Fred, Portland and their cast are featured in a Philco New Year's Eve special.
Fred, Portland and their cast are featured in a Philco New Year's Eve special.
The McGees are invited by a bank president to an exclusive New Year's party at the country club.
Archie's upset because Finnegan didn't send him a Christmas Card, but Finnegan's upset for the same reason. The guest is singer Dorothy Shaye.
The Christmas dinner that Jack gave last Thursday is discussed.
Connie has been commissioned to write a magazine article about "The Vanishing Hobo".
The McGees tackle the problem of removing snow from the front porch.
Dennis tells a group of children a story about a boy who wanted to sing.
Christmas is very near, but Gildy is preoccupied by Delores' breach-of-promise lawsuit.
The gang comes over to Jack's house to see his Christmas decorations.
Archie tries to talk guest Monty Woolley into playing the role of Santa Claus.
The McGees search all over town for a Christmas tree.
Gildy has been so busy trying to finish the annual report for the water department that he hasn't done any Christmas shopping.
In the annual Christmas shopping show, Jack buys an expensive wallet for Don before exchanging it for a cheaper one. Frank Nelson plays the floorwalker, and Mel Blanc plays the harried clerk.
Mr. Conklin puts Miss Brooks in charge of the school's Christmas clothing drive.
Jack hears a commercial for Sympathy Soothing Syrup and heads to the drugstore, where he meets Frank Sinatra.
The Sympathy Syrup routine was a running bit spoofing the then-current commercials for Serutan, which made a big deal of spelling the name backwards. The Sympathy Syrup routines always got a big laugh; Frank Nelson plays the commercial announcer.
McGee cuts his own Christmas tree and has to trim the branches. This is the second episode after the Pearl Harbor bombing, and has lots of nods to the new wartime footing and appeals to listeners to help the war effort.
Gildy has to save money on Christmas gifts this year, but can't decide on whose gift to cut corners.
It's McGee's lucky day when he wins a 35 pound salmon - or is it?
Mr. Conklin's wife wants him to court her again, so she produces a forged letter stating their marriage isn't official.
Dennis Day's mother visits to talk to Jack about giving her son a raise.
Gracie takes pity on Meredith Willson's lack of success with women and tries to turn him into a lady killer.
McGee has a bad day when he hears that Uncle Dennis will be staying for Christmas, and then has all kinds of trouble mailing his and Molly's Christmas packages.
When Liz and Iris can’t read the menu at a French restaurant, they decide to take French lessons. Soime of this material was re-used in "I Love Lucy".
It's Christmas time again, and time for another classic Christmas shopping episode where Jack attempts to buy gifts for the cast. As always, Frank Nelson plays the floorwalker and Mel Blanc plays the harried clerk.
Bing Crosby is the guest. This episode was during the period where the sponsor, Bristol-Myers, was trying to re-title the show as "Duffy's", thinking that having "Tavern" in the title was a bad influence. The change wasn't popular and the title was soon changed back to "Duffy's Tavern".
McGee creates a big mess trying to make his own Christmas cards.
Trouble develops for a student who has planted a garden on college property.
Professor LeBlanc gives Jack a violin lesson, and in order to pay him, Jack has to go down to his vault.
Dennis is offered a job writing the society column in the Weaverville paper.
McGee is preparing to go duck hunting, and Molly wants to go along.
Montague has a huge decision - he has an opportunity to play Romeo on stage, but he would be forced to shave his famous beard.
Jack heads over to Mary's place, where the gang has gathered for Thanksgiving. Frank Nelson plays a butler.
While seeing an opera, Gildy boasts of his old friendship with the star.
In a broadcast from Navy Pier, Chicago, Wallace Wimple has become a specialist in Physical Culture.
In a sketch, Bob plays football for USC, and Red Skelton appears as the Mean Widdle Kid.
The Thanksgiving dinner hosted by Jack is discussed. In a sketch, Jack recalls shooting the duck he served. Dennis Day sings "Faithful Forever".
Fred and Dodgers manager Leo Durocher perform an operetta called "The Brooklyn Pinafore".
McGee blows Molly's $10 Christmas Club fund on a worthless ring, and then plans to sell the ring to Doc Gamble.
Groucho meets a bride's father and a groom's mother, a butcher and a housewife, and a bail bondsman and a process server.
Jack rides a horse to the premiere of his movie "George Washington Slept Here".
On tour in Philadelphia, George and Gracie find there's a shortage of hotel rooms. After Gracie sneaks her way into securing one for her and George. Gracie dreams that guest star Franchot Tone is George.
McGee has plenty of advice for the workmen building a house across the street.
Gildersleeve and Judge Hooker decide to have a reception for Miss Del Rey, hoping that it will help her new dance studio.
The cast parodies the recent movie "Saturday's Hero". Frank Nelson plays a referee.
Since the Burnses are cutting their budget down to help during the war, Gracie buys a live turkey for Thanksgiving.
McGee needs to replace Wallace Wimple for his bowling tournament, but who can he get on short notice?
Walter and Stretch's brother buy a moving van, but they have to deal with the demand not only for a moving van, but a one-room hotel.
Show time is approaching, but Mary is nowhere to be found. Dennis Day sings "Buttons and Bows".
