Howdy Doody Time 1952-08-16 Howdy Doody Time

Summary

Podcast Episode Summary

Podcast: Harold's Old Time Radio
Episode: Howdy Doody Time 1952-08-16
Date: October 10, 2025
Theme: This episode of Howdy Doody Time transports listeners back to the golden age of radio variety shows, featuring playful skits, lively songs, and direct audience interaction. The show blends whimsy, humor, and gentle lessons for kids, with signature characters like Buffalo Bob, Howdy Doody, Flubadub, and Zabby (the Martian). The playful election skit and lively sea chanteys are among the highlights, offering both nostalgia and entertainment for all ages.

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Main Segments and Discussion Points

1. Welcome to Doodyville (01:29–02:02)

• Setting & Cast Introduction: Buffalo Bob welcomes listeners, announces the return to "Doodyville," and introduces core characters and new faces, such as Princess Summerfall Winterspring, Dilly Dally, Phineas T. Buster, Flubadub, and Zabby from Mars.
• Tone: Playful, inviting, with lively banter setting a fun mood.

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2. Nautical Song Theme: “Anchors Aweigh” (02:08–03:30)

• Theme: All songs are about the sea and those who sail it.
• Performance: Howdy and Zabby's musical gadget ("furo doodle") join the gang in performing the classic Navy song “Anchors Aweigh,” fostering a sense of camaraderie and national pride.

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3. The Doodyville National Convention Skit (05:19–10:12)

• Storyline: A humorous mock election, parodying a real-life political convention where the gang nominates a candidate for "President of the Kids."
  • Highlights include debates over who gets to be chairman (with jokes about physical chairs), nominations for Howdy Doody and the mysterious Mr. X, and Flubadub’s comic confusion.
• Key Quotes:
  • “The delegate will please come to order.” – Buffalo Bob (06:30)
  • “I like a ham sandwich with a chocolate soda.” – Flubadub, derailing the proceedings (06:38)
  • “I would like to place a nomination for president of the Kids. Your favorite friend and mine. Howdy Doody.” – Flubadub (07:21)
  • “How can a chair have an opinion?” – Phineas T. Buster, poking fun at the process (09:33)
• Culmination: Howdy Doody is nominated, but the skit ends with unresolved election results and playful chaos.
  • “Let me remind you kids again to vote for me in November. And I thank you, kids.” – Howdy Doody (10:12)

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4. Classic Songs and Audience Participation (11:04–13:48)

• “Yankee Doodle” Singalong:
  • Listeners are encouraged to join in, with different cast members and the "peanut gallery" (children) singing together.
• “Popeye the Sailor Man”:
  • Special guest (in-character) gives a deep-voiced, humorous rendition, delighting the young audience.
  • "I'm Popeye the Sailor Man... I'm strong to the finish, ‘cause I eats my spinach.” – Popeye (12:42–13:48)

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5. Visit from Zabby, the Two-Headed Martian (15:37–18:12)

• Zabby’s Return: Offers a comic take on Martians and "flying saucers."
  • Zabby's two heads bicker, leading to gags about earthly customs.
  • Revelatory joke: flying saucers on Earth are actually the result of Zabby’s wife throwing coffee saucers at him.
• Key Quotes:
  • “Two heads are better than one, you know.” – Zabby (16:00)
  • “Everything you tell her goes in one head and comes out the other.” – Zabby (17:07)
  • “Well, then she picks up the coffee and throws the saucer at me, and I duck, and the saucer sails out the window and down to Earth.” – Zabby (17:26–17:31)

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6. More Songs: “My Bonnie Lies Over the Ocean” (18:32–20:22)

• Theme Continuation: Princess Summerfall Winterspring and the cast lead a touching rendition, again encouraging listener participation.
• Notable for: Warmth, inclusion, and continuity of the episode’s nautical motif.

