Golden Memories of Radio (06 of 10)

Summary

Podcast Summary: Harold's Old Time Radio

Episode: Golden Memories of Radio (06 of 10)
Date: May 11, 2026
Host: Jack
Guest/Narrator: Frank Knight

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Overview

This episode of Harold's Old Time Radio, part of the "Golden Memories of Radio" series, explores pivotal moments and enduring classics from the early days of American radio. Focusing on radio's evolution from family entertainment to a powerful force in news and public history, the show features the insightful narration of Frank Knight, a veteran radio announcer, who guides listeners through key events and broadcasts that defined the Golden Age of Radio.

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Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Radio as a Historical Witness (00:52 - 01:48)

• Jack opens by highlighting how radio news shaped not just entertainment, but historical consciousness, introducing Frank Knight as the episode’s guide through radio history.
• Frank Knight: Acknowledges the challenge of covering so many memorable moments, noting radio's sense of responsibility early on.

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2. Early Unforgettable Moments (01:48 – 02:56)

• Frank Knight recalls radio’s first forays into breaking news:
  • KDKA, 1920: First broadcast of presidential election returns—ushering a new era of instant news.
    • “Station KDKA, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, broadcast presidential election returns for the very first time in history.” (01:48)
  • First Transcontinental Broadcast, 1927: Coverage of the Rose Bowl and Lindbergh’s Atlantic crossing, with President Coolidge introducing Lindbergh to Congress.

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3. Radio vs. Newspapers and the Rise of Satire (03:48 – 04:56)

• Anecdotes about newspapers feeling the advertising pinch from radio and popular radio punchlines.
  • “Do you remember the joke... What is the difference between newspapers and radio? Well, you can wrap a herring in a newspaper.” — Frank Knight (03:48)
• Amos and Andy: Use topical humor to reflect on elections and American life.
  • Exchange about voting and party affiliations showcases the lighthearted, relatable nature of early radio comedy.

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4. The Stock Market Crash and Social Commentary (04:56 – 05:56)

• Radio comedians like Eddie Cantor poked fun at tough economic times.
  • “If the market takes another slump, I know thousands and thousands of married men who will have to leave their sweethearts and go back to their wives.” — Eddie Cantor (04:56)
  • Jokes about the Depression-era mood: “When a man walks into a hotel and requests a room on the 19th floor, the clerk asks him: For sleeping or jumping?” (05:09)

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5. Prohibition and Cultural Crusaders (05:15 – 06:29)

• Frank Knight notes profound social debates leading up to the 1932 election: Prohibition’s future was a touchstone.
  • Billy Sunday delivers a passionate, almost poetic condemnation of alcohol and the saloon.
    • “I'm going to live long enough to see America so dry you'll have to prime a man before it can spit...I'll gum it till I go home to glory and it goes home to perdition.” — Billy Sunday (05:42)

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6. FDR and the Power of Presidential Radio (06:29 – 08:38)

• Frank Knight stresses Franklin D. Roosevelt’s embrace of radio:
  • FDR’s inaugural address—a pivotal moment for presidential communication and American morale.
  • “This is a day of national consecration...the only thing we have to fear is fear itself.” — Franklin D. Roosevelt (07:07)

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7. International Tensions and Pre-War Forewarnings (08:38 – 10:39)

• Radio as the world’s “shrinking window”: News from Europe on rising tensions and totalitarian threats.
  • Edwin C. Hill voices warnings about U.S. involvement abroad and the threat posed by Japan.
    • “As an American, I admire the idealism and good faith of our government, but sometimes I do wish that our beloved Uncle Sam would stay at home and mind his own business.” — Edwin C. Hill (09:15)

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8. The Lindbergh Kidnapping Closure (10:39 – 11:16)

• News bulletin on the execution of Bruno Richard Hauptmann, ending the saga of the Lindbergh baby kidnapping—a major radio news event.
  • “Bruno Richard Hoffman was electrocuted at 8:47 tonight for the murder of the Lindbergh baby.” — Edwin C. Hill (10:52)

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9. Radio’s Empathetic Voice & the Hindenburg Disaster (11:16 – 18:05)

