
Fibber McGee And Molly 35-09-23 (0024) Anything to Get out of Scrubbing the Back Porch
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Harlow Wilcox
You are now listening to wls, the voice of Prairie Farmer, America's oldest farm paper.
Mr. Herbert F. Johnson Jr.
Chicago.
Harlow Wilcox
The makers of Johnson's Wax send you another sto session of salubrious incubation and self starting situations with Rico Martelli's orchestra, Lynn Martin, the Johnson Merry Men. And Marion and Jim as those carefree concoctors of contagious comedy. Bibber McGee and Molly. We understand that Martelli and the Merry Men are about melt the microphones with a masterly musical movement. Go on, Martelli. Strike me pink. Well, it's certainly easy to listen to Marjelli's sparkling music. And it's also easy for you to have floors that sparkle and gleam without one minute's work of rubbing or buffing. Use Johnson's Blow coat, the remarkable easy to use floor polish made by the makers of Johnson's Wax.
Rico Martelli
Strike me pink if I don't think I'm falling in love Strike me blue if I don't think it's you what the dust does strike me from. You're not down from heaven above like me Me if I don't mean it to I was just a bit of all my but now I feel free Only there's no doubt you're going to bring out the siren in me like me, I don't think Calling in love like me I don't think it.
Sam
Sam.
Harlow Wilcox
Now we'll go out of the somewhere into the here. Or from studio e to Fibber McGee at 79 West Pa Vista. Where our hero has started to fix a refractory doorbell.
Fibber McGee
Where's that wire go from here, Molly?
Molly McGee
Down the wall and under the cellar stairs, Magee.
Fibber McGee
Now come on down and show me.
Molly McGee
There it goes, McGee. Up on the lead seat.
Fibber McGee
Where? Up here. I don't feel nothing, Magee.
Molly McGee
Look out for that mouse trap.
Fibber McGee
Oh, fine time to tell a feller. What's the idea of putting a mousetrap where a feller can't see it?
Molly McGee
Here.
Fibber McGee
Take me out of it. Who? Take me out of it.
Molly McGee
Well, hold still. I'm sorry, McGee. In the air now.
Fibber McGee
Shuck. I cut my finger off. Bad Memphis.
Sam
Aha.
Molly McGee
And what do you hand for? Now look.
Fibber McGee
You see that there bear place into the wire. There's your trouble, Molly. That's why she won't ring.
Molly McGee
And what's a bare spot in the wire got to do with it? It's touching nothing that I can see.
Fibber McGee
That don't make no difference. It's the insulation that holds electricity into the wire. When the insulation is wore off, the juice leak out I'm surprised you didn't know that, Molly. Why, when I was into the Signal Corps over into France repairing telegraph wires to headquarters, they used to call me Wonder Magee, the wire wizard of the World War. Hand me the pliers, Molly.
Molly McGee
They're sticking in your belts, McGee.
Fibber McGee
Oh. Oh, yes. You see, I'll cut these here wires and tape them up again so they'll be insulated good. You see, all you gotta do is give it a sniper.
Molly McGee
What are you doing, for heaven's sake?
Fibber McGee
Oh, yeah. You see that there flash of blue light, Molly?
Molly McGee
Did I see it?
Fibber McGee
That means the wire is dead into the negative pole. Gives the pink light when the positive wire is dead. I'll never forget the time.
Molly McGee
Oh, Are you hurt, Maggie? Are you hurt?
Fibber McGee
So I guess not. Kind of knocks me back onto my heels, is all.
Molly McGee
Onto your heels?
Fibber McGee
Now just hand me that there tape, Molly, and I'll have her tied up in a jiffy. Thanks.
Molly McGee
You tore off enough tape there to wrap up the Pacific table.
Fibber McGee
I know. I was never one of these here electricians to skimp onto my work. Let's see now. Positive, Negative. You see, Molly, you always got to wind the tape from right to left like this here. It's a well known fact that electricity pushed from right to left as it goes on the wire. So you gotta be careful to keep it there. There they are. All fixed. Let's go.
