Karen De Wolf, who wrote most of the early series entries, put this funny and original episode together that boasts a large cast of familiar character actors. The best part is spotting the faces.
10 Stars.
Since ABBOTT AND COSTELLO and LAUREL AND HARDY at the time made some popular movies about the war, why not join them? It was a smart move that sees Blondie uniting the neighborhood housewives to do their part. Unfortunately, that leaves Dagwood to blame by all the misplaced husbands, who is always in a mess anyway. Watching Arthur Lake, who was a natural, is just plain outrageous.
I agree with the last reviewer, and never thought about it. There are some wacky situations that may have inspired I LOVE LUCY, and when you come down to it, the BLONDIE series was the grandfather of sitaution comedies, albeit on the wide screen. As usual, Dagwood and Mr. Dithers make a genuine Odd Couple, this time having Dithers over for dinner and feasting on a "pot luck" sort of a meal. Daisy's dog food gets mixed up and do the math! Amazing.
There's also a little adventure added, which changes gears to a dramatic finale, concerning the town dam -- which could be blown up by saboteurs! Familiar character actor Charles Wagenheim raises suspicion lurking around the place in the dark, and its kind of spooky. Good support from brash Ed Gargan as a sergeant and likeable Stu Erwin as Private Smith. Erwin was a staple in many classic comedies, who had just appeared in THE BRIDE CAME C. O. D., starring Bette Davis.
Also some good bits, such as popular stone-face actress Renie Riano playing Miss Crabber(?), Cookie's babysitter. Sylivia Field (from DENNIS THE MENACE) plays Mrs. Williams.
This episode also runs fast because so many goofy scenes and situations are thrown at you. Not to forget the THREE STOOGES were also filmed at the same studio (Columbia Pictures), so comedy was in the air, and yes, it does have the feel at times of a Stooges movie. Excellent direction by series regular Frank Strayer, who had fun with the cast. It shows. You really have to love this stuff, and lots of us big kids grew up watching it on tv in glorious black and white.
The password is "Tires," uttered by Mr. Dithers, since there was a very real ration on rubber at the time, also sugar, which plays into the plot.
Thank you to MOVIES Net for rerunning this classic series on their Saturday morning comedy slot, like the old days.
10 Stars.
Since ABBOTT AND COSTELLO and LAUREL AND HARDY at the time made some popular movies about the war, why not join them? It was a smart move that sees Blondie uniting the neighborhood housewives to do their part. Unfortunately, that leaves Dagwood to blame by all the misplaced husbands, who is always in a mess anyway. Watching Arthur Lake, who was a natural, is just plain outrageous.
I agree with the last reviewer, and never thought about it. There are some wacky situations that may have inspired I LOVE LUCY, and when you come down to it, the BLONDIE series was the grandfather of sitaution comedies, albeit on the wide screen. As usual, Dagwood and Mr. Dithers make a genuine Odd Couple, this time having Dithers over for dinner and feasting on a "pot luck" sort of a meal. Daisy's dog food gets mixed up and do the math! Amazing.
There's also a little adventure added, which changes gears to a dramatic finale, concerning the town dam -- which could be blown up by saboteurs! Familiar character actor Charles Wagenheim raises suspicion lurking around the place in the dark, and its kind of spooky. Good support from brash Ed Gargan as a sergeant and likeable Stu Erwin as Private Smith. Erwin was a staple in many classic comedies, who had just appeared in THE BRIDE CAME C. O. D., starring Bette Davis.
Also some good bits, such as popular stone-face actress Renie Riano playing Miss Crabber(?), Cookie's babysitter. Sylivia Field (from DENNIS THE MENACE) plays Mrs. Williams.
This episode also runs fast because so many goofy scenes and situations are thrown at you. Not to forget the THREE STOOGES were also filmed at the same studio (Columbia Pictures), so comedy was in the air, and yes, it does have the feel at times of a Stooges movie. Excellent direction by series regular Frank Strayer, who had fun with the cast. It shows. You really have to love this stuff, and lots of us big kids grew up watching it on tv in glorious black and white.
The password is "Tires," uttered by Mr. Dithers, since there was a very real ration on rubber at the time, also sugar, which plays into the plot.
Thank you to MOVIES Net for rerunning this classic series on their Saturday morning comedy slot, like the old days.