Special Guest Is Barry Nelson (Aired September 21, 1950)

Duffy's Tavern, an American radio situation comedy (CBS, 1941-1942; NBC-Blue Network, 1942-1944; NBC, 1944-1952), often featured top-name stage and film guest stars but always hooked those around the misadventures, get-rich-quick-scheming, and romantic missteps of the title establishment's malaprop-prone, metaphor-mixing manager, Archie, played by the writer/actor who co-created the show, Ed Gardner. In the show's familiar opening, "When Irish Eyes Are Smiling," either solo on an old-sounding piano or by a larger orchestra, was interrupted by the ring of a telephone and Gardner's New Yorkese accent as he answered, "Duffy's ialTavern, where the elite meet to eat. Archie the manager speakin'. Duffy ain't here — oh, hello, Duffy." Duffy, the owner, was never heard (or seen.

THIS EPISODE:

September 21, 1950. NBC network origination, Nostalgia Broadcasting Corporation syndication. Commercials added locally. Archie buys an $18 radio transmitter from Slippery McGuire and plans to go on the air with "Special Guest Barry Nelson". Ed Gardner, Ed Pinchon, Charlie Cantor, Barry Nelson. 28:59. Episode Notes From The Radio Gold Index.