• Frank Knight introduces the Hindenburg broadcast as a landmark live disaster report.
  • Herb Morrison’s eyewitness coverage remains a period-defining moment for radio journalism.
    • “It's burning, bursting into flames and it's falling on the mooring mast...Oh the humanity and all the passengers screaming around here…” — Herb Morrison (13:09)
    • Morrison's raw emotion and inability to continue momentarily conveys the gravity and immediacy of radio reporting.
    • Later, Morrison interviews a dazed survivor, adding human dimension to the disaster (17:31).
  • Frank Knight: “Nothing to fear but fear itself became the classic rallying cry of that recovery era. Radio carried that message of hope to homes throughout the nation.” (11:16)

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Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• Frank Knight:
  • “Station KDKA, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, broadcast presidential election returns for the very first time in history.” (01:48)
  • “Nothing to fear but fear itself became the classic rallying cry of that recovery era.” (11:16)
• Eddie Cantor:
  • “When a man walks into a hotel and requests a room on the 19th floor, the clerk asks him for sleeping or jumping.” (05:09)
• Billy Sunday:
  • “...I'll gum it till I go home to glory and it goes home to perdition.” (05:42)
• Franklin D. Roosevelt’s Inaugural:
  • “This is preeminently the time to speak the truth...the only thing we have to fear is fear itself.” (07:07)
• Herb Morrison (Hindenburg Disaster):
  • “It's burning, bursting into flames and it's falling… Oh the humanity and all the passengers screaming around here. I can't talk, ladies and gentlemen, honestly.” (13:09)
• Edwin C. Hill:
  • “Sometimes I do wish that our beloved Uncle Sam would stay at home and mind his own business.” (09:15)

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Timestamps for Important Segments

• 00:52 – Jack introduces Frank Knight and the episode's direction.
• 01:48 – Frank Knight recalls KDKA’s 1920 broadcast and other early milestones.
• 03:48 – Radio humor vs. newspapers, Amos & Andy segment.
• 04:56 – Eddie Cantor’s Depression-era jokes about the stock market crash.
• 05:42 – Billy Sunday’s fiery Prohibition speech.
• 06:46 – FDR’s inaugural oath and address.
• 07:07 – FDR’s “the only thing we have to fear is fear itself” speech.
• 09:15 – International tension warnings from Edwin C. Hill.
• 10:52 – News bulletin: Hauptmann executed for Lindbergh kidnapping.
• 12:07 – Introduction to the Hindenburg disaster segment.
• 13:09–17:31 – Herb Morrison’s vivid live Hindenburg disaster coverage, including survivor interview.

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Episode Tone & Language

The episode maintains a tone of reverent nostalgia and historical gravitas, blending solemnity with moments of humor (e.g. Depression jokes, Amos & Andy). The narration is descriptive and evocative, deeply respectful of radio’s impact on public consciousness and memory.

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Final Thoughts

This episode masterfully compiles golden moments from radio’s past, using original audio, reenactments, and insightful narration by Frank Knight. Listeners are treated to both a factual chronicle and an emotionally engaging journey—from comical election satire, through FDR’s words of hope, to the raw, unforgettable reporting of the Hindenburg disaster.

Transcript

[Radio Commercial Announcer]

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[Jack (Host/Interviewer)]

Though comedy and drama provided the warm family memories of those golden years, the dramatic punctuation that underscored our lives and helped to change the course of destiny came from the news bureaus of radio. To take you through those years in a kaleidoscopic living history, I've asked a friend of mine whose voice has been a welcome visitor into millions of American homes to take over. Frank Knight has been the voice of the Longines Symphonet for over three decades. And before that, his special vantage point as chief announcer for the Mutual Broadcasting Systems flagship station in New York City makes him uniquely qualified to recall with us the momentous and some not so momentous moments in history. Frank, it's nice to be with you again.

[Frank Knight (Narrator/Commentator)]

Thank you, Jack. Listening to those great memories of radio brought back the names of so many of my friends that it's hard to know where to begin. Radio recognized its obligations very early. In 1920, station KDKA, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, broadcast presidential election returns for the very first time in history.

[Herb Morrison (Hindenburg Reporter)]

It is now apparent that the Republican ticket of Harding and Coolidge is running well ahead of Cox and Roosevelt. At the present time, Harding has selected more than 16 million votes, some 9 million for the Democrats. We'll give you the state vote in just a moment, but first we'd like to ask you to let us know if this broadcast is reaching you. Please drop us a car address. Station kdka, Westinghouse East Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.

