Circus Comes To Town

Originally Aired: May 28, 1940

Fibber McGee & Molly #250, "Circus Comes To Town," finds Wistful Vista buzzing with excitement as the circus arrives in town. Fibber is eager to get to the big top, proudly clutching two free tickets he earned by allowing circus posters to be plastered all over his front door - much to Molly's chagrin. As they prepare to leave, Fibber reminisces about his alleged past as a "bull boss" with the Wagenback and Hollis circus outfit, though Molly seems skeptical of his tall tales. Their neighbor Gildersleeve stops by, sharing his own enthusiasm for the circus performers, particularly the trapeze artists and acrobats, even claiming he still has a spangle from a lady acrobat's dress.

At the circus grounds, the McGees encounter various colorful characters, including a vendor selling "punk lemonade" and a precocious little girl who's dutifully accompanying her father despite preferring to stay home with a good book. The child's world-weary attitude about the circus contrasts hilariously with the adults' childlike excitement, as she watches her father indulge in cotton candy and hamburgers while she plays the responsible parent.