Molly McGee
Are you sure it's all right now, McGee?
Fibber McGee
Am I? Maybe when I fixes them, they stay fixed. I know more about wires and pliers and tapes than this here, Signore Macaroni.
Molly McGee
Well, for once, McGee, you fix something. Congratulations.
Fibber McGee
Go on with it. When it comes to electricity, I'm the amper's amper. Where's the doorbell? Is that hip up over the stove there?
Molly McGee
It is that.
Fibber McGee
You know what I'd like to do, Molly?
Molly McGee
What's that?
Fibber McGee
I'd like to hitch the doorbell up to the radio so's we could ring the gong on them amateurs ourselves. Did you get it, Molly? I said.
Molly McGee
Ah, tain't funny, McGee.
Fibber McGee
Okay, now look, Molly. You go out onto the front porch and ring the bell whilst I stand here and see if it rings loud enough, all right?
Molly McGee
And then you can get to work and scrub the port with me whilst I darn the shop.
Sam
Oh, I had the little bell that.
Fibber McGee
Had the bum buzzer.
Sam
I threw it away and got me another.
Fibber McGee
You ringing it, Molly?
Molly McGee
I rung it seven times, McGee. Well, try her again. All right, McGee. Did it ring?
Fibber McGee
Well, not very loud, Molly. I gotta do Me some adjustment on it, I guess. You see, the coil is probably fouled with the condenser which makes the hoop superhetadine co equal to the resistance. Hey, Molly, where you going?
Molly McGee
I'm going to call the hardware store and ask him to send an electric.
Fibber McGee
Oh, shucks, Molly. I can fix it. I tell you, you don't have to call nobody else.
Molly McGee
I'm on the phone, McGee. Lego me mind is made up. Hello? Hello, Operator?
Fibber McGee
Hello?
Molly McGee
Hello? Operator? Hello? Hello? Mie? The phone's dead.
Fibber McGee
Phone's dead. Why shook. That's funny. I just.
Molly McGee
Funny, is it? You cut the phone wires instead of the doorbell wires?
Fibber McGee
Mie.
Sam
Where are you going.
Harlow Wilcox
Now? Just to check up on whether you're using the easy gloat way to keep your floors bright and shining. We're sending our little checker upper, Lynn Martin to peek in your wind as she sings I've got to have your house. Lynn Martin.
Sam
It's six o'. Clock. My work is done, My work is done but my blues have just begun I've got to press your heart.
Fibber McGee
To.
Sam
Get to my heart and that's what makes me blue Wondering who is sitting with you and doing the things that I used to do I have to close my eyes when they need you Longing for me Just keep sympathy a message that strength it just has to.
Fibber McGee
Be.
Sam
I may wander here and there Looking for a thrill Someone else can make me care I think I could run through I stop to press your.
Fibber McGee
Heart.
Sam
To get to my heart I swear I'll move away but then the next day I wake up and say he may change his mind I guess that I say I'm funny that way I'm a funny worth.
Harlow Wilcox
Thank you, Lynn. Thank you. And now a word or two about Johnson's blow coat. If your floors are well now, Fibber. Can't I get in one announcement without you? Gibbon?
Fibber McGee
Excuse me. Just to my Harpo.
Harlow Wilcox
But Harlow.
Fibber McGee
Yeah, but listen, Harpo, I. Harlow.
Harlow Wilcox
Harpo. Harlow.
Fibber McGee
Hey there, control room. What's the matter? There's a Harlow echo out here you better take care of. Listen, son, you know what rules they're going to use tomorrow night in the Lewis bear fight?
Harlow Wilcox
Why, the Marquis of Queensborough, as usual, I suppose.
Fibber McGee
Nope. They're using Johnson's blow coat rules tomorrow night instead.
Harlow Wilcox
Oh, blow coat rules?
