Little Orphan Annie - The Bridge Is Destroyed

Summary

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Podcast Summary

Harold's Old Time Radio

Episode: Little Orphan Annie – The Bridge Is Destroyed
Date: May 27, 2026

Overview

This episode of Harold's Old Time Radio features a classic installment from the "Little Orphan Annie" radio adventure series. Set in the small town of Simmons Corners, the episode, "The Bridge Is Destroyed," revolves around a tense night as Annie, her friends, and local lawmen track a notorious criminal, Mr. Flint, and his gang through dark, stormy fields. The chase leads to a dramatic climax at a river crossing, all set against the backdrop of rising floodwaters. The episode captures the spirit of Golden Age radio — suspenseful, community-focused, and full of wholesome drama.

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Key Discussion Points and Episode Breakdown

1. The Setup: A Community on Alert

• 00:42-01:30: The episode opens with the iconic "Who’s that little chatterbox?" song introducing Little Orphan Annie.
• 01:30-03:22: The Ovaltine Announcer sets the scene, summarizing the previous events:
  • Mr. Flint confessed to a payroll and bank robbery and escaped with his accomplices, Wright and Red Hogan.
  • The marshals and Annie's group are out in the pouring rain looking for the fugitives.
• Memorable Quote:
  "After Mr. Flint confessed to the payroll and bank robbery, he escaped with his cronies. And right now...Annie and Joe are searching for them in the fields surrounding Simmons Corners." (Ovaltine Announcer, 01:48)

2. The Rainy Pursuit

• 03:22-05:17: The search is grim:
  • The group is soaked, but determined ("Who minds getting a little wetter?" – Joe, 03:22).
  • Marshall expresses his determination, referencing being taunted by Flint.
  • The group debates their plan as they trudge through muddy fields.
• Memorable Quote:
  "I'm not forgettin' the way Flint taunted me...He said I wasn't much as a police officer. I just want to show him I am." (Marshall, 04:02)

3. Reasoning Out the Fugitives' Hiding Spot

• 05:17-07:03:
  • The group tries to determine where Flint would hide.
  • Joe proposes that Flint would return to the Carson house, where he had previously imprisoned Bill Corwin. Annie and Marshall agree this is plausible.
• Notable Quote:
  "There's one place he'd make for as quick as he could...the place where he kept Bill Corwin prisoner. The old Carson house." (Joe, 06:50)

4. The Dangerous Flood and Arrival at the Carson House

• 07:17-09:29:
  • The party approaches the river, discussing how dangerously high and swift it is due to torrential rain.
  • Annie recalls the great flood of 1919.
  • They reach the Carson house, shrouded in darkness.
• Memorable Quote:
  "I remember the last flood we had here back in 1919. There was nothing could stand against it. Nothing that wasn't solid and anchored down to bedrock." (Annie, 08:54)

5. The Underground Chase

• 10:02-11:42:
  • They hear noises behind the moving fireplace, which leads to a tunnel under the house.
  • Joe suggests heading for the riverbank to intercept the gang before they escape through the tunnel.
  • The rain stops, the moon comes out, and they spot Flint’s gang ahead.
• Notable Moment:
  "It's the fireplace moving in there. The sliding fireplace that leads down to the tunnel under the house." (Joe, 10:26) "With that moon, we'll be able to see something. You said it, Marshall. I see something right now. There on the bank." (Joe, 11:24)

6. Showdown at the Bridge

• 11:42-12:59:
  • Flint and his accomplices make for the bridge to escape over the roaring river.
  • Joe warns the group not to follow: the bridge is crumbling before their eyes due to the flood.
  • Flint and his men run onto the failing bridge as it collapses beneath them.
• Memorable Quote:
  "Look at the bridge. Look at her there in the moonlight. Look at the center of it, just ahead of Flint...The cement's crumbling. It is. It is. It's all falling apart." (Joe & Marshall, 12:25-12:39) "There it goes. The whole bridge. Gone. Gone the whole bridge." (Marshall, 12:59)

7. Justice and Aftermath

• 13:20-13:34:
  • Annie reflects somberly as the criminals are swept away:
    "And with it its builders. Flint, Hogan and Wright. I guess you don't have to do any arresting now, Marshal." (Annie, 13:20)
  • The Ovaltine announcer closes with the moral:
    "There is justice in the world. And as Mr. Flint sowed, so did he reap." (Ovaltine Announcer, 13:34)

8. Teaser for Next Adventure

• 13:34-13:50:
  • Hints of a mysterious telegram arriving, setting up Annie’s next big adventure.

