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

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 26:34 — 6.1MB)

Eli Jenkins turns to his old friend Ben to discuss the growing struggles of his business. His traditional general feed store is failing to compete with the sleek, modern grocery stores featuring large plate-glass windows. Ben suggests boosting sales with a catchy slogan and launching a town-wide contest to let local residents submit their entries.
Submissions quickly pour in from miles around while the choir performs “Darling Nellie Gray.” As anticipation builds, every participant becomes convinced their slogan is the clear winner. The judges soon face a predicament: picking any single entry risks accusations of a rigged contest.
To diffuse the rising tension among the catty crowd, Cliff takes the stage with a performance of “I’ll Forget You,” followed by the group singing “Even Song.” Realizing a standard decision will cause uproar, Ben determines that a random drawing is the fairest way to select the winner. The group closes the day with a final hymn, “He Leadeth Me,” leaving everyone with a simple moral: sometimes you simply cannot control how things turn out.
Note: While the featured songs are largely forgotten today, they were popular hits from the preceding decades—much like a modern show highlighting classic oldies. Though barbershop-style arrangements are rare today, the vocal talent throughout the episode remains exceptional.