CBS
March 1, 1951
Sitcom
DVD
C+
Co-written by Willy Burns (George's older brother), Sid Dorfman, Harvey Helm, and Paul Henning, and directed by Ralph Levy, all of whom would contribute to many other episodes in the series, this shows television in a very raw, primitive state. It was the twelfth episode of the first season, and aired a few months before I Love Lucy debuted. It was broadcast live and you can hear performers stumbling over their lines a bit. (George and Gracie of course had had the luxury of scripts in front of them on radio.) I consider the series to be under-rated, but it did take them awhile to find their bearings. Still, it's interesting to see not only George and Gracie, but also Bea Benadaret as neighbor Blanche Morton (her voice unmistakably that of the future Betty Rubble). As for this episode specifically, Gracie has a financial plan that of course confuses the title character. There's a Truman reference, so this really is early television!
Note, this was the next to last episode for John Brown, who was soon to be replaced (multiple times) as Harry Morton.
| This is actually the subplot, with a baker. |
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