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papermoonloveslucy · 6 months

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THE FACE IS FAMILIAR… BUT I CAN’T PLACE THE NAME!

Same Actor / Different Character ~ Part 2: “The Lucy Show"

It used to be quite common for actors to be cast in multiple roles on the same series. Not in principal parts, certainly, but in supporting and minor characters. Lucycoms were no exception. Although the world created by these shows was representative of reality, the characters who populated them often gave viewers Deja vu.

For the purposes of this discussion, we won’t include background performers (aka extras) as they were nearly always drawn from the same pool of actors. Also, those who played multiple characters need to have at least one of them identified by name.

MARY JANE CROFT

Croft (a veteran of "I Love Lucy") was introduced to viewers as Audrey Simmons in 8 episodes from episode 8 in 1962. When the show's location was changed to Los Angeles, Croft also changed - into Mary Jane Lewis, which was her legal name during her marriage to producer / director Elliott Lewis. When Vivian Vance left the cast, and Lucy failed to fill her 'second banana' spot, Croft's role became increasingly more integral to the show. The second MJ was seen in 31 episode, including the series finale.

CAROLE COOK

A protege of Ball's from the Desilu Playhouse, Cook was introduced as Thelma Green in five episodes set in Danfield. Unusually, during that time she also played Betty Jo Hanson at "Lucy's College Reunion" (1963). Perhaps the episodes were aired out of filming sequence. When the show moved West, she played socialite Mrs. Valance for three episodes, and a variety of other characters (large and small) in 11 more.

ROY ROBERTS

Roberts was best known as Bank President Mr. Cheever, a role he played in 14 episodes starting halfway through season five and including the series finale. But he first appeared as the Admiral in "Lucy and the Submarine" (1966). Roberts was likely typecast as Mr. Cheever after playing a similar role on "The Beverly Hillbillies" from 1965 to 1967.

MARY WICKES

Wickes was a great friend of Lucille Ball's. While she only made one appearance on "I Love Lucy", she was seen much more frequently on "The Lucy Show". In her first appearance she played a character named Mary Wickenhauser, Wickes' birth name. It wasn't long before she was back as Fran, one of the Danfield volunteer firefighters, in three episodes. When the series went to LA, she was Lucy's Aunt Gussie in two episodes, followed by one-offs Miss Winslow, Miss Hurlow, and Aunt Agatha. In total, she played 6 characters in 9 episodes over 6 seasons! And that's just on one series!

LUCIE ARNAZ

Before she joined the cast of "Here's Lucy" as a series regular in 1968, Lucy's daughter was given opportunities to perform on "The Lucy Show", although in small roles. In Danfield she was seen as Chris's friend Cynthia in several episodes. In LA, she played several different teenagers in five episodes.

HERB VIGRAN

Vigran started out as Dr. Jacoby, the umpire of Danfield's softball team, in two episodes. He went on to play a variety of others: a doctor, a vet, a postman, and a computer salesman that was referred to as "Mr. Vigran"!

DOROTHY KONRAD

Konrad used her own first name as a member of the Danfield Volunteer Fire Brigade in two episodes, then used her last name as one of Lucy's college alumni in another. She also played bank secretary Mrs. Hutton, and babysitter Mrs. Fletcher.

JOAN SWIFT

Swift was most often seen using her own first name as a Los Angles co-worker of Mrs. Carmichael's. She also played an airline passenger, a French maid, and characters named Laurie and Dottie.

KAREN NORRIS

Norris was seen in six episodes, each time as a different character, but all with dialogue. Her most significant role was as Babette Edwards, a woman about to have her sixth child in "Lucy and Viv Play Softball" (1963).

LEW PARKER

Parker played Joan Crawford's agent, a movie producer scouting Frankie Avalon, Phil Harris' music producer, Mr. Mooney's lawyer AND his psychiatrist! In some episodes he used his own first name, in others he used his own last name.

PARLEY BAER

Baer Started his "Lucy Show" life playing the man who sells Lucy Clementine the sheep. He went to be seen as two judges, an army colonel, and a doctor. Is it any wonder he was one of the most familiar faces on television?

KATHLEEN FREEMAN

1964 was a big year for Freeman, who appeared on "The Lucy Show" five times in four different characters. She was known by her own first name in two episodes, but also played Olga the cook, Mrs. Putnam the maid, and Mrs. Blake the nurse.

