
WSM Collection 1940-03-11 The Worry Hour
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Dr. Dennis Black
With New Year's resolutions, many of us will make a vow to eat healthier. And that's a good thing. But what about our beloved pets and their Nutrition? Greetings. Naturopathic Dr. Dennis Black here, and I'm on a mission to provide better nutrition for cats and dogs. Because truthfully, all pet food is dead food. Which is why we created Ruff Greens and Meow Greens in the first place. We bring their food back to life with live vitamins, minerals, probiotics, enzymes, omega oils, antioxidants and so much more. All in a tasty formula that your dog and cat will love. You can improve your pet's coat digestion energy and have less vet bills. Let 2025 bring a new year and a new pet. Get a jump start trial bag. Normally $20. Get 100% discount with promo code Best Friend. You just cover the shipping. Go to roughgreens.com use promo code best Friend. Bring your pet's food back to life with rough greens so good your pet will ask for it by name.
David Cobb
The Worry Hour. National Life and Accident Insurance Company and its 3500 shield men from coast to coast who believe that most of the things you worry about never happen, bring you this new program called the Worry Hour, featuring the music of Francis Craig and his orchestra. And in addition to the songs of Snooki Landman and Jane Grant, a gorgeous guest songstress and a brand new star for radio fans to worry about. And here he is, ladies and gentlemen, that expert on the cause of worry, Professor Fred.
Professor Phineas Fret
Here now, Professor Phineas Fret, if you please. A fine thing. Here I'm introduced for the first time on a new program and you leave out half my name. What's the matter with you anyway?
David Cobb
Well, I'm sorry, Professor Phineas Fret. We've all been so worried about this new show, the Worry Hour, that. Well, I'm really not myself. Can't you tell? You are yourself, Professor. So suppose you go ahead and tell the folks about the program, eh?
Professor Phineas Fret
Well, my friends, it's simple. We have an idea that most of the things that worry people never happen. And yet we realize that a lot of people just can't be happy without doing a pile of worrying. We believe that if they just set aside a certain time each week to do their worrying and at that time sit down and worry hard and get it over with, then they'd be a lot happier during the rest of the week. So a bunch of us have set aside this half hour every Monday night at 9:30 to do our worrying for Instance, there's Francis Craig worrying with the men in his orchestra. There's Jane Grant worrying with the words to her song. David Cobb worrying with the words he's supposed to say. And a studio packed full of people with their worries. Just listen to them. Did you hear him? The gloom was so thick, we cut it with a knife. Say, Francis, why we setting the stage for the first session? Give us a tune. It'll put everybody in the mood. I here now declare the Worry Hour officially in session. Members will assume the approved position. Right hand on right knee, palm of right hand upward with chin resting heavily on the palm. Left foot slightly forward with the left hand on left knee. Now then, all together, A good old Worry Hour frown as I declare our purpose. To refrain from all worry throughout the week except at this time each Monday night when the Worry Hour comes. To keep careful record of any matters arising at other times during the week so they may be worried about on the Worry Hour. And to report any members caught worrying at any other time. The session is now open for the first order of business. What'll we worry about? Come on now, warriors, speak up. There must be something, Professor.
David Cobb
One brother in the back of the room back there says he's afraid his coal pile won't last through the cold weather.
Professor Phineas Fret
My, my, if there's a coal dealer listening. Rush to Studio C. It sounds like there may be a lot of customers here. Well, I reckon that's taken care of. What else?
David Cobb
Well, I have a worry, Professor Fred.
Professor Phineas Fret
Don't approach the matter so lightly, Dave. Put another fur in your brow.
David Cobb
Another furrow. How's this?
Professor Phineas Fret
Now you got it. One more wrinkle in your forehead. And I think you had wearing a corduroy cap. Now then, what's your worry?
David Cobb
Well, I'll tell you, Professor. It's this program, you know. We're supposed to dramatize the best letter received from a listener describing his or her worry and what he or she did about it. But since this is the very first meeting of the Worry Hour, we haven't had a chance to tell the listeners about it. And therefore, we haven't received any letters yet. No wonder I'm worried.
