Theater of the Mind
Duffy's Tavern
166 episodes · 1940–1951 · NBC, Armed Forces Radio Service, Blue Network · Comedy
Play Duffy's Tavern on Radio Days
"Hello, Duffy's Tavern, where the elite meet to eat." Ed Gardner created and played Archie, the scheming, word-mangling manager of a tavern whose owner, Duffy, was never heard. Eddie Green was Eddie the waiter, Charlie Cantor was Finnegan, and Shirley Booth was the first Miss Duffy. It ran on CBS, the Blue Network and NBC from 1941 to December 28, 1951. Abe Burrows was head writer, and young Larry Gelbart wrote for it too.
Sources: Duffy's Tavern, Wikipedia
Episodes
Tap a year to see its episodes, then a title to play it on Radio Days.
19401 episode
19422 episodes
- Guests: Kate Smith and Ted Collins (AFRS )
Jerry Haendiges' Vintage Radio Logs lists the same title on this date. - Guests: Eddie Anderson (AFRS )
Jerry Haendiges' Vintage Radio Logs lists the same title on this date.
194314 episodes
- Guests: Milton Berle (AFRS )
Jerry Haendiges' Vintage Radio Logs lists the same title on this date. - Guests: Brace Breemer the Lone Ranger (AFRS )
Jerry Haendiges' Vintage Radio Logs lists the same title on this date. - Col Stoopnagle
Jerry Haendiges' Vintage Radio Logs lists the same title on this date. - Guests: Susan Hayward and Frank Buck
Archie plays big-game hunter with guests Susan Hayward and Frank Buck, and Miss Duffy sings a jungle number. - Guests: Tallulah Bankhead (AFRS )
Jerry Haendiges' Vintage Radio Logs lists the same title on this date. - Guest: Clifton Fadiman
Clifton Fadiman drops in to give Archie's lecture on modern literature. Tito Guizar sings. - Guests: Orson Welles (AFRS )
Jerry Haendiges' Vintage Radio Logs lists the same title on this date. - Guest: Peter Lorre
Peter Lorre visits, along with an explorer's wife and her talking bird. - Guest: Ida Lupino
Ida Lupino plays the lead in the movie of Archie's life. - Guest: Charles Coburn (1943)
Charles Coburn is lured into a poker game at the Tavern. - Guest: Lucille Ball
Archie wants to get listed in 'Who's That?' Lucille Ball guests. - Guest: Bing Crosby
Will Bing Crosby buy half of the tavern? Archie stages a floor show in his honor. - Guests: Dinah Shore and Joan Davis
Joan Davis and Dinah Shore visit, and Archie gets Dinah to sing the song he wrote. - 1944-12-22152afrs Monty Woolleyxmas Programaka Herbert Marshall
Jerry Haendiges' Vintage Radio Logs lists the same title on this date.
194425 episodes
- Guests: Fred Allen
Jerry Haendiges' Vintage Radio Logs lists the same title on this date. - Guests: Lauritz Melchior (AFRS )
Jerry Haendiges' Vintage Radio Logs lists the same title on this date. - Guests: Deems Taylor (AFRS)
Jerry Haendiges' Vintage Radio Logs lists the same title on this date. - Guests: Billie Burke (AFRS)
Jerry Haendiges' Vintage Radio Logs lists the same title on this date. - Guests: Laird Cregar and Michelle Morgan
Laird Cregar teaches Archie to have a split personality, and Archie tries to be a horror-movie menace. - Guest: Phil Baker
Archie wants to win money on Phil Baker's quiz show to buy oil stock. - Guests: Gracie Fields (AFRS )
Jerry Haendiges' Vintage Radio Logs lists the same title on this date. - Duffy's Tavern, March 2, 1944
- Archie's Taxes
Archie is doing his income tax when Colonel Stoopnagle arrives with an invention that cuts taxes by eighty percent. - Guests: Gertrude Lawrence (AFRS )
Jerry Haendiges' Vintage Radio Logs lists the same title on this date. - Guests: Carole Landis (AFRS )
Jerry Haendiges' Vintage Radio Logs lists the same title on this date. - Guests: Charles Laughton (AFRS )
Jerry Haendiges' Vintage Radio Logs lists the same title on this date. - Guests: Bob Crosby and Dolores Hope
Archie, Bob Crosby and Dolores Hope put on a radio show for Duffy's Pig Feet and Irish Borscht. - Guest: Dennis Day
