Bachelor Father (American TV series)

Bachelor Father is an American sitcom starring John Forsythe, Noreen Corcoran and Sammee Tong. The series first premiered on CBS in September 1957 before moving to NBC for the third season in 1959. The series' fifth and final season aired on ABC. A total of 157 episodes were aired. The series was based on "A New Girl in His Life," which aired on General Electric Theater on May 26, 1957.[1]

Bachelor Father
Noreen Corcoran and John Forsythe, 1961
GenreSitcom
StarringJohn Forsythe
Noreen Corcoran
Sammee Tong
Jimmy Boyd
Bernadette Withers
Theme music composerDave Kahn
(19571958)
Melvyn Lenard Gordon
(19571958)
Jeff Alexander
(19581959)
Larry Ornstein
(19581959)
Johnny Williams
(19591960)
Conrad Salinger
(196062)
Opening theme"Bachelor Father Serenade"
(19571958)
"Bachelor Father Theme"
(19581959)
"Bachelor Father Theme"
(19591960)
"Bentley's Theme"
(196062)
ComposerStanley Wilson
Country of originUnited States
Original languageEnglish
No. of seasons5
No. of episodes157
Production
ProducersHarry Ackerman
(1957–1958)
Everett Freeman
(1958–1962)
Robert Sparks
Camera setupSingle-camera
Running time30 mins.
Production companiesBachelor Productions
Revue Studios
DistributorMCA TV
Release
Original networkCBS (19571959)
NBC (19591961)
ABC (19611962)
Picture formatBlack-and-white
Audio formatMonaural
Original releaseSeptember 15, 1957 (1957-09-15) 
September 25, 1962 (1962-09-25)
Chronology
Related showsGeneral Electric Theater

Bachelor Father is the only primetime series ever to run in consecutive years on the three major television networks (ABC, CBS and NBC).[2]

Overview

Bachelor Father follows the adventures of Bentley Gregg, a wealthy bachelor attorney living in Beverly Hills who assumes the responsibility of raising his niece, Kelly (Noreen Corcoran), after her parents died in an automobile accident.[2] Other members of the cast included houseboy Peter Tong (Sammee Tong), teenage neighbor and Kelly's on and off boyfriend, Howard Meechum (Jimmy Boyd), Kelly's best friend, Ginger Farrell (Bernadette Withers) and Jasper, the dog.[2] Withers appeared in 51 episodes from 1957-1962; Boyd in 37 from 1958-1962. Plots center on Bentley's adjustments to his new role as an adoptive parent, his search for the right woman to share his life,[2] Kelly facing the usual problems of adolescence and young adulthood and her ritual of passage from high school to college and Peter's misadventures with his family, love life and financial schemes.

Asian rights activist Guy Aoki has praised the show for prominently featuring Asian actors and storylines, including "feisty" comedian Sammee Tong and Victor Sen Yung, the scheming "Uncle Charlie," "a slick, Americanized character. I thought it was great that way back in the ’50s, audiences saw a Chinese American who acted just like anyone else."[3]

The program's final season storylines led to Kelly's impending marriage to Bentley's junior partner Warren Dawson (Aron Kincaid).[4] The two met, became engaged, interacted with other couples and even met Dawson's parents (who flew in from New York on short notice), all in a span of three episodes. Without mention or explanation, Kincaid's character was dropped after four episodes and by the series finale, Kelly is seeing a different man with no marriage plans. Meechum (Boyd) appears in several Season 5 episodes, but he is never developed as a serious romantic interest for Kelly. As the series was canceled after 157 episodes, Bachelor Father did not have a formal series finale.

Primary cast

According to John Forsythe, the Bentley Gregg character was based on two well-known Beverly Hills bachelors at the time. He combined their names and used it for the character's in the program. Because of the implication in the program of Gregg's aversion to marriage, no serious thoughts were given to casting a 'regular' or steady woman for him. Instead, Gregg is forever dating different women with only a handful ever getting a 'second' date with him.

