My Three Sons (1960–1972) User Reviews (30)

The MacMurray System

[bkoganbing · 7/10 · 29 September 2009]

I never thought that Fred MacMurray would ever get a biography written about him simply because of the subject. The man was apparently as normal as he seemed. No scandals of any kind, no movie or television star temperament, no salacious gossip of any kind. Still a good biography was written about him in the past couple of years.

When MacMurray was offered My Three Sons his film career had rejuvenated due to Walt Disney's, The Shaggy Dog. Quite frankly MacMurray wanted to have it all, but there are only 365 days a year. Producer Don Fedderson to get his participation in the show agreed to a system whereby all of his scenes in all of the show's episodes were shot first, taking about 2 months. Then everyone else's scenes were shot and the episodes edited together. It allowed Fred time for his outside work, mostly with Walt Disney.

This was a firm and fast rule, even guest stars who didn't get around to their commitments on a show, found themselves saying their dialog to furniture as the episodes were put together. If they could be called back, they were, otherwise it was playing to the scenery.

What I find amazing is that people actually put up with this, but there's no denying the success of the results. My Three Sons had a twelve year run on the show, all of the original sons got married and started families. One son, Tim Considine quite halfway through the run like Adam Cartwright, still the show kept going as MacMurray adopted Barry Livingston to keep the trio with Don Grady and Barry's older brother Stanley Livingston.

Females gradually entered the all male household with the marriages of Considine to Meredith MacRae, Grady to Tina Cole, and Livingston to Ronne Troup. And the big finish was in those final couple of seasons as widower MacMurray married Beverly Garland and became a stepfather of girls for the first time with Dawn Lyn.

Before the females invaded the household chores and the raising of the boys was assisted by William Frawley and later William Demarest. Both had done films with MacMurray back in the old days. Frawley's health so declined the producer's could not get him insured any longer. He was not a happy camper when he was let go.

When My Three Sons completed its run, gentle family comedies like this were going way out of style. Shows like All In The Family which had a more pessimistic view of the human condition were the vogue when the Seventies were ushered in. Still the show provides some fond memories for me and it had the weirdest shooting schedule allowing it's star to have it all.

Twelve Seasons Strong!

[Sylviastel · 8/10 · 28 June 2012]

It has a great cast like Fred MacMurray who was a movie star in the golden age. He played a single father of three sons. The show had a long run of twelve seasons which is unheard even now. The cast remained solid and the writing was fine. I grew up on the syndication series. I found the show sometimes to lose my interest. But those days of my childhood, comedy series like this were shown to us daily. The show also featured one of my favorites, William Frawley, who is best remembered as Fred Mertz from "I Love Lucy." The sons including Don Grady did a fantastic job. While the show might seem dated, it's still relevant today. Beverly Garland was one of my favorites.

"My Three Sons" is a lovely show. SPOILERS if you haven't seen it!

[rekolde · 8/10 · 21 March 2007]

"My Three Sons" is a show of the same happy-family caliber as "Brady Bunch". and yet it is a milder, gentler show, always portraying the nuclear family unit as warm, loving, supportive, and well-wishing. not a thing is wrong with seeing a family--albeit lacking in motherly figures until the last season or two--look out for each other's best interests, show respect for parental and grandparental figures, and treat everyone with kindness, giving the benefit of the doubt to all. remember how the elderly uncles are incorporated into the family and participate in meaningful ways? look at how uncle Charlie could cook. remember how Ernie is adopted along the way as a son? so lovely. much later in the series when widower dad Steve finally remarries, a daughter is adopted into the family, and is treated respectfully by her much elder new brothers. (think how late teens and early twenties persons look to a seven year old.) do we not value respectful, obedient behavior toward our parents and caregivers and authorities? then this show holds up, despite all the changes the household goes through--as any household is apt to have in twelve years of life. lovely, lovely.

