Housewives Incorporated: “Hummus Chicken” (October 6, 2025)

Podcast: Harold’s Old Time Radio

Host: Judith Lane (with Tubby)
Theme: A charming trip back to 1950s homemaking, full of practical kitchen tips, problem-solving for housewives, recipes, household products, and a peek at Parisian fashion’s latest. The warmth, wit, and encouragement shared on-air evoke the classic spirit of radio’s golden age.

Overview

This episode offers a delightful blend of advice for housewives, musical interludes, solutions to listener problems, product endorsements, classic recipes, and even a report on Parisian fashion trends. Judith Lane and Tubby share their chemistry and humor throughout, making the program engaging and light-hearted. The kitchen is a centerpiece—expect recipes for honey cookies and a special “surprise recipe” for hot potato salad. There’s also a bittersweet note as Judith hints at her impending departure from the show.

Key Segments & Insights

1. Weekly Resolution for Housewives

(00:43–01:36)

• Judith shares a tongue-in-cheek resolution about patience with husbands who can’t find their clothes (“So you wait for him to dress with disdain to try to hurry him all in vain…”)
• Suggests humor and “counting to 10” to stay calm.

Notable Quote:
“So you count up to 10 like a dutiful slave and then you find out he forgot to shave.”
— Judith Lane, 01:29

2. Product Highlight: Griddle Rich Buttermilk Pancakes

(01:41–02:50)

• Judith enthusiastically endorses Griddle Rich: pre-made buttermilk pancake batter sold in milk cartons.
• Praises convenience and taste; no mixing required—just shake, pour, and cook.
• Tubby and Judith both reveal their own homes quickly use up any test samples.

Notable Quote:
“Just starts the day right. Feel fit as a fiddle to get a good breakfast. Get Griddle It.”
— Judith Lane, 02:43

3. Problem Clinic: How to Fix Meringue Issues

(02:50–04:57)

• Listener Mrs. Arnie Mason from Tacoma has trouble with her pie meringue: syrup leaks out and meringue is tough.
• Judith’s solution:
  • Always put meringue on a slightly cooled pie filling (not hot)
  • Use 2 tbsp sugar per egg white
  • Bake at 350°F for 15–20 minutes until golden
  • Spread meringue tightly to the edge of the crust

Notable Quote:
“Syrup often seeps out of the edges if you put the meringue on the pie before the filling has cooled.”
— Judith Lane, 03:17

4. Music Interlude: "Blue Room" by Rogers and Hart

(04:57–06:46)

• Tubby plays the piano tune “Blue Room,” giving the show a gentle, familiar mood.

5. Housewares Promo: Dennison’s Plastic "Vinyl" Curtains

(06:47–08:22)

• Judith segues into a playful, rhyming introduction to Dennison’s plastic window curtains.
• Explains vinyl is fire-resistant, easy to clean, non-fading, and long-lasting.
• Available in pastel colors for 50 cents and two Dennison labels.

Notable Quote:
“They clean instantly with a damp cloth. What’s more, they won’t fade, dry out or crack.”
— Judith Lane, 07:24

6. Recipe Time: Honey Cookies (No Eggs Required)

(08:22–10:41)

• A practical recipe for honey cookies, great for lunchboxes, after-school snacks, and requires no eggs:

[Recipe Steps, ~08:35]

• Heat ½ cup honey + ½ cup butter/shortening gently, then cool.

• Sift: 2 cups flour, ½ tsp cinnamon, ½ tsp cloves, 1 tsp soda.

• Combine with the cooled honey mixture.

• Roll dough ¼-inch thick, cut shapes, bake at 350°F for 12–15 minutes.

• Tubby jokes about eating two dozen with two quarts of milk after work, regardless of dieting.

Notable Quote:
“That’ll have to wait till two dozen cookies and the two quarts of milk is gone.”
— Tubby, 10:51

7. The “Surprise Recipe”: Hot Potato Salad

(10:55–11:56)

• Tubby reminisces about hot potato salad from Wisconsin:
  • A winter spin on classic potato salad, “made in the skillet with bacon drippings and juice.”
  • The detailed recipe is available on request.

