
Packard Hour 36-11-03 Fred Astaire - The Dentist
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Ken Carpenter
The Packard Motor Car Company and its distributors and dealers everywhere present the Packard.
Francia White
Hour.
Ken Carpenter
With Charles Butterworth, Johnny Green, his piano and his orchestra.
Francia White
And starring.
Fred Astaire
Fred astaire.
No strings, no connections no ties to my affections I'm fancy free and free for anything fancy no date a cat's.
Francia White
Broken no words a cat's broken Especially.
Fred Astaire
When I am feeling romance like robin upon a tree like sailors goes to.
Francia White
Sea like an unwritten melody I'm free See, that's me Suffering on the big.
Fred Astaire
Attraction My decks are cleared for action.
Francia White
I'm fancy free and free for anything fancy.
Fred Astaire
Like trailer go to sea like an.
Francia White
Unwritten melody I'm free that's me so.
Fred Astaire
Bring on the biggest action I get a bit for action I'm fancy free.
Francia White
Fancy free and free for anything fancy.
Ken Carpenter
Thank you.
Eddie Moran
Thank you very much.
Fred Astaire
I'm very happy to be starting my series on the Packet Hour. And first of all, I'd like to give special thanks to those who so kindly took over the opening program last week. Ginger Rogers, she was swell. And Mary Livingston, she was swell. Alan Jones, he. He was swell. And Francia White, she was swell.
Francia White
And.
Fred Astaire
And I want particularly to thank. Oh, Johnny. Well, what was. What's the name of that fellow who kept trying to get a car? You mean Benny Rubin?
Francia White
No, no. Let me see.
Fred Astaire
Was that John. John Bunny? No, no, no. What's the matter?
Charlie Butterworth
Jack Benny?
Francia White
Yeah, that's right.
Eddie Moran
Jack Benny.
Francia White
Oh, God.
Johnny Green
You know, he. He was good.
Ken Carpenter
Oh, very.
Fred Astaire
Wow.
Did you hear those open breaks? Did I? They were the openest things I ever heard.
Charlie Butterworth
But.
Fred Astaire
But he was good.
Francia White
Oh, yes, he was.
Ken Carpenter
I'll say he was.
Fred Astaire
He was too doggone good. How do you think I felt knowing I was gonna have to follow him this week? Anyway, thank you again, Jack. Thank you ever so much. Now, getting back to business. Our sponsors, I believe, would like to have me at this point give you some brief outline of just what our show is going to be like on this series. Well, from my own deductions and that to what the boys told me before I left for Europe and since then by wire, telephone, telegraph, radio, mental telepathy and so forth, I would describe this program as a sort of variety rebusical musical melange of Swing Moments Deluxe. With embellishments presented against. Against a background of humor, we hope written. Written by the scintillating intelligentsia and smothered in a symphonic atmosphere of stop and blues and Charlie Butterworth.
Charlie Butterworth
Hello, Fred.
Fred Astaire
Hello, Charlie. What are you planning to do on this program?
Charlie Butterworth
Well, Fred, I want to be a big help. I thought you might be able to use me as a talent scout.
You know, every big variety program has a talent scout.
Fred Astaire
Yes, Charlie. And you're just a fellow who can do it too.
Charlie Butterworth
Oh, sure, Fred. I've been responsible for some of the biggest town discoveries of recent years. Did I ever tell you how I discovered Marlene Dietrich?
Fred Astaire
No, not that I remember.
Charlie Butterworth
I didn't tell you how I discovered Marlene Dietrich. That's a good one on me. I don't understand. Why, she's one of the biggest discoveries I've ever made. You surely heard of Marlene Dietrich?
Fred Astaire
Why, of course, Charlie.
Johnny Green
Yes, of course.
Charlie Butterworth
Well, I was in the Foreign Legion. We were traipsing over the hot sands of Algeria.
We were sniping lifts.
But to get back to Marlene Dietrich and how. I'd love to, Wouldn't you?
Well, I. I hardly blame you. Say, you do know Marlene Dietrich?
Fred Astaire
I said. Yes, Charlie.
Johnny Green
Yes.
Charlie Butterworth
You've never been in the Foreign Legion?
