Podcast Summary: Harold's Old Time Radio

Episode: Juvenile Jury 1947.10.19 Juvenile Jury
Host: Jack Barry (Moderator), John Scott (Announcer), various child jurors
Date: February 13, 2026
Duration: ~30 minutes

Overview

This episode features a 1947 broadcast of the classic radio show Juvenile Jury, where a panel of children aged 5 to 10, guided by moderator Jack Barry, offer candid, humorous, and sometimes surprisingly sage advice to real-life problems submitted by listeners. The show delivers nostalgia, laughter, and a heartwarming glimpse at children's wisdom as they tackle questions ranging from odd bedtime habits to family teasing.

Key Discussion Points & Segments

1. Introducing the Jurors and Format

[01:32 – 01:49]
Jack Barry introduces the child jurors:

• Dickie Orland, age 7
• Robin Morgan, age 5
• Kong Liu, age 9
• Peggy Bruder, age 10
• Charlie Hankinson, age 6

“Waiting to prove that children should be heard as well as seen are five average alert youngsters, their ages ranging from 5 to 10.”
– Narrator

2. Problem #1: Son Sleeping with Shoes & Socks On

Segment: [01:51 – 04:19]

A mother writes in saying her 9-year-old son insists on sleeping in his shoes and socks; his reason: it saves him work in the morning. The juvenile jury responds with hilarious and inventive advice.

• Charlie Hankinson:
  “You should tell him if he keeps that up, he'll have to wash his sheets in the morning floor. Then he won't like that, so he'll have to take them off.” [02:18]
• Peggy Bruder:
  Wonders if he’s worn them so long he can’t get them off. [02:34]
• Kong Liu:
  Suggests he just wants to go skiing in his sleep. [02:43]
• Dicky Orland:
  “Maybe he wears his shoes during the night because it's a long hike to the bathroom.” [03:00]
• Robin Morgan:
  “The mommy can get his shoes off at night by giving him a bath before he goes to sleep...” [03:11]
• Kong Liu:
  “Let him go to sleep in his shoes and socks. But when he's sound asleep, take them off.” [03:57]
• Dicky Orland:
  “What does he do when he has to have his shoes fixed? Does he go to a blacksmith?” [03:34]
• Robin Morgan:
  “Maybe the mother should tell the little boy that if he wears his shoes day and night, he'll wear them off twice as fast.” [03:45]

Memorable moment:

• The panel suggests everything from blacksmiths to sneakily removing shoes while he sleeps, with Jack Barry’s witty asides keeping the mood light.

3. Introducing New Juror Kong Liu

[04:36 – 05:44]

Kong Liu is introduced.

• He wants to be “a businessman in the construction” and build “buildings.”
• His hobbies: “Airplanes. Boxing and eating noodles ... because they're long.” [05:28–05:41]

Heartwarming highlight:

• Kong discusses his father’s work for the United Service to China, helping Chinese people and children.
• Jack Barry warmly welcomes him to the show.

4. Peggy Bruder’s Pigtails and Lane Bryant Story

[05:44 – 06:12]

Peggy’s pigtails win her a consultancy role for a department store’s contest.

• Peggy: “My mother makes them. It's easy for her.” [06:04]

5. Problem #2: Should Boys Help in the Kitchen?

[06:14 – 08:56]

A boy laments that he does many chores but dislikes being in the kitchen, thinking “boys shouldn't be seen in the kitchen.”

• Charlie Hankinson:
  Advocates rest after lots of work. [06:40]
• Peggy Bruder:
  “There are lots of men that stay in the kitchen in the army.” [07:10]
• Robin Morgan:
  “If he's able to do all that, he'd make a wonderful wife.” [07:36]
• Dicky Orland:
  Jokes it’s “good experience for when he gets married.” [07:49]
• Kong Liu:
  “Times are changing and the women are going into the factory. So why shouldn't the men go into the kitchen?” [08:05]
• Robin Morgan:
  “Why doesn't he wash the dishes in the bathroom?” [08:21]
• Dicky Orland:
  “He can't wash dishes because he doesn't belong to the dishwashing union. He only belongs to the sweeping and dusting union.” [08:33]

Notable exchange:

• The children tackle the traditional gender role with surprising progressive thought, especially Kong’s comment on women entering the workforce.

6. Gaines Dog Guest of the Week: English Cocker Spaniel

[09:11 – 13:13]

• Jurors identify the breed and discuss what cocker spaniels are used for (hunting, retrieving, pets).
• Charlie:
  Correctly guesses “cocker spaniel.” [09:44]
• Robin Morgan:
  “I think they hunt by their scent. Either their scent or their tails.” [11:19]
• Barry explains the breed’s history tracing to hunting woodcock, hence the name.
• John Scott provides playful advice on calling dogs and plugs Gaines dog food.

