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| Theme music by Frank De Vol |
Mr. Ginley was cozily situated upstairs while I watched the 1960s sitcom. It's better that way -- he's not around to poke fun, insert inappropriate dialog or raise troubling questions.
Alas, my solitude didn't last. Mr., on some pretext or other, came down to talk to me. I put the program on pause while I waited for him to finish his conversation.
Pointing to the television screen, he inquired, "who are those chuckleheads?"
"There's Bub, that's Mike and there's Robbie," I explained.
"Where's Uncle Charlie?"
"Bub (William Frawley, formerly "Fred" on I Love Lucy) was on the show until he got sick in 1965 and was replaced by Uncle Charley (William Demarest). Uncle Charley was purported to be Bub's brother."
"How was Bub related to the family?"
"He's the kids' maternal grandfather. Steve Douglas is a widow, and Bub is his father-in-law."
"Isn't there another son?"
"Yes, there's Chip, but he's not in this scene."
"What about Ernie?"
"Ernie was adopted later, after Mike left the show."
"Why did Mike leave the show? Was it because he killed Bub?"
"No, Mike went off and got married."
"So, okay. We have Mike, Robbie, Chip and Ernie. I count FOUR. Don't you think Ernie felt slighted, like being adopted didn't count? Why wasn't the name of the show changed to My FOUR Sons?"
"Because there were only ever THREE sons on the show at any one time. 'Mike' was like 'Chuck,' the brother on Happy Days who went off to college and never came back."
Unsatisfied, Mr. finally trundled back upstairs, mumbling all the way, "I still say it should be called My FOUR SONS."
His grumbling did make me start to wonder what happened to the actors who played the characters during the show's 12-year run.
Mike (Tim Considine) went on to become a writer, photographer and automotive historian. Robbie (Don Grady) took up composing music after his acting career ended. He died of cancer in 2012. Chip (Stanley Livingston) was a producer and director before retiring from the business. Ernie (Barry Livingston) is still a member of the Screen Actors Guild.
For anyone who was a true fan, you might also wonder about the love interests of the sons. Mike's wife was played by Meredith MacRae, who continued her career until brain cancer took her life in 2000. Robbie's wife was played by Tina Cole, who went on to become an acting coach and who also sang with the "King Cousins." Chip's wife was portrayed by Ronne Troupe, the daughter of jazz legend (and Route 66 star) Bobby Troupe and the step-daughter of Julie London (torch singer and head nurse on Emergency).
Remember when they tried to lift sagging ratings by marrying off "Dad"? Beverly Garland was the actress who took the role of "Barbara," Steve's second wife. (I remember being mesmerized by her uber-long eyelashes.) Ms. Garland continued to act, primarily on television. She passed away in 2008. Her TV daughter, "Dodie," was played by Dawn Lyn, who -- are you ready for this -- is the sister of 1970s teen pop idol Leif Garrett. Dawn supported her mom and her brother until he became a household name.
Of course, we can't leave out Fred MacMurray (aka "Steve Douglas"), a terrific actor who had some juicy noir roles back in the day. Folks forget what a wonderful SOB he played in the movie Double Indemnity. Check it out sometime.
Oops, and Tramp. The dog. He was a briard, a breed that dates back to the 14th Century. (Aren't you glad you asked?)
P.S. Props to Mr. Ginley, without whom the idea for this blog would not have materialized. Complaints should be addressed to him in care of this station.
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