 The Kraft Foods Company presents Harold Ferry as the Great Gilder Sleeves. Yeah, yeah. The Great Gilder Sleeve is brought to you by the Kraft Foods Company, makers of Far K. Margarine. Every day, millions of women, all over America, serve Far K. Margarine because it tastes so good. To market, to market, to get some Far K. Home again, home again, try it today. You'll like it, you'll love it, like millions who say their favorite Margarine. P-A-R-K-A-Y-P-R-K Margarine made by Kraft. Last week, on a gentle breeze scented with magnolias and peach blossoms, a lady blew into summer fields. The event evoked conversation at the corner drugstore. She's Lila Ransom's cousin, you saying, Jane? Yes, Pee-Dee, and she's from the same town, Savannah. Her name is Adeline Devereaux Fairchild. You don't say. The southern breeze settled down right next door to the Great Gilder Sleeve and started a little whirlwind of speculation that stirred the great man to his ample depths. Don't see her. Maybe if I lean out the window a little. Is that you, Mr. Gilder Sleeve? What? Hello. That's why we now find the Great Gilder Sleeve plowing home in a heavy snow with a light heart a little early. She wasn't peeking out this time. That's what I like about her. She's unpredictable. I thought I'd work around the yard a little before it gets dark birdie. Spring's just around the corner. Is that where it is? It's still there, right? Nothing like getting an early start. It might just trim the hedge between us and Miss Fairchild. You mean you're going to prune them icicles? Must be something out there that needs doing. Hey, what's that nice smell? It could be either one or two things. What's that birdie? Miss Adeline Fairchild's perfume or Creole Gumbel. Huh? She left you just a little while ago. She sure is nice. Brought over some Creole Gumbel she made and wants us to try. She did? Well, did she say anything birdie? Yes. She wanted to know how were we all. Nothing more? She kind of looked around the place and said I sure was a good housekeeper. Anything else? Well, she admired Miss Marjorie's picture in there on the radio and she said Leroy looked like a perfect little gentleman. Hasn't met Leroy, I see. Did she say anything about me? Yes, but she said she hoped you'd enjoyed the Gumbel. Well, might just try a little after Creole Gumbel or to taste mighty good on a cold day like this. Mmm, nice and thick. I'll just take a little. Chewfunk? What does it need, birdie? Probably a good cook. Something missing, all right. She said it was Creole Gumbel, our New Orleans. Tastes like leftovers from the Mardi Gras. What are we having for dinner? Your favorite dish, Mr. Gil, please. Pot roasts and brown potatoes, all a birdie. Oh, wonderful. Let's take some of our pot roast over to Miss Fairchild. We pay the Southern hospitality. I don't know. It's Yankee pot roast. We'll chance it, birdie. Yes, as soon as it's done, I'll put a slice on the tray and take it over. Well, you fix the tray. I shall take it over as soon as I run upstairs and freshen up a bit. Sweet Adelaide, my Adelaide. Now we got to sing and wait us. So am I. Here's the tray, Mr. Gil, please. How's that? Oh, fine. Better give me a little more of that roast, birdie. Prices are coming down. Okay. And a few more potatoes. You know how they load those southern tables. Okay. Oh, put some gravy in a bowl, too, birdie, for the potatoes. Okay. Yeah, let's see. What's for dessert? Beef dish, apple pie, Mr. Gil, please. Okay. Nobody bakes apple pie like you. Yeah. That ought to do it. You say this. Help me get this tray out, birdie. Pretty heavy. Hi, buddy. What's for dinner? Leroy, watch that door. Oh, hi, Al. What's going on? Are we moving? No, Leroy. Just a little something. I'm taking over to Miss Fairchild next door. Little something. Now, Leroy, I'm merely returning southern hospitality. Miss Fairchild brought over a bowl of gumbos after dinner. Oh, I see. Miss Fairchild brought over a bowl of gumbos after dinner. All that good stuff for a bowl of soup? What a sucker. Leroy. Get your hands off this tray. Okay, just feeling. Well, don't. But I'm going to start. You wait for dinner. Have I got