The Farmer's Daughter (TV series)

The Farmer's Daughter is an American sitcom, loosely based on the 1947 film, that was produced by Screen Gems Television and aired on ABC from September 20, 1963, to April 22, 1966. It was sponsored by Lark Cigarettes and Clairol, for whom the two leading stars often appeared at the show's end, promoting the products; the commercials were also filmed. The Farmer's Daughter also enjoyed a brief run in syndication when it aired on CBN Cable in the 1980s.

The Farmer's Daughter
Opening title card of The Farmer's Daughter's 3rd season
GenreSitcom
StarringInger Stevens
William Windom
Theme music composerBarry Mann
Cynthia Weil
ComposersVan Alexander
George Duning
Jerry Fielding
Charles Albertine
Dave Grusin
Country of originUnited States
Original languageEnglish
No. of seasons3
No. of episodes101 (73 in black-and-white, 28 in color)
Production
Executive producerHarry Ackerman
ProducersBob Claver
Peter Kortner
Camera setupSingle-camera
Running time25 minutes
Production companiesAssociated Arts, N.V.
Screen Gems
Original release
NetworkABC
ReleaseSeptember 20, 1963 (1963-09-20) –
April 22, 1966 (1966-04-22)
Related
The Farmer's Daughter

Overview

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The series stars Inger Stevens as Katy Holstrum, a young Swedish woman who becomes the housekeeper for widowed congressman Glen Morley. He has two sons, Steve (age 14) and Danny (8) at the time of the premiere. The congressman's mother is Agatha Morley.[1]

The first and second seasons of the series were filmed in black-and-white, and two episodes of the third season were also filmed in black-and-white; the remaining 28 episodes of the third season were filmed in color. The last episode of the second season featured the two lead characters becoming engaged.

On the November 5, 1965, episode (just in time for sweeps), Katy Holstrum and Glen Morley were married in a wedding ceremony attended by 300 guests. Network censors objected to the original script of the honeymoon episode that had Glen bringing his new bride to a hotel room with twin beds and then saying, "But I asked for a double bed!" Forbidding use of the word "bed," the censors allowed it to be replaced with "accommodations," along with a glance at the bed.[2]

After the wedding episode, the show's ratings, which were already declining,[1] fell, and ABC canceled The Farmer's Daughter.[1] In the penultimate episode, "Is He or Isn't He?", Katy adopts Glen's sons, providing the series closure as well as a happy ending. After the final April 22, 1966 episode, reruns of the show continued until September 2, 1966.[1] The reruns began with a repeat of the wedding episode.[3]

Unlike the 1947 film, Katy never ran for (nor was elected to) Congress in the series.

Cast

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Episodes

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Season 1 (1963–64)

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All episodes in black-and-white

