Golden Memories of Radio (08 of 10)

Summary

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Podcast Summary: Harold’s Old Time Radio

Episode: Golden Memories of Radio (08 of 10)

Date: May 11, 2026

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Overview

This episode of Golden Memories of Radio transports listeners back to the “Golden Age” of American radio, focusing on how the rise of radio transformed the way Americans experienced sports and major historical events before the advent of television. Through a series of vibrant, real historical radio clips and personal recollections, the episode illustrates the excitement, drama, and sense of community that radio broadcasting brought to families across the nation as they listened to monumental moments in sports history, including boxing championships, Olympic triumphs, the Kentucky Derby, and legendary baseball games.

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Key Discussion Points & Insights

The Power of Radio in Sports

• Radio as a New Spectator Experience
  The narrator opens by reflecting on how “Americans chose to fiddle while the world was catching fire around us” ([00:47]), highlighting the national fascination with radio sports broadcasts, which made fans feel as though they were “ringside” no matter where they were.
• The Drama of Live Radio
  Described as sometimes “far better than seeing it in person” ([00:47]), the immediacy and immersion brought a new dimension to following sports.

Legendary Boxing Matches

• The Gene Tunney vs. Jack Dempsey ‘Long Count’ Fight

  • Sports Announcer reenacts the tension of the event:
    “Introducing from Salt Lake City, Utah, wearing black trunks, weighing 187 and a half pounds… heavyweight King Jack Dempsey…” ([01:28])
  • Gene Tunney recalls his mindset after being knocked down:
    “I was hit seven times in succession… was one of my luckiest nights… I decided to stay away from Jack and it was a very wise decision.” ([02:24])

• Joe Louis vs. Max Schmeling

  • First, a dramatic radio recounting of Schmeling’s upset victory:
    “Lewis is down hanging to the ropes, hunting badly… Schmeling is the winner. Lewis is completely out; they’ve had to lift him and tie him to his corner.” ([03:21])
  • Pre-fight punditry for the rematch, with opinions split:
    • Jack Dempsey: “I favor Max Schmeling because I saw Joe Louis work out and it looks to me like everybody’s hitting him.” ([04:04])
    • Gene Tunney: “If Lewis gets the jump in the beginning, he’ll win… but if he’s maneuvered, Schmeling will win.” ([04:13])
    • Max Baer: “I’m stringing along with Lewis this time…” ([04:29])
  • The rematch is explosive; this time, Louis dominates:
    “Lewis measures him… left hook to the jaw and Schmeling is down… The fight is over on a technical knockout. Max Schmeling is beaten in one round.” ([04:40])

Olympic Glory: Jesse Owens, 1936

• Narrator: Jesse Owens’s unprecedented triumph is recounted as “a national triumph… and for Jesse, a dramatic personal experience.” ([06:13])
• Jesse Owens shares a beautifully descriptive memory:
  “As my eyes wandered… I noticed a flag of every nation… underneath that German blue sky… we could hear the strains of the Star Spangled Banner as the people in the stand stood…” ([06:13]–[08:05])
• The victory stands as both personal fulfillment for Owens and symbolic defiance against Nazi ideology.

Tense Tennis: Don Budge vs. Gottfried von Cramm, 1937

• Don Budge recalls the high-stress atmosphere, including Cramm being wished luck by Hitler and the intensity of play:
  “We finally did get out on the court… at seven-six, I broke his serve and after six match points, finally won the thing… but as we shook hands at the net, I’ll never forget what Cramm said…” ([09:20])
• Gottfried von Cramm’s sportsmanship:
  “‘Don, I’m very happy that I played so well against you, whom I like so much…’” ([09:20])

Notable Horse Racing Moments

• Clem McCarthy brings the historic 1941 Kentucky Derby to life:
  “Whirlaway is now making his dash… Whirlaway pulls away… Whirlaway winning the race by six lengths.” ([10:47])
• Listeners experience the excitement of live event coverage, which made national heroes of horses and jockeys.

