Gildersleeve: Peary to Waterman

Starter of this subject: Ted Hering
Last post in this subject: 11/25/2003
Messages in this subject: 2

Ted Hering 11/25/2003
2 replies
What's the story of Willard Waterman taking over the Gildersleeve character from Harold Peary? Peary then created "Honest Hal," who was, frankly, a Gildersleeve clone.
Jim Widner 11/26/2003
0 replies
In Chuck Schaden's book, Speaking of Radio, he interviews both Hal Peary and Willard Waterman (not together). Peary was reluctant to talk about it saying only that the money he was getting from the show was mostly going to the taxman. He tried to buy the rights to the show, but the sponsor would not sell, so he left.

However, Waterman gives details that Gildersleeve was supposed to go to CBS as many other shows were during the big NBC raid by CBS (Jack Benny Show, Amos 'n' Andy and others). Peary signed in advance with CBS, but then Kraft changed their minds and wanted to stay with NBC. Peary was already committed contractually and couldn't get out of it. So he had to leave the show and the Honest Harold series was created for him, but it didn't have the writing talent.

Ben Ohmart 12/5/2003
0 replies
You need to buy the Gildersleeve book, mate! It's at http://www.bearmanormedia.com