May 12, 2025 • 17 mins
In this episode, we dive into the enlightening series "Hi Neighbor," hosted by the talented Eddie Albert, best known for his role in "Green Acres." Our focus is on the first episode, "The Bobby Soxers Rebellion," which explores the challenges and triumphs of adolescence as a group of teenagers takes a stand against strict school regulations.
Listeners will be captivated by the story of Patty Russell and her friends as they navigate the complexities of teenage rebellion, striking for their rights while balancing the expectations of their parents and teachers. The episode humorously illustrates the generational divide and the importance of understanding and communication in resolving conflicts.
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Listeners will be captivated by the story of Patty Russell and her friends as they navigate the complexities of teenage rebellion, striking for their rights while balancing the expectations of their parents and teachers. The episode humorously illustrates the generational divide and the importance of understanding and communication in resolving conflicts.
Subscribe to the Old Time Radio Snack Wagon at https://www.snackwagon.net
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):
Excuse me, are you Adam Graham?
Speaker 2 (00:03):
The very same?
Speaker 3 (00:04):
And this is my old time radio snackwagon.
Speaker 4 (00:15):
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 Braham.
Speaker 3 (00:26):
There are a lot of conversations in our modern times
about mental health. While the way we talk about it
has evolved, the conversation isn't new. The National Mental Health
Foundation produced a series of programs on a variety of
mental health topics in nineteen fifty called High Neighbor. The
(00:51):
series was hosted by Eddie Albert. Some of us might
remember him fondly for his role as Oliver Win Douglas
in Green Acres, but he was a talented actor in
a variety of genres, appearing in everything from the Longest
(01:11):
Day to The Longest Yard. But now let's go ahead
and take a lesson to the first episode of Her Neighbor,
called The Bobby Socksers Rebellion.
Speaker 5 (01:36):
Hi Neighbor, this is Eddie Albert, your narrative for another
story about the folks who live down the block, well,
maybe the people who live next door. Anyway, It's called
the Bobby socksers rebellion, and it begins in the dining
room with the Russell family.
Speaker 6 (01:55):
Daddy, breakfast is ready to be right down?
Speaker 1 (01:59):
Or if you don't hurry, your father, eat all the.
Speaker 7 (02:00):
French toes a lot.
Speaker 8 (02:02):
That girl cares for French's toe. She's been eating like
a bird lately. What are you supposed to keep her alive?
Speaker 7 (02:07):
Anyway?
Speaker 1 (02:08):
Banana splits?
Speaker 8 (02:09):
I should say another thing, be I don't want to
sound like a tyrant, but do you suppose we could
stop Patty from.
Speaker 7 (02:16):
Running around with Herbie Whidhamer?
Speaker 1 (02:18):
Well, what's wrong with herby?
Speaker 7 (02:19):
Those ideas of the kids are radical?
Speaker 1 (02:22):
All adolescents are radicals in one way or another.
Speaker 7 (02:25):
I have a butter dear, Well, I don't like it.
Speaker 9 (02:27):
You know.
Speaker 7 (02:27):
I think you and I ought to have a serious
talk about that girl. What about tonight?
Speaker 1 (02:31):
Can't tonight pete meeting?
Speaker 7 (02:33):
Oh, let's skip it. Nobody ever comes anyway?
Speaker 1 (02:36):
Fine talk from the chairman.
Speaker 7 (02:38):
Well, it's the truth. You know that you and I
go only out of a sense of duty.
Speaker 1 (02:41):
It shouldn't be that way. I wish I could think
of some way of putting some life into that parent
teachers group that more of.
Speaker 6 (02:48):
A relic, Patty, they're all dead from the neck up,
just like everything else connected with that school. Honestly, morning, Dad.
Speaker 1 (02:55):
Something wrong at school, Patty, I mean more than usual,
Only that we have a fascist for a principle.
Speaker 7 (03:00):
That's all David Old.
Speaker 6 (03:03):
Just listen to his latest Dad. He told the teachers
to give an examine every subject sometime during the rest
of the term, and anyone absent gets a zero for
the examine. That zero is avergeton with the rest of
our marks.
Speaker 1 (03:15):
You mean, if you were absent, you wouldn't get a
chance to make up the exam.
Speaker 7 (03:18):
That does seem kind of strict.
Speaker 6 (03:20):
Kind of strict, it's a blitz.