Forsythe noted that casting the main characters took considerable effort. Then actor (and future California governor and United States president) Ronald Reagan, who hosted General Electric Theater from 1954-1962, suggested Corcoran for the role, believing her to be a 'typical teenager' and closer to what a normal 13-year-old was like, which Forsythe agreed. Corcoran was already an experienced actress with movie and television roles to her credit. She was 18 years old when the program left the air and had virtually 'grown up' into a young woman during the show's run.

Casting Bentley Gregg's houseboy was difficult as well. Sammee Tong was cast based primarily on his experience as a stand-up comedian. Forsythe believed much of the program's success resulted from the interaction between Tong and himself and that Tong had great comic timing. He also stated that Tong's character was unique for the time and that he was not the "typical" Asian house servant. Forsythe insisted on Tong being a major character on the program. Several of the program plots center around Tong, many dealing with his attempts to improve his position in life. Although none ever pan out (much like Bentley or Kelly) he does develop as a character through the life of the program.

Kelly's (Noreen Corcoran) best friend was Ginger, played by Bernadette Withers.[5]

Guest stars

Among the series guest stars were Edgar Bergen, Bill Bixby, Billy Gray, Ryan O'Neal, Frankie Laine, Mary Tyler Moore and singer Patti Page. Eddie Anderson, who portrayed "Rochester" on The Jack Benny Show, reprised his role in the Season 5 episode, "Pinch That Penny." Besides the 'Benny' link, the series had connections to The George Burns and Gracie Allen Show as Harry Von Zell appeared in five season three episodes as Bentley Gregg's friend and next-door neighbor. The Burns' son, Ronnie Burns, appeared on two episodes, as well. Fifteen-year-old Linda Evans also appeared in a guest spot on the series as one of Kelly's friends. Evans and Forsythe later starred in the primetime soap opera Dynasty together.[6]

Other guest stars include:

Broadcast history

The series' pilot episode, "A New Girl in His Life", originally aired on General Electric Theater on May 26, 1957.[1] The series was first telecast on CBS on September 15, 1957.[2] It originally aired on Sunday evenings on alternating weeks with The Jack Benny Program (Benny guest starred on one episode) opposite NBC's Sally and ABC's Maverick.[7] The show moved to NBC as a weekly series on Thursday nights in June 1959 (the Summer 1959 run on NBC were reruns of previous CBS episodes) and concluded its run on that network in September 1961.[8] The series then moved on to ABC on Tuesday nights in 1961 for its final season. The last "first run" episode (the 157th unique episode) aired on June 26, 1962, with the remainder of the summer being reruns.[2]

Bachelor Father is the only series to ever run in consecutive seasons on all three major TV networks of the time (ABC, CBS and NBC). On November 22, 1963, a re-run episode of Bachelor Father was airing on several NBC affiliates in the Eastern Time Zone (including the main WNBC network in New York), when all of a sudden, Don Pardo broke in at 1:45 PM EST with the first bulletin of the shooting of President John F. Kennedy in Dallas, Texas, at the hands of Lee Harvey Oswald.

Episodes

Season 1 (1957–58)

