Little Orphan Annie 36-xx-xx (1018) Mr Flint Is Selling Stock In Toll Bridge

Summary

Podcast Summary: Harold's Old Time Radio

Episode: Little Orphan Annie 36-xx-xx (1018) Mr. Flint Is Selling Stock In Toll Bridge
Release Date: July 9, 2025

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Introduction

The episode begins with the Narrator setting the stage for another adventure of Little Orphan Annie, seamlessly blending storytelling with a nostalgic promotion for Ovaltine. This introduction not only immerses listeners into Annie's world but also subtly promotes the beloved malted drink, Ovaltine, as a remedy for nervousness and a boost for academic performance.

Notable Quote:

"Because every cupful of Ovaltine not only gives you important minerals and vitamins to help build you up, but it also brings you the special important vitamin you may have to have so you won't be so nervous."
— Narrator [00:41]

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Annie and Joe's Return Home

Annie and Joe Corntest return to the Warbucks' farm, greeted by Mr. Warbucks. The siblings express their joy in being back, showcasing the warmth and comfort of home after their time away.

Notable Quotes:

"Shucks, just look out there, Annie. Across the barnyard and over those fields toward the woods. Did you ever see anything so pretty in all your life?"
— Joe Corntest [02:47]

"Sounds pretty good, all right."
— Annie [03:11]

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Reunion with the Silo Family

The Corntests reunite with Mrs. Silo, who warmly welcomes them into her kitchen filled with the aroma of freshly baked cookies. This scene emphasizes the strong sense of community and familial bonds within Simmons Corners.

Notable Quotes:

"Boy, oh, boy, I smell cookies cooking."
— Joe Corntest [04:08]

"I swear to goodness, now that I got you both back, it don't hardly seem you ever been away."
— Mrs. Silo [04:55]

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Introduction of Mr. Caleb Flint

The tranquility of the farm is interrupted by the arrival of Mr. Caleb Flint, a wealthy businessman from the city. Mr. Flint introduces himself as the financier behind a new bridge project aimed at improving transportation in Simmons Corners. His generous donation of a pipe organ to the local church further establishes his influential presence in the community.

Notable Quotes:

"I want to get better acquainted with all the leading citizens of the county, so I thought I'd stop."
— Caleb Flint [07:22]

"I've heard a lot about you in Simmons Corners, especially at the church. I'm a good God fearing man and I like to know church members."
— Caleb Flint [07:41]

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Mr. Flint's Proposal: Investment in the Toll Bridge

Mr. Flint presents an enticing investment opportunity to the Silos, offering them a chance to invest in the construction of a new toll bridge across the river. This bridge promises to reduce travel distance for residents by over 18 miles, potentially boosting local commerce and connectivity.

Notable Quotes:

"Being one of the leading citizens, I thought I'd give you a chance to get in on the ground floor, so to speak."
— Caleb Flint [09:24]

"If you'd like to invest, Mr. Silo. Oh, a few hundred dollars in a sure thing. Just get in touch with either me or Mr. Poole. It's a marvelous stock you're buying, and you can't go wrong."
— Caleb Flint [09:55]

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Annie's Suspicion and Concerns

While Mr. Flint's generosity is lauded by most, Annie becomes skeptical of his intentions. She raises concerns about the motives behind his charitable acts, suspecting that there might be an ulterior motive for his investments.

Notable Quotes:

"All I mean, Mrs. Silo, is that it strikes me Mr. Flint's a little too generous. People who go around giving things away like that usually expect to get something back. And unless I'm wrong, they expect to get back twice as much as they ever gave."
— Annie [11:30]

Narrator's Prompt:

"What do you think of this Mr. Flint? Mr. Silo certainly likes him, doesn't he? And Mrs. Silo, too. But say, do you think Annie's got the right idea about him?"
— Narrator [11:45]

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Secret Message and Community Engagement

As the episode progresses, the Narrator engages the audience by introducing a secret message in Annie's 1936 secret radio code. Listeners are encouraged to participate by using a decoder pin and solving the mystery, enhancing interactive engagement reminiscent of radio shows from the Golden Age.