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Notable Quotes and Moments

• Annie’s Civic Duty:
  "We're gonna do our duty even if we get half drowned." (Annie, 03:36)

• Community Wisdom:
  "Suppose you tell me where he is. Right." (Marshall, 06:26)
  "I don't think I can." (Annie, 06:31)

• Flood as a Character:
  "I haven't heard the river run like that since I was a boy. Just listen to it." (Marshall, 08:28)

• Climactic Tension:
  "The bridge is crumbling. They won't stop. They think they're getting away." (Marshall, 12:41)

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Important Timestamps

• Theme Song & Ovaltine Announcement: 00:42 – 01:30
• Setup and Search Party's Determination: 03:22 – 05:17
• Deduction of the Hideout: 06:22 – 07:03
• Approach to the River & Carson House: 08:18 – 09:29
• Discovery of the Tunnel: 10:26 – 11:00
• Spotting Criminals & Bridge Sequence: 11:24 – 12:59
• Moral & Episode Wrap Up: 13:20 – 13:50

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Episode Tone and Language

True to 1930s/1940s radio drama, the dialogue is earnest, community-centric, and full of colloquialisms ("shucks", "land sakes"). The episode balances tension with the warmth of characters working together, while the Ovaltine Announcer gently shepherds children into positive behaviors and foreshadows more adventures.

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Final Thoughts

This “Little Orphan Annie” episode captures the excitement and moral clarity of vintage radio. With a thrilling pursuit, dramatic natural disaster, and justice served, it stands as an entertaining and instructive slice of Americana from the Golden Age of Radio, leaving listeners anticipating Annie’s next adventure.

Transcript

[Marshall]

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. Hey, everyone.

[Joe]

Check out this guy and his bird.

[Marshall]

What is this, your first date? Oh, no. We help people customize and save on car insurance with Liberty Mutual together.

[Annie]

We're married.

[Marshall]

Me to a human, him to a bird.

[Joe]

Yeah, the bird looks out of your league.

[Marshall]

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

[Annie]

Liberty, Liberty. Liberty. Liberty.

[Narrator]

Who's that little chatterbox? The one with pretty auburn locks? Whom do you see? It's Little Orphan Annie she and Sandy make a pair they never seem to have a care Cute little she this little Orphan Annie Bright eyes, cheeks a rosy glow There's a store of healthiness Handy mite size Always on the go if you want to know I'm so Sandy always wears a sunny smile now wouldn't it be worth the while if you could be like Little Orphan Annie?

[Ovaltine Announcer]

Well, here we are. Ready to start another big adventure With Orphan Annie in Simmons Corners. But first, let me ask you a question. When you drink your Ovaltine, do you always put in plenty of sugar? You know, Ovaltine comes unsweetened because in some cases, when people are sick, doctors don't want them to have sugar. And that's why Ovaltine does not have any added sugar in it. So remember, when you're drinking your Ovaltine, you can always make it taste as sweet as you want just by adding the sugar yourself. If you've ever tried Ovaltine for the first time and maybe didn't like it because it wasn't sweet enough, ask your mother now to get you another can at her grocery or drugstore so you can try it again. Then when you're mixing your cupful, be sure to add at least one teaspoonful of sugar before you drink it. And boy, just wait till you see how good that Ovaltine is. Why, it tastes even better than a chocolate soda. What's more, your mother will be glad to let you have all the Ovaltine you want because it's so good for you. Every single cupful gives you important food elements to help build up strength and energy and pep for you. Another thing, tell your mother she saves money by insisting on getting real Ovaltine and not some over sweetened product with a lot of sugar already in it. Because ordinary sugar is so cheap, you can just as well add your own and get more value for your money. So tell your mother to be sure to get genuine Ovaltine and not to take anything else in its place. And now let's see what's happening to Annie. After Mr. Flint confessed to the payroll and bank robbery, he escaped with his cronies Wright and Red Hogan. And right now The Marshal and Mr. Silo and Mr. Caslin and Annie and Joe are searching for them in the fields surrounding Simmons Corners. It's still pouring rain and the night's mighty dark. Just listen to that thunder.