Speaker 1 (03:21):
I still can't see why you should be so concerned.
You don't miss any classes, or do you?
Speaker 6 (03:28):
Of course I don't cut classes. But it's the principle
of the thing. It's a threat to personal liberty. But boy,
we're not gonna take it lying down, no, sirree, But.
Speaker 1 (03:36):
What are you going to do?
Speaker 6 (03:38):
You'll find out time.
Speaker 1 (03:41):
I'd rather find out about it now, Yes, come across.
Speaker 6 (03:45):
Oh gee, Dad, I promised. It's a sort of pact
I made with the gang.
Speaker 7 (03:51):
You know, Patty, your mother and I trust you but
I wish you'd take this into your country.
Speaker 6 (03:55):
Now, don't try to worm it out of me, Dad,
Please all right, dear say Ma, any chance of seconds
on the French toast.
Speaker 2 (04:11):
Hello, Missus Russell, This is David Owens, the high school principal.
Speaker 9 (04:16):
Missus Russell.
Speaker 2 (04:17):
Did you know that the students of my school were
calling a strike for this morning?
Speaker 1 (04:22):
Strong?
Speaker 6 (04:23):
Well?
Speaker 1 (04:24):
How should I know?
Speaker 2 (04:25):
Because Missus Russell, your daughter Patricia is one of the
ringleaders of the strike.
Speaker 1 (04:29):
Oh no, please.
Speaker 2 (04:30):
Come right down to the school and try to talk
some sense in your daughter.
Speaker 6 (04:34):
Goodbye.
Speaker 5 (04:40):
When b Russell arrived at the high school that morning,
she found the Bobby Sachs's revolt well in progress. There
were two picket lines, one of boys carrying placards, led
by Herbie Whittimer, and one of girls led by guess who.
But this was no ordinary picket line. It was moving
to the rhythm of a cong be pushed your way
(05:06):
through to Patty and asked to have a little talk
with her. Patty was a little too exhilarated to lead
the line willingly, but she finally led her mother to
the strike headquarters otherwise known as Pop's Sweet Shop.
Speaker 6 (05:22):
I'll have a double banana split.
Speaker 1 (05:23):
Please, what do you have my just coffee? Strong coffee?
Speaker 6 (05:27):
Gosh, you certainly work up an appetite, thicketing.
Speaker 1 (05:30):
Patty, this strike is a serious matter.
Speaker 6 (05:32):
You're telling me Old Owens is simply beside himself with fury.
You should have heard the speech he made to us
this morning, treating us like children, threatening us with expulsion.
Speaker 1 (05:42):
Expulsion, Well, Patty, what will your father say? Oh, don't
worry much, just a threat. Anyway, We're going back to
our classes this afternoon. Oh you're going back, Well, that's
good news.
Speaker 6 (05:51):
All that we're striking again tomorrow morning.
Speaker 1 (05:53):
Patty. I'm beginning to lose patience with you. You can't
fly in the face of school authority. He's like this.
If you wanted to protest against the attendance ruling, you
should have approached the principle through the student council. We did,
always ignored the council. I tell you, Ma, that man
is dangerous. He probably thinks the same of you, Patty.
(06:14):
This strike isn't connected with anything at home, is it, Dear?
Speaker 6 (06:17):
Oh? No, Ma, I just felt that I had to
that's all. Oh gosh, don't.
Speaker 1 (06:23):
You understand I'm trying to dear anyway, MA, don't worry
about it.
Speaker 6 (06:29):
I know what I've gotten into, and I'll get out
of it all right, you'll see. Gee. I guess this
revolt of mine kind of embarrasses you and Dad, doesn't it.
Speaker 1 (06:39):
I'm afraid it does, Patty.
Speaker 6 (06:41):
But that's foolish. MA, I am an individual. Oh gosh,
don't people respect the rights of individuals anymore? The world
is just going to pieces. Oh look they call this
a banana splip.
Speaker 5 (07:01):
Well, the first day the teenager's rebellion sure enough ended
in a deadlock. But you've got to give credit to
Patty and Herbie for one thing. Their strike give a
badly needed shot in the arm to the Parent Teachers Association.
Meeting that night was pecked. David Owens, the high school principal,
presented his side of the affair.
Speaker 10 (07:22):
All fifty of the striking students returned to their classes
this afternoon, but a message from their leaders informs me
that they intend to strike again tomorrow if the exam
ruling is not changed.