8. Playful French and Instant Potato Mash

(11:56–13:15)

• Judith tries her hand at French (“Avez-vous Asia French? Comme de terre. Instant.”), leading to jokes about her donned beret.
• Endorses French’s Instant Potato for fluffy mashed potatoes in under a minute—no washing, peeling, or cooking required.

Notable Quote:
“Just add boiling water and milk to French's instant potato and that's all there is to it.”
— Judith Lane, 12:30

9. Music Interlude: "Laura"

(13:15–14:39)

• Tubby plays the popular tune “Laura,” admired by Judith.

10. Paris Fashion Report

(14:53–18:54)

• Judith reports on a special showing of Paris originals at Frederick & Nelson:
  • The "Empire silhouette": high waistline, deep yoke, fullness in coats, high midriffs on gowns.
  • Dresses and skirts are dramatically slim, some with bottom or knee bands, requiring tiny steps.
  • Shoulder lines are natural, minimal padding, and leather belts are prominent.
  • Affirms fashion extremes will be dialed back for everyday wear.
  • Suggests using All Fabric Tintec dye to refresh old garments in new fall shades.

Notable Quote:
“Usually when you see advanced styles like this, you find they are just out of this world, and actually we never get right around to wearing those very, very extreme ones. But we do accept them when they're modified to some degree.”
— Judith Lane, 18:27

11. Shopping Tip: Magic Cream Pie Recipe

(20:16–21:31)

• Judith and Tubby discuss "Morning Milk Magic Cream Pie"—one basic recipe for 10 pie flavors (butterscotch, raspberry, etc.).
• Uses “Morning Milk” evaporated milk—smooth, double rich.

12. Bittersweet Farewell

(21:31–22:01)

• Judith hints at her departure; her last day is tomorrow, and a “new Judith Lane” will be introduced.
• Parting is melancholy—an era coming to a close.

Notable Quote:
“Well, it makes me very sad to even think about it too. But we're going to be introducing to you tomorrow a new Judith Lane... and tomorrow's my last day.”
— Judith Lane, 21:36

Memorable Moments & Tone

• Wit and Warmth: The banter between Judith and Tubby carries a friendly, family atmosphere—equal parts sincere advice and genial ribbing.
• Resourcefulness: Practical tips for stretching budgets and time—make-ahead breakfasts, no-waste cookie recipes, upcycling clothes.
• Gentle Humor: "Try a little of that feminine trick camouflage with powder…” (01:36) and playing with French accent and vocabulary (12:01).
• Personal Touch: Audience is treated like friends, with listener questions and open offers for mailed recipes.

Conclusion

This “Housewives Incorporated” episode is a heartwarming slice of 1950s radio geared towards the homemaker—balancing homemaking advice, humor, product insights, and music. Judith Lane’s engaging persona and gentle wit shine through. Even as the show prepares to transition to a new host, the spirit of camaraderie and practical charm endures.

Timestamps for Key Topics

| Segment | Timestamp | |-----------------------------------|--------------| | Housewives’ Resolution | 00:43–01:36 | | Griddle Rich Pancake Promo | 01:41–02:50 | | Meringue Problem Clinic | 02:50–04:57 | | “Blue Room” music | 04:57–06:46 | | Dennison’s Vinyl Curtains Promo | 06:47–08:22 | | Honey Cookie Recipe | 08:35–10:41 | | Hot Potato Salad (Surprise) | 10:55–11:56 | | French’s Instant Potatoes | 11:56–13:15 | | “Laura” music | 13:15–14:39 | | Paris Fashion Update | 14:53–18:54 | | All Fabric Tintec Dye | 18:54–19:46 | | Magic Cream Pie | 20:16–21:31 | | Judith’s Farewell | 21:31–22:01 |

For listeners young and old, this episode preserves the art of homemaking, the comfort of shared community, and the warm wit of a bygone radio era.