Starter of this subject: Dr Jan Meyer
Last post in this subject: 5/14/2002
Messages in this subject: 3
| Dr Jan Meyer | 5/14/2002 3 replies |
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Does anyone know the origin of the phrase "Fibber McGee's closet"? My grandmother had one--a sort of catchall--which was full of wonderfully interesting treasures. Now I would like to refer to it in my weekly newspaper column.
Thanks for any help anyone can give to me. Dr. J |
| Jack French | 5/14/2002 1 replies |
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"Fibber McGee and Molly" was a network comedy show on the air from 1935 to 1959. A running gag, and used nearly every month, was an accidental opening of "Fibber McGee's closet" which would produce a cacophony of lengthy, loud clatter. The sound effects people would push over a stack of pots, pans, cans, etc. followed usually by a dropped bell at the very end.
It became a well-known situation throughout the US, and to the radio listeners, many of whom would then refer to any of their own cluttered closets, as "Fibber McGee's closet". Jack French Editor: RADIO RECALL |
| Doug Dahlgren | 2/23/2003 0 replies |
| It was a drum about 5 feet high by 2 feet wide, full of "stuff that made noise' the SFX people would crank it every time Jim Jordan opened the closet. It was still on display at the WMAQ studios last time I was there. (They were wnBq when the show was on and have since moved from the Merchandise Mart) |
| Ted Hering | 5/15/2002 0 replies |
| Another OTR-based cliche that is STILL IN USE is "Coming On Like Gangbusters." The "Gangbusters" show had no theme music, but opened with a full-volume montage of sound effects: a siren, machine gun fire, running footsteps, etc... all at once! It's funny who have never heard Gangbusters "come on" still use the expressio |