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My Three Sons aired 9/29/60 - 9/2/65 on ABC, and 9/16/65 - 8/24/72 on CBS. It was a Don Fedderson Production, filmed at Desilu Studios, with original music by Frank DeVol.
This page includes the cast, show information, notes on the show, partial list of episodes, questions about the show, TV ratings, information about a "TV Land Confidential", pictures and links. On July 15, there's a "My Three Sons" reunion with Don Grady, Stanley Livingston and Barry Livingston on Stu's Show, live at 4:00 p.m. PDT/7:00 p.m. EDT, with rebroadcasts daily at the same time, on www.shokusradio.com. My Three Sons DVD releases - first season vol. one 9/30/08 - first season vol. two 1/20/09 |
| The Cast of My Three Sons | |
Fred MacMurray as Steve Douglas. He was widowed, and was an engineer.
Fred was born August 30, 1908, Kankakee, Illinois. His movies included Double Indemnity and The Shaggy Dog. Out of the 50 greatest TV dads of all time, Fred MacMurray as Steve Douglas was selected as number 7, according to the June 20-26, 2004 issue of TV Guide. Fred MacMurray was a substitute host on the CBS-TV game show The $64,000 Question (aired in the 1950s). Fred MacMurray's history and how he got on My Three Sons |
William Frawley as Bub O'Casey, the boys grandfather, Steve's father-in-law.
William was born February 26, 1887, Burlington, Iowa. He left My Three Sons in bad health in the 1964-65 season. He played Fred Mertz in I Love Lucy and was the featured guest on This Is Your Life, aired Jan. 8, 1961. The Fred Society (William Frawley) Here is some more information about William Frawley. |
William Demarest as Charley O'Casey, the boys uncle
William was born February 27, 1892, St. Paul, Minnesota. He replaced William Frawley. |
Tim Considine as Mike Douglas. He married Sally in 1965 and both left the series.
According to the book "Sitcoms The 101 Greatest TV Comedies Of All Time", Tim Considine quit "My Three Sons" after an argument with Don Fedderson, the producer. Tim was born December 31, 1940, Los Angeles, California. He played Buzz Miller in The Shaggy Dog, a 1959 movie. Tim is the nephew of sportscaster Bob Considine and the brother of actor John Considine. Bob Considine wrote the screenplay for the 1948 movie The Babe Ruth Story and also wrote the book, The Babe Ruth Story. Tim Considine has authored three books and is quite an accomplished photographer. This webpage from Authors and Artists has a short biography on Tim. This webpage has some books from Tim Considine. These pages are Tim Considine's photography, faces, moments and wheels. Walt Disney Treasures - The Adventures of Spin & Marty - The Mickey Mouse Club (1955) is available on DVD from www.amazon.com. Tim Considine played the part of Spin Evans. |
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Don Grady as Robbie Douglas. The picture (on the left) of Don was taken from a 1964 episode when he was doing a dance called "The Frog". The song "The Frog" was written by Don and Gary Abrams and was performed by The Rivingtons. This episode was written by Don and Gary.
Don was born June 8, 1944, San Francisco, California. He was a former Mouseketeer. Don did the original music for the 1989 movie, "Skin Deep". This is Don Grady's website. |
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Stanley was born November 24, 1950. This is his website.
Celebrity Autograph Show Starring Stan Livingston From My Three Sons - video Close-ups Conversations with our TV Favorites by Eddie Lucas has an interview with Stanley Livingston. The rest of the book has interviews with stars from other shows. The book is available at www.amazon.com |
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Barry Livingston as Ernie Douglas, an orphan that was adopted by Steve, so there were still three sons on the show after oldest brother Mike married Sally and moved away
Barry was born December 17, 1953 and is Stanley's real brother. These are some other pictures of Barry Livingston in later years from Genesis Creations. |
Meredith MacRae as Sally
Meredith was born May 30, 1944, Houston, Texas. Here is Meredith MacRae's website.
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Tina Cole as Katie Douglas, Robbie's wife Tina was born August 4, 1945, Hollywood, California. |
Cynthia Pepper as Jean Pearson. This picture of Tim Considine and Cynthia Pepper was taken from the 1st season of My Three Sons. Mike and Jean lived next door to each other, so they both could open their upstairs windows and talk to each other, which made for vintage television. Cynthia left My Three Sons in 1961 to star in her own TV series, Margie. Years later, when Jean came back, she eventually discovered Mike had a serious girlfriend, Sally. Cynthia was born September 4, 1940, Hollywood, California. Cynthia Pepper webpage |
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Ronne Troup as Polly Williams, Chip's wife
Bobby Troup (composer of the song "Get Your Kicks On Route 66") is Ronne's father. |
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Beverly Garland as Barbara Harper, Steve's wife and Ernie's teacher
Beverly was born October 17, 1926, Santa Cruz, California. This is the official website for Beverly Garland. Beverly Garland's Holiday Inn in California |
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Dawn Lyn as Dodie Harper, Barbara's daughter
Dawn was born January 11, 1963. Leif Garrett is her brother. |
And of course, Tramp, the lovable Douglas family dog.