Fred Astaire
No.
Charlie Butterworth
So that'll help my story considerably.
I'll never forget it. We'd been fighting for days and days, weeks, see? I might even say months. Well, why not? Who's there to stop me? You don't know Marlene Dietrich?
Francia White
Yes.
Fred Astaire
Yes, Charlie, I know.
Charlie Butterworth
Oh, the heat was intense.
I could hardly stand it any longer. The sun got me. When the sun gets in Algeria, it's sleepy time down south. I lay out there in a dead faint. Well, sort of a semi conscious faint. You know that kind. When you know what's going on and you wish you could be there.
Well, that's just the way I felt about Molly and Dietrich. I'd just about given up hope when one night a very strange thing happened. A pistol shot rang out in the night. Well, it pissed the silence like. Well, like a pistol shot that rings out in the night. I guess we all jumped up just as one man. I guess that was just because there was only one man there. And when it. When it came to jumping up, he was excited. In fact, they tell me of a time that he'd been lying flat on his back in the hot sun for two hours. Well, a pistol shot rang out.
Ken Carpenter
There he was.
Charlie Butterworth
He never moved. Sunstroke.
Ken Carpenter
Well, we missed that fellow because you.
Charlie Butterworth
Meet very few people on the desert. Unless you go to Vienna or Rome. You must try it sometime. Just you and the family. I'm sure you'll love it.
Fred Astaire
Yes, but, Charlie, just a moment. What about Marlene and Dietrich?
Charlie Butterworth
Oh, I wouldn't advise that. Just take the family first.
Fred Astaire
That's all right. Don't go on, Charlie. You're hired. You know Mr. Ken Carpenter?
Charlie Butterworth
No, I don't.
Fred Astaire
Oh, Ken, I'd like you to meet our official talent scout on this program.
Ken Carpenter
Welcome to the Packard Show.
Charlie Butterworth
Thank you. You know, I've been looking forward to appearing on this program with Fred Astaire. I'm a Fred Astaire fan. Or as my friends Quently put it, fred Astaire fan.
Ken Carpenter
Charlie, I couldn't help but overhear that last remark.
Charlie Butterworth
Well, I shouldn't wonder. You're practically standing on my feet.
Ken Carpenter
You're not as numb as I thought you were.
Charlie Butterworth
Thanks, Ken. That's very kind of you.
Ken Carpenter
Oh, not at all.
Charlie Butterworth
Well, why not?
Ken Carpenter
Nothing. Just not at all.
Charlie Butterworth
Say, I think you're taking the wrong attitude.
Ken Carpenter
Now, let's get this thing straight. We'd better start all over again. You're Charlie Butterworth and I'm Ken Carpenter.
Charlie Butterworth
Ken Carpenters.
Ken Carpenter
Oh, yes.
Charlie Butterworth
Glad to know you.
Ken Carpenter
But we just met.
Charlie Butterworth
Oh, I'm never too busy to say hello to an old friend.
Ken Carpenter
Charlie, I know you must be a little nervous, but this can't go on forever. Won't you tell us something about yourself? Is Charles Butterworth your real name?
Charlie Butterworth
Well, the boys at school did call me Harold T. Harold.
Ken Carpenter
Harold T. Harold. What's the T for?
Charlie Butterworth
Oh, just to break the monotony.
By the way, Fred, when do I start, you know, hunting for talent for tonight's program?
Fred Astaire
Sooner the better, Charlie. And by the way, have you uncovered any talent for tonight's program yet?
Charlie Butterworth
No, not yet, Fred, but I will. I work fast. Who's that fellow over there?
Johnny Green
Oh, that?
Fred Astaire
That's Johnny Green.
Charlie Butterworth
That's rather an odd name, isn't it? I mustn't forget it. How do you do?
Fred Astaire
Greetings, Charlie.
Charlie Butterworth
I've always enjoyed your music, Mr. Green.
Fred Astaire
Green, what do you think of in the Springtime?
Charlie Butterworth
Oh, my options.
Well, ladies and gentlemen, I take great pleasure in presenting a little town discovery of mine, Johnny Green.
Johnny Green
That's.
Fred Astaire
That's fine, Charlie. Except he's already on the program.