everything, birdie? Wait, I didn't load on this pan of hot biscuit yet. Oh, I'll just stick it under my chin. Okay. Can you raise your bottom chin up a little more? There not. You got it? Yeah. How do I look? Just like the friendship train. That's me, Leroy. Hold open the door. Miss Fairchild, it's me, Mr. Gillisley. What cloth you cute little mine you. Just a little surprise. Thought you might like to sample our birdies cooking. I certainly would. I've never heard of anything so nice and thoughtful in my whole life. But I'm just letting you stay in there, bring it all in. You come too. Well, thank you. Of course, this won't compare with your Creole gumbo. It was, well, I never tasted anything like it. Really? Well, I'm mighty glad you enjoyed it. Just put the tray down here, Mr. Gillisley. All right. A little heavy. You shouldn't have done all this, Mr. Gillisley. You know the man I declare. Oh, it's nothing much. I knew you wouldn't feel like fixing dinner after making all that gumbo. Well, of course I don't have a cook yet. The gumbo was just a little trick. I picked up one time in New Orleans when I was there for Mardi Gras. Oh, then it was leftover. That's delicious, delicious. Oh, would you like me to get you another bowl, Mr. Gillisley? I've got gobs of it in the kitchen. No thanks. Kind of filling. Couldn't eat another bite. This roast looks wonderful. And there's enough for a whole family. It's too bad you can't join me. Well, if you insist. I'll force myself. Where's the ketchup? That was the simplest, crumptious dinner, Mr. Gillisley. You don't know what a treasure you have in Birdie. Oh, yes I do. Best cook in the country. But bringing the tray over was my little idea. Only a sweet man like you would have thought of that. Hmm. Mercy, Mr. Gillisley, if I've only been in town a week and here we are having dinner together at my house. Well, Cousin Leela's house, rather. I bet it'd make her jealous. What she doesn't know would hurt her way down in Savannah. Cousin Leela and I have always been rivals one way or another. She was always trying to take my bowls away from me without any success of my dad. Yeah, that's Leela. Once she even tried to get Birdie away from us. That didn't work either. Well, I can't say that I blame her for trying. Birdie's a Jew. You bet. But let's talk about you, Miss Fairchild. Uh, Adeline. Oh, me? Well, there's not much to talk about, Mr. Gillisley. I grew up so sheltered and all. Yes, you can tell that. Just about my entire life, history is recorded in that little old snapshot album there on the coffee table. Oh, well, mind if I take a peek? Go right ahead, but snapshots rarely do justice to a girl with delicate features. Oh, a picture of you on the beach. I'd recognize you anywhere. Who's this fellow buried in the sand behind you? Friend of yours? That's Jefferson Davis Calhoun. Huh? He was a wolf, Mr. Gillisley. He followed me all over the south. Hmm, sounds more like a bloodhound. And what a voice that man had. When he sang, I just completely evaporated. A good baritone could just turn me into a piece of putty. Oh, it does something to me, Mr. Gillisley, like honeysuckle on a summer night, like moonlight on the bow. Do you sing? Do I sing? I sang for you last night. Oh, of course. What am I thinking about? Sing again. Well... Oh, come on now. Don't be a thief. No, no, I just don't feel like it. Then why don't we let our dinner settle? Right with me. That's pretty. Huh? That's nice. You know the words. And while in slumberland, madame, I'm begging for your lips. Do I know the words? I haven't any right, madame, to do the things I do. Just when I hold you tight, madame, you vanish with a knife, madame. In dreams I kiss your hand, madame, and pray my dream. Well, Miss Fairchild, wonder if she's turned to putty. Miss Fairchild. Oh, excuse me. I'm afraid I got lost for a moment, Mr. Gillisley. A penny for your thoughts. I was just thinking, wouldn't it be wonderful to have a cook like Birdie? Well, good night. Thanks for Birdie's dinner. Must be other things to talk about besides Birdie. Well, Gildy. Cooker. Up for stroll. Just walking off my dinner, judge. You'll have to