GARY MORTON

Morton was Lucille Ball's real-life husband, and also a producer on "The Lucy Show". His first role (not surprisingly) was as Lucy's boyfriend, named Gary Stewart. As a stand-up comedian, he was able to handle dialogue and was cast in three more small roles, one time using his real surname. In the end credits, he used his birth name Morton Goldaper. Speaking of Lucy's boyfriend...

KEITH ANDES

Andes had played Lucy's love interest on Broadway in Wildcat (1960), so it wasn't a reach for him to do it again on "The Lucy Show." He played Bill King on two episodes set in Danfield. In Los Angeles he was back as Lucy's love interest, but this time named Brad Collins. Collins is an airline pilot, just like Lucy's boyfriend in Danfield, Harry Connors (Dick Martin). Collins was also the surname of Viv's steady boyfriend, Eddie (Don Briggs), back in Danfield.

LOU KRUGMAN

Krugman was one of Lucille Ball's favorite performers. He was instantly recognizable as the film director coping with Lucy Ricardo and her ungainly headpiece. On "The Lucy Show" his first appearance was as a Chemistry teacher named Dr. Adrian Vance (after Vivian, of course). He played a music producer named Barney Miller (no relation to the TV detective), and finally returned to playing a film director, again coping with Lucy as she watches John Wayne film a western.

JONATHAN HOLE

Hole made his first appearance with Lucille Ball in 1966, playing a department store manager named Mr. Collins. That same year he was Mr. Haskell, a Palm Springs hotel manager where Lucy and Carol sing. Finally, he used his first name to play Jonathan Winslow, father of three rambunctious chimps babysat by Lucy.

RETA SHAW

Shaw was a popular character actress from film (Mary Poppins), stage (The Pajama Game), and television ("The Ghost and Mrs. Muir"). She was seen as 3 different characters on "The Lucy Show" starting as a girthy granny at the fairgrounds when "Lucy Misplaces $2,000" (1962). In "My Fair Lucy" (1964) she was dominating Dora Dunbar, wealthy socialite. Finally, she played Mrs. Foley, owner of a roadside stand selling maps to the stars homes when "Lucy Goes to a Hollywood Premiere" (1966).

HARVEY KORMAN

Korman is best remembered from his hilarious work on "The Carol Burnett Show", but he was also worked with Carol's mentor, Lucille Ball, playing 3 roles on "The Lucy Show." First he was Mr. Slater, manager of a day camp where "Lucy and Viv are Camp Cooks" (1964). The next year he was twitchy stockbroker Mr. Phillips. During the series' first LA episode, Korman played Major Grayson, who is in charge of a military academy.

PAUL WINCHELL

Paul Winchell was best known as a ventriloquist and the inventor of an artificial heart (seriously). In 1966 he played himself on "Here's Lucy," also showcasing some of his most famous creations. The following year he was cast as Doc Putnam, a little old man, in a two part musical episode "Main Street USA". He was barely recognizable. The role required him to sing and dance, which led to a falling out between his daughter and Lucy. She felt that Lucy was working him too hard and being exceptionally cruel.

KASEY ROGERS

Rogers is best remembered for playing Louise Tate on “Bewitched” from 1966 to 1972. For Lucy, she played Miss Cavanaugh, manager of a flight attendant training school attended by Lucy and Carol (Burnett). In the final season, she played Miss Carroll, secretary to Phil Harris.

LLOYD CORRIGAN

Corrigan appeared in two films with Lucille Ball before joining her on the small screen as Mr. Holly of Holly Cleaners on the first season of "The Lucy Show". He returned to play gentleman crook Carter Harrison (a name that when reversed is given to Gale Gordon's character on "Here's Lucy" and the unnamed proprietor of a Los Angeles Christmas Tree stand.

TED ECCLES

Teddy Eccles was the second child actor to play Arnold Mooney. When Mr. Mooney and Lucy moved to Los Angeles, their children were hardly ever discussed. So Eccles was given the roles of cadet Harold, and Barry the choirboy.

HAL SMITH

Smith was best known as Otis the drunk on "The Andy Griffith Show," filmed at Desilu. For "Lucy" he played Mr. Wilson, one of the dads on an all-dad (plus Lucy) camping trip, and tuba-toting Mr. Weber in the two episodes set on "Main Street" of Bancroft.

