Jake Goldberg]

Molly, please, don't put ideas in my head. Here he comes. And please, please don't start building up hallucinations. Please. Things are going smoothly.

[Molly Goldberg]

Let him go. All right.

[Jake Goldberg]

Did you get your paper? Yeah. My cigar, please.

[Molly Goldberg]

I forgot to take out the milk.

[Jake Goldberg]

We can do that later.

[Narrator/Announcer]

I've got to get to a telegraph office. I want to send a telegram.

[Jake Goldberg]

I'll make up all this time I'm losing for you. Telegram. Now. Shock.

[Molly Goldberg]

Shock.

[Jake Goldberg]

Did. Did you see what you were looking for in the newspaper? Who. Who said I was looking for anything? Well, I only thought sa.

[Molly Goldberg]

Here's the telegraph office.

[Jake Goldberg]

Oh, where?

[Molly Goldberg]

Over there, on the other side of the street.

[Jake Goldberg]

I see it.

[Molly Goldberg]

You'll take the bottle out, please, of the milk.

[Jake Goldberg]

We can wait till we get out of this town, can't we?

[Molly Goldberg]

Well, no, no.

[Jake Goldberg]

If.

[Molly Goldberg]

If you're going out. I mean, anyway, if you're going. I would like very much that you should. Anyway. Sure. Every time the car stops, so she opens her eyes.

[Jake Goldberg]

I won't be a minute, Ma. Pa, I don't like it. Like what? Well, gee, if you can't feel it, Pa, I can't tell you. Sammy, please don't let your imagination skip away with you. Please. Maybe he has some private trouble. Evidently he has. Otherwise he wouldn't have been taking the child to his mother, there's just another marriage on the rocks. Well, if that's all it is, what did he want the newspaper for?

[Molly Goldberg]

And then what did he want to know if we had a radio? And why doesn't he want to get the bottle for the baby? And who was the woman who got off the train?

[Jake Goldberg]

So why do you want me to do what? Well, I know what I do, Pa. I'd pay him for his two days work and give him the baby and go ahead without him.

[Molly Goldberg]

Maybe, Jake.

[Jake Goldberg]

Nonsense, nonsense. This is all speculation of your own imagination, Molly. And I don't want to hear another syllable pertaining to the same, not one iota, you hear? All right, have it your own way, Paul.

[Molly Goldberg]

Here he comes.

[Jake Goldberg]

Okay, now, there won't be no more.

[Narrator/Announcer]

Stops for me until I get the.

[Jake Goldberg]

Kid to my mother. That'll be sometime tonight.

[Molly Goldberg]

Oh, but just one minute before you start the car. Just one minute.

[Jake Goldberg]

What is it, ma'?

[Molly Goldberg]

Am? Well, take the baby minute, Rosalie, please.

[Jake Goldberg]

What is it now?

[Molly Goldberg]

Just one minute here, Rosalie, please. All right, I'll be right back. I'll be right back. I have to send a telegram also.

[Jake Goldberg]

To who?

[Molly Goldberg]

To. To somebody. Well, I'll go all is. Anybody?

[Jake Goldberg]

Yeah.

[Molly Goldberg]

Excuse me. Pardon me, please. You. My son was just in here and. And he sent a telegram. My mind's son was here and he just sent a telegram and the doctor's minute he was here an event and he left him. And I think he gave you the wrong address. Would you mind showing me the telegram he sent, please?

[Jake Goldberg]

What's the name, please?

[Molly Goldberg]

George Stark.

[Narrator/Announcer]

All right.

[Jake Goldberg]

Just a minute, please.

[Molly Goldberg]

Yes, please, George Stark with a G.

[Jake Goldberg]

S. We're just sending that wire, lady.

[Molly Goldberg]

Would you mind if I see if he gave the right address?

[Narrator/Announcer]

Let's see, it's sent to.

[Molly Goldberg]

Would you mind if I see it, please?

[Narrator/Announcer]

No, I guess that's all right.

[Molly Goldberg]

You don't mind?

[Narrator/Announcer]

Yeah.

[Molly Goldberg]

Thank you. Thank you very much.

[Narrator/Announcer]

Oh, was that the right address?

[Molly Goldberg]

Yes, yes, I'm afraid it was.

[Narrator/Announcer]

The right address. But what was in the telegram? What did Molly see? And does this throw any more light on George Stark's mysterious doings? Now remember, just today and tomorrow to get in line for $1,100 in Oxydoll's jingle jubilee. So just add a last line to Oxydoll's jingle and send with an Oxydoll box top or facsimile and your name and address to the Goldbergs, Cincinnati, Ohio. Today your dealer has the jingle and the rules. And now last Thursday's hundred dollar winners, Mrs. E. M. Dibble, Pueblo, Colorado Mrs. J. Henry Lino, Dallas Center, Iowa Mrs. Ernest H. Bishop, Quincy, Massachusetts Mrs. R. M. Ricker, Alcott, New York Mrs. Mabel B. Jones, Lakewood, Ohio Mrs. William H. Frank, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania Mrs. Pearl Davis, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania Mrs. T. Broadhurst, Toronto, Ontario, Canada Congratulations, winners. Now be sure to listen to the next episode tomorrow, the Goldbergs find out what they think is the truth. Until then, this is Art Millet speaking. For the makers of High Test Ox.

[Jake Goldberg]

Foreign.

[Narrator/Announcer]

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