Disney's Unofficial Show

[Sargebri · 29 April 2003]

When this show first came on, a lot of people called it a Disney show due to the fact that Fred MacMurray and Don Grady, who both appeared in Disney Films. This show was definitely the one of the first ones to deal with single parenthood, but it dealt with it in a humorous manner. This was also one of the few shows that survived a change in networks when it jumped from A.B.C. to rival C.B.S. in 1965. And that wasn't the only change. Like many other shows that year, it went from black and white to color. However, unlike many other shows, it managed to make the transition very easily and, ironically, it stayed on for an additional seven years on C.B.S. as opposed to the five that it was on A.B.C.. However, one thing that really changed when it went through all those changes was the fact that many people said that the A.B.C. episodes were more adventurous and were often very surreal. Hopefully, one of these days both eras of this show will be released and the fans of the show will be able to choose for themselves.

Visual Comfort Food

[atlasmb · 6/10 · 18 November 2020]

This show lasted 12 seasons and was a mainstay in my childhood homes. It took the family format (like "Leave it to Beaver" or "Father Knows Best") and turned it on its ear. There are no women in the Douglas household (though one of the men fills many of the traditionally female roles).

As the series progressed, characters were added or deleted---as with many shows---but "My Three Sons" (MTS) morphed so many times it felt like they were desperate to inject novelty. Eventually, they even brought women into the family.

Nevertheless, this was a popular series. A big part of that was due to the likable cast of characters. Even gruff Uncle Charley proved a softie whenever someone was down in the doldrums and needed attention. But the head of the household was the father, Steve (Fred MacMurray), the affable, cardigan-wearing, pipe-smoking gentleman who dispensed wisdom with a gentle tone and an earnest sincerity.

I think it is fair to measure a sitcom by its tendency to generate humor, drama or moments of tenderness. The MTS brand of humor is low-key, perhaps because the characters are laidback. As with most sitcoms, the drama is usually not dire. Most of the family's problems are not existential. But the all-male household does lend itself to occasional moments of tenderness, as when they decide to adopt Ernie.

This might not be one of the best shows of the sixties, but it provided comfortable viewing for many years.

The most successful of the Don Fedderson produced family sitcoms...My Three Sons

[raysond · 10/10 · 27 May 2000]

A TV Classic in the golden age of early 60's sitcoms that became creator-executive producer Don Fedderson's most successful show that became second only to "The Adventures of Ozzie and Harriet" as the longest-running sitcom series in television history spanning 12 seasons and 380 episodes airing from September 29,1960 until April 13,1972 with repeated episodes airing from April 20,1972 until August 24,1972. The series first aired on ABC's Thursday night prime time schedule producing 153 black and white episodes from September 29, 1960 until May 20,1965. Then after it was canceled by ABC in 1965 the series was picked up by CBS for the next seven seasons in color for 227 episodes from September 16,1965 until April 13,1972. CBS also aired various episodes in repeats for it's daytime line-up for one season in September,1971 that featured various seasons in color. "My Three Sons" won the Golden Globe for Best Television Series in 1962 and was nominated for three Prime Time Emmys in 1961,1968 and 1969. The show's sponsors throughout it's run where during the earlier years The Chevrolet Motor Division where you saw Chevrolet products featured in various episodes and during the closing credits. Other sponsors were General Motors Division, The Quaker Oats Company, Ralston-Purina, and in it's final season the sponsor was The Ford Motor Company(Lincoln-Mercury Division).

Of all the cast members that were associated with the show only actors Fred MacMurray(Steve Douglas),and Stanley Livingston(Chip Douglas) remained throughout it's entire run. William Frawley(Bub O'Casey) appeared in 165 episodes; William Demarest(Charley O'Casey) appeared in 215 episodes. Tim Considine(Mike Douglas)appeared in 185 episodes; Don Grady(Robbie Douglas)appeared in 357 episodes;Barry Livingston,the brother of Stanley Livingston(Ernie Thompson-Douglas)appeared in 206 episodes; Tina Cole(Katie Miller Douglas)appeared in 134 episodes;Beverly Garland(Barbara Harper Douglas)appeared in 74 episodes; Dawn Lyn(Dodie Harper Douglas)appeared in 73 episodes;Ronne Troup(Polly Williams Douglas)appeared in 36 episodes. Tramp the Douglas' family dog was in all 380 episodes of the series throughout it's run.

