Redbook Dramas 32-06-02 ep02 He Knew Women

Summary

Podcast Episode Summary: "Redbook Dramas 32-06-02 ep02 He Knew Women"

Podcast Information:

• Title: Harold's Old Time Radio
• Host/Author: Harold's Old Time Radio
• Episode: Redbook Dramas 32-06-02 ep02 He Knew Women
• Release Date: May 22, 2025
• Description: This episode features a dramatized adaptation of "He Knew Women," a story from Red Book magazine, capturing the essence of the Golden Age of Radio. Listeners are transported to a bygone era where families gathered around the radio to enjoy captivating narratives and iconic characters.

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Introduction to the Drama

The episode begins with an advertisement for Moti Health, which is promptly skipped, adhering to the user's request to exclude non-content sections. The drama commences with Edwin Balmer introducing the story, highlighting its selection by the distinguished editor of Red Book magazine and acknowledging Virginia Harner, the author of "He Knew Women."

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About the Author: Virginia Harner

Speaker: Edwin Balmer
Timestamp: [00:32] - [01:33]

Virginia Harner, the creator of "He Knew Women," is depicted as a wife of an associate press correspondent stationed in Bogota, Colombia. Harner hails from Illinois and finds herself in the extreme climate of Bogota—a city characterized by its high-altitude conditions, where residents experience freezing nights and scorching days. Her writing vividly captures the cultural blend of Spanish and Indigenous influences in the region, offering fresh and eager insights into the life of Americans suddenly transported to such exotic locales.

Notable Quote:
"She writes freshly, eagerly of the things of the tropics and the mountaintops do to Americans so suddenly transported there."
— Virginia Harner [01:10]

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Main Characters

1. Janice Doyle

   • A sophisticated woman visiting her friend in Bogota.
   • Artistic and introspective, she aspires to write a play.
   • Struggles with her feelings toward Phil Langley.

2. Phil Langley

   • Handsome, athletic, and sophisticated.
   • Lives and works in the jungle, extracting oil.
   • Portrayed as a hard-boiled romanticist with a complex past.
   • Engages in a tumultuous relationship with Janice.

3. Alice Arkwood

   • Janice's friend and confidante.
   • Offers advice to Janice about her feelings for Phil.
   • Possesses a detailed diary of Phil's actions and statements.

4. Bob

   • Alice's companion, appears briefly.

5. Maria Eaton

   • Owner of Cafe Portos, serves coffee to Phil and Janice.

6. Reporter

   • Represents the media seeking Phil's attention in New York.

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Plot Summary

Initial Encounter and Tension (00:59 - 03:16)

The story introduces Janice Doyle in Bogota, where she reconnects with her friend Alice Arkwood. Janice receives a call from Phil Langley, whose familiarity with her background creates an immediate tension. Phil's probing questions about Janice's origins and personal history reveal a deeper, possibly manipulative connection. Janice expresses her awareness of Phil's character, hinting at a history of heartbreak associated with him.

Notable Quote:
"A hard boiled romanticist at your orders, as we say in Spanish."
— Phil Langley [02:53]

Developing Relationship and Cautionary Advice (03:02 - 05:14)

Janice reveals her budding interest in Phil to Alice, who cautions her against falling for him. Alice shares insights from her diary, detailing Phil's past and his interactions with women, indicating a pattern of elusiveness and heartache. Janice decides to channel her emotions into writing a play, aiming to portray Phil's character accurately.

Notable Quote:
"He'd make such a wonderful character in a book or a play."
— Janice Doyle [03:27]

Conflict and Revelation (05:14 - 08:35)

As Janice prepares to leave Bogota, Phil confronts her about her sudden departure. He professes his love, but Janice remains resolute, revealing her plan to leave for New York and a supposed millionaire suitor. A sudden rainstorm leads Phil to take Janice to his quarters, where their confrontation intensifies. Janice accuses Phil of infidelity and emotional detachment, leading to a heated exchange where both reveal vulnerabilities and unresolved emotions.

Notable Quotes:
"I hate you. Conquest it all. Goodbye."
— Janice Doyle [08:43]

"I love you, Janice. I always had."
— Janice Doyle [12:55]

Climax and Public Exposure (08:43 - 13:35)

In a twist, Phil becomes aware of Janice's play, "Petrolero," which fictionalizes his life and relationship with her. Confronted by a reporter seeking publicity, Phil orchestrates a staged marriage ceremony to exploit Janice's portrayal of him in the play. This public spectacle forces Janice to confront the reality of their relationship and the consequences of her artistic expression. The episode culminates in a complex interplay of love, betrayal, and the quest for personal and artistic integrity.

