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Duffy's Tavern

March 1, 1941 – December 28, 1951 · 424 broadcasts

Duffy's Tavern was one of radio's great guest-star comedies -- a decade (1941-1951) of Ed Gardner as Archie, the fast-talking, malaprop-mangling manager of a shabby Third Avenue saloon whose owner, Duffy, is never once heard. Every week opened the same way: "When Irish Eyes Are Smiling" on a tinny piano, a phone ring, and Archie's "Hello, Duffy's Tavern, where the elite meet to eat -- Archie the manager speakin'. Duffy ain't here." Around him ran a durable company: man-crazy Miss Duffy (Shirley Booth, later Florence Halop and others), dim but gentle Finnegan (Charlie Cantor), and Eddie the waiter (Eddie Green). The real engine was the weekly marquee guest -- Bing Crosby, Orson Welles, Tallulah Bankhead, Boris Karloff, Peter Lorre, Charles Laughton, Lucille Ball -- swept into one of Archie's get-rich schemes, homemade operas, or doomed romances. Behind the scenes the show moved across networks (CBS, the Blue Network, NBC) and sponsors, briefly lost the word "Tavern" to a squeamish sponsor, and in 1949 decamped to Puerto Rico for a tax break that cut it off from its Hollywood guest pool and helped end the run in 1951. It spawned a 1945 Paramount film and a short-lived 1954 TV series -- and, notably, was honored during the war for featuring Black performers without demeaning jokes.

Collection status: 162 of 424 held (38% complete)
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Episode Spine

Grouped by year. Jump to the full list below, or open a season on its own page.

1940

July 29, 1940 Audition Show

1941

March 1, 1941 Guest: Colonel Stoopnagle
March 8, 1941 Guest: Deems Taylor
March 15, 1941 Guest: Orson Welles
March 22, 1941 Guest: Bill Robinson
March 29, 1941 Guest: Hildegarde and Arthur Treacher
April 5, 1941 Guest: Morton Johnson and Vox Pop Boys
April 12, 1941
April 19, 1941
April 26, 1941 Guest: Tallulah Bankhead
May 3, 1941 Guest: Hildegarde and Maxie Rosenbloom
May 10, 1941 Guest: Elsa Maxwell
May 17, 1941 Guest: Milton Berle
May 24, 1941 Guest: Paul Lukas
May 31, 1941 Guest: James J. Walker
June 7, 1941 Guest: Ilka Chase
June 14, 1941
September 18, 1941 Guest: Joe E. Brown
September 25, 1941 Guest: Joe E. Brown Returns
October 2, 1941 Guest: Frank Fay
October 9, 1941 Guest: Gloria Swanson
October 16, 1941
October 23, 1941
October 30, 1941
November 6, 1941
November 13, 1941
November 20, 1941
November 27, 1941
December 4, 1941
December 11, 1941
December 18, 1941
December 25, 1941

1942

January 1, 1942
January 8, 1942
January 15, 1942
January 22, 1942
January 29, 1942
February 5, 1942
February 12, 1942
February 19, 1942
February 26, 1942
March 5, 1942
March 12, 1942
March 17, 1942
March 24, 1942
March 31, 1942
April 7, 1942
April 14, 1942
April 21, 1942
April 28, 1942
May 5, 1942
May 12, 1942
May 19, 1942
May 26, 1942 Lord Byron Ladies Literary Society Meeting
June 2, 1942
June 9, 1942 The Pm Reporter is Coming to Duffy's
June 16, 1942 Hilarious Hawthorne, the Piccadilly Pixie
June 23, 1942 A Dozen Roses for Gertrude Nieson
June 30, 1942 Archie's Monstrous Historical Pageant
October 6, 1942
October 13, 1942
October 20, 1942
October 27, 1942
November 3, 1942 Guest: Madeline Carroll
November 10, 1942 Guest: Clifton Fadiman
November 17, 1942 Guest: Jane Cowl
November 24, 1942 Guest: Giovanni Martinelli
December 1, 1942 Guest: Elsa Maxwell and Ethel Merman
December 8, 1942 Guest: Mary Martin
December 15, 1942 Guest: Ted Collins and Kate Smith Listen (MP3)
December 22, 1942 Guest: Robert L. Ripley
December 29, 1942 Guest: Eddie 'rochester' Anderson Listen (MP3)

