FATHER KNOWS BEST, Season 3 - Coming in June - Page 6

Re: FATHER KNOWS BEST, Season 3 - Coming in June

Matt, I'm going by faint memories of watching this one when it originally aired, but for me, the series seemed to peak in S2-3. That said, I'm probably in for the entire run if it gets released.

Bottom line for me, you can't go wrong with any season set here.

Re: FATHER KNOWS BEST, Season 3 - Coming in June

Matt,

Gary made two good suggestions.

My wife isn't into westerns and if I were to start her out on one I think I would go with "Big Valley" myself. It just depends. I first got into "Rawhide" because of Eastwood but before you know it I came to realize that Fleming is easily the lead. But all the characters are really good and entertaining.

As Gary said, "Big Valley" is a family setting on a ranch vs. the open terrain of a cattle drive. But you have several strong classic characters in "Big Valley" with Stanwyck and then a young Linda Evans and Lee Majors.

So the question is what do you think your fiance would like better as an introduction, the open terrain of a "Rawhide" with several good male leads but stories mainly about men, or strong male and female leads centered around a family that just happens to be a western?

Also, I don't know if it matters to your fiance, but Rawhide is b/w while Big Valley is color. To my wife color is another selling point.

Re: FATHER KNOWS BEST, Season 3 - Coming in June

As a Big Valley fanatic, that one's an easy recommendation. If the color thing is important to you all, then as Gary said, BV is a can't-miss Western. It's been described in some circles as a "soap opera" Western but that's not a negative description at all. The show has great storylines and acting throughout the series as it follows the lives of the Barkley family. Something else that was interesting to me is that I wasn't a big Barbara Stanwick fan (except for that role in "Double Indemnity") but she was perfectly-cast in this show. Lee Majors was also outstanding as a young "Gary Cooper-type" character in the series. Richard Long: perfect as the lawyer brother.....Peter Breck, as the excitable hair-trigger brother...Linda Evans as the sister. Outstanding combination of actors in roles that were made for them, imo.

My Mom got hooked on this show and she's never liked Westerns. That said a lot to me about how good BV is as a TV series.

Re: FATHER KNOWS BEST, Season 3 - Coming in June

Trust me, black and white is not an issue. I Love Lucy and Twilight Zone mades sure that glass ceiling was broken.

As for what she would enjoy most, it's tough to say. I can tell you that she tends toward more light stuff, which makes me think that Big Valley might be a safer starting point than Rawhide overall. But then again, she does enjoy thoughtful adventures (we're both big fans of Lost and did enjoy Heroes until the writer's brains went on vacation and we got sick of new characters getting introduced just to be forgotten or killed, but that's a whole other rant.) so maybe Rawhide might work.

Must admit, the surprise for me is no one making a pitch for Gunsmoke. I've never seen it myself but given it was IDed as such a classic Western for so long... just a surprise.

Right now, I'm thinking of a compromise: getting both the first seasons of Valley and Rawhide and starting with Valley and moving over to Rawhide once we're done with the first season. That way, she gets a taste of both, the safer one first and that way, we know.

Of course, I'll still need advice for the next move beyond those two. Oh and just to stay on topic, FKB is also getting consideration for a buy in the future.

Like the tag says...

Re: FATHER KNOWS BEST, Season 3 - Coming in June

If she likes thoughtful adventures, Gunsmoke is definitely an option. I'm in the middle of the second season, and continually impressed at the quality and consistence of the stories. And it being a half-hour show, instead of an hour like Rawhide or The Big Valley, may make it go down better.

Re: FATHER KNOWS BEST, Season 3 - Coming in June

Back in the days when it was new (and the highest rated show on the air), my grandmother loved "Wagon Train." I'm not sure how much of that is available on DVD, or whether that's really a "traditional" style Western. But I think the stories generally dealt with people (more than action and violence), which I guess is what women prefer, much to their credit.

Re: FATHER KNOWS BEST, Season 3 - Coming in June

Waiting on the upcoming DD sale, then I'm in.

Re: FATHER KNOWS BEST, Season 3 - Coming in June

I second The Big Valley. I'm not a big western fan but I do like the stories on The Big Valley. I particularly like how the episodes focus on a different character (Heath, Audra, Victoria, etc.) each week. I'm not sure about the first season, but some of the later episodes can be a little sensational (lots of psychopaths or people seeking revenge against the Barkleys), but I love it!