Speaker 9 (07:37):
Speaking for the school, I.
Speaker 10 (07:39):
Should like to say that the regulation will not be changed.
Students who do not report to their classes tomorrow will
be expelled.
Speaker 11 (07:50):
May I have your attention, please ah, This meeting is
now open for discussion from the floor, anyone, Mister.
Speaker 1 (07:58):
Chairman b mister Owen's friends. As all of you know,
our daughter Patty is involved in this strike. Speaking for
myself and my husband, I can only say that we've
tried to give Patty as much freedom as possible. Boys
and girls need freedom at this age. I'm sure all
(08:20):
of you with teenage children must have noticed the different
ways they show this need. They want to pick out
their own clothes, that they're more critical of us, say
that again, they want to be treated like a doust
And well, I think they should have a certain amount
of independence. And I'll bet both most of you agree
with me. This strike is simply another way our children
(08:43):
have taken to show their need for freedom. It's just
part of their growing up.
Speaker 10 (08:47):
That may be, Missus Russell. But how do you propose
to cope with it?
Speaker 1 (08:51):
Well by understanding the reason for the revolt?
Speaker 9 (08:54):
Please be specific, Missus Russell.
Speaker 10 (08:57):
Well, my understanding the reason for this strike make your
daughter go to school tomorrow?
Speaker 6 (09:03):
Well, of course I can't speak for passions.
Speaker 7 (09:05):
That's it be. You've hit the nail right on the head.
Speaker 11 (09:09):
Oh, I suppose it isn't, according to Oil for the
chairman to butt in like this.
Speaker 7 (09:14):
But I think my wife set a mouthful.
Speaker 11 (09:17):
She and I can't speak for Patty any more than
any of you folks can speak for your kids.
Speaker 7 (09:22):
They did this thing on their own.
Speaker 11 (09:23):
Now let's let them speak for themselves.
Speaker 9 (09:28):
And what do you suggest, mister Russell.
Speaker 11 (09:31):
We'll ask him to send a delegation to meet with
you and the Committee of Parents and Teachers. Give him
a chance to talk things over instead of handing them
an ultimatum.
Speaker 7 (09:39):
I bet you to work.
Speaker 9 (09:41):
That doesn't sound very practical.
Speaker 7 (09:42):
Why don't we try it?
Speaker 11 (09:44):
After all, students, parents and teachers have never set out
to a round table discussion like this before.
Speaker 10 (09:50):
Personally, I don't think it will work. But how does
the rest of you feel about this?
Speaker 7 (10:00):
There is anyone to pose? Well, Miss John's.
Speaker 10 (10:06):
All right, go ahead select your committee.
Speaker 5 (10:16):
Patty and her cohorts met with the committee at ten
o'clock the next morning. Gene and b Russell thought it
might be better for them to bow out of the
committee meeting. So we find them now sitting it out
at home.
Speaker 7 (10:31):
I'm worried.
Speaker 9 (10:31):
Bee.
Speaker 1 (10:32):
Patty promised she'd phone as soon as the meeting was over. Yeah,
oh there, hello, Oh no, she isn't here yet. Who's
calling me?
Speaker 9 (10:44):
Oh? The paper?
Speaker 1 (10:46):
Well all right, keep.
Speaker 7 (10:47):
Trying report her again.
Speaker 1 (10:50):
Nice Patty will handle herself, all right.
Speaker 7 (10:53):
Oh she puts up a good enough front. Underneath the ear,
she's just a scared little girl of.
Speaker 1 (11:00):
Being an adolescent. Dear. She's betwixt and between.
Speaker 7 (11:03):
You know, seems like only yesterday that she was a child.
Speaker 1 (11:08):
It won't be very long before she's a young woman.
I think that's what really bothers both of us. What
do you mean, be our child's growing up? Soon, she'll
be getting married and leaving us.
Speaker 2 (11:20):
Oh.
Speaker 1 (11:20):
Sure, we wanted to be happy, so we encourage her
now to be independent. But we're going to miss that
little girl.
Speaker 7 (11:28):
B Have we done the right thing in encouraging Patty
to be independent?
Speaker 1 (11:33):
This is the test, Dear. She and her friends say
they have a right to a voice in school affairs.
So far they produced a lot of destructive criticism. Now,
for the first time, they have a chance to sit
down with teachers and parents and do some constructive thinking.