1943

January 5, 1943 Guest: Milton Berle Listen (MP3)
Miss Duffy pesters Archie to talk Milton Berle into landing her a spot in the Ziegfeld Follies.
January 12, 1943 Guest: Deems Taylor Listen (MP3)
January 19, 1943 Guest: Phil Baker
January 26, 1943 Guest: Billie Burke
February 2, 1943 Guest: Brace Beemer (the Lone Ranger) Listen (MP3)
February 9, 1943 Guest: George Jessel
February 16, 1943 Guest: Jane Cowl
February 23, 1943 Guest: Deems Taylor
March 2, 1943 Guest: Tito Guizar
March 9, 1943 Guest: Colonel Stoopnagle Listen (MP3)
March 16, 1943 Guest: Morton Downey
March 23, 1943 Guest: Frank Buck Listen (MP3)
Archie plays big-game hunter when animal trapper Frank Buck drops by the tavern.
March 30, 1943 Guest: Ilona Massey and Oscar Levant
April 6, 1943 Guest: Leo Durocher
April 13, 1943 Guest: Ralph Bellamy
April 20, 1943 Guest: Leo Durocher and Mel Ott
April 27, 1943 Guest: Ilka Chase
May 4, 1943 Guest: Akim Tarniroff
May 11, 1943 Guest: Akim Tarniroff
May 18, 1943 Guest: Herbert Marshall
May 25, 1943 Guest: Vera Zorina
June 1, 1943 Guest: Tallulah Bankhead Listen (MP3)
Tallulah Bankhead gives a dramatic reading and Tito Guizar sings a night at Duffy's.
June 8, 1943 Guest: Carole Landis
June 15, 1943 Guest: Clifton Fadiman Listen (MP3)
Archie hands critic Clifton Fadiman a lecture on modern literature to deliver at the tavern.
June 22, 1943 Guest: Monty Woolley
June 29, 1943 Guest: Ray Milland
October 5, 1943 Guest: Veronica Lake Listen (MP3)
October 12, 1943 Guest: Orson Welles Listen (MP3)
October 19, 1943 Guest: Peter Lorre Listen (FLAC)
On a night the show drops 'Tavern' from its name, Peter Lorre arrives with a woman and her talking mynah bird.
October 26, 1943 Guest: Ida Lupino Listen (MP3)
Ida Lupino stars as Archie himself in a movie retelling of his life story.
November 2, 1943 Guest: Charles Coburn Listen (MP3)
Archie coaxes Charles Coburn into a poker game at the tavern.
November 9, 1943 Guest: Lucille Ball Listen (MP3)
November 16, 1943 Guest: Reginald Gardner
November 23, 1943 Guest: Marlene Dietrich
November 30, 1943 Guest: Bert Lahr
December 7, 1943 Guest: Bing Crosby Listen (MP3)
Archie hopes to sell Bing Crosby a half-interest in Duffy's and mounts a floor show in his honor.
December 14, 1943 Guest: Dinah Shore and Joan Davis Listen (MP3)
Archie talks Dinah Shore into singing a number he wrote, with Joan Davis in tow.
December 21, 1943 Guest: Herbert Marshall Listen (MP3)
December 28, 1943 Guest: Hedda Hopper

