36-04-30 Rush – the Cartographer

STARRING: ART VAN HARVEY, BERNARDINE FLYNN AND BILL IDELSON

Promo map - click to enlarge

• Vic is helping Rush draw a picture map of the city. (Rush refers to teacher – librarian? – Miss Gustman)
• Vic complains The guy yanking the fish out of the Kickapoo Crick is out of proportion.  Rush wants it like that because Hank Gutstop's layin' on the baggage truck, Mis' Fisher leanin' out her front window, an' Mr. Donahue in the cab of his locomotive are all out of proportion.  But they give the picture some punch.
• Rush is to deliver the map to Miss Gustman at the library by seven-thirty.
• Vic starts to fill in street names – Rush says Miss Gustman will do that.
• Sade wants to know what's playing at the picture show, where they intend to go after dropping off the map.  The men are busy and try to satisfy her curiosity with an invented title.  Vic compliments Rush on his ability to draw Mis' Call's chickens.  
• (The phone rings.)  Hank wants Vic to come to his house to play in an indoor horseshoes tournament.  Vic wants to play and creates a story that he can't go to the Bijou with Rush and Sade because of important lodge business.  Rush advises him not to mention Hank's name to Sade.
• Sade recommends protecting the map by wrapping it in newspaper because there's "soft-coal dust smoke in the air."
• Hank is waiting on the line.  Sade wants to know why the phone's off the hook.  She picks up the phone, finds out it is Hank and explains Vic won't be coming to the indoor horseshoe tournament.  Rush is amazed at her deductive powers.  Sade instructs Vic to get his coat. - compiled by Barbara Schwarz, edited by Jimbo Mason

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The map the family describes is a real one; a promotional item given away (or sold) by Proctor and Gamble during this time period.

It's interesting that Hank Gutstop not only (surprisingly) has a house but he has indoor horseshoes.

Mis' Call has chickens; we learn in another episode that Mis' Keller also has chickens and Mis' Harris probably had chickens as she has a chicken coup.

This won't be the last time that Vic tries to lie to Sade,  Of course, it never works!

36-04-21 Hank Fixes the Washing Machine

STARRING: ART VAN HARVEY AND BERNARDINE FLYNN

Sade comes home from shopping to find Vic acting guilty.  She finds out that Hank Gutstop is downstairs using a hammer on the electricity!

SEE SOME DIALOGUE AND THE SYNOPSIS

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The Gook's hideous, shocking washing machine is acting up.  Again, it's the electricity.  We all know when we see the title that Hank is over to "fix" it.  Well, he fixed it, alright.

What's up with Hank and Vic using hammers to "fix" things?  Vic has been known to use hammers on clocks.

Trivia:

+ It's revealed in this episode that Hank is not welcome in the Gook house, even when Sade is not home.  It's obvious that Sade made this rule.  Is the rule in place simply because Hank owes Vic money?  (I doubt it.)  This episode is from 1936 - what has Hank done in the early days of the show to make Sade so furious?  Was he found asleep in the Gook's back yard or tool shed?  Sade hear a rumor he tried to teach Rush how to play bottle pool?  We may never know.

36-04-09 Vic and the New Suit

STARRING: ART VAN HARVEY, BERNARDINE FLYNN AND BILL IDELSON

No,Vic.

Vic has bought his own suit (the first since he's been married), but just like the hats he buys, he tries to pull 'a fast one' on Sade.  He should know better.

SEE THE SCRIPT (part 1) (part 2)

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A word of caution to anyone who enters the small house halfway up the next block: do not try and trick Sade and always be upfront and honest with her or you will suffer the consequences!

It's hard to tell without actually hearing this episode but do you get the feeling that maybe Sade knew all along it was Vic's suit?  There have been other episodes that seem to work along the same lines as this one (for instance, another episode involving Kneesuffer and photographs found in a desk; Vic and Russell tried to fool Sade, yet she turned the tables on them) plus, most of the Vic/hat entries.

We'll probably never know either way but it's certainly in Sade's nature to turn the tables on Vic and make him "eat" his new suit.

Note: Enlisting Rush to help fool Sade was a suicide stunt.  Sade can easily smell a rat.

36-04-07 Vic and Sade Discuss a Close Friendship

STARRING: ART VAN HARVEY AND BERNARDINE FLYNN

The Gooks are in bed asleep when Sade wakes Vic and wants to discuss the fight Vic had with Fred Stembottom - mainly because she is afraid it will ruin her friendship with Ruthie.

SEE THE SCRIPT

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Dizzy Dean

Vic is mad at Fred because Fred needled him about Consolidated Kitchenware and insinuated that Vic was dumb for working there.

Vic had earlier needled Fred about his infatuation with Dizzy Dean, the baseball pitcher.

In 1936, Fred was not working at the foundry - he was working as a clerk (of course, I suppose he could be a clerk at the foundry... but I doubt it.)

