National Barn Dance 42-10-17 Epxxx Down At The Huskin' Bee

Summary

Podcast Summary: National Barn Dance 42-10-17 Episode "Down At The Husk'n Bee"

Podcast Information

• Title: Harold's Old Time Radio
• Host/Author: Harold's Old Time Radio
• Description: Radio shows from the Golden Age of Radio. The time before television when families sat around the radio to enjoy popular shows like The Shadow, Abbott & Costello, Amos & Andy, Dragnet, and many more.
• Episode: National Barn Dance 42-10-17 Episode "Down At The Husk'n Bee"
• Release Date: March 31, 2025

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Introduction

National Barn Dance transports listeners back to the cherished days of radio entertainment, capturing the lively atmosphere of a community gathering at a traditional huskin' bee. Hosted by Joe Kelly, the episode "Down At The Husk'n Bee" immerses the audience in the festivities, blending humor, storytelling, and musical interludes that reflect the cultural tapestry of the era.

The Husk'n Bee Celebration

The episode unfolds with Joe Kelly warmly welcoming the audience to the huskin' bee, a community event centered around husking corn and fostering social interactions.

• Community Spirit: Joe sets the scene by describing the bustling haylofts and the anticipation of the huskin' bee festivities.

  [00:44] Joe Kelly: "Hello, hello, hello everybody everywhere. How's Mother and Dad and the whole family? Yes, it's sweet cider time all right folks..."

• The Red Ear Tradition: A playful competition ensues when Earl Tucker announces that Hezzy has found a red ear of corn, triggering the huskin' bee's tradition where the finder earns the privilege to kiss their chosen partner.

  [01:12] Earl Tucker: "Look, Hezzy found a red ear."

  [03:20] Lulabelle: "Dance around the floor with someone you adore..."

Humorous Antics and Social Interactions

The show is infused with lighthearted humor and character-driven dialogues that illustrate the camaraderie among participants.

• Scotty's Discovery: Scotty reveals that Hezzy's red ear isn't genuine, sparking laughter and playful accusations of trickery.

  [02:47] Scotty: "Say, listen, Joe. There's something mighty funny going on here tonight."

  [10:12] Pat Buttram: "Yeah. That was sure a dirty trick, wasn't it?"

• Earl Tucker's Etiquette Lesson: Earl humorously presents a mock etiquette lesson, offering comical tips on dining manners that playfully exaggerate social norms.

  [22:59] Earl Tucker: "And I know how your viddle should be at."

  [23:02] Joe Kelly: "Well, they should."

Musical Performances

Music serves as the heart of the National Barn Dance, featuring performances that range from lively barn dances to harmonious serenades.

• Huskin' Bee Songs: Lulabelle and Scotty lead engaging musical numbers that encourage participation and embody the festive spirit.

  [12:21] Scotty: "Everybody has a weakness for the funniest things. Some like ketchup in their soup."

  [13:36] Scotty: "I'm daffy over taffy that's the way to win my heart..."

• Dinning Sisters' Folk Tunes: The Dinning Sisters deliver a soulful performance capturing the essence of Indian summer, blending traditional melodies with heartfelt lyrics.

  [17:40] Dinning Sisters: "Indian sons and Indian daughters Kept a rendezvous Woo. On the shores of sky blue waters."

  [19:20] Dinning Sisters: "Can you?"

Engaging Storylines and Characters

The episode weaves intricate storylines that highlight interpersonal relationships and community dynamics.

• Pat Buttram's Confession: Pat Buttram enters the scene, admitting to kissing Frankie's girl under her nose, adding layers of intrigue and humor to the narrative.

  [10:12] Pat Buttram: "No, I kissed her under her nose."

  [10:25] Joe Kelly: "Two red ears. Where are they?"

• Scrap Metal Drive Anecdotes: Pat discusses the local scrap metal drive, blending community efforts with humorous exaggerations about donations.

  [11:17] Pat Buttram: "But Uncle Herkimer, he's giving something. He's turning in his wife ain't, Effie."