Gildy gets Judge Hooker to invite him to a country club dinner where Gildy hopes to score points with a woman he's attracted to.
McGee gets a black eye after bumping into a door, but no one believes him.
Liz takes up baby sitting to earn money for George's Christmas present.
Jack tries to persuade the director of his new movie, "Love Thy Neighbor", to have the premiere in Jack's home town of Waukegan.
Archie wants Mrs. Pendleton to have a singing contest at Duffy's, so he tries to get music critic Deems Taylor to judge it.
Just as McGee develops an urge to fix something, Teeny shows up with a broken cuckoo clock.
Phil and Frankie decide to get rid of Willie by getting him a job at Rexall.
Jack's party of the previous week is discussed; in a sketch, the 1938 movie "The Crowd Roars" is parodied.
Connie picks up an arrow on Mr. Conklin's lot, and thinks she may have discovered an Arapaho burial ground.
McGee's afraid he's getting overweight and heads down to the drugstore to be weighed.
Gildy and Adeline got engaged last week to improve their chances of adopting the mystery baby, but now Gildy wants to keep the engagement a secret.
The cast parodies the Bogie & Bacall movie "Dark Passage".
Announcer Bill Goodwin is up for a movie role, but the producer wants to cast a married man.
McGee takes ukulele lessons for an Elks Club recital.
Phil and Remley, taking advantage of the Arthur Godfrey-inspired ukelele fad, decide to give ukelele lessons.
Jack's in New York for his first television show, and staying at the Acme Plaza again. A reporter asks him to tell the story of how he met Ronald and Benita Colman.
Gildy hears that Peavey's wife needs an operation, and rallies the Jolly Boys to raise the money to pay for it.
The Old-Time asks the McGees to hide him, as he's on the run from the law.
Groucho meets a bachelor and a spinster, a baker and a housewife, and a clerk from a magic shop and a schoolboy.
Everyone's talking about Jack's recent movie, "The Big Broadcast of 1937". Next week's play, "Romeo and Juliet", is also discussed, until the sponsor tells Jack they can't do it.
When Phil and Alice need to economize, Frankie tells them he can get a great deal on meat. It turns out, though, that the meat is still alive.
McGee plans a dinner at the Elks Club for his visiting cousin Ernest.
Stretch is in love and it's affecting his play on the football team. Connie tries to talk with him and find out what's going on.
Jack decides to take Rochester's advice and bet on Texas Sandman at the Gold Cup horse race; Frank Nelson plays the track's PA announcer.
Looking to put his best foot forward as he attempts to adopt the mystery baby, Gildy prepares to ask Adeline to be his wife.
McGee has put a ribbon on his finger to remind him that he is supposed to do something, but he doesn’t know what it is.
Orson Welles stars in a production of “Les Miserables.” Arthur Godfrey makes another of several appearances as the announcer before deciding the studio wasn't big enough for himself and Fred Allen.
Barbara Stanwyck is the guest star. When Jack, Mary and Dennis all go to see the movie "Sorry, Wrong Number", Jack remembers a similar situation that occurred the previous year when Jack was talking to his sponsor.
Liz acciedntally returns a dress to a more expensive store than where she bought it, and makes money on the deal. She then decides to go into business buying dresses at one store and returning them at another.
McGee can't find his screwdriver, so he brings his tool chest up to the living room and starts emptying it.
George thinks Gracie's acting even stranger than usual, and the sound man suggests that she see a psychiatrist.
Jack and Mary walk to the studio for the show, and run into lots of recurring characters. Frank Nelson plays a counter man in the drugstore.
Groucho meets a young couple who are going steady, a housewife and a DMV employee, and a girl softball player and a steam room masseur.
McGee comes up with a scheme to make cloth from paper.
Dr. Hall defends a student who has written an article criticizing him and the college.
The cast performs a parody of the 1938 movie “Yellow Jack”, in which Jack is a doctor in Cuba. Frank Nelson has a role in the play.
Jack invites the gang to his house to listen to the World Series. Frank Nelson is the play-by-play announcer.
It's the thirtieth anniversary of the McGees' first date at a football game.
Gildy gets a letter from the county welfare department,, and is afraid they're coming to take away the mystery baby.
An executive from Jell-O visits for the first show of the season, broadcast from Ebbets Field in Brooklyn.,
The first episode of the 1942 season is also the first half-hour Fred Allen Show. Still sponsored by Texaco at this point, the new announcer is Arthur Godfrey, who would last only a few weeks before leaving.
McGee thinks he has appendicitis, but that doesn't stop him from craving various types of food.
When Phil gets tired of having Frankie contantly borrow his car, he resolves to buy Frankie the cheapest used car he can find.
In the show's first episode for Lucky Strike, Jack and Mary meet with the new sponsor. Later, they discuss how to replace Dennis Day, who has joined the Navy.
After some compliments on her dancing, Marjorie is determined to pursue a dancing career.
The McGees return from summer vacation, but McGee has left his camera on the train.
Groucho meets a single woman and a Dale Carnegie instructor, and two people who've been married four times each (but not to each other.)
This is the first episode in which the couples can choose a number on a wheel for up to $10,000 in the end game.
McGee gets all worked up when someone leaves an old car outside the McGees' house.
