“So You Want A Model Railroad”, 1955,

“Coming in at 8 minutes and 32 seconds, “So You Want A Model Railroad” is a comedy short all about the “dangers” of model train addiction. This film points out that during the postwar boom, many model railroads ostensibly purchased as a Christmas present for little Junior, were soon taken over by their fathers.”

“George O’Hanlon stars as the Lionel-crazed addict Joe McDoakes, whose obsession gradually takes over house and home in his insatiable quest to expand his railroad empire. In desperation, his long-suffering wife Alice (played by Jane Frazee) goes on a radio show seeking advice from the host, “Mister Agony” (played by Arthur Q. Bryan). It is a model train-laced extravaganza of Lionel in its prime (see how many accessories and models you can identify). All aboard the O scale express!”

“Alice visits Mr. Agony with her latest problem with Joe: they gave Junior a toy railroad for Christmas, but Joe took it over and became obsessed with it, to the point that he has built a railroad empire using all of his time, energy, and money. When Alice’s mother comes to dinner, Joe even has a rigged-up train serving as the dumbwaiter. Mr. Agony helps Alice solver her problem.”