Fibber McGee and Molly: "The McGees Win 79 Wistful Vista" (Aug 26, 1935)

Podcast: Harold’s Old Time Radio
Episode Release: January 22, 2026

Episode Overview

This episode of Harold’s Old Time Radio transports listeners to the golden age of radio comedy with a classic installment of "Fibber McGee and Molly." The McGees stumble upon a real estate promotion in Wistful Vista, lured by the promise of free sandwiches and the chance to win a modern dream house for the price of a raffle ticket. The episode spins a vibrant web of witty banter, Americana, and clever skepticism about salesmanship and homeownership, wrapped in the warmth of Vaudeville humor and lively musical interludes.

Key Discussion Points & Plot Highlights

1. Arriving at Wistful Vista ("Carnival" or Real Estate Scheme)

• [05:15] Molly spots what she thinks is a carnival, but McGee dismisses it, insisting they don’t have time.
• [05:36] Molly reads the signs: "Wishful Vista Home Site — a dollar down," discovering it’s a subdivision real estate promotion.
• [05:57] Molly’s attention is grabbed by the offer of free barbecue sandwiches and coffee—the real draw for the couple.

2. The Sales Pitch & Comic Skepticism

• [06:27-07:49] An enthusiastic real estate agent greets them, offering a ticket for the grand drawing: $2 gives a chance to win a house plus unlimited food at the barbecue.
• [08:00] F: "Oh, you mean you're selling chances onto a house?"
• [08:47] D: "The miserable truth for the miserable sum of two dollars."
• McGee is more interested in getting his money’s worth in sandwiches; Molly wants a ticket ("Buy me a ticket").

3. McGee’s Tall Tales

• [10:49] After buying the ticket, McGee regales a fellow with exaggerated stories of his past adventures in "banana land" promotions in Panama, playing up the farcical nature of salesmanship.
  • [11:52] C: "Lightning down the middle. But it never disturbs me none. I just took one look at them trees, ordered a herd of Jersey cow shipped in and set up an ice cream plant. What for? Banana split for the export trade."

4. Musical Interludes & Sponsor Segues

• [14:49] Interspersed with musical numbers (Rico Marcelli’s orchestra, Irish tenor Ronnie Mansell) and comedic advertisements for Johnson’s Auto Wax, anchoring the episode in its period ambiance.
• Witty sponsor integration:
  • [15:09] C: "Okay, that’s once for you and for all of me it’s still Harbo. I ever tell you about the time I had me at the bee farm…"

5. Eating, Doubting, and House Dreams

• [20:21] The McGees feast at the barbecue ("You’ve had so much beef, I’ll have to ride herd on you…"), but Molly remains skeptical about the chances of winning.
• [21:13] Molly: "Read it, 131,300. Well, what about it?"
  McGee attempts to find luck in his raffle number through convoluted math ("according to numberology").

6. The Big Drawing — Satire of Schemes

• [22:54-25:41] A procession of bewildering sales patter, as Mr. Hagelmeyer (the developer) and his crew try to charm the crowd with over-the-top promises, mixing up words:
  • [25:41] F: "Maybe. What is this man talking about?"
  • [25:42] C: "Sounds like he got the needle in the wrong groove."
• Molly calculates the dubious economics of the raffle—$262,626 raised for a $4,000 house.
• The absurdity is lampshaded several times, poking fun at both sales hucksterism and buyers’ hopes.

7. The Raffle Winner—A Twist

• [28:15] Miss Wistful Vista pulls the first number, not matching the McGees’ ticket.
• Correction! The winning ticket is actually 131,313 —
  • [29:19] F: "It's our number, McGee."
  • [29:22] D: "It's our number. We… McGee."
• The episode ends mid-celebration, the McGees improbably winning the coveted home after all their skepticism and barbecuing.

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

| Timestamp | Quote & Context | |-----------|----------------| | 06:16 | F (Molly): "Ah, go on with you, McGee. Tis your wishbone you’re talking about. You’re wishing for a free sandwich." | | 08:50 | C (McGee): "A hamburger in the hand is worth a house in the hat any day." | | 11:52 | C (McGee): "Lightning down the middle. But it never disturbs me none...Banana split for the export trade." | | 15:09 | C: "I ever tell you about the time I had me at the bee farm?" | | 21:18 | F: "And do you think you would win on number 13? 1313. Here’s three strikes on you, McEv." | | 22:54 | D: "You cannot afford to pass up the homemaking opportunity of a lifetime..." (Sales pitch satire) | | 25:41 | F: "Maybe. What is this man talking about?" | | 25:42 | C: "Sounds like he got the needle in the wrong groove." | | 27:35 | C: "Find out what that there fell houses like he talks. You could park your car in the attic and shingle the cellar." | | 29:19–29:22 | F & D: "It's our number, McGee." / "It's our number. We… McGee." (Realization of their win) |

Timestamps for Key Segments

• 05:15: Arrival at the real estate "carnival"
• 06:27: The real estate sales pitch begins
• 08:04: Comic build-up about the house prize
• 10:49: McGee’s "banana land" story
• 14:49/15:09: Sponsor pitch & bee farm tale
• 20:21: Return to the barbecue, ticket doubts
• 22:54–25:41: Satirical salesmanship & raffle economics
• 28:15–29:22: Raffle drawing and victory twist

Tone & Style

• Warm, vaudevillian banter between Fibber McGee and Molly mixes with gentle satire of American homeownership dreams and 1930s hustle.
• Exaggerated, playful language: Malapropisms and mixed metaphors are part of the fun, especially from the flummoxed Mr. Hagelmeyer.
• Fast-paced, good-natured comedy: Even in moments of critique, the tone is light and spirited; gentle ribbing, not genuine cynicism.

Summary for New Listeners

This episode is a laugh-filled slice of vintage Americana, bustling with clever wordplay, musical interludes, and tongue-in-cheek social commentary. The McGees—a lovable, endlessly bickering couple—find themselves tangled in the earnest absurdity of a real estate raffle, mostly after the free food but, against all odds, emerge as the lucky winners. The sales bluster, running gags, and zany monologues deliver both nostalgia and timeless comedy, while side characters and sponsors flesh out a vivid tableau of 1930s radio entertainment.

Recommended for:
Fans of old-time radio, classic American comedy, or anyone looking for a charming, gently satirical take on dreams, schemes, and a good plate of barbecue.