Charlie Butterworth
Oh, don't mention it, Fred. There's no trouble at all. I'm glad to be of some help.
Fred Astaire
Thank you, Charlie. Thanks, Charlie, for discovering Johnny Green. I must admit I'm crazy about Johnny's music. We've had a lot of fun making records together the past several years, and I'm certainly glad we're together on this program. Johnny's next number tonight is one of his own compositions being played for the first time on the air. It's called Yours Forever.
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Johnny Green
I knew forever till all of the stars grow.
This may be twas a time run train to humanity but all life soon.
Francia White
I'll prove untruly.
Forever.
As long as.
Fred Astaire
The song will be.
Francia White
Forever.
Whatever the youth may bring.
Do I only know that.
Johnny Green
Never I'm your.
Sam.
I only know that was a world.
In you forever and ever. I'm your.
Ken Carpenter
Every once in a while a song refuses to die. It is born again in the whistling of errand boys and the light humming of housewives going about their daily work and in the cheerful, self appreciative arias of men taking their morning showers.
Such a song is the one Johnny Green has revived for us tonight in a new arrangement you'll all remember from the Ziegfeld Follies. A pretty girl is like a melody.
Francia White
Just like the frame of a honking refrain. You can fall a marathon and run around your brain.
Johnny Green
You can escape.
Francia White
Keep in your men glory.
By morning.
Johnny Green
Night and no.
Francia White
She will leave you.
Johnny Green
And then.
Come back again.
Francia White
A pretty girl is just like a pretty dew.
Johnny Green
She will leave you.
Francia White
A pretty girl is just like a pretty.
Ken Carpenter
Girl Predecessor has in store for you something of a dramatic treat. A strikingly effective piece from the pen of a hitherto unknown playwright, John R. Stratter, entitled Plain Susan Brown.
Charlie Butterworth
Just a minute, Ken.
Ken Carpenter
What's the trouble, Charlie?
Charlie Butterworth
Well, I hate to interrupt. Well, I guess I am interrupting, but the sound effects man hasn't shown up.
Johnny Green
Hmm.
Fred Astaire
That's a big help.
Charlie Butterworth
I don't think it will be.
There isn't a sound effect in the studio.
Fred Astaire
No sound effects?
Ken Carpenter
No sound effects?
Charlie Butterworth
No sound effects.
Fred Astaire
Well, what are we going to do?
Charlie Butterworth
I can move like a cow.
Fred Astaire
That's good, Johnny. But unfortunately, the scene takes place in the Paris apartment.
Charlie Butterworth
Couldn't the cow have been passing by?
I guess it couldn't.
Ken Carpenter
Say, Fred, here's an old taxi horn left over from some other program.
Fred Astaire
Well, let's try that.
Francia White
All right.
Fred Astaire
Doesn't sound much like Paris. Well, I guess we'll have to do.
Charlie Butterworth
The best we can.
Ken Carpenter
Charlie, will you help?
Charlie Butterworth
Certainly.
Fred Astaire
Will you take care of the sound effect as well as you can with that horn? Yes. I mean, put it in wherever it seems fit. You know, use your imagination. And now, Ken, will you please set the scene?
Ken Carpenter
The scene is spring in Paris. In the elegant apartment of the charming Costa Brienza. Her fiance, played by Mr. Astaire, is the lovely countess. His eyes and bearings show his devotion. It is the eve of their wedding. Sound effects by Charles Butterworth.
Fred Astaire
Tomorrow, 24 hours. It hardly seems possible.
Plain Susan Brown
Darling, I've dreamt of it for months. The chapel Sans Clou, then away to the mountains. Just you and I. I hope the.
Fred Astaire
Family arrive in time for the wedding. They promise the moment the ship docked.
Francia White
Isn't. Isn't that the phone ringing?
Yeah.
Fred Astaire
It seems to have caught a little cold.
Francia White
Hello? Hello?
Fred Astaire
Ah, welcome to France.
Francia White
How are you?
Fred Astaire
Well, it's Mother. It's great to hear your voice.
Charlie.
Charlie Butterworth
We.
Fred Astaire
We didn't need that last honk.
