Saturday At The Shamrock 50-02-18 xxx Guests - Chico, Harpo Marx

Summary

Podcast Summary: Saturday At The Shamrock 50-02-18 xxx Featuring Chico and Harpo Marx

Podcast Information:

• Title: Harold's Old Time Radio
• Episode: Saturday At The Shamrock 50-02-18 xxx Guests - Chico, Harpo Marx
• Host/Author: Harolds Old Time Radio
• Release Date: April 7, 2025

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Introduction

The episode of Harold's Old Time Radio titled "Saturday At The Shamrock 50-02-18 xxx" transports listeners back to the Golden Age of Radio, capturing the nostalgic atmosphere of family gatherings around the radio before the advent of television. Hosted by Fred Nahar, the show features a vibrant lineup including the legendary Marx Brothers—Chico and Harpo—and the charming vocalist Alice Lee. The setting is the illustrious Shamrock Hotel in Houston, with live performances and engaging discussions that emulate the classic radio show experience.

Notable Opening Lines:

• Frank Babcock (00:01): "Here is Saturday at the Shamrock. This is Henry King, and this is Dick Kruger."
• Fred Nahar (01:11): "Good evening, ladies and gentlemen. Tonight the Shamrock Room is crowded to capacity with a number of distinguished personages."

Featured Performances

The show opens with Henry King and his orchestra setting the musical tone, accompanied by vocalist Dick Krueger. Alice Lee joins the stage with Chico and Harpo Marx, infusing the performance with their signature humor and musical talent.

Key Performances:

• "Sorry" by Dick Krueger (06:51): A heartfelt rendition capturing themes of love and regret.
• "I've Got to Have My Baby Back Home" by Dick Krueger (18:05): A soulful performance expressing longing and affection.
• "All The Things You Are" by Alice Lee (19:38): A beautiful ballad showcasing Lee's enchanting vocal abilities.

Notable Quotes:

• Fred Nahar (04:28): "Music has a way of building its own monument."
• Dick Krueger (06:51): "Can't you see that I'm sorry?... Won't you tell me you're sorry?"

Texas Q&A Segment

A recurring feature of the show is the "One Question, One Answer About Texas" segment. This week's question, submitted by Ms. Leona Simmons from Oakland, California, addresses whether Texas boasts a monument taller than the Washington Monument. Fred Nahar provides an informative response, highlighting the San Jacinto Monument's stature.

Key Points:

• The San Jacinto Monument stands at 575 feet, surpassing the Washington Monument's 555 feet 11/16 inches.
• Emphasis on the monuments' symbolic significance rather than competitive height.

Notable Quote:

• Fred Nahar (08:51): "The San Jacinto is the tallest stone monument in the world... built as confirmed demonstrations of the love and respect which all Americans hold for those men who have helped to make this a great nation."

Comedy and Banter with Chico and Harpo Marx

Chico and Harpo Marx bring their trademark humor and playful interactions to the show. Their conversations with Fred Nahar and each other add a lighthearted and entertaining dimension to the program.

Highlights:

• Nicknames Origin (22:36-23:37): Henry King explains the origins of the Marx Brothers' names, attributing "Groucho" to a "Grouch bag" used in school and "Chico" to his penchant for chasing chickens.
• Playful Conflict (12:18-16:25): A humorous exchange where Fred accuses Henry of lying, leading to Chico and Dick Krueger performing the song "You Told a Lie."

Notable Quotes:

• Chico Marx (15:18): "Well, you know, Fred, all musicians are kind of ambitious."
• Fred Nahar (12:26): "You told a lie, Henry. I never said anything of the kind."

Interactive Musical Segments

Throughout the episode, live performances interspersed with witty dialogues keep the audience engaged. Songs like "Sorry" and "I've Got to Have My Baby Back Home" are performed with emotional depth, while Alice Lee's "All The Things You Are" adds a touch of elegance to the evening.

Notable Musical Highlights:

• "Sorry" (06:51): Dick Krueger delivers an emotive performance, emphasizing themes of apology and longing.
• "I've Got to Have My Baby Back Home" (18:05): Another heartfelt rendition by Krueger, capturing the essence of yearning in love.
• "All The Things You Are" (19:38): Alice Lee's rendition is praised for its charm and vocal prowess.

Notable Quote:

• Alice Lee (20:12): "You are the breathless hush of evening that trembles on the brink of a lovely song."

Concluding Remarks

As the evening draws to a close, Fred Nahar expresses gratitude towards the performers and the audience, reinforcing the communal spirit of the show. The final medley, featuring "Crazy Rhythm" and "Girlfriend," is a fitting end to an entertaining night.