36-03-04 Vic Sings Lodge Songs

STARRING: ART VAN HARVEY AND BERNARDINE FLYNN

• (The original Paul Rhymer script is marked "unseasonal, for emergency use")
• Vic: (singing)  I'm a happy, happy man:  I love my brotherhood.  I help The poor and feeble, and I'm always kind and good.  The Sacred Stars of the Milky Way is the lodge I like to serve.  It's regulations are mighty fine, from them I will not swerve.  So come, my brothers, let us dance.  Let's clap our hands with glee.  For the Sacred Stars of The Milky Way we'll always… 
• Sade comes in admitting she thought maybe he was being murdered, not singing.  He good-naturedly tells her he was singing "Happy Men With Hearts Of Gold" from the Official Lodge Songbook he just received.
• Vic tries another song: "The Last Drop Of Blood in My Body is Yours, Sweet Lodge", sung to the tune of "I'll Steer My Ship To Heaven While the Joyous Wavelets Play."  Sade corrects him.  The title is "I'll Guide My Bark to Heaven an' Go Swiftly on My Way."
• Vic (sings): Jolly lads, quick come to me; a story I will tell about the Sacred Stars Of The Milky Way, the organization we love so well.  ‘Twas founded in 1833 by six wise men so true.  Their names were Howard Conk, J.N. Dupe, L.W. Rotmyer… 
• Another song: "I Wear My Insignia On My Watch-Fob an' It's Symbol in My Heart" to the tune of "Marching Through the Forge." Sade believes it's "Marching Through Georgia."
  Another: "I'd Love To Have A Dollar For Every Good Wish I Have For You, Sweet Lodge" to the tune of "Uncle, Dear Uncle, Stop Beating Me Now."
• Vic has invited Hank Gutstop and Ike Bushel over to work out the tunes.  Ike will bring his accordion.  Sade puts The ki-bosh on the evening, having invited Mis' Brighton and Mis' Willard to call.  She won't have those tramps in The house while her friends are There.
• Vic asserts he's the boss by singing, Jolly lads, come quick to me – a story I will tell about the Sacred Stars Of The Milky Way, the organization we love… 
• Sade tells Vic to phone and un-invite Hank and Ike. Vic tells her not to get excited.  They'll stay to themselves in the kitchen while they are in the living room.  Sade forbids it.
• Vic: "Aw, what's the use of makin' a fuss?  For all you know Mis' Brighton and Mis' Willard might take to Hank and Ike like a horse takes to cheese.  Hank can sing ‘em a song.  He makes people cry when he sings ‘How Sorry I Am I Choked My Gray-Haired Mother.'"   Sade: (snort)    Vic: "I'll get him to sing, ‘Indiana's Got Its Wabash, Pennsylvania's Mountain Tips,  But I'd Give the Mississippi For A Kiss From Your Ruby Lips.'"
• Sade's adamant that he phone Hank and Ike to cancel.
  Bitterly, he agrees, and angrily he sings, Jolly lads, come quick to me, a story I will tell about the Sacred Stars Of The Milky Way, the organization we love so well.  ‘Twas founded in 1833 by six wise men so true.  Their names were Howard Conk, J.M. Dupe, L.W. Rotmyer, Anderson… - compiled by Barbara Schwarz, edited by Jimbo Mason
  

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What would be a very fine episode is messed up a bit by the founders of the lodge being Howard Conk, J. M. Dupe, L. W. Rotmyer, Anderson (and 2 others) rather than just R.J. Konk.  How in the world did that change?

The songs in this episode are classic Vic and Sade and belong in the lore of stories you'll tell your kids, along with Rishigan Fishigan, the Hinks, etc.

Rhymer had a thing for watch fobs, shoestrings, barbers, coronets and other stuff.  I always love it when the watch fob is used in a lodge song...

There's another thing that seems to have changed (maybe) and that's the fact that Mis' Brighton was to come over with Mis' Willard; Mis' Willard was never mentioned again but Mis' Brighton's (probable) son Willard was mentioned many times over.  Willard was always tagging along with Mis' Brighton, so you wonder what exactly is going on there?  Is this something that just evolved or since this was an "emergency script" is this something that maybe Rhymer jotted down one day without much thought?

Still, this script is full of jewels and gems and it's not hard to overlook the inconsistancies when you realize this was an "emergency script."

35-12-18 Christmas Cards for Plant #14

STARRING: ART VAN HARVEY, BERNARDINE FLYNN AND BILL IDELSON

Vic's been saddled with the task of designing the Official Christmas Card for Consolidated Kitchenware, Plant #14.

He's got the artwork down, but he's having a difficult time with the words.  Sade and Rush give Vic their ideas, but they are... rotten.

SEE SOME DIALOGUE AND THE SYNOPSIS

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This sounds like a good one

Christmas, like Vic's lodge, is always taken lightly in Vic and Sade. Christmas cards especially, go sour, just as they do (until the end) on this show. So one wonders why writer Paul Rhymer did not go for the kick in the teeth in this episode, settling instead on a somewhat-legitimate card?

Trivia:

+ Like this one, episode 36-04-30 Rush – the Cartographer (which aired five months after this), mentions Hank Gutstop having his own home and having a indoor horseshoe pit.  We can presume that Hank's house was somewhere near the Gook house.

+ Sade tells Rush not to leave his overshoes on the porch because someone might steal them.  Really?

+ Sade and Rush saw a movie: Hinman Hawk starred in The Mystery of the Trampled Torso.  The script refers to the theater as the "Bijou Talkie Palace".

+ Prairie Street was mentioned as intersecting Kelsey Street.

35-11-12 Vic, Chef for Dinner, Quotes Pantley on Peanuts

STARRING: ART VAN HARVEY, BERNARDINE FLYNN AND BILL IDELSON

Vic makes dinner for the family (with Sade's help) and the conversation turns to foods having more than one flavor.

Vic relates the theory of Walter Pantley who discovered the two different flavors in peanuts.

SEE THE SCRIPT

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This script was often quoted by Bill Idelson in interviews he did about the show.  (((HEAR)))

35-09-10 Rush's First Day at High School

STARRING: ART VAN HARVEY, BERNARDINE FLYNN AND BILL IDELSON

Rush is excited about starting high school.  He's bubbling with enthusiasm and tells his parents all about what's going on.

SEE THE SCRIPT

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Who can ever forget their first day of high school?  Me, for one.  Really, the only thing I remember is a teacher getting upset at us and reminding us we weren't in Junior High any longer.

We find the name of the High School is mentioned for the first time (Emerson) and we find out that Rooster and Rotten Davis have a sister - Agnes, who is never mentioned in the remaining audio episodes.

