McGee and Molly

Originally Aired: December 23, 1941
In Fibber McGee & Molly #306, "Christmas Presents," the McGees face an irresistible temptation when a mysterious package arrives at their home just before the holidays. Despite Molly's insistence that they wait until Christmas morning to open it, Fibber's curiosity gets the better of him—especially when he speculates it might contain the silver fox furs he's been hoping for. After a battle of wills, both McGees succumb to temptation and tear open the package, only to discover it's an electric chime doorbell with no card indicating who sent it.
As visitors drop by their home, including their sponsor Mr. Wilcox and the elegant Mrs. Uppington, the mystery of the doorbell's sender deepens. Fibber brazenly asks each guest if they're responsible for the gift, but no one claims credit. When Fibber decides to install the complicated electrical contraption himself despite his questionable history with home repairs, Molly braces for disaster as another neighbor arrives at their door.

Originally Aired: December 16, 1941
In Fibber McGee & Molly #305, "Cuts His Own Christmas Tree," Fibber returns home triumphant after driving out to the woods to chop down his own Christmas tree rather than spend a buck and a quarter on one downtown. However, his bargain hunting proves less economical than planned when he reveals he's spent seven dollars on a replacement tire after a blowout, lost his thirty-dollar wristwatch in the snow, and misplaced his two-dollar hatchet. Molly points out that his "free" tree has cost them thirty-nine dollars, but Fibber remains undeterred by the math.
The situation becomes more complicated when the couple discovers that Fibber's prize tree comes with an unexpected resident: an owl hidden in the branches. After a chaotic chase around the house to evict their feathered guest, Fibber prepares to trim down his oversized evergreen, which Molly suggests would be better suited for the Grand Canyon than their living room. Mayor LaTrivia stops by with news about a potential job for Fibber, though it's not quite the position he was hoping for.

Originally Aired: December 9, 1941
Fibber McGee & Molly #304, "On Sale,"
Fibber McGee receives a postcard from the Whistla Vista Wholesale Outlet Store offering him a 40% discount on merchandise as one of their select "prominent citizens." Never one to pass up a deal or a chance to show off, Fibber eagerly volunteers to help his friends and neighbors with their Christmas shopping at wholesale prices. When Billy Mills mentions he wants to buy his sister a fifty-dollar radio, Fibber jumps at the opportunity to save him money. Mrs. Uppington soon arrives looking for a floor lamp, and despite her claims that money is no object, she's hoping to keep her purchase under seven dollars—making Fibber's discount seem like the perfect solution.
As Fibber's reputation as a wholesale connection spreads around 79 Wistful Vista, he grows increasingly confident in his new role as the neighborhood's discount shopping expert. The stage is set for McGee's characteristic overconfidence to lead him into complications as he promises to deliver bargains to everyone who comes calling.

Originally Aired: December 2, 1941
Fibber McGee & Molly #303, "Fibber Grows A Mustache,"
Fibber decides to grow a mustache after seeing Ronald Coleman at the movies, and he's determined to look just as distinguished as the debonair film star. Much to Molly's dismay, he also adopts a phony British accent to complete his transformation. When the Old Timer stops by, he offers Fibber a special lotion to help his fledgling mustache grow, though it turns out the first bottle was actually Grandma's homemade fly spray. Molly can barely contain her amusement at Fibber's pathetic upper lip growth and affected manner.
Mayor La Trivia arrives with news that he's considering renting the house next door, formerly occupied by the recently departed Mr. Gildersleeve. Fibber eagerly tries to get the Mayor to notice his new mustache, fishing for compliments about his distinguished appearance. La Trivia's reaction to Fibber's facial hair experiment proves less than flattering, leaving Fibber's dreams of looking like Ronald Coleman in serious jeopardy.

Originally Aired: November 25, 1941
Fibber McGee & Molly #302, "Beauty Clay,"
Molly is thrilled when an elderly miner arrives at their door selling a half interest in a miraculous beauty clay he discovered while digging for silver. The clay supposedly transformed his rough, weathered hands into soft, beautiful ones overnight, and Molly sees it as a golden opportunity in the three-billion-dollar cosmetics industry. Despite Fibber's initial skepticism and his usual protestations about being conservative with investments, Molly impulsively buys a half interest for $150, hoping to surprise her husband and prove that women do have business judgment.
The scheme quickly unravels when neighbor Mrs. Uppington drops by, gushing about the exact same investment opportunity. She reveals she purchased a half interest from the same miner for $500. Fibber immediately realizes the con: the crafty prospector has likely sold multiple "half interests" around town to unsuspecting victims. As the truth dawns on Molly about her mistake, Fibber frantically considers calling the police or Better Business Bureau, while Molly's dreams of cosmetics fortune crumble around her.

