 The Kraft Foods Company presents Willard Waterman as the Great Gildesleeve. The Great Gildesleeve is brought to you each week by the Kraft Foods Company. And Kraft, you know, brings you the famous cheese food, Velvita, the delicious, pasteurized, processed cheese food with a fine cheddar flavor that's wonderfully rich yet delightfully mild. You can be sure it tastes wonderful because Velvita is made by Kraft. And for years, the name Kraft has met the very finest in cheese and cheese foods. So next time you're shopping, be sure to get Velvita. See for yourself how unusually delicious it is. And remember, only Kraft makes Velvita. Gildesleeve, his family and friends hope all of you had a merry Christmas. Everybody at his house did. The tree was never so gaily decorated, and St. Nicholas never more generous. Oh, boy, a hockey stick and shoe skates. Thanks, Aunt. You don't thank me, Leroy. Thanks, Aunt Claude. I sure thank you for all my loops. Well, you deserve it, Bertie. You've been a good little girl all year. Yes, Aunt. Uncle, look what Bronco gave me. Yeah, look, Mr. Gildesleeve. Well, a quilted robe is thoughtful, husband. And slippers to match. Who's that? Ain't that pretty? Well, the baby's coming soon, and we want the little fella to be proud of his mother. Yeah, that's right, my boy. Oh, Bronco, you're the sweetest husband in the world. Oh, Marge. Yes, you are sweet. Hey, sweetie, what did you give me? Now, Leroy. It's in that long package, Leroy. Oh, yeah, the archery set. How'd you know? You haven't opened it. I opened it last week. Yes, you would have, boy. Mr. Gildesleeve. Yes, Bertie? Here's another big package for you that came yesterday. You? Who brought it? Santa Claus. You mean Santa Claus came twice? Yes, this time in high heels. Oh, my goodness. We were told to hide it from you, auntie. I got my gift from Catherine. Who sent it? One of your secret admirers, Aunt. You're over. I don't have any secret admirers. Oh, yes, you have. Open it, auntie. Well, I guess I'd better. It sure is not a fancy alligator. It is not, Leroy. It's an alligator suitcase. Say, this is a pretty expensive present. Silver fittings inside. Oh, it's lovely, auntie. Here's the card. Toothrock Morton with love, Vicki. Vicki! That's love, all right. Alligators don't come, chief. All right, Vicki. Bronco, your aunt Victoria shouldn't have done this. It's very embarrassing. Well, didn't you send her something, auntie? Well, yes. A Christmas card. And she said you love in an alligator bag. Vicki, this isn't funny. In fact, it's getting serious. Gildersley. Yes, Bronco? Marge and I are driving over to my folks' house. I'm not too anxious to bump into your aunt Vicki to figure out what to do about that gift. Oh, forget it, Mr. Gildersley. Aunt Vicki just likes to be nice to her boyfriend. Well, I've only been out with her a few times. I'm not her boyfriend. Mr. Gildersley, when Aunt Vicki decides you're her boyfriend, there isn't much you can do about it. But... She likes you, Mr. Gildersley. Well, I like her, too. But I've been going with Catherine for quite a while. And I won't let anything come between us. Well, I mean it. Why is he family? Thank you, my boy. Vicki. You do? How are you going to handle it, Aunt? Tell her you're going steady. Quietly, boy. The receiver's off the hook. I know. I want to see how you get off the hook. Boy, if it wasn't Christmas, I... Hello, Vicki. Merry Christmas. And I want to thank you for the alligator suitcase. And I want... Well, I haven't sent out all my presents this year. Yeah, I often do it that way. Send out a card. Then surprise them later with the present. Oh, why don't you go skating? Okay. What an operator. Now then, Vicki, as I was saying about sending you a present... You'll have a New Year's surprise. I will. I know myself. One thing I've got to do. Let's get her a New Year's present. You will. Good old P.D. will help. Hello, Mr. Gildersley. What can I do for you today? You will. I have a gift to buy, P.D. A gift, you say? Mr. Gildersley, Christmas was last Monday. Yeah, I know, P.D. I still have to buy a gift. Forget somebody? Well, it isn't the case of my