37-04-28 Dreams

STARRING: ART VAN HARVEY, BERNARDINE FLYNN AND  BILL IDELSON

Rush wants to stay up all night because Rooster Davis has had dreams three nights in a row that there would be a lunar eclipse; the dream having happened three times in a row is a superstition that it will come true.

Sade won't let him stay up though, because it's a school night.  And Rush is not happy.

Meanwhile, Vic tells about his recent dream and Sade tells him about the dreams her lady friends have been having.

SCRIPT (part 1) (part 2)

__________________________________________________ This isn't the only time Rush falls asleep on the couch while threatening to stay up late.  The same thing happened happened in 41-02-24 Uncle Fletcher To Meet 1 AM Train.

TRIVIA:

+ Holly J. Hugbelch is the Superintendent of Kitchenware Dealer's Plant number 9 in Lima, Ohio.  [There are apparently two Plant #9's... the other is in Dubuque, Iowa.]

+ There was a penumbral lunar eclipse about a month after this show aired. 

+ He may have been "joking", but Vic mentioned a mental patient he knew from Pittsfield, Ilinois who resided at the Crazy View Insane Asylum.  He also mentioned sending him fudge.  This may be the first (of at least three times) fudge was mentioned as a gift for someone locked away with mental problems (the other two are mentioned in this episode).

32-07-28 Vic Is Asked To Be A Mannequin

STARRING: ART VAN HARVEY AND BERNARDINE FLYNN

Sade enlists Vic to be a mannequin so she can work on a making a dress.  He's got to go to the office.  She stuff pins in his mouth and proceeds to talk about her old operation with Ruthie on the phone.  You can guess the what Vic does.

SEE THE SCRIPT (part 1) (part 2)
or
SEE THE SYNOPSIS AND SOME DIALOGUE

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In this episode, we get a bit of trivia that we've never gotten before: the Gooks used to live on Monroe Street, the hospital in town is the Brokaw hospital [with many photos at link], Rush runs a lemonade stand and Sade had appendicitis once.

This episode seems to be bereft of Bill Idelson.

44-04-04 Sade's Job List For Vic and Russell

STARRING: ART VAN HARVEY, BERNARDINE FLYNN AND  DAVID WHITEHOUSE

Sade is busy and she's determined that the boys (Vic and Russell) must run some errands.  Though not against her, the men seem bewildered and are at a loss against Sade's no-nonsense approach to the chores.

SEE THE SCRIPT (part 1) (part 2)

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Sade often forces the men to help with chores.  Despite what excuses they may have (remember: "Handmen play fatball"?) they always comply.  The men of the family fear Sade.  Well, everyone but Uncle Fletcher, but he's nowhere to be found in this episode.

Trivia:

* The oddest part of this episode seems to be the picnic at the foundry where Fred works.  When I try to come up with a reason why I deem it odd, I really can't.  So maybe it's not so weird.  :o

* Not that uncommon in 1944: Sade refers to Ted Stembottom as "Fred", (thanks to Uncle Fletcher just a day prior to this episode).  The entire family practically stops calling Fred by his real name as the days continue.

* I never kept track of how often Russell and Rush were excused from class because of "special teacher's meetings".  This happened quite a bit beginning in 1942 and much more frequently in 1944 - increasing as time went on.

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.

36-12-01 Melvin Needs To Borrow Vic's Lodge Robe

STARRING: ART VAN HARVEY, BERNARDINE FLYNN AND BILL IDELSON

Sade mentions Ruthie Stembottom and Fred's brother Melvin Stembottom visited this afternoon. Melvin's got a three-week job playing Santa Claus at Yamilton's. Melvin demonstrated the art of baby-talk. They stopped by to see if they could use Vic's lodge robe as a Santa Claus outfit.

1936 advert (Click to enlarge)

Vic is appalled at the idea. Sade says it wouldn't get damaged as Melvin would be inside the whole time and sitting still as an oyster.

Vic keeps his sense of humor but still sends Rush off to fetch Volumes 3, 7, 9, and 10 of his lodge library while Sade emphasizes that having the costume might make the difference whether Melvin keeps the job or not. Vic (reads): "Our founder, R. J. Konk, once said, Huius ad valorem sunt divisa in agrorum hunc. He meant, ‘No other warrior shall use my shield. My banner is my own until I die.'"

