Premier Collections: 
Fibber McGee and Molly - The Lost Episodes, Volume 2
Liner notes written by Ivan G. Shreve, Jr.

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"Tain't funny, McGee..."

During the heyday of vaudeville, the town of Peoria, Illinois obtained a reputation as a bad show town; performers often joked about "laying eggs" there and a popular expression - "Will it play in Peoria?" - soon came into being. But during the Golden Age of Radio, one performing couple capitalized on their Peoria connections. As the stars of the phenomenally popular "Fibber McGee & Molly," Jim and Marian Jordan would often reminisce about their salad days in that midwestern town - and it could even be argued that their fictional hamlet, Wistful Vista, was inspired by it as well.

Jim Jordan was born in 1896 on a farm located five miles west of Peoria, and when future wife Marian Driscoll arrived in this world two years later, her coal miner's family had set up stakes about three miles from the Jordan's farm. Jim and Marian were childhood sweethearts, both having serious aspirations to be musical performers, but despite their talent - Jim sang, with Marian accompanying him on piano - the "big-time" proved to be an elusive goal. Jim would often have to turn to various jobs to supplement their meager performers' income and, with the arrival of daughter Kathryn and son James, Jr., he would be required to travel far from his little family to secure work in his chosen field - a field that reaped very little financial benefit for the burgeoning Jordan clan.

In 1925, radio was still in its infancy, but it provided valuable performing experience for entertainers who were fortunate enough to get in on the ground floor...and were willing to work for the small salaries it paid. Had it not been for the fledgling medium, Jim and Marian might have continued on in obscurity as strictly small-town vaudevillians...but, while visiting in Chicago, Jim had made a $10.00 wager with his brother that he and Marian could do a much better job of singing than the performers he heard at a small-time radio station. This provided the impetus for the couple to audition for WIBO...and be hired for the princely sum of $10.00 a week. Two years later, they moved to WENR, a larger station, which helped them expand their horizons beyond music and into both comedic and dramatic acting. Much of their WENR work, in fact, provided a blueprint for their later success as Fibber McGee & Molly: Jim, for example, introduced an elderly tall-tale telling codger named Luke on the station's "Luke and Mirandi" farm program -- a character that would later develop into Wistful Vista's beloved bumbler Fibber McGee. (Marian played Mirandi, an early prototype of Fibber and Molly's Mrs. Wearybottom.) The couple also appeared on a domestic comedy serial entitled "The Smith Family," in which Marian's characterization of an Irish wife was later adopted for Molly McGee. In addition, "The Smith Family" featured a running gag in which a living room couch was bedeviled by a loose spring - a comedic touch that would later be the inspiration for McGee's famed hall closet. While at WENR, the Jordan's also made the acquaintance of cartoonist-illustrator Don Quinn - a man who would play a large role in their future fortunes.

In 1931, the Jordan's moved to Chicago's WMAQ, the high-powered station owned and operated by NBC. Now making $200.00 a week, the couple were the stars of "Smackout," a five-a-week comedy skit program written by Don Quinn in which Jim's Luke character was resurrected in the guise of a grizzled grocery store proprietor who was always "smack out" of everything. For her part, Marian created a pesky child named "Teeny," who took delicious delight in unraveling Luke's homespun yarns. Henrietta Johnson, wife of advertising executive John J. Lewis, was an ardent fan of the program and soon convinced her husband that the Jordan's would be ideal choices for a show that the Johnson Wax Company was eager to put on the air. With the contribution of some scripts by Quinn, Lewis auditioned Jim and Marian and the couple was hired -- with a raise to $250.00 a week.

"Fibber McGee & Molly" premiered on April 16, 1935 and, as Jim later observed, he and Marian were fortunate to have signed a twenty-six week contract: "If we had been on for thirteen weeks I'm sure we would have been off by the end of thirteen weeks." Though the show's ratings were anemic at the start - it didn't help that the couple were competing against the popular "Lux Radio Theatre" on CBS - they slowly developed a following. A move to a more favorable time slot on Tuesday nights a few years later proved even more beneficial and, by the 1940s, Jim and Marian were "must-listen radio" -- the stars of one of four comedy shows that were in constant competition for radio's top spot (the others being those of Jack Benny, Bob Hope and Bergen & McCarthy).