Archie tries to find a date for Dennis Day. - Guest: Adolphe Menjou
Adolphe Menjou, the best-dressed man in Hollywood, delivers a lecture on men's fashions written by Archie. - Guest: Paul Lukas
The Tavern holds its own Academy Awards, with Paul Lukas. - Guests: Ozzie Nelson and Harriet Hilliard (AFRS)
Jerry Haendiges' Vintage Radio Logs lists the same title on this date. - Guests: Ransom Sherman (AFRS )
Jerry Haendiges' Vintage Radio Logs lists the same title on this date. - Guests: Rudy Vallee (AFRS)
Jerry Haendiges' Vintage Radio Logs lists the same title on this date. - Guest: Gene Tierney
Archie tries, without much luck, to get a date with Gene Tierney. - Guests: Robert Benchley (AFRS)
Jerry Haendiges' Vintage Radio Logs lists the same title on this date. - Guest: Harold Peary
Archie plans a floor show at the Tavern with the Great Gildersleeve's backing. Eddie Green sings. - Guests: Larry Adler
Jerry Haendiges' Vintage Radio Logs lists the same title on this date. - Guests: Sydney Greenstreet (AFRS )
Jerry Haendiges' Vintage Radio Logs lists the same title on this date. - Guest: Monty Woolley
Archie tries to talk Monty Woolley into playing Santa Claus.
194526 episodes
- Archie Quitsguest Jinx Falkenburg
Jerry Haendiges' Vintage Radio Logs lists the same title on this date. - Guest: Boris Karloff
Archie writes a bond-rally play for Boris Karloff, 'Young Monster Malone.' - Guest: Linda Darnell
Archie plans to take Linda Darnell to the Policeman's Ball, and he gets to sing. - Guest: Sonny Tufts
To get his song published, Archie has to bring Sonny Tufts to a Valentine's dance. - Guests: George Sanders (AFRS )
Jerry Haendiges' Vintage Radio Logs lists the same title on this date. - Guest: Pat O'Brien
The Duffys' anniversary party at the Tavern. Pat O'Brien shows up; Duffy doesn't. - Guests: Dame May Whitty (AFRS )
Jerry Haendiges' Vintage Radio Logs lists the same title on this date. - Archie's All-Star Revue (AFRS )
Jerry Haendiges' Vintage Radio Logs lists this date as “Guest: Alan Mobray.” - Finnegan, the Millionaire, Who Inherits a Diamond Mine (AFRS )
Jerry Haendiges' Vintage Radio Logs lists the same title on this date. - Archie Buys a 'Gem' from Finnegan (AFRS )
Jerry Haendiges' Vintage Radio Logs lists this date as “Guest: Bob Graham.” - Fish and Fantasy
John Garfield stars in Archie's original play, 'Fish and Fantasy.' - Archie's Raise (AFRS)
Jerry Haendiges' Vintage Radio Logs lists the same title on this date. - Archie Impersonates Opera Star (AFRS )
Jerry Haendiges' Vintage Radio Logs lists a broadcast on this date but gives no title. - Archie Installs a Roulette Wheel (AFRS )
Jerry Haendiges' Vintage Radio Logs lists a broadcast on this date but gives no title. - Guest: Jinx Falkenburg
Archie quits, and Jinx Falkenburg tries to talk him out of it. - Guests: Deems Taylor (AFRS )
Jerry Haendiges' Vintage Radio Logs lists the same title on this date. - Guests: Charles Cobern
Jerry Haendiges' Vintage Radio Logs doesn't list this date, but lists the same title on November 2, 1943. - Archie's Nephew
Archie's nephew Morton visits, thinking Archie is a millionaire, and the Tavern holds a quiz. - Mrs. Dimwitty Visits the Tavern (AFRS )
Jerry Haendiges' Vintage Radio Logs lists this date as “Guest: Sandra Gould.” - Guests: Maxie Rosenbloom (AFRS )
Jerry Haendiges' Vintage Radio Logs lists the same title on this date. - Archie Hires Madame Zooma
Archie hires a fortune teller, Madame Zooma, to find him a fortune. - Un-Splitting the Atom
Archie's pal Dave knows a mad professor who can glue split atoms back together. - Christmas Bonus for a Date with Amber (AFRS )
Jerry Haendiges' Vintage Radio Logs lists the same title on this date. - Guests: Ed Monroe (AFRS )
Jerry Haendiges' Vintage Radio Logs lists the same title on this date. - Is There a Santa Claus?