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7. Howdy Doody’s Problem of the Week (22:11–26:47)

• Listener’s Letter: Diane Hines asks which is the prettiest color—she votes red, her sister green.
• Cast Responses: Each character (and some children from the audience) shares their favorite color, providing comic answers and sweet logic:
  • Howdy Doody: “I guess my favorite is blue. The sky is blue and the ocean is blue.” (22:52)
  • Flubadub: “Black. I think everything should be black. Well, if everything were black, then nobody could see if I left a ring around the bathtub.” (23:24–23:37)
  • “Gurple” (a mix of green and purple) – inventive answer from Flubadub (23:54–24:10)
  • Several children mention color preferences based on their pets or clothing.
• Lesson: There’s no “best” color; it’s all a matter of personal taste.

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8. Closing and Final Song (26:47–End)

• Interactive Song: “Row, Row, Row Your Boat” rounds out the episode, with Buffalo Bob urging listeners to sing along.
• Sign-off: Teaser for next week’s episode and a warm farewell from Doodyville.

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Notable Quotes and Moments (with Timestamps)

• Comedic Convention Chaos:
  • “I like a ham sandwich with a chocolate soda.” – Flubadub (06:38)
• Meta Humor:
  • "How can a chair have an opinion?" – Phineas T. Buster (09:33)
• Martian Logic:
  • “Well, then she picks up the coffee and throws the saucer at me, and I duck, and the saucer sails out the window and down to Earth.” – Zabby (17:26–17:31)
• Colorful Humor:
  • “Black. I think everything should be black.” – Flubadub (23:24)
  • “Gurple.” – Flubadub (23:54)
• Kids’ Wisdom:
  • “My favorite color is white, because my teeth are white.” – Dolly (25:54)

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Conclusion

This episode of Howdy Doody Time captures the innocence, humor, and charm of 1950s children's radio. Through interactive songs, zany skits, and a spirit of togetherness, Buffalo Bob and the Doodyville gang create an environment where learning and laughter go hand in hand. Listeners are left eagerly awaiting more adventures, mysteries (like the identity of Mr. X), and cheerful singalongs next week.

Transcript

[A]

And Doug Limu and I always tell you to customize your car insurance and save hundreds with Liberty Mutual. But now we want you to feel it. Cue the emu music. Limu.

[B]

Save yourself the money today. Increase your wealth. Customize and save. We say.

[A]

That may have been too much feeling. Only pay for what you [e-mail] Liberty Liberty.

[C]

Liberty. Liberty Savings.

[A]

Very underwritten by Liberty Mutual Insurance Company affiliates excludes Massachusetts.

[C]

Say, kids, what time is it?

[B]

That.

[D]

Oh, wow.

[C]

How boys and girls and. Howdy, Buffalo Bob. Well, howdy, Mr. Duty and Boys and girls at home and kids here in the gallery.

[E]

Let's go.

[C]

Ah, yes, sir. And here we are again with more Howdy Doody time. Transcribed direct from Doodyville with Howdy and all the gang. Princess Summerfall, Winter Spring. Hello, Buffalo Bob and Dilly Dally.

[B]

Oh, yeah, that's me.

[C]

Phineas. Tea Buster.

[E]

The tea is for Tweety.

[C]

I know, I know. And the Flubadab.

[D]

Where would they be without me?

[C]

And our friend from Mars, Zabby.

[F]

Well, how do you do?

[G]

Yes, how do you do?

[C]

And this is the peanut gallery.

[B]

Hey.

[C]

Well, kids, today all our songs are about the sea and the people who sail on it. And you know, I can't think of a better song to start off with than our own Navy song, Anchors Away. Right. Howdy. Oh, yes, sir, Buffo Bob. And I've got Zabby's furo doodle all set up here. So you kids just listen to what comes out when I play and sing into it. Here goes. Anchors away, my boys. Anchors away. Farewell to college I please fail and break of day day dead through our last night on char. Dr. Until we meet once more here's wishing you a happy boy home.

[B]

Sam. It's Sam.

[C]

Find out just what they'd like to have me do for them if I'm elected.

