Podcast Summary: "Raising A Husband - 45-11-22"

Podcast Information

• Title: Harold's Old Time Radio
• Host/Author: Harold's Old Time Radio
• Description: Reliving the Golden Age of Radio with classic radio shows from a time before television. Families gathered around the radio to enjoy popular shows like The Shadow, Abbott & Costello, Amos & Andy, Dragnet, and many more.
• Episode: Raising A Husband - 45-11-22
• Release Date: February 5, 2025

Introduction to "Raising a Husband"

In this delightful episode of Harold's Old Time Radio, listeners are transported to a lively Thanksgiving party hosted by Irene Beasley and Dwight. The show, titled "Raising a Husband," presents a comedic contest aimed at identifying "America's Best Raised Husband of the Week." Set against the backdrop of a festive Thanksgiving gathering, the hosts engage with four candidates, each vying for the coveted title and the accompanying grand prizes for their wives.

Notable Quote:

• Dwight [00:35]: "Would you like to make the he of the house the perfect helpmate in the home? Then join us as Mutual Presents, Raising a Husband, dedicated to family life and out to find the best raised husbands in America."

Meet the Hosts: Irene Beasley and Dwight

The episode kicks off with Dwight introducing Irene Beasley, whose role as the mistress of ceremonies sets the tone for an evening filled with humor and friendly competition. Irene warmly welcomes the audience, highlighting the Thanksgiving theme and the purpose of the show—to find the best-raised husbands through entertaining challenges and interactions with the candidates.

Notable Quote:

• Irene Beasley [01:00]: "Welcome to Raising a Husband. It's a Thanksgiving party here tonight as once again father tries his skill in mother's world."

Contestant Introduction

Four candidates are introduced, each representing different stages of marital bliss and experience:

1. Reese H. Sterman: A seasoned husband celebrating five years of marriage.
2. Mr. Tilly: A newlywed married for two days.
3. Mr. Cosman: A husband whose spouse is about to return from overseas.
4. Mr. Hartstein: The final contestant, a father of eleven Thanksgivings.

Notable Quote:

• Irene Beasley [01:41]: "Judging our contest are Mr. and Mrs. Leonard Cordays, married 51 years; Lieutenant and Mrs. John Corback, married two days; and our guest wife, Mrs. Donald Herschel, whose husband will soon return from overseas."

Contestant Challenges and Interactions

1. Reese H. Sterman: The Grasper of Opportunity

Reese engages in a playful challenge involving an apple hanging from a tree. He is tasked with eating the apple down to the core without using his hands while singing a modern tune he connects to Adam and Eve.

Notable Quotes:

• Irene Beasley [02:24]: "Reese H. Sterman."
• Reese H. Sterman [03:01]: "White meat."
• Irene Beasley [04:35]: "What is it?"
• Reese H. Sterman [04:37]: "Don't sit under the apple tree with anyone else but you."

Reese successfully completes the challenge, demonstrating his ability to grasp opportunities, earning him applause and a ten-dollar bill surprise hidden in the apple.

Notable Quote:

• Irene Beasley [06:47]: "Mr. Sterman, as the well-raised husband, you have certainly proven yourself a very good fellow, a wonderful guest, and a grasper of opportunity."

2. Mr. Tilly: The Master of Sewing and Emergencies

Mr. Tilly showcases his sewing skills by patching a tear in another contestant’s trousers within a limited time. The challenge highlights his ability to handle emergencies and his proficiency with household tasks like sewing buttons and using various pins.

Notable Quotes:

• Irene Beasley [08:10]: "Mr. Tilly, you better just go right over there and get Mr. Strauss into position so you can sew that patch on his trousers."
• Roger Strauss [10:30]: "Hey, can this guy really sew?"
• Irene Beasley [11:40]: "Mr. Tilly is the well-raised husband. You certainly are an excellent seamstress and a handler of emergencies."

Despite some humorous setbacks, Mr. Tilly successfully patches the trousers, earning a fitted sewing table as recognition of his skills.

Notable Quote:

• Irene Beasley [12:16]: "A hostess server for hot or cold drinks, a hand-polished lemonwood salad bowl with fork and spoon to match..."

3. Mr. Cosman: The Morning Milkman

Mr. Cosman takes on the role of bringing in the morning milk, an amusing twist that involves interacting with a live goat named Blossom. This challenge tests his adaptability and willingness to engage in traditional household roles.

Notable Quotes:

• Irene Beasley [14:43]: "Mr. Cosman, here's raising a husband's candidate number three, Mr. Cosman of Akron, Ohio."
• Mr. Cosman [17:10]: "I don't know anything about them."
• Irene Beasley [17:55]: "We accept this bottle of fresh milk as evidence that you bring in the morning supplies."