Sade thinks they ought to return some of the favors the Stembottoms have done for the Gooks. Vic prepares to offer further logic from Volume 7.

SEE SOME DIALOGUE AND SCRIPT SYNOPSIS

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Please click on and read the skillet ad above; it adds a dimension to the script synopsis, since it was incorporated into the script (as will future Crisco advertisements).

TRIVIA:

* Part of Vic's existence is arguing with the neighbor men. Sometimes Vic will argue with Mr. Donahue, sometimes it's with Charlie Razorscum or sometimes it's with Mr. Drummond.

* And what would they be arguing about?  Well baseball for one thing.  But just two days prior to this broadcast, the headline in the Milkwaukee Journal paper was:

November 29, 1936

* Five years before the attack on Pearl Harbor, Maxim Litvinoff seems to have known something quite vital.  Since the U.S. and President Roosevelt were isolationists (*), it could be they were arguing about this.

[Oddly, Litvinoff, an anti-fascist Russian diplomat, was fired shortly after making this statement.]

* It's December 1936 and now R. J. Konk gets his rightful place as founder of the Sacred Stars of the Milky Way.  Nine months earlier and Konk wasn't Konk and five others were musically taking considerable credit for his grey-eyes-magically-turning-blue mystical journey.

* It appears this script has one of the driest endings possible for Vic and Sade.  However, that's near-impossible to know without actually seeing the script.

38-11-28 Mr. Erickson, Sneaky Collector

STARRING: ART VAN HARVEY, BERNARDINE FLYNN AND BILL IDELSON

The Gook's landlord, Mr. Erickson, is annoying the Gooks by storing loads and loads of junk in the cellar, outside and everywhere he can.

SEE SOME DIALOGUE AND THE SYNOPSIS

____________________

While the Gooks are kind of annoyed, they don't seem to be really annoyed, as they will later when we suspect Erickson was up to no good with delaying house fix-ups.  Erickson owns several properties in the neighborhood and he probably bothers those renters as well.

Trivia:

* Mr. Erickson seems to like to hold onto junk.  He puts a variety of items in his hatband, including pins, matches, paperclips and "things he's found in the street".  He also has a collection of shabby suit coats and overalls that are 'stored' at the Gook home.  Sade believes his wife told him to get rid of them and believes he hides them out over at their house.

Erickson item?

* When Sade "talks" like Mr. Erickson in the script, she uses the semi-archaic term, "by Jingo[e]", which is listed in Wikipedia.

* Mr. Erickson not only left a wagon wheel, he left a hitching post as well.  Sade describes it as being made of iron and a "darky boy holdin' out his hand".

* East Grove [Street] was mentioned for the first and only time.  The street is known for it's large houses.

* Rush relays a story told to him by Nicer Scott about freaks from the circus eating in a restaurant.  The story isn't that funny until you begin to imagine Bill Idelson's voice in 1938 telling America this ridiculous tale.

* Sade says, "speaking of little green angels..." (as one would say, "speak of the devil...").  I did a bit of research and could not find the definition in Google Books, Wikipedia, etc.

40-12-XX High Pressure Christmas Card Seller - Mis' Harris

STARRING: ART VAN HARVEY, BERNARDINE FLYNN AND BILL IDELSON

Sade is labored with another Christmas Card sample book, this one from her close friend Mis' Harris, and for the year 1942 -- which is two years away!

1942!

Sade reasons it's just best to visit Mis' Harris, hand her the catalog, but make out like she is in a very big hurry to meet up with Ruthie so they can go downtown.

SEE SOME DIALOGUE AND THE SYNOPSIS

_______________ 

It's the same old story, second verse (fifteenth verse?), as Sade must once again weigh friendship against purchasing Christmas cards that she doesn't want.

Trivia:

+ The 'Santy' portrayed in this version of cards smokes a cigar and has a black mustache.

+ The cards are at least different than any we have on surviving audio. Just for fun, I've read them aloud for you: (((hear)))

+ There's probably another episode similar to this from May 1939, but we do not have the particulars.

