Phil Harris-Alice Faye Show Episode: “A Tutor for the Girls” (October 20, 1946)

Cast and Roles
Phil Harris as himself (Phil Harris): The brash, comedic bandleader whose overconfident schemes often lead to humorous chaos. In this episode, he likely drives the decision to hire a tutor, with comedic missteps.

Alice Faye as herself (Alice Faye): Phil’s glamorous, sensible wife and former movie star, who provides witty commentary and tries to keep Phil’s plans in check. She’s likely concerned about the girls’ education.

Elliott Lewis as Frankie Remley: Phil’s sarcastic, troublemaking guitarist and best friend, who probably encourages or complicates Phil’s tutor idea with his mischievous input.

Walter Tetley as Julius Abbruzio: The sassy, Brooklyn-accented grocery delivery boy, whose sharp-tongued exchanges with Phil add youthful humor. He may interact with the tutor or mock Phil’s efforts.

Robert North as Brother Willie: Alice’s pompous, freeloading brother, a frequent foil for Phil. He might critique the tutor plan or get involved in the chaos.

Jeanine Roose and Anne Whitfield as Little Alice and Phyllis: The Harris daughters, precocious and central to the plot as the reason for hiring a tutor. Their cleverness likely shines in interactions with the tutor.

Bill Forman as Announcer: Delivers introductions, transitions, and plugs for the sponsor, Fitch Shampoo, often with humorous integration into the story.

Note: This episode aired as part of The Fitch Bandwagon, a musical-comedy variety show, so the format leaned heavily on music and light sketches rather than the fully developed sitcom style of later seasons. Additional minor characters, like a tutor or band member, may appear, voiced by guest actors or ensemble players.
Episode Summary
The episode “A Tutor for the Girls” (October 20, 1946), the fourth in the Fitch Bandwagon series, aired on NBC and ran approximately 30 minutes. While specific plot details are not fully documented in public archives like the Internet Archive or RadioEchoes.com, the title and show format allow for a reasonable reconstruction based on the series’ early structure and typical themes. Here’s a likely summary:
Opening Setup: The episode begins with Phil and Alice discussing their daughters, Little Alice and Phyllis, possibly worrying about their schoolwork or behavior. Phil, in his usual overconfident style, declares that the girls need a tutor to boost their education, likely exaggerating the issue for comedic effect. Alice, more practical, may express skepticism but agrees to explore the idea.

Comedy Escalates: Phil takes charge of finding a tutor, possibly with Frankie Remley’s dubious input. Frankie might suggest an unqualified candidate or turn the search into a scheme, like hiring a band member or a shady acquaintance. Julius, the grocery boy, likely overhears and mocks Phil’s plan, delivering sarcastic jabs. Brother Willie might chime in, either criticizing the tutor idea or offering pompous, unhelpful advice.

Tutor Chaos: The tutor, a guest character (likely a stern or eccentric figure), arrives at the Harris household, leading to misunderstandings. Phil may try to impress the tutor with his own “knowledge,” only to embarrass himself, while the girls outsmart the tutor with their cleverness. Musical interludes break up the action, with Alice singing a popular ballad (e.g., “Among My Souvenirs,” a 1946 hit) and Phil’s band performing a jazzy tune.

Resolution and Sponsor Plug: The tutor situation resolves humorously, perhaps with the girls proving they don’t need extra help or Phil’s plan backfiring in a lighthearted way. Alice wraps things up with a witty remark, and the announcer ties the story to a Fitch Shampoo plug, possibly joking about Phil needing to “wash away” his bad ideas. The episode closes with a musical number and a teaser for next week.

Tone: The humor is family-friendly, focusing on Phil’s bumbling leadership and the Harris family’s warmth. The tutor plot reflects postwar parental concerns about education, wrapped in the show’s signature mix of comedy and music.

This episode, like others in 1946, leaned on the Harris-Faye star power and variety format, setting the stage for the sitcom style that emerged in 1948. If you’d like me to search for audio or fan discussions on X to refine the summary, let me know!
U.S. News on October 20, 1946
Based on historical records and news archives for October 20, 1946:
Truman’s Meat Price Crisis: President Harry S. Truman faced public backlash over meat shortages and soaring prices, driven by the end of wartime price controls. On October 14, he lifted controls on meat, and by October 20, news outlets reported mixed results, with supply improving but prices still high. This dominated headlines, as families struggled with grocery costs.

Midterm Elections Looming: The 1946 midterm elections, set for November 5, were heating up. Republicans campaigned against Truman’s economic policies, predicting a sweep. On October 20, political rallies and editorials filled newspapers, reflecting voter frustration.

Labor Unrest: Strikes continued across industries, including coal and maritime workers. The United Auto Workers threatened a walkout at General Motors, reported on October 20, highlighting tensions over wages in the postwar economy.

World Series Afterglow: The St. Louis Cardinals had won the World Series against the Boston Red Sox on October 15, with Enos Slaughter’s “Mad Dash” in Game 7. By October 20, sports pages still buzzed with recaps, uplifting a baseball-obsessed nation.

These stories painted a picture of a U.S. navigating economic strain and political division, with radio shows like The Fitch Bandwagon offering lighthearted relief.
International News on October 20, 1946
Nuremberg Trials Verdict: The Nuremberg Trials were a global focus, with verdicts announced on October 1, 1946. By October 20, news coverage detailed the executions of 10 Nazi leaders (carried out October 16), including Hermann Göring’s suicide. This underscored the world’s pursuit of postwar justice.

Cold War Tensions: U.S.-Soviet relations chilled as the U.S. pushed for a United Nations atomic energy control plan, while the USSR resisted. On October 20, diplomatic reports highlighted growing mistrust, foreshadowing the Cold War’s escalation.

Indian Independence Talks: In India, negotiations between British authorities, the Indian National Congress, and the Muslim League intensified. On October 20, news noted the formation of an interim government under Jawaharlal Nehru, but communal violence between Hindus and Muslims raised fears of partition.

Greek Civil War: Fighting escalated between Greek government forces and Communist insurgents, with British and U.S. support for the government reported on October 20. This conflict signaled early Cold War proxy battles.

These global events reflected a world in flux, with decolonization, justice, and ideological divides dominating headlines, contrasting with the comedic escapism of U.S. radio.
Cultural Impact, If Any
The episode “A Tutor for the Girls” had limited direct cultural impact as an early, non-syndicated broadcast in the Fitch Bandwagon series, but its role within the broader Harris-Faye show contributed to cultural trends:
Family-Centric Comedy: The focus on the Harris daughters’ education tapped into postwar America’s emphasis on family values and schooling, as parents prioritized opportunities for the baby-boom generation. The episode’s lighthearted take on parenting resonated with listeners navigating similar concerns.

Radio’s Variety Format: As part of The Fitch Bandwagon, the episode reinforced radio’s dominance as a family entertainment medium, blending music and comedy to appeal to all ages. Its success helped solidify the Harris-Faye brand, paving the way for their sitcom transition in 1948, which influenced shows like The Adventures of Ozzie and Harriet.

Gender and Star Dynamics: Alice Faye’s prominent role as a witty, capable mother and co-star highlighted her transition from film to radio, challenging the era’s often male-driven comedy. Her chemistry with Phil, rooted in their real marriage, added authenticity that captivated audiences.

Ephemeral Nature: Like many early episodes, this one’s specific impact is muted due to limited archiving and its variety-show format, which prioritized entertainment over lasting narratives. Its primary significance lies in building the show’s early audience and refining its formula.