 The Kraft Foods Company presents Willard Waterman as the Great Gilder Sleeves. The Great Gilder Sleeves is brought to you partially transcribed by the Kraft Foods Company. Kraft, you know, makes Philadelphia brand cream cheese, the cream cheese that's been famous for quality since 1880. Delicious Philadelphia brand is so popular, it outsells all other brands of cream cheese combined. Enjoy it often. Just be sure you get genuine Philadelphia brand when you buy. Look for the Red Kraft K on the silvery package. There's only one Philadelphia brand cream cheese and it's made by Kraft. Remember, the world's favorite cheeses are made or imported by Kraft. Well, like every city in Hamlet at this season of the year, the Great Gilder Sleeves town in Summerfield is preparing for Christmas. The streets are a glitter with a light, the store windows are bulging with gifts, and the fire and call of jingle bells lures the customers into the shops. And the enterprising boys like Leroy are busy devising money-making schemes to heed the call. What is it, Leroy? I've got a great idea for making Christmas money. Here's what I'm going to do. Leroy, what are you shouting about? I've got a great idea, Mark. Wait till I tell you. Since you called me Leroy. But I've got a great idea. You have? Well, what is it, my boy? Oh, boy, what a great idea. You're all right, all right. What is it? Well, do you know everybody buys a Christmas tree for Christmas? We know that, Leroy. Well, I just bought 144. 144? Christmas tree? Yep, 12 dozens. What you going to do, Leroy? Give them the presents? No. Leroy, where did you get the money to buy so many Christmas trees? Well, I took all my money out of the bank. Oh, my goodness. My boy, you didn't have that much money. Well, I bought part of the month's consignment. Consignment? That's the term most merchants use when we haven't got much money. Imagine that. 144 trees. Leroy, don't you think you should have consulted your old uncle before going so far? Oh, gosh, y'all. Everybody buys a Christmas tree. How can I lose? I thought you'd be proud of me. Well, we are, but... I'm not a little kid anymore. I didn't want to ask you for money to buy you a present. Well... I want to buy Marge something. And Bronco and the twins and Birdie. Oh, bless your heart. I got Babs to think about this year. Yeah, yes, of course. You can't forget your little girlfriend. Heck, no. You can't give a girl like Babs anything dinky. Oh, where are you going to put the trees, Leroy? Oh, I forgot to ask you. How about selling them off your lot next door, Marge? Oh, I think that'd be all right. Bronco and I won't start building until after the holidays. Gee, thanks. I'll have them delivered this afternoon. OK with you all? Well, yeah, I suppose so. And when they're delivered, I want you to get the best one. Before they're all picked over us, this year our tree's on me. Yeah, Leroy, that's a nice thought. But you can't make money giving your trees away. Don't worry. I'll make money. Oh, see, I got to have lights on the lot. Yeah, well, you get the lights. From you? Oh, yeah. Attention cards from the house. I'll take the cord out of your study and then there's a long one on the radio and then I'll get the one off the washing machine and there's one behind the couch. Hmm. If we want to wash clothes and read, we'll have to go over to Leroy's lot. Oh, boy, I got to make a mess. Oh, my dinner bell. What are we going to do? Eat over that too? No, but I got to attract customers. I can see Leroy over there now ringing the dinner bell. Mr. Gil, see, he's going to sell Christmas trees with a dinner bell. You rather might help her. Yes, that's fine. Christmas trees with a dinner bell. Christmas trees, huh? Yeah. Yeah, I'll do a few more, Leroy. Then I'll have to go clean up. You've been able to see a bad mother tonight, Aunt? Well, not tonight. There's a Jolly Boys meeting. Well, we have about three dozen stands ready. Maybe that'll last us through this evening. That'll be a good, nice business. Yeah, I've just been figuring. If I make 50 cents profit on each tree and sell three dozens, that's $18 profit for the first day. Sure, not bad. I'm starting this business and making $18 a day. You know, I'll wait. Three dozen for tonight and I can sell them all day Saturday. Say, I've got to go buy more trees. You know, I'll wait until you sell your first one. Oh, here comes what could be a customer. It's Babs. Hi. Hello, Babs. How's your mother? Oh, she's fine. Oh, what beautiful trees. It's beginning to look like a forest. Come on, I'll show you around my lot. We need to use this mysteriously. Yeah, go right ahead, kiddies. I have some more nailing to do. Oh, by the way, young... Yes, Leroy? You can knock off work whenever you want to. Thank you, boss. I knew what a fine is. That boy is going to make it. You see, Babs, I put the little trees in front and the big ones behind so everybody can see my merchandise from the street. Leroy, you're so smart. $18 a day. Like I was telling