[Frank Knight (Narrator/Commentator)]

The first transcontinental radio network broadcast was of a Rose bowl game in January of 1927. In the same year, Lindbergh's triumphant return from France was broadcast coast to coast from Washington, D.C. the president of the United States, Calvin Coolidge, introduced Lindy to

[Herb Morrison (Hindenburg Reporter)]

Congress as President of the United States. I bestow the Distinguished Flying Cross upon Colonel Charles A. Lindbergh. I arrived at the bourgeois Paris. At every gathering, at every meeting I attended were the same words you have seen. The affection of the people of France for the people of America demonstrated To you. Take back with you this message from France and Europe to the United States of America. Thank you.

[Frank Knight (Narrator/Commentator)]

About this time, the newspapers were beginning to recognize radio as competitor for the advertising dollar. Do you remember the joke making the rounds? What is the difference between newspapers and radio? Well, you can wrap a herring in a newspaper. Amos and Andy were using topical subjects then and this was their comment on a certain election.

[Herb Morrison (Hindenburg Reporter)]

Who is the man that is running against each other this year? Election time. Explain that to me.

[Frank Knight (Narrator/Commentator)]

Herbert Hoover. Vesuvius. Al Smith.

[Herb Morrison (Hindenburg Reporter)]

Herbert Hoover. Vesuvius. Al Smith, huh?

[Frank Knight (Narrator/Commentator)]

Yeah.

[Herb Morrison (Hindenburg Reporter)]

Another thing I'm gonna ask you. I don't know if I was gonna be a Democrat or a Republican. You know it.

[Frank Knight (Narrator/Commentator)]

How did your old man vote?

[Herb Morrison (Hindenburg Reporter)]

Oh, my papa, you mean?

[Frank Knight (Narrator/Commentator)]

Yeah, that's it.

[Herb Morrison (Hindenburg Reporter)]

Oh, Papa used to always vote for the Democrats.

[Frank Knight (Narrator/Commentator)]

Well, then if I was in your place, I would vote for the Republicans.

[Herb Morrison (Hindenburg Reporter)]

How come?

[Frank Knight (Narrator/Commentator)]

Cause I never know your old man to do nothing right in his life. And when the stock market broke in 1929, another of your favorite comedians, Eddie Cantor, took the opportunity to laugh at his own losses.

[Herb Morrison (Hindenburg Reporter)]

If the market takes another slump, I know thousands and thousands of married men who will have to leave their sweethearts and go back to their wives. Nowadays, when a man walks into a hotel and requests a room on the 19th floor, the clerk asks him for sleeping or jumping.

[Frank Knight (Narrator/Commentator)]

As the time for a new presidential election drew near, there were many very fundamental issues. The stock market crash and the resulting Depression, the question of Prohibition and the evils that had brought on the scene. One of the greatest orators of his time, legendary in his pursuit of sin, fanatic in his determination that Prohibition should remain the law of the land was ex baseball player Billy Sunday.

[Herb Morrison (Hindenburg Reporter)]

The return of the saloon would mean the overthrow of civilization in our land. It was because I didn't want our boys to die brokers that I fought and fight. I'm going to live long enough to see America so dry you'll have to prime a man before it can spit. And I'll fight the saloon from Hawaii to Hoboken and I'll kick it as long as I've got a foot and I'll fight it and punch it as long as I have a fist. I'll butt it as long as I have a head. I'll bite it as long as I have a tooth. And when I'm old and fistless and footless and toothless I'll gum it till I go home to glory and it goes home to perdition.

[Frank Knight (Narrator/Commentator)]

The first United States president to take Full advantage of the growing power of radio was Franklin D. Roosevelt. Starting with his own first inaugural address, FDR took to radio no less than 20 times in the first nine months of office.

[Franklin D. Roosevelt (President)]

I, Franklin Delano Roosevelt, who solemnly swear that I will faithfully execute the office of President of the United States and will to the best of my ability, preserve, protect and defend the Constitution of the United States.

[Herb Morrison (Hindenburg Reporter)]

So help me God.

