Very rarely does a technical part of any program become almost as well known as the show itself. That happened, though, with one particular sound effect that can be heard on Fibber McGee and Molly. Well known still today for lovable, hilarious characters and witty, well written scripts, Fibber McGee and Molly is also fondly remembered because of the Hall Closet. Fibber would find himself in need of something that he had misplaced or stored away. Deciding it was in a closet, Fibber would open the door and be buried under a cascade of thumps, crashes, bangs, and dings. This cacophony was well planned, perched precariously on a constructed set of stairs. As the sound effects crew waited for the effect to actually be called for in the script, however, they were constantly afraid it would collapse before its time.

 

Just one aspect of the program that entered into the public consciousness, the Hall Closet did so and quickly. People of course talked about the gag so much so that it entered into common language. It’s not unheard of still today to hear someone say or have a writer refer to ‘McGee’s closet’ or ‘Opening Fibber’s door’ to mean getting more than you bargained for.

 

Enjoy an entire season restored to sparkling audio quality in The Fibber McGee & Molly Show, The 1947/1948 Season. Enjoy all the characters, repartee between Molly and Fibber, and yes, the closet that makes this show a standout still today!

 

Fibber McGee and Molly expert, Karl Pearson, is the Series Contributor for this set. Enjoy 18 hours, 35 shows of pure fun.