September 15, 2025 • 19 mins
On this episode of Front Page Drama, drawn from the files of The American Weekly, a reporter sets out to interview a man who has just turned one hundred years old. What begins as a standard feature story soon takes an unexpected turn when the centenarian makes a startling declaration about his future. The encounter sets off a chain of events that reverberate far beyond the man’s modest home.
First broadcast on August 28, 1948, this program was the 801st episode of Front Page Drama. Produced to promote The American Weekly, the series dramatized stories ranging from the sensational to the heartfelt, reflecting both the anxieties and aspirations of postwar America. Subscribe to the Old Time Radio Snack Wagon at https://www.snackwagon.net Learn More
Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/old-time-radio-snack-wagon-rare-historic-radio-programs--5919985/support.
First broadcast on August 28, 1948, this program was the 801st episode of Front Page Drama. Produced to promote The American Weekly, the series dramatized stories ranging from the sensational to the heartfelt, reflecting both the anxieties and aspirations of postwar America. Subscribe to the Old Time Radio Snack Wagon at https://www.snackwagon.net Learn More
- The American Weekly: A Brief History (American Heritage) – How the Sunday supplement shaped public tastes.
- Hearst’s American Weekly Magazine – Publisher background and cultural role.
- Collecting The American Weekly – A look at its artwork, stories, and legacy.
Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/old-time-radio-snack-wagon-rare-historic-radio-programs--5919985/support.
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Transcript
Episode Transcript
Available transcripts are automatically generated. Complete accuracy is not guaranteed.
Speaker 1 (00:00):
Are you Adam Graham the very same And this is
my old time radio snackwagon.
Speaker 2 (00:13):
Welcome to the Old Time Radio snack Wagon, where we
serve up a bite sized portion of old time radio.
And now here's your snack wagon host Adam Graham.
Speaker 1 (00:25):
Today we are serving up one of the longest running
weekly programs. During the golden age of radio, there were
more episodes of this program made than there were of
locks Radio theater. Yet if you look in John Dunning's
Definitive Encyclopedia of Old Time Radio on the Air and
(00:47):
you look for this series entry, you won't find it.
And unlike other forgotten series, it's not like that there
aren't episodes in circulation, although when Dunning compared Encyclopedia, perhaps
there weren't. But today there are hundreds of episodes of
this series floating around the Internet. The series is Front
(01:11):
Page Drama, which was actually promoted by the Hearst Newspaper
Syndicate to promote the American Weekly, a newspaper supplement that
was published in the Sunday Papers for seventy years from
(01:31):
eighteen ninety six to nineteen sixty six. It was a
twenty one by fifteen publication with each issue running from
twelve to twenty four pages in length, filled with sensationalistic
stories and pictures, some of which were made up, and
(01:52):
even some that admitted they were made up. According to
historian a historian, the American Weekly likely influenced the type
of stories and art done by Alex Raymond, who drew
Flash Gordon, which is one of the series featured on
(02:14):
one of our sister podcasts, The Great Adventurers of Old
Time Radio. During the more than twenty years that Front
Paige's Drama was on the air, American taste and interest changed.
Its focus was on selling the American Weekly or the
(02:37):
Sunday paper that printed it to be more precise and
so Front Paige's Drama is a true mixed bag, bearing
so much from era to era, year to year, end
story to story. The first program we're going to share
with you from this series comes from August twenty eighth,
(02:57):
nineteen forty eight. It's the eight hundred first episode of
Front Paid Drama and the Tottle is dead within ten.
Speaker 3 (03:05):
Days, a front page drama from The American Weekly.
Speaker 4 (03:19):
Tell me, sir, how long do you expect to live?
One hundred and five years or one hundred and ten.
Speaker 5 (03:24):
Young man, I expect to be dead within ten days.
Speaker 3 (03:34):
Well, when a man on his one hundredth birthday forecasts
his death, maybe there's an unusual story lurking beneath the surface.
Front paid drama brings you an exciting true story from
the files of the American Weekly, the great magazine that
comes with a leading Sunday newspaper on sale in this city.
(03:58):
It's a modest little house in a very average section
of town where a reporter stops to look up at
the address above the door. Then he checks it with
his notes and rings the doorbown. He waits a while,
Then after a few moments, a figure appears in the
plate glass of the door and looks at him suspiciously.
(04:20):
A reporter calls out, I want to.
Speaker 4 (04:23):
See mister Bradford. I'm a reporter. See here's my press card. Reporter,
open the door, please.
Speaker 6 (04:33):
Mister Bradford doesn't like to talk to reporters.