Professor Phineas Fret
All right, go ahead and tell them about it now. So we'll have a lot of letters for next week.
David Cobb
You mean now?
Professor Phineas Fret
Yes, I can. Oh, boy.
David Cobb
Well, worry our members. Here's the idea. Each week on the Worry Hour, we'll dramatize the best letter received describing your worry and how you disposed of it. And the sender of the letter chosen as the best will receive $25 in cash. Now, don't just write about your worry. The worry you write must have been solved, as most worries are, because, well, you know as well as we do that most of the things we worry about never happen. Fancy language or decorations will not help your chances to win one whit. We just want, in your own words, the story of your worst worry that never materialized. So here's your chance to win $25, the chance for worry to be really worth something. Mail your letter to the Worry Hour in care of wsm, Nashville, Tennessee. Employees of the National Life and Accident Insurance Company and their families are not eligible to. To participate in this contest. Well, now, we've been worrying for about seven and a half minutes now. About all the things we wish to be and aren't. And now, while the class rests, Francis Craig plays. And Snooki Landman sings Jerome Kern's lovely song. All the things you are.
Francis Craig
You are the promised kiss of springtime. That makes the lonely winter so seem long. You are the breathless hush of evening that trembles on the brink of a lovely sun. You are the angel glow that lights a star. The dearest things I know are what you are. Someday my happy arms will hold you. And someday I'll know that moment divine. When all the things you are mine. $240 less.
Professor Phineas Fret
$50 less. $0.30 for lunch.
David Cobb
Carry forward the schedule and professor fret, why all the worry?
Professor Phineas Fret
Oh. Oh, well, it's this pesky income tax return, and it's got to be in by Friday.
David Cobb
Well, have you listed all your dependents?
Professor Phineas Fret
Sure. I'm taking credit for one wife, one child, two goldfish and the finance company.
David Cobb
But, professor, you can't take credit for exemption for the finance company. They're not dependent on you.
Professor Phineas Fret
That's what you think. Did you ever miss a payment with one of them? Every time I'm late with one, I get a letter saying you bought this car and we're depending on you to pay. But that's not what's worrying me.
David Cobb
You say that isn't what's worrying you, eh? Well, then, what is the cause of the mental agony?
Professor Phineas Fret
Well, I tell you, it's this part that has me stumped. It says here on this blank, a person who during the entire year was the head of a family is entitled to an exemption of $2,500.
David Cobb
I see. Well, what about that?
Professor Phineas Fret
That just goes to show you how much the government knows about such things. Whoever heard of a married man being the head of his family for a whole year? At a time, Professor.
David Cobb
Accept the right hand of fellowship, brother.
Professor Phineas Fret
This tax business gets more complex every year. But with your help, I got the return filled out. And now if I can just find some place to borrow the money to pay the tax. You know, Dave, here's the way it looks to me. A man has to pay Social Security taxes so he'll have an income at 65. And then they got the income tax to wear him death before he gets there.
David Cobb
The 3500 shield men who represent the National Life and Accident Insurance Company in the field are all members of the Worry Hour. Professor Fret, that is. They are members by proxy. They don't have so many worries themselves, but they're busy every day helping other people remove their worries. There are a lot less worries in the world, you know, because of the benefits of life insurance. The Shield man finds a father worrying about how to guarantee his son a college education. And the worry is removed because there's a Shield plan designed to do just that. A purchaser of a new home worries about how the balance of the mortgage would be paid if anything should happen to him. And the Shield man can fix that, too. With life insurance. The head of a family wants to find some guaranteed way to continue an income to his family after he's gone. The Shield man can arrange family income for any amount desired and for any period of time. And so goes the day of the Shield Man. Other people's worries become the Shield Man's opportunity for more service.
Professor Phineas Fret
I see. Sure. In other words, Dave, any of the members of the Worry Hour who don't enjoy worrying, or those who aren't good worries anyway, can see the Shield man and have him arrange for them an adequate program of life insurance. And then they won't have much to worry about. There you are, warriors. All in favor, say aye. Aye.