No.
overall
No. in
season
TitleDirected byWritten byOriginal air date
11"Bentley and the P.T.A."Jerry HopperArthur Alsberg & Nate MonasterSeptember 15, 1957 (1957-09-15)
22"Bentley Versus the Girl Scouts"Jerry HopperJerry Davis & Howard LeedsSeptember 29, 1957 (1957-09-29)
33"Uncle Bentley and the Lady Doctor"Jerry HopperArthur Alsberg & Nate MonasterOctober 13, 1957 (1957-10-13)
44"A Date with Kelly"Jerry HopperJerry Davis & Howard LeedsOctober 27, 1957 (1957-10-27)
55"Uncle Bentley and the Aunts"Jerry HopperArthur Alsberg & Nate MonasterNovember 10, 1957 (1957-11-10)
66"Bentley and the Revolving Housekeepers"Jerry HopperArthur Alsberg & Nate MonasterNovember 24, 1957 (1957-11-24)
77"Uncle Bentley Keeps His Promise"Jerry HopperDon Nelson & John ForsytheDecember 8, 1957 (1957-12-08)
88"Bentley and the Baby Sitter"Jerry HopperArthur Alsberg & Nate MonasterDecember 22, 1957 (1957-12-22)
99"Bentley and the Talent Contest"Jerry HopperArthur Alsberg & Nate MonasterJanuary 5, 1958 (1958-01-05)
1010"Bentley, the Homemaker"Jerry HopperArthur Alsberg & Nate MonasterJanuary 19, 1958 (1958-01-19)
1111"Bentley and His Junior Image"Jerry HopperArthur Alsberg & Nate MonasterFebruary 2, 1958 (1958-02-02)
1212"Uncle Bentley Loans Out Peter"Jerry HopperArthur Alsberg & Nate MonasterFebruary 16, 1958 (1958-02-16)
1313"Bentley and the Social Worker"Jerry HopperArthur Alsberg & Nate MonasterMarch 2, 1958 (1958-03-02)
1414"A Sister for Kelly"Andrew McCulloughArthur Alsberg & Nate MonasterMarch 16, 1958 (1958-03-16)
1515"Waiting Up for Kelly"Jerry HopperPhil LeslieMarch 30, 1958 (1958-03-30)
1616"Woman of the House"Andrew McCulloughArthur Alsberg & Nate MonasterApril 13, 1958 (1958-04-13)
1717"Peter Falls in Love"Don TaylorArthur Alsberg & Nate MonasterApril 27, 1958 (1958-04-27)
1818"Bentley's Prospective Son-In-Law"John NewlandArthur Alsberg & Nate MonasterMay 11, 1958 (1958-05-11)
1919"Bentley's Clubhouse"David ButlerArthur Alsberg & Nate MonasterMay 25, 1958 (1958-05-25)
2020"Uncle Bentley and the Matchmaker"Jerry HopperArthur Alsberg & Nate MonasterJune 8, 1958 (1958-06-08)

Season 2 (1958–59)

No.
overall