Something worthwhile comes out of this. Our policy of letting
her think for herself will be paying dividends at last.
Speaker 7 (11:55):
I hope you're right.
Speaker 1 (11:56):
Oh, Patty, why didn't you fall?
Speaker 3 (11:59):
Oh?
Speaker 6 (11:59):
I tried to, we kept getting a busy signal. Anyway,
the most divine boy in the senior class gave me
a lift in his car. And guess what he wants
me to go roller skating with him this afternoon after school.
Speaker 7 (12:09):
That's all very well, Patty dabber. What about the strike?
Speaker 6 (12:11):
Oh that it's all over over, thank you Heaven. Yes,
we're going back to classes after lunch. Oh same, Ott,
is my skating outfit need a pressing?
Speaker 1 (12:19):
Patty? Please sit down and tell your father and me
about the meeting.
Speaker 6 (12:23):
Oh well, there was a lot of yadity, yead Oh.
Mister Owens explained that the reason for the attendance ruling
was that our school had a high truancy race. So
we talked about it for a while, and then, you know,
somebody in the Parent Teachers committee said that maybe there
ought to be more recreational facilities and social get togethers
at school, you know, working on the theory that anything
(12:45):
you did, if pet bought's school spirit would cut down
on the truancy.
Speaker 1 (12:48):
Just what the PT group needs, a project they can
sink their teeth into.
Speaker 6 (12:52):
We're going to meet again with them to see what
we can do about it.
Speaker 7 (12:54):
What about the attendance regulation.
Speaker 6 (12:56):
Oh well, it's still an effect for a trial period
of one month. But you know, I was kind of
surprised at Owens. He seemed almost human at times. Gosh,
maybe if we keep up these meetings we can work
out something, something more democratic.
Speaker 1 (13:14):
Still can't believe everything's settled. Oh, Patty, that's a reporter.
The newspaper wants a statement from you.
Speaker 6 (13:20):
Oh, but the Divine Boy is waiting to take me
back to school. Tell him I'll write him a letter.
Speaker 1 (13:24):
You're obviously no headline hunter.
Speaker 6 (13:27):
Hello Dad, Yes, dear you and Marv been peachy about
all this. I promise not to cause you any more trouble.
Speaker 7 (13:37):
All right, Well, are there bound.
Speaker 8 (13:40):
To be some rough spots now that you switched from
pickets to playboys. But you run along now and later
on you bring the divine Boy in to meet your folks.
Speaker 6 (13:51):
I will buy that.
Speaker 1 (13:55):
But I tell you she's gone back to school. Oh
you want a personal interview. Well, she's kind of an
active girl that you might look for at the playground
after three thirty. Oh well, and don't forget your roller scapes.
Speaker 5 (14:13):
Well, that was the Bobby Socksers Rebellion production of the
National Mental Health Foundation. And this is Eddie Albert saying,
so long neighbor. Oh, don't go away.
Speaker 7 (14:26):
Your announcer has an important message for you.
Speaker 3 (14:54):
Welcome back. This is an interesting episode. Now I've sworn
off political prot tests, but I'd have to reconsider if
a protest involved the Conga somehow. I will note that
there can be some confusion with this particular series because
over the years there were multiple programs called High Neighbor,
(15:17):
including a music program. Oftentimes, if we think of mental health,
we think of various disorders such as depression, anxiety, or
more serious conditions. Here what the National Mental Health Foundation
thinks is in a more positive way, what is a
(15:38):
healthy way to treat a teenager and the right balance
of listening to them and encouraging them to respect authority.
It's a dodgy issue. In this case, the daughter showed
she was willing to reconsider some of her harsher criticism
of the principle as new information came to light that
(16:02):
she hadn't considered, and the principle showed himself willing to
work on other solutions to address the problem, and once
she had been heard and her concerns had been addressed,
and she was ready to get on with being a
normal teenager. However, it's quite possible to be addicted to
(16:23):
self righteousness and also to really enjoy the attention that
being this sort of controversy starter brings you. There are
many people who lack the emotional maturity of either the
daughter or the principle that allowed this to be resolved.
(16:43):
This episode reflected an interesting perspective in nineteen fifty and then,
as now, everyone has to decide the practicality of the
advice provided. It's time for me to close up the
Old snack Wagon. But don't worry. We'll be back with
another serving of old time radio goodness before you know it.
