Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 37:28 — 17.2MB)
Though he may be the water commissioner, Gildersleeve has had trouble with Birdie over a leaky water faucet. Finally the drip, and Birdie, has annoyed him long enough, and there’s no more hiding from it. Gildy goes poking around the musty, cluttered basement, and gets distracted by some of the old things stored there.
All those distractions wear him out, and he dozes, dreaming of times and fashions gone by in the year of 1903. Gildy is all duded up in his white linen suit, Leroy in his buster brown suit, and Marjorie in a bustle and listening to that new fangled ragtime music. What are kids coming to these days.
Gildy goes to watch the train come in, which is bringing the new school teacher to town. Along the way he stops in to talk to Peavey before heading down to the station. That practical, sly, old Peavey gets Gildy to buy more stuff than the judge did. Then Gildy parts ways with a quick joke about the president.
At the station, the judge and Gildersleeve argue over the teacher, but Gildy wins out with his high tech, horseless carriage. When the car breaks down, with sound affects resembling Fibber’s closet, the Judge rescues the school teacher in his horse drawn buggy.
After the mid show commercial, Gildersleeve’s dreaming continues. He makes his way to Floyd’s barber shop where the anticipated picnic is described in tantalizing detail. With some inside scoop, Gildersleeve gets an edge on getting in close to the new teacher. (Side note: If you pay attention, you’ll learn what Peavey’s full name is when he is called on to deliver a limerick.)
The Jolly Boys sing a gay 90’s barbershop tune, Rosy You are My Posey. Followed by the big picnic basket auction. Nobody knows who the baskets were made by except the ladies, and the auctioneer. Well, nobody but them and the man with the highest bribe.
Despite missing out on dining with the new teacher, she goes on a canoe ride on the lake with Gildersleeve. Gildy croons to her with a ukulele, and sings, On Moonlight Bay.
Just when things are getting steamy in his dream, the canoe tips, and Gildy wakens to the harsh reality of being drenched by that leaky dripping faucet. Maybe he’ll get it fixed. One of these days.
Bonus Tracks:
- Billy Murray. 1903. In the Good Old Summertime.
