Tuesday, December 11, 2018

25 More Days of Old Time Radio Christmas - Day 8: Gildy's Christmas Shopping on The Great Gildersleeve (1942)


Buffalo Bayou Park Cistern Tour - Buffalo Bayou Park (Houston, Texas - July 20, 2017)
Buffalo Bayou Park Cistern (source for Houston Public Water from 1926 through 2007) - Buffalo Bayou Park (Houston, Texas - July 20, 2017)
Trying to catch up - so I thought I would head to a show that has lots and lots of Christmas episodes.  I might have to dig a bit to find one.  Keep digging....uh oh - I hit water.  And when you hit water, you think of the Water Department...and you think of Throckmorton P. Gildersleeve - or as he is better know, The Great Gildersleeve.  If you have Sirius/XM, you can listen to Greg Bell's Old time radio channel (#148).  He does a great job of showcasing great holiday themed episodes, especially as we get close to Christmas.

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 December 20th, 1942, the episode broadcast over the NBC Radio Network starts with Gildy falling asleep at his desk while working on the annual report for the Water Department.  While he nodded off, he had a bad dream that he had not gotten any of his shopping done.  When he woke up, he realized that it was indeed the case.  Complicating matters is that Gildy's love interest Leila heading back to Savannah for Christmas.  He promised that he would spend Christmas with Judge Hooker and buy him a present.  So much to do and only a day to do it all in.  Off to Mr. Peavy's for some last minute gifts.  I hope you enjoy this great program from 1942.

December 20th, 1942 (Christmas Program)




Here are some links to programs relating to Old Time Radio and The Great Gildersleve:
25 More Days of Old Time Radio Christmas (from 2018) & Other Links
Another 25 Days of Old Time Radio Christmas (from 2017) 
25 Days of Old Time Radio Christmas (from 2016) 

25 Days of Old Time Radio Christmas (from 2015) & Other Links

25 Days of Old Time Radio Christmas (from 2014)
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