Podcast Summary: Fibber McGee and Molly 35-09-23 (0024) "Anything to Get out of Scrubbing the Back Porch"

Harold's Old Time Radio – January 12, 2026

Overview

This episode of "Fibber McGee and Molly," originally broadcast on September 23, 1935, brings listeners classic Golden Age radio comedy. The story revolves around Fibber's humorous attempts to avoid scrubbing the back porch, using elaborate distractions like fixing a faulty doorbell and spinning tall tales. Set in their new home at 79 Wistful Vista, Fibber and Molly bicker, banter, and receive a visit from the local librarian, all while lampooning household chores, domestic mishaps, and each other's foibles.

Key Discussion Points and Insights

1. Musical Introductions and Advertisements

• The episode opens with a lively musical performance by Rico Martelli's orchestra, setting a cheerful tone (00:37–01:28).
• Multiple segments feature tongue-in-cheek promotion of Johnson’s Wax and Blow Coat, the sponsoring company, woven deftly into the show’s script.

2. The Doorbell Dilemma

• Storyline: Fibber claims expertise and attempts to fix the front doorbell, roping Molly in as his assistant. Hijinks ensue as he tangles with wires, mousetraps, and boasts of his “Signal Corps” past.
  • Notable Exchange:
    • Fibber: “It’s the insulation that holds electricity into the wire. When the insulation is wore off, the juice leak out!” (04:19)
    • Molly: “You cut the phone wires instead of the doorbell wires?” (08:02)
  • Memorable Moment: Fibber suffers minor injuries, insists on his technical genius, and ultimately causes the phone to go dead—sparking Molly’s exasperation.

3. Musical Interludes

• Lynn Martin’s Song: “I've Got to Have Your House” (08:19–11:31) provides a smooth transition from slapstick to sentimentality, showcasing the variety typical of 1930s radio.

4. Blended Commercial & Comedy Bits

• Fibber interrupts the sponsor’s message with gags, joking about "Johnson's Blow Coat rules" for a boxing match:
  • Fibber (to announcer): “No rubbing, no buffing. Put them on the floor and polish them off like nothing at all.” (12:03)

5. Special Segment – The President’s Address

• Herbert F. Johnson Jr. of S.C. Johnson & Son appears as a guest, describing a scientific expedition to Brazil to secure carnauba wax for their products (12:48–14:19). This rare blend of commercial and educational content adds unexpected gravitas.

6. The Reluctant Chore-Doer

• Back at home, Molly presses Fibber to scrub the back porch, while Fibber offers farfetched excuses and diverts the conversation to sports and world affairs.
  • Molly: “Did you or did you not scrub the back porch?” (17:30)
  • Fibber: “I’m glad you asked me that, Molly. You see the…" (17:34)
• Political Satire: Fibber parodies the complexity of current events, linking them in a mock rationale to his back porch dilemma (18:01–19:07).

7. Visit from Ms. Witherspoon, the Librarian

• Plot Twist: Ms. Witherspoon arrives from the public library, prompting a flurry of comedic mishaps as Fibber scrambles to seat her (broken chairs) and bluffs their credentials as book lovers.
  • Ms. Witherspoon: “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…” (21:28)
  • Fibber’s Tall Tale: Fibber spins a fanciful yarn about his uncle’s enormous library, complete with cowhide- and calf-bound books that come “alive” and snuggle up at night (23:02–25:13).

8. Final Musical and Closing Gags

• The episode wraps with another musical performance and a comic song by Fibber: “Double Trouble” (25:35–26:13).
• The usual sponsor messages and friendly reminders for listeners to tune in next week (26:13–29:17).

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• Slapstick Technical Wisdom:
  • Fibber: “It’s the insulation that holds electricity into the wire. When the insulation is wore off, the juice leak out!” (04:19)
• Classic Marital Ribbing:
  • Molly: “Did you or did you not scrub the back porch?” (17:30)
  • Fibber (deflecting): “I’m glad you asked me that, Molly…” (17:34)
• Political Satire:
  • Fibber: “...on account of the British holding control of the Suez Canal and the location of Gibberal or what it is… I don't know how Czechoslovakia is going to keep out of it.” (18:36–19:07)
• Library Tall Tale:
  • Fibber: “...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.” (24:30)
  • Ms. Witherspoon (on book storage): “I see you haven’t unpacked your books yet. I don’t blame you a bit. Shows your real book lovers...”(21:28)

Timestamps for Important Segments

• Opening and Musical Intro: 00:01–01:28
• Doorbell Repair Comedy: 03:22–08:06
• Musical Interlude (Lynn Martin): 08:19–11:31
• Sponsor Routine & "Blow Coat Rules": 11:31–12:11
• President’s Special Address: 12:48–14:19
• Chores Avoidance & Comic Excuses: 17:04–19:16
• Ms. Witherspoon’s Visit and Library Tall Tale: 19:38–25:13
• Final Song & Closing: 25:35–29:35

Original Language & Tone

Throughout, the episode revels in silly wordplay, rural idioms, tall tales, and gentle marital teasing, with Fibber’s comically inflated self-confidence bouncing off Molly’s practicality. The tone is light, laced with period-specific references, and full of the kind of bustling energy that defined early American radio comedy.

This summary covers all the major comedic set pieces and memorable lines, preserving the flavor and chronology of the original broadcast, and is ideal for anyone interested in the wit, warmth, and clever writing of classic "Fibber McGee and Molly."