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Dr. Mickey Smith, Barnard Distinguished Professor Emeritus at the University of Mississippi, is the author
of a new book, "How Fibber McGee and Molly Won World War II. This entertaining essay combies serious subjects and comedy
in chronicling a very specialperiod inthe broadcast life of one of Radio's most popular and best-loved series. In the
book Smith describes how the special combinatio of the stars themselves, a writing genius, and the "perfect" sponsor,
produced a one-of-a-kind program melding laughs and patriotim during ne of America's drkest hours. Jim and Marian Jordan
somehow hooked up with thw writing genius of Don Quinn, and the unparalleled support of the S>C> Johnson(Wax) Company
to produce an entertaining, funny series of programs with an uwavering mssage--America was in right , the men(and women) in
the military deserved unflagging support, and the folks at home had a vital role to play, assuring the ultimate victory.
The story is told via excerpts fro scores of broadcasts enhanced by the author's observations. An account of
the difficult , but ultimately successful, efforts of the Government and of the broadcast industry to adapt to Wartime conditions
provides an illuminating backdrop to the story. Fifteen photographs illuminate the book.
The McGee's messages,
while always supportive of the War efort, were sometimes poignant. An example is Molly's post-War reminder in support
of the National War Fund, an agency devoted to providing recreational care and maintenance of morale for the military until
they returned home:"We gave our boys a warm han when they left. Let's not give them the cold shoulder now."
Fibber McGee and Molly highlighted subjects nt usually given a lot of attention such as the Coast Guard, Merchant
Marine,"WACS", Inflation , and Aid to European War Victims.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
prologue
CH.1 Introduction to the Show
CH.2 Format, characters, premise
CH>3 The Broadcast environment
CH.4
The Men Behind the Words
CH.5 The Perfect Sponsor
CH.6 Words That Won the War
Epilogue
References
and bibliography
Index
Contact for more information,
signings:
Mickey Smith
1411 Lawson St.
Oxford, MS 38655
Ph. 662-23-5335
E> Mickand
mary@webtv.net
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