[E]

Well, don't bother. You won't be elected, my man. Mr. X is going to be the next president. Well, what? Because Mr. X has more caucuses in the polls of the delegations, including seated fraction of the rules Committee.

[C]

Would you say that again? I could, mister. Now, now, let's see. Now, first we need a chairman.

[E]

First we need a chair. I happen to have a chair outside that we can use.

[C]

Oh, well, okay. Buffalo Bob, you can be the chairman.

[E]

I object.

[C]

Well, why? I don't know.

[E]

Everybody always objects.

[C]

All right, now, look. Now, the chair will put the objection to a vote. All those in favor of the objection will signify by saying aye.

[B]

Aye.

[C]

Those opposed will say no. There, you see?

[E]

It's a tie.

[C]

Oh, now, wait a minute, wait a minute, wait a minute. The chair rules the objection out of order.

[E]

It's a jit. The chair didn't say anything. You said it.

[C]

No, no, no, I didn't. Now, order. Order.

[E]

Besides, it's my chair.

[C]

The delegate will please come to order.

[E]

I'll take my chair back. That's what I'll do. I say order.

[C]

Order.

[D]

I like a ham sandwich with a chocolate soda.

[C]

Now, what are you talking about, Flubadub?

[D]

I thought you were taking orders.

[C]

Now, don't be silly.

[D]

Hey, Raymond, that's on my head.

[C]

I declare the Dude a national convention now in session. We are here to nominate a candidate for president of all the kids in the United States.

[D]

Mr. Chairman.

[B]

Mr. Chairman.

[C]

The chair recognizes delegate Flubadub.

[D]

I would like to place a nomination. A man who has done. A man who has done. A man who has done.

[C]

What's the matter, Club?

[D]

I forget what he's done.

[C]

Oh.

[D]

Well, anyhow, I would like to place a nomination for president of the Kids. Your favorite friend and mine. Howdy, Jody.

[B]

All right.

[C]

All right. Convention will please come to order.

[E]

All right.

[C]

The chair recognizes delegate Mr. Buster.

[E]

I demand the poll.

[C]

Oh, now, wait a minute. The chair rules. The delegate is out of order.

[E]

I demand a poll or I'm going to walk out of this convention. And then you'll be pretty uncomfortable. Why, I'll take my chair with me.

[C]

Oh, don't be so silly.

[B]

Mr. Chairman. Mr. Chairman, do you recognize me?

[C]

The chair recognizes delegate Dilly Dally. What do you want?

[D]

Nothing.

[B]

I just wanted to see if you recognized me.

[C]

Please, please, please. Now, this is serious business. Any more nominating speeches?

[B]

Yes.

[E]

I would like to place a nomination. A man who is my choice for president of the Kids. And I nominate him. Whether you like it or not. I nominate a man you all know love, Mr. X.

[B]

Hooray.

[E]

Rah rah. I demand a poll.

[C]

Well, your request is denied. We will now have a voice vote. All those in favor of Howdy Doty. All those in favor of Mr. X.

[E]

See, it's a tie again.

[C]

In the opinion of the chair, Howdy Doody wins.

[E]

Yes, sir.

[C]

Wait a minute.

[E]

How can a chair have an opinion? What is a silly old chair now, anyhow? Besides, is my chair.

[C]

Order. Order. Order.

[E]

I am walking out. I'm going to leave this convention and go fishing. Oh, but before I go, I demand a pole.

[C]

Well, what for?

[E]

For fishing. How can I go fishing if I.

[B]

Don'T have a pole?

[C]

Oh, don't be silly. Now, I declare the convention Closed. And the winner and nominee for the Dudicrat party to be.

[E]

Howdy do, boys and girls.

[C]

Mr. Buster, stop that.

[E]

I was robbed.

