Premier Collections: 
Fibber McGee and Molly - The Lost Episodes, Volume 1
Liner notes written by Ivan G. Shreve, Jr.

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"Heavenly days!"

By the fall of 1949, television was making serious dents in the large audience numbers that radio had enjoyed for well over a decade. Though TV had long been fodder for many a radio comedian's jokes, the ratings of radio's more popular comedy programs were starting to shrink as listeners became viewers -- and comedy acts like Jimmy Durante and Burns and Allen were seriously considering their futures and looking to get in on the ground floor of this new-fangled fad, abandoning their radio shows in the process.

Jim and Marian Jordan (a.k.a. Fibber McGee and Molly) were a rarity. Here were two performers that had sized up the situation and determined that television had nothing to offer them. The Jordan's did reluctantly acquiesce to long-time sponsor Johnson's Wax's request that they film a pilot for the cathode ray tube but, having fulfilled that obligation, the team was dissatisfied with the result and decided to stick with what they felt was their métier. Though the floor polish merchants from Racine, Wisconsin would decide to drop their sponsorship of "Fibber McGee and Molly" at the end of the 1949-50 season, they bore no ill will or bad feelings toward the Jordan's; they, like many a sponsor, were just heck-bent and determined to move their substantial advertising cash into the burgeoning new video marketplace.

Pet Milk assumed sponsorship of "Fibber McGee and Molly" from 1950-52, followed by Reynolds Aluminum for the 1952-53 season, but radio's overall ratings continued to droop. Under normal circumstances, Fibber and Molly would have been opening their script for that week's broadcast only to find a pink slip, but the National Broadcasting Company wasn't ready to let their long-time stars walk away -- especially since the network had paid big money in 1948 to buy the show lock, stock, and barrel from the team and the series' co-creator Don Quinn. So, in the fall of 1953, "The Fibber McGee and Molly Show" was revamped into a five-day-a-week, quarter-hour program that would play on the network twice each weekday: once in the daytime and once in the evening.

From October 5, 1953 to March 23, 1956 - a total of 577 fifteen-minute broadcasts - Fibber and Molly McGee continued to generate mirth from their famous address at 79 Wistful Vista. Due to varying sponsorship, the budget for the daily series was considerably smaller than had been allotted to the half-hour weekly programs and, unlike the live evening show, the daily show was prerecorded without the presence of a studio audience. Money saving also dictated the departure of many of the performers associated with the long-running comedy program: Gale Gordon, who had played both Mayor LaTrivia and weather man "Foggy" Williams, bandleader Billy Mills, and singing group The King's Men were all absent from the new series. Even announcer Harlow "Waxy" Wilcox was given his walking papers, replaced by John Wald -- though Wald's previous experience on Fibber and Molly's famed spin-off "The Great Gildersleeve" did make him the ideal man for the job. Bill Thompson (as the Old Timer and Wallace Wimple) and Arthur Q. Bryan (as Doc Gamble) still remained from the earlier days and, fortunately, the series was able to make good use of the talents on "Radio Row": Virginia Gregg, Parley Baer, Joseph Kearns, Herb Vigran and Mary Jane Croft can be heard on many of the programs. (To add a little character variety, the creative minds behind the fifteen-minute shows did give the McGee's a pair of new neighbors: Les and Sally Nelson, as played by Robert Easton and Mary Lou Harrington.)

Don Quinn, the creator and creative wordsmith of "Fibber McGee and Molly," had departed from the show as well; he gradually phased himself out during the 1949-50 season while developing his other radio sitcom hit, "The Halls of Ivy," and turned over the writing duties to his longtime partner Phil Leslie. By 1953, Leslie was the head writer, and he in turn hired reliable scribes like Ralph Goodman, Leonard Levinson and Joel Kane to assist him in scripting duties. Max Hutto assumed responsibility in the director's chair.