The Shot Heard ’Round the World: Bobby Thomson’s Home Run

• The climactic 1951 Giants-Dodgers playoff, as called live:
  “I believe… the Giants win the pennant! …The Giants win the pennant!... They’re going crazy. Believe it! I don’t believe it. I do not believe it.” ([12:58])
• The emotion continues during post-game clubhouse interviews:
  • Bobby Thomson:
    “I wasn’t even… I didn’t touch the ground.” ([14:04]) “Good living. I don’t know what it is.” ([14:14])
  • Pitcher Ralph Branca:
    “Let me alone… You saw what happened… All I kept saying was, sink, sink, sink… Why me? Why me?” ([14:22]–[14:47])

Sports Amid Global Tensions

• A sobering reflection on the eve of WWII:
  • “It ought to be inconceivable in this modern era… any nation could be so foolish and ruthless as to run the risk of plunging the whole world into war… America hates war… America hopes for peace.” ([15:00]–[16:17])

Life and Routine in the Early 1940s

• The episode pivots from sports to the onset of WWII:
  • A radio football broadcast is abruptly interrupted:
    “We interrupt this broadcast to bring you this important bulletin from the United Press. Flash Washington. The White House announces Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor.” ([16:46])
• Illustrates how radio was not just entertainment, but the lifeline of breaking news and collective experience.

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Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On the impact of broadcasting ([00:47]):
  “The excitement of hearing a radio report was often far better than seeing it in person.” – Narrator

• Gene Tunney on resilience ([02:24]):
  “I knew I had to get up, which was part of my professional obligation. But what to do when I got up was the important thing. I decided to stay away from Jack and it was a very wise decision.” – Gene Tunney

• Graham McNamee describing Joe Louis’s defeat ([03:21]):
  “Lewis is down hanging to the ropes, hunting badly… The fight is over and Schmeling is the winner.”

• Jesse Owens on his Olympic moment ([08:05]):
  “The greatest honor came as we stood up there on that pedestal of victory… I realized my ambition of eight years to become a member of Uncle Sam’s Olympic team.”

• Baseball’s legendary moment ([12:58]):
  “The Giants win the pennant! …They’re going crazy. Believe it! I don’t believe it. I do not believe it.” – Sports Announcer

• Reflection on world events ([15:00]):
  “America hates war. America hopes for peace. Therefore, America actively engages in the search for peace.” – Commentator

• Interrupted football game with shocking news ([16:46]):
  “We interrupt this broadcast to bring you this important bulletin… The White House announces Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor.”

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Timestamps & Segments

| Timestamp | Segment | |-----------|---------| | 00:47 | The role of radio in American sports & national mood | | 01:28 | Gene Tunney vs. Jack Dempsey, ‘The Long Count’ | | 03:16 | Joe Louis vs. Max Schmeling, both fights | | 06:13 | Jesse Owens at the 1936 Olympics | | 09:01 | Don Budge vs. Baron von Cramm, Davis Cup | | 10:47 | Whirlaway Wins the 1941 Kentucky Derby | | 12:23 | 1951: Bobby Thomson’s “Shot Heard ‘Round the World” | | 15:00 | Reflections on the threat and reality of war | | 16:46 | Live football broadcast interrupted: Pearl Harbor attack |

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Tone & Style

The episode maintains a warm, nostalgic tone, blending the excitement of live sports broadcasting with poignant historical commentary. It highlights the fellowship of families gathered around the radio, the drama of athletic achievement, and the way radio brought both triumph and tragedy into American homes. The language is evocative and period-fitted, often echoing the cadence and drama of vintage radio announcers.

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This episode is a rich time capsule: a reminder of how radio—long before TV or the internet—brought the world together in moments of both exhilaration and gravity, and how those shared national memories echo through the decades.

Transcript

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[Narrator]

As it was with Nero in ancient Rome, we Americans chose to fiddle while the world was catching fire around us. We were in the mood for recreation and our national pastime was the world of sports and radio was the making of many sports. Live broadcasts by skilled reporters from the scene of championship contests brought Americans right to ringside. And I must admit that the excitement of hearing a radio report was often far better than seeing it in person. Wherever boxing fans gather, the subject of the long count will still be discussed. The famous fight was between Gene Tunney and Jack Dempsey.

[Sports Announcer]

Ladies and gentlemen, main event 10 rounds for the heavyweight championship of the world. Introducing from Salt Lake City, Utah, wearing black trunks, weighing 187 and a half pounds over heavyweight King Jack Dempsey. His opponent from New York City, Larry white trucks Mary 195 heavyweight champion of the world. Gene.