George and Gracie need a new refrigerator, so they decide to go on a quiz show to win one. Frank Nelson plays a contestant on the show.
Since Phil was unprepared for last week's season opener, Mr. Scott orders him to keep regular hours at the Rexall office. With nothing specific to do, Phil and Frankie hit upon the idea of having a one cent sale at the Rexall store.
After Jack and Phil argue about the performance of the band, the cast performs a play about the California Gold Rush.
George and Liz accidentally lock themselves in the attic.
Molly's trying to make a new dress, but McGee has destroyed her dressmaker's dummy while practicing his old nife-throwing act.
In a sketch, movie tariffs in England lead to American movies being condensed for export. Later, a comical report on farming.
When McGee finds out that a Good Samaritan has received a large reward, he decides to go around town and do good deeds.
Gildy orders the children to stay near home, which contributes to his fraying nerves as he awaits Leila's return and his next meeting with Eve.
To compete with a rival principal, Conklin creates a faculty cheerleader position; he and Connie end up as the two candidates for the spot.
Groucho meets two young singles, a Red Cross volunteer and another volunteer's husband, and a pair of new parents.
A guest star is needed for the first show of the fall season. The sponsor wants Clark Gable, but all George has is an impersonator.
The baby that Gildy found and brought home last week causes a ruckus in the Gildersleeve household.
Jack has returned from Europe and is ready to begin the season, but first he must get bandleader Bob Crosby to sign his contract as Phil Harris' replacement.
The guest star is actress Claire Trevor. In a sketch, her recent movie "The High and the Mighty" is parodied. Margaret Whiting sings "Tweedle Dee".
Archie gets a letter from an old friend saying that Archie's about to be listed in Who's Who.
In this renowned episode that began the 1949 season, the cast are introduced via a bus tour through Beverly Hills. Dennis Day sings "Younger Than Springtime". Frank Nelson plays the bus driver.
When a rumor spreads that Mr. Conklin is about to be fired, Connie and the gang chip in to start a laundry business.
George owes a $25 fee for his court case; in trying to raise the money, Gracie racks up far more than that in phone charges, which puts George right back into a pickle again.
Gildy finds a baby while out shopping, and takes it home for safekeeping.
This was the first episode of the season, and was the beginning of a story arc involving the baby that went on for several months.
An old firend of Archie's sells him a war surplus helicopter.
McGee wants to celebrate his and Molly's 50th wedding anniversary tonight, while they're not too old to enjoy it.
George takes an outdoor vacation, but his allergies are still acting up after he returns. Gracie leaves no stone unturned to find the cause.
A series of routines revolving around Jack's miserly ways ends with a trip to the dentist.
Mildred's parents tell Dennis to make something of himself, so he lets himself get talked into running for mayor. Dennis sings "The Old Chaperone" and "That's My Desire".
When Liz and George find that someone's been ordering ice cream from the milkman every day, the trail leads to their new neighbors and their ten children. Frank Nelson guest stars.
When Walter Winchell suggests in his column that "Eddie Montague" has been fooling around with a chorus girl, Edwin has to clear his name.
Gracie proposes a singing contest between George and Frank Sinatra.
McGee regales Molly with tales of his relatives in the Old West.
Gildy is intrigued by a woman he meets while vacationing at the lake.
Groucho meets a woman from Java and the son of a silent movie star, and then a Japanese woman and a man who preforms a "strong man" act.
The cast performs a play set on a submarine. Kenny Baker sings "Thanks for the Memory".
Phil is disappointed with his treatment in his recent movie, "Wabash Avenue", so he and Frankie decide to make their own movie.
Gildy tries to score points with his new next-door neighbor, but he suspects she has designs on Birdie's services.
McGee tries to contact an old friend in the Philippines who McGee believes owes him $7.
The bar is hiring, and a prizefighter is sent to Duffy’s Tavern by an employment agency to interview for a waiter’s job.
Jack decides to build a house in Palm Springs. Frank Nelson plays the construction supervisor, and guest star Frank Sinatra plays a carpenter. Dennis Day sings "Serenade Of The Bells".
The news item of the week is the recent snowstorm The Mighty Allen Art Players perform "The Missing Cat". When a society lady loses her pampered kitty, she calls for the extremely politically incorrect (in today's terms) Chinese detective, One Long Pan.
Molly bets McGee that he can't tell the truth for an entire hour.
Gildy's secretary calls in sick with a toothache, and sends her sister from New York in as a substitute.
The cast's trek to Yosemite National Park concludes, and Jack goes skiing.
In a sketch, Bob looks for the mayor of Woodland Hills. Guest Fred Astaire discusses his upcoming movie "Easter Parade", and he and Bob play struggling performers in another sketch.
Groucho interviews a couple celebrating their 50th anniversary, a housewife and an ambulance driver, and a newsboy and a city editor.
McGee has his handwriting analyzed, and is told he should become a doctor.
A replica of Rodin's "The Thinker" is ordered for the Founder's Day celebration, but instead "The Kiss" is delivered.
George and Liz both think helping out the local charity bazaar is a great idea, until each finds out that the other one volunteered to run a kissing booth.
George and Gracie perform their version of the 1940 film Gold Rush Maisie, called Gold Rush Gracie.
As they compete for the attentions of Mr. Boynton, Connie and Miss Enright both campaign to teach a business course.