Charlie Butterworth
Oh, I can spare it.
Francia White
Yes, Mother.
Fred Astaire
Oh, the wedding's tomorrow. Dinner tonight. We'd love it.
Johnny Green
Who?
Fred Astaire
Oh, certainly, certainly. Isn't that fine? By all means, bring him along. We'll meet you at the ridge. Goodbye and au revoir. I'll hang up now. I say, I'll hang up now. Charlie. I'm hanging up.
Charlie Butterworth
I'm sorry. I was just trying to think of Johnny Green's last name.
Francia White
Green, of course.
Charlie Butterworth
Yes, that's it. See, it comes so close to the. Johnny, it just sort of confused me for a minute.
Fred Astaire
Well, please, please stay away. Darling. Mother says she couldn't wait to meet the charming Countess de Brienza.
Plain Susan Brown
I hope she'll like me.
Fred Astaire
Don't worry, darling. Oh, by the way, Mother says she met one of your father's best friends on the ship. He's coming along, too. He's very anxious to see you.
Johnny Green
Oh. Oh.
Fred Astaire
What's the matter, dear?
Plain Susan Brown
Oh, nothing.
Fred Astaire
Oh, but something is the matter.
Charlie Butterworth
You went white.
Plain Susan Brown
Oh, no, not a thing. Just a slight buzzing in my head.
I. I feel a little faint.
Fred Astaire
I don't wonder with that going on on your head.
Plain Susan Brown
Darling, do you mind if I don't go out tonight?
Fred Astaire
Well, I'd be disappointed. The family's been looking forward so much to me. Tell you what. I'll run out and get dressed. Then if you still feel jittery, we'll call it off.
Plain Susan Brown
All right, dear.
Fred Astaire
Goodbye, darling. What's the matter with this door anyway?
Francia White
So long, dear.
Fred Astaire
Be back in a jiffy. I'm going out the door, Charlie. The bottom of the page.
Charlie Butterworth
Oh, it's a trap door.
Plain Susan Brown
I knew it would happen. I couldn't keep up this pretense. Oh, what a fool I've been. I know what I'll do. Why should I ruin his life? Where'd I put that revolver? Here. Here it is. This is the only way out. I'll pull on the trigger.
Francia White
What's that?
Eddie Moran
What's that? I thought I heard a shot.
Charlie Butterworth
Mary.
Fred Astaire
Mary, darling, are you hurt?
Johnny Green
No.
Fred Astaire
Well, what happened?
Charlie Butterworth
I missed.
Fred Astaire
But why, darling?
Charlie Butterworth
I like a happy ending.
Fred Astaire
Charlie. I'm reading the script, not talking to you. But why, Mary? On the eve of our wedding?
Plain Susan Brown
Well, dear, you might as well know it now. I tried to kill myself. I'm not Countess de Brienza. I'm just plain Susan Brown of St. Louis, Missouri.
Eddie Moran
Why, that's marvelous.
Francia White
That's wonderful news.
Johnny Green
You don't care?
Francia White
Care?
Fred Astaire
Not a hoot.
I like you better as plain Susan Brown.
Johnny Green
Oh, darling.
Plain Susan Brown
Darling, thank you. Oh, you make it so wonderful to be alive with the sun streaming through.
Johnny Green
The windows, the bees buzzing.
The birds singing their heart songs.
Fred Astaire
What, in all this traffic?
Plain Susan Brown
Oh, darling, I'm so ashamed.
Fred Astaire
Oh, stop it, Billy. Kiss me.
Plain Susan Brown
All right, dear. For this time I'll kiss you for the first time. Not as a celebrated conice of Brienza, but as plain Susan Brown of St. Louis, Mo.
Charlie Butterworth
How did you say you're going to kiss him, Charlie?
Fred Astaire
As plain Susan Brown of St. Louis, Mo.
Charlie Butterworth
Okay, go ahead.
Francia White
Darling Susan.
Ken Carpenter
Johnny Green opens the second half of the Packadar starring Fred Astaire with stomping at the Savoy.
In these days, when you get three feature pictures, a major preview, a newsreel bank night and a small tube of suntan oil with every ticket, it's pretty hard to dig up something new in the entertainment world. But from the gleam on his face, I think our distinguished talent scout, Mr. Butterworth has already unearthed something pretty startling.
