My Three Sons

My Three Sons

1960 - United States

Long running (1960-72) US series which enjoyed huge popularity as a family comedy with a difference, that difference being that it starred a generally all-male cast headed by Fred McMurray as widower Steve Douglas bringing up a family of three sons, 18 year-old Mike, 14 year- old Robbie, and 7 year-old Chip, with the aid of their grandfather, Michael Francis "Bub" O'Casey, and Tramp, the family dog. 

Steve worked as a consulting aviation engineer but seemed to spend most of his time bringing up the kids and fending off the attentions of attractive women. In 1965 "Bub" left the series to take a trip to Ireland (actor William Frawley had in fact become too ill to continue working) and was replaced by his brother Charley. 

For the 1965-66 season the show moved from ABC to CBS. In 1967 the family were uprooted from their Midwest home at 837 Mill Street and moved to California. The following year, one of the "son's" became a father himself to triplets thereby providing another three sons.

Published on January 9th, 2019. Written by Laurence Marcus for Television Heaven.

Read Next...

The Dick Van Dyke Show

This much loved, top rated US comedy series from the 1960's very nearly didn't make it on the air because then CBS chief, Jim Aubrey, disliked it so intensely that he had to be persuaded by the shows sponsors, Proctor and Gamble, to put it on.

Also tagged Us Sitcom

After the Funeral

When Alun Owen's play 'After the Funeral' was read by Sydney Newman, head of drama for ABC Television, and William Kotcheff, the television director, they were so taken by his conception of Wales and the Welsh, they decided to see for themselves.

Also released in 1960

Arthur's Treasured Volumes

It's title inspired by the initials of the television company that produced the series, Arthur's Treasured Volumes appears to be, if the sole surviving episode is an example, an underrated and unfairly forgotten TV gem.

Also released in 1960

Benson TV series

This spin-off of the Susan Harris-created farce Soap sent the Tate family's insolent African-American butler Benson to the mansion of Jessica Tate's bumbling cousin, Governor James Gatling. In other words, Benson went from one dysfunctional family to another.

Also tagged Us Sitcom

Counter Attack

Three young rebels plan their own counter-attack when foreign troops occupy part of the British Isles-the Channel Islands-for the first time since 1066.

Also released in 1960

The Brady Bunch

Architect Mike Brady marries beautiful young Carol, who has three girls to care for. Likewise, Mike's previous wife's death has left him to raise his three boys all alone. In no time this amalgam becomes the ideal average American middle class family.

Also tagged Us Sitcom

The Bing Crosby Show

Short-lived domestic sitcom starring the old crooner himself in an unfamiliar role

Also tagged Us Domestic Sitcom

All In The Family

British critics have called 'All In The Family' "a reworked, far less provocative version" of the show it was based on, BBC's 'Till Death Us Do Part'...

Also tagged Us Sitcom

All Our Yesterdays

One of Granada Television's most successful series of all time, All Our Yesterdays began in 1960 and was presented by noted foreign correspondent James Cameron who linked together edited version of two 1930s cinema newsreels from the same week twenty-five years ago.

Also released in 1960