The series revolves around Steve Douglas(Fred MacMurray)who was a widower and aeronautical engineer with three sons that consisted of the oldest(Mike),the middle-child(Robbie),and the youngest child(Chip)and their maternal grandfather(Bub O'Casey)who was the housekeeper and the family dog in their suburban household in fictional Bryant Park. Then numerous changes began to take when the series went from ABC to CBS. The first color telecast saw the marriage of the oldest son Mike to his college sweetheart Sally. And by the show's eighth season on CBS(when the show moved from Thursday nights to Saturday nights)saw the family's adoption of Ernie and also midway through the season saw Robbie's marriage to his college sweetheart Katie. That same season also saw the family moving from Bryant Park to North Hollywood where Steve has been offer a new position at his place of employment. Season 9 saw the birth of Robbie's wife Katie with three sons. Season 10 sees Steve Douglas walked down the aisle of martial bliss when he marries Barbara Harper and also brings along her daughter Dodie from a previous marriage. And during the show's 12th and final season(when CBS moved the series from Saturday nights to Monday nights in a later time slot opposite ABC's Monday Night Football)saw the youngest Chip also marrying his high school sweetheart Polly Williams.

When "My Three Sons" ended it's astounding run in 1972 after 12 seasons and 380 episodes it marked the end of an era in family situation comedy series where it was taken over during the 1970's with the landscape of prime time television changing it's programming to urban dramas and gritter police shows. The show that replaced "My Three Sons" on CBS in the fall of 1972 was "The Bill Cosby Comedy Hour"

Another version of leave it to Beaver!

[mm-39 · 6/10 · 10 July 2019]

Another version of leave it to Beaver! Watched the show on and off with my sister back in the day! Found leave it to Beaver better. Well a single dad raises his son's with an uncle. a time of more innocents, or what appears to be on t v. Memorable episodes was the youngest son's finds out the over aggressive friend is actually a Tom boy raised by a single dad, and some female insight is added to the show. The time the Chinese family pays a visit. All this is good all American values. Show bogged down in the usual predictable family sit com scripts. Did not mind the show but lost my attention. Still memorable. 6 stars.

Good entertainment.

[marksmith06082 · 10/10 · 29 December 2013]

"My Three Sons" was about an unconventional family, Mom was missing. Dad, Steve Douglas, was missing most of the time since he was busy as an engineer in the aerospace industry, a dream job for those times when the space-race was a hot topic – the show began 9-years before America put a man on the moon in 1969.

Bub, then later, Uncle Charlie kept the house and was there when the boys, Mike, Robbie, and Chip, and later Ernie (Chip's little brother in real life) came home from school. This was a quirky bachelor pad. The show's theme music fit; it was a little kookie, just like the family. And, that was all the music that counted. There was some old music played, like the music my mom and dad – 39 and 48-years older than me – listened to, which was how it was back then. Kids went to another room or outside with the transistor radio to hear their own music where it wouldn't bother the folks. By the later 60s we had an FM antenna on the roof to stay up and listen to jazz and the more psychedelic sounds and lyrics.

Every week, one of the kids would have some problem and would have it solved by the end of the show without anyone having gone on a shooting rampage. The military- industrial complex hadn't yet changed the definition of gun to denote a problem-solver that goes bang bang and makes America great.

TV in those days was not about reality, which we turned on the set to escape, but entertainment. The shows were not meant to literally reflect real families, but depicted families that were somewhere near to the screenwriter's ideal of what a family should be, showing how people are there for each other no matter what. And, the what was nowhere near as bizarre as the reality of today. Things that were funny, as an exception to the rule or the norm, are no longer funny since they've become a bad joke that is the rule or the norm.

And, what does that say about us as a society? I liked "All in the Family" when it began in the early 70s, but was and am dumbfounded by those who see Archie Bunker as the lifestyle guru who is here to save America instead of the "Meathead-of the household" that he portrayed.

