In its sixteen year run, The Great Gildersleeve grew from what was simply a two dimensional character into a fully realized show. It also established a whole host of tropes that would influence situation comedies to come, most notably that of the rather crazy relative coming in a time of need to take care of children that aren’t his. It also refined some aspects of comedy, including the use of catch phrases for listeners to identify with and therefore relate better to characters.
The Great Gildersleeve is not only a fantastic comedy, but it’s also a fascinating study in how a character can evolve. Originally, Gildy was created simply as a comic foil on Fibber McGee and Molly. To give him a reason to move, however, writer Leonard Levinson gave Gildy a suddenly deceased brother who had two children in Summerfield. But this sudden transition to being caregiver and family man didn’t happen overnight. Over the years, Gildy becomes less pompous and garrulous, less self centered, and more focused on not only providing for Leroy and Marjorie, but being a part of something beyond his own front yard.
Many of the performers on The Great Gildersleeve would not ring any significant bells with anyone who wasn’t an old time radio fan. A few actors, however, went on to rather promising careers from the program. Gale Gordon, known mostly today for his role on I Love Lucy played Gildy’s wealthy, pompous neighbor, Rumson Bullard. Jim Backus also portrayed Ballard beginning around 1952, possibly as training for playing another millionaire he’d make famous on Gilligan’s Island. Richard Crenna, who portrayed Marjorie’s eventual husband Bronco Thompson, went on to have a long and successful movie and television career.
Laughter in the midst of small town life makes The Great Gildersleeve one of the best shows of classic radio. Enjoy these twelve original broadcasts of The Great Gildersleeve, Volume 27, complete with Kraft Foods commercials and restored to sparkling digital quality.
#339 A Job for Bronco
Wednesday, November 16, 1949 - 30:00 - NBC, sponsored by Kraft
#340 The Jolly Boys Band
Wednesday, November 23, 1949 - 30:00 - NBC, sponsored by Kraft
#341 Two Pants Pearson
Wednesday, November 30, 1949 - 30:00 - NBC, sponsored by Kraft
#342 Bronco Bows Out for Marshall Bullard
Wednesday, December 7, 1949 - 30:00 - NBC, sponsored by Kraft
#343 The Christmas Spirit
Wednesday, December 14, 1949 - 30:00 - NBC, sponsored by Kraft
#345 Hayride
Wednesday, December 28, 1949 - 30:00 - NBC, sponsored by Kraft
#346 Engagement Announcement
Wednesday, January 4, 1950 - 30:00 - NBC, sponsored by Kraft
#347 Young French DP Comes to Summerfield
Wednesday, January 11, 1950 - 30:00 - NBC, sponsored by Kraft
#348 Dinner With Katheryn
Wednesday, January 18, 1950 - 30:00 - NBC, sponsored by Kraft
#349 Dinner for Bronco’s Folks
Wednesday, January 25, 1950 - 30:00 - NBC, sponsored by Kraft
#350 Gildy Tries to Learn the Samba
Wednesday, February 1, 1950 - 30:00 - NBC, sponsored by Kraft
#351 Should Marjorie Work After Marriage?
Wednesday, February 8, 1950 - 30:00 - NBC, sponsored by Kraft
