I'm Dickens, He's Fenster

I'm Dickens, He's Fenster is an American sitcom that ran on ABC from September 28, 1962 to May 10, 1963. It was created and produced by Leonard Stern and filmed at Desilu.

I'm Dickens, He's Fenster
John Astin as Dickens and Marty Ingels as Fenster (1962)
GenreSituation comedy
Created byLeonard Stern
StarringJohn Astin
Marty Ingels
Emmaline Henry
Theme music composerIrving Szathmary
Opening theme"The 'I'm Dickens- He's Fenster' March"
ComposerIrving Szathmary
Country of originUnited States
Original languageEnglish
No. of seasons1
No. of episodes32
Production
ProducerLeonard Stern
Camera setupMulti-camera
Running time22–24 minutes
Production companyHeyday Productions
DistributorABC Films
Release
Original networkABC
Picture formatBlack-and-white
Audio formatMonaural
Original releaseSeptember 28, 1962 (1962-09-28) 
May 10, 1963 (1963-05-10)
L-R: Marty Ingels, Emmaline Henry and John Astin in episode "The Carpenters Four" (1963)

Synopsis

The series starred John Astin and Marty Ingels as carpenters Harry Dickens and Arch Fenster. Emmaline Henry appeared as Harry's wife, Kate. Appearing regularly, as fellow members of Dickens and Fenster's construction gang, were Frank DeVol (as Myron Bannister), David Ketchum (Mel Warshaw), Henry Beckman (Bob Mulligan), and Noam Pitlik (Bentley). It was sponsored alternately by El Producto cigars and Procter and Gamble.

The program followed the cartoon series The Flintstones and preceded 77 Sunset Strip on Fridays at 9 pm Eastern time, but did not attract a sufficient audience. It ran opposite Sing Along with Mitch starring Mitch Miller on NBC and Route 66 on CBS.

The series was filmed in front of a live audience which, in that era, was unusual for a show not built around an established star such as Lucille Ball or Danny Thomas.

Episodes

No. Title Directed by Written by Original air date
1"A Small Matter of Being Fired"Arthur HillerLeonard Stern & Don HinkleySeptember 28, 1962 (1962-09-28)

Using devious methods, Arch helps Harry get the foreman's position on a house-building project.

