Captain of the Ship

Originally aired August 3, 1936, this episode of Fibber McGee & Molly sets sail on the high seas—literally. When the yacht’s captain succumbs to a headache, Fibber McGee volunteers to take command, leading to a nautical nightmare of misnavigation, maritime malapropisms, and mishaps galore. With pirate blood in his veins (or so he claims), McGee appoints himself “Skipper” and embarks on a voyage that includes iceberg warnings, mystery messages in bottles, and arguments over the laws of the sea. Molly endures the absurdity with her trademark wit, while an array of characters—including a snooty knitter, a cheeky child, and a sea-salty Ted Weems—keep the deck rocking with laughs. Complete with Johnson’s Auto Wax promotions and buoyant musical interludes, this remastered golden-age radio comedy anchors Fibber’s misguided leadership in comic gold.