In addition to being one of radio's longest-running shows (1941-1957), The Great Gildersleeve is wisely credited as the first spin-off series. Starting in 1935, Harold Peary had played various characters named Gildersleeve on the radio comedy Fibber McGee and Molly before settling on his Great Gildersleeve characterization as a lovable small-town blowhard in 1939. At that point, the character became a huge fan favorite, eventually landing a series of his own and appearing in supporting roles in five films, only two of them with Fibber and Molly. RKO promoted Peary and his character to the starring role in 1942 for a series of four popular films. In the first, he's trying to adopt his niece and nephew (Nancy Gates and Freddie Mercer) while dodging judge Charles Arnt's amorous sister (Mary Field). The only other actor brought over from the radio show was Lillian Randolph as Birdie, Gildersleeve's wisecracking housekeeper. The two and Mercer would be the only constants in the series as various family members and friends came and went. Jane Darwell co-stars in the first two films as an elderly aunt who moves in to help make a home for the two children, while Gates would also continue for two films and Mercer for three.

By Frank Miller