The Great Gildersleeve's Halloween Party

By Old Time Radio


 Who could be better at celebrating a holiday which is all about fun than Throckmorton P. Gildersleeve, the Great Man Himself? During the program's long run (1941-1957) we got to hear Gildy's “dirty laugh” at quite a few Halloween gatherings. One of our favorites was from 1943.

The character of Throckmorton Gildersleeve first appeared on Fibber McGee and Molly October 3, 1939, as a collector who hires McGee to get “Killer” Canova's autograph. Harold Peary had been with Fibber McGee and Molly for many seasons, but the character of Gildy was such a good fit that he became a regular foil for Fibber. It was a pretty even match as to who would get the better of whom, but we were usually treated at least once with the catchphrase “You're a haaaard man McGee!”

When Kraft Foods began looking for a project to promote Parkay Margarine in 1941, a program centered around Peary's Gildersleeve was ready to go. Moving from Wistful Vista to Summerfield to take custody of his orphaned niece and nephew, Gildy found himself closer to “the real world”. The role of a lovable bachelor with kids suited Peary just fine.

Part of the show's magic was balancing the exasperation of watching young people grow up with Gildy's own romantic ambitions. As the program opens we hear Birdie in the kitchen, preparing for Marjorie's Night Before Halloween Party. Gildy is shooed, first from the kitchen and then from the house, but not before encountering Marjorie's boogie-woogie piano playing beau. He also has the chance to describe a gag to LeRoy that involves tying two water filled pails together with a trip line. Just don't do anything like that, Gildy warns the boy, and if you do only fill the buckets half way; it won't work if they are full!

Banished from the house for the young people's party, the Great Man naturally arrives at the Widow Ranson's house. (During the previous season,  they were nearly married, but Leila left Gildy at the alter so that his broken heart could be mended by the school principal, Eve Goodwin.) Gildy and Leila wind up at Peavy's Drug store for a soda. Leila has the idea that they should have their own Halloween Party. After all, Halloween is tomorrow night.

Whom to invite? The Peavy's can make it, so what about Judge Hooker? He'll need a date, so Peavy suggests Principal Goodwin. The Judge and two of Gildy's Women at the same party, what could possibly go wrong?

Hear more classic Halloween broadcasts from "Halloween Comedies, Variety, and Specials Collection"

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