Crime Expert McGee

Originally aired February 3, 1936, this episode finds Fibber McGee indulging in his latest fantasy—as a seasoned law enforcement officer. While visiting the Wistful Vista police station with Molly, Fibber brags of his storied past with Scotland Yard and the Pennsylvania police, complete with colorful tales of fingerprinting and lie detection.

 

The episode is packed with classic antics, including the introduction of a barking “bloodhound” named Compass, a hilarious misunderstanding involving a lie detector, and a dramatic encounter with “Memphis Minnie,” a shoplifting suspect. The climax sees Fibber and Sergeant Clancy accidentally handcuffing each other while Minnie escapes with a squad car.

 

Blending slapstick with sharp dialogue, and featuring the ever-present Johnson’s Wax ads, this episode of Fibber McGee & Molly is a prime example of the show’s trademark blend of imaginative storytelling and laugh-out-loud humor.