[Joe]

The lizards. It seems to be raining hotter than ever. Shucks, let her rain. We're as wet now as we ever can be. Who minds getting a little wetter?

[Marshall]

Nobody, Joel? No, sir. Not if we can put this here Flint behind the bars where he belongs.

[Annie]

You're right, Mr. Shiloh. As citizens, we're gonna do our duty even if we get half drowned.

[Marshall]

Good for you. I knew I picked a couple of good deputies when I got you two.

[Annie]

Where are we heading, Marshall? And what's the plan?

[Marshall]

To know as there is a plan. Caslin Landsakes don't know as we need one. It's a cinch Flint and them others can't get out of the county. Not the way the sheriff and the state police have got the roads blocked by this time. I know. But Mr. Caswell means we ought to have some method of trampin around here in the wet. We may be going till daylight unless we work on some sort of theory. What sort of theory? It's so dark out there. Don't seem no sort of theory hardly could get us any place. Looks to me as if we just have to stumble around until we come plump on to Flint.

[Annie]

In this dark and rain, Marshall, there's not much chance of that.

[Marshall]

Darn it, I know it. Here, Joe. There's a hollow and some bushes over there along that fence. Turn that flashlight of yours in there.

[Joe]

All right. Is that the spot?

[Marshall]

Yep.

[Joe]

There's nobody there, Marshall. Nobody at all.

[Marshall]

I see there. Ain't thought maybe Flint and his men might have taken shelter in a hollow like that, Marshall, I think we're just wasting our time prowling around here in the wet. Well, it may be Wastin your time, Mr. Shiloh, but it ain't mine. Dog garnit. I'm not forgettin the way Flint taunted me that day we found Bill Carwin being kept a prisoner in the old Carson house. He said I wasn't much as a police officer. I just want to show him I am. And if I can get my hands on him, I guess that'll show him. And here, as was him all the time that was keeping Bill prisoner.

[Annie]

I don't blame you at all, Marshall, for feeling the way you do. If I were in your shoes, I'd want to get my hands on Flint first. But I still think we're not doing much to get him by stumbling around out here in these fields in the dark.

[Marshall]

I agree with Mr. Cassidy. We ought to have a plan for this here search. Just you name me the plan and I'll jump at it. I'm as much at sea as you folks are right now. And say, these here fields are beginning to look like a sea with all this rain. What's your plan?

[Annie]

Well, I. I don't know exactly. How about you, Mr. Silo?

[Marshall]

Well, I. I don't know as I had any exact plan in mind. It was you, Elmer, who thought of coming across these fields instead of going into town. Sure it was. And it was a good idea. Of course, it's a cinch Flint and those others wouldn't have gone into Simmons Corners where they'd have been seen and been reported. They must have cut across the fields since they didn't have time to get in their automobiles. Yeah, that makes sense, Elmer. But it doesn't make sense us tumbling around here and looking into hollows with Joe's flashlight.

[Annie]

Right. Cause it's easy to guess Flint wouldn't take a chance on hiding in any hollow.

[Marshall]

All right, then, suppose you tell me where he is. Right.

[Annie]

I don't think I can.

[Joe]

Listen, Marshall, I've got an idea you have any?

[Marshall]

What?

[Joe]

Well, look. What place around here does Mr. Flint know better than any other place?

[Marshall]

Place he know better?

[Joe]

Yeah. Needing to hideout for a short while until he had time to get away. Where would he be most likely to head for?

[Marshall]

I don't know. I hadn't thought of that.

[Joe]

I can tell you there's one place he'd make for as quick as he could. Cause he knows it better than anybody else. And that's the place where he kept Bill Corwin prisoner. The old Carson house I swore on.

[Narrator]

Annie.

[Marshall]

I'll bet you put your finger right on it.

[Annie]

Makes sense anyhow.

[Joe]

You bet it does. That's just where he'd go until he had time to plan his getaway. Shucks, Annie, I'll bet he and those others are there right now.

[Marshall]

Well, it's something to work on. Anyhow. I'm glad we brought you kids along with us. Yucks.

[Joe]

We want to be a help, Marshall.

[Marshall]

Well, now, let's see now. Which way is that oval Carson house from here? Strikes me it's straight ahead.