forgetting. It's the case of somebody else remembering. Okay. You know, I got an alligator suitcase from a secret admirer. My, my. It is very embarrassing, P.D. Now I have to buy her something. Very well. She's Miss Vicki Chase. It's Veronica's aunt. Oh, yes, an attractive woman. Well, yes. But she doesn't understand that I'm interested in Catherine Milford. If she gave you an alligator bag, I'd say she understands pretty well. Well, she's getting to be quite a problem, P.D. She calls me at home. She calls me at the water department. She calls me at... Excuse me, Mr. Gildersley. The telephone. You can go right ahead, P.D. P.D. is fine with me. Yes. Yes, he's here. It's for you, Mr. Gildersley. Thank you, P.D. Hello. P.D., why didn't you tell me who it was? You didn't ask me. Yeah, I didn't ask you. Hello, Vicki. Hi. You found me. Well, Vicki, I may have to work at the water department. How's parties going on? They use a lot of water. I'll be in touch with you. Goodbye. I don't know why that woman keeps after me. Neither do I. I guess it's just because there aren't many eligible men around. That could explain it. Well, I have to get her off my neck somehow. I have a date with Catherine New Year's Eve. Who is that? Looks like your neighbor, Mr. Bullard, parking his Cadillac out front. Look at that stuffed shirt. Bumping those other cars around to make room for his. Yeah, he made it. I think he's coming in here, Pee-Pee. Good. Mr. Bullard, it's a big spender. Good morning, Pee-Pee. Hello, Mr. Bullard. Oh, hello, Gil, it's me. Hello, Mr. Bullard. You were a little rough on that car out there, weren't you? Was I? He's none of my business. True. Well, what if you dent at his fender? I'd buy him a new car. You. I wish he'd dent my fender. I'll give him a box of coronas, Pee-Pee. Very well. You care for a box, Mr. Gilder-Sleeves? No, thanks, Pee-Pee. I'll give him a cigar. It's Christmas. He'll take two New Year's coming up. Have a nice Christmas, did you, Mr. Bullard? On the contrary, with Marshall at Harvard and Little Craig away at school, I was very lonely. It is too bad. I looked at myself in the mirror while shaving, said Merry Christmas, and that's all there was to it. Well, at least I had Mrs. Pee-Pee to look at. You're a very lucky man, Pee-Pee. Well, now I... maybe I am. For me, I suppose New Year's Eve will be just as uneventful as New Year's Eve. Say, there's no reason for a wealthy widower like you to be lonely on New Year's Eve. What's this, Gilder-Sleeves? Why don't we wring out the old year together, Bullard? We'll get a table at the palm room. Just you and me? No, we'll get dates. Dates, Gilder-Sleeves? Ladies. But I haven't given a thought to anything but stocks and bonds for the past seven years. I don't have a lady to escort. Well, I have too many. Yeah, I mean... I'd be glad to introduce you to one of the attractive girls I know. The alligator woman? Yes. Well, what do you say, Mr. Bullard? Well, it's an idea, Gilder-Sleeves. New Year's Eve? Charming company? Balloon? Beautiful music? Yes, yes. Perhaps I should start 1951 by breaking out of my cocoon and living a little. Good. Now you just leave everything to me. Thank you, Gilder-Sleeves. It's very nice of you to share your friends with a lonely man. Very unselfish of him, isn't it, Pee-Vee? Well, no, I wouldn't care, yeah? Pee-Vee! Pee-Vee will be back in just a moment. These hurried days, when you're busy with holiday plans, you probably have need of a lunch or supper main dish you can fix as quickly and easily as possible. So let Velveeta be your handy helper. Crafts, pasteurized processed cheese food, Velveeta, can help you many wonderful ways. You can slice it thick for hot sandwiches with a delicious cheese flavor toasted till Velveeta is melted to a bubbling gold, then topped off with slices of broiled tomatoes and strips of crisp bacon. Now that's an easy dish that's tempting and really good, for Velveeta has a grand cheddar cheese flavor, one that's rich and yet delightfully mild. And sandwiches you make with Velveeta are good for the folks too, good for all of them, from the preschoolers all the way up to grandma, because