Gildersleeve at one time was the foil for neighbor Fibber McGee on Fibber McGee and Molly. When Peary moved on to The Great Gildersleeve, writers made sure Gildy had a sparring partner to equal McGee. Enter, in the show’s first episode no less, Judge Horace Hooker, as played by Earle Ross. What began as an argument over a lower berth grew into a hilarious back and forth series of arguments that proved to be some of the show’s funniest moments. Continual thorns in one another sides, Gildy and Judge Hooker sparred for years, but also proved to be good friends when necessary.
Whenever Gildersleeve needed to vent or boast, he made his way to Mr. Peavey’s drugstore. Peavey, as played by veteran actor Richard LeGrand, was the long suffering listening ear that Gildy always regaled or assaulted with his latest victory or, more often than not, his most recent troubles. Peavey spoke with a twang heavily rooted in the Midwest and would often respond to Gildersleeve’s rants and ideas with “Well, now, I wouldn’t say that.” This became the most popular catchphrase of The Great Gildersleeve, a program known for coining well used catchphrases.
Playing off of Hal Peary’s singing ability, The Great Gildersleeve introduced a group that often regaled the audience with barbershop quartet type songs. Gildy and his friends, Barber Floyd Munson, Pharmacist Peavey, Judge Hooker, and Police Chief Gates, came together on one episode to provide a club that would be a place for Summerfield’s boys to gather and stay out of trouble. What it became, however, was a hall above Munson’s barbershop, where Gildy and the others sang around an old piano and drank Coca Cola. Supposed to be a one off gag, the audience loved The Jolly Boys and they became a part of the show.
Visit Summerfield and laugh with and at The Great Gildersleeve in the twelve original broadcasts in this collection, The Great Gildersleeve, Volume 37, complete with Kraft Foods commercials and restored to sparkling digital quality.
#491 Leroy Has Trouble With the Mayor's Son
Wednesday, April 8, 1953 - 30:00 - NBC, sponsored by Kraft
#492 Boy's Club Takes Over Jolly Boy Clubroom
Wednesday, April 15, 1953 - 30:00 - NBC, sponsored by Kraft
#493 Marjorie and Bronco Are Fighting
Wednesday, April 22, 1953 - 30:00 - NBC, sponsored by Kraft
#494 Bottled Water Company Stock
Wednesday, April 29, 1953 - 30:00 - NBC, sponsored by Kraft
#495 Anniversary Present
Wednesday, May 6, 1953 - 30:00 - NBC, sponsored by Kraft
#496 Gildy Going to Europe?
Wednesday, May 13, 1953 - 30:00 - NBC, sponsored by Kraft
#497 Leroy's Theme
Wednesday, May 20, 1953 - 30:00 - NBC, sponsored by Kraft
#498 Witness at the Wedding
Wednesday, May 27, 1953 - 30:00 - NBC, sponsored by Kraft
#499 Birdie May Move to Marjorie's House
Wednesday, June 3, 1953 - 30:00 - NBC, sponsored by Kraft
#500 Leroy Has the Mumps
Wednesday, June 10, 1953 - 30:00 - NBC, sponsored by Kraft
#501 Gift for Miss Tuttle
Wednesday, June 17, 1953 - 30:00 - NBC, sponsored by Kraft
#502 Swimming Trip to Grass Lake
Wednesday, June 24, 1953 - 30:00 - NBC, sponsored by Kraft