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Peter Brooks as Hank Ferguson, a friend of Robbie's
Peter appeared as Corky in the episode "Too Many Cooks" (aired December 29, 1965) on "Gidget" (ABC, 1965-66). |
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Beau Bridges as Russ Burton, a friend of Mike's
This is the official website of Beau Bridges. |
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Butch Patrick as Gordon Dearing
Butch Patrick played Eddie Munster on "The Munsters". |
My Three Sons Show Information
Steve Douglas was a widower who was raising his three sons at 837 Mill Street (right). In fall 1967, the Douglas family moved to North Hollywood, California. The Douglas family phone number was Bryant Park 6100. Steve liked Italian food at Luigi's restaurant. The Douglas house has an indoor rock garden. Father Steve worked at Universal Research and Development Co. The early episodes of My Three Sons with William Frawley ("The Bub Years") were among the best. Actor Bobby Diamond (played Joey Newton on "Fury") chose "Westinghouse Playhouse" with Nanette Fabray instead of playing one of the sons on "My Three Sons". There was a report dated February 2004 on the My Three Sons forum on tv.com, that TV Land Canada was showing the first season of My Three Sons (36 episodes). In Australia, cable TV was showing the fifth season.
*Billy Snyder's dog's name was Jelly Bean Snyder. The strange thing Billy Snyder did to Steve Douglas was pouring a chocolate malt in his pipe. *Chip's elementary school was Webster Elementary. *Steve's occupation was an aeronautical engineer. *Steve ordered a Lindy Hop Special, which was 2 scoops of ice cream, a couple of rings of pineapple, chocolate syrup, a lot of whipped cream with a side dish of almonds. *At the 1931 class senior hop, Steve played a saxophone. His high school girfriend from the early 1930s was Josephine Kringles (Pat McNulty). *Ricky Allen played Huey "Sudsy" Pfeiffer, one of Chip's friends. *Sebastian Cabot played Tom Morrison, Sally's father. Sally was Mike's girlfriend. *Bub's aunt was Kate (Jeanette Nolan). His cousin was Mickey O'Casey (Robert Emhardt). They lived in Farnsea, Ireland. Bub and Mickey were partners on an Irish sweepstakes ticket and they won. Bub's part of it was $14,000. *Tramp's father had six kids. *Steve Douglas was the second baseman on the Beaver Dam High School baseball team.
"Man in a Trench Coat" (aired February 23, 1961) Rob's girlfriend suspects something's going on between Judy (Cheryl Holdridge) and Rob so she has him followed. "A Lesson in Any Language" (aired November 16, 1961) Mike is trying to get through school the easy way. He bought a Spanish learning record set to play at night when he was asleep so when he woke up in the morning he could speak Spanish. References in this episode to:
"Damon and Pythias" (aired December 28, 1961) Robbie and friend Hank discuss joining a club and decide they'll be like Damon and Pythias. But, Rob is tired of being compared to his brother Mike. So he joins a club that didn't offer his brother an invitation. This is one of the best My Three Sons episodes I have ever seen.
Dan John Rockwell
Hank Ferguson Peter Brooks
Huey "Sudsy" Pfeiffer Ricky Allen
Hal Buddy Hart
(played Chester Anderson
on Leave It To Beaver)
Tony Bruce Baxter
Mr. Cronkite Fred Kruger
"Robbie Wins His Letter" (aired March 7, 1963) Robbie attempts to win a school science award. With James Stewart. "Dear Robbie" (aired October 10, 1963) Robbie, in his newspaper column, gives a girl bad advice, and that is to elope. "My Friend Ernie" (aired October 31, 1963) Chip has his friend Ernie Thompson over to spend the night. They search for treasure in Bryant Woods, causing great concern with family members. In this episode, Ernie's parents appear and he is not a member of the Douglas family. "Second Chorus" (aired January 9, 1964) Steve seems to be happier and feel younger now that he's starting to see Susan, ( Jaye P. Morgan). This impacts Robbie and Mike with concern about the relationship's future. In this episode, Jaye P. Morgan played a singer named Susan DeVol. In real life, Jaye was a singer with the Frank DeVol orchestra. Frank did the theme for My Three Sons. "Marriage By Proxy" (aired January 23, 1964) Howard's wife Francie is pregnant. Howard convinces Mike to be on call if Francie needs to go to the hospital. And Mike does get a call. Mike Minor played the role of Herb in this episode. He later played Steve Elliott on Petticoat Junction. His father, Don Fedderson, was the executive producer of My Three Sons. Mike was married to Linda Kaye Henning who played Betty Jo Bradley on Petticoat Junction. Her father, Paul Henning, was executive producer of Green Acres and was producer of Petticoat Junction, The Beverly Hillbillies and The Bob Cummings Show.
