Lest We Forget - The American Dream - The Bridge Builder

Summary

Podcast Summary: Harold's Old Time Radio

Episode: Lest We Forget - The American Dream - The Bridge Builder

Release Date: May 23, 2026

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Brief Overview

This episode of Harold's Old Time Radio, "Lest We Forget - The American Dream: The Bridge Builder," revives a classic radio drama focusing on intolerance, quotas, and the ideal of equal opportunity in American education. Set in the post-war era at the small, fictional Hartley College, the story spotlights the ethical struggle of Professor Warren as he confronts institutional prejudice and the painful realities of admission quotas targeting minorities—especially Jewish students like the ambitious Philip Harris, who dreams of becoming an engineer. The episode stands as a thoughtful examination of the American Dream, the principles of fairness and democracy, and the courage needed to oppose unjust systems.

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Key Discussion Points and Insights

The Setting and Main Conflict

• Return to School – Professor Warren and staff reflect on the new semester at Hartley College, and the responsibilities and comforts of returning to familiar routines.
  • "[00:57] Howard: Professor Warren. How are you, sir? Have a good summer?"
  • "[01:11] Howard: Oh, but it's awfully good to be back here at Hartley again, listening to those chapel bells. It really gets you all of this, doesn't it?"
• Admission Error – Miss Lloyd informs Prof. Warren that he mistakenly notified the wrong student, Philip Harris, of an open slot in the engineering program.
  • "[02:32] Miss Lloyd: Last week, you remember, we discovered there was one more vacancy for the undergraduate school of engineering... But you can't question it, Professor Warren. Not without getting into a lot of trouble." (03:03)
• The Quota and Prejudice – Hartley College secretly limits minority admissions, enforcing an unofficial Jewish student quota. Prof. Warren is told to "correct" the mistake and deny Harris’s entry despite his qualifications.

Philip Harris's Plea and Systemic Injustice

• Meeting with Prof. Warren – Philip Harris earnestly pleads his case for education, voicing the unfairness of being rejected from yet another college due to his Jewish identity.
  • "[04:49] Howard (Philip Harris): I don't want to talk out of turn, sir, but it isn't right. I've had the same story from four schools. Can't you see it isn't right? Not in America. Everyone's entitled to an education... What's wrong with being a Jew?" (05:42)
• Confrontation with the Dean – Prof. Warren challenges Dean Hamilton, decrying the quota system as undemocratic and fundamentally un-American.
  • "[05:44] Professor Warren: This country is founded on the principle that education should be open to anyone and that religion or national background should have no more to do with it."

Institutional Obstacles and Moral Dilemma

• Battle with the Board – Prof. Warren brings his concerns to Richard Cartwright, the powerful chairman of trustees. Cartwright dismisses ideals for "practicalities," offering to admit Harris only if Warren relinquishes admission responsibilities and accepts the quota system.
  • "[08:17] Richard Cartwright: A quota at Hartley is unfair. It's undemocratic, maybe, but it works."
  • "[09:04] Professor Warren: I see. Then the Harris boy is to be an exception and the quota stays. Exactly."
  • "[09:10] Professor Warren: No, I don't think it's fair at all. More than just this boy is involved. It's the principal I'm talking of."
• Personal Struggle – Warren contemplates risking his job and comfort to fight for principles, haunted by the words of past great thinkers and educators as he walks among the college’s statuary.
  • "[10:40] Professor Warren: What can you say to the boy? What can you say?... You see Dante, the Italian poet, and Copernicus, the Polish scientist... Spinoza, the Dutch philosopher... Shakespeare... Horace Mann..."
  • "[11:06] Professor Warren: Words spoken by John, the disciple of Christ. Words that seem to shine forth in the darkness. 'Know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.'"