Rush has a thing for Mildred Tisdel it seems; he sometimes walks her to and from school.

35-06-04 Graduation Day

STARRING: ART VAN HARVEY, BERNARDINE FLYNN AND BILL IDELSON

• After Edwards School graduation ceremonies, Rush arrives home in style - in a taxi-cab, which cost thirty cents.
• Ruthie Stembottom calls to wish Rush well.  
• Vic and Sade discuss the ceremony. Rush gave his diploma to Milton Welch to have it framed. During the ceremony, Iggy had been whispering to Rush on sensational stunts they could pull. 
• Helen Keefer got her diploma just ahead of Choke Dawson.  She cried.
• Vic mentions Sade cried when Rush got his diploma.  Sade acknowledges she may have snuffled a little.  Rush complains about all the clapping and recalls part of the commencement speech: "He said: Us young people were like silver arrows shot from the strong bow of our lessons into the blue sky of life."
• Sade loved every minute of the ceremony, which Vic and Rush found tiresome.  Rush to Vic: "You're not oilin' me, Gov!" (i.e., can't fool me)
• Rush announces he's off to meet chums at The Greek's to talk things over – he says won't be home until 11:30 pm most likely and he would like to have a chat with Vic if he's still up at that hour. Vic slips him five dollars. Rush is stunned.  He kisses Sade goodnight.  "Thanks for the berries, Gov.'"
• Vic explains to Sade: "We got no little baby around here any more, kiddo. Got a man." - compiled by Barbara Schwarz, edited by Jimbo Mason

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Is Rush really growing up?  Meh.

"We got no little baby around here any more, kiddo. Got a man."  - they never had a baby there, ever.

35-05-24 Local Lodge Leader Takes First Dip

STARRING: ART VAN HARVEY, BERNARDINE FLYNN AND BILL IDELSON

Vic has been asked to pose for a photo that will appear in the next day's newspaper.  He'll have to wear bathing trunks and get out in the cool weather, but that's not a big deal... it should only take a few seconds.

Sade though, starts nagging him about the photo shoot, because he's just gotten rid of a cold and still has a sore throat.  He holds his ground with Sade, who eventually gives up (something she almost never does).  Then, as a seeming gesture of peace, he changes his plan entirely!

SEE THE SCRIPT (part 1) (part 2)

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In the previous set of notes I had for this episode (in which there was no script) the show seemed almost pointless -- at the least, boring and lifeless.

Perhaps the script was not read closely when the notes were taken because what we have here is very solid material.

The comedy is set up by Vic being in a hurry, as his pal, Charley Foss (the newspaper guy who wants Vic to pose for a photo), is outside in his car waiting for Vic to get his swim trunks.  This same kind of setup would be used in 41-01-24 Boss Waits in the Car.

When Sade finds out what's going on, she immediately begins trying to derail his plans. Is she really concerned about his health, or is she more worried about throwing a monkey wrench into her husband's plans?

Vic, however, comes up with a spur-of-the-moment 'Plan B', which, really, makes him the winner of the showdown -- a very, very rare moment, indeed.  In fact, this is the only episode I can find where Sade calls her husband, 'Victor'.

Vic, though, seems thoroughly confused, later telling Sade, "You win."  But realize that he was originally going to wear swim trunks, yet his final plan has him in his ceremonial robe!  And for good measure, Hank Gutstop (the person on the show that Sade dislikes the most) takes Vic's place.  The elaborate metamorphosis exists for all to see!  Eh, or maybe not.  It is just a radio script. Maybe it was all planned that way or maybe not. I like to think the genius Rhymer knew exactly what he was doing.

Trivia:

+ Mr. Johnson, Rush's unusual dog, had been in a fight with a neighbor dog (Tiger -- who belongs to Cecil Lutz.)

+ Though we are teased many times, we never do find out what Sade has prepared for lunch.

+ Charley Foss is a member of the Sacred Stars of the Milky Way.

+ When Sade asks Vic where he will change into his swim trunks at the lake, Vic explains that Foss has side curtains on his car.  Okay, maybe so... but why?  The more you think about it, the funnier it gets.  It's not hilarious or anything, but it makes you want to believe Paul Rhymer has Foss driving a hearse.

35-05-08 Graduation Gift Hustler

STARRING: ART VAN HARVEY, BERNARDINE FLYNN AND BILL IDELSON 

Rush (the 8th grader) is about to graduate from Edwards school.  Packages for Rush have arrived from Uncle Hadley Norton and Walter Helfer's cousin, Hartman Whine.  This comes as no surprise to Rush.  He had written to long-unheard-from relatives and acquaintance – not asking for gifts, but mentioning his impending graduation from Edwards School.

Rush is disgusted by Hartman Whine's gift, a book called "Little Dinky Doodles Blowing Bubbles By the Brook". Rush speculates when he graduates from high school Hartman will likely send him a bib.

SCRIPT (part 1) (part 2)

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You may remember a similar plot - 39-11-21 Smelly Clark Solicits Gifts.

We may have our very first "head injury" in the series to note   The story has overtones of the kind of stories Uncle Fletcher would tell in future shows:

Vic: "Hartman Whine once put his head in a vise to see if he couldn't change the shape of his head so he could wear a street-car conductor's cap he found…"

Rush has also written to Sade's cousin Carroll Skinner in Freeport and to Vic's Uncle Clybert Teefie and to Mr. Hudson in Fort Wayne, Indiana, who's "a relative of the lady who used to be married to Uncle Will before he married Aunt Margaret", and to Mr. Harper in Dixon, who is a neighbor of Uncle Fletcher.

More packages arrive.  Uncle Clybert has sent a top.  Cousin Carroll has sent a box of cigars.

