Podcast Summary: Harold's Old Time Radio – Episode: Your Crossword Quiz 48-05-01 1st Contestant

Release Date: April 19, 2025

Introduction

In this engaging episode of Harold's Old Time Radio, listeners are treated to a nostalgic yet lively rendition of a classic radio game show titled "Your Crossword Quiz". Hosted by the charismatic David Gilmore, with energetic contributions from co-host Mike Roy and musical cues provided by Del Castillo, the show seamlessly blends traditional radio charm with interactive puzzle-solving fun.

Show Format and Gameplay

David Gilmore introduces the premise of the show with enthusiasm:

[01:20] David Gilmore: "Thank you, Mike Roy and the puzzlings at evening. Good day to all you happy crossword quiz fans. I hope you all enjoy playing our little crossword quiz puzzle game."

The game revolves around listeners and studio contestants working together to solve crossword puzzles. Contestants earn silver dollars for correct answers, which can later be used to win prizes in the jackpot round.

Mike Roy elaborates on the rules:

[01:56] Mike Roy: "All right, Dave. And here's the way your crossword quiz operates... listen carefully as we go along. Fill in the free words as they're given to you... become eligible for our wonderful prizes."

Round One: Contestant Introductions and Initial Clues

Contestant 1: Mrs. Florence Ross

Mrs. Ross, originally from England, shares her background:

[04:28] David Gilmore: "Mrs. Ross, how do you do? Where are you from?"

Mrs. Ross: "I was born in England, but I live here now."

She receives her first crossword clue:

[05:43] David Gilmore: "Number 34, horizontal. A four-letter word meaning something people play in... Your musical clue is the barrel roll poker."

After some deliberation, Mrs. Ross successfully identifies the word:

[06:40] Mike Roy: "Crack."

David Gilmore: "No, the answer is Roll."

Contestant 2: Ms. Mildred Grieg (Greg Gregg)

Ms. Grieg, a bookkeeper from Glendale, California, tackles her first challenge:

[07:42] David Gilmore: "Number 32 cross. A five-letter word meaning one who likes to wander."

Del Castillo: "For you folks at home, the answer is Rover."

She correctly answers:

[08:18] David Gilmore: "Rover, that's right."

Contestant 3: Mr. Edward Caridio

Mr. Caridio, a mail carrier from Worcester, Massachusetts, participates enthusiastically:

[10:14] David Gilmore: "Number 36, horizontal. A seven-letter word meaning loss due to injury. Plural."

Mr. Caridio: "Damages."

He nails the answer:

[11:12] David Gilmore: "Damages. That's right. D, A, M, A, G, E."

Contestant 4: George McCool

George, from Brooklyn, New York, works in sales promotion and proves to be sharp:

[12:22] David Gilmore: "Number 11 down. A seven-letter word meaning a native of a country in southwestern Asia."

George McCool: "Arabian."

He confirms:

[13:01] David Gilmore: "Arabian. That's right."

Contestant 5: Ms. Beverly Allison

Ms. Allison, a comptometer operator from Los Angeles, engages deeply with her clues:

[14:01] David Gilmore: "Number 12 horizontal. A five-letter word meaning a narrow or relatively long section."

Ms. Allison: "Strip."

She answers correctly:

[14:36] David Gilmore: "Strip. S, T, R, I, P."

Round Two: Advanced Clues and Increased Stakes

In the second round, contestants delve into more challenging clues, leveraging their initial earnings to stake higher rewards.

Mrs. Florence Ross continues her game with an advanced clue:

[17:37] David Gilmore: "Number 33 vertical down. A four-letter word sometimes associated with a boy's name."

Mrs. Ross: "Strip."

While her answer is correct, the game moves forward with higher complexity.

Ms. Mildred Grieg (Greg Gregg) faces a more intricate clue:

[19:04] David Gilmore: "Number one vertical down. A five-letter word defined as terminal horny scale, plural."

Ms. Greg: "Nails."

She successfully deciphers the clue:

[20:31] David Gilmore: "Number 15 horizontal. A four-letter girl's name... The answer is Ella."

George McCool continues to demonstrate his crossword prowess:

[21:31] Del Castillo: "Los Angeles is a famous seaport... sails."

George McCool: "Sales."

He accurately identifies the word:

[22:22] David Gilmore: "Sales. That's right."

Ms. Beverly Allison tackles her final clue of the round:

[22:39] David Gilmore: "Number 30 vertical. A four-letter word defined as lives quietly in the ocean."

Ms. Allison: "Clam."

Despite her efforts, she misses the answer:

[23:58] David Gilmore: "Clam. Silently, quietly. You better luck next time."

Round Three: Final Challenges and Jackpot

The final round intensifies as contestants vie for the jackpot, with increased rewards and heightened competition.

Mrs. Florence Ross receives her final challenge:

[24:10] David Gilmore: "Number 27 horizontal. A four-letter word. A famous comic strip character."

Mrs. Ross: "Easy."

She correctly answers:

[25:45] David Gilmore: "Easy. That's right."

Jackpot Round: Scrambled Word Challenge

The climax of the episode features the jackpot round, where contestants have the opportunity to win substantial prizes.

George McCool steps up confidently:

[26:40] David Gilmore: "Contestants, on the mark, get set. Are your pencils ready?"

George McCool: "Democracy."

His swift and accurate response secures him the jackpot win:

[26:37] David Gilmore: "Democracy. He is the winner of the jackpot. Lots of money."

Conclusion and Winner Announcement

The episode concludes with David Gilmore expressing gratitude and anticipation for future shows:

[27:31] David Gilmore: "This is David Gilmore thanking you for joining in our crossword quiz and hoping that you'll be back again next week for an entirely new show."

Mike Roy wraps up by encouraging listeners to participate in future contests:

[28:31] Mike Roy: "Don't forget, be with us again next week, same time... get your entry blanks right away."

Notable Quotes

• David Gilmore:
  "Anything worth doing is worth doing well."
  [03:45]

• Mike Roy:
  "Get your hands in there."
  [22:22]

• George McCool:
  "Sales."
  [21:47]

Key Takeaways

• Engaging Format: The show effectively combines traditional radio elements with interactive puzzle-solving, making it accessible and entertaining for a wide audience.

• Participant Diversity: A varied group of contestants from different backgrounds adds depth and relatability to the gameplay.

• Interactive Clues: The use of musical and sound effects clues by Del Castillo enriches the listening experience, engaging multiple senses.

• Competitive Spirit: The escalating difficulty of clues and the introduction of the jackpot round maintain a high level of suspense and excitement throughout the episode.

"Your Crossword Quiz" successfully marries the nostalgia of old-time radio with modern interactive gaming, providing listeners with both entertainment and mental stimulation. The episode's dynamic interactions, challenging puzzles, and rewarding conclusions make it a standout installment in Harold's Old Time Radio series.