I'm Dickens, He's Fenster

I'm Dickens, He's Fenster
	John Astin as Dickens and Marty Ingels as Fenster (1962)
Genre	Situation comedy
Created by	Leonard Stern
Starring	John Astin; Marty Ingels; Emmaline Henry
Theme music composer	Irving Szathmary
Opening theme	"The 'I'm Dickens- He's Fenster' March"
Composer	Irving Szathmary
Country of origin	United States
Original language	English
No. of seasons	1
No. of episodes	32
Production
Producer	Leonard Stern
Camera setup	Multi-camera
Running time	22–24 minutes
Production company	Heyday Productions
Distributor	ABC Films
Release
Original network	ABC
Picture format	Black-and-white
Audio format	Monaural
Original release	September 28, 1962 –; May 10, 1963

I'm Dickens, He's Fenster is an American sitcom that ran on ABC from September 28, 1962 to May 10, 1963. It was created and produced by Leonard Stern and filmed at Desilu.

L-R: Marty Ingels, Emmaline Henry and John Astin in episode "The Carpenters Four" (1963)

Synopsis

The series starred John Astin and Marty Ingels as carpenters Harry Dickens and Arch Fenster. Emmaline Henry appeared as Harry's wife, Kate. Appearing regularly, as fellow members of Dickens and Fenster's construction gang, were Frank DeVol (as Myron Bannister), David Ketchum (Mel Warshaw), Henry Beckman (Bob Mulligan), and Noam Pitlik (Bentley). It was sponsored alternately by El Producto cigars and Procter and Gamble.

The program followed the cartoon series The Flintstones and preceded 77 Sunset Strip on Fridays at 9 pm Eastern time, but did not attract a sufficient audience. It ran opposite Sing Along with Mitch starring Mitch Miller on NBC and Route 66 on CBS.

The series was filmed in front of a live audience which, in that era, was unusual for a show not built around an established star such as Lucille Ball or Danny Thomas.

