Here We Go Again

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.

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.

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.

What a delightful surprise—the radio characters are just as funny on the screen as off. Middle-age couples have seldom starred in Hollywood features, but the Jordan's make engaging anchors of their small town Fibber McGee and Molly. I love the barbs McGee trades with the rotund Gildersleeve (Peary), carry-overs from the radio show. Then there's the ethically challenged Cadwallader (Gordon) as McGee's rival. Will he manage to come between radio's best-known married couple. The barbs are amusing without being mean-spirited. And, of course, there's the wooden little gentleman Charlie McCarthy trading quips with the best of them, or should I say Bergen trading quips. Sometimes it's hard to tell. Even the intellectually challenged Mortimer Snerd makes the most of his face time.

What really makes this comedic mix work is Allan Dwan's expert staging and direction. That cliff-hanging climax really winds things up with a bang. Too bad Dwan is almost forgotten. His Up in Mabel's Room (1944) and Getting Gertie's Garter (1945) remain two of the funniest bedroom farces of that period. Note here how he works a bevy of shapely girls into the visuals, adding eye appeal to the middle-age stars, plus of course the sparkling Ginny Simms. Oh sure, much of the humor comes from a gentler time when small town America was still the norm. Yet, I defy even today's young sophisticates not to crack more than a few smiles at the nonsensical goings-on of this delightful little programmer.

"Fibber McGee and Molly" was an enormously popular radio program during the 1930s and 40s. Not surprisingly, this resulted in six movies...including this third one in the series. Unfortunately, I've never heard their radio show nor have I seen any of their films, so perhaps others can better judge how good this film is if you are a fan.

In addition to these characters, the film features radio stars, Throckmorton Gildersleeve of "The Great Gildersleeve". And, like Fibber McGee and Molly, he made a few films...which I really enjoyed. The same goes for Edger Bergen...who made a name for himself on the radio and in films as well.

In this story, the McGees are having an anniversary. When their plans for a party fall through, they decide on a second honeymoon. Unfortunately, the first place they go to is a real dump...so they decide to try another hotel. Unfortunately, it's a very expensive one and Fibber wonders how they can afford it. What's worse...Molly's old boyfriend (Gale Gordon) is there...and Fibber can't stand the guy. Does he have good reason? See the film and see for yourself.

This is a mildly enjoyable film. Nothing exceptional but pleasant and fun...and well worth seeing even if you are not familiar with these radio acts.