37-04-08 Chef Donahue

STARRING: ART VAN HARVEY, BERNARDINE FLYNN AND BILL IDELSON

Mis' Donahue is away in Wisconsin, so Sade offers to cook for Mr. Donahue.  He ate there earlier in the week, so he tells Sade that he'll do the cooking, much to the chagrin of Sade.

While Donahue is cooking, Sade is furious.  Will her anger cease?

SEE THE SCRIPT (part 1) (part 2)

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It's a not a big deal but take note that the episode begins with Vic and Rush walking home; in doing so, they must have a two minute or so long conversation, certainly making this the longest conversation on a walk home in the history of the show (at least that we know about).

Trivia:

* There's a great deal mentioned in the script about what happened the prior day, which was a Tuesday. Since they are talking about it in the script, I think it is safe to say that these events took place in the previous episode.

* Mr. Kuppitch was mentioned.  He's a Consolidated Kitchenware big-shot from Cleveland.

40-01-25 Uncle Fletcher Sends Seeds

STARRING: ART VAN HARVEY, BERNARDINE FLYNN AND BILL IDELSON

Sade gets a package in the mail from her Uncle Fletcher.  He's heard she's into gardening and has sent her all kinds of seeds.

SEE SOME DIALOGUE AND THE SYNOPSIS

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What I imagine when I read the above, is Uncle Fletcher doing a dandy, nice thing; sending exotic seeds to his niece and family - but probably putting all the seeds together, where one who didn't know, wouldn't know one seed from the next.

Why did Fletcher send seeds?  Obviously, after hearing about the Gooks having control over a vegetable garden (in an episode just 13 days prior) he sent the seeds.

Trivia:

+ Sade referred to the beef punkles as, "boiling beef".

+ A fictional detective was mentioned, "Firpo Vance."  In other episodes, "Philo Vance" and "Philco Vance" have been mentioned.

+ Found among the seeds: a sewing button, a thumbtack, a pill, bottle-cap, a tooth, a peach pit and an earring.

+ Uncle Fletcher's letter says the seeds include "Common varieties of radishes, onions, spinach, and so forth, many types of rare an' exotic vegetables: the South American semi-poison Hedge Banana, for instance.  Also, the Dismal Swamp Sugar Beet an' the Speckled Snake-Squash.  This latter may be identified by its shape – rather like a human being's thumb-nail."

40-11-22 Third Lieutenant Stanley - Bright Kentucky Hotel

STARRING: ART VAN HARVEY, BERNARDINE FLYNN AND BILL IDELSON 

In an episode that will remind you of 42-03-xx Mis' Applerot's Petition, Sade comes home from her Thimble Club meeting upset that Mis' Appelrot hijacked the ladies with a silly petition to knock down the Bright Kentucky Hotel.

SEE THE SCRIPT

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This is actually the earlier of the two scripts and it appears as though the scripts are similar, there was a major re-working done in the other script.

This script does not include Rush saying over and over, "I will not sign!" (the petition) but he does allude to the fact that Uncle Strap and Mr. Gumpox would be out of a job and a place to live, respectively.

This episode is also full of Rush reading from an unnamed Third Lieutenant Stanley novel.  He reads:

Third Lieutenant Stanley gave the villainous crew of counterfeiting smugglers one supercilious glance. Then his eyes softened as he turned and gazed at the oval face of Lady Margaret. The beautiful woman smiled bravely, revealing twin rows of perfect teeth the rich color of old ivory. Her hand trembled slightly as she twirled her dainty pink parasol and her small foot in its fashionable French spat tapped nervously. Third Lieutenant Stanley touched her arm. "Let us share a hug an' kiss before we fight these miserable wretches," he grunted. Nothing loath, the beautiful woman lifted her veil an' thrust her lovely head forward. Jabbering amongst themselves, the counterfeiting smugglers watched the exchange of tender caresses an' there was a burst of rude laughter as Third Lieutenant Stanley began to cry. "Sweetheart," he blubbered, "Five minutes from now I may be dead. But, sweetheart, I want you to know that my love for you transcends everything in...   The handsome young officer faced death valiantly. "You fellows can go jump in the creek, I'm not scared," he growled to the leader of the counterfeiting smugglers. But for Lady Margaret he had a sweet smile an' eyes that twinkled merrily. "Give me one more kiss an' one more hug before I kick the bucket, sweetheart," he gloated. The beautiful woman simpered and coquettishly pretended that the mother-of-pearl buttons on her fashionable French spats had come unbuttoned. Finally, blushing furiously, she lifted her veil an' thrust forward her lovely head. "Just one hug an' one kiss now," she warned an' Third Lieutenant Stanley howled loudly his satisfaction an' approval.