35-04-01 Lodge Robe Is Missing

STARRING: ART VAN HARVEY, BERNARDINE FLYNN AND BILL IDELSON

• Sade's on the phone, anxious and distressed.  Rush arrives home.  She swears him to secrecy – she lent out Vic's star-spangled lodge robe to Mr. Gumpox, who needed a costume for a masquerade party last Saturday night.  She gave it to him Saturday morning, never dreaming Vic would need it before the middle of the month.  Vic had phoned Sade to say he'd be home at about 4:45 to pick up his robe.  She's been trying, with no luck, to get Gumpox on the phone.
• Vic arrives home in a foul mood because on the way home he ran into Mr. Drummond ("the fathead!") who claims "a guy can hit harder with his arm than a guy can kick with his leg."
• Rush continues to try to connect with Mr. Gumpox while Vic rattles on about Drummond.
• Sade asks why the lodge fellas are dressing up tonight.  Vic says he told her last Wednesday – they're puttin' on the works for Clemmy Shoemaker and C.J. Ferris.
• Rush enters, telling Sade, "Everything's Jake."  Then he begins to tell Vic an anecdote about an event at the corner of Main and Jefferson Streets.  Vic goes off to look for his robe.  Rush tells Sade that Mr. Gumpox is coming by taxi, and he'll come to the back door and Sade will need to stall off Vic.
• Vic begins to get suspicious. The doorbell rings and Rush goes to answer it.  He calls to Sade that he found Vic's robe in the ice-box.
• Vic wants to know what it was doin' in the ice-box.  Sade makes a feeble excuse.  The robe is wrapped up, and inside it is a raspberry pie and a card.
• Vic reads: "Am sending you this pie to show my thanks.  The costume worked out fine, an' I was the funniest-looking man at the party."
• Vic wants an explanation.  Sade tries, but fails, to come up with a plausible reason.  Rush tries to help explain.  Vic cuts him off.
• Vic: "Sade, how come the doorbell rings an' Rush comes back with my lodge robe all wrapped up with a raspberry pie an' says they been in the ice-box?  How come there's a card in somebody else's handwritin' about a funny-lookin' costume?  How come this ice-box business?  How come this pie?  How come this card?  How come everybody been stallin' me off for twenty minutes?  How come… (fades out)"
  - compiled by Barbara Schwarz, edited by Jimbo Mason 

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I wonder if writer Paul Rhymer realized what a gold mine he had opened up when he put Vic in the lodge?  There's no telling how many dozens or even hundreds of scripts were devoted to the lodge and lodge activities.

To date, all things that involve the lodge have gone wrong for Vic, save the fact that he was elected the "big muck-an-muck" (Exalted Big Dipper) and his friend Hank Gutstop was elected Little Dipper.

The shenanigans with the lodge started in 1934: he's had his picture in the paper and it was all blurred (and his name was wrong), he and his lodge brothers got thrown in jail for singing Christmas carols, when his Big Dipper robe arrived he had no place to wear it but a horse's funeral, he gets his sword in the mail and it's way too big and heavy to be of any use to him and now his robe has been borrowed and it's been found in the ice box.  (There was another episode in 1939 where all of Vic's lodge regalia - including his robe [but not his heavy sword] - was lent out. )

When Rush yells to Sade, "Everything's Jake!", he said this because Mr. Gumpox's first name happens to be 'Jake' - something that was never revealed in the audio episodes.

While Mr. Drummond is a source of irritation to Vic, I have found in the notes I have that his son 'Bulldog' is Rush's number one enemy.

Mr. Gumpox seems to enjoy wearing lodge regalia as he and Howard once wore Ike Kneesuffer's discarded regalia that he had picked up on his garbage route.

35-03-18 Sword Too Long or Vic Too Short?

STARRING: ART VAN HARVEY, BERNARDINE FLYNN AND BILL IDELSON

Vic has gotten his ceremonial lodge sword and he's excited.  That is,
until he has several accidents.  Is the sword too long, or is he too short?

SEE SOME DIALOGUE AND THE SYNOPSIS

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Announcer Ed Roberts talked a bit about this episode:  (((HEAR)))

Perhaps now we know why Vic rarely uses his sword - the thing is way too big for him!

Both Vic and Hank Gutstop seem to be very proud of their robes.  Note that Gutstop has been wearing his Little Dipper robe so much that he had to send it out to be cleaned already (he got it three weeks prior).

Trivia:

+ The sword cost only five dollars.  What a bargain!  (Depression prices).

+ The show ends in a different way, although we must remember that this was 1935:

35-02-28 Lodge Robe Arrives

STARRING: ART VAN HARVEY, BERNARDINE FLYNN AND BILL IDELSON

• Vic wants to show off his Big Dipper robe for public ceremonies. Rush wants to go off and play; Vic would prefer that he stay and admire the robe.
• A phone call from Hank Gutstop reveals that Hank has received his Little Dipper robe, too.  The two want to show them off around town and resolve to speak later. Maybe a lodge member has died or is getting married and they could attend as officials...
• (Vic mentions the Sacred Stars' Slippery Saturn chapter of Oshkosh, Wisconsin)
• Rush mentions Bulldog Drummond and was earlier hurling slurs at him.
• Rush refers to Dirty Johnson on Mason Street.  He has a sick horse.  Vic mentions Dirty is a sky-brother.  Vernon Alberts' dad is a veterinarian. Rush says he not only doctors animals, he doctors Vernon too.  Rush calls up Vernon, asking for help.
• Vic wants Rush's opinion on the robe...

Rush: Naturally, you look funny. 'Peculiar' is a better word.

Vic: "An angel looks peculiar, doesn't he?" 

