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Things have been going well for Gildersleeve with his political campaign. This evening, he enjoys a meal with the family. The door bell rings, and Leroy’s dog runs in. It was floyd the barber with a private request. The important political man that Gildersleeve didn’t get the chance to meet a week or so back, now wants to meet Gildersleeve.
The politician drops in later in the evening, and the family stays out of the way as the meeting takes place. Well, mostly out of the way. Leroy and Marjorie make a brief appearance, and Gildy is relieved that the politician is gracious with them. The two men talk politics, and arrange to do some mutual backscratching.
The politician wants Gildy to help out with getting a construction job approved by the town. Has Gildy agreed too quickly?
The Judge is Gildy’s campaign manager, but Gildersleeve is tight lipped about the favor the politician wants. He celebrates his successful meeting by calling Eve Goodwin for a date. Gildy stops in to invite her to go to church on Easter Sunday, hints that he wants to marry her someday, but when he drops the news about his politician, Eve warns him that the man is crooked.
It’s Easter morning, and Gildy is a little down as the family is all dressed up to head out for Sunday service. Leila stops in to show off her new hat, and wants to walk with Gildy to church. Just as Leila is making her moves on Gildy, Eve comes over. Putting aside personal differences between the two gals, they all head out on their Easter Parade to show off their finery to others in town.
In church, the organ plays, the preacher gives a brief word. The message may not be a typical Easter message, but the word on corruption strikes a nerve with Gildersleeve. Gildy’s imagination runs wild, and Peavey is the keeper at the Pearly Gate. Though Gildersleeve doesn’t want to get in right now, he wants to make sure that he’s eligible. With his daydream over, the sermon is wrapping up.
Gildy has a confrontation with the politician and takes a stand for what’s right. He refuses to take part in the corrupt deal.
In epilog, the owner of the Kraft company shares a word on affirming faith, and celebrating the resurrection on that first Easter day, and relates it to the cause that Americans faced during World War 2. In short, cling to your faith to get through the hard time at hand.
PS: Though the
Great Gildersleeve program was originally broadcast on Sunday’s in the 1943-44 season, leap year that year has caused dates to shift. Besides, my Sunday schedule is usually pretty full, so I’m spreading the wealth to Saturday.
