December Bride

I am watching the second volume of the 1954-1959 television series put out by Desilu, December Bride, starring Spring Byington (1886-1971). I remember this series when it was in syndication in the early 1960s, but I hadn't seen it since that time. Byington, who was close to 70 when the show began, had a sweet if comic presence on the show in her role as a live-in mother-in-law to her daughter, played by Frances Rafferty (1922-2004), and son-in-law Dean Miller (1924-2004). Byington was aided in her adventures by Verna Felton (1890-1966), who played Ethel Mertz to Byington's Lucy. The resemblances to the legendary I Love Lucy are obvious. Desilu produced both, the show had a similar theme song to Lucy and was conducted by William Hatch, it followed I Love Lucy on the CBS schedule, and like Lucy it was performed in front of a live audience.

The best thing about the show was henpecked Pete Porter, played by none other than Harry Morgan (born 1915), best remembered for his role as Colonel Potter in the M*A*S*H television series after McLean Stevenson departed. Morgan bellyached constantly about his wife, Gladys, who was never seen on camera but was actually a main character on the show in her absence. Morgan had some of the best lines and was memorable in the part. Eventually he had his own show, one of the earliest television spinoffs, Pete and Gladys, with the role of Gladys played by Cara Williams. It last just two seasons. I was a little child when this show ran, but I remember it.

Spring Byington is mostly forgotten today, which is a shame. She was talented and an interesting individual who was a pilot in real life, among her many hobbies. Unfortunately, some "biographers" think her rumored lesbian relationship with character actress Marjorie Main was more important than what she did in her career. Byington wasn't any pioneer for gay rights; however, she was a pioneer for women in television.

Anyway the show was cute if not a classic. It is one of those vintage shows which should have a legitimate release, but I purchased the unauthorized DVDs just to get a chance to see it again.

A few episodes of December Bride can be seen on YouTube.