Another favorite family western is Little House on the Prairie. The stories from the first season are mostly touching and makes my eyes well up. I also like the diversity. Some episodes are serious, some are humorous, some emotional. Also, about every fourth episode they focus on a different resident/neighbor of Walnut Grove.

Re: FATHER KNOWS BEST, Season 3 - Coming in June

Me too, unless I find it locally before then. I keep hoping that Sam's might get it or Peyton Place on the racks soon.

Re: FATHER KNOWS BEST, Season 3 - Coming in June

Well, I sure tried. Sam's Club had carried Seasons 1 and 2, so I went there Tuesday to get Season 3 -- and it was nowhere to be found.

I think as we're moving into the second decade of the 21st Century the traditional retail stores won't be carrying releases of older movies and TV shows any more (after all, this season is over half a century old -- it would be like in 1957 buying something from 1905 -- it must seem incredibly ancient to young people.)

Anyway, I won't even bother with the stores any more; I'll order stuff like this off the Internet, like you guys had the good sense to do in the first place.

Joe "I agree that if Shout! doesn't release all six seasons of this series it will be a terrible shame and a severe disappointment to me, seeing as how this is probably my second-favorite TV series of all time" L.

Re: FATHER KNOWS BEST, Season 3 - Coming in June

I watched a fair amount of FKB as a kid and so it was any easy purchase when first reading on here it had been released. It was a little disheartening to initially hear that season 1 wasn't given the grand treatment but I figured worst case it couldn't be any worse then when I saw it as a kid. I have so much unwatched content but I like to always watch at least one episode of any new purchases before putting it on the "to be watched" stack. In this case, I watched the first episode but couldn't resist also watching the Donahue interview. Even though I have a ways to go to catch up to season 3 I'll buy it right away to help the cause for getting more.

One FKB episode that has always stood out in my mind since seeing it as a kid is about Halloween (I think?). Donahue is writing a story about the family and reading it back to them during a dark rainy night. I believe Bud asks for a fancy sports car and the next day he comes across a guy who's sports car has broken down and trades Bud for his car so he can make it to a meeting. Do you recall what episode this is, and in what season?


I guess I never really thought westerns fitting in two basic categories, but you are right they do. I am currently watching FATHER MURPHEY with my six year old daughter (picked up during a sale for $6 a season). It is actually a very good show, it has the family value's aspect like LHOTP but not as much hardship or as emotionally driven.

To go along with the one's you already mentioned, I'm also impressed with WYATT EARP. I just finished the first season and had to buy the Rhino best of addition to get to the conclusion. Unfortunately, I can't wait 5+ years for them to release all the seasons individually (even though I will still buy them if they come out to fill in the gaps).

Re: FATHER KNOWS BEST, Season 3 - Coming in June

I'd like to know which episode this is too.

Re: FATHER KNOWS BEST, Season 3 - Coming in June

I figured it out, it is the episode "Mr. Beal Meets His Match" from season 4. It is based on the Faust legend where Betty is writing a story that includes all members of the family. Kind of a making a deal with the devil concept. That one episode in particular has stuck with me the most from the some 35+ years since I probably last saw it.

It was a little tricky finding out since I didn't want to read any of the episode story lines since it would probably jog my memory and take away from when I rewatch all the episodes again after all these many years. I just searched the storylines for the word "story" until I found it.

Now I guess I have to really hope season 4 comes out.

Re: FATHER KNOWS BEST, Season 3 - Coming in June

Well for me, my exposure to Westerns is mostly movies like Unforgiven and Searchers. I have watched Little House and have memories of Bonanza, plus Gene Autry, so I've tried a little bit of everything. Now, I asked the fiance if she would prefer an hour or half hour and she chose the latter. So, with that in mind, I'm looking for something that would work as a bridge from what we're used to to the more "classical" Western, like Gunsmoke.

Right now, Gunsmoke is on the short list with Bonanza and Big Valley also being considered. With more advice, the list could grow.

Oh and for the record, FKB is being considered deeply, especially with sales right around the corner.

Re: FATHER KNOWS BEST, Season 3 - Coming in June

Gunsmoke is a very good western. I hadn't watched it prior to getting the first season and at first it didn't pull me in. James Arness didn't command my attention. However, I did enjoy Chester and then the building comraderie between Dillon, Chester, the Doc, and Kitty won me over. By half way through the first season I was hooked.

