44-03-25 Testing Mis' Keller's Phone

STARRING: ART VAN HARVEY, BERNARDINE FLYNN AND CLARENCE HARTZELL

Vic's brought home work from the office. After Sade agrees to stay out his way, Uncle Fletcher shows up with plans to test call Mis' Keller's phone. Doing this provides Vic with mountains of aggravation.

SEE THE SCRIPT (part 1) (part 2)

___________________

Reading the script, you can tell that Sade feels somewhat responsible for her uncle bothering Vic, though she's helpless to change the situation.

Many feel that when Uncle Fletcher is oblivious to everything but himself, that's when he really shines as a character. Someone count the number of times Sade gives her uncle the phone number to his own dwelling!

TRIVIA:

* Apple Spoon-Giggle: a cooked dessert that uses 3 eggs. Sade's recipe uses the yolks. Eggs and especially yolks were a premium during WWII, I believe.

* Russell is missing from this episode. You can count on one hand the number of times Russell is missing from 1944 scripts that we are privy to.

* There's very little here in the way of Uncle Fletcher-story-telling.  However, he does say, "the long drawn-out story of the Snyder brothers – Charlie, Fred, and Mervin that left Belvidere, Illinois in the year nineteen ought three to move to Fiendish, Indiana where they went into the hay, grain, and feed business with their gran'ma…"

* To my knowledge, this is the only time Follersons Hardware was mentioned.

39-09-29 Two Tons of Coal #5

STARRING: ART VAN HARVEY, BERNARDINE FLYNN AND BILL IDELSON

Before reading this, even if you have heard/read it before, I strongly suggest you check out 39-07-05 Two Tons of Coal #1, 39-08-16 Two Tons of Coal #2 , 39-08-25 Two Tons of Coal #3 and 39-08-29 Two Tons of Coal #4

• Vic and Rush are about to start a game of cards, but Sade returns home from shopping and announces that  Mr. and Mis' Donahue are going to move back to Mulberry Street to the same house they used to live in.  Vic and Rush are stunned by this news.
• They each explode with, "I'm not gonna move that coal again!"  
• Sade thinks they should care about their good neighbors moving away, not about moving a little coal.
• Vic and Rush firmly state they're through carrying coal.
• Sade alters her statement to allow that the Donahues are only thinking about moving.  Vic tells her to write herself a note that he'll run away to Alaska before he moves any more coal.  Sade: (laughing) "I haven't said anything about coal."  Vic: "You've exhibited wise restraint.  Keep up the good work.  Continue not to say anything about coal."
• Rush asks if the Donahues intend to continually move back and forth between Virginia Avenue and Mulberry Street for the rest of their lives.
• Vic suggests "a distinct insane note in these proceedings.  He thinks they'd be better off living in a dray wagon."
• Sade points out all the positives leading the Donahues to consider the move again.  Vic is still incensed about the coal.  
• Sade can't see the need to move the coal again since it's already in the Gooks' cellar. Rush wonders where this rumor began.  Sade knows only that Mis' Trogle heard it from Miss Leepman.
• Vic sarcastically suggests that maybe another farewell party will be in order.
• Sade goes off to fix supper, and Vic and Rush pick up the cards, amazed at the unexpected unpleasant turns life suddenly presents. - compiled by Barbara Schwarz, edited by Jimbo Mason

___________________

Imagine it being 1939 and you are faithfully listening to Vic and Sade.  It's the end of September and by now you have heard Two Tons of Coal, parts 1-4, which began way back on July 5th.

You turn on the radio to hear the show and to your surprise, you realize once again, the crazy Donahues could be moving again and oh, that coal!

We only have one audio file to listen to concerning this story.  But the one file we have shows just how much the boys don't want to move the coal - and that was just the first episode.  Imagine the thespian howls used by Art Van Harvey and young Billy Idelson to suggest to the audience the outright silliness, pain and frustration in once again being faced with moving two tons of coal from basement to basement.