No. in
season
TitleDirected byWritten byOriginal air date
211"Bentley and the Finishing School"John NewlandArthur Alsberg & Nate MonasterSeptember 14, 1958 (1958-09-14)
222"Parent's Night"John NewlandJerry Davis & Alfred Lewis Levitt*September 28, 1958 (1958-09-28)
233"Bentley Leads a Dog's Life"John NewlandArthur Alsberg (s/t) & Nate Monaster (s) & Ben Starr (t)October 12, 1958 (1958-10-12)
244"Bentley and the Teenage Siren"John NewlandArthur Alsberg & Nate MonasterOctober 26, 1958 (1958-10-26)
255"Bentley & Peter's Teacher"Sidney LanfieldArthur Alsberg & Nate MonasterNovember 9, 1958 (1958-11-09)
266"Bentley and the Wedding Bells"Sidney MillerArthur Alsberg & Nate MonasterNovember 23, 1958 (1958-11-23)
277"Kelly's Mad Crush"John NewlandArthur Alsberg & Ben StarrDecember 7, 1958 (1958-12-07)
288"Bentley's Big Case"John NewlandArthur Alsberg & Nate MonasterDecember 21, 1958 (1958-12-21)
299"Bentley's Economy Wave"John NewlandArthur Alsberg & Nate MonasterJanuary 4, 1959 (1959-01-04)
3010"Decisions, Decisions"John NewlandJerry Davis & Alfred Lewis Levitt* (t)
Bill Freedman & Larry Rhine (s)
January 18, 1959 (1959-01-18)
3111"Bentley and the Kleptomaniac"John NewlandLaurence Marks & Milton PascalFebruary 1, 1959 (1959-02-01)
3212"A Phone for Kelly"Bretaigne WindustArthur Alsberg & Ben StarrFebruary 15, 1959 (1959-02-15)
3313"Bentley, the Star Maker"John NewlandArthur Alsberg & Nate MonasterMarch 1, 1959 (1959-03-01)
3414"Bentley the Proud Father"Earl BellamyArthur Alsberg & Ben StarrMarch 15, 1959 (1959-03-15)
3515"Bentley's Aunt Caroline"John NewlandArthur Alsberg & Ben StarrMarch 29, 1959 (1959-03-29)
3616"Bentley, Man of Steel"Earl BellamyJerry Davis & Alfred Lewis Levitt*April 12, 1959 (1959-04-12)
3717"Bentley and the Motorcycle"Don TaylorArthur Alsberg & Ben StarrApril 26, 1959 (1959-04-26)
3818"Bentley, the Organizer"Don TaylorArthur Alsberg & Ben StarrMay 10, 1959 (1959-05-10)
3919"Bentley and the Beauty Contest"Bretaigne WindustArthur Alsberg & Ben Starr (s)
Jerry Davis (t)
May 24, 1959 (1959-05-24)
4020"Bentley, the Hero"Don TaylorArthur Alsberg & Ben StarrJune 7, 1959 (1959-06-07)

