Podcast Summary: "Judy Canova - Judy in Hollywood to Get a Turkey"

Podcast: Harold's Old Time Radio
Host: Harolds Old Time Radio
Episode Date: November 26, 2025
Original Air Date: November 9, 1943
Main Cast: Judy Canova, Ken Niles, Geranium, Sylvester, Eddie Dean

Overview

This episode of the "Judy Canova" show, performed during the Golden Age of Radio, is a lively comedy centered around Judy's adventures in Hollywood as she attempts to procure a turkey (and ends up duck hunting) for Thanksgiving. Staple hallmarks of the era’s radio humor—country twang, slapstick, puns, and musical interludes—abound as Judy and her eccentric friends navigate a series of comedic hunting mishaps, outlandish stories, and folksy performances. The episode also intersperses musical numbers and a wartime public service announcement.

Key Segments and Discussion Points

1. Judy’s Turkey Trouble and Hollywood Hijinks

[01:40 – 03:03]

• Judy arrives in Hollywood determined to get a turkey for Thanksgiving.
• Hilarity ensues on the bus: it's so crowded that "everybody had to breathe sidesaddle."
• Judy encounters a cheeky turkey in the market who surprises her by talking:
  • Quote: "I was feeling him all over, you know, to see if he's tender. And he turned his head, looked up at me. He says, 'Under the left wing, madam.'” (02:40)
• The butcher, in response to her complaints about the high turkey prices, sarcastically gives her an egg, suggesting she take it home and "sit on it" to grow her own turkey.
• Judy discovers the "turkey" is actually a duck.

2. Musical Interlude: “Fireball Mail”

[03:11 – 05:25]

• Judy and Geranium perform the upbeat country tune “Fireball Mail,” full of train imagery and energetic call-and-response.

3. Preparations for Duck Hunting

[05:25 – 07:46]

• Judy and Ken Niles discuss their plans for a duck-hunting trip; Judy laments the loss of her dachshund and jokes about his demise ("He met his end going around a tree." – 05:45).
• Geranium regales the group with tall tales about her boyfriend's hunting prowess—claiming he shot an elephant weighing 5,000 pounds and telling an impossible story about a bear biting its own nails.

4. Slapstick Shooting Practice

[07:46 – 10:25]

• The gang tries their hands at target practice, with sight gags galore:
  • Judy jokes about shooting an apple off Geranium’s head, referencing William Tell.
  • Geranium, predictably, is less than enthused:
    • Quote: “You gonna shoot what off of who’s with?” (08:22)
    • "That big round thing is my head. That little thing on top of it's the apple." (08:49)
  • Judy’s shooting attempts go humorously awry, culminating in a panicked Geranium fleeing:
    • Quote: "I got to stay ahead of this bullet." (10:22)

5. More Musical Fun: “I'll Wait for You, Mary”

[12:22 – 14:31]

• Eddie Dean joins the gang and, after another staged apple-on-the-head gag, sings the sweet ballad “I’ll Wait for You, Mary” accompanied by harmonizing from the cast.

6. Duck Hunt Escapades

[14:31 – 18:53]

• At dawn, the group sets out for duck hunting, setting up in a blind.
• Sylvester uses dubious logic to "stuff" the gun:
  • Quote: “I filled them with salt, sage and celery... I figured if you shot one, he'd come down already stuffed.” (17:31)
• More slapstick: Sylvester cycles through ever-less-effective weapons (a .38, then a BB gun, then contemplates shooting the ducks "a dirty look" – 16:01).
• Geranium’s bear story takes yet another absurd twist:
  • Quote: “Well, I found out they weren't gonna hurt me... They just wanted to sit around and chew the fat a while.” (16:33)
• When they finally bag a duck, Judy guilt-trips everyone until nobody wants to eat it. The punchline—Judy reveals she ate the duck herself:
  • Quote: "Anybody got a toothpick?" (18:55)

7. Wartime Public Service Announcement

[22:45 – 24:11]

• Judy delivers an earnest message about the importance of salvaging kitchen fats for the war effort (for ammunition and medicine), urging listeners to use tin cans rather than glass jars to avoid wastage:
  • Quote: “So from now on, strain that old kitchen fat into tin cans... It’s needed now.” (23:12)

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• Judy’s Turkey Snark: "If you want a cheap turkey, take this home and sit on it." – Butcher (03:03)
• Bus Gag: “You mean I’m too heavy?” “No, I’m sitting on an old lady now.” – Bus passenger (02:08)
• Judy’s Shooting Practice: "I'll try one more. Watch this. What do you think of that, Mr. Niles?" "That’s the first time I ever heard a preview of a gun going off." – (09:45)
• Geranium’s Reluctance: "Glass? That’s all I want to know. SOS, SOS..." (09:05)
• Duck Hunt Logic: “I filled them with salt, sage and celery... He'd come down already stuffed.” – Sylvester (17:31)
• Gag Conclusion: "Anybody got a toothpick?" – Judy (18:55)

Time-stamped Highlights

| Timestamp | Segment | Key Points / Quotes | |-------------|------------------------------------------------|----------------------------------------------------------| | 01:40–03:03 | Judy’s Hollywood Adventure | Comedy journey, turkey search, wisecracking butcher | | 03:11–05:25 | “Fireball Mail” Song | Singing with Geranium | | 05:25–07:46 | Hunting Plans and Tall Tales | Dachshund joke, bear story | | 07:46–10:25 | Shooting Practice | William Tell gag, Geranium’s panic | | 12:22–14:31 | “I'll Wait for You, Mary” Music Segment | Eddie Dean guest vocal | | 14:31–18:53 | Duck Hunt Hijinks | Stuffed ammo, failed shots, eating the duck | | 22:45–24:11 | Fat Salvage Drive PSA | Wartime homefront message |

Tone and Style

The episode sparkles with broad rural humor, rapid-fire puns, and exaggerated storytelling. Judy’s comedic timing and twang carry the narrative, with the supporting cast amplifying the absurdity through quick banter and embellished tales. Warmth and camaraderie permeate the musical numbers and climactic scenes, giving the show its uniquely comforting vintage feel.

For the Listener

This episode is a classic example of lighthearted 1940s radio comedy—perfect for those interested in slapstick humor, golden-era Americana, and jolly holiday mishaps. Whether you're a fan of vintage variety shows or simply curious about Judy Canova's unique style, the over-the-top hunting trip, gentle ribbing among characters, and catchy musical breaks deliver a fun glimpse into radio's heyday.