McGee School of Dramatics

Originally aired May 17, 1937, this Hollywood installment of Fibber McGee & Molly finds Fibber launching the grandiose “Fibber McGee Academy of Dramatic Art, Acting and Bagpipe Instruction.” Convinced Tinseltown needs his expertise, McGee advertises lessons in everything from ballet to ukulele—while Molly points out he can barely act himself. Visitors range from Jimmy Greer and his orchestra, to Tommy Harris singing “Too Marvelous for Words,” to Mrs. Wearybottom with a fresh round of barbs. A ventriloquist, a Russian adagio “maestro,” Rippo the paper-tearer, and even Harlow “Harpo” Wilcox audition their talents, while Teeny dreams of being Shirley Temple. McGee, meanwhile, insists on his showbiz past and even offers “lip-reading lessons” to suspicious callers. The chaos crescendos when Rippo accidentally shreds Fibber’s prized Paramount contract, leaving Molly exasperated and McGee scrambling for excuses. Brimming with parodies of Hollywood hopefuls, sponsor tie-ins, and Fibber’s endless bragging, this Glow Coat–shined episode skewers the absurdity of both drama schools and small-town showbiz dreams.