Vic and Sade (1)
Paul Rhymer
Visit radio's homefolks in the Small House Half-way up in the Next Block. Vic and Sade was the most popular show of its kind in the history of radio, won numerous awards and was atop the ratings for many years running. For the majority of its time on the air it was presented in fifteen minute episodes without continuing plot. It featured the three voices of the main characters only but their world was peopled by countless characters with whom the listener became intimately acquainted. When the actor who played Vic became ill, a second male character, Uncle Fletcher, was added to the cast. And, when the actor who played Rush was called into service during WWII, another young voice was added to take his place. The cast Vic - Art Van Harvey Sade - Bernadine Flynn Rush - Bill Idelson Uncle Fletcher - Clarence Hartzell Russell Miller - David Whitehouse The series was written by Paul Rhymer for the entire length of the program's run, which ran steadily from 1932 to 1944, then again in 1945 and 1946, with television stints in 1949 and 1957. Some 3500 episodes in all. The recordings you find here are all that have survived. Part 1 of 5
This recording is part of the Old Time Radio collection.
Chapters
Reviews
Think of the humor of "Fargo"
AncientAxim
To help some people to "get" Vic n Sade, think of the "Fargo" film. It was a comedy- remember that and remember Vic & Sade is a comedy. I remember after Fargo's release, Minnesotans didn't get the humor of Fargo- they assumed we were all laughing at their accents, but still they did not understand it. You want to know a funny coincidence- when Vic & Sade became popular, it was broadcast from Chicago, and for a while was a "local" show- the locals also did not "get" the humor then either! Caveat- not ALL the shows are hilarious, in fact there are quite a few which are just kind of non-laugh out loud funny, but interesting none the less. So- for an absolutely hilarious laughing out loud episode please see "Mr Sludge To Sleep Overnight" 40-06-17. For an amusing, though not so much guffawing type of humor see Vic Fakes the Coronet". Ms Gook's protestations on Mr Gook's faking playing in the band are so over the top. Again, think of Fargo, then you'll start to figure out the humor. Once you do, you will find this one of, if not the funniest old time radio show. Keep in mind it was ONE GUY (Paul Rhymer) who wrote EVERY show- directed it, & coached the actors on the mindset of the characters when they did their dialogues. Rhymer truly a genius!
I learned eventually
Moongleam
I admit that when I first listened to this show, it seemed as dull as dishwater. However, it became very enjoyable after the characters became familiar and I began to understand the world in which they lived, "a world that was both as fantastic as Oz and as real as everybody's neighbors", as another reviewer brilliantly put it. (A world where, for example, Grovelman, South Carolina is the geographical center of the U.S.A., and one of Vic's fellow Skybrothers in The Sacred Stars of the Milky Way is named J.J.J.J. Stunbolt.) A line from Vics_Geographical_Trip: "I'm in excellent spirits because my soul is a buttercup which has caught the liquid sunshine in its chalice. Move over and let me sit down before I break both your legs."
First REGULAR radio show
The Bridge
NO, this is NOT the first radio show ever, that's not what I meant. It is the first radio show that I ever listened to on a regular schedule. I think what caught my attention in the first place was, the description of the house down the street and around the corner, it sounded nice, like where we lived in Hollywood at the time. It was like listening in to relatives talking in the next room about their day. Truly a special example of what made radio great. If you have never heard Vic and Sade, do listen to two or three shows, I think you will like them, but then I have been wrong once or twice.
One of the greatest
Ben B2
I can understand some people not understanding Vic and Sade, but to trash something that you don't understand seems pretty silly. It would be kind of like trashing Monty Python because one doesn't get British humor. Vic and Sade captures the Midwestern dialect and democratic attitude of a different era. Paul Rhymer gets justly praised by many reviewers, but in my opinion the acting is also pretty tremendous. Billy Idelson's enthusiasm and earnest self-importance make me smile. With one little "oh" after Sade belittles him for correcting her English, Idelson conveys more about his character and his supposed age than most television actors can do even though we can see their faces. An absolute classic.
The perfect radio
ddudley
The early shows were written for only four players, Vic, Sade, Rush and Uncle Fletcher, making the characters easy to learn and easy to love. These four put their world in right into your lap and, without ever hearing another voice, you come to know and love their friends, their family and their entire life. More importantly, this show will make you a part of life in the late 1930’s and early 1940’s. Learn what life was like when there was no TV, making a long distant telephone call was a big deal and when $20 would buy groceries for a month. Step into this world and become a part of it.
Paul Rhymer was intimidatingly brilliant
mikelangworthy
I am a lifetime student of comedy. I've been in the comedy business for over thirty years and spent over twenty years making my living (and a very good one) writing television comedy. There has never been a comedy show on television as keenly observed, as subtlely written or as fully realized as Vic and Sade. And to think that one man wrote and directed it, and to that he created these brilliant miniatures five days a week? Mind-boggling. Rhymer created a world that was both as fantastic as Oz and as real as everybody's neighbors. It's not surprising that some people can't understand it, but it is sad.
One of the all-time best
Raoul Fenderson
I would encourage anyone not familiar with "Vic and Sade" to listen to three or four of these short episodes. You will be hooked! And you will want to spread the gospel of Vic and Sade to the masses! Paul Rhymer was a genius. It's simply astounding to me that he wrote over 3,000 of these shows and nearly every one was of such consistently high calibre.
What captivating dialog and delivery!
faaus
This is, next to Lum and Abner, my all-time favorite radio comedy series. The writing is fresh and quirky and the characters deliver! Rhymer's use of language and shading are unique. The character and organization names are pure joy to the ear. Everyone seems to like it if they listen to at least two episodes. Simply top of the heap.