Fibber McGee
Yep. No rubbing, no buffing. Put them on the floor and polish them off like nothing at all.
Harlow Wilcox
Well, we're afraid Fibber has used up all the time for our commercial announcement. So we're going to forget it and Present an unusual feature. It isn't often that the president of a big corporation makes a personal appearance before the microphone on his own radio program. And probably never before has the head of an important company brought you news of so spectacular and unusual an enterprise as that about which you will now hear. We have the honor and pleasure of introducing to you Mr. Herbert F. Johnson Jr. President of S.C. johnson & Son Incorporated, who will tell you briefly of his forthcoming scientific expedition by airplane to the little known regions of northeastern Brazil. Mr. Johnson.
Mr. Herbert F. Johnson Jr.
Thank you, Mr. Wilcox. I'm happy to have this opportunity to talk for a minute to so many friends and customers of our company. After a year of careful planning, we expect to leave this country from Miami about 1st of October. The twin motored Sikorsky Amphibian plane for northeastern Brazil. Our trip will consume about two months. It is primarily for the purpose of establishing closer contact with the only source of supply of the principal raw material used in the manufacture of Johnson's wax and Gloco Canauba wax. The tough, long wearing product of the Kanuba palm tree from this arid section of Brazil is used as a basic wax in our products, which many of you have used for years for preserving floors, furniture and automobiles. The personnel of our expedition includes two pilots, our research chemist, our purchasing director and Dr. Big E. Dahlgreen, curator of Botany of the Field Museum here in Chicago. Complete photographic equipment will be carried as well as scientific equipment in the field laboratory. The plane carries a Pan American two way radio set and all the latest safety devices. Gasoline supply bases have been established at five points in Brazil. And before our return we expect to fly about 25,000 miles over regions where very few white men have ever been. We expect that our trip will not only yield important scientific data, but will specifically ensure a future supply of the highest grade Canuba wax so that we can continue to manufacture better products for American housewives. Thank you.
Harlow Wilcox
Thank you, Mr. Thompson. And I am sure that everybody listening in tonight will join with me in wishing you good luck and happy landing thing. Now Marell and the Johnson merry men tip their top hats to Lynn Martin as they give us take to take.
Sam
Sam. Heaven, I'm in heaven and my heart be so that I can hardly see.
Rico Martelli
And I seem to find the happiness.
Fibber McGee
I see when we're all together dancing. Secretary.
Harlow Wilcox
Back to wistful vista now. And we find Molly donning socks while Fibber has apparently given up the doorbell fixing in favor of the afternoon Pa.
Sam
He bird.
Molly McGee
Maggie.
Fibber McGee
Yes, my love? Did you speak to me?
Molly McGee
I did that. Could I be Interrupting your reading long enough to ask you to describe the back porch like I told you.
Fibber McGee
The back porch? Why, you see, Molly, it kind of looked like rain. So. Well, shucks. After all, a fellow.
Molly McGee
Did you or did you not scrub the back porch?
Fibber McGee
I'm glad you asked me that, Molly. You see the back. No.
Molly McGee
And is it more important to you, McGee, to sit there and read the paper than to have a clean house to live in? Is it, McGee?
Fibber McGee
You betcha. What I mean? Of course not. Say, who do you think will win the Bear Lewis fight tomorrow night? Molly?
Molly McGee
How should I know which one of them is Irish?
Fibber McGee
Neither one.
Molly McGee
Well, then what difference does it make now about that back porch?
Fibber McGee
I know, I know. I just want to finish the paper first, Molly. And, hey, you know what's going to happen over there in Ethiopia? Listen, Molly, it's just like card game. This here Selassie feller's got a spade plush. But the Italians has got advantage.
Molly McGee
And why have they?
Fibber McGee
On account of the deuces wild, Molly, you get it, Molly.
Molly McGee
I says the Italian. Funny, McGee.
Fibber McGee
Okay, but listen, I got this here Ethiopian thing all figured out.
Molly McGee
Oh, you have?