WILLARD WATERMAN

Former "Great Gildersleeve" on radio, Waterman played TV host Greg Gregory in “Lucy and the Plumber” (1964), followed by Tex Critter at the dude ranch in "Lucy the Rain Goddess" (1966).

DICK PATTERSON

Patterson was a Broadway performer who played the "doctor" in "Lucy and the Beauty Doctor" (1966). The "doctor" was actually a TV host for a hidden camera show. He returned seven months later to play Marty King, director of Danny Thomas’s television show.

DORIS SINGLETON

Doris had originated the role of Carolyn Appleby on "I Love Lucy". On "The Lucy Show" she first played Ruth Cosgrove in "Lucy and Art Linkletter" (1966). Her character name was the real-life name of Milton Berle's wife, who would actually appear in season five as herself! Singleton returned to the series when "Lucy Gets Her Diploma" (1967) using her own first name. Doris (the character) has very little to do with the plot. Her scene might have been originally meant for Mary Jane but reassigned to Singleton due the indisposition of Croft.

RUTA LEE

Lee made her big screen debut in MGM’s Seven Bride for Seven Brothers in 1954. She was seen in many Desilu shows, finally acting opposite Lucille Ball on “The Lucy Show” as “Lucy’s Substitute Secretary” (1967). That same year she played herself opposite the aforementioned Ruth Cosgrove-Berle!

JACKIE COOGAN

One of the first child actors in Hollywood, Coogan is best remembered as Uncle Fester on "The Addams Family." He was mentioned on "I Love Lucy," but finally meets her face to face as Lieutenant Ruggles in "Lucy and the Military Academy" (1963). Five years later he was back as Mr. Burton, manager of a drive-in hamburger stand when "Lucy Gets Involved" (1968).

JAY NOVELLO

Novello started acting with Lucy on her radio show and was also seen on "I Love Lucy." In this series he plays Mr. Bundy, candy shop owner and safe cracker , and (1963) Tony DiBello, owner of an Italian Restaurant (1964) where Lucy takes her millionaire date.

OTHERS WHO HIT A DOUBLE

Jack Benny (Harry Tuttle / Himself)

Lyle Talbot (Mr. Stanford / Howard Wilcox)

Dan Rowan (Colin Grant / Dan McGowan)

Barbara Morrison (Mrs. Walker / Mrs. Winkler)

Cliff Norton (Mr. Bentley / Ike)

Tommy Farrell (Pete Murdock / Harry)

Jack Collins (Rocky / Ernie)

Howard Caine (Harold / Paul Roney)

Byron Foulger (Fred Dunbar / Mr. Trindle)

Eddie Quillan (Mr. Vincent / Briggs)

Elliott Reid (Ross Dowd / Dr. Oscar Kurtzman)

Phil Vandervoort (Alan / Tommy Watkins)

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therileyandkimmyshow · 28 days

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Podcast The Great Gildersleeve Golden Age of Radio Easter episode

#podcast #radio #nostalgia #talk #otr #golden age #audio #old time radio #comedy #easter #Willard Waterman #great gildersleeve

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vintage-every-day · 7 months

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“𝑺𝒉𝒖𝒕 𝒖𝒑 𝒂𝒏𝒅 𝒅𝒆𝒂𝒍.”

𝑻𝒉𝒆 𝑨𝒑𝒂𝒓𝒕𝒎𝒆𝒏𝒕 is a 1960 American romantic comedy-drama film directed and produced by Billy Wilder from a screenplay he co-wrote with I. A. L. Diamond. It stars Jack Lemmon, Shirley MacLaine, Fred MacMurray, Ray Walston, Jack Kruschen, David Lewis, Willard Waterman, David White, Hope Holiday and Edie Adams.

#vintage #movies #old hollywood #golden era #shirley maclaine #jack lemmon

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mawr-gorshin · 2 years

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Analysis of 'The Apartment'

Analysis of ‘The Apartment’

The Apartment is a 1960 comedy produced and directed by Billy Wilder, who also wrote the screenplay with IAL Diamond. The film stars Jack Lemmon, Shirley MacLaine, and Fred MacMurray, with Ray Walston, Jack Kruschen, David Lewis, Willard Waterman, David White, Hope Holiday, and Edie Adams. The film received widespread acclaim, and was the eighth highest grossing film of 1960. It was nominated…

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#bullying #capitalism #feminism #film analysis #Marxism #psychoanalysis

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mariocki · 3 years

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The Apartment (1960)

"Where will we go, my place or yours?"