No.
overall
No. in
season
TitleDirected byWritten byOriginal air date
11"The Speechmaker: Part 1"Ralph NelsonJohn McGreeveySeptember 20, 1963 (1963-09-20)
22"The Speechmaker: Part 2"Don TaylorSteven GethersSeptember 27, 1963 (1963-09-27)
33"Where's Katy?"Don TaylorCharles WoolfOctober 4, 1963 (1963-10-04)
44"An Enterprising Young Man"William D. RussellSteven GethersOctober 11, 1963 (1963-10-11)
55"An Affair of State"Don TaylorJerry Davis & Lee LoebOctober 18, 1963 (1963-10-18)
66"The Washington Spotlight"William D. RussellBudd GrossmanOctober 25, 1963 (1963-10-25)
77"The Stand-In"Gene NelsonSteven GethersNovember 1, 1963 (1963-11-01)
88"Comes the Revolution"Mel FerrerJohn McGreeveyNovember 8, 1963 (1963-11-08)
99"Miss Cheese"William D. RussellJerry DavisNovember 15, 1963 (1963-11-15)
1010"The Editorial Wheel"Paul NickellJerry DavisNovember 29, 1963 (1963-11-29)
1111"I Am the Most Beautiful"Mel FerrerSteven GethersDecember 4, 1963 (1963-12-04)
1212"One Rainy Night"Paul NickellJerry DavisDecember 11, 1963 (1963-12-11)
1313"The Simple Life"William D. RussellSteven GethersDecember 18, 1963 (1963-12-18)[a]
1414"The Gypsy Love Song"Mel FerrerSteven GethersDecember 25, 1963 (1963-12-25)
1515"Mrs. Golden's Opportunity"Paul NickellJerry Davis & Lee LoebJanuary 1, 1964 (1964-01-01)
1616"Nobody's Perfect"Paul NickellWilliam CowleyJanuary 8, 1964 (1964-01-08)
1717"Mr. Smith and the Birds"Paul NickellJerry Davis & Lee LoebJanuary 15, 1964 (1964-01-15)
1818"Cousin Helga Came to Dinner"Paul NickellMeyer DolinskyJanuary 22, 1964 (1964-01-22)
1919"Marriage is for Real People"Don TaylorSteven GethersJanuary 29, 1964 (1964-01-29)
2020"Katy and the Imagemaker"Paul NickellPeggy Chandler DickFebruary 5, 1964 (1964-02-05)
2121"The Playboy of Capitol Hill"Gene ReynoldsWilliam CowleyFebruary 12, 1964 (1964-02-12)
2222"Bless Our Happy Home"Gene ReynoldsJerry Davis & Lee LoebFebruary 19, 1964 (1964-02-19)
2323"Katy and the Prince"Paul NickellWalter BlackFebruary 26, 1964 (1964-02-26)
2424"The Swinger"Gene ReynoldsSteven GethersMarch 4, 1964 (1964-03-04)
2525"Katy Gets Arrested"Gene ReynoldsJerry Davis & Lee LoebMarch 11, 1964 (1964-03-11)
2626"The Turkish Delight"Don TaylorJerry Davis & Lee LoebMarch 18, 1964 (1964-03-18)
2727"Christopher Columbus Who?"Don TaylorArnold HorwittMarch 25, 1964 (1964-03-25)
2828"The One Eyed Sloth"Peter KortnerSteven GethersApril 1, 1964 (1964-04-01)
2929"Young and in Love"William D. RussellPeggy Chandler DickApril 8, 1964 (1964-04-08)
3030"The Morley Report"Jerry ParisMeyer DolinskyApril 15, 1964 (1964-04-15)
3131"The Octopus"William D. RussellJohn McGreeveyApril 22, 1964 (1964-04-22)
3232"The Next Mrs. Morley"Paul NickellCharles WoolfApril 29, 1964 (1964-04-29)
3333"Rendezvous for Two"William D. RussellSteven GethersMay 6, 1964 (1964-05-06)
3434"My Son, the Athlete"William D. RussellPeggy Chandler Dick & Mike AdamsMay 13, 1964 (1964-05-13)
3535"Mismatch Maker"Don TaylorSteven GethersMay 20, 1964 (1964-05-20)
3636"A Locket for Agatha"Don TaylorLee LoebMay 27, 1964 (1964-05-27)

Season 2 (1964–65)

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All episodes in black-and-white