Closing Highlights:

• Fred Nahar (27:39): "Saturday at the Shamrock is always a lot of fun for all of us and we hope for you."
• Final Performance: A medley of classic tunes to leave listeners with a sense of joy and nostalgia.

Notable Quote:

• Fred Nahar (28:44): "Here is our wish that you will have a wonderful weekend wherever you are."

Conclusion

This episode of Harold's Old Time Radio successfully captures the essence of classic radio entertainment, blending live music, engaging discussions, and comedic interactions. The presence of Chico and Harpo Marx, along with Alice Lee and Henry King’s orchestra, creates a dynamic and memorable experience reminiscent of the beloved radio shows from decades past. Whether through touching musical performances or lighthearted banter, the show offers something for every listener, celebrating the timeless charm of radio's golden era.

Transcript

[Frank Babcock]

Here is Saturday at the Shamrock. This is Henry King, and this is Dick Kruger.

[Dick Krueger]

And When Irish Eyes Are Smiling.

[Frank Babcock]

And our featured guests, Chico and Harbor Marx with Alice Lee. All coming to you from America's magnificent hotel, the Shamrock in Houston. Coast to coast from the Shamrock Room of America's magnificent hotel. The American Broadcasting Company presents Saturday at the Shamrock. And here to spotlight the stars is our host, Fred Nahar. Thanks very much, Frank Batcock, and a cordial.

[Fred Nahar]

Good evening, ladies and gentlemen. Tonight the Shamrock Room is crowded to capacity with a number of distinguished personages. And we are particularly honored to welcome to Saturday at the Shamrock one of America's great veteran organizations, the Military Order of the World Wars. Tonight, our radio marquee is brilliant with names that are outstanding in the world of entertainment. First, Henry King, his piano and his orchestra. Featuring vocalist Dick Krueger. Next, a lovely lady with a charming voice, Alice Lee, who is appearing at the Shamrock with two of the zaniest, happiest musical heart warmers that have ever visited these microphones, Chico and Harle Martin.

[Henry King]

Sounds like a good show, Fred.

[Fred Nahar]

Yes, it is a good show, Henry. And let's get it off to a good musical start. What do you say? You bet.

[Chico Marx]

Mind if the boys and I warm up with a few scales first?

[Fred Nahar]

It's all yours, Henry.

[Harpo Marx]

It's.

[Fred Nahar]

You know. You know, music. Music has a way of building its own monument.

[Frank Babcock]

Pardon me, Mr. Nahas, but may we go through here?

[Fred Nahar]

This is the only way we can reach our chairs. It's so crowded, you know. Yes, yes, go ahead. Huh? Well, I said, music builds its own monuments. And the late Richard Whiting built.

[Harpo Marx]

Pardon me, please.

[Dick Krueger]

May I get.

[Fred Nahar]

Sorry, old man? Oh, yes, certainly. Of course. Built a monument of perpetual beauty when he gave.

[Henry King]

Sorry, old boy.

[Fred Nahar]

Yeah, that's right. Such a. Thank you so much, old boy. Such melodies as My ideal, Louise Guilty, My Blue Heaven. And as a parting memory, a beautiful song entitled Sorry. Oh, exactly. A beautiful song entitled sorry. Yes.

[Dick Krueger]

Can't you see that I'm sorry? All my life I'll be sorry Mean to you, you're so dear to me when you're near to me the whole world seems fine need you so I long to know you'll always be mine. Sorry. Will you ever forgive me? Heaven knows I'll be sorry if you say we're through so have a heart, say we'll never part again Darling, I love you Won't you tell me you're sorry?

[Fred Nahar]

One question, one answer about Texas. You know, each week at this time, we answer one question and One question only about Texas. Who is our question from this week? Frank?

[Frank Babcock]

Well, Fred, from Ms. Leona Simmons of Oakland, California, comes the question, is it true that you Texans have a monument taller than the Washington Monument? Please answer this question to settle a discussion in our club.

[Fred Nahar]

Yes, Ms. Simmons. The San Jacinto monument, located 23 miles east of Houston, commemorating the heroes of the Battle of San Jacinto, upon which battlefield it stands. The capstone is a great star, visible for miles. And According to the 1950 Texas Almanac, the San Jacinto is the tallest stone monument in the world, 575ft high, as compared to the Washington Monument, which is 555ft, 51 8th inches tall. And may I hasten to add, however, that neither of these great monuments were erected with an idea of competing for height, but instead were built as confirmed demonstrations of the love and respect which all Americans hold for those men who have helped to make this a great nation.