The best part of the book was a part he did not get to read, but instead, gives us the juicy details:

The counterfeiting smugglers try to murder Third Lieutenant Stanley by tying him to a tree an' smearing melted marshmallow all over his clothes an' releasing two grizzly bears from a cage. Grizzly bears are very fond of melted marshmallow so it looks like curtains for Third Lieutenant Stanley.

While in the world of Vic and Sade, ridiculous things happen to all of the characters, the things that happen to them must not break the laws of physics or nature - that is, the world of Vic and Sade is a real world.

The world of books and motion pictures, however, go beyond ridiculous, even in the world of Vic and Sade.  The marshmallows and the grizzly bears are an example of this, as are most Third Lieutenant Stanley novels dealing with animals.

There is a story in this episode about Mr. Gumpox that is well worth pointing out.  Rush explains:

He'll be asleep an' a fast passenger train'll flash by the Bright Kentucky sixty or seventy miles an hour an' by George the building starts to shake from the vibration an' he'll ride all around the room in his doggone bed just like you'd ride around in an automobile. One time he rode right outta the bedroom into the hall-way. Woke up the next morning in the hall by the fire-escape, thirty-five feet from the spot where he'd retired.

In an audio interview conducted in the 1970's, Jean Shepherd relayed this same story, but confused Gumpox with Rishigan Fishigan. [There may have been an episode like this about Fishigan, but consider that we know that Fishigan lived on the penthouse floor and the ground floor would be much closer to the trains than the penthouse.  It is also inferred that Fishigan was the only roomer on the penthouse floor.  So we assume that Shepherd was simply incorrect.]

43-01-28 Sade's On the Phone

STARRING: BERNARDINE FLYNN (SOLO)

Sade is busy at the phone, window and back door as she dodges (or tries to) the newly-moved davenport, which she keeps bumping into.

SEE THE SCRIPT (part 1) (part 2)

Our favorite radio actress

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This episode is a total solo effort from Bernadine Flynn. In interviews from the 1970's, she spoke about this episode: (((HEAR))) and (((HEAR))).  Flynn mentions some facts not associated with this particular show, so a Sade-solo may have happened more than once.

It's unfortunate that we are not able to listen to this episode, for I suspect we would come away more amazed at the talent of Flynn than we are now.

Trivia:

+ When Sade talks to Mis' Trogle on the phone, she briefly speaks about her daughter, Margaret.  Mis' Trogle also has the first name of Margaret!

+ Mr. Croucher has a son named 'Leland'.

+ Though Bill Idelson is in the Navy at this date, Rush raps at the window on two occasions.  That's mind boggling.  Yes, it's just a radio show.

+ Irving or Irvin?? The grocery delivery boy is referred to by different names (Irving or Irvin) by different family members in different episodes.  The script here says, ''Irving'', yet it's in the minority.  Just try and live with it.

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.

32-09-21 Restart Excercising (Underwear By Mail Order)