Episodes

No.	Title	Directed by	Written by	Original air date
1	"A Small Matter of Being Fired"	Arthur Hiller	Leonard Stern & Don Hinkley	September 28, 1962 (1962-09-28)
Using devious methods, Arch helps Harry get the foreman's position on a house-building project. Guest star: Yvonne Craig
2	"Nurse Dickens"	TBA	TBA	October 5, 1962 (1962-10-05)
Harry and Arch pose as doctors to investigate Kate's activities as a nurse.
3	"The Double Life of Mel Warshaw"	TBA	TBA	October 12, 1962 (1962-10-12)
After seeing a Wanted poster, Harry and Arch are convinced that the photo resembles their friend.
4	"Harry, the Father Image"	TBA	TBA	October 19, 1962 (1962-10-19)
Harry gives Arch some misplaced marital advice.
5	"Part-Time Friend"	TBA	TBA	October 26, 1962 (1962-10-26)
During the course of his sleep in Harry's home, Arch is heard bad-mouthing him.
6	"The Acting Game"	TBA	TBA	November 2, 1962 (1962-11-02)
Harry believes that he's been selected to do a television commercial but soon finds out that he has to compete against other carpenters for the job.
7	"The Toupee Story"	TBA	TBA	November 9, 1962 (1962-11-09)
Harry and Arch's Bannister is bald and believes his indecision is due to his high forehead, which results in the duo convincing him to purchase a toupee.
8	"A Wolf in Friend's Clothing"	TBA	TBA	November 16, 1962 (1962-11-16)
The daughter of Harry's old friend comes to visit, with Harry becoming protective of her because of the possibility of Arch dating the young woman.
9	"Party, Party, Who's Got the Party?"	TBA	TBA	November 23, 1962 (1962-11-23)
Arch decides to throw a party, but Harry determines the guest list is too long. The duo then decides to go to another carpenter's party instead.
10	"The Yellow Badge of Courage"	TBA	TBA	November 30, 1962 (1962-11-30)
Arch is fired from a construction job because a succession of girl friends visit him at work and distract his fellow employees.
11	"The Joke"	TBA	TBA	December 7, 1962 (1962-12-07)
Harry's joke fails to get much response from either Kate or his co-workers.
12	"Love Me, Love My Dog"	TBA	TBA	December 14, 1962 (1962-12-14)
After Kate suggests Harry give Arch a dog for companionship, Arch becomes so attached to it that he ignores everyone.
13	"Here's to the Three of Us"	Arthur Hiller	Mel Tolkin & Don Hinkley	December 21, 1962 (1962-12-21)
Harry and Kate try to give a dinner party without Arch finding out about it.
14	"Get Off My Back"	TBA	TBA	December 28, 1962 (1962-12-28)
Harry tries to get away from Arch long enough to purchase a gift to celebrate their first meeting a decade earlier.
15	"How Not to Succeed in Business"	TBA	TBA	January 4, 1963 (1963-01-04)
Harry and Arch quit their job and set up an independent operation with offices set up in Harry and Kate's living room.
16	"The Godfathers"	TBA	TBA	January 11, 1963 (1963-01-11)
Harry and Arch are given the task of not only naming a co-worker's 11th child, but also serving as godfathers.
17	"The Carpenters Four"	Arthur Hiller	Don Hinkley & Mel Tolkin	January 18, 1963 (1963-01-18)
Harry promises to produce a movie star for the carpenter's welfare show, but when he fails, Arch tries to help him out. Brief appearance by Jim Nabors.
18	"The Great Valenciaga"	TBA	TBA	January 25, 1963 (1963-01-25)
While Mulligan attempts to protect his sister Molly, a singer at a local nightclub, from smooth-talking men, Arch decides to create the alter ego of Valenciaga, a Latin dancer.
19	"Mr. Take Over"	TBA	TBA	February 1, 1963 (1963-02-01)
After Harry is taken to a local hospital following a minor accident on the job, Arch's exaggerated concern results in attendants thinking he's the patient.
20	"Have Car, Will Quarrel"	TBA	TBA	February 8, 1963 (1963-02-08)
Harry gets Arch and Mulligan to split the cost of a car with him and the three partners end up buying Mel's car.
21	"Say It with Pictures"	TBA	TBA	February 15, 1963 (1963-02-15)
Arch and Harry decide to replace the outmoded carpenters' manual with a new one. Harry will be in charge of the text, with Arch handling the photographs.
22	"Senior Citizen Charlie"	TBA	TBA	February 22, 1963 (1963-02-22)
Harry, Arch and their co-workers decide to throw a retirement party for a fellow carpenter who's being forcibly retired.
23	"The Bet"	Norman Abbott	Teleplay by: Don Hinkley & Mel Tolkin Story by: Jerry Davis	March 1, 1963 (1963-03-01)
Arch's reputation as a lover is at stake when he and a painter wager on their mutual attempt to woo an attractive art gallery manager.
24	"The Syndicate"	TBA	TBA	March 8, 1963 (1963-03-08)
During the demolition of a mansion once owned by a notorious mobster, Harry and Arch discover a hidden strongbox.
25	"Is There a Doctor in the House?"	TBA	TBA	March 15, 1963 (1963-03-15)
Arch has a new romantic interest—a nurse named Beverly who's under the mistaken impression that he's a doctor.
26	"Harry, the Contractor"	Norman Abbott	Don Hinkley & Mel Tolkin	March 22, 1963 (1963-03-22)
Kate's attempt at getting Harry to do any work around the house fails, which results in her deciding to hire a carpenter. That means that Harry will have to bid on the job.
27	"Table Tennis, Anyone?"	TBA	TBA	March 29, 1963 (1963-03-29)
Harry is chosen as the captain of a table tennis team that's been formed by the carpenters to compete in an industrial league.
28	"Kick Me Kate"	Claudio Guzmán	Frank Fox & Martin Roth	April 5, 1963 (1963-04-05)
Deciding that Kate doesn't love him enough, Harry decides to try to make her jealous.
29	"Number One Son"	Norman Abbott	Mel Diamond & Jerry Davis	April 12, 1963 (1963-04-12)
Mel believes that he's been a disappointment to his son Ralph, which results in Harry and Arch suggesting that he take the boy on a camping trip.
30	"Big Opening at the Hospital"	TBA	TBA	April 26, 1963 (1963-04-26)
Kate is scheduled to sing at a benefit for the hospital, but Harry's afraid that a talent scout will spot her and turn her into a big star.
31	"King Archibald, the First"	TBA	TBA	May 3, 1963 (1963-05-03)
Arch falls for a princess who happens to be masquerading as her own maid.
32	"Hotel Fenster"	Leonard Stern	Jerry Davis & Mel Diamond	May 10, 1963 (1963-05-10)
Arch's bachelor apartment quickly becomes a crowded refuge after his friends all have arguments with their wives.

Home media

On April 10, 2012, Lightyear Entertainment & TV Time Machine Productions released I'm Dickens, He's Fenster- 50th Anniversary Collectors Edition: Volume 1 on DVD in Region 1.[1] The 3-disc set contains the first 16 episodes of the series as well as several bonus features.

References

"I'm Dickens, He's Fenster – Press Release for 'Wide' Retail Release of the '50th Anniversary Collector's Edition: Volume 1". tvshowsondvd.com. Archived from the original on 16 March 2012. Retrieved 14 March 2012.

External links

I'm Dickens, He's Fenster at IMDb
I'm Dickens, He's Fenster at TV.com
I'm Dickens, He's Fenster at epguides.com
I'm Dickens, He's Fenster website authorized by creator/producer Leonard Stern

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[1] "I'm Dickens, He's Fenster – Press Release for 'Wide' Retail Release of the '50th Anniversary Collector's Edition: Volume 1". tvshowsondvd.com. Archived from the original on 16 March 2012. Retrieved 14 March 2012.