Here We Go Again

The first movie with Fibber McGee & Molly, Edgar Bergen & Charlie McCarthy, and The Great Gildersleeve was "Look Who's Laughing". It was a cute little outing set in the FM & M hometown of Wistful Vista. This one is one too many. The plot is a little too contrived and the scenes uninspired, even by the relaxed standards of a cheap movie inspired by a radio sitcom.

The early scene as Fibber McGee and Molly try to enjoy a second honeymoon at a shabby lakeside resort and the scenes as Bergen & McCarthy try to camp out in the country are good. Other than that, the rest is "strictly from hunger" as the saying used to go. It's a brisk tale about how the McGees want to take the rest of their second honeymoon at a nicer resort than they can afford, so they run up a bill they can't pay. Then Molly's ex-boyfriend offers a way out: help him sell an investment in a synthetic gasoline concoction to Edgar Bergen.

Above all, the pacing of the film is way too harsh. Beyond that, the musical sequences are lame and the closing chase is perfunctory. This is clearly a cheap cash-in sequel.

That said, some will enjoy it. It's wholesome entertainment and will be well-received by most of those who are into the original radio characters. But those who like "Look Who's Laughing" will probably find this to be a weak follow-up.

Strictly designed as a vehicle for NBC to promote its radio stars, Fibber McGee and Molly (Jim and Marian Jordan) and Edgar Bergen and Charlie McCarthy. Directed by prolific craftsman Allan Dwan, the "story" was probably rejected by The Three Stooges as being too unbelievable. Still, it is a delight to see the Jordans and Bergen in the flesh, especially as they lost out on TV careers. Also fun: A baby-faced Bill Thompson before he was drafted into the Navy and Gale Gordon before he lost his hair screaming at Lucille Ball. Found treasure: I had never heard of the beautiful Ginny Simms, who apparently had quite a career in the 40s as a singer. There are oddities such as long-shots of Mortimer and Charlie played by children. An unnecessary and racist side-trip to an "Indian village" mars the product as well, but it accurately reflects pre-Dr. King American mores. A must-see for OTR fans.

Fibber McGee and his other half Molly are having their 20th anniversary, but when a party that was poorly planned falls through they decide to go back to the honeymoon lodge where they spent those heavenly honeymoon days. But that place has truly gone to seed.

They move out to the new resort across the lake where they run into all kinds of people including the McGee's neighbor Throckmorton P. Gildersleeve soon to get his own radio series and Edgar Bergen with his two wooden chums Charlie McCarthy and Mortimer Snerd. Ginny Simms one of the best singers of the 40s is also here playing Gildersleeve's niece.

James and Marian Jordan who were Fibber McGee and Molly never quite got the big screen acclaim and couldn't transfer the appeal of that show to television. Still it's an enduring favorite as this movie demonstrates.

At my age (er, low 80s) this movie is particularly meaningful, reminding us of the fun we had btv (before television) as our imaginations and spirit of fun were fed with the likes of the stars of this movie, all radio folk (all NBC).

I was 14 when I hied my tail to the 43rd Street Theater, a small movie house in my neighborhood that specialized in 'B' fare. I loved it.

"Here We Go Again" was pure (in more ways than one) fun as it brought our radio favorites to the screen.

The musical portions were most enjoyable and the characters were a delight.

Fibber and Molly were lovable and fun, Bergen and company were delightful, as was Hal Peary as Gildy (later replace by Willard Waterman (?) who looked and sounded like Peary. The lesser known characters, such as Mabel Randolph as uppity Mrs. Uppington - all of them, were wonderful.

Musically, Ginny Simms was one of the best singers of the '40s, and Ray Noble and his band were enjoyable (not enough of them). On Bergen's radio show the Brit was the butt of McCarthyism. (Charlie not Joe, although both were dummies).

I would have loved to hear their between scenes conversations.

One reviewer, psewizzrp-1, or something like that, reviewed this movie as if it was a Hitchcock thriller in need of analyzing.

He needs analyzing. He spelled 'tires' - 'tyres' -- 'whining' came out as 'whinging' (???}. And story came out as 'storey'.

If he were to review a movie about cats, he would probably refer to them as kats.

Before your next negative criticism, bub, bring your second grade spelling book with you.

Anyway, most of the critics enjoyed this fluffy movie. For me, it was a delightful trip down memory lane.

When you encounter Fibber McGee & Molly, Edgar Bergen with Charlie McCarthy & Mortimer Snerd, Harold Peary's The Great Gildersleeve, and Gale Gordon's Cadwalader all in one movie, historical hysterical greatness has to occur! Tho this film is slightly before my time, I've been able to experience them all. This is pure enjoyment that doesn't happen much nowadays. 9.