1944

January 4, 1944 Guest: Fred Allen Listen (MP3)
Archie brings Fred Allen down to Duffy's Tavern.
January 11, 1944 Guest: James Cagney and Benay Venuta
January 18, 1944 Guest: Lauritz Melchoir Listen (MP3)
January 25, 1944 Guest: Deems Taylor and Paul Whiteman Listen (MP3)
Deems Taylor conducts a grand operatic arrangement of one of Archie's tunes.
February 1, 1944 Guest: Billie Burke Listen (MP3)
Archie schemes to marry off a local forger to guest Billie Burke.
February 8, 1944 Guest: Major Edward Bowes
February 15, 1944 Guest: Laird Cregar Listen (MP3)
February 22, 1944 Guest: Phil Baker Listen (MP3)
Archie tries to get onto Phil Baker's quiz program, chasing cash for an oil-stock scheme.
February 29, 1944 Guest: Gracie Fields Listen (MP3)
Archie converts Duffy into a hotel for a guest paying in crisp ten-dollar bills, and Gracie Fields sings.
March 7, 1944 Colonel Stoopnagle's Tax Reducing Machine Listen (MP3)
Wrestling with his income taxes, Archie gets dubious help from inventor Colonel Stoopnagle.
March 14, 1944 Guest: Gertrude Lawrence Listen (MP3)
Archie has written a play and wants Gertrude Lawrence to star in it.
March 21, 1944 Guest: Fred Allen
March 28, 1944 Guest: Reginald Gardiner & Leo Durocher
April 4, 1944 Guest: Cary Grant
April 11, 1944 Guest: Carole Landis Listen (MP3)
It's Ladies' Day at Duffy's, with Carole Landis installed as the new manager.
April 18, 1944 Guest: Charles Laughton Listen (MP3)
Archie enlists Charles Laughton to help turn Duffy's into an actors' club.
April 25, 1944 Guest: Bob Crosby and Mr. Dolores Hope Listen (MP3)
Archie stages a mock radio show with Bob Crosby and Dolores Hope, hawking Duffy's pig's feet and borscht.
May 2, 1944 Guest: Dennis Day Listen (MP3)
Archie tries to line up a date for shy guest Dennis Day.
May 9, 1944 Guest: Adolphe Menjou Listen (MP3)
Adolphe Menjou delivers Archie's lecture on men's fashions while Yvette sings.
May 16, 1944 Guest: Prince Michael Romanoff and Ann Rutherford Listen (MP3)
May 23, 1944 Guest: Paul Lukas Listen (MP3)
The tavern crowd throws its own Academy Awards, with guest Paul Lukas.
May 30, 1944 Guest: Ozzie & Harriet Listen (MP3)
June 6, 1944 Guest: Basil Rathbone
June 13, 1944 Guest: Joan Bennett
June 20, 1944 Guest: Brian Donlevy
June 27, 1944 Guest: Ransom Sherman Listen (MP3)
In the season finale, Ransom Sherman auditions the regulars for his new program.
September 15, 1944 Guest: Rudy Vallee Listen (FLAC)
The new season opens with Archie trying to talk Rudy Vallee into broadcasting from Duffy's.
September 22, 1944 Guest: Gene Tierney Listen (MP3)
Archie makes a hopeless play to land a date with Gene Tierney.
September 29, 1944 Guest: Rise Stevens
October 6, 1944 Guest: Nigel Bruce
October 13, 1944 Guest: Bill Tilden and Babe Didriksen
October 20, 1944 Guest: Dorothy Lamour
October 27, 1944 Guest: Esther Williams
November 3, 1944 Guest: Maria Montez
November 10, 1944 Guest: Robert Benchley Listen (MP3)
Robert Benchley delivers a straight-faced lecture on crooning.
November 17, 1944 Guest: Ida Lupino
November 24, 1944 Guest: Harold Peary Listen (MP3)
December 1, 1944 Guest: Larry Adler - Harmonica Virtuoso Listen (MP3)
December 8, 1944 Guest: Charles Laughton
December 15, 1944 Guest: Sydney Greenstreet Listen (MP3)
December 22, 1944 Guest: Monty Woolley Listen (MP3)
Archie tries to talk Monty Woolley into playing Santa Claus.
December 29, 1944 Guest: Gracie Fields