Notable Quotes

The episode is peppered with memorable quotes that encapsulate the show's humor and charm.

• Joe Kelly on Community Fun:

  [02:42] Joe Kelly: "Well, I can see that we've all got the huskin bee in our bonnets tonight, folks."

• Earl Tucker's Humorous Etiquette Suggestions:

  [22:59] Earl Tucker: "Always mix your peas with your potatoes. Then you got hash."

• Scotty's Delight in Daffy Taffy:

  [12:33] Scotty: "I'm daffy over taffy that's the way to win my heart."

Conclusion

As the episode draws to a close, Joe Kelly orchestrates a final musical number that celebrates the culmination of the huskin' bee festivities. The harmonious blend of music, humor, and community spirit leaves listeners with a warm sense of nostalgia and appreciation for the timeless appeal of these golden-age radio gatherings.

[25:22] Lulabelle: "By the mill where they make sweet cider I make sweet love to you..."

The episode seamlessly captures the essence of National Barn Dance, offering a delightful journey into a bygone era where radio served as the heart of family entertainment and communal celebration.

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Note: Commercial segments promoting products like Alka Seltzer have been excluded from this summary to focus on the core content and entertainment provided by the National Barn Dance episode.

Transcript

[Joe Kelly]

Alka Seltzer for headaches. Alka Seltzer for acid indigestion.

[Jack]

Alka Seltzer for muscular aches and pains. Ask your druggist for Alka Seltzer.

[Lulabelle]

Hey, hey, hey. The Halo King is here. We're all sing to bring you lots of cheers boys and girls. They come from foreigners and be all down the halo.

[Joe Kelly]

Hello, hello, hello everybody everywhere. How's Mother and Dad and the whole family? Yes, it's sweet cider time all right folks, so get ready for an extra helping of cider time. Songs, dances and good old fiddle tunes as your Alka Seltzer National Barn Dance Gang gets going with an old fashioned husk and bee here in the old wl as haylofts. Yes, Siri, all hands are busy husking those golden ears of corn. And you know what we're waiting for.

[Earl Tucker]

Look, Hezzy found a red ear. Joe.

[Joe Kelly]

Uh oh. That's it. Good for Hezzy. You know the husk and bee rules, folks. The fella who finds a red ear of corn kisses his girl, huh? Let's start those old fiddles, boys. We'll see the next lucky one right after we invite the folks to join.

[Lulabelle]

Would you like to see a huskin bee? Huskin bee, Huskin bee if you're out for fun by Jiminy, come with me all the folks in town are coming down coming down, coming down Come and join the barn dance Everything is free Hurry along and come with me Come along and let's make merry down at the husk and Bee Apple jack and good BlackBerry we'll have a jamboree don't you hear the bells ringing big time for you and me Come along with me Duck with Josh we'll have lots of fun we gosh. Down at the can be Bow to.

[Earl Tucker]

The right Bow at your tight Swing her around Bow to the ground don't.

[Lulabelle]

You hear the pillows ringing big time for you and me Come along with me to Uncle Josh we'll have lots of fun we got Come and talk.

[Joe Kelly]

Well, I can see that we've all got the huskin bee in our bonnets tonight, folks.

[Scotty]

Say, listen, Joe. There's something mighty funny going on here tonight.

[Joe Kelly]

Something funny, Lulabelle?

[Scotty]

Yeah, I say so. Headsy's red ear of corn wasn't really red at all. Somebody put red paint on it.

[Earl Tucker]

I see.

[Joe Kelly]

Somebody's gonna make sure he gets his kisses all right. Yeah, but we got a surer way. Joe, you know when the whistle blows. Yep, I know. Everybody kiss your partner. Well, come on, boys and girls. And put plenty of whistles in it. Arkie. Here we go.

[Lulabelle]

Dance around the floor with someone you adore and when the whistle flows everybody kiss your partner hold her fine and sway, don't let her get away and when the whistle flows everybody kiss your partner Hug her, please her if you want to please her Kiss her mister, take a step and swing, you'll hear the angels sing and when the whistle blows everybody kiss your partner.

