The Great Gildersleeve, a sitcom aired on NBC Radio from August 31, 1941 to 1957, was a spin-off from another popular comedy series Fibber McGee and Molly, or FMAM. It centered on the story of Throckmorton Philharmonic Gildersleeve, who was also the main character of the FMAM. Harold Peary, a popular radio and television personality, was given the lead role. The Great Gildersleeve, which was well-accepted back then, was sponsored by Kraft Foods for its product called Parkay Margarine.
In its first three years on air, The Great Gildersleeve was heard for 30 minutes, and then reduced to 15 minutes from 1954 up to its last episode. Although it was actually pretty different from its parent show, The Great Gildersleeve became as successful as FMAM. In fact, it was dubbed as one of the funniest shows ever aired on the radio.
Old Time Radio's first bona fide spin-off, Throckmorton P. Gildersleeve was one of the most popular of the oddball characters that lived in Wistful Vista, the home of Fibber McGee and Molly. He moved to Summerfield, where he and takes on an instant family in the form of Leroy and Margerie Forrester.
Harold Peary had made Gildersleeve into a multi-faceted character.He was shrewd,but in ways that rarely worked out like he planned. He was a ladies man, but mainly in his own mind. He was a public-minded neighbor, but always seemed to be getting into arguments and entanglements with them. The boys down at Floyd Munson's barbershop knew he was a singer, but often he seemed more an opinionated blowhard. And he was a loving uncle to his niece and nephew.
Walter Tetley played Leroy as a classic young wise guy nephew whose "ah, Unk" line was famous. Margerie (first played by Lurene Tuttle, Louise Erickson in the mid-`40s and then Mary Lee Robb) was the all-American girl-next-door type, and had the level head in the family. Birdie was their family cook and maid, played by Lillian Randolph. She ran the house with wit and warmth, while letting the men think they were in charge.
Catching Gildersleeve in his latest scheme were the druggist Peavey with his "I wouldn't say that, Gildersleeve" Rumson Bullard was Rumson Bullard, the pompous, rich neighbor across the street. Gale Gordon played both Mayor LaTrivia and Fogg Williams. Earle Ross was Judge Hooker. Arthur Q. Bryan was Floyd, the barber.
Gildersleeve wasn't married, but had several ladies he was interested in, namely the Widow Ransom. She was a southern belle type, but she also had a cousin, Adeline Fairchild, who got interested in the successful, if somewhat pompous Gildey.
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Please enjoy these 553 old time radio episodes:
Air Date | Title | Synopsis | Rating |
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11.10.1948 | leila ransome back in town |
+ Sponsored by: Kraft Parkay ("Name The Baby" contest), Kraft American Cheese. Gildersleeve winds u... | |
11.17.1948 | engaged to two women |
+ Sponsored by: Kraft Parkay ("Name The Baby" contest), Kraft American Cheese. One fiancee down, an... | |
11.24.1948 | the helicopter |
+ Sponsored by: Kraft Parkay, Kraft American Cheese. There's a problem out at the reservoir, and a ... | |
12.01.1948 | leroys holiday job |
+ Sponsored by: Kraft Parkay ("Name The Baby" contest), Kraft American Cheese. Getting a job for Le... | |
12.08.1948 | disappearing christmas gifts |
+ Sponsored by: Kraft Parkay ("Name The Baby" contest), Kraft American Cheese. There's a thief prey... | |
12.15.1948 | economy for christmas |
+ , syndicated, WRVR-FM, New York aircheck. Participating sponsors. Gildy goes Christmas shopping, ... | |
12.22.1948 | family christmas |
+ Throckmorton Gildersleeve (Harold Peary) discovers the true identity of infant's dad on Christmas ... | |
12.29.1948 | a wedding is imminent |
+ Sponsored by: Kraft Parkay, Kraft American Cheese. To marry or not to marry, that is the question... | |
01.05.1949 | gildy takes up writing |
+ Sponsored by: Kraft Parkay, Kraft American Cheese. Gildersleeve decides to become a successful wr... | |
01.12.1949 | love thy neighbor |
+ Sponsored by: Kraft Parkay, Kraft American Cheese. Gildersleeve tries the "good neighbor policy" ... | |
01.19.1949 | trip to the dentist |
+ Sponsored by: Kraft Parkay, Kraft American Cheese. Getting Leroy to the dentist is one thing...bu... | |
01.26.1949 | eager young man at water dept |
+ Sponsored by: Kraft Parkay, Kraft American Cheese. The water commissioner is afraid a young hydro... | |
02.02.1949 | adelines hat shop |
+ Sponsored by: Kraft Parkay, Kraft American Cheese. Adeline Fairchild is planning to open a hat sh... | |
02.09.1949 | hat shop grand opening |
+ Sponsored by: Kraft Parkay, Pabst-Ett (silent butler premium). The opening of the new hat shop...... | |
02.16.1949 | leila arrives to close the hat shop |
+ Sponsored by: Kraft Parkay, Pabst-Ett (silent butler premium). Leila is coming back to Summerfiel... | |
02.23.1949 | singing lessons |
+ Sponsored by: Kraft Parkay, Pabst-Ett (silent butler premium). Gildersleeve takes voice lessons a... | |
03.02.1949 | leroys girlfriend and her mother |
+ Sponsored by: Kraft Parkay. Mr. Bullard's niece Brenda is the object of Leroy's affection. Gilder... | |
03.09.1949 | gildys dream summerfield 1903 |
+ Sponsored by: Kraft Foods. A leaky faucet lulls Gildy to sleep and dream of Summerfield at the tu... | |
03.16.1949 | leroy faces competition |
+ Sponsored by: Philadelphia Cream Cheese, Pabst-Ett (silent butler premium). Leroy is forced to co... | |
03.23.1949 | gildys new secretary |
+ Sponsored by: Philadelphia Cream Cheese, Kraft Mustards. Gildersleeve finally takes the plunge an... | |
03.30.1949 | acting police commissioner |
The day the great Gildersleeve became temporary Police Commissioner the dreaded Whistling Bandit str... | |
04.06.1949 | the babys birthday party conflicts |
+ Sponsored by: Philadelphia Cream Cheese, Kraft Mustards. It's Romary's first birthday and a party... | |
04.13.1949 | the circus to summerfield |
Guess what? The circus is coming to Summerfield it’ll be a great day for the kids and guess what b... | |
04.20.1949 | the haunted house |
+ Sponsored by: Kraft Parkay, Kraft Mustards. Gildersleeve is studying to become a detective and ta... | |
04.27.1949 | detective gildersleeve after burglar |
+ Sponsored by: Kraft Parkay, Kraft Mustards. Ellen Knickerbocker's furs and jewels have been stole... |
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