Witness 03 Who Is My Neighbor

Summary

Podcast Summary: Harold's Old Time Radio – Witness 03: Who Is My Neighbor

Episode Information

• Title: Witness 03: Who Is My Neighbor
• Host/Author: Harold's Old Time Radio
• Release Date: June 9, 2025
• Description: Relives the Golden Age of Radio with classic-style shows, capturing the essence of family gatherings around the radio to enjoy timeless programs like The Shadow, Dragnet, and more.

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Introduction

In this poignant episode of Harold's Old Time Radio, listeners are transported back to a quintessential American city street on a sweltering summer evening. Hosted by Robert Young, the episode delves into the timeless question, “Who is my neighbor?”, exploring themes of community responsibility, altruism, and the complexities of human interactions in the face of crisis.

Plot Overview

Setting the Scene (00:37 - 01:31) Robert Young introduces The Witness, setting the stage for a narrative about everyday individuals confronted with life-and-death situations. The focus is on a typical neighborhood where the bonds between neighbors are tested under dire circumstances.

Introducing the Characters (01:32 - 04:08) The story unfolds with Robert’s interactions with his neighbor, Uncle Dan, and his daughter Nancy. Their nightly routine at home is depicted, highlighting familial tensions and underlying financial stress:

• Robert Young (Host): Portrays himself as a psychology student grappling with real-world issues.
• Uncle Dan: A jovial, albeit troubled, figure known to the neighborhood kids.
• Nancy: A concerned wife and mother, stressed about finances and the impending birth of her child.

Family Tensions Escalate (04:08 - 07:21) The household dynamics reveal deeper issues:

• Financial Struggles: Nancy confronts Robert about their inability to make payments, leading to arguments that showcase the strain on their relationship.
  • Nancy: “Do I have to starve in an empty room because my husband doesn't make enough money?” (02:56)
  • Robert: “I earn as good money as a lot of people, but where it goes, I don't know.” (03:10)
• Philosophical Debate: Uncle Dan and Robert engage in a discussion about societal progress and personal responsibility.
  • Uncle Dan: “There's just one thing that keeps us from being like wild animals. And that one thing is love.” (06:52)
  • Robert: “You know, sometimes you make more sense in my textbooks.” (07:15)

Conflict in the Neighborhood (07:32 - 11:47) The tranquility is shattered when Nancy witnesses a group of boys assaulting Giuseppe, a young neighbor:

• Nancy’s Intervention: Determined to help, Nancy urges her family to take action.
  • Nancy: “They're beating up Giuseppe. Can't you do something, George?” (09:01)
• Uncle Dan’s Struggle: Initially reluctant, Uncle Dan eventually intervenes physically to stop the assault, leading to chaos.
  • Uncle Dan: “I just couldn't manage to hold the other two at the same time.” (10:27)
• Aftermath: Giuseppe is severely injured, prompting a reflection on the community’s moral responsibility.
  • Robert: “Giuseppe died two hours later. Would it be different in your street, in your life?” (12:22)

Host’s Reflection and Moral (12:22 - 13:21) Robert Young returns to narrate the story’s conclusion, emphasizing the importance of being an involved and compassionate neighbor:

• Robert: “Who are your neighbors? And how many people can say of you, he's my neighbor. He really cares.” (13:09)

Themes and Discussions

Community Responsibility The central theme revolves around the moral obligation individuals have towards their neighbors. The episode challenges listeners to consider their own role in preventing and addressing injustices within their communities.

Altruism vs. Self-Preservation Uncle Dan embodies the internal conflict between helping others and protecting oneself from potential harm. His eventual decision to intervene highlights the struggle between self-interest and collective well-being.

Impact of Socioeconomic Stress The familial tensions between Robert and Nancy underscore how financial pressures can strain relationships and impede communal harmony. This dynamic serves as a microcosm for broader societal issues.

Role of Education and Progress The dialogue between Robert and Uncle Dan touches upon the efficacy of education in fostering social progress. Uncle Dan’s skepticism raises questions about the tangible impact of academic advancements on real-world problems.

Notable Quotes

• Uncle Dan: “There's just one thing that keeps us from being like wild animals. And that one thing is love.” (06:52)

• Nancy: “Do I have to starve in an empty room because my husband doesn't make enough money?” (02:56)

• Robert: “Who are your neighbors? And how many people can say of you, he's my neighbor. He really cares.” (13:09)

• Uncle Dan: “We hope you'll join us again soon.” (14:24) – Concluding thoughts on community involvement.