The gang does 'A Christmas Carol' by Charles and Archie Dickens. Harpist Robert Maxwell guests. - Audit Trouble
Archie tries to balance the tavern's books, takes inventory with Eddie and tries to bribe the accountant.
194618 episodes
- Guest: Alan Ladd
Archie wants Alan Ladd for his movie, 'Hitchcocks of 1946.' - Making a Movie
Archie wants to film his life story, with Larry Storch imitating all the stars. - Archie's Teacher 'Piano Legs' Riblet Visits
Jerry Haendiges' Vintage Radio Logs lists this date as “Guest: Dave Hossinger and Rickie Jordan.” - Guests: Dave Hossinger and Rickie Jordan
Archie's pal Dave has another bargain for the Tavern: a singer for four dollars. - Guests: Peggy Lee (AFRS ) (February 1, 1946)
Jerry Haendiges' Vintage Radio Logs lists the same title on this date. - Guests: Peggy Lee (AFRS ) (February 8, 1946)
Jerry Haendiges' Vintage Radio Logs lists this date as “Archie Has to Have His Tonsils Out.” - Archie Returns from the Hospital (AFRS )
Jerry Haendiges' Vintage Radio Logs lists this date as “Guest: Alan Young and Reginald Gardiner.” - Archie's Plant (AFRS )
Jerry Haendiges' Vintage Radio Logs lists the same title on this date. - Ed Gardner Returns as Archie AFRS
Jerry Haendiges' Vintage Radio Logs lists the same title on this date. - Guests: Diana Lynn (AFRS )
Jerry Haendiges' Vintage Radio Logs lists the same title on this date. - Guests: Marie Mc Donald (AFRS )
Jerry Haendiges' Vintage Radio Logs lists the same title on this date. - Guests: Esther Williams (AFRS)
Jerry Haendiges' Vintage Radio Logs lists the same title on this date. - Duffy Decides to Take Up Reading
A different kind of show: between the jokes, serious scenes about starvation in India, Italy and Greece. - Pierre the Talking Dog
Archie hires Finnegan's singing, talking poodle. - Pierre's Radio Show (AFRS )
Jerry Haendiges' Vintage Radio Logs lists a broadcast on this date but gives no title. - Guests: Roy Rogers (AFRS )
Jerry Haendiges' Vintage Radio Logs lists the same title on this date. - Guests: Louella Parsons
Jerry Haendiges' Vintage Radio Logs lists the same title on this date. - The Raffle
A kiss from Joan Bennett is first prize in Archie's raffle.
19477 episodes
- Mrs. Nussbaum Seeks Advice
Mrs. Nussbaum, borrowed from Fred Allen's Alley, plans to leave her husband Pierre and asks radio's advice man John J. Anthony what to do. - Phoebe (AFRS)
Jerry Haendiges' Vintage Radio Logs lists this date as “Guest: the Malneck Orchestra.” - Bert Gordon Coming Out Party
- Miss Duffys Coming Out Party
Jerry Haendiges' Vintage Radio Logs doesn't list this date, but lists the same title on May 28, 1947. - The Mad Russian
Miss Duffy's coming-out party, with the Mad Russian, and Duffy actually shows up. - Guest: Rudy Vallee
George Jessel and Rudy Vallee host a testimonial dinner for Archie. - Christmas Presents
Jerry Haendiges' Vintage Radio Logs lists the same title on this date.