* Because of the Hollywood Blacklist, Alfred Lewis Levitt was credited at "Tom August."

Season 3 (1959–60)

No.
overall
No. in
season
TitleDirected byWritten byOriginal air date
411"Peter Meets His Match"Sidney LanfieldSeaman Jacobs & Si RoseSeptember 17, 1959 (1959-09-17)
422"Bentley and the Dog Trainer"Bretaigne WindustEverett Freeman & William RaynorSeptember 24, 1959 (1959-09-24)
433"The Case Against Gisele"Sidney LanfieldSeaman Jacobs & Si RoseOctober 1, 1959 (1959-10-01)
444"Bentley and the Gullible Guitarist"Sidney LanfieldBob Fisher & Alan LipscottOctober 8, 1959 (1959-10-08)
455"Kelly's Idol"Bretaigne WindustLaurence Marks & William RaynorOctober 15, 1959 (1959-10-15)
466"East Meets West"Sidney LanfieldJerry Davis & David R. SchwartzOctober 22, 1959 (1959-10-22)
477"Bentley and Grandpa Ling"Sidney LanfieldBob Fisher & Alan LipscottOctober 29, 1959 (1959-10-29)
488"Kelly: The Golddigger"Norman AbbottMel Diamond & John KohnNovember 5, 1959 (1959-11-05)
499"The Rescue of Rufus"Sidney LanfieldCynthia Lindsay & Leo TownsendNovember 12, 1959 (1959-11-12)
5010"A Key for Kelly"Sidney LanfieldBob Fisher & Alan LipscottNovember 19, 1959 (1959-11-19)
5111"Bentley's Double Play"Sidney LanfieldBob Fisher & Alan LipscottNovember 26, 1959 (1959-11-26)
5212"Bentley and the Brainy Beauty"Sidney LanfieldSeaman Jacobs & Si RoseDecember 3, 1959 (1959-12-03)
5313"Bentley Plays Cupid"Sidney LanfieldJerry Davis & Howard LeedsDecember 10, 1959 (1959-12-10)
5414"Kelly's Secret"Bretaigne WindustMartin RagawayDecember 17, 1959 (1959-12-17)
5515"Bentley Goes to Washington"Bretaigne WindustBob Fisher & Alan LipscottDecember 24, 1959 (1959-12-24)
5616"Kelly, the Politician"Bretaigne WindustHenry SharpDecember 31, 1959 (1959-12-31)
5717"Bentley: The Gentleman Farmer"Bretaigne WindustArthur Alsberg & William RaynorJanuary 7, 1960 (1960-01-07)
5818"Bentley and the Combo"Sidney MillerPhil Davis, Laurence Marks & William RaynorJanuary 14, 1960 (1960-01-14)
5919"Bentley and the Bartered Bride"Earl BellamyBob Fisher, James Hong, Alan Lipscott & Eleanor Middleton (s)January 21, 1960 (1960-01-21)
6020"The Blonde Issue"Sidney MillerBob Fisher & Alan LipscottJanuary 28, 1960 (1960-01-28)
6121"Bentley and the Majorette"Sidney MillerKeith Fowler (t) & David R. Schwartz (s/t)February 4, 1960 (1960-02-04)
6222"Bentley, the Model Citizen"Sidney MillerSeaman Jacobs & Si RoseFebruary 18, 1960 (1960-02-18)
6323"The Fishing Trip"Richard KinonArthur Alsberg & Mel DiamondFebruary 25, 1960 (1960-02-25)
6424"The Fortune Cookie Caper"Earl BellamySeaman Jacobs & Si RoseMarch 3, 1960 (1960-03-03)
6525"Kelly and the College Man"Ezra StoneArthur Alsberg & Mel DiamondMarch 10, 1960 (1960-03-10)
6626"Kelly: The Career Woman"Earl BellamySeaman Jacobs & Si RoseMarch 17, 1960 (1960-03-17)
6727"Bentley's New House"Bretaigne WindustArthur Alsberg & Joseph QuillanMarch 24, 1960 (1960-03-24)
6828"Bentley, the Stage Mother"Norman AbbottBob Fisher & Alan LipscottApril 7, 1960 (1960-04-07)
6929"The Woman's Angle"Earl BellamyArthur Alsberg, Keith Fowler & Joseph QuillanApril 14, 1960 (1960-04-14)
7030"Bentley Meets the Perfect Woman"Earl BellamyBob Fisher & Alan LipscottApril 21, 1960 (1960-04-21)
7131"Bentley and the Travel Agent"Earl BellamyArthur Alsberg & Mel DiamondApril 28, 1960 (1960-04-28)
7232"The Very Friendly Witness"Norman AbbottSeaman Jacobs & Si RoseMay 5, 1960 (1960-05-05)
7333"Bentley and the Blood Bank"Earl BellamyArthur Alsberg, Mel Diamond & Joseph QuillanMay 12, 1960 (1960-05-12)
7434"A Man of Importance"Earl BellamyArthur Alsberg & Mel DiamondMay 19, 1960 (1960-05-19)
7535"Bentley and the Beach Bum"Earl BellamyArthur Alsberg & Mel DiamondMay 26, 1960 (1960-05-26)
7636"Where There's a Will"Bretaigne WindustBob Fisher & Alan LipscottJune 2, 1960 (1960-06-02)
7737"Bentley's Birthday Gift"Earl BellamyEverett Freeman & Sam LockeJune 9, 1960 (1960-06-09)