"Might as well go to mine. Everybody else does."

#the apartment #billy wilder #1960 #american cinema #films i done watched #I.A.L. Diamond #Jack Lemmon #Shirley MacLaine #Fred MacMurray #Ray Walston #Jack Kruschen #David Lewis #Hope Holiday #Joan Shawlee #Naomi Stevens #Johnny Seven #Joyce Jameson #Edie Adams #David White #Willard Waterman #Ooooof. I've been watching a lot of horror films lately (more even than my usual glut) and I was starting to feel like I needed a change #A palette cleanser if you will. And what better than a charming 1960 romantic comedy starring Lemmon and MacLaine??#Rarely do I find I've so badly misjudged a film. Not that this isn't good (it's brilliant) and not that it isn't funny (it's frequently #Very funny indeed) but it's just... The darkness. I wasn't expecting the darkness. There's this thick cloying sense of bleakness that hangs #Heavy over everything. Adultery bribery and suicide attempts. Full of glum asides and minor characters who go mostly unexplored but whose #Brief appearances all hint at larger and even sadder lives and stories. It ends beautifully and the two leads are very charming in a flawed #And very human kind of way and the rest of the cast are all great too (Kruschen in particular steals his every scene as perhaps the only #Decent person in the whole film) but yeah. Phew. A sometimes draining and emotionally complex experience

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letterboxd-loggd · 4 years

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The Apartment (1960) Billy Wilder

August 17th 2020

#the apartment #1960 #billy wilder #jack lemmon #shirley maclaine #fred macmurray #jack kruschen #ray walston #hope holiday #david lewis #edie adams #joan shawlee #willard waterman #naomi stevens #johnny seven #joyce jameson #david white #frances weintraub lax #favourite

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oldshowbiz · 4 years

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Perpetual sitcom guest star Willard Waterman

#Willard Waterman #character actors

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meanstreetspodcasts · 4 years

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A new season of Down These Mean Streets kicks off in August with five new episodes - including our 400th podcast episode! Plus, stay tuned every Wednesday for bonus midweek old time radio comedy shows.

August 2nd - Jack the Ripper is on the prowl in a pair of radio mysteries from the Mollé Mystery Theatre and Crime Classics.

August 9th - Vincent Price returns as “the Robin Hood of modern crime” in The Saint.

August 16th - We head back to the old west for John Dehner as Paladin in Have Gun - Will Travel.

August 23rd - Willard Waterman starred for years as The Great Gildersleeve, but the comedy star also showed off his dramatic chops. We’ll hear him as a detective hunting a killer in the tropics in Escape and he plays a man on the wrong side of the law in a strange story by The Whistler.

August 30th - For our 400th show, I’ll go back and play the first old time radio shows I heard - the shows that started a love of the golden age of radio!

Click here to subscribe to the show in Apple Podcasts.

Click here to listen via Stitcher.

Click here to find the show on Spotify.

#Crime Classics #The Saint #Have Gun Will Travel #Old TIme Radio #Golden Age of Radio #Willard Waterman

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genevieveetguy · 6 years

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When you're in love with a married man, you shouldn't wear mascara.

The Apartment, Billy Wilder (1960)

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eyeliketwowatch · 7 years

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The Apartment - Delightfully Depressing Urban Holiday Romance

This film probably holds the record for the most viewings around our house, second only to ‘The Wizard of Oz’. For nearly thirty years now, this has been an annual viewing event for us around the New Year. The perfect movie for those holiday seasons when you really aren't in the mood for decorations, tinsel and merrymaking. Bleak and depressing at times, a reminder that not everyone is making merry at christmastime, a movie that treats us to loneliness, infidelity, wild office parties, alcohol, suicide attempts and tv dinners in front of the television.

Jack Lemmon plays an office drone who loans his apartment key out to various higher ups at his place of employment, in the hopes that it will turn into a good promotion for himself. These 'key borrowers' use the apartment for their extra marital flings. Lemmon has a crush on a cute elevator operator at the office (Shirley MacLaine in a great early role), but is crushed to find out that she is actually seeing one of the bosses and using his apartment. Then after an ill-fated office party Lemmon comes home to his apartment to find a suicide attempt in progress, which leads to one of the sweetest and most unusual romances in film.

I'm still not convinced that the ending is a happy one, but it seems to satisfy regardless.