I still don't care for reality TV, even with the years of exposure to it. I'd rather read a book of my liking or watch a rerun of some seemingly absurd show like "My Three Sons." It was good entertainment, which is what TV is meant to provide for one thing.

If you want reality, watch the news or, better still for reality, some very old reruns of the news. But, I give "My Three Sons" a 10.

Started real good, then...

[Australian1 · 7/10 · 31 December 2023]

When it was B&W, it was best, then they moved to California.

Why did Mike disappear altogether? Fred mentions his 3 sons, but he includes Ernie and NOT Mike!

Why did the director/producers make that awful decision?

As for Ernie, the most annoying, irritating kid! If he was my brother, I would have disowned him!

Most of the show doesn't run in a timeline, there is little continuity, but apparently it was Fred's iea.

Katie is the most likeable character in the later, when she married Robbie.

The Uncle, first that annoying actor, who was just as annoying in I Love Lucy, leaves the show, then is replaced by another grumpy Uncle!

I've had several uncles, all were caring and loveable!

There is NO reference ever about the mother, no in memoriam, nothing.

Another super annoying thing is having to see the outside of the house in scene changes! It must have saved them many hours of screen time in the whole series! One way of spending nearly 4 minutes in every show! Cheap "trick".

I still watch it, at season 9 now. But I wonder how it will all end.....

Heartwarming 60s family sitcom.

[sonya90028 · 10/10 · 14 April 2009]

My Three Sons, was one of many 60s family sitcoms. It revolved around suburban patriarch, Steve Douglas, and his three sons. Steve was a widower, trying to do his best to raise his sons without the help of a spouse. The sons did have their gruff but lovable Uncle Charlie, around to clean, cook, and give them his sage guidance.

It was fun to see the three boys, always get into one misadventure after another. Dad Steve, was always patient with his son's misgivings. Steve was the kind of father that most kids would love to have. He was at least as credible a father-figure as Ward Cleaver was, on Leave It To Beaver.

I'll always fondly remember this heartwarming show. It's not in syndication anymore, but you can watch it on DVD now. It's among the best of the 60s family sitcoms.

Ahead of its time

[safenoe · 7/10 · 9 March 2024]

My Three Sons was well way ahead of its time as a primetime sitcom, with Steve Douglas (played by Fred MacMurray) looking after his three sons, and maybe My Three Sons was like the half-precursor to The Brady Bunch. It would have been funny if the creators named MacMurray's character Michael, so that would be Michael Douglas.

Don Grady, who played Robbie Douglas, went on to compose the theme to Donahue. I'd love for a reboot of My Three Sons, and I nominate acclaimed British actor to play Steve Douglas, and we can have the Jonas Brothers playing his three sons and also Michael Douglas playing the grandfather to round things off.

The second longest running family sitcom series in television history...The Legendary series "My Three Sons" 1960-1972

[rcj5365 · 9/10 · 1 April 2016]

Also known as "The Fred MacMurray Show",the television series "My Three Sons" was the cornerstone of the situation family shows that came out during the 1960's and continued onward into the early 1970's. "My Three Sons" was creator-executive producer Don Fedderson's most successful series(along with producers Edmund H. Hartmann, George Tibbles,and Peter Tewksbury),that was second only to "The Adventures of Ozzie and Harriet" as the longest-running family situation comedy sitcom in television history producing 380 episodes and it was telecast on two major television networks running from September 29, 1960 until April 13,1972 with repeated episodes running from April 20, 1972 until August 24,1972. First,it aired on ABC's Thursday night prime-time schedule running for five seasons and 153 black and white episodes airing from September 29,1960 until May 20,1965. After it was abruptly canceled in the Spring of 1965 by ABC,"My Three Sons" was picked up by CBS for the next seven seasons and 227 episodes in color for the remainder of it's run from September 16,1965 until April 13,1972 and it also CBS that repeated various episodes from it's final season airing from April 20,1972 until August 24,1972. CBS also aired daytime re-runs of "My Three Sons" for one season in September of 1971 that had various episodes from past seasons in color. "My Three Sons" won the Golden Globe for Best Television Series in 1962 and was nominated for three Prime-Time Emmys in 1961,1968 and 1969 and nominated for four WGA Awards in 1961,1963,1964 and 1968.