Rush: "Ya mean because he's got wings an' wears no pants an'…"

• Sade arrives and admires the robe. Vic's pleased.  He begins looking through the paper for a suitable wedding or funeral to attend in his robe.  Sade says she wouldn't have the nerve to wear it where people would see her.  She points out funerals aren't held at night.
• Vic learns ol' man Weepman's funeral was yesterday – a missed opportunity.  Sade volunteers: "Mr. Thrawley on Osade Street is terrible sick."
• Vic reads of a dedication of an office building in Peoria.  Rush says if Vic wore "that fancy overcoat" on the train the conductor would throw him right out on the vestibule.  Vic reads Mr. & Mrs. Floyd Leakley at 1102 S. Clinton are christening their baby that evening, but he doesn't know them.
• Vernon calls with the news that Dirty Johnson's horse has died. Vic then calls Hank to arrange to honor the horse, with each wearing their new robes.  - compiled by Barbara Schwarz, edited by Jimbo Mason 
  

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Vic is so excited to show off his new Exalted Big Dipper robe that he'll go just about anywhere...  He settles for a horse's funeral - and you can image the sparse few in attendance to admire him.

35-02-22 Vic's Dinner Invitation to Mr. Buller

STARRING: ART VAN HARVEY, BERNARDINE FLYNN AND BILL IDELSON

We're delicious!

Mis' Brighton and Mis' Chilly are expected to visit Sade this noon.  Sade has baked some "dainty, little white cakes" (with the obvious help of Crisco) for the ladies and makes it clear to Vic and Rush that they can only have the leftovers.

Vic announces he will dine lightly.  He's ordered beef punkles and Limber-schwartz cheese from Mr. Croucher, which he intends to cook and feed to Mr. Buller this eve in the kitchen while Sade entertains in the living room. However, Sade's concerned about the strong odors from the cheese. She suggests to Vic that he move his dinner to the Butler House Hotel.

Vic announces he'll cook in the basement.  Sade's not happy about this.  But Mis' Brighton calls apologetically, wanting to postpone her visit until next week.  She and Mis' Chilly heard about Croucher's special.  Beef punkles and Limber-schwartz cheese are Mis' Chilly's favorite foods!  Sade tells them to come ahead.  When she calls Croucher's to order more beef punkles and cheese, she finds they are sold out, so she offers to allow Vic to feed Mr. Buller the "dainty little white cakes" and she can feed the beef punkles and cheese to her lady friends.

SCRIPT (Part 1) (Part 2)

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TRIVIA:

* We previously knew that Miss Kinney was Rush's Latin teacher in High School, but we find out (suspect, anyway) here that she was also a teacher at his Junior High.

Vernon (imagined)

* Vernon Alberts is a character I would like to know a lot more about.  We have very little to go on, but oddly, his father doctors him.  It appears as though he was only in episodes when Rush was in Junior High School; however, we know his father was a veterinarian and the young boy seems to take his cue from that.  Everything we know about this kid is animal-related -- and not in a good way.

* Wanting to "eat light", Vic was planning on eating "bread and milk for lunch.  (This could be cornbread and buttermilk...).

* Mis' Chilly is Mis' Brighton's sister-in-law.

* Mis' Drummond's first name is Ida.  "Bulldog" is her son; he was a nemesis of Rush during the first few years of the show.  The Drummond's never move (they are around in the 'Russell years') but for some reason, Bulldog is never mentioned in the later (post-1938) scripts/audio.

* Vic comments that Mr. Buller "just about goes mad" over Limber-schwartz cheese and beef punkles.  And you know, who doesn't?  According to Vic, he and Buller plan to eat the deli delights for an hour-and-a-half.

* It is inferred in the script that beef punkles give off a stinky odor when they cook, as the word "offended" is used in relation to the guests having to smell the odor, not to mention "horrible reek"; even uncooked it "smells terrible" (Rush).   As a matter of fact, it smells so bad, Sade instructs Rush to put Vic and Buller's food outside on the porch! And, much like Stingyberry Jam, it is said the punkles "crawl" all over the house (certainly a knock on it's odor).

* The cheese doesn't smell good either.  We get a glimpse into Rush's child activities when he talks about the smell of the slaughterhouse.  You can just see those young scallywags wandering down there for fun and amusement.

* Dan Quayle = doofus, right?  This script, and many others, show that writer Paul Rhymer often misspelled 'potato' with an 'e'; either that, or the 'e' was commonplace and acceptable in the Midwest at one time.  Yet, Quayle (from neighboring Indiana) is an "idiot" and Rhymer is a "genius".

35-02-21 Rush and the Tableau

STARRING: ART VAN HARVEY, BERNARDINE FLYNN AND BILL IDELSON

• Rush and Vic are walking along the alley.  Rush explains he didn't know what Mis' Barnes meant when she asked if he'd like to be in a tableau at the First Methodist Church tomorrow.  He thought it might be a candy pull or ice cream dive, so he said okay.  His role involves whipping up the aisle with an arm-load of roses.
• Vic suggests pleading illness or pulling a Tom Sawyer to get someone else to do it.  Rush thinks Rooster Davis might fall for it.  He likes to do anything where he gets to show off.
• Vic feels slight guilty at having suggested low cunning and chicanery since the event honors George Washington on his birthday.  Rush says the trick would be on Mis' Barnes and Rooster, not George.  They debate how much Rush should charge Rooster for the privilege.  Vic suggests keeping the price very low.
• As they arrive at home, Sade tells Rush Mis' Barnes phoned to say rehearsal is this afternoon at four-fifteen.  Rush goes off to phone Rooster.  Rooster falls for the scheme like a ton of bricks – he'll pay a nickel for the privilege.  Sade thinks he ought to have met his obligation to Mis' Barnes.  Rush explains it's sort of a sissy thing.
• Mildred Tisdel phones.  She's in the tableau, too, and now Rush is sorry he backed out.  Rush decides to phone Rooster and buy the part back for as high as fifteen cents.  Rooster has already sold the privilege to Russell Henry for a dime.  Rush phones Russell (Rusty) Henry.  Russell has sold it to Vernon Alberts for fifteen cents.  Rush haggles with Vernon, and he agrees to buy the privilege back for thirty-five cents.
• Mildred phones again to let Rush know since he wouldn't be There she sold her role to Aileen Clark for a fancy comb and a fake wrist-watch.   - compiled by Barbara Schwarz, edited by Jimbo Mason 
  

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Sunday School  was a big part of Rush (and Russell's) lives.  Many episodes mention Sunday School.

