Joan Davis Show 45-12-24: Christmas Party

Podcast: Harold's Old Time Radio
Date of Original Broadcast: December 24, 1945
Podcast Release Date: December 23, 2025
Host: Harold's Old Time Radio
Episode Theme: Heartwarming Golden Age comedy with Joan Davis and cast, centering on the chaos and community spirit of a Christmas party for underprivileged children.

Episode Overview

This festive episode of The Joan Davis Show centers on Joan’s comedic and well-intended efforts to throw a Christmas party for children from the local county settlement house. The cast navigates misunderstandings, slapstick gags, and last-minute hurdles—especially when the appointed Santa Claus backs out. Beyond the laughs, the show delivers genuine holiday warmth, culminating in the importance of generosity, community, and the true spirit of Christmas.

Key Discussion Points and Highlights

Setting the Scene: Christmas Eve in Swanville

• [00:30] Harry Bonzel introduces Joan Davis with the rest of the cast, setting the comedic, playful tone.
• [02:00] The action is set at "Johnny's Tea Room," where Joan is preparing a Christmas party for the children.

Preparations & Light-Hearted Banter

• [02:24] Joan takes a call from Mrs. Titus, explaining the party and a past mishap from trying to be Santa.
  • Joan Davis: "Last year I was Santa Claus... Everything went fine till a little tough kid punched me right in the pillow. What happened? I snowed on him for 10 minutes." [02:51]
• [03:04] Harry humorously itemizes all the party prep he’s done, poking fun at Joan’s tendency to take credit.
  • Harry Bonzel: "All I did was sweep out the place by the Christmas tree, set it up, get the ornaments, wrap the gifts, fix the wiring, mix the ice cream, write the names on the packages and bake a layer cake."
• [03:43] Joan flirts for a kiss under the mistletoe; Andy Russell deflects with, "I've got a cold," which Joan answers, "Don't worry. I got a trunk full of penicillin."

Christmas Tree Troubles & Musical Number

• [05:10] Babs critiques Joan’s tree decorating, leading to a comical back-and-forth.
  • Babs: "You shouldn't quarrel tonight of all nights. This is Christmas Eve."
• [07:06] Andy and Joan duet on a holiday tune, "Massachusetts," with added comic banter.
• [09:11] Song ends with playful teasing about Joan’s singing.

Santa Suit Crisis: Mr. Wetherby's Refusal

• [14:41] Mr. Weatherby arrives and refuses to play Santa Claus, citing business.
  • Mr. Weatherby: "I can't help that. Here's $10. Buy them something. Make them happy."
  • Joan Davis: "You couldn't buy a smile from one of those kids for all the money in your bank. But if you played Santa Claus for them, they would."
• The cast scrambles to find a replacement, with Harry volunteering to step in.

The Slapstick Dream Sequence

• [16:22] Joan, climbing a shaky ladder, falls and is knocked unconscious. She dreams she is a child, reliving the story from a child’s perspective.
• [17:47 – 22:08] In dreamland, Joan, Harry, and friends try to persuade Mr. Weatherby to play Santa. Andy Russell’s character, a poor newsboy, faces eviction for lack of $1 in mortgage—a gentle satire of Christmas hardships.
  • Andy Russell: "I would have done much better if I had today's papers."
  • Joan Davis: "Can I stand here and watch you sell them?"
• Mr. Weatherby is depicted as miserly, prompting pleas for compassion.

Christmas Spirit Prevails

• [22:08] Joan wakes up: "Where am I?"
• [22:15] Mr. Weatherby has changed his mind and will play Santa, moved by Joan’s words and possibly by the imagined dream sequence.

Festive Conclusion

• [22:41] Mr. Weatherby admits his error:
  • Mr. Weatherby: "I must have been out of my mind when I refused... I thought over what you said to me, and you were right. Absolutely right."
• [22:52] The episode ends with the children arriving and a rousing group rendition of "White Christmas."
• [25:29] Joan closes with a message to listeners:
  • Joan Davis: "And all I can say now to all our listeners from myself, my cast, and my sponsor, the Lever Brothers, makers of Swan is good night and Merry Christmas."

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• Joan’s Santa story:
  "Last year I was Santa Claus... Everything went fine till a little tough kid punched me right in the pillow. What happened? I snowed on him for 10 minutes." [02:51]

• Harry’s party prep:
  "All I did was sweep out the place... bake a layer cake." — Harry Bonzel [03:14]

• Soap as decor:
  "In my house, we couldn't get any mistletoe, so I hung up a cake of swan." — Harry Bonzel [12:31]

• Mr. Weatherby's change of heart:
  "I must have been out of my mind when I refused... I thought over what you said to me, and you were right. Absolutely right." — Mr. Weatherby [22:34]

• Joan's closing holiday wishes:
  "Good night and Merry Christmas." — Joan Davis [25:29]

Important Segment Timestamps

• [00:30] — Show and cast introduction
• [02:24] — Joan explains the party for settlement house kids
• [03:43] — Mistletoe banter and comic romance
• [07:10] — Holiday duet: "Massachusetts"
• [14:41] — Mr. Weatherby refuses to be Santa; emotional heart of the show
• [16:22] — Joan’s slapstick fall and dream sequence
• [22:15] — Mr. Weatherby agrees to play Santa, Christmas is saved
• [23:14–25:29] — "White Christmas" finale and Joan’s closing message

Tone & Style

The episode is fast-paced, full of witty one-liners, and brimming with good-natured jabs among the cast. The language is period-appropriate and radiates both holiday warmth and vaudeville slapstick energy. Despite the commercial integrations and gags, the show’s underlying sentiment is earnest: the real value of Christmas lies in kindness, caring, and community.

For New Listeners

This episode is an excellent introduction to the comedic style and heart that defined radio’s Golden Age. It is both charming and funny, blending slapstick, clever quips, and relatable holiday anxieties. Most importantly, it leaves listeners with a sincere message about the real spirit of Christmas—making it ideal for holiday listening with the whole family.