Around our house, favorite holiday viewing: Comfort and Joy (1984), The Apartment (1960), Holiday (1938), The Shop Around the Corner (1940), A Christmas Story (1983), It’s A Wonderful Life (1946), Die Hard (1988), Scrooge (1970), The Gathering (1977), The House Without a Christmas Tree (1972)

5 stars

Released 1960, first viewing December 1987

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papermoonloveslucy · 1 year

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ARBOR DAY

Trees of the Lucyverse!

“I think that I shall never see A poem lovely as a tree.” ~ Joyce Kilmer

(Everything Except Christmas Trees.)

“The Marriage License” (1952) ~ To correct an error on their original marriage license, Lucy and Ricky travel to Greenwhich, Connecticut to renew their vows. While there, Lucy makes Ricky renact his proposal at the tree bench where it first happened.

LUCY: “Gee. I don’t remember this seat being so small, do you? I guess the tree grew in a little from each side.” RICKY: “Let’s face it, we’ve grown out a little from each side!”

“The Camping Trip” (1953) ~ Lucy wants to do everything Ricky does - including going on a camping trip to go fishing and duck hunting. To make sure she bests Ricky in hunting and fishing, Ethel tags along out of sight, hiding up a tree to make sure Lucy is a sure shot!

LUCY: “These look like pretty good duck trees to me.” RICKY: “This might come as a surprise to you, Lucy, but you find ducks on the water, not up in the trees.”

Later, Ricky spies Ethel in the branches.

RICKY: “Ethel, you get out of that tree!”

“Lucy’s Last Birthday” (1952) ~ When the Friends of the Friendless marches through the park, a low-hanging tree branch snags Barbara Pepper’s hat knocking it to the ground. Pepper continues the scene hatless and (for consistency) also appears hatless in the next scene inside the Tropicana.

“Lucy Writes a Play” (1952) ~ The title of Lucy’s first script is “A Tree Grows in Havana”, a pun on “A Tree Grows in Brooklyn” a book and a film in the mid-40’s. There was even a Broadway musical of the same title starring Shirley Booth that closed two weeks before the episode filmed.

“Lucy Hires an English Tutor” (1952) ~ Ricky demonstrates his English skills by reading aloud from a children’s book.

RICKY: "He spent his time in the forest cutting down booges from the trees." LUCY: “Wait a minute. Wait just a minute. What is this booges?" RICKY: (points to text)“Booges, right in there.” LUCY:“That's boughs.” RICKY: “B-O-U-G-H is bough?” LUCY: “Right.” RICKY: “Bough.”

“Lucy is Enceinte” (1952)

“Were having a baby, my baby and me. You'll read it in Winchell's That we're adding a limb to our family tree!”

“First Stop” (1955) ~ On the way to Hollywood, the gang has no choice but to stay at the run-down One Oak Cabins.

In “Lucy and the Stolen Stole” (1964), con-man Harry Barton (Buddy Hackett) lives on Old Oak Drive in San Fernando.

In Danfield, Hoffstedder’s Drugstore is located on Oak Street.

When “Lucy is a Process Server” (1964), she is hired by a new employment agency located on Oak Street.

“Ethel’s Hometown” (1955) ~ To upstage Ethel on her ego trip homecoming, Fred performs an old vaudeville routine involving a rapidly growing tree!

“The Tour” (1955) ~ Lucy scales a wall of the Richard Widmark estate to pick a souvenir grapefruit from his tree - then gets caught on the other side.

“LIttle Ricky’s School Pageant” (1956) ~ Big Ricky’s role in “The Enchanted Forest” is to play a Hollow Tree.

RICKY: “The only father in the whole school that is in show business, and they want me to play a hollow tree.”

LITTLE RICKY: “Why don't you want to be a tree?” RICKY: “Oh. Well, I'm a performer. I've been in show business since I was a...” LITTLE RICKY: “I think you should be a tree. It's more fun to cooperate than to be the center of attention.” RICKY: “You're absolutely right. I'll be a tree.” LITTLE RICKY: “Oh, boy! Daddy's gonna be a tree! Daddy's gonna be a tree!”

“The Ricardos Dedicate a Statue” (1957) ~ While seraching for Fred the dog, Lucy decapitates the statue by not looking in the rear view mirror!

LUCY: “I jumped in the car and forgot all about the trailer and backed right into that elm tree.”