The half-hour version of "Fibber McGee and Molly" only occasionally featured "serialized" plotlines - stories that would play out over two or more broadcasts - but with the quarter-hour format, Leslie took a page from the "Lum 'n' Abner" scrapbook and began to fashion lengthy story arcs to accommodate the new five-times-a-week broadcasts. The longest running of these was the saga of "Citizen X" (displayed in the first three programs of this Premier Collection), a contest cooked up by Wistful Vista's merchant community to boost the local economy. Over the course of fourteen episodes, Fibber McGee valiantly tried to unveil the identity of "X"...finally discovering, to his embarrassment and chagrin, that the culprit was none other than his better half, Molly.

Thanks to the talents and professionalism of the writers and performers involved, the show retained a consistent level of quality; unlike many a contemporary radio series that both tightened its belt and overstayed its welcome, "Fibber McGee and Molly" was never allowed to dwindle into tossed-off "What the heck, no one's listening anyway" mediocrity. Though constrained by a tight budget and a dwindling radio audience, the new "Fibber McGee and Molly Show" did manage to attract a few sponsors to pay the bills -- including Tums (with Jack Benny's announcer Don Wilson doing the commercials), Richard Hudnut Home Permanents, and Carter's Little Liver Pills. Oddly enough, however, even the financial largesse of these and other fine merchants made it impossible to do much regarding the McGee's famed hall closet; would you believe that, in 577 quarter-hours, that immortal gag figured in only EIGHT episodes? (Apparently, sponsor or no sponsor, sound-effects men do NOT come cheap!)

On the inaugural broadcast of the five-a-week run, Fibber and Molly's longtime chum Wallace Wimple recited a poem he composed in honor of their new format:

Welcome to Mr. and Mrs. McGee
Back again on NBC
As I look ahead
It makes me shriek
What'll you do
FIVE times a week?

The answer is simplicity itself: charm and entertain a new generation of radio fans both old and new. In this, the first of a new series of Premier Collections transferred from the long-lost original NBC Reference Recordings, Radio Archives invites you to listen to some irrefutable evidence: forty full-length programs that, for the most part, have not been heard since they originally aired over fifty years ago. An additional bonus is their sparkling audio quality; thanks to the innovations of the digital age, these classic shows can now be heard at a level of clear and crisp high fidelity that far exceeds what was available to the average listener in 1954. The result is shows that sound - and are - just as bright, fresh, and entertaining as they were when first heard -- a real tribute to the time, talent, and devotion to quality that went into their production.

Here is the complete content of this exciting new Premier Collection:

