Meet Frank Sinatra – Ep03: Guest Jan Murray (Aired November 12, 1950)

Podcast: Harold's Old Time Radio | Host: Harold’s Old Time Radio | Originally Broadcast: November 12, 1950 | Episode Release: October 19, 2025

Episode Overview

This episode of "Meet Frank Sinatra" on CBS is a spirited, music-filled hour in the classic variety format of the golden age of radio. Host and star Frank Sinatra welcomes special guest Jan Murray, along with a cast of everyday Americans, for an informal session of performances, personal stories, favorite records, and witty banter. With touching anecdotes, live audience participation, and musical interludes, Sinatra connects with fans and showcases the power of radio as America’s living room.

Key Segments & Highlights

1. Opening: Theme and Welcome

• [01:36] Upbeat musical intro “It’s time to meet Frank Sinatra” sets the tone.
• Frank Sinatra welcomes listeners with his signature warmth:

  “A happy Sunday to you all. We're glad you're here to share a spot of chatting with our friends, a spot of record playing and a spot of singing.” ([01:31])

2. Spotlight Story: Bill Bailey and Petunia the Raccoon

• [05:26] Bill Bailey, an oiler from an iron mine, shares an unusual tale about his pet raccoon named Petunia, whom he adopted during his army days.
• Sinatra delivers jokes about raccoon stripes and sergeant stripes, banters about military pets, and transitions to Bailey's favorite record.
• Notable Quote:

  “With all those stripes around their tails, they must have had to make them all sergeants.” – Frank Sinatra ([05:46])

• [09:30] Plays "Bill Bailey, Won’t You Please Come Home" by Jimmy Durante and Eddie Jackson, tying into Bailey’s endearing proposal story with his wife.

3. Charity & International Goodwill

• [12:57] Frank shares a charitable endeavor:
  Recording "London by Night," with proceeds to fund English children’s playgrounds, and a special message recorded by Prince Philip in London.
• Quote:

  “I thought I'd like to do something if I could... and I offered to make a record, the proceeds of which would go to establish one of those playing fields somewhere in England.” – Frank Sinatra ([12:58])

• [13:42] Performance of “London by Night”

4. Audience Guest: Nurse Betty Bauer

• [21:08] Nurse Betty Bauer, a former Army lieutenant, chats with Sinatra about her service, being wounded in WWII, and morale-boosting efforts.

• Sinatra’s playful flirtations and running jokes:

  “How can I get real sick in a hurry with you around?” – Frank Sinatra ([21:26])

• Betty’s favorite record: “Mamzel,” tied to her encounter with Bob Hope in France.

• Sinatra gives an engraved watch and savings bond to Betty as a thank you ([27:11]).

5. Young Performer: Paul Judson

• [27:26] Sinatra recounts discovering singer Paul Judson via his own mother’s television habits.
• [29:41] Paul sings his favorite, “All My Love.”
• Comedy:

  “Between you and Gary Crosby, I'm getting up in a lot of trouble around here.” – Frank Sinatra ([31:19])

6. Studio Audience Interviews

• [34:08] Sinatra takes his “meandering microphone” into the studio audience:
  • Converses with Lou Yelnick, a weight guesser.
  • Banters with newlyweds Lois and Wilbur Buckwaller ("how about you folks, what’s your name?"), Eleanor and Mr. Pasco ("how long did you know each other before he proposed?" – "about three days" ([37:07])).
  • Provides albums as gifts for their participation.

7. Featured Song Segments

• Sinatra and the band perform classics including:
  • “A Hundred Years from Today” ([18:54])
  • “I’ll Always Love You” ([38:10])
  • “Stardust” introduced as “America’s song next to The Star-Spangled Banner” ([44:18])
  • “There's No Business Like Show Business” ([59:54])

8. Studio Guest: Jan Murray

• [52:59] Comedian Jan Murray joins with rapid-fire jokes about Bing Crosby, Sinatra’s busy life, and vitamin pills.

  • Memorable Banter:

    “I've been taking a pill … gives you vitamin A through G ... penicillin, sulfur ... you got a pill on you?” – Jan Murray ([54:17]) “Don't be silly, they weigh 12 pounds!” ([55:49])

  • Sinatra on workouts:

    “When I take a deep breath these days, my chest almost touches my sugar chest, he calls it.” – Frank Sinatra ([56:39])

• Murray introduces his favorite record, “Why Should I Dream” sung by Russ Emery, discovered on his CBS show "Songs for Sale" ([57:06]).

9. Touching Fan Story: Mrs. Carol Fabian

• [48:38] Mrs. Fabian recounts how her husband proposed with an engraved wedding band and Sinatra’s record “From This Day Forward.”
• Sinatra:

  “I’m immensely gratified that your favorite record turned out to be one of mine.” ([50:08])

• Plays the sentimental song, gives watch and bond as gifts.

10. Aspirant Actor: Steve Mitchell

• [40:27] Mitchell chats about acting, dialects, and summer stock stories.
• Sinatra promises an audition with Mark Goodson and Bill Todman, and plays “Stardust” for Steve and his best gal.

11. Closing and Farewell

• Sinatra:

  “We’re glad you got to sit around with us for a spell this Sunday.” ([62:14])

• Invites listeners to write in for a chance to appear and share their favorite record on "Meet Frank Sinatra."

Timestamps for Significant Segments

• Opening theme and introduction: [01:36]
• Bill Bailey and raccoon story: [05:26] – [09:30]
• “London by Night” charity song: [12:57] – [15:18]
• Interview: Nurse Betty Bauer: [21:08] – [27:11]
• Interview: Paul Judson: [27:26] – [31:42]
• Studio audience participation: [34:08] – [38:10]
• Song: “I’ll Always Love You”: [38:10] – [40:17]
• Steve Mitchell actor story: [40:27] – [46:03]
• Mrs. Carol Fabian’s love story: [48:38] – [52:17]
• Guest Jan Murray comedic segment: [52:59] – [56:39]
• Jan Murray’s favorite record, “Why Should I Dream”: [57:06] – [58:12]
• Closing group numbers and wrap-up: [59:54] – [62:32]

Notable Quotes & Moments

• Sinatra’s warmth:

  “We're glad you're here to share a spot of chatting with our friends, a spot of record playing and a spot of singing.” ([01:31])

• Jan Murray’s humor:

  “Who do you think goes around drawing those mustaches on Bing Crosby's pictures? I love you, man.” ([53:12])

• Audience connection:

  “If I trip over this microphone cord, this show will finish with 30 minutes of organ music.” – Frank Sinatra, roving mic ([34:20])

• On recording for charity:

  “I thought I'd like to do something if I could. And I offered to make a record ... proceeds would go to establish one of those playing fields somewhere in England.” – Frank Sinatra ([12:57])

Tone & Style

The language throughout is lively, affable, and brimming with classic radio show wit. Sinatra’s rapport with both guests and audience is playful but sincere. Jan Murray’s segment delivers fast-paced, joke-filled 1950s radio comedy.

Conclusion

This episode encapsulates the communal joy of radio "visiting hours," connecting stars, fans, and the American public through music, laughter, and storytelling. With its heartwarming listener stories, guest celebrity charm, and entertainment value, it’s a slice of lost Americana—and a showcase of Frank Sinatra’s timeless ability to bring people together around a song and a smile.