Ma Perkins 49-09-29 (4209) News Travels Fast

Summary

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Ma Perkins – "News Travels Fast" (Episode 4209, September 29, 1949)

Podcast: Harold's Old Time Radio
Airdate Featured: September 29, 1949
Summary Date: October 20, 2025
Episode Theme:
A look into small-town life and the power of gossip in Rushville Center, as news of Joseph's budding relationship with the visiting photographer Ann Morrison spreads like wildfire.

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Main Theme & Purpose

This episode of "Ma Perkins," titled "News Travels Fast," explores just how quickly rumors can ignite in a close-knit community. A seemingly innocent early morning encounter between Joseph (the town milkman) and Ann Morrison (a visiting photographer) sets the stage. The central focus is on the speed and reactions around this rumor: Did Joseph kiss Ms. Morrison on his milk route? How does the Perkins family and the town respond to the swirling speculation?

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Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. The Spark: Joseph and Ann Morrison (03:33 – 05:25)

• Early in the morning, Joseph was spotted accompanied by Ann Morrison, who is in town to take photographs for a national magazine.
• Junior, the Fitz family's son, sees Joseph tenderly kiss Ann and immediately tells his parents and then his friend.
• Quote:
  • Shuffle (on the phone): “Well, what about Joseph kissed Ms. Morrison in the milk wagon? When sweet Jerusalem on a bicycle, Willie! Ollie says Joe had Ms. Martin Morrison out this morning riding her on his milk wagon. And already it’s all over town that he kissed her.” (04:34)

2. The Lumberyard Gossip Chain (05:25 – 08:38)

• At the lumberyard, Shuffle, Willie Sorensen, and others discuss the rumor.
• It’s clarified: Willie and Evie saw Joseph and Ann after the moment, but it was Junior who saw the kiss and quickly spread the story—illustrating how quickly news and gossip travel.
• Quote:
  • Shuffle: “Yep, sure appears to me them science fellows could do a lot better spending their time figuring ways to free the human heart of the hankerin to gossip instead of wasting it on new bombs and sich.” (06:54)
  • Willie: “The tales about Joe and Ms. Morrison... We talked it over. We decided there'd be no more gossiping from the Fitz family.” (07:10)
  • Shuffle, dryly: “Boys will be boys, you know. Just makes you wonder, though, don’t it? What the town will do if anything ever really happens.” (08:28)

3. At Home with the Perkins Family (08:38 – 12:06)

• Joseph arrives home and shares a meal with Fay, revealing plans to later invite Ann Morrison to dine at the country club.
• Fay supports Joseph, offering her club membership and even their family car for the date.
• Fay’s teasing and Joseph’s bashfulness add warmth and authenticity to their interaction.
• Memorable Moment:
  • Fay (teasingly): “It's real discouraging, though, me laboring over a hot stove to open that can of salmon. Oh, Joe.” (09:19)
• They discuss that Ann joined Joseph on his milk route at her request, wanting to see the town “by the dawn's early light.”
• The scene closes with anticipation for their dinner date, as the town's curiosity looms larger.
• Quote:
  • Joseph: “Having somebody to talk to for once besides the horse. Yeah, it was really swell.” (11:16)

4. Small-Town Dynamics and Self-Reflection (Throughout)

• The episode is peppered with characters reflecting on the nature of rumor and their responsibility in spreading (or halting) gossip.
• Willie and Shuffle agree that they’re done contributing to the rumor mill—although a child’s innocent enthusiasm launches the story anyway.

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Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On Gossip:
  • Shuffle: “Sure appears to me them science fellows could do a lot better… free the human heart of the hankerin to gossip...” (06:54)
• On Responsibility:
  • Willie: “We decided there’d be no more gossiping from the Fitz family… There’s been enough talk going on. We wasn’t going to add to it no more.” (07:10–07:24)
• On the Plans for Ann Morrison:
  • Joseph: “I saw her this morning. Asked her whether she’d like…some night to go over and have supper there. She’s never seen the country club. Might want to take pictures of it.” (09:49)
• A Touch of Humor:
  • Fay: “It's real discouraging, though, me laboring over a hot stove to open that can of salmon. Oh, Joe.” (09:19)

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Timestamps for Key Segments

• Rumors Begin at the Lumberyard: 03:33 – 08:38
• Perkins Family Lunch & Plans: 08:38 – 12:06
• Closing Narrator Reflection: 12:11 – 12:43

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Overall Tone

The episode is warm and homespun, marked by gentle humor, affection, and an understanding—though teasing—look at human nature. The dialogue is colloquial, filled with small-town expressions ("Sweet Jerusalem!" is a repeated exclamation), and the pacing captures both the bustle and the close-knit scrutiny of rural American life in the 1940s.