Velveeta is so rich in important food values from milk that everybody needs. And it's digestible, just as digestible as milk itself. Put Velveeta on your shopping list tonight and make Velveeta your handy helper all through these busy days to slice thick for hearty, hot or cold sandwiches to spread for snacks and to melt for a smooth as Velveeta cheese sauce. Just be sure you get genuine Velveeta. Remember there's only one Velveeta and it's made only by craft. The Great Guilt of Sleeve has many things to be thankful for, not the least of which is getting his neighbor Mr. Bullard to take Vicky Chase off his hands near your zeeve. He's bragging about his clever manoeuvering as he drives Judge Hooker home. Pretty shrewd of me, eh, Judge? Well, it's nice of you to share your lady friends, Gilday. Of course, they both thought it'd be with me. You could out there off with Catherine and let Vicky have both. What do you think of that? I think Vicky's getting the best of the deal. Sure, sure. You can't rip me horse. This whole thing has worked out wonderfully. And I'm the one who worked it out. But Rumson Bullard is a handsome man with wealth and position. What if he decides he likes your little nurse better than he likes Miss Chase? Right, George. If he does, he'll need a nurse. Well, Rumson is competitive by nature. He takes what he wants and he usually wants what the other man has. You wouldn't dare. Gilday, why are you turning around? Yeah, I'm going by Catherine's house. I'm gonna make it clear she's going with me. It'll be a minute. It'll take longer than that. I see she has mistletoe over the door. Yover. Hello there. Hello, Catherine. Good afternoon, Miss Belford. Merry Christmas and happy New Year. Thank you, Judge. I thought I'd better come out and see why you two didn't come in. Well, I just stopped by to make it clear about tonight. Make what clear? He wants to tell you that he'll be your beau and that his other girlfriend can have Mr. Bullard. Judge! Oh, Throckmorton. You're so amusing, isn't it? You will, Catherine. I just wanted to make it clear that you'll be with me. Of course, Throckmorton. I naturally assumed that. You're great. Fine. Everything's rosy. Well, here's Mr. Bullard. Bullard? Why is he stopping? Hello, Gildersleeve. Judge. Hello, Mr. Bullard. Good afternoon. I'm glad I saw you, Gildersleeve. I bought a new car just for this evening. Well, fine. Isn't it beautiful? Gilder, aren't you going to introduce Miss Milford? I guess I'd better. Miss Milford, you remember Mr. Bullard? Yes. How do you do? How do you do, Miss Milford? He'll be at our table this evening. With his state. Oh, are you going to be with us, Miss Milford? With me. Well, well, this looks like a jolly party, Gildersleeve, as a rain. Doesn't it? Yes, it does. Doesn't it, Gilder? All right, Judge. Well, goodbye, Bullard. See you tonight. Oh, yes, indeed. And I'm looking forward to seeing Miss Milford. Thank you. Goodbye, Miss Milford. Goodbye. Bye, Gildersleeve. Goodbye. Goodbye, Judd. Goodbye. Goodbye, Miss Milford. You said goodbye. Mr. Gildersleeve, you don't sound very happy for New Year's Eve. Well, I... My vest's getting a little frayed around the watch pump. Yes, I stitched it as best I could. I suppose that Bullard will be wearing a new tuxedo to go with his new car. Mr. Gildersleeve, I believe that man's got you worried. Birdie, I'm not worried. No, sir. Actually, I very cleverly arranged it so that he's helping me out. Yes, sir. He's taking Miss Chase off my hands so I can be with Miss Milford. Yes, sir. The fact that he was attracted to Miss Milford doesn't mean that she likes him. No, sir. What if she does? That doesn't worry me. No, sir. Competition's good for a man. That's right, Birdie. And you got it. No, Birdie. Yes, sir. You've got new competition. Yeah, all right, Birdie. Tonight you're gonna ring out the old year by bringing in new competition. Birdie, please. Miss Gilsey, you know what you're gonna do tonight? Yes, Birdie. That's right. You're gonna ring out the old year by bringing in new competition. Well, what's going on, Mr. Gildersleeve? Yes, Anki. What was Birdie laughing