Love Story 37-03-26 ep01 Love on the Sun Deck

Summary

Podcast Summary: "Love on the Sun Deck"

Podcast Information:

• Title: Harold's Old Time Radio
• Host/Author: Harolds Old Time Radio
• Episode: Love Story 37-03-26 ep01 Love on the Sun Deck
• Release Date: May 2, 2025

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Introduction

"Love on the Sun Deck" is a captivating romantic drama set aboard a luxurious boat bound for Bermuda. This episode delves into themes of love, deception, and the intricate dynamics of publicity within the glamorous backdrop of the Golden Age of Radio. The story unfolds through the interactions of Nadine Grayson, a young woman seeking connection in New York City, and Norman P. Warren, a charismatic publicity agent with hidden motives.

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Setting the Scene

The narrative begins in a quaint restaurant on Broadway, New York, where Nadine Grayson (voiced by the Love Story Girl) sits alone, feeling isolated despite her six-month stint in the bustling city. Her solitude is interrupted when Norman P. Warren (a tall, good-looking man in English tweeds) approaches her table with an intriguing proposition:

Norman P. Warren [00:41]: "I beg your pardon, miss, but could you manage to go to Bermuda with me tonight? It's terribly important. I."

Nadine's initial skepticism about Norman's sudden appearance and offer sets the stage for the unfolding drama.

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The Bermuda Proposition

Norman presents Nadine with an enticing offer: participate in a publicity stunt that promises $500 plus expenses. He elaborates on his recent venture with the Windy Day Cold Cream Company, detailing how a scheduled beauty contest winner had fallen ill, jeopardizing the entire publicity campaign:

Norman P. Warren [01:16]: "I persuaded them to run a beauty contest. A girl with the perfect complexion. The winner of the contest was to get a trip to Bermuda."

However, unforeseen complications arise when the contest winner contracts mumps, leaving Norman in a bind just hours before the boat's departure. Desperate to salvage his reputation, Norman persuades Nadine to step into the role of the beauty queen:

Norman P. Warren [01:51]: "Mumps certainly work wonders with a beauty contest winner. Oh, please don't laugh. Unless, of course, you'll go in her place, will you?"

Despite her reservations, Nadine agrees, intrigued by the opportunity and Norman's persuasive charm.

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Life on the Boat

Once aboard, Nadine and Norman immerse themselves in the festivities. Norman's enthusiasm is palpable as he praises Nadine's appearance and navigates the social intricacies of the boat's events:

Norman P. Warren [02:55]: "You're absolutely marvelous in that dress."

Their chemistry is undeniable, culminating in a romantic moment under the moonlight on the deck:

Nadine Grayson [04:25]: "Oh, it's so beautiful. Look how the moon paints a sort of silver path across the water."

They share personal stories, deepening their connection and setting the stage for a potential romance.

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Introduction of Rival and Conflict

The tranquility is interrupted when Harvey Brooks approaches Nadine, introducing a critical element of conflict. Harvey warns Nadine about Gloria Gay, a renowned movie actress who has a history with Norman:

Harvey Brooks [05:53]: "Publicity men always make love to any girl they're featuring. Creates the right atmosphere or something."

Despite Norman's assurances, tensions escalate as Gloria arrives on board, reigniting past entanglements and threatening Nadine and Norman's budding relationship.

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The Publicity Scheme Unravels

As Gloria's presence becomes a focal point, Nadine begins to suspect Norman's true intentions. She overhears conversations implying a competitive scheme to overshadow Norman's publicity efforts by leveraging Gloria's star power. Determined to protect Norman's reputation and uncover the truth, Nadine confronts him:

Nadine Grayson [09:38]: "If that happens, there's the $500 you gave me for the trip. That would be enough, wouldn't it?"

Norman's desperation becomes evident as he contemplates drastic measures to maintain his career, revealing a darker side to his character.

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Resolution and Romance

In the climax, a misguided publicity stunt leads to a dramatic revelation. Nadine exposes the scheme to frame Norman, showcasing her loyalty and quick thinking. Realizing the depth of their connection amidst chaos, Norman proposes to Nadine, affirming their love and commitment:

Norman P. Warren [11:41]: "I want you to marry me the moment we're back in New York."

Nadine's heartfelt acceptance seals their relationship, blending romance with the triumph over adversity:

Nadine Grayson [12:00]: "It's never too soon to get married. Not when you love somebody as much as I love you."

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Notable Quotes

• Norman P. Warren [01:11]: "I hope you know what a publicity agent does."

• Nadine Grayson [02:17]: "You're awfully impulsive, aren't you?"

• Harvey Brooks [05:53]: "Publicity men always make love to any girl they're featuring. Creates the right atmosphere or something."

• Nadine Grayson [08:14]: "Oh, good night. I saw them. Norman and that woman up in the top deck. He was making love to her..."

