Light Up The Tree Mr President

Summary

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Podcast Summary: Harold's Old Time Radio

Episode: Light Up The Tree Mr President
Date: December 19, 2025
Host: Harold's Old Time Radio

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Overview

This holiday-themed episode presents a dramatic Golden Age radio play featuring Superman, Lois Lane, Jimmy Olsen, and a Christmas Eve plot threatening the world. Set against the backdrop of the White House Christmas tree lighting, the episode blends nostalgia and suspense, whisking listeners back to a time when families huddled by the radio for thrilling stories. With themes of peace, hope, and the ever-present threat of nuclear war, this tale delivers a classic blend of superhero heroics and holiday spirit.

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Key Discussion Points & Plot Breakdown

1. Setting the Scene: Christmas in Washington D.C.

• The story opens with bustling pre-Christmas excitement as Jimmy Olsen interviews attendees at the White House lawn for the renowned tree lighting ceremony.
  • Lois Lane reminisces about the beauty of Christmas, referencing her home in Alabama. (01:22)
• Key moment: a little girl’s innocent wish for the tree lights to “light up the whole world” (02:08), which unsettles Clark Kent.

2. Peace on Earth: Historic U.N. News

• The U.N. Security Council votes to ban the use of all nuclear weapons, a symbolic leap for "peace on Earth, goodwill to all mankind." (03:17-03:46)
• The action shifts from the crowd's warmth to deeper concerns about world safety as Clark Kent recalls controversial physicist Thurston Kilgore.

3. The Villain’s Plan: Thurston Kilgore Returns

• Thurston Kilgore, disgraced physicist from a prior Senate hearing, resurfaces. A flashback captures his chilling advocacy for nuclear annihilation:

  • “We have the capacity to destroy our enemies at one stroke. Right now, today.” — Thurston Kilgore (04:11)
  • “You would destroy over 600 million human beings… just like that?” — Senator (04:31)

• Kilgore, once institutionalized, escapes and concocts a new plot centered on the Christmas festivities.

4. Kidnapping and the Deadly Scheme

• Jimmy Olsen is abducted by Kilgore, who outlines his sinister plan in a chilling exchange:
  • Kilgore links the White House Christmas tree lighting button to a nuclear launch system. (06:59-07:30)
  • “When the President pushes the button that lights the tree... five beautiful rockets will soar like avenging angels through the night sky. And when they reach their targets, they will light up the whole world.” — Thurston Kilgore (07:54-08:09)

5. Superman vs. Evil

• Superman receives a ransom note and races to the scene, determined to save Jimmy and the President.
• Superman is ambushed by Kilgore, weakened by a machine emitting kryptonite rays.
  • “This machine duplicates the deadly rays of green kryptonite… In a few minutes you, Superman, will be dead.” — Thurston Kilgore (10:14)
• Jimmy, showing resourcefulness, knocks over the device, weakening its effect and freeing Superman.

6. The Christmas Miracle: Heroics at the Tree

• As the President is about to push the button, Superman swoops in, removes the explosive ornament, and hurls it safely skyward. (11:27-11:39)
• Superman then intercepts and redirects all five nuclear-tipped rockets into the sun in a stunning display of superhuman speed.
• Memorable narrative:
  • “A man of steel flies to each of the five rockets in rapid succession, changes their course in mid flight and heads them on a collision course with the sun…” (11:39-12:19)

7. Resolution & Reflection

• In the aftermath, Jimmy Olsen recounts his escape and Superman’s heroics.
• Kilgore is apprehended, his mind irrevocably broken by his failed scheme.
• Lois Lane wraps up with the message of the season:
  • “Merry Christmas, everyone. This is Lois Lane with the latest WGBS inside story of how Superman saved the life of the president and prevented World War three. In what will probably go down as one of the greatest Christmas events.” — Lois Lane (13:07)

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Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• “Light up the whole world, Daddy?” — Amy (the little girl), raising the stakes with innocent curiosity. (02:08)
• “We have the capacity to destroy our enemies at one stroke. Right now, today.” — Thurston Kilgore, foreshadowing his plan. (04:11)
• “When the President pushes the button that lights the tree… they will light up the whole world.” — Thurston Kilgore, revealing his apocalyptic intent. (07:54-08:09)
• “This machine duplicates the deadly rays of green kryptonite… In a few minutes, you, Superman, will be dead.” — Thurston Kilgore, moments before his defeat. (10:14)
• “A man of steel flies to each of the five rockets in rapid succession… heads them on a collision course with the sun.” — Narrator, describing Superman’s breathtaking heroics. (11:39-12:19)
• “Merry Christmas everyone. This is Lois Lane… Superman saved the life of the president and prevented World War three.” — Lois Lane, delivering the closing blessing. (13:07)

