NBC Songs By Dinah Shore 1941-12-21 - First Song A Merry American Christmas

Summary

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Podcast Summary: Songs By Dinah Shore – December 21, 1941

Podcast: Harold's Old Time Radio
Host: Harold’s Old Time Radio
Featured Artist: Dinah Shore
Original Air Date: December 21, 1941
Podcast Release Date: December 13, 2025
Episode Theme: Joyful and patriotic musical holiday program featuring Dinah Shore and Paul Lavalle’s orchestra, immersed in the American spirit of Christmas during wartime, interspersed with light banter, song introductions, and messages of goodwill.

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Episode Overview

This episode of "Harold's Old Time Radio" brings listeners back to a classic NBC radio broadcast from December 1941, starring Dinah Shore. The show marks the Christmas season with festive music, warmth, and patriotic undertones, all presented through signature Golden Age radio style: live performances, light comedic exchanges, and appeals for national unity during WWII.

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Key Discussion Points & Musical Performances

1. Opening Wishes and Christmas Spirit

• [01:09] Dinah opens the show with a warm greeting:

  “Thank you, Harry. Thank you. And good evening, everyone. May I add one more Christmas card to those you've already received? Here's a sincere wish from all of us to all of you.”

• She then leads into the first song:
  Song: A Merry American Christmas
  A heartfelt performance celebrating American traditions and the importance of unity and goodwill during the holidays.

2. Promotion of Upcoming Red Cross Broadcast

• [02:42] Host Harry and Dinah discuss a major upcoming radio event:

  Harry: “Well, Dinah, right now, I think, should be the time to tell your audience what happens next Wednesday night.” Dinah: “Did you know that Bristol Myers has given up its entire time next Wednesday evening from 9 to 10 to present a show on behalf of the American Red Cross... There'll be Fibber McGee and Molly, Ronald Colman and Loretta Young and Deanna Durbin and the Aldrich family and a host of others.”

• The hosts encourage listeners to tune in for this charitable cause.

3. Song 2: “This Is No Laughing Matter”

• [03:20] Dinah delivers a soulful ballad about heartbreak and longing.
• Notable Lyric:

  “This is no laughing matter. Darling, darling, I'm so in love with you.”

4. Light Banter & Reflections on Favorite Songs

• [06:34] Dinah muses:

  “You know, Harry, I was thinking the other day that songs are like people in a lot of ways.”

• The hosts joke about favorite old songs, leading into listener requests and personal favorites.

5. Song 3: “Mississippi Mud”

• [07:14] Dinah gives an upbeat, playful rendition of the jazz standard.
• The orchestra and Dinah’s vocals highlight the lively, communal spirit of the era.
• Memorable exchange:

  C (Harry): “You tempt me.”
  E (Dinah): “Now you’re talking my language, Mr. Von Dell. That’s one of the oldies I like best.”

6. Instrumental: “Mary Had a Little Lamb” (Christmas Style)

• [09:01] Orchestra leader Paul Lavalle adds a festive swing to the childhood classic.
• Harry jokes about stretching Christmas themes.

7. Useful (and Humorous) Advice for Monday Blues

• [10:41] Harry delivers a tongue-in-cheek “Monday Blues” monologue, segueing into ads for laxatives and patent remedies, reflecting the period’s radio customs.

8. Song 4: “Can’t Help Lovin’ That Man of Mine”

• [11:47] Dinah dedicates this number to the Navy, especially the “plebes in Bancroft Hall at the United States Naval Academy.”
• [12:06] Dinah’s heartfelt, moving performance connects to the national mood, offering comfort and pride during wartime.
• Notable Lyric:

  “He can come home as late as can be / Home without him ain’t no home to me / Can’t help loving that man of mine.”

9. Closing Remarks and Patriotic Call

• [13:56] Dinah:

  “Folks, I sure hate to go. Cause I certainly’d love to sing for you. And if you’d like to listen, come to see us again next Sunday.”

• Final encouragements include holiday well-wishes, product reminders, and a patriotic appeal:

  “And remember to buy and give Uncle Sam’s defense bonds and stamps for Christmas. To make sure that we’ll always have a merry Christmas, us. Good night.” [14:15]

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Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• [01:09] Dinah (opening the show):

  “May I add one more Christmas card to those you've already received? Here's a sincere wish from all of us to all of you.”

• [02:42] Dinah, on the Red Cross special:

  “Bristol Myers has given up its entire time next Wednesday... to present a show on behalf of the American Red Cross.”

• [06:34] Dinah (on songs and people):

  “Songs are like people in a lot of ways... you get to like certain songs better, just as you grow fonder of certain people.”

• [11:38] Dinah (on patriotism):

  “Whenever I see a picture of our fleet in action or the midshipman on parade... it gives me a wonderful thrill. Makes me sort of proud I'm an American.”

