Yet another goofy episode that finds Dagwood getting fired again, however this time going to work for a construction company that has some real nasty folks.
Mr. Radcliffe's latest client is JB Hutchins, played by popular character actor Lloyd Corrigan. In an interesting turn of events, Alexander -- who is growing up fast! -- is used by Radcliffe to go on a date with his spoiled young daughter, Louise (Ann Carter), hoping that may improve their business relationship. Things go haywire, not due to Alexander, but Dagwood messes things up and winds up working (at hard labor) at Hutchins construction company.
Here's the catch; Dagwood soon discovers Hutchin's "trusted" foreman and his crew are using cracked steel in his buildings which could lead to some deadly consequences. Dagwood to the rescue!
Edward Bernds directs this funny episode with his usual style, of course Arthur Lake outrageous no matter what he gets himself into. Note, pretty Ann Carter was a very famous child actress at the time, co-starring in I MARRIED A WITCH opposite Veronica Lake -- all because she bore a striking resemblence to her.
Always fun to watch Lloyd Corrigan, great in character roles as bumbling types, and look for veteran actor Maurice Cass as Pierre. This would be the final appearance of Jerome Cowan, who like Jonathan Hale, would leave the series to go on to other projects. Curiously, Mr. Dither's character would be re-written into the series, and I have often wondered if the producers did not ask Hale to return. Obviously, he didn't and was not in the long running radio series either. The role of Dithers was played by Hanley Stafford, who would have been fun in the later movie episodes, but either declined or was not asked.
Written by comedy writer Jack Henley, who would later write scripts for the MA AND PA KETTLE movie series.
Dedicated to all us Arthur Lake fans, at his wackiest. Remastered on dvd, episodes sold separately or the entire series in select box sets.
Thanks much to MOVIES Net for running this classic series on Saturday mornings.