Speaker 4 (04:36):
Oh, but this is special. After all, a man doesn't
have a one hundredth birthday often. Please ask him if
you'll see me.
Speaker 6 (04:41):
He won't talk to you, I said, but he has to.
I'm sorry.
Speaker 7 (04:45):
Look, my job hangs on this. If I don't get
this interview. I'll get fired. Let me ask him.
Speaker 6 (04:50):
Now, see here, young man.
Speaker 3 (04:56):
But the young reporter by this time was too busy
making his way to the old man's room to see
or hear anything. They found himself facing an old man
who sat in a wheelchair, his legs covered by a blanket.
Speaker 5 (05:09):
Every young man, what do you want?
Speaker 4 (05:10):
Please, sir, you've got to talk to me. It means
my job.
Speaker 5 (05:13):
I do want to talk to anyone, but you must.
Speaker 4 (05:16):
You have a public duty. You're the first man in
the history of this city ever to live to be
one hundred. People are interested in you.
Speaker 7 (05:22):
They have a right to know about you, like how
did you manage to reach the age of one hundred?
Speaker 5 (05:27):
Mostly by being born in eighteen forty eight of gish.
Speaker 4 (05:31):
Hey, that's not bad. You've got a sense of humor,
and at your age.
Speaker 5 (05:35):
It's a humor.
Speaker 1 (05:35):
Eh.
Speaker 5 (05:36):
I have not. I'm disgusted with the whole shooting.
Speaker 8 (05:39):
Man.
Speaker 4 (05:40):
Tell me, how long do you expect to live? One
hundred and five or one hundred and ten?
Speaker 8 (05:46):
Young man?
Speaker 5 (05:46):
I expect to be dead within ten days.
Speaker 4 (05:49):
What has the doctor said anything?
Speaker 8 (05:52):
Doctor? No, I say it.
Speaker 5 (05:55):
If it's any constellation to you, I'm going to be
the cause of my own death. I stopped eating, But
why because I don't want to live anymore? That's why
are you in sick?
Speaker 8 (06:07):
Pain?
Speaker 4 (06:08):
What's wrong? Now?
Speaker 5 (06:09):
I'm not sick and I'm not in pain. And if
you want to know the reason, I'm just disgusted with
this whole world. I've been around for one hundred years,
and all that time, I've never seen man do anything
to make conditions better. Oh now, faster wagons, faster cars,
faster planes, all so they can kill each other faster. Well,
(06:29):
I've lost hope for mankind and I've seen enough evil.
So this morning I just decided that I want to
die and get it over with you. So I have
stopped eating. But you can't do that, Oh can't I? Well,
I am doing it.
Speaker 7 (06:44):
And I came here for some encouraging words for future
generations to hear. A lot of good it would do
if I print what you've.
Speaker 5 (06:50):
Said, Well you can print it because it's the truth.
There's nothing encouraging. Nothing. The world's in a mess. It's
getting worse, and we haven't got the brains to do
anything about it. Tell you I'm finished with mankind. I'll
get out.
Speaker 4 (07:05):
Oh but sir, yes, mister Bradford.
Speaker 3 (07:14):
It was a mighty discouraged young reporter who sat down
at his typewriter in the newspaper office that afternoon to
knock out a story about a man who didn't want
to live. But as he typed on, something happened to him,
and then, much to his own surprise, the keys started
to fly and the story began to take shape, and
finally he was finished. He ripped the paper from the
(07:34):
machine and went dashing across the floor toward the editor's office,
where he opened the door.
Speaker 4 (07:40):
Gee, that story about mister Bradford, one hundred year old guy.
Speaker 8 (07:43):
Yes, that, let me have it here. Okay, I'll take
a look at it. What is this? I didn't ask
for that kind of a story. I want encouragement, advice
or bright outlaw.
Speaker 6 (07:53):
So did I.
Speaker 8 (07:54):
But this is what he said, Well, this story is
worthless to me.
Speaker 4 (07:57):
Just read on, SHEI.
Speaker 8 (07:58):
But I can see now it's not what I want.
Speaker 4 (08:00):
He's just do as I asked this once, read it
all the way through.
Speaker 8 (08:03):
Okay, say what's this? What do you think of it?
This isn't supposed to be an editorial, This is supposed
to be a news item a feature.
Speaker 4 (08:13):
It still is.
Speaker 7 (08:14):
I just want to ask the readers one question at
the very end, is there anything we can do to
change mister Bradford's mind, That's all?
