Toothache

Originally Aired: June 20, 1939

Fibber McGee & Molly #210, "Toothache," Fibber is suffering from a terrible toothache that has left his face swollen and him in considerable pain. Despite Molly's urging to visit the dentist, Fibber stubbornly resists, willing to try almost anything else. First, Molly attempts the old-fashioned remedy of tying a string from his tooth to the doorknob, creating comedic chaos when a magazine salesman arrives at just the wrong moment and the string ends up pulling the doorknob off instead of the tooth. As the couple makes their way to see Dr. Gildersleeve, they encounter various interruptions including the smooth-voiced singer Donald Novis and the pretentious Mrs. Uppington, who offers backhanded sympathy about Fibber's swollen face.

Throughout their journey, Fibber continues to drag his feet about the inevitable dental visit, revealing that his reluctance stems partly from the fact that Dr. Gildersleeve once had a crush on Molly back in their school days. The episode captures Fibber's characteristic stubbornness and Molly's patient persistence as she tries to get her suffering husband the help he needs.