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Timestamps of Key Segments

• [00:37] Start of the story: Jimmy Olsen in the crowd
• [01:22] Lois Lane’s Alabama reminiscence and “light up the world” line
• [03:13–03:46] U.N. nuclear ban announcement
• [04:11] Kilgore’s Senate hearing flashback
• [05:38–07:30] Jimmy’s kidnapping and Kilgore’s plan
• [10:00] Superman’s capture and kryptonite trap
• [11:27–11:39] Superman saves the President and defuses the tree bomb
• [11:39–12:19] Superman redirects the nuclear rockets
• [13:07] Lois Lane’s broadcast wrap-up

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Tone and Language

The episode captures the earnest, melodramatic style of mid-century radio adventure—hopeful, suspenseful, and brimming with holiday optimism. Conversation is direct, full of exclamatory remarks, and classic hero/villain banter. Lois, Jimmy, and Clark’s exchanges are both warm and urgent, underlining the high stakes with a strong sense of family and community.

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Conclusion

"Light Up The Tree Mr President" is a thrilling, heartwarming radio play that combines superhero heroics with a message of peace and goodwill. Through suspenseful plotting and classic character dynamics, the story celebrates both the danger and hope that can surround the holidays. The world is saved in time for Christmas, and listeners are left with a sense of true seasonal wonder.

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Transcript

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[Narrator]

It is the day before Christmas in Washington, D.C. where final preparations are underway for the tree lighting ceremony on the White House lawn. We join newscaster Jimmy Olson as he moves through the crowd outside the fence.

[Jimmy Olsen]

Hi, everybody. What a day this is. There's an excitement in the air like you wouldn't believe. Never saw so many happy faces. The holiday spirit is so strong you can almost feel it. Excuse me, sir. I'm Jimmy Olson, WGBS tv. Can I talk to you for a minute?

[Narrator]

Sure.

[Jimmy Olsen]

How do you like Washington? Ray, what do you think of that tree up there?

[Ray (Oregon Visitor)]

Fantastic. I'm from Oregon and I know something about trees. And I tell you, that's gotta be the biggest Christmas tree ever. Make a great show when the lights go on.

[Jimmy Olsen]

Thank you, sir. And you, ma', am, what do you think of all this?

[Lois Lane]

Beautiful, just beautiful. I can hardly wait until tonight. It will be almost as beautiful as stars over my home state of Alabama.

[Jimmy Olsen]

Thank you, ma'.

[Narrator]

Am.

[Jimmy Olsen]

And you, sir, have you ever been to one of these?

[Narrator]

And while Jimmy Olsen continues his interviews, we switch to the WGBS studios in Metropolis where Lois Lane and Clark Kent are watching a studio monitor.

[Lois Lane]

Isn't he doing a great job, Clark? And on his first big assignment.

[Narrator]

Sure is. And so is the cameraman. Getting some great close ups. Matter of fact, I thought I saw someone.

[Lois Lane]

I. Oh, look. That young couple and their little daughter. Listen.

[Jimmy Olsen]

And you say you're from Ohio, right?

[Ray (Oregon Visitor)]

First time in Washington.

[Lois Lane]

And it's all so wonderful. When are they going to turn on the lights, Daddy?

[Ray (Oregon Visitor)]

Right after dark, Amy. And it'll be the biggest, brightest, most beautiful Christmas tree you ever saw.

[Thurston Kilgore]

It'll light up the whole lawn.

[Lois Lane]

Will it light up the whole world, Daddy? Light up the whole world. Oh, Clark, isn't she adorable?

[Narrator]

Light up the whole world.

[Lois Lane]

Light up the whole world. Light up the whole. Clark, what's wrong?

[Narrator]

Oh, nothing. Just a little headache.

[Thurston Kilgore]

It'll go away.

[Narrator]

Think I'll just go out for a little air, walk down by the river. But something was wrong. And the men of steel felt A deep uneasiness grip his whole being. That face I saw in the crowd during Jimmy's interviews and what the little girl said light up the whole world. Somehow they go together like parts of a puzzle, but I can't seem to make them fit. If only I could remember. And as he walks along, racking his brain for answers that don't come, he sees the UN building ahead and decides to go in and listen to the debate in the Security Council in an overtime session.

[Jimmy Olsen]

And in conclusion, I wish to place my government irrevocably on record in favor of this giant step forward on the road to peace.

[Thurston Kilgore]

Thank you.

[Ray (Oregon Visitor)]

It is my great privilege and honor as chairman to announce that the Security Council of the United nations has this day voted unanimously in favor of the resolution banning the use of all nuclear weapons. I wish to thank the delegates for their devotion to duty and their self sacrifice in giving up so, so much of their holiday time so that this legislation could be completed.