Old-time radio fans are well aware that many programs from the Golden Age simply did not survive the ravages of time and neglect. But "Fibber McGee & Molly" was one of the luckier shows thanks to an angel at the S.C. Johnson Company, whose devotion to the program gave them the foresight to hang on to most of the original transcription discs. (Fibber and Molly's runs for Pet Milk and Reynolds Aluminum have also been largely preserved as well.) For many years, it was thought that the Jordan's' 1953-56 weekday quarter-hour shows for NBC had gone missing...but in this, the second of a new series of Premier Collections transferred from the long-lost original NBC Reference Recordings, Radio Archives invites you to listen to forty more 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:

"Raffles" McGee
As the web of suspicion tightens around Fibber, our hero decides he needs a lawyer to represent him: renowned defense attorney Clarence Barrow. The cast of "The Great Gildersleeve" - Willard Waterman, Walter Tetley, Lillian Randolph, and Richard LeGrand - are heard promoting their NBC program. With Bill Thompson, Paul Frees and Don Wilson as the spokesman for Tums.
Tuesday, April 13, 1954 - 15:00 - NBC, sponsored by Tums
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Panic Button
To clear Fibber as a suspect in the jewel robbery, Molly makes a pilgrimage to the home of Wistful Vista's police chief, "Ramrod" Malone. She tells Mrs. Malone the story of McGee's button mix-up - and the chief's wife (Elvia Allman) tells Molly that Malone has lost the evidence! Eddie Cantor can be heard promoting his NBC program.
Wednesday, April 14, 1954 - 15:00 - NBC, sponsored by Carter's Little Liver Pills
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In My Merry Oldsmobile
After driving Doc Gamble to the home of a wealthy patient, Fibber and Molly are entrusted with the medico's car...and decide to take a shortcut home via the new county freeway. With Bill Thompson and Arthur Q. Bryan.
Thursday, April 15, 1954 - 15:00 - NBC, sustaining
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He's a Good Egg
Fibber surprises Molly with tickets to a matinee show of "South Pacific" - but he's really getting her out of the house in order to dye a gross of Easter eggs, with the help of Doc Gamble, Wallace Wimple and the Old Timer. With Bill Thompson and Arthur Q. Bryan.
Friday, April 16, 1954 - 15:00 - NBC, sustaining
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Honest Injun
Teeny and Willie Toopes want to borrow some of Fibber's outdoor gear for an upcoming nature hike. McGee takes the opportunity to tell the kids how he was once captured by the wild Kickapoo Indian tribe...of Illinois, no less. Bill Goodwin is heard promoting his boss Bob Hope's NBC morning program. With Bill Thompson, Arthur Q. Bryan, and Dick Beals.
Monday, April 19, 1954 - 15:00 - NBC, sustaining
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Gettum Up, Scout
Fibber's been roped into leading Teeny's nature hike, and naturally he'll need to live up to his "captured-by-Indians" tall tales. With the help of his Boy Scout manual, he's determined to start a fire with two sticks. The cast of "The Great Gildersleeve" are heard promoting their NBC program. With Bill Thompson, Arthur Q. Bryan, Dick Beals, and Don Wilson as the spokesman for Tums.
Tuesday, April 20, 1954 - 15:00 - NBC, sponsored by Tums
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Backs to Nature
Fibber and Molly supervise a group of ten children on a nature hike through Dugan's Woods. It stands to reason that Wistful Vista's expert woodsman will end up helplessly lost. James Stewart can be heard promoting his NBC program, "The Six Shooter." With Patricia Ionone, Dick Beals, Daws Butler, and Peter Votrian.
Wednesday, April 21, 1954 - 15:00 - NBC, sponsored by Arrid Deodorant
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Circulation is Up
Loyal subscriber McGee is impatiently waiting for his monthly issue of "Partly True." But his allegiance is tested when the magazine is finally delivered by the post office...all 40,000 copies of it! Dinah Shore is heard promoting her NBC program. With Bill Thompson and Peter Leeds.
Thursday, April 22, 1954 - 15:00 - NBC, sustaining
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Printer's Devil
"Partly True" sends its circulation manager out to Wistful Vista to collect the 40,000 issues sent to Fibber by mistake. The mess is soon cleaned up...but McGee is left without a copy of his own! With Arthur Q. Bryan and Frank Nelson.
