Review by tcchelsey

This episode was a bit different from the rest of the series, and kind of takes you by surprise.

Dagwood and Blondie come home from a two week vacation, only to discover Mr. Dithers has sold the business! He is gone.

Dagwood has a new boss, called Mr. Radcliffe, nick-named "Ratcliffe" by the office staff. Jerome Cowan, who played Mr. Dither's client in the previous episode, now takes over as the boss. Cowan, without too much surprise, has a lot of fun with this role, and is even more short tempered than Dithers.

There's some funny, awkward scenes between he and Dagwood. Also Anita Louise guest stars, playing Alexander's teacher, Harriet. Here's the catch; Radcliffe is single, a confirmed bachelor, and Blondie naturally tries to hook him up with Harriet. Not EZ, but they do make an interesting couple, and Anita Louise is a super actress.

There's also a clever gag with a new kid on the block called Slugger, played by Johnny Granath. He's into baseball and DOES NOT talk, proving a problem for Radcliffe.

Wait for the surprise ending. You would have never guessed it. Good direction by Abby Berlin.

For all us long time fans of Mr. Dithers, he is missed, and the series from this point took a turn in a new direction. Mr. Radcliffe would prove to be a goofy character in his own right, but Dagwood getting Dithers angry is what made the series.

Jonathan Hale left the series to pursue other roles, later appearing in the classic Hitchcock film, STRANGERS ON A TRAIN, also moving to tv. When Jonathan Hale passed in 1966, Mr Dithers name was added to his gravestone. A nice touch.

19th episode of the series. Remastered dvd, sold separately or in a box set. Thanks much to METV for rerunning this series Saturday mornings.