What happens
Luigi Basco, a newly arrived Italian immigrant, prepares to take his first citizenship test before a judge. His night school class and his friend Pasquale rally around him, though Luigi grows increasingly nervous about questions on government, the presidency and the Constitution. Pasquale, eager to see his daughter Rosa married, offers to help Luigi pass, setting up a complication that threatens Luigi's chances. The episode is a comedy of nerves, mix-ups and friendship, and it follows Luigi through the courtroom and its aftermath as his hopes for citizenship hang in the balance. The series, Life with Luigi, was broadcast on CBS in 1950 and stars Jay Carmichael as Luigi.
Washington and a night school classroom, then a courthouse and the streets near Luigi's shop
Characters: Luigi Basco, Pasquale, Rosa, Mary Spaulding, Judge Mitchell, Mr. Olsen, Mr. Shultz, Mr. Baldwin
Listen for: Luigi's nervous recitation of government facts in the courtroom, and Pasquale's offer to help him pass in exchange for marrying Rosa
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.