by Delmer Padgett

Created on: April 27, 2010   Last Updated: April 28, 2010

"The Great Gildersleeve" was radio's (and history's) first spin-off series. Hal Peary began appearing on the "Fibber McGee and Molly" show in 1937 in various parts including a role at first known only as "Gildersleeve". In mid 1939 "Throckmorten P. Gildersleeve" was moved in next door to the McGees and one of radios most beloved characters was born. Gildersleeve became a constant source of irritation for Fibber McGee. In one episode he asked Fibber to return a library book for him and proceeded too load a full set of encyclopedias into McGees car. The Throckmorten P. Gildersleeve character soon proved so popular it was decided to give him his own program.

In the summer of 1941 Gildersleeve left the McGee's and WIstful Vista and moved to the town of Summerfield where he had been appointed to the post of Water Commissioner. On August 31, 1941 "The Great Gildersleeve debuted on the NBC radio network and soon became just as popular as its parent program "Fibber McGee and Molly".Upon his arrival in Summerfield not only did Glidersleeve begin a new career but he also was given custody of his orphaned niece and nephew."Leroy" was a mischievous lad who proved too be somewhat of a pest to his uncle "Gildy". Niece "Marjorie" was a teenager whose romantic entanglements were a headache to Gildersleeve, particularly her involvement with steady beau "Bronco Thompson".

Gildersleeve was something of a bragger and he tended too blow things up to be bigger than they actually were. These two qualities led to many of his hilarious misadventures. Gildersleeve and his friends were members of a lodge called "The Jolly Boys" and they tried to be a public spirited group, but their results were not always as intended. In Summerfield Gildersleeve had a friend who aggravated him as much as he had Fibber McGee, "Judge Hooker" constantly bedeviled Gildersleeve and was delighted to do so. Other Friends were "Peavy" the local druggist who was rather wishy washy in his conversations and Floyd the barber. Gildersleeve was always involved in a hot romance but though always engaged, never quite made it to the altar. His most popular fiances were "Eve Goodwin" and southern belle "Leila Ransom".

The series had a fine supporting cast which included; Lillian Randolph as "Birdie", Gildersleeve's housekeeper, Hans Conried as "Oliver Honeywell", Earle Ross as "Judge Hooker", Shirley Mitchell as "Leila Ransom", Richard Legrand and Forest Lewis as "Peavy", Bea Benaderet as "Eve Goodwin" and Arthur Q. Bryant as "Floyd the barber". Gildersleeve's nephew "Leroy was played by outstanding voice actor Walter Tetley and neice "Marjorie was portrayed at first by Lurene Tuttle and later by Louise Erickson. Marjorie's boyfriend "Bronco" was one of Richard Creena's early roles.

Hal Peary left "The Great Gildersleeve in 1950. It is not known if this was because of a monetary dispute, or if he had simply gotten tired of the part.Peary got another situation comedy on CBS called "Honest Harold" but it was short lived. Willard Waterman took over the role of Gildersleeve on September 6, 1950 and would continue in it for the rest of the shows run, he also was was Gildersleeve for three years on television. Ironically Waterman had trouble getting many jobs before this because he sounded so much like Peary. "The Great Gildersleeve left the radio airwaves in 1956.

A fine tribute for "The Great Gildersleeve" comes from a quote by Louise Erickson, one of the actresses to play Gildersleeve's niece Marjorie. "Of all the programs I did on radio "The Great Gildersleeve" is the one that still stands up today, the writing was superb and Hal Peary was a comedic genius".

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