Notable Quote:
"Well, that's what I travel under. What the."
— Phil Langley [09:37]

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Themes and Insights

1. Romantic Idealism vs. Reality:
   The relationship between Janice and Phil showcases the clash between idealized love and the harsh truths of human connections. Janice's artistic aspirations conflict with Phil's pragmatic and guarded nature.

2. Artistic Expression and Personal Life:
   Janice's decision to write a play based on her experiences with Phil highlights the tension between personal life and creative expression. The play becomes a medium for Janice to process her emotions and assert control over her narrative.

3. Public Image vs. Private Reality:
   Phil's confrontation with the media and his manipulation of public perception underscore the challenges of maintaining one's private life amidst external scrutiny and public expectations.

4. Empowerment and Self-Determination:
   Janice's journey reflects her struggle for autonomy, choosing to leave an unfulfilling situation and assert her own path, both personally and creatively.

Notable Insight:
"There is no one else like him I can believe. Then no woman will ever catch him, Janice."
— Alice Arkwood [04:05]

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Conclusion

"He Knew Women" offers a nuanced exploration of love, ambition, and self-discovery set against the backdrop of exotic Bogota. Through the intricate dynamics between Janice and Phil, the story delves into the complexities of human relationships and the sacrifices made in the pursuit of personal and artistic fulfillment. The dramatization captures the essence of the Golden Age of Radio, providing listeners with a compelling narrative enriched by authentic character portrayals and emotionally charged dialogues.

Adaptation Credit:
The story was adapted for radio by Lawrence Holcombe, ensuring a faithful and engaging rendition of Virginia Harner's original work.

Notable Quote:
"Well, I did. But why did you write the play in the first place? Did you hate me so much I."
— Phil Langley [12:11]

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Final Note:
This episode stands as a testament to the storytelling prowess of the Golden Age, blending drama, romance, and societal commentary into a seamless auditory experience. Whether revisiting classic tales or discovering them anew, listeners are sure to be captivated by the rich narratives presented by Harold's Old Time Radio.

Transcript

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[Edwin Balmer]

Ladies and gentlemen, we take great pleasure in presenting in dramatic form another of the stories especially selected for us by Edwin Balmer, the distinguished editor of Red Book magazine. We are pleased to announce that the publishers of Red Book magazine have given us special permission to broadcast these stories. Mr. Balmer is here in the studio and before the story begins, we're going to ask him to tell you something about the author of this story. Mr. Balmer.

[Virginia Harner]

Virginia Harner, the author of He Knew Women, is a wife of an associate press correspondent at Bogota, Columbia. That is a city near the equator, but on the mountaintop so high that you freeze by night, though you bake by day under the blazing sun. Virginia Harner was an Illinois girl suddenly transported to this amazing, exotic city of extremes where the Spanish and Indians made a miraculous blend of their own. She writes freshly, eagerly of the things of the tropics and the mountaintops do to Americans so suddenly transported there. And so he bought this altogether unusual story.

[Edwin Balmer]

Thank you, Mr. Balmer. Now for the story. Janice Doyle is visiting her friend Alice Arkwood in Bogota. Janice has a caller this evening. It is Phil Langley. Handsome, athletic, sophisticated. Here they are.

[Phil Langley]

Everyone has asked you how you like Bogota.

[Janice Doyle]

Of course, of course. Ask me what part of the States I'm from. Everyone else has.

[Phil Langley]

Don't need to, Janice. I know. I know more than that.

[Janice Doyle]

What more, Phil?

[Phil Langley]

Well, you're an expensive child from New York. Your father had an unfortunate experience with the stock market. And a still more unfortunate one with a 40 story window.

[Janice Doyle]

And I'm waiting for the estate to be settled. Yes.

[Phil Langley]

By the way, what makes your eyes green and what makes them slant that way?

[Janice Doyle]

Kid, girl is my younger days. Alice told me you'd be like this. Go away and break the heart of somebody else.

[Phil Langley]

Don't want to break it. Much too difficult. Say, how did we get onto this subject?

[Janice Doyle]

I can't imagine.

[Phil Langley]

I'll turn on the Victrola and we'll dance.

[Janice Doyle]

Oh, no, not to that awful music.