1945

January 5, 1945 Guest: Jinx Falkenburg Listen (MP3)
Archie quits the tavern and catches on with Jinx Falkenburg, in a broadcast from Camp Parks.
January 12, 1945 Guest: Boris Karloff Listen (MP3)
Archie writes a horror play for Boris Karloff to perform at a war-bond rally.
January 19, 1945 Guest: Linda Darnell Listen (MP3)
Archie sets out to take Linda Darnell as his date to the Policemen's Ball.
January 26, 1945 Guest: Lauritz Melchior
February 2, 1945 Guest: Sunny Tufts Listen (MP3)
To see his song into print -- and keep himself out of jail -- Archie must lure Sonny Tufts to a Valentine dance.
February 9, 1945 Guest: Betty Hutton
February 16, 1945 Guest: Xavier Cugat
February 23, 1945 Guest: George Sanders Listen (MP3)
March 2, 1945 Guest: Joan Blondell
March 9, 1945 Guest: Ginny Simms
March 16, 1945 Guest: Pat O'brien Listen (MP3)
The Duffys' wedding-anniversary party draws guest Pat O'Brien to the tavern.
March 23, 1945 Guest: Dame May Whitty Listen (MP3)
March 30, 1945 Guest: Alan Mobray Listen (MP3)
April 6, 1945 Finnegan, the Millionaire, Who Inherits a Diamond Mine Listen (MP3)
Finnegan inherits a fortune in gems, and Archie plots to open his own place with the windfall.
April 13, 1945 (untitled)
April 20, 1945 Guest: Bob Graham Listen (MP3)
April 27, 1945 Fish and Fantasy Listen (MP3)
John Garfield co-stars with Archie in an original play, 'Fish and Fantasy.'
May 4, 1945 (untitled)
May 11, 1945 Guest: Art Linkletter
May 18, 1945 Archie's Raise Listen (MP3)
Duffy hands Archie a five-dollar raise as Archie still means to marry Dolly Snaffle.
May 25, 1945 Archie Impersonates Opera Star ( #85 Listen (MP3)
June 1, 1945 Archie Installs a Roulette Wheel ( #96 Listen (MP3)
June 8, 1945 Guest: Jinx Falkenberg Listen (MP3)
September 21, 1945 (untitled)
September 28, 1945 Guest: Deems Taylor Listen (MP3)
Deems Taylor visits to hear Archie's comic new opera, with Alan Reed on hand as Falstaff.
October 5, 1945 Guest: Sandra Gould
October 12, 1945 Guest: Monty Woolley
October 19, 1945 Guest: Sandra Gould
October 26, 1945 Guest: Sandra Gould Listen (MP3)
November 2, 1945 Guest: Sandra Gould Listen (MP3)
November 9, 1945 Guest: Maxie Rosenbloom Listen (MP3)
When Eddie the waiter walks off the job, Archie drafts Maxie Rosenbloom to replace him.
November 16, 1945 Archie Hires Madame Zooma Listen (MP3)
Archie hires fortune-teller Madame Zooma to help him find riches.
November 23, 1945 Guest: Sandra Gould
November 30, 1945 Guest: Sandra Gould Listen (MP3)
A friend's 'mad professor' claims he can fuse split atoms into a fortune for all.
December 7, 1945 Christmas Bonus for a Date with Amber Listen (MP3)
December 14, 1945 Guest: Ed Monroe Listen (MP3)
December 21, 1945 Is There a Santa Claus Listen (MP3)
As Finnegan frets that there's no Santa, the gang stages 'A Christmas Carol'; harpist Robert Maxwell guests.
December 28, 1945 Archie Balances the Books Listen (MP3)
Archie and Eddie take inventory and try to bribe the accountant into making the books add up.

1946

January 4, 1946 Guest: Alan Ladd Listen (MP3)
Archie casts a strangely flat Alan Ladd in a movie he is producing.
January 11, 1946 Guest: Larry Storch Listen (MP3)
Archie films his life story and has Larry Storch impersonate all the stars.
January 18, 1946 Guest: Dave Hossinger and Rickie Jordan Listen (MP3)
January 25, 1946 Archie's Old Pal Stops By Listen (MP3)
February 1, 1946 Guest: Peggy Lee Listen (MP3)
Archie springs for a sharp new suit to woo Peggy Lee, and has Finnegan pose as the never-seen Duffy.
February 8, 1946 Archie Has to Have His Tonsils Out Listen (MP3)
Archie steels himself for a tonsillectomy while Peggy Lee sings.
February 15, 1946 Guest: Alan Young Guest Stars
February 22, 1946 Guest: Alan Young and Reginald Gardiner Listen (MP3)
Archie comes back from the hospital to a surprise party.
March 1, 1946 Alan Young Takes Care of Archie's Plant Listen (MP3)
A gift potted plant gives Archie the notion to farm the empty lot behind Duffy's.
March 8, 1946 Ed Gardner Returns Listen (MP3)
March 15, 1946 Guest Not Listed
March 22, 1946 Guest: Diana Lynn Listen (MP3)
March 29, 1946 (untitled)
April 5, 1946 Guest: James Dunn
April 12, 1946 Guest: Marie Mcdonald Listen (MP3)
Archie proposes to Marie McDonald, and to his shock she accepts.
April 19, 1946 (untitled)
April 26, 1946 Guest: Esther Williams Listen (MP3)
Esther Williams models the outfits in Archie's fashion show.
May 3, 1946 Duffy Decides to Take Up Reading Listen (MP3)
Between the jokes, the tavern presents sober dramas about famine in India, Italy and Greece.
May 10, 1946 Pierre the Singing Dog Listen (MP3)
Archie signs Finnegan's musical, chattering poodle for a turn at the tavern.
May 17, 1946 Pierre's Radio Show ( #132 Listen (MP3)
May 24, 1946 Guest: Roy Rogers Listen (MP3)
May 31, 1946 Guest: Charlie Cantor
June 7, 1946 Guest: Charlie Cantor
June 14, 1946 Guest: Willard Waterman
October 2, 1946 Guest: Carmen Miranda
October 9, 1946 Guest: Victor Mature
October 16, 1946 Guest: Martha Raye
October 23, 1946 Guest: Hoagy Carmichael
October 30, 1946 Guest: Ozzie & Harriet Nelson
November 6, 1946 Guest: Louella Parsons Listen (FLAC)
Angling for a mention in Louella Parsons' column, Archie hosts her broadcast after she's hurt at Duffy's.
November 13, 1946 Guest: Lotte Lehmann, Opera Singer
November 20, 1946 Guest: George Raft
November 27, 1946 Guest: Eddie Green
December 4, 1946 Guest: Leo Durocher
December 11, 1946 Guest: Matty Malneck Orchestra
December 18, 1946 Guest: Joan Bennett Listen (FLAC)
A kiss from Joan Bennett is the grand prize in Archie's raffle.
December 25, 1946 Christmas Program

