McGee and Molly

Military Advisor For Army Maneuvers

Originally aired January 31, 1939, this episode finds Fibber McGee volunteering his “expertise” when the army holds winter maneuvers in town. Convinced of his own military brilliance, Fibber presents himself to the commanding general as a retired officer and tactical genius. Before long, he’s appointed an unofficial advisor and begins confidently outlining battle plans based on his supposed knowledge of the local terrain—knowledge that proves far less reliable than advertised.
As the maneuvers unfold, Fibber’s strategic guidance sends tanks into swamps, cavalry across lakes, and infantry into canals, creating chaos across the entire operation. Along the way, familiar characters drop by the camp with their own brand of small-town humor, musical interludes from the Four Notes and the Billy Mills Orchestra brighten the proceedings, and Fibber’s tall tales of military glory grow ever more outrageous.
Packed with lively dialogue, slapstick misunderstandings, and Johnson’s Wax commercials woven throughout, this spirited installment of Fibber McGee & Molly delivers classic radio comedy as Fibber’s “military genius” leads the army into one of the most hilariously bungled maneuvers ever staged.

Missing Shirt Collar Button

Originally aired January 24, 1939, this episode finds Fibber McGee in a full-blown sartorial crisis when the top button pops off his shirt collar just as he’s preparing for a high-society dinner at Mrs. Uppington’s mansion. Determined not to appear among “the cream of society” with his Adam’s apple on parade, Fibber launches into a frantic quest for a needle, thread, spare shirt—anything to salvage his dignity.
What follows is a whirlwind of classic McGee mayhem: wisecracks with Billy Mills, a delicate whisper from Don Novis, poetic tributes to Ferdinand the Bull, a disastrous visit to a Chinese laundry, and sticker shock at a haberdasher’s sixteen-dollar shirt. Along the way, Fibber tangles with society snobbery, courtroom confusion courtesy of Nick Depopolous, and his own towering pride—all because of one stubborn missing button.
Packed with rapid-fire wordplay, musical numbers including “Thanks for Everything,” Johnson’s Wax commercials, and a timely plug for the March of Dimes, this laugh-filled installment showcases Fibber McGee & Molly at its button-bursting best—proving once again that even the smallest wardrobe malfunction can unravel into full-scale radio hilarity.

A Christmas Gift for McGee’s Nephew

Originally aired December 20, 1938, this holiday-themed episode of Fibber McGee & Molly finds Fibber proudly claiming his Christmas shopping is done, until a high-pressure pitch from Schlepperman convinces him to buy a tricycle for a nephew he suddenly remembers he does not have. What follows is a zany journey home on an overcrowded streetcar, with Fibber holding the ill-advised gift and encountering a cast of quirky characters, including Mrs. Uppington, the Old Timer, and Horatio K. Boomer.
As the episode unfolds with slapstick streetcar antics, misunderstandings, and witty wordplay, Fibber’s holiday spirit becomes tangled with his classic tendency to fib. The twist at the end is pure McGee: he bought a tricycle for a nonexistent nephew!
Complete with musical numbers like “Mutiny in the Nursery,” the smooth vocals of Don Novis, and Johnson’s Glow Coat ads in all their shiny splendor, this episode delivers vintage radio comedy wrapped in golden-age charm.
 

Masquerade Party

Originally aired November 29, 1938, this episode finds Fibber McGee heading to a masquerade ball dressed in a striped convict costume—a choice that quickly spirals into a full-blown comedy of errors. Mistaken for an escaped criminal, McGee is picked up by the police and dragged through a chaotic series of interrogations, jailhouse antics, and legal misunderstandings.
The episode showcases classic characters like the Old Timer, Gildersleeve, and Horatio K. Boomer, as well as appearances from Silly Watson and Mrs. Uppington, all tangled in McGee's absurd predicament. Between trying to explain his costume, being booked for carrying suspicious items, and arguing with confused cops, Fibber’s night behind bars is packed with fast-paced gags, misunderstandings, and clever wordplay.
Featuring Johnson’s Wax ads, musical interludes by Billy Mills and the Four Notes, and a hilarious jailhouse cameo by Waxy Wilcox, this episode of Fibber McGee & Molly delivers golden-age radio farce at its most delightfully absurd.

The Pawn Broker

Originally aired March 7, 1938, this episode puts Fibber McGee behind the counter of a pawn shop while the regular owner is away. With Molly assisting and skepticism in full swing, McGee takes on the role of pawnbroker with his usual flair for confusion, exaggeration, and chaos.
What starts as an attempt at responsible inventory-taking quickly unravels into a madcap parade of customers, including a faux Native American with a “Persian rug,” a man trying to pawn a ring he can’t remove from his finger, and a shady character seeking payment for “hot ice.” McGee’s misidentifications, blunders, and oddball logic lead to priceless comedy—as does his interaction with Phil, who tries (and fails) to keep things organized.
Complete with a visit from Billy Mills redeeming a musical “pledge,” and a classic “That's not the way I heared it!” joke, this episode of Fibber McGee & Molly packs in vintage gags, colorful characters, and a peek into Depression-era American humor—all remastered for clarity and nostalgic delight.