her who's working for me now. I may have to buy more trees. In fact, I may have to open up a couple more lots. I like it if I get to be known as Leroy, the Christmas tree king. That'd be wonderful. Yeah. How do you like Leroy's lot, Babs? Mr. Gilda Sleep, I'm very proud of Leroy, the Christmas tree king. Christmas tree what? My plans aren't, and trees are just beginning. Next Easter, I may go into Lily's. You're my goodness. Easter Lily Leroy. Real go-getter, just like me. Yeah, I can't wait to tell the jolly boys. Yeah. Sounds like Floyd's warming up the piano. Well, Gilda. Hello, Judge Floyd. I'm the way the stairs were creaking and groaning. I thought it must be the water commissioner. Judge, I know you never have any trouble getting up the stairs. Old goats are such good climbers. Too cherry to you, Judge. That's French. I know, Floyd. Where's Phoebe and Chief Gates? That must be them coming up now. Must be. These are two men or a horse. Hello, fellas. Hello, Chief. Hi, man. We were waiting for you, Phoebe. Everybody's here. Is there any business come for the club? OK, no business. Let's sing. Wait a minute. Floyd, I have some business to bring up. Are the jolly boys going to have a tree again this year? We always do. Certainly it wouldn't be Christmas without a tree. Yeah. As long as we're going to buy a tree, I suggest we buy it from an enterprising young businessman of my acquaintance. Oh, you? Oh, Phoebe. He's launching on his first big business bench. Yeah? He's selling trees on Marjorie and Bronco's lot. The boy bought 12 dozen. 12 dozen? Man, man. He took his savings out of the bank and negotiated the whole deal himself. Well, fellas, by all means we should buy a tree from Leroy. Yeah, Leroy's a good kid. I agree. Me too. We don't want to wait too long. Let's go buy our tree now. How about singing a song first? I've been working all night limbering up my fingers. Yeah. Are you in as good voice as I am, Chief? Phoebe. You'll never catch me off base. Oh, oh, oh, oh. Sorry, I asked. Yeah. Yeah. Let's gather around the piano fellas. Yeah, and since we ain't got much time, why don't we tackle this one we know? That's a good one. Down by the old mill street. You ready? Down by the old mill. That is right down our street, Chloe. Next to the house. I know where it is. I hear Leroy shining up the Mr. Board's niece these days. Yeah, I think that's behind this old project, Chief. He wants to give Babs a nice Christmas present. And throw it down, Brian. Look, Leroy has a light on the light. Yeah, Leroy's thought of everything. Hey, come here. I thought you warned us to come early. The light's loaded with trees. I don't see any customers. Well, we're here. He's so dark he hasn't recognized us yet. It doesn't sound like he's doing very well. Hi, kid. Leroy. It's us, the Jolly Boys. Leroy. Hello, Leroy. Nice lot you have, Leroy. It's terrible. How are things going, my boy? You only three? Well, that's a start. Excuse me, here comes a car. The car didn't even slow down. Poor kid. Something has to be done about this. There's not many cars coming down this street. Well, we did. And we want a tree for the Jolly Boys Club. Yeah? Hey, Leroy, I've been thinking. I ought to get a tree for my barbershop. I might be able to make room for one in your drugstore. What do you think of that, my boy? You know, I might just set a precedent and buy one for the inmates of the jail. Always seems a little cold around Christmas at the jail with the bars and all. Then, of course, we'll all want one for our homes. And I think I'll put a little one on the bench in the courtroom. Well, Leroy, show us some trees. Business is picking up. Isn't it? Oh, Leroy. Isn't it? Oh, you just feel sorry for me. Because I'm a failure. Leroy. You're not a failure yet, my boy. Heck no. Besides, you're such a young failure. Leroy. Leroy. Can I help? Oh, for Mr. Gillis, please. You know everybody, I believe. Oh, yes, I do. Leroy's doing pretty well, don't you think so bad? Oh, sure. He opened this afternoon. He's already just sold three trees. That's pretty good. When I opened my pharmacy, all I had the first day was one customer. Yeah. Did you hear that, Leroy? Aw, I kind of want him lit. Leroy. Yeah? Here's a dollar and a half. I'd like this tree right here. Aw, Batch, you don't have to do that. You've already bought three. Here's a truck stopping. Leroy, here's a real customer. No, that's just the guy with another dozen trees I ordered. 