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Lux Radio Theatre - The Show-Off

March 16, 2026·50 min·4 clips

Cecil B. DeMille presents Gildersleeve in 'The Show-Off,' a comedy about a man whose talent for trouble begins with his brother-in-law's invention.

The broadcast starts in formal Hollywood style. DeMille introduces The Show-Off as George Kelly's famous play and names The Great Gildersleeve, Una Merkel, and Bula Bondi before the comedy gets moving. Aubrey Piper arrives with his mouth already ahead of him. The setup promises a gentleman with a knack for trouble, and the scene lets him prove it without much delay. The family argument is all money. A mother asks Aubrey about a house, furniture, and what any of it will cost. He answers with confidence so light it barely touches the floor. She does not buy it. Their back and forth has the snap of domestic comedy: her dry patience against his big talk, his exits as staged as his entrances. Aubrey leaves behind plans, borrowed car business, and one more grand little jab at the woman he has been needling. Then Joe comes in with real news. His rust preventative has interest at the Miller Grant office, with a Monday agreement apparently waiting and $50,000 on the table. Aubrey admires it, of course, but the room knows what happens when admiration meets his appetite for display. The fun sits in that imbalance: Joe has the invention, Aubrey has the mouth, and everyone can feel the trouble starting to lean forward. The ending slips back into radio ceremony. DeMille signs off from Hollywood and announces next Monday's Maltese Falcon with Edward G. Robinson, Gayle Patrick, and Laird Krieger. The credits finish in proper network style, with performers, studio courtesies, and Louis Silvers's music all getting their turn.

As heard by us

A lively radio comedy built on money troubles, family banter, and Aubrey Piper's overblown confidence.

Lux Radio Theater presents The Show-Off with Gildersleeve, Una Merkel, and Bula Bondi, and Aubrey Piper gets plenty of room to stumble around in it.

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Why you'd press play

Press play if you want Gildersleeve as Aubrey Piper in a classic Lux Radio Theater take on The Show-Off.

Read the full recommendation in PlayNext →

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