Fibber McGee and Molly stands as one of the most beloved and influential programs from the Golden Age of Radio, delighting audiences for nearly a quarter-century with its warm humor and unforgettable characters. Premiering on NBC radio on April 16, 1935, the show followed the adventures and misadventures of the lovably bombastic Fibber McGee and his patient, wise-cracking wife Molly, brought to life by the real-life husband and wife team of Jim and Marian Jordan.
Set in the fictional town of Wistful Vista, the series crafted a rich tapestry of small-town American life through its colorful cast of recurring characters. Fibber himself was a master of exaggeration and verbal sparring, prone to grandiose schemes and tall tales that inevitably backfired to comedic effect. By his side was Molly, whose understanding nature and perfectly-timed quips helped ground her husband's flights of fancy while endearing her to millions of listeners.
The show's stellar supporting cast included numerous memorable characters:
The quick-tempered Mayor LaTrivia (Gale Gordon)
The pompous neighbor Throckmorton P. Gildersleeve (Harold Peary)
The timid Wallace Wimple and his dreaded "Sweetieface"
The socially ambitious Mrs. Uppington (Isabel Randolph)
Doc Gamble (Arthur Q. Bryan)
And the multi-talented Bill Thompson, who voiced the Old Timer, Nick the restaurateur, and Horatio K. Boomer
A hallmark of the series was its innovative integration of advertising, with announcer Harlow Wilcox weaving Johnson's Wax commercials seamlessly into the plot. The show's musical elements were enhanced by the King's Men quartet, who were regular performers from 1940 to 1953.
Under the masterful writing of Don Quinn and later Phil Leslie, Fibber McGee and Molly consistently ranked among radio's top-rated programs throughout the 1940s, often claiming the #1 spot. The show's success spawned two spin-off series: The Great Gildersleeve and Beulah.
The program evolved through several formats during its run:
1935-1953: Weekly 30-minute episodes
1953-1956: Daily 15-minute episodes
1957-1959: Weekend vignettes on NBC's Monitor program
By the time the final episode aired on October 2, 1959, Fibber McGee and Molly had produced over 1,600 episodes and earned its place as a cornerstone of American entertainment. The show's enduring influence was recognized decades later with its induction into the Radio Hall of Fame.
The series' charm lay in its perfect blend of heart and humor, reflecting the genuine warmth of its stars and creators while capturing the spirit of mid-century American life. Though it never successfully transitioned to television, Fibber McGee and Molly remains a testament to radio's unique ability to create lasting connections with audiences through the power of imagination and storytelling.
Last updated 10 months ago
Fibber McGee and Molly
Fibber McGee and Molly stands as one of the most beloved and influential programs from the Golden Age of Radio, delighting audiences for nearly a quarter-century with its warm humor and unforgettable characters. Premiering on NBC radio on April 16, 1935, the show followed the adventures and misadventures of the lovably bombastic Fibber McGee and his patient, wise-cracking wife Molly, brought to life by the real-life husband and wife team of Jim and Marian Jordan.
Set in the fictional town of Wistful Vista, the series crafted a rich tapestry of small-town American life through its colorful cast of recurring characters. Fibber himself was a master of exaggeration and verbal sparring, prone to grandiose schemes and tall tales that inevitably backfired to comedic effect. By his side was Molly, whose understanding nature and perfectly-timed quips helped ground her husband's flights of fancy while endearing her to millions of listeners.
The show's stellar supporting cast included numerous memorable characters:
The quick-tempered Mayor LaTrivia (Gale Gordon)
The pompous neighbor Throckmorton P. Gildersleeve (Harold Peary)
The timid Wallace Wimple and his dreaded "Sweetieface"
The socially ambitious Mrs. Uppington (Isabel Randolph)
Doc Gamble (Arthur Q. Bryan)
And the multi-talented Bill Thompson, who voiced the Old Timer, Nick the restaurateur, and Horatio K. Boomer
A hallmark of the series was its innovative integration of advertising, with announcer Harlow Wilcox weaving Johnson's Wax commercials seamlessly into the plot. The show's musical elements were enhanced by the King's Men quartet, who were regular performers from 1940 to 1953.