The Justice of the Peace

Originally aired February 14, 1938, this episode finds Fibber McGee trying his hand at upholding the law as a self-appointed justice of the peace. With Molly reluctantly playing bailiff, Fibber holds court in the McGee living room, turning a quiet day into a chaotic session of small-town justice.
From punch board disputes to speeders zipping past school zones, the courtroom quickly fills with quirky townsfolk and bizarre cases. True to form, Fibber dispenses “justice” with a mix of nonsensical legalese, tall tales from his supposed law school days, and offbeat moral lectures. His rulings are as imaginative as they are baffling—leading to laughter, confusion, and more than a few threats of appeal.
Packed with classic verbal sparring, slapstick courtroom antics, and the ever-dependable Johnson’s Wax commercial break, this delightfully absurd episode of Fibber McGee & Molly delivers golden-age radio comedy at its most lawlessly funny.

McGee Builds a Fireplace

Originally aired February 7, 1938, this episode finds Fibber McGee determined to add a cozy touch to the household—a fireplace. After receiving a box of marshmallows from a charity lottery, Fibber concludes that the only logical next step is to build a fireplace to roast them properly. What follows is a riotous cascade of consultations with wallpaper hangers, plumbers, electricians, and chimney specialists, all of whom provide more confusion than construction.
Molly, ever the voice of reason, watches as Fibber’s overconfidence leads him to turn the clothes chute into a chimney and ultimately set the roof on fire. Between slapstick visits from the old-timer, Chinese food jokes, and a chorus of unsolicited advice from neighbors, this episode blazes with classic comedy. Complete with Johnson’s Wax ads and lovingly remastered, McGee Builds a Fireplace is a crackling slice of golden-age radio at its warmest and wackiest.

McGee Minds a Baby

Originally aired January 24, 1938, this episode of Fibber McGee & Molly finds our hapless hero determined to spend a relaxing day at home—until a neighbor deposits her baby, Rose, in his care. With Molly away and no clue about child-rearing, Fibber enlists the help of his man Friday, Silly Watson, as the duo hilariously fumbles through feedings, lullabies, and impromptu childcare strategies.
From singing lullabies like “Rock-a-bye Baby” with questionable lyrics, to calling a plant nursery by mistake for baby advice, to juggling dishes for laughs, Fibber’s comedic misadventures spiral toward chaos. Even a surprise offer to tame lions in a traveling circus starts to sound like a vacation. Add in classic Johnson's Glow Coat commercials and a musical appearance by Billy Mills’ own baby, and this remastered episode delivers all the heart and hilarity of classic golden-age radio.
A chaotic day with a baby has never been this funny.

Real Estate Agent

Originally aired January 17, 1938, this episode of Fibber McGee & Molly finds Fibber dabbling in real estate with the grand ambition of solving the local housing shortage. Declaring himself a mogul, “Cottage-for-Sale McGee” sets up shop as a one-man realty agency—with Silly Watson as his loyal assistant—and proceeds to tangle with a parade of offbeat clients, imaginary property deals, and even a haunted house or two.
Packed with classic McGee tall tales (including an Alaskan ice-bungalow scheme), miscommunications, and punchy one-liners, this episode hits peak hilarity when Fibber unknowingly purchases a caboose, believing it to be a quaint red cottage by the railroad tracks. Featuring the debut of Billy Mills and his orchestra, the show seamlessly blends screwball comedy with glowing promotions for Johnson's Glow Coat and creamy white furniture polish. A quintessential slice of golden-age radio mischief.

Getting the Laundry Done

Originally aired January 10, 1938, this episode finds Fibber McGee in a domestic dilemma when he discovers he’s down to his last pair of clean clothes. True to form, Fibber launches a wildly overcomplicated quest to get his laundry done—beginning with attempts to hire a laundress, fending off a stream of door-to-door salesmen, and culminating in the purchase of a washing machine from a Sears, Roebuck catalog.
Joined by his ever-faithful helper Silly Watson, Fibber encounters a parade of quirky characters including a Rolls Royce-driving laundress, an artist’s model mistaken for a washerwoman, and a Chinese laundryman who refuses to handle “big shot” laundry. All the while, Fibber boasts of his old vaudeville persona, “Soft Soap McGee, the Super-Soaper of Sausalito,” adding his usual flair of absurd exaggeration.
The episode’s comedic climax hits when Fibber’s newly delivered “washing machine” turns out to be a concrete mixer, sending his wardrobe—and his pride—into shreds. Complete with live musical interludes by Ted Weems’ orchestra and those ever-glowing Johnson’s Wax ads, this remastered broadcast of Fibber McGee & Molly delivers laundry-day laughs in true golden-age radio style.