Notable Quotes:

"Tonight's secret message is coming in the 021 code. Did you get that? 021 is the special code key for tonight's secret message."
— Narrator [11:45]

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Conclusion and Teaser for Next Episode

The episode concludes with a reminder for listeners to engage with the secret code and an enticing teaser for future adventures in Simmons Corners, promising more excitement and developments related to Mr. Flint's ventures.

Notable Quote:

"Because there's going to be an awful lot happening in Simmons Corners from now on. Excitement you don't want to miss. We'll see you tomorrow at 5:45 then. Goodbye."
— Narrator [14:55]

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Final Thoughts

This episode of Little Orphan Annie masterfully intertwines community dynamics, business developments, and personal suspicions, all while maintaining the charm and engagement characteristic of Golden Age radio shows. Through Annie's keen observation and the introduction of Mr. Flint's influential character, listeners are left anticipating the unfolding of potential conflicts and alliances in future episodes.

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Note: Advertisements for Lowes at [00:01] and [15:14], as well as the Ovaltine promotion at [00:41], have been intentionally excluded from this summary to focus solely on the episode's narrative content.

Transcript

[Lowe's Advertising]

Lowes knows July 4th savings are worth celebrating right now. Get up to 40% off select major appliances and get an additional 10% off two or more select major appliances plus get three Scott's Naturescapes 1.5 cubic foot mulch bags for just $10. These deals are coming in hot. Lowes we help you Save. Valid through 7 9. Selection varies by location while supplies last. See Lowes.com for more details. Excludes Alaska and Hawaii.

[Narrator]

Well, it's 5:45 now. Time to hear about Orphan Annie's adventures. And all about Ovaltine, too. And if you haven't tried Ovaltine yet, here's something I want to ask you. You get so fidgety and fussy in school that your teacher scolds you for not paying attention. And then when your report card comes, you get such poor marks that your mother and father worry about it and perhaps scold you too. Well, maybe it's not all your fault. You know, doctors say that some boys and girls don't get along so well in school no matter how hard they try, because they're kind of nervous and high strung. And if that's your trouble, perhaps Ovaltine's the thing to help you. Because every cupful of Ovaltine not only gives you important minerals and vitamins to help build you up, but it also brings you the special important vitamin you may have to have so you won't be so nervous. Yes, sir, Ovaltine has helped lots of nervous boys and girls to feel better. So ask your mother to let you start on Ovaltine, too. But the main thing is to keep drinking it regularly. Remember, it's the person who keeps on trying who usually wins out, you know? And after a while, just see if you don't begin to get feel better and find school lots easier. And perhaps you'll begin to get higher marks, too. Nobody will scold you then, and your mother and father will be mighty proud of you. You just try Ovaltine. See what a big difference it may make. But now, all you new 1936 members of Annie's secret society, attention. Right after tonight's adventure's over, we're going to broadcast another important secret message in Annie's new 1936 secret radio code. So get your pencils ready and be sure to keep listening. And now for our adventure. Yesterday, Mr. Warbucks brought Annie Jo and Sandy home to the silos. And believe me, it was a mighty happy reunion. The only sad thing about it was the Daddy Warbucks had to go right back to New York. And right now, Annie and Joe are standing on the Silo's back porch looking across the farm and the fields. And if you don't think they're glad to get back, listen to what Joe's saying now.

[Joe Corntest]

Shucks, just look out there, Annie. Across the barnyard and over those fields toward the woods. Did you ever see anything so pretty in all your life?

[Annie]

Guess I never did, Joe.

[Joe Corntest]

I'll say you didn't. With those patches of snow on the fields and the green and brown beginning to show through. Boy, oh, boy, it sure looks like home to me.

[Annie]

Yeah, me, too.

[Joe Corntest]

Just listen to that cow. Isn't that the nicest music you ever heard?

[Annie]

Sounds pretty good, all right.

[Joe Corntest]

And, boy, oh, boy, listen to that. Say, there never was anything sounded better to me than a rooster.

[Annie]

I guess I feel just the same as you do, Joe. I guess we're just a couple of farmers.

[Joe Corntest]

I'll say we are. You know, Annie?

[Annie]

What?

[Joe Corntest]

When I went home yesterday, I bet.