XX-XX-XX Fred Stuck in 'Reverse'

Fred and Ruthie Stembottom enjoy showing off their car and taking the Gooks on long drives.  They plan an automobile venture, but Fred's car is stuck in 'reverse.'  No matter, Fred plans on taking the Gooks anyway!

This episode was remembered by a Friends of Vic and Sade alumnus.  The date is unknown and the title was provided by me, purely for identification purposes.

42-12-18 Vic and Dr. Keevy

STARRING: ART VAN HARVEY, BERNARDINE FLYNN AND BILL IDELSON

Sade tries to sucker Vic to go on a trip to the Bijou (Gloria Golden, ugh!) and also visit Dr. Keevy's office, which has recently been refurnished. In the end though, Vic's well-documented fear of the dentist saves the day.

SEE THE SCRIPT: (part 1) (part 2)

 ____________________

Until now, we've been under the impression that various Dr. Keevy's office rendezvous with Lolita di Rienzi and Pom Pom Cordova were all Vic's idea.  The script here suggests the original idea for using Keevy's office as a meeting place, belonged to Sade.

+ Gloria Golden and Four-Fisted Frank Fuddleman teamed up on screen for the flick, Kiss Oh Kiss These Lips of Mine, Assistant Trailer-Camp Manager Anderson.

+ Rush mentions the National Safety Council.  It sounds like they may have asked Paul Rhymer to include a PSA... and he double-crossed them:

+ Dr. Keevy's grand furnishings set him back $200. That's about $3000 today!

40-12-26 Gumpox's Traveling Bed

STARRING: ART VAN HARVEY, BERNARDINE FLYNN AND BILL IDELSON

There's big-doings at the Bright Kentucky Hotel as Rush, his pals and a
newspaper reporter have been invited by Mr. Gumpox to witness occupied beds traveling down hallways, passing each other!  This is just another of the bizarre things that happen in their crazy world.

SEE THE SCRIPT (part 1) (part 2)

_______________

Yes, it's all true... and Vic and Sade are so enthralled with the story that they allow Rush to be out past 1 a.m.

Sade wants to tell the story to Mis' Donahue, who's bound to laugh out loud.

Trivia:

+ Blue Tooth's real name is William Gazelle Johnson.

+ There's yet another barber (who works at the Butler House Hotel's barbershop) living at the Bright Kentucky: Cunningham.  His bed is prone to take off too, when the long, heavy trains barrel past the run-down eyesore.

+ Mr. Gumpox says that when they are in bed and he passes Cunningham in the hall, they wave at each other and say, ''Ta ta'' and ''Bon voyage'', respectively.

+ According to Sade, it appears that sometime prior to this episode, a train jumped the tracks and plowed into Gumpox's room.  That'd be a fine how-do-you-do, wouldn't it?

+ Though we have heard and read accounts of beds traveling down the halls of the Bright Kentucky, this is the first account we have in script form.

44-04-06 Sade Rummy/Russell's Motorcycle

STARRING: ART VAN HARVEY, BERNARDINE FLYNN AND  DAVID WHITEHOUSE

For some reason, Vic has chosen Sade for a Rummy partner.  This never goes well, as Sade really doesn't care much about cards (nor the rules of the game).  While the slow game plots along, Russell enters and talks about a "motorcycle" he was given by the neighbor, Mr. Breep.  Sade wants no part of the vehicle.

SCRIPT (part 1) (part 2) (part 3)

__________________

We know that writer Paul Rhymer would often use the scenario of a card game as backdrop, which would enable him to write a real situation for Sade to gossip in (or in this case, drag the game on and on).  The cards mean nothing to the play, other than it's a running gag that Sade hates to play and yet, does for some reason.


The "motorcycle" here has no motor... so, is it still a "motorcycle"?

TRIVIA:

* A 'Mr. Twentysixler' is said to live in Dixon.  You have to wonder if this is Dwight Twentysixler, who shows up in Series 2.

* "Ted" and Ruthie used to own a motorcycle: took trips to Iowa and Indiana on it.

* Russell had recently purchased a first baseman's mitt (for $1.75).  Rush had a few baseball gloves we knew about as well.

* Sade tells Vic that Mis' Appelrot refers to card suits as "suites".  And she's not wrong: "suites" and "suits" are basically the same word.