David Cobb
And now, Worry Hour members, here is a welcome surprise. As a guest artist on the Worry Hour, we have the pleasure of presenting the lovely Miss Kitty Talon, featured vocalist with Jack Teagarden's orchestra. I'll tell you, this is the way it happened, Maestro. Francis Craig learned this afternoon that she was visiting in town and asked her if she'd come up to help us launch the Worry Hour. Well, she said if we wanted her to, and if Frances would fix up a nice arrangement for her, she would. And we did. And he did. And she did. So here she is, Miss Kitty Callan singing one of Irving Berlin's best and one of her favorites. Blue skies.
Kitty Callan
Through skies Smiling at me Nothing but blue skies do I see days all of them gone Nothing but blue skies from now on Never saw the sun shining so bright Never saw things going so right Noticing the days hurrying by when you're in love now it's light Two days, all of them.
Francis Craig
Gone.
Kitty Callan
Nothing but blue skies from now.
Jane Grant
On.
Kitty Callan
Never saw the sun shining so bright Never saw things going so right Noticing the days hurrying by when you're in love Mile they fly Blue days all of them gone Nothing but blue skies from now on.
Professor Phineas Fret
Now for the next item of business, a little worry of my own and my wife's.
Dr. Dennis Black
With New Year's resolutions, many of us will make a vow to eat healthier. And that's a good thing. But what about our beloved pets and their Nutrition? Greetings. Naturopathic Dr. Dennis Black here and I'm on a mission to provide better nutrition for cats and dogs. Because, truthfully, all pet food is dead food. Which is why we created Rough Greens and Meow Greens in the first place. We bring their food back to life with live vitamins, minerals, probiotics, enzymes, omega oils, antioxidants and so much more. All in a tasty formula that your dog and cat will love. You can improve your pet's coat digestion, energy and have less vet bills. Let 2025 bring a new year and a new pet. Get a Jumpstart trial bag. Normally $20 get 100% discount with promo code Best Friend. You just cover the shipping. Go to roughgreens.com use promo code best Friend. Bring your pet's food back to life with Rough greens so good your pet will ask for it by name.
Unknown
Today. You're gonna rob that place. Now I'm gonna do it with you.
David Cobb
When the cop goes gangs.
Unknown
Get your tickets.
Dr. Dennis Black
It's not about the money. It's about the challenge.
Unknown
To the best heist movie in years.
Francis Craig
You feeling it?
Kitty Callan
I'm feeling it.
Unknown
Den of Thieves 2. Rated R. Now playing only in theaters.
Professor Phineas Fret
Oh, why, why, hello, dear.
Unknown
Hello.
Professor Phineas Fret
I was just going to tell them about my birthday present.
Unknown
Thank goodness. That doesn't worry me anymore. I'll never forget that morning and the worry it made. Phineas. Phineas, wake up. It's your birthday. Wake up, dear. I want to give you your present.
Professor Phineas Fret
Whoa. Why, sure. Get up. It's my birthday. Woo hoo.
Jane Grant
Woo.
Professor Phineas Fret
Boy, this floor is cold. Where are my house schlippers?
Unknown
Just you look around and you'll find them.
Professor Phineas Fret
Oh, yeah. Here they are. Say, what's this? These aren't my slippers. Oh, honey Dee, these are swell. Just what I wanted.
Unknown
Well, your old Ones were about worn out. I gave them to the janitor last night. Put them on, Phineas. I think they'll look pretty with your blue bathrobe.
Professor Phineas Fret
Yeah. Say, these are pretty. They're good leather too. Let's see now. This is the. The left one.
Unknown
Well, what's the matter? Phineas? Fret. They're not too small.
Professor Phineas Fret
Well, maybe just. Just a little. Guys, I can't. Can't get my foot in this one.
Unknown
Well, well, you can exchange them, darling. Just take them to town when you go. I had no idea they'd be too small. Why, if anything, I was afraid they'd be too. But I know the men Sharp will be glad to exchange them for.