[Phil Langley]

Awful. When you've been here six years as I have, it sounds mighty good.

[Janice Doyle]

Domineering sort, aren't you? And you make your living out in the jungle away from white people. It must be hard on the natives.

[Phil Langley]

It is.

[Janice Doyle]

Here you are, as they tell me, one of the modern parallels of the old Spanish conquistadors.

[Phil Langley]

Hardly. I merely squeeze oil from the jungle.

[Janice Doyle]

Tell me truthfully, what kind of a person are you really?

[Phil Langley]

A hard boiled romanticist at your orders, as we say in Spanish.

[Janice Doyle]

Is there romance in the jungle then?

[Phil Langley]

Romance the dickens. There's hard work and malarial fever.

[Janice Doyle]

Oh, here come Alice and Bob.

[Phil Langley]

Back from cards already? Oh, it's late. I must be running.

[Alice Arkwood]

Hello, Alice. We're back. Janice. Boring at a death, Phil.

[Phil Langley]

Trying not to, Alice. Good night, Janice.

[Janice Doyle]

Good night, Conquestador.

[Alice Arkwood]

Going?

[Phil Langley]

Yes. Time to run. Bye bye.

[Alice Arkwood]

Good night. You're interested in him, I can see it.

[Janice Doyle]

I'm afraid I am, Alice.

[Alice Arkwood]

Very good. But keep your head.

[Janice Doyle]

He'd make such a wonderful character in a book or a play.

[Alice Arkwood]

He told you that? He's winning the crowd of gear in the world War, I suppose.

[Janice Doyle]

And that's about that Swedish actress of his college days and his bootlegged rum as a ship's purser on the behemoth run. Keep your head, Janice.

[Alice Arkwood]

Use Phil as a character in one of your stories if you wish, but guard your emotions.

[Janice Doyle]

Why? He's only pleasantly dangerous.

[Alice Arkwood]

You may be falling in love with him.

[Janice Doyle]

Oh, perhaps. Alice.

[Alice Arkwood]

Don't do it, my dear. We've all been in love with him at one time or another. There is no one else like him I can believe. Then no woman will ever catch him, Janice.

[Janice Doyle]

Oh, he's a treasure. What Phil would be best in is a play.

[Alice Arkwood]

Why don't you write for him? He would be marvelous.

[Janice Doyle]

If I only knew more about him.

[Alice Arkwood]

Just a minute. I've everything you need. Look, I've kept a record of every witted thing he ever said or did here in my diary. Alice, listen. March 1929. I never married. I understand women.

[Janice Doyle]

Tonight he told me he never married because no woman ever understood him.

[Alice Arkwood]

He did.

[Janice Doyle]

Yes. I seem to be an easy mark for old self.

[Alice Arkwood]

All right. You won't be again.

[Janice Doyle]

You're right. I'm going to start on that play tomorrow.

[Alice Arkwood]

Good. You can show him up as he's never been shown up before.

[Janice Doyle]

I will enjoy writing this one. Don't let anything disturb me, will you, Alice? I won't. I won't see him again till after it's done.

[Alice Arkwood]

What are you going to call the play, Janice?

[Janice Doyle]

Call it? Yes. Oh, I don't know.

[Alice Arkwood]

Why don't you name it?

[Janice Doyle]

Petrileo. Petrilero. What does it mean?

[Alice Arkwood]

The oil man.

[Janice Doyle]

Perfect. Tomorrow I start on Petro Les Roll.

[Phil Langley]

It's. It's beautiful out this evening.

[Janice Doyle]

Yes.

[Phil Langley]

Why are you so quiet, Janice? You're pensive.

[Janice Doyle]

Well, I've reason to be, Phil.

[Phil Langley]

What have you really been doing this past week? I wasn't able to reach you even by telephone.

[Janice Doyle]

I was taking a man's soul apart to see what it looked like.

[Phil Langley]

What do you mean?

[Janice Doyle]

I was writing a play.

[Phil Langley]

Oh. And whose soul were you tearing apart?

[Janice Doyle]

Oh, why? Oh, a chap I met a year ago in China.

[Phil Langley]

And that's kept you busy the whole week?

[Janice Doyle]

I had a letter to spur me on. The estate is settled. I've inherited a hundred dollar bill.

[Phil Langley]

A hundred duck. Is that all you have?

[Janice Doyle]

That and plane reservations for the coast tomorrow and passage by boat to New York.