(17:03):
If you want to enjoy some of our longer form podcast,
you can feast away at my website at Great Detectives
dot net. Your emails are also welcome at Adam at
snackwagon dot net.
Speaker 4 (17:17):
The Old Time Radio Snackwagon comes to you from Boise, Idaho.
Your host is Adam Graham. Sound production is by Ryn's
Media LLC. 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
(17:37):
for episodes to Adam at snackwagon dot net. This has
been the old time Radio Snackwagon.
Speaker 3 (17:55):
Until next time. Goodbye,
Excuse me, are you Adam Graham?
Speaker 2 (00:03):
The very same?
Speaker 3 (00:04):
And this is my old time radio snackwagon.
Speaker 4 (00:15):
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 Braham.
Speaker 3 (00:26):
There are a lot of conversations in our modern times
about mental health. While the way we talk about it
has evolved, the conversation isn't new. The National Mental Health
Foundation produced a series of programs on a variety of
mental health topics in nineteen fifty called High Neighbor. The
(00:51):
series was hosted by Eddie Albert. Some of us might
remember him fondly for his role as Oliver Win Douglas
in Green Acres, but he was a talented actor in
a variety of genres, appearing in everything from the Longest
(01:11):
Day to The Longest Yard. But now let's go ahead
and take a lesson to the first episode of Her Neighbor,
called The Bobby Socksers Rebellion.
Speaker 5 (01:36):
Hi Neighbor, this is Eddie Albert, your narrative for another
story about the folks who live down the block, well,
maybe the people who live next door. Anyway, It's called
the Bobby socksers rebellion, and it begins in the dining
room with the Russell family.
Speaker 6 (01:55):
Daddy, breakfast is ready to be right down?
Speaker 1 (01:59):
Or if you don't hurry, your father, eat all the.
Speaker 7 (02:00):
French toes a lot.
Speaker 8 (02:02):
That girl cares for French's toe. She's been eating like
a bird lately. What are you supposed to keep her alive?
Speaker 7 (02:07):
Anyway?
Speaker 1 (02:08):
Banana splits?
Speaker 8 (02:09):
I should say another thing, be I don't want to
sound like a tyrant, but do you suppose we could
stop Patty from.
Speaker 7 (02:16):
Running around with Herbie Whidhamer?
Speaker 1 (02:18):
Well, what's wrong with herby?
Speaker 7 (02:19):
Those ideas of the kids are radical?
Speaker 1 (02:22):
All adolescents are radicals in one way or another.
Speaker 7 (02:25):
I have a butter dear, Well, I don't like it.
Speaker 9 (02:27):
You know.
Speaker 7 (02:27):
I think you and I ought to have a serious
talk about that girl. What about tonight?
Speaker 1 (02:31):
Can't tonight pete meeting?
Speaker 7 (02:33):
Oh, let's skip it. Nobody ever comes anyway?
Speaker 1 (02:36):
Fine talk from the chairman.
Speaker 7 (02:38):
Well, it's the truth. You know that you and I
go only out of a sense of duty.
Speaker 1 (02:41):
It shouldn't be that way. I wish I could think
of some way of putting some life into that parent
teachers group that more of.
Speaker 6 (02:48):
A relic, Patty, they're all dead from the neck up,
just like everything else connected with that school. Honestly, morning, Dad.
Speaker 1 (02:55):
Something wrong at school, Patty, I mean more than usual,
Only that we have a fascist for a principle.
Speaker 7 (03:00):
That's all David Old.
Speaker 6 (03:03):
Just listen to his latest Dad. He told the teachers
to give an examine every subject sometime during the rest
of the term, and anyone absent gets a zero for
the examine. That zero is avergeton with the rest of
our marks.
Speaker 1 (03:15):
You mean, if you were absent, you wouldn't get a
chance to make up the exam.
Speaker 7 (03:18):
That does seem kind of strict.
Speaker 6 (03:20):
Kind of strict, it's a blitz.
Speaker 1 (03:21):
I still can't see why you should be so concerned.
You don't miss any classes, or do you?
Speaker 6 (03:28):
Of course I don't cut classes. But it's the principle
of the thing. It's a threat to personal liberty. But boy,
we're not gonna take it lying down, no, sirree, But.
Speaker 1 (03:36):
What are you going to do?
Speaker 6 (03:38):
You'll find out time.
Speaker 1 (03:41):
I'd rather find out about it now, Yes, come across.