Danfield’s Elm Tree Inn was mentioned in several episodes of “The Lucy Show”: “Chris’s New Year’s Eve Party” (1962), “Lucy Teaches Ethel Merman to Sing” (1964), and “Viv Moves Out” (1964).

In “Lucy and Bob Crane” (1966), Crane says he owns a home on 993 Elm in Beverly Hills.

In Danfield, Mr. Mooney’s home is located at 429 Elm Street.

Rescuing Grandma Sutton’s cat from up a tree is the first call of the Danfield Volunteer Women’s Fire Brigade in “Lucy and Viv Are Volunteer Firemen” (1963). The incident is mentioned again in “Lucy Drives A Dump Truck” (1963).

“Chris Goes Steady” (1964) ~ Lucy Carmichael and Mr. Mooney are stranded in a Jerry and Sherman’s tree house hoping to catch their kids eloping. They didn’t count on a snowstorm while they waited.

“Lucy the Rain Goddess” (1966) ~ At a dude ranch, Lucy and Viv listen to a guide Tex Critter (Willard Waterman) explain the local foliage.

TEX: “Now... this is a Joshua tree, and there's a real romantic story behind it. You know all about the birds and the bees. Well, this is a love triangle between two Joshua trees and a little bee called the Joshua Tree Bee. See, the Joshua trees depend on this little bee to carry the pollen from one to the other. You know, it makes me feel poetic. Where would the Joshua tree be without the Joshua Tree Bee?”

“Lucy and Curtis Are Up A Tree” (1986) ~ In this unaired episode of “Life With Lucy,” Curtis is building a tree house for Kevin. When Kevin overhears his grandparents are planning to move out, he removes the ladder to the tree house stranding them in a rain storm.

The Arnaz-Morton family poses between the boughs of a tree (1965).

A plaque has been placed at the base of two tall palm trees where The Long, Long Trailer was filmed in 1954. A resort is now on the site where the trailer park was located in the film.

#Trees #Arbor Day #Lucille Ball #I Love Lucy #The Lucy Show #Life With Lucy #Gale Gordon #Vivian Vance #Desi Arnaz #William Frawley #Gary Morton #Desi Arnaz Jr.#Lucie Arnaz #Barbara Pepper #TV #CBS #Willard Waterman

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sohannabarberaesque · 5 years

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The Hippopotamus in Peavey's Drugstore: A Peter Potamus Crossover with The Great Gildersleeve

For the unacquainted with Old-Time Radio, The Great Gildersleeve was a radio comedy as aired on NBC Radio for Kraft Foods (now Kraft Heinz) from 1941 until 1957. The first ever spinoff series (as from Fibber McGee and Molly), The Great Gildersleeve dealt with the misadventures of Throckmorton P. Gildersleeve (played by Harold Perry until 1950, then taken over by Willard Waterman) having to balance his role as the Water Commissioner in Summerfield and as foster father to nephew Leroy (Walter Tetley) and niece Marjorie (Louise Erickson) after their parents were killed in an air accident--with plenty of hilarious escapades along the way. Not to mention Probate Judge Harold Hooker (whom Gildersleeve oft dismissed slyly as "that old goat") and druggist Peavey providing plenty of comic counterpoint as required.

"Just stocking up my Magic Balloon there," remarked Peter Potamus one slightly-sultry Saturday morning in the premi of Peavey's Drugstore, looking through the aisles. "Now tell me, kind sir, would you recommend antacids or ginger ale for bouts of stomach flu?"

"Personally, the ginger ale," replied Peavey, the ever-infallable neighbourhood druggist. "I understand ginger is supposed to be very effective in stomach ailments ... and might I recommend the Belfast such, down the aisle a ways?"

"Belfast?"

"Yes, Belfast Ginger Ale. Nice and potent ginger flavour just in case."

"Would you have some by the case, good druggist?"

Unbeknownst to all, a certain portly character of Summerfield, in personna of no less than Throckmorton P. Gildersleeve, strode into Peavey's and was stunned somewhat by the presence of a hippopotami on a run for some acetaminophen, bandages, and Lord-knows-what-else he may have needed from Peavey's Drugstore to begin with. Prompting the ever-faithful druggist to put aside his compounding another prescription for chill tablets and remark, "Good day, Mr. Gildersleeve; how can I help you?" in his legendary Yankee twang.