• [14:15] Dinah (patriotic sign-off):

  “And remember to buy and give Uncle Sam’s defense bonds and stamps for Christmas. To make sure that we’ll always have a merry Christmas, us. Good night.”

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Timestamps for Key Segments

• [01:09] – Opening wishes and “A Merry American Christmas”
• [02:42] – Red Cross radio special announcement
• [03:20] – “This Is No Laughing Matter”
• [06:34] – Favorite songs & light banter
• [07:14] – “Mississippi Mud”
• [09:01] – “Mary Had a Little Lamb” (festive version)
• [10:41] – Monday blues advice & sponsor message
• [11:47] – Navy dedication and “Can’t Help Lovin’ That Man of Mine”
• [13:56] – Closing remarks and patriotic call

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Summary

This classic episode encapsulates the essence of early 1940s American radio: heartwarming performances, communal encouragement, wit, and a deep sense of national unity. Dinah Shore’s luminous vocals and the friendly banter create a cozy, uplifting holiday atmosphere, especially poignant given its proximity to the start of WWII. Listeners are treated not just to music, but to moments of optimism, nostalgia, and American spirit—making it both a festive and historically resonant broadcast.

Transcript

[A]

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[B]

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[C]

Good morning.

[A]

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[C]

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[A]

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[C]

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[A]

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[C]

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[D]

I'm good.

[C]

So good. Get a commercial auto insurance quote [e-mail] and see how much you could save.

[A]

Get more with geico.

[C]

Ladies and gentlemen, a new program of songs by Dinah Shore with Paul the Val and his orchestra. Brought to you each Sunday at this time by Bristol Myers in appreciation of your friendliness toward minute rub, modern chest rub and Sal Hepatica famous laxative. And here she is, radio singing sensation. Chosen as the outstanding new star of the year. Ladies and gentlemen, Ms. Dinah Shore.

[E]

Thank you, Harry. Thank you. And good evening, everyone. May I add one more Christmas card to those you've already received? Here's a sincere wish from all of us to all of you.

[D]

A merry American Christmas. That's what we're wishing you My, but it's just great. We can celebrate underneath the sky of blue A merry American Christmas how happy we should be at the church bells time that it's Christmas time In the land of liberty in every lighted window you'll see a Christmas tree and hearts of young and old alike are joined in revelry A merry American Christmas the holiday's begun this is the time for peace on earth and goodwill to everyone. A merry American Christmas the holiday's begun this is the time for peace on earth and goodwill to everyone.

[C]

Well, Dinah, right now, I think, should be the time to tell your audience what happens next Wednesday night.

[E]

Fine, Harry. Ladies and gentlemen, did you know that Bristol Myers has given up its entire time next Wednesday evening from 9 to 10 to present a show on behalf of the American Red Cross. Mr. Cantor has invited some of the most famous people in the country to appear. There'll be fiber McGee and Molly and.

[C]

Ronald Coleman and Loretta Young and Deanna.

[E]

Durbin and the Aldrich family and a host of others.

[C]

So be sure to listen next Wednesday from 9 to 10. And for right this minute, will you listen to one of Dinah's latest record releases? It's called this Is no Laughing Matter.

[D]

I have a feeling that something is wrong this is not the way things should be We've known each other Too well and too long. You don't have to act with me. This is no laughing matter. Somehow I wanna cry. I know you're sweet. And idle chatter really means goodbye. This is no laughing matter. I thought we'd never part. This is no time for pretty pattern While you break my heart. What of all the moon Dreams shared together beside a garden wall? Love always have that perfect weather. A little rain must fall. So think of the dreams you shatter if you should say we're through. This is no laughing matter. Darling, darling, I'm so in love with you.

[C]

Ladies and gentlemen, during the winter which begins officially tomorrow, about 50 million Americans are going to suffer from the common cold. And because cold symptoms can make you feel wretched, spoil your fun and interfere with your work, it's a mighty sensible idea to be ready to get after them immediately with Minitrub M I N I T R U B where you can depend on minuterub to help bring fast relief from cold wretchedness in not just one, but in three important ways.

[B]

First, Minute Rub's analgesic or pain relieving action. Relieves the discomfort and tightness caused by local congestion. Second, rubbing on Minute Rub stimulates the circulation, helps relieve muscular pain and brings a gratifying sensation of heat to the affected area. And third, Minute Rub's active menthol vapors aid in relieving that stuffed up feeling in your nasal passages.

[C]

And remember, this famous modern rub is greaseless and it's stainless too. There's no need to worry about harming your clothes or linens. So stop at your drugstore for an economical tube of minute rubber. You'll appreciate its feeling of brisk heating warmth, for that means you've started to enjoy the famous three way relief of Minute Rub.

[E]

You know, Harry, I was thinking the other day that songs are like people in a lot of ways.