I am pleased as a peach to present these parts of scripts to you but I don't think for one minute that they in any way express what Vic and Rush lamented to the probable-howling audience. In my imagination, parts 4 and 5 of this story might be some of the funniest radio we have never heard.

39-08-16 Two Tons of Coal #2

STARRING: ART VAN HARVEY, BERNARDINE FLYNN AND BILL IDELSON

Dog gone the dog gone luck!

Sade has surprising news that the Donahues, their former next door neighbors, who had moved away just about a month prior, are moving back into their old house.

Rush realizes that he and Vic will be stuck moving back the two tons of coal that they were "gifted" with and Vic knows the boys will also be forced to help the Donahues move furniture.

SEE SOME DIALOGUE AND THE SYNOPSIS

_________________

Of course the men will scream like panthers!  Maybe Rush can come up with a better excuse than his "overalls are wrinkled" -- the flimsy excuse he used when he first had to move the large pile of coal.

Trivia:

+ Nicer Scott is up his old, narcissistic tricks - this time, claiming he's "The Most Popular Youngster on Virginia Avenue". Four months prior to this episode, Nicer extended his popularity farther than his street by claiming to have over 2 billion acquaintances.

+ Here's a bit of trivia you may have read before but forgotten:  Vic enjoys playing golf now and then.  It's mentioned in this script that he had a date with Mr. Buller to play at the end of the week.  Let's hope Vic wasn't asked to catch Buller's clubs from a fast passenger train...

+ It turns out that reason the Donahues moved back was they simply missed their neighbors.  (Never mind the fact that Mulberry Street is less than a mile away).

46-07-18 Midsummer Madness

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

When the people around her begin losing their temper, Sade suspects "Midsummer Madness."

________________________

"Midsummer Madness" is the heat of the summer; everyone is hot, bothered and irritable.

Trivia:

+ Ruthie Stembottom had some kind of argument with Mr. Kroucher, the grocer - so bad of an argument that she said she would not trade with him anymore.

Later though, they make up and things between them seem to be back to normal.

+ After Rush gets kicked out of the Bijou (by manager Milton Ferberman, no less) for making comments about Four-Fisted Frank Fuddleman and Gloria Golden, he plans on suing the theater. Recall Blue Tooth Johnson had plans on more than one occasion to do this as well.

However, later, Mr. Ferberman calls up Rush offers him $1.75 to usher at the evening picture show, which Rush gratefully accepts.

+ Vic and his boss Mr. Ruebush exchanged feverish remarks about a missing paper.

However, Mr. Ruebush calls later and apologizes and invites Vic to the Butler House Hotel to eat supper.

It is revealed Mr. Ruebush's initials are "J.K."

+ Uncle Fletcher comes over to the Gook house complaining that he's been insulted by landlady, Mis' Keller and plans to give her his six months' notice. (Actually, it seems he was mad because she threw out hyena grease because it was stinking and put on top of her sideboard.)

He's also mad at her because "she claims she's too busy to listen" to his dreams.

However, she later calls and everything seems to be all right.

+ Uncle Fletcher keeps his hyena grease in a crock that says, "Compliments of Sweet Esther, Wisconsin" on it.

+ It rains in this episode.

Here's Bernadine Flynn as Sade and Clarence Hartzell as Uncle Fletcher doing a commercial for Fitch Shampoo: {{{HEAR}}}

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

45-11-20 Mis' Korkle, Strong Lady (The Return of Rush Gook)

STARRING: ART VAN HARVEY, BERNARDINE FLYNN, DAVID WHITEHOUSE AND CLARENCE HARTZELL

The Korkells travel 20 blocks by foot to borrow sugar but what is even more fascinating is the story of Mis' Korkell's mother, who is a professional football player!

________________________

Rush returns to the broadcast and we are introduced to a new family, the Korkells and her brother, Orville.

Trivia:

+ Rush is back! {{{HEAR}}}


+ Rush and Blue Tooth Johnson had a discussion about who was better looking. Rush has had a problem with conceit in the past.

