Life Insurance For Phil: The Phil Harris (January 22, 1954)

The Phil Harris, old-time radio on Stupid Potato

“Life Insurance For Phil” is an episode of The Phil Harris, the old-time radio show, first broadcast January 22, 1954. Listen free on Stupid Potato: no sign-up, no app.

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What happens

Phil Harris and Elliot Lewis search the attic for a misplaced insurance policy, and Alice Faye joins them as the household scrambles to get Phil insured. Phil rummages through old Navy memorabilia and a packet of letters from a former flame, Emma Jean Tussy, which Alice reads aloud with amusement. Phil phones Mac McCauley at the insurance company, who agrees to send an examiner to the house for a $10,000 policy. Phil then tries to get fit with a set of Boy Scout exercises that Elliot reads out, which prove awkward. The episode is a comedy from The Phil Harris Alice Faye Show, transcribed for NBC, first aired on January 22, 1954.

The Harris household, including the attic and living room, and a telephone call to the insurance company.

Characters: Phil Harris, Alice Faye, Elliot Lewis, Mac McCauley, Horace R. Baxter, Phyllis, Emma Jean Tussy

Listen for: Phil's exaggerated Navy stories and his attempts at the insurance examination.

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.