Mike Douglas Tim Considine
Robbie Douglas Don Grady
Chip Douglas Stanley Livingston
Sally Ann Morrison Meredith MacRae
Howard Beau Bridges
(his father is Lloyd Bridges
from Sea Hunt and
his brother is Jeff Bridges)
Francie Indus Arthur
Wally Duke Howard
Barbara Claudia Martin
Night Nurse Janice Carroll
Timmy Brian Nash
Second Nurse Maxine Jennings
Woman Elsie Baker
Jack Gene Tyburn
Herb Mike Minor
"House For Sale" (aired February 13, 1964) Steve has an opportunity to go to Hawaii for Mr. Gordon's company. Things are great until Steve's sons find out it would mean selling the Douglas home.
Steve Douglas Fred MacMurray Michael Francis "Bub" O'Casey William Frawley Mike Douglas Tim Considine Robbie Douglas Don Grady Chip Douglas Stanley Livingston Ernie Thompson Barry Livingston Ina Tina Cole Mr. Gordon Addison Richards Miss Evans Phyllis Sues Mr. Proctor Fredd Wayne Mr. Gavin Woodrow Parfrey Mrs. Proctor Jan Shutan Mrs. Taylor Shelby Grant Mr. Taylor David Brandon Sally Ann Morrison Meredith MacRae "Fish Gotta Swim-Birds Gotta Fly" (aired March 5, 1964) Sally participates in a fishing trip with Mike and the Douglas family and Mike goes on a birdwatching trip with Sally, her sisters and her mother.
Steve Douglas Fred MacMurray Michael Francis "Bub" O'Casey William Frawley Mike Douglas Tim Considine Robbie Douglas Don Grady Chip Douglas Stanley Livingston Sally Ann Morrison Meredith MacRae Ernie Thompson Barry Livingston Mrs. Morrison Doris Singleton Nancy Patricia Morrow Jill Judi Thor Melinda Jennie Lynn A Serious Girl (aired September 24, 1964) At the beginning of the episode Fred MacMurray says hi, welcome to our show from the Quaker Oats Company. There's a good commercial from Quaker Oats Life Cereal. "Divorce-Bryant Park Style" (aired December 21, 1964) Mike wonders after he marries Sally, if it will be like the troubled marriage of Howard and Francie.
Sally Ann Morrison Meredith MacRae
Ernie Thompson Barry Livingston
Howard Buck Taylor
(the son of actor Dub Taylor)
Francie Indus Arthur
Mr. Marfield Robert Shayne
(played Inspector William Henderson
on Superman)
All the Weddings (aired May 6, 1965) At the beginning of the episode Fred MacMurray says hi, welcome to our show from the Quaker Oats Company. There's a great commercial from Quaker Oats Life cereal. Fred MacMurray, Tim Considine, Don Grady and Stanley Livingston do a commercial for the cereals, Quaker Puffed Rice and Quaker Puffed Wheat. Robbie and the Little Stranger (aired February 17, 1966) At the beginning of the episode Fred MacMurray says hi, welcome to our show for Hunt's catsup. Fred MacMurray and William Demarest do a commercial for Hunt's Catsup. "Kid Brother Blues" (aired March 3, 1966) At the beginning of the episode Fred MacMurray says hi, welcome to our show for Hunt's catsup. Robbie's date at a girl's house is messed up by Chip, who is over doing school work with a friend, who is the girl's brother. Robbie sings and plays guitar in this episode. Fred MacMurray does a commercial for Hunt's Catsup. Steve Douglas............Fred MacMurray Uncle Charley O'Casey....William Demarest Robbie...................Don Grady Chip.....................Stanley Livingston Ernie....................Barry Livingston Charlene.................Mary Jayne Saunders Helen....................Elaine Devry Shelly...................Susan Gordon Tim......................Donald Losby Howie....................Billy Willis J.J. Parkhurst...........Johnny Jensen Norma Sue................Keva Page "Ernie and Zsa Zsa" (aired January 27, 1968) Ernie and Tramp spend the day at the movie studio with Zsa Zsa Gabor. "First Night Out" (aired December 7, 1968) Ernie and a baby sitter take care of the triplets and the family gets nervous. With Rose Marie. "The Matchmakers" (aired March 22, 1969) Steve and his partner in business discover their children don't like each other. With Don DeFore. "Love Thy Neighbor" (aired March 28, 1970) Robbie and Katie have a fight with their new neighbors. With Jerry Mathers. |
| Questions about My Three Sons | |
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If you have an answer to this question I received, please send it to the email address near the bottom of the page. (question posted July 11, 2006)