1947

January 1, 1947 Guest: Benay Venuta
January 8, 1947 Guest: Fred Allen
January 15, 1947 Guest: Toots Shor
January 22, 1947 Guest: Minerva Pious and John J. Anthony Listen (MP3)
Mrs. Nussbaum seeks John J. Anthony's advice about leaving her husband, Pierre.
January 29, 1947 Guest: Edward G. Robinson
February 5, 1947 Guest: Hildegarde
February 12, 1947 Guest: Gene Autry
February 19, 1947 Guest: the Malneck Orchestra
February 26, 1947 Guest: Andy Russell
March 5, 1947 Guest: the Malneck Orchestra Listen (MP3)
March 12, 1947 Guest: Reginald Gardiner
March 15, 1947 Phoebe, the Wealthy Girlfriend
March 19, 1947 Guest: the Malneck Orchestra
March 26, 1947 Guest: the Malneck Orchestra
April 2, 1947 (untitled)
April 9, 1947 Guest: Irving Berlin and Imogene Carpenter
April 16, 1947 (untitled)
April 23, 1947 (untitled)
April 30, 1947 (untitled)
May 7, 1947 (untitled)
May 14, 1947 (untitled)
May 21, 1947 Guest: Boris Karloff
May 28, 1947 Miss Duffy's Coming Out Party Listen (MP3)
It's Miss Duffy's coming-out party, and the unseen Duffy finally strolls into his own tavern.
June 4, 1947 Guest: Harry Vonzell as Sidney M. Strotz
June 11, 1947 (untitled)
June 18, 1947 Guest: Rudy Vallee
June 25, 1947 Guest: Burton Holmes
October 1, 1947 Guest: Crosby, Sinatra & Hope (larry Crosby, Ray Sinatra and Jim
October 8, 1947 Guest: Sophie Tucker
October 15, 1947 Guest: the Harry James Band
October 22, 1947 Guest: Soprano Helen Traubel
October 29, 1947 Guest: Fred Astaire
November 5, 1947 Guest: Rudy Vallee & George Jessel Listen (FLAC)
George Jessel and Rudy Vallee host a testimonial dinner for Archie.
November 12, 1947 Guest: Dinah Shore
November 19, 1947 Guest: Henry Morgan
November 26, 1947 Guest: Jean Sablon
December 3, 1947 Christmas Presents Listen (FLAC)
Archie's girlfriend Renee loses her heart to visiting crooner Jean Sablon.
December 10, 1947 Guest: Esther Williams
December 17, 1947 (untitled)
December 24, 1947 Annual Christmas Skit
December 31, 1947 Jackie Van and Abe Burrows

