Gildersleeve's Bad Day

Second in RKO's short-lived Great Gildersleeve series based on the popular radio show. This time Gildersleeve is a juror in the trial of a bank robber. Through no fault of his own, Gildersleeve comes under suspicion of taking a bribe. Harold Peary is very enjoyable as the pompous Gildersleeve. His objecting to the prosecuting attorney during the trial is a hoot. Pretty Nancy Gates appears to have aged five years since the last film (it's actually been less than one). This is her last appearance in the series. It's also the last appearance of Jane Darwell's Aunt Emma. Lillian Randolph returns as Birdie the maid. She's always fun. A very nice supporting cast in this one, including Charles Arnt, Douglas Fowley, Alan Carney, and Grant Withers. Richard LeGrand is a treat as drug store owner Mr. Peavy, a role LeGrand also played on the radio program. A funny entry in the series. It moves quickly and barely clocks in at an hour. A nice time-passer on a lazy afternoon.

Apparently Harold Peary was a big hit on the radio during that time with this Gildersleeve character; on the screen he comes across as an agreeable personality (apart from that obnoxious fake laugh), but certainly not strong enough to hold the screen as the only lead - he probably would serve better as part of an ensemble. "Gildersleeve's Bad Day", about him getting called on jury duty and inadvertently bribed, doesn't have many laughs, but it's harmless enough. ** out of 4.

Second in RKO's short-lived Great Gildersleeve series based on the popular radio show. This time Gildersleeve is a juror in the trial of a bank robber. Through no fault of his own, Gildersleeve comes under suspicion of taking a bribe. Harold Peary is very enjoyable as the pompous Gildersleeve. His objecting to the prosecuting attorney during the trial is a hoot. Pretty Nancy Gates appears to have aged five years since the last film (it's actually been less than one). This is her last appearance in the series. It's also the last appearance of Jane Darwell's Aunt Emma. Lillian Randolph returns as Birdie the maid. She's always fun. A very nice supporting cast in this one, including Charles Arnt, Douglas Fowley, Alan Carney, and Grant Withers. Richard LeGrand is a treat as drug store owner Mr. Peavy, a role LeGrand also played on the radio program. A funny entry in the series. It moves quickly and barely clocks in at an hour. A nice time-passer on a lazy afternoon.

There's no doubt that Throckmorton P. Gildersleeve is an acquired taste, but if you like the character, you won't be disappointed by this bill filling RKO comedy. The usual cast is here: Harold Peary as, naturally, the bloviating Gildersleeve; mousy Richard LeGrand as shopkeeper J.W. Peavey; and Lillian Randolph as the family retainer. There's also a decidedly out of character performance from Jane Darwell as Throckmorton's bothersome sister Emma. The story revolves around Summerfield's courthouse, where Gildersleeve is serving jury duty on a bank robbery case involving villain Louie Barton (Douglas Fowley). Unbeknownst to Gildersleeve, he's the recipient of a bribe offer from the defendant, and when the jury votes 11-1 to convict, guess who's the holdout. Never fear, our hero has NOT turned villain, and all is sorted out by the end of this hour long second feature.