McGee's Birthday
Fibber becomes upset when his friends seem to have forgotten his birthday. He also receives a mysterious phone call from a man who claims to know the identity of "Citizen X." With Bill Thompson, Arthur Q. Bryan, Mary Jane Croft and Lou Krugman.
Friday, January 22, 1954 - 15:00 - NBC, sustaining
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The "Citizen X" Contest Concludes
Some lucky resident of Wistful Vista will win a $1000 prize today for figuring out the identity of the mysterious "Citizen X" and Fibber and Molly are determined to solve the mystery. With Elvia Allman, Arthur Q. Bryan, Rolfe Sedan and Jack Mather.
Monday, January 25, 1954 - 15:00 - NBC, sponsored by Richard Hudnut
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Celebrity Molly
Molly's new-found celebrity as "Citizen X" makes her the beneficiary of gifts and surprises from Wistful Vista merchants. Unfortunately, Fibber is convinced that Molly's unveiling will also jeopardize his friendship with Doc Gamble. With Bill Thompson, Arthur Q, Bryan and Don Wilson as the spokesman for Tums.
Tuesday, January 26, 1954 - 15:00 - NBC, sponsored by Tums
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Inherit the Winded
Fibber is taking a man to trial for breaking his picket fence and painstakingly plans out his stirring oratory to make certain he wins the case -- and the all-important $3.75 in damages. With Bill Thompson, Ken Christy and Parley Baer.
Wednesday, January 27, 1954 - 15:00 - NBC, sponsored by Richard Hudnut
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South Atlantic
Molly has a ticket to a hit Broadway show, which leaves Fibber the odd man out. "Teeny" stops by and pays the McGee's a visit, and The Old Timer invites Fibber and Molly to go with him and his girlfriend to the Bijou. With Bill Thompson.
Thursday, January 28, 1954 - 15:00 - NBC, sustaining
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Sink or Swim
Fibber pooh-poohs the idea of getting a plumber to fix the kitchen sink and insists on fixing it himself. His efforts at repairs result in complete disaster and, while waiting on the plumber, he demonstrates "the old handcuff trick" to Molly. With Dick Ryan.
Friday, January 29, 1954 - 15:00 - NBC, sustaining
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Banking on It
The monthly statement has arrived from the bank and Fibber has worked himself into a lather as to its contents. Meanwhile, a stranger McGee met six years ago arrives in Wistful Vista to repay an old debt. With Arthur Q. Bryan and Jack Moyles.
Monday, February 1, 1954 - 15:00 - NBC, sponsored by Richard Hudnut
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Sprucing Up
Molly suggests that the Wistful Vista Women's Club redecorate the rundown center used by servicemen on the weekends. Unfortunately, the treasury is a little light on the necessary funds to complete the task. With Arthur Q. Bryan, Jess Kirkpatrick and Don Wilson as the spokesman for Tums.
Tuesday, February 2, 1954 - 15:00 - NBC, sponsored by Tums
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Inferior Decorators
As a surprise for Molly, Fibber enlists the help of Doc Gamble, Wallace Wimple and The Old Timer to redecorate the Servicemen's Center at the Wistful Vista Women's Club. With Bill Thompson and Arthur Q. Bryan.
Wednesday, February 3, 1954 - 15:00 - NBC, sponsored by Richard Hudnut
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Check and Double Check
Fibber stuns Molly with his decision to pay all of their delinquent bills, but complications ensue when he unwittingly signs the necessary checks with Teeny's "disappearing ink."
Thursday, February 4, 1954 - 15:00 - NBC, sustaining
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A Thing as Lovely as a Tree
Molly lays down the law for her husband: the McGee's Christmas tree has got to go! Fibber soon finds that disposing of their holiday vegetation is easier said than done. With Jack Moyles and Arthur Q. Bryan.
Friday, February 5, 1954 - 15:00 - NBC, sustaining
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Dial "M" for Myrt
Everybody in Wistful Vista has one of the new "dial phones"...everyone except Fibber and Molly McGee, that is. So when the time comes for the McGee's new phone to be put in, Fibber insists on "helping" the installer. With Arthur Q. Bryan and Nestor Paiva.
Monday, February 8, 1954 - 15:00 - NBC, sponsored by Richard Hudnut
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In a Pickle
Fibber is taking his morning shower when he's interrupted by a phone call. It appears that his new neighbor, pickle salesman Frank Ingram, wants to stop by the McGee homestead for a chat. With Jack Moyles and Don Wilson as the spokesman for Tums.
Tuesday, February 9, 1954 - 15:00 - NBC, sponsored by Tums
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Stay Away From the Attic
Mr. Ingram, Fibber's new next-door neighbor, asks McGee to find some tenants to rent out his new house. Before departing, however, Ingram asks the McGee's to make certain of one thing: the attic of the house must remain locked. With Jack Moyles and Bill Thompson.
