Harold's Old Time Radio – Juvenile Jury (471012 Son Wears Socks To Bed)

Podcast: Harold's Old Time Radio
Host: Jack Barry (Program Moderator)
Episode Date: February 13, 2026 (originally aired October 12, 1947)
Description: A panel of clever, candid children address listener-submitted problems, with their unscripted responses providing both humor and insight. The episode also features segments about dogs and showcases young guests in person.

Episode Overview

This episode of Juvenile Jury revolves around children discussing and attempting to solve everyday problems submitted by listeners. Under the warm and witty guidance of host Jack Barry, five kids aged 5–10 give their unfiltered takes on topics ranging from bedtime habits to household chores, fashion dilemmas, family teasing, and childhood aspirations. The program embodies the spirit of the “Golden Age of Radio,” combining gentle humor with sincere childhood perspectives.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Problem #1: “My Son Wears His Shoes and Socks to Bed”

Submitted by: Mrs. H.J.W., Syracuse, NY
Timestamps: 01:46 – 04:28

• Children’s Takes:
  • Charlie: Suggests if the boy keeps it up, "he'll have to wash his sheets in the morning floor" and won’t like it, prompting him to take them off. (02:16)
  • Peggy: Speculates maybe he wore his shoes and socks so long he can’t get them off. (02:31)
  • Kang: "Don't let him go skiing in the morning because maybe he wants to put up his ski to go to sleep." (02:42)
  • Dickie: Maybe he wears his shoes "because it's a long hike to the bathroom." (02:58)
  • Robin: Suggests a bath before bed will get his shoes off; if he puts them back on after, “don’t take him out.” (03:09)
  • Peggy: Compromise—have him sleep in just his socks. (03:24)
  • Dickie (humor): “What does he do when he has to have his shoes fixed? Does he go to a blacksmith?” (03:32)
  • Robin: Warns wearing shoes day and night will make them "wear out twice as fast." (03:43)
  • Kang: Wait until the boy is asleep, then “take them off.” (03:55)
  • Peggy (comedy): Recommends using a black sheet. (04:07)
  • Charlie: "What do you wear to bed?" – "Just my feet." (04:16–04:20)

Memorable Moment:

• Charlie: “Just my feet.” (04:20)

2. Spotlight on Kang Lu, New Panel Member

Timestamps: 04:28 – 05:40

• Jack introduces Kang Lu, age 9, a new panelist, asking about his school, ambitions, and hobbies.
  • Wants to be a "businessman in construction."
  • Hobbies: "Airplanes, boxing, and eating noodles…because they're long." (05:04–05:40)
  • Interesting family note: Father works for United Service to China.

3. Peggy Bruder’s Pigtails & Miss Polly Pigtails Contest

Timestamps: 05:40 – 06:11

• Peggy is a junior consultant in a Lane Bryant department store contest.
  • “How long have you had those pigtails?”
    Peggy: “A long time. Since I was five.” (05:57)

4. Problem #2: “A Boy Hates Washing Dishes”

Submitted by: Master R.W., Mansfield, GA
Timestamps: 06:12 – 08:55

• Summary of Issue: Boy does other chores but dislikes washing dishes; claims “boys shouldn't be seen in the kitchen.”
• Key Responses:
  • Charlie: Points out he does so much he must be tired, should rest at night. (06:36)
  • Peggy: “Lots of men stay in the kitchen in the army.” (07:09)
  • Kang: "Why does—because Dads does everything." (07:20)
  • Robin: “He’d make a wonderful wife.” (07:35)
  • Dickie: “He’s getting good experience for when he gets married.” (07:49)
  • Kang: “Women are going into the factory, so why shouldn’t men go into the kitchen?” (08:05)
  • Robin: “If he doesn’t want to wash dishes in the kitchen, why doesn’t he wash them in the bathroom?” (08:21)
  • Dickie: Joke about not belonging to the dishwashing union. (08:31)
  • Peggy: Suggests he do his mother's chores instead, so she won’t make him wash dishes. (08:48)

Quote:

• Kang: “Women are going into the factory, so why shouldn’t the men go into the kitchen?” (08:05)

5. Dog Segment: Gaines Dog Guest of the Week

Timestamps: 09:49 – 14:17

• Dog Description: English Cocker Spaniel named Gypo; kids asked to guess the breed and its uses.
  • Multiple kids guess correctly.
  • Uses: Hunting, retrieving, pets, watchdogs, dancing.
• Robin: “I think they hunt by their scent. Either their scent or their tail.” (12:05)
  • Robin explains the tail wags to signal birds to the hunter.
• Jack clarifies the breed’s name comes from hunting “woodcock.” (13:02+)

Noteworthy Exchanges:

• Jack (on calling dogs): “Come here, boy. If that doesn’t work, just say, ‘Come on, boy, it’s time for Gaines.’” (14:27–14:30)