Speaker 6 (03:45):
Oh gee, Dad, I promised. It's a sort of pact
I made with the gang.
Speaker 7 (03:51):
You know, Patty, your mother and I trust you but
I wish you'd take this into your country.
Speaker 6 (03:55):
Now, don't try to worm it out of me, Dad,
Please all right, dear say Ma, any chance of seconds
on the French toast.
Speaker 2 (04:11):
Hello, Missus Russell, This is David Owens, the high school principal.
Speaker 9 (04:16):
Missus Russell.
Speaker 2 (04:17):
Did you know that the students of my school were
calling a strike for this morning?
Speaker 1 (04:22):
Strong?
Speaker 6 (04:23):
Well?
Speaker 1 (04:24):
How should I know?
Speaker 2 (04:25):
Because Missus Russell, your daughter Patricia is one of the
ringleaders of the strike.
Speaker 1 (04:29):
Oh no, please.
Speaker 2 (04:30):
Come right down to the school and try to talk
some sense in your daughter.
Speaker 6 (04:34):
Goodbye.
Speaker 5 (04:40):
When b Russell arrived at the high school that morning,
she found the Bobby Sachs's revolt well in progress. There
were two picket lines, one of boys carrying placards, led
by Herbie Whittimer, and one of girls led by guess who.
But this was no ordinary picket line. It was moving
to the rhythm of a cong be pushed your way
(05:06):
through to Patty and asked to have a little talk
with her. Patty was a little too exhilarated to lead
the line willingly, but she finally led her mother to
the strike headquarters otherwise known as Pop's Sweet Shop.
Speaker 6 (05:22):
I'll have a double banana split.
Speaker 1 (05:23):
Please, what do you have my just coffee? Strong coffee?
Speaker 6 (05:27):
Gosh, you certainly work up an appetite, thicketing.
Speaker 1 (05:30):
Patty, this strike is a serious matter.
Speaker 6 (05:32):
You're telling me Old Owens is simply beside himself with fury.
You should have heard the speech he made to us
this morning, treating us like children, threatening us with expulsion.
Speaker 1 (05:42):
Expulsion, Well, Patty, what will your father say? Oh, don't
worry much, just a threat. Anyway, We're going back to
our classes this afternoon. Oh you're going back, Well, that's
good news.
Speaker 6 (05:51):
All that we're striking again tomorrow morning.
Speaker 1 (05:53):
Patty. I'm beginning to lose patience with you. You can't
fly in the face of school authority. He's like this.
If you wanted to protest against the attendance ruling, you
should have approached the principle through the student council. We did,
always ignored the council. I tell you, Ma, that man
is dangerous. He probably thinks the same of you, Patty.
(06:14):
This strike isn't connected with anything at home, is it, Dear?
Speaker 6 (06:17):
Oh? No, Ma, I just felt that I had to
that's all. Oh gosh, don't.
Speaker 1 (06:23):
You understand I'm trying to dear anyway, MA, don't worry
about it.
Speaker 6 (06:29):
I know what I've gotten into, and I'll get out
of it all right, you'll see. Gee. I guess this
revolt of mine kind of embarrasses you and Dad, doesn't it.
Speaker 1 (06:39):
I'm afraid it does, Patty.
Speaker 6 (06:41):
But that's foolish. MA, I am an individual. Oh gosh,
don't people respect the rights of individuals anymore? The world
is just going to pieces. Oh look they call this
a banana splip.
Speaker 5 (07:01):
Well, the first day the teenager's rebellion sure enough ended
in a deadlock. But you've got to give credit to
Patty and Herbie for one thing. Their strike give a
badly needed shot in the arm to the Parent Teachers Association.
Meeting that night was pecked. David Owens, the high school principal,
presented his side of the affair.
Speaker 10 (07:22):
All fifty of the striking students returned to their classes
this afternoon, but a message from their leaders informs me
that they intend to strike again tomorrow if the exam
ruling is not changed.
Speaker 9 (07:37):
Speaking for the school, I.
Speaker 10 (07:39):
Should like to say that the regulation will not be changed.
Students who do not report to their classes tomorrow will
be expelled.
Speaker 11 (07:50):
May I have your attention, please ah, This meeting is
now open for discussion from the floor, anyone, Mister.