Mr. Cosman's successful interaction with Blossom the goat and his collection of morning milk earns him a gift basket of assorted cheeses as a souvenir.

Notable Quote:

• Irene Beasley [24:55]: "We accept this bottle of fresh milk as evidence that you bring in the morning supplies."

4. Mr. Hartstein: The Gracious Host

Mr. Hartstein exemplifies hospitality by taking on the role of the host during the party. He participates in hosting duties, including sharing jokes and identifying Thanksgiving tunes, demonstrating his social skills and commitment to making guests feel welcome.

Notable Quotes:

• Irene Beasley [19:49]: "Should the well-raised husband be a good host at a party?"
• Mr. Hartstein [22:19]: "Harvest moon."
• Irene Beasley [21:05]: "Mr. Hartstein, you certainly are the gracious host."

Mr. Hartstein's performance as a host, including correctly identifying and singing Thanksgiving songs, earns him a cake set as a token of appreciation.

Notable Quote:

• Irene Beasley [23:34]: "Mr. Hartstein is the well-raised husband. You're certainly the gracious host."

Piggy Bank Derby: A Test of Knowledge

The contestants participate in the Piggy Bank Derby, where they answer a historical question about the establishment of Thanksgiving as a national holiday. The question posed is:

"How many years since Thanksgiving was first declared a holiday by presidential proclamation?"

• Reese H. Sterman [26:09]: "I'd say about 20."
• Mr. Tilly [26:22]: "I'd say about 30."
• Mr. Cosman [26:32]: "About 80."
• Mr. Hartstein [26:41]: "82 years."

The correct answer was 81 years since Abraham Lincoln's proclamation in 1863. The closest responses from Mr. Hartstein resulted in a tie, awarding each a piggy bank filled with 511 pennies.

Notable Quote:

• Irene Beasley [26:49]: "Thanksgiving, friends, was first declared a holiday 81 years ago in 1863 by proclamation of Abraham Lincoln."

Judgment and Winner Announcement

After evaluating the performances, Irene and Dwight announce the winner of "America's Best Raised Husband of the Week." Reese H. Sterman is declared the winner due to his consistent performance and ability to seize opportunities, earning him a title certificate and a suite of grand prizes for his wife, including a winter rose blanket and kitchen appliances.

Notable Quotes:

• Dwight [28:18]: "Mr. Morris Sterman, our grasper of opportunity is hereby acclaimed. America's best raised husband of the week."
• Irene Beasley [28:28]: "Mr. Sterman, we award you this certificate of title, also a certificate of merit. Mrs. Sterman, we present you with this table of grand prizes."

Closing Remarks and Thanksgiving Sentiments

As the show concludes, Irene shares a heartfelt Thanksgiving thought set to music, encouraging listeners to join in the sentiment. The hosts extend their gratitude to the contestants, judges, and audience, wishing everyone a pleasant Thanksgiving holiday.

Notable Quote:

• Irene Beasley [30:55]: "Neighbors, since this is Thanksgiving night, it seems but fitting that we close our broadcast with a Thanksgiving thought. Will you folks in the audience please rise and join me in one of the loveliest thoughts ever set to music."

Conclusion

"Raising A Husband - 45-11-22" blends humor, warmth, and nostalgia, capturing the essence of the Golden Age of Radio. Through engaging challenges and playful interactions, the episode celebrates the ideals of partnership and household harmony, all under the festive umbrella of Thanksgiving. The show's blend of scripted humor and live interactions with contestants offers listeners both entertainment and a charming glimpse into historical family dynamics.

Notable Quote:

• Dwight [31:32]: "This is White Weiss speaking. On behalf of our cast, tonight's candidates and our mistress of ceremonies, Irene, wishing you a pleasant Thanksgiving holiday."

Additional Notes:

• Advertisements Skipped: The transcript included promotional segments for Heritage University, Chumba Casino, and Talkspace. As per instructions, these sections are omitted from the summary to maintain focus on the content-rich segments of the show.

• Humorous Elements: The episode leverages humor through situational comedy, such as the sewing challenge mishaps and interactions with the live goat, Blossom. These elements contribute to the lighthearted and entertaining atmosphere of the show.

• Cultural References: The challenges incorporate traditional Thanksgiving elements—such as turkey carving and Thanksgiving tunes—which resonate with the holiday theme and enhance the nostalgic feel of the program.

This episode serves as a charming homage to classic radio entertainment, blending competition with heartfelt Thanksgiving spirit, all while highlighting the humorous facets of marital life.