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

Summary

Podcast Summary: Harold's Old Time Radio – "Ma Perkins 49-09-29 (4209) News Travels Fast"

Episode Information:

• Title: Ma Perkins 49-09-29 (4209) News Travels Fast
• Release Date: August 5, 2025
• Host/Author: Harold’s Old Time Radio
• Description: Dive into the nostalgic world of the Golden Age of Radio with classic shows like The Shadow, Abbott & Costello, Amos & Andy, Dragnet, and more. This episode of Ma Perkins weaves a tale of small-town intrigue and budding romance.

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Introduction

In the episode titled "News Travels Fast," listeners are transported to Rushville Center, a quaint town where everyday happenings quickly become the talk of the community. The narrative revolves around Joseph, the milkman, and his unexpected encounter with Ann Morrison, a renowned photographer, sparking gossip and stirring emotions among the townsfolk.

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Plot Summary

Morning Incident: The episode opens with a recount of an early morning event where Joseph the milkman is seen tenderly kissing Ann Morrison while on his route. This sighting by Junior, Fitz's son, ignites whispers and rumors throughout Rushville Center. The incident leaves Evie and Willie, presumably Joseph’s close acquaintances, choosing to withhold their observations, though Junior inadvertently fuels the gossip by sharing the news.

Lumberyard Conversations: At Perkins Lumber Company, characters Shuffle and Willie engage in a humorous exchange about the misspelling of "batts" in an order. Their conversation takes a turn when Shuffle brings up the morning's gossip about Joseph and Ms. Morrison. Willie expresses regret over the inadvertent spread of the rumor, emphasizing the family's decision to cease contributing to the town's chatter. Junior’s enthusiasm, however, complicates matters as he takes pride in the gossip, associating Joseph's charm with his prowess on the baseball field.

Ma’s Household Dynamics: The narrative shifts to Ma’s house at 10:30 AM, where Joseph returns from taking Ms. Morrison to the hotel and joins Fay for lunch. Their interaction reveals a deeper connection as Ms. Morrison expresses interest in visiting the country club to capture Rushville Center’s essence for a national magazine. Joseph eagerly offers to host her, showcasing his willingness to support her endeavors. Despite minor tensions about Ms. Morrison's presence, the conversation underscores the budding relationship and the professional collaboration between Joseph and the photographer.

Community Reactions: Back at the lumberyard, the gossip’s impact is evident as locals like Shuffle ponder the town’s potential reaction if the rumors hold true. Willie and Evie grapple with the implications of Junior's enthusiasm versus their desire for discretion, highlighting the delicate balance between personal relationships and community perceptions.

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Key Discussions and Insights

1. Impact of Gossip in Small Communities:

   • The episode underscores how quickly news can spread in a close-knit town, shaping perceptions and relationships. Junior's role as the inadvertent catalyst for gossip illustrates the challenges of maintaining privacy.

2. Balancing Personal and Professional Lives:

   • Joseph's dual role as a milkman and a supportive partner to Ms. Morrison demonstrates the intersection of personal relationships and professional aspirations, especially in a community where everyone is interconnected.

3. Generational Perspectives:

   • The interaction between the older characters (Shuffle and Willie) and the younger generation (Junior) highlights differing attitudes towards gossip and reputation, reflecting broader societal themes.

4. Gender Roles and Expectations:

   • Fay's support and Joseph's chivalrous behavior towards Ms. Morrison reflect the gender norms of the era, emphasizing respect and propriety in public and private interactions.

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Notable Quotes

• Shuffle [06:34]:
  "A fellow's only young ones that's telling him something. Thanks, Ole. Yep. You'll have your order out today."

• Willie [07:09]:
  "We decided there'd be no more gossiping from the Fitz family, Evie. Both of us."

• Shuffle [06:53]:
  "It 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 such."

• Willie [07:52]:
  "Junior was real impressed, Shuffle. You know, he'd always thought Joe was great shakes as a baseball player. He never thought of him much on the romancing end."

• Broadcast Narration [12:10]:
  "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?"