In a show originating from Palm Springs, Jack tries to get Eddie Cantor to rent his house to Jack. Frank Nelson plays a waiter.
In a show performed at an Army ordinance supply base, Bob furnishes the soldiers with some eye candy in the persons of Dorothy Lamour, Paulette Goddard and Veronica Lake.
After tiring of trying to make their own ice cream, the McGees decide to go down to Kramer's drug store and wait for the ice cream delivery.
Connie and the gang try to get Mr. Conklin to call off classes during a heat wave.
The question of the day is about the recent drop in prices. Later, Fred meets Bert Lahr at a television rehearsal.
In a broadcast from New York to benefit the Heart Fund, Jack phones all over Harlem looking for Rochester, who's out on the town. Dennis Day sings "Dear Hearts and Gentle People".
After trying to impress a guest by agreeing with everything he says, Liz finds herself invited to speak to his civic group.
McGee see a magazine article showing how to make a lamp from a spittoon and resolves to make one, over Molly's objections.
Gildy's former girlfriend Adeline plans to opens a hat shop in her home next door to him.
Humphrey Bogart is the guest star; Frank Nelson plays Virgil, the sound effects man.
Connie and her friends try to break up Mrs. Davis' romance with a suspected con man.
McGee tries to get back into show business by becoming stage manager of a production in another town.
This is the audition show for Duffy's Tavern which ran as part of the "Forecast" series - an entire series made up of audition shows. The opening phone call and Archie's initial speech (where the elite meet to eat, Duffy ain't here) are already fully formed, but the format is a little looser, more like a variety show interrupted by sketches.
The show is performed form the Paramount Theater in New York as Jack's new movie, "Buck Benny Rides Again", is promoted.
Montague needs some peace and quiet to soothe his frazzled nerves.
After his morning ablutions, Molly tells McGee she's given his favorite old suit to the Salvation Army.
As Phil takes the girls to see a band rehearsal at NBC, Remley shows up with his new girlfriend.
Connie feeds Mr. Boynton some of Mrs. Davis' cookies in the hope that he'll get sick and she can nurse him back to health.
The cast says "so long" to Dennis Day as he enters the service. The show is broadcast from Mary's hometown of Vancouver. Dennis sings "Amour"; Mary and Phil sing "Love, Love, Love".
George buys roses for Gracie, but Joe Bagley swipes them to give to his own wife.
Dennis gets into trouble when a newspaper reporter puts words in his mouth. Frank Nelson plays the reporter. Dennis sings "There Ought to Be a Society" and "You Were Meant for Me".
The cast does a take-off on "The Egg and I", and Frank Nelson plays a real estate officer.
Leroy sends away for seeds to sell, but he won't let on what he plans to do with the profits.
McGee is convinced that Frank Schmaltz, his next door neighbor, is a Nazi spy.
Connie is trying to promote a summer vacation trip to Europe, but so are Mr. Boynton and Mr. Conklin.
Groucho meets a single woman and an Air Force Lieutenant, a housewife and a salesman, and a golf caddy and a woman who runs a cat motel.
Hollywood hearttthrob Van Johnson is the guest star, and he and Mary are late for the show after she goes to pick him up. Dennis Day sings "I Can't Begin to Tell You".
On the way to an event given by Mrs. Foster, a financial benefactor of the college, the Halls are delayed when they find a lost dog.
McGee's beside himself with excitement over the new fire alarm box that's being installed on the corner of the block.
Doris Day helps Bob pack for a trip to New York to do a TV show. Bob plays Tom Sawyer in a sketch.
Despite the terrible heat wave, McGee is convinced it's going to rain, and decides to sell umbrellas.
Here's Phil Harris & Alice Faye's audition show as hosts of the "Fitch Bandwagon", for Fitch shampoo. The show presented here is pretty much in the form it would have for years, beyond the point where they changed sponsors and the name became "The Phil Harris/Alice Faye Show".
Gildy is conflicted when a man asks him for a political favor.
The show originates from Camp Haan. Quiz shows are parodied in a sketch, and Dennis Day sings "She'll Always Remember". Frank Nelson plays Virgil, the Sound Man.
Station WEAZ is about to go out of business, and Dennis embarks on a mission to save it.
The gas bill arrives, and McGee's outraged at the amount.
Toddy hears that the Dean of Women is upset with him and wonders why.
The cast meets at the drugstore to await the arrival of Orson Welles, who's subbing for an under-the-weather Benny.
Connie and friends try out for jobs with a hillbilly band.
Mayor La Trivia (Gale Gordon) drops in for tea with the McGees while launching a safe driving campaign
While Liz works on her scrapbook, she and George reminisce about the day George taught her to drive, the time Liz signed an affidavit swearing never to interrupt George's stories again, and when the butcher thought that Liz had a crush on him. Frank Nelson plays a policeman.
To celebrate Independence Day, the Proscenium Club members prepare for their annual picnic.
Mary and Rochester help Jack pack for his trip to New York. At the airport, Jack finds the usual torment, including the racetrack tout, and Frank Nelson at the information desk.
McGee finds himself in charge of mounting a circus benefit, and is himself the major attraction as he'll be shot out of a cannon.