[Joe Kelly]

Me, oh me, yes sir, our husking bee is a regular kissing bee, folks.

[Scotty]

Now come on Arky, give us a low down on a hold down. Now get a go right Lula Bell.

[Joe Kelly]

And call it off golden bantam style. Arky, come on.

[Earl Tucker]

Dance, swing around.

[Joe Kelly]

Uhoh, I see Frank Fitzsimmons out there on the floor.

[Earl Tucker]

Everybody dance, swing around. All right, elbow.

[Jack]

Friends, you owe it to yourself and to your country to do everything possible to avoid colds this winter. Because statistics show that colds are the worst and costliest work stoppers known. So be on your guard. Avoid colds if you can. And if you can't, then let Alka Seltzer help you to prompt relief for much of your discomfort. You'll really welcome the comforting relief Alka Seltzer offers for that dull, achy feeling of a cold. You'll want to use it as a gargle too, if a sore throat is a part of your cold misery. Now, of course, in addition to taking Alka Seltzer, you'll want to take other common sense precautions. Get more rest than usual, eat sensibly, dress wisely, get ample vitamins daily, but don't forget the Alka Seltzer, because that's the thing that can make such a difference in the way you feel. And it can do it in a hurry. Remember then next time you catch cold, ask your druggist for modern effervescent Alka Seltzer tablets. He has them in 30 and 60 cent size packages.

[Earl Tucker]

Yeah. Oh, Earl Tucker's really swinging them around the corner tonight.

[Joe Kelly]

He's going to town that.

[Earl Tucker]

Yay kids. Figure it out. All of them are old folks ain't doing bad too on left each on the meat brownie brown eat. Jeez, we round on left like he's on the kids. Right Johnny. Right and left edge but a whistle. Who I leg beach honey wants an egg.

[Lulabelle]

Meet your little honey.

[Earl Tucker]

Meet with a. You know, Aaron. I don't care. Take honey daddy.

[Joe Kelly]

Now that was going to town. Four hands around, I'd say. Say, Lulabelle, did anybody find another red ear of corn?

[Scotty]

No, darn it.

[Joe Kelly]

Well, never mind. I know who can make that old Indiana corn pop like nobody's business. And here they are, folks. Hezzy, Kenny, Frank and Gaby the Hoosier hot shots.

[Earl Tucker]

Are you ready, Hezek?

[Joe Kelly]

Now, something's going to happen around down in the barn of farmer Brown. Come along, Hiram.

[Earl Tucker]

Come along, Bill.

[Joe Kelly]

Gosh, we won't get home until the wee small hours of the morn.

[Earl Tucker]

At the Rupin tango bus can be Jiminy Bracket. Johnny, get your hair cut two bits Bring along a pair of tango shoes Let the turkeys be forgotten we'll do all the turkey trottin'lock the hens and roosters in a barn there'll be broilers ready Coming from the city, Farmer Brown came from town Brought a load of chickens down to dance at the Reuben tango husk and bean Lock the hens and roosters in a barn there'll be broilers pretty. Coming from the city Farmer Brown came from town Brought a load of chickens down to dance at the Ruben tango husk and bee.

[Joe Kelly]

Sa some husking Hoosier hot shots. Yes, sir. But now then, we all want to find some, uh. Oh, uh oh. More corn, folks? Yep, here comes that Alabama colonel right off the cob. Pat Buttram.

[Pat Buttram]

Well, hello, Jody. You having a big huskin party, I see.

[Joe Kelly]

Yes siree, Pat, my boy. Say, what was all that commotion about?

[Pat Buttram]

Somebody just found some red ears of corn.

[Joe Kelly]

Oh, they found some red ears, eh?

[Pat Buttram]

Yeah, two bushels. Red ears? Yeah, the paint ain't dry on them yet, either.

[Joe Kelly]

Oh, it's true then. Someone here actually painted those ears of corn red just so they could kiss a girl.

[Pat Buttram]

Yeah. That was sure a dirty trick, wasn't it?

