Little Orphan Annie - Wright Brothers 33rd Anniversary

Summary

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Episode Summary: Little Orphan Annie – Wright Brothers 33rd Anniversary

Podcast: Harold's Old Time Radio
Episode Date: May 26, 2026

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Overview

This episode transports listeners to the “Golden Age of Radio” with an adventure of Little Orphan Annie, focusing on the 33rd anniversary of the Wright brothers’ legendary flight. The story blends mystery—featuring secret government airplanes, foreign spies, and peril for Annie’s friends—with a spirited, educational retelling of the Wright brothers’ achievements. The tone is lively, wholesome, and full of curiosity, emblematic of classic radio storytelling for young audiences.

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Key Discussion Points & Storyline

1. Recap and Setup (01:30–03:38)

• Narrator recaps previous episodes:
  • Mysterious men, Bob Bond and Professor Kenyon, are developing a secret silent airplane for the government.
  • Annie and Joe Corntassel are the sole local confidants.
  • A suspicious foreigner, Mr. Nicholson—suspected spy—now threatens their mission and has tried to poison the watchdog, Blood.

2. Annie & Joe Race to the Gregory Barn (03:38–05:34)

• Spirited banter as Annie and Joe run to the secret hangar:
  • “In a long race, it’s the one who goes easy at the start who’s most likely to win.”
    — Little Orphan Annie (04:14)
• Reunion with Blood the dog emphasizes loyalty and hints at danger from Nicholson.

3. Bob Bond Continues the Wright Brothers’ Story (05:41–13:09)

• Bob Bond recounts the pioneering work of Wilbur and Orville Wright:
  • The impact of receiving a mechanical toy airplane in childhood.
  • Years of experimental gliding on the Carolina sand flats, specifically Kill Devil Hill.
  • Stepwise invention: kites → gliders → the powered biplane.
  • Conditions on December 17, 1903 at Kitty Hawk—cold, windswept, five witnesses.
    • “Orville Wright was the first man in the whole world who ever soared into the air in a plane powered by a motor.”
      — Bob Bond (10:25)
    • “That little flight of Orville Wright’s at Kitty Hawk... meant that man had conquered the last element, the air.”
      — Bob Bond (11:15)
• Annie and Joe’s wonder reflects listeners’ awe at modern aviation.

4. Interruption—Dramatic Escalation (11:30–13:09)

• Blood’s barking interrupts—he’s been shot!
• Urgent, heartfelt concern as Annie, Joe, and Bob run to his aid:
  • “If anybody’s killed Blood, I’ll…”
    — Bob Bond (11:58)
• Annie catches a glimpse of the fleeing shooter:
  • “I saw the man… just disappearing into those red sumac bushes… but he sure looked like just one man, and that’s Nicholson.”
    — Little Orphan Annie (12:50)

5. Cliffhanger and Moral (13:09–15:19)

• The narrator teases suspense for the next episode: Will Annie uncover who shot the dog?
• Message to young listeners: model Annie’s health and pep by drinking Ovaltine every day.

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Notable Quotes & Moments

• Annie’s advice on racing:
  “In a long race, it’s the one who goes easy at the start who’s most likely to win.” (04:14)
• Bob Bond on the Wright brothers’ influence:
  “A great new method of transportation. Faster than the wind, that is becoming safer day by day…” (06:30)
• The historical leap:
  “Orville Wright, son of an American minister, was the first man in the whole world who ever soared into the air in a plane powered by a motor.” (10:25–10:31)
• First flight’s significance:
  “History that was and is to change man’s whole means of transportation. For on that December day 33 years ago, man first succeeded in conquering the air in a machine that lifted itself with its own power.” (10:55–11:13)
• Cliffhanger:
  “I can’t say for sure. Not positive. I didn’t get a good enough look. But he sure looked like just one man, and that’s Nicholson.” — Little Orphan Annie (12:59)

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Timestamps of Important Segments

• [01:30] Recap of the secret airplane and spy intrigue
• [03:38] Annie and Joe’s race to the barn, meet Blood
• [05:41] Bob Bond begins detailed history of the Wright brothers
• [10:25–11:13] Description and impact of the first powered flight
• [11:30–13:09] Gunshot, Blood injured, Nicholson suspected
• [13:09–15:19] Moral takeaway, next episode teaser

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Tone & Style

• Wholesome, enthusiastic, and encouraging—classic radio storytelling for all ages.
• Dialogue brims with curiosity, camaraderie, and a sense of adventure.
• Educational moments are seamlessly woven with story suspense.