[Athlete/Participant]

In spite of the fact that I was hit seven times in succession in the seventh round in my contest with Jack Dempsey for the world's heavyweight championship was one of my luckiest nights. As a matter of fact the luckiest night of my life. Yes, I was down. Heard the referee count too. I knew I had to get up, which was part of my professional obligation. But what to do when I got up was the important thing. I decided to stay away from Jack and it was a very wise decision.

[Sports Announcer]

As the results showed, the winner and still heavyweight, Champagne James.

[Commentator]

Well my thoughts wasn't hoping he would never get up, but unfortunately he did and won the fight and more power to him. A great boy and a great champion.

[Narrator]

The first Joe Louis Max Scheling encounter as it was Described by Graham McNamee.

[Commentator]

Snelling got over two more hard right to Lewis's jaw. Handmade. Lewis give ground and there Melling straightened up. Lewis with hard right and left of the jaw. He has puffed up Lewis left knee and Lewis is down. Lewis is down hanging to the ropes, hunting badly. He is a very tired fighter. He is blinking his eyes, shaking his head. The count is done. The fight is over. The fight is over and smelling is the winner. Lewis is completely out they've had to lift him and tie him to his corner.

[Narrator]

When the rematch came months later, expert opinion was mixed. First, let's hear what Jack Dempsey had to say.

[Commentator]

Well, it's anybody's fight, but I favor Max Mulling because I saw Joe Lewis work out and he looks to me like everybody's hitting him.

[Narrator]

Gene Penny saw it differently.

[Athlete/Participant]

Well, I believe that if Lewis gets the jump in the beginning of the fight, he'll win. But if he's going to allow himself to maneuver it around by Schmeling, I believe that Schmeling is going to win.

[Narrator]

Max Bear.

[Athlete/Participant]

Well, I'm stringing along with Lewis this time, although in the last fight I selected Schmeling. As a matter of fact, I want him to win because I want to

[Commentator]

be the first fighter to regain the heavyweight championship.

[Narrator]

Max Schmeling.

[Commentator]

I'm feeling comfortable and in good shape. My walk here up the training camp has put me in the best of condition. 15 rounds for the world's heavyweight championship. Right and left to the head, a left to the jaw, a right to the head. And the Donovan is watching carefully. Lewis measures him right to the body. A left hook to the jaw and Schmeling is down. The count is 5, 5, 6, 7, 8. The men are in the ring. The fight is over on a technical knockout. Max Schneling is beaten in one round.

[Sports Announcer]

The time, 2 minutes, 4 seconds. First round. Referee subject the winner and skill champion shall not.

[Commentator]

I waited two years for the revenge and now I got it. I like to fight your Louis again. Whenever I have a chance, I will. Once I beat your Louis and your Louis beat me. Now we even hope the next time we meet again, I'll beat him again.

[Narrator]

Sport fans are still talking about the Olympic Games of 1936. They took place in Berlin, Germany, and a young American Negro named Jesse Owen scored an unprecedented triumph in several events. Jesse's victory was an unhappy shock to Olympic host Adolf Hitler. But for us, a national triumph. And for Jesse, a dramatic personal experience. Here he is with announcer Ted Husing.

[Athlete/Participant]

Six boys walked out on the field unnoticed. A notice because a German boy had won an Olympic victory and the crowd was giving him an ovation that was due an Olympic champion. As we sat there on that bench unnoticed, this is the sight that I saw within that wonderful area. As my eyes wanted to cross the field, I noticed a green grass, a red track with the white lines. And as my eyes wandered into the sands, I noticed 120,000 people sitting and standing within that great area. And as my eyes wandered upward again, I noticed a flag of every nation that was represented there in the Olympic Games underneath that German blue sky. My attention was diverted in that beautiful picture because a whistle had been blown and we were to assemble around a starter to receive our.

[Additional Announcer/Advertiser]

Here are the lanes, ladies and gentlemen,

[Athlete/Participant]

from the inside to the outside. Jesse Owens on the pole, Lennox Sandberg of Sweden next to him in second lane, Eric Borschmeyer, the German Borschmeyer.

[Additional Announcer/Advertiser]

Jesse Owens is running in white shoes today.

[Athlete/Participant]

Ralph is running in black shoes.

[Commentator]

And here they go down on the mock.