walk quite a ways to get that off. Stop cackling, judge. The neighbors will think we keep a goat. As a matter of fact, Gildy, I just stopped by to play you game of checkers if you were out. I wasn't out. I just took some of Birdie's cooking over to Miss Fairchild. Come on in. Very few. Now, here's Miss Fairchild. All she could talk about tonight was Birdie. Probably she's more interested in Birdie than she is in you. I sort of gathered that. These southern women like great store buy good cooking, Gildy. You remember how Leela tried to hire Birdie away from you? Well, she'd better not try anything like that. I'd watch it, Gildy. If you lost Birdie, your home would absolutely fall to pieces. Yes, ma'am. Now, if you want my advice... That's Birdie on the telephone. Well, I'm so glad you enjoyed the dinner. What's that? We'd better talk business tomorrow. Here's Miss Gildy. Good night. Want to tell you something? Birdie? And was that Miss Fairchild? Yes, the evening judge. Evening, Birdie? Good night. I got to go to bed. Got things to do tomorrow. But Birdie... You're right, Judge. That fair child woman is trying to break up my home. We'll be back with a great Gilder's sleeve in just a minute. Leroy, you know, is a boy with a mind of his own. Only yesterday, he said... Boy, that parquet is absolutely positively my favorite spread for Brent. Those are strong words, Leroy. You must have a strong reason for liking parquet. Well, heck, it just plain tastes so good. And millions of families agree, parquet is delicious. After all, it's a craft product. You know what that means? Parquet? Right. Parquet margarine is made from only the choice products of American firms. And each delicious pound is enriched with 15,000 units of essential vitamin A. I never tasted them. Of course not, Leroy, but they're there. And they're necessary for a well-balanced diet. Nourishing parquet is the perfect topping for rolls, pancakes, muffins, and waffles, as well as bread. And I know Birdie uses it for seasoning and cooking. Of course she does. Thrifty women like appetizing parquet because it's economical. Why, it actually costs less today than it did a year ago. No fool. Actually costs less. Millions of women know it's the better buy for both bread and budget. Millions of women serve parquet because it tastes so good. Try it, friends. Ask for parquet margarine. P-A-R-K-A. Why parquet made by craft? Well, to the great Gilder Sleeves dismay, his new neighbor has cast admiring eyes upon Birdie, giving our hero reason to suspect a dastardly blow is about to be struck where it'll hurt the most. Right in the stomach. And so the troubled man has spent a fitful night trying to sleep off his fears. And Birdie's pot roast dinner. And Miss Fairchild's pre-o gumbo. That's peculiar. He appears to be dreaming. That's what it means, Birdie. A good cook. But Birdie, don't you know that? Oh, Miss Fairchild. Didn't you see anything? Did you make some more pre-o gum- gumbo, I mean? Oh, no. Miss Martin, me like, watch out on that side. He's holding that way. I'll see you here. I don't have nightmares. Back to bed, all of you. I sleep sound as a log every night. Ah! Uncle March, you were shouting Birdie, you see? Nothing, Birdie. Nice to see you're still here. Nice at two o'clock in the morning. Already gets up at seven to fix breakfast. Don't get out of the kitchen till eight at night. Round out at two o'clock in the morning. Just cause it's night to be here. But Birdie won't be here. But Birdie, I had a nightmare. I had a nightmare. Now she's upset. But she will leave. Let's not be complaining, Leroy. Good morning. Good morning, Marjorie. You're just in time. We're gonna have a little meeting. Oh? About Birdie. Seems she's a little upset this morning. Well, who wouldn't be? Well, we're all gonna be more kind to Birdie, starting this morning. I always have been kind to her. Pathetically watch. All right. What thanks do I get? A cold egg. I'm sure we can all help make living here more enjoyable for Birdie. So she'll never be tempted to leave us. Marjorie, you can start by helping her with the dishes after breakfast. After breakfast? I have to go to