[Narrator]

That is good news. And it's about time. Banning nuclear weapons is the best. Nuclear weapons. That's it. That face in the crowd. It was Thurston Kilgore, the great nuclear physicist. The last time I saw him was. Yeah, a senate committee hearing eight years ago. Let me see if I understand you correctly, Dr. Kilgore. You say we now have nuclear superiority enough to deter?

[Thurston Kilgore]

Not just superiority, Senator, and not just a deterrent. We have the capacity to destroy our enemies at one stroke. Right now, today. You mean. I mean we should launch our nuclear.

[Jimmy Olsen]

Missiles immediately, without warning of any kind.

[Thurston Kilgore]

Without warning, without delay, without mercy. Wipe them all out.

[Ray (Oregon Visitor)]

You would destroy over 600 million human beings, Men, women, children, just like that?

[Thurston Kilgore]

Just like that.

[Narrator]

Ha ha ha.

[Thurston Kilgore]

It will be the greatest display of man made firepower in the history of the universe. He's mad. America will be the master of the world for a thousand years.

[Narrator]

That will be all, Dr. Kilgore.

[Thurston Kilgore]

No one will dare oppose us. No one.

[Narrator]

Remove that man.

[Thurston Kilgore]

We will remake every government in the world in our image and those that oppose us.

[Narrator]

One of the most brilliant scientists of our time had obviously lost his mind and had to be confined in a mental institution. Diagnosed a hopeless case. A hopeless case running loose on the streets of Washington. Great Krypton. I've got to get down there right now. This is a job for Superman. As the mightiest man in the world races through the darkening sky, little does he realize how justified his fears are. At that very moment, in his secret laboratory not far from the White House, Thurston Kilgore is talking.

[Thurston Kilgore]

Ah, you're awake, my young friend. Good. Soon you will have the privilege of being part of the greatest Christmas happening in 2000 years. All right, I'll remove the gag. But it's no use trying to call for help. No one can hear you. Hold still a minute. Ah, there you are.

[Jimmy Olsen]

I don't understand. Who are you?

[Thurston Kilgore]

Then?

[Jimmy Olsen]

What's the big happening you're talking about? And why are you holding me in this place?

[Thurston Kilgore]

I am Thurston Kilgore, scientist. But soon I shall be Thurston Kilgore, Master of the World.

[Jimmy Olsen]

Master of the world? You've got to be kidding.

[Thurston Kilgore]

Kidding? Not at all. You see these television screens? I'll turn on number one. What do you see?

[Jimmy Olsen]

The White House. The Christmas tree on the lawn.

[Thurston Kilgore]

And here's number two. Now, what do you see?

[Jimmy Olsen]

I'm not sure. Looks like.

[Lois Lane]

Yeah?

[Jimmy Olsen]

A missile at a rocket site.

[Thurston Kilgore]

Very good. That rocket, by the way, is ready for immediate launching and carries a payload of five nuclear warheads, each 100 times as powerful as the Hiroshima bomb.

[Jimmy Olsen]

But what has this got to do with.

[Thurston Kilgore]

Patience, young man, patience. And now, screen number three.

[Jimmy Olsen]

Another rocket.

[Thurston Kilgore]

And four. And five. And six. There you are, the whole picture.

[Jimmy Olsen]

Five multiple head rockets, all tied to.

[Thurston Kilgore]

The controls in the War Room of the Pentagon and targeted on our enemies.

[Jimmy Olsen]

But the only person authorized to push the button is. Yes, the President of the United States.

[Thurston Kilgore]

Precisely.

[Jimmy Olsen]

But we're not at war, and he's not about to push that button.

[Thurston Kilgore]

Quite right. Not that button. And not knowingly, but there are buttons and buttons.

[Jimmy Olsen]

I still don't like the button that.

[Thurston Kilgore]

Will turn on the lights on that.

[Jimmy Olsen]

Beautiful Christmas tree on the White House lawn. Right. You mean to say that button is tied into the rocket launch system you just showed me?

[Thurston Kilgore]

Now you're getting it. It's tied in by a remote control circuit I secretly installed.

[Jimmy Olsen]

And when the President pushes the button that lights the tree.

[Ray (Oregon Visitor)]

Good Lord.

[Thurston Kilgore]

For a brief moment, the lights will go on. And then a bomb concealed in one of the tree ornaments will detonate, destroying everyone in the immediate area.

[Jimmy Olsen]

Including the President.

[Thurston Kilgore]

Especially the President. And simultaneously, five beautiful rockets will soar like avenging angels through the night sky. And when they reach their targets, they will light up the whole world.

[Jimmy Olsen]

But what have I got to do with all this?

[Thurston Kilgore]

Why hold me? Because you, my young friend, are the bait in a trap I have set to capture and eliminate, once and for all the only man who could possibly interfere with my plan. Superman.

[Lois Lane]

Isn't this exciting? What time will they turn on the lights, Harry?

[Ray (Oregon Visitor)]

Gee, I don't know. It should be anytime now.