19487 episodes
- Balancing the Books
Jerry Haendiges' Vintage Radio Logs lists the same title on this date. - Archie Sues Duffy
Duffy turns down Archie's raise, so Archie fakes a concussion and sues. - Guest: Rex Harrison
Duffy is getting married, and Rex Harrison stops by to congratulate him. - Guests: Jane Wyman
Jerry Haendiges' Vintage Radio Logs lists the same title on this date. - Christmas Show
A Christmas show: Archie is down without a Christmas bonus until a stranger pays a visit. - Archie is in Bad Spirits
- Guests: Dorothy Shay
Jerry Haendiges' Vintage Radio Logs lists the same title on this date.
194920 episodes
- Guest: Desi Arnaz
Archie plans to marry money, and Desi Arnaz joins a séance at the Tavern. - Archie Has Three Days to Live
Archie's doctor gives him three days to live, or did he? - Willie Gundig
An old schoolmate visits, and Archie orders a new Cadillac to impress him. - Electricity
Slippery McGuire sells Archie a patent on electricity. - Guest: Mickey Rooney
Archie writes a television script for Mickey Rooney. - Television Play
Archie writes a television spy story starring Marlene Dietrich. - Christmas Club or Archive Saves Money
Jerry Haendiges' Vintage Radio Logs lists this date as “The Bully.” - Spike Mc Gurk
Jerry Haendiges' Vintage Radio Logs lists this date as “Archie's Bank Account Starts with $10.00.” - Guests: Jimmy Durante and Ann Sothern
Jimmy Durante and Ann Sothern star in Archie's play, 'The Mystery of the Laughing Piano.' Ed Gardner isn't on the show. - Archie and Finnegan Double Date
Spring cleaning at the tavern, and a double date for Archie and Finnegan. The show gets off to a rocky start. - No More IOUs at Tavern
Archie suspects one of his deadbeat customers is a millionaire and holds an open house. - Guest: Cass Daley
Duffy offers Archie $500 to get Miss Duffy married, and Cass Daley sings. - Someone's Getting Hitched
Archie plans to marry a society woman. - Guest: Charles Coburn (1949)
Archie offers Charles Coburn a job as the tavern's front man. - Whistling Sam
Detective Archie is on the trail of a tavern robber called Whistling Sam. - Most Popular Bartender Contest
Archie enters the contest for most popular bartender on Third Avenue. - Archie Writes an Opera (1949)
The gang performs Archie's own version of Carmen, with Ed Wynn. - Archie Wants to Marry Money
Archie advertises for a wife. Agatha Pitts answers, and she's rich, but she comes with a fourteen-year-old son. - Guest: Bob Crosby
Bob Crosby sings Some Enchanted Evening for Archie's girlfriend. - Genius of the Week (AFRS)
Jerry Haendiges' Vintage Radio Logs lists a broadcast on this date but gives no title.
195013 episodes
- Guests: Tony Martin (AFRS)
Jerry Haendiges' Vintage Radio Logs lists the same title on this date. - Hedda Hopper Plans a Coming out Party
Jerry Haendiges' Vintage Radio Logs lists the same title on this date. - Father's Day
Recorded in Puerto Rico. Archie plans to marry a rich Spanish marquesa. - Guest: Hedda Hopper
Recorded in Puerto Rico. Hedda Hopper helps plan Miss Duffy's coming-out party. - Archie Buys an Airplane
Slippery McGuire talks Archie into buying a fourteen-dollar war-surplus "helium copter." - Guest: Barry Nelson
Archie buys a cheap radio transmitter from Slippery McGuire and plans to go on the air with Barry Nelson. - Guest: Sir Cedric Hardwicke
The first show of the season, recorded in Puerto Rico: Archie rents an apartment to Sir Cedric Hardwicke. - Archie the Agent (AFRS)
Jerry Haendiges' Vintage Radio Logs lists this date as “Archie's Nephew Morton Visits.” - Guest: Margaret O'Brien
Archie writes a TV show for Margaret O'Brien, and Cinderella will never be the same. - Guest: Prince Michael Romanoff
Archie tries to sell the Tavern to Prince Michael Romanoff. - Guests: Veronica Lake (AFRS)
Jerry Haendiges' Vintage Radio Logs lists the same title on this date. - Guest: Charles Coburn (1950)
Charles Coburn pays a Christmas visit, and Archie tries to make him Santa Claus. - Cutting Prices Show
Archie cuts the Tavern's prices ten percent to fight inflation.