• Norman P. Warren [11:37]: "Darling, we've only a minute before the grand march, and you're due to be photographed as Bermuda's prettiest guest."

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Conclusion

"Love on the Sun Deck" masterfully weaves a tale of love, ambition, and the complexities of human relationships against the glamorous and high-stakes world of publicity. Through engaging dialogue and compelling character development, the episode offers listeners a nostalgic yet timeless romantic experience, reminiscent of the beloved radio dramas from the Golden Age of Radio.

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Listen Next Week: Don't miss the next installment featuring the Love Story Girl in another enchanting romance, brought to you by Harold's Old Time Radio.

Transcript

[Narrator]

You're about to hear a romantic drama, Romance on the Sunday from Love Story magazine. Featuring the Love Story girl in the role of Nadine Grayson. The scene is a small restaurant on Broadway in New York. Alone at a table is Nadine Grayson feeling rather sorry for herself because although she's worked in the city for six months, she knows no one in New York. But now a tall, good looking man in English tweeds approaches her table.

[Norman P. Warren]

I beg your pardon, miss, but could you manage to go to Bermuda with me tonight? It's terribly important. I.

[Nadine Grayson]

Why, I never saw you before in my life.

[Norman P. Warren]

Well, that's a pretty silly reason for refusing a job.

[Nadine Grayson]

Job?

[Norman P. Warren]

Of course it's a job. Didn't I explain that I'm offering you $500 in addition to your expenses.

[Nadine Grayson]

Oh, five, huh? Well, I'm afraid things aren't very clear. Why don't you sit down and start from the beginning?

[Norman P. Warren]

All right, all right. But I loathe them. Beginnings, I mean.

[Nadine Grayson]

By the way, who are you?

[Norman P. Warren]

Oh, yes, of course. I forgot that. I beg your pardon. Here's my card.

[Nadine Grayson]

Norman P. Warren, publicity agent.

[Norman P. Warren]

I hope you know what a publicity agent does.

[Nadine Grayson]

Well, I suppose you get people their names in the paper.

[Norman P. Warren]

Yes, that's the idea. Now, here's the setup. I've been in business myself for three months. And my first client, in fact my only client, was the Windy Day Cold Cream Company. I persuaded them to run a beauty contest. A girl with the perfect complexion. The winner of the contest was to get a trip to Bermuda.

[Nadine Grayson]

Yes.

[Norman P. Warren]

At the last minute, the Cold Cream people got cold feet and wanted to back out. But I was so sold on the idea that I offered to put up all the expenses myself. Then if they were satisfied with the publicity, I'd get a contract.

[Nadine Grayson]

Go on.

[Norman P. Warren]

Well, we picked the winner. I've got every newspaper in New York down on the doctor Snapper as she boards the Bermuda boat tonight. And then bang. No girl.

[Nadine Grayson]

What happened?

[Norman P. Warren]

Mumps.

[Nadine Grayson]

What?

[Norman P. Warren]

Mumps. I tell you, mumps certainly work wonders with a beauty contest winner. Oh, please don't laugh. Here I sit, the boat sails in two hours and ruin stares me in the face. Unless, of course, you'll go in her place, will you?

[Nadine Grayson]

Oh, I'd love to. Only will I haven't any clothes.

[Norman P. Warren]

Think nothing of it. There's a complete wardrobe waiting on the ship. You wear about a size 16, don't you?

[Nadine Grayson]

Yes.

[Norman P. Warren]

Perfect. You keep the stuff. Of course, when you get back, that's extra. Besides the $500. Well, what do you say? Do we go Yep.

[Nadine Grayson]

You're awfully impulsive, aren't you?

[Norman P. Warren]

Good Lord. Who wouldn't be impulsive in a spot like this? How about it?

[Nadine Grayson]

Well, of course, I lose my job.

[Norman P. Warren]

Is it much of a job?

[Nadine Grayson]

No.

[Norman P. Warren]

Well, then, who cares?

[Nadine Grayson]

All right, I'll go. What time did you say the boat sails?

[Norman P. Warren]

Nadine? It's about time we. Holy smokes.

[Nadine Grayson]

What's the matter?

[Norman P. Warren]

You're absolutely marvelous in that dress.

[Nadine Grayson]

Oh. Like it?

[Norman P. Warren]

Say, I knew you were pretty, but. Good Lord, I never dreamed of anything like this.

[Nadine Grayson]

Thanks.

[Norman P. Warren]

Is your stateroom all right?

[Nadine Grayson]

Oh, it's perfect. Everything's perfect. I'm having the time of my life.

[Norman P. Warren]

Well, we'd better be getting down to dinner. There'll probably be a couple of cameras waiting for you at the door of the dining saloon. Then there's a dance afterwards, and you'll have to to meet everybody on the boat. Don't be nervous now.