Charlie Butterworth
Yes, Ken. Fortunately, I've just come back from abroad. Where I combed the seven continents. England, France, Albany, Albania, Russia. I brought back just the right man.
Ken Carpenter
Well, that's a real round the world search, Charlie. Where did you finally find him?
Charlie Butterworth
Find who?
Ken Carpenter
The man we're talking about.
Charlie Butterworth
Oh, him. Where did you find him, Charlie?
Ken Carpenter
I didn't find him.
Charlie Butterworth
Oh, he's still lost.
Have you tried to search him for this?
Ken Carpenter
Now look, you said you went around the world searching for a man to fill this spot on the program. Where did you find him?
Charlie Butterworth
Over there among the sound effects.
Ken Carpenter
Some scout.
Charlie Butterworth
Oh, yes, he's a great scout. He'll lend dignity to this program.
Ken Carpenter
What is he?
Charlie Butterworth
Surely you've heard of that distinguished critic of the cinema, Eddie Moran. He's going to preview movie for us.
Ken Carpenter
Well, but where is he now?
Charlie Butterworth
I don't know. I only discovered him.
Johnny Green
I see.
Ken Carpenter
Well, I suppose he'll turn up pretty soon. While we're waiting, suppose you tell me a little about what he's like.
Charlie Butterworth
Who?
Ken Carpenter
This movie critic or whoever he is. The one you went to the ends of the earth to find. England, France, Russia.
Charlie Butterworth
That's very interesting. Did you have a nice trip?
I give up. You're a great help.
Ken Carpenter
What am I supposed to do? Johnny? Have you got any music you can fill in with or something? Well, wait a minute.
Francia White
Here comes something.
Ken Carpenter
I mean, someone.
Eddie Moran
Oh, Ken. Excuse me. You should, you'll see.
Francia White
You won't.
Eddie Moran
I'm here till I came already. See me? With my sweet hot days I had in front of the post office with you. Two days I was, till I was late till now.
Johnny Green
I'm here.
Francia White
I came already. See me.
What is this?
Ken Carpenter
Are you Eddie Moran?
Johnny Green
Hello.
Eddie Moran
What's with my sweetheart? I'm here, so I came already.
Fred Astaire
See me.
Eddie Moran
Had to have dates with you. I was late, so nine here I came already.
Francia White
See me.
Charlie Butterworth
I know you had a date with your sweetheart.
Ken Carpenter
Well, you also had a date on this program and you're late and now.
Fred Astaire
You'Re here, so I came already.
Francia White
Timmy.
Charlie Butterworth
Yes, I, I.
Ken Carpenter
But why weren't you here on time?
Eddie Moran
That's what I'm trying to tell you. What's with my sweetheart?
Ken Carpenter
Wait a minute, wait a minute. Don't start that.
Charlie Butterworth
What are you talking about?
Francia White
English?
Fred Astaire
I'm talking about.
Ken Carpenter
Well, I don't understand.
Eddie Moran
Then said you should listen. Dumb like you are, I shouldn't be to me. Oh, dumb I am. You'll see.
Francia White
I will.
Ken Carpenter
You mean they collided?
Johnny Green
Huh?
Ken Carpenter
They collided.
Eddie Moran
Nobody saw you?
Well, pretty soon was punching, scratching, fighting.
Ken Carpenter
They were punching, scratching and fighting.
Eddie Moran
My sweetheart and the other lady.
Francia White
She will.
Ken Carpenter
They did.
Eddie Moran
Was all kinds of things.
Ken Carpenter
You mean that your sweetheart and this other lady were actually engaged in fisticuffs?
Johnny Green
And now no fighting.
Eddie Moran
They were.
Ken Carpenter
I'm ashamed of you.
Francia White
Me too.
Ken Carpenter
It's graceful, you allowing yourself to become a spectator to this unladylike demeanor.
Eddie Moran
What did you say?
Ken Carpenter
It doesn't matter. What have you planned for us this evening?
Eddie Moran
Oh, tonight. Well, tonight was with my sweetheart.