Season 4 (1960–61)

No.
overall
No. in
season
TitleDirected byWritten byOriginal air date
781"Jasper the Second"Earl BellamyEverett FreemanSeptember 15, 1960 (1960-09-15)
792"Kelly Learns to Drive"Earl BellamySeaman Jacobs & Si RoseSeptember 22, 1960 (1960-09-22)
803"Trial Separation"Earl BellamyBob Fisher & Alan LipscottSeptember 29, 1960 (1960-09-29)
814"Mystery Witness"Earl BellamyLou DermanOctober 6, 1960 (1960-10-06)
825"A Crush on Bentley"Earl BellamyEverett FreemanOctober 13, 1960 (1960-10-13)
836"Peter Gets Jury Notice"Earl BellamyEverett Freeman & Danny SimonOctober 20, 1960 (1960-10-20)
847"Hilda the Jewel"Earl BellamyLou Derman & Mel DiamondOctober 27, 1960 (1960-10-27)
858"It Happens in November"Earl BellamySeaman Jacobs & Si Rose (t)
Helen Mandel (s)
November 3, 1960 (1960-11-03)
869"How to Catch a Man"Earl BellamyMel Diamond & Mel TolkinNovember 10, 1960 (1960-11-10)
8710"Kelly, the Matchmaker"Earl BellamyArthur Alsberg & Mel DiamondNovember 17, 1960 (1960-11-17)
8811"Bentley Cracks the Whip"Earl BellamyBob Fisher & Alan LipscottNovember 24, 1960 (1960-11-24)
8912"Bentley and the Big Board"Earl BellamySeaman Jacobs & Si RoseDecember 1, 1960 (1960-12-01)
9013"Dear Bentley"Earl BellamyBob Fisher & Alan LipscottDecember 15, 1960 (1960-12-15)
9114"Bentley and the Lost Chord"Earl BellamyDanny SimonDecember 22, 1960 (1960-12-22)
9215"Ginger's Big Romance"Earl BellamyKeith Fowler & Ralph GoodmanDecember 29, 1960 (1960-12-29)
9316"Bentley the Angel"Earl BellamyBob Fisher & Alan LipscottJanuary 5, 1961 (1961-01-05)
9417"Bentley and the Woodpecker"Earl BellamySeaman Jacobs & Si RoseJanuary 12, 1961 (1961-01-12)
9518"Bentley Goes to Europe"Earl BellamyKeith Fowler & Everett FreemanJanuary 19, 1961 (1961-01-19)
9619"The Greggs in Rome"Earl BellamyKeith Fowler & Everett FreemanJanuary 26, 1961 (1961-01-26)
9720"The Greggs in London"Earl BellamyWilliam Raynor & Myles WilderFebruary 2, 1961 (1961-02-02)
9821"The Greggs in Paris"Earl BellamyHoward LeedsFebruary 16, 1961 (1961-02-16)
9922"Encore in Paris"Earl BellamyRobert PiroshFebruary 23, 1961 (1961-02-23)
10023"There's No Place Like Home"Earl BellamyWilliam Raynor & Myles WilderMarch 2, 1961 (1961-03-02)
10124"Bentley Swims Upstream"Earl BellamyBob Fisher & Alan LipscottMarch 9, 1961 (1961-03-09)
10225"A Man Among Men"Earl BellamyWilliam Raynor & Myles WilderMarch 16, 1961 (1961-03-16)
10326"Peter's China Doll"Earl BellamySeaman Jacobs & Si RoseMarch 23, 1961 (1961-03-23)
10427"Bentley and the Counterspy"Earl BellamyBob Fisher & Alan LipscottMarch 30, 1961 (1961-03-30)
10528"Peter Plays Cupid"Earl BellamySeaman Jacobs & Si RoseApril 6, 1961 (1961-04-06)
10629"Bentley and the Great Debate"Earl BellamyCharles R. MarionApril 13, 1961 (1961-04-13)
10730"Bentley and the Nature Girl"Earl BellamySeaman Jacobs & Si RoseApril 20, 1961 (1961-04-20)
10831"Bentley's Mad Friends"Earl BellamyKeith Fowler & Everett FreemanApril 27, 1961 (1961-04-27)
10932"Hilda Rides Again"Earl BellamyBob Fisher & Alan LipscottMay 4, 1961 (1961-05-04)
11033"Kelly's Charge Account"Earl BellamyBob Fisher & Alan LipscottMay 11, 1961 (1961-05-11)
11134"Bentley Builds a Pool"Earl BellamyBob Fisher & Alan LipscottMay 18, 1961 (1961-05-18)
11235"Bentley Slays a Dragon"Earl BellamySeaman Jacobs & Si RoseMay 25, 1961 (1961-05-25)
11336"A Favor for Bentley"Earl BellamySeaman Jacobs & Si RoseJune 1, 1961 (1961-06-01)
11437"Kelly Gets a Job"Earl BellamyBob Fisher & Alan LipscottJune 8, 1961 (1961-06-08)
11528"Kelly's Tangled Web"Earl BellamyJohn Elliotte (s/t) & Bob Fisher & Alan Lipscott (t)June 15, 1961 (1961-06-15)
11629"Bentley's Barbecue"Earl BellamySeaman Jacobs & Si RoseJune 22, 1961 (1961-06-22)
11730"Drop That Calorie"Earl BellamyBob Fisher & Alan LipscottJuly 6, 1961 (1961-07-06)

Season 5 (1961–62)