Professor Phineas Fret
Come right in, sir. What can I do for you? I want to exchange these house slippers. My wife bought them for my birthday and they're too small. She said she got them here. I'm her afraid, sir. These didn't come from here. The men's shop does not carry this type of merchandise. Oh, I see. Well, well, I'm sorry, old man. I thought. Sure. She said this is where she got em. Well, I'll call her after I get the office and ask her. But thanks Anyway. Operator, gimme 80594. Yes, please. Hallo? Is that you, honey?
Unknown
Yes, dear. Did you exchange them?
Kitty Callan
All right?
Professor Phineas Fret
Listen, they told me at the men's shop that these slippers didn't come from there. Was that where you said you got them?
Unknown
Oh, dear. Now let me see. I got them the same place I priced a pair of suspenders for Uncle Charlie, and that was at. Oh. Oh, Phineas, I'm afraid I put you to a lot of trouble because. Because it wasn't the men's shop, it was Miller Brothers. I'm so worried about making you go on that wild horse chase.
Professor Phineas Fret
That's all right, dear. I'll exchange them at Miller Brothers.
David Cobb
Yes, sir. Come right in.
Professor Phineas Fret
I want to exchange these houses.
David Cobb
Exchange desk, 14th floor, please.
Professor Phineas Fret
Hey, going up. 14th floor. We got hook, scatter, rag, broadloom Oriental.
David Cobb
Rugs on this floor.
Professor Phineas Fret
Folks want any? Uh, isn't the exchange desk on this floor, boy? Yes, sir, but I'm supposed to steer folks away from it. Oh, yeah, huh? Well, let me off. Is this exchange desk?
Dr. Dennis Black
Yeah.
David Cobb
Too big or too little?
Professor Phineas Fret
Uh, oh, too little. There's some house slippers my wife got in my birthday present. And I'm gonna have to ask you to leave Sunnamon out of this, buddy.
David Cobb
Bike days don't mean nothing to us.
Professor Phineas Fret
Well, anyway, here's the slippers.
David Cobb
Where's the sales sleep, Bud?
Professor Phineas Fret
Saleslip. Oh, well, I'm sorry, but I haven't got.
David Cobb
Sorry, Bud.
Francis Craig
We don't exchange nothing without a sales slip.
David Cobb
And speaking of sales, the shield men, 3500 of them who represent the National Life and Accident Insurance Company in the field make sales every day to thoughtful fathers and mothers who want to make their program of protection complete. And now Back to the 14th floor of Miller Brothers.
Professor Phineas Fret
Look, I got the slippers right here. You can see them with your own eyes. I don't want to exchange the slip. I want to exchange the slippers.
Dr. Dennis Black
Let's not argue about it, Bud.
Francis Craig
Anyway, I gotta go to lunch.
Professor Phineas Fret
Ain't I craziest girl I ever seen in my life? Can you imagine that? Oh, well, I'll have to find a salespeople when I get home tonight. Look here, honey, I'm tired of hunting all over town for a place to exchange these house slippers. Miller Brothers wants a sales slip. The men's shop says they didn't come from there. What do you say I just trade them to the janitor for my old ones and let him do the exchanging?
Unknown
Nonsense, Phineas. But it does worry me that nobody seems to think I got the slippers at their store. Now, let me see. I bought them the day Mrs. Carter took me to town, and that was on Wednesday, I'm pretty sure. Phineas, dear, does that new store on Fourth street handle men's shoes?
Professor Phineas Fret
How do I know they do if you bought these there?
Unknown
Don't fuss at me. I looked all over town to get you the prettiest pair of house slippers I could find. And that's the way you appreciate.
Professor Phineas Fret
All right, all right, I'll go barefooted. Oh, now, now, now, don't worry about it.
Unknown
I can't help it. When I think of all the trouble I went to to get you a pair of genuine snuggle shoes. That's the kind they are. The best kind there is. See, it's stamped right inside the heel. Phineas, look what it says. Genuine snuggle shoes. Goodman's Bootery. That's where I got them. Goodman's Bootery.
David Cobb
Well, that's the way it goes. Well, now, here's a familiar voice to WSM listeners. Jane Grant comes to the microphone to do her bit towards chasing worries out the window. As a matter of fact, she's been a little worried herself. She told me she dreamt about me last night. Think of that. She dreamt that Clark Gable and I were fighting over her. And when I asked her who won? You know what she said? She said you did. Darn that dream.
