McGee’s ‘Little Chum’ Leaves Wistful Vista

The Milwaukee Journal – Aug 3, 1941

“You’re hard man, McGee!” That line made famous the character of Gildersleeve, Fibber McGee’s “little chum” next door, and now has given Gildersleeve’s creator, Harold Peary (above), his own show on NBC, opening Aug. 24

THROCKMORTON P. GILDERsleeve, Fibber McGee and Molly’s chum, who is known as Harold Peary to his intimates will be starred on his own program. “The Great Gildersleeve,” beginning Sunday, Aug 31, over NBC.

In making this move, Perry, creator at the Gildersleeve character on the “Fibber McGee and Molly” show, will devote full time to his own program Gildersleeve will be replaced on the McGee’s program by Gale Gordon. It is believed that his marks the first time a character conceived on a radio program has been transplanted as the star of his own show. The tremendous fan following built up by the character of Gildersleeve is responsible for this new program.

Harold Peary, “The GreatGildersleeve,” has been in radio work for the last 12 years, starting with NBC in San Francisco. In 1935 he came to Chicago where he joined the cast of “FibberMcGee and Molly.” When the McGee’s show moved to Hollywood in 1939, Peary created the role of “Gildersleeve.” The new character made an instantaneous hit with dialer and Peary became famous as the pompous, good natured next door neighbor of Fibber McGee.

Before his debut on the networks, Peary was well known as a singer and dramatic actor in stock companies and on the Pacific coast and throughout the New England states. He is a native of Sanleandro, Calif., and is married to the former Betty Jourdaine, a dancer, whom he met in a California ‘juvenile theatrical company when they were both still in grammar school.

While the new program is not yet completely cast, William Randolph will conduct the musical portion of the show and Cecil Underwood will handle the production.

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