Riding High 37-04-22 (04) Guest - Hildegarde

Summary

Podcast Summary: Harold's Old Time Radio – "Riding High 37-04-22 (04) Guest - Hildegarde"

Release Date: June 28, 2025
Duration: Approximately 15 minutes

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Introduction and Show Opening

Timestamp: [00:14]

Ray Sinatra opens the episode of "Harold's Old Time Radio" with his orchestra, setting the stage for an evening filled with vibrant performances and engaging discussions. He introduces the guest of the night, Hildegarde La Belle, an American star renowned in European nightclubs. Accompanying her are Carl Tress and Dick McDonough, acclaimed as America’s leading swing guitarists. The show kicks off energetically with Ray and his band performing the lively track "Slap that Bass."

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Fashion Segment with Betty Goodwin

Timestamp: [02:21] - [04:40]

Ray Sinatra transitions the show to a fashion-focused segment, featuring Betty Goodwin, the esteemed fashion editor of the National Broadcasting Company (NBC). Betty delves into the burgeoning trend of bicycle fashion, emphasizing its dual appeal for practicality and style.

Notable Quotes:

• Betty Goodwin [02:45]:
  "There are lots of reasons for taking up bicycling. Some of the radio stars bicycle to get thin. Others bicycle because it's such a practical sport for someone who lives in the city."

• Betty Goodwin [03:15]:
  "From my point of view as a fashion editor, the best reason for being a bicycle enthusiast is that no woman could help being enthusiastic about the new bicycle clothes."

She highlights the latest in bicycle attire for women, including:

• Tailored slacks and jackets: Combining comfort with style.
• Black fabrics: Dominating this year’s bicycle fashion.
• Ankle clamps: Designed like bracelets to prevent trouser legs from getting caught in spokes.
• Pleated shorts: Longer than traditional shorts, just above the knees, offering a graceful silhouette.
• Culottes (divided skirts): Shorter and more elegant, providing ease of movement.
• Linen knapsacks and bicycle jewelry: Functional yet fashionable accessories.

Betty introduces a complimentary 22-page booklet titled "Fashion Cycle," featuring color photographs of popular radio stars, including Hildegarde, sporting the latest bicycle fashions. She encourages listeners to request their free copies by sending a penny postcard to the NBC Fashion Editor in New York.

Betty Goodwin [04:10]:
"We present Ms. Betty Goodwin with all the color fashion photographs of the radio stars."

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Musical Performance: "When Love Is Young" by Hildegard La Belle

Timestamp: [04:40] - [07:22]

Returning to the musical segment, Ray Sinatra introduces Hildegard La Belle to perform the romantic ballad "When Love Is Young." Her melodious voice captivates the audience as she delivers heartfelt lyrics about the exuberance and fragility of young love.

Lyrics Excerpt: "When love is young, you must let your heart be sway. When love is young, each song is a serenade..."

Hildegard's performance sets a tender and nostalgic mood, resonating with listeners who cherish the timeless themes of love and dreams.

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Swing Guitar Performance: "Chicken a la Swing" by Kyle Kress and Dick McDonough

Timestamp: [07:22] - [09:19]

Ray Sinatra introduces Kyle Kress and Dick McDonough, heralded as guitar virtuosos in the swing genre. They perform an original piece titled "Chicken a la Swing," showcasing their exceptional guitar skills and innovative arrangements. The number is a delightful blend of upbeat rhythms and intricate melodies, embodying the essence of swing music.

Notable Interaction:

• Ray Sinatra [07:55]:
  "It. That's my favorite dish. Looking forward to daylight saving time. And who wants to save daylight when the nights are so grand?"

Their performance adds a lively and dynamic flair to the show, keeping the energy high and the audience engaged.