[Athlete/Participant]

The starter stepped back about 10 paces and he hollered in a loud chairman voice, afroprexa. And when he hollered afropreza, Everyman went to his mark. Adjusting our hands and our feet, the starter suddenly said in the soft voice, vertic. And when he hollered vertic. Every man came to a set position. The wind is blowing here. It's a little bit chilly.

[Commentator]

They're set the gun sounds in their way. And Jesse Olsen down there with Ralph's neckcast.

[Athlete/Participant]

The boys ran neck and neck for 50 yards. Ralph Mitt came from Martin University, was leading the field at the 70 yard mark. And from the 70 to the M. Ralph and I ran neck and neck.

[Commentator]

He's a yard or two out in front. Metcalf is coming second. Up on him, it's Owen Metcalf and Ozendoff. Metcalf came in second, Ozendarp third.

[Athlete/Participant]

And for some unknown reason our Pete Ralph met careful Marquette University in this most historic event. But the greatest honor came as we stood up there on that pedestal of victory. And after we had knelt and received the wreath of victory from the German maidens. And standing there facing the sands from a far away distance, we could hear the strains of the Star Spangled Banner as the people in the stand stood. The Germans gave the Nazi salute. The Americans gave the American salute. And as we three on the pedestal of victory did a left face, I noticed the stars of stripes arising higher and higher. And the higher the stars and stripes rose, the louder the strings of the star spangle battle were heard. And then and there I realized my ambition of eight years to become a member of Uncle Sam's Olympic team. To emerge as a victor in the Olympic Games provided me with my greatest moment throughout my whole athletic career.

[Narrator]

International pensions again intruded into the world of Sports in 1937. The semifinals of the Davis cup matches that summer. And America's Don Budge pitted against Germany's Baron Gottfried von Kram. Don Budge describes the scene immediately after his narrow victory.

[Additional Announcer/Advertiser]

As Cram and I were leaving the locker room, the telephone rang and Cram was called back. And it was Hitler calling him to wish him good luck. In this particular match, of course, it was quite exciting because the fellow who had charge of getting the players out on the court on time had both of us by the arm. He wouldn't let Cram go, and Cram was saying, yes, my inferior or this and that. And it got to be quite a tense moment. However, we finally did get out on the court, and I managed to win the third and fourth, and right away I was down 4:1 in the fifth set, I decided I had to get the net position away from him in the worst way. So with this in mind, I made up my mind I would try to return his serve and go in behind it. Well, as luck had it, I did manage to get my returns in, get into the net and make some winning volleys. I broke his serve, and from there on it went through six all, and finally, at seven six, I broke his serve and after six match points, finally won the thing after a great struggle, falling down on the ground on my last point, but making the shot nonetheless. But as we shook hands at the net, I'll never forget what Cram said. He said, don, he said, I'm very happy that I played so well against you, whom I like so much. And it was the best tennis I've ever played in my life. So congratulations to the best man on this particular occasion.

[Narrator]

This was a blow to German prestige and a victory for America and far out of proportion to the actual importance of the event. Horse racing gained the following, too, because of radio. Listen to the famed Whirlaway win the Kentucky Derby at Churchill Downs.

[Commentator]

And Whirlaway is now making his dash in fifth place. And they're rounding the turn, and it is disposed and Porter's Cap at his head, disposed by half a length. Porter's Cap has got him, and Blue Pair is right there. Whirlaway is hunting on the inside, and if he don't get blocked, he'll give him an awful drive. And Starator is right there. Porter's Cap is under a drive, heading for home. And Dispose is still there. Blue Pair cut the corner. Whirlaway has the lead by half a length. Porter's Cap has gone to a drive. It's Whirlaway by half a length, but Dispose is not yet beaten. Now Whirlaway pulls away. They've got 200 yards to come. Have you swirl away fight two and a half lengths. Porter's cap is in second place. I want half length and on the inside, Market Wise coming with a rush but he Swirl Away winning the race by six wings.

[Narrator]

Did you recognize that announcer? Yes, Clem McCarthy. That was in 1941. And the only four time Kentucky Derby winner, Eddie Arcaro. The jockey. Undoubtedly the most exciting moment in sports though came quite late. In fact in 1951 though television was on the spot too. I think that radio really captured this moment. And in an epic of modern baseball, the scene is Ebbets Field. The New York Giants have surged from far behind to overtake the Brooklyn Dodgers and tie them for the National League championship. A playoff round of three games was needed to decide. After two games, the Giants and the Dodgers are tied. In the third game, the Giants are at bat for the last time. Two men are on base.

