Try free for 30 days

1 credit a month to use on any title, yours to keep (you’ll use your first credit on this title).
Stream or download thousands of included titles.
Access to exclusive deals and discounts.
$16.45 a month after 30 day trial. Cancel anytime.
The Great Gildersleeve, Volume 1 cover art

The Great Gildersleeve, Volume 1

By: Renaissance eBooks
Narrated by: Harold Peary, Bill Mills
Try for $0.00

$16.45 per month after 30 days. Cancel anytime.

Buy Now for $1.99

Buy Now for $1.99

Pay using voucher balance (if applicable) then card ending in
By confirming your purchase, you agree to Audible's Conditions Of Use and Privacy Notice and authorise Audible to charge your designated credit card or another available credit card on file.

Publisher's Summary

Holiday hilarity and history with the Great Gildersleeve - radio's most lovable windbag! The inimitable Harold Peary, with his melodious baritone voice and trademark warbling laugh, achieved stardom portraying Gildersleeve on the first ever spin-off series in broadcast history!

Here are two hilarious holiday shows, one that captures this beloved character at his best, as well as the anxiety of pre-World War II America, in a 1941 episode ("Soldiers for Thanksgiving") and another that captures the soaring prices and spirits of the post-War era, in a 1948 episode ("Christmas Eve at Gildersleeve's").

In the first show, Summerfield citizens are urged to invite a lonely soldier home for Thanksgiving dinner. With an elaborate meal being prepared at his house, Gildy discovers the town's good citizens have indeed heeded this plea, and there's not a soldier left to be had!

In the second program, Gildy has found himself guardian of an abandoned baby and plans a quiet family celebration that will make the infant's first Christmas "the best ever" - but soon half the town has invited themselves over.

Then the story turns on a dime from comedy to drama, ending with the Great Gildersleeve delivering one of the most touching Christmas speeches since Tiny Tim said, "God bless us every one!"

Here is Golden Age radio at its finest, plus informative commentary about the program and Harold Peary's life and career. Another in the best-selling Audio Archives series from Bill Mills and REB Inc.

©2005 Renaissance eBooks Inc. (P)2005 Renaissance eBooks Inc.

What listeners say about The Great Gildersleeve, Volume 1

Average Customer Ratings

Reviews - Please select the tabs below to change the source of reviews.

In the spirit of reconciliation, Audible acknowledges the Traditional Custodians of country throughout Australia and their connections to land, sea and community. We pay our respect to their elders past and present and extend that respect to all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples today.