195133 episodes
- Actors Club at the Tavern
Archie turns the Tavern into a club for actors. - Archie, the Pure Food Inspector
A ward heeler thinks Archie could be the next pure-food inspector. - Mrs. Piddleton's Town Hall Meeting
The literary society meets at the tavern, and Bert Gordon is the new waiter. - Archie Runs for Political Office
Jerry Haendiges' Vintage Radio Logs doesn't list this date, but lists the same title on February 2, 1951. - Guest: Joan Bennett
Archie tries to wangle a date with Joan Bennett. - Archie's Draft Board
Archie falls for a pretty girl named Mary Ann, not knowing she's from the draft board. - Guest: Shelley Winters
Archie gets an unsigned valentine and suspects Shelley Winters sent it. - Archie Writes an Opera (1951)
Archie, as a famous composer, writes an opera. - Arthur Treacher Fashion Lecture
Archie gets Arthur Treacher to deliver his lecture on men's fashions. - Deems Taylor Archie Writes Opera for TV
Jerry Haendiges' Vintage Radio Logs lists this date as “Diary of Peter Stuyvesant.” - Archie The Hypnotist
Archie buys a book on hypnotism. - Archie Hires Maxie as Waiter
The waiter quits, and Archie hires boxer Maxie Rosenbloom. - Archie Finds a Diary
Archie finds Peter Stuyvesant's diary. - Artie Shaw Block Party
Jerry Haendiges' Vintage Radio Logs lists the same title on this date. - Vallee Detective Sketch
Jerry Haendiges' Vintage Radio Logs lists this date as “The Singing Detective.” - Archies Books Dont Balance
Jerry Haendiges' Vintage Radio Logs doesn't list this date, but lists the same title on April 27, 1951. - Rosenbloom Floor Show
Jerry Haendiges' Vintage Radio Logs lists this date as “The New Floor Show.” - The Circus Comes To Town
The circus is in town, and Archie wants to be a lion tamer. - Phil Baker
The tavern's books don't balance, so Archie tries his luck with quiz-show host Phil Baker. The last show of the season. - Bobby Capo (Taped but never aired)
Jerry Haendiges' Vintage Radio Logs lists this date as “It's Latin Night at Duffy's Tavern.” - Duffy Wants to Sell the Tavern
The first show of the season: Duffy wants to sell, so Archie gets Boris Karloff to scare off the real estate agent. - Archie Throws Party for Columnists
Archie throws a party for the nation's critics, and nobody comes. - Archie's Nephew Morton to Visit
Nephew Morton visits, and the regulars hold a quiz. - Archie Helps Nephew Morton with School Work
Archie helps Morton with his homework, which leads to a visit from the teacher. - Josita Visits The Tavern
Archie stages a Latin floor show for a wealthy South American. - Archie's Singing Contest
The annual singing contest is held at the tavern. - The Deems Taylor Show
Archie has written a TV opera, and Deems Taylor joins the first performance. - Archie's Tea Room
Archie plans to marry a wealthy widow, but first the tavern must become a tearoom. - Archie Inherits A Horse
Archie inherits half a racehorse. - Baby Left At Tavern
Someone leaves a baby on the tavern's doorstep. - Archie's Teacher Visits The Tavern
Archie's old schoolteacher visits the tavern. - McGuire Splits The Ocean
Slippery McGuire wants Archie to invest in putting split atoms back together. - Archie Wins A Trip To Honolulu
Archie is sure he's won a slogan contest and a trip to Hawaii.