Podcast Summary: Harold's Old Time Radio
Episode: NBC Good News Of 1939 – 1938-12-22 – Christmas Show with Robert Taylor and Rita Johnson
Date: December 4, 2025
Host: Harold's Old Time Radio
Featured Stars: Robert Young, Robert Taylor, Rita Johnson, Fanny Brice (as Baby Snooks), Hanley Stafford, Frank Morgan, Tony Martin, Meredith Willson
Overview of the Episode
This festive episode is a rebroadcast of the “NBC Good News Of 1939” Christmas show, originally aired on December 22, 1938. Broadcasting from the Metro Goldwyn Mayer Studios, the special features an all-star cast delivering Christmas cheer, music, comedy sketches, dramatic performances, and heartwarming moments—reflecting the classic radio era when families gathered around to enjoy live variety shows.
A highlight of the episode is the spirit of giving and kindness, captured both through the comedic and dramatic vignettes, and through the episode’s concluding message of goodwill for the holiday season.
Key Segments & Discussion Points
Introduction and Musical Tribute
[00:35]–[04:30]
- The show opens with a musical tribute to MGM star Eleanor Powell, performed by Meredith Willson and the orchestra.
- Lighthearted banter among the hosts and performers sets the cheery, warm tone.
- Tony Martin is greeted and jokes are exchanged about Christmas gifts, with a running joke about shopping at the dime store.
“Christmas Night in Harlem” – Tony Martin
[05:18]–[07:57]
- Tony Martin sings a jazzy, evocative "Christmas Night in Harlem," painting a picture of holiday joy in Harlem, with lively musical backing and upbeat lyrics.
- Quote (Tony Martin): “Come on now, every cold black Joe, greet your sweet neath the mistletoe with a kiss and a hidey-ho. It’s Christmas night in Harlem.” [06:13]
Baby Snooks Comedy Sketch: Department Store at Christmas
[09:04]–[16:11]
- Fanny Brice, as Baby Snooks, and Hanley Stafford as Daddy, perform a classic holiday sketch set in a bustling department store.
- Themes of childhood wishes, parental exasperation, and holiday generosity run through the scene.
- Memorable Exchange:
- Baby Snooks: “Buy me a drum.”
- Daddy: “But if I get your drum, you’ll keep disturbing me while I’m working.”
- Baby Snooks: “No, I won’t. I’ll only drum while you’re sleeping.” [10:07–10:14]
- Memorable Exchange:
- The interaction with another, less fortunate child delivers a lesson in kindness, as Snooks gives away her own money (with Dad’s help) to help the boy get his mother a Christmas dinner.
- Quote (Baby Snooks): “You don’t need no Christmas present, do you?” [14:55]
Meredith Willson’s Story: The Origin of “Silent Night”
[16:11]–[18:51]
- Meredith Willson tells the touching, true story of Franz Gruber, composer of “Silent Night,” and its origin on Christmas Eve, 1818.
- Quote (Meredith Willson): “Let us be thankful not only for Christmas, but also a little for the obscure and modest Franz Gruber who wrote Silent Night.” [18:51]
- The cast performs a stirring rendition of “Silent Night.”
Comic Interlude: Frank Morgan’s Tyrolean Outfit Story
[22:56]–[29:47]
- Frank Morgan regales the crew with outlandish tales about his Tyrolean suit, his ancestors in Switzerland, and implausible mountain climbing exploits.
- The segment is packed with puns, banter, and gentle ribbing among the cast.
- Quote (Bob Young): “Well, the $200 rooms had mousetraps.” [25:49]
- Quote (Frank Morgan): “I won the speed skating, slow skating, figure skating and cheap skating.” [26:21]
Baby Snooks Recites “The Owl and the Pussycat”
[32:35]–[35:27]
- In a delightful and slightly chaotic moment, Baby Snooks recites Edward Lear’s “The Owl and the Pussycat,” adding comic interruptions and needing help from Daddy.
- Quote (Baby Snooks): “I ain’t got no hanky, Jackie.” [33:02]
- Quote (Snooks, finishing): “I forgot the rest.” [35:21]
Short Radio Play: “Rendezvous at Dawn” (Starring Robert Taylor & Rita Johnson)
[36:26]–[52:12]
- A dramatic highlight: a romantic and suspenseful playlet featuring two lovers and spies, Eric and Vilma, separated by war and political struggle.
- The pair dream of a peaceful home in Switzerland.