[Franklin D. Roosevelt (President)]

This is a day of national consecration, and I am certain that on this day, my fellow Americans expect that on my induction into the presidency I will address them with a candor and a decision which the present situation of our people impels. This is preeminently the time to speak the truth. So truth frankly and boldly. Taxes have risen. Our ability to pay has fallen. Government of all kinds is faced by serious curtailment of income. The means of exchange are frozen in the currents of trade. The will that lead our industrial enterprise lie on every side. Farmers find no market for their produce, and the savings of many years and thousands of families are gone. More important, a host of unemployed citizens face the grim problem of existence. And an equally great number toil with little return. Only a foolish optimist can deny the dark realities of the moment. So, first of all, let me assert my firm belief that the only thing we have to fear is fear itself.

[Frank Knight (Narrator/Commentator)]

As FDR turned his strength towards solving our domestic problems, the rumble of trouble began in Europe. New voices from afar became familiar to listeners in the United States. As radio began to shrink the world. Against the background of disturbance in Europe, a thoughtful radio voice warned the United States to watch the East. In 1935, Edwin C. Hill, a crack NBC commentator, had this to say.

[Edwin C. Hill (NBC Commentator)]

Still another of those useless, troublemaking naval armament reduction conferences gets underway in London with prospects already darker than your cellar. At midnight, good old Uncle Sam, always hopeful, tells Great Britain and Japan that he would like to welcome a 20% naval cut. John Bull shuts up like the clam of commerce. With Hitler building up a navy for Germany and Mussolini on the war path doesn't suit him at all. But Japan speaks out with an emphatic no. As an American, I admire the idealism and good faith of our government, but sometimes I do wish that our beloved Uncle Sam would stay at home and mind his own business. Someday we may get our fingers burned mind our own business. So speak softly, carry a big stick and keep an eye on Japan as far as this side of the Pacific is concerned. Clyde Pangborn, famous flying man, testifies before a congressional committee that in his opinion, America is threatened by only one enemy, and that enemy is Japan. He testifies that Japan has perfected man operated aerial torpedoes in which the plane and the bomb are one, an instrument deadlier than any known weapon, certain to bring death to the operator. Yet thousands of Japanese, says Pangborn, have already volunteered for the honor of dying as pilots of these infernal weapons of infernal modern warfare.

[Frank Knight (Narrator/Commentator)]

1935 also saw a case closed written on the official records of the famed Lindbergh kidnapping case three years after Lindy's infant son was kidnapped and killed.

[Edwin C. Hill (NBC Commentator)]

The National Broadcasting Company presents a special bulletin from the press radio news, Trenton, New Jersey. Bruno Richard Hoffman was electrocuted at 8:47 tonight for the murder of the Lindbergh baby. This bulletin is from the press radio bureau. This is the National Broadcasting Company.

[Frank Knight (Narrator/Commentator)]

Nothing to fear but fear itself became the classic rallying cry of that recovery era. Radio carried that message of hope to homes throughout the nation. It has become a classic. Radio broadcasts of lasting impact became more frequent during the turbulent 30s as the world underwent change after change. One classic broadcast with an impact of intensely personal nature occurred when the dream of the dirigible crashed with the Hindenburg in Lakehurst, New Jersey. The description by Herb Morrison and his engineer Jimmy Nelson belongs in this collection because never again has a disaster been broadcast right from the spot from the first second when fate took a hand in what was to have been a routine news broadcast.

[Herb Morrison (Hindenburg Reporter)]