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Conclusions

"News Travels Fast" masterfully encapsulates the essence of small-town life, where every gesture and encounter is magnified under the community's watchful eye. Through the characters' interactions, the episode explores themes of love, reputation, and the human tendency to discuss and disseminate information. The delicate balance between personal desires and public perception serves as a poignant reminder of the challenges faced by individuals in tightly-knit societies. As Joseph and Ms. Morrison navigate their evolving relationship, listeners are left contemplating the transformative power of communication and the enduring impact of gossip.

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Note: This summary focuses solely on the narrative content of the episode, omitting advertisements, intros, outros, and non-essential sections to provide a comprehensive overview for those who haven't listened to the episode.

Transcript

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[Shuffle]

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[Oli]

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

[Fay]

Yes, new oxidol is white and it washes clothes whiter than ever before. The cleanest wash you can get from any soap in the world, Oxidol's own Ma Perkins.

[Oli]

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

[Fay]

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.

[Oli]

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

[Fay]

Why, even when you dry your clothes inside, you'll still get that amazingly whiter oxidol wash. What's 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. Look at 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 Fitz's 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 bats. 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.

[Joseph]

Batts.

[Shuffle]

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]

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

[Shuffle]

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

[Willie]

Yeah. 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, Olie. Oh, sweet Jerusalem.

[Willie]

Mr. Downs Bring the mail yet? Shuffle.

[Shuffle]

That's on the desk there, Willie. Don't look like nothing important, huh? What?

[Fay]

No.

[Shuffle]

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. Morrison out to speak Martin riding her on his milk wagon and already it's all over town that he kissed her.

[Willie]

So what? Didn't Oli 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, Tom Nick Shinoli. Now, let's try to remember live and let live. And a fellow's only young ones that's telling him something. Thanks, Ole. Yep. You'll have your order out today. And thanks for it too. Goodbye, Ole. Oh, sweet Jerusalem.

[Willie]

Sweet Jerusalem is right.

[Shuffle]

You heard me talking to Ole.

[Willie]

I heard you, Shuffle.

[Shuffle]

Now, Ole ain't mischievous. He's. 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]

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, Willie? It ain't gossip.

[Willie]

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

[Shuffle]

You saw him kissing?

[Willie]

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 such.

[Willie]

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

[Shuffle]

Started what, son?

[Willie]

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

[Willie]

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

[Shuffle]

Junior?

[Willie]

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]

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

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]

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.

[Fay]

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.

[Joseph]

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

[Oli]

You'Re going to eat.

[Joseph]

Joe.

[Ms. Morrison]

Yeah?

[Joseph]

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

[Ms. Morrison]

Oh, no, thanks, Faye.

[Joseph]

It was awful good.

[Ms. Morrison]

Yeah, it was, but no, thanks.

[Joseph]

Are you sure?

[Ms. Morrison]

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

[Joseph]

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

[Fay]

Jo.

[Ms. Morrison]

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?

[Joseph]

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

[Ms. Morrison]

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.

[Oli]

Well, of course.

[Joseph]

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

[Ms. Morrison]

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

[Joseph]

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.

[Ms. Morrison]

Yeah.

[Joseph]

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

[Ms. Morrison]

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

[Joseph]

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

[Ms. Morrison]

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

[Joseph]

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

[Ms. Morrison]

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

[Joseph]

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

[Ms. Morrison]

I do too.

[Joseph]

Joe. Where did you see her? Downtown again?

[Ms. Morrison]

Ms. Morrison? Oh, no.

[Shuffle]

She.

[Ms. Morrison]

She was with me this morning.

[Joseph]

With you?

[Shuffle]

Mm.

[Ms. Morrison]

Out on the route with me?

[Joseph]

You mean out on the milk wagon?

[Ms. Morrison]

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, invite her to supper for tomorrow night?

[Joseph]

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

[Fay]

What?

[Ms. Morrison]

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

[Oli]

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

[Fay]

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.

[Oli]

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

[Fay]

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? Hello, this is Charlie Warren inviting you to listen again tomorrow to Oxidol's own Ma Perkins. Same time, same station.

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[Fay]

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