Jamie (TV series)
Jamie | |
---|---|
Starring | Brandon deWilde Ernest Truex Polly Rowles Kathleen Nolan Alice Pearce Eva Marie Saint (Pilot) |
Theme music composer | Hugh Martin, Jr. Series Bernie Green, Pilot |
Opening theme | "Whistle Stop"[1][2] |
Country of origin | United States |
No. of seasons | 1.2 |
No. of episodes | 22, plus Pilot |
Production | |
Executive producer | David Susskind |
Producers | Julian Claman, Series Herbert Brodkin, Pilot |
Camera setup | Live; Multi-camera; Kinescope |
Running time | 30 min, approx. |
Production company | Talent Associates |
Original release | |
Network | ABC-TV |
Release | October 5, 1953 October 4, 1954 | –
Related | |
ABC Album/Plymouth Playhouse (Pilot) |
Jamie is a
History
The series was the result of the success of the pilot, the episode "Jamie" of ABC Album/Plymouth Playhouse. It was broadcast on April 26, 1953. The pilot cast would return for the series, except that of Eva Marie Saint who would be replaced by Kathleen Nolan.[citation needed]
The star of the show was 11-year-old Brandon deWilde, whose rising fame had catapulted him to national prominence in a period of three years. Debuting on Broadway in The Member of the Wedding in 1950, he followed with the film version in 1952. He then received a nomination for an Academy Award for Best Supporting Actor for his 1953 portrayal of the young Joey Starrett in George Stevens' film Shane, his most memorable role.
As Jamie was to be aired live, and there was some publicity at the time about the problems of a youngster, however gifted, being so deeply involved in the pressures of a weekly series. deWilde's parents had obtained a contract that allowed him to drop out of the series on short notice if he wanted to, or if his parents felt it was impairing his emotional growth.[3]
After Jamie ran through the 1953–54 season, it began its second season, but after two episodes, it was abruptly cancelled. ABC was having trouble with one of the show's sponsors over what was described as "mundane" business matters, having nothing to do with deWilde's age issue.[3] A revival of the game show The Name's the Same was the replacement for the time slot.[4]
Synopsis
Jamie is a 7-year-old boy whose parents had recently died and found himself with no place to unpack his suitcase. Moved from relative to relative, he finally arrives at the home of Aunt Laurie. There he takes on the persona of a modern-day Tom Sawyer. He immediately bonds with Grandpa, another forgotten soul, and they share in a number of "adventures" together.
Episodes of the series contained plot lines ranging from Jamie's disapproval over having to wear spectacles, to running away to the circus, to visiting a rich aunt in Boston, to having his birthday go by forgotten.
Combining both comedy and drama elements, many of the show's plot lines centered on Jamie's and Grandpa's friendship sharing the experiences of growing up and growing old together.
Numerous scenes in the series take place on Aunt Laurie's back porch, where many of the day's problems are discussed and solved.
Cast
- Brandon deWilde portrayed Jamison "Jamie" Francis McHummer, a likeable 7-year-old orphan who had been shunted from one uncaring relative to another, until he landed in Aunt Laurie's household.
- Ernest Truex as Grandpa McHummer, a kindred spirit played by the 63-year-old character actor, who was similarly ignored by his kin.
- Polly Rowles as Aunt Laurie, a widow and matron of the household. There she runs a catering business.
- Kathleen Nolan (as Kathy Nolan) as Liz, Jamie's teenage cousin.
- Gladys Kravitz in Bewitched.
Theme song
The main theme for Jamie was composed by
Home media
Jamie has never been available on home media. Of the pilot and 22 episodes of Jamie broadcast live, at least some are known to have survived on film by the
References
External links
- Jamie at IMDb
- Jamie Episode "Bicycle Built for Jamie" at Internet Archive
- Jamie Pilot preserved at Paley Center for Media
- "So Where's Jamie?" archived 3 March 2012 from RememberingBrandon.net