Speaker 1 (07:58):
Chairman b mister Owen's friends. As all of you know,
our daughter Patty is involved in this strike. Speaking for
myself and my husband, I can only say that we've
tried to give Patty as much freedom as possible. Boys
and girls need freedom at this age. I'm sure all
(08:20):
of you with teenage children must have noticed the different
ways they show this need. They want to pick out
their own clothes, that they're more critical of us, say
that again, they want to be treated like a doust
And well, I think they should have a certain amount
of independence. And I'll bet both most of you agree
with me. This strike is simply another way our children
(08:43):
have taken to show their need for freedom. It's just
part of their growing up.
Speaker 10 (08:47):
That may be, Missus Russell. But how do you propose
to cope with it?
Speaker 1 (08:51):
Well by understanding the reason for the revolt?
Speaker 9 (08:54):
Please be specific, Missus Russell.
Speaker 10 (08:57):
Well, my understanding the reason for this strike make your
daughter go to school tomorrow?
Speaker 6 (09:03):
Well, of course I can't speak for passions.
Speaker 7 (09:05):
That's it be. You've hit the nail right on the head.
Speaker 11 (09:09):
Oh, I suppose it isn't, according to Oil for the
chairman to butt in like this.
Speaker 7 (09:14):
But I think my wife set a mouthful.
Speaker 11 (09:17):
She and I can't speak for Patty any more than
any of you folks can speak for your kids.
Speaker 7 (09:22):
They did this thing on their own.
Speaker 11 (09:23):
Now let's let them speak for themselves.
Speaker 9 (09:28):
And what do you suggest, mister Russell.
Speaker 11 (09:31):
We'll ask him to send a delegation to meet with
you and the Committee of Parents and Teachers. Give him
a chance to talk things over instead of handing them
an ultimatum.
Speaker 7 (09:39):
I bet you to work.
Speaker 9 (09:41):
That doesn't sound very practical.
Speaker 7 (09:42):
Why don't we try it?
Speaker 11 (09:44):
After all, students, parents and teachers have never set out
to a round table discussion like this before.
Speaker 10 (09:50):
Personally, I don't think it will work. But how does
the rest of you feel about this?
Speaker 7 (10:00):
There is anyone to pose? Well, Miss John's.
Speaker 10 (10:06):
All right, go ahead select your committee.
Speaker 5 (10:16):
Patty and her cohorts met with the committee at ten
o'clock the next morning. Gene and b Russell thought it
might be better for them to bow out of the
committee meeting. So we find them now sitting it out
at home.
Speaker 7 (10:31):
I'm worried.
Speaker 9 (10:31):
Bee.
Speaker 1 (10:32):
Patty promised she'd phone as soon as the meeting was over. Yeah,
oh there, hello, Oh no, she isn't here yet. Who's
calling me?
Speaker 9 (10:44):
Oh? The paper?
Speaker 1 (10:46):
Well all right, keep.
Speaker 7 (10:47):
Trying report her again.
Speaker 1 (10:50):
Nice Patty will handle herself, all right.
Speaker 7 (10:53):
Oh she puts up a good enough front. Underneath the ear,
she's just a scared little girl of.
Speaker 1 (11:00):
Being an adolescent. Dear. She's betwixt and between.
Speaker 7 (11:03):
You know, seems like only yesterday that she was a child.
Speaker 1 (11:08):
It won't be very long before she's a young woman.
I think that's what really bothers both of us. What
do you mean, be our child's growing up? Soon, she'll
be getting married and leaving us.
Speaker 2 (11:20):
Oh.
Speaker 1 (11:20):
Sure, we wanted to be happy, so we encourage her
now to be independent. But we're going to miss that
little girl.
Speaker 7 (11:28):
B Have we done the right thing in encouraging Patty
to be independent?
Speaker 1 (11:33):
This is the test, Dear. She and her friends say
they have a right to a voice in school affairs.
So far they produced a lot of destructive criticism. Now,
for the first time, they have a chance to sit
down with teachers and parents and do some constructive thinking.
Something worthwhile comes out of this. Our policy of letting
her think for herself will be paying dividends at last.
Speaker 7 (11:55):
I hope you're right.
Speaker 1 (11:56):
Oh, Patty, why didn't you fall?
Speaker 3 (11:59):
Oh?
Speaker 6 (11:59):
I tried to, we kept getting a busy signal. Anyway,
the most divine boy in the senior class gave me
a lift in his car. And guess what he wants
me to go roller skating with him this afternoon after school.