STARRING: ART VAN HARVEY, BERNARDINE FLYNN AND BILL IDELSON

• Sade has trouble getting Rush out of bed. He asked to be wakened at 7 and now regrets it.  He and Vic plan to start exercising together.  Rush protests: "A fella really shouldn't get outta be too fast.  It's bad for the liver and…"
• Rush doesn't intend to wear a shirt: "It's better to exercise naked."
• Rush bets he could sleep from Christmas Eve 'til after the Fourth of July.  Sade says if he did that he'd miss Christmas presents and fireworks: "Better go to bed the day after Christmas and get up the day before the Fourth."  Rush: "Sure. Then I'll get all my Christmas presents on Christmas, go to bed, and wake up and shoot off a lotta firecrackers."
  Sade: "Better tell your friends to give you firecrackers for Christmas.
• Rush goes off to wake Vic. He reminds Vic of their agreement to exercise. Vic cheerfully starts to get up but begins to drift back to sleep. Vic suggests Rush exercise, and he'll watch, offering helpful advice.
• Rush threatens to sit on Vic's stomach, Then he threatens to involve Sade.
• Sade wants to know: is Vic up and exercising?  He shouts double-talk, wants to know if breakfast is ready.
• Vic suggests The exercise program should be started tomorrow. He says he feels stronger already. Sade calls them to breakfast, hopes they're not too worn out to eat. Rush says they're fine and turns to find Vic's still not out of bed.  - compiled by Barbara Schwarz, edited by Jimbo Mason

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Unlike some of the other earlier episodes from 1932, I can actually see this one happening.  Missing are the worries that have plagued the Gooks in earlier episodes.

This episode contains the very funny Rush-Sade exchange about buying underwear via mail order (the bathtub, water etc.).

Audio Re-creation by American Radio Theater

32-07-09 Vic Buys a Bicycle

STARRING: ART VAN HARVEY AND BERNARDINE FLYNN

• Vic practices a speech to his co-workers when Mis' Fisher calls for Sade, who's not home.  He goes back to his speech, which is to be presented at the first book-keeping department banquet.  Sade returns, and his joke falls flat with her.
• A trunk arrives from Croucher's for the boy to put his things in. Vic thinks $12 is too much to spend since the boy's only staying a week. 
• Meanwhile, a bike arrives, costing $34.25, and Sade points out it's a little small for Vic who voices his intention to ride it.  Sade praises his thoughtfulness, and Vic says the boy can stay as long as he likes.  He makes a stab at composing more of his speech, but is distracted by the bike to the point where he winds up riding it around the living room.
• Mis' Fisher sees him through the window and phones in alarm.
•  Sade tries to reassure her there's nothing wrong with Vic, as he continues to ride and shout, "Whee!" - compiled by Barbara Schwarz, edited by Jimbo Mason

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The average boy's bicycle cost $24 in the 1940's, according to the television show, American Pickers.

45-11-27 Parade of Interruptions

STARRING: ART VAN HARVEY, BERNARDINE FLYNN, BILL IDELSON AND CLARENCE HARTZELL

Sade complains to Vic that she can't get any work done because visitors keep interrupting her.

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And she aint kidding! Sade is interrupted by a total of nine people, including Vic.

This is a better than the average show, although, it's not one of the better ones.

Trivia:

+ Vic came home early from work because workmen were hammering on the steam pipes.

+ Sade complains to Vic about the visitors simply walking in the house without knocking. This was never a problem before 'Series 2' because there were no real people (save the Brainfeebles and Leland "I Want My Mommy" Richards.) This "problem" was created by Paul Rhymer!

+ Those who had bothered Sade before Vic arrived:

• The Brick Mush man
• Mr. Sprawl (he came to bring embroidery hoops that Mis' Harris had borrowed.)
• Vernon Korkell (not to read the meter but to kiss-off time.)
• Mr. Gumpox (he just noticed the big chip knocked out of the garbage box. That incident occured July 28, 1944, almost a year and a half prior to this incident!)
• Mr. Erickson (wanted to see if the back porch really needed to be fixed.)
  
• Rishigan Fishigan (came by to see if the Gooks needed their windows washed.)
  
• A cosmetics saleman (he had some stuff to smear on your face to make you look pretty.)

Once Vic got to the house, more visitors (all real characters) arrived:

• Orville Wheenie (he came by looking for Vernon Korkell who was long gone)
• Uncle Fletcher
• Mr. Gertner (The City Water Inspector; his first appearance. He seems to know Uncle Fletcher pretty well, since he calls him "Fletch.")
• Jimmy Custard (Still confused, he's lost his glasses and thinks Sade is called, "Mrs. Emerson.")
• Harry Dean (A telephone repairman; his first appearance.)