Francia White
Dates I should have. Hold on, hold on.
Ken Carpenter
I mean, as our Hollywood columnist, what have you in store for.
Eddie Moran
Oh, oh, movies I saw. You should say I saw it.
Ken Carpenter
Well, you're going to review a movie.
Charlie Butterworth
That's what I will be. Quite interesting.
Ken Carpenter
Tell us about it.
Eddie Moran
Well, was the picture should open up? It did. And the boy and the girl, they were there because she should be in love.
Ken Carpenter
They were.
Eddie Moran
So he kissed him and she kissed her.
Francia White
So what?
Eddie Moran
So he went away because he was so happy.
Francia White
He was.
Eddie Moran
Which made her cry. So afterwards another man came. Was like a father. He should be.
Ken Carpenter
Oh, you mean paternal.
Eddie Moran
It's okay. And with a lot of talk. Anybody should feel sad because they were so happy. And pretty soon came an airplane with all kinds of girls dancing.
Francia White
They had. They will. They did.
Eddie Moran
Because the girl went away then because she liked them so much. It shows. So pretty soon. Pretty soon they both got killed. And that was the finish.
Johnny Green
So.
Eddie Moran
And here's how I came.
Fred Astaire
Already see me?
Ken Carpenter
Well, must have been. Must have been quite an interesting picture.
Fred Astaire
I think so.
Ken Carpenter
What was the name of that epic?
Francia White
Mr.
Eddie Moran
Beast goes to Town.
Ken Carpenter
One of the advantages of radio is that we don't have to wait while the scenery is shifted. The product principals change costumes and the stage is flooded with appropriately romantic lighting. All we need is a little imagination, a Jerome Kern score and Fred Astaire singing. The way you look tonight.
Francia White
When I'm awfully low when the world is cold I will feel a glow Just thinking of you and the way you look tonight.
Oh, but you're lovely with your smile so warm and your cheeks so soft There is nothing for me but to love you Just the way you look tonight.
With each word your tenderness grow Tearing my fear apart.
I'm that laughing that wrinkled your nose Touches my foolish heart.
Lovely.
Never, never change Keep that resolute charm oh, won't you please arrange it? Cause I love you.
Just the Way you look tonight.
Johnny Green
Sam, you.
Francia White
Just the way you look tonight.
Just the way you look. To my.
Ken Carpenter
Great new picture. Swing Time may now be playing in your neighborhood. When you see it, you will not only enjoy it thoroughly, but you may also find out how you may win a brand new Packard 6 in an easy and exciting contest. If you're unable to get get the contest blanks at your local theater. Your nearest Packard dealer or distributor has them. For you there is no obligation.
And now we have a pleasant surprise for you. Those of you who heard last week's program remember one of our most charming guests, Ms. Francia White. She made such a hit with the audience, we've asked her to come back for a return engagement. Ms. Francia White.
As her first number, Ms. White has chosen a role that suits her very perfectly. That of the youthful and vivacious Juliet in Gouno's version of the ballroom scene in Romeo and Juliet.
Plain Susan Brown
And now I'd like to sing for you one of my favorites.
Johnny Green
One Kiss.
Plain Susan Brown
On Sigmund Romberg's the New Moon.
Johnny Green
Of old fashioned girls you'll find very few our ideal Seems we're so obscure and I know I'm out of date when I see one maybe one shape girl over a clue. To be really in the fashion today you must have a dead hope in your place. But somehow I don't believe in the mother's life I want to wait for joy.
One Achilles, one man to credit for.
One love for him alone.
One word, one vow and nothing more to tell him I'm his own.
One magic night within his own.
With a bright and a blood.
And a will.
But I will cry to love only one of my.
Ken Carpenter
I am no more.
Johnny Green
Could you but know how I am wanting you.
I was wondering if all my dreams come true.
What is the name I belong? Tell him. By your way.
One magic night within your mind.
I know One woman in the world.
Ken Carpenter
Now once again, Fred Astaire.
Fred Astaire
I'm sure a great many people know what Bojangles. But for those who do not. But for those who what Bojangles means. But for those who do not. It is the nickname for that certain colored gentleman. Dynamite dancer.
