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The Great Gildersleeve is not only a great radio comedy, it has two aspects that really makes it a series way ahead of their time. First, it was a spin-off program, having had its main character originally on a different series. In this instance, the main character of Throckmorton P. Gildersleeve was originally on the Fibber McGee and Molly show. According to the Wikipedia entry (please see the link below), the character was introduced on October 3, 1939 (my birthday - not year!). The Great Gildersleeve debuted on the NBC Network on August 31, 1941. Second, the actor to play Gildersleeve (or Gildy) was replaced after a contract dispute. Harold Peary originated the role and played Gildy until a contract dispute moved him off the show. He was replaced by Willard Waterman in September 1950. Harold Peary would star in the The Harold Peary Show, often known as Honest Harold.
The Great Gildersleeve is the story of Throckmorton P. Gildersleeve - played by Harold Peary. Gildy is the self-important Water Commissioner in their town of Summerfield. A bachelor who was constantly on the look for that someone special, he lived in a house with his niece, Marjorie (played by radio great Lurene Tuttle) and nephew, Leroy (played by child voice star Walter Tetley). They are joined by Birdie (played by Lillian Randolph) as housekeeper and cook at the home. One of Gildy's great nemeses is Judge Hooker, who plays a nearly constant foil for whatever they are trying to do. I have gone hot and cold on Gildersleeve over the years, but the more I listen to these episodes, the more I like them. I love hearing the Kraft ads (from the early years) and I am trying to listen to more of them.
On October 24th, 1943, the episode broadcast over the NBC Radio Network involved Gildy's job as the Water Commissioner in Summerfield. His nephew Leroy has to write an essay about what his uncle does so they travel to the office on Saturday to get a tour. While there, they learn of complaints about the water pressure. Being a good Water Commissioner, Gildersleeve calls over to the reservoir and talks to Charlie the engineer there and tells him to increase the pressure. Turns out there is a problem with the "snifter valve" and the pressure is low because it needs to be replaced. When Gildy insists that he increases pressure (slowly), the valve does indeed break....and Summerfield instantly becomes a dry town! Like so many instances, it is an issue of deferred maintenance. I hope you enjoy this episode from October 24th, 1943 (BTW - a time when our President was actually fighting Nazis).
October 24, 1943 (The Waterworks Break Down or Low Water)
Here are some links to programs relating to Old Time Radio and The Great Gildersleve:
The Great Gildersleeve is the story of Throckmorton P. Gildersleeve - played by Harold Peary. Gildy is the self-important Water Commissioner in their town of Summerfield. A bachelor who was constantly on the look for that someone special, he lived in a house with his niece, Marjorie (played by radio great Lurene Tuttle) and nephew, Leroy (played by child voice star Walter Tetley). They are joined by Birdie (played by Lillian Randolph) as housekeeper and cook at the home. One of Gildy's great nemeses is Judge Hooker, who plays a nearly constant foil for whatever they are trying to do. I have gone hot and cold on Gildersleeve over the years, but the more I listen to these episodes, the more I like them. I love hearing the Kraft ads (from the early years) and I am trying to listen to more of them.
On October 24th, 1943, the episode broadcast over the NBC Radio Network involved Gildy's job as the Water Commissioner in Summerfield. His nephew Leroy has to write an essay about what his uncle does so they travel to the office on Saturday to get a tour. While there, they learn of complaints about the water pressure. Being a good Water Commissioner, Gildersleeve calls over to the reservoir and talks to Charlie the engineer there and tells him to increase the pressure. Turns out there is a problem with the "snifter valve" and the pressure is low because it needs to be replaced. When Gildy insists that he increases pressure (slowly), the valve does indeed break....and Summerfield instantly becomes a dry town! Like so many instances, it is an issue of deferred maintenance. I hope you enjoy this episode from October 24th, 1943 (BTW - a time when our President was actually fighting Nazis).
October 24, 1943 (The Waterworks Break Down or Low Water)
Here are some links to programs relating to Old Time Radio and The Great Gildersleve:
- The Great Gildersleeve radio program episodes via the Internet Archive
- The Great Gildersleeve radio program episodes via the Internet Archive (alternative - with more episodes)
- The Great Gildersleeve on Jerry Haendiges Vintage Radio Logs
- The Great Gildersleeve from the RadioGOLDINdex
- The Great Gildersleeve from Elizabeth Thomsen's Pursuits
- The Great Gildersleeve page on the Wikipedia
- Harold Peary's Honest Mistake (article)
- Greg Bell's Old time radio channel (#148)
Here are some of my other blog entries relating to Old Time Radio
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