Out of the actors that were with the series,only actors Fred MacMurray and Stanley Livingston were the only cast members that remained with the series throughout it's entire 12-year run and 380 episodes. William Frawley(aka Fred Mertz of "I Love Lucy" fame)who played the maternal grandfather Bub O'Casey was with the black and white episodes for the first five seasons of the show appearing in 165 episodes from September 29,1960 until his final appearance on January 7,1965. William Demarest who played the boys-live in maternal guardian Charley O'Casey(who was Bub's older brother)join the series midway through it's fifth season appearing in 215 episodes. Demarest remained with the series when the show was canceled by ABC and stayed with the show when it went to CBS. Demarest appeared in 26 of the black and white episodes of Season 5 for ABC from January 17,1965 until May 20,1965 and also in the 189 color episodes for CBS from September 16,1965 until April 13,1972(Seasons 6 thru 12). Tim Considine(Mike Douglas)appeared in 185 episodes of the series(which also included the opening color telecast of the series for CBS which was Tim Considine's final association with the series); Don Grady(Robert "Robbie" Douglas)appeared in 357 episodes for the series from 1960-1971; Barry Livingston,brother of Stanley Livingston(Ernie Thompson-Douglas)appeared in 206 episodes of the series from 1963-1972; Tina Cole(Katie Miller Douglas)appeared in 134 episodes from 1964-1972; Meredith MacRae(Sally Anne-Morrison Douglas)appeared in 14 episodes of the series which also appeared in the first color telecast of the series for CBS; Beverly Garland(Barbara Harper- Douglas)appeared in 74 episodes of the series from 1969-1972; Dawn Lyn(Dodie Harper-Douglas)appeared in 73 episodes of the series from 1969-1972; actress Ronne Troup(Polly Williams-Douglas)appeared in 36 episodes of the series from 1970-1972. Tramp was the family dog in all 380 episodes.

"My Three Sons" survived numerous changes during the twelve seasons it was on the air. During the first five seasons and especially the 153 black and white episodes for ABC, the show was centered around widower and aeronautical engineer Steven Douglas(Fred MacMurray)and his three sons Mike(Tim Considine),middle-child Robbie(Don Grady),and the youngest one Richard "Chip" Douglas(Stanley Livingston)and their maternal grandfather and housekeeper Bub O'Casey(William Frawley)and their suburban household in fictional Bryant Park. When the show went to CBS in the fall of 1965 several changes were made and the series was in color with the opening episode of the marriage of Mike and Sally(which would be Tim Considine's final association with the series); the family's adoption of Ernie Thompson(Barry Livingston),and the family's moving in the eighth season from Bryant Park to North Hollywood; and midway audiences saw the marriage of Robbie marrying his college sweetheart Katie,and in the show's tenth season saw the marriage of widower Steven Douglas to Barbara Harper. Even Chip Douglas in the show's final season married his high school sweetheart Polly Williams.

"My Three Sons" enjoy the first five seasons in black and white as one of ABC's powerhouse Thursday night line-up of shows from 1960-1965,and when the series went to color on CBS in the fall of 1965 remained on the Thursday night schedule for the next two seasons(Seasons 6-7 from 1965- 1967). In the show's eighth season on CBS,the series was moved to a new time slot from Thursday nights(in favor of "Cimarron Strip") to Saturday nights preceding "The Jackie Gleason Show" where it remained from 1967 until 1971(Seasons 8 thru 11). Then CBS moved the series again in it's 12th and final season for 1971-1972 where the series was moved from Saturday nights to an later time slot on Monday nights at the 10:00pm Eastern/9:00pm Central Time Slot where the show was placed opposite ABC's Monday Night Football which in turn decimated it in the Nielsen ratings. By January of 1972 the series went back to it's original Thursday night time slot. When the show went into syndication only the 227 color episodes were given as part of it's deal with network after it's association on CBS. The series that replaced the long-running "My Three Sons" in the fall of 1972 was CBS' decision to move Doris Day's sitcom to "My Three Sons" old time slot on Monday nights preceding "The Bill Cosby Comedy Hour" for the remainder of the 1972-1973 season. When "My Three Sons" ended it's astounding 12 year-run, it was the last of the great situation family shows of it's era where the landscape of prime- time television during the 1970's saw numerous changes in it's programming with gritter cop shows and urban dramas.

