What happens
Luigi Basko, a young Italian immigrant in Chicago, is badly homesick for his mother and his village in Italy. His friend Pasquale hits on a plan: a raffle at the night school, with the proceeds paying for Luigi's passage home. The raffle and a party are arranged, with the classmates selling tickets and donating prizes. Luigi writes letters to his mother about city life and his longing for home. Pasquale also arranges a singer, Ralph D'Angelis, to perform at the party.
Chicago, in the late 1940s, including a night school, Pasquale's spaghetti restaurant, and a party held to raise money for Luigi's trip to Italy.
Characters: Luigi Basko, Pasquale, Rosa, Mr. Schultz, Mr. Hawkins, Mr. Olsen, Ralph D'Angelis, Mama Basko
Listen for: Luigi's letters to his mother, Pasquale's raffle plan, and the party where the prizes are given away.
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.