[Annie]

Your mother was glad to see you, Joe. Glad?

[Joe Corntest]

She caught me right up in her arms, Annie. And then she started crying. Shucks, guess I cried a little myself. And you know, Annie, Peter and Paul cried, too.

[Annie]

They did?

[Joe Corntest]

Sure. They were so glad to see me. Peter started it. And with being twins, I guess Paul thought he ought to cry, too. Anyhow, it was swell, people wanting you like that and being glad to see you. Seems like the whole countryside's glad to see us today.

[Mrs. Silo]

Land stakes alive. What are you children standing out there on that porch for?

[Annie]

We were just looking around, Mrs. Silo. And being glad we're home appears to.

[Mrs. Silo]

Me that's a funny way to be glad. Now, if you want to be really glad, come in the kitchen here.

[Joe Corntest]

Boy, oh, boy, I smell cookies cooking.

[Mrs. Silo]

That's just what you do. Joe Corncastle might have known no matter how long you were away, you could still smell my cookies. Well, come and get em. Boy, will we.

[Joe Corntest]

Come on, Annie.

[Mr. Silo]

I thought you children would begin sniffing around Moore's kitchen pretty soon.

[Mrs. Silo]

Now, look out, Joe, don't rush for them cookies. They're hot.

[Joe Corntest]

Shucks, it's been so long since I had any homemade cookies. I don't care how hot they are.

[Mrs. Silo]

Here, Annie, better have one of these cookies, for Joe eats more than his share.

[Joe Corntest]

Boy, oh, boy, I'll have another one.

[Mrs. Silo]

Appears to me. Joe, you got all you can handle in your mouth right now, but go ahead. It makes me feel like old times to see the two of you eating my baked goods.

[Joe Corntest]

Seems like old times to me, too.

[Mrs. Silo]

I swear to goodness, now that I got you both Back. It don't hardly seem you ever been away. Things are just the same as they used to be. Both of you hungry and eating up things as fast as I can cook.

[Mr. Silo]

Them things ain't quite the same, though, Ma.

[Mrs. Silo]

Well, what do you mean?

[Mr. Silo]

Well, folks are the same, but things aren't great. Snakes. Annie, since you've been gone, Simmons Corners have been going into big business.

[Annie]

Big business? What do you mean, Mr. Silo?

[Mrs. Silo]

All means, Annie, that a man has come here from the city, a Mr. Caleb Flint. And he's going for things in a big way.

[Annie]

Things? What sort of things?

[Mrs. Silo]

Well, he's opened a new bank as if one bank wasn't enough for Simmons Corners. And he's put up a big electric sign over it. As if signs could get people to have money in their pockets.

[Mr. Silo]

Now, Ma, you're not looking at this in the right way. Mr. Flint's a big man. Besides, this new bank, Annie, all the time you and Joe been gone, he's been starting to build a bridge.

[Joe Corntest]

A bridge?

[Mr. Silo]

Yeah, a bridge across the river. You see, the way things are now, when folks want to go west they have to drive clear down Sunfield and cross the river there. But with this new bridge Mr. Flint's building. By paying toll, you can cross the bridge here at Simmons Corner. That means folks will save more than 18 miles driving west.

[Annie]

That seems like an awful swell idea.

[Mr. Silo]

That's just what I've been trying to tell Ma.

[Mrs. Silo]

The idea may be all right, Pa. It's the man I don't like.

[Mr. Silo]

Why, what's the matter with Mr. Flint Maugham?

[Mrs. Silo]

Well, I don't know. Maybe nothing's the matter with him. It's just that I don't seem to take a hankering to him. Maybe it's that stiff collar he wears or his city ways.

[Mr. Silo]

Oh, that's no reason for not liking a person more than you know it.

[Mrs. Silo]

Well, maybe I do, but I still can't help my likes of dislikes, can I?

[Mr. Silo]

I don't know what you can help, but it don't seem to me that.

[Joe Corntest]

Say, isn't it a car out there in the driveway?

[Annie]

I'll say it is. I can see it from the window. Fleetman Lizard is the biggest car I ever saw in my life. It's bigger than any of Daddy warbugs.