Guest star: Yvonne Craig
2"Nurse Dickens"TBATBAOctober 5, 1962 (1962-10-05)
Harry and Arch pose as doctors to investigate Kate's activities as a nurse.
3"The Double Life of Mel Warshaw"TBATBAOctober 12, 1962 (1962-10-12)
After seeing a Wanted poster, Harry and Arch are convinced that the photo resembles their friend.
4"Harry, the Father Image"TBATBAOctober 19, 1962 (1962-10-19)
Harry gives Arch some misplaced marital advice.
5"Part-Time Friend"TBATBAOctober 26, 1962 (1962-10-26)
During the course of his sleep in Harry's home, Arch is heard bad-mouthing him.
6"The Acting Game"TBATBANovember 2, 1962 (1962-11-02)
Harry believes that he's been selected to do a television commercial but soon finds out that he has to compete against other carpenters for the job.
7"The Toupee Story"TBATBANovember 9, 1962 (1962-11-09)
Harry and Arch's Bannister is bald and believes his indecision is due to his high forehead, which results in the duo convincing him to purchase a toupee.
8"A Wolf in Friend's Clothing"TBATBANovember 16, 1962 (1962-11-16)
The daughter of Harry's old friend comes to visit, with Harry becoming protective of her because of the possibility of Arch dating the young woman.
9"Party, Party, Who's Got the Party?"TBATBANovember 23, 1962 (1962-11-23)
Arch decides to throw a party, but Harry determines the guest list is too long. The duo then decides to go to another carpenter's party instead.
10"The Yellow Badge of Courage"TBATBANovember 30, 1962 (1962-11-30)
Arch is fired from a construction job because a succession of girl friends visit him at work and distract his fellow employees.
11"The Joke"TBATBADecember 7, 1962 (1962-12-07)
Harry's joke fails to get much response from either Kate or his co-workers.
12"Love Me, Love My Dog"TBATBADecember 14, 1962 (1962-12-14)
After Kate suggests Harry give Arch a dog for companionship, Arch becomes so attached to it that he ignores everyone.
13"Here's to the Three of Us"Arthur HillerMel Tolkin & Don HinkleyDecember 21, 1962 (1962-12-21)
Harry and Kate try to give a dinner party without Arch finding out about it.
14"Get Off My Back"TBATBADecember 28, 1962 (1962-12-28)
Harry tries to get away from Arch long enough to purchase a gift to celebrate their first meeting a decade earlier.
15"How Not to Succeed in Business"TBATBAJanuary 4, 1963 (1963-01-04)
Harry and Arch quit their job and set up an independent operation with offices set up in Harry and Kate's living room.
16"The Godfathers"TBATBAJanuary 11, 1963 (1963-01-11)
Harry and Arch are given the task of not only naming a co-worker's 11th child, but also serving as godfathers.
17"The Carpenters Four"Arthur HillerDon Hinkley & Mel TolkinJanuary 18, 1963 (1963-01-18)
Harry promises to produce a movie star for the carpenter's welfare show, but when he fails, Arch tries to help him out. Brief appearance by Jim Nabors.
18"The Great Valenciaga"TBATBAJanuary 25, 1963 (1963-01-25)
While Mulligan attempts to protect his sister Molly, a singer at a local nightclub, from smooth-talking men, Arch decides to create the alter ego of Valenciaga, a Latin dancer.
19"Mr. Take Over"TBATBAFebruary 1, 1963 (1963-02-01)
After Harry is taken to a local hospital following a minor accident on the job, Arch's exaggerated concern results in attendants thinking he's the patient.
20"Have Car, Will Quarrel"TBATBAFebruary 8, 1963 (1963-02-08)
Harry gets Arch and Mulligan to split the cost of a car with him and the three partners end up buying Mel's car.
21"Say It with Pictures"TBATBAFebruary 15, 1963 (1963-02-15)
Arch and Harry decide to replace the outmoded carpenters' manual with a new one. Harry will be in charge of the text, with Arch handling the photographs.
22"Senior Citizen Charlie"TBATBAFebruary 22, 1963 (1963-02-22)
Harry, Arch and their co-workers decide to throw a retirement party for a fellow carpenter who's being forcibly retired.
23"The Bet"Norman AbbottTeleplay by: Don Hinkley & Mel Tolkin
Story by: Jerry Davis
March 1, 1963 (1963-03-01)
Arch's reputation as a lover is at stake when he and a painter wager on their mutual attempt to woo an attractive art gallery manager.
24"The Syndicate"TBATBAMarch 8, 1963 (1963-03-08)
During the demolition of a mansion once owned by a notorious mobster, Harry and Arch discover a hidden strongbox.
25"Is There a Doctor in the House?"TBATBAMarch 15, 1963 (1963-03-15)
Arch has a new romantic interest—a nurse named Beverly who's under the mistaken impression that he's a doctor.
26"Harry, the Contractor"Norman AbbottDon Hinkley & Mel TolkinMarch 22, 1963 (1963-03-22)
Kate's attempt at getting Harry to do any work around the house fails, which results in her deciding to hire a carpenter. That means that Harry will have to bid on the job.
27"Table Tennis, Anyone?"TBATBAMarch 29, 1963 (1963-03-29)
Harry is chosen as the captain of a table tennis team that's been formed by the carpenters to compete in an industrial league.
28"Kick Me Kate"Claudio GuzmánFrank Fox & Martin RothApril 5, 1963 (1963-04-05)
Deciding that Kate doesn't love him enough, Harry decides to try to make her jealous.
29"Number One Son"Norman AbbottMel Diamond & Jerry DavisApril 12, 1963 (1963-04-12)
Mel believes that he's been a disappointment to his son Ralph, which