Listener’s Playhouse: “The Twenty-First Girl” (June 29, 1940)

Episode Overview

This episode of Harold’s Old Time Radio presents “The Twenty-First Girl,” an original radio play from the Listener’s Playhouse series, first aired on June 29, 1940. Set in the whimsical world of American folklore, the story follows the legendary lumberjack Paul Bunyan as he seeks companionship, only to find himself entangled in comically escalating matrimonial and existential predicaments. Through humor and heartfelt reflections, the play explores themes of loneliness, love, legendary status, and the importance of legends for a nation’s spirit.

Key Discussion Points and Story Beats

Introduction & Setting the Scene

• [00:53–01:36] The NBC announcer introduces Listener's Playhouse and the unique style of the evening's play, highlighting special musical motifs for each character and scene, particularly Paul Bunyan and Johnny Inkslinger.
• [01:33–02:39] The main characters introduce themselves via signature musical cues:
  • Johnny Inkslinger: The trusty sidekick.
  • Paul Bunyan: The legendary larger-than-life lumberjack.
  • The 21st Girl: Central to the story’s twist.

Paul Bunyan’s Trouble

• [03:21–05:19] A telegram brings news of Paul Bunyan's destructive walk along Lake Superior. The Sheriff tasks Johnny Inkslinger to find and calm Bunyan before he destroys more of the wilderness.
  • Quote (Johnny Inkslinger, 04:45):

    "Taller than the tallest tree. That's Paul Bunyan. Than a hundred men he pulls up trees by the root, drinks a river dry in the Gulf, eats 20 cows for lunch and makes an omelette from a thousand eggs. That's Paul Bunyan, the greatest lumberjack that ever lived. And now he's mad at something."

• [05:19–06:34] Johnny finds Paul Bunyan in tears, revealing a rare moment of emotional vulnerability.
  • Quote (Paul Bunyan, 05:19):

    "Oh, doggone bind. Old tree. Oh, that's no fun. I'm unhappy. I feel like I'm going to cry."

Crisis of the Legend

• [06:34–07:56] Johnny warns Paul about the consequences of his legendary status:
  • If legends misbehave, people stop believing in them—and they disappear from memory.
  • Quote (Johnny Inkslinger, 07:03):

    "Mind you, you're about the best legend that America has... America ought to have more legends like you. Legends of strength and great for the people to believe in. Legends of beauty and glory. I tell you, Mr. Bunyan, you're a mighty wonderful legend."

Bunyan’s Loneliness and Quest for Love

• [08:34–09:41] Paul admits his loneliness and yearning for love:
  • Quote (Paul Bunyan, 09:02):

    "Yes, I'm... I'm in love. I'm a man, Johnny. I may be a legend, but I'm still a man. And I'm in love."

• Paul compares himself to a solitary tree—strong, but vulnerable and alone.

The Search for a Wife

• [10:49–14:06] Johnny suggests Paul should get married to end his loneliness—leading to an open call for suitors.
• [11:25–12:36] Women from all over the country arrive hoping to marry Paul; comedic chaos ensues as their ambitions and talents are proclaimed.
  • Memorable moment (Sheriff, 12:08):

    "My wife wants to marry Paul Bunyan. I tell you, Mr. Bunyan, this is the greatest thing that ever happened for the state of Wisconsin."

• [13:18–13:53] Paul meets the hopeful brides, each allowed one sentence to impress him, highlighting his comedic indecision and the spectacle of mass matchmaking.

Comedic Selection and the “Bigamist” Dilemma

• [15:17–17:56] Paul finds himself smitten with more than one candidate—amused by each woman’s unique skill or trait.
  • Quote (Paul Bunyan, 17:10):

    "I'm in love with all those women."

  • Quote (Johnny Inkslinger, 17:16):

    "It isn't right Mr. Bunyan, something must be wrong with you."

• [18:18–19:10] Paul, unable to decide, declares he will marry them all, leading to the absurd legal and social consequences.
  • Quote (Paul Bunyan, 18:34):

    "I'm going to marry them all."

• [19:07–19:17] Word spreads—Paul Bunyan intends to marry at least 20 girls. Debate breaks out over whether this is “bigotry” or “bigamy.”
  • Memorable moment (Sheriff & Johnny Inkslinger, 19:07–19:10):

    Sheriff: "We can't marry them all. That's bigotry."
    Johnny: "You mean bigamy. Marrying two women is bigamy. Marrying 20 is bigotry."

