McGee and Molly

Solving the Murder Mystery

Fibber drags Molly to the detective bureau, boasting about his sleuthing skills. Soon he’s swept into the case of missing millionaire department store owner Chester Checkstub, supposedly “taken for a ride by the boss of the underworld.” With Colonel Boomer and the Wistful Vista police chief in tow, Fibber interrogates a parade of suspects: a nervous valet, a parlor maid, a Chinese cook named I Sing, Silly Watson as the furnace tender, and even the veiled femme fatale “Orchid.” Cameos include Harlow Wilcox (as himself in the rogues’ gallery) and Butch Weems (the “dance bandit”). After all the wild accusations, Fibber discovers Checkstub alive—he’d just gone for a ride with the boss of the underweardepartment. Mystery solved, sort of, and Johnson’s Wax ties it all up with Glow Coat pitchesAir date: August 24, 1936Series: Fibber McGee & MollySponsor: Johnson’s Wax (Auto Cleaner, Auto Wax, Glow Coat)Notables: Colonel Horatio K. Boomer, Chester Checkstub, Silly Watson, “Orchid,” Butch Weems, Harlow Wilcox (cameo), Police Commissioner Henry Handcuff, I Sing (cook); music by Ted Weems & his Orchestra
 
Keywords: detective parody, murder mystery spoof, Chester Checkstub, parody police work, Colonel Boomer, Silly Watson, Johnson’s Wax ads, Glow Coat, Wistful Vista comedy
 
Cast: Fibber McGee, Molly McGee, Colonel Horatio K. Boomer, Chester Checkstub, Silly Watson, Orchid, Butch Weems, Harlow Wilcox, Police Commissioner Henry Handcuff, I Sing (cook), Ted Weems & Orchestra

The Parachute Jump

McGee insists he’s ready to fly solo, despite Molly’s doubts and an instructor who isn’t so sure. At the Wistful Vista Airport, the couple meet a parade of oddball fliers: a Scottish parachutist patching moth-eaten silk, the dizzy airline hostess Liza Muggin, Silly Watson moonlighting as a redcap, and a crop-dusting pilot full of malaprop-laced advice. McGee, impatient to prove himself, straps on a parachute, drags Molly into a plane with no gas, and the two bail out—landing smack in the middle of the State Fair. Colonel Horatio K. Boomer reappears to congratulate them, thinking their parachute stunt was an “ingenious” fair attraction. Johnson’s Wax handles the floor-care pitches while Ted Weems’ orchestra keeps things airborne, including the tune “Dance My Way to Heaven.” A chaotic, sky-high comedy of nerves, knock-knock gags, and parachute pandemonium
Air date: August 17, 1936Series: Fibber McGee & MollySponsor: Johnson’s Wax (Auto Cleaner & Auto Wax; Johnson’s Wax for floors)Notables: Colonel Horatio K. Boomer, Liza Muggin (airline hostess), Silly Watson (redcap), crop-dusting pilot, little girl with the “sap head” joke; music by Ted Weems & his Orchestra; announcer Bob Brown
Keywords: aviation comedy, parachute gag, State Fair, Wistful Vista Airport, Colonel Boomer, Johnson’s Wax ads, Silly Watson, knock-knock jokes, 1930s radio humor
Cast: Fibber McGee, Molly McGee, Colonel Horatio K. Boomer, Liza Muggin, Silly Watson, various pilots, Ted Weems & Orchestra, Announcer Bob Brown

Old Cavalryman McGee

Fibber talks his way into “inspecting” the Wistful Vista Militia and, thanks to blustery Colonel Horatio K. Boomer, winds up in temporary command. What follows is pure McGee: gatehouse grandstanding, a kilted “military police” piper, Silly Watson’s mess-hall menu of beans, a malaprop-happy bugler, and a chaotic visit to the stables where McGee mounts the colonel’s mare “Dixie”…right as a bugle sets her off on a runaway tear. Between gags, Johnson’s Wax drops its punchy ad pitches (Auto Cleaner/Auto Wax and Glow-Coat), and Ted Weems & his orchestra keep the camp swinging—complete with the number “Take My Heart.” A brisk military romp of bluster, mix-ups, and classic sponsor patter. 
Air date: August 10, 1936Series: Fibber McGee & MollySponsor: Johnson’s Wax (Auto Cleaner & Auto Wax; Glow-Coat)Notables: Colonel Horatio K. Boomer, Silly Watson, Private Engel (bugler), “Dixie” the mare; music by Ted Weems & his Orchestra; announcer Bob Brown. 
Keywords: Wistful Vista, militia camp, cavalry horse, runaway gag, Johnson’s Wax ads, Ted Weems, colonel Boomer, bugle mishap, mess hall beans, 1930s radio comedy. 
Cast: Fibber McGee, Molly McGee, Colonel Horatio K. Boomer, Silly Watson, Private Engel, Supply Sgt. Brown, Ted Weems & Orchestra, Announcer Bob Brown.

Captain Of The Ship

Originally aired August 3, 1936, this episode of Fibber McGee & Molly sets sail on the high seas—literally. When the yacht’s captain succumbs to a headache, Fibber McGee volunteers to take command, leading to a nautical nightmare of misnavigation, maritime malapropisms, and mishaps galore. With pirate blood in his veins (or so he claims), McGee appoints himself “Skipper” and embarks on a voyage that includes iceberg warnings, mystery messages in bottles, and arguments over the laws of the sea.
Molly endures the absurdity with her trademark wit, while an array of characters—including a snooty knitter, a cheeky child, and a sea-salty Ted Weems—keep the deck rocking with laughs. Complete with Johnson’s Auto Wax promotions and buoyant musical interludes, this remastered golden-age radio comedy anchors Fibber’s misguided leadership in comic gold.