As I have stated before, Paul Rhymer's writing might remind one of Mark Twain, so the Tom Sawyer reference certainly isn't out of place.

A tableau was probably some sort of production the kids put on, without having to learn any lines.  A tableau vivant, for instance, is a "living picture."

35-02-18 Vic Elected Exalted Big Dipper

STARRING: ART VAN HARVEY, BERNARDINE FLYNN AND BILL IDELSON

• Sade's sewing. Rush is studying in a wide assortment of postures.  He gets tired of sitting the same old way all the time.
• Vic arrives home in Mr. Wilson's car after a lodge meeting, and
  
  he's in high spirits: "This is a very, very special occasion, kiddo.  If I'd thought of it, I'd a broke a window an' come in."  Vic has been elected to a lodge office, but insists Sade guess which one.  She's duly surprised and impressed that he was elected Exalted Big Dipper – "the whole cheese of the lodge".  He will take over the office from Mr. Clinton next Monday.  Sade wants to call and tell Ruthie, but remembers Fred was at the meeting so Ruthie would already be in on the news.
• Rush: "Ya get to wear the red robe an' carry the fancy stick, Gov?"  Vic: "I do.  An', Rush, I hope the day will come when I can sit back in The sacred grotto an' watch you – a big, fine man – have affixed to your breast the Purple Diadem by which all men may know you too are a Sky Brother in the Sacred Stars of the Milky Way."
• Vic goes to answer the phone. Sade encourages Rush to show some interest in this. On the phone is Sky-Brother Smelly Marlin.  He missed the meeting but heard the news and called to congratulate Vic.  Jake Adams also phones. Vic thanks him for his vote of confidence.
• Rush mentions Rooster's father's a "big muck-an'-muck in some outfit, too.  He gets to wear spurs.  Think they call their gang ‘the Lofty Horsemen of the Five Continents'."
• Ruthie phones to offer her congratulations. Vic promises to keep Fred in line.
• Sade asks Vic to describe the election process.  Sky-Brother Phillips was nominated first, Vic second, and Sky-Brother Sponger was nominated third. Vic says he'd have bet $50 Sponger would have won.  He voted for him himself. 
• "Pretty near fell outta my seat when they announced the results."  Vic: "Everything kinda went black."
• Vic tells Sade Hank Gutstop was elected Little Dipper.
• A phone call from Harley Blake (office fellow and also lodge member) about getting out certain invoices.  Vic probes to see why he wasn't at the meeting and asks if he's interested in the election results.  Harley's too busy, and that makes Vic angry.
• Next, a call from the Daily Bulletin-Charger.  They want to send a man over to interview and photograph Vic.
• Mr. Ruebush then calls with congratulations. Vic is deeply touched by his kind words.  
• Rush: "Mom…"   Sade: "Yes…"   Rush: "I think Gov's cryin'."   - compiled by Barbara Schwarz, edited by Jimbo Mason 

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Vic's election to the office of Exalted Big Dipper coincides with Hank's office of Little Dipper.  Considering how long each has held their job, it's now easy to see why Vic holds Hank in such high esteem.

Holding an office in a lodge for as long as Gutstop did says something about his place on the town's social register I would think, despite where he sleeps.  This also makes Gutstop somewhat of an enigma.

Fred Stembottom was at the lodge meeting but perhaps he only came as a guest of Vic and because of the elections; we know he's not a member of the lodge.

The Daily Bulletin-Charger is the former name of the current Bloomington, Illinois newspaper, The Daily Bulletin.  Everything seems to point to the town the Gooks live in as being Bloomington.  I'd like proof from anyone that says otherwise!

35-01-01 New Year's Day - Rush Has Three Jobs

STARRING: ART VAN HARVEY, BERNARDINE FLYNN AND BILL IDELSON

It's New Year's Day and though there are big doin's at the Bijou (see below), Rush has three different and distinct jobs that will pay him money.

One job involves taking care of Mis' Harris' son, Gerald.  He's got another job wheeling around Grandpa Snyder (you may remember that he is confined to a wheelchair.)  And he has yet another job, walking Mis' Crane's dog around the park.

The time he is to meet these people and carry out his jobs all take place nearly at the same time.

He devises a scheme where he can do all three jobs.

SEE THE SCRIPT

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• At the Bijou: Donna Dreamerson and Conway Clayton in the film, True Hearts and Red Balloons; with added attractions Fatty Frisco and Dimples Duffy in the film, Look Out Below, and a special New Year’s presentation by the management showing pictures of local points of interest, together with short talks by various leading citizens (including Mr. Ruebush) and a Colorful Travelogue Depicting The Lovely Scenes in the Vicinity of Mont Blanc, with running comments by Dr. Benton J. Blatz, noted lecturer and explorer.
• The Newspaper says: Miss Mable Coomer, until recently a student of The Commonwealth-Proctor Music Academy in Chicago to sing: “Red Bird Dying”, “Why Is Life So Short and Sweet?” “Into The Gloomy Grave Gladly Shall I Go” an’ “Heaven, Thou Art Very Near To Me”.

Imagine how little there was to do on a New Year's Day in 1935 if you didn't enjoy listening to football on the radio...