The Courtroom Farce and Legal Resolution

• [19:24–21:17] In a tongue-in-cheek trial, various witnesses affirm Paul's legendary status: as strong as 20 men, eats like 20, drinks like 20.
  • Quote Montage (19:36–21:17):
    • "Why, he's as strong as 20 men!"
    • "If I know Paul Bunyan drink, he drinks enough for 20 men."
    • "On the basis of expert evidence... the court hereby directs the city clerk... to issue a marriage license to Paul Bunyan and 20 females."
• [22:04–23:57] Paul is flooded with gifts and congratulatory offers for his impending mass wedding. He reflects on his legacy and America's need for legends, drawing a contrast between American and European myths.
  • Quote (Paul Bunyan, 22:19):

    "You have no idea how much faith the American people put in their legends... because the American people like to believe in something simple like being honest."

The Final Twist: The 21st Girl

• [24:00–25:27] Chaos resumes as officials realize Paul has promised to marry 21 women, not 20—jeopardizing his license and leading to further legal and social bewilderment.
• [26:28–28:52] The mysterious “21st Girl” visits Paul:
  • She explains that none of the girls want to be excluded or cause hurt; they release Paul from his obligations, uniting in letting the legend return to belong to every American, rather than just a select few.
  • Quote (The 21st Girl, 28:19):

    "You're a legend, Paul. And we need you as a legend to belong to all of us. And you mustn't ever try to belong to just a few of us alone. You must always belong to all of us."

• Paul gratefully accepts, vowing to remain the nation’s beloved legend.

Resolution & Moral

• [28:54–29:15] A collective pledge is made: Paul will remain a legend for all, and in this way, will never be lonely.
• [29:05] Paul Bunyan:

  "Never. I'll always be your greatest and best legend. A legend of strength and power for America."

• The 21st Girl bids him an affectionate goodbye on behalf of all (and all Americans).

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• Paul Bunyan’s Emotional Confession:
  "Yes, Johnny, I... I’ve been crying. Now don’t you say a word to anybody about it. But that was me crying." — Paul Bunyan [06:02]
• On Being a Legend:
  "Mind you, you’re about the best legend that America has... America ought to have more legends like you." — Johnny Inkslinger [07:03]
• The Court Decides:
  "It is the opinion of this court that Paul Bunyan is 20 men. Therefore, this court hereby directs the city clerk... to issue a marriage license to Paul Bunyan and 20 females." — Judge [21:26]
• Bigotry vs Bigamy:
  "Marrying two women is bigamy. Marrying 20 is bigotry." — Johnny Inkslinger [19:10]
• The Moral of Legends:
  "People take that legend out and believe in it every time they get paid in low. Because that just means that everybody in this country can be famous and great just by working himself and teaching himself and then taking... Take me, by golly, the legend of Paul Bunyan. Just a lumberjack, but a legend of strength." — Paul Bunyan [22:35]
• Belonging to All:
  "You’re a legend, Paul. And we need you as a legend to belong to all of us. And you mustn’t ever try to belong to just a few of us alone. You must always belong to all of us." — The 21st Girl [28:19]

Important Timestamps

• [00:53–01:36]: Show and episode introduction
• [03:21–05:47]: Paul’s troubles begin
• [06:34–07:56]: Warning about the fate of forgotten legends
• [09:02–09:41]: Paul Bunyan’s loneliness
• [11:25–12:36]: Suitors arrive in droves
• [13:18–13:53]: Brides try to impress Paul
• [18:34–19:10]: Paul’s declaration to marry 20
• [19:24–21:17]: The courtroom scene
• [22:04–23:57]: Reflections on legend and American values
• [24:00–26:02]: The legal mix-up: 20 vs 21 brides
• [26:28–28:52]: The 21st Girl resolves the story

Conclusion

“The Twenty-First Girl” is a witty, thoughtful, and ultimately heartwarming exploration of American folklore, community, and belonging. Through Paul Bunyan’s outsized predicament, the play gently lampoons social institutions—court, marriage, even advertising—while affirming the power of collective belief in great stories. The twist ending, with Paul reclaimed for all rather than any one, upholds the central place of legends in the nation’s imaginative life.

Listeners interested in American folklore, radio drama, or tales about the importance of shared myths and community will find this episode both charming and meaningful.