On September 29, 1960, "My Three Sons" debuted on ABC,starring Fred MacMurray as widower Steve Douglas,his three sons, Mike (Tim Considine),Robbie (Don Grady), and Chip (Stanley Livingston). Steve's father-in-law Michael Francis "Bub" O'Casey (played by William Frawley,who played Fred Mertz on "I Love Lucy") helped Steve take care of his sons and keep house.
"My Three Sons" was one of the first sitcoms showing a widowed or single parent. The Douglas household could be chaotic at times but Steve and Bub or Uncle Charley managed to keep the family intact, often with heartwarming episodes that attracted millions of TV watchers.
As with any long-running series, "My Three Sons" endured its share of changes through the years. In the fall of 1963, Barry Livingston (Stanley's brother) debuted as Chip's friend and neighbor Ernie Thompson. After Mike married his sweetheart Sally Ann Morrison (Meredith MacRae) and moved away in the fall of 1965 on the first CBS and color episode, Ernie's foster parents were transferred overseas but were not allowed to take Ernie with them,so Steve adopted the orphaned Ernie,keeping the "three sons" intact after Tim Considine left the series.
In 1964, William Frawley left the series because of declining health and Bub's brother Charley O'Casey,or Uncle Charley,played by veteran character actor William Demarest, took over in Bub's role. Uncle Charley was probably best described by Steve Douglas as a "crusty character with a heart of gold". Uncle Charley had a crusty disposition that hid a soft heart.
The Douglas family lived in a medium sized midwestern city during the show's first seven seasons. In the fall of 1967, Steve took a job in Los Angeles and moved his family there. The adjustment to life in California was not easy at first but the family soon took to their new home and the move was ultimately a good thing,with Robbie meeting and eventually marrying Katie Miller (Tina Cole),another student at the college he attended. In the fall of 1968, Katie found out she was pregnant and eventually gave birth to triplets,three sons of course. In the opening episodes of the 1969-70 season, Steve met one of Ernie's substitute teachers,Barbara Harper (Beverly Garland),and their relationship blossomed into marriage. Steve adopted Barbara's daughter,Dodie (Dawn Lyn). In the fall of 1970,Chip eloped with his college girlfriend Polly Williams (Ronne Troup). In the fall of 1971, Fred MacMurray appeared in a dual role,as Steve Douglas of course,and as a cousin and Scottish nobleman,Fergus MacBain Douglas. Fergus found love with waitress Terri Dowling (Anne Francis). The couple married and Fergus returned to Scotland with his bride.
By the final season, Don Grady had left the show on the premise of Robbie having accepted a job assignment in South America. Katie and the triplets moved back in with Steve and the rest of the family. Katie often wrote letters to Robbie detailing the most recent family happenings. In 1972, "My Three Sons" ended its network run but went into syndication,where the reruns became a huge hit. There have been DVD releases of the series but they only cover the first few seasons. We should lobby for the release of all 12 seasons on DVD and Blu-Ray.
The gentleness,warmth,and love of "My Three Sons" is needed now more than ever,with shows that have grown coarse and vulgar. "My Three Sons" reaffirms the spiritual, family,and human values that bring out the good side of humanity. Congratulations,My Three Sons,on your 50th anniversary. Long live this great and wonderful show.
As a post script,I want to wish "The Flintstones" a happy 50th anniversary as well. Fred,Wilma,Barney,Betty,and the rest also made their debut on ABC on September 30, 1960. Happy 50th anniversary to everybody in Bedrock.