Almost Like Two Different Shows

[rekrab06 · 15 June 2003]

Because of its many changes over the years, My Three Sons seemed almost like two different shows. Both were very good, but I prefer the earlier episodes, the black & white ones. They had a certain charm to them that was missing in later years. Robby somehow never seemed to fit the eldest brother role the way Mike did. That, and the move from Bryant Park, Michigan out to Los Angeles took away the small town feel that the earlier episodes had. Then came the arrival of women into the family, and that changed everything.

For the first five seasons, 1960-61 to 1964-65, the show was aired on ABC and filmed in black & white. For the last seven seasons, 1965-66 to 1971-72, it was aired on CBS and filmed in color. For the first 4.5 seasons, the boys "nanny" was their grandfather Bub, for the last 7.5 seasons it was their great uncle Charlie. For the first 5 seasons, the sons were Mike, Robby, and Chip, for the last 7 seasons the sons were Robby, Chip, and Ernie.

William Frawley left the show halfway through the 1964-65 due to ill health (he died in 1966). In the story line, Bub went over to Ireland to visit relatives and decided to stay there. Shortly after his departure, his brother Charlie arrived for a visit, and ended-up staying for the rest of the shows run. After the end of that season, Bub was never referred to again. In the first episode of the 1965-66 season, Mike married his girlfriend Sally and moved to another town to take a job. This marked Tim Considine's departure from the series. To re-establish the "three sons" storyline, Steve Douglas adopted Chip's friend Ernie, who had recently become an orphan. Mike was never seen again (not even when Steve married Barbara) and was only sporadically referred to thereafter.

More bits of trivia:

Before being cast as Katie, Tina Cole had appeared several years earlier(in the black & white days) as Ina, one of Robbys friends.

Stanley Livingston and Barry Livingston are brothers.

Before being adopted by the Douglases, Ernies last name was Thompson. Years later, Chip married Polly Thompson, no relation to Ernie.

When Robby and Katie had kids, it was triplets. They were all boys, thus keeping with the "three sons" theme.

Originally, the show was going to be called "The Fred MacMurray Show", but MacMurray objected to that, so the title was changed.

In its early years, My Three Sons was sponsored by Chevrolet, thus Chevy cars were seen behind the closing credits.

There are two syndication packages for My Three Sons. One package consists of the first five seasons (the black & white ones) and the final season. The other package contains the other six seasons. Why it is done this way I don't know, it doesn't make sense to me. I would think they would just have the B&W episodes as one package and the color episodes as the other.

Men's Warehouse

[godfreecharlie · 8/10 · 1 September 2020]

This long running series was never a favorite when I was younger watching other "family life in America" themed shows. Now I find it interesting, comparing the setting to other similar shows. MeTV makes it more enjoyable by broadcasting when I have the time to view and running it just before Leave It To Beaver. The two different takes on suburban survival. The writers for MTS saw children and teens as a bit more responsible, needing parental permission or guidance less often. MTS came along two years after (1960) LITB but I don't think things changed too much. Maturity, thats the distinction between the two. How the Douglas boys were written with a more developed attitudes, the Cleaver kids have their mother doting over "her babies". I have my own opinion on why this is. The location is more realistic because it is real, in California. But even more enjoyable than comparing MTS to Beaver is analyzing the current social structure next to the1960's Hollywood TV writer's version. Damn, I know I'm getting old now!