1948

January 7, 1948 Balancing the Books Listen (FLAC)
With an auditor finding a shortage, Archie goes on Garry Moore's quiz show to make up the books.
January 14, 1948 Guest: Olga San Juan
January 21, 1948 Archie in the Insurance Business
January 28, 1948 Guest: Clifton Webb
February 4, 1948 Guest: Gertrude Lawrence
February 11, 1948 Guest: Marlene Dietrich
February 18, 1948 Guest: Tom Breneman
February 25, 1948 (untitled)
March 3, 1948 Guest: Van Johnson
March 10, 1948 Guest: Lauren Bacall
March 17, 1948 Guest: Humphrey Bogart
March 24, 1948 Guest: Dorothy Lamour
March 31, 1948 Guest: Malu Gatica
April 7, 1948 Guest: Arthur Treacher
April 14, 1948 (untitled)
April 21, 1948 (untitled)
April 28, 1948 Guest: Ray Milland
May 5, 1948 Guest: Gregory Peck Listen (MP3)
May 12, 1948 Guest: Frank Sinatra
May 19, 1948 Archie Asks for a Raise Listen (MP3)
Denied a raise, Archie plots to fake a concussion and sue Duffy.
May 26, 1948 Guest: Rex Harrison Listen (MP3)
Rex Harrison offers his congratulations as Duffy prepares to marry.
June 2, 1948 (untitled)
June 9, 1948 Guest: Jane Powell
June 16, 1948 (untitled)
June 23, 1948 (untitled)
October 6, 1948 Guest: Clifton Webb
October 13, 1948 (untitled)
October 20, 1948 Guest: Frank Sinatra
November 3, 1948 Guest: Hildegarde
November 10, 1948 (untitled)
November 17, 1948 Guest: Jane Wyman Listen (MP3)
November 24, 1948 Guest: Dick Powell
December 1, 1948 (untitled)
December 8, 1948 Guest: Carmen Miranda
December 15, 1948 Guest: Dolores Marshall
December 22, 1948 Miracle in Manhattan Listen (MP3)
A Christmas show: bonus-less and glum, Archie is visited by a mysterious stranger.
December 29, 1948 Guest: Dorothy Shay Listen (MP3)
Archie sulks over women and money as Dorothy Shay pays a visit.

1949

January 5, 1949 Guest: Desi Arnaz Listen (MP3)
January 12, 1949 Guest: Isobel Randolph & Veola Vonn
January 19, 1949 Guest: Matty Malneck Orchestra
January 26, 1949 Guest: Shirley Temple
February 2, 1949 Guest: Clifton Webb
February 9, 1949 Archie's Philosophy Listen (MP3)
Told he has just three days to live, Archie hides the grim diagnosis from the gang.
February 16, 1949 Archie's Yearbook Listen (MP3)
Out to impress an old classmate, Archie orders himself a shiny new 1949 Cadillac.
February 23, 1949 Archie Wants to Patent Electricity, Sold by Slippery Mcguire Listen (FLAC)
A swindler sells Archie a supposed patent on electricity itself.
March 2, 1949 Guest: Mickey Rooney Listen (FLAC)
Archie writes a television script for Mickey Rooney, working in a surgical bit for Dr. Finnegan.
March 9, 1949 Archie Plans to Write a Script for Tv with Marlene Dietrich Listen (FLAC)
Archie pens a television spy thriller built around Marlene Dietrich.
March 16, 1949 The Bully Listen (FLAC)
Archie surveys the wreckage from a big tavern brawl that Eddie somehow missed.
March 23, 1949 Archie's Bank Account Starts with $10.00 Listen (FLAC)
Archie agrees to fight Spike McGirk to prove he is no coward.
March 30, 1949 Guest: Jimmy Durante and Ann Sothern Listen (MP3)
Archie's mystery play about a laughing piano lands Jimmy Durante and Ann Sothern as its leads.
April 6, 1949 Archie and Finnegan Double Date Gypsy Rose Lee Listen (FLAC)
Spring cleaning turns into a double date for Archie and Finnegan.
April 13, 1949 No More Iou's at Duffy's Listen (FLAC)
Suspecting a deadbeat regular is secretly a millionaire, Archie throws open the tavern's doors.
April 20, 1949 Cass Daley as a Possible Groom for Miss Duffy? Listen (FLAC)
Duffy dangles $500 for Archie to marry off Miss Duffy, and guest Cass Daley drops in.
April 27, 1949 Archie Tries to Marry a Rich High Society Dame Listen (FLAC)
Archie plots to marry into money by wooing the wealthy Millicent Van Schook.
May 4, 1949 Guest: Charles Coburn Listen (MP3)
Archie offers Charles Coburn a job as the tavern's front man.
May 11, 1949 Guest: Chester Morris on the Trail of ?whistling Sam? Listen (FLAC)
Detective Archie takes up the trail of a tavern-robbing crook called Whistling Sam.
May 18, 1949 The Most Popular Bartender Contest Listen (MP3)
Archie enters a contest to be named Third Avenue's most popular bartender.
May 25, 1949 Guest: Ed Wynn Listen (FLAC)
The gang mounts Archie's operatic take on 'Carmen,' with a hand from Ed Wynn.
June 1, 1949 Archie Wants to Marry Rich Agatha Pitz Listen (FLAC)
Archie's wife-wanted ad is answered by the well-off Agatha Pitts -- and her fourteen-year-old son.
June 8, 1949 (untitled)
June 15, 1949 Archie Wants to Get Married Listen (FLAC)
Bob Crosby serenades Archie's girlfriend Gwendolyn.
June 22, 1949 Genius of the Week Listen (MP3)
June 29, 1949 Guest: Henry Morgan
September 29, 1949 (untitled)
October 6, 1949 (untitled)
October 13, 1949 (untitled)
October 20, 1949 (untitled)
October 27, 1949 (untitled)
November 3, 1949 Guest: Hildegarde
November 10, 1949 (untitled)
November 17, 1949 Guest: Margo
November 24, 1949 Guest: Gloria Erlanger
December 1, 1949 Guest: Basil Rathbone
December 8, 1949 Guest: Helen Traubel
December 15, 1949 Guest: Gloria Erlanger
December 22, 1949 Guest: Gloria Erlanger
December 29, 1949 Guest: Gloria Erlanger