at? Me. In my competition. Oh, poor Anki. I wouldn't worry about Mr. Bullard liking Catherine. Yeah, I'm not, Marjorie. But I'll worry if Catherine likes him. Ha, ha, ha, ha, ha, ha, ha, ha, ha, ha, ha, ha, ha, ha, ha, ha, ha. What are you laughing at, Bronco? You have no problem, Mr. Gildersleeve. You haven't, I... When I was caught in Marge, I was faced with a very similar situation. You? A fellow named Wally Hoff thought he sort of liked Marge. Oh, Bronco. Until I pretended I liked his girl. Then Wally sprang back to her like a rubber band. But you were up, too. Well, it weren't. Didn't it, Marge, honey? Any regrets? Oh, of course not. You may have something there, Bronco. Yes, sir. The way I see it, Mr. Gildersleeve, Mr. Bullard's interested in Miss Milford because you are. You grabby neighbor. Now, if you pretend you're interested in Aunt Vicki, he'll try to beat you out there. He might? That's his Achilles heel. He's a heel, all right. Did I play up to his date? No. I wouldn't stoop down. You wouldn't die. Follow us, Bullard, Vicki. All right. Yeah, our table's in that dark corner. Isn't the palm room lovely tonight? Yeah. You're lovely, too, Captain. You don't mind if I'm not too attentive tonight. I'm using psychology. Psychology? Yeah, I'm setting a bear trap with a blonde. Watch this, Gildersleeve. Yeah, we, uh... Yeah, I was just wondering, if the... Bear backs will be tickled by the palm. Oh, you would think of that, Drachmorton. Oh, isn't he a lot of fun at a party, Mr. Bullard? That remains to be seen. Hey, you sit here, Captain. Thank you. Bullard, you over there. Under the coconuts. Thank you, Gildersleeve. And you here, Vicki? Yeah, I was just wondering if the bear backs will be tickled by the palm. Vicki, you're right. You're beautiful, isn't it? Oh, Drachmorton, you're a flatterer. You know I'm not. You're lovely. Take the word of the Water Commissioner. Drain pipe, Casanova. Uh, Ms. Noven? Yes? You're even more captivating tonight than you were this afternoon. Oh, Mr. Bullard. Well, Vicki is more captivating than she's ever been. Ms. Milford, do your duties as a nurse allow you much time for recreation? Well, I'm afraid I spend most of my time at the hospital. Uh-huh. How does a man in perfect health get admitted to your hospital? Oh, brother, I'd better get busy here. Vicki, you were the charming Miss Chase, care to dance? Well, I'd love to. It's a grand evening, Gildersleeve. I've never enjoyed myself so much. I can see that. Uh, Vicki, I don't want to take you away from Mr. Bullard. But you're such a good dancer. Well, he doesn't seem to mind. No, he doesn't. He spent all evening mumbling sweet nothings to cats. Oh, Mr. Bullard. Oh, that's true. Yeah, sure, sure. You rock with psychology. You'd better start working. Mr. Bullard? What? I say, Vicki and I are going to dance again, unless you'd like to dance with him. She took from Arthur Murray. I'll go right ahead, Gildersleeve. We'll set this one out. Well, shall we sit with them, Vicki? Well, perhaps we should, Throckmorton. We haven't been too sociable, except with each other. Well, they haven't been very sociable either. He certainly is an attractive man. I enjoyed the one time he danced with me. You're fine. I wonder what they're talking about. Catherine, I want you to know this, then. Oh, well, you... Ooh, I've got to get him interested in Vicki. Maybe he can take notice of I started mumbling to her. Vicki? Throckmorton, what are you mumbling about? I don't know, but it isn't working. What is working? I'm trying to hear some. Rumson, you're just saying that. Ooh, no, it's Rumson. I wish a coconut had fallen his head. Rumson, I can see you very soon, Catherine. I, George, have gone far enough. Bullard! What now, Gildersleeve? I'd like to have a word with you in private. Gildersleeve, if it's about the check, stop worrying. I'll pay it. It isn't about the check. Please step behind the ponds. Very well. Excuse me, Catherine. Miss Chase? Oh, of course. Is there anything wrong, Gildersleeve? Nothing I can't handle. Come on, Bullard. Gildersleeve, let go of my lapel. Bullard, prepare to defend yourself. From what? From