Podcast Summary: Harold's Old Time Radio

Episode: Quiz of Two Cities 44-11-05 – Chicago vs New York
Date: November 29, 2025
Host: Harold's Old Time Radio (narration via vintage episode)
Original Announcers: Bud Collier (New York), Holland Engel (Chicago)
Theme: Classic Golden Age radio quiz show—listeners hear a spirited, good-humored contest between teams representing Chicago and New York, filled with period trivia, lively banter, and glimpses into American life during WWII.

Episode Overview

This episode features a broadcast from 1944, where Chicago and New York go head-to-head in a lively battle of wits. Each team is comprised of members from local advertising clubs, and the quizmaster peppers them with questions on popular culture, advertising, wartime topics, and Shakespeare. The show’s format, full of audience reactions and sponsor promotions, gives a nostalgic look into family entertainment before television.

Key Discussion Points & Segments

1. Opening and Introductions

[01:01]

• Bud Collier opens the quiz, setting the tone for a “fast and furious battle of wits.”
• Teams are introduced: New York’s Advertising Club vs. Chicago’s Federated Advertising Club.
• Light-hearted ribbing and small talk with contestants, emphasizing their advertising backgrounds and contributions to the war effort.

2. Round 1: Matching Teams & Parallel Questions

[01:50–08:35]

• Both cities’ first contestants answer identical questions, alternately by location.
• Sample Questions:
  • Which character in Amos and Andy plays Brother Crawford? (Answer: Amos)
  • What’s the newest and largest women’s war organization? (Answer: Cadet Nurse Corps)
  • Match company abbreviations to full names, e.g., ALCOA = Aluminum Company of America, ARMCO = American Rolling Mill Company, CONOCO = Continental Oil Company, NABISCO = National Biscuit Company.

Notable Moment:

“I try it, but it doesn’t do much good. My wife has better slogans than I have.”
— Philip J. Kelly (New York contestant), [02:05]

3. Mid-show Sponsor Story & Segue

[10:03]

• Entertaining sponsor segment: a fable about “Plain Jane” and her beautiful but less hygienic roommate, highlighting the value of Listerine toothpaste in winning over “Prince Charming.”

Memorable Quote:

“He didn’t go for either one. He went for Listerine toothpaste.”
— Bud Collier, [10:50]

4. Round 2: War, Science, and Language Trivia

[11:05–17:35]

• Sample Questions:
  • Have war dogs (canines) been trained as mine detectors? (Yes)
  • Match items to kingdoms: Celanese (should be mineral but actually is a synthetic fiber; responses vary), Pekinese (animal), Manganese (mineral).
  • What do trade names like “Cellophane,” “Kodak,” “Thermos” have in common? (Common dictionary use; became generic terms)
• Partial credit or friendly debate when contestants hedge answers.

Notable Quote:

“In addition to being trade names, what do these words have in common? They all became part of our everyday language.”
— Bud Collier, [13:40]

5. Round 3: Visual Trademarks, Show Tunes, Shakespeare

[19:00–26:20]

• Sample Questions:
  • Identify products by their trademark: The pyramids, an Indian chief, “Satan.”
    • (E.g., Indian chief might suggest Indian Head penny, or Indian Oil Company, Satan = Underwood's Deviled Ham).
  • “Old Man River” is associated with which musical? (Show Boat)
  • Famous Shakespeare lines and their plays (“Uneasy lies the head…”, “A horse! A horse! My kingdom for a horse!” etc. – with mixed accuracy in answers.)

Notable Banter:

“These days of A coupons you can say that again—‘A horse! My kingdom for a horse!’”
— Bud Collier, [22:55]
“My Shakespearean acting is very, very lousy…”
— Holland Engel, [25:12]

6. Round 4: Historical Figures as Trademarks, WWII Culture

[27:00–32:00]

• Sample Questions:
  • Identify trademarks featuring historic figures: Abraham Lincoln (Lincoln Life Insurance), Prince Albert (tobacco/cigars), Sir Walter Raleigh (Raleigh cigarettes).
  • “Fifinella” (WWII female gremlins, answer confirmed by singing “Three Blind Mice”).
  • Liberty ship Louis Pasteur: Instead of champagne, what fluid was it christened with? (Milk, in honor of Pasteur’s work on pasteurization.)

Memorable Exchanges:

“How’s your voice, Mr. Sumner?”
— Bud Collier [28:09]
“Well, it’s passive.”
— G. Lin Sumner

7. Jackpot Question: Presidential Running Mates

[32:28–34:10]

• Fast-paced, both teams must list the vice presidents for a series of recent presidents within 25 seconds.
• Both teams stumble on details (e.g., confusion over Curtis as VP for both Hoover and Coolidge; Chicago correctly names Dawes for Coolidge).

8. Final Scores and Sign-Off

[34:15]

• New York takes the win: Final score, Chicago 100 – New York 120.
• Both teams celebrated for lively participation and contributing winnings to worthy causes (“Off The Street Club” mentioned by Chicago’s Glenn Miller).

Parting Words:

“Let’s get off the air fast, folks. Be with us next Sunday…”
— Michael Fitzmaurice, [34:30]

Notable Quotes & Moments

• Banter on Advertising Life:
  “You don’t advertise around the house, do you—walk around with slogans and what?”
  — Bud Collier, [02:03]
• Wartime Community Spirit:
  “A mighty swell job they’re doing too, and all women’s services need more members. You can just bet your boots on that.”
  — Bud Collier, [04:10]
• Sponsor Humor:
  “I always vote the straight Listerine ticket: Listerine toothpaste, Listerine shaving cream, and Listerine antiseptic…three excellent candidates with long, clean records…”
  — [25:44]

Timestamps for Key Segments

• Show introduction & team intros: [01:01–02:30]
• Round 1 Q&A: [02:30–08:35]
• Lively sponsor fable (Listerine): [10:03–11:05]
• Round 2 Q&A: [11:05–17:35]
• Midway Score Announcement: [18:55–19:00]
• Round 3 Q&A: [19:00–26:20]
• Discussion on trademark figures & WWII cultures (Fifinella): [27:00–32:00]
• Jackpot lightning round: [32:28–34:10]
• Final scores & signoff: [34:15–End]

Summary and Atmosphere

This classic episode gives listeners a charming window into the radio quiz shows of the 1940s, brimming with sharp trivia, period references, clever sponsor integration, and a sense of community and war-era patriotism. While both teams show spirit and wit, New York just edges out Chicago, but the real victory is the camaraderie and good cheer shared on the airwaves.

Perfect for listeners who enjoy:

• Vintage radio and advertising history
• WWII-era American culture
• Lively, good-natured competition
• Nostalgic entertainment with clever sponsor tie-ins