Originally Aired: November 18, 1941
Fibber McGee & Molly #301, "Mayor LaTrivia Won't Leave,"
Fibber and Molly find themselves trapped in an increasingly awkward situation when Mayor LaTrivia drops by for what should be a brief visit to offer Fibber a city job. After Fibber politely declines the position, citing his busy schedule with the Chamber of Commerce, the mayor prepares to leave but simply cannot seem to make it out the door. Every attempted goodbye gets interrupted by something new: a forgotten briefcase, the arrival of a con artist selling turkey raffle tickets, a phone call from the mayor's secretary Mert about his grandmother's pleurisy, and even a detour to the kitchen to inspect the alley through the window. As the visit stretches on interminably, Fibber grows increasingly exasperated while Molly tries to remain gracious.
Just when it seems the mayor might finally depart, Mrs. Uppington arrives with business of her own to discuss with His Honor. The McGees watch helplessly as their unwelcome guest finds yet another reason to linger at 79 Wistful Vista, turning what should have been a quick courtesy call into an marathon of polite desperation.

Originally Aired: November 11, 1941
Fibber McGee & Molly #300, "Bergen- McCarthy Visit,"
Excitement grips Wistful Vista as Fibber and Molly head to the airport to welcome Edgar Bergen and Charlie McCarthy, whose new film "Look Who's Laughing" is having its world premiere at the local Bijou Theater. At the airport, Fibber makes a questionable deal with the Old Timer, bribing him with three tickets to walk through the lobby after the premiere and loudly praise McGee's acting performance to impress the newspaper reporters. Meanwhile, Molly observes the scene with her characteristic wisdom, and the couple prepares to greet their famous friends arriving by plane.
When Bergen and McCarthy arrive and settle into Uncle Dennis's room at the McGee house, the characteristic chaos of the household begins. Charlie McCarthy complains about eating fifteen butterscotch sundaes while waiting for takeoff, and the ventriloquist dummy's cheeky personality is on full display as he tries "approach number 17" by getting Molly to feel maternal toward him. The stage is set for an eventful evening as the premiere approaches and more visitors arrive at 79 Wistful Vista.

Originally Aired: November 4, 1941
Fibber McGee & Molly #299, "New Furniture,"
Fibber and Molly are thrilled that their movie "Look Who's Laughing" will have its world premiere at the Bijou Theater in Wistful Vista. As they prepare to host Edgar Bergen and Charlie McCarthy during premiere week, Mrs. Uppington pays a visit bearing an unexpected gift: a beautiful new streamlined smoking stand to replace Fibber's old, cigar-scented one. While Molly graciously accepts the present, Mrs. Uppington's generosity comes with a backhanded observation that the new stand makes their shabby davenport look even worse by comparison.
The conversation turns to a clearance sale at Barontyne's, where Mrs. Uppington recently purchased her new hat. What follows is a spirited debate about taste in fashion, with Molly poking fun at Fibber's green Tyrolean hat and Mrs. Uppington defending men's dashing style. Not to be outdone, Fibber launches into an elaborate monologue explaining why men's suits have thirteen pockets, blaming each one on women's various needs and habits, from lost gloves at the movies to forgotten bills that need mailing.

Originally Aired: October 21, 1941
In Fibber McGee & Molly #297, "Molly's Old Love Letters," spring cleaning at 79 Wistful Vista takes an unexpected romantic turn when Molly discovers a cache of old love letters tucked away in the attic. While McGee wants to keep the cleaning project moving forward, Molly becomes enchanted by the passionate correspondence from her courting days, much to her husband's growing annoyance. The letters reveal that young Fibber had competition for Molly's affections from a rival suitor named Otis Cadwallader, who went so far as to add an "X" to his name to impress her, mimicking silent film star Francis X. Bushman.
As Molly reads the flowery prose aloud, from declarations about her "lovely golden wings" to poetic musings about touching her hand in a popcorn bag at the ballgame, Fibber grows increasingly embarrassed and irritated. His attempts to dismiss the letters as "tripe" fail to dampen Molly's nostalgic mood. The situation escalates when an exasperated Fibber threatens to lock himself away to escape hearing any more of his youthful romantic attempts, while the Old Timer stops by and the household cleaning project grinds to a halt.

Originally Aired: October 14, 1941
Fibber McGee & Molly #296, "Temporary Fire Commissioner,"
When Fibber nearly sets the house ablaze trying to start a simple fireplace fire with kerosene, he's left with a scorched rug, a smoke-filled room, and only one eyebrow. Despite this disastrous demonstration of his fire safety skills, Mayor La Trivia arrives moments later with an important request: he wants Fibber to serve as temporary Fire Commissioner while the regular official is away. Fibber eagerly accepts the position, complete with badge and official appointment, and immediately begins planning a Chamber of Commerce meeting on fire prevention. Molly wryly suggests he explain his missing eyebrow by saying he was cleaning a loaded fireplace.
Now convinced of his own importance as a city official, Commissioner McGee receives his first constituent when Nick the restaurateur stops by seeking advice about a fire hazard in his kitchen. The charcoal-grilled steaks keep causing the bacon grease to flame up, and using a fire extinguisher makes the food taste peculiar. Fibber's solution and his growing sense of civic responsibility set the stage for the new Fire Commissioner's adventures in keeping Wistful Vista safe.