[Nadine Grayson]

I won't be when you're with me.

[Norman P. Warren]

Good girl. I'll be right beside you. And I have a premonition that I'm always going to be right around when you need me. Come on, let's go. Well, Nadine, at that I should say your first evening was a howling success.

[Nadine Grayson]

Oh, Norman, it was marvelous.

[Norman P. Warren]

You certainly did all right on the dance floor. You had more stags cutting in per minute than any other gal on the boat. I didn't seem to have a look in.

[Nadine Grayson]

Well, I guess I'd better go down.

[Norman P. Warren]

Don't go down just yet. Can't we make the night last just a little longer?

[Nadine Grayson]

Well, I ought to.

[Norman P. Warren]

Oh, come on out on deck and scare up some moonlight. There must be bushels of it lying around free for the asking. Come on.

[Nadine Grayson]

Well, just for a little while.

[Norman P. Warren]

Swell. There are a couple of chairs over there by the lifeboat.

[Nadine Grayson]

Oh, it's so beautiful. Look how the moon paints a sort of silver path across the water.

[Norman P. Warren]

You better let me wrap this rug around you. It's a little chilly. There. Comfortable? All right. Now, tell me all about yourself.

[Nadine Grayson]

Oh, well, there isn't much to tell. My family live in a little town in Maryland, and I thought I'd come to New York and see if I could earn my living there. It seemed as if there'd be more opportunity, but somehow New York's a pretty big place. I've been terribly lonely for the last three months.

[Norman P. Warren]

Poor kid.

[Nadine Grayson]

Oh, but this makes up for it. It's so new and wonderful.

[Norman P. Warren]

Oh, this is nothing. We've just started. Wait till we get to Bermuda.

[Nadine Grayson]

Even if there weren't Any more. Just tonight has been more to me than.

[Norman P. Warren]

Gosh, you're loving it. Please give me one kiss before you go.

[Narrator]

Please.

[Norman P. Warren]

Darling, I know I haven't any right to ask, but I do want it so terribly.

[Nadine Grayson]

I, I.

[Norman P. Warren]

Until tomorrow and tomorrow and Tomor.

[Harvey Brooks]

Good morning, Ms. Grayson. Do you suppose I could persuade a queen of Beauty to take 10 turns around the deck with me?

[Nadine Grayson]

Why, I.

[Harvey Brooks]

The name is Harvey Brooks. Harvey. And I was one of the many you danced with last night, in case you forgot.

[Nadine Grayson]

Well, I hadn't forgotten. I was. Well, I expected to see Mr. Warren this morning, but Norman.

[Harvey Brooks]

Oh, he's probably hanging around Gloria Gay.

[Nadine Grayson]

Gloria Gay? Oh, the movie actress?

[Harvey Brooks]

Yes. Didn't you know she was on board?

[Nadine Grayson]

No.

[Harvey Brooks]

Oh, that's right. You didn't know. You didn't see her show up at the dance last night.

[Nadine Grayson]

Oh, does. No, I mean, does Mr. Warren know her?

[Harvey Brooks]

No.

[Norman P. Warren]

Her.

[Harvey Brooks]

He was engaged to her once.

[Nadine Grayson]

Engaged?

[Harvey Brooks]

Sure. But she. She got sidetracked by a millionaire from Pittsburgh. However, from the looks of things, I say she's got a hook baited for Norman again. Oh, so that's the way, huh, kid? Listen, I hope you didn't take anything Norman might have said too seriously. Publicity men always make love to any girl they're featuring. Creates the right atmosphere or something. Take my word for it. And if Gloria wants Norman, she'll get him. She knocks him dead at 90 paces.

[Nadine Grayson]

I'm going down to my cabin.

[Harvey Brooks]

Pull yourself together now.

[Norman P. Warren]

Here they come.

[Nadine Grayson]

I can't.

[Norman P. Warren]

Oh, Nadine. Just a minute. Oh, Nadine, I want you to meet a very old friend of mine, Gloria Gay.

[Nadine Grayson]

How do you do, Nadine?

[Norman P. Warren]

Isn't it amazing? I never knew Gloria was sailing on this.

[Narrator]

Gloria.

[Norman P. Warren]

What's the matter with your publicity man?

[Nadine Grayson]

He's no good. Darling, no one's been any good since you left me.

[Norman P. Warren]

Well, serves you right for fighting with me. However, I'll give you one more chance at my valuable services.

[Nadine Grayson]

Oh, will you, Norman? That's grand. You know, there's never, never been anyone like you. All right, darling, you're elected.

[Norman P. Warren]

Oh, by the way, Nadine, Gloria's consented to let you pose with her for Sunday's rotos. That's a break for us because my new client here is always front page news. Oh, well, haven't you anything to say? Seems to me I'm afraid you'll have.

