The Great Gildersleeve

The Great Gildersleeve was a popular United States radio sitcom, broadcast from 1941 through 1957.

Related Topics:
United States - Radio - Sitcom - 1941 - 1957

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Harold Peary was the first voice actor who played played the title character of Throckmorton P. Gildersleeve, a pompous windbag, on old time radio's Fibber McGee and Molly show. His character was so popular that he was given his own show, possibly the first show ever to be spun off from another and a popular situation comedy.

Related Topics:
Harold Peary - Voice actor - Old time radio - Fibber McGee and Molly - Spun off

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"The Great Gildersleeve" debuted in 1941. The premise of the show was that Gildersleeve had moved from Wistful Vista to the city of Summerfield to take care of his orphaned niece Marjorie (Lurene Tuttle) and nephew Leroy (Walter Tetley). Being a bachelor, Gildy had his hands full raising two young 'uns, running Summerfield's water department (to which he was appointed commissioner), and having a life of his own which included time with the ladies and nights out with the guys.

Related Topics:
Lurene Tuttle - Walter Tetley

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The show ran as a half-hour comedy for thirteen years, after which it declined in tandem with radio comedy in general. Willard Waterman replaced Peary as Gildersleeve in 1950, matching the voice so well that many listeners didn't notice. The last live broadcast was in 1957, and a short-lived television series also existed, starring Waterman. Gildersleeve also inspired several films.

Related Topics:
Willard Waterman - Television series

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