The Great Gildersleeve NBC · October 23, 1946

The Great Gildersleeve 46 10 23 (222) Gildy Asks For A Raise

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# The Great Gildersleeve - Gildy Asks For A Raise

Step into Summerfield with Throckmorton P. Gildersleeve as he makes a bold gambit that sends ripples through his entire world. In this delightful episode, our hero—perpetually broke despite his pretensions to prosperity—finally works up the courage to march into his boss's office and demand a raise. What follows is a masterclass in comedic fumbling and scheming as Gildy enlists the help of his hapless friends, hatches increasingly elaborate justifications for his worth, and navigates the treacherous waters of workplace politics with his characteristic blend of bluster and well-meaning incompetence. Listeners will find themselves caught between rooting for Gildy's underdog ambitions and wincing at his inevitable missteps, as Harold Peary's masterful vocal performance carries you through every cringe-worthy moment and triumphant twist.

The Great Gildersleeve stands as one of radio's most enduring comedies, having grown out of the character's popular appearances on *The Fred Allen Show* before earning its own legendary fifteen-year run. During the 1940s, when this episode aired, Gildy's everyman struggles with authority figures and romantic misadventures struck a chord with Depression-era and wartime audiences seeking reliable laughter. Peary's creation—a middle-aged bachelor perpetually confident in his charm and connections despite overwhelming evidence to the contrary—became the gold standard for radio comedy, influencing generations of sitcoms to come.

If you've never experienced the warmth and wit of Summerfield's most talkative resident, this episode is an ideal entry point. Settle in with the static crackle of an authentic 1940s broadcast, and let the incomparable vocal talents of Harold Peary transport you back to an era when great comedy meant clever writing, perfect timing, and the human voice alone.