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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03.12.1952 | train trip to omaha |
+ Sponsored by: Kraft Velveeta, Kraft Mustards. Gildersleeve is planning a trip to Omaha, and wants... | |
12.06.1942 | toothache |
+ Sponsored by: Kraft Parkay, Kraft Dinner. Gildersleeve's got a toothache, but has no plans to vis... | |
11.26.1947 | tom sawyer raft |
+ Sponsored by: Kraft Kay Brand Natural Cheddar, Kraft Dinner. Gildersleeve gets Leroy a copy of, "... | |
10.19.1949 | tom cat troubles |
+ Sponsored by: Kraft Parkay ("Name My Song" contest, record offer), Kraft Mustards. How to get rid... | |
07.01.1953 | togetherness |
+ Sponsored by: Kraft Cheese, Kraft Miracle Sandwich Spread. Gildy decides to keep up with the youn... | |
02.14.1951 | throwing snowballs |
+ Sponsored by: Kraft. Gildy is having a problem with Leroy. He's being too good, until the matter ... | |
04.16.1947 | the whole town is watching |
+ Sponsored by: Kraft Parkay (interesting singing jingle), Kraft Mustards. Judge Hooker tells Gilde... | |
04.14.1948 | the water commissioners radio speech |
+ Sponsored by: Kraft Velveeta, Kraft Dinner. Gildersleeve is invited to give a talk about the city... | |
07.23.1952 | the suggestion box |
+ "Helpful hints make happy homes." Gildersleeve wants to install a family suggestion box. | |
10.25.1950 | the sons of summerfield |
+ Sponsored by: Kraft Parkay, Kraft Mustards. Gildersleeve is eager to join the exclusive "Sons Of ... | |
06.07.1942 | the sneezes |
+ Sponsored by: Kraft Foods. Gildersleeve's allergic sneezing leads to a strange residence in Leroy... | |
11.07.1943 | the pot roast |
+ Sponsored by: Kraft Parkay. Gildersleeve snags the last pot roast in town...until Leila swipes it... | |
01.25.1942 | the matchmaker |
+ Sponsored by: Kraft Parkay. Gildersleeve tries to get a mate for Judge Hooker, but complications ... | |
10.08.1944 | the jolly boys club |
+ Sponsored by: Kraft Parkay. When Leroy and his friends get into trouble, Gildersleeve organizes a... | |
11.23.1949 | the jolly boys band |
+ Sponsored by: Kraft Velveeta (the winner of the "Name My Song" contest is named). The Jolly Boys ... | |
03.18.1953 | the jam session |
+ Sponsored by: Kraft Parkay (nylon stocking premium), Kraft Salad Oil. Gildersleeve tries to wean ... | |
06.07.1950 | the houseboat |
+ Sponsored by: Kraft Miracle Whip Salad Dressing. The "S. S. Throckmorton P. Gildersleeve," a hous... | |
09.24.1952 | the hooker peavy feud |
+ Sponsored by: Kraft Miracle Whip, Kraft Mustards. Gildersleeve tries to make peace between feudin... | |
10.07.1953 | the home haircut |
+ Sponsored by: Kraft Oil, Kraft Mustards (car-a-year contest). Gildy gets a pair of hair clippers ... | |
01.21.1945 | the hockey player |
+ Sponsored by: Kraft Parkay, Kraft Mustards. Marjorie has a date tonight with Keith, a high school... | |
03.24.1954 | the hobby show |
+ Sponsored by: Kraft Velveeta, Cheez-Whiz. Gildersleeve's at a loss for an entry in the hobby show... | |
11.24.1948 | the helicopter |
+ Sponsored by: Kraft Parkay, Kraft American Cheese. There's a problem out at the reservoir, and a ... | |
04.20.1949 | the haunted house |
+ Sponsored by: Kraft Parkay, Kraft Mustards. Gildersleeve is studying to become a detective and ta... | |
03.01.1942 | the fortune teller |
+ Sponsored by: Kraft Parkay. Gildersleeve the fortune teller. There's trouble in his future! | |
02.13.1952 | the engagement ring |
+ Sponsored by: Kraft Miracle Whip, Kraft Mustards. Bullard is upset when he sees Marjorie's engage... |
Josh
Joe
Tim
Tim
Linda
David
Steve
Peter
Tim
Tim
Walter
Scott
Lan
Tim
Andrew
Michelle
Mike
Edwin
Deborah
Jim
Marc
Chris
Dainel
Sink
Chris
Brain
Susan
Mike
John
Dennis
George
Eleizabeth
Tracy
Greg
Liz
Mike
GREAT GILDERSLEEVE
Cheri
Jeff
Walt
Jim
Jim
Mike
Joe
James
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