No.
overall
No. in
season
TitleDirected byWritten byOriginal air date
1181"Kelly's Graduation"Earl BellamyBob Fisher & Alan LipscottSeptember 21, 1961 (1961-09-21)
1192"The King's English"Earl BellamyDan BeaumontOctober 3, 1961 (1961-10-03)
1203"Rush Week"Greg GarrisonJess Carneol & Kay LenardOctober 10, 1961 (1961-10-10)
1214"Kelly and the Freethinker"John NewlandSheridan GibneyOctober 17, 1961 (1961-10-17)
1225"A Party for Peter"Earl BellamySeaman Jacobs & Si RoseOctober 24, 1961 (1961-10-24)
1236"Never Steal an Owl"Earl BellamyGeorge Carleton Brown & Frank Gill Jr.October 31, 1961 (1961-10-31)
1247"Bentley's Catered Affair"Earl BellamyBob Fisher & Alan LipscottNovember 7, 1961 (1961-11-07)
1258"The House at Smuggler's Cove"Earl BellamyCalvin Clements Sr. (t)
Dick Conway & Roland MacLane (s/t)
November 14, 1961 (1961-11-14)
1269"Peter's Punctured Wedding"Earl BellamySeaman Jacobs & Si RoseNovember 21, 1961 (1961-11-21)
12710"Star Light, Star Not So Bright"Earl BellamyJim Allen & R.S. AllenNovember 28, 1961 (1961-11-28)
12811"Bentley and the Timeclock"Earl BellamyJim Allen & R.S. Allen (t)
Elroy Schwartz (s/t) & Glenn Wheaton (s/t)
December 5, 1961 (1961-12-05)
12912"Birth of a Song"Earl BellamyBob Fisher & Alan LipscottDecember 12, 1961 (1961-12-12)
13013"Deck the Halls"Stanley Z. CherryJim Allen & R.S. AllenDecember 19, 1961 (1961-12-19)
13114"The Law and Kelly Gregg"Stanley Z. CherryJim Allen & R.S. AllenDecember 26, 1961 (1961-12-26)
13215"How to Throw Your Voice"Earl BellamyShirley GordonJanuary 2, 1962 (1962-01-02)
13316"Kelly the Yes Man"Stanley Z. CherryDan Beaumont & Ben StarrJanuary 9, 1962 (1962-01-09)
13417"Gold in Them Hills"Earl BellamySeaman Jacobs & Si RoseJanuary 16, 1962 (1962-01-16)
13518"How Howard Won His C"Earl BellamySeaman Jacobs & Si RoseJanuary 23, 1962 (1962-01-23)
13619"Pinch That Penny"Earl BellamyBob Fisher & Alan LipscottJanuary 30, 1962 (1962-01-30)
13720"Blossom Comes to Visit"Earl BellamySeaman Jacobs & Si RoseFebruary 6, 1962 (1962-02-06)
13821"Bentley and the Homebody"Earl BellamyBob Fisher & Alan LipscottFebruary 13, 1962 (1962-02-13)
13922"Summer Romance"Earl BellamySheridan GibneyFebruary 20, 1962 (1962-02-20)
14023"The Hong Kong Suit"Earl BellamyHannibal Coons & Charles R. MarionFebruary 27, 1962 (1962-02-27)
14124"Will Success Spoil Jasper?"Hollingsworth MorseSeaman Jacobs & Si RoseMarch 6, 1962 (1962-03-06)
14225"Strictly Business"Earl BellamyDan Beaumont, Larry Williams & Maggie WilliamsMarch 13, 1962 (1962-03-13)
14326"On the Old Camp Ground"Abby BerlinSeaman Jacobs & Si RoseMarch 20, 1962 (1962-03-20)
14427"A Visit to the Bergens"Earl BellamySeaman Jacobs & Si RoseMarch 27, 1962 (1962-03-27)
14528"The Richest Cat"Earl BellamySloan NibleyApril 3, 1962 (1962-04-03)
14629"The Twain Shall Meet"Earl BellamyBob Fisher & Alan LipscottApril 10, 1962 (1962-04-10)
14730"Bentley Goes to Bat"Earl BellamyBob Fisher & Alan LipscottApril 17, 1962 (1962-04-17)
14831"Kelly's Engagement"Earl BellamyWilliam Raynor & Myles WilderApril 24, 1962 (1962-04-24)
14932"Kelly, the Home Executive"Earl BellamyJim Allen, R.S. Allen & Mel DiamondMay 1, 1962 (1962-05-01)
15033"Blossom Time at the Greggs"Hollingsworth MorseSeaman Jacobs & Si RoseMay 8, 1962 (1962-05-08)
15134"What Men Don't Know"Hollingsworth MorseGeorge Carleton Brown & Frank Gill Jr.May 15, 1962 (1962-05-15)
15235"Marry Thy Neighbor"Hollingsworth MorseSeaman Jacobs & Si RoseMay 22, 1962 (1962-05-22)
15336"Bentley Takes It Easy"Earl BellamyMel Diamond (t) & Seaman Jacobs (s/t) & Si Rose (s/t)May 29, 1962 (1962-05-29)
15437"Boys Will Be"Earl BellamyJess Carneol (s/t) & Kay Lenard (s/t) & Larry Rhine (t)June 5, 1962 (1962-06-05)
15538"Divided House"Earl BellamyMel DiamondJune 12, 1962 (1962-06-12)
15639"Peter, the Medicine Man"Earl BellamyEverett Freeman & Larry RhineJune 19, 1962 (1962-06-19)
15740"Curfew Shall Not Ring Tonight"Earl BellamyBob Fisher & Alan LipscottJune 26, 1962 (1962-06-26)