What to do? Head to the Bijou where an extravaganza of stuff is going on! Slides shows! A singer! A few movies!  They'd probably stop the show when Amos 'n' Andy came on the radio and pipe in the sound, as several movie theaters did just that in 1935.

They probably gave away a bicycle for the kiddies and dishes for the gals - pop might win a whole box of cigars, even if they weren't his favorite brand.

34-12-20 Uncle Fletcher's Christmas Gifts

STARRING: ART VAN HARVEY, BERNARDINE FLYNN AND BILL IDELSON

The Gooks get a box of unusual Christmas presents from Uncle Fletcher.

SEE THE SCRIPT

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What else could you expect from Uncle Fletcher?

Trivia:

+ I'm sure that in 1934 writer Paul Rhymer hardly expected to have to use Uncle Fletcher as a real character one day. However, six years later, Uncle Fletcher became alive. Episodes such as this one set up the regular-listening audience for his arrival.

In this episode, he is described as not only hard-of-hearing but with very poor eyesight. The unusual presents show what kind of thinking pattern he has.

A former teacher, he's intelligent; the Christmas presents prove he is thoughtful. All of these elements would be molded down the road into what we know as Uncle Fletcher.

+ The gifts the family received:

Sade: hair-ribbon, doily, and waiting glasses

Rush: pants garters, lump, and handkerchief

Vic: Handkerchief, knee-brush, and sinking socks.

Each family member got one present they don't quite understand (Vic got two!)  Again, this is just like Rhymer to not include us in on the gag; though there are several attempts at explaining what the odd gifts are, we all are still left in the dark.

34-12-10 Lodge Brothers Go Christmas Caroling

STARRING: ART VAN HARVEY, BERNARDINE FLYNN AND BILL IDELSON

• Rush and Sade are playing the card game, Old Maid.
• Vic arrives home early from lodge meeting. At the lodge he met Hamilton W. Hunkermanlystoverdelmogintoshfer.  Vic correctly guessed his name but mistook him for another Hamilton W. Hunkermanlystoverdelmogintoshfer.
• He and some of the fellas are going to the hospital to sing Christmas Carols. Three lodge members are patients at the moment: Burt Wilson with a dislocated shoulder, John Lewis is getting treated for his stomach, and A. L. Freeley had his appendix removed this morning.  He sends Rush to get his overshoes.
• Vic tells Sade the five carolers will sing in the slushy alley in back of The hospital. Sade wonders if it won't bother the sick people. Ike Kneesuffer will pick Vic up shortly.  Sade and Rush agree Ike's a terrible singer.
• Vic: "Hot reception my idea gets around home.  Bet it was the same way with Thomas A. Edison when he invented the steamship.  People probably stuck their tongues in their cheek and …"
• T. V. Abrams will also sing.  Sade says he must be seventy-five years old. Vic reminds her that T.V. was once vocal soloist with the Jumbo Cross-Country Chautauqua  - prob'ly forty years abo. Vic admits the other two singers aren't so hot either – Hamilton Richards and Charley Clyde.
• Vic lists the songs he's chosen for the group to sing: "Cantique de Note, I imagine. Holy Night, Silent Night,  Three Shepherds Saw a Gleaming Star in the…"
• After Vic leaves, Rush tells Sade about Ike's singing: "He's absolutely the world's worst singer.  One time down in the barbershop some travelin' man was gettin' a shave, and he was tellin' about some animal he'd seen in the zoo that made a noise so terrible it set your teeth on edge an'…"  Sade: "I've heard this story a dozen times, son."  Rush: "Uh-huh… an' Joe the barber bet this guy a dollar he could produce a noise worse than any noise the guy ever heard before, and Joe got Mr. Kneesuffer that was gettin' a haircut to sing Pale Hands I Loved Beside the Shalimar.'" Sade: "The guy gave Joe a dollar."  Sade recalls the fun she had caroling as a young girl.
• The phone rings, Sade answers. It's Vic. He's in jail for "disturbing the peace, being a public nuisance, yelling outside the hospital, and scaring the patients half to death."  Rush: "Are all The guys in jail?"  Sade: "The whole five.  Say, son…"  Rush: "Yeah…"  Sade: "In a little envelope in my top dresser drawer get the ten dollar bill that's there. Gov's fine is nine dollars an' eight cents." - compiled by Barbara Schwarz, edited by Jimbo Mason 

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The guy that Vic meets at the lodge - and guesses his very long and unusual name correctly - then realizes he is confusing him with another guy with the same name... hey now... that's funny, no matter who you are!  As far as comedy goes, it's genius and far ahead of it's time.  It's Fred Allen and Steve Allen-type humor all rolled into one - and it's name then was Paul Rhymer.

I've mentioned it before but I feel Rhymer's sense of humor is on par and very similar to some of the British comedy troupe's skits of Monty Python.  For instance, Rhymer's name gag reminds me of this sketch about Johann Gambolputty de von Ausfern -schplenden -schlitter -crasscrenbon -fried -digger -dangle -dungle -burstein -von -knacker -thrasher -apple -banger -horowitz -ticolensic -grander -knotty -spelltinkle -grandlich -grumblemeyer -spelterwasser -kürstlich -himbleeisen -bahnwagen -gutenabend -bitte -eine -nürnburger -bratwustle -gerspurten -mit -zweimache -luber -hundsfut -gumberaber -shönendanker -kalbsfleisch -mittler -raucher von Hautkopft of Ulm.  While the troupe probably takes it a bit too far (it's a sketch from their very first television show) I think it suggests Rhymer-type humor.

As far the caroling goes, there seems to have been a bit of demented Christmas humor in Rhymer, with the awful/twisted Christmas cards, the ravenous wolf-like Christmas card sellers in June every year, the crazy Christmas card company promotions and carolers who get sent to jail for singing to the sick folk.