[Commentator]

Bobby Thompson up there swinging. He's had two out of three, a single or double until he crosses swinging right on baseline. Run out, last of the 9th. Dragon pitches. Bobby Thompson takes a strike call on the inside corner. Bobby hitting at 2.

[Narrator]

92.

[Commentator]

He's had a single and a double. And he drove in the Giants first run with a long fighter center. Brooklyn leads at 4 to 2. Hightown down the line at third, not taking any chances, locks in without too big of a lead at second. But he'll be running like the window. Thompson with one.

[Sports Announcer]

I believe the Giants kill the Pellet. The Giants broke the Pellet. The Giants come the Pellet. The Giants won the Pellet bounty. Thompson gets into the maritime of the left field. The Giants come to Pellet and they're going crazy. They're going crazy. Believe it. I don't believe it. I do not believe it. Bobby Costa in a line drive into the V of the left field stand. And the great race is going crazy. The Giants going on in front of winners. The Giants will it by a score of 5 to 4. And they're picking Bobby bouncing up and carrying it off the field.

[Narrator]

After the game in the Giants clubhouse,

[Commentator]

ladies and gentlemen, Bobby, you drove in

[Sports Announcer]

your 98th night and night.

[Commentator]

Oh, how do you feel?

[Sports Announcer]

The third one I drove in.

[Commentator]

Bobby Thompson, did you fall down coming around 30?

[Sports Announcer]

I wasn't even. I didn't touch the ground.

[Commentator]

You just flew up.

[Sports Announcer]

Oh, that's one of my fastball.

[Commentator]

You said a bad hike.

[Sports Announcer]

I don't know. Good living. I don't know what it is.

[Commentator]

Oh, isn't that wonderful.

[Narrator]

While in the Brooklyn clubhouse, the hapless pitcher Ralph Branca comments.

[Additional Announcer/Advertiser]

Let Me alone.

[Commentator]

Go ahead. Let me alone. Let me be, will you?

[Additional Announcer/Advertiser]

You saw what happened.

[Athlete/Participant]

Things are tough enough.

[Commentator]

Yeah.

[Narrator]

I knew it was gone all the way.

[Additional Announcer/Advertiser]

All I kept saying was, sink, sink, sink.

[Narrator]

I knew he hit the ball.

[Additional Announcer/Advertiser]

He uppercutted, hit the ball with overspin. It was like a curveball. It was sinking down. All I remember seeing path go up against the wall.

[Narrator]

And then I was.

[Athlete/Participant]

Was walking to the clubhouse.

[Additional Announcer/Advertiser]

All I kept saying was, why me? Why me? Why did he have to be me?

[Narrator]

Just as exciting today as it was then.

[Commentator]

It ought to be inconceivable that in this modern era and in the face of experience, any nation could be so foolish and ruthless as to run the risk of plunging the whole world into war by invading and violating, in contravention of solemn treaties, the territory of other nations that have done them no real harm and which are too weak to protect themselves adequately. Yet the peace of the world and the welfare and security of every nation, including our own, is today being threatened by that very thing. War is a contagion, whether it be declared or undeclared. If civilization is to survive, the principles of the Prince of Peace must be restored. Shattered trust between nations must be revived. America hates war.

[Sports Announcer]

America,

[Commentator]

America hopes for peace. Therefore, America actively engages in the search for peace.

[Narrator]

Life went on. The Depression was lifting under the impetus of war orders from Europe. The draft was a fact, but we still enjoyed concerts and movies and professional football was getting off to a good start.

[Commentator]

Dodgers are ready to kick off now. They've just scored. Ace Parker did it. Jock Sutherland's boys lead the Giants seven to nothing. Here's the whistle. Merrick Condit comes up. He boots it. It's a long one, down to around the three yard line. Ward Cuff takes it, cutting up to his left. He's over the 10. Nice block there by Lehman. Tough. Still going. He's up to the 25 and now he's hit and hit hard about the 27 yard line. Bru canard made the tack. We interrupt this broadcast to bring you this important bulletin from the United Press. Flash Washington. The White House announces Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor. Stay tuned to W for further developments which will be broadcast immediately.

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