As a lover of Old Time Radio, I think this TV program is awful. Jim and Marian Jordan were not interested in doing the TV series. But the producers did assemble some names famous old names of show business:
Bob Sweeney, as Fibber. He had a natural comedic talent about him. He wasn't Jim Jordan. And I don't think he was trying to be Jim Jordan, either. He was part of the great Sweeney and March comedy team for many years.
Cathy Lewis, as Molly. She was much too serious for the role. She was a great actress. She made the perfect "straight man," and Molly McGee was a straight man, but not that straight. If you remember My Friend Irma, Cathy Lewis, as Jane Stacy, never was funny. Molly McGee, played by Marian Jordan, was funny on radio!
Barbara Beaird, as Teeny. If you remember the radio series, Teeny (or the Little Girl) only came in the house when Molly left the room, because Marian Jordan was Teeny. Barbara Beaird was too old (or too young).
Fred NItney was only talked about on the radio program. Seeing him on the TV show only made things more complicated. But it is nice to see Jack Kirkwood!
And Harold Peary as Mayor La Trivia... Hal Peary was Mr. Gildersleeve on the radio show, then that became radio's first spin off. Harold Peary was Throckmorton P. Gildersleeve... until he decided to have another radio show on another network (Honest Harold, the Happy Homemaker). Then Willard Waterman became T.P. Gildersleeve. And he tried it on radio a couple of years before this came out. Mayor La Trivia will always be Gale Gordon!!!!
I don't mean to be so harsh with my comments. It's just that the Fibber McGee and Molly show on radio was very special. And it should have been left alone. Still, though, if you are curious, it's worth looking at LIKE HOME MOVIES!!!