Personalities. Colored gentleman Dynamite dancer and personality. Personality Bill Robinson.
Named for that certain colored gentleman Dynamite dancer and personality Bill Robinson. This Jerome Kern number is also from our picture Swing Time. And once again, I'm afraid it would be impossible for me to give you the same conception here on the air that I use in the pictures. But no matter how it is done, I can't help thinking of Bill, this is not an impersonation of him, but the idea was most certainly inspired by that one and only Bojangles, Bill Robinson.
Ken Carpenter
Through the noisy side streets of New York Harlem, Born of the torpid breezes that swirl through its crowded back alleys and fire escapes comes a rumor that starts every heart beating faster in rhythm.
Francia White
Time is back in town.
Johnny Green
That old single truck coming right down Lennox Avenue.
Come on St get hot for papa Wham hold those eyesangles is here. Hey Charlie on down the avenue.
Bojangles is just around the corner.
Francia White
What's that? Bojangles.
Charlie Butterworth
Friends, the meeting is postponed.
Johnny Green
There he comes. Look at that man Trust. Stop your TR there. Let my little George and see a real hot man that flag who owns Mojangles, Mama, shame on you. Don't you know Mojangles? He's that Joe Lud dancing and that ball rock chucking all wrapped up in one.
Francia White
I vote yeah.
Johnny Green
Yeah.
Francia White
Ask anyone of Harlem way who that guy Bojango is. They may not not know who's president but just ask him who Bojangles is. He's in the most entrancing business.
Fred Astaire
It's what they call the dancing business. When there's a beat up on the.
Francia White
Street, brother, you go and b all your dough Sister, you know that ain't no one but Bo.
Ken Carpenter
Bo can har.
Francia White
Run you dance D.
Young oh loved you in Harlem they say you got the tough guys from out of Peru and ship not trucking out of tongals of Harlem Stack your heels leaping their flat, missing their meals, running like rams throwing her a trace Throw those long legs away.
Oh, oh, Dangles of Harlem your dancers are young folks love you in Harlem.
Johnny Green
They save you Gam.
It's sam.
Ken Carpenter
Packard dealers everywhere invite you in a most cordial and friendly manner to see the four sensational new Packards at your nearest showroom. Without the slightest obligation on your part, you'll enjoy your visit. Because if your Packard dealer isn't already one of your friends, we're certain he will be. After you've met him, you'll find him courteous, helpful and eager to answer all your questions. Let him explain how easy it is to buy a Packard. How easy it is to own a Packard. Say yes when he asks you to drive a Packard. And after you put it through a thorough and thoughtful test, see if you'll ever be satisfied until you get the plus of a Packard.
As the Packard R whirls away its last few seconds, Johnny Green's music gives you a preview of Fred Astaire's featured musical number in next week's Packard Hour. Top Hat, White Tie and Tails. And with Fred Astaire. Next week, more Charlie Butterworth, more Johnny Green music. And a dramatic treat postponed from this week. The world famous Abbey Players Entertainment gathered together for your pleasure by packers, makers of America's finest motor cars. Until then, ask the man who owns one.
Fred Astaire
Ladies and gentlemen, I've had a lot of fun on this program this evening, and I hope you have, too.
Charlie Butterworth
That goes double. Fred, I want to tell you how much I enjoy being on this program with you. And, you know, the fellow with the orchestra.
Francia White
Look.
Fred Astaire
Look, Charlie, that's me. Johnny Green.
Francia White
G, R, E, E, N. Oh, two E's.
Charlie Butterworth
That's what threw me off.
I'm sorry. Well, good night, fred. Good night, Mr. You know, that's a swell orchestra you got. Good night, Fred. Good night, boys.
Fred Astaire
Good night, Charlie. See you next Tuesday.
Ken Carpenter
This program originated in the NBC studios in Hollywood. This is the Red Network of the National Broadcasting Company.
Original Air Date: November 3, 1936
Podcast Release: December 5, 2025
Host: Harolds Old Time Radio
Featured Cast: Fred Astaire, Charlie Butterworth, Frances White, Johnny Green, Eddie Moran
This episode brings listeners back to the golden age of radio, featuring a star-studded Packard Hour with Fred Astaire leading a lighthearted variety program. Blending comedy, original music, and playful stage banter, the show presents renowned musical numbers, original dramatic sketches, and sharp-witted exchanges between Astaire and his cast. The episode evokes the community and glamour of pre-television entertainment when families gathered around their radios to be both serenaded and amused.
