Burns and Allen – Paul Henreid. 440125.

It’s another morning in the Burns home as Gracie talks to her friend about George not letting her start her acting school. They talk about business slogans, and testimonials to promote their talent school. Gracie has circulated a handbill with a fake testimonial she wrote, and signed it as Paul Henried. As George comes in, Gracie blows smoke to cover the exit of her friend. He’s a little suspicious, but will Gracie be able to talk sense to him? More importantly, will he make sense of her explanations?

When Bill arrives, George shares his concerns with him about the possibility of Gracie cheating on him, but Bill comes back with the commercial.

Sure enough, when the real Paul Henried learns about Gracie’s handbill, he shows up on her doorstep. Without recognizing who he is, she brags about the school’s accomplishment in making him the famous star that he is. When he lets her know that he doesn’t appreciate her use of his name, he threatens a law suit. What’s Gracie to do? She does what any respectable woman would do. She cries until Paul melts and promises to let her have her way.

Jimmy Cash sings, Never Like This. At George’s office, Bill Goodwin rushes in to tell him that he saw Paul Henried coming out of his house, and he fears the worst. Paul Henried conveniently shows up at George’s office.

A mixed up understanding between the two sets up a classic comedy situation. George thinks that Paul is the other man in a love triangle,and Paul is just trying to let him know what Gracie is doing behind his back with the acting school. Their answers some how fit the other’s question, but the outrageous responses only lead to confusion, and comedy.

Now George sets out to have a charm contest between himself and Paul Henried. At home, George is suddenly the most romantic man in the world. How sweet. But Gracie just wonders what he’s been drinking. Paul Henried takes this time to show up at the door, and George seems to be the winner at his efforts at charm.

The truth about the school is out, and given the circumstance, George is relieved at both not being a real rival with Paul, and the acting school suddenly seems so trivialwe. Not knowing what has transpired, fearing the worst, Bill Goodwin rushes in to help out. After an overly emotional scene of bravery Bill is embarrassed, but forgiven.

Having second thoughts of what he has gotten into, Paul is having a change of heart and now wants to back out on his deal to support Gracie’s school. He puts on an act of being uncouth, and not well behaved. She is glad to let him go and share in a romantic comedy moment with George as the show wraps up.