Podcast Summary: Texaco Star Theatre 46-01-13 – “William Tell”

Podcast: Harold’s Old Time Radio
Episode Date: November 1, 2025
Original Broadcast Date: January 13, 1946
Main Stars: James Melton, Ed Wynn, Anna, Mary, Dick, David Brookman, The Lynn Murray Singers
Special Feature: Ed Wynn as the “Fire Chief” in a comic retelling of “William Tell”

Episode Overview

This episode of Texaco Star Theatre takes listeners back to the golden age of radio, mixing classic musical performances, heartfelt nostalgia, and broad radio comedy. James Melton leads the festivities alongside singers and the orchestra. The highlight of the episode is a vaudevillian comic retelling of the “William Tell” opera by Ed Wynn ("the Fire Chief"). The show also includes memorable musical numbers, playful banter, and a gentle, warm atmosphere of postwar America.

Key Discussion Points & Segment Breakdown

Opening Welcome & Mood Setting

• [00:47–02:35] – John Reed King opens with an inviting welcome, promotes Texaco services, and introduces the evening’s stars.
• James Melton brings a homespun touch, referencing the unpredictable winter weather (“What a downright pesky thing this winter weather is…") before launching the first musical number.

Musical Performances

“June Is Busting Out All Over”

• [02:35–06:08] – Upbeat performance by James Melton and chorus.
  — The song captures optimism and a longing for spring. — Playful harmonies and humorous asides about changing seasons.

“Why Do I Love You?” – From Showboat

• [06:08–08:45] – James Melton and Anna (Mary) bring a gentle, romantic duet.
  — James sets the scene, citing Showboat’s Broadway return the week prior:
  — “When a 19 year old musical can evoke so much pleasure, then its melodies must surely have played a great part in its success.” (James Melton, [06:08])

Comic Retelling: “William Tell” by Ed Wynn

Introduction

• [08:45–09:26] – James Melton introduces Ed Wynn, known as the “Fire Chief,” for a “serious note” (clearly tongue-in-cheek).

Act 1: The Origins & Courtship

• [09:26–11:17]
  • Ed Wynn recounts a zany William Tell biography:
    “In 1857, William Tell was born in Switzerland. On account of the beautiful scenery which is there.” (Ed Wynn, [09:47])
  • Rapid-fire punning:
    “He took so many vitamins A, B, C, D, E, F and G that he looked like H.” (Ed Wynn, [09:46])
  • Courtship gags about a woman’s “peculiar figure” and her attempts at yodeling contests.

Act 2: The Blanket & The Trial

• [12:43–14:46]
  • More puns with an Indian woman about “long time no see/saw/sow.”
  • Leading to the classic apple-on-the-head archery challenge, but:
    “Let me shoot it off my wife’s head!” (Ed Wynn as William Tell, [14:46])

Act 3: The Test & Release

• [14:57–16:59]
  • Comic details of Tell’s cross-eyed dilemma and his son’s nervous “St. Vitus dance.”
  • Wynn’s trademark absurdity:
    “He has what they call A&P grocery store eyes. When one eye looks at the Atlantic, the other looks at the Pacific.” (Ed Wynn, [15:53])
  • The fake opera ends with a pun:
    “They go to America where they become famous and are now known as the American Tell and Tell.” (Ed Wynn, [16:59])

More Musical Numbers

“Harlequin Serenade” from Pagliacci

• [16:59–19:08] – James Melton delivers an operatic favorite, shifting the mood back to sincere musical appreciation.

“Where or When” from Babes in Arms

• [19:08–22:07] – Another classic, presented with nostalgia by guest singer:
  — “I’d like to go back about 10 years to the musical Babes in Arms…” (Guest, [19:10]) — The number is handled with longing and wistfulness.

Closing Banter and Farewell

• [22:07–23:31] – Comic exchange between Ed Wynn and John Reed King about selling gasoline, complete with riffs on the show's branding and Wynn’s mockery of ad speak.
  • Memorable:
    “You don’t know how to sell gasoline anyway…Take a bucket of Texaco gasoline and pour it over your left shoulder. That Fire Chief spilled backward.” (Ed Wynn, [23:23])

Final Songs and Sign-off

“Without a Song”

• [24:07–27:57]
  • Powerful group performance of this standard, emphasizing hope and resilience through music.

Preview & Goodbyes

• [27:57–28:25]
  • Teaser for next week: Ed Wynn’s “Romeo and Juliet.”
  • Warm, communal farewell:
    “Now good night and see you Sunday.” (James Melton & Ed Wynn, [28:17])

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• “What a downright pesky thing this winter weather is...” – James Melton, [02:35]
• “He took so many vitamins A, B, C, D, E, F and G that he looked like H.” – Ed Wynn, [09:46]
• “Let me shoot it off my wife’s head!” – Ed Wynn (William Tell), [14:46]
• “He has what they call A&P grocery store eyes. When one eye looks at the Atlantic, the other looks at the Pacific.” – Ed Wynn, [15:53]
• “They go to America where they become famous and are now known as the American Tell and Tell.” – Ed Wynn, [16:59]
• “You don’t know how to sell gasoline anyway... Take a bucket of Texaco gasoline and pour it over your left shoulder. That Fire Chief spilled backward.” – Ed Wynn, [23:23]

Episode Tone

The episode delivers warmth, wit, and classic musicality in the style of 1940s broadcast entertainment. Ed Wynn’s madcap humor contrasts endearingly with James Melton’s earnest musical hosting. Lighthearted banter, self-aware puns and gentle nostalgia pervade, inviting the family radio-era atmosphere into a modern listenership.

Timestamps – Key Segments

• [02:35] – James Melton sets the mood and leads “June is Busting Out All Over”
• [06:08] – “Why Do I Love You?” duet
• [08:45] – [16:59] – Ed Wynn’s “William Tell” comic opera
• [16:59] – Operatic aria from Pagliacci
• [19:08] – “Where or When” from Babes in Arms
• [23:23] – Ed Wynn’s alternative radio ad comedy
• [24:07] – “Without a Song”
• [27:57] – Goodbyes and next week's tease

For Listeners

This episode is a quintessential slice of mid-century American entertainment, blending beloved standards, big-hearted hosts, and vaudevillian hijinks. If you appreciate vintage radio, classic musical performances, or old-school comedy, this is an episode to savor.