The Great Gildersleeve – The New Neighbor. ep341, 491130

Harold Peary at the microphone, wearing a suit and hat. A black and white photograph of Harold Peary, a man in a suit and tie, smiling and looking off to the side. He is standing in front of a plain background, with his hands in his pockets. Peary was a comedian and actor, best known for his role as "The Great Gildersleeve" on radio and television in the 1940s and 1950s. The photograph conveys a sense of classic Hollywood glamour and style.
Harold Peary in his heyday as the Great Gildersleeve.

New neighbors are moving in, and the family fights the temptation to watch the action, and size up the new folks. Rather than spying from afar, Gildy does it up close and personal, when he goes to meet his neighbors and introduce himself. Things get off on a good start when hospitality is the theme of the day. Matters take a turn though when frequent favors, and imposition on Gildersleeve begins to weigh heavy.

What’s a friendly neighbor to do? Gildersleeve drops into Peavey’s drugstore for advice on dealing with the new neighbor. Still, the neighbor keeps on borrowing, and making himself welcome to the house. Should Gildy put his foot down? Will it offend the neighbor?

PS: Wow, Gildy has become a big softie over the years. If he still lived next door to Fibber McGee, he wouldn’t have any qualms about picking a fight, or being gruff. Of course, even in those early days, Gildy could turn on and off the gruffness. He might be in a bitter fight with McGee at one moment, then in the next scene be playing a friendly game of checkers. I suppose he’s still impetuous, just in a different way these days.