Conclusion

Witness 03: Who Is My Neighbor serves as a compelling reminder of the enduring question regarding our responsibilities to those around us. Through the intimate portrayal of a family and their interactions with the broader community, the episode underscores the significance of empathy, intervention, and sustained commitment to the well-being of others. As Robert Young poignantly asks listeners to reflect on their own lives, the narrative leaves an indelible mark on the importance of being present and proactive in our neighborhoods.

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Production Credits

• Produced by: Marjorie Hunt Pearson
• Directed by: Thomas Freebairn Smith
• Written by: Lawrence Waddy
• Voice Talent: Jake Carroll Nash, Gil Stratton, Tim Mathewson, Janet Waldo, Peter Leeds, Virginia Greg, Richard Reinhauer, and Bernie Hamilton
• Narration: Art Gilmore for the Episcopal Church

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Note: Advertisements and non-content sections from the transcript were intentionally omitted to maintain focus on the narrative and its thematic elements.

Transcript

[Teen Advocate]

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[Robert Young]

The Witness, starring J. Carol Nash in the witness. And here is your host in Hollywood, Robert Young. In the normal course of most any day, every one of us is a witness to matters of life and death. The way we involve ourselves in these vital matters makes our own lives worthwhile or meaningless. Who is my neighbor? It's an old question, and it's by no means out of date. In our country and in our century, it can be very real indeed. On a hot, sultry summer evening in a typical American city street, it flared up and became a burning question. A matter of life and death.

[Nancy]

Hi, Uncle Dan.

[Uncle Dan]

Hi there. See?

[Robert Young]

That kid will wear a rut in the sidewalk.

[Uncle Dan]

Well, if he hasn't already, never will anywhere. Where does a kid skate in this neighborhood where everybody lives in rooms above the street.

[Robert Young]

Does everyone around here call you Uncle Dan?

[Uncle Dan]

Oh, quite a few of the kids do, Pete. And if you stick around long enough and with an artificial leg, you get to be known as a character. Come on in. Have some coffee.

[Robert Young]

Thanks.

[Uncle Dan]

Oh, and tell me some more about college and that psychology course you're taking.

[Robert Young]

Okay, if you promise to listen.

[Uncle Dan]

There's that baby next door squalling again.

[Nancy]

Get with it, dad. Baby's gotta cry anyway. Maybe he's as bored as I am. I wish there was something to do.

[Robert Young]

Ah, be quiet, Nancy. You're always complaining. Haven't you any studying to do?

[Nancy]

I've done it. Anyway. It's too hot to study. Then turn on the television. I don't want to watch television, Mom. I want to go out and do something.

[Uncle Dan]

Well, you can't. None at this time of night.

[Nancy]

Oh, come off it, dad.

[Robert Young]

Oh, I'm going to bed and read a magazine. Anything to get.

[Nancy]

Dave, put down that paper and talk to me. Are we going to be able to make the payments or aren't we? How?

[Robert Young]

I don't know. It depends on my commission.

[Nancy]

And if we can't?

[Robert Young]

Well, then some of the things have to go back.

[Nancy]

Dave, how can you sit there and say that. Do I have to starve in an empty room because my husband doesn't make enough money?

[Robert Young]

Oh, look, I earn as good money as a lot of people, but where it goes, I don't know. Now, you've just got to be more careful, that's all.

[Uncle Dan]

Careful?

[Nancy]

Look at me. My clothes.

[Uncle Dan]

This room.

[Nancy]

How dare you say that to me.

[Robert Young]

Oh, I'm sorry, Judy. Don't get all worked up. Here, here, let me fan you with the paper.

[Nancy]

That feels good.

[Robert Young]

Don't worry, honey. We'll get through all of this.

[Uncle Dan]

Honest.

[Nancy]

I didn't mean to complain, David. It's just I'm so worried with the baby coming. And it's awful hard as never.

[Robert Young]

Yeah, it's muggy, like a storm coming up or something. Uncle Dan, coffee's ready.

[Uncle Dan]

Well, make mine black, will you, Pete? That's fine. Now, to get on with our debate. What you're saying is the kids on the street who steal or commit crimes aren't responsible and that we just haven't made enough social progress to serve their problems right?

[Robert Young]

Yeah, that's right. But we are making progress. And as we understand what makes people antisocial or violent or frustrated, we can educate them out of it.

[Uncle Dan]

Yeah, but does crime go down in proportion to the number of college degrees we hand out?

[Robert Young]

No, but we'll give it time. It takes time to make progress. Daddy. Daddy. Daddy. Daddy.

[Uncle Dan]

Hey, stick a dime in that jukebox, Bud. Okay, Rusty, you're the boss man. I'm having one more drink, then we're.

