Classic Radio Spotlight: Fibber McGee and Molly, Vol. 1

Summary

Let’s all visit 79 Wistful Vista, the home of Fibber McGee and Molly, who each week invited millions of listeners to tune in to their comedic, family-friendly radio adventures. Few radio programs were more beloved than Fibber McGee and Molly, and even fewer play as well over a half century later.

Fibber McGee and Molly had a long and successful run on radio (1935–1959). The program showcased terrific comic and musical talent, headlined by its creators and stars, married couple Jim and Marian Jordan. Living in the fictional Midwestern town of Wistful Vista, Fibber was an American teller of tall tales and a braggart, usually to the exasperation of his long-suffering wife, Molly. Fibber’s weekly schemes would be interrupted, inspired by, and often played upon the people of Wistful Vista, a set of regular players and characters including Mayor LaTrivia, Doc Gamble, Mrs. Uppington, Wallace Wimple, Alice Darling, Beulah, Myrt, the Old Timer, and Fibber’s next-door neighbor, Throckmorton P. Gildersleeve. The show began as a comic reflection of Depression-era America, but as time went on and the shadows of war came over the nation, the show again caught the mood of the country. WWII was fought on the home front at Wistful Vista as surely as anywhere else in America, but here they had the benefit of Fibber’s somewhat addled perspective. Now, enjoy sixteen of their funniest radio broadcasts.

2/4/41 - “Fibber Buys a New Suit and Steals a Hat”2/11/41 - “Fibber the Watch Salesman”2/18/41 - “Early to Bed”2/25/41 - “Bottle Collector”3/11/41 - “Quarantined with Measles”3/25/41 - “Fibber Changes His Name to Ronald”4/1/41 - “Molly Loses Left-Rear Fender”11/4/41 - “New Furniture”3/3/42 - “Boomer’s Suitcase”3/24/42 - “Fibber Writes a Song”4/14/42 - “Spring Festival”4/28/42 - “Fibber’s Old Straw Hat”5/12/42 - “Spy”6/9/42 - “Pot Roast for Dinner”12/1/42 - “Mileage Rationing”12/8/42 - “The Vacuum Cleaner”