Harold's Old Time Radio<br>Episode: "Little Man Inside, The 450921_OTRRPG"<br>Date: February 13, 2026

Episode Overview

This episode of Harold's Old Time Radio features “The Little Man Inside,” a Golden Age radio comedy that playfully dramatizes the humorous disconnect between people's actions and their inner thoughts. The story spotlights John Nelson, an everyday man, and the internal dialogue of his "little man inside" as he navigates a night of domestic chaos, dreams, and imagined danger—all set against the cozy backdrop of mid-century home life.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. The "Little Man Inside" Concept

• The radio play opens with the narrator establishing the premise: John Nelson’s external words and actions are often hilariously at odds with the inner commentary provided by his "little man inside."
  • Quote (00:32): “The trouble with civilization is there isn't enough of it.”
  • The narrator describes the inner monologue: “Very often the little man inside is carrying on a different conversation than the one passing our lips.” (00:35)

2. Dream Sequence and Domestic Reality (02:14 – 03:12)

• The show begins while John is asleep, with his little man guiding a surreal dream featuring pink elephants, green gorillas, and the confusion between reality and fantasy.
  • Notable Moment: John’s dream blends into reality when his wife shakes him awake.
  • Quote (02:14): “Look at that elephant. Pink with green stripes, eating a yellow ice cream cone and a shovel nose… No, that's Tuesday. Look, he's coming this way on roller skates.”
• The abrupt switch to reality is played for laughs as John’s wife interrupts:
  • Quote (03:05): “Stop shaking me… Oh, hello, honey. Oh, what do you want?”

3. Suspicion of a Burglar and Gender Stereotypes (03:33 – 05:17)

• John's wife suspects a burglar in the basement, leading to a comedic exploration of gender roles:
  • John’s internal griping:
    • Quote (04:15): “Why is it that women are built to bake pies and men are built to stoke furnaces and never the twain shall meet?”
  • The couple’s roles are humorously reversed as John is cajoled into confronting potential danger.
• The exchange is loaded with banter and the little man’s constant sarcastic commentary.

4. Basement Investigation and Overactive Imaginations (06:06 – 09:02)

• The tension rises as John and his wife explore the basement:
  • John’s internal back-and-forth between bravery and cowardice:
    • Quote (06:15): “I feel better with this bat in my hand than I would without it. Well, I'll look behind the furnace first. Nothing there.”
    • Quote (07:06): “That sure makes sense.” (mocking his wife’s attempts to call out to an imaginary figure)
• The mundane scenario escalates to a near-comic panic when they believe they've trapped a burglar, and the police are called.

5. Interaction with Police—Farce of the False Alarm (09:03 – 11:10)

• The banter continues as the police are called and respond:
  • The little man's sarcasm escalates (“Why do I pay taxes?” [08:27]), and John and his wife try to appear calm and collected.
• The police search the basement, only to discover the "burglar" was actually just a dog.
  • Quote (10:58): “It's a dog.”
  • John's embarrassed retort (11:00): “Well, don't look at me that way, you stupid oafs. Didn't you ever make a mistake?”

6. Dealing with Neighborhood Gossip (11:44 – 13:22)

• The aftermath involves awkward interactions with their neighbor, Mr. Collins.
  • John's wife invents a wild tale:
    • Quote (13:02): “Yeah. I tore open the door and strode down. I shot it out with a man to man. It was horrible. And now there he lies in the basement waiting for the coroner.”
  • Internal monologue: “When the coroner comes, tell him to pick up this story too.” (13:11)
• The little man inside critiques the escalating tall tales and imagines neighborhood gossip.

7. Resolution: The Dog Stays (13:29 – 14:10)

• The couple, initially intent on abandoning the unexpected intruder, end up deciding to keep the puppy.
  • Quote (13:54): “I suppose we could keep him. The kids would enjoy him.”
  • The little man inside grumbles at the prospect of more responsibility:
    • “Now wait a minute, old man. That means work.” (13:58)

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• “The trouble with civilization is there isn't enough of it.” – John Nelson (00:32)
• Surreal dream description:
  “Pink with green stripes, eating a yellow ice cream cone and a shovel nose. Wouldn't be Bob Hope. No, that's Tuesday.” – John Nelson (Little Man Inside) (02:14)
• Commentary on gender roles:
  “Why is it that women are built to bake pies and men are built to stoke furnaces and never the twain shall meet?” – John Nelson (Little Man Inside) (04:15)
• Mocking the official response:
  “Why do I pay taxes?” – John Nelson (Little Man Inside) (08:27)
• Final reveal:
  “It's a dog.” – John Nelson's Wife (10:58)

Important Segment Timestamps

• 00:32: Introduction to the "little man inside" concept.
• 02:14: Absurd dream sequence.
• 03:33: The suspected burglar and marital banter begins.
• 06:06: The basement search for the "burglar."
• 09:02: Police are called.
• 10:58: The "burglar" is revealed to be a dog.
• 11:44: Confrontation with the neighbor and escalating tall tales.
• 13:54: The decision to keep the dog.

Tone & Style

• Wry, fast-paced, and whimsical.
• The humor is delivered equally through John’s dry internal monologue and farcical spoken exchanges.
• Sarcasm and gentle parody of suburban anxieties permeate the story.

Summary

This classic radio episode exemplifies the everyday comedy of mismatched perceptions and communication in family life. Blending dreamlike surrealism with relatable domestic farce, "The Little Man Inside" uses internal monologue to highlight the difference between our public masks and private worries. In the end, the “danger” turns harmless, leading to a new (if involuntary) family member—and a final note of exasperated affection from the ever-active little man inside.