Oldsmobile Program - Etting and Green 34-02-16 (1)

Summary

Podcast Summary: Harold's Old Time Radio
Episode: Oldsmobile Program - Etting and Green 34-02-16 (1)
Release Date: April 6, 2025

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Introduction and Host Information

In this episode of Harold's Old Time Radio, host Ted Husing welcomes listeners to a special Oldsmobile Program, setting the stage for an engaging blend of music, discussion, and advertisements that hark back to the Golden Age of Radio. The program prominently features the beloved Ruth Edding, recognized as America's favorite singing star, and includes insights from renowned songwriter Johnny Green.

Ruth Edding's Debut Performance and Popularity

The episode opens at [01:18] with Ted Husing introducing Ruth Edding, highlighting her recent achievement of being named the most popular girl singer by radio editors nationwide for the second consecutive year. Husing emphasizes Ruth's comforting presence, likening her voice to "a port in a storm" and "an easy chair by the fire" ([01:18]).

Notable Quote:

"Like a port in a storm is an easy chair by the fire with the radio tuned to the voice of Ruth Etting singing. You're such a comfort to me."
— Ted Husing [01:18]

Ruth Edding responds with a heartfelt rendition of her song, employing a series of metaphors to express comfort and affection. Her performance is both soothing and nostalgic, resonating deeply with listeners.

Analysis of "Smoke Gets in Your Eyes" Featuring Johnny Green

At [05:21], the conversation shifts to the timeless classic "Smoke Gets in Your Eyes," acclaimed as one of the loveliest songs ever written. Ted Husing praises its emotional depth and musical composition.

Notable Quote:

"Smoke gets in your eyes Far and away one of the loveliest songs that has ever been written for the theater. As a songwriter, I think Johnny Green will agree."
— Ted Husing [05:21]

Johnny Green concurs at [05:31], lauding the song's combination of "good music with that certain thrilling something that reaches the heart." His appreciation underscores the song's enduring appeal and its ability to connect with audiences on a profound level.

Oldsmobile Advertisements and Promotions

The episode seamlessly transitions into advertising content for Oldsmobile at [07:37], with Ted Husing presenting the latest models and pricing:

• 1934 Oldsmobile Straight Eight: Priced at $845 and up, offering a larger and finer build compared to the previous year without an increase in price.

• Oldsmobile Six: A budget-friendly option priced at $640 and up, positioned as an affordable choice that doesn't compromise on features.

Husing highlights the advanced engineering of these models, including knee action wheels, center control steering, ride stabilizer, and super hydraulic brakes, emphasizing their modernity and appeal.

Notable Quote:

"The new straight eight is ready for you to see and drive. Now both new Oldsmobiles have been engineered with all the features a 1934 car must have to be completely modern."
— Ted Husing [07:37]

Ruth Edding's "Old Spinning Wheel" Performance

Following the advertisements, Ruth Edding graciously agrees to perform "Old Spinning Wheel" at [09:07]. Her rendition evokes nostalgia for days gone by, painting vivid imagery of a forgotten spinning wheel and the dreams it once spun.

Throughout her performance, Ruth's expressive vocals convey longing and reminiscence, capturing the essence of timeless memories and the passage of time.

Notable Quote:

"There's an old spinning wheel in the parlor Spinning dreams of the long, long ago Spinning dreams of an old fashioned garden and a maid with her old fashioned ball."
— Ruth Edding [09:07]

The song progresses to reflect on cherished memories and the desire to return to simpler times, resonating with listeners who appreciate the sentimental value of the past.

Discussion on Oldsmobile's Value and Consumer Appeal

Resuming at [12:11], Ted Husing delves deeper into the importance of choosing the right car for families, positioning Oldsmobile as the optimal choice for both affordability and quality.

Notable Quote:

"Next to your home, your car is your most important purchase. Many families who have been used to paying $1,000 or more for their cars are now reasoning like this. This new Oldsmobile 8 offers more than I have ever had in my high priced cars. It cost me much less to run."
— Ted Husing [12:11]

Johnny Green adds to the discussion at [12:42], emphasizing the cost-effectiveness of Oldsmobiles:

Notable Quote:

"Even the lowest priced car will cost me five or six hundred dollars. Well, isn't it wiser to add only a few dollars more and get an Oldsmobile? After all, an Oldsmobile 6 costs only six to seven dollars a month more than the lowest priced car."
— Johnny Green [12:42]

This segment underscores Oldsmobile's commitment to providing value without sacrificing comfort, performance, style, or prestige, making it an attractive option for a wide range of consumers.

Conclusion and Upcoming Programs

Ted Husing wraps up the episode by inviting listeners to visit their nearest Oldsmobile dealer for a firsthand experience with the new models. He also encourages regular tuning to the program every Tuesday and Friday to continue enjoying performances by Ruth Edding and the Johnny Green Orchestra.

Notable Quote:

"And come back every Tuesday and Friday at the same time and hear Ruth Edding and Johnny Green and his orchestra."
— Ted Husing [12:56]

The episode concludes with a friendly farewell from Ted Husing, reinforcing the program's blend of entertainment and informative content.

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Key Takeaways

• Ruth Edding's Popularity: Recognized as America's favorite girl singer for two consecutive years, Ruth's performances are central to the program's appeal.

