1971-72 Television Season 50th Anniversary: The Smith Family (Season 1 theme intro & opening scene)

[@RusstheTroubadour]

THE SMITH FAMILY was an ABC dramedy airing over the course of 2 seasons and 39 episodes between Jan 1971- Jun 72. Starring Henry Fonda . It was Ronny ( Ron) Howard's first series since THE ANDY GRIFFITH SHOW ( 1960-68). Produced by Don Fedderson Productions ( THE MILLIONAIRE, MY THREE SONS , FAMILY AFFAIR). Filmed at CBS Studio Center. The theme was sung by Mike Minor ( PETTICOAT JUNCTION, ALL MY CHILDREN) who was the son of series executive producer Don Fedderson.

[@TelevisionVanguard]

Thank you Russ. A question... we have not been able to figure this out. As you know, Don Fedderson and production team filmed both My Three Sons and Family Affair in their non-sequential process so that they could allow series stars Fred MacMurray and Brian Keith the opportunity to continue with their film schedule while they were on the series television schedule. Did the Fedderson team use that same technique for The Smith Familly and Henry Fonda? When we watch 'Sons' and 'Affair', there are times when we can see many 1-shot close ups of the actors and 'reaction shots' of the actors alone in the frame shot. That helps to see how they were 'shooting and piecing together' the various scenes at various times during a season's production. Watching episodes of The Smith Family the past week, we didn't notice that same style of filming and editing... but we could be wrong. Our assumption at this point (and from the sources we've read and encountered), we don't believe Mr. Fonda's schedule required changes in shooting schedule, although one source said season 2 began in April of 1972, and not in the fall of 1971 that other sources note. If that is true, perhaps both could be true... the series was scheduled (and given a time slot) on the fall '71 lineup, but was delayed, perhaps due to Mr. Fonda's filming schedule (?) - Television Vanguard staff

[@RusstheTroubadour]

You're welcome. In season 2 the tone of the series changed . If you look at the opening credits there's a dramatic difference. It went from an opening very light in tone w/ Mike Minor singing the theme., to a much more serious opening w/ Henry Fonda in some action scenes at the beginning of the season 2 opening credits. The show did start it's second season in September of 1971 and aired for 16 consecutive weeks until January 5, 1972. After that the show was pulled ( essentially cancelling it) and returned in mid - April to burn off the remaining episodes. I don't believe Henry Fonda had the same setup like Fred Mac Murray or Brian Keith. Interestingly the first season ( 15 episodes aired consecutively) finished #21 for the 1970 - 71 season which is such an outlier for a mid - season series. The aforementioned change in tone and a later time slot buried the series. Obviously they didn't adhere to the saying...."If it ain't broke... don't fix it "

[@770WT]

Fonda had a reputation for being one cold fish .