Speaker 4 (08:22):
Will you run it cheap?
Speaker 8 (08:24):
Why? All right, we'll run it. Little.
Speaker 3 (08:33):
Did that newspaperman and his editor know what they were
getting into? But we'll know in just a moment when
we continue with our front paint drama. Well, Boston didn't
know what it was getting into either when wealthy John
Lowell Gardner married the ambitious Isabella Stewart back in eighteen sixty.
The greatest pleasure of the new missus Gardner came from
(08:54):
startling state Boston Society with her unique friends, such as
John L. Sullivan, who at once rescued her from an
unruly mob. Her idea of entertainment was having the strongest
man in the world ripple his muscles for the benefit
of her guests, taking jiu jitsu lessons, and in general,
doing anything and everything that would shock and challenge the
leaders of Boston Society. For many other amusing and spectacular
(09:18):
incidents in the life of this colorful woman, read the
next in the series of romantic rebels called The Fabulous
Missus Jack, which appears in the August twenty ninth issue
of The American Weekly. The American Weekly is the magazine
distributed with a group of America's greatest Sunday papers. It
brings you true stories of every description, stories of romance, adventure, folklore,
(09:41):
and mystery, written by some of the finest authors in
the world, together with timely articles by famous authorities. Readers
in over nine minion homes have made The American Weekly
the nation's reading habit. Ask your news dealer for the
Sunday paper that contains it. Be sure to read the
American Weekly issue of August twenty nine. And now we
(10:05):
resume our front page drama. And we returned to the
newspaper office, where a young reporter and his editor are
looking over the front page of their papers.
Speaker 8 (10:13):
Well, Ted, what do you think of that? Gee?
Speaker 4 (10:15):
It looks well. How would you answer this man? That's
a great headline.
Speaker 8 (10:20):
I think it'll get people to read the article. Hello, Yes,
this is the editor speaking. What is it you want,
madam oh oh? I see, well that's very nice, But
what do you want me to do about it?
Speaker 5 (10:38):
What? Well?
Speaker 8 (10:40):
Say, would you mind giving your story in detail to
one of my reporters. I'd appreciate that very much. Operator
put this call on. Thompson ed do you know who
that was? Not having any idea, That woman who was
just on the phone said she has a daughter who
was stricken with infantile paralysis. That's too bad, but that
isn't why she called. She wanted us to know that
(11:01):
four of her neighbors gave that kid artificial respiration to
keep her alive for eighteen hours till they could get
an iron lung.
Speaker 4 (11:08):
Poh, that's very nice. So what do we do a
story on it?
Speaker 8 (11:12):
Well, don't you get it? She called up to let
us know because we ran that story of yours.
Speaker 4 (11:17):
Huh.
Speaker 8 (11:17):
She wants our old friend, mister Bradford to know that
there are fine people and find things in life worth
living for same what but sure, I'll take them. Just
tell them to keep holding right, give me the first
now Hello, what, Yes, this is the editor. Well, of
(11:40):
course I have time, sir. You just tell me your story. Huh,
I say, And they were put out of the house.
I get it. Yeah, and then what happened? Well, indeed,
we do want that story. Wait a minute, I'll turn
you over to one of my reporters, right, operator, turn
(12:03):
this over at the city desk. Well, ted, this is
even better than the last. A veteran and his family
were put out of their house because of non payment
of rent, and builders and workers got together and are
building them a new house. How do you like that? Say?
Speaker 4 (12:16):
That's terrific? Well, Chief, here's another on. I think it's
the last one, but we can't tell. The phones are
still ringing.
Speaker 8 (12:28):
I've never seen my desk clouds so high with stories.
Look at that amount of stuff.
Speaker 7 (12:32):
Yes, and every one a story of something fine that
someone in this town has done for someone else.
Speaker 4 (12:37):
Can you imagine how this would pile up if the
whole country.
Speaker 8 (12:39):
Recovered, Why, there'd be millions of stores. Yeah, you know,
the switchboard is still flooded with calls. You know.
Speaker 7 (12:45):
This has started an avalanche of good deeds, the likes
of which we've never seen.
Speaker 8 (12:48):
I know. But there's one thing we've lost sight of.
Speaker 4 (12:51):
Yeah, what's that?
Speaker 8 (12:52):
The guy who started all this?
Speaker 4 (12:54):
Oh you mean mister Brad.
Speaker 8 (12:56):
That's right. If you hadn't gone to see him and
hear his bitter story, this never would have happened.
Speaker 4 (13:02):
Then we ought to do something to him such as well,
I don't know. Maybe show him these stories.