Fred Astaire opens the show with a spirited rendition of “Fancy Free,” showcasing his trademark smooth vocals and playful lyrics.
Astaire thanks last week’s stand-in hosts and the show’s contributors with his characteristic humor, poking fun at remembering names and introducing the players.
Astaire humorously attempts to describe the unique format.
Charlie Butterworth claims credit for discovering Marlene Dietrich with an increasingly absurd story about the Foreign Legion, sunstroke, and missed connections.
Running Joke (04:44–07:10):
Butterworth struggles to finish his Dietrich story, gets sidetracked by wordplay, and trades quips with Astaire.
Name Confusion Gag:
Continues with Johnny Green, further blurring lines between cast and role.
A. “Yours Forever” by Johnny Green
B. “A Pretty Girl is Like a Melody” (16:03–20:04):
Ken Carpenter frames the song’s enduring popularity; Francia White and Johnny Green perform a nostalgic, lush version.
(20:04–25:30)
A mock-dramatic playlet with Fred Astaire and Frances White. Sound effects are improvised due to the “absent sound man”—delightfully handled by Butterworth honking a taxi horn out of place.
Comedic back-and-forth as Butterworth claims to have combed the world for a talent—before a zany, confusing movie critique from Eddie Moran (28:10–31:34).
A. “The Way You Look Tonight” (32:19–34:52):
A highlight duet, smooth and sentimental.
(36:01–39:22)
Francia White gives a dramatic and operatic performance as Juliet in Gounod’s “Romeo and Juliet.”
(39:24–42:22)
A romantic, wistful song, full of operetta charm.
(42:26–47:00)
Astaire discusses the origin and inspiration for “Bojangles of Harlem,” written in tribute to legendary dancer Bill “Bojangles” Robinson, and then leads the cast in a lively, swinging number that conjures the energy and rhythms of Harlem.
Charlie Butterworth, 08:24:
“Harold T. Harold. What’s the T for?”
“Oh, just to break the monotony.”
Butterworth’s “Cow” Sound Effect (20:36):
“I can moo like a cow.”
Fred Astaire retorts dryly, noting the sketch is set in a Paris apartment.
Comedic Miscommunications:
Name Gags:
| Timestamp | Segment | Description | |-------------|----------------------------------------|-------------| | 01:07 | "Fancy Free" Opening | Fred Astaire performance | | 03:47 | "What’s This Show About?" | Astaire comically explains the format | | 04:44–07:10 | Talent Scout/Marlene Dietrich Story | Butterworth’s legendary “find” | | 09:18 | “Yours Forever” by Johnny Green | Musical performance debut | | 16:03 | "A Pretty Girl is Like a Melody" | House staple revived | | 20:15–25:30 | "Plain Susan Brown" Comedy Sketch | Paris, love, mistaken identity – and taxi horn sound effects | | 28:10 | Butterworth’s Worldly Search | Talent segment starting | | 29:27–31:41 | Eddie Moran's Movie Review | Stream-of-consciousness gag | | 32:19 | "The Way You Look Tonight" | Astaire and White duet | | 36:01 | Francia White as Juliet | Operatic scene from Romeo & Juliet | | 39:24 | “One Kiss” from The New Moon | Lush duet | | 42:26–47:00 | "Bojangles of Harlem" & Tribute | Astaire credits Bill Robinson and sings |
Warm, witty, and vibrant, the show thrives on easy banter, pun-laden gags, and cheerful camaraderie between the cast. Musical interludes are lush and tuneful, while even the dramatic sketch is gently parodic. The classic radio energy—ad libs, inside jokes, improvisational sound effects—keeps things light throughout.
If you haven’t listened, this episode will give you a quintessential taste of 1930s radio at its best: a blend of star talent, memorable music, period humor, and inventive storytelling. It’s a snapshot not just of entertainment history, but also of the playful, collaborative spirit that defined old time radio.