13 dozen trees. That could be unlucky. The Great Gilded Sleeve will be back in just a minute. Now you can make luscious, creamy, smooth fudge an amazing new way. A way that gives you perfect fudge every time. Fudge that's never grainy, never too hard, never too soft, but always wonderfully smooth. And this fudge is easier to make because there's no guesswork, no cooking, no beating to worry about. The magic ingredient in this new fudge recipe is Philadelphia brand cream cheese. Yes, Philadelphia brand cream cheese. Have a pencil and paper handy and in just a minute I'll tell you how to get your free, that's right, free pamphlet with easy recipes for five different varieties of this fudge. Fudge you make with Philadelphia brand cream cheese is more perfect, easier to mix and make and more delicious because Philadelphia brand has such wonderful creamy richness. Try this wonderful new fudge soon. Just be sure you make it with genuine Philadelphia brand cream cheese. The cream cheese that's guaranteed fresh by craft. Look for the Redcraft K that's on every silvery package of genuine Philadelphia brand to help you pick the real thing at a glance. Remember, genuine Philadelphia brand cream cheese is made only by craft. Now get your free pamphlet with easy recipes for five different kinds of luscious filly fudge just right to Craft Kitchen box 6567 Department G Chicago 77 Illinois. That address again? Craft Kitchen box 6567 Department G Chicago 77 Illinois right tonight. Well, let's get back to the great Gildesley. Christmas is no time to have a big problem. It's a time to be joyful around the Christmas tree. But there is such a thing as having too many Christmas trees such as Leroy's 13 dozen. My tree. Come to the window. Look at Leroy standing over there and a lot. I'll do his neck and trees and up to his ankles and snow. Even Babs is over there trying to cheer him up. Well, I have to give Leroy credit. He certainly stays on the job. He's only sold five trees so far. Three of Babs last night and two this morning. He wouldn't let the Jolly Boys help him out. Well, if Leroy gets stuck with all those trees, he isn't going to have much of a Christmas. I'll go to the door. I'll come in a minute. Well, of course, Babs. Thank you. Let me get some of the snow off my feet. Yeah. Come in, Babs. Good morning, Mr. Gildersleeve. I came in to get warm. Babs, it's very loyal of you to stand by Leroy. I stayed out there as long as I could. I feel so sorry for him. Yeah. Mr. Gildersleeve, what are we going to do about all those trees? Yeah, I'm afraid that's no easy solution. I guess the lot isn't a good spot for business. But we have to do something. Leroy practically admit that he was doing all this for me. He was going to give me something nice for Christmas. Oh, now, Babs, Leroy will come out all right. Uncle Mortalsleeve, that won't you want to? Well, yeah, Mr. Gildersleeve. Yeah, I am trying to figure out some way to help him. Mr. Gildersleeve, I think you're wonderful. You do? Now I'm beginning to understand why my mother is so fond of you. You say, Paula, you're having fun with me? Well, I think she is. At least I'm sure she would be if you got Leroy out of this jam. What a little operator. Yeah, naturally. I'm thinking of Leroy first. Naturally. But I know you think of Mother too. Yes. I'll bet Babs it never gets stuck with a bunch of Christmas trees. Babs? Oh, yes, Birdie. I thought you'd come in, so I picked some hot cocoa for you and Leroy. Would you like to take it over? Oh, sure. I'll take it. It's good and hot. He's very thoughtful of you, Birdie. In fact, everybody seems so thoughtful, especially you, Mr. Gildersleeve. Bye, Babs. Bye, Babs. You're going to help Leroy, Mr. Gildersleeve? Birdie, I've tried to, but he's proud. He doesn't want help. He's proud. Yeah, I took Jolly Boys over to buy trees, but Leroy said they were doing it because we felt sorry for it. That poor little boy. No, Birdie. Look at that poor little boy warming his hand over the cocoa cup. That poor little boy. You know, Brock, when I were downtown and other locks are selling trees. I noticed that too. They're doing a land office business. A little far. Please, Birdie. Of course, them other locks know how to attract attention. They got Christmas music and loud speakers. Oh, Leroy has the dinner bell. Mr. Gildersleeve, how did it be if you was Leroy's loud speaker? What's this, Birdie? You and them Jolly Boys sing songs. Why don't you sing songs on Leroy's lock? That should attract attention. It certainly should. That's a bad idea, Auntie. George, it might work at that. Anything for Leroy. You bet. I'll round up the Jolly Boys. We may even dress up like those English carolers with long red stocking caps and tassels. But, Auntie, won't you men feel a little silly? Well, we'll make Leroy the Christmas tree king even if we have to be the court jester. What do you say, PD? Are you willing to stand up and sing for Leroy? Mr. Gildersleeve, here she is. I need a pretty good excuse to get out of the house. This is certainly a danger. You're great. See you tonight, PD. It's just a way of helping Leroy meet the competition. Who do you say, Floyd? Anything for Leroy, Commiss. Judge? Fine with me, Gilder. Shall I bring my flute to set the pitch? Yes, me. We need more help than a flute. I thought we'd take the piano from up in the Jolly Boys Club. But, Gilder, by the time we lug the piano downstairs, we won't have enough wind to sing. Hey, why don't we get Chief Gates to send the patty wagon over first? Great idea. See you