Speaker 8 (13:09):
No, I don't think so, but he.
Speaker 7 (13:11):
Ought to be made to know somehow, after all, that
poor old man starving himself at death.
Speaker 8 (13:16):
Let me see only I've got a cheat.
Speaker 4 (13:22):
Why don't we have a special Bradford edition just made
up of these stories, all of them. No other news
in the paper. Let him see that folks are pretty fine, decent,
good worth living for. And with what are you saying?
Speaker 8 (13:34):
Boy, you've just hit on it. That's what we do.
Speaker 4 (13:42):
But I don't care what the doctor says. I have
to see him.
Speaker 6 (13:45):
He's too weak and he still won't eat a thing.
Speaker 4 (13:48):
Please, I have to show him something. Let me go
into that room.
Speaker 6 (13:51):
Oh you might as well. It can't make any difference.
Speaker 5 (13:57):
Mister Bradford. Can you hear me?
Speaker 4 (14:00):
Can you see me?
Speaker 5 (14:02):
Yes? I hear you, and see you. I remember you,
the reporter fellow who is here a few days ago.
I was mistaken, I don't think now ten days.
Speaker 4 (14:16):
Look, mister Bradford, I want you to look at this newspaper.
Speaker 5 (14:19):
We'll do any good ease.
Speaker 4 (14:21):
Read it, mister Bradford.
Speaker 5 (14:23):
All right? Interesting? Is that true? That story about the
little girl of the inventire paralysis?
Speaker 4 (14:34):
Every story in here is true, and every one a
story that should make you change your mind.
Speaker 5 (14:39):
Go on reading, mister Bradford, Yeah, I never knew all
these fine things going on in this town. I thought, sure,
is he profine things doing on in this world? After true?
Speaker 4 (14:59):
Big enough heap to make a man want to go
on living.
Speaker 5 (15:02):
Mister Bradford, I reckon.
Speaker 4 (15:04):
So then, will you give up your fast? Will you
start eating again?
Speaker 5 (15:10):
And her? Would you like to join me for lunch? Yes?
Speaker 3 (15:19):
There is plenty of goodness in this world, even if
it does take a little looking for. This has been
another fun Paints drama inspired by a true story in
the files of the American Weekly.
Speaker 8 (15:34):
Yes, if we.
Speaker 3 (15:35):
Stop to think, there is a lot in this world
to make us glad to be alive. In moments of
danger and need, there are always people eager to give
a helping hand, whether it's our friends, neighbors, or even
a stranger who happens to be passing by. Or a
truly human and timely story about quick thinking and life
saving on the part of the young men who deliver newspapers.
Read the article entitled Newspaper Boys, Heroes and Businessmen in
(16:00):
the August twenty ninth issue of The American Weekly. It
relates several instances of quick action and bravery.
Speaker 8 (16:06):
By these boys.
Speaker 3 (16:07):
Yes, it'll give you that good to be a live feeling.
It's just one of the many true stories in the
August twenty ninth issue of The American Weekly. It's a
magazine that brings you timely, thought provoking articles, amusing commentaries,
intimate memoirs, and stories that actually happened, written by the
world's finest writers. Readers in over nine million homes look
(16:29):
forward to The American Weekly each week. Why not let
that include your home?
Speaker 8 (16:34):
Starting this week.
Speaker 3 (16:35):
Ask your news dealer for the Sunday paper that contains
the nation's reading habit, The American Weekly.
Speaker 1 (16:53):
Welcome back in uplifting story after a startling stort Now
is one of those stories which is either entirely fiction
or mostly fiction, almost certainly, but it definitely speaks to
a truth. Now. Of course, this might seem an odd
(17:14):
time for the sort of sentiment that mister Bradford expressed,
given that this was after World War II it ended,
and it was before American involvement in Korea heated up.
But there was plenty to be worried about in the world.
The war had ended in the fury of the atomic
(17:40):
bomb and set up a situation where the world would
spend nearly half a century with the fear of atomic
annihilation and animating concern. And at the same time you
had all sorts of stories of anger and hatred and intolerance.
(18:02):
You hear evidence of that in things like Jack Webb's
commentary series One out of Seven or Superman's Battle against
the Ku Klux Klan in fiction which spoke to a
real life situations that went round in the country. The
stories in the Bradford edition point to the other side,
(18:25):
and the fact is that both the good and the
bad were true. And I guess sometimes we face a
choice whether it'll let the darkness of our times consume us,
or like mister Bradford, decide to ultimately live in hope.