[Joe Corntest]

I'll say it is. Shucks, look at it shine.

[Annie]

There's a man getting out too. Jumping grasshoppers. He looks like the president or something, from the way he's dressed.

[Joe Corntest]

Boy, oh, boy, look at that long coat. And that high silk cap. Gosh, whoever he is, he must be somebody.

[Mr. Silo]

It's Mr. Flint, that's who it is. It's Mr. Flint, the man who's building a new bridge.

[Mrs. Silo]

Now, what could he be walking here?

[Mr. Silo]

I don't know, Ma. But anyhow, he wants to come in.

[Mrs. Silo]

I guess you better let him in.

[Caleb Flint]

Good day, Mr. Silo.

[Mr. Silo]

Good day.

[Caleb Flint]

I was passing by here and I thought it might be well to come in and meet you. I want to get better acquainted with all the leading citizens of the county, so I thought I'd stop.

[Mr. Silo]

Why, come in, Mr. Flint. Come in.

[Caleb Flint]

Thank you. Thank you, I shall.

[Mr. Silo]

This is Mrs. Silo, Mr. Flint.

[Caleb Flint]

I'm mighty pleased to meet you, Mrs. Silo. I've heard a lot about you in Simmons Corners, especially at the church. I'm a good God fearing man and I like to know church members.

[Mrs. Silo]

Well, now, that's nice of you, Mr. Flint.

[Caleb Flint]

Not at all, not at all. Since my venture into business here in Simmons Corners, one of the finest garden spots on this earth, I felt I want to get better acquainted with all the charming people who live here.

[Mrs. Silo]

Well, I hardly know what to say, Mr. Flint. You sort of take me by surprise. Meet Annie and Joe Corntest.

[Caleb Flint]

How do you do? How do you do? My, if there's anything I love is children. I never was blessed with any myself, but that doesn't affect my feelings for them. I'm mighty glad to meet you, both of you.

[Annie]

How do you do?

[Narrator]

Hello.

[Caleb Flint]

Two mighty husky, bright children. My, you're to be congratulated, Mr. Silo.

[Mr. Silo]

Well, you see, they don't exactly belong to mourn me.

[Caleb Flint]

Well, just having them in your house tells me a lot about your character, Mr. Silo. Anyone with two bright young children like this around couldn't help being progressive.

[Mr. Silo]

Well, I've always thought I kept up with the time.

[Caleb Flint]

Of course you do. Of course you do. That's one reason I dropped in to see you. Now, everyone tells me, Mr. Silo, that you're one of the most prosperous citizens of our community. And Speaking of churches, Mrs. Silo, it may interest you to know that I have just donated a new pipe organ to our church.

[Mrs. Silo]

Land sakes, that's wonderful, Mr. Flint, simply wonderful.

[Caleb Flint]

Why, nothing at all, I assure you. Giving this organ to the church is a great pleasure to me. But speaking of the bridge, Mr. Silo, we were speaking of the bridge.

[Mr. Silo]

Yes, of course.

[Caleb Flint]

Being one of the leading citizens, I thought I'd give you a chance to get in on the ground floor, so to speak. Now, this bridge is going to be a community affair. Of course, I could finance it in parlor from New York, but I felt that you people who live here on the spot should have a chance to share in the profits.

[Mrs. Silo]

That's mighty nice of you, Mr. Flynn.

[Caleb Flint]

Why, not at all. Whenever I have an enterprise, I like the community to share in it. That's why I picked one of the other leading citizens, Luke Poole, who handled the stock for me.

[Annie]

Luke Poole?

[Caleb Flint]

Yes, indeed. One of your enterprising businessmen. I thought it would be better if he sold his stock rather than I. In as much as you all know him.

[Annie]

We know him all right.

[Caleb Flint]

I beg your pardon. Nothing as though. If you'd like to invest, Mr. Silo. Oh, a few hundred dollars in a sure thing. Just get in touch with either me or Mr. Pool. It's a marvelous stock you're buying, and you can't go wrong.

[Mr. Silo]

Buying?