1950

January 5, 1950 (untitled)
January 12, 1950 Guest: Don Ameche
January 19, 1950 Guest: Gloria Swanson
January 26, 1950 Guest: Gloria Erlanger
February 2, 1950 Guest: John Hall & Frances Langford
February 9, 1950 Guest: Paulette Goddard
February 16, 1950 Guest: Shelly Winters
February 23, 1950 Guest: Gloria Erlanger
March 2, 1950 Guest: Hazel Shermet
March 9, 1950 (untitled)
March 16, 1950 (untitled)
March 23, 1950 (untitled)
March 30, 1950 Guest: Tony Martin Listen (MP3)
April 6, 1950 Guest: Gypsy Rose Lee
April 13, 1950 Guest: Martha Sleeper
April 20, 1950 (untitled)
April 27, 1950 (untitled)
May 4, 1950 Guest: Joan Davis
May 11, 1950 (untitled)
May 18, 1950 Guest: Hedda Hopper Listen (MP3)
May 25, 1950 Guest: Rudy Vallee
June 1, 1950 (untitled)
June 8, 1950 (untitled)
June 15, 1950 Father's Day Listen (MP3)
On Father's Day Archie decides to marry Chiquita Juarez and start a family, once he's got a new suit.
June 22, 1950 Guest Hedda Hopper Listen (MP3)
June 29, 1950 (untitled)
July 6, 1950 (untitled)
July 13, 1950 (untitled)
July 20, 1950 (untitled)
July 27, 1950 (untitled)
August 3, 1950 (untitled)
August 10, 1950 (untitled)
August 17, 1950 (untitled)
August 24, 1950 (untitled)
August 31, 1950 (untitled)
September 7, 1950 Army Surplus Helicopter Listen (MP3)
Slippery McGuire tries to unload a $14 war-surplus 'helium copter' on Archie.
September 14, 1950 (untitled)
September 21, 1950 Guest: Barry Nelson. Archie Runs His Own Radio Station Listen (FLAC)
Archie buys a cut-rate transmitter to put himself and Barry Nelson on the air.
November 10, 1950 Guest: Sir Cedric Hardwicke Listen (MP3)
The season opens with Archie renting an apartment to Sir Cedric Hardwicke.
November 17, 1950 Archie's Nephew Morton Visits Listen (MP3)
Archie plans to quit the tavern and set himself up as a theatrical agent.
November 24, 1950 Archie Helps His Nephew Morton with Homework Listen (MP3)
December 1, 1950 Latin Night with Bobby Capo
December 8, 1950 Duffy's Up for Sale Listen (MP3)
Archie attempts to offload Duffy onto guest Prince Michael Romanoff.
December 15, 1950 Veronica Lake Listen (MP3)
Archie holds singer auditions at the tavern.
December 22, 1950 Charles Coburn as Santa Listen (MP3)
Archie tries to talk visiting Charles Coburn into playing Santa Claus.
December 29, 1950 Archie Plans to Cut Prices by 10% Listen (MP3)
To fight inflation and drum up trade, Archie plans to slash the tavern's prices.

