Down Our Way – Slogan For The Store. ep7, 1932

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Eli Jenkins talks about his business woes with his old friend Ben. His old time General feed store doesn’t hold up to those fancy new grocery stores with the big plate glass windows. Ben figures a catchy slogan could boost sales, and a contest for the townsfolk to submit their own entries is begun. As the submissions come in from miles around, the choir sings, Darling Nellie Gray.

Everyone thinks their slogan is a clear winner, and the judges begin to worry that no matter which one is picked, accusations of a rigged contest will be made. How will the judges be able to make the folks happy, and get out of the contest with a good reputation in tact? To distract the catty crowd, Cliff sings, I’ll Forget You. Is there any good ideas for a distraction to get the catty customers out of the store? For now, the gang sing, Even Song.

Ben decides that a random drawing would be the most fair way to decide. Could there be a longer slogan that will be imortalized on the front of the store than the one that is picked? It’s time for a final song as the customers all leave, a hymn, He Leadeth Me.

Moral of the story: Sometimes you can’t control how things work out.

Note: Though the songs featured in the show are pretty much forgotten, they were mostly from the previous couple of decades. Not too different than a show today that might feature oldies from the past 30 or 40 years or so. The barbershop style song style is rare today, but there’s no doubt the singers all have excellent voices.