Friday, April 23, 1954 - 15:00 - NBC, sustaining
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It Suits You
After Molly donates Fibber's favorite brown suit to the Salvation Army, a trip to retrieve it results in a confrontation with a former boxer who's taken a shine to McGee's ex-duds. Dinah Shore is heard promoting her NBC program. With Arthur Q. Bryan, Eleanor Audley, and Jack Moyles.
Monday, April 26, 1954 - 15:00 - NBC, sustaining
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I Got Stung
Fibber knocks down a wasp's nest, prompting the insect to retaliate with a sting to Fibber's eye. Hilarity ensues when McGee's friends mistake his injury for a shiner. Eddie Cantor is heard promoting his NBC program. With Bill Thompson, Arthur Q. Bryan, Jack Mather, and Parley Baer.
Tuesday, April 27, 1954 - 15:00 - NBC, sponsored by Tums
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Tennis Racket
When McGee locates his old tennis racquet in the attic, he decides to forego the expense of having it restrung by doing the job himself. Roy Rogers and Dale Evans are heard promoting their NBC program. With Bill Thompson and Arthur Q. Bryan.
Wednesday, April 28, 1954 - 15:00 - NBC, sponsored by Carter's Little Liver Pills
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Woodsman, Spare That Tree
After consulting with Doc Gamble, tree surgeon Dr. Beechwood delivers the bad news to the McGee's: the dead oak tree outside 79 Wistful Vista must be chopped down. Fibber has difficulty finding someone who will do the dirty deed. Bill Goodwin is heard promoting his boss Bob Hope's NBC morning program. With Bill Thompson, Arthur Q. Bryan, and Chris O'Brien.
Thursday, April 29, 1954 - 15:00 - NBC, sustaining
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Bad News Comes in Trees
Fibber finds himself elected to chop down the oak tree outside the McGee's' 79 Wistful Vista residence. While taking a break, he tells Teeny the story of "The Three Little Fleas." With Bill Thompson.
Friday, April 30, 1954 - 15:00 - NBC, sustaining
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Beyond Repair
The man from the repair shop - a character who sounds suspiciously like restaurant owner Nick Depopoulous - refuses to fix McGee's dilapidated shoes, so Molly insists that Fibber make a trip to Miller's Shoe Store for a new pair. Bill Goodwin is heard promoting his boss Bob Hope's NBC morning program. With Bill Thompson, Arthur Q. Bryan, and Herb Vigran.
Monday, May 3, 1954 - 15:00 - NBC, sponsored by Plymouth
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In His Hiccups
McGee is plagued with persistent hiccups. Molly, Wallace Wimple, and the Old Timer consider a series of possible remedies until Doc Gamble arrives. The cast of "The Great Gildersleeve" are heard promoting their NBC program. With Bill Thompson, Arthur Q. Bryan, and Don Wilson as the spokesman for Tums.
Tuesday, May 4, 1954 - 15:00 - NBC, sponsored by Tums
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Brother Orchid
While window-shopping, Fibber is inspired to get some flowers for his old pal Doc Gamble. Unable to resist a bargain, he makes a deal on a genuine Louisiana swamp orchid. James Stewart is heard promoting his NBC program, "The Six Shooter." With Bill Thompson, Arthur Q. Bryan, Marian Richmond, and Natalie Masters.
Wednesday, May 5, 1954 - 15:00 - NBC, sponsored by Arrid Deodorant and Plymouth
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Don't Touch That Dial
Teeny spends an evening with Fibber and Molly, during which McGee tries to lull her to sleep with a bedtime story. When that fails, she cons the couple into letting her listen to the popular radio show, "Marvin Mayhem, Private Snoop." Dinah Shore is heard promoting her NBC program. With Arthur Q. Bryan and Jack Moyles.
Thursday, May 6, 1954 - 15:00 - NBC, sustaining
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It's Not the Coffee, It's the Bunk
Fibber tries to convince Molly that buying a month's worth of groceries is the economical way to go. While doing their shopping, McGee is inspired to enter the Carvers Coffee slogan contest. With Bill Thompson and Arthur Q. Bryan.
