Podcast Summary: "Plot to Overthrow Christmas" (Harold's Old Time Radio – December 10, 2025)

Main Theme & Purpose

This episode of Harold's Old Time Radio features the 1944 radio drama "The Plot to Overthrow Christmas," written by Norman Corwin and performed by Orson Welles (as Nero) and Ray Collins (as Santa Claus). The program blends witty verse, satire, and inventive storytelling to present a unique holiday fable: a comedic, imaginative plot by infamous figures from Hell to sabotage Christmas. Ultimately, the episode celebrates the enduring spirit and goodness of Christmas amidst attempts to quash it.

Key Discussion Points & Story Breakdown

1. Introduction to the Story and Cast

• [02:32] Orson Welles opens with praise for Norman Corwin and Ray Collins, emphasizing the brilliance of Corwin’s writing and Ray’s performance.
• Welles humorously invites listeners to submit names of better radio actors for his Mercury Theater.

2. Setting the Scene: Hell’s Meeting Over Christmas

• [03:34] Sotto Voce narrator sets the tale, describing how notorious figures in Hades plan to defeat Christmas.
  • “Did you hear about the Plot to Overthrow Christmas? Well, gather ye now… and listen to the story of the utter inglory of some gory goings on in hell.”
• The narrative is delivered in clever, rhyme-rich verse, situating the audience in a poetic, mythic version of Hell.

3. Demonic Deliberations: The Villains' Congress

• [05:45] Assembly of villains: Nero, Mephistopheles, Caligula, Ivan the Terrible, Medusa, the Borgias, and others gather.
• The chair (Mephistopheles) notes the persistence of goodwill on Earth due to Christmas as a challenge for Hell to overcome.
  • Quote ([07:37], Mephistopheles): “Though we’ve done well in carrying forward the work of Hell, we’ve left a very big job unfinished... as long as this continues to be, the race of men will not belong to me.”
• Villains debate schemes:
  • Haman boasts about their evil efforts.
  • Caligula proposes lethal Christmas gifts: “Candy sticks… Fruits and nuts… poisonous as rattlesnakes.” ([09:55])
  • Nero suggests corrupting Christmas music by turning sacred carols into jazz, saying, “[10:33] Christmas can easily be corrupted if you take and swing all the Christmas carols…”
  • Legree wants to bribe Congress to outlaw Christmas.
  • Lucrezia Borgia shifts the plan: assassinate Santa Claus, “If we could rub him out, my friend, our troubles would be at an end. Just think how it would tickle us to liquidate St. Nicholas.” ([13:13])

4. The Fiends Vote — and Nero's Task

• [14:07–14:37] Voting on the evil plans: Most prefer the “eliminate Santa Claus” plan.
• [16:17] Nero is chosen by drawing lots to perform the deed (reluctantly asks for instructions).

5. Nero's Journey to the North Pole

• Sotto Voce provides asides with puns and commentary.
• [18:06] Nero’s comedic, arduous trek from Switzerland to the Arctic is filled with confusion and poetic complaints, underscoring the farce.

6. Confrontation: Nero Meets Santa Claus

• [19:06] The pivotal meeting is both tense and witty. Santa warmly welcomes Nero, who remains fixated on his evil mission. The proceeding dialogue is rapid-fire and rhymed.
• Santa, unfazed, says he’s aware of Nero’s purpose, “Take it easy. Do not play with that gun. I know all about you…” ([19:09])
• They debate Christmas’s true meaning and the depth of joy it provides. Santa gently challenges Nero’s cynicism with pointed questions about beauty and goodness.

7. The Power of Christmas—Santa Changes Nero’s Heart

• [22:22] Santa recounts to Nero the wonders and beauty of the season: trees, family, gift-giving, the joy on children’s faces.
  • “Have you ever closely witnessed what takes place any Christmas morning on a young child’s face? Or perceived any beauties purer than the joys distilled in the hearts of little girls and boys?” ([23:22], Santa Claus)
• [24:05] This heartfelt exchange leads to Nero's epiphany and repentance:
  • Nero: “I guess I don’t. For all of me. I never knew such things could be. Just think how long in ignorance I’ve slept.”
• [25:45] Santa welcomes the reformed Nero, offers him food, companionship, and then a Stradivarius violin as a Christmas present.
  • Santa: “By way of Christmas presents I offer you this little gift. ... A very good one, sir. To wit, compliments of the season.”
• Nero, overjoyed, pledges to play for Santa: “I’ll start right in and play for you…I’ll play, I’ll play, I’ll play…” ([26:54])

8. Conclusion and Moral

• The story closes with the narrator, Sotto Voce ([26:59]), signaling the end and the underlying message: the indomitable spirit of Christmas can even redeem the most hardened soul.

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• [02:32] Orson Welles on Corwin and Ray Collins:
  “Best is a big word, but it isn't too big for Norman Corwin, who is certainly and beyond all argument the best writer the medium has produced.”
• [07:37] Mephistopheles, on the ‘problem’ of Christmas:
  “As long as this continues to be, the race of men will not belong to me.”
• [10:11] Nero, on jazzing the carols:
  “I've heard just lately men are giving the razz to classical music by making it jazz...Christmas can easily be corrupted if you take and swing all the Christmas carols...”
• [13:13] Borgia, on Santa Claus:
  “If we could rub him out, my friend, our troubles would be at an end. Just think how it would tickle us to liquidate St Nicholas.”
• [23:22] Santa’s challenge to Nero:
  “Have you ever closely witnessed what takes place any Christmas morning on a young child’s face? Or perceived any beauties purer than the joys distilled in the hearts of little girls and boys?”
• [24:28] Nero’s change of heart:
  "I guess I don't. For all of me. I never knew such things could be. Just think how long in ignorance I've slept."
• [26:53] Santa’s generosity:
  “By way of Christmas presents I offer you this little gift…A Stradivarius.”
• [26:54] Nero’s joyful pledge:
  “I’ll start right in and play for you…I’ll play, I’ll play, I’ll play, I’ll play all night and day for you.”

Timestamps for Important Segments

• 02:32: Orson Welles’ introduction and cast praise
• 03:34: Sotto Voce sets the stage; the story’s premise
• 07:37–14:37: Debate and voting among the fiends; plots against Christmas
• 16:17: Nero is assigned the mission to eliminate Santa
• 18:06: Nero’s comical journey to the North Pole
• 19:06–26:54: Nero’s confrontation with Santa; transformation and redemption
• 26:59: Narrator signals conclusion; moral of the story

Final Notes

"The Plot to Overthrow Christmas" is a masterwork of radio drama, using sharp dialogue, literary wit, and holiday warmth to demonstrate that Christmas spirit is invincible—even in the face of the darkest hearts and most determined opposition. This 1944 broadcast remains a testament to Corwin’s poetic imagination and the golden age of radio.

Listeners are treated to a story that is as humorous as it is uplifting, featuring memorable performances by Orson Welles and Ray Collins, and delivering a timeless message of goodwill and redemption.