The song "Pale Hands I Loved Beside the Shalimar" is a real song.  It's actually titled, "The Kashmiri Song".  There's some audio of the song here.  (Thanks to the always-impressive Sarah Cole for the info!)

34-12-03 The Coal-man Makes a Delivery

STARRING: ART VAN HARVEY, BERNARDINE FLYNN AND BILL IDELSON

Sade has some minor trouble with a foul-mouth coal delivery man.  She tells Vic, who, in anger, reasons he will confront the man the next time he sees him.

Seconds later, Vic finds out the guy is back -- and he confronts him alright, but not in an angry sort of way.

SEE SOME DIALOGUE AND THE SYNOPSIS

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A coal delivery wagon

Though Vic did somehow get into a fight (and won) with Mike Towers that once, we all know Vic is not a fighter. While he gets angry, it's a childish anger and he's not really made up of the stuff it takes to fist fight with any kind of success.

Basically, the coal-man looks to be a bruiser. And though he let loose a slurry of cussing, Vic would wisely rather give the guy expensive cigars then try and paste him one upside the snoot.

Trivia:

+ Even in 1934, Vic and Buller were probably eating at the Blue Room of the Butler House hotel.

34-11-21 Washing Machine on the Blink

STARRING: ART VAN HARVEY, BERNADINE FLYNN AND BILL IDELSON

Sade has trouble with the washing machine - it keeps shocking her - and so she calls Vic (and Rush) to have a look at it.

Vic and Rush, who probably don't really know how to fix the machine, decide instead to have fun shocking each other and Sade.

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This one is lots of fun because there just happens to be a video where CBN University's student film department recreated the script!

A little Sadism and Masochism from Paul Rhymer.

SEE THE SCRIPT

34-10-31 Too Many Pictures, Too Little Wall Space

STARRING: ART VAN HARVEY, BERNARDINE FLYNN AND BILL IDELSON

Everyone wants to hang their picture on the wall - at the same time.  And there's too little wall space.

SEE SOME DIALOGUE AND THE SYNOPSIS

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NOTE: The previous 'Friends of Vic and Sade' notes provided to me in 2012 give additional information for this episode that is not provided in the included synopsis.

First of all, it's hard to believe that all of the sudden, all three Gooks have something to put on the wall at the same time.  I know it's radio, and we are prodded to 'play along' but come on... 

However, what is strange about this episode is how Consolidated Kitchenware is so much like the mysterious goings-on of Vic's lodge!  You may have noticed how closely both entities are to Vic's heart.  Perhaps to writer Paul Rhymer they were quite similar - as evidenced by the fancy speech used in this episode and skull and crossbones on Vic's 'Golden' certificate:

"Kitchenware factus quis rebutandeum.  Kitchenware omnis quis quamhoc," which means: "Let kitchenware be first.  All other things follow after."

You could change out all of the "Consolidated Kitchenware" references in this episode and replace them with the "Sacred Stars of the Milky Way" and we probably wouldn't recognize much of a difference.  The Kitchenware Company even uses real Latin on their certificates.

The skull and crossbones are used in many secret societies and lodges - a warning to those who reveal the secrets of the goings-on.  (The certificate heralding the skull and crossbones also seems to provide a warning to all Kitchenware employees that work comes first - or apparently the certificate holder is doomed to a horrible death).

Later, Consolidated Kitchenware wouldn't be as important to Vic as it was in the early years of the show.  While Vic is no doubt dedicated to his job and is a faithful employee, he's not quite as fanatical about work as he is the lodge.  It's close, though.

This episode represents one of the first mentions we have of Uncle Fletcher.  While he plans on stopping by the Gook house, we know he won't show up in person on the show until 1940 (six years later).  Also, we have the mystery as to why Fletcher was headed to Washington D.C. --  Fletcher's family and cronies all live in the Midwest.

34-08-20 Coaster Wagon Gets Lighter

STARRING: ART VAN HARVEY, BERNARDINE FLYNN AND BILL IDELSON

• Vic arrives home, having walked up the street with Hickman Oxenhandler of University Street. (He works in The packing department at the plant.)
• Rush has been piling stuff in his coaster-wagon to sell to the junk man.  It's stuff Sade cleaned out of the shed. He expects he'll get 25 cents for it.
• Vic worries Sade's discarded some of his stuff.  He's relieved to learn she hasn't thrown out his newspapers, but decides he better inspect the contents of the wagon before Rush leaves.
• Vic retrieves a cylinder shell off a railroad motor car. Rush is unhappy.  Vic explains the cylinder was off a railroad motor car belonging to A. L. Moffat of Dixon, Illinois. (He was married to Marie Crackley.)  Vic plans to equip it with a battery and a tank, creating a one-cylinder engine.  
• Then Vic spots tractor spark plugs and an animal trap – a family heirloom found by his great-grandfather in Kentucky.  It was homemade, possibly by Daniel Boone himself. About all that's left in the wagon are tin hoops, which the junk man doesn't want.  Vic discovers three stove lids – he intends to have Sade cover them in cloth to use as doorstops at the office.  And a steel brace made for Lyman T. Jeffers of Union Grove, a former employee of Vic's who fractured his knee in a poolroom accident.
• Vic says Rush can have all the iron bolts.  Rush says he couldn't get a penny for fifty of them.  Vic also takes back a furnace grate and a chunk off a telephone and a piece of pipe, a jack-handle, and an axle.
• That leaves Rush with just tin hoops and iron bolts.  Sade feels sorry for him and hands him a quarter.  Then Vic slips him half a dollar. - compiled by Barbara Schwarz, edited by Jimbo Mason

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The story is similar to 40-04-15 Milton's Dirt in Fruit Jars in that Rush still gets a payday in the end even though his plan goes up in smoke.