OLD-TIME RADIO ESSENTIALS Episode 55: The Great Gildersleeve (S5 Holiday Special)
Old-Time Radio Essentials returns with episode 55, and as we continue Season 5, we present Paul's pick, an installment of the NBC comedy series, The Great Gildersleeve, from 12/24/44. Come for the old-time radio, stay for the scintillating (that's one way of putting it) discussion afterwards!
As you listen, perhaps you'll learn if we feel this entry meets the following criteria:
1. Is it truly representative of that series? (Can anyone point to it and say, "Yes, that is what [NAME OF SERIES] was all about.")
2. Is it an episode worthy of inclusion in any and every OTR aficionado's private collection?
So with this in mind, we four bring you, as our fifty-fifth number (but 6th official episode of S5), this episode of The Great Gildersleeve, from Christmas Eve, 1944. We'll introduce the show, play it in its entirety, then discuss it at length. Thanks for joining us, and we hope you enjoy it!
Please show your support of the podcast by doing any of the following...
To comment on how we might improve OTR-E, or give suggestions for future discussions, please write to us at f6point3@gmail.com . Put the word "Essentials" in the subject line.
Your feedback means a lot to us! A review at iTunes or at your usual podcatcher would be appreciated.
Next Time: It's Pete's pick again, and he'll bring us, for our 1st number of 2026, special guest programmer (and fellow OTR podcaster) John Tefteller, who will be sharing an episode of You Bet Your Life, starring Groucho Marx. Join us then, won't you?
SIX-GUN SANTA CLAUS, A Jake Dimes Christmas Number
Western detective Jake Dimes returns for a third holiday adventure! At a family gathering in Celestial City, Jake and his sidekick Briar Buck tell the "one hundred percent true" tale of a youngster, living a hardscrabble existence in a small Arizona town, who gets a new lease on life through the kindness of a circus performer. Aside from the main story, two members of the family reveal some important news! Enjoy this new offering from the Narada Radio Company, and Happy Holidays to all of our listeners!
With the voice talents of:
Dana Gonsalves as JAKE DIMES
Victoria Fancki as CHRIS GREENSLATE DIMES
Austin Beach as BRIAR BUCK
Nancy Bueler as MOLLY SUTCLIFFE BUCK
Joe Stofko as FRED GREENSLATE
Glenn Hascall as SLIM SUTCLIFFE and
Debby Gonzales Ramirez as LUPE; with
Nick Wommack as TODD
Alan Clower as NEVADA
Andy Hartson-Bowyer as ACE GARLAND
Paul J. Patterson as COLONEL BRAGG
Mel Rose as FREDERICA "RICKY" DIMES
Additional voices by Pete Lutz
Cannonball Kelly as YOUR ANNOUNCER
*
Adapted, produced and directed by Pete Lutz, from a short story by Lee E. Wells.
The Jake Dimes Theme was composed by Pete Lutz, arranged and performed by Dr. Ross Bernhardt.
Music passages came from "The Winter's Passed" by Wayne Barlow; other music from the public domain with the exception of certain stings by Edward Champion.