What happens
George Burns and Gracie Allen present a 1940 episode of their comedy series, first broadcast on September 30, 1940, with Mel Blanc and Meredith Willson in the cast. Gracie Allen mourns her partner George Burns, who was reported to have been taken for a ride by the gangster Huey Salas. Gracie and the cast gather to discuss the insurance company, which has been told George is dead, and their plans to keep his payout. Burns returns unexpectedly, creating trouble for everyone involved as the characters argue over the insurance claim and the story they should tell.
Hollywood, California
Characters: George Burns, Gracie Allen, Huey Salas, Artie Shaw, Mel Blanc, Bea Benaderet, Meredith Willson
Listen for: Gracie Allen mourning George Burns in her black dress and the cast debating what to tell the insurance adjuster.
Written from the episode itself; it never gives away the ending. Every recording is remastered for the stream: cleaned of rumble, hiss and mains hum (and the old TV whine where we found it), then levelled in two passes to steady broadcast loudness, so one show is never quieter than the next.