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Episode Takeaway

"News Travels Fast" offers an endearing, thoughtful examination of rumor, responsibility, and the everyday drama that unfolds when ordinary events stir a small community’s imagination. Family bonds, town unity, and the foibles of gossip are all on loving display, setting the stage for further developments in the lives of Ma Perkins and her neighbors.

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For Further Listening:

Tune in to the following episode to discover how the country club dinner with Ms. Morrison and Joseph unfolds—and see what fresh waves ripple through Rushville Center!

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Transcript

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[Ma Perkins (Oxidol White Ad)]

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[Ma Perkins Narrator / Joseph]

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[Ma Perkins (Oxidol White Ad)]

You're right, it's white. It's that new oxidol white.

[Ma Perkins Narrator / Joseph]

You can see that new oxidol white on clothesline after clothesline because housewives everywhere are switching to Procter and Gamble's new white Oxidol. And no wonder. It's the whiter, whiter soap for a whiter, whiter wash. Actually washes clothes whiter than ever before. The whitest wash in Oxidol history. Get that new whiteness in your clothes. Next wash day, use new white oxidol. It actually gives you the cleanest wash it's possible to get from any soap in the world. The whitest oxidol wash you've ever had. There's not a shirt sheet or a towel that won't wash far whiter with new white oxidol.

[Ma Perkins (Oxidol White Ad)]

You're right. It's white. It's that new oxidol white.

[Ma Perkins Narrator / Joseph]

Why, even when you dry your clothes inside, you'll still get that amazingly whiter oxidol wash. And once more, that sparkling new whiteness will stay in your wash for the life of your clothes, as long as you use new white oxidol. Try this new white oxidol and soon, once you do, you want your wash to have that new oxidol white every week. New oxidol is truly safe for washable colors, too. You'll see everything from striped shorts to bright sports shirts come out with colors glowing. Forget new white oxidol today, your dealer has it. Now. Next wash day, be right. Get clothes white with new white oxidol. The whiter whiter soap for a whiter, whiter wash. And now for Ma Perkins. Well, anyone who happened to be up and about this morning. Morning, about 5:30 might have been a little surprised to see a very handsome woman smartly dressed in slacks and A three quarter length suede jacket accompanying Joseph the milkman on his rounds. The Fitzes son, Junior was not only up, he saw Joseph quite tenderly kiss the woman who of course was Ann Morrison, the famous photographer come to Rushville center to take pictures of the town for a national magazine. Now, Evie and Willie agreed to say nothing about the incident. But Junior. Well, more about that a little later. Right now two hours have passed and over at the lumberyard Shuffles busy on the telephone. Neither Ma or Willie has come in yet. Listen.

[Shuffle]

Yep, I got it writ down in black and white, ole. Yeah. 15 by 48 full thick rock wool Batts. What? No, I'll write it down any way you say, Olie. The customers always write Perkins Lumber Company. Well, sweet Jerusalem, Oli. I don't know how come they spell it, Batts. B, A T, T, S with two T's. We just sell it. We don't spell it. Look, Ole, I got to go now. A customer just come in.

[Willie Sorensen]

It ain't no customer, Shuffle. It's just me.

[Shuffle]

Morning, Willie.

[Joe]

Morning.

[Shuffle]

You don't mind if for Mr. Sorensen's benefit I go on saying you're a customer? Yeah.

[Willie Sorensen]

No, go ahead.

[Shuffle]

Huh? Yeah, Ollie. Now, now, don't you worry about a thing. Yeah, your order's as good as their right now. That's right, Ole. That's right, Ole. That's right, Ollie. Oh, sweet Jerusalem.

[Willie Sorensen]

Mr. Downs Bring the mail yet? Shuffle?