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For Listeners

If you enjoy stories blending real history, wholesome values, and nail-biting adventure, this classic radio episode is a prime example. It leaves us eager to discover whether Annie can solve the mystery of Blood’s attacker—and how the Wright brothers’ legacy of determination and invention continues to inspire new generations.

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Transcript

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[Little Orphan Annie Theme Singer]

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 here Cute little sheep this little Orphan Annie Bright eyes, cheeks a rosy glow There's a store of healthiness handy my 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?

[Radio Narrator]

Here it is, 5:45 now. Orphan Annie time and Ovaltine time again. And now, if you're one of Annie's new radio friends who have just started to listen to her adventures lately, I want to ask you, have you tried Ovaltine yet? Well, if you haven't, you certainly want to ask your mother to get you some right away. Because if you think it's fun listening to Orphan Annie, you just tried ricking Ovaltine. See how much fun that is? Talk about good. Why, it's even better than having a chocolate soda right in your own home whenever you want it. But that's only half of it. Ovaltine not only tastes good, but it's good for you, too. Every single glassful you drink gives you important strength and energy, building food elements to help make you husky and healthy like Orphan Annie herself. And isn't that the way you want to be? Well, remember, drinking your Ovaltine is one of the surest ways to help. So ask your mother to get you a can of Ovaltine at her drug or grocery store right now so you can have a big delicious glass full with your dinner tonight and with all your meals every day from now on. But now for our story. You remember, lots of mysterious things have been happening around Simmons Corner this summer ever since those two strange men came to live in the old Gregory Barn near the silos. And right now, Orphan Annie and Joe Corntassel know the answer to a big secret that's kept the whole town guessing. They know those two strangers are Bob Bond and Professor Adolf Washington Kenyon. And that they're inventing a secret new silent airplane for the United States government. And Annie and Joe are the only ones who know about it because Bob Bond made them promise to keep it secret. But then, just lately, a mysterious foreigner, Mr. Nicholson, came to Simmons Corners. Bob Bond says he's a spy from a foreign government trying to steal the plans of our new plane. And then Annie and Joe found out that Mr. Nicholson keeps guns in his house. And the next thing we knew, we heard that Nicholson is suspected of poisoning Bob Bond's watchdog, blood. But let's see what Annie's doing.

[Bob Bond]

Now.

[Radio Narrator]

Last time, Bond was telling Annie and Joe the story of the Wright brothers and the invention of the first airplane. And here it is the next day. And we find Annie and Joe just out of school, racing each other for the Gregory Barn to hear the rest of that story. And listen, Joe's talking.

[Joe Corntassel]

Come on, Annie. I'm gonna beat you.

[Little Orphan Annie]

Is that so?

[Joe Corntassel]

You better. So unless you get the lead out of your feet in an awful hurry.

[Little Orphan Annie]

Don't you worry about the lead in my feet, Joe. We've been running a long ways. I've just been saving myself.

[Joe Corntassel]

Well, there's no need in saving yourself any longer. We're almost there.

[Little Orphan Annie]

Yeah, and I'm coming.

[Joe Corntassel]

Gosh, I thought you were all in, Annie.

[Little Orphan Annie]

No, sir. In a long race, it's the one who goes easy at the start who's most likely to win.

[Joe Corntassel]

Shucks, I guess it is. Wait a minute, Annie. Slow down. Slow down.

[Little Orphan Annie]

All right, Joe. Next time, remember on a long race, not to weigh yourself out at the start. You.