Under the masterful writing of Don Quinn and later Phil Leslie, Fibber McGee and Molly consistently ranked among radio's top-rated programs throughout the 1940s, often claiming the #1 spot. The show's success spawned two spin-off series: The Great Gildersleeve and Beulah.
The program evolved through several formats during its run:
1935-1953: Weekly 30-minute episodes
1953-1956: Daily 15-minute episodes
1957-1959: Weekend vignettes on NBC's Monitor program
By the time the final episode aired on October 2, 1959, Fibber McGee and Molly had produced over 1,600 episodes and earned its place as a cornerstone of American entertainment. The show's enduring influence was recognized decades later with its induction into the Radio Hall of Fame.
The series' charm lay in its perfect blend of heart and humor, reflecting the genuine warmth of its stars and creators while capturing the spirit of mid-century American life. Though it never successfully transitioned to television, Fibber McGee and Molly remains a testament to radio's unique ability to create lasting connections with audiences through the power of imagination and storytelling.
In this premiere episode of Fibber McGee & Molly, Fibber’s stubbornness lands him in hot water when he runs a red light and ends up facing a tough judge in court. Hilarity ensues as Fibber tries to talk his way out of the ticket, using his signature twisted logic to argue that a red light that isn’t lit shouldn’t count as a real red light. Between court drama and tall tales of his days in the Foreign Legion (including a bittersweet story about his beloved racing camel, Ermentrude), Fibber keeps everyone laughing. The episode also features delightful musical interludes, including Fibber and Molly’s rendition of “He Was a Snake in the Grass,” and a lively plug for Johnson’s Wax.
In this lively episode of Fibber McGee & Molly, the couple embarks on a road trip adventure that quickly takes a humorous turn. After a pit stop for gas—and a wild story from Fibber about his old circus elephant friend, Myrtle—things get bumpy when they discover a flat tire. Ever the storyteller, Fibber regales Molly with tales of his tire-changing prowess, though Molly is less than impressed. As Fibber fumbles with the tire and sneaks in a few hot dogs, the two break into a spirited rendition of “I Feel Like Sweet Sixteen,” proving that age is just a number when you’re young at heart. Packed with laughs, memorable banter, and a catchy tune, this episode captures the charm of these beloved characters as they bicker, sing, and navigate life on the road.
Sponsored by Johnson’s Wax, the show also features humorous interludes where Fibber “helps” with a product ad—until Harlow Wilcox steps in to set the record straight on the benefits of a good auto wax.
Fibber McGee and Molly’s journey through bustling city streets takes an unexpected turn when they find themselves stranded—out of gas right at the intersection of 42nd and Broadway. With honking cars piling up behind them, a flustered Fibber devises a “brilliant” plan to have Molly steer while he pushes. Just as things couldn’t get more chaotic, a stern police officer arrives, resulting in a hilarious exchange where Molly and Fibber try their best to avoid getting towed. The situation takes an unexpected twist when the officer recognizes Molly as a long-lost friend from Peoria, defusing the tension and sparking a delightful reunion.
Packed with humor, zany mishaps, and a dash of nostalgia, this episode showcases Fibber’s knack for storytelling, including a sidetrack about his misadventures racing in London. The show wraps up with a musical interlude and another lively pitch for Johnson’s Auto Wax, proving once again that even a simple road trip can turn into a memorable misadventure with Fibber and Molly at the wheel.
Fibber McGee’s patience is put to the test as he grapples with yet another faulty tire boot, and this time, he’s had enough. Convinced they were swindled by the tire shop, Fibber and Molly set off to confront the brute who sold them the defective boot. Along the way, Fibber hypes himself up with grand plans of delivering a scathing speech—only to lose his nerve when they face the towering shop owner, a former champion wrestler. With Molly’s encouragement, however, Fibber musters up the courage and launches into a hilariously tongue-twisting rant about the “bad boot” and its “broken boot bit.”
Packed with zany wordplay, classic McGee bravado, and Molly’s unwavering support, this episode takes listeners on a rollercoaster of humor and mishaps. Between Fibber’s complaints and yet another comical promotion for Johnson’s Auto Wax, the episode showcases the timeless wit and charm of Fibber McGee & Molly.
