Freezing Without Coal

Originally Aired: February 14, 1939 Fibber McGee & Molly #192, "Freezing Without Coal," When a fierce winter storm blankets Wistful Vista with two feet of snow, Fibber McGee finds himself in a desperate situation: bundled in layers of coats and earmuffs in his own living room, his furnace is out, the coal company is sold out, and his water pipes are frozen solid. As he shivers through the bitter cold, Fibber frantically tries to solve his heating crisis. He sends the Old Timer down to the basement to scrounge for kindling, calls Mrs. Uppington hoping to borrow coal (only to learn she has an oil furnace), and discovers the plumber he called has sent over his tools but gone to a hockey game instead. Determined to get help, Fibber braves the blizzard to visit the water company in person, where he encounters an unhelpful receptionist and learns that Mr. Van Meter is tied up in a directors' meeting—likely deciding whether to raise rates. Meanwhile, Don Novis sings "I Have Eyes" in the freezing house, and Fibber's situation grows increasingly dire as he searches for anyone who can help thaw his pipes and warm his home.