No.
overall
No. in
season
TitleDirected byWritten byOriginal air date
371"The Waiting Game"Don TaylorSteven GethersSeptember 18, 1964 (1964-09-18)
382"The Mink Machine"Don TaylorStan CutlerSeptember 25, 1964 (1964-09-25)
393"Real Live Congressman"William D. RussellWilliam CowleyOctober 2, 1964 (1964-10-02)
404"Past Perfect"Don TaylorSteven GethersOctober 9, 1964 (1964-10-09)
415"Scandal in Washington"William D. RussellJerry Seelen & Jack RaymondOctober 16, 1964 (1964-10-16)
426"Love on the Picket Line"William D. RussellRichard PowellOctober 23, 1964 (1964-10-23)
437"The Name of the Game"William D. RussellRichard PowellOctober 30, 1964 (1964-10-30)
448"Help Not Wanted"Don TaylorMae Day & Peggy Chandler DickNovember 6, 1964 (1964-11-06)
459"Big Sultan, Little Sultan"William D. RussellPeggy Chandler DickNovember 13, 1964 (1964-11-13)
4610"Katy's 76th Birthday"Don TaylorJerry DavisNovember 20, 1964 (1964-11-20)
4711"The Neutral"Don TaylorStan CutlerNovember 27, 1964 (1964-11-27)
4812"Speak for Yourself, John Katy"William D. RussellPeggy Chandler DickDecember 4, 1964 (1964-12-04)
4913"Matter of Honor"Fred de CordovaStan Cutler & Martin DonovanDecember 11, 1964 (1964-12-11)
5014"The Helping Hand"Leonard HornStan CutlerDecember 18, 1964 (1964-12-18)
5115"Like Father, Like Son"Bob ClaverPeggy Chandler DickDecember 25, 1964 (1964-12-25)
5216"Another Country Heard From"Gene NelsonStan Cutler & Martin DonovanJanuary 1, 1965 (1965-01-01)
5317"Follow the Leader"Gene NelsonStan Cutler & Martin DonovanJanuary 8, 1965 (1965-01-08)
5418"The Oscar Hummingbird Story"Gene NelsonStan Cutler & Martin DonovanJanuary 15, 1965 (1965-01-15)
5519"The Nesting Instinct"Gene NelsonPeggy Chandler DickJanuary 22, 1965 (1965-01-22)
5620"A Plague on Both Their Houses"Alan RafkinStan Cutler & Martin DonovanJanuary 29, 1965 (1965-01-29)
5721"Katy by Moonlight"Gene NelsonPhil Leslie & Keith FowlerFebruary 5, 1965 (1965-02-05)
5822"Exit Katy"William ColleranPeggy Chandler DickFebruary 12, 1965 (1965-02-12)
5923"Rich Man, Poor Man"Gene NelsonStan Cutler & Martin DonovanFebruary 19, 1965 (1965-02-19)
6024"Crime of Passion"Fred de CordovaStan Cutler & Martin DonovanMarch 5, 1965 (1965-03-05)
6125"Why Don't They Ever Pick Me?"Bob ClaverStan Cutler & Martin DonovanMarch 12, 1965 (1965-03-12)
6226"Katy's New Job"Herb WallersteinPeggy Chandler DickMarch 19, 1965 (1965-03-19)
6327"Katy's Campaign"Bob ClaverStan Cutler & Martin DonovanMarch 19, 1965 (1965-03-19)
6428"The Woman Behind the Man"Fred de CordovaJoanna Lee & Howard MerrillApril 2, 1965 (1965-04-02)
6529"Katy the Diplomat"Edmond LevyJames Allardice & Tom AdairApril 16, 1965 (1965-04-16)
6630"Katy's Castle"William D. RussellWarner LawApril 23, 1965 (1965-04-23)
6731"Never Listen to Rumors"William D. RussellPhil LeslieApril 30, 1965 (1965-04-30)
6832"Ja, Ja, a Thousand Times, Ja"William D. RussellStan Cutler & Martin DonovanMay 7, 1965 (1965-05-07)
6933"Nej, Nej, a Thousand Times, Nej"William D. RussellPeggy Chandler DickMay 14, 1965 (1965-05-14)
7034"The Hottest Ticket in Town"William D. RussellStan Cutler & Martin DonovanMay 21, 1965 (1965-05-21)
7135"Why Wait 'Till November?"Bob ClaverStan Cutler & Martin DonovanMay 28, 1965 (1965-05-28)

Season 3 (1965–66)

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The third and fourth episodes in black-and-white, the remainder in color

No.
overall
No. in
season
TitleDirected byWritten byOriginal air date
721"Here Comes the Bride's Father"Richard KinonStan Cutler & Martin DonovanSeptember 13, 1965 (1965-09-13)
732"Babe in the Woods"Richard KinonStan Cutler & Martin DonovanSeptember 20, 1965 (1965-09-20)
743"Stag at Bay"Bob ClaverStan Cutler & Martin DonovanSeptember 27, 1965 (1965-09-27)
754"Sleeping Beauty Revisited"Bob ClaverPeggy Chantler DickOctober 11, 1965 (1965-10-11)
765"Forever is a Cast Iron Mess"Richard KinonPhil LeslieOctober 18, 1965 (1965-10-18)
776"Powder Puff Invasion"Herb WallersteinPeggy Chandler DickOctober 25, 1965 (1965-10-25)
787"To Have and to Hold"Bob ClaverStan Cutler & Martin DonovanNovember 5, 1965 (1965-11-05)
798"Crisis at Crystal Springs"Bob ClaverStan Cutler & Martin DonovanNovember 12, 1965 (1965-11-12)
809"A Sonny Honeymoon"Bob ClaverStan Cutler & Martin DonovanNovember 19, 1965 (1965-11-19)
8110"High Fashion"Richard KinonJoseph C. CavellaNovember 26, 1965 (1965-11-26)
8211"The Platinum Swizzle Stick"Richard KinonWarner LawDecember 3, 1965 (1965-12-03)
8312"Steve, Boy Lovelorn"Bob ClaverPeggy Chandler DickDecember 10, 1965 (1965-12-10)
8413"Jewel Beyond Compare"Richard KinonStanley H. SilvermanDecember 17, 1965 (1965-12-17)
8514"Glen-a-Gogh-Goh"Seymour RobbieStanley H. SilvermanDecember 24, 1965 (1965-12-24)
8615"Simple Joys of Nature"Richard KinonWarner LawDecember 31, 1965 (1965-12-31)
8716"Moe Hill and the Mountains"Richard KinonJoseph C. Cavella & Carol CavellaJanuary 7, 1966 (1966-01-07)
8817"Oh, Boy, Is the Honeymoon Over?"Sam FreedlePeggy Chandler DickJanuary 14, 1966 (1966-01-14)
8918"The Fall and Rise of Steven Morley"Bob ClaverWarner LawJanuary 21, 1966 (1966-01-21)
9019"Have You Ever Thought of Building?"Sam FreedleStan Cutler & Martin DonovanJanuary 28, 1966 (1966-01-28)
9120"Katy in a Capsule"Bob ClaverStan Cutler & Martin DonovanFebruary 4, 1966 (1966-02-04)
9221"Lo, the Smart Indian"Herb WallersteinStanley H. SilvermanFebruary 11, 1966 (1966-02-11)
9322"Steve, Boy Bohemian"Richard KinonPeggy Chandler DickFebruary 18, 1966 (1966-02-18)
9423"Alias Katy Morley"Sam FreedleDon Richman & Janet CarlsonFebruary 25, 1966 (1966-02-25)
9524"Anyone for Spindling?"Bob ClaverStan Cutler & Martin DonovanMarch 4, 1966 (1966-03-04)
9625"Twelve Angry Women"Richard KinonJanet Carlson & Don RichmanMarch 11, 1966 (1966-03-11)
9726"The Last to Know"Richard KinonDon Richman & Janet CarlsonMarch 18, 1966 (1966-03-18)
9827"My Papa, the Politician"Sam FreedlePeggy Chandler DickMarch 25, 1966 (1966-03-25)
9928"The Wife of Your Friend May Not Be a Friend of Your Wife"Bob ClaverStan Cutler & Martin DonovanApril 1, 1966 (1966-04-01)
10029"Is He or Isn't He?"Jerrold BernsteinPeggy Chandler DickApril 8, 1966 (1966-04-08)
10130"Half an Anniversary"Bob ClaverStan Cutler & Martin DonovanApril 22, 1966 (1966-04-22)