Fibber McGee
Yeah. You see, Molly, on account of the British holding control of the Suez Canal and the location of Gibberal or what it is, there ain't any doubt that Spain, being just across the water, will get mad at France because Russia's trying to edge into China. That means, Molly, that Sweden and Norway, which is usually neutral, will have a tough time persuading Greece to let Poland and Austria keep the freedom of the sea. Which, if the Portuguese blockade goes on, Australia and Canada gets up onto their hind legs and there you are, Chuck. I don't know how Czechoslovakia is going to keep out of it myself.
Molly McGee
Maybe we can ask the peace conference to send ambassador over here to scrub our back force with you.
Fibber McGee
No, chef. Molly, I'll take care of that.
Molly McGee
Go see who's at the door.
Fibber McGee
M. Who, me?
Molly McGee
Yes, you. But put your shoes on.
Fibber McGee
I'm coming as fast I can. Should untied these laces before I took them off there. Which door, Molly?
Molly McGee
The front door. Hurry the.
Fibber McGee
Okay, okay, okay. Well, how'd you do, ma'? Am? What can I do for you?
Ms. Witherspoon
How do you do?
Molly McGee
Are you Mr. McGee?
Fibber McGee
You betcha.
Ms. Witherspoon
Is Mrs. McGee at home?
Fibber McGee
Yep. Come right in, ma'.
Harlow Wilcox
Am.
Ms. Witherspoon
Thank you. I didn't know whether there was anyone here or not. I rang and rang and rang the doorbell.
Fibber McGee
The doorbell? Do you say you rung the doorbell?
Ms. Witherspoon
Yes.
Fibber McGee
We must have. Didn't heard it.
Ms. Witherspoon
Then I heard Voices. And I knew there must be someone here.
Fibber McGee
Sure, we're both here. Well, come right in here, ma', am, and meet Molly. Hey, Molly.
Molly McGee
Oh, what is it? If it's another one of them nuisances? How do you do?
Fibber McGee
This here's Molly. Mrs. McGee, ma'. Am, Molly, this here is. Now, don't tell me. Let me guess.
Ms. Witherspoon
You'll Never guess. I'm Ms. Witherspoon from the public library.
Molly McGee
Oh, well, now, isn't that nice? McGee, give the lady a chair.
Fibber McGee
Sure. Take anyone, ma'? Am. No, no, no, not that one.
Molly McGee
Huh?
Fibber McGee
No, take one of the others. That one's got a leg buster, that I got to fix when I get time to. Hey, wait. Don't. Don't set on that one either. There's strings busted onto that one you're liable to get stabbed in. Of course.
Molly McGee
You see, ma', am, Ms. Witherspoon, we've just just moved in a week or so ago, and we're not quite settled yet. Sure. It's nice of you to come and call so soon.
Ms. Witherspoon
Oh, not at all. I suppose you're both great readers.
Fibber McGee
Who, us? Shuck. Shit. I'll never forget what a time I had reading this here. Less miserable and.
Ms. Witherspoon
And Lay Mizram.
Fibber McGee
Yes, that too. They're both good.
Molly McGee
Ay, Mike, we'll both be glad when we're just settled down and can drop in your library for some good books. Won't we, Magee?
Fibber McGee
Huh? Oh. Oh, oh, you betcha, ma'. Am.
Ms. Witherspoon
I. I see you haven't unpacked your books yet. I don't blame you a bit. Shows your real book lovers when you keep your big booksteps unpacked last so they won't take scuffs and scraps.
Molly McGee
Oh, my goodness. We wouldn't have anything happen to our books for the world, would we, Maggie?
Fibber McGee
Oh, I don't know, Mom. Another one of them is worth the power.
Molly McGee
Did you say the doorbell is out of order, McGee?
Fibber McGee
Oh, oh, yes, yes. Ms. Silverspoon here had to knock on.
Ms. Witherspoon
Yes, weather spoon.