+ The Gooks are in the front room and all 3 visitors enter at different times throughout the play through the back door -- and none of them knock.

+ Vernon Korkell and his wife Edith live on the 700 block of Mulberry Avenue (Mulberry Avenue has never been mentioned in the series but Mulberry Street was mentioned in the very first episode.)

+ Mr. Gumpox's horse Howard stepped on Vernon's foot, bruising it.

+ Mis' Korkell's brother, Orville Wheenie (according to Wikipedia, played by Johnny Coons) is obviously a half-wit. Among the half-wit things he does is tell Rush that (he guesses) his sister "must be close to 30 years old" and he also tries to quiet down his accidental pompadour haircut with unusual items.

+ Vernon is a gas meter reader. His wife affectionately calls him, "Mr. Husband."

+ Vic accidentally calls Rush, "Russell."

+ Despite going through World War II and a stint in the Navy, Rush is still only 14 years old.

+ Edith has enormous strength as she can easily pick up her husband, which amazes Rush. She claims she got her strength from her mother.

+ Mis' Korkell's mother plays professional football (probably for Peoria.) Their mascot seems to be the Wildcats. They were to play the Pittsburgh coal mining team (men) the next Saturday in Pittsburgh. {{{HEAR}}}

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

39-03-08 Mr. Erickson's House Repairs

STARRING: ART VAN HARVEY, BERNARDINE FLYNN AND BILL IDELSON

Vic and Rush come home to find an axe by the washboard.

Sade has been after the landlord, Mr. Erickson, for a while to fix up the house. When she comes home, she tells them that Mr. Erickson has some crazy notion that the family can take turns (or make a game out of) destroying the staircase banister, to make his job easier when he finally does get around making the house repairs in the spring.  He's also left a knife for removing the wallpaper in the kitchen.

Sade doesn't like Mr. Erickson or his "fat daughter," who has gold teeth.  She called Mr. Erickson "greasy" and "oily!"

While Sade thinks this is a ridiculous idea, Rush thinks it's it will be fun and can't wait to help in the destruction.  (In later episodes we will see just how much Rush loves house destruction.)

MIS; CROWE SAYS:
Sade is concerned about landlord Mr. Erickson’s proposed plan for completing a few much-needed repairs on the house.

Although nostalgia is certainly a part of Vic and Sade's appeal, it is by no means the main feature that attracts people to the show. It's amazing to me how few episodes actually feel dated: some things just haven't changed since the 1930s. The indignity suffered by a renter is one of those things.

Mr. Erickson episodes are near and dear to my heart. I live in a college town where demand for cheap housing is high, and I am no stranger to creepy, oily, shady, irresponsible landlords; below-code apartments, fixtures falling off walls, crumbling staircases, unusable appliances, radon-filled basements that shouldn’t even have people living in them, and much-needed repairs taking eons to get done — and there’s not very much you can do about it because moving is a pain and you’re not going to find affordable housing anywhere else. Oh, Vic & Sade, how keenly I feel your pain!

For me, the best part of this is Rush’s (largely ignored) attempts to communicate to his parents that he is 100% in favor of the arrangement. He’s holding onto a sliver of hope that maybe, just maybe, his parents will go along with Mr. Erickson on this and he’ll get to take an axe and hack pieces out of the woodwork. His parents’ obvious dismay and disgust at the idea does not sway him — he still thinks that if he is sure to voice his opinion, he may have a chance. That’s one of the things I like about Rush — no scheme is too ambitious, no hope too high.  

Rush’s inane phone conversations with Bluetooth are hilarious in this episode too. (That’s another thing that hasn’t changed since the 30s — 14-year-olds use the phone way too much.)

SEE THE SCRIPT (transcription by Lydia Crowe)

____________________

The issue with the house and it's repair pops up time and time again on Vic and Sade. Mr. Erickson likes to do things cheaply; hence, the axe and the knife.