[C]

Boys and girls, thank you for the honor of nominating me for President of the Kids. And if I'm elected, I promise you I will do everything in my power to see that the thingamajigs that you kids have suggested are made into laws. But first, I must be elected. Boy, Mr. X will be a difficult opponent to beat. So let me remind you kids again to vote for me in November. And I thank you, kids. Oh, well, gang, there's the end of our convention, and it was pretty exciting.

[E]

It was a gift. I'm going to hold my own convention and nominate Mr. X.

[C]

All right, Mr. Buster, you do that. But see, kids, you know, we still don't know who Mr. X is. I wonder who he could be. Well, maybe we'll find out next week. Yankee Doodle came to town upon a little pony Stuck up a feather in his hat and cold it macaroni Yankee Doodle Doodle do Yankee Doodle dandy All the lads and lassies are a Swedish yogurt candy. Okay, now, all you boys and girls at home, let's hear you sing it.

[D]

Come on.

[C]

Yankee Doodle came to town upon a little pony Stuck a feather in his hat and called it macaroni Yankee Doodle Doodle doo Yankee Doodle Dandy all the lads and lassies are as sweet as sugar candy. Right now it's time for a song. And say I have one about a seagoing character. You all know Popeye the Sailor. Now let's see. Popeye's voice is very, very low. No, even lower than that.

[H]

Yeah, way down here. Oh, I'm Popeye the sailor man. Yeah, I'm Popeye the sailor man. I'm Popeye the savor man. I'm strong to the finish. Cause I eats my spinach. I'm pop by the sailor man. I'm one tough Kazukas which hates all poly and square. I biff some and buff some and always I rough some and none of them gets nowhere. Cause I'm Popey the sa Man. I'm Popey the sa.

[C]

Oh, well, thank you, Popeye. That was wonderful.

[H]

Thank you, Bob Smith.

[C]

And Doug. Here we have the Limu emu in.

[A]

Its natural habitat, helping people customize their car insurance and save hundreds with Liberty Mutual. Fascinating. Accompanied by his natural ally, Doug. Limu is that guy with the binoculars watching us.

[C]

Cut the camera.

[A]

They see us. Only pay for what you need@liberty mutual.com.

[C]

Liberty. Liberty. Liberty. Liberty Savings.

[A]

Very underwritten by Liberty Mutual Insurance Company and affiliates. Excludes Massachusetts.

[B]

Sam.

[C]

Well, kids, today we have our friend from Mars, Zabby, back with us again. And you know there's been a lot of talk lately about those fly. Zabby says things twice. It's because he has two heads.

[F]

Oh, of course I have two heads.

[G]

Why yes, of course. Doesn't everybody?

[C]

Oh, well, hi, Zabby. No, you see, we people on Earth only have one head.

[F]

Oh, that's unfortunate. Two heads are better than one, you know.

[G]

Yes, and too many cooks spoil the broth.

[F]

Well, what's that got to do with it?

[G]

I don't know.

[F]

Well then why did you say it?

[G]

I was just telling him so in case he ever wanted to make some broth, he wouldn't spoil it by using too many cooks.

[B]

Oh, you're foolish.

[G]

So are you.

[B]

You're worse.

[G]

Oh yeah, yeah.

[C]

Now wait a minute, wait a minute. Zabby, Zabby, Zabby, please. Now don't fight with yourself. Now look, I would like to find out about those flying saucers. People think they come from Mars. Is that right?

[G]

Oh yes, yes indeed. They certainly come from Mars.

[E]

Oh really?

[C]

Well then they actually do come from Mars.

[F]

Positively, absolutely yes.

[G]

Positively, absolutely, absolutely.

[C]

Zabby. Now look, tell me, who is responsible for these flying saucers?

[F]

My wife.

[B]

Mrs. Abbey.

[G]

Yes, Mrs. Abbey, my wife, the woman I married.

[C]

You know, your wife? But how come?

[F]

Well, my wife can't make a decent cup of coffee.

[G]

No, she can't. It's awful stuff.

[B]

Uh huh.

[F]

It's always like dishwater.

[G]

Yes, every day I tell her, please put a little coffee in it.

