LUX RADIO THEATRE: FANCY PANTS (RADIO)
Summary
One in this dramatic anthology series which presents radio adaptations of motion pictures featuring Hollywood stars, often in roles they originated on screen. In this program, Bob Hope and Lucille Ball reprise their starring roles in "Fancy Pants," a film loosely based on the novel and play by Harry Leon Wilson. Throwing numerous references to his own career and to current events into the script, Hope plays Humphrey (a.k.a. Arthur Tyler), an American ham actor working with a stock company in England as the action opens. The impoverished Earl of Burnstead hires Humphrey and his fellow players to portray stuffy relatives and servants in an effort to impress the family of visiting American wild-west heiress Agatha Floud. The earl fails in his suit, but Aggie's mother Effie decides that the "English" butler, Humphrey, will refine her rough husband's manners back in Big Squaw, New Mexico, and pays Humphrey to journey back to the States with her and Aggie. Once Humphrey lands in Big Squaw, matters are complicated by Mr. Floud's assumption that it is the earl, not the butler, who is paying a visit to the family; the townspeople are so pleased to meet a real earl that the Flouds do not dare to tell their neighbors the truth. One resident of Big Squaw is not happy, however. Aggie's long-time suitor, Cart Belknap, resents the intruder and threatens Humphrey, much to the delight of Aggie, who scorns Humphrey, singing "Hey, Fancy Pants" to him. Eventually, however, Aggie and Humphrey give in to their mutual attraction. Hearing that an earl is visiting New Mexico, President Teddy Roosevelt sends word that he will pay a call on the Floud home; Humphrey and Aggie sing "Home Cookin'" as they prepare food for his arrival. When the president arrives, matters are complicated by his desire to engage in a fox hunt with the alleged earl (Humphrey cannot ride a horse) and by the machinations of Belknap, who has discovered Humphrey's true identity. Aggie and Humphrey must act fast to save the Flouds' good name -- and their own future. After the radio play, host William Keighley chats with Hope and Ball, and Hope invites listeners to participate in a contest in conjunction with his upcoming motion picture, "My Favorite Spy." Includes commercials and a promo.
Cataloging of this program was made possible by Ralph Guild, 2002.
Details
- NETWORK: CBS
- DATE: September 10, 1951 Monday 9:00 PM
- RUNNING TIME: 0:57:39
- COLOR/B&W: N/A
- CATALOG ID: R:22508
- GENRE: Radio - Comedy
- SUBJECT HEADING: Comedy; Motion pictures
- SERIES RUN: CBS - Radio series, 1935-1954
- COMMERCIALS:
- Radio - Commercials - "Here Comes the Groom " (feature film)
- Radio - Commercials - "His Kind of Woman" (feature film)
- Radio - Commercials - "My Favorite Spy" (feature film)
- Radio - Commercials - Lux toilet soap
- Radio - Promos - "Lux Radio Theatre: Sunset Blvd."
CREDITS
- William Keighley … Producer
- Harry Leon Wilson … Based on the novel and play by
- William Keighley … Host
- Bob Hope … Cast, Humphrey
- Lucille Ball … Cast, Aggie
- Theodore Roosevelt