6. Problem #3: “Aunts Tease Me for Saying ‘Thankoo’” (in-person guest: Abby Fayden, age 4)

Timestamps: 15:51 – 20:01

• Abby: Used to say "thankoo" instead of "thank you"; now feels teased.
• The kids’ advice:
  • Peggy: “Because they think it’s cute.” (16:56)
  • Robin: “Why do you mind them teasing you? Because you know they love you. But I don’t want everyone to think I’m a baby.” (17:06)
  • Dickie: “Tell your relatives you were young then, not responsible for what you did.” (17:24, 17:40)
  • Kang: Asks about dental position. (18:04)
  • Charlie: Shares being teased for saying “goo goo.” (19:33)
• Jack Barry’s Conclusion: “The best thing is to disregard it. If your aunts see teasing doesn’t bother you, they’ll soon stop.” (20:01)

Quote:

• Dickie: “It really doesn’t make any difference how you say it. It’s what you mean that really counts.” (18:35)

7. Problem #4: “Daughter Wants Longer Skirts”

Submitted by: Mrs. A.D., Colorado Springs
Timestamps: 20:22 – 22:51

• Issue: Young girl wants longer skirts to be like "ladies"; mom resists for practical reasons.
• Kids' Advice:
  • Charlie: Wait until she’s older, “never saw anyone with long skirts.” (20:52)
  • Peggy: Leave skirts short, “walk around on her knees.” (21:04)
  • Kang: Warns too many long skirts will make husband bankrupt. (21:13)
  • Robin: Short skirts in summer, long skirts in winter, “because boys let their pants down.” (21:33)
  • Dickie: Suggests a real long petticoat under all dresses. (22:07)
  • Charlie: “Buy a dress too long, let her wear it, kids will laugh, she won’t want it anymore.” (22:37)
• Host Conclusion: She’s a bit young; wait until older. (22:51)

8. Problem #5: “I Want to Tell Jokes, Dad Won’t Let Me” (in-person guest: Gregory Amsterdam, age 4, son of comedian Maury Amsterdam)

Timestamps: 24:34 – 28:50

• Gregory: Wants to tell jokes, dad says only after learning ABCs; already knows them.
  • Gregory delivers quick-witted gags with Jack, impressing the jury.
• Sample Jokes:
  • “What’s your name?” – “Gregory H. Gregory.” “What’s the H for?” – “The regular monotony.” (25:47)
  • “How do you feel?” – “Miserable.” “Why?” – “Didn’t sleep last night.” “Why not?” “Didn’t go to bed.” (26:17–26:25)
• Jury Verdict:
  • Dickie: “Tell your father to listen to your jokes. If he won’t, who will?” (28:08)
  • Robin: Compromise—study how to tell jokes, do both at once. (28:18)
  • Kang: “You should learn jokes, then you’ll follow your father.” (28:33)
  • Peggy: “You tell very nice jokes, and I think that you should.” (28:40)
  • Charlie: Alternate days for jokes and obeying dad. (28:44)
  • Jack to Gregory: “Do not give it up. I’ll have a talk with your dad.” (28:50)

Memorable Moment:

• Gregory’s “H for the regular monotony” response. (25:47)
• Jack Barry: “What kind of an apartment do you have?”
  Gregory: “A sunken living room.”
  Jack: “What’s that?”
  Gregory: “It’s more sunk down – there’s a basement.” (27:12–27:25)

Notable Quotes & Moments

• Charlie Hankinson:
  “Just my feet.” (about what he wears to bed) (04:20)

• Robin Morgan:
  “If he doesn’t want to be washing dishes in the kitchen, why doesn’t he wash dishes in the bathroom?” (08:21)

• Kang Lu:
  “Women are going into the factory, so why shouldn’t the men go into the kitchen?” (08:05)

• Dickie Orland:
  “It really doesn’t make any difference how you say it. It’s what you mean that really counts.” (18:35)

• Gregory Amsterdam:
  “Gregory H. Gregory.”
  “What’s the H for?”
  “The regular monotony.” (25:47)

Timestamps of Major Segments

| Segment | Start | End | |-------------------------------------------------|-------------|-------------| | Problem #1 (Son Wears Socks/Shoes to Bed) | 01:46 | 04:28 | | Kang Lu Introduction | 04:28 | 05:40 | | Peggy, Lane Bryant Contest | 05:40 | 06:11 | | Problem #2 (Boys in Kitchen/Washing Dishes) | 06:12 | 08:55 | | Gaines Dog Guest (Cocker Spaniel Segment) | 09:49 | 14:17 | | Problem #3 (Abby’s “Thankoo” Teasing) | 15:51 | 20:01 | | Problem #4 (Long/Short Skirts Debate) | 20:22 | 22:51 | | Guest: Gregory Amsterdam (“I want to tell jokes”) | 24:34 | 28:50 |

Tone & Style

The conversation is light-hearted, witty, and genuine, perfectly capturing the honest and often humorous charm of children. Host Jack Barry maintains a friendly and playful rapport with the children, steering their responses without stifling their creativity and spontaneity.

For the Listener

If you want to hear what kids really think about life’s small challenges—and get a nostalgic taste of 1940s family radio—this episode delivers charming authenticity, quick laughs, and timeless wisdom out of the mouths of babes.