Burns and Allen – Playing Santa Claus. 431221. (retro296)

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Burns and Allen – Playing Santa Claus. 431221. (retro296)

Gracie gets sentimental as she puts up the Christmas tree. Gracie breaks the news that she has recruited George to play Santa Claus at the neighborhood pageant. The pageant director comes by to help convince George to take part.

If George refuses to be Santa, then who will? Gracie wants to ask Charles Lawton to volunteer, and goes to talk his wife into helping her. The two ladies compare notes on complaints about their husbands. After some truth stretching, Gracie gets the support she went looking for.

George goes to warn Charles that Gracie might try to rope into being in the pageant, and the guys conspire to take charge of their households. Of course, the real boss of the homes have other plans and put the guys in their place, if you know what I mean. Jimmy Cash sings, Fall. (or maybe it’s Home, it is hard to hear Bill Goodwin, and either one might work.)

Charles and George lament over their lack of control over their wives. They decide to take a stand, and regain dominion over their households. When they steamroll over the ladies, GGracie and Mrs Lawton decide to take a more subtle route to regain control. It’s amazing what a little flattery, and reverse psychology can do.

Bonus Track:
Charioteers. 1943. Ride Red Ride.