Download the complete commercial-free, sound-improved episode!

44-07-14 Sade Short-changed

STARRING: ART VAN HARVEY, BERNARDINE FLYNN AND DAVID WHITEHOUSE

Sade goes shopping at Croucher's grocery market and thinks the clerk at the store has short-changed her. She comes home and tries to get Vic to help her sort it out but doesn't know how much money she took with her to begin with.

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Spending money and Sade are a deadly mix.

Trivia:

+ The entire episode takes place as Vic and Russell are between games of Gin Rummy. I feel one of the classic moments of the entire series exists here as when Russell loses, he starts digging through the deck to see how he could have won: {{{HEAR}}}

+ The "lunatic" (Sade's word) cashier at Croucher's was Guthrie Woeman. It's the first time he's been mentioned. He was talking to some girl on the telephone when Sade waited for him to wait on her.

+ Mis' Barbachoke was also mentioned for the first time. She lives on Kelsey Street. She had previously went to the movies with Sade and borrowed 40 cents from her. She paid back 35 cents this very day.

Download the complete commercial-free, sound-improved episode!

40-01-12 Vegetable Garden

STARRING: ART VAN HARVEY,  BERNARDINE FLYNN AND BILL IDELSON

Sade tells the boys that Mis' Harris wants them to have the garden she has in her backyard.

Vic and Rush are under-joyed.  Vic, in particular, seems to push the responsibility away from himself at the very beginning of the conversation while Rush seems to have inherited the job of gardener.

Sade is surprised at the reaction of the two since at some point the boys seemed to have wished openly that they had a vegetable garden. (Men, be careful what you ask for!)

MIS' CROWE SAYS:
Mis’ Harris presents the gift of a garden plot to the Gooks. The ever-frugal Sade is excited about the prospect of saving money on produce, but Vic and Rush aren’t so enthused about the work ahead of them.

The United States had not yet entered World War II in 1940, so Sade’s jumping on the patriotic Victory Garden bandwagon a little ahead of time. It doesn’t take a war to get Sade to want to conserve resources and save money. 

Unfortunately, Vic and Rush never seem to match her conservative fervor, especially when it involves a little extra effort from them (see “Two Tons of Coal”). As an enthusiastic gardener myself, I can’t help but laugh a little at Vic and Rush’s whininess here — I find the work of it so pleasurable that I feel disappointed when there’s no weeds left to pull and no more watering or picking to do. I can’t help but think if they only tried it they’d realize how gratifying it was…but I’m not Vic or Rush. 

Vic is quick to remove himself from the entire endeavor, and his attitude makes me reflect on his status and his background. Vic, now a white-collar worker making what we can infer is a comfortable middle-class salary (considering his generosity with Hank Gutstop and his willingness to shell out money for Lodge frippery), grew up on a farm, as we know from “Wildflowers”. Farming professionally, especially at the turn of the century when Vic grew up, was not an easy, comfortable, or secure existence. Vic has moved up the socioeconomic ladder from his parents, and he’s quite satisfied to have left the farm behind. The prospect of digging in the dirt, even for a hobby-garden, must seem like a step back to him. Hobby-farming is a romantic and nostalgic prospect if you grew up in the middle class. If you grew up in a poor farm family, though, you can’t be blamed for never wanting to get dirt under your fingernails again.

SEE THE SCRIPT (transcribed by Lydia Crowe)

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If you've had the job of tending a garden, you know it's a never-ending job.

This episode could have been called, "Somebody knock me over with a feather!", since Sade says it multiple times in this episode: {{{HEAR}}}

This is one of those episodes that the boys are so under-joyed that they like to complain - together: {{{HEAR}}}

Trivia:

+ Vic denies that he has ever said that he would like to have a vegetable garden.

+ Mis' Harris' garden is on the Razorscum fence line - therefore, we know the Razorscums live next door to Mis' Harris' boarding house.

+ Mis' Husher has a garden of sweet peas.

+ Croucher's Grocery is mentioned for the first time in the surviving audio.

+ Sade/Vic talk about vegetables: {{{HEAR}}}

Download the complete commercial-free, sound-improved episode!