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 |
---|---|---|---|
04.16.1952 | leroy the beekeeper |
+ Sponsored by: Kraft Velveeta, Kraft Mustards. Leroy invests in a hive filled with bees, who take ... | |
09.16.1945 | leroy suspended from school |
+ Sponsored by: Kraft Parkay, Kraft Pabst-Ett. Leroy has been suspended from school and is being sh... | |
11.23.1941 | leroy smokes a cigar |
+ Sponsored by: Kraft Parkay. The day Leroy and his friend sampled Gilderlseeve's cheap cigars. In ... | |
04.19.1942 | leroy sells seeds |
+ Sponsored by: Kraft Parkay. Leroy tries to sell seeds door-to-door, but winds up planting a Victo... | |
12.12.1951 | leroy sells christmas trees |
+ Sponsored by: Philadelphia Cream Cheese, Kraft Mustards. Leroy goes into the Christmas tree busin... | |
02.01.1942 | leroy runs away |
+ Sponsored by: Kraft. Leroy runs away from home. Gildersleeve makes a fine patriotic speech...fro... | |
03.11.1953 | leroy moves out |
+ Sponsored by: Kraft Parkay (nylon stocking premium), Kraft Salad Oil. Leroy has had enough of Gil... | |
05.19.1946 | leroy learns to dance party for ethel |
+ Sponsored by: Kraft Parkay, Pabst-Ett. Gildersleeve arranges a birthday party for Ethel Hammersch... | |
09.22.1948 | leroy jealous of baby |
+ Sponsored by: Kraft Parkay, Kraft Cheese. Leroy's feelings are hurt when Gildersleeve moves him o... | |
04.18.1951 | leroy in love with marcelle |
+ Sponsored by: Kraft Miracle Whip. Twelve-year-old Leroy is growing up fast, and he's gotten a dat... | |
02.17.1946 | leroy has the flu |
+ Sponsored by: Kraft Parkay, Kraft Mustards. Leroy's sick in bed...a trying time for Gildersleeve ... | |
01.20.1954 | leroy going steady with wendy |
+ Sponsored by: Kraft Oil (popcorn premium), Kraft Mustards. Leroy is in love with Wendy and is ver... | |
07.29.1953 | leroy goes to aunt hatties |
+ Sponsored by: Kraft Miracle Whip, Kraft Miracle Sandwich Spread. Gildersleeve forces Leroy to vis... | |
05.23.1943 | leroy gets a job |
+ Sponsored by: raft Parkay, Kraft Dinner. Leroy gets a job at Peavey's drug store, leaving Gilders... | |
03.16.1949 | leroy faces competition |
+ Sponsored by: Philadelphia Cream Cheese, Pabst-Ett (silent butler premium). Leroy is forced to co... | |
05.07.1947 | leroy excluded from craigs party |
+ Sponsored by: Kraft Parkay (singing jingles), Pabst-Ett. Craig Bullard hasn't invited Leroy to hi... | |
12.27.1942 | leroy chemistry set |
+ Sponsored by: Kraft Parkay, Kraft Dinner. Gildersleeve gets a letter "S. W. A. K." from Leila Ran... | |
04.12.1950 | leroy buys a goat |
+ Sponsored by: Kraft Parkay, Kraft Mustards (Gildersleeve kitchen knife premium). Leroy goes into ... | |
09.05.1951 | leroy buys a car |
+ Sponsored by: Kraft. The first show of the season. It's finally time to teach Leroy how to drive.... | |
10.14.1945 | leroy breaks a vase |
+ Sponsored by: Kraft Parkay, Pabst-Ett. Leroy has broken a vase and has to work every Saturday to ... | |
03.12.1947 | leroy and craig picked up taking lumber |
+ Sponsored by: Kraft American Cheese, Frizz. Leroy has been arrested...for stealing lumber! A touc... | |
03.17.1946 | leroy and craig arrested |
+ Sponsored by: Kraft Velveeta, Kraft Mustards. Leroy has been arrested...for stealing lumber! "The... | |
12.11.1946 | leroy afraid of a bully |
+ Sponsored by: Kraft Mayonnaise, Frizz. Leroy is being victimized by Craig Bullard, the town bully... | |
10.02.1946 | leilas wedding invitations |
+ Sponsored by: Kraft Parkay, Pabst-Ett. Leila announces her marriage...and not to the water commis... | |
02.07.1943 | leilas sisters |
+ Sponsored by: Kraft Parkay, Kraft Dinner. Leila Ransom's sister and her little boy have come for... |
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