Resolution and The True American Dream

• Final Decision – Emboldened by conviction, Warren refuses the backdoor deal. He insists on admitting Harris based on principle, notifying the press, and determining to address the full Board about discriminatory quotas.
  • "[12:41] Professor Warren: I decided, Richard, that Philip Harris will be admitted to Hartley... Not quite, Richard. I... want to address the meeting of the Board of Trustees today. I have something to say about quotas, and I want all of them to hear it."
  • "[13:12] Professor Warren: ...Because I believe that every boy who wants to build a bridge or to be a doctor or a lawyer or a teacher should have the chance to learn to do so. And at my age, it's too late to change my ways. Much too late."
• Closing Message – The episode affirms that living by one’s beliefs inspires future generations, fulfilling the American Dream by action, not just words.
  • "[14:41] ...programs dedicated to you, to me, to all Americans, and the kind of America we want to live in. Not tomorrow, but today."

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Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• Philip Harris on America & Equality
  • "[04:49] Howard (as Philip Harris): Can't you see it isn't right? Not in America. Everyone's entitled to an education... What's wrong with being a Jew?"
• Prof. Warren’s Moral Stand
  • "[09:10] Professor Warren: No, I don't think it's fair at all. More than just this boy is involved. It's the principal I'm talking of."
• Reflection at the Hall of Learning
  • "[11:06] Professor Warren: 'Know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.'"
• Spinoza Quote
  • "[12:13] Professor Warren: In a free commonwealth, arts and sciences will be better cultivated to the full. If everyone that asks leave to teach or learn may do so."
• Call to Action
  • "[13:12] Professor Warren: ...every boy who wants to build a bridge or to be a doctor or a lawyer or a teacher should have the chance to learn to do so."

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Key Timestamps

• Pre-Show Advertisements Omitted
• Episode Begins / Introduction of Main Theme: [00:42]
• Admission Error & College Policy Revealed: [02:24–03:12]
• Philip Harris’ Plea: [04:03–05:42]
• Debate with Dean Hamilton: [05:44–07:40]
• Meeting with Trustee Cartwright: [07:40–09:34]
• Warren’s Moral Crisis and Hall of Learning Reflection: [09:34–11:12]
• Resolution & Decision to Fight: [12:01–13:12]
• Closing Reflection & Message: [13:12–14:41]

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Conclusion

"Lest We Forget - The American Dream: The Bridge Builder" is a powerful reminder of the barriers faced by minorities in mid-century America and a stirring encouragement to act on principle. By dramatizing the educator’s obligation to foster inclusion and justice—even at personal cost—the episode underscores the foundational ideals of equal opportunity and moral courage as the truest expression of America.

Transcript

[Liberty Mutual Agent]

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[Howard]

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[Liberty Mutual Agent]

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[Professor Warren]

Yeah, the bird looks out of your league.

[Liberty Mutual Agent]

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[Howard]

Liberty, Liberty. Liberty. Liberty.

[Professor Warren]

Lest we forget the American dream.

[Howard]

Professor Warren. How are you, sir? Have a good summer?

[Professor Warren]

Well, Howard, it's good to see you back again. Yes, I had a very nice vacation. Not as exciting as yours, I'm sure, but restful.

[Howard]

I spent mine rescuing drowning damsels in distress.

[Professor Warren]

Just as I said, Howard.

[Howard]

Oh, but it's awfully good to be back here at Hartley again, listening to those chapel bells. It really gets you all of this, doesn't it?

[Professor Warren]

Let's see if you can keep that enthusiasm for the college after classes begin next week. What?

[Miss Lloyd]

Oh, well, I'll try.

[Howard]

Professor Warren,

[Professor Warren]

Lest we forget the American Dream, another program in this series dedicated to you, to me, to all Americans, and the kind of America we want

[Richard Cartwright]

to live in our story, the Bridge Builder, starring Frederick March.

[Professor Warren]

You know what Howard meant. There is something about Hartley that gets you. You're glad to be back, too. It's only a small college, but you've been here a long time. In a few days, the new semester begins, and you know there isn't any place you'd rather be. This is where you belong. The small, neat sign on your office door still surprises you, though. You'd always been a teacher of ancient history. But this term they've also made you a director of admissions.

[Miss Lloyd]

Professor Warren, I've been looking everywhere for you.