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Musical Duet: "Let's Call the Whole Thing Off" with Ray Sinatra and Hildegard La Belle

Timestamp: [09:19] - [11:15]

The spotlight returns to Hildegard La Belle as she teams up with Ray Sinatra for a charming rendition of the classic duet "Let's Call the Whole Thing Off." Their harmonious voices intertwine seamlessly, delivering playful lyrics about the humorous disagreements in a romantic relationship.

Lyrics Excerpt: "You like potato and I like potato. You like tomato and I like potato... Oh, let's call the whole thing off."

This duet not only entertains but also showcases the chemistry between the host and the guest, adding depth and relatability to the performance.

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Final Fashion Promotion and Show Conclusion

Timestamp: [11:15] - [14:54]

As the musical performances draw to a close, Ray Sinatra revisits the fashion segment, reiterating the benefits of Betty Goodwin's "Fashion Cycles" booklet. He emphasizes how the latest bicycle fashions can enhance both style and physical well-being.

Ray Sinatra [11:30]:
"Remember the address NBC Fashion Editor, NBC New York, and as soon as you receive your free copy, take it to your favorite store for assistance and advice as to the costumes best suited to your personality."

The promotion underscores the synergy between fashion and lifestyle, encouraging listeners to embrace cycling with style.

Ray also hints at future episodes, teasing next week's feature on Gene Ellington and the Revelers, and acknowledges the show's sponsorship by Cycle Trades of America.

Closing Remark: "We are only as good as our legs. This is the Blue Network of the National Broadcasting Company."

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Post-Show Note

Timestamp: [14:54]

The episode concludes with a brief utterance from Betty Goodwin, saying, "Sam.," likely a callback to an earlier interaction, maintaining the show's light-hearted and personable tone.

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Conclusion

In "Riding High 37-04-22 (04) Guest - Hildegarde," Harold's Old Time Radio masterfully blends music, fashion, and engaging conversation to transport listeners back to the Golden Age of Radio. Through captivating performances by Hildegard La Belle and stellar guitarists Carl Tress and Dick McDonough, complemented by insightful segments from fashion expert Betty Goodwin, the episode offers a rich and nostalgic auditory experience. Notable quotes and lively interactions enhance the show's authenticity, making it a delightful listen for both longtime fans and newcomers alike.

Transcript

[Ray Sinatra]

Riding High, Riding the Killer Cycles with Ray Sinatra and his orchestra featuring radio's brightest stars. This evening, Ray presents Hildegard La Belle American of the European nightclub. Carl tress and Dick McDonough, America's greatest exponents of the swing guitar. Ray Sinatra and the boys open the show with Slap that Base.

[Hildegard La Belle]

It's Sam.

[Ray Sinatra]

If you've heard on your radio a dulcet voice telling of fashion dictates with an authenticity that could only come from expert knowledge. Then you've been listening to Betty Goodwin, fashion editor of the National Broadcasting Company. We have asked Ms. Goodwin to search the market to tell you where the most beautiful sports were to be found. I also understand she has a real gift for you. We present Ms. Betty Goodwin.

[Betty Goodwin]

There are lots of reasons for taking up bicycling. Some of the radio stars bicycle to get thin. Others bicycle because it's such a practical sport for someone who lives in the city. After all, it costs a lot to feed a horse, but not a bicycle. But Sirius may strike. From my point of view as a fashion editor, the best reason for being a bicycle enthusiast is that no woman could help being enthusiastic about the new bicycle clothes. They're beautifully tailored slacks with jackets. Blacks are the big news in bicycle fashions this year. And new ankle clamps, they're something like bracelets to keep trouser legs out of the wheel spokes. And then shorts. Only this year they're longer shorts, if that's possible. Just above the knees. Lots of them are pleated all around like a little girl's skirt. Culottes, better known as divided skirts, are shorter and more graceful. And then there are linen knapsacks to carry your makeup. Bicycle cap, bicycle jewelry. And now here comes your gift. We've taken pictures of all these fashions for you. And the pictures are posed by your favorite radio stars. They're in a beautifully bound 22 page booklet fashion Cycle. I'm sure you'll like it. Hildegarde's in the booklet, photographs in color, Lucille Manor, Shirley Lloyd, Elsie Hitch, Bernice Claire, Max Jean Elizabeth Wragge, many others. All wearing smart new sports outfits, which, incidentally, are very moderately priced. In fact, Siphon Cycles tells you exactly how your own local store can order the very same sports clothes for you. This booklet is free, but I must warn you that we printed a limited number. And if you want to be sure to get your copy, write your name and address on a penny postcard. Address the NBC fashion editor, NBC New York. And if your letter reaches me right away, I can Promise you a free copy of Fashion Cycles with all the color fashion photographs of the radio stars.