While a work of fiction, I wouldn't be surprised to hear of landlord actually doing things like this!

Trivia:

+ This is the first time in the existing  audio shows that Mr. Erickson (and his daughter) are mentioned.

+ Mr. Gumpox is also mentioned. Vic and Rush suspect the axe they found belongs to him. (Mr. Gumpox is known to carry different tools in his garbage wagon, according to Rush.)

+ The Bijou is mentioned for the for time in the existing audio. Rush and Blue Tooth Johnson are going to the show.

+ The Greek is mentioned briefly.

+ Erickson's daughter (who we will later learn is named Beulah) lives on Mulberry Street.

+ So far, we know that Sade does not like Mr. Erickson, his daughter and now she's starting to turn on Mis' Applerot...

{{{HEAR}}} Rush asks if Blue Tooth Johnson telephoned...

{{{HEAR}}} Rush talks to Blue Tooth on the phone.

HOW DO YOU IMAGINE MR. ERICKSON?

Mr. Erickson sounds like a loud, corpulent man, with a round, moon-like face that always wears a smile; but with shrewd eyes constantly probing for financial gain. He thinks he impresses people with his good humor and open-handedness, but, because of his love for appearances over character, and bargains over value, he seems shabby and vulgar. - Mis' Sarah Cole

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

37-05-28 Decoration Day Parade

STARRING: ART VAN HARVEY, BERNARDINE FLYNN AND BILL IDELSON

Vic, who is in charge of the Decoration Day Parade, has to unexpectedly go out of town for work and won't be back in time to lead and coordinate those efforts.  [Decoration Day is now known as Memorial Day.]

Sade and Rush inform Vic that someone else can just take Vic's place - Rush even volunteers.  Vic hushes Rush and informs the family that this is a serious job and he has "three pencil tablets full of notes."

Vic hatches a plan to stay up all night with Mayor Simmons (who Vic assumes will take over the project since Vic will be away) to give him the benefit of his hours of work and pages of notes.

Vic wants to make the Mayor aware of this and so, calls him up.  The Mayor's secretary informs Vic that the Mayor has no idea who he is.

Later, the secretary calls back and informs Vic that the Mayor made a mistake. On the phone with the Mayor finally, the Mayor informs Vic he will put an ad in the paper to replace him, meaning Vic's parade leadership skills are actually worthless.

Vic is devastated to learn that professional obligations will be taking him to Chicago, making him unable to fulfill his obligations as the organizer of the Decoration Day (Memorial Day) parade. As usual, he may be slightly overestimating his own importance in the festivities…

I really feel for Vic in this one. I think Sade and Rush do, too, although they’re laughing at him privately. When you have an obsession, it can be very hard to find out that not everyone takes it as seriously as you do — that other people are satisfied when things are done in a shoddy and half-baked manner and that they don’t realize what they’re missing out on by not just listening to you.

Vic’s obsession with parades and ceremonies is a recurring theme in the show, and I think anyone who has had an unusual obsession (like writing transcripts of a radio sitcom from the 1930s) has felt exactly what he goes through again and again in the series. - Lydia Crowe

SEE THE SCRIPT (transcribed by Lydia Crowe)

________________

To many, this will be the first show of Vic and Sade that they hear. It is a perfect example of Vic taking whatever job he has too seriously and to extremes.

While Sade and Rush do not tease Vic about his parade leadership, it is obvious to both of them that almost anyone can "lead the parade down to the cemetery."

TRIVIA:

+ The parade route goes down Mulberry Street.

+ It's mentioned that Mayor Simmons plays golf.

{{{Hear}}} Vic talk to Mayor Simmons.

THE PARADE ENDS AT THE CEMETERY...

As a metaphor for life, you could say that the cemetery is where we all end up eventually. Parades are meant as a celebration, and a cemetery is an unlikely place for that. Considering that it's for Decoration Day (Memorial Day) the purpose is to honor those in the military who served our country and decorate the graves of those who have passed on. - Keith @ Retro Radio Podcast

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