me. You're trying your best to steal Catherine. I'm stealing Catherine. Ha! I was to have escorted Vicki to this party. And what have you been doing? You've monopolized her the entire evening. Yeah, all right. Did you expect me to talk to the palm trees? No, just a minute, Bullard. You were just talking to Catherine. You were flirting. You were being pretty cute with Vicki, too. Well, I had a reason. So did I. You did? Oh, if you're so stupid that I have to explain it to you, Gildersleeve, I've been trying to make you jealous. Me? Jealous enough so you take an interest in your own date. Wait a minute. That's what I've been trying to get you to do. Then you've been waiting to dance with Catherine? And you've been waiting to dance with Vicki? That you didn't care for? Perish the thought, Gildersleeve. Vicki and I have a great deal in common. We both like money. Uh-oh. Well, we'll talk, Gildersleeve. I'll see you later. Home is changed. Vicki, here comes Romsen. U.S. And here comes Gildersleeve. Catherine! Happy New Year. Happy New Year, Catherine. Kiss. Close your eyes. Boy, oh boy, oh boy, oh boy, oh boy, oh boy, oh boy. Gildersleeve will be right back. Where your family's nourishment is concerned, you don't want to guess. You want to be sure. That's why when it comes to buying cheese food, careful shoppers insist on Velvita, craft delicious pasteurized processed cheese food because Velvita is not only good to eat, it's good for your family too. Rich in important food values from milk that growing children and adults need. A nourishing Velvita is as digestible as milk itself, and it's perfect for wholesome, good-eating snacks and sandwiches anytime at all. No wonder Velvita outsells all other brands of cheese food combined. Make it your handy helper, mother. Velvita, the quality cheese food that's made only by craft. A Willard Waterman steps out of his role as the great Gildersleeve to wish you all a happy and prosperous New Year. We're glad that we have this opportunity to come into your homes and wish you all the joys and blessings of the holiday season. So, it's a happy New Year to all of you from the members of our cast. Kathy Lewis. Katie Milford. Shirley Mitchell. Vicky Chase. Gail Gordon. Rumson Bullard. Dick Crenna. Bronco. Earl Ross. Joe Joker. Richard LeGrand. It's a pity. And now, on behalf of the National Safety Council, here's a special message from our little family. Merrily Rob, our marjorie. Let's all remember that traffic fatalities rise sharply this time of year. So keep your wits and windshields clear. That's right. And here's William Randolph. Birdie just wants to say, don't speed. Drive slow in sleet and snow. You'll get there. Good idea. And here's Walter Tetley, my nephew, Leroy. Ease up and I'll freeze up. Don't skid yourself. Very good, Leroy. So watch it, folks. We want you to be listening next year. Happy New Year, too, from all the people behind the scenes. From Robert Armbruster and the orchestra. Our fine writers, Paul West, John Elliott and Andy White. From Ray Ferguson, our engineer. Monty Frazier, handling sound effects. From our producer, director, Frank Pittman. And Virgil Reimer for NBC. And of course, these holiday greetings come to you, too. From our sponsors, the Kraft Foods Company. They're representative on this program? John Heaston and the entire family of Kraft employees. Happy New Year, everyone. Good night. Here's a quick pleasant way to make leftovers more delicious. Just add a little Kraft prepared mustard, and you'll add a lot of tang. Hidden flavors in boiled ham, sausage, most any meat, pop right out. Every bite tastes better. Now you can get two kinds of Kraft mustard. Salad mustard delicately spiced for those who prefer a milder flavor. And Kraft mustard with snappy horseradish added. Have both kinds in your pantry. Then with every meat dish hot or cold, just add a little mustard, and you'll add a lot of tang. Kraft prepared mustard. Hear the Falcon every Sunday over this station. Check your newspaper for time of broadcast. And listen next Sunday as the Falcon solves the case of the Rolling Stones. Listen for Groucho Marks next on NBC.