In the last show of the season, the success of the competing show "Stop the Music" is mocked. The denizens of Allen's Alley discuss their upcoming vacations. In a sketch, Fred goes to visit his nemesis, Jack Benny.
The cast discuss their vacation plans. Jack tries to throw an end-of-season party, but has an argument with his cook (Rochester is there, but isn't his cook yet.)
Toddy feels slighted when no students appear at the farewell party being given for him by the faculty as the school year ends.
Liz can't seem to follow through on anything without changing her mind. After George complains, Liz is determined to finish everything she starts. Parts of this episode were recycled for the "I Love Lucy" episode "Lucy Changes Her Mind".
McGee escorts Molly to her post as a Ground Observer.
The latest fad in wedding ceremonies, marriage by telephone, is discussed; Fred interviews Art Molger, a newspaper puzzle editor in Boston.
Everyone orders Gildy a different-colored club chair for Father's Day, and mayhem ensues when they all arrive at the house.
Jack leaves the show to shoot a scene from his upcoming movie, "Artists and Models". Kenny Baker sings "Never in a Million Years".
This is the earliest surviving episode with Eddie Anderson as Rochester, who meets up with Jack at Paramount.
Remley plans to get married so that he can adopt the French orphan who was left on his doorstep. Alice sings "I'm in Love with a Wonderful Guy".
When others say that George looks old, it makes Gracie feel old herself, so she decides to give George a makeover.
Marge is upset because she wasn't invited to across-the-street neighbor Marshall Bullard's party.
McGee gets jealous when Molly makes a lunch date with an old beau.
Fred's guests are Ozzie and Harriet Nelson. In a sketch, Fred rents a room from them.
Vicki buys Toddy a rare first edition as a gift, but it turns out to have been stolen from the campus library.
The show originates from Detroit. Dennis Day sings "Mama Macushla".
A wishing well is set up at the school to raise funds for a dance; when Connie's friends hear that Mr. Boynton's wish is for a lock of her hair, they all go to work.
McGee prepares for a fishing trip in the Ozarks.
From the Naval Air Station in Coronado, California, the guests are Roy Rogers and Dale Evans. Dale sings "T for Texas" and Roy sings "A Four-Legged Friend". In a sketch, Roy and Hy Averback visit Bob at home.
The gang discusses Jack's upcoming vacation in Hawaii and the movie he'll be shooting after that. Dennis Day sings "Say It".
Tootsie and Gracie go to apply for jobs with a playboy who's looking for help. When George meets the playboy, he gets jealous.
McGee signs up for an art class, but finds out there will be a nude model.
While George is upset because he's not recognized for doing anything well, an address mixup leads to him receiving a letter intended for Dinah Shore declaring him Kansas City's favorite singer. Frank Nelson plays a member of the Kansas City council.
After some jokes about Jack's upcoming movie, "Artists and Models Abroad", the final part of the Tom Sawyer play is performed.
Groucho meets a bachelor and a spinster, a woman who works at the draft board and a man from Missouri, and a housewife and a man who works at the Office of Price Stabilization.
When Fibber loses his birth certificate, Mayor LaTrivia tells him that he needs to take a citizenship test.
Gildy is proud to have been chosen to play Cyrano, until he finds out what the play is about.
The show is perfomed from a naval training base in San Diego. In a flashback to 1917, Jack enlists in the Navy. Dennis Day sings "I Hear a Rhapsody".
Toddy faces a babysitting emergency on the night he's to receive the prestigious Sexton Award.
While out for a walk, the McGees find out that criminals have escaped from the penitentiary.
The show is broadcast from the San Francisco World's Fair.
Bert Gordon, the "Mad Russian", is the guest star as Miss Duffy has her coming out party.
Connie's planning to have Mr. Boynton take her to a party at Stretch Snodgrass' house, but she finds out that Stretch's father will cancel the party if Stretch doesn't win an award for English.
When Molly's Uncle Dennis goes missing wearing McGee's best suit, they report the matter to the police.
Fred runs into Rudy Vallee at a record store.
Rochester drives Jack to the doctor for an exam, as the sponsor is taking out a $2,000,000 policy on Jack. Guess who the doctor is?
Alice is going to a musicale, but Phil doesn't want to go. Phil sings "Lullaby of Broadway", and Alice sings "Slumming on Park Avenue".
When McGee catches himself running a red light, he tries to turn himself in to the police.
When Phil and Frankie accompany Alice to her driver's license exam, they end up in a confrontation with a hostile policeman and find out that Phil's license is expired.
The show originates from San Francisco shortly after V-E Day. Larry Stevens sings "Stars in Your Eyes"; Rita Hayworth and harmonica virtuoso Larry Adler are the guest stars.
To raise money for their mortgage, the Procenium Club distributes a punchboard, risking the wrath of a local mobster.
Archie tries to win a trip to Atlantic City by entering a contest to be declared the most popular bartender on Third Avenue.
The McGees take Doc Gamble to the Bon Ton to buy a new suit.
When George and Gracie hear about a candidate in Louisiana who won his election by singing, Gracie suggests that George try to win his local election by singing. Singer Lawrence Tibbett is the guest star.
After a routine about Jack having bought a horse, Andy Devine and Schlepperman drop by before the "Murder in the Library" sketch.