Friday, May 7, 1954 - 15:00 - NBC, sponsored by Plymouth
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You and Your Education
After reading an item in the local newspaper announcing that the adult education classes offered by the school board are to be cancelled due to lack of participation, Fibber is inspired to enroll in night school. With Bill Thompson and Arthur Q. Bryan.
Monday, May 10, 1954 - 15:00 - NBC, sponsored by Plymouth
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Fur-eign Co-Respondent
Flash's devotion to McGee continues when he returns to 79 Wistful Vista after running away from his real master. The incensed dog owner plans to sue Fibber for alienation of the dog's affections! Dinah Shore is heard promoting her NBC program. With Bill Thompson, Arthur Q. Bryan, Herb Vigran, Dick Ryan, and Pinto Colvig as Flash the dog.
Thursday, May 13, 1954 - 15:00 - NBC, sustaining
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Goin' Courtin'
Fibber tries to stave off his impending alienation of affection court case by using Wallace Wimple's "connections" to influence Flash's owner. Bill Goodwin is heard promoting his boss Bob Hope's NBC morning program. With Bill Thompson and Arthur Q. Bryan.
Friday, May 14, 1954 - 15:00 - NBC, sponsored by Plymouth
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The Trial of Fibber McGee
The date for Fibber's trial has arrived -- and things don't look good for our hero. Can Doc Gamble's testimony save McGee's bacon? The cast of "The Great Gildersleeve" are heard promoting their NBC program. With Arthur Q. Bryan, Herb Vigran, Ken Christy, Dick Ryan, and Pinto Colvig as Flash the dog.
Monday, May 17, 1954 - 15:00 - NBC, sustaining
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Quick as a Flash
Fibber is ordered by a judge to keep away from Flash the dog...but the mutt continues to hang around 79 Wistful Vista. When Fibber and Molly attempt to return the dog in the middle of the night, they're caught red-handed by Flash's irate owner. George Fenneman is heard promoting Groucho Marx's "You Bet Your Life." With Bill Thompson, Robert Easton, Herb Vigran, Dick Ryan, Pinto Colvig, and Don Wilson as the spokesman for Tums.
Tuesday, May 18, 1954 - 15:00 - NBC, sponsored by Tums
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Chime on My Hands
The door chimes are stuck at 79 Wistful Vista and it's up to McGee to do the necessary repair work. As expected, Fibber and Molly's visitors - the Old Timer, Doc Gamble, Wallace Wimple, and Teeny - aren't much help. With Bill Thompson and Arthur Q. Bryan.
Wednesday, May 19, 1954 - 15:00 - NBC, sponsored by Arrid Deodorant
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Dog Dazed
Mr. Corner, the owner of Flash the dog, pays Fibber a visit with his faithful mutt in tow. He has a business proposition for McGee: he's offering to sell him Flash. Bill Goodwin is heard promoting his boss Bob Hope's NBC morning program. With Bill Thompson, Robert Easton, Herb Vigran, and Pinto Colvig as Flash the dog.
Thursday, May 20, 1954 - 15:00 - NBC, sustaining
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Number, Please
Fibber returns from Kramer's Drugstore with a brand new leather-bound notebook in which to write down phone numbers. With Molly's assistance, he's able to quickly weed out the "undesirables." With Bill Thompson.
Friday, May 21, 1954 - 15:00 - NBC, sustaining
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Experiment in Error
McGee's back in his laboratory again, dabbling with powers beyond his control. Molly views his projects with the usual wifely skepticism. Eddie Cantor is heard promoting his NBC program. With Bill Thompson.
Monday, May 24, 1954 - 15:00 - NBC, sponsored by Plymouth
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The Substance of Fire
Fibber's experiments continue, as our would-be scientist describes his scientific aspirations to Molly. His grandiose dreams come to a quick end, though, when neighbor Wallace Wimple informs him that his laboratory is on fire. George Fenneman is heard promoting Groucho Marx's "You Bet Your Life." With Bill Thompson, Robert Easton, and Don Wilson as the spokesman for Tums.
Tuesday, May 25, 1954 - 15:00 - NBC, sponsored by Tums
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Holding Things Together
With a signed document, Molly succeeds in getting Fibber to cease his scientific experiments -- but while pouring out his failed concoctions, McGee finds he's accidentally invented a super glue! Roy Rogers and Dale Evans are heard promoting their NBC program. With Bill Thompson and Arthur Q. Bryan.