[Robert Young]

Gonna get out of here.

[Uncle Dan]

Hey, Rusty, let's go now and look for some dang.

[Robert Young]

Ah, button your lip, Bobo.

[Uncle Dan]

I said one more. And this time, smart guy, you pay. Look, fellas, you don't want any more liquor. I told you I shouldn't be serving you underage. Oh, hey, smarty pants.

[Robert Young]

Bartender.

[Uncle Dan]

Who said anything about age? Yeah, who said anything about age? Yeah, you're not more than 16. Anybody can see that. Well, that's our business. And if you don't want any trouble, you just make with the drinks. Now, there's your money. And he said now. Okay, okay. It's against the law. Cops find out. We can handle the cops. Well, if that's the kind of damn fool ideas I bring you up on, you're in for some drumming. There you are. Yeah, let's drink up and get out of here. I'm not. Now, give Bud a chance. He's not old enough to take his lick of fast. Oh, lay off, will you? I can take It. Down the hatch.

[Robert Young]

Good boy, bud.

[Uncle Dan]

Good night, grandpappy. Tell the cops we're sorry we missed him. I'll do that. And don't hurry back. Well, you keep talking about progress, Pete, but it seems to me we haven't made very much in thousands of years.

[Robert Young]

How can you say that, Uncle Dan? Look around you.

[Uncle Dan]

Better hospitals, better schools and printing presses, radios, movies, television. Now take those kids down the street below. They get 10 times the book learning that a kid 2000 years ago had. But how much different are they when it comes to a crisis?

[Robert Young]

You don't believe that education will eventually change things?

[Uncle Dan]

When Father time says it's 9:45. When do you have to get back?

[Robert Young]

I've got a good hour yet.

[Uncle Dan]

Good. Now, you asked me, will education change things? I'm gonna tell you something, Pete. There's just one thing that keeps us from being like wild animals. And that one thing is love. Being loved and needed and having someone to care about is. And reverse loving people. Caring about them. It's a two way street.

[Robert Young]

You know, sometimes you make more sense in my textbooks.

[Uncle Dan]

Flattery, my son. I'll get you another cup of coffee.

[Robert Young]

Okay? Here's my cup.

[Nancy]

I'm in love yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah I'm in love. Be quiet, your father's sleeping. Oh, what a terrible night. How can it be so hot? Maybe if I get the window clear up I can get some more air. No more air to be had, I guess. Hey mom, there's Giuseppe leaving the delicate.

[Uncle Dan]

Where now?

[Nancy]

I see him now. He's a good looking boy. He's nice too. He's always happy and whistling. Kind of square, but I guess he's okay with those three boys. Where? Coming the other way. I never saw him before. Hey, they're real creepy, Nancy. Look what they're doing. They're moving in on Giuseppe.

[Uncle Dan]

Hey, who you pushing? I thought it was someone he said you were pushing. I, I don't mean Fool. I'm son. He's a jerk. That's where he is. Hey, boss man, he pushed me. Let's get him. Master me. Someone help me, please. Help me.

[Nancy]

Oh, no.

[Uncle Dan]

What's going on?

[Robert Young]

What's the matter, Nancy?

[Nancy]

They're beating up Giuseppe. Can't you do something, George?

[Uncle Dan]

No, no, no, no. It's not our business. No use getting involved.

[Nancy]

Oh, it's awful. They're kicking a boy down on the sidewalk. We've got to stop them.

[Robert Young]

Oh, take it easy, honey. We can't do anything.

[Nancy]

You mean you won't. Well, I can't. I'm going to call the police.

[Robert Young]

No, Judy. If you do that, we'll have to give our name and we'll be involved. Let the kids work it out.

[Nancy]

Work it out? Dave, they'll kill him.

[Robert Young]

And I tell you, it's not our business. It's dangerous to interfere. Uncle Dan, what's going on?

[Uncle Dan]

Oh, good God, it's Giuseppe. Come on, let's go. Take that whistle on the desk. Get outside down the street away. So they'll think it's the police and blow that whistle for all you're worth.

[Robert Young]

What about you? You might get hurt.

[Uncle Dan]

I've got to stop them before they kill him. Now get going, Pete. Now get away from him. Get away from him, you hoodlums. I tell you, get away. Ah, shut your mouth, pig leg, and keep out of this. Why, you young punk. Do it.

[Nancy]

Corny goat.

[Uncle Dan]

Mr.

[Nancy]

Corner.

[Uncle Dan]

You hurt my arm. Rusty.