Fibber McGee
Shucks, ma'. Am, I can hardly wait for winter so's I'll have time to drop into the library and get caught up onto my reading. I hope you got something there besides them sappy love stories where a feller takes six years of his life and three hours of your time to get up enough courage to kiss the gal on page 314.
Molly McGee
Ah, Ms. Witherspoon, I can never get enough time for good books. Ah, Longfellow and. And Robinson Crusoe. And Shakespeare and all.
Ms. Witherspoon
Did you care for the painting of the shrew?
Molly McGee
Oh, dear, no.
Rico Martelli
Here.
Molly McGee
I leave all the wild Animal stories for McGee.
Ms. Witherspoon
And how about GBA?
Molly McGee
CBS?
Fibber McGee
Not so love, ma'. Am. This is NBC.
Molly McGee
Oh, no, no.
Ms. Witherspoon
DBS, y', all, you know.
Fibber McGee
Oh, sure, you betcha, you betcha. She's one of my favorites. I'll never forget the time I was visiting my uncle Mortimer. A great bookworm. Uncle Mort was worm.
Molly McGee
Anyway.
Fibber McGee
What day, Molly.
Molly McGee
I remember he was in the book business.
Fibber McGee
Yep, a bookmaker.
Ms. Witherspoon
How interesting. A bookmaker.
Fibber McGee
You bet, you bet. And he covered it well, sir. I'll never forget the time Uncle Mort showed me through his library into his country house. You know where the Blink river is in Massachusetts, ma'? Am?
Ms. Witherspoon
The Blink River?
Fibber McGee
Yes.
Ms. Witherspoon
No, don't think too.
Fibber McGee
It's really. Uncle Mort has him a country home built right on to the banks of it. Homestead on the Blink, he called it. You should have seen his library withy.
Molly McGee
Withy his wither spoon to you.
Fibber McGee
Oh, yes. Well, sir, Uncle Mort must have had 2 million volumes.
Ms. Witherspoon
My, that was a library. Wasn't it just.
Fibber McGee
That was just a week's reading for Uncle Mort. Well, sir, of these 2 million books, ma', am, 1 million was bound in the genuine cowhide which he kept on. To the north side of the library then was history and philosophy and physiology and all heavy stuff. On the southern side of the library he kept detective stories and fiction and love stories. Them with smaller books bound in cats. No, in cats.
Rico Martelli
Welcher.
Fibber McGee
One night whilst I was sleeping, I was woke up by a terrible commotion downstairs. Welsher. I grabs me a gun, leaps into my slippers and bathrobe and rushes down into the library. For all that their noise was coming from. And you'll never guess the sight that met my gaze.
Molly McGee
What was that?
Fibber McGee
Well, sir, I can't hardly believe it myself. Ms. Diller swoon. But there before my eyes, bumping across the floor, was all them little cast bound books wagging their little fly leaves. And what you suppose they was doing crawling over to join them big cowhides? It was motherhood calling. And wasn't no time call before there was a calf skin book snuggled up to each car book. A calf and a cow and a cat and a cow. Just like that cutest sight she ever hoped to see. Now if you'll excuse me, ma', am, I gotta go out and scrub the back porch.
Harlow Wilcox
Well, that must have been a circulating library of Fiber's uncle. And seeing that he had difficulties with both his cows and his calves, we'll Ask Martelli and his Johnson Merryman to sympathize with Double trouble.
Rico Martelli
I got trouble, double trouble. What a lizard fool but wanted such a headache I had to be number two if I choose once then I lose one Such a business boom made a good bumper I had to take enough with them I can talk with them I can talk with them I can walk with them I can walk with them Even fun with them Even swoon with them But I can't go on a honeymoon with them that's my trouble Double trouble. I don't know what to do Crazy ethical coops and I do the Will.