[F]

But you can't tell her anything.

[G]

No, everything you tell her goes in one head and comes out the other.

[C]

Yeah, I know, but what does all that have to do with these flying saucers?

[F]

Well, I sit down for breakfast and taste the coffee and I say, bowie, this is awful. Sometimes I say it, we both say it.

[C]

Oh, I see. And, and then what happens?

[F]

Well, then she picks up the coffee and throws the saucer at me and.

[G]

I duck and the saucer sails out.

[F]

The window and down to earth.

[C]

Oh, so that explains it, Will. And they really are flying saucers. Well, look, that's very, very interesting, Zappy, but tell me, aren't you just about out of saucers and coffee cups by now?

[F]

Well, yes, we are, but that works out fine.

[G]

Oh yes, fine. You see, there's nothing to drink coffee out of, so I have milk for breakfast.

[C]

Oh, well then you don't fight with your wife at breakfast anymore.

[F]

Oh, yes, we still fight.

[G]

Only now she throws the milk bottle at me.

[C]

Oh, I see. Well, anyhow, I guess we won't be seeing any more flying saucers.

[F]

No, but pretty soon you'll be seeing flying milk bottles.

[C]

Well, we'll be looking for them and. Oh, thank you very, very much. Savvy?

[F]

Oh, you're quite welcome.

[B]

Goodbye. Yeah.

[C]

Well, kids, now that we know what flying saucers are, let's have another sea song. And here's a song that all the sailors used to sing in the olden days when they were far away from home and their wives and sweethearts were on the other side of the ocean. This is called My Bunny Lies over the Ocean.

[I]

Princess, My bonnie is over the ocean My body is over the ocean oh, bring back my body to me.

[B]

Oh.

[I]

Blow ye winds over the ocean and blow ye winds over the sea O blow ye winds over the ocean and bring back my bonnie to me.

[B]

Rain back, rain back oh, bring back my body.

[I]

The winds have blown over the ocean the winds have blown over the sea the winds have blown over the ocean and brought back my bonnie to.

[B]

Me.

[C]

Ah, kids, you are great. And, Princess, many thanks.

[B]

Thank you, Buffalo Bob.

[C]

And now, kids, it's time for our Howdy Doody Problem of the Week. And this week's problem was sent in by Diane Hines of Rock Island, Illinois. And she writes, my sister and I are always arguing about colors. I think red is the prettiest color, and she thinks green is. What do you think? Well, now. Well, now, wait a minute, kids. Let's see how the gang here feels about it. Howdy. What's your favorite color? Oh, gosh, that's a tough one, Buffo Bob. I. Oh, I guess my favorite is blue. Oh, blue. Well, why blue? Well, the sky is blue and the ocean is blue.

[B]

And.

[C]

And lots of things that I like are blue. Well, that's good enough reason. Howdy.

[B]

All right, give me some suggestions.

[C]

All right. Would you say green?

[D]

No.

[B]

Blue?

[D]

No.

[C]

Red?

[D]

No.

[B]

Try pink.

[C]

All right. Pink?

[D]

No.

[C]

Oh. Orange, vermilion, brown, yellow, maroon, indigo, violet. Oh, what is it?

[B]

Black.

[C]

What? You mean black is your favorite color?

[D]

Yes.

[B]

I think everything should be flat.

[C]

Oh, really? Why flub?

[D]

Well, if everything were black, then nobody could see if I left a ring around the bathtub.

[C]

Oh, I see. All right, fine. Forget it.

[B]

Oh. Oh, Flub.

[E]

A dub.

[B]

Oh, yeah.

[D]

What has Junior been saying?

[C]

Oh, just silly stuff, but Fluba dub. Tell me, what's your favorite color?

[E]

Gurple.

[C]

I beg your pardon? What color?

[D]

I said my favorite color is gurple.

[C]

Now, Wait a minute. You're not sick, are you?

[B]

Flub.

[D]

No, that's my favorite color. All right.

[E]

Gurple.