42-12-21 Fletcher's Shoestrings Spoil Shopping Trip

STARRING BERNARDINE FLYNN AND CLARENCE HARTZELL

Uncle Fletcher promises to take Sade and her good friend Ruthie Stembottom shopping.  However, he fools around with his shoestring and fouls up the proposed timeline, so much so that Ruthie calls and cancels and will go shopping alone.

_______________

In Uncle Fletcher's favor, I will say that Ruthie probably would not have been as quick to leave if this whole episode didn't have to do with last-minute Christmas shopping.  Being December 21st, you know that's exactly what the girls had in mind. 

You can also imagine Uncle Fletcher standing up and telling his niece "Sadie" that he would protect the girls from purse-snatchers and the like.  If it weren't for those darn triple knots...

The title is one I have given the episode purely for identification purposes.

[The gist of this episode was revealed in the book, Vic and Sade on the Radio: A Cultural History of Paul Rhymer's Daytime Series]

41-01-03 Thimble Club's Exclusive Membership

In a strange turn, Mis' Appelrot proposes adding new members to the Thimble and the rest of the club seems shocked by this; Sade immediately shuts down the motion, as the majority wants the club to remain exclusive, including Ruthie, who cries at the thought.

The title is one I have provided purely for identification purposes.

[The gist of this episode is revealed in the book,Vic and Sade on the Radio: A Cultural History of Paul Rhymer's Daytime Series] 

41-11-06 The Dangerous Washrag Sale

Washrag riot

Sade recounts her day shopping at Yamilton's, where ladies were knocked down, tromped and otherwise practically murdered.  And poor Ruthie Stembottom got booted.  It was an apparent washrag free-for-all.

The episode title was given by me, purely for identification purposes.

[The gist of this episode is revealed in the book, Vic and Sade on the Radio: A Cultural History of Paul Rhymer's Daytime Series]

38-01-10 Hawaiian Islands Itinerary

STARRING: ART VAN HARVEY, BERNADINE FLYNN AND BILL IDELSON

The Sacred Stars of the Milky Way have set a date for the members and their wives to go to Hawaii.  It's years away; but that does not stop Vic from writing down the proposed  itinerary.

Doing this sets off Sade and then Rush, who tease Vic so badly that he sets off for Ike Kneesuffer's basement for a game of indoor horseshoes!

___________________

Trivia:

+ The lodge Hawaii trip must have been really big news because it was spoken about in other episodes; roughly a year earlier, Sade and Ruthie were trying to discuss the trip at a Thimble Club meeting, only to be shot down by Mis' Appelrot.

 + Rush is reading a Third Lieutenant Stanley novel but he neither reads aloud nor tells the title.  The only bit we get out of it is that there is danger afoot involving a 15' rattlesnake.

+ Sade's Daily Little Love Story must have been extra exciting this day as she goes on and on about the adventures involved, much like Rush does when he explains his adventure books. It also appears as though Vic sometimes reads the story (remember, this is early 1938) when he reads the paper.

+ This is the episode where Sade says: "As far as I'm concerned, the Hawaiian Islands might just as well be out in the Pacific Ocean."  (Bernardine Flynn had spoken about that line in an interview from the 1970's). ((HEAR))

+ Vic affectionately refers to Rush as: "sewer gas."

+ We find out that Consolidated Kitchenware has a plant in Cheyenne, Wyoming.  A new character is mentioned, George Frothmurder, who works there.

+ This episode resides somewhere in script form, but I don't have the script. But I can point you to a re-creation:

American Radio Theater's re-creation

40-01-20 Rush's Good Looks - Anabel Hemstreet

Rush tells his parents and friends on the phone that Anabel Hemstreet says he's not such a bad-looking boy.

____________________

If this sounds familar to episode 40-02-20 Rush's Good Looks, that's because it's almost exactly the same, except, this episode came first and there's no talk of deja-vu.

And in the 40-02-20 episode, the Gooks talk hauntingly of this episode with the added twist that in the latter episode, they discuss deja-vu (without actually mentioning the term.)