[Joe Kelly]

It certainly was. Yes.

[Pat Buttram]

I'm ashamed of myself.

[Joe Kelly]

Now listen, Pat, couldn't you find any genuine red ears so you'd kiss a girl?

[Pat Buttram]

Well, Joe, I got two genuine red ears, but no kisses.

[Joe Kelly]

Two red ears. Where are they?

[Pat Buttram]

They right here on my head. My girl boxed both of them for me.

[Joe Kelly]

Oh, boy.

[Pat Buttram]

But say, Joe, you. You oughta seen Frankie Glue potted our huskin bee down in Winston county last week.

[Joe Kelly]

Yeah?

[Jack]

Yeah.

[Pat Buttram]

He brung a new girl, and he sure is crazy about her, too. But you know, she don't seem to care for him so much.

[Joe Kelly]

She don't, eh?

[Pat Buttram]

No. In fact, he calls her Stalingrad.

[Joe Kelly]

Stalingrad?

[Earl Tucker]

Yes.

[Joe Kelly]

Why?

[Pat Buttram]

Cause she just won't fall, Joe.

[Lulabelle]

Now wait a minute.

[Pat Buttram]

And just to show you, Joe, in our husking bee, Frankie found a red ear corn. He tried to kiss his girl and she wouldn't let him. I kissed her, though.

[Joe Kelly]

Now, wait a minute, Pat. Do you mean to say that you kissed Frankie's girl right under his nose?

[Pat Buttram]

No, I kissed her under her nose. Well, Jody, I tell you, I gotta get going. I gotta get back to Winston county and help out with the scrap metal drive we're having.

[Joe Kelly]

Scrap metal drive?

[Pat Buttram]

Yeah.

[Joe Kelly]

Well, say, Pat, you're certainly doing your part. Last week you gave your spurs. And what are you giving this week?

[Pat Buttram]

Well, nothing, Joe. I just ain't got no more scrap metal left. But Uncle Herkimer, he's giving something. He's turning in his wife ain't, Effie.

[Joe Kelly]

He's. Now, here, wait a minute, Wait a minute. Do you mean Uncle Herkimer is donating his wife to the scrap metal drive?

[Pat Buttram]

Well, Joe, I. I heard him say yesterday. Heard him say he had an old battle ax up at the house he was going to turn in.

[Lulabelle]

Get out of here.

[Joe Kelly]

All right, golden bantam. Butram. But say, folks, how about a good old husk and be diddy from the belle of the barn dance, Lulabelle and her best beau, Scotty. Huh?

[Scotty]

Thank you, folks. Get daffy, pappy.

[Joe Kelly]

Come on. Here we go.

[Scotty]

Everybody has a weakness for the funniest things. Some like ketchup in their soup.

[Joe Kelly]

Some like pheasant wings.

[Scotty]

Now I'm no different from the rest.

[Joe Kelly]

Well, I've got a weakness, too.

[Scotty]

Now here is what I like the best, that's all I'm a telling you. I'm daffy.

[Joe Kelly]

She's daffy.

[Scotty]

I'm daffy over taffy that's the way to win my heart. Now if you would be a dandy then bid me lasses candy I'll stick.

[Joe Kelly]

With you from the start.

[Scotty]

You better. I'm daffy, I'm daffy. I'm daffy over Taffy.

[Earl Tucker]

Daffy Taffy, Taffy Daffy doo doodly doo.

[Scotty]

Something makes me wistful when I've got a fistful Pulling daffy taffy with you Chewing, chewing, pulling is the best of fun in the kitchen around that oven loving til it's done Years ago it was the fashion in that golden age and when ma and PA were mashing Taffy was the rage I'm daffy, she's daffy he's daffy I'm daffy We're daffy over taffy that's the way to win my heart. Now if you would be a dandy then gimme that lass's candy I'll stick.

[Joe Kelly]

With you from the start.

[Scotty]

Oh, will ya? I'm daffy she's daffy. She's daffy.

[Joe Kelly]

I'm daffy.

