Jimmy Durante Show – Christmas Eve At Home (Original Air Date: December 24, 1947)

Podcast: Harold’s Old Time Radio
Host: Harold’s Old Time Radio
Episode: “Jimmy Durante Show – 47-12-24 Christmas Eve At Home”
Date Aired (Podcast): December 23, 2025

Episode Overview

This festive episode spotlights a Golden Age radio classic: the Jimmy Durante Show’s Christmas Eve special from 1947. With comedic sketches, musical interludes, and heartwarming holiday moments, Jimmy Durante, Peggy Lee, Arthur Treacher, Candy Candido, Roy Bargie and his orchestra, Howard Petrie, “Rexall Sportscaster Tommy Harmon,” and special guest Margaret O'Brien deliver a cozy, laughter-filled Christmas celebration reminiscent of a bygone family tradition.

Key Discussion Points & Segments

1. Opening Banter and Comedic Riffs

Time: 01:01–06:00

• The show opens with the signature comedic interplay between Jimmy Durante (host) and announcer Howard Petrie, focusing on holiday troubles and political jests.
• Durante riffs about his history of extravagant gifts for Henry Wallace, topping it this year with a “date with Jane Russell.”
  • Quote:
    "Christmas Eve and my toughest job was picking out a present for Henry Wallace... So this year I’m gonna get him a date with Jane Russell.” — Jimmy Durante (02:16)
• Durante boasts about his “candidacy” for multiple political parties:
  • Quote:
    “Not in the slightest. I’m a candidate on four other tickets... Democrats, Socialists, Republicans, and the Labor Party.” — Jimmy Durante (03:04)
• Jokes about postwar food shortages lead to a tall-tale about planting leftovers in the backyard, which only summons a gopher with a note:
  • Quote:
    “A gopher with a note that said, ‘What’s the matter? No dessert?’” — Jimmy Durante (04:06)
• Mr. Ripple, “Commissioner of Rivers and Waterways,” makes a comic appearance—offering puns and watery humor.
  • Quote:
    “Nice to meet you, Mr. Ripple. Glad you dripped in.” — Jimmy Durante (04:41)

2. The Umbriago Song

Time: 06:17–08:00

• Durante sings a comical tribute to “Umbriago,” mixing affectionate nonsense with playful asides about holiday giving.
• The tune sets a light, jovial tone—one of many in the episode.

3. Christmas Eve At Home: Sketches and Stories

Time: 09:08–12:55

• The scene transitions to the "Durante household," with Arthur Treacher and Jimmy exchanging gifts and trade barbs about personalized sweaters and removing ink stains.
• Durante tells an elaborate story about the chaos of trimming the Christmas tree, interrupted repeatedly by animal antics and a ringing phone. Eventually, the only thing lit up is his “nose.”
  • Quote:
    “I plugs a wire into the wall socket. And what happens? The tree blows a fuse, but my nose lights up. And you know something? It looked prettier than the tree.” — Jimmy Durante (11:33)

4. Enter Margaret O’Brien: Caroling and Gift Giving

Time: 12:55–14:17

• Margaret O’Brien, playing herself, enters singing "Jingle Bells" and shares stories about caroling through Hollywood.
  • Quote:
    “First we sang under Bob Hope’s window and he threw us a quarter... then all of us kids went over to Jack Benny’s house.” — Margaret O’Brien (13:27)
• O’Brien presents Jimmy with a Mickey Mouse beauty kit, leading to playful back-and-forth about Durante’s looks.
  • Quote:
    "Just what I wanted. A Mickey Mouse beauty kit." — Jimmy Durante (13:58)
  • Quote:
    "I wanted to give it to you, Jimmy, because I think you're beautiful." — Margaret O’Brien (14:02)
  • Quote:
    “Ah. I gotta have this show transcribed. A thing like that should go on record.” — Jimmy Durante (14:09)

5. Peggy Lee Sings by the Christmas Tree

Time: 17:12–19:32

• A special interlude features a Peggy Lee “doll” (voiced by Lee herself) performing “The Christmas Song (Chestnuts Roasting on an Open Fire)” while Margaret dreams by the tree.
  • Quote:
    "This song is just for you and Santa." — Peggy Lee (17:09)
    [Peggy Lee sings from 17:12 to 19:32, setting a warm, nostalgic mood.]