[Ray Sinatra]

Thank you, Betty Goodwin. Your search certainly was successful. Seizing the opportunity occasioned by her brief visit to America between an extended Paris engagement and sailing to London for special coronation appearances, we proudly present Hildegard in the very appropriate number. When Love Is Young.

[Hildegard La Belle]

When love is young, you must let your heart be sway. When love is young, each song is a serum. This is a lovely night for dreaming Under a jack o' lantern moon. And though my foolish heart is teeming, don't end my dream too soon. When love is young, you must let a heart sway. When love is young, each song is a serenade. The night breathing invitation Two moments divine. Oh, please save the situation and tell me you'll be mine. When love is young. The stars seem to boast of it. And while we're young, we must make the most of it. Let's know every precious moment until our song is sung. For life is agreeable when love is young.

[Ray Sinatra]

Thank you, Hildegard. That was the top. Alvin, Ray, won't you present your friends? Thank you, Eloise. I'm always glad to introduce Kyle Kress and Dick McDonough, guitarist extraordinaire in the hot delicacy Chicken a la Swing, written by the boys themselves.

[Betty Goodwin]

It.

[Ray Sinatra]

It. Thanks, boys. That's my favorite dish. Looking forward to daylight saving time. And who wants to save daylight when the nights are so grand? Hildegard suggests. Let's call the whole thing off.

[Hildegard La Belle]

It just seems that we two can get along. Because you say either and I say either. You say neither and I say neither, either, either, neither, neither. Oh, let's call the whole thing awful. You like potato and I like potato. You like tomato and I like potato. Potato, potato, tomato, tomato. Oh, let's call the whole thing off. But, oh, if we call the whole thing off, then we must part. And oh, if we ever part, then that might break my heart. So if you like pajamas and I like pajamas, well, I'll wear pajamas and give up pajamas. Oh, we know we need each other. So we better call the calling off. Off. Oh, let's call the whole thing off.

[Betty Goodwin]

Yes, do.

[Ray Sinatra]

Thank you again, Hildegard, and bon voyage.

[Hildegard La Belle]

Thank you, mister.

[Ray Sinatra]

And now Ray and the boys are going to tell you how you'll feel when you ride your bicycle in that new smart costume. It certainly is going to be a great day. Dowagers and debutants find bicycling the ideal recreation for many reasons. It provides joyful occasions to breeze along on your bike, wearing the season's smartest footwear and the extra thrill of knowing this glorious fun is streamlining your figure so that you may look your charming best. If you would like to have the benefit of Betty Goodwin's fashion research with color pictures of radio's stars wearing these smart creations, write for Fashion Cycles. Mail a penny postcard with your name and address to the NBC Fashion Editor, NBC New York. This book is free, but act at once. Send for Fashion Cycles Tonight. Remember the address NBC Fashion Editor, NBC New York and as soon as you receive your free copy, take it to your favorite store for assistance and advice as to the costumes best suited to your personality. And then you'll be riding high in the new swing skirts. You're only as good as your legs. Your announcer is Eloise Abrila. Our guest stars for next week will be Gene Ellington and the Revelers. This program is brought to you by the Cycle Trades of America. Among the selection showdown of program was the title tune from Great Day. This is the Blue Network of the National Broadcasting Company.

[Betty Goodwin]

Sam.