[Joe Corntassel]

You bet I will.

[Little Orphan Annie]

Wait a minute, Joe. Slow down. That's blood bark.

[Joe Corntassel]

It sure is. Here he comes.

[Little Orphan Annie]

We don't want to be running like this. He might get excited and not know us. Stop, Joe, stop.

[Joe Corntassel]

All right. Here, Blood.

[Little Orphan Annie]

Here, Blood. Leaping lizards is just us, Blood. You know, Annie and Joe.

[Joe Corntassel]

Shucks, I'll say he knows us. Look at him wag his tail. Gosh, I'll bet we're just about the only people in Simmons Corners who can come up to like this without getting bitten.

[Little Orphan Annie]

I wouldn't wonder. Joe Blood's a mighty good watchdog, aren't you, old boy? I'll say he is.

[Joe Corntassel]

He keeps Professor Kenyon's plane in that barn just about as secret as anything could keep it.

[Little Orphan Annie]

Yeah, and he will keep it secret, too, if folks let him. Won't you, Blood?

[Joe Corntassel]

What do you mean, Hannie?

[Little Orphan Annie]

Well, you're not forgetting what Mr. Bond said about somebody trying to poison the dog, are you, Joe?

[Joe Corntassel]

Gosh, I was forgetting it. Of all the dirty tricks, the worst is to harm a poor dog.

[Little Orphan Annie]

It sure is, Joe. But I guess that man Nicholson wouldn't stop to get what he wanted. He's mighty smooth, and I.

[Little Orphan Annie Theme Singer]

There you are.

[Bob Bond]

Well, I wondered what Blood was barking about.

[Joe Corntassel]

Hello, Mr. Bond.

[Bob Bond]

Come on over.

[Joe Corntassel]

We're coming. You bet. Come on, Annie.

[Little Orphan Annie]

Don't worry, I won't be behind.

[Bob Bond]

Well, somehow I thought you'd both be over this afternoon.

[Little Orphan Annie]

Suffering sunfish.

[Radio Narrator]

Mr.

[Little Orphan Annie]

Bond, you knew we would.

[Joe Corntassel]

Didn't you promise to go on telling us about the Wright brothers?

[Bob Bond]

I do remember saying something like that. Come in, come in. Glad. You stay out there and keep watch, understand? Good dog. Come in and I'll shut the door. So you remembered about the Wright brothers, eh?

[Joe Corntassel]

Did we shove it all? During my geography lesson today, I was seeing airplanes flying across my map of the United States.

[Bob Bond]

And that's exactly what airplanes are doing, Joe. Flying across the map of the United States at all hours, day and night, in all directions, carrying the mail and uniting our whole country in a network of airlines. Just as it's already united by a series of railroads.

[Joe Corntassel]

Gosh, I never looked at aviation like that before.

[Bob Bond]

That's what it amounts to now. A great new method of transportation. Faster than the wind, that is becoming safer day by day. As radio guide, beacons and rays are perfected and landing fields spread across the country. And all because 36 years ago, back in 1900, Wilbur and Orville Wright, two American brothers, started their first experiments with the airplane.

[Joe Corntassel]

God.

[Little Orphan Annie]

Well, tell us about it, Mr. Bond.

[Bob Bond]

Wait a minute, wait a minute.

[Radio Narrator]

Let's get a little more comfortable.

[Bob Bond]

If I'm going to tell you the whole story of the Wright brothers. Professor Kenyon's working in the next room, but we can go through this door to where the plane is and sit on that old workbench of ours.

[Radio Narrator]

Come on.

[Little Orphan Annie]

Did anybody try to hurt blood last night, Mr. Bond?

[Bob Bond]

No. Nothing at all last night, Annie. Just that one dose of poison of which you didn't eat enough of to kill him. I guess Nicholson's laying back and waiting.

[Radio Narrator]

Here we are.

[Bob Bond]

Hop up. Get comfortable. I'll just light this old pipe of mine. There, that's good. Now then, what do you want to know?