The similarities between the two episodes are uncanny:

• In both episodes, Rush chats up his "good looks" to anyone who will listen.
• In both episodes, it's Anabel Hemstreet who instigates the Rush-is-good-looking talk.
• In both episodes, the Gooks and the Stembottoms make plans to play "500."
• In both episodes, Rush is sent to the store to purchase ice cream (which is a rarity, as Fred is usually the one to insist on purchasing the treat - as a matter of fact, I'm pretty sure these are the only three episodes in the existing data where the Gooks purchase the ice cream.)
• In both episodes, Fred has to pump up tires before the Stembottoms can come over.

We know the date is correct because it is mentioned twice in 40-02-20 Rush's Good Looks that these events had taken place a month ago.

The title is one I have given for identification purposes only (however, if I had the power to change things, I would change the 40-02-20 episode to something like Rush's Good Looks - Deja-vu.)

42-07-2x Vic's Inspection Tour

STARRING: ART VAN HARVEY, BERNARDINE FLYNN AND BILL IDELSON

Consolidated Kitchenware has made plans to send Vic on a month-long business tour.  Just days earlier, Vic was given a shower by the Thimble Club ladies (which I'm certain he felt uncomfortable about). And now, they plan to see him off on the train as well and part of the plan is throw sawdust all over him.

Vic has strong reservations about this, since his bosses Misters Buller and Ruebush will be with him and he doesn't want them covered in sawdust!

But it gets even more dicey - "the girls from the office" (including Lolita di Rienzi) are also coming along for the ride!

_________________

Trivia:

+ Rush says people might get the impression Vic has just gotten married (because of the sawdust).

+ The "kids from the office" may be carrying flowers, according to Vic.

+ At the end of the episode, Sade says she isn't mad and does not seem mad, so we assume she is NOT mad.  So why is that Vic is upset, when he mutters, "Dog gone! Dog gone! Dog gone!"?
 
Download the complete commercial-free, sound-improved episode!  

44-05-05 Rish Fish's Short Career

STARRING: ART VAN HARVEY, BERNARDINE FLYNN AND RUSSELL MILLER

Almost the very same story as 39-06-21 Hank's Job Royal Throne Barbershop, except Rishigan Fishigan gets the job instead of Hank Gutstop and Russell Miller is in the episode instead of Rush.

SEE THE SCRIPT  (part 1) (part 2)

32-12-13 Rush Teaches Solitaire Rummy

STARRING: ART VAN HARVEY, BERNARDINE FLYNN AND BILL IDELSON 

The boys are sorry that they convince Sade to play cards as she holds up the game (completely); meanwhile, Vic gets mad at Sade because she's such a ninny, only Rush thinks they are joking - pretending to be like the Flemmings (who always fight when they play cards.)

SEE THE SCRIPT

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Run of the mill or below average Paul Rhymer script; it's notable because it mentions the Stembottoms playing cards (apparently) before the days of "500." Also, the Stembottoms are made out to not get along when they play cards.

This script is from 1932, the first year of the show.

By the way, it seems to me that Rush knows that Gov and Sade are actually fighting but it's his talking about other fighting couples that cools them off.

40-07-31 Lodge Brothers Ask to Make a Stopover

STARRING: ART VAN HARVEY, BERNARDINE FLYNN AND BILL IDELSON 

Vic has gotten a letter from Robert and Slobert Hink.  They are making a trek from Hoopeston to Peoria (roughly a 70 mile journey) and wish to visit Vic for a couple of days.  They want to go over parade routines and the like.

Sade doesn't like the Hinks' names, much less the Hinks (though she has never met them.)

Vic acts pleasant to Sade so she will feel like a heel.

SEE THE SCRIPT

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Anytime the Hinks are involved, fun is on the horizon.   The episode may remind you of 42-01-16 The Hinks Go West which ran about a year and a half later (it's not a remake or even a twist of the script but the episodes are somewhat similar.)

The Hinks have just bought a brand new car (more evidence that they are "rich." )

Greek Junk:

In hoc agricola spittle ad semper adsit puellorum hunc. Dim-wit non-disputandum cabbage et cetera. Cornucopia est divisa ob cabbage bop. Sinus trubble sint huious dum cluck...'

later ...

In sunt bello nomenclature itch. Oppo dingy dum hobo hunc. Adsit amor skittle blot.