school. Well, the dinner dishes then. And why don't you look around for a good course in home economics? What? Sure. So you can really help Birdie. Besides, you'll want to know all about those things when you get married. Sewing, sweeping, cooking? Uncle Mort, isn't that viewpoint a little old-fashioned? Old-fashioned? What's so old-fashioned about cooking? It will be by the time she gets married. Leroy. Careful, young man. And you can start by cleaning up your room. There's something hanging on every door now. Hold on. Hey, piggy's out front. I gotta go. Leroy, excuse yourself. Okay, excuse me. And wipe your face before you leave the table. Oh, quick. And comb your hair for school. Okay. Not with your hand, Leroy. Found it. No wonder everybody has nerves around this place. Excuse me, too, wonky darling. And I'm sure Birdie will get over her huff. Well, let's hope so. Goodbye, wonky. Goodbye, my dear. Maybe Birdie has gotten over her huff. No, I guess not. I guess I'd better go cheer up. Even give her the day off. Cheer. At least that'll keep her away from that fair child woman. Did you slide your sleeve? Birdie. Yes. And Birdie, I've just had a little talk with the family, and things are going to be different around here. Oh. My tree's going to help you with the dishes tonight. I'll get you out earlier in the evening. Starting tonight. Yes, ma'am. And I've spoken to Leroy about his room. Yes, ma'am. And Birdie, why don't you take the rest of the day off? That would be nice, Mr. Gilles, please. And I can go right over and help that nice, Miss Fairchild clean her house. What? We got a little business to talk over, too. She hasn't got any help, you know. Well, and she's so nice. Me and my big, fat, generous ideas. Can I have this, please? What can I do for you this fine morning? Well, you might sell me a good cook if you have one in stock. Okay. A cook? That's what I thought you said. Yeah, I'm afraid we're going to lose Birdie. Miss Fairchild is making a very obvious play for her. Oh? What would you do with a neighbor like that, Peevie? Well, I've heard of people getting married to share a place to live. You might work out an arrangement so you and Miss Fairchild could share the cook. No, Peevie. I don't want to get married. Of course that's up to you. Some people do. I can just see Adeline showing Birdie that fancy lavender room and baths she can have. Well, worse things can happen than losing your cook. It's all right for you to say, but I bet you couldn't get along without Mrs. Peevie. Oh, no, I wouldn't say that. I recall the time she went home to her mother, I had a fine time batching it. Batching it? Breakfast was always my favorite meal. The only one in fact. Bacon powder patties and eggs. And then the next morning, just for variety, sourdough patties and eggs. Just for variety, eh? When it came to making bacon powder patties and sourdough patties, that's peculiar. It don't sound so good, no? I think I may take a box of candy home to Mrs. Peevie tonight. Oh? Candy? That's it, Peevie. I'll take Birdie some candy. She has a sweet tooth. Well, how about this six-tonne box? It's not that sweet. Something around two and a half. Well, then may I suggest some of these chocolate-covered cherries? Got them in fresh for her Washington's birthday. Oh, not bad, Peevie. She's always admired Washington, father of our country. Or, see, if you have any Lincoln candy. No, but I think you have the germ of an idea there. A rat love, Peevie. I'll go foolin' Birdie. I'll tell her I have a surprise for her. That'll get her out of Adeline Fairchild's house. Nothing like a little kindness to make people happy. Party dress. What chances a man have with a box of candy? You take it now then. Hello? Never mind. Wrong number. Something wrong, Mr. Gillis, please? She's trying to outbid me, Peevie. Give me the big box. And they have the larger cherries. Anything else? No, thanks, Peevie. The next step is legal. There you are, Gillie. Five-year contract. You have the right to pick up Birdie's option. Yeah, that fair child woman can't lure my cook away. I'll show that southern siren. But how do you know Birdie will sign it? Don't you