Wednesday, February 10, 1954 - 15:00 - NBC, sponsored by Richard Hudnut
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Classified Information
Fibber struggles to compose a newspaper advertisement announcing that Mr. Ingram's house is available for rent. In their haste to get to the newspaper office in time to meet the deadline, the McGee's are stopped by a motorcycle cop. With Bill Thompson and Virginia Gregg.
Thursday, February 11, 1954 - 15:00 - NBC, sustaining
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Open House
McGee soldiers on in his dauntless attempts to rent Mr. Ingram's house. A Professor Snavel appears to be a likely prospect. With Jack Kruschen.
Friday, February 12, 1954 - 15:00 - NBC, sustaining
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There Goes the Neighborhood
A snooty society woman and a meter reader are among the new prospects in the continuing attempts to rent Mr. Ingram's domicile and the McGee's curiosity about what's in that locked attic hasn't abated, either. With Natalie Masters and Parley Baer.
Monday, February 15, 1954 - 15:00 - NBC, sponsored by Richard Hudnut
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Closet Case
Fibber comes to the conclusion that the reason why he always gets trapped in the avalanche of items that fall out of the hall closet is because there is no light available. He decides to install one and, while doing so, he accidentally locks himself inside. With Arthur Q. Bryan and Don Wilson as the spokesman for Tums.
Tuesday, February 16, 1954 - 15:00 - NBC, sponsored by Tums
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The Old Master Painter
Fibber hits upon a scheme to paint a "For Rent" sign to put on Mr. Ingram's front lawn and attract potential tenants. However, while McGee works on this project in his garage, Molly manages to rent the house! With Arthur Q. Bryan.
Wednesday, February 17, 1954 - 15:00 - NBC, sponsored by Richard Hudnut
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Noises in the Attic
Despite the fact that someone has finally rented Mr. Ingram's house, Fibber is still bursting with curiosity as to why the house's attic remains locked. When he and the Old Timer hear noises emanating from the locked room, they decide to investigate. With Bill Thompson.
Thursday, February 18, 1954 - 15:00 - NBC, sustaining
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Movies are Your Best Entertainment
Fibber and Molly make plans to see a thriller starring Boris Karloff...but the Old Timer ruins the ending. Their fallback plan is an oater called "Two Gun Justice," a B-Western so exciting that Fibber falls asleep in the middle! With Bill Thompson, Robert Easton, Natalie Masters and Anne Whitfield.
Friday, February 19, 1954 - 15:00 - NBC, sustaining
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Father of Our Country
Fibber rolls out big plans to throw a shindig in honor of George Washington's birthday. He puts his foot down and refuses to let Molly do the laundry on the holiday. With Bill Thompson.
Monday, February 22, 1954 - 15:00 - NBC, sponsored by Richard Hudnut
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Big Game Hunter
Fibber continues to live up to his name when he starts spinning tall tales about how the water pipe broke in the cellar. Molly makes him promise to curb his exaggerating, but when he meets a stranger in Wistful Vista, he finds that old habits are hard to break. With Bill Thompson, Jess Kirkpatrick, Robert Easton, Mary Lou Harrington and Don Wilson as the spokesman for Tums.
Tuesday, February 23, 1954 - 15:00 - NBC, sponsored by Tums
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All the News That's Fit to Print
Fibber braves a downpour to retrieve the morning paper and finds that the wet and soggy edition contains some startling headlines! With Bill Thompson.
Thursday, February 25, 1954 - 15:00 - NBC, sponsored by Richard Hudnut
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Trophy Wife
Fibber finds an old athletic trophy from his high school days. His award is going to need a thorough cleaning and polishing, though. With Bill Thompson, Robert Easton and Arthur Q. Bryan.
Friday, February 26, 1954 - 15:00 - NBC, sustaining
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Peace in the Valet
Fibber and Molly receive a parking ticket while attending a sale at the Bon Ton Department Store. "Diamond Jim" McGee only has $10.00 with which to pay it, though. With Herb Vigran and Jack Mather.
Monday, March 1, 1954 - 15:00 - NBC, sponsored by Richard Hudnut
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A Taxing Problem
It's that time of year again: McGee has to fill out his income tax return. Doc Gamble isn't much help, but he does recommend that Fibber see his accountant. With Arthur Q. Bryan, Jack Moyles and Don Wilson as the spokesman for Tums.
Tuesday, March 2, 1954 - 15:00 - NBC, sponsored by Tums
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McGee's Lucky Day
Edison...Marconi...and now McGee. Our hero gets a letter from a company that's interested in his idea for a revolutionary "Jet Ketchup Gun." With Bill Thompson.