[C]

Dinah, would you give me riddles at a time like this? Me what? Hasn't even done his Christmas shopping yet.

[E]

No, no riddles, Harry. But I just meant that as time goes by, you get to like certain songs better, just as you grow fonder of certain people.

[C]

See, I'll wager, ma', am, that you're a fixin to swing into something mellow like, say, St. Louis Blues. Well, or stardust.

[E]

You tempt me.

[C]

Oh, Mississippi Mud.

[E]

Now you're talking my language, Mr. Von Dell. That's one of the oldies I like best.

[C]

Well, convince me. Convince me.

[D]

We'll do my best, Harry.

[E]

We'll do my best.

[D]

When the sun goes down, tide goes out all the Darkest gather round, begin to shine hey, hey, Uncle Dud It's a treat to beat your feet on the Mississippi mud It's a treat to beat your feet on the Mississippi mud what a dance do they do it? Lordy, how I'm telling you they don't need no band they keep time by clapping their hand Just as happy as the cow chewing on his cud when the darkest feats are feed on the Mississippi wood Lordy, Lordy, Lordy, how they play it Goodness me, oh me they really sweat Uncle Joe, Uncle Daddle Joy, oh joy, oh joy the music thrills me Boy, oh boy, oh boy it nearly kills me what a show when they go sun goes down Tide goes out Darkies gather round and they all begin to shout hey, hey, uncle dad it's a pizza feature Feet on the mystery Mississippi mud It's a treat to meet your feet on my Mississippi mud what a dance to bedu Lordy, I'm telling you they don't need no van they keep time for clapping their hands Just as happy as a cow when it's chewing on its c When the donkeys beat their feet on the Mississippi mud. Paul.

[E]

Paul, what are you going to play for us this week? Something with a Christmas flavor.

[C]

Well, I don't know. Mary Had a Little Lamb. It sounds kind of like Christmas, but I can't figure out just how.

[E]

Well, Paul, suppose you play it and we try to figure out how Paul of Al and the Little Woodwinds were the Christmas spirit. Play Mary Had a Little Lamb.

[C]

Well, you know, Paul, I never knew Mary had a little lamb like that one. Well, now, ladies and gentlemen, I'm happy to announce the Diana's next number will be Can't Help Loving that Man of Mine.

[E]

All right, Harry. But first I'd like to do some announcing myself. Ladies and gentlemen, before you hear that number, you will hear some excellent advice on Monday blues. I give you Harry Von Zell.

[C]

Well, thank you, Dinah. Well, folks, you know how sometimes we feel. If we can just live through Monday, the rest of the week will take care of itself. Because Monday, Blue Monday, is often a very difficult day. There's usually extra work to be done. And the weekend is apt to have left you feeling headache and sluggish due to the need of a laxative. Yet you may put off taking one because you're busy. And consequently you go on feeling miserable. Now, that's not necessary. Just take speedy Sal Hepatica. For Sal Hepatica brings gentle relief, usually within an hour. And Sal Hepatica also helps Sweeten an upset stomach by helping to reduce excess gastric acidity. So get an economical bottle of Sal Hepatica before your druggist closes tonight. And then whenever you need a laxative, morning, noon or night, see how much faster you feel better when you take gentle, speedy Sal Hepatica.

[E]

You know, Harry, whenever I see a picture of our fleet in action. Or the midshipman on parade, instead of it gives me a wonderful thrill. Makes me sort of proud I'm an American.

[C]

Oh, Dinah. I take it that this week your song is for the Navy.

[E]

Yes, Harry, but particularly for the plebes in Bancroft Hall. At the United States Naval Academy.

[C]

Yes, sir. Dinah Shore, for the future admirals at Annapolis. Sings the song they have requested. Can't help loving that man of mine.

[D]

Fish gotta swim Birds gotta fly I've gotta love one man till I die can't help loving that man of mine. Tell me he's lazy Tell me slow Tell me I'm crazy maybe I know can't help loving that man of mine when he goes away that's a rainy day but when he comes back that day is fine when the sun will.

[E]

Shine.

[D]

He can come home as late as can be Home without him Ain't no home to me can't help loving that man of mine.

[C]

Well, it's time to go, Dinah.

[E]

Folks, I sure hate to go. Cause I certainly'd love to sing for you. And if you'd like to listen, come to see us again next Sunday.

[C]

And in the meantime, ladies and gentlemen.

[B]

If you have a cold, remember minute rub. If you need a laxative, remember Sal Hepatica.

[C]

And if you have 15 minutes at the same time next Sunday, remember, dine ashore, won't you?

[E]

And remember to buy and give Uncle Sam's defense bonds and stamps for Christmas. To make sure that we'll always have a merry Christmas, us. Good night.

[C]

This is the blue network of the national broadcasting company. It.