Jane Grant
Darn that dream I dream each night you say you love me Me and you hold me tight but when I awake you're out of sight oh, darn that dream Darn your lips and darn your eyes they lift me high above the moonlit sky Then I tumble out of paradise oh, darn that dream Darn that one track mind of mine it can't understand that you don't care Just to change the mood I'm in I'd welcome a nice old nightmare Darn that dream and bless it too without that dream I never would would have you but it haunts me and it won't come true so d that dream Darn that one track mind of mine it can't understand that you don't care Just to change this mood I'm in I'd welcome a nice old nightmare Darn that dream and bless it too without that dream I never would have you but it haunts me and it won't come true so darn that dream.
David Cobb
And now, Professor Phineas Frett comes back to the microphone with a last word.
Professor Phineas Fret
Here's just a serious thought for the Worry Hour. It's a quotation, and I'm sorry, we don't know its source. It goes something like this. Why worry over it? Just make up your mind to do better when you get another chance. And this chance is coming if you live. Just thank your lucky star for the lesson.
David Cobb
And now, listeners, won't you take your pen in hand and write us a letter describing your worst worry and the way you waved it goodbye? For the best letter received each week, we'll arrange a dramatization and pay $25 in cash. Just write the facts. We'll add the fancy work of dialogue. Oh, yes, and here's something of interest to our Worry Hour listeners. We've prepared a little booklet called Helpful Hints on How To Worry, which we will be only too glad to send to all of those who request it. Now, in this little booklet, we tell you all about the art of worrying. And we even go so far as to suggest some stock subjects to worry about in case you have no worries of your own. So write tonight before you forget it, to the Worry Hour in care of WSM for your copy of Helpful Hints on How To Worry. And there's the theme, reminding us that the Worry Hour is over and that we must postpone all leftover worries until next Monday night at 9:30, when the worry Hour will come again with Professor Phineas Fret presiding and Francis Craig furnishing the music. Our thanks to lovely Katie Callan, featured vocalist with Jack Teagarden and his famous orchestra, for helping us in our first Worry Hour program. And we've invited her to be with us again next week. The same invitation goes to any of our listeners who would like to join Ms. Callan as our guests next Monday. You're all invited to visit our studios and watch the program in person next week at this same time. The Worry Hour is sponsored by the National Life and Accident Insurance Company and its shield men from coast to coast. And they can save you a lot of worry by helping you make safe plans for the future with life insurance.
Professor Phineas Fret
Good night and don't worry.
David Cobb
All right. Well, good night, Professor Fred. Your announcer is David Cobb, and this is the Air Castle of the wsm, the National Life and Accident Insurance Company, Nashville, Tennessee.
Unknown
Today, you're gonna rob that place. Now I'm gonna do it with you.
David Cobb
And the cop goes gangster.
Unknown
Get your tickets.
Dr. Dennis Black
It's not about the money.
Unknown
It's about the challenge. To the best heist movie in years.
Francis Craig
You feeling it?
Kitty Callan
I'm feeling it.
Unknown
Den of Thieves 2. Rated R. Now playing only in theaters.
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Podcast Summary: "Harold's Old Time Radio"
Episode: WSM Collection 1940-03-11 The Worry Hour
Release Date: January 11, 2025
Introduction to The Worry Hour
"The Worry Hour" is a pioneering radio program from the Golden Age of Radio, presented by WSM, a division of the National Life and Accident Insurance Company. Hosted by David Cobb, the show aims to address and manage the common anxieties of its listeners by dedicating a specific time each week for collective worrying. The episode, recorded on March 11, 1940, showcases the innovative concept of structured worry management, blending discussion, audience interaction, and musical interludes to create an engaging listener experience.
Segment 1: The Concept of The Worry Hour
David Cobb introduces the premise of the program, emphasizing the idea that most worries never materialize. He states, “We believe that if they just set aside a certain time each week to do their worrying and at that time sit down and worry hard and get it over with, then they'd be a lot happier during the rest of the week” (02:29).