3 Sons Of A Gun

[videorama-759-859391 · 9/10 · 13 July 2018]

This fine 60's comedy, I first caught in '84. If there was only one family you wanted to be part of, it was the Douglas's. Although not consistently funny, this fine black and white sitcom, had such greatly written characters, performed by an exceptionally talented cast of youngsters, another one, a nephew, I won't name who, ending up as a torturer in the ill forgotten Hostel 3. Creepy. You could not help like, or get caught up in the Douglas's problems, grumpy uncle Charlie was one, cranky old guy who grew on me. But I primarily liked Fred Mcmurray's performance and his character. I really liked this dude. He was a great example of a perfect father figure, every father should be like him. The show just worked on the characters alone, and those faint exterior painted backdrops of suburbia, just adds to it's 60's appeal. The theme song, I'll never get out of my head. Yes, My three sons will always be remembered for what it is, a fine family 60's sitcom, involving as.... f..k.

Reverse of What You'd Expect

[DKosty123 · 10/10 · 16 May 2011]

This is the only sit com household which runs on strictly males. Seems that Steven Douglas, jet aircraft engineer has been left widowed with 3 sons to raise. Not to worry and first Bub (William Frawley) and then Uncle Charlie (William Demarest) are available to do the household chores for the Douglas household.

The strength of this sit com is the cast. What is interesting is how it was producer. Fred MacMurray scene's would always be shot first. Then the rest of the episode shots would be done. When you talking 39 episodes, that is quite a strategy. You almost have to wonder if there are any out takes existing from shooting this way? Only Steven Douglas & son Robbie would appear in every one of the 12 seasons of episodes. There were tons of cast changes along the way. Still the show was held together through clever production & scripting. This one ran longer than most.

Good.... But....

[godfreecharlie · 8/10 · 21 July 2021]

The show had some memory inducing spots but the several character choices, the casting choices leave me sad. Sad they didn't cast better actors.

When I look at the appearance of Beverly Garland I want to gag. She is made up to be ugly! Why? Those fake eyelashes are hideous! The choices for uncles two times got dead weight with their spots. All in all it could have been done better.

Contrived

[Hendry2 · 2/10 · 31 July 2018]

As a fan of Leave it to Beaver that was at least was partially filmed outdoors, M3S was a mostly in-studio production. At times the seams of the fake walls of the plain set were clearly visible, unlike the nice surroundings of the Cleaver home.

As another comment mentioned, it's hard to understand how this very contrived show was able to continue for 369 episodes, though as TCM has mentioned, Fred MacMurray did have a lot of influence in Hollywood.

My older Brother and Sister did like the show, especially the later seasons when the boys started dating, but I was age 5 to 17 during it's run, and just could not (thankfully) get to like the show.

To me, the show reflected a lowering of viewer taste after the initial push of shows during the 1950s. The show also aired during the tumult of the 1960s, and certainly at times was about as square as any show of it's time could be.

If I were at the top floor of the CBS building, I'd have kept the show around for 3 seasons - but 12?

Best Family Show

[copilotdedog · 24 March 2005]

There have been many wonderful shows, but My Three Sons have to be one of the best. Fred MacMurray, did such a wonderful job as the father in this show. When had those special scenes in which he was advising his kids or explaining something to them, he would come across as someone who was caring and very attached to his kids. I know some fathers in this world who have trouble at being interested let alone caring.

Today, this show might seem dated, but there is a lot we can gain from watching this show. The ideas of making a family that will work together and see things through, is a good example of one thing that we can gain from this. Television today doesn't have very many shows that will show a family working together as a unit.

Hopefully someday, we will see this show on DVD, and have it start from the beginning episode in season one. I think there is a lot we can get from this show.

Bizzare and disturbing.

[13Funbags · 1/10 · 2 April 2021]

No explanation of why there's no mom. The youngest kid is adopted. The dad is always working on a project or leaving town. An old man is taking care of the kids but he hates them and is just mean to them. He claims to clean and cook but never does either. But he does go shopping multiple times every day. If this was a current show most of the stars would be in prison.