[Phil Langley]

But you're not leaving, Janice.

[Janice Doyle]

Why should I stay?

[Phil Langley]

Oh, I'll miss you dreadfully.

[Janice Doyle]

Oh, no you won't, Phil. You live only in the present.

[Phil Langley]

Well, that's true, I guess.

[Janice Doyle]

There's a millionaire willing to marry me in New York.

[Phil Langley]

Well, that. That's inducement enough for any woman, I suppose.

[Janice Doyle]

Oh, it's going to rain.

[Phil Langley]

One of these sudden tropic showers. Quick, into the left.

[Janice Doyle]

Oh, sodded the door there.

[Phil Langley]

I have a key. Than simply so it lucky we were near here.

[Janice Doyle]

Where are we, Phil? What house is this? Where have you taken me?

[Phil Langley]

This is where I live.

[Edwin Balmer]

Here.

[Phil Langley]

This door is to my quarters. Do you want to go in?

[Janice Doyle]

Was it raining outside? Yes.

[Phil Langley]

I have an open fire.

[Janice Doyle]

Oh, it's lovely.

[Phil Langley]

Let's see about getting some coffee. Maria, Cafe Portos. She'll have it right away.

[Janice Doyle]

The fire feels so good. Tell me, Phil, is poverty a reality?

[Phil Langley]

Nothing is reality. Nothing is permanent, Janice.

[Janice Doyle]

Then how do you escape from such a world of impermanence?

[Phil Langley]

Poetry, for instance. I have been faithful to thee, Cinera, after my fashion.

[Janice Doyle]

Please don't. Please don't. You quoted that line to Alice three months after you met her.

[Phil Langley]

Won't you stop throwing my past in my face? Can't you see it's different with you?

[Janice Doyle]

No, I can't.

[Phil Langley]

Oh. Ah, here's the coffee. Put it down there. Maria Eaton. One lump of two. Janice, do, please. And you're leaving tomorrow?

[Janice Doyle]

Yes.

[Phil Langley]

Let's state a hypothetical case. Suppose you didn't leave. What then?

[Janice Doyle]

I might marry.

[Phil Langley]

Who, me? Well, no, Janice. Phil Langley hates responsibility. He's selfish, extravagant. Janice wouldn't want him. Isn't there an alternative?

[Janice Doyle]

Yes. I can tear up the room reservation, go to the dogs in a Nice ladylike way, of course.

[Phil Langley]

Well, don't you suppose we could arrange to go to the dogs together, Phil? All right. I beg your pardon. But listen. I love you, Janice.

[Janice Doyle]

This cup, Phil, how many other women have had coffee from it?

[Phil Langley]

Will you get off that subject? The others don't matter. I love you.

[Janice Doyle]

I doubt it.

[Phil Langley]

Do you? I'll show you.

[Janice Doyle]

Look out. Phil, don't.

[Phil Langley]

Janice. Janice. I love you, I tell you.

[Janice Doyle]

Let go of me. Thank you.

[Phil Langley]

Then you are going?

[Janice Doyle]

Of course, before me there were other women ask to me. Other women? But you'll never forget me.

[Phil Langley]

I couldn't, Janice.

[Janice Doyle]

I'll make sure of that. In three ways, no woman will ever drink from that cup again. And this purple robe into the fire. No woman will ever wear that.

[Phil Langley]

And the third way, I'll take your.

[Janice Doyle]

Soul apart and show it to the world. Phil Langley, you're the only man I ever asked to marry me.

[Phil Langley]

But, Janice, you refuse.

[Janice Doyle]

You'll never be able to forget me.

[Phil Langley]

And I'll never forget you, my dear. You smashed my coffee cup, you burned my robe. And now you're in a fair way to break my heart.

[Janice Doyle]

I hate you. Conquest it all. Goodbye.

[Phil Langley]

Yes, this is Mr. Philip Langley speaking, the desk clerk. What do you want? Fifteen reporters and cameramen to see me? Of course I won't. There must be some mistake. Well, tell them I won't see them. I came to New York for vacation. It's my first trip to the States in years. Well, they must want someone else. There's a mistake. I tell you. One of them slip by and come up to my room. We'll hold the others. All right, all right. Come in.

[Reporter]

You're Phil Langley, aren't you?

[Phil Langley]

Oh, that's. That's what I travel under. What the.

[Reporter]

Don't be nervous. Just getting a flashlight picture of you.