Wednesday, May 26, 1954 - 15:00 - NBC, sponsored by Carter's Little Liver Pills and Plymouth
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Glued to the Phone
Fibber is antsy to get in touch with the government about his newly invented super glue. Dinah Shore is heard promoting her NBC program. With Bill Thompson, Mary Lansing, and Ralph Moody.
Thursday, May 27, 1954 - 15:00 - NBC, sustained
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Command Performance
A representative from the Navy stops by 79 Wistful Vista to check out Fibber's invention, newly christened "McGee's Steel Seal". Teeny shows up with a broken roller skate, providing McGee with a first-rate opportunity to demonstrate just what his glue can do. Bill Goodwin is heard promoting his boss Bob Hope's NBC morning program. With Arthur Q. Bryan and Lloyd Perrin.
Friday, May 28, 1954 - 15:00 - NBC, sponsored by Plymouth
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Joke and Dagger
At the Wistful Vista airport, Fibber and Molly wait for the midnight plane that will take the two of them, as well as Fibber's new glue, to Philadelphia. Molly becomes concerned when a strange man appears to be trailing the couple. The cast of "The Great Gildersleeve" are heard promoting their NBC program. With Bill Thompson, Arthur Q. Bryan, Cliff Arquette, and Lou Krugman.
Monday, May 31, 1954 - 15:00 - NBC, sustaining
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I Spy With My Little Eye
En route to Philadelphia by plane, Fibber and Molly scheme to trip up the man who's following them - a man they suspect may be a spy. James Stewart is heard promoting his NBC program, "The Six Shooter." With Lou Krugman and Don Wilson as the Tums spokesman.
Tuesday, June 1, 1954 - 15:00 - NBC, sponsored by Tums
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Knots to You
Fibber and Molly travel by jeep to the Hull shipyard, where he's scheduled to demonstrate his amazing invention, "McGee's Steel Seal." Unfortunately, the demonstration doesn't quite go off as planned. Eddie Cantor is heard promoting his NBC program. With Arthur Q. Bryan and Bob Bruce.
Wednesday, June 2, 1954 - 15:00 - NBC, sponsored by Arrid Deodorant
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Plenty of Money and You
Mr. Hull welcomes the McGee's to his submarine shipyard, anxious to see Fibber's super glue demonstration. Before the test, he presents our hero with an offer of $25,000.00 for the "Steel Seal." With Joe Granby, Bob Bruce, and Herb Ellis.
Thursday, June 3, 1954 - 15:00 - NBC, sustaining
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Down to the Wire
A telegram is delivered to the McGee household but, since the message has been sent collect, the deliveryman demands $3.81 for its release. Fibber and Molly try every means available to put the bite on their friends and neighbors for the necessary funds. Dinah Shore is heard promoting her NBC program. With Bill Thompson, Arthur Q. Bryan, and Robert Easton.
Friday, June 4, 1954 - 15:00 - NBC, sustaining
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Tuckered Out
Fibber helps a trucker named Tucker who's struggling with a particularly heavy crate. Dinah Shore is heard promoting her NBC program. With Bill Thompson, Arthur Q. Bryan, and Jack Kruschen.
Monday, June 7, 1954 - 15:00 - NBC, sustaining
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Hair Today, Gone Tomorrow
Fibber is convinced that he's losing his hair, particularly after he finds a surplus of follicles in his new comb. Roy Rogers and Dale Evans are heard promoting their NBC program. With Bill Thompson, Arthur Q. Bryan, and Don Wilson as the Tums spokesman.
Tuesday, June 8, 1954 - 15:00 - NBC, sponsored by Tums
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Wash and Weary
Thanks to Fibber's efforts as a fixer-upper, the McGee's' washing machine is on the fritz again. When the real mechanics arrive to repair the Bendix, McGee insists on following them to their shop in order to take another whack at it. George Fenneman is heard promoting Groucho Marx's "You Bet Your Life." With Nestor Paiva, Jack Moyles, and Tyler McVey.
Wednesday, June 9, 1954 - 15:00 - NBC, sponsored by Carter's Little Liver Pills
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