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 less than enthused, but Sal argues that it's in their best interest to keep Dagwood cheerfully happy about their presence, and so they drop by. The dinner is quite trying for Al's temper, as Dagwood insists on flirting and groping him shamelessly. A long winter settles in, and Al finds himself forced to repeatedly visit Dagwood's mansion to keep from going stir-crazy. Despite little incidents like Dagwood trying to kill Sal so he can marry "Alma" himself, things proceed smoothly up until spring. Then, a call to Don Sarcoma is tapped, allowing the mob to send hitmen after Al -