Honest Harold

"Honest Harold" was a short-lived situation comedy that aired on CBS radio from September 17, 1950 to June 13, 1951. The show starred Harold Peary as "Honest" Harold Hemp, a popular radio entertainer in the fictional town of Melrose Springs. This series was created by Peary after his departure from the highly successful "The Great Gildersleeve" show in mid-1950.

The premise of the show revolved around Harold Hemp's life and adventures, focusing on his interactions with family, friends, and romantic interests in Melrose Springs. Despite Peary's previous success, "Honest Harold" struggled to gain traction with audiences and lasted only one season.

The Stars:

The main cast of "Honest Harold" included:

Harold Peary as "Honest" Harold Hemp Kathryn Card (later replaced by Jane Morgan) as Harold's mother Parley Baer as Pete the marshal, Harold's friend Joseph Kearns as Old Doc "Yak-Yak" Yancy Gloria Holliday (Harold Peary's real-life wife) as Gloria, Harold's best girl and PBX operator at the radio station Mary Jane Croft as Evelina, another of Harold's girlfriends Sammy Ogg as Marvin, Harold's nephew

Key Dates:

September 17, 1950: "Honest Harold" debuts on CBS, airing on Sundays at 7:30 PM for its first two weeks September 27, 1950: The show moves to its regular timeslot on Wednesdays at 9:00 PM June 13, 1951: The final episode of "Honest Harold" is broadcast

Notable Facts:

Transition Challenges: "Honest Harold" was created by Harold Peary immediately after leaving his highly successful role as Throckmorton P. Gildersleeve on "The Great Gildersleeve". This quick transition and the similarities between the two shows may have contributed to its struggle to find an audience.

Comparison to "The Great Gildersleeve": Critics and audiences noted that despite attempts to differentiate "Honest Harold," both the lead character and the program itself bore strong resemblances to Peary's previous show. This similarity may have worked against the new series, as it failed to offer something distinctly new to listeners.

Critical Reception: The show was not well-received by critics. In a dual review comparing "Honest Harold" to "The Great Gildersleeve" (now starring Willard Waterman), Radio Life magazine panned "Honest Harold" as derivative, unexciting, and "just another show".

Behind the Scenes: The show's production team included several notable radio professionals: - Director: Norman Macdonnell - Writers: Harold Peary, Gene Stone, Bill Danch, and Jack Robinson - Announcer: Bob LeMond - Music: Jack Meakin

Legacy: While "Honest Harold" was short-lived, it represents an interesting chapter in radio history, showcasing the challenges faced by established stars when trying to recreate success in new ventures. The show's failure, contrasted with the continued success of "The Great Gildersleeve" under new star Willard Waterman, highlights the unpredictable nature of audience preferences in the golden age of radio.

In conclusion, "Honest Harold" stands as a cautionary tale in the annals of old-time radio, demonstrating that even established stars like Harold Peary could struggle to find success with new ventures, especially when they closely resembled their previous work. Despite its short run, the show remains an interesting case study for enthusiasts of radio history, offering insights into the challenges of creating and maintaining successful radio programming in the competitive landscape of the early 1950s.