Podcast Summary: Harold's Old Time Radio

Episode: Palmolive Beauty Box Theater 37-06-02 (117) The Only Girl
Date: December 2, 2025

Overview

This episode of Harold's Old Time Radio presents a classic production from the "Palmolive Beauty Box Theatre": the musical comedy The Only Girl. Starring Jessica Dragonette and Charles Kuhlman, and featuring a score by Victor Herbert, the episode revives the story of a fiercely independent playwright and an equally headstrong female composer. It is a sparkling, witty play about creative collaboration, romance, and breaking down gender stereotypes, filled with memorable songs, comedic repartee, and Golden Age sensibilities.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Setting the Stage: The Men’s Club (00:17–02:50)

• Characters Introduced:
  • Alan “Kim” Kimbrough: Successful, confirmed bachelor playwright (role sung by Charles Kuhlman).
  • Ruth Wilson: Aspiring composer (Jessica Dragonette).
  • Bunky and Fresh: Kim’s steadfast bachelor friends.
• Premise Established:
  The friends celebrate Kim’s new play and attribute their successes to avoiding women and matrimony.
  • Quote:

    "The reason all three of us have gotten ahead is that we've never fritted away our time on women and matrimony." —Bunky (02:44)

2. Musical Collaboration Sparks (02:50–11:09)

• Ruth’s Introduction:
  Kim is captivated by a beautiful piece of music from across the hall—discovering the composer is a woman (Ruth), not her brother as he had assumed.
• Song Highlights:
  • Ruth sings "When You’re Away" for Kim, showcasing her talent and setting the romantic tone (04:09–07:44).
    • Memorable Moment:
      The entire room is moved by Ruth's singing.

      "That was lovely." —Kim (09:27)

• Conflict Emerges:
  When Kim learns Ruth herself is the composer, he refuses to collaborate out of his aversion (and fear) of romantic entanglements with women.
  • Quote:

    “I couldn't possibly collaborate with a woman." —Kim (10:04)
    "Oh, so you're a woman hater." —Ruth (10:07)

3. The Pact: Becoming “Machines” (14:00–16:35)

• Meeting of Minds:
  Their mutual artistic respect overrides their gendered doubts as they agree to work together strictly as “machines”—professional partners without sentiment.
  • Key Dialogue:

    "Eliminate this sex attraction and become like two machines tuned up for speed and safety." —Kim (14:45)
    "How does it strike you, Wilson?" —Kim (15:02)
    "Perfect, Kimbrough." —Ruth (15:03)

• Duet:
  Playful number about being “just two machines,” emphasizing logic over emotion.

4. Creative Tension and Gender Dynamics (18:35–21:49)

• Progress Report:
  Six weeks into collaboration, Ruth presents a new (romantic) song, but Kim criticizes it for being “too sentimental.”
  • Quote:

    "Sentimental. Far, far too sentimental. The words are not peppy enough. They're too sticky." —Kim (20:35)

• Gendered Argument:
  Ruth accuses Kim of trying to strip away her femininity, and he basks in his independence. They quarrel both personally and creatively, echoing their earlier fears about partnership.
  • Memorable Back-and-Forth:

    "You'd have me kill the woman in me and make me just an 'it' like you." —Ruth (20:54)
    "What else are you?" —Ruth (20:58)
    "I'm a man." —Kim (21:00)
    "You admit it, then?" —Ruth (21:01)

5. Reflections on Marriage (21:57–23:57)

• Friends Reappear:
  Bunky and Fresh return—now married themselves—and warn Kim about the perils of matrimony in a comical “ball and chain” song.
  • Quote:

    "Your wife is the jailer and your ankle wears the ball and chain..." —Bunky & Fresh (22:42)

6. Resolution: Love Wins (24:08–25:46)

• The Reunion:
  Ruth returns for her sheet music. Kim finally admits his love for her, confessing that she's the “only girl in the world” for him.
  • Romantic Exchange:

    "Wilson, I love you." —Kim (24:50)
    "Kim, this is so sudden." —Ruth (24:53)
    "Tell me there’s no Gustav." —Kim (24:57)
    "No, Kim." —Ruth (24:58)

• Final Duet:
  The two sing a passionate love duet, affirming their partnership both on stage and in life (25:20–26:38).

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

| Timestamp | Quote / Moment | Speaker | |-----------|------------------------------------------------------------|--------------| | 02:44 | "The reason all three of us have gotten ahead is that we've never fritted away our time on women and matrimony." | Bunky | | 07:44 | “That was lovely.” | Kim | | 10:04 | “I couldn't possibly collaborate with a woman." | Kim | | 10:07 | "Oh, so you're a woman hater." | Ruth | | 14:45 | "Eliminate this sex attraction and become like two machines tuned up for speed and safety." | Kim | | 15:03 | "Perfect, Kimbrough." | Ruth | | 20:54 | "You'd have me kill the woman in me and make me just an 'it' like you." | Ruth | | 22:42 | "Your wife is the jailer and your ankle wears the ball and chain..." | Bunky & Fresh| | 24:50 | "Wilson, I love you." | Kim | | 24:53 | "Kim, this is so sudden." | Ruth |

Song Highlights & Performance Segments

• [04:09] "When You're Away" – Ruth’s breakout (Jessica Dragonette)
• [08:07] "Personality" – Fun, Broadway-style tune
• [15:17] “Just Two Machines” – Playful duet about logic trumping emotion
• [18:35] “Romantic Ballad” – Ruth’s solo, met with criticism for sentimentality
• [22:46] "Ball and Chain" – Humorous warning about marriage
• [25:20] “Love Duet” – A romantic musical resolution

Episode’s Overall Tone and Style

• Lighthearted, witty, and deeply nostalgic
• Sprinkled with classic musical numbers and playful banter on gender, romance, and the creative process
• True to the high-spirited, melodious, and comedic tone of early 20th-century musical theatre

Closing

The episode ends with the promise of next week’s “Irene,” another classic musical, as star Jessica Dragonette serenades the audience with a preview. This broadcast is a delightful time capsule, blending music, comedy, gender politics, and Broadway flair into a memorable Golden Age radio experience.