We both flew down from Chicago yesterday afternoon aboard one of the giant new 21 passenger flagships of American Airlines. It took us only 3 hours 55 minutes to fly non stop from Chicago to New York. When we landed at Newark, we found another flagship of American Airlines waiting to take us to Lakehurst with our equipment when we were ready to go. And incidentally, American Airlines is the only airline in the United States which makes connections with the Hindenburg. The Hindenburg left Frankfurt, Germany Tuesday evening rather at 7:30 their time. And for better than two and a half days they've been speeding through the skies over miles and miles of water here to America. Now they're coming in to make a landing of the zeppelin. I'm going to step out here and cover it from the outside. So as I move out, we'll just stand by the second. Well, here it comes ladies and gentlemen. We're out now outside of the hangar. And what a great sight it is a thrilling one. It's a marvelous sight. It's coming down out of the sky, pointed directly towards us and toward the mooring mass. The mighty diesel motors just roared their Propellers biting into the air and throwing it back into a gale like whirlpools. No wonder this great floating palace can travel through the air at such a speed with these powerful motors behind it. A field that we thought active when we first arrive has turned into a moving mass of cooperative action. The landing crews are rushed to their posts and spots and orders are being passed along and last minute preparations are being completed. For the moment we have waited for so long, the ship is riding majestically toward us like some great feather. Riding as though it was mighty proud of the place it's playing in the world's aviation. The ship is no doubt busting with activity as we can see. Orders are shouted to the crew. The passenger probably lining the windows, looking down at the field ahead of them, getting their glimpse of the mooring mast. It's practically standing still now. They've dropped ropes out of the nose of the ship and it's been taken a hold of down on the field by a number of men. It's starting to rain again. The rain had cracked up a little bit. The back motors of the ship are just holding it just enough to keep it from. It burst into flames. Get this shot. Get this, Charlie. It's fighting and it's rising. It's rising terrible. Oh my. Get out of the way, please. It's burning, bursting into flames and it's falling on the morning pass. And all the folks believe that this is terrible. This is one of the worst catastrophes in the world. Oh, it's 2004 or 500ft into the sky and it's a terrific race. Ladies and gentlemen. The smoke and flames. Now Andy Frame is crashing to the ground. Not quite to the mooring mass. All the humanity and all the parent are screaming around here. I don't. I can't talk to people and friends around there. It's. I. I can't talk, ladies and gentlemen, honestly. Just laying down massive smoking wrecking and everybody can hardly breathe and talk as a craving lady. I'm sorry, honestly, I. I can hardly breathe. I'm going to step inside where I cannot see it. Charlie, that's terrible. Listen folks, I'm gonna have to stop for a minute because God, I've lost some voice. This is the worst thing I've ever witnessed. Ladies and gentlemen, I'm back again. I. I've sort of recovered from the terrific explosion and the terrific crash that occurred just as it was being pulled down to the mooring mass. The terrible amount of hydrogen gas in it just cause the. The tail surface broke into flame. First, then there was a terrific explosions and that followed by the burning of the nose and the crashing nose into the ground. And everybody tearing back a break neck speed to get out from underneath it. Because it was over the people at the time it burst into flames. Now, whether it fell on the people were witnessing it we do not know. But as it exploded they rushed back. And now it's smoking a terrific black smoke floating up into the sky. The flames are still leaping maybe 30, 40ft from the ground. The entire 811ft length of it. They're frantically calling for ambulances and things. The wires are being humming with activity. And I've. I've lost my breath several times during this exciting moment here. Would you pardon me just a moment? I'm not going to stop talking. I'm just going to swallow several times until I can keep on. I should imagine that the nose is not more than 500ft or maybe 700ft from the mooring mass. They had dropped two ropes. And whether or not some spark or something set it on fire, we don't know. Or whether something pulled loose on the inside of the ship causing a spark and causing it to explode in the tail surface. But everything crazed to the ground. And there's not a possible chance of anybody being saved. I wish I could stop in just a moment and see if I can get my breath again. And Charlie, if you'll fade it out just a minute, I'll come back with more description. Ladies and gentlemen. Ladies and gentlemen, I'm back again. I raced down to the burning ship. And just as I walked up through the ship over, climbed over the picket line, I met a man coming out dazed. Dazed. He couldn't find his way. I grabbed a hold of him. It's Philip Mangone. Philip Mango to A N G O N E of New York. Philip Mangone. He's burned terribly in the hands and he's burned terribly in the face. His eyebrows and all his hair is burned off. But he's walking and talking plainly and distinctly. And he told me he jumped. He jumped with other passengers. Now there's a Mr. Spay. It sounds like Spay. We're not sure of it. And he also got out. Now it is Bison's majority of the passengers jumped when it came close to the ground. According to what Mr. Mangon told me. He says thank God he jumped. And we say thank God for him.

[Radio Commercial Announcer]

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[Herb Morrison (Hindenburg Reporter)]

Liberty. Liberty. Liberty. Liberty.