Oh! Those Bells

Oh! Those Bells is a 1962 United States comedic television series starring The Wiere Brothers about the misadventures of three brothers who work in a Hollywood theatrical supply shop. It aired from March 8 to May 31, 1962.[1][2]

Oh! Those Bells
GenreSituation comedy
Created byJules White
Directed byNorman Abbott
Jack Arnold
Charles Barton
StarringThe Wiere Brothers
Country of originUnited States
Original languageEnglish
No. of seasons1
No. of episodes13
Production
ProducersJules White
Sam White
Ben Brady
Running time30 minutes
Production companyDavanna Productions
Release
Original networkCBS
Audio formatMonaural
Original releaseMarch 8 (1962-03-08) â€“
May 31, 1962 (1962-05-31)

Cast

Synopsis

Herbie, Harry, and Sylvie Bell are three gentle-natured brothers who are the last surviving members of a family with a long history of making theatrical props, costumes, and wigs. They work in a Hollywood theater supply shop, where their irascible boss is Henry Slocum. Although they mean well, they manage to turn even the simplest everyday tasks into slapstick disasters. Slocum's secretary, Kitty Mathews, is sweet and understanding. Mrs. Stanfield is the Bells' landlady.[1][2]

Production

A loosely structured show, Oh! Those Bells attempted to bring slapstick humor to American television. At the time, The Wiere Brothers – Herbert, Harry, and Sylvester – were internationally known slapstick comedians.[2] Jules White created the show, and he and Sam White produced the pilot episode, known both as "Money Mixup" and "Movie Money." Ben Brady produced the rest of the episodes.[3] Jules Whites is known for his short-subject comedies starring The Three Stooges.[4]

Although they did not air until 1962, the show's episodes were filmed in 1960.[1]

Broadcast history

Oh! Those Bells premiered on CBS on March 8, 1962.[2][5] It was cancelled after the broadcast of its thirteenth episode on May 31, 1962.[3][5] It aired on Thursday at 7:30 p.m. throughout its run.[2]

Episodes

Sources[3][5][6]

No Title Air date
1"Forget Me Nuts"March 8, 1962 (1962-03-08)
2"Unfriendly Friendship Club"March 15, 1962 (1962-03-15)
3"Murder in the Jungle"March 22, 1962 (1962-03-22)
4"Money Mix-Up"
"Movie Money"		March 29, 1962 (1962-03-29)
The Bells get stage money meant for use in a movie mixed up with counterfeit money produced by criminals, much to the chagrin of the counterfeiters. This was the pilot for Oh! Those Bells.
5"Seal of Approval"April 5, 1962 (1962-04-05)
After Slocum learns that the Bells have come into an inheritance from their uncle, he wants to make them partners in the business. The inheritance turns out to be a trained seal—but after practically destroying Slocum's business, the Bells find a check for $10,000 around the seal's neck.
6"Too Many Spooks"April 12, 1962 (1962-04-12)
After Mrs. Stanfield evicts the Bells from their apartment for being behind on their rent, they move into a house which turns out to be haunted.
7"Monkey Sitters"April 19, 1962 (1962-04-19)
8"The Wallet"April 26, 1962 (1962-04-26)
9"Ma Scarlet"May 3, 1962 (1962-05-03)
10"Short Change"May 10, 1962 (1962-05-10)
Kitty is upset because her family cannot afford to keep her brother in medical school, so the Bells decide to raise the money necessary to pay for his education. Jesse White, Murvyn Vye, and Teddy Hart guest-star.
11"Mexican Holiday"May 17, 1962 (1962-05-17)
12"Scratched Fender"May 24, 1962 (1962-05-24)
13"Camping Trip"May 31, 1962 (1962-05-31)

References
  1. McNeil, Alex, Total Television: The Comprehensive Guide to Programming From 1948 to the Present, New York: Penguin Books, 1996, p. 614.
  2. Brooks, Tim, and Earle Marsh, The Complete Directory to Prime-Time Network and Cable TV Shows, 1946-Present, Sixth Edition, New York: Ballantine Books, 1995, ISBN 0-345-39736-3, p. 766.
  3. The Classic TV Archive Oh Those Bells
  4. "Jack White - Hollywood Star Walk". The Los Angeles Times.
  5. IMDb Oh, Those Bells Episode List
  6. tv.com Oh Those Bells Episode Guide
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