1951

January 5, 1951 Archie Dates Joan Bennett Listen (MP3)
January 12, 1951 A Lady Visits from the Draft Board Listen (MP3)
January 19, 1951 Literary Society Meeting Listen (MP3)
The Lord Byron Literary Society meets at Duffy's -- as Eddie the waiter joins the army.
January 26, 1951 Actor's Club at the Tavern Listen (MP3)
February 2, 1951 Archie Runs for Political Office Listen (MP3)
February 9, 1951 Mystery Valentine Listen (MP3)
An anonymous valentine arrives, and Archie is sure guest Shelley Winters is behind it.
February 16, 1951 Archie the Hypnotist Listen (MP3)
February 23, 1951 Arthur Treacher Leaves Duffy's Tavern for Another Show Listen (MP3)
February 23, 1951 Guest: Maxine Rosenbloom
March 2, 1951 Diary of Peter Stuyvesant Listen (FLAC)
March 9, 1951 Archie Writes an Opera Listen (MP3)
March 16, 1951 Archie's Fashion Lecture Listen (MP3)
March 23, 1951 Culture Comes to Duffy's Tavern Listen (MP3)
March 30, 1951 Archie Throws a Block Party Listen (FLAC)
Archie's block party stalls when Artie Shaw wants $5,000 for the band to appear.
April 6, 1951 The Singing Detective Listen (FLAC)
Archie pitches Rudy Vallee a singing-detective radio show he calls 'The Hummer.'
April 13, 1951 The New Floor Show Listen (FLAC)
April 20, 1951 Archie the Lion Tamer Listen (FLAC)
The circus comes to town, and Archie signs on as a lion tamer.
April 27, 1951 Archie's Books Don't Balance Listen (MP3)
With the books out of balance, Archie takes his chances on Phil Baker's quiz show.
May 4, 1951 It's Latin Night at Duffy's Tavern Listen (FLAC)
October 5, 1951 Duffy Wants to Sell the Tavern Listen (MP3)
The season opens with Duffy planning to sell, so Archie recruits Boris Karloff to frighten away the real-estate man.
October 12, 1951 Archie Throws Party for Columnists Listen (MP3)
Archie the movie producer throws a party for the nation's critics, and nobody turns up.
October 19, 1951 Archie's Nephew Morton to Visit Listen (MP3)
Nephew Morton visits and the tavern regulars put on a quiz show.
October 26, 1951 Archie Helps Nephew Morton with School Work Listen (FLAC)
Archie's bid to coach nephew Morton through his schoolwork brings the teacher calling.
November 2, 1951 Spanish Floor Show Listen (MP3)
Archie stages a Latin floor show to court a wealthy South American, Diego Dinero.
November 9, 1951 Cultural Singing Contest Listen (MP3)
Mrs. Piddleton's singing society holds its annual contest down at the tavern.
November 16, 1951 Archie Writes an Opera for Tv Listen (MP3)
Archie writes a television opera, and Deems Taylor joins its first performance.
November 23, 1951 Archie Opens a Tea Room Listen (FLAC)
Archie means to marry a rich widow, but the tavern must become a tea room first.
November 30, 1951 Archie Inherits Half a Race Horse Listen (FLAC)
A fortune-telling scale nudges Archie into the racehorse business.
December 7, 1951 Baby Left at Duffy's Tavern Listen (FLAC)
A baby is left on the tavern's doorstep.
December 14, 1951 Archie's School Teacher Visits Listen (MP3)
Archie's old P.S. 4 teacher visits for a round-table discussion.
December 21, 1951 Archie to Buy a Split Atom Listen (FLAC)
A 'mad professor' who claims he can glue split atoms back together promises a fortune for all.
December 28, 1951 Hawaiian Vacation Slogan Contest Listen (MP3)
Certain he's won a Hawaiian trip in a slogan contest, Archie makes grand plans.
The Story

Duffy's Tavern was one of radio's great guest-star comedies -- a decade (1941-1951) of Ed Gardner as Archie, the fast-talking, malaprop-mangling manager of a shabby Third Avenue saloon whose owner, Duffy, is never once heard. Every week opened the same way: "When Irish Eyes Are Smiling" on a tinny piano, a phone ring, and Archie's "Hello, Duffy's Tavern, where the elite meet to eat -- Archie the manager speakin'. Duffy ain't here." Around him ran a durable company: man-crazy Miss Duffy (Shirley Booth, later Florence Halop and others), dim but gentle Finnegan (Charlie Cantor), and Eddie the waiter (Eddie Green). The real engine was the weekly marquee guest -- Bing Crosby, Orson Welles, Tallulah Bankhead, Boris Karloff, Peter Lorre, Charles Laughton, Lucille Ball -- swept into one of Archie's get-rich schemes, homemade operas, or doomed romances. Behind the scenes the show moved across networks (CBS, the Blue Network, NBC) and sponsors, briefly lost the word "Tavern" to a squeamish sponsor, and in 1949 decamped to Puerto Rico for a tax break that cut it off from its Hollywood guest pool and helped end the run in 1951. It spawned a 1945 Paramount film and a short-lived 1954 TV series -- and, notably, was honored during the war for featuring Black performers without demeaning jokes.

Full story — coming soon while it's being curated.
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