[Lois Lane]

Will we be able to see the President first? I think so.

[Ray (Oregon Visitor)]

We got here early enough to pick a good spot.

[Jimmy Olsen]

Hey, mister. Watch where you going.

[Ray (Oregon Visitor)]

Oh, my gosh, It's Superman.

[Narrator]

I'm sorry, sir. I was looking for a young newscaster, Jimmy Olsen. He was interviewing people right around here a little while ago. Have you seen him?

[Lois Lane]

Oh, sure. He interviewed us.

[Narrator]

Did you see where he went last week?

[Ray (Oregon Visitor)]

So I went over to that van over there.

[Narrator]

Oh, the WGVS mobile unit. Thanks. Nobody here. What's this on the seat? A note addressed to me. If you want to see Jimmy Olsen alive, come to the top floor of the warehouse at the end of L Street. Sign tk. TK Thurston Kilgore. So I was right. He was the one I saw on tv. And at that moment, a cheer goes up from the crowd.

[Jimmy Olsen]

Hey, look, it's the President.

[Narrator]

I know there's something wrong here. Something involving the President, but I don't know what it is. And I have to go save Jimmy. Well, this is the warehouse, but I don't.

[Thurston Kilgore]

Come in, Superman. The door is open.

[Narrator]

Kilgore.

[Thurston Kilgore]

Welcome. Superman.

[Narrator]

Where's. Oh, Jimmy, There you are. Are you all right?

[Thurston Kilgore]

So far.

[Jimmy Olsen]

But you've got to stop him, Superman.

[Lois Lane]

He.

[Jimmy Olsen]

He's going to.

[Narrator]

Don't worry. I'll take care of him.

[Thurston Kilgore]

You'll take care of nothing. Superman, you're through. Superman, what's wrong?

[Narrator]

I feel weak. Dizzy.

[Thurston Kilgore]

And soon you will feel nothing. This machine duplicates the deadly rays of green kryptonite, the always substance that can destroy the mighty Superman. And so, I leave you both. In a few minutes, you, Superman, will be dead. And my crypto ray machine will self destruct, Wiping out all evidence of my connection with this place. Including you, little Jimmy.

[Jimmy Olsen]

If only I could get loose.

[Narrator]

Tata.

[Thurston Kilgore]

Both of you. I'm off in my armored car to watch the President light up the world.

[Ray (Oregon Visitor)]

And just today, the day before Christmas, the United Nations Security Council in extraordinary session, voted unanimously to ban all nuclear weapons. On this glorious night before Christmas, therefore, there is more hope than ever that peace on Earth and goodwill to all mankind can become a reality.

[Thurston Kilgore]

Command. Get on with it. Get on with it. Light up the tree. Mr. President.

[Ray (Oregon Visitor)]

And so, with great joy in my heart, I press the button that will light up this beautiful symbol of brotherhood and love.

[Narrator]

And just as his finger touches the button, the figure of the mightiest man on Earth swoops down out of the sky.

[Lois Lane]

It's Superman.

[Narrator]

Tears one of the ornaments off the tree and hurls it high into the night sky where it explodes harmlessly with a roar. Now the President is safe at least. But I was too late to prevent the rockets from being fired. Got to stop them somehow. And then occurred one of the most incredible events in the history of the world. Crisscrossing the skies at unbelievable speed, a man of steel flies to each of the five rockets in rapid succession, changes their course in mid flight and heads them on a collision course with the sun. Where their death dealing potential will be fused with the life giving energy of Earth's great star. Later, back at the WGBS studios in Metropolis.

[Lois Lane]

What an incredible story, Jimmy.

[Jimmy Olsen]

By sheer luck, my chair fell over as I struggled to break the ropes I was tied up with. And I fell against Kilgore's crypto ray machine knocking it over and putting it out of action.

[Lois Lane]

With the rays stopped, of course, Superman's strength returned.

[Jimmy Olsen]

And since Kilgore had shown me where the bomb on the Christmas tree and all the rockets were located, I told Superman and you know the rest.

[Lois Lane]

What happened to Kilgore?

[Jimmy Olsen]

In a way, I. I feel kind of sorry for him. The failure of his plan was too much for his twisted mind. And the police picked him up babbling like a baby on the White House lawn.

[Lois Lane]

Clark Kent, where in the world have you been?

[Narrator]

Well, I hate to admit it, but I was tired and went up to my room for a nap. What did I miss?

[Lois Lane]

I go on the air at midnight. Listen and you'll find out.

[Jimmy Olsen]

You're on, Miss Lane.

[Lois Lane]

Merry Christmas everyone. This is Lois Lane with the latest WGBs inside story of how Superman saved the life of the president and prevented World War three. In what will probably go down as one of the greatest Christmas events.

[Narrator]

Everyone.

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