Gildy's friends plant doubts about his relationship with Eve, and they aren't resolved by a conversation with her. Then, when Leila comes to visit, Gildy can't resist kissing her.
Molly's old flame Otis Cadwallader sends a letter telling her that he's caught a record-breaking salmon and is shipping it to the McGees.
Fred's monologue discusses the poaching of Dodgers players by the Mexican league, and everyone in Allen's Alley is talking about the opening of Coney Island. Actor Sydney Greenstreet takes part in a sketch set at a theatrical hotel.
To celebrate Jack's 10 years on radio, a musical tribute is presented. Unusually, Jack's actual age of 47 is mentioned.
Gildy tries to take over Judge Hooker's radio show by going on in disguise as a mystery singer.
Alice brings over her new boyfriend. They want to go dancing, but McGee tries to get them to keep him company.
When Alice sees an expensive coat she likes, Remley and Phil scheme to get it cheaper.
After arguing with his PR man about not wanting to do crazy stunts on his upcoming tour, Jack goes with Mary and Rochester to buy a suit, where he meets the racetrack tout (Sheldon Leonard). Frank Nelson plays the tailor.
A new female student is turning the boys' heads and making the girls fume.
With sugar in short supply because of the war, McGee tries to concoct a chemical substitute.
The guest is verteran actor Charles Coburn.
Ann Sheridan is the guest star as the cast viisits Jack on the set at Warners.
The guests on this special one-hour show are Charles Boyer and Frances Langford. Dinah Shore, whose show normally followed Burns and Allen, had been scheduled to appear but developed laryngitis.
Gracie invites Boyer to appear in a play with the Beverly Hills Uplift Society. In a sketch, Gracie dreams she's married to Boyer.
McGee sees a wanted poster in the post office and hopes to catch the criminal. Of historcal interest, the program begins with a notice that if news of the death of Hitler is confirmed by Allied sources, the show will be interrupted.
The Halls and other members of the faculty put on a show to raise money for the Ivy Players.
Jack and Mary recount their trip to Las Vegas. Much of this material was also used in a TV episode.
Leroy seizes upon Judge Hooker's suggestion that Leroy should have a horse.
When McGee reads in Wimple's Bird Book that the passenger pigeon is extinct, he disagrees and becomes determined to trap one.
Groucho meets a building inspector and a real estate agent, a female camp counselor and a married man, and a bachelor and a spinster.
Rochester tries to trick Jack into letting their horse run in the Kentucky Derby. Eddie Anderson (Rochester) did indeed own a horse that ran in that year's Derby, finishing last.
To maintain order, Conklin institutes a dress code for the students.
The McGees, having trouble hanging a picture, go to the art museum for advice.
George tries to get Liz to budget her time. This episode was lifted almost intact by the writers for an "I Love Lucy" episode.
In New York, Jack employs an unusual bodyguard, "Killer" Hogan, in case of trouble from Fred Allen. Frank Nelson plays a doctor.
Archie tries to find a husband for Miss Duffy. Singer Cass Daley is the guest.
The McGees get a ride on Wistful Vista's new fire engine after winning a contest. It doesn't end well.
When Leroy begins to get in trouble, Gildy sets him on the straight and narrow by taking him on a nature hike.
Bob Hope shows up just as Dennis Day has cancelled on a double date Jack has planned.
Phil agrees to screen the movie "Cinderella" at the birthday party of the sponsor's daughter. Phil sings "The Mountaineer and the Jabberwock", and Alice sings "Music! Music! Music!"
During a visit to the eye doctor, McGee accidentally takes Wallace Whimple's coat. This seems to be the first appearance of Whimple on the show.
Baseball manager Leo Durocher (with the Dodgers at the time) is the guest. In a sketch, Fred runs into Durocher in a diner. The question in Allen's Alley concerns a drive to reduce gambling.
As Jack prepares for an appearance on the popular "Quiz Kids" show, several of the Kids are staying at his house. Frank Nelson plays a quizmaster.
Groucho interviews a steel worker and an iceman, a baby photographer and a young mother, and a GI and his Belgian war bride.
The McGees take over running the general store at 14th and Oak when the owner falls ill.
Gracie's presidential campaign is flourishing as she's just won the Wisconsin primary.
When a passerby trips on Jack's sidewalk, he and Rochester go out to fix it. Basil Rathbone is the guest, and Dennis Day sings "Long Ago and Far Away".
George tries to convince Liz to stand up to people more often. Frank Nelson plays a policeman.
With Marian Jordan ill and unable to appear on the show this week, McGee flies solo as he plans to perform in the Elks vaudeville show.
It's baby Romerry's birthday and Gildy wants to have the party at his house, but he also has another party to attend at the same time.
Don gets upset at the way Jack tries to cue the middle commercial. Dennis Day sings "In an Old Cathedral Garden".
George gets angry when Gracie buys a dress and lies to him about it.
McGee wins a limerick contest and now considers himself a poet.
The Chairman complains that one of the professors hasn't published enough material.
Jack tells Joseph Kearns the story of how he found Phil Harris playing at a nightclub.
With the news full of depressing items, Gildy decides to take the family on a picnic.
The gang performs the show from San Francisco with guest Jane Wyman, who had just been nominated for an Academy Award for "The Yearling".. Dennis Day sings "Wyoming".
