Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 58:50 — 26.9MB)
Cecil B DeMill relates some background behind the stars of the feature. Featuring Bob Burns. The opening setting is a railroad station where a soldier steps off and a man needs to catch a cab. There are some mixups involving a stolen cab that resolve themselves once the soldier arrives home.
Clarence, played by comedian Bob Burns, is the soldier who was mistaken for the cabbie. Clarence is hired on the spot to work in the household. The practical minded old soldier brings home spun logic to the various family troubles. The son who is facing a love interest, and military school. The sister on a hunger strike.
Clarence shares some of his own secret past when he was growing up with canibals.
After the mid showcommercial, there seems to be no end of the tallents that Clarence lends to the family. The daughters’ love interest meets with a disaster that everybody seems grateful for. Daughter, Cora, is determined to have her way, and a family squabble ensues. Clarence calms the savage beast by playing his bass instrument.
In intermission, a scene borrowed from that film that’s sweping the nation, Snow White, is used to sell the sponsor product. Who knew that Snow White kept her dainty things washed with Lux?
Mrs Wheeler, mom, is in good spirits as she talks with Clarence. Son, Bobby, is practicing piano as he deals with his woman troubles. Bobby seeks romantic advice from Clarence, but will he be able to lend a hand? Bobby may have ultirierr motives in asking.
Next morning, dad seems pleased that the family can enjoy breakfast with out an argument. Suddenly, suspicions are cast towards the friendly Clarence. Has he done anything wrong in courting the Miss Penny? It seems that Clarence has been up all night with Miss Penny the children’s keeper. A secret is emerging that Clarence has a secret that could bring even more scandal on the family.
Is Clarence a confidence man who is trying to scam the family? Is he the deserter that was mentioned in the morning’s newspaper? Clarence offers more credentials, but does it really answer the question of who he actually is?
Enjoy the lite hearted family drama, and the eccentric man who adds a little sanity and stability back into the home life of the Wheelers.