[Joe]

No, it's to the left, Marshall. Over that fence there. We've been going even with the river. We gotta turn and go toward it.

[Annie]

Annie's right, Marshall.

[Marshall]

Well, see, I reckon these children know these fields about here better than we do.

[Joe]

Shucks, I guess we do. Cause Annie and I haven't played in them for a long time.

[Marshall]

All right.

[Annie]

Here.

[Marshall]

Now let's get over this fence here. Hold that light steady, Joe. I will.

[Annie]

Land seats. Guess I'm not so young as he used to be when it comes to climbing.

[Marshall]

We'll make it all right there. Can you kids get across?

[Joe]

You bet we can almost jump it. Come on, Annie. Okay.

[Marshall]

Now then, which way?

[Joe]

Straight ahead, Right away from the fence. That'll take us to the riverbank and the Carson house. Is that right, Joe? That's right, Annie.

[Marshall]

Just a little to the left, though.

[Joe]

Yeah, that's it, Joe. A little to the left.

[Marshall]

Well, come on, then.

[Annie]

I wish it would stop this raining for a while. It's running right down my eyes.

[Marshall]

Well, you got to stand it, Haslin.

[Annie]

Oh, I'm all right.

[Marshall]

Listen, we must be getting close to the river. I can hear it.

[Joe]

We are close. It's just ahead there.

[Marshall]

Land sakes, I haven't heard the river run like that since I was a boy. Just listen to it.

[Annie]

No wonder, with all this rain and

[Marshall]

on top of it that cloud burst. The sheriff said they had to the south. Yep. He said on the phone the river was getting to flood stage. Said it was up 8ft and rising every minute. Then there will be a flood. From the sound of it, it's tearing the banks apart.

[Annie]

I remember the last flood we had here back in 1919. There was nothing could stand against it. Nothing that wasn't solid and anchored down to bedrock.

[Marshall]

But this ain't getting us nowhere towards catching Flint. And I've got my duty to do. Annie.

[Joe]

Yeah, Marshall?

[Marshall]

That old Carson house, where is it from here?

[Joe]

It's just ahead there behind those trees. You can't see it very well cause it's so dark.

[Marshall]

I see it. Yep, that's the Carson house, Marshall. Well, let's get to it. We've wasted enough time. And I want to see this fellow Flint get the justice he deserves.

[Annie]

We all do, Elmer. Let's go.

[Joe]

Shucks, the place looks awful quiet.

[Marshall]

It would, Joe.

[Joe]

Jumping grasshoppers. Mr. Flint wouldn't dare show a light tonight.

[Marshall]

No, but we would. Let's see a gleam from that flashlight of yours, Joe. Show it right on those steps.

[Joe]

How's that?

[Marshall]

Fine. Come on, Folks, we're going in here and if Flint's around, we'll bag him. We're with you, Marshall. Throw that light inside there, Joe. There she is. I don't see nothing. Let's get further in here.

[Annie]

Right.

[Marshall]

Still don't see anything. Well, they wouldn't be staying out here. Right in plain sight in the hall. What's this door here?

[Joe]

It goes into a room, Marshall. Into that room where the old moving fireplace is.

[Marshall]

Oh, it does? It doesn't. Well, let's have a look.

[Joe]

Wait a minute, Marshall. Wait.

[Marshall]

Wait for what?

[Joe]

I thought I heard a noise in there. I thought.

[Ovaltine Announcer]

Listen.

[Joe]

Suffering sunfish. Did you hear that?

[Marshall]

I sure did.

[Annie]

What was it, Annie?

[Joe]

It was the fireplace moving in there. The sliding fireplace that leads down to the tunnel under the house.

[Marshall]

Look out of the way till I get that door open. They've gone. Gone? Shucks, yes, they've gone down the stairs behind that fireplace. All right.

[Annie]

Well, let's go down after them.

[Joe]

We can't. We know how to open the fireplace from the other side. But we never did find out how to move it from this one.

[Annie]

You mean we're going to let them get away?

[Joe]

No, Joe. Leaping lizards. I've got an idea.

[Marshall]

Pardon, erv.

[Joe]

If they've gone down behind that fireplace, they're intending to get away through the tunnel to the river bank. Maybe if we go straight down to the bank, we can head them off.