[Harvey Brooks]

To excuse Ms. Grayson for a while. She promised to play deck tennis with me. Perhaps you'd like to get a picture of that once in a while. I make the Front page myself.

[Nadine Grayson]

Well, here's my stateroom.

[Harvey Brooks]

Good night, Nadine. Thank you for a swell evening.

[Nadine Grayson]

Thank you for sticking by me.

[Harvey Brooks]

Don't thank me for that. It wasn't any Hodgkin. Good Lord, you're beautiful.

[Nadine Grayson]

Well, good night. I saw them. Norman and that woman up in the top deck. He was making love to her in the same spot where he and I. Oh, how dare he? I wish I were dead. Who's that talking? Oh, it's a couple of men on the deck outside my window.

[Norman P. Warren]

Well, what do you think Warren will.

[Narrator]

Do when he finds his publicity scheme has been queered? Oh, what can he do? He just wired the papers that Gloria gave us making a personal appearance. And they'd be ready for her. You know, 10 to 1 Warren will think the crowds for his little gal. Pretty smart of your company to spike Warren spring. I suppose you couldn't let a competitor.

[Norman P. Warren]

Get away with it.

[Nadine Grayson]

Oh, it's a frame up. They frame Norman. I've got to tell him right away. 250, 248, 246, 244. Here's the second.

[Norman P. Warren]

Yes, who is it?

[Nadine Grayson]

It's me, Nadine.

[Norman P. Warren]

Why, Nadine.

[Nadine Grayson]

What's the matter, Norman? I heard two men talking. Some competing company has arranged to have Gloria steal all your show.

[Norman P. Warren]

What? Good Lord, that'll dish us for fair.

[Nadine Grayson]

Norman, why don't you ask Gloria not to do it?

[Norman P. Warren]

Well, perhaps something can be arranged. Don't worry. I think Gloria will be reasonable.

[Nadine Grayson]

But suppose she isn't?

[Norman P. Warren]

Then I'll be broke, broken out of a job. Not nice. But it won't be the first time, Norman.

[Nadine Grayson]

If that happens, there's the $500 you gave me for the trip. That would be enough, wouldn't it? For you to start all over again?

[Norman P. Warren]

You darn plucky kid. You're out of a job yourself until you want to give the money back to me. Not that I'd touch it, but, well, the fact that you wanted me to have it. Well, the scheme just can't flop after that. Gloria's got to listen to reason. Passenger gang flying this way. Nadine. Nadine. It's all right. Gloria's not coming. Everything's swell. Come on, we've got to get off the boat.

[Nadine Grayson]

Oh, Norman, I knew you'd do it.

[Norman P. Warren]

You walk over to that man holding that basket of flour.

[Nadine Grayson]

Right.

[Norman P. Warren]

And don't forget to smile and look at the camera every minute. Tell them the idea that a beauty queen on the spot is better than a movie queen some other place.

[Nadine Grayson]

I'll try.

[Norman P. Warren]

Isn't the harbor beautiful at night? Nadine, that's our boat over there.

[Nadine Grayson]

I know. From the terrace here, it looks like a bracelet of light against the black of the sky.

[Norman P. Warren]

It does, sort of.

[Nadine Grayson]

Norman, do you know what really happened to Gloria this morning? She was taking a shower, and the stewardess locked her trunk with the keys inside. When she came out, she didn't have a stitch to put on except a black negligee. And she couldn't very well get off the boat now. It took hours to get a locksmith. Norman Warren, you did it.

[Norman P. Warren]

What?

[Nadine Grayson]

You did it, too. I can tell by the funny way your eyes are twinkling.

[Norman P. Warren]

Me locked Gloria's trunk?

[Nadine Grayson]

All right, all right. You bribed the stewardess to do it. Then that's what.

[Norman P. Warren]

It's much too grand a night to waste time talking about Gloria. You know, Nadine, the moment you offered me that $500, I decided we were going to succeed if I had to murder the fair Gloria to get her out of the way. And it worked. I got a cable from the Windy Day people an hour ago, and I'm going to get my contract and a fat bonus besides.

[Nadine Grayson]

Oh, Norman, I'm so glad about you getting the contract I need.

[Norman P. Warren]

Darling, we've only a minute before the grand march, and you're due to be photographed as Bermuda's prettiest guest. But in between publicity stunts, as it were, I'm. I'm taking time out to tell you that I want you to marry me the moment we're back in New York. Oh, that is, if you feel you know me well enough. It isn't too soon.

[Nadine Grayson]

It's never too soon to get married. Not when you love somebody as much as I love you.

[Narrator]

You have been listening to a romance featuring the Love Story Girl and presented with the permission of street and Smith, publishers of Love Story magazine. Listen for the Love Story Girl in a new romance next week.