[Scotty]

We're daffy. Over Taffy.

[Joe Kelly]

Daffy.

[Scotty]

Taffy.

[Earl Tucker]

Taffy.

[Scotty]

Daffy doo doodle dee doo now we're.

[Joe Kelly]

Two birds of a feather why can't we stick together?

[Scotty]

Pulling daffy Taffy with you Pulling daffy Taffy with you. That's it.

[Joe Kelly]

Well, be sure to save me a stick of that Taffy Lulibell and Scotty. But get ready now for some real huskin bee harmony, folks, for Indian summer beckons. With that Indian love call and the fluttering fingers of our own Eddie Peabody, the banjo king. Thank you very, very much, folks. And now another good old favorite of the Bond Dance at Sundown. And here we go. GL well, your old banjo left us right in the mood of that Indian summer sunset. Eddie Peabody. So let's see what these three pretty little papooses have for us, folks. The Dinning sisters.

[Dinning Sisters]

Indian sons and Indian daughters Kept a rendezvous Woo. On the shores of sky blue waters.

[Lulabelle]

This is how they.

[Dinning Sisters]

Watch. Who was her father? Every time the coast was clear, she'd yell, hiwatha. Watch, watch, watch, watch. K. You can come Kawa. Hey, I'm a chuma. Hey, Chama Paliwama. Hey, I'm a chuma. Hey, Chama Paliwama Thunder Wonder Anaconda Kokomo Castle Luca shen adoa pueblo sh.

[Joe Kelly]

You.

[Dinning Sisters]

Can have jama paliwama agin boy love Indian. Mrs. Boo was her father Every time the coast was clear she'd yell hi. Hai Wata keely feeling.

[Lulabelle]

Watch, watch, watch.

[Dinning Sisters]

Can you?

[Joe Kelly]

Well, you win all the wampum Denning sisters. And now, folks, here's a word from Jackson.

[Jack]

Hold him. I wonder, friends, are you one of the thousands upon thousands of folks in this country who are enjoying ill health? No. Now, I don't mean that you're actually sick, but you don't feel quite up to par. You may lack pep, your nerves may be jumpy, or you may be having digestive disturbances.

[Mrs. Holden]

Why, Mr. Holden, that pretty well describes the way my husband feels much of the time. What do you suppose might be the matter?

[Jack]

Well, there are several possible causes matter, but the fact still remains that it may easily be due to a lack of sufficient B vitamins, a most common cause of these disturbances.

[Mrs. Holden]

No, that couldn't be. I'm a good cook, if I do say so myself. And I'm positive he's getting enough vitamins.

[Jack]

Oh, I'm sure you're a good cook. But if your husband is like most folks, he eats what he Likes rather than what's good for him.

[Mrs. Holden]

Yes, come to think of it, he does.

[Jack]

So if I were you, madam, I'd supplement his daily diet with one a day brand vitamin B complex tablets.

[Mrs. Holden]

Well, why one a day brand vitamin B complex?

[Jack]

Well, there are many reasons. Now, first of all, unit for unit, you can't buy a better B complex vitamin product at any price. Second, one a day vitamin B complex tablets are mighty convenient to take. By taking just one tablet once a day, a person can be sure he's getting his full minimum daily supply of all the B vitamins whose requirements have been established.

[Mrs. Holden]

My, that is convenient. Just one tablet once a day. But how expensive is it?

[Jack]

One a day B complex tablets are not expensive. In fact, they only cost a little more than 17 cents a week if you buy the large economy size package of 90 tablets.

[Mrs. Holden]

Oh, that is reasonable. I'm going to get a package for my husband the very first thing next week. I think I'll take them too.

[Jack]

Well, I was just going to suggest that because everybody should have the B vitamins every day. And say, lady, your druggist has another fine vitamin product made by the Miles Laboratories. Better ask him for a package of one a day brand vitamin A and D tablets too. Remember, the brand with the big one on the package is the one to buy.

