The Mothers-In-Law – The
Complete Series (1967 – 1969/MPI DVD Set)
Picture: C+
Sound: C+ Extras: A+ Episodes: A
To paraphrase the last line in the movie King Kong, “Twas Cosby Which Killed The
Mothers-In-Law.”
The
Mothers-In-Law was a comedy series starring Eve Arden (Eve
Hubbard), Kay Ballard (Kaye Buell), Herbert Rudley (Herb Hubbard), Deborah
Walley (Suzie) and Jerry Fogel (Jerry). Roger C. Carmel and Richard Deacon
shared the role of Roger Buell. The
set-up involved two older couples whose children were getting married, though
the parents were not necessarily happy with each other. The series was written by I Love Lucy show veterans Bob Carroll Jr. and Madelyn Davis. Desi Arnaz was the program’s executive
producer and directed several of the episodes. Physical comedy was performed
extremely well and the writing was strong.
With all this exceptional talent involved, the
series should have run longer than two seasons on NBC. Despite being slotted on Sundays at 8:30pm
opposite Ed Sullivan (CBS) and The F.B.I. (ABC) the series held its
own in the ratings. During the show’s run it was sponsored by Procter and
Gamble.
According to the May 8, 1968 edition of Variety, the series ended its first
season in thirty-seventh place with an 18.8 rating. The April 2, 1969 edition of Variety reported the series finished at
number thirty eight with a 19.9 rating. In
its final season, The Mothers-In-Law rated higher than Mannix, High Chaparral, That Girl,
Lassie and Hogan’s Heroes. All of the
lower rated series were renewed for the following season.
The
Mothers-In-Law was cancelled to make room for The Bill Cosby Show (reviewed elsewhere
on this site). Cosby’s half-hour comedy
series took over the Sunday night time slot and was sponsored by Procter and
Gamble. For the record, Cosby’s new
series also ran for two seasons.
Roger C. Carmell left the series after the first
season due to a condition set down by Procter and Gamble. The series would be picked up for another
season provided there would be no budget increase. Reportedly, Desi Arnaz asked the cast to
forgo the salary raises they would automatically receive. All agreed except Carmel who said to the press at the time,
“Desi said I would put 100 people out of work if I didn’t meet the terms. How could my raise affect 100 people? My
raise was going to be nothing major, $250.00.
It may sound pompous, but this is strictly a matter of principle. If I
had given in, I would have spent everyday on that set next year grinding my
teeth down to the gums especially while looking at the budget waste in other
areas.” Carmel was replaced by Dick Van Dyke Show veteran, Richard Deacon.
Deacon said of his hiring in 1968, “Actually Desi
told me the Buell role originally was created for me, but at the time I was
committed to another of Desi’s projects, The
Carol Channing Show series, which
didn’t get off the pad.”
With Carmel
or Deacon the episodes sparkle with energy.
The cast performs in several musical themed episodes including, The Career Girls, My Son, The Actor and The
Hombre Who Came to Dinner (Part II). Guest stars who appeared in the series included
Paul Lynde, Don Rickles, Jeanette Nolan, Larry Storch, Beverly Garland, Alice
Ghostley and Ozzie Nelson. Many episodes
in this set include their original commercials, with the sponsor’s product
appearing on the end credits as well.
The extras are sure to give fans of the series the
ultimate treat. Kaye Ballard recalls her
time on the set and remembers how Jerry Fogel, who played her son, was thirty years
old while she was only eight years older.
She speaks warmly of her time on the series, her fellow performers and said
Desi Arnaz was a genius. “Desi was very loyal,” Ballard says. The actress continues to receive fan mail
from all over the world about the program.
The 1.33 X 1 full color image quality can be
impressive e depending on the episode.
Some prints have good moments and in other places, there is softness or
fading, but Arnaz shot all of his shows on 35mm film and that is a plus
here. The Dolby Digital 2.0 Mono is good
for its age and the combination is very watchable despite imperfections.
Entertaining commentary highlights behind the
scenes rehearsal footage. Eve Arden
discusses her children in two radio interviews with Lucille Ball from Lets Talk to Lucy from 1965. The cast are seen in network promotional spots
mainly from the second season. Also featured are the original unaired pilot and
rare footage with Eve Arden and Kay Ballard. Two of Desi Arnaz’s projects which didn’t make
it to a series are included: The Carol
Channing Show and Land’s
End.
DVD companies should take a lesson from MPI when
compiling archival footage for television series releases. “What a thrill!” was Kaye Ballard’s reaction
to being a part of the series. Her
enthusiastic comment applies to this fabulous collection.
- Fred
Grandinetti
