The Lost Bub Years
Written: Oct 08 '00
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Product Rating:
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Pros: Wholesome, the Older Version is Downright Funny!
Cons: Not Very Original - Been Done Before
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| JustCathy's Full Review: My Three Sons |
One of the longest running sitcoms ever aired on American television was My Three Sons. A prime time sitcom from 1960 to 1972, My Three Sons starred the popular movie actor, Fred MacMurray, who played the role of Stephen Douglas. Stephen was a widower with three sons. Remember, this show was on television at a time when divorce was not "politically correct" for a television show, and of course, during this same time, in the United States, no father would have had the responsibility of caring for his three sons, unless the mother was deceased.
Many of us remember the later years of My Three Sons when it was in color. But the Black and White version of this show was by far the best -as always seems to be the case in these older shows.
In the older black and white shows, Grandpa Bub moves into the household when Stephen's wife passes away. Grandpa Bub who is retired from vaudeville, becomes the family's chief cook and bottle washer, while Stephen goes to work as an architect. Bub is a real character, hands down he steals many of the shows funniest moments. In the later color version years, Uncle Charlie comes to live with the family and take care of the household responsibilities. Uncle Charlie is a retired, no-nonsense-type merchant marine, who runs a tight ship, so to speak.
Just before Uncle Charlie steps in as the family "nanny", the oldest son gets married and moves away, leaving the show with only "two sons". In order to keep the name and the show going, the writers come up with Ernie, a orphan kid who befriends Chip (the middle son). Because Ernie is in need of a home, and the guys are used to a house full of males, it is quite natural for Stephen Douglas to adopt Ernie. Okay, so maybe it isn't all that believable, but it's just television, okay?
Now, Robbie who is the oldest in the color versions, falls in love (he does that a lot in the show, but this time for real) with Katie, a girl he meets in college. Katie and Robbie get married and have three sons of their own! Not one at a time mind you, but all at once - in other words, triplets. Personally, I think Robbie is pretty bossy and it really shows when he becomes a husband and father. I have to keep reminding myself that it was the times, but even for late sixties - early seventies, Robbie was sort of a good ol' boy type. Old fashioned and set in his ways, he doesn't want his wife working or having any life beyond caring for him and his sons.
Toward the final seasons of the show, Stephen Douglas meets up with a widow woman by the name of Barbara. She has a little daughter named Dodie. Why anyone in their right mind would name their kid Dodie is beyond me! Dodie is a freckled faced, red haired, wholesome type little girl who is spoiled rotten by Stephen and Barbara - who of course - marry and move into the Douglas household, which is now bursting at the seams.
Chip is the next to oldest son and in his due time, toward the last few seasons of the show, falls in love with his teenage sweetheart, Polly. He asks Polly's parents for her hand in marriage, and because he is such a nice, wholesome, all-American boy, they approve. Instead of getting Stephen and Barbara's permission, the two elope.
Okay, I know you have been anxiously awaiting one of my television program reviews solely for the trivia piece, so let's see how much you remember about this show:
1. What actor played "Bub" on My Three Sons?
2. What was Bub's last name?
3. What was the reason that Bub left the care of his grandsons to Uncle Charlie?
4. What television network featured My Three Sons on Prime Time?
5. What is the name of the eldest son?
This is really quite a good show, with lots of fun and antics that will delight the whole family. Again, I think the black and whites are by far the best of the series.
One of my personal favorites is a when the neighbors decide to go for a Spring drive. Stephen is in his bedroom - working at his desk (he has plans that have to be turned into his boss the next day). Chip and his friend "Soapy" are playing spaceman in the house - driving poor Stephen nuts. Bub is in the garage working on something or the other and Robbie is hiding from Mary Sue, some girl from school who keeps following him. When it is discovered that the neighbors plan to go for a country drive, everyone in the Douglas family (except for Stephen), wants to go. When the neighbors car isn't big enough, they all pile into the Douglas station wagon. Of course, all sorts of things happen to interfere with this drive, and they never actually never leave the driveway.
Another personal favorite is when the spinster neighbor lady thinks that Chip (who came to her house collecting rags for some charity drive at school), thinks that he lives in an abusive household. Everytime she looks out her window, she sees something to confirm her suspicions. She sees Grandpa Bub outdoors waving a bottle (that looks like whiskey). She sees Robbie carrying in a dummy (and she thinks it is Bub smashed to the nines). Chip just wants the lady to give him the rags and let him go home, but she keeps plying him to stay with sweets and treats. Finally, he escapes her clutches, but later she goes over to talk to Stephen about her concerns, and sees Chip in his bedroom hitting the dummy (which she thinks is Bub), and she faints on the sidewalk. It's pretty hilarious!
My Three Sons was syndicated in two packages: package one included the first five seasons in black and white, along with the 12th season (in color); the second package included seasons six through 11. My Three Sons (Package One) can currently be seen on the TVLand channel.
This show is sure to delight the whole family. I hope you enjoy!
ANSWERS:
1. Bub was played by none other than William Frawley (AKA Fred Mertz from I Love Lucy).
2. Bub was Stephen Douglas' Father-in-law, and his last name was O'Casey. (Same as Good Ol' Uncle Charlie).
3. By 1965 (fifth season), William Frawley passed away, which is (obviously), the "real" reason he left the show. The television version is that he moved to Ireland.
4. The show aired on ABC until 1965 - (which was when William Frawley's passed away). The show was then sold to CBS. CBS made My Three Sons a color show.
5. Ahh, maybe I tricked you on this one, maybe not! During the "Bub years", son Mike was the eldest. During the "Uncle Charlie years" it was Robbie. Son Mike leaves the show when he moves to the East Coast with his new bride and the family moves to North Hollywood, California from their black and white ABC home in Bryant Park, Illinois.
Recommended:
Yes
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JustCathy
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Location: Lake Woebegon, Minnesota
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