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.