[Marshall]

Well, that sounds like business to me. Come on. Keep that light showing, Joe.

[Joe]

I will.

[Marshall]

Say, it stopped raining, anyhow.

[Joe]

Be careful on the steps. They're kind of mean.

[Marshall]

Here we are. It's this way, Marshall. Right down the river. I'm coming for your boy.

[Joe]

Boy, listen to that river.

[Annie]

Sure ripping out the banks, all right.

[Marshall]

Don't noise. I ever heard it run like that.

[Joe]

Say, there's a moon coming out through those clouds up there.

[Marshall]

Good. With that moon, we'll be able to see something. You said it, Marshall. I see something right now. There on the bank.

[Joe]

It's three men. They beat us out of the tunnel.

[Annie]

One of them split, all right.

[Joe]

Yeah, and there's Red Hogan.

[Marshall]

Stop. Stop, Flint. Right where you are. Stop in the name of the law.

[Joe]

Shucks. They're not stopping. They're running faster than ever.

[Marshall]

Come on, men. After they're with you, Marshall. You bet. I'm going to get justice done if I have to chase them from here to the edge of the county. Stop, Fleet. Start in the name of the law. They're heading toward the bridge. I don't care where they're Heading. I'm going to get them.

[Joe]

With that moon, we can see anyhow. Yeah, it's getting brighter. Stop.

[Marshall]

Fleet, stop. I call on you. Stop where you are.

[Annie]

There they are.

[Marshall]

On the end of the bridge. They're. They're heading for the other side of the river. And we're heading right after them. Come on. If they can cross that bridge, we can.

[Joe]

Wait, Marshall, wait.

[Marshall]

Let go of my arm. Annie. I gotta get those fellows. Stop.

[Joe]

Marshall, wait. Mr. Silo, don't go out on that bridge whatsoever.

[Marshall]

Flint's crossing the bridge. I guess we can.

[Joe]

No, please. Stand still. You've got to.

[Marshall]

All right, Annie. But why?

[Joe]

Look at the bridge. Look at her there in the moonlight. Look at the center of it, just ahead of Flint.

[Marshall]

On those men great care hushabeth. The cement's Kremlin. It is. It is.

[Joe]

It's all falling apart.

[Narrator]

Snakes.

[Marshall]

That. That bridge is gonna fall. This brother's washing out that rotten cement. Flynn. Flynn, come back. Come back. The bridge is crumbling. They won't stop. They think they're getting away. Look at that center pier.

[Joe]

Right under him.

[Narrator]

It's all crumbling to bit.

[Marshall]

There it goes. The whole world. Bridge. Gone. Gone the whole bridge.

[Annie]

And with it its builders. Flint, Hogan and Wright. I guess you don't have to do any arresting now, Marshal.

[Ovaltine Announcer]

Mr. Silo's right. There is justice in the world. And as Mr. Flynn sowed, so did he reap. And now there'll be no more robberies or cheating in Simmons Corners. But say, don't think there isn't going to be plenty of fun and adventure for Annie.

[Marshall]

There is.

[Ovaltine Announcer]

Because right at this minute, although Annie doesn't know it, there's a telegram coming over the wires to the Silo farm. It's a mighty mysterious telegram, too. And it's going to start Annie on the greatest adventure she's ever had. So don't miss being here when it comes. And say, you don't want to miss drinking your Ovaltine regularly either. Ask your mother to fix a big, delicious cupful for you to have with your dinner right away. Remember, the boys and girls who are drinking their Ovaltine every day are the very ones who help to keep Annie's adventures going on the radio. And besides, doing a big favor for Annie that she'll appreciate more than ever in her big new adventures just ahead. Remember, you'll be doing yourself a big favor, too, by drinking your Ovaltine every day. Because every single cupful brings you important, nourishing food elements to help make you husky and healthy and strong and keep you bubbling over with good old Orphan Annie pep. And so if you've run all of Ovaltine at your house, be sure and ask your mother to get you another can when she goes to the drug or grocery store tomorrow. And be sure to be here on time next Monday because we're going to start off on a brand new series of adventures with Annie and you want to be in on all the fun that's coming. Until next Monday then. Goodbye.

[Joe]

If you're into tech, you will love this.

[Marshall]

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[Ovaltine Announcer]

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[Joe]

Visit your nearby Lowe's.