It's time for me to close up the old snack wagon,
(18:45):
but don't worry, We'll be back with another serving of
old time radio goodness before you know it. If you
want to enjoy some of our longer form podcasts, you
can feast away at my website at Great Detectives dot net.
Your emails are also welcome at Adam at snackwagon dot net.
Speaker 2 (19:04):
The Old Time Radio Snackwagon comes to you from Boise, Idaho.
Your host is Adam Graham. Sound production is by Ryn's
Media LC. You can listen to past episodes of the
Old Time Radio Snackwagon as well as connect on social
media at our website at snackwagon dot net. Email suggestions
(19:24):
for episodes to Adam at snackwagon dot net. This has
been the Old Time Radio Snackwagon.
Speaker 1 (19:42):
Until next time. Goodbye,
Are you Adam Graham the very same And this is
my old time radio snackwagon.
Speaker 2 (00:13):
Welcome to the Old Time Radio snack Wagon, where we
serve up a bite sized portion of old time radio.
And now here's your snack wagon host Adam Graham.
Speaker 1 (00:25):
Today we are serving up one of the longest running
weekly programs. During the golden age of radio, there were
more episodes of this program made than there were of
locks Radio theater. Yet if you look in John Dunning's
Definitive Encyclopedia of Old Time Radio on the Air and
(00:47):
you look for this series entry, you won't find it.
And unlike other forgotten series, it's not like that there
aren't episodes in circulation, although when Dunning compared Encyclopedia, perhaps
there weren't. But today there are hundreds of episodes of
this series floating around the Internet. The series is Front
(01:11):
Page Drama, which was actually promoted by the Hearst Newspaper
Syndicate to promote the American Weekly, a newspaper supplement that
was published in the Sunday Papers for seventy years from
(01:31):
eighteen ninety six to nineteen sixty six. It was a
twenty one by fifteen publication with each issue running from
twelve to twenty four pages in length, filled with sensationalistic
stories and pictures, some of which were made up, and
(01:52):
even some that admitted they were made up. According to
historian a historian, the American Weekly likely influenced the type
of stories and art done by Alex Raymond, who drew
Flash Gordon, which is one of the series featured on
(02:14):
one of our sister podcasts, The Great Adventurers of Old
Time Radio. During the more than twenty years that Front
Paige's Drama was on the air, American taste and interest changed.
Its focus was on selling the American Weekly or the
(02:37):
Sunday paper that printed it to be more precise and
so Front Paige's Drama is a true mixed bag, bearing
so much from era to era, year to year, end
story to story. The first program we're going to share
with you from this series comes from August twenty eighth,
(02:57):
nineteen forty eight. It's the eight hundred first episode of
Front Paid Drama and the Tottle is dead within ten.
Speaker 3 (03:05):
Days, a front page drama from The American Weekly.
Speaker 4 (03:19):
Tell me, sir, how long do you expect to live?
One hundred and five years or one hundred and ten.
Speaker 5 (03:24):
Young man, I expect to be dead within ten days.
Speaker 3 (03:34):
Well, when a man on his one hundredth birthday forecasts
his death, maybe there's an unusual story lurking beneath the surface.
Front paid drama brings you an exciting true story from
the files of the American Weekly, the great magazine that
comes with a leading Sunday newspaper on sale in this city.
(03:58):
It's a modest little house in a very average section
of town where a reporter stops to look up at
the address above the door. Then he checks it with
his notes and rings the doorbown. He waits a while,
Then after a few moments, a figure appears in the
plate glass of the door and looks at him suspiciously.
(04:20):
A reporter calls out, I want to.
Speaker 4 (04:23):
See mister Bradford. I'm a reporter. See here's my press card. Reporter,
open the door, please.
Speaker 6 (04:33):
Mister Bradford doesn't like to talk to reporters.
Speaker 4 (04:36):
Oh, but this is special. After all, a man doesn't
have a one hundredth birthday often. Please ask him if
you'll see me.
Speaker 6 (04:41):
He won't talk to you, I said, but he has to.
I'm sorry.
Speaker 7 (04:45):
Look, my job hangs on this. If I don't get
this interview. I'll get fired. Let me ask him.
Speaker 6 (04:50):
Now, see here, young man.
Speaker 3 (04:56):
But the young reporter by this time was too busy
making his way to the old man's room to see
or hear anything. They found himself facing an old man
who sat in a wheelchair, his legs covered by a blanket.
Speaker 5 (05:09):
Every young man, what do you want?
Speaker 4 (05:10):
Please, sir, you've got to talk to me. It means
my job.