[Professor Warren]

Good morning, Miss Lloyd. Something wrong?

[Miss Lloyd]

All the time I was homesick. I just knew something would happen.

[Professor Warren]

What is it, Ms. Lloyd?

[Miss Lloyd]

Last week, you remember, we discovered there was one more vacancy for the undergraduate school of engineering.

[Professor Warren]

I remember. And while you were ill, I saved you the trouble and notified the applicant myself.

[Miss Lloyd]

That's just. You notified the wrong person.

[Professor Warren]

That's impossible. I distinctly recall the boy at exceptional grades. He was a veteran, stationed around here before he went overseas. Philip Harris was his name.

[Miss Lloyd]

But, Professor Warren, he's still the wrong one. You understand. I mean, about our policy here at Hartley.

[Professor Warren]

As a matter of fact, Ms. Lloyd, until they made me director of admissions, I didn't bother very much with those things. I'M not sure that I liked that policy.

[Miss Lloyd]

But you can't question it, Professor Warren. Not without getting into a lot of trouble.

[Professor Warren]

It's a little late, though, isn't it? In this case, the boy's already been notified of his acceptance.

[Miss Lloyd]

Dean Hamilton phoned just before you came in. He says he wants the error corrected at once. And that isn't all. The boy is outside now waiting to register.

[Professor Warren]

Oh, my.

[Miss Lloyd]

You'll have to see him. Here's his application card.

[Professor Warren]

Well, all right. Have him come in, Miss Lloyd.

[Miss Lloyd]

Yes, Professor?

[Professor Warren]

You look at the application card. Philip Harris. Age 20. Ambition. Engineer. Not wanted at Hartley. No, you don't like it. But after all, there is a quota. There's a policy of the college that has to be followed. If all the faculty began imposing their own rules, Hartley would bog down in an insoluble mess of confusion. You have no choice. You'll have to tell Philip Harris that he is ineligible.

[Howard]

Professor Warren. It's good to meet you, sir. I've heard so much about you.

[Professor Warren]

Sit down, Harris.

[Howard]

Thank you, sir.

[Professor Warren]

You certainly came on in a hurry, didn't you? After receiving our letter?

[Howard]

Yes, sir. When you wait for something. As long as I waited for this chance, believe me, you move pretty quickly.

[Professor Warren]

I'm sorry to hear that, Harris. I'm afraid there's been an unfortunate error. You see, you are not eligible to enter Hartley.

[Howard]

But my marks are all right, aren't they, sir?

[Professor Warren]

They're fine, Philip. Excellent. As a matter of fact, it's something else. Now, please try to understand. A college has certain traditions, certain obligations. After all, Hartley is a small school, and it has to provide a certain number of places for students from this section of the country.

[Howard]

You mean Hartley has a quota? Don't you, Professor?

[Professor Warren]

Well, yes, I suppose you would classify it that way.

[Howard]

I don't want to talk out of turn, sir, but it isn't right. I've had the same story from four schools. Can't you see it isn't right? Not in America. Everyone's entitled to an education. I'm sorry, Harris, but education's an awfully important thing. Professor, I don't have to tell you that. You've devoted your life to it. But if it's that important for you, why can't I have just a few more years of it? I want to be an engineer. Ever since I was a kid in New York, I've wanted to build bridges down south. I saw those TVA dams, rivers. Working for the people. Well, I want to do things like that. There's so Much of it to be done. And you tell me I can't. Why? What's wrong with me, sir? What's wrong with being a Jew?