- Risk, loss, and heartbreak are central, culminating in a bittersweet reunion and a dance at dawn, under the threat of capture.
- The denouement reveals that Eric’s last request before his execution is a waltz with Vilma.
- Quote:
- Eric (Robert Taylor): “Three little words so powerful that for the sound of them, men give up kingdoms, glory, honor. And I give you heartache, suspense, danger.” [37:54]
- Vilma (Rita Johnson): “Not for myself, darling, to die is one thing. But to lose you and go on living, that’s another.” [39:53]
Classic Song: “Ol’ Man River” – Tony Martin
[52:38]–[55:36]
- Tony Martin delivers a heartfelt, if period-racially-tinged, rendition of “Ol’ Man River,” which the show presents as Jerome Kern’s favorite of his own compositions.
- Quote (Tony Martin): “He just keeps rollin’, he just keeps rollin’ along.” [54:14]
Christmas Reflections & What Makes the World Go Round
[57:27]–[60:03]
- The cast muses on what “makes the world go round” in a musical and comic round-robin, each bringing their own answer, from coffee to love to kindness.
- Quote (Baby Snooks): “Being kind at Christmas time and giving to poor, like I learned at Sunday school. Live by the golden rule. Love your mommy and daddy and be good to all your friends. Be honest, goodwill to men. You see? I know.” [59:41]
Closing: Wishes for a Merry Christmas
[60:04]–[60:38]
- The entire cast offers earnest Christmas wishes to listeners.
- Quote (Eric/Robert Taylor): “I think we ought to take a hint from Snooks and wish all our friends a Merry Christmas.” [60:04]
- The whole company sings “Merry Christmas, Everyone.”
Memorable Quotes & Moments (With Timestamps)
- Tony Martin, on “Christmas Night in Harlem”: “Come on now, every cold black Joe, greet your sweet neath the mistletoe with a kiss and a hidey-ho. It’s Christmas night in Harlem.” [06:13]
- Baby Snooks: “No, I won’t. I’ll only drum while you’re sleeping.” [10:14]
- Meredith Willson (on ‘Silent Night’): “Let us be thankful not only for Christmas, but also a little for the obscure and modest Franz Gruber who wrote Silent Night.” [18:51]
- Frank Morgan (on his adventures): “I won the speed skating, slow skating, figure skating and cheap skating.” [26:21]
- Baby Snooks: “I forgot the rest.” [35:21]
- Eric (Robert Taylor) in ‘Rendezvous at Dawn’: “Three little words so powerful that for the sound of them, men give up kingdoms, glory, honor. And I give you heartache, suspense, danger.” [37:54]
- Vilma (Rita Johnson): “Not for myself, darling, to die is one thing. But to lose you and go on living, that’s another.” [39:53]
- Tony Martin, singing: “He just keeps rollin’, he just keeps rollin’ along.” [54:14]
- Baby Snooks: “Being kind at Christmas time and giving to poor, like I learned at Sunday school.” [59:41]
Timestamps of Key Segments
| Segment | Start | End | |------------------------------|----------|----------| | Opening and Musical Tribute | 00:35 | 04:30 | | Christmas Night in Harlem | 05:18 | 07:57 | | Baby Snooks: Santa Sketch | 09:04 | 16:11 | | “Silent Night” Origin & Song | 16:11 | 18:51 | | Frank Morgan Tyrolean Story | 22:56 | 29:47 | | Baby Snooks Recites Poem | 32:35 | 35:27 | | “Rendezvous at Dawn” Drama | 36:26 | 52:12 | | Ol’ Man River, Tony Martin | 52:38 | 55:36 | | “What Makes the World Go Round” | 57:27 | 60:03 | | Finale Wishes & Song | 60:04 | 60:38 |
Overall Tone and Style
The tone is lively, wholesome, and warmhearted, steeped in the joyful tradition of old radio Christmas specials. Comedy, music, and drama are interwoven seamlessly, presenting both the playful innocence of childhood (Baby Snooks) and the poignant longings of adults, all unified by the message of seasonal goodwill.
Final Thoughts
This classic radio holiday special encapsulates the spirit of the era: camaraderie among stars, comedic high jinks, touching dramatizations, and stirring songs. The message of generosity—embodied by Baby Snooks’ charity, the dramatization’s longing for peace, and the closing chorus of “Merry Christmas”—holds as much charm and sentiment now as it did for its original listeners.
For listeners new and old, this episode is a joyful, varied, and sentimental journey into the Golden Age of radio – perfect for getting in the holiday mood.