Speaker 5 (05:13):
I do want to talk to anyone, but you must.
Speaker 4 (05:16):
You have a public duty. You're the first man in
the history of this city ever to live to be
one hundred. People are interested in you.
Speaker 7 (05:22):
They have a right to know about you, like how
did you manage to reach the age of one hundred?
Speaker 5 (05:27):
Mostly by being born in eighteen forty eight of gish.
Speaker 4 (05:31):
Hey, that's not bad. You've got a sense of humor,
and at your age.
Speaker 5 (05:35):
It's a humor.
Speaker 1 (05:35):
Eh.
Speaker 5 (05:36):
I have not. I'm disgusted with the whole shooting.
Speaker 8 (05:39):
Man.
Speaker 4 (05:40):
Tell me, how long do you expect to live? One
hundred and five or one hundred and ten?
Speaker 8 (05:46):
Young man?
Speaker 5 (05:46):
I expect to be dead within ten days.
Speaker 4 (05:49):
What has the doctor said anything?
Speaker 8 (05:52):
Doctor? No, I say it.
Speaker 5 (05:55):
If it's any constellation to you, I'm going to be
the cause of my own death. I stopped eating, But
why because I don't want to live anymore? That's why
are you in sick?
Speaker 8 (06:07):
Pain?
Speaker 4 (06:08):
What's wrong? Now?
Speaker 5 (06:09):
I'm not sick and I'm not in pain. And if
you want to know the reason, I'm just disgusted with
this whole world. I've been around for one hundred years,
and all that time, I've never seen man do anything
to make conditions better. Oh now, faster wagons, faster cars,
faster planes, all so they can kill each other faster. Well,
(06:29):
I've lost hope for mankind and I've seen enough evil.
So this morning I just decided that I want to
die and get it over with you. So I have
stopped eating. But you can't do that, Oh can't I? Well,
I am doing it.
Speaker 7 (06:44):
And I came here for some encouraging words for future
generations to hear. A lot of good it would do
if I print what you've.
Speaker 5 (06:50):
Said, Well you can print it because it's the truth.
There's nothing encouraging. Nothing. The world's in a mess. It's
getting worse, and we haven't got the brains to do
anything about it. Tell you I'm finished with mankind. I'll
get out.
Speaker 4 (07:05):
Oh but sir, yes, mister Bradford.
Speaker 3 (07:14):
It was a mighty discouraged young reporter who sat down
at his typewriter in the newspaper office that afternoon to
knock out a story about a man who didn't want
to live. But as he typed on, something happened to him,
and then, much to his own surprise, the keys started
to fly and the story began to take shape, and
finally he was finished. He ripped the paper from the
(07:34):
machine and went dashing across the floor toward the editor's office,
where he opened the door.
Speaker 4 (07:40):
Gee, that story about mister Bradford, one hundred year old guy.
Speaker 8 (07:43):
Yes, that, let me have it here. Okay, I'll take
a look at it. What is this? I didn't ask
for that kind of a story. I want encouragement, advice
or bright outlaw.
Speaker 6 (07:53):
So did I.
Speaker 8 (07:54):
But this is what he said, Well, this story is
worthless to me.
Speaker 4 (07:57):
Just read on, SHEI.
Speaker 8 (07:58):
But I can see now it's not what I want.
Speaker 4 (08:00):
He's just do as I asked this once, read it
all the way through.
Speaker 8 (08:03):
Okay, say what's this? What do you think of it?
This isn't supposed to be an editorial, This is supposed
to be a news item a feature.
Speaker 4 (08:13):
It still is.
Speaker 7 (08:14):
I just want to ask the readers one question at
the very end, is there anything we can do to
change mister Bradford's mind, That's all?
Speaker 4 (08:22):
Will you run it cheap?
Speaker 8 (08:24):
Why? All right, we'll run it. Little.
Speaker 3 (08:33):
Did that newspaperman and his editor know what they were
getting into? But we'll know in just a moment when
we continue with our front paint drama. Well, Boston didn't
know what it was getting into either when wealthy John
Lowell Gardner married the ambitious Isabella Stewart back in eighteen sixty.