[Professor Warren]

But, Dean Hamilton, this country is founded on the principle that education should be open to anyone and that religion or national background should have no more to do with it. Hartley is founded on the principle that the board of trustees will. Will decide all entrance requirements. Philip Harris fulfills all those requirements. Unfortunately, Warren, he doesn't. The quota set for minority groups have been filled. Harris is just too late. Perfectly fair arrangement. Every group receives representation in accordance with its numbers. That's absurd, Dean Hamilton, and you know it. America is made up of individuals, not groups. And they have a right to be treated as individuals. Yes, I know. A quota system at a university is based upon prejudice. It's just a device to keep out those the trustees don't approve of. I've worked hard to become dean here, Warren, and I don't intend to throw it away for Harris or for anyone else. But Hamilton, there must be some. Let's not discuss it any further. Warren, I sympathize with your good intentions. I'd like to help you, but I can't. Four schools have already turned the boy down. We'll be the fifth, and for the same reason. My advice to you is let it rest. Tell the boy the course is closed, that there's another student with a better average. Tell him anything, but for your own sake, get rid of him. You walk across the campus thinking of what Hamilton said. You know that he had your best interests at heart. But here's a boy who wants to build bridges to make the rivers of America bring electricity and a better living to the people. This boy comes to you and asks for a chance to learn, to do these things. All that you've ever studied, everything you've ever taught, says that he should have that chance. How can you turn him away? How can you let it rest as Hamilton advised? And then an idea strikes you. You know what you'll do? You'll talk to Richard Cartwright. That's what you'll do.

[Richard Cartwright]

Sit down, Professor Warren. Sit down. Here, have a cigar.

[Professor Warren]

Thank you, Richard.

[Richard Cartwright]

How are all the ancient Greeks getting along?

[Professor Warren]

Oh, very well, thank you, Richard. Every time I look at you, I'm a little amazed. Just between us, you know, you weren't the brightest student I ever had. Here you are, the town's leading banker.

[Richard Cartwright]

Just goes to show you, doesn't it, Professor?

[Professor Warren]

Yes. Yes, it does. And you're also chairman of the board of trustees at Hartley.

[Richard Cartwright]

Why not? They wouldn't have had that new gym if it weren't for me. Only the best for Hartley, that's my motto.

[Professor Warren]

I. I knew you felt that way, Richard. That's why I wanted to talk to

[Richard Cartwright]

you about a Jewish lad named Philip Harris.

[Professor Warren]

That's right, Richard. A quota at Hartley is unfair. It's undemocratic, maybe, but it works.

[Richard Cartwright]

I want Hartley to have class. I don't want it overrun. You might as well save your breath, Professor. We're not going to change our policy.

[Professor Warren]

But listen to me, Richard.

[Richard Cartwright]

You're a good teacher, Professor. Warren, we want you to stay with us. Take my advice and stick to your clothes. To the ancient Greeks, Let us run the college.

[Professor Warren]

Ease up a little, Richard. You're not dealing with a lone defaulter.

[Richard Cartwright]

All right, Warren. I'll tell you what I'll do. I'll make a bargain with you.

[Professor Warren]

Just because I like you, I'll let

[Richard Cartwright]

this Harris kid in.

[Professor Warren]

You will? Richard, I knew I could count on you.

[Richard Cartwright]

You haven't heard the rest of the bargain.

[Professor Warren]

What do you mean?

[Richard Cartwright]

Was a mistake to burden you with admissions. From now on, you're to stick to your classroom. Let us run Hartley.

[Professor Warren]

I see. Then the Harris boy is to be an exception and the quota stays. Exactly.

[Richard Cartwright]

Fair enough.

[Professor Warren]

No, I don't think it's fair at all. More than just this boy is involved. It's the principal I'm talking of.

[Richard Cartwright]

Let's not talk about principles, Professor. Take it or leave it. For your own good, I advise you to take it. I want this matter cleared up before the board of trustees meets tomorrow. I'll call you in the morning for your answer.

[Professor Warren]

You sit in your room with a worn copy of Plato's Republic in your hand. You look around at the familiar books, the desk, the lamp. It's a comfortable room, quiet and secure. As your life has been at Hartley. It'd be so easy not to jeopardize it. All you have to do is say yes to Cartwright. The Harris boy would be admitted. Suddenly, you have to get out in the air and think in the darkness. You walk across the campus. You think of tomorrow and of Philip Harris. You find yourself walking up a long flight of marble steps. Voices sound in your ears as you climb.