Production

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While the first two seasons were black & white, the third season brought some changes to the format, as the series began filming episodes in color. However, the third and fourth episodes had been shot in black-and-white.[citation needed]

Reception

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In its first season (filmed in black-and-white), The Farmer's Daughter competed against The Twilight Zone on CBS and the short-lived Larry Blyden series Harry's Girls on NBC. The series never reached the top 30 in ratings, but during its first two years it earned respectable ratings and proved to be moderately successful.[citation needed]

Awards and nominations

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Year Award Result Category Recipient
1964 Golden Globe Award Winner Best TV Star - Female Inger Stevens
TV Guide Award Winner Favorite Female Performer Inger Stevens[7]
Emmy Award Nominated Outstanding Writing Achievement in Comedy or Variety Jerry Davis, Steve Gethers, Lee Loeb, and John McGreevey[8]
Nominated Outstanding Program Achievement in the Field of Comedy[8]
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Nominated Outstanding Directorial Achievement in Comedy Paul Nickell, William D. Russell, and Don Taylor[8]
Nominated Outstanding Continued Performance by an Actress in a Series (Lead) Inger Stevens[8]

Notes

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  1. ^ Originally scheduled for November 22, 1963, but delayed due to the assassination of John F. Kennedy[6]

References

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Notes
  1. ^ a b c d e f g h i j Brooks, Tim; Marsh, Earle (2007). The Complete Directory to Prime Time Network and Cable TV Shows 1946–Present (9 ed.). New York: Random House Publishing. p. 465. ISBN 978-0-345-49773-4. Retrieved 2024-06-01.
  2. ^ https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=sL00AAAAIBAJ&sjid=jIcFAAAAIBAJ&pg=3515,163122&dq=the-farmer's-daughter&hl=en [dead link]
  3. ^ "TV and Radio Program Guide". Toledo Blade (Ohio). 1966-04-29. p. 4 (Peach Section). Retrieved 2024-06-01.
  4. ^ "Television Highlights". The Edmonton Journal. May 22, 1964. p. 50. Retrieved May 4, 2024.
  5. ^ William Windom Tribute Site (March 7, 2021). "The Farmer's Daughter The Waiting Game". YouTube.
  6. ^ "Previews by TV Scout". The Cincinnati Post. November 22, 1963.
  7. ^ "TV Guide Award to Stevens". European Stars and Stripes. United Press International. May 5, 1964.
  8. ^ a b c d >%3D&field_nominations_year%5Bvalue%5D=1949-01-01&field_nominations_year_1_op=<%3D&field_nominations_year_1%5Bvalue%5D=2024-01-01 "Awards Search". Emmys. >%3D&field_nominations_year%5Bvalue%5D=1949-01-01&field_nominations_year_1_op=<%3D&field_nominations_year_1%5Bvalue%5D=2024-01-01 Archived from the original on January 25, 2024. Retrieved January 25, 2024.
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