Professor Phineas Fret's Introduction
Professor Phineas Fret, an expert on the causes of worry, joins the discussion. He humorously points out the omission of his full name in the introduction, adding a light-hearted tone to the program (02:01). Professor Fret elaborates on the structure of The Worry Hour, outlining the scheduled time and the collective approach to managing worries.
Establishing the Worry Protocol
Professor Fret describes the official protocol for the Worry Hour:
Segment 2: Interactive Worry Discussion
Listener Worries Addressed
David Cobb facilitates the sharing of worries from "members" of the Worry Hour. One listener expresses concern about his coal supply lasting through the cold weather (07:30). Professor Fret humorously reassures him by suggesting a local coal dealer might assist, showcasing the program's blend of practical advice and humor.
Host's Self-Worry
David Cobb then shares his own worry: the lack of listener engagement and letters since it's the program's inaugural episode (07:49-08:06). Professor Fret encourages him to disclose this worry publicly to generate listener participation, leading to the announcement of a contest for the best worry-related letter.
Contest Announcement
Cobb outlines the contest details:
This segment effectively engages listeners by inviting them to participate and share their experiences, fostering a sense of community and shared purpose.
Segment 3: Musical Interlude
Francis Craig and Orchestra Performance
Francis Craig and his orchestra provide a musical interlude with performances by Snooki Landman and guest star Kitty Callan. These performances serve as a brief respite from the program's discussions, enhancing the overall listening experience with popular tunes of the era.
Segment 4: Life Insurance and Worry Reduction
Integration of Life Insurance Messaging
David Cobb seamlessly integrates advertising for the National Life and Accident Insurance Company by explaining how their "shield men" help alleviate customers' worries through life insurance services (12:33). He provides real-life scenarios where life insurance mitigates financial concerns related to education funding, mortgage balances, and family income continuity.
Professor Fret's Reflection
Professor Fret humorously remarks that with adequate life insurance, Worry Hour members might have fewer worries, highlighting the program's underlying message about the importance of financial security (13:35).
Segment 5: Further Musical Performances
Kitty Callan's Continued Performance
Kitty Callan returns to perform another rendition of "Blue Skies," reinforcing the program's blend of practical advice and entertainment (14:45-17:27).
Segment 6: The Worry Hour Finale
Final Thoughts and Call to Action
As the program nears its conclusion, Professor Fret shares a thoughtful quotation about overcoming worries: “Why worry over it? Just make up your mind to do better when you get another chance. And this chance is coming if you live. Just thank your lucky star for the lesson” (28:40).
David Cobb reiterates the invitation for listeners to participate by submitting their worry stories for the contest and promotes a complimentary booklet titled "Helpful Hints on How To Worry." This booklet offers guidance on the art of worrying and suggests topics for those lacking personal worries.
Closing Remarks
The episode concludes with acknowledgments to the guest artist Kitty Callan and a reminder about the next Worry Hour session. The sponsorship message by the National Life and Accident Insurance Company reinforces the program's connection to financial security and worry reduction (29:33-32:16).
Notable Quotes
David Cobb: “We believe that if they just set aside a certain time each week to do their worrying and at that time sit down and worry hard and get it over with, then they'd be a lot happier during the rest of the week.” (02:29)
Professor Phineas Fret: “Why worry over it? Just make up your mind to do better when you get another chance. And this chance is coming if you live. Just thank your lucky star for the lesson.” (28:40)
David Cobb: “Life insurance can fix that, too. With life insurance.” (12:33)
Jane Grant: “Darn that dream I dream each night you say you love me...” (26:07)
Conclusion
This episode of "The Worry Hour" masterfully combines practical advice on worry management, engaging discussions, interactive listener participation, and contemporary musical performances. By addressing common anxieties and promoting life insurance as a solution, the program not only entertains but also offers valuable insights into achieving a worry-reduced lifestyle. The inclusion of contests and listener engagement further enhances its appeal, making it a staple of the Golden Age of Radio.
Timestamp Reference
For quick navigation, notable timestamps are referenced within the summary. For a comprehensive understanding, listeners are encouraged to refer to the full transcript or listen to the episode.