The Aldrich Family - "The Furnace Cleaning Business" (07-11-40)

The Furnace Cleaning Business (Aired July 11, 1940)

The Aldrich Family, a popular radio teenage situation comedy (1939-1953), is remembered first and foremost for its unforgettable introduction: awkward teen Henry's mother calling, "Hen-reeeeeeeeeeeee! Hen-ree Al-drich!" A top-ten ratings hit within two years of its birth (in 1941, the showm carried a 33.4 Crossley rating, landing it solidly alongside Jack Benny and Bob Hope), the show is considered a prototype for teen-oriented situation comedies to follow on radio and television and is a favourite if dated find for old-time radio collectors today. The Aldrich Family as a separate radio show was born as a summer replacement for Jack Benny in NBC's Sunday night lineup, July 2, 1939, and it stayed there until October 1, 1939, when it moved to Tuesday nights at 8 p.m., sponsored by General Foods's popular gelatin dessert Jell-O---which also sponsored Jack Benny at the time.

THIS EPISODE:

July 11, 1940. NBC network origination, Nostalgia Broadcasting Corporation syndication. Henry and his friend Toby go into the "Furnace Cleaning Business". Norman Tokar (as "Henry"), Dan Seymour (announcer), Harry Von Zell, Clifford Goldsmith (creator), House Jameson. 24:38. Episode Notes From The Radio Gold Index.