Groucho meets a circus wardrobe mistress and a doorman for a burlesque theater, a fireman and a housewife, and an engaged couple.
With both of the Jordans laid up sick in real life, the show focuses on the supporting cast, with former Wistful Vista resident Throckmorton P. Gildersleeve visiting, along with Leroy.
Presidential candidate Gracie lays out the plans for her Surprise Party Convention.
Mr. Boynton makes a proposal to Connie, but it isn't the one she's hoping for.
When McGee weighs himself at Cramer's drugstore, the fortune on the slip says it's his lucky day.
Dissatisfied with his salary, Archie thinks it would impress actress Susan Hayward if he were a wilderness adventurer like Frank Buck, both of whom are guests at the Tavern.
The Indians, in L.A. for spring training, are in the audience for the show. Bob and Doris Day perform a sketch built around the song "Dearie, You're Much Older Than I". Bing Crosby sings "My Foolish Heart", and in another sketch, Bob visits Bing in the hospital.
McGee tries to fix the radio - without much success, as you can imagine.
Fred interviews men in the street about the bus strike; the subject of the roundtable discussion is small talk by barbers or beauticians.
Jack tells the story of how he met Mary Livingstone. Frank Nelson plays a radio announcer; Larry Stevens sings "Don't You Know I Care".
Fred Allen's feud with Jack Benny is discussed; the Mighty Allen Art Players perform a hillbilly sketch.
When McGee receives a telegram from the Secretary of State, he assumes he's being summoned to Washington.
Groucho meets a pair of Irish people, a barber and a housewife, and an IRS agent and a Hollywood business manager.
Orson Welles hosts the show in place of an ailing Jack Benny, during the height of Welles' notoriety as a cinema and theater genius. Frank Nelson plays an accountant.
Gracie's given a big welcome upon her return from a presidential campaign stop in Washington, D.C.
The "Gracie for President" routine continued well into the summer of 1940, but it was retired when the show changed sponsors from Hinds to Hormel Spam on July 8 of that year.
McGee shocks Molly by offering to take her out to lunch.
Eve asks Gildy to take over as chair of the Red Cross women's volunteer group temporarily.
Ray Milland is the guest star, fresh off his huge success in "Lost Weekend". In a sketch spoofing the movie, Jack plays Milland's brother and Frank Nelson plays a doctor. Larry Stevens sings "Come Closer to Me".
When Jack Benny says he wants to talk to Phil about next year's program, Alice wonders if he's going to be fired. Phil sings "How the Blues Were Born" and Alice sings "April Showers".
As the financial officer of the Elks Club, McGee plans to oversee the burning of its paid-in-full mortgage.
Groucho interviews a 70-year-old USO entertainer and a model, and a postal clerk and a cinema historical consultant.
Don's beginnings in the early days of radio are discussed, and Jack plays the new song "Thanks for the Memory" on the violin in tribute.
When Walter finds an old letter from the school board criticizing the previous principal for using harsh discipline, he tries to make Mr. Conklin think the letter was sent to him.
The McGees are throwing a party, and they borrow party supplies from all their friends.
A young teenage savant at the college has a crush on Mrs. Hall.
In Palm Springs, Jack rents a house and invites the gang over for a swim and then a hike. Dennis Day sings "It All Comes Back to Me Now".
At a carnival benefit, Gildy is drafted to fill in when the fortune teller doesn't show up.
Hizzoner invites the McGees to a formal party.
At a military hospital in Palm Springs, the guest is Frank Sinatra. Frances Langford sings "I Dream of You". Sinatra sings "I'm Beginning to See the Light".
Jack's disappointed that he didn't win the Academy Award; the recent Jesse James movie is parodied in a sketch. Verna Felton appears as Jesse James' mother, and Andy Devine plays Jesse's brother. Kenny Baker sings "This Night".
Phil and Elliott bet the sponsor that he can't beat Phil at golf. Alice sings "I Wonder Why".
McGee proposes that he and Molly get a horse. Molly's against it.
In an episode not yet edited for broadcast, Groucho interviews the head of the Dana Andrews fan club and a studio fan mail clerk, an airline hostess and a traveling salesman, and a manicurist and a blacksmith.
The show originates from Chicago, in Jack's home state of Illinois. The guest is Bob Crosby, who would later play the show's bandleader after Phil Harris' departure. Dennis Day sings "I've Heard That Song Before."
Connie gets advice from a Frenchman on how to get Mr. Boynton's attention.
Molly has the flu, and Doc Gamble gets her some relief by taking McGee out to dinner.
The family perks up at the news that Aunt Hattie is leaving.
In a show from Palm Springs, Jack's age is discussed as his birthday has just occurred, and Frank Nelson plays an announcer. Mel Blanc plays Jack's violin teacher, Professor LeBlanc.
After spending a night at the opera, Archie decides to write one.
A handwriting analyst tells McGee that he has aptitude to be a doctor.
It's February 14, which means it's time for Jack to turn 39 again (and again and again.) Mel Blanc plays Mr. Finque, a bit that was used several times. Dennis Day sings "Secret Love".
Alice receives flowers for Valentine's Day, but Phil has no idea who sent them. Alice sings "Skip to My Lou", and Phil sings "Minnie the Mermaid".
