The Porter Wagoner Show No. 38
The Porter Wagoner Show No. 38
Porter Wagoner Show #38 with special guest Archie Campbell.
The Porter Wagoner Show No. 38
Introduction to Porter Wagoner show #38. Program opens with Wagoner and Wagonmasters Speck Rhodes, Don Warden, Norma Jean, and George McCormick seen singing "Howdy Neighbor Howdy." Over title card decorated with drawing of Wagoner, announcer Hairl Hensley introduces Wagoner and The Wagonmasters, show regulars Speck Rhodes and Norma Jean, and "your favorite songs and stars of the Grand Ole Opry!" Wide shot of Wagonmasters playing, Speck Rhodes and Porter dancing. MS Little Jack Little and Buck Trent's flashy banjo playing. Wearing fringed buckskin suit, Wagoner welcomes audience, then plays guitar and sings "Uncle Pen" accompanied by The Wagonmasters. MCU Little Jack Little. MS Speck, Don, and George.
The Porter Wagoner Show No. 38
Wagoner introduces future Hee Haw star Archie Campbell. In the course of introducing Campbell's "bedtime story," Wagoner slaps him on the shoulder causing the guitar pick falls off his own guitar, prompting Campbell to comment that "you dropped your toenail." Campbell says he needs someone to tell his bedtime story to, so Wagoner calls on Little Jack. Campbell takes a moment to respond to a crying baby (probably Norma Jean's) heard offscreen. Campbell does his "The Pee Little Thrigs" routine, later a Hee Haw favorite, where the "three little pigs" story is told with spoonerisms to someone playing the part of a distracted child. Here, Little plays the part. Campbell slaps Little's face repeatedly during the bit, telling him to "pay attention!" Cornball lowbrow comedy from a time long, long gone.
The Porter Wagoner Show No. 38
Buck Trent plays solo banjo on a short instrumental number backed by The Wagonmasters. Shortly into the number, Campbell walks out smoking a cigar and slaps Trent on the face, to which Trent reacts with mock surprise.
The Porter Wagoner Show No. 38
Wagoner brings Campbell back, explaining that he's not really a bad guy, but just a great entertainer. Campbell says "It's the only chance I ever get to slap anybody around and get away with it. Because I'm basically a coward." Campbell introduces Norma Jean, who can be heard offscreen saying something about Campbell slapping her. Jean plays guitar and sings "Making Believe" backed by The Wagonmasters. MS Speck, Don, and George.
The Porter Wagoner Show No. 38
Accompanied by The Wagonmasters, Wagoner plays guitar and sings an abbreviated version of his first big hit, "A Satisfied Mind."
The Porter Wagoner Show No. 38
Wagoner thanks audience for patronizing sponsors as gap-toothed comedian Speck Rhodes wanders in wearing his trademark checkered suit with bow tie and bowler hat. Rhodes makes joke about Campbell slapping people, saying he can't afford to lose any more teeth. Rhodes tells a corny old-fashioned joke about drinking. Backed by The Wagonmasters, Rhodes dances (well, twitches anyway) and sings a comedy version of "I'm Moving On."
The Porter Wagoner Show No. 38
Wagoner summons Little to plug the show's souvenir booklet ("folio #2") containing songs and stories, available for fifty cents from the address on your screen.
The Porter Wagoner Show No. 38
Accompanied by The Wagonmasters, Wagoner plays guitar and sings the week's sacred song, Hank Williams' "I Saw The Light." MS Buck Trent.
The Porter Wagoner Show No. 38
Wagoner reintroduces Campbell and touts his versatility as an entertainer. To prove his point, Campbell plays guitar and sings "The Wayfaring Stranger," which he introduces as the oldest American folk song. In a marked departure for this series, the song is illustrated with complimentary film footage, namely images of an old man (a wayfaring stranger, one supposes) walking along country pathways. Wagoner returns after the song to say that the man in the film was Campbell himself.
The Porter Wagoner Show No. 38
Wagoner wraps up show as Wagonmasters play instrumental show outro and announcer signs off. In wide shot of entire company, Campbell whispers something in Norma Jean's ear, and smiling, she pretends to slap his face.