[Joe Kelly]

Thank you, Jack. Well, our hayloft, husk and beef party goes right along folks. With sweet cider donuts, hot coffee, we here. Hey, here, here. What goes on at the refreshment table? Hey, Gaby, what's the matter with Hezzy?

[Earl Tucker]

Oh, plenty, Joe. You know Hezzy ain't got no manners.

[Joe Kelly]

No manners? What's wrong?

[Earl Tucker]

I know you know. I told him, Joe, it ain't polite to cool your coffee by blowing on it. No, heck no. Fan it with your hat.

[Joe Kelly]

Well, we're in for a lesson in etiquette all right. I guess folks, from those four epicurean, Emily Post, the Hoosier hot dog.

[Earl Tucker]

Oh, you're what he said about us. My time, gentlemen. Oh, thank you, gentlemen. I'm glad to know that. Now, I'm the guy that wrote the book on etiquette.

[Joe Kelly]

You are.

[Earl Tucker]

And I know how your viddle should be at.

[Joe Kelly]

Well, they should.

[Earl Tucker]

Now, I have writ this little book about mistakes I've solved. Take them down and don't forget what I say is law. Now, always mix your peas with your potatoes. Then you got hash. This makes eating with your knife a sure cinch. When somebody asks for bread, grab several in your mitt, see? Deal them out like you were A dealing flint. Well, then you got Pinocchle. Always wear your grapefruit when eating your goggles. Hold your shots. Many other pointers I could match it by any means. It's fishing fork. Always gesture with your fork. Thank you for your very kind attention. More, gentlemen. Oh, thank you, gentlemen. Now, always leave your spoon up in your coffee.

[Joe Kelly]

Oh, that's right.

[Earl Tucker]

Now, starting with your soup first. Sounds your a. Now, the napkins are to catch the food what bounces off of the knife. Tuck the napkin in so it's gonna stay there. Always laugh when nothing funny happens. Many other pointers I could bring up. Gentlemen, always gesture with your fork. Friday, fish or fork. Thank you for your very kind attention.

[Lulabelle]

Thank you for your very kind attention.

[Mrs. Holden]

And sh.

[Earl Tucker]

That's the dope, Mr. Kelly.

[Joe Kelly]

Oh, it's all right, boy. You're welcome, Hoosier hot shots. But come on now, folks. Let's all get together for a good old husk and bee song and a serenade to sweet cider time.

[Lulabelle]

By the mill willing me I made sweet cider I made sweet love to you the mill wheel was turning As I sat there yearning for one kiss the sweetest I knew on the hill from the old town chapel those evening bells would charge I'll always remember that golden November Sweet cider time when you were marched.

[Dinning Sisters]

By the mill where they make sweet cider I make sweet love to you Mill wheel was turning As I sat there yearning for one kiss this week I knew I knew on the hill.

[Lulabelle]

On the hill from the old town chapel those evening bells would chime I'll always remember Back on November Sweet signers, when you.

[Jack]

Friends, if you pride yourself on knowing a good thing when you find it, then get acquainted with Alka Seltzer and the fast two fold relief it offers for occasional acid indigestion, distress after meals and heartburn. You see, Alka Seltzer does more than simply reduce excess gastric acidity. It also helps to relieve that full, uncomfortable, stuffy feeling as well. Try it. Remember to take Alka Seltzer whenever your stomach kicks over the traces. You can get Alka Seltzer at all drugstores by the package and the glass.

[Joe Kelly]

Say, folks, how would you like to send your personal message to the Axis? Well, you can. Those old scrap metal trinkets and gadgets of yours can reach our enemies in the form of bombs and bullets. Our fighting lads will see that they are delivered cod. By the way, friends plan to be with us next Saturday night when we present a program especially dedicated to our boys. In the armed services. Besides being sent by short wave to the American forces throughout the world. This program will also be recorded and records sent to all our overseas service units. Until next Saturday night then, friends, this is Joe Kelly saying good night and good health to you all for Alka Seltzer.

[Jack]

The Alka Seltzer National Barn Dance has come to you from the stage of the Civic Theater and station WLS in Chicago. This is the National Broadcasting Company.