[Phil Langley]

Look here, what's this all about? I'm not the Prince of Wales.

[Reporter]

Well, you're the guy I want.

[Phil Langley]

What kind of a joke is this?

[Reporter]

Hey, what's your reaction to getting back to the States after years spent in the jungle?

[Phil Langley]

That I'd be mighty pleased to have you clear out of here.

[Reporter]

She sure hit you right? If anyone ever did.

[Phil Langley]

Who hit me right? What are you talking about?

[Reporter]

Oh, come now. Don't pretend ignorance. Do you mean to say you really don't know why I'm here?

[Phil Langley]

I haven't the slightest idea.

[Reporter]

You mean, you say that you don't know why I'm here? Why, if there's a play called Petrolero that's taken Broadway by storm.

[Phil Langley]

Well, what of it?

[Reporter]

Why, it's a play about realism in South America. And the hero of it is named Phil Langley.

[Phil Langley]

What?

[Reporter]

Yes, it's about you. Written by Janice Doyle, cream of society, daughter of old J.J. ye gods. Say, where have you been?

[Phil Langley]

Bogota. If I ever get hold of Janice, I'll choke the living daylight out of her.

[Reporter]

Why, look. Look out of the window there. There's the sign, the electric sign. Petrolero flashing now. And here's the ad in the paper, see?

[Phil Langley]

So she likes publicity, does she?

[Reporter]

Give me a statement, won't you?

[Phil Langley]

I'll do better than that. I'll give you a story and her the best publicity she ever got, if you'll help me.

[Reporter]

Anything for a story, mister, if it's good.

[Phil Langley]

Can you get me a marriage license? At this time of night? And someone to perform the ceremony?

[Reporter]

You bet I can.

[Phil Langley]

Can you turn out a fire company?

[Reporter]

Yes, but what for?

[Phil Langley]

A story, of course.

[Reporter]

Well, what's it all about?

[Phil Langley]

The fire company will put a ladder up to the window of Janice Doyle's bedroom. You and I and the preacher and.

[Reporter]

All the other reporters will go up.

[Phil Langley]

The ladder and into that room in her bedroom.

[Reporter]

Great.

[Phil Langley]

And she'll be offered the chance to marry me in her pajamas. She'll get all the publicity in the world.

[Reporter]

I'll say she will.

[Phil Langley]

Well, hurry up before I change my mind. I'm feeling hard boiled right now.

[Reporter]

Do you take this man to be your lawful wedded husband?

[Phil Langley]

Say, I do.

[Janice Doyle]

I. I guess so.

[Phil Langley]

I now pronounce you man and wife.

[Reporter]

Hold that pose, will you?

[Phil Langley]

Now get out of here, all of you.

[Reporter]

What a story. What a story.

[Phil Langley]

Well, may have gone. Do you think that if I hadn't loved you, you could have escaped from me so easily that night in Bogota.

[Janice Doyle]

You acted like it.

[Phil Langley]

I tried to act like a gentleman, and look at what it got me. Public humiliation and a weeping wife. Why did you use my name in that play?

[Janice Doyle]

I hoped you'd come back and see it.

[Phil Langley]

Well, I did. But why did you write the play in the first place? Did you hate me so much I.

[Janice Doyle]

Almost tore it up? There was a choice of showing you to the world or starving to death.

[Phil Langley]

Starving to death? What about the millionaire you were going to marry?

[Janice Doyle]

There wasn't any. I only said that to make you jealous.

[Phil Langley]

Oh, I'm sorry, Janice. I didn't know it was that way. I did this tonight to hurt you.

[Janice Doyle]

Oh, don't go, Phil.

[Phil Langley]

You can get this annull tomorrow. It'll help in the box office anyway. So what does it matter?

[Janice Doyle]

Oh, no, no, wait, Phil, please.

[Phil Langley]

Wait for what, Janice?

[Janice Doyle]

Oh, you don't understand. I'm only crying because. Because I'm so happy.

[Phil Langley]

Happy?

[Janice Doyle]

Yeah.

[Phil Langley]

To marry me.

[Janice Doyle]

I love you, Phil. I always had say.

[Phil Langley]

Maybe I'm not glad you wrote that play.

[Edwin Balmer]

This story, He Knew Women by Virginia Harner, was broadcast by special permission of the publishers of Red Book magazine. Next week at this same time, we take pleasure in announcing that we will present another Red Book story in dramatic form. This story was adapted for the radio by Lawrence Holcombe.