Speaker 7 (12:09):
That's all very well, Patty dabber. What about the strike?
Speaker 6 (12:11):
Oh that it's all over over, thank you Heaven. Yes,
we're going back to classes after lunch. Oh same, Ott,
is my skating outfit need a pressing?
Speaker 1 (12:19):
Patty? Please sit down and tell your father and me
about the meeting.
Speaker 6 (12:23):
Oh well, there was a lot of yadity, yead Oh.
Mister Owens explained that the reason for the attendance ruling
was that our school had a high truancy race. So
we talked about it for a while, and then, you know,
somebody in the Parent Teachers committee said that maybe there
ought to be more recreational facilities and social get togethers
at school, you know, working on the theory that anything
(12:45):
you did, if pet bought's school spirit would cut down
on the truancy.
Speaker 1 (12:48):
Just what the PT group needs, a project they can
sink their teeth into.
Speaker 6 (12:52):
We're going to meet again with them to see what
we can do about it.
Speaker 7 (12:54):
What about the attendance regulation.
Speaker 6 (12:56):
Oh well, it's still an effect for a trial period
of one month. But you know, I was kind of
surprised at Owens. He seemed almost human at times. Gosh,
maybe if we keep up these meetings we can work
out something, something more democratic.
Speaker 1 (13:14):
Still can't believe everything's settled. Oh, Patty, that's a reporter.
The newspaper wants a statement from you.
Speaker 6 (13:20):
Oh, but the Divine Boy is waiting to take me
back to school. Tell him I'll write him a letter.
Speaker 1 (13:24):
You're obviously no headline hunter.
Speaker 6 (13:27):
Hello Dad, Yes, dear you and Marv been peachy about
all this. I promise not to cause you any more trouble.
Speaker 7 (13:37):
All right, Well, are there bound.
Speaker 8 (13:40):
To be some rough spots now that you switched from
pickets to playboys. But you run along now and later
on you bring the divine Boy in to meet your folks.
Speaker 6 (13:51):
I will buy that.
Speaker 1 (13:55):
But I tell you she's gone back to school. Oh
you want a personal interview. Well, she's kind of an
active girl that you might look for at the playground
after three thirty. Oh well, and don't forget your roller scapes.
Speaker 5 (14:13):
Well, that was the Bobby Socksers Rebellion production of the
National Mental Health Foundation. And this is Eddie Albert saying,
so long neighbor. Oh, don't go away.
Speaker 7 (14:26):
Your announcer has an important message for you.
Speaker 3 (14:54):
Welcome back. This is an interesting episode. Now I've sworn
off political prot tests, but I'd have to reconsider if
a protest involved the Conga somehow. I will note that
there can be some confusion with this particular series because
over the years there were multiple programs called High Neighbor,
(15:17):
including a music program. Oftentimes, if we think of mental health,
we think of various disorders such as depression, anxiety, or
more serious conditions. Here what the National Mental Health Foundation
thinks is in a more positive way, what is a
(15:38):
healthy way to treat a teenager and the right balance
of listening to them and encouraging them to respect authority.
It's a dodgy issue. In this case, the daughter showed
she was willing to reconsider some of her harsher criticism
of the principle as new information came to light that
(16:02):
she hadn't considered, and the principle showed himself willing to
work on other solutions to address the problem, and once
she had been heard and her concerns had been addressed,
and she was ready to get on with being a
normal teenager. However, it's quite possible to be addicted to
(16:23):
self righteousness and also to really enjoy the attention that
being this sort of controversy starter brings you. There are
many people who lack the emotional maturity of either the
daughter or the principle that allowed this to be resolved.
(16:43):
This episode reflected an interesting perspective in nineteen fifty and then,
as now, everyone has to decide the practicality of the
advice provided. It's time for me to close up the
Old snack Wagon. But don't worry. We'll be back with
another serving of old time radio goodness before you know it.
(17:03):
If you want to enjoy some of our longer form podcast,
you can feast away at my website at Great Detectives
dot net. Your emails are also welcome at Adam at
snackwagon dot net.
Speaker 4 (17:17):
The Old Time Radio Snackwagon comes to you from Boise, Idaho.
Your host is Adam Graham. Sound production is by Ryn's
Media LLC. 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
(17:37):
for episodes to Adam at snackwagon dot net. This has
been the old time Radio Snackwagon.
Speaker 3 (17:55):
Until next time. Goodbye,
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