7. In-person Guest #1: Abby Faden’s “Thank you” Problem

[15:24 – 19:24]

Four-year-old Abby used to pronounce “thank you” as “thankoo,” and she's teased by relatives about it.

• Robin Morgan:
  “Why do you mind them teasing you? Because you know they love you.” [16:19]
• Dicky Orland:
  “Tell your relatives that you were young then and you can't be responsible for what you did then.” [16:51]
• Kong Liu:
  Jokingly suggests checking her teeth’s position as a cause. [17:22]
• Charlie Hankinson:
  Shares he was teased for saying “goo goo” as a baby, too. [18:44]
• Dicky Orland:
  “It really doesn't make any difference how you say it. It's what you mean that really counts.” [17:47]

Resolution:
Barry advises Abby to ignore the teasing and the aunts will tire of it.

8. Problem #3: Long Skirts for an 8-Year-Old

[20:39 – 23:00]

A mother seeks the jury’s wisdom about her daughter insisting on longer skirt hems to match fashion trends.

• Charlie:
  “I think she should wait till she gets old.” [21:01]
• Peggy:
  “Walk around on her knees and then the people won't tell the difference.” [21:14]
• Kong:
  “When she gets married, she won’t be able to buy so many long skirts because then her husband will get bankrupt.” [21:22]
• Robin:
  Seasonal skirt lengths—shorter in summer, longer in winter—because “boys let their pants down.” [21:42]
• Dicky:
  Proposes the petticoat solution. [22:16]
• Charlie:
  Buy her an overly long dress to teach a lesson. [22:46]

Summary thought:
Host and jurors agree she’s too young for long skirts.

9. In-person Guest #2: Gregory Amsterdam Wants to Tell Jokes

[24:30 – 28:55]

Gregory, age 4, wishes to tell jokes, but his father (comedian Maury Amsterdam) wants him to focus on learning his ABCs first. Jack Barry interviews Gregory, who delivers some comical, childlike banter:

• Gregory:
  “Funny ones.” (on what jokes he tells) [25:05]
  On being the oldest in the family: “No, Dad's oldest in the family.” [26:17]
  On how he feels: “Miserable. I didn't sleep last night—because I didn't go to bed.” [26:24–26:32]

The panel reacts:

• Robin:
  Suggests a compromise: “Study how to tell jokes. Studying and telling jokes at the same time.” [28:28]
• Kong:
  “You should learn jokes because then you'll follow your father.” [28:39]
• Peggy:
  “You tell a very nice joke.” [28:45]
• Charlie:
  “You should tell jokes one day and then don't the next.” [28:49]

Resolution:
Barry pledges to talk with Gregory’s father so the young comedian can continue telling jokes.

Notable Quotes

• “Times are changing and the women are going into the factory. So why shouldn't the men go into the kitchen?”
  – Kong Liu, [08:05]

• “Well, if he's able to do all that, he'd make a wonderful wife.”
  – Robin Morgan, [07:36]

• “It really doesn't make any difference how you say it. It's what you mean that really counts.”
  – Dicky Orland, [17:47]

• “Walk around on her knees and then the people won't tell the difference.”
  – Peggy Bruder (on long skirts), [21:14]

• “No, Dad's oldest in the family.”
  – Gregory Amsterdam (age 4), [26:17]

Memorable Moments

• The children’s earnest and creative advice, full of innocence and humor, giving the show an authentic charm.
• Exchanges about chores and gender roles reflect both the innocence and surprising progressiveness of the young panel.
• Light banter between Jack Barry and the kids, particularly during Gregory Amsterdam’s segment.

Useful Timestamps

• Panel Introductions: [01:32 – 01:49]
• Shoes & socks problem: [01:51 – 04:19]
• Meet Kong Liu: [04:36 – 05:44]
• Kitchen chores debate: [06:14 – 08:56]
• Cocker spaniel segment: [09:11 – 13:13]
• Abby Faden’s “thankoo”: [15:24 – 19:24]
• Long skirts conundrum: [20:39 – 23:00]
• Gregory Amsterdam, the little jokester: [24:30 – 28:55]

Tone & Style

The spirit is warm, playful, sometimes irreverent, with Jack Barry gently steering the conversation and delighting in the panel’s unique logic. The children respond with honesty, wit, and a generosity of spirit that shines through 75 years later.

For Listeners:

This episode is a delightful artifact from radio’s golden age, showcasing the perennial appeal of children’s unfiltered wisdom and the gentle humor of a bygone era. The show’s open, laughter-filled style makes it timelessly entertaining and occasionally surprisingly insightful.