later, fellas. Chief, send the patty wagon to the Jolly Boys Club right away. Why? What have we done? I forgot to explain. Now, here's the plan, Chief. We want to get the piano from the Jolly Boys Club and load it on the patty wagon. Get your little bell away. The Jolly Boys are coming over to help you. What are they pulling up for? Yes, they're bringing a piano. A piano? I know you haven't wanted any help. But how does it be if we Jolly Boys attract some customers for you? Yes, how? By standing out in the curb and singing songs? Well, gosh, I'm desperate. I'll try anything. We had a boy. You just get ready to sell trees. We'll do the rest. Be there. You help me with this end. All right, but I'll have to drop this end. Oh, my goodness. I'd better go help. Oh, boy! Let me give you a hand, fellas. There. We'll leave the piano right here at the curb, Gildy. Then we can gather around it and sing. Good idea, Judge. Right into the streetlight. I'd like to read those carols. It seemed like we were singing for a moment. Here comes the chief. Now we can get started. Sorry I'm a little late, man, but I had a few things to take care of. Yeah, that's all right, chief. Floyd, pick out a good one and let's get started. Okay, Floyd, may I make a suggestion? Yeah, sure. Before you start to play the piano, take your mittens off. How about singing Good King Wenceslas? We can't even pronounce that one. See? Look at all the cars passing down this street. Yeah, we must be good. The traffic's picked up. We ain't even opened our mouths. I wonder where they're coming from. Well, fellas, that's why your chief of police was a little late. I had to put up a few detour signs. Oh, oh, oh. Right, Judge, chief. You're all right. Well, it's Birdie. Good evening, Birdie. I thought you'd like some hot coffee. Well, that's mighty thoughtful, Birdie. You'll find Birdie. Put it on the piano. We're about to sing a song. Yes, I think I'll listen. Okay, fellas, deck the halls and make it good. Decks the halls. Decks the halls. Decks the halls. Decks the halls. Decks the halls. Decks the halls. Play the music. Does anybody feel something's wrong? Well, maybe we weren't singing well enough. Bertie, you know music. What's wrong with us? I don't think Bertie learned to dance. Well, Mr. Guilty, maybe you gentlemen don't know that one so well. Why don't you try Jingle Bell? Well, God, Uncle, let's do something while the traffic's heavy. We're trying, Leroy. Bertie, why don't you lead us? Glad to try, if you want me to. Good idea. Here we go, gang. Dancing through the snow, in our night's open sleigh, for the fields we go, laughing all the way. Sing it, Bertie. Bells on bombshells ring, making spirits fry. What fun it is to ride and speak. Stop and come in. Well, now that the people are stopping, we jolly boys should sing a song. Well, I wouldn't say that. Stop frightened them away again. Bertie, another song, please. I'd really like to, Mr. Guilty, we got one oil picked out, haven't we, Bertie? Yes, sir. Stop, please. This one's for little Leroy. Delicious snacks and sandwiches you can make quickly, easily, get the two wonderful new kinds of Philadelphia brand cream cheese. There's Philadelphia brand filled with tiny bits of chives, and Philadelphia brand with little pieces of red pimento all through. Enjoy them both. Just be sure you get genuine Philadelphia brand cream cheese. Look for the red Kraft K that's on every silvery package to help you pick the real thing at a glance. Remember, Philadelphia brand cream cheese is made only by Kraft. This is Gildersleeve again, folks. In the past, at Christmastime, our show has featured the story Why the Chimes Ranked. Many of you have written asking to hear it again this year. We're happy to know you enjoy this story as much as we do. So, be with us next Wednesday for our Christmas program. Till then, goodnight, everyone. The great Gildersleeve is played by Willard Waterman, whose show is written by John Elliott and Andy White, and is partially transcribed. As soon as in the cast are Walter Chetley and Mary Lee Robb, William Randolph, Barbara Whiting, Arthur Q. Bryan, Ken Christy, Earl Ross, and Dick LeGrand. Original music composed by Jack Meakin. This is John Easton saying goodnight for the Kraft Foods Company, makers of those famous Kraft quality foods. Be sure to listen in next Wednesday for the Gildersleeve Christmas story. Question, what's the best way to raid an icebox? Answer, with Kraft-prepared mustard, of course. Because when you add a little Kraft mustard to the sandwich you make, you add a lot of tang. And here's something for you professional icebox raiders to remember. There are two kinds of Kraft mustard, mild Kraft's mustard with that delicately spiced smooth flavor. Ah, and then there's snappy Kraft mustard with horseradish added. Have both kinds on hand. Then you won't meet up with a dish, but what you'll have just the mustard to add a lot of tang by Kraft's prepared mustard. Groucho Marks, you bet your life, is next on NBC.