[Shuffle]

That's on the desk there, Willie. Don't look like nothing important, huh? What? No. What did you just say, Ole, then? Well, what about Joseph kissed Ms. Morrison in the milk wagon when sweet Jerusalem on a bicycle, Willie. Holy says Joe had Ms. Martin Morrison out this morning riding her on his milk wagon. And already it's all over town that he kissed her.

[Willie Sorensen]

So what? Didn't Ole ever kiss a girl?

[Shuffle]

Ain't you ever kissed a girl, Mr. Sorensen? Huh? Oh, in 1924. Well, you still kissed her, didn't you? I don't recollect there being any earthquakes reported hereabouts that year. Oh, tarnishing, Oli. Now let's try to remember live and let live. And a fellow's only young ones that's.

[Willie Sorensen]

Telling him something quite as good as it is.

[Shuffle]

Thanks, Ole. Yep. You'll have your order out today. And thanks for it too. Goodbye, Ole. Oh, sweet Jerusalem.

[Willie Sorensen]

Sweet Jerusalem is right.

[Shuffle]

You heard me talking to Ole.

[Willie Sorensen]

I heard you, Shuffle.

[Shuffle]

Now, Ole ain't a mischievous. He's a real good friend too. Now, what do you reckon makes him waste his time repeating the gossip like that Joe was out kissing Ms. Morrison this morning.

[Willie Sorensen]

Uh, Shuffle, it ain't gossip.

[Shuffle]

Of course. Maybe he figured he was doing us a favor, letting us in on the latest. What do you mean it, Willie? It ain't gossip.

[Willie Sorensen]

Evie and me, we seen Joe and Ms. Morrison this morning.

[Shuffle]

You saw him kissing?

[Willie Sorensen]

Uh, no, not kissing. Junior saw that. We only saw him after it was all over. He woke us up to tell us.

[Shuffle]

Yep, yep, yep. Sure appears to me them science fellows could do a lot better. Spending their time figuring ways to free the human heart of the hankerin to gossip instead of wasting it on new bombs and sich.

[Willie Sorensen]

It wasn't me and Evie that started at shuffle.

[Shuffle]

Started what, son?

[Willie Sorensen]

The tales about Joe and Ms. Morrison. We talked it over. We decided there'd be no more gossiping from the Fitz family, Evie. Both of us.

[Shuffle]

Well, sweet Jerusalem, we decided there's been.

[Willie Sorensen]

Enough talk going on. We wasn't going to add to it no more. If the Pendletons want folks to believe something, okay, let them spread the word, not us, Willie.

[Shuffle]

That's good news. I wish more folks would take that kind of a pledge.

[Willie Sorensen]

Yeah, of course, we couldn't help it none about Junior.

[Shuffle]

Junior?

[Willie Sorensen]

He wasn't in on our decision. He was the one, you know, who saw him kissing.

[Shuffle]

You mean Willie Jr. Started all this latest ruckus.

[Willie Sorensen]

He called his friend Poopy Davis right off before we could even stop him. Yes, sir, Junior was real impressed.

[Ma Perkins Narrator / Joseph]

Chuffle.

[Willie Sorensen]

You know, he'd always thought Joe was great shakes as a baseball player. He never thought of him much on the romancing end. Yes, sir. Junior was real impressed.

[Shuffle]

Yep, yep, yep. And the little child shall lead them.

[Willie Sorensen]

I'm real sorry, Shuffle. We didn't mean to make nothing of it, seeing Joe and Ms. Morrison together.

[Shuffle]

Oh, tarnation, Willie. If you couldn't help it, you couldn't help it.

[Willie Sorensen]

Boys will be boys, you know.

[Shuffle]

Yep, yep, yep. Just makes you wonder, though, don't it? What the town will do if anything ever really happens.

[Ma Perkins Narrator / Joseph]

Well, let's go over to Ma's house. Now. It's 10:30 that same morning. Joseph has taken Ms. Morrison back to the hotel, dropped her off, and then has come home for his usual early lunch. And as usual, Fay is with him.

[Fay]

Listen, now, don't tell me that's all.

[Ma Perkins (Oxidol White Ad)]

You'Re going to eat.

[Shuffle]

Joe.

[Joe]

Yeah?

[Fay]

You've hardly finished half a sandwich. How about some of that cake we had left over from last night?