• Musical Excellence: The episode features classic songs like "Smoke Gets in Your Eyes" and "Old Spinning Wheel," showcasing exceptional vocal performances and songwriting.

• Oldsmobile's Value Proposition: Detailed advertisements emphasize Oldsmobile's commitment to affordability, modern features, and quality, positioning it as a smart choice for consumers.

• Integration of Content: The seamless blend of music, discussion, and advertising creates an engaging and nostalgic listening experience reminiscent of the Golden Age of Radio.

This episode serves as both an enjoyable musical journey and an informative showcase of Oldsmobile's offerings, capturing the essence of family-centered radio programming before the advent of television.

Transcript

[Ted Husing]

How do you do, everybody? This is Ted Husing speaking for Oldsmobile and raising the curtain for Ruth Edding, America's favorite singing star, who was recently chosen by radio editors all over the country as the most popular girl singer. This annual popularity poll was won by Ruth Edding for the second consecutive year. You know, like a port in a storm is an easy chair by the fire with the radio tuned to the voice of Ruth Etting singing. You're such a comfort to me.

[Ruth Edding]

Like a pour in a storm like a breeze when you're war like sugar in your teeth you're such a comfort to me like a coat when you're cold, like a cane when you're old.

[Unknown]

Like.

[Ruth Edding]

Honey to a bee you're such a comfort to me I'm sure that you're as refreshing as rain to a fading roan, a fireside when it rolls a stroll in the park, a kiss in the dark like a nest to a dark like a song when you're in.

[Unknown]

Love.

[Ruth Edding]

You will always be such a comfort to me. When you're at my side I feel at my best I fill up with pride and throw out my chest. My darling, I mean every syllable. You're caressable, lovable, thrillable like a fort in a storm.

[Unknown]

Oh, like a breeze when you're warm.

[Ruth Edding]

And like sugar in your te. You're such a comfort to me like an old coat when you're cold.

[Unknown]

Like a cane when you're old like honey.

[Ruth Edding]

To a bee you're such a comfort to me I'm sure that yours as refreshing has rained to a fading road a fireside when it snow strolling the park, a kiss in the dark like a nest to a dove.

[Unknown]

Like a song when you're in love oh, you will always see Such a comfort to me. J.

[Ted Husing]

Smoke gets in your eyes Far and away one of the loveliest songs that has ever been written for the theater. As a songwriter, I think Johnny Green will agree.

[Johnny Green]

I do, Ted. Like all of Jerome Kern's tunes, it combines good music with that certain thrilling something that reaches the heart.

[Ted Husing]

To every family. Thinking of getting a new car this year? Here News. The 1934 Oldsmobile is priced so low that 9 out of 10 who are buying a new car can afford it. The new straight eight is a bigger, finer car than last year, yet the price is the same. $845 and up. Fob Lansing in this time of rising prices, isn't that news? Well, here's more. Oldsmore invades the low price field with a big new all feature six. It's priced at $640 and up fob Lansing, only a few dollars more than the lowest priced cars. This new low priced six will soon be on display. The new straight eight is ready for you to see and drive. Now both new Oldsmobiles have been engineered with all the features a 1934 car must have to be completely modern. Knee action wheels, center control steering, ride stabilizer, super hydraulic brakes. Call your nearest Oldsmobile dealer for a ride in the car that has everything but is not. Like everybody. There's an old spinning wheel in the parlor. Will you spin it for us, Ruth?

[Ruth Edding]

I'll try to sing it for you, Ted.

[Ted Husing]

Good. Then it's Ruth Edding at the old spinning wheel.

[Ruth Edding]

Covered with dust and forgotten like the face upon the wall the one of the days gone by I treasure most of all. There's an old spinning wheel in the palace Spinning dreams of the long, long ago Spinning dreams of an old fashioned garden and a maid with her old fashioned ball.

[Unknown]

Sometimes it seems that I.

[Ruth Edding]

Can hear her in the twilight at the organ Softly singing for black Joan Are the days when my heart was young and gay Gone are the friends from the cotton field he is away Gone from the earth to a better land I know I hear their gentle voices calling Old black joy Turn back the years of my childhood as you turn old spinning wheel Just show me your lane With a barefoot voice the shadows softly steal there's an old spinning wheel in the parlor Spinning dream of.

[Unknown]

The long gone.

[Ted Husing]

Next to your home, your car is your most important purchase. Many families who have been used to paying $1,000 or more for their cars are now reasoning like this. This new Oldsmobile 8 offers more than I have ever had in my high priced cars. It cost me much less to run. By buying this car, I can reduce my automobile investment without sacrificing comfort, performance, style or prestige. And the thousands of families whose pocketbooks limit them to one of the low priced cars are figuring it out this way.

[Johnny Green]

Even the lowest priced car will cost me five or six hundred dollars. Well, isn't it wiser to add only a few dollars more and get an Oldsmobile? After all, an Oldsmobile 6 costs only six to seven dollars a month more than the lowest priced car.

[Ted Husing]

Your nearest Oldsmobile dealer will be happy to give you a ride in the new Oldsmobile. You'll find him listed in the classified section of your telephone directory. And come back every Tuesday and Friday at the same time and hear Ruth Edding and Johnny Green and his orchestra. This is Ted Husing speaking for Oldsmobile, good night. This is the Columbia Broadcasting System.