Blondie (comic strip) was adapted into a long-running series of 28 low-budget theatrical B-features, produced by Columbia Pictures. Beginning with "Blondie" in 1938, the series lasted 12 years, through "Beware of Blondie" (1950). The two major roles were Penny Singleton as Blondie and Arthur Lake (whose first starring role was another comic strip character, Harold Teen) as Dagwood. Faithfulness to the comic strip was a major concern of the creators of the series. Little touches were added that were iconic to the strip, like the appearance of Dagwood's famous sandwiches—and the running gag of Dagwood colliding with the mailman amid a flurry of
Al's Baby who is almost full term with his pregnancy. After a brief firefight, Al goes into labor; only timely assistance by Dagwood and his hover-buggy allows the three men to escape and head for safety. Though the initial buggy is shot down, Dagwood's butler, Bellman, rescues them with a second, and they head for the airport. Al is less than pleased when, even as he finally confesses to Dagwood that he's a man, Dagwood is undeterred in his plans to wed and impregnate him. Boarding Dagwood's private plane, they fly for Miami - at the same time, Velma attempts to assassinate