The Hand in the Coconut: Let George Do It (October 23, 1950)

“The Hand in the Coconut” is an episode of Let George Do It, the old-time radio show, first broadcast October 23, 1950. Listen free on Stupid Potato.

Listen to Let George Do It free, live around the clock: every episode, in the order it first aired. No sign-up.

What happens

George Valentine is summoned to a quarantined ship by the renowned hunter Mr. Stang, who claims that Lars Michelson, a crew member, has stolen his prized field glasses. Stang describes how greed traps animals in a coconut trap and suggests Michelson is similarly caught by his own desires. George boards the vessel to investigate the theft and discover the truth about the missing glasses and their alleged thief.

A South African freighter ship docked in port, under quarantine and carrying a cargo of wild animals destined for zoos across the country.

Characters: George Valentine, Mr. Stang, Captain Tigg, Lars Michelson, Baba, Mrs. Stang

Listen for: The clever metaphor of the coconut trap and how it relates to human nature and the theft; George's investigation aboard the quarantined ship and his encounters with the crew and passengers.

Written from the episode itself; it never gives away the ending. Every recording is remastered for the stream: cleaned of rumble, hiss and mains hum (and the old TV whine where we found it), then levelled in two passes to steady broadcast loudness, so one show is never quieter than the next.