I usually avoid writing about television, this being a movie blog and all that. However, television was the medium that introduced me to classic films, fed my dreams of Hollywood and remains, still, through DVDs and TCM, my main venue for viewing movies. It was also the first breeding ground of my fantasy life (you know, the one where I grow up and marry Cary Grant). So, this Christmas, instead of lovely starlets posing for Christmas publicity photos, I offer my fantasy Christmas family (1960s-style with a little give and take over the decades).
Make Room for Daddy was my favorite TV show as a kid. First of all, Danny Williams and his family lived in this very sophisticated New York apartment with 2 levels! It seemed very appropriate for a nightclub entertainer of Danny's caliber to be living in such a nice place. I never understood why Ricky Ricardo, who appeared to have a good thing going at the Tropicana, forced Lucy to live in that crummy apartment.
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| "Ricky, don't be so cheap! Get outta that crummy apartment and live a little! |
I related to this show because people were always yelling at one anther and wise cracking, which is kind of how my house was. The house that Dr. and Donna Stone lived in seemed as far removed from reality to me as the land of Oz.
Danny reminded me of my dad. He was not a nightclub entertainer, but he was beleaguered by a bunch of us whose mouths knew little restraint.
Marjorie Lord as Kathy was, to me, the perfect TV mom. She was loving and chic. Plus, my own mom was a redhead and I always thought they were the prettiest ladies.
My brothers were considerable older, but they were wiseguys like Rusty. My resemblance to Linda was mentioned frequently.
I am swapping big sister Sherry Jackson's Terry for Sally Field's Gidget - just because it is my fantasy.
A special seat at the family table wound have to be saved for Uncle Tonoose. He is by far my favorite uncle and I love him dearly.
My TV aunt that comes for Christmas is Samantha Stevens. That might mean that Endora is either Danny's or Kathy's mom, but I can't go there. Anyway, she is one of my favorite aunts because she is so beautiful and stylish and seems to have some special powers. I hope I grow up to inherit her nose (but if Danny is my dad, well.... I guess she is related to Kathy). Only Darrin #1 accompanies her in my fantasy.
My other favorite aunt is Susie MacNamara (of Private Secretary). Now, I only got to see this show on morning reruns, but I was always enamored of Ann Sothern's working girl. She was single, stylish and supporting herself. I want to sit right next to her. I realize that her boss, Mr. Sands, was Gidget's father, but that does not happen in my fantasy. Thought - get outta my head!!
And so, that is my happy Christmas family. Rusty, Gidget and I would get up early and unwrap our gifts (Rusty and I both get an a Viewmaster and an Etch a Sketch, Rusty also gets Rock 'em Sock 'em Robots and the Game of Mousetrap. I am so happy with my Easy Bake Oven and the dolls that looks just like me! Big sister Gidget is thrilled with her paisley skirt and go go boots).
It was a marvelous Christmas and many years later I return home. Danny and Kathy still live in the same apartment and I am now Ann Marie, aspiring actress, fashion plate and daddy's girl.
Hoping your holiday season is filled with love and peace and the warmth of family and good friends (real and imagined).
20 comments:
This was fun. Enjoyed your fantasy and remembering those great shows.
Chick, your Fantasy Christmas put a big smile on my face! Danny Thomas and daughter Marlo Thomas were among my favorites when I was a kid (but I guess you knew that :-)). And yes, redheads rule! :-)
All of us here at Team Bartilucci HQ hope you and yours have the Merriest of Christmases and the Happiest of New Years!
Happy Holidays to you Flick Chick. Thank you for the year 2012 blog. I have read all your posts and loved most all of them! May your holiday be filled with love and hope and most of all the magic of the movies.
A very entertaining post! I'm so glad that Samantha would be your aunt--and not her mischievous lookalike cousin, Serena! (I think TV created the concept of identical cousins...Sam and Serena, Patty and Cathy.)
I was also driven into classic films through classic TV shows. But I never thought that any caracter has a resemblance with someone in my family. Yet, I always loved Pam Dawber's looks in Mork and Mindy (my favorite sitcom for a while), so she would make a good me. And maybe Maxwell Smart would be a funny uncle to amuse us on Christmas night.
Kisses and Merry Christmas!
Sounds like a great family to have as neighbors. But then, an online quiz tells me that "the TV family most like yours" is the Addams Family, so maybe you wouldn't want to be mine. Or if you are, don't drink the tea when you stop by.
Make Room For Daddy was a huge favorite at our house, and for the same reasons as you. Funny, dramatic Dad, sweet mother who could hold her own, and a bunch of mouthy kids (of whom I was probably the mouthiest). My Dad told me about Danny Thomas and his promise to God about the St. Jude Hospital, and that made me love him all the more.
I think I would have to add Gomez and Lurch from Addams family (with Lurch's organ) as the black sheep that everybody loves of the family, Dick Van Dyke's Sally and Our Miss Brooks' Eve Arden as my favorite aunts. Of course, Ann Sothern would have to be there too!
Very interesting look into the deep recesses of your mind, Chick (calling Dr. Freud!), and a really fun post! Merry Christmas!
P.S. I am now on the FOURTH try to prove I'm not a robot! Good God, am I going blind or are they getting harder?
Chick, Becky, and pals, I for one would feel right at home with an Addams Family Christmas! Wonder what kind of Christmas carols they'd sing? Also, I hear ya about the ever-maddening "Prove You're Not A Robot" thing. Sometimes these gimmicks are more annoying than helpful. Happy Holidays anyway! :-D
Oh thank you, Jacqueline. That was a great show.
Same to you, Dorian! Hope your holiday is just swell!
Same to you, Samantha - and thank you for all of your support.
Hi Rick - I forgot to add Uncle Arthur! Now, he would always be a welcome guest!
HI Le. Yes, I'm afraid I have a few years on you. Maxwell Smart can only come if he brings his shoe phone.
RB - I think you could certainly come for desert - as long as Uncle Fester comes in case of power failure.
Becky - Dr. Freud left the room screaming a long time ago! I know this not a robot thing is just driving everyone nuts. These robots must be very smart.
You have a great imagination.. I love to read your fantasy posts..
Now.. I have to think about which classic TV shows remind me of my childhood..
Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!!
I think my fantasy family, as a child, was "The Brady Bunch". I always imagined Alice made the best meals...
Happy Holidays - and happy blogging in 2013!
Thank you, Dawn. Have the happiest of New Years!
SIlverscreenings - the Brady Bunch was my nightmare! Since my name is Marsha, you can imagine that's all I ever heard (Marsha, Marsha, Marsha)!
So now I know your fixation with "That Girl" began with "Make Room for Daddy" - another mystery solved!
The family that always seemed completely unlike my own to me was the Anderson family of "Father Knows Best." Though we all loved Bud, the only human Anderson.
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