Don't You Remember Me?

Originally aired July 27, 1936, this episode of Fibber McGee & Molly finds our duo exploring the marvels and misadventures of the Great Lakes Exposition in Cleveland. Fibber is on a determined quest to find his long-lost childhood crush, Toto Laverne—a swan dancer he swears he went to school with in Peoria. With Molly in tow, the couple stumbles through one hilarious encounter after another, from weight-guessing con men to sarcastic midget performers, and even an unexpected fish fry featuring Ted Weems.
As Fibber builds up the fantasy of a tender reunion with Toto, the big moment finally arrives—only to result in a cringe-worthy case of mistaken identity. Featuring appearances from Harpo Wilcox and the Johnson’s Wax sales pitch brigade, along with musical interludes and plenty of exposition-side humor, this remastered golden-age radio gem blends vaudeville charm with vintage slapstick.

In A Trailer Camp

Originally aired July 20, 1936, this episode finds Fibber McGee and Molly trying out life on the road with a shiny new trailer on a 10-day free trial. The pair pull into a tourist camp somewhere west of Buffalo, where they’re quickly swept up in a whirlwind of eccentric neighbors, borrowed goods, and comical confusion. From misunderstandings at the gate to encounters with a talkative camp director, a borrowed wrench, and a surprise musical stowaway in their trailer, the chaos builds with every knock on the door.
As Fibber dreams of starting the “McGee Motorcade” and Molly tries to keep track of their belongings—and their trailer—the episode delivers a classic mix of slapstick, satire, and sparkling banter. Complete with Johnson’s Auto Wax promotions and a musical interlude from Ted Weems’ orchestra, this remastered golden-age radio gem offers a delightful glimpse into America’s trailer-camping craze of the 1930s.

The Employment Agency

Originally aired June 22, 1936, this episode finds Fibber McGee and Molly running the Wistful Vista Employment Agency—though they’re far more skilled at creating confusion than connecting workers with jobs. From a poetic French auto polisher and a Scotsman trying to work without losing his relief check, to a manic joke-teller named Mort Toots and Silly Watson’s misguided chauffeur ambitions, the parade of job seekers is as colorful as it is chaotic.
Complete with a visit from Ted Weems and Perry Como performing "Twilight on the Trail," this episode spins classic McGee wordplay, satire of bureaucracy, and rapid-fire gags into golden-age hilarity. Whether it's mismanaged phone calls or throwing the entire filing system out a window to land a swanky Long Island job, Fibber McGee & Molly never fail to turn everyday life into timeless comedy.

The Haircut

Originally aired May 4, 1936, this episode finds Fibber McGee resisting Molly’s pleas for a much-needed trim. Fibber insists he’ll visit his usual barber, Frank, but a forgotten phone bill and Molly’s scheming redirect him to the fancifully named "Cutty Wutty Shavey Shopper"—a trendy, modern barbershop run by a “sweet little man.” Chaos ensues as Fibber gets tangled in a packed waiting room, lively characters, misfired phone calls, and a rogue square dancer testing her spin tolerance in a barber chair.
From witty one-liners and verbal sparring to the absurd world of “Chin Chopper McGee” and wild tonic salesmen, this episode spins a hilarious tale around something as simple as a haircut. Featuring classic Johnson’s Wax anniversary ads and lovingly remastered, this installment of Fibber McGee & Molly is comedy gold from radio’s golden age.

Street Car Motorman

Originally aired April 20, 1936, this episode finds Fibber McGee and Molly waiting on the corner of 14th and Oak Street in their hometown of Wistful Vista for the elusive one-man streetcar. True to form, Fibber's impatience and tendency to pontificate lead to a cascade of comedic confusion.
Fibber waxes philosophical about streetcar delays, declares war on common sense, and finds himself embroiled in wild speculation, tall tales, and rapid-fire banter with Molly. Between jokes about international affairs and his fumbling attempts to be helpful, Fibber finds his own way to disrupt a quiet corner of town.
Peppered with vintage Johnson’s Wax advertisements and featuring the catchy opening number “Goody Goody” by Rico Marchelli’s orchestra, this delightfully absurd episode captures the whimsical charm and verbal gymnastics that define Fibber McGee & Molly. A classic slice of golden-age radio, hilariously restored for modern ears.

Taking Over the Hotel

Originally aired April 13, 1936, this episode finds Fibber McGee and Molly stumbling into a small-town hotel only to discover the front desk unattended. Never one to shy away from a perceived opportunity, Fibber hops the counter and appoints himself temporary desk clerk. Chaos quickly ensues as he and Molly attempt to manage guest check-ins, field bizarre complaints, and maintain order—all while unknowingly having locked the real clerk in the hotel vault.
 
From mistaken room numbers to sliding down banisters, Fibber’s overconfidence meets its match in eccentric guests, silly wordplay, and slapstick misunderstandings. As always, Johnson’s Wax ads are woven in with clever flair, and the remastered audio captures every comedic beat. This delightful episode of Fibber McGee & Molly showcases the duo’s impeccable timing and charm as they “help out” in a way only they could.