[Frank Babcock]

If you have a question about Texas, just write it to the Shamrock Hotel, Houston, Texas, and we'll do our utmost to answer it for you. Your letters and questions are always appreciated. So write in, won't you?

[Fred Nahar]

You know, down Havana way, there's a very beautiful beach called La Concha. The senoritas are most alluring and mostly they say, no, no. But when the tropical evening whispers that it's Roomba time and the music is as inviting as Henry King's. Ah, that is the time they say, CC that was very nice, Henry. You know. Well, this I'll never believe.

[Chico Marx]

Well, what's wrong, dad?

[Fred Nahar]

You. You told a lie.

[Chico Marx]

I told a lie?

[Fred Nahar]

That's what it says here, yes.

[Henry King]

Oh, no.

[Fred Nahar]

You told a lie, Henry. I never said anything of the kind.

[Chico Marx]

Well, no, you haven't yet, but.

[Fred Nahar]

You mean I'm going to lie?

[Chico Marx]

No, no. Dick Krueger's going to sing it.

[Fred Nahar]

Oh, well, now I understand. Dick Krueger's going to sing. You told a lie.

[Chico Marx]

But, Fred, I didn't tell.

[Henry King]

Loading About.

[Fred Nahar]

Sing, will you? Because no one is going to believe that this is anything but a facetious way of announcing a very cute song.

[Chico Marx]

You told a lie But I didn't have anything to.

[Fred Nahar]

Please, Henry, Play. Oh, I. Yeah, that's right.

[Dick Krueger]

You told a lie I believed you look what you've done to my heart. You told a lie I believed you I was fool from the start I thought that you and I would be.

[Fred Nahar]

Together I never dreamed that we would.

[Dick Krueger]

Fall but you told a lie I believed you now look what you've done to my Heart.

[Harpo Marx]

Sadies and gentlemen, I would like to dance.

[Chico Marx]

Dad, do you mind if I interrupt?

[Fred Nahar]

Well, of course not, Henry, old man. What can I do for you?

[Chico Marx]

Well, you know, Fred, all musicians are kind of ambitious.

[Fred Nahar]

All musicians are what?

[Chico Marx]

Kind of ambitious.

[Fred Nahar]

That's true. Yeah. And I'm no exception, you know, and.

[Chico Marx]

Well, don't get sore, Fred, but this job of yours.

[Henry King]

Host a Saturday at the Shamrock.

[Chico Marx]

But it looks kind of easy. And I was just thinking in case you. You aren't here some night.

[Fred Nahar]

Ah, you want to be an understudy, a sort of a ghost hunter, huh?

[Chico Marx]

That's it. May I announce the number?

[Fred Nahar]

Huh?

[Henry King]

May I please add.

[Fred Nahar]

Certainly, Henry. It's a great idea, believe me. And I wish you well.

[Frank Babcock]

Believe me.

[Chico Marx]

Well, I'll show them. Here comes my radio voice.

[Fred Nahar]

Ladies and gentlemen, there comes a time.

[Chico Marx]

In every orchestra leader's life when he.

[Henry King]

Looks over the horizon of the channel.

[Fred Nahar]

For once, nothing for you.

[Dick Krueger]

Where have you been?

[Frank Babcock]

Surfing.

[Fred Nahar]

I've been out fooling around with no leader comes along. And what do I do? I play it and play it and play it. So it's coming out of my ears.

[Chico Marx]

What do I complain?

[Dick Krueger]

No, I love my.

[Fred Nahar]

Now listen, you guys. I want to tell you I love everybody. You don't have to say, sir to me. I especially love my Galaxy.

[Harpo Marx]

Mama, who's.

[Fred Nahar]

An Irving to New Jersey.

[Chico Marx]

And that's why I've asked Dick Krueger to sing I've got to have my baby back home.

[Dick Krueger]

Oh, baby, baby, I miss you so very much. It hurts me. Baby, I just got it. Gotta have my baby back. I can't sleep, can't eat Because I lost my sweet baby. Sweet. Oh, I just gotta. I just gotta. Gotta have my baby back. Alone in a tavern. People all around laughing and dancing.

[Harpo Marx]

Paper.

[Dick Krueger]

Always playing songs about you. Songs with memories making me blue. Baby, baby. Without my baby, I just couldn't go on. Oh, I just got it. I just gotta. Gotta have my baby back.

[Fred Nahar]

And now a lovely lady whose charming voice and personality delight our guests with her appearance in the Emerald Room where she is appearing nightly with our two great Shamrocks stars, Chico and Harpo Marx. Ladies and gentlemen, Ms. Alice Lee, who sings all the things you are.