Did DebraLee Scott from Welcome Back Kotter play in My Three Sons as a child actress possibly under the name Debra or Debbie Lee ? I received an email (posted to this page December 7, 2006) that had the following answer: Q. Did DebraLee Scott from Welcome Back Kotter play in My Three Sons as a child actress possibly under the name Debra or Debbie Lee ? A. The poster is actually thinking of Dawn Lyn who played Dodie on My Three Sons. If you check the link below you can see the resemblance to DebraLee. If you have an answer to this question I received, please send it to the email address near the bottom of the page. (question posted November 21, 2006) I'm hoping you can help me out with this episode title, as I recall it being two parts with a cliff-hanger in the first part. I think it was Stanley Livingston starring in it but can't really remember. The star and one of his friends go hiking and come to a huge drainage pipe running through a mountain and decide to crawl through it backwards. When the lead star comes to the end of the pipe hanging out of the other side of the mountain, he hangs by his hands over the end of the pipe and sees nothing but empty space around him and the ground about a thousand feet below him. The star tries to crawl out but the main star tells him to go back because he can't come this way. In the second part of the show the main star manages to pull himself up and climb back into the pipe and the two crawl forward until they come out where they started. If you have an answer to this question I received, please send it to the email address near the bottom of the page. (posted 10/7/08) Do you know where the exteriors of the Douglas' house are filmed? This is the house during season 1. It looks like a real upscale neighborhood and I was wondering if it is still standing and if the house is still there. |
If you have an answer to this question I received, please send it to the email address near the bottom of the page. (posted April 1, 2007)
We seem to remember a couple of different breeds of dogs owned by the Douglas family, but there is a big discussion as to what breeds they might have been. We think that at least one of them was a Briard, but would like to know if you could clarify this for us. If you have an answer to this question I received, please send it to the email address near the bottom of the page. (posted 6-4-07) I had a question about My Three Sons. I remember in some of the later episodes, before the credits, there was a clip of Fred MacMurray saying "Hi. Welcome to the show". Do you recall this? And do you know anywhere I can locate this clip? |
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TV RATINGS FOR MY THREE SONS
LISTINGS AMONG THE TOP 25 SHOWS |
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| Date | Program Number | Network | Rating |
| Oct. 1960-Apr. 1961 | #13 | ABC | 25.8 |
| Oct. 1961-Apr. 1962 | ;#11 | ABC | 24.7 |
| Oct. 1964-Apr. 1965 | #13 | ABC | 25.5 |
| Oct. 1965-Apr. 1966 | #15 | CBS | 23.8 |
| Oct. 1967-Apr. 1968 | #24 | CBS | 20.8 |
| Oct. 1968-Apr. 1969 | #14 | CBS | 22.8 |
| Oct. 1969-Apr. 1970 | #15 | CBS | 21.8 |
| Oct. 1970-Apr. 1971 | #19 | CBS | 20.8 |
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On the show "TV Land Confidential" that aired Oct. 13, 2005, it was mentioned that when My Three Sons hit the screen in 1963, no one ever mentioned Steve Douglas' late wife.
The show started Sept. 29, 1960. In the episode "Bub in the Ointment" (aired Oct. 13, 1960), Mike was telling his dad, that he was going to be interviewed for a college scholarship and he was concerned that Bub might say something wrong. Steve refreshed Mike's memory and said at one time, Bub was doing well managing a movie theater. And when Mike's mother died, Bub gave up everything, moved in with the Douglases, and tried to take his daughter's place. (Steve was married to Bub's daughter.) Bub came in to the Douglas house and cheered them up, when they thought they'd never laugh again. Bub did housework and went to committee meetings and social teas. He did a lot of things most men wouldn't have the nerve to do. He did it because he wanted Steve's three sons to be represented in the neighborhood. And Steve finished the talk with Mike, saying he thought those things more than made up for Bub's Irish temper and occasional lack of tact. |
Bub (William Frawley) reacts to a wonderful family situation in this scene of the My Three Sons episode "Bub In The Ointment". (aired Oct. 13, 1960)
The Douglas family, Chip (Stanley Livingston), Robbie (Don Grady), Steve's father-in-law Bub O'Casey (William Frawley), Steve (Fred MacMurray), Tramp and Mike (Tim Considine)
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MY THREE SONS Links (last verified October 7, 2006)
My Three Sons on Tim's TV Showcase My Three Sons episode guide from tv.com Unofficial TV Land site about My Three Sons This is the television syndication information from Paramount on My Three Sons. My Three Sons is on KBYU-TV
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