One of Television's Greatest Hits

[GeoffB40 · 8 November 2003]

"My Three Sons" remains one of the most popular television series ever. Of course it has its detractors as any show does, but its historical value lies in its simplicity and naivete. A hybrid of the era the would be labeled the 'dom-com' or domestic situation comedy, "My Three Sons" is notable for its star-friendly shooting schedule, and the composition of the nuclear family, with a motherless family being brought up by the widowed father and housekeeper grandfather, something that was relatively new to television in 1960. In its early years the cast changes were minimal but as the show progressed and additional characters were added, most viewers had no problem keeping up with the Douglases. In reruns the show has found a whole new generation of audience, even if they seem more sophisticated now than what we were at a younger age. The fact remains that the series is still popular and with a huge catalogue of episodes in it's inventory, the reruns will probably continue for ever as long as television stations need programming.

By today's standards it appears wholesome, tame and perhaps slightly dated, but it's a slice of life that all of us can appreciate and learn from. "My Three Sons" is more than just another run of the mill television show from the 1960s - it is an enduring piece of sitcom entertainment that still entertains today some forty plus years after its premiere. The comfortably numb nostalgia that the show evokes is only part of the viewing pleasure. There really is great work here so take a step back in time to the good old days when there were no tv dinners... and watch a much loved part of television history.

My Three Victims

[Johnny_West · 1/10 · 27 April 2020]

Fred MacMurray had zero charisma. He was not a warm or friendly father. He was some kind of pseudo-intellectual who enjoyed reading the newspaper around his kids. He never played ball, took them out riding a bike, or did any normal father-son activities with his three "sons." Fred MacMurray was the anti-father, the last person anyone would want for a Dad.

Add in creepy Uncle Charlie, the old man who was the live-in maid and den-mother of the three kids, and you have another weirdo dimension of two old men who are not interested in children or fatherhood, raising three boys.

The three kids kept their doors locked at night. This was back in the days before there were school counselors available for kids to discuss bad things that happened at home. My Three Sons were on their own with creepy Uncle Charlie and their weirdo Dad roaming the house at night.

My Three Sons Lover

[Daweena123 · 25 March 2006]

I would give anything to have My Three Sons out on DVD. All the other good old family comedies are, why not the best one ever made. I'd love it and I know many others who would love it as well. Can someone please tell me why such a fabulous award winning family comedy is not yet out on DVD for those of us who love the good old days of television shows. Shows like I love Lucy and Dick Van Dyke and Andy Griffith are out there on DVD, and they are all from the same era as My Three Sons. The acting was fabulous in this good old sit-com and they touched on some really wonderful family values and packed it all into a half hour show of light hearted laughs. What stops this wonderful show from being re-produced and sold like the other old shows? I'd pay most definitely to have them all.

Feet stepping in time !

[sean-390 · 20 September 2004]

I have read various postings of the My Three Sons subject, and sincerely hope that they NEVER make a "new" version of it ! I only wish they would syndicate the black and white episodes, as they were the best ! Yeah,I miss the early California sitcoms with a message,, and would opt to view them rather than watch Will and Grace any day ! Naturally Bill Frawley was great as Bub, but you do get to see him tire through that last year or two episodes....Will Demerest as Uncle Charlie was precious though !,, I'm so sorry that through the last few years,, that the show scummed to the changing times, and the boys went "hip", and the issues got more messagey....Yup, the early years were the best, and there ain't no replacing' it !!!

A TV Comedy That Left A Lot To Be Desired

[StrictlyConfidential · 4/10 · 10 November 2020]

"My Three Sons" is definitely one of those TV Sit-Coms from yesteryear that I had a lot of trouble warming up to.

Not only did I think that the scriptwriters did an amateur and unsatisfying job of creating entertaining and amusing stories - But, I also thought that actor, Fred MacMurray was an inadequate choice for playing the part of Steve Douglas.

Considering the era in TV history when "My Three Sons" was originally aired (1960-1972) - I really did try to cut it some slack. But, in the long run, this show didn't even come close to my expectations of what worthwhile family comedy was all about.