[Harpo Marx]

That makes a lonely winter seem long. You are the breathless hush of evening that trembles on the brink of a lovely song. You are this. The dearest things I know are what you are. One day my happy arms will hold you. And I know that moment divine. When all the things you are mine. You are the promise. It's a spring Heart that makes a lonely winter sing long.

[Henry King]

Well, that's a fine thing. It's a fine thing.

[Fred Nahar]

Well, Chico. Chico.

[Dick Krueger]

Mark.

[Fred Nahar]

What are you saying?

[Henry King]

Chico, I can't hear with what you're saying. With all this voice, this noise, you know. What did you say?

[Fred Nahar]

I asked. Chico. What did you say?

[Henry King]

No, no, I asked the voice.

[Fred Nahar]

Cut.

[Henry King]

Hey, Alice.

[Fred Nahar]

Quiet.

[Henry King]

Wait a minute.

[Fred Nahar]

Hold it, hold it. Chico, what have you done? You shot our wonderful singer.

[Henry King]

Well, I always like to start the show with a bang. Now, what were you saying, Fred?

[Fred Nahar]

I didn't say anything. You said a fine thing.

[Henry King]

Oh, yeah. There we are, ready to start our show in the Emma room and you steal our singer. That's a fine thing to do, huh? But Groucho, I'm an A.C. groucho. I'm a Chicko.

[Fred Nahar]

Of course. But there are so many of you. Is it true, Chico, that you're all brothers? Is that right?

[Henry King]

Oh, yes. That is, unless somebody played the old man a dirty trick. Oh, I told him not to travel.

[Fred Nahar]

Are we. I wonder if we're still on the air. Nolan. Chico. Tell me, how did you fellas get all those odd names? Groucho, Chico, Harpo.

[Henry King]

Well, you know, when we're kids, you know how it is in school you get a nicknames like a skinny red short bump handle. Now you take Groucho for example. When we were kids in school, we used to wear a little bag around our neck. It went inside your shirt. It was called a Grouch bag. In this bag we used to keep our pennies, our nickels, some cigarette butts and whatever we could pick up. And of course Groucho's Groucho always had some stuff in his bag. So we called him Groucho from the bag. Now, Harper also had a bag, but he got rid of her. No, that was a much later. He was troubled when that happened. Of course, you know my name is Chickle. I got my name when I was about 15. I started chasing the chicken and I still chase him and I catch him or no more. But I'm just waiting for a rainy day. I'm good in the mud.

[Fred Nahar]

And you love the piano, don't you? How about it, Chico? Will you. Huh? Henry stumbles over Chico. Chico, anytime you're ready.

[Henry King]

Wait a minute. I didn't announce the number. I'm going. I'm like to give you my impression of the Hungarian Rhapsody. I think it's by listening.

[Harpo Marx]

It's. It's.

[Fred Nahar]

Oh, that's. That's perfectly wonderful, Chico. I mean it. And I tell you I really want to apologize for stealing your girl, Alice Lee.

[Henry King]

She sure got a wonderful voice, man. Hey, not again.

[Fred Nahar]

Won't nothing scarlet There he goes Chasing a blood hop on the attack Invincible.

[Frank Babcock]

Thank you.

[Fred Nahar]

Thank you, Chico. And humble marks And Miss Alice Lee. That was wonderful. There's two happy go lucky musical Jamies and a clever girl. I wonder if Henry King had them in mind when he programmed our closing medley, Crazy Rhythm and the Girlfriend. You've got that right. Go ahead.

[Frank Babcock]

From Glenn McCarthy's magnificent hotel in Houston, the American Broadcasting Company has brought you another Saturday at the Shamrock. Starring tonight, Chico and Harbor Marx with Ms. Alice Lee and the music of Henry King and his orchestra. Featured vocals were by Dick Krueger. And now for a final word, here is our host, Fred Mayhar.

[Fred Nahar]

Well, thank you, Frank. You know, ladies and gentlemen, Saturday at the Shamrock is always a lot of fun for all of us and we hope for you. Especially when we are visited by such clever artists and all around good fellows as Chico and Harpo Marx. We are deeply grateful indeed. May we drop around and visit you next week when we again bring you Saturday at the Shamrock. Let's make it a definite date, huh? And to each and every one of you listening across the nation, here is our wish that you will have a wonderful weekend wherever you are.

[Frank Babcock]

And now, a listening reminder for an exciting big musical surprise package containing 65 lovely feminine musicians. Hear Music with the Girls tomorrow. You'll like this show of hit tunes from all time. Now that's Music with the Girls tomorrow and every Sunday on abc. This program came to you through Houston's kxyz. Frank Babcock speaking. This is abc, the American Broadcasting Company.