The television series,"Make Room For Daddy", remains one of the most neglected milestones in situation comedy, which to this day has not been seen since. This was one of the cornerstones, if not, the steppingstone that paved the way for the development of situation comedy, not to mention of the founding pioneers as well, under its star Danny Thomas and its producer and executive in charge of production Sheldon Leonard and his assistant Ronald Jacobs. This series provided the perfect showcase for Danny Thomas, who never found anything else that effectively showcased his talent not to mention his own creative style of situation comedy that remains to this day a bonafied classic.
It went on to become one of the longest running situation comedy shows of all time that ran for 12 astounding years in prime time and produced 237 episodes all in black and white and it ran on two major television networks....First, it ran for ABC-TV from September 29,1953 and ended its six year run on the network on July 1,1959. Then in mid-1959, the series switched networks, this time it went over to CBS-TV from October of 1959 to its final episode of the series on September 6,1965. It also went on to become the second longest running situation comedy of all time, and it is tied with "My Three Sons", "M*A*S*H", "Cheers", "Frasier", for the duration of its longevity.
It also might be one of the first shows that featured a Dad who remarried after his wife died, and all right on the show.
"Make Room for Daddy" followed the misadventures in the lives of the Williams family. Danny Williams, a nightclub entertainer, (a character almost identical to that of Danny Thomas himself) tries to strike a balance between family life and the entertainment business. In the beginning the family consisted of his wife, Margaret (played by Jean Hagen,) his 11-year-old daughter, Terry (played by Sherry Jackson) and his 6-year-old son, Rusty (played by Rusty Hamer.) In 1956, however, Jean Hagen quit the show and Danny Thomas decided to continue on without her. Her character was written out as having herself died and Danny was now a widower. The next season (1956-1957) featured Danny dating various other women with plenty of input from the kids. Finally he proposed to Kathy O'Hara, a young nurse. The 5th season opened with Danny and Kathy returning from their honeymoon. Also joining the cast was Linda (played by Angela Cartwright,) Kathy's 5-year-old daughter by a previous marriage.
In 1958, Sherry Jackson left the show and the character of Terry was temporarily written out of the show as being away at school. Terry returned, however, in 1959, this time played by actress Penny Parker. Terry spent the next season being courted by nightclub entertainer Pat Hannigan (played by Pat Harrington Jr.,) whom she eventually married. Her character then left the show for good in 1960. There were also many other regulars, including Danny's Uncle Tonoose (played by Hans Conried,) Danny's agents at various times (played by Horace McMahon, Jesse White & Sheldon Leonard) and many more. Annette Funicello also spent a season as a regular when she was cast as Gina Minelli, an Italian foreign exchange student.
The title "Make Room for Daddy" was only used during the first four seasons, then it was changed to "The Danny Thomas Show". When it entered syndication, however, all the episodes ran under the "Make Room for Daddy" title. In 1970, the Williamses returned for "Make Room for Granddaddy" which ran one brief season.
In 1957, the show switched networks from ABC to CBS. After the switch, the show finally got the ratings it deserved. Also of note, this show spawned a classic hit series; the episode 'Danny Meets Andy Griffith' was the pilot for The Andy Griffith Show. Also, such guests as Bill Dana and Joey Bishop got their own shows after appearing
on The Danny Thomas Show. Bill Dana reprised his role from The Steve Allen Show, and NBC gave him his own show The Bill Dana Show in 1963 and it lasted until 1965. Joey Bishop got "The Joey Bishop Show", which aired on NBC, then CBS. It lasted from 1961 to 1965.
I must take a moment here to talk about the man that was the star of the show, Danny Thomas. generous philanthropist, Thomas founded the St. Jude Children's Research Hospital in Memphis, Tennessee, in 1962. The hospital has treated thousands of children for childhood cancers. As a "starving actor" Thomas made a vow: If he found success, he would open a hospital dedicated to St. Jude, the patron saint of hopeless causes.
I wish some network would bring back "Make Room for Daddy", I would love seeing this show all over again and again. It would sure beat some of the stuff they have on TV these days!
Anybody got any pull around here?
HAPPY FATHER'S DAY TO OUR DADS!!!
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