[C]

Well, I've never heard of anything being Gurple.

[D]

Well, you see, it's a combination of green and purple.

[E]

Gurple.

[C]

Oh, I see. I see. Well, it. It doesn't sound very nice to me, but if you like it. All right, fine.

[B]

Forget it.

[C]

Oh, Mr. Buster, what's your favorite color?

[B]

Me?

[E]

Oh, my favorite color is the color of my dog, Whitey.

[C]

Oh, so your is white?

[E]

No, brown. Whitey is a brown dog.

[C]

Oh, a brown dog. Well, why don't you call him Brownie?

[E]

I can't. That's the canary's name.

[C]

Oh. Oh, I see. The. The canary's brown, huh?

[E]

No, she.

[B]

Why.

[C]

Five years old. And what's your favorite color?

[B]

Brown.

[C]

Brown. Why, Dolly, Little fellow. What's your name, sonny?

[B]

College.

[C]

What is it?

[B]

John Kenneth College.

[C]

All right, Johnny. And how old are you?

[E]

Five.

[B]

Five.

[C]

And what's your favorite color?

[B]

Black.

[C]

Black?

[B]

Why, Johnny, because my dog is black.

[C]

Oh, your dog is black. What's his name?

[B]

Skippy.

[A]

Skippy.

[C]

What kind of a dog is he?

[B]

A part retriever.

[C]

A part retriever?

[B]

Yes.

[C]

What part is retriever?

[B]

A Labrador retriever.

[C]

Oh, I see. He's part Labrador retriever and part. What else?

[B]

The part retriever.

[C]

Oh, well, how big is the retriever part?

[B]

I don't know.

[C]

Oh, well, all right. I just wanted. But you like your little doggy so much that because he is black. Black is your favorite color.

[B]

Is that right?

[C]

And how old are you?

[B]

Five.

[C]

You're five years old.

[B]

All right.

[C]

Good luck. What's your doggy's name?

[B]

Skippy. Skippy.

[C]

You say hello to Skippy for me, will you? Okay. Thank you, little fella. And who's this little girly?

[B]

And go see a.

[C]

Well, hello, Dolly. And how old are you?

[B]

4. 4.

[C]

And what's your favorite color?

[B]

I'm white.

[F]

And I like my teeth white.

[C]

Oh, your favorite color is white? Yes, because your teeth are white. Now, let me see your teeth. Oh, they're very, very pretty. And you promise now that you're going to keep them white, too, and you're going to brush them all the time. Is that right? All right, Dolly, don't forget, after every meal you brush your teeth, won't you? So that you'll keep them nice and.

[B]

Okay.

[C]

Nice and what?

[F]

White.

[B]

White.

[C]

That's the girl.

[B]

My name is Jimmy.

[C]

Well, hello, Jimmy.

[B]

My, my. Five and a.

[C]

You're five and a half. And what's your favorite color, Jimmy?

[B]

Yellow.

[C]

Yellow. Y.

[B]

Because I have a Dodger shirt is yellow.

[C]

You have a what?

[B]

Dodger shirt is yellow.

[C]

You've got a Dodger shirt and it's yellow. You mean you're rooting for the Dodgers?

[B]

Yeah.

[C]

You think they're going to win? Kids, those were all very good answers. And Diane Hines, Frankly, I don't think any one color is too much better than another. It's just a matter of your own personal taste. Well, kids, there's our problem for today. And next next week, we're going to have another one for you. Oh, row, row, row your boat Gently down the stream Merrily, merrily, merrily, merrily Life is but a dream Row, row, row your boat Gently down the stream Merrily, merrily, merrily Kids, I know you know this round. Row, row, row your boat. So come on, suppose we all sing it now. Here we go. Well, that about ends our first half of how to Duty Time transcribed direct from the Howdy Duty Circus. And in just a minute, we're going to be back on most of these stations with another half hour of Howdy Duty Fun. Transcribed for everyone. This is NBC, the National Broadcasting Company.