Production notes

Bachelor Father was filmed at Revue Studios. It was primarily sponsored by American Tobacco (Tareyton cigarettes) and American Home Products Corporation (Anacin, Dristan and Chef Boyardee) throughout its original run.[8] The series was produced by Forsythe's "Bachelor Productions" in association with MCA's Revue Studios.[9] Bachelor Father pilot and broadcast season were produced by Harry Ackerman, who left Revue/MCA after the first season to produce other sitcoms like Hazel, Bewitched and I Dream of Jeannie for Screen Gems/Columbia. He was later replaced by Everett Freeman for the rest of the show's run.[10]

Syndication

Reruns of Bachelor Father were syndicated on the Retro Television Network until October 2011. The show then began airing on Antenna TV where it remained on the schedule until January 2015.

References

  1. McNeil, Alex (1996). Total Television: The Comprehensive Guide to Programming from 1948 to the Present (4 ed.). Penguin Books. p. 70. ISBN 0-140-24916-8.
  2. Terrace, Vincent (1980). Complete Encyclopedia of Television Programs (1947 - 1979). Cranbury, New Jersey: A. S. Barnes and Co. pp. 39–40. ISBN 0-498-02488-1.
  3. Aoki, Guy (10 July 2014). "INTO THE NEXT STAGE: REDISCOVERING SAMMEE TONG IN 'BACHELOR FATHER'". Rafu Shimpo. Retrieved 2020-10-20.
  4. "On 'Bachelor Father' Kelly Gains TV Fiancee". The Tuscaloosa News. Tuscaloosa, Alabama. April 22, 1962. p. 16. Retrieved March 19, 2015.
  5. Tim Brooks and Earle Marsh, The Complete Directory to Prime Time Network and Cable TV Shows 1946 – Present, 1st Edition, pages 43 and 44, Ballantine Books, 1979
  6. Buck, Jerry (August 3, 1981). "'Dynasty' Surprises Linda Evans". The Hour. Norwalk, Connecticut. p. 16. Retrieved March 19, 2015.
  7. "'Bachelor Father' Gains Niche Among TV's Top 20 Shows". The Tuscaloosa News. Tuscaloosa, Alabama. April 17, 1960. p. 16. Retrieved March 19, 2015.
  8. Robinson, Johnny (March 20, 1959). "Video Version". Lewiston Evening Journal. Lewiston, Maine. p. 12. Retrieved March 19, 2015.
  9. Balio, Tino, ed. (2013). Hollywood in the Age of Television. Routledge. p. 34. ISBN 1-317-92915-2.
  10. Heldenfels, R D (October 2, 1986). "Albany-Born Producer Ackerman Is Well-Placed On Television Dial". Schenectady Gazette. Schenectady, New York. p. 23. Retrieved March 19, 2015.
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