[Nancy]

Rusty.

[Uncle Dan]

It's a cock. Let's get out of here. This way. Bubble Daddy. Allen.

[Nancy]

Rusty, don't leave me.

[Uncle Dan]

Rusty.

[Nancy]

Breaking my arm.

[Uncle Dan]

Well, I'll break more than your arm if you try to get away.

[Robert Young]

Uncle Danny, you all right?

[Uncle Dan]

Sure, sure. I know enough judo to deal with a drunken schoolboy. I. I just couldn't manage to hold the other two at the same time. It's all right now, Giuseppe boy. It's all over. We'll take care of you. I tell you, he pushed me. He jumped me. I was walking along peaceful. Oh, shut up. Now, we'll deal with you when the police get here. What we need is an ambulance. Have any of you call the police? I'm talking to all of you people who live up there. Did any of you call the police or an ambulance? In God's name, what's wrong with you? There's a boy down here dying. Maybe.

[Robert Young]

Okay, Uncle Dan.

[Uncle Dan]

I'll call the police and tell them to get an ambulance. Hurry. Hurry, Pete, and hold our prize cash.

[Robert Young]

Come here, you.

[Uncle Dan]

I tell you. Ah, shut up. God, Sheppy. Easy does it. Your friends are here. Thanks, Uncle Dan. You're a good boy, Giuseppe. You've got courage, that's what you've got. And we'll have help here now any minute.

[Robert Young]

Uncle Dan, he looks awful. Isn't there something we can do?

[Uncle Dan]

Just. Just try to keep him quiet. If they haven't injured his spine or his innards, he'll be all right. God knows they've tried.

[Robert Young]

It's all so stupid. I can't believe this.

[Uncle Dan]

How stupid. Bad Pete. I. I guess that progress of yours was just too slow to help Giuseppe much. All Right over here. Okay, let's get harvest right. Oh, this fine boy, he's beaten to a pump. Come on, Joe, let's get him to the hospital. His name is Giuseppe Mancini. Lives down the street.

[Robert Young]

Oh, thanks, Brand.

[Uncle Dan]

God help him, the poor kid. And. Hey, you people up there, what are you staring at? The show's over. Unless you want to wait for the cops to take away this 16 year old hoodlum. But I warn you, you'd better not be looking when the police get here. You might be one of those witnesses. You might be involved and that would never do, would it? You up there. A boy gets half killed under your eyes and you didn't even move a finger to help because you might get involved. Well, my friends and neighbors, you are involved because it could have been you. Well, the police are here. And all we can do is go on our separate ways and wait for the next time. And I wonder which one of us it will be.

[Robert Young]

You have been listening to the witness and here again is your host, Robert Young, who is my neighbor. Giuseppe found only one neighbor out of all the people who lived in the rooms above his street. One man who fought to save his life and lost. Giuseppe died two hours later. Would it be different in your street, in your life? Who are your neighbors? And how many people can say of you, he's my neighbor. He really cares. I'd like to thank Jake Carroll Nash, Gil Stratton, Tim Mathewson, Janet Waldo, Peter Leeds, Virginia Greg, Richard Reinhauer and Bernie Hamilton for sharing their talents with us. And thanks to each one of you for being with us. Transcribed in Hollywood the Witness is produced by Marjorie Hunt Pearson, directed by Thomas Freebairn Smith and written by Lawrence Waddy. This is Art Gilmore speaking for the Episcopal Church, which presents the witness.

[Uncle Dan]

We hope you'll join us again soon.

[Robert Young]

For the next witness.

[Teen Advocate]

Nearly 90% of kids who vape say flavors are why they do it. A lot of the flavors that I've heard are like peach, mango, watermelon. It makes it seem like more childlike and innocent. Oh, I tried this once. It won't be that much of a problem. But then eventually it becomes a problem. It's time to restrict the sale of flavored tobacco products in Oregon and protect our kids from nicotine addiction. Urge lawmakers to Pass Senate Bill 702A. Take action at flavorshookoreegoids.org paid for by the Campaign for Tobacco Free Kids Action Fund. We interrupt this program to bring you an important Wayfair message. Wayfair's got Style Tips for every home. This is Nicole Byer helping you make those rooms flyer. Today's style tip when it comes to making a statement, treat bold patterns. Patterns like neutrals go wild like an untamed animal print area rug under a rustic farmhouse table from Wayfair.

[Uncle Dan]

Com.

[Teen Advocate]

Ooh, fierce. This has been your Wayfair style tip to keep those interiors superior.

[Uncle Dan]

Wayfair Every style, every home.