The greatest pleasure of the new missus Gardner came from
(08:54):
startling state Boston Society with her unique friends, such as
John L. Sullivan, who at once rescued her from an
unruly mob. Her idea of entertainment was having the strongest
man in the world ripple his muscles for the benefit
of her guests, taking jiu jitsu lessons, and in general,
doing anything and everything that would shock and challenge the
leaders of Boston Society. For many other amusing and spectacular
(09:18):
incidents in the life of this colorful woman, read the
next in the series of romantic rebels called The Fabulous
Missus Jack, which appears in the August twenty ninth issue
of The American Weekly. The American Weekly is the magazine
distributed with a group of America's greatest Sunday papers. It
brings you true stories of every description, stories of romance, adventure, folklore,
(09:41):
and mystery, written by some of the finest authors in
the world, together with timely articles by famous authorities. Readers
in over nine minion homes have made The American Weekly
the nation's reading habit. Ask your news dealer for the
Sunday paper that contains it. Be sure to read the
American Weekly issue of August twenty nine. And now we
(10:05):
resume our front page drama. And we returned to the
newspaper office, where a young reporter and his editor are
looking over the front page of their papers.
Speaker 8 (10:13):
Well, Ted, what do you think of that? Gee?
Speaker 4 (10:15):
It looks well. How would you answer this man? That's
a great headline.
Speaker 8 (10:20):
I think it'll get people to read the article. Hello, Yes,
this is the editor speaking. What is it you want,
madam oh oh? I see, well that's very nice, But
what do you want me to do about it?
Speaker 5 (10:38):
What? Well?
Speaker 8 (10:40):
Say, would you mind giving your story in detail to
one of my reporters. I'd appreciate that very much. Operator
put this call on. Thompson ed do you know who
that was? Not having any idea, That woman who was
just on the phone said she has a daughter who
was stricken with infantile paralysis. That's too bad, but that
isn't why she called. She wanted us to know that
(11:01):
four of her neighbors gave that kid artificial respiration to
keep her alive for eighteen hours till they could get
an iron lung.
Speaker 4 (11:08):
Poh, that's very nice. So what do we do a
story on it?
Speaker 8 (11:12):
Well, don't you get it? She called up to let
us know because we ran that story of yours.
Speaker 4 (11:17):
Huh.
Speaker 8 (11:17):
She wants our old friend, mister Bradford to know that
there are fine people and find things in life worth
living for same what but sure, I'll take them. Just
tell them to keep holding right, give me the first
now Hello, what, Yes, this is the editor. Well, of
(11:40):
course I have time, sir. You just tell me your story. Huh,
I say, And they were put out of the house.
I get it. Yeah, and then what happened? Well, indeed,
we do want that story. Wait a minute, I'll turn
you over to one of my reporters, right, operator, turn
(12:03):
this over at the city desk. Well, ted, this is
even better than the last. A veteran and his family
were put out of their house because of non payment
of rent, and builders and workers got together and are
building them a new house. How do you like that? Say?
Speaker 4 (12:16):
That's terrific? Well, Chief, here's another on. I think it's
the last one, but we can't tell. The phones are
still ringing.
Speaker 8 (12:28):
I've never seen my desk clouds so high with stories.
Look at that amount of stuff.
Speaker 7 (12:32):
Yes, and every one a story of something fine that
someone in this town has done for someone else.
Speaker 4 (12:37):
Can you imagine how this would pile up if the
whole country.
Speaker 8 (12:39):
Recovered, Why, there'd be millions of stores. Yeah, you know,
the switchboard is still flooded with calls. You know.
Speaker 7 (12:45):
This has started an avalanche of good deeds, the likes
of which we've never seen.
Speaker 8 (12:48):
I know. But there's one thing we've lost sight of.
Speaker 4 (12:51):
Yeah, what's that?
Speaker 8 (12:52):
The guy who started all this?
Speaker 4 (12:54):
Oh you mean mister Brad.
Speaker 8 (12:56):
That's right. If you hadn't gone to see him and
hear his bitter story, this never would have happened.
Speaker 4 (13:02):
Then we ought to do something to him such as well,
I don't know. Maybe show him these stories.
Speaker 8 (13:09):
No, I don't think so, but he.
Speaker 7 (13:11):
Ought to be made to know somehow, after all, that
poor old man starving himself at death.
Speaker 8 (13:16):
Let me see only I've got a cheat.
Speaker 4 (13:22):
Why don't we have a special Bradford edition just made
up of these stories, all of them. No other news
in the paper. Let him see that folks are pretty fine, decent,
good worth living for. And with what are you saying?
Speaker 8 (13:34):
Boy, you've just hit on it. That's what we do.
Speaker 4 (13:42):
But I don't care what the doctor says. I have
to see him.
Speaker 6 (13:45):
He's too weak and he still won't eat a thing.
Speaker 4 (13:48):
Please, I have to show him something. Let me go
into that room.