In New York, Jack is once again staying at the run-down Acme Plaza. The Ink Spots sing "If I Didn't Care", which morphs into the middle commercial. A parody of the Fred Allen show asks the question, "Will television replace radio?"
When the figures are all wrong on the reports coming out of Gildy's office, Gildy accuses his secretary of needing glasses, but it turns out Gildy's the one who needs them.
Molly receives a box of candy for Valentine's Day, but McGee doesn't remember sending one.
In this Valentine's Day-themed episode, Groucho meets a pair of high school students, a wedding caterer and a marriage license bureau chief, and an American war bride and French war groom.
Because of the wartime change to permanent Daylight Savings Time, Jack docks the cast an hour's pay. Frank Nelson plays Virgil, the sound man.
In a sketch, Bob runs into Fred Allen when he returns to Hollywood from Washington, D.C. Bob and Doris Day sing "I Wanna Go Home with You".
Everyone the McGees run into has something nice to say or give to McGee.
Connie's upset because while she's been working nights, Mr. Boynton's been seeing Miss Enright.
The gang takes a trip to Yosemite, and they stop at a store on the way for outdoor supplies
After her failings are pointed out by everyone else, Liz develops an inferiority complex.
This is one of the episodes that was adapted for "I Love Lucy", with much of the script transferred intact.
When Molly is elected to head the Women's Club committee on fixing up the Servicemen's Center, McGee decides to do the work himself.
Gracie helps guest star Willliam Powell with his insomnia.
Phil's sister visits the set. After promising to play "The Bee" on next week's show, Jack has a nightmare about Fred Allen. Kenny Baker sings "Sweetheart, Let's Grow Old Together".
Phil is named volunteer Fire Chief. Alice sings "Clancy Lowered the Boom", and Phil sings "Thank the Man Upstairs".
Molly invites the society editor of the Gazette to the McGees' home for a card party.
In a sketch with guest star Basil Rathbone, Bob plays a magazine salesman who calls at the home of a mad doctor.
Jack gives away $10,000 in the "Why I Can't Stand Jack Benny" contest, judged by Fred Allen.
Gracie traces George's family tree and finds that he's a Scottish king.
The McGees try to decide where to go out to dinner. Marlin Hurt makes his first appearance on the show as Beulah the maid.
After Connie and other staff members insult some obnoxious foreign teachers, Connie and Mr Boynton visit the superintendent and impersonate them, hoping to get out of trouble.
Jack and Don have a dispute over Don's contract. Frank Nelson plays a dentist.
The women of Gracie's Beverly Hills Uplift Society try to find a husband for one of the members.
Gildy faces off against Judge Hooker in a school board election.
After some monologue jokes about wartime rubber conservation, Bob and guest star Edward Everett Horton appear in a sketch about Bob's childhood. Betty Hutton sings "Shady Lady Bird".
While discussing the "Citizen X" contest with Molly, McGee volunteers to make the toast, which leads to a battle of wits between McGee and the toaster as he tries to fix it.
In this unedited episode, Groucho meets a bouncer and an accountant, a chiropodist and a housewife, and an Irish war bride and her husband.
The Buck Benny western saga continues as Buck and Andy Devine head to Ensenada.
Dr. Hall declines to judge an avant-garde art exhibit.
McGee finds out about buried treasure on Mrs. Carstairs' property, and makes plans to claim it.
Gildy has a big problem after proposing to Dolores.
In this full recording of the show before it was edited down to 30 minutes, Groucho meets a young married couple, a man who works with racetrack betting equipment and a woman from Rome, and a salesman and a 96-year-od woman.
Jack's upset with the writers because they haven't come up with a sketch for this week's show.
When Archie wants Duffy to back the filming of Archie's life story, he hires Larry Storch to impersonate some big stars to impress Duffy.
When Walt needs to leave the malt shop to see his wife off at the train station, the McGees run the shop in his absence.
The guest is author H. Allen Smith, who participates in a comic roundtable about his book. There's also the usual walk down "Main Street" (renamed from Allen's Alley for the sponsor, Ford.)
This episode has what may be Frank Nelson's funniest moment on the series. When Don Wilson fluffs the name of columnist Drew Pearson early in the show, one of the greatest callbacks in history occurs when Frank Nelson makes his entrance in a sketch later.
Benny and Hope trade barbs; in a sketch based on Hope's movie "The Road to Bali", Bob and Jack are stranded on a tropical island.
The McGees make plans for a formal night out.
In need of addtional income, Gildy decides to try his hand at writing.
Jack gets ready for a New Year's Eve party at the Biltmore, where Phil's band will be playing. There's a sarcastic waiter, who for some reason isn't played by Frank Nelson. An odd little episode.
At the party, Jack and Mary also meet fictional film star "Rodney Dangerfield", a parody of macho movie stars who was referred to a number of times during the series. Some years later, the comedian Jack Roy borrowed the name and never looked back.
Because of the postwar housing shortage, Gracie plans to take in a veteran and his family; Meredith Willson wants to start a vaudeville act with George.
When McGee gets some new tools, Molly suggests that he build a doghouse (to stop him from "repairing" their real furniture.)
When Connie can't afford to go out on New Year's Eve, she agrees to babysit Mr. Conklin's nephew to get the money.