To which Gildersleeve was stunned to see the sight of a hippopotamus practically out of water, but not before remarking how he could not believe the very sight and asking where he could get the acetaminophen. "Aisle Two," Peavey replied, pointing out a sign originally found in a Hong Kong supermarket proclaiming "For your convenience, we recommend courteous, efficient self-service."

"Uh, Peavey," Gildersleeve asked dumbstruck, "what exactly do you mean by this 'courteous, efficient self-service'?"

"I was in Hong Kong once, Gildersleeve," Peavey remarked, "with the missus ... and we found that sign rather funny enough to take back and repost here. Which couldn't have been better timing, as I decided to adopt a self-service approach by and large. Getting up there in years, you know, Gildersleeve."

"Yet I wonder if you have any relatives seeking to keep this drugstore going," tartly answered Gildersleeve, which had Peavey replying that he had twin nephews doing a pharmacy-school internship and a half-sister doing stockroom and deliveries. Which had Peavey calling for the half-sister (whose name turned out being Brunhilde) to look in the stockroom for a couple of cases of Belfast Ginger Ale for a certain Peter Potamus, prompting Brunhilde to become rather awe-strick at the sight.

"So what's the idea of recommending ginger ale to a hippopotamus, to begin with?" Gildersleeve asked incredulously.

To which Peavey replied, "He's restocking on supplies for another of his Magic Balloon's extended voyages."

"So THAT explains that balloon with a Noah's Ark gondola I saw outside as I came in--"

"Well, now, I wouldn't say that," Peavey replied, adding, "Still, this Peter Potamus is a rather interesting character." Whereupon Gildersleeve walked over in the aisle dedicated to first-aid supplies and kits and couldn't believe a hippo in a safari getup, starched whites and all consistent with the inevitable stereotype.

"The name is Peter Potamus."

"And I'm Gildersleeve. Throckmorton P. Gildersleeve."

"What kind of a name," Peter Potamus quickly asked, "is 'Throckmorton' to begin with?"

"Everybody calls me 'Mort.' Especially my nephew Leroy and my niece Marjorie." [Pause] "Oh, and a few close friends."

[Exchange of calling cards, prompting Peter Potamus to note on Gildersleeve's such the notation of his being "Water Commissioner."]

"Put simply, Peter P.", Gildersleeve remarked, "in charge of water and sewer. Managing no less than the main waterworks, three reservoirs, as many pumping stations and some 225 miles of water line."

"Impressive numbers, to say the least," Peter Potamus remarked. "Myself, I happen to--"

"Yes; I could tell by that balloon you have parked outside," Gildersleeve tartly replied, prompting Peavey to add that such tartness was part of Gildy's personality. By which time, Brunhilde gathered up two cases of Belfast Ginger Ale and sent them to the side of Peter Potamus' balloon just outside--never mind the curiosity the balloon was engendering.

"And, say, Mr. Druggist--"

"I believe you were referring to me?" Peavey remarked.

"Would you also happen to have some meal-replacement shakes by the case?"

"I could recommend some Boost," Peavey remarked. "Several flavours; what did you have in mind?"

"Plain vanilla."

"Ohhhh--!!" was how Gildersleeve took notice of the whole, with a sly remark suggesting that it might be better for him to call back later, with the door slamming behind him. Prompting Peter Potamus to ask excitedly, "What exactly was it that got this Mr. Gildersleeve riled up?"

"I don't think such would be of interest to you, at any rate," was how Peavey put it.

In any event, once the Boost, a replacement first-aid kit and such other sundries were loaded unto the Magic Balloon with the assistance of half-sister Brunhilde, Peter Potamus began posing for selfies and signing autographs with the curious of Summerfield, among them Mayor Casper Terwilliger, who couldn't resist the opportunity for getting some attention in ... and within minutes, the "Up ship!" command came unto his simian companion So-So, with the liftoff, assisted by the Patent Hippo Hurricane Howler (to assist in getting such into the proper position), attracting much curiosity from the crowd still remaining.

Back on deck, Peter Potamus couldn't be happier in his element in instructing So-So to set course ... "for where?" replied he.

"I think," Peter Potamus responded, "we ought to just let the winds of fortune and whimsy direct us wherever."

And by the time the balloon was gone from sight, Peavey could be seen somewhat unnerved and dazed over what ensued for the trade.

#fanfic friday #hanna barbera #the great gildersleeve #crossover #old time radio #peavey's drugstore #belfast ginger ale #summerfield #throckmorton p gildersleeve #boost #peter potamus #well now i wouldn't say that

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