[Joe]

Oh, no, thanks, Fay.

[Fay]

It was awful good.

[Joe]

Yeah, it was, but no, thanks.

[Fay]

Are you sure?

[Joe]

100% positive. Just not hungry today. I don't know why.

[Fay]

It's real discouraging, though, me laboring over a hot stove to open that can of salmon. Oh, Joe.

[Joe]

Fay, I wonder, would it be all right, would you mind if some night I used your membership over to the country club to take Ms. Morrison to dinner?

[Fay]

Why, why, of course not, Joe. I've told you right along you can use it anytime.

[Joe]

Swell. I saw her this morning. Asked her whether she'd like some night to go over and have supper there. She's never seen the country club. Might want to take pictures of it. You know, for their story about Rushville Center.

[Fay]

Well, of course, Anytime at all. Jo, when would you like to go?

[Joe]

Well, I thought. Would tomorrow be okay? I want to pay you, of course, whatever it is.

[Fay]

Oh, sure. I'll send you a bill at the end of the month. All right, Joe. I'll call them and tell them to expect you as my guest.

[Ma Perkins Narrator / Joseph]

Yeah.

[Fay]

Well, would you. Would you like to use the car for the occasion?

[Joe]

Well, Fay, I, I, I know you.

[Fay]

Can'T ask a lady to walk all the way out there.

[Joe]

Well, I figured I'd get a car from Lonnie Konvalenka down at the gas station, rent it.

[Fay]

Now, Joe, don't be silly. We're not going anywhere. Use ours.

[Joe]

Oh, that's swell, Fay. You're kind of wonderful. You know it.

[Fay]

Mm. You still don't like my angel food cake.

[Joe]

I do too.

[Fay]

Jo. Where did you see her? Downtown again, Ms. Morrison?

[Joe]

Oh, no.

[Shuffle]

She.

[Joe]

She was with me this morning.

[Ma Perkins (Oxidol White Ad)]

With you?

[Ma Perkins Narrator / Joseph]

Mm.

[Joe]

Out on the route with me?

[Fay]

You mean out on the milk wagon?

[Joe]

Yeah. Yeah, she wanted to see the town by the. By the dawn's early life thought was swell like being out on the route for the first time. Having somebody to talk to for once besides the horse. Yeah, it was really swell. Well, I'd better get moving. I guess I'm way behind schedule today. Is it okay then if I call her or invite her to supper for tomorrow night?

[Fay]

Yes, yes, Jo, of course. Anytime. I I'll phone the club and tell them there. There'll be just the two of you, I assume.

[Willie Sorensen]

What?

[Joe]

Oh, yeah, yeah, of course. That's right. Just the two of us. Ms. Morrison and me.

[Ma Perkins (Oxidol White Ad)]

You're right. It's white. It's that new oxidol white.

[Ma Perkins Narrator / Joseph]

Now, there's a wonderful new white oxidol at your store, and you don't want to miss it because, listen, it actually washes clothes whiter than ever before. Yes, it's the whiter, whiter soap For a whiter, whiter wash gives you the whitest wash in oxidol history. You'll see the difference the minute you open the package, you'll see that now oxidol is white. But more important, you'll see this new oxidol gives you the whitest oxidol wash you've ever had. The cleanest wash it's possible to get from any soap in the world.

[Ma Perkins (Oxidol White Ad)]

You're right. It's white. It's that new oxidol white.

[Ma Perkins Narrator / Joseph]

Yes. Even when you dry your clothes inside, you'll get a wash that's amazingly whiter. And that new whiteness stays in your wash for the life of your clothes. As long as you use new white oxidol, it's truly safe too. In fact, washable colors come out even brighter. So next wash day, be right. Get clothes white with new white oxidol. The whiter whiter soap for a whiter whiter wash. Well, there was a flood of talk because Junior saw Joseph and Ms. Morrison aboard his milk wagon today. What do you suppose will happen when Joseph takes Ms. Morrison to dinner at the country club tomorrow? Now this is Charlie Warren inviting you to listen again tomorrow to auxidol's own Ma Perkins. Same time, same station.

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[Ma Perkins Narrator / Joseph]

Uh, limu is that guy with the binoculars watching us?

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[Joe]

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