Podcast Summary: One Man’s Family 45-05-29 – “Lieutenant Jack Barbour Leaves for the Pacific”

Podcast: Harold's Old Time Radio
Host: Harold's Old Time Radio
Episode Date: December 4, 2025
Original Air Date: May 29, 1945
Episode Summary:
This episode of the classic radio serial One Man’s Family is a poignant portrayal of a family’s emotional farewell as Jack Barbour prepares to leave for active military duty in the Pacific during World War II. Drawing on both the character’s arc and the real-life departure of actor Paige Gilman (now Lieutenant Paige Gilman), the narrative follows Jack’s final hours at home, marked by intimate, heartfelt conversations with each family member before he departs.

Main Theme or Purpose

The episode centers on themes of familial love, sacrifice, and patriotism against the backdrop of war. It provides a deeply personal look at the bittersweet rituals of parting: last conversations, unspoken worries, and promises for the future. The emotional resonance is heightened by the blurring of fiction and reality: the departure of the actor mirrors Jack’s own story. The show honors both service members heading into the unknown and the strength of the families supporting them.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

Introduction & Context (00:37–02:06)

• Narrator explains the real-life situation: Paige Gilman, who plays Jack Barbour, is actually leaving for service. Much of the episode’s emotional charge stems from this blending of fiction and reality.
  • “Lieutenant Gilman is being shipped out to the Pacific...His going away is the same as sending out our own son and brother.” (00:54)

Jack’s Final Moments at Home

Conversation with Mother – Private Assurance (04:18–07:07)

• Jack and his mother share a private, tender conversation.
  • Jack assures her he wants to go: “You can be very comfortable about it because it’s the thing I want to do most.” (05:06)
  • Mother’s understanding response highlights her strength: “If you didn’t feel the way you do, who would there be to fight the war?... If young men your age didn’t have that outlook, this nation would be in a sorry fix.” (05:46)
  • Emotional restraint is evident: “Mother hasn’t very good control of emotions anymore...Mother will cling to me and cry…” (06:07)
  • Ends with an understated, emotional farewell.

Conversation with Hazel – Sibling Memories & Requests (07:09–10:54)

• Jack reminisces with his sister, Hazel, mixing nostalgia and humor.
  • Warm tease about childhood awkward moments: “I must have been obnoxious as all get out.” (07:53)
  • Hazel promises to include family stories in her letters, which Jack says helps him cope with uncertainty: “Put things like that in your letters. They help…they get a fellow’s train of thoughts to working, take his mind off what’s happening at the moment.” (10:06–10:11)
  • Their affection shines through in their easy banter and a parting kiss: “A girl's very proud and happy to have a brother like you, Jack, dear.” (10:47)

Conversation with Father – Mutual Respect & Difficult Goodbyes (11:11–15:57)

• Jack and his father, Paul, struggle to express their deep feelings.
  • Both acknowledge the awkwardness: “Funny, too, because I was just full of things I wanted to talk to you about. Now I can’t remember any of them.” (12:00)
  • Father credits the family for Jack’s character, and reflects on the unpredictability of life paths.
  • Jack notes, “Well, it just goes to show, Dad, you can raise a man to peace and good will. But you push him around enough, he’s still going to develop into a fighter.” (14:46)
  • Paul’s vulnerability is raw: “I can’t bear to see people get into automobiles and drive out of my life. Something tears loose inside of me every time it happens.” (15:06–15:15)

Brief Goodbye with Teddy – Care and Caution (16:01–19:12)

• Jack jokes with family friend/nurse Teddy, but she urges him to take care: “Don’t be careless...you’d be surprised what percentage of soldiers are in that hospital out there because they didn’t do all they could to protect themselves.” (18:42–18:57)
• Marked by a grown-up’s concern for young men going off to war, Teddy’s parting is practical but deeply caring.

Conversation with Paul (Brother) – Inexpressible Emotions & Faith (20:23–25:57)

• Jack confides that even as he tries, “I don’t seem to be able to say anything important.” (20:43)
• Paul philosophizes about the limits of language: “…they're only symbols. Man is too inarticulate to express the deep things of his mind and emotion. There just aren’t words for them.” (21:01)
• Paul shares war advice and thoughts on faith: “When a man's going out where you may be going, God's a mighty important part in your life.” (22:27)
• Jack confesses his doubts about adequacy: “Do you think I can take care of the job ahead of me?” (23:49); Paul responds, “You'll have to find that answer inside yourself when the time comes.” (23:52)
• They reflect on fear and courage, across generations.

Goodbye with Wife Betty – Last, Most Intimate Farewell (26:25–30:03)

• Jack goes to say goodbye to Betty, who has made herself and their daughters look their best for his departure.
• They try to reflect on their blessings: “We’re a pretty lucky couple.” (27:31) “Just shot full of luck, us Jack Barbours.” (27:35)
• Betty’s longing for normalcy is palpable: “And then we’ll live like a real American family should live again…” (28:42)
• Jack’s promise: “That’s my going away promise...to come back and fit into our way of life.” (29:18)

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On Mother’s Strength:

  • Jack: “You know what’s funny? You were the one I rather dreaded to talk with alone.” (06:01)
  • Mother: “If you didn’t feel the way you do, who would there be to fight the war?” (05:46)

• On Sibling Support:

  • Hazel: “A girl's very proud and happy to have a brother like you, Jack, dear.” (10:47)
  • Jack: “See you after Tokyo.” (10:54)

• Father’s Vulnerability:

  • Paul: “I can’t bear to see people get into automobiles and drive out of my life. Something tears loose inside of me every time it happens.” (15:06–15:15)

• On the Inexpressibility of Deep Feelings:

  • Paul: “They’re only symbols. Man is too inarticulate to express the deep things of his mind and emotion. There just aren’t words for them.” (21:01)

• On Duty and Courage:

  • Paul: “I've never known a good soldier yet who wasn't more afraid of being afraid than he was of actual combat.” (24:01)

• On Family and Hope:

  • Betty: “I wish you were coming home instead of just going out.” (27:59)
  • Jack: “That’s my going away promise…to come back and fit into our way of life.” (29:18)

Important Segment Timestamps

• 00:37 – Narrator introduces tonight’s special context (actor’s real military service)
• 04:18–07:07 – Emotional scene: Jack and Mother talk in the sewing room
• 07:09–10:54 – Jack reminisces with Hazel; humorous and tender
• 11:11–15:57 – Jack and his father try and mostly fail to articulate their feelings
• 16:01–19:12 – Jack and Teddy: a blend of flirtation, care, and somber responsibility
• 20:23–25:57 – Deep philosophical talk with brother Paul on faith, words, and war
• 26:25–30:03 – Poignant last moments between Jack and Betty as he prepares to leave

Tone & Language

• The episode is warm and sentimental with a strong undercurrent of melancholy and patriotism.
• The dialogue employs a naturalistic, conversational style, with gentle humor, honest vulnerability, and moments of poetic simplicity.
• The family members never overstate their emotions, resulting in understated but powerful scenes.

Conclusion

“One Man’s Family: Lieutenant Jack Barbour Leaves for the Pacific” stands as a moving testament to the challenges faced by families on the home front. It captures the quiet heroism and poignant anxieties found in the everyday moments before a loved one goes to war. The episode’s gentle, sincere performances and its focus on family, memory, and the ineffable bonds between loved ones, make it a classic example of Golden Age radio’s power to comfort and reflect a nation in wartime.