Wednesday, March 3, 1954 - 15:00 - NBC, sponsored by Richard Hudnut and Carter's Little Liver Pills
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A Mother of an Invention
The road to riches awaits our hero Fibber: he's received notification that the Kitchican Ketchup Canning Kitchen is interested in his "Jet Ketchup Gun" invention. Now all he has to do is actually invent it! With Arthur Q. Bryan.
Thursday, March 4, 1954 - 15:00 - NBC, sustaining
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Mr. Miggins Goes to Wistful Vista
A representative from the Kitchican Ketchup Canning Kitchen has scheduled to visit to see Fibber's "Jet Ketchup Gun." McGee enlists the help of Wallace Wimple to be his "witness" in case the Kitchican people attempt to steal his invention. With Bill Thompson and Joseph Kearns.
Friday, March 5. 1954 - 15:00 - NBC, sustaining
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The Stung
Wistful Vista's police chief is warning housewives about a con man posing as a vacuum cleaner repairman. While informing Molly about the scam, he decides to demonstrate the old "envelope swindle" on the Old Timer. With Bill Thompson, Arthur Q. Bryan and Mary Lou Harrington.
Monday, March 8, 1954 - 15:00 - NBC, sponsored by Richard Hudnut
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Opportunity Knocks
After reading about a self-made millionaire in the paper, Fibber is itching to get into a business opportunity on the ground floor. Shopping for bobby pins presents McGee with the very break he's been searching for. With Bill Thompson, Natalie Masters and Don Wilson as spokesman for Tums.
Tuesday, March 9, 1954 - 15:00 - NBC, sponsored by Tums
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Missed Management
Fibber has been entrusted to run Quilby's Variety Store while Miss Quilby is on vacation. He gets the bright idea to pretend the store is doing a booming business while enticing a potential buyer. With Arthur Q. Bryan and Bob Bruce.
Wednesday, March 10, 1954 - 15:00 - NBC, sponsored by Richard Hudnut and Carter's Little Liver Pills
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Hard Sell Crab
McGee is still trying to generate business while acting manager at Quilby's Variety Store. For Molly's benefit, he demonstrates his aggressive selling techniques -- starting with The Old Timer. With Bill Thompson.
Thursday, March 11, 1954 - 15:00 - NBC, sustaining
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Deep Freeze
Under the watchful eye of Fibber McGee, Quilby's Variety Store has seen a spike in its popularity. But it's not because our hero has been "drumming" up business (with a toy drum, no less), it's because of McGee's plan to give away a "home freezer"! Actor Pat O'Brien pays Fibber and Molly a surprise visit in this episode, which also features Bill Thompson, Arthur Q. Bryan, Elvia Allman, Dick Ryan and Natalie Masters.
Friday, March 12, 1954 - 15:00 - NBC, sustaining
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Hot Air-Waves
Fibber comes to the conclusion that what Quilby's needs is publicity. A radio campaign at WVIS would cost money, but McGee has a plan to circumvent the cost...and it involves a tall tale and a few of his friends' personal possessions. With Bill Thompson, Arthur Q. Bryan and Jack Moyles.
Monday, March 15, 1954 - 15:00 - NBC, sustaining
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Sleepwalk
As a child, McGee's cravings for plum butter with rhubarb sauce resulted in frequent nocturnal strolls. When he reintroduces his palate to the tasty treat, Les Nelson and Doc Gamble discover that Fibber's sleepwalking has now become sleep-climbing! With Bill Thompson, Arthur Q. Bryan, Robert Easton and Mary Lou Harrington.
Wednesday, April 7, 1954 - 15:00 - NBC, sponsored by Arrid Deodorant
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Button, Button, Who's Got the Button?
Fibber's sleepwalking antics have resurfaced after a thirty-year absence and his latest stroll has resulted in a lost button. Could it be the same button reported missing from a garment reputedly belonging to a jewel thief? With Bill Thompson, Arthur Q. Bryan and Robert Easton.
Thursday, April 8, 1954 - 15:00 - NBC, sustaining
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Brand New Key
Fibber is convinced that he's Wistful Vista's notorious "Phantom Burglar" because he's lost a button to his overcoat while sleepwalking. He's also gained possession of a key which he's having difficulty accounting for. With Arthur Q. Bryan, Tyler McVey and Dick Ryan.
Friday, April 9, 1954 - 15:00 - NBC, sustaining
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I'd Rather Fight Than Switch
Molly finds out about Fibber's switching of the overcoat buttons at the police station and she insists that he go down to the police station and tell them the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth. Fibber McGee telling the truth? This we've GOT to see! With Bill Thompson, Ken Christy and Jess Kirkpatrick.
Monday, April 12, 1954 - 15:00 - NBC, sustaining
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