Of the entire series run, this episode ranks as the most dramatic, if not poignant, and still pretty funny. Series writer Richard Flournoy did a fine job, and the script may have inspired his next film, BEWARE, SPOOKS! Starring Joe E. Brown.
FINALLY.... Blondie, Dagwood, Baby Dumpling and Daisy get to go on a vacation --which has been in the works for the last two episodes... They board a train and head into the country, meeting up with some strange characters; nasty businessman Morton (played by Donald MacBride) and Mr. Gillis (Donald Meek), a "reformed" arsonist?
Best line department. Baby Dumpling tells Morton he hopes Daisy will be ok in the baggage car. To which Morton replies, "If I had my way. You and your whole family would be in the baggage car!"
The gang finally makes their way to a remote hotel, which seems kind of spooky, owned by a kindly couple called the Dickersons (played by veteran
actors Thomas W. Ross and Elizabeth Dunne). Business is very slow and they are losing money because Morton, who built a new hotel across the lake, tricked them into signing a large loan --and he's about to take the hotel away.
What a mess; Dagwood and Blondie help the folks with some bills and take charge. Classic scenes with Dagwood working on a stubborn vacuum, reminiscent of the THREE STOOGES, also attempting to start up the antique hotel bus.
In the meanwhile, sneaky Mr. Gillis has plans of his own, possibly burning down Morton's hotel. Popular B film actor Robert W. Wilcox plays Gillis' nephew, Mr. Larkin. Wilcox would soon co-star in one of the greatest movie serials of all time, MYSTERIOUS DR. SATAN, opposite Eduardo Ciannelli.
Donald Meek, one of the most unforgettable film character actors, is a standout, prior to this episode appeared in two mega classics, STAGECOACH and YOUNG MR. LINCOLN. Note, there are some excellent minature models used during the fire scene, and very good on location work, possibly Toluca Lake, CA, not far from Hollywood. Also this episode boasts many extras (hotel guests) and some very attractive sets. A labor of love and it shows, thanks to director Frank Strayer.
The best of the BLONDIE series, 10 Stars. Remastered and released in box sets, usually containing 10 episodes each. Thanks much to MOVIES Network for rerunning the series on Saturday mornings.