Speaker 6 (13:51):
Oh you might as well. It can't make any difference.
Speaker 5 (13:57):
Mister Bradford. Can you hear me?
Speaker 4 (14:00):
Can you see me?
Speaker 5 (14:02):
Yes? I hear you, and see you. I remember you,
the reporter fellow who is here a few days ago.
I was mistaken, I don't think now ten days.
Speaker 4 (14:16):
Look, mister Bradford, I want you to look at this newspaper.
Speaker 5 (14:19):
We'll do any good ease.
Speaker 4 (14:21):
Read it, mister Bradford.
Speaker 5 (14:23):
All right? Interesting? Is that true? That story about the
little girl of the inventire paralysis?
Speaker 4 (14:34):
Every story in here is true, and every one a
story that should make you change your mind.
Speaker 5 (14:39):
Go on reading, mister Bradford, Yeah, I never knew all
these fine things going on in this town. I thought, sure,
is he profine things doing on in this world? After true?
Speaker 4 (14:59):
Big enough heap to make a man want to go
on living.
Speaker 5 (15:02):
Mister Bradford, I reckon.
Speaker 4 (15:04):
So then, will you give up your fast? Will you
start eating again?
Speaker 5 (15:10):
And her? Would you like to join me for lunch? Yes?
Speaker 3 (15:19):
There is plenty of goodness in this world, even if
it does take a little looking for. This has been
another fun Paints drama inspired by a true story in
the files of the American Weekly.
Speaker 8 (15:34):
Yes, if we.
Speaker 3 (15:35):
Stop to think, there is a lot in this world
to make us glad to be alive. In moments of
danger and need, there are always people eager to give
a helping hand, whether it's our friends, neighbors, or even
a stranger who happens to be passing by. Or a
truly human and timely story about quick thinking and life
saving on the part of the young men who deliver newspapers.
Read the article entitled Newspaper Boys, Heroes and Businessmen in
(16:00):
the August twenty ninth issue of The American Weekly. It
relates several instances of quick action and bravery.
Speaker 8 (16:06):
By these boys.
Speaker 3 (16:07):
Yes, it'll give you that good to be a live feeling.
It's just one of the many true stories in the
August twenty ninth issue of The American Weekly. It's a
magazine that brings you timely, thought provoking articles, amusing commentaries,
intimate memoirs, and stories that actually happened, written by the
world's finest writers. Readers in over nine million homes look
(16:29):
forward to The American Weekly each week. Why not let
that include your home?
Speaker 8 (16:34):
Starting this week.
Speaker 3 (16:35):
Ask your news dealer for the Sunday paper that contains
the nation's reading habit, The American Weekly.
Speaker 1 (16:53):
Welcome back in uplifting story after a startling stort Now
is one of those stories which is either entirely fiction
or mostly fiction, almost certainly, but it definitely speaks to
a truth. Now. Of course, this might seem an odd
(17:14):
time for the sort of sentiment that mister Bradford expressed,
given that this was after World War II it ended,
and it was before American involvement in Korea heated up.
But there was plenty to be worried about in the world.
The war had ended in the fury of the atomic
(17:40):
bomb and set up a situation where the world would
spend nearly half a century with the fear of atomic
annihilation and animating concern. And at the same time you
had all sorts of stories of anger and hatred and intolerance.
(18:02):
You hear evidence of that in things like Jack Webb's
commentary series One out of Seven or Superman's Battle against
the Ku Klux Klan in fiction which spoke to a
real life situations that went round in the country. The
stories in the Bradford edition point to the other side,
(18:25):
and the fact is that both the good and the
bad were true. And I guess sometimes we face a
choice whether it'll let the darkness of our times consume us,
or like mister Bradford, decide to ultimately live in hope.
It's time for me to close up the old snack wagon,
(18:45):
but don't worry, We'll be back with another serving of
old time radio goodness before you know it. If you
want to enjoy some of our longer form podcasts, you
can feast away at my website at Great Detectives dot net.
Your emails are also welcome at Adam at snackwagon dot net.
Speaker 2 (19:04):
The Old Time Radio Snackwagon comes to you from Boise, Idaho.
Your host is Adam Graham. Sound production is by Ryn's
Media LC. You can listen to past episodes of the
Old Time Radio Snackwagon as well as connect on social
media at our website at snackwagon dot net. Email suggestions
(19:24):
for episodes to Adam at snackwagon dot net. This has
been the Old Time Radio Snackwagon.
Speaker 1 (19:42):
Until next time. Goodbye,
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