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Duffy's Tavern

Duffy's Tavern

By: Entertainment Radio
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"Duffy's Tavern" was one of the most beloved and enduring American radio sitcoms of the "Golden Age of Radio," running for a full decade from 1941 to 1951.Here's a breakdown of what made it a classic:Premise and Setting: The show was set in a dilapidated, somewhat seedy, but always bustling tavern in a less-than-affluent neighborhood of New York City. The catchphrase of the show, often delivered by its main character, was "Duffy's Tavern, where the elite meet to eat." The humor in this tagline came from the clear contrast between the grand claim and the reality of the establishment. The owner, "Duffy," was famously never seen or heard, becoming a running gag. The show always began with the sound of an old-fashioned piano playing "When Irish Eyes Are Smiling," interrupted by a phone ringing, and then Archie's iconic, gravelly voice answering.The Central Character: Archie the Manager: At the heart of "Duffy's Tavern" was Archie, the philosophical, often misguided, and always malapropism-prone manager of the tavern. Archie was played by Ed Gardner, who was also the show's creator and principal writer. Archie's most defining characteristic was his hilarious misuse of the English language, constantly twisting phrases and words into nonsensical but often oddly insightful pronouncements. He was a lovable schemer, frequently embarking on get-rich-quick schemes or romantic misadventures that inevitably backfired.Key Cast and Characters: While Ed Gardner as Archie was the undeniable star, the show also featured a regular cast of quirky characters who frequented the tavern and played off Archie's antics:
  • Miss Duffy: Duffy's man-crazy daughter, initially played by Shirley Booth (Ed Gardner's first wife), and later by Florence Halop and Hazel Shermet.
  • Clifton Finnegan: A good-natured but dim-witted regular, known for his "Duhhh" beginning to sentences. He was played by Charlie Cantor and later Sid Raymond.
  • Eddie the Waiter: A shrewd black character who often outsmarted Archie in their verbal sparring, played by Eddie Green.
  • Clancy the Cop: A frequent visitor, often threatening to shut down the tavern, played by Alan Reed.
Celebrity Guest Stars: A major draw of "Duffy's Tavern" was its frequent inclusion of high-profile celebrity guest stars. These stars, often playing themselves, would drop by the tavern and be woven into Archie's latest misadventure or subjected to his good-natured insults. The list of guest stars reads like a who's who of Hollywood's Golden Age, including Lucille Ball, Bing Crosby, Bob Hope, Fred Allen, Boris Karloff, Peter Lorre, and many more. Their willingness to appear and play along with Archie's humor was a testament to the show's popularity and wit.Cultural Impact and Legacy: "Duffy's Tavern" was a significant part of American popular culture during its run. It was praised for its witty scripts, character-driven humor, and its unique portrayal of New York City life. The show's format, centering on a single location where a revolving cast of characters and guests interact, influenced later sitcoms. Its humor provided a much-needed escape for listeners, particularly during World War II.The radio show's immense popularity led to a 1945 film adaptation, also titled "Duffy's Tavern," featuring many of the radio cast and a host of Paramount Pictures stars. A short-lived television series also aired in 1954, though it didn't achieve the same success as the radio program."Duffy's Tavern" remains a cherished example of classic American radio comedy, remembered for its distinctive humor, memorable characters, and especially Ed Gardner's iconic portrayal of Archie.

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Episodes
  • Duffy's Tavern 1946-12-18 Joan Bennett (The Raffle)

    Duffy's Tavern 1946-12-18 Joan Bennett (The Raffle)
    Jan 23 2022
    Duffy's Tavern is an American radio situation comedy that ran for a decade on several networks (CBS, 1941–42; NBC-Blue Network, 1942–44; and NBC, 1944–51), concluding with the December 28, 1951, broadcast.

    The program often featured celebrity guest stars but always hooked them around the misadventures of Archie, the tavern's manager, portrayed by Ed Gardner. Archie was prone to involvement in get-rich-quick schemes and romantic missteps, and constantly communicated with malaprops and mixed metaphors. Gardner had performed the character of Archie, talking about Duffy's Tavern, as early as November 9, 1939, when he appeared on NBC's Good News of 1940
    Show more Show less
    29 mins
  • Duffy's Tavern 1946-05-10 (AFRS) Pierre the Talking & Singing Dog

    Duffy's Tavern 1946-05-10 (AFRS) Pierre the Talking & Singing Dog
    Jan 23 2022
    Duffy's Tavern is an American radio situation comedy that ran for a decade on several networks (CBS, 1941–42; NBC-Blue Network, 1942–44; and NBC, 1944–51), concluding with the December 28, 1951, broadcast.

    The program often featured celebrity guest stars but always hooked them around the misadventures of Archie, the tavern's manager, portrayed by Ed Gardner. Archie was prone to involvement in get-rich-quick schemes and romantic missteps, and constantly communicated with malaprops and mixed metaphors. Gardner had performed the character of Archie, talking about Duffy's Tavern, as early as November 9, 1939, when he appeared on NBC's Good News of 1940
    Show more Show less
    28 mins
  • Duffy's Tavern 1946-05-03 Archie Takes Up Reading (Talks about World Hunger)

    Duffy's Tavern 1946-05-03 Archie Takes Up Reading (Talks about World Hunger)
    Jan 23 2022
    Duffy's Tavern is an American radio situation comedy that ran for a decade on several networks (CBS, 1941–42; NBC-Blue Network, 1942–44; and NBC, 1944–51), concluding with the December 28, 1951, broadcast.

    The program often featured celebrity guest stars but always hooked them around the misadventures of Archie, the tavern's manager, portrayed by Ed Gardner. Archie was prone to involvement in get-rich-quick schemes and romantic missteps, and constantly communicated with malaprops and mixed metaphors. Gardner had performed the character of Archie, talking about Duffy's Tavern, as early as November 9, 1939, when he appeared on NBC's Good News of 1940
    Show more Show less
    29 mins
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