Had possibilities and sometimes has Richard Widmark on the show as a reporter; but the show seems too slow and too melodramatic for my tastes. (Plus there are only a few of the entire serial available.)
It would not be hard for me to say that The Aldrich Family is the most underrated show in old-time radio. There's not any episode I can think of that I haven't enjoyed, the show is funny and the characters can be associated with.
The only drawback (I hesitate to call it that) is that it doesn't have that *one thing* to knock it out of the park every show. It's close, real close to being one of the top 10 best shows - if it had a cleanup batter.
For instance, add a Walter Tetley-type to the show as a bully. Or take away House Jameson (who I really like) and replace him with Gale Gordon.
Everyone on the show is sooooooo nice. I think that's the "problem."
Another one of those shows that just misses... not a great show but certainly not a bad show at all - as a matter of fact, it's lots of fun. I think the thing I would change (looking back 65 years) is that either I would have had better guest stars or none whatsoever.
The storylines are dumb and you never feel like these are real people.
I often wonder how the show got someone like Bing Crosby to guest star on it.
A very intelligent show with Danny Kaye doing nothing but being funny. He was just too busy to put his all into the show or it could have been one of the best ever.
The few epsodes that survive show off only about a tenth of the guy's talents. Too bad.
The few epsodes that survive show off only about a tenth of the guy's talents. Too bad.
I really enjoy your comments about these shows. Most of the time I agree with you. Duffy's Tavern has some real laughs, but, at the same time very corny. Still worth listening to. I enjoy the Aldrich Family, but, all too often the series of mix ups gets a bit crazy. I guess that makes the show.
ReplyDeleteThanks BB! I enjoy doing these too. You enjoy the Billboard as well?
ReplyDeleteThe Aldrich Family can be real crazy (one episode that comes to mind is the time Henry had people from the hotel sleep over and eat breakfast, like the house was a hotel.) That was a crazy show but very funny.
I think my favorite character in the show is Father (House Jameson) - I just wish he would get really mad at Henry but he never does.