Unfortunately, the others I would recommend are all an hour long or more. Wagon Train was another I've enjoyed that knew nothing about prior. Another lessor known is Laredo, which can have some good relaxed humor that is enjoyable.

Re: FATHER KNOWS BEST, Season 3 - Coming in June

Matt, I'm a little late to the party here with recommendations, but since no one else has mentioned it, I have to offer what I feel is one of the most female friendly westerns of all time, ALIAS SMITH AND JONES.

Although only the first season has been released, I can promise you that this lighthearted western has a very large and loyal following among women. There are whole websites devoted to the series, all started and maintained by women; a companion book to the series was published a couple of years ago, written by two women; and last, but not least, my girlfriend totally loved the entire series when it was shown on the Encore Westerns Channel in recent years and she too can be averse to the western genre.

As for the show itself, it was obviously influenced by BUTCH CASSIDY AND THE SUNDANCE KID, stars two male actors who exhibit maximum eye candy for the ladies, and has a very likable and easy tone to it, while still being a good solid western. It was created by Roy Huggins and is definitely in the vein of his earlier series MAVERICK. Although the series met with tragedy in the middle of its second season, the suicide of co-star of Pete Duel, it was recast and managed to retain much of its original charm throughout the rest of its run.

I promise you that this is one western that I believe your fiance will like.

Re: FATHER KNOWS BEST, Season 3 - Coming in June

My head is not swimming as I am taking notes and evaluating every opinion. The only embarassing moment these days is I think if you listen closely, you can hear my wallet's plaintive cries for help.

That's the really hard part is picking just one, especially when you have "new" releases coming with fair regularity plus other stuff you want to try. It's hard being a fan of classic TV but it's nice knowing your fiance has total trust in you to at least try something once. Time Tunnel cemented my reputation as picking something up blind, but it ended up being pretty successful.

I'm thinking still though and I'll let you all know. Keep the opinions coming, but also if you think of anything to avoid, let me know that too!

Re: FATHER KNOWS BEST, Season 3 - Coming in June

Matt,

I was at WalMart today and they have a two pack of BIG VALLEY season 1 and volume 1 of season 2 (all there is on DVD) for $20.

Re: FATHER KNOWS BEST, Season 3 - Coming in June

Joe, I guarantee you won't regret 'net DVD purchasing. The convenience far outweighs an occasional "mail/return for exchange" issue with defective DVD's. You never have to shop around for the older show's TV/DVD sets.

No relation to Amazon, but it's one of the best stores on the 'net, imo. Their return/exchange setup is the best I've used so far and I've never had an issue with returning a TV/DVD set for exchange after the normal 30-day window has expired. I think I returned a set last year about 4 months after the purchase date with no problems.

Re: FATHER KNOWS BEST, Season 3 - Coming in June

does anyone know if the set has any of the sponsor openings? I for one would love to see something besides the season 1 opening tacked on to every episode. Just my thoughts.

Re: FATHER KNOWS BEST, Season 3 - Coming in June

not a make or break for me either, Gary. I've seen the original season 3 credits on a FKB website. According to the SitcomsOnline review, all the episode have the syndicated season 1 opening tacked on.....reminds me of Sony's laziness with the Bewitched openings. It's not a major thing, but I love seeing different openings for different seasons. I am loving season 3 and I enjoyed the Angel's Sweater more than the Christmas Story in season 1--yea, I'm in the minority on that. In fact, I enjoyed the radio versions of The Christmas Story more than the TV version.

Jude "keeping all body parts crossed for Season 4 being announced soon" C.

Re: FATHER KNOWS BEST, Season 3 - Coming in June

Did Father Knows Best have a new opening every year? I only go back as far as CBS daytime reruns for FKB and I recall the kids coming through the door opening credits. Which season(s) was that one used?

As a kid, one of the little pleasures of the new fall season each September was seeing the new opening credits on many of the returning shows. Leave It to Beaver and early seasons of The Lucy Show completely reworked theirs every year. Others like The Patty Duke Show made subtler changes. Many shows like Bewitched only revamped the credits when sponsor, color migration or cast changes forced them to.

I really wish they could find all the original season openings. It's not a deal breaker but it really adds value to the season sets and makes each season that much more collectible.