Harlow Wilcox
You do me a favor? I wish you'd just look down at your floors. Do they have a beautiful polish or are they beginning to get dull and shabby? You can make them look like new again in a few minutes time if you use Johnson's Blow Coat. This wonderful new liquid polish works like magic on linoleum or wood floors right before your eyes. It changes unattractive floors to bright shining floors and saves you all the work of rubbing and buffing. Flow coat dries in 20 minutes and shines as it dries without help from you. Once your floors and linoleum are protected with blow coat, they stay clean for weeks at a time. Dirt and dust can't stick to the beautiful gleaming puddles. By the way, your dealer is making a special offer right now. A can of flow coat and a long handled applier at a saving of 1/3 the regular price. Be sure you see on the attractive yellow can the name Johnson's Blow Coat. We want you to be back with us next Sunday evening when we'll again meet these happy householders, fibber and Molly McGee. Remember, next week it's one hour later than usual. For those not living in a daylight savings zone, this is Harlow Wilcox saying hasta la vista at Wistful Vista. Good night. Little McGee and Molly come to you from our Chicago studios. This is a national broadcasting company.
Rico Martelli
It.
Episode: Fibber McGee And Molly 35-09-23 (0024) Anything to Get out of Scrubbing the Back Porch
Release Date: August 17, 2025
Host: Harolds Old Time Radio
In this classic episode of Fibber McGee and Molly, listeners are treated to the comedic antics of Fibber as he tries every possible scheme to avoid scrubbing the back porch. The show, originally aired in 1935, blends witty domestic banter, slapstick mishaps, and period musical interludes, capturing the essence of Golden Age radio comedy. As always, Fibber’s “fix-it” ambitions lead to more chaos than solutions, while Molly supplies the patience and sharp retorts. The episode also features a rare special appearance by Herbert F. Johnson Jr., president of S.C. Johnson & Son, who details an upcoming scientific expedition to Brazil.
“It’s the insulation that holds electricity into the wire. When the insulation is wore off, the juice leak out. I’m surprised you didn’t know that, Molly.” – Fibber (04:19)
“Funny, is it? You cut the phone wires instead of the doorbell wires?” – Molly (08:02)
“Did you or did you not scrub the back porch?” – Molly (17:28)
“I’m glad you asked me that, Molly. You see the back. No.” – Fibber (17:32)
“I’ll never forget what a time I had reading this here. Less miserable and--” – Fibber
“And Lay Mizram.” – Miss Witherspoon (21:14–21:16)
“There before my eyes, bumping across the floor, was all them little cast bound books wagging their little fly leaves… a calf and a cow and a cat and a cow. Just like that cutest sight she ever hoped to see.” – Fibber (24:31)
“We expect that our trip will not only yield important scientific data, but will specifically ensure a future supply of the highest grade canuba wax so that we can continue to manufacture better products for American housewives.” – Herbert F. Johnson Jr. (13:43)
“No rubbing, no buffing. Put them on the floor and polish them off like nothing at all.” – Fibber (12:03)
“I know more about wires and pliers and tapes than this here Signore Macaroni.” – Fibber (06:06)
“Ah, tain’t funny, McGee.” – Molly (06:41)
“I’m glad you asked me that, Molly. You see the back. No.” – Fibber (17:32)
“Homestead on the Blink, he called it. You should have seen his library…” – Fibber (23:29)
“They’re using Johnson’s blow coat rules tomorrow night instead… No rubbing, no buffing.” – Fibber & Harlow Wilcox (12:02–12:03)
The episode delivers classic, rapid-fire banter, exaggerated self-confidence on the part of Fibber, and tolerant sarcasm from Molly. The humor is light, silly, and full of puns, immersing listeners in a warm, nostalgic rendition of American domestic life in the 1930s.
This episode is a shining example of Fibber McGee and Molly's enduring appeal: simple home problems spiraling into comic catastrophe, topical musical numbers, and the sponsor’s product woven into the very fabric of the script. The episode provides a delightful snapshot of both the fictional world of Wistful Vista and the real-world ambitions of S.C. Johnson—a true Golden Age radio gem.