6. Margaret's Christmas Dream: A Visit to the North Pole

Time: 15:19–16:28 and 22:12–27:32

• Margaret, “falling asleep” under the Christmas tree, finds herself at Santa’s North Pole home.
• Santa (voiced by Durante) explains his age, old delivery methods, and organized labor among reindeer ("they're union now").
  • Quote:
    “Gee, Santa Claus, how old are you anyway?” — Margaret O’Brien (15:37)
    “Why, Margaret, Santa Claus lives since the beginning of the world. I guess I'm over 2,000 years old.” — Jimmy Durante as Santa (15:41)
• Margaret helps Santa prepare gifts for world leaders and suggests an “electric blanket” for Mahatma Gandhi.
  • Quote:
    "What do you think I should give Mahatma Gandhi?" — Jimmy Durante (22:41)
    "An electric blanket. Those sheets get awfully cold in the winter." — Margaret O'Brien (22:44)
• Comedic references to “Eisenhower” as a reindeer and lighthearted jabs at celebrities (“Betty Grable fills her stockings better than I could” – 23:29).

7. Poignant Christmas Message: Why Kids Should Believe in Santa

Time: 25:02–26:30

• Margaret visits a “little girl” unhappy with Santa for bringing a baby brother instead of a pony, then confronts her skeptical friend Stanley.
• Margaret defends belief in Santa Claus, linking American prosperity to the magic of Christmas.
  • Memorable Quote:
    “All of us boys and girls here in America must believe in Santa Claus. All of us have enough food to eat, warm clothes to wear, and many other things that children in other countries haven't got. When you live in America, Stanley, you’ve just got to believe there's a Santa Claus. There is a Santa Claus. There is a Santa Claus. There is a Santa Claus.” — Margaret O'Brien (26:22–26:30)

8. Durante Claus: Finale Song & Goodbyes

Time: 26:46–28:00

• Upon waking Margaret from her dream, Durante claims kinship with Santa—“Jimmy Duranta Claus.” The cast joins in a rousing “Jingle Bells,” mixing comic lyrics with heartfelt holiday wishes.
  • Quote:
    “Yes, Margaret, I am. Listen. I’m Jimmy Duranta Kloss—he's the father of Santa Claus!” — Jimmy Durante (26:46)
  • Signature sign-off:
    “Good night, Mrs. Calabash, and Merry Christmas!” — Jimmy Durante (28:36)

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• “Don’t stand near the mistletoe or you’ll be kissed by Mr. Umbriago!” — Jimmy Durante (06:39)
• "I knit them different for women!" (Durante’s sweater-making boast) — Jimmy Durante (09:17)
• "I plugs a wire into the wall socket… the tree blows a fuse, but my nose lights up. And you know something? It looked prettier than the tree." — Jimmy Durante (11:33)
• “I wanted to give it to you, Jimmy, because I think you’re beautiful.” — Margaret O’Brien (14:02)
• “All of us boys and girls here in America must believe in Santa Claus…” — Margaret O’Brien (26:22)
• “I’m Jimmy Duranta Kloss—he’s the father of Santa Claus!” — Jimmy Durante (26:46)
• “Good night, Mrs. Calabash, and Merry Christmas!” — Jimmy Durante (28:36)

Key Timestamps

• 01:01 – Introduction of the cast
• 02:16–04:22 – Holiday gifts banter and food shortage jokes
• 06:17 – "Umbriago" song
• 09:08–11:33 – Christmas tree trimming misadventure
• 12:55 – Margaret O’Brien enters, caroling stories
• 14:02 – “Mickey Mouse beauty kit” moment
• 17:12–19:32 – Peggy Lee sings "The Christmas Song"
• 15:19/22:12 onwards – Margaret’s North Pole dream
• 25:02 – Margaret’s plea to believe in Santa
• 26:46–28:00 – Durante Claus finale and group singalong
• 28:36 – Classic sign-off

Summary

Filled with jokes, warmth, and Christmas magic, the 1947 Jimmy Durante Christmas special blends slapstick, song, and sentiment into a perfect old-time radio holiday treat. Signature routines, celebrity cameos, and timeless musical performances come together, capped by a touching reminder of the spirit of generosity and joy that defines the season. For listeners young and old, it’s a charming throwback to the joy of gathering around the radio on Christmas Eve.