Christmas Present: The Phil Harris (December 26, 1948)

The Phil Harris, old-time radio on Stupid Potato

“Christmas Present” is an episode of The Phil Harris, the old-time radio show, first broadcast December 26, 1948. Listen free on Stupid Potato: no sign-up, no app.

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What happens

Phil Harris and Alice Faye host a day-after-Christmas gathering at home, where Phil tries to explain a mysterious visit from Santa Claus. The family decides to give some of the children's toys to less fortunate kids, which the girls resist. Meanwhile, Phil's business manager Willie tallies up the holiday gifts, and Phil fumes over the Rexall gift he expected from Mr. Scott. Frankie Remley and Curly come by, and the two of them end up in a mishap involving a fragile Rexall package. The Phil Harris and Alice Faye show aired on NBC on 1948-12-26.

The Harris family living room and home on the day after Christmas, with calls to the Rexall office.

Characters: Phil Harris, Alice Faye, Frankie Remley, Willie, Curly, Mr. Scott

Listen for: Phil's attempt to explain the Santa Claus visit, and the Rexall gift mix-up.

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.