worry, judge. A six-dollar box of chocolate cherries says she will. What? Never mind. I'm in a hurry. She's not home yet. And I'll put the candy right here on the table. On top of the contract. Birdie's up. That's right. She isn't here. We wouldn't miss Birdie around here at that. Yes? Is Birdie here? Birdie? Well, not at the moment. Is the woman of the house here? I'm the woman of the man of the house. You are? Well, Birdie told me to report here for a job. A job? Can I take my bag in? No. And that was a little presumptuous of Birdie, I'd say. Well, she said to come here and talk to her about a job cooking. I'm sorry. Birdie's the only cook we've ever had and never will have. Sorry. Goodbye. Yes, but... What's going on, Miss Gillie? Birdie, where'd you come from? In the back way, me and this fair child. We saw you walking home, Mr. Gillie, to sleep. My, you know her, and then walk briskly. Well, I feel briskly. I want to talk to both of you. Well, Birdie and I want to talk to you too, but I think I should apologize a little first. There's no need to apologize. Just get this straight. Amelia, what you doing standing out there? I don't know, but I sure been standing. Well, pardon me. This fair child, this is the media I tell you about. Well, how do you do this fair child? I think she'll make a wonderful cook for you. For Miss Fairchild? I thought she was for me. For you, Mr. Gillie sleeper, are you trying to steal my cook before she even sets the bag down? Me? What's the matter, Mr. Gillie sleeper? Ain't my cooking bring food to you? Oh, of course it has, Birdie. You're the best cook in the world. Here, have some candy. Candy? $6 box. Oh, Mr. Gillie sleeper, you're the best father a person ever has. I think so. Here to open the candy, Birdie. And we'll hear from the great Gilder sleeper again very shortly. Are you looking for a better buy for your budget? A better spread for bread? Here's a buy that's better both ways. Parquet margarine, the margarine of craft quality. It's the perfect topping for rolls, muffins, pancakes and waffles as well as bread. The rich, smooth, fresh flavor of parquet makes it the favorite spread in millions of homes. It's so wholesome and nourishing. Each wholesome pound is enriched with 15,000 units of important vitamin A. Remember, ask for parquet margarine, for flavor, for quality, for nourishment and for economy. It's the better buy. P-A-R-K-A-Y-P-R-K margarine made by craft. That's my advice to you, Ms. Bert, at line. Have Amelia sign this five-year contract so you won't have to go looking for a cook again. Well, if you say so, how can I ever thank you bringing over the contract and all? Nothing, nothing. Just happened to have one lying around the house. I'm so scatterbrained about business matters. It's nice to have a man so close. Yeah, well, it's nice to be so close. Oh, you. Good night, folks. The Great Gilders League is played by Harold Perry. Adeline Fairchild by Miss Eula Murkos. The show was written by John Elliott and Andy White with music by Jack Meakin. Included in the cast are Walter Tetley, Louise Erickson, Lillian Randolph, Earl Ross, and Richard Legrand. This is John Wall saying good night for the Craft Foods Company, makers of the famous line of craft quality food products. Tomorrow night, David Niven will be Al Jolton's guest on the Craft Music Hall, heard over most of these NBC stations. Don't miss it. Remember, tomorrow night, for exact times, see your local paper. And be sure to listen in next Wednesday and every Wednesday for the further adventures of The Great Gilders League. Do you like macaroni and cheese that's fluffy, light, and tender with the grand flavor of golden cheddar cheese in every tempting fork full? Then get craft dinner from your food store tomorrow. Each package of craft dinner contains two magic ingredients. There's special macaroni that cooks in just seven minutes, and golden craft grated that you simply stir in. One package of craft dinner makes four servings of macaroni and cheese. The cost? Only a few pennies per helping. You can't beat that for economy. Remember the name. It's craft dinner. This is NBC, the national broadcasting company.