[Richard Cartwright]

Stick to the classroom, Professor.

[Howard]

Education's a big thing, Professor.

[Richard Cartwright]

We can't have the school overrun.

[Professor Warren]

You'll only be making trouble for yourself.

[Howard]

Why? Why? What's wrong with me? What's wrong?

[Professor Warren]

What can you say to the boy? What can you say? You've reached the highest point on the Campus, the Hall of Learning. You look about at the statues and you recognize your old Greek friends, Plato and Aristotle. You see Dante, the Italian poet, and Copernicus, the Polish scientist. Pasteur, the French doctor. Spinoza, the Dutch philosopher. Shakespeare, the English playwright. Horace Mann, the American educator. They seem to stare down at you, and somehow you have to look away. And then you see the words inscribed on the rotunda above them. Words spoken by John, the disciple of Christ. Words that seem to shine forth in the darkness. Know the truth, and the truth shall make you free. You repeat the phrase to yourself. It has a special meaning for you. And there in the darkness, alone with these great men of different creeds and nationalities who lived in different centuries, you think of Hartley and the life you love. You think of tomorrow, of the answer you must give to Harris and Cartwright, of the answer you must give to yourself.

[Howard]

Miss Lloyd said you wanted to see me, Professor Warren.

[Professor Warren]

Yes, Philip, yes. Sit down. Ever read Spinoza, Philip?

[Howard]

No, sir. I never have.

[Professor Warren]

You should. Like you, he was a Jew, but the truths he taught belong to all of us. You'll find his statue in the hall of Learning on the hill, and below it, his famous words. In a free commonwealth, arts and sciences will be better cultivated to the full. If everyone that asks leave to teach or learn may do so.

[Howard]

Please, professor, don't beat around the bush. Can I stay at Hartley or not?

[Professor Warren]

Excuse me, Philip.

[Richard Cartwright]

Hello. Good morning, Professor. This is Richard Cartwright. What have you decided?

[Professor Warren]

I decided, Richard, that Philip Harris will be admitted to Hartley.

[Richard Cartwright]

Good. Then you'll resign to the Board of Admissions and everything settled.

[Professor Warren]

Not quite, Richard. I. I want to address the meeting of the Board of Trustees today. I have something to say about quotas, and I want all of them to hear it.

[Richard Cartwright]

But, Professor.

[Professor Warren]

Oh, yes, and one thing more. I've invited the gentleman of the press to be present. Goodbye, Richard. I'll see you at the meeting. You know, Philip, when I was a boy, I used to build bridges. Maybe I'm partial to bridge builders, but I don't think so. Because I believe that every boy who wants to build a bridge or to be a doctor or a lawyer or a teacher should have the chance to learn to do so. And at my age, it's. It's too late to change my ways. Much too late. You walk into your classroom for the first session. You look at your new students. You wonder if they'll remember you, if they'll believe what you tell them. Every year you've asked yourself that question, but now you know the answer. They will. Because you have shown that you believe in and live by the truths you teach. The Institute for Democratic Education has brought you another in the series of Lest We Forget the American Dream. This program starred Frederick March, who is currently to be seen in Samuel Goldwyn's picture, the Best Years of Our Lives. Listen in again next week for another in this series of programs dedicated to you, to me, to all Americans, and the kind of America we want to live in. Not tomorrow, but today.

[Liberty Mutual Agent]

And, Doug, there's nowhere I wouldn't go to help someone customize and save on car insurance with Liberty Mutual, even if it means sitting front row at a comedy show.

[Howard]

Hey, everyone. Check out this guy and his bird. What is this, your first date?

[Liberty Mutual Agent]

Oh, no. We help people customize and save on car insurance with Liberty Mutual.

[Howard]

Together.

[Liberty Mutual Agent]

We're married. Me to a human, him to a bird.

[Professor Warren]

Yeah, the bird looks out of your league.

[Liberty Mutual Agent]

Anyways, get a [e-mail] or with your local agent.

[Howard]

Liberty. Liberty. Liberty. Liberty.