[Caleb Flint]

Why, of course. All the leading citizens of the county are buying, Mr. Silo. And I know you want to be in on the ground floor with the rest of them. That's why I dropped in to give you this opportunity. Well, goodbye. Mrs. Silo. So nice to have met you. I know we'll all enjoy the music of that new organ.

[Mrs. Silo]

Goodbye, Mr. Flint. I don't know how we ladies will ever thank you for that wonderful organ.

[Caleb Flint]

Pray don't mention it, Mrs. Silo. The pleasure's all mine. Well, goodbye, children.

[Annie]

Goodbye.

[Joe Corntest]

Goodbye.

[Caleb Flint]

Oh, I'm thinking of donating the village of playground children with all sorts of.

[Narrator]

Things for you to play with.

[Caleb Flint]

I know you'll like it. Well, goodbye, Mr. Silo. Come in and see me. What do you want? That stock.

[Mrs. Silo]

My, oh, my. How I misjudged that man.

[Mr. Silo]

Misjudged him? What do you mean, Mo?

[Mrs. Silo]

Why, he's wonderful. Simply wonderful. Think of him donating that new organ to the church. Nobody in Simmons Corners has ever done anything like that before.

[Joe Corntest]

Shucks. They sure heaven you must buy some.

[Mrs. Silo]

Of that stock in the new bridge, Pa. If Mr. Flint's behind it, I'm sure it must be a fine thing.

[Mr. Silo]

I'll think it over, Ma.

[Annie]

If I were you, Mr. Silo, I'd think it over awful. Well.

[Mrs. Silo]

Why, Annie, whatever do you mean?

[Annie]

All I mean, Mrs. Silo, is that it strikes me Mr. Flint's a little too generous. People who go around giving things away like that usually expect to get something back. And unless I'm wrong, they expect to get back twice as much as they ever gave.

[Narrator]

Well, what do you think of this Mr. Flint? Mr. Silo certainly likes him, doesn't he? And Mrs. Silo, too. But say, do you think Annie's got the right idea about him? Do people who give things away as Mr. Flint is doing expect to get twice as much back? What do you think of Mr. Flint? But now, attention everybody, please. For an important secret message broadcast in Annie's new 1936 mystery radio code. So all you 1936 members get your pencils and papers ready to take it down first. We always give you the special code key. And tonight's secret message is coming in the 021 code. Did you get that? 021 is the special code key for tonight's secret message. So write 021 down on your paper right now so you won't forget it. And here's the secret message itself. First word, 24. 12. 12. 17, 13. Second word. 14. 17, 6. 17, 26, 6. Third word. 15, 24. 22. 13, 6. Fourth and last word. 13, 4, 1. 21. 20, 17, 19, 4. That's all. And that was another secret message in Annie's new 1936 mystery radio code. So all you 1936 members who have your super decoder pins and secret books, get busy and figure it out right now. Just set your super decoder pin at 021 the way I told you before. I read the message and it figures the whole thing out for you in a jiffy. And say, if you haven't sent in for your 1936 membership yet and are missing out on all the fun of figuring out these secret messages from Annie, you certainly want to get busy and join right away. Remember, it's absolutely free if you're drinking your Ovaltine regularly. Because here's all you have to do. Just print your name and address plainly on a piece of paper. Then mail it in together with all of the thin round aluminum seal from underneath the lid of a can of Ovaltine to Little Orphan Annie, Chicago, Illinois. Or if you live in Canada, mail it to Ovaltine, Peterborough, Ontario. That's all there is to it. And then Annie sends you the beautiful gold colored super decoder pin and the new 1936 official book of Secrets. So get busy and send him this very night. And be here right on time tomorrow at 5:45. Because there's going to be an awful lot happening in Simmons Corners from now on. Excitement you don't want to miss. We'll see you tomorrow at 5:45 then. Goodbye.

[Lowe's Advertising]

Lowe's knows July 4th savings are worth celebrating right now. Get up to 40% off. Select major appliances and get an additional 10% off two or more. Select major appliances, plus get three Scott's Naturescapes 1.5 cubic foot mulch bags for just $10. These deals are coming in hot. Lowe's we help you Save valid through 7 9. Selection varies by location, while supplies last. See lowe's.com for more details. Excludes Alaska and Hawaii.