[Joe Corntassel]

She talks all about the Wright brothers, Mr. Bond.

[Bob Bond]

Well, that's a pretty big order, Joe, because there's a lot about the Wright brothers. They were remarkable men you got yesterday, Mr.

[Little Orphan Annie]

Bond. To where their father brought him a little model airplane.

[Bob Bond]

Oh, yes, yes. Well, that toy, that little model airplane set those two boys, Wilbur and Orville Wright, off on their great invention. I've always thought that parents who gave their children mechanical toys might be helping them greatly in their futures. Well, anyhow, the two Wright boys became interested in aviation from that moment. But they had their livings to make, so they made bicycles to make those livings.

[Little Orphan Annie]

What happened?

[Bob Bond]

They spent a lot of money, Annie. All they made, in fact. But they weren't discouraged by their failures. No, sir. They picked a place on the Carolina sand flats by the Atlantic Ocean. A place called Kill Devil Hill, four miles south of Kitty Hawk for their first experiments in gliding.

[Joe Corntassel]

Gliding?

[Bob Bond]

Oh, yes. Yes. The Wrights were too good scientists to try to walk before they learned how to crawl. They wanted to know all there was to know about the air before they tried to fly in it. So for a whole year, they sent up different kinds of kites and experimented with them, learning everything they could. Then the next year, 1901, they tried gliders. Planes built to carry a man merely on the current of the wind and without power. It was during these experiments that they learned how to curve the surface of their planes so they would sustain them better in the air.

[Little Orphan Annie]

And then what happened?

[Bob Bond]

Well, then, after three years of experimenting, they were ready for the great test. They built a plane with a motor in it and propeller. A power plane. A plane they hoped would be able to lift a man from the ground with its own force.

[Joe Corntassel]

And did it.

[Bob Bond]

Oh, not so fast, Joe. The Wright brothers weren't in such a hurry. Remember, they spent three years before they even got to this power plane. And a queer sort of plane it was judged by the planes of today. A biplane. That means it had two planes, one built over the other. And there was no place for the operator to sit. He had to lie on a sort of a platform, flat on his face.

[Joe Corntassel]

Gosh.

[Bob Bond]

But the Wright brothers built it carefully and by themselves. And then took it to pieces to Kitty Hawkins, where they assembled it. Now, Kitty Hawk, with its sand dunes, is a lonesome place. There's nothing but sand in the sea there. Sand in the sea and the sky and a wind that always blows. But there, on those lonesome sand dunes. Orville Wright, son of an American minister, was the first man in the whole world who ever soared into the air in a plane powered by a motor.

[Little Orphan Annie]

Leaping. Leaping. He actually did it, Mr. Bond.

[Bob Bond]

Yes, he actually did it, Annie. On a cold, wind blown day, 17th December, 1903, only five people besides his brother Wilbur saw the flight. And these were Mostly coast guards from the Atlantic. But the plane did soar into the air, though it only stayed in the air for 12 seconds. But history had been made. History that was and is to change man's whole means of transportation. For on that December day 33 years ago, man first succeeded in conquering the air in a machine that lifted itself with its own power.

[Joe Corntassel]

Gosh, that's pretty wonderful.

[Bob Bond]

Wonderful. Why, Joe, it's the greatest thing that's happened on this earth in the last hundred years. Mmm. That little flight of Orville Wrights at Kitty Hawk. It meant that man had conquered the last element, the air.

[Little Orphan Annie]

It's pretty exciting, all right. What happened after that, Mr. Bond?

[Bob Bond]

Well, after that first flight, the Wright brothers would listen.

[Little Orphan Annie]

To what?

[Joe Corntassel]

Joe, don't you hear? Isn't that Blood barking?

[Bob Bond]

Say, that is Blood. Wait till I have a look out this window.

[Little Orphan Annie]

What's up, Mr.

[Joe Corntassel]

Bond?

[Bob Bond]

I don't know. I can't see anything yet.

[Joe Corntassel]

Boy, he's sure barking at somebody. Just listen to him. Lizards.

[Little Orphan Annie]

What's happened?

[Bob Bond]

That was a gun. Somebody shot Blood.

[Radio Narrator]

Come on.

[Joe Corntassel]

Gosh. Come on, Annie.

[Little Orphan Annie]

You bet I'm coming.

[Bob Bond]

If anybody's killed Blood, I'll.

[Joe Corntassel]

Jack, he's not killed. Listen to him howl.

[Little Orphan Annie]

Hurry, Mr. Bond.

[Bob Bond]

Oh, this lock stuck.

[Radio Narrator]

It's stuck.

[Bob Bond]

Ah, there it is. Here, Blood. Here.

[Little Orphan Annie Theme Singer]

Blood.

[Little Orphan Annie]

Joe, look over there. Just going into the woods.

[Joe Corntassel]

I don't see anything, Annie.

[Little Orphan Annie]

Well, I did.

[Bob Bond]

Well, good old Blood. What's the matter, boy?

[Radio Narrator]

What is it?

[Little Orphan Annie]

Suffering. Selfish.

[Joe Corntassel]

Mr.

[Little Orphan Annie]

Bond, he has been shot. Look at his front leg there.

[Bob Bond]

Let me see, boy. Let me see now. I'm not going to hurt you. Hmm. That's a bullet wound, all right. Lucky it didn't hit the bone. It went through the flesh and muscles here. Oh, I'm sorry. I didn't mean to hurt your Blood. Sorry. Well, we'll get you fixed up in no time at all. Though I guess you'll have to stay inside for a while.

[Joe Corntassel]

What a mean trick to shoot a dog.

[Bob Bond]

It is. And if I get my hands on the man that did it.

[Little Orphan Annie]

I saw the man, Mr. Bond.

[Bob Bond]

You did, Annie? When? Where?

[Little Orphan Annie]

Just as we ran out of the door. I happened to look off there towards the woods, and I saw a man just disappearing into those red sumac bushes. Who was it, Annie?

[Joe Corntassel]

That's just it.

[Little Orphan Annie]

I can't say for sure. Not positive. I didn't get a good enough look. But he sure looked like just one man, and that's Nicholson.

[Radio Narrator]

Well, what do you know about that? Blood has been shot, and the man who shot him? Looks like Nicholson. Only Annie can't say for certain because she didn't get a good enough look to be sure it was Nicholson. But someone is certainly trying to get rid of Bob Bond's watchdog. What do you suppose he'll try to do next? And by the way, have you ever noticed that whenever there's something exciting to be done, it seems there's just nothing that can stop our Annie? And I guess that's why so many boys and girls want to know how they can be like Annie. Peppy and healthy and ready for whatever fun's popping around them. Well, now, here's a tip. One of the very best ways to start is to drink Ovaltine every single day with meals. And in between meals, too. All those important minerals and vitamins and things contained in every glassful of keen tasting Ovaltine may help to give you real orphan antipeptic. And when you have that, you feel so good and have so much extra energy, you can be ready for almost anything that comes along. Just as our Annie always is. And so you really ought to ask your mother to get you a can of Ovaltine at her drug or grocery store right away so you can start right in with a big delicious glass full for supper this very night. And you certainly want to be here right on the dot tomorrow at Orphan Annie time. See if Annie can find out who shot Bob Bond's dog. Until tomorrow at the same time then. Goodbye.

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[Joe Corntassel]

Hey, everyone.

[Little Orphan Annie]

Check out this guy and his bird. What is this, your first?

[Liberty Mutual Announcer]

Oh, no. We help people customize and save on car insurance with Liberty Mutual Together. We're married. Me to a human, him to a bird.

[Bob Bond]

Yeah, the bird looks out of your league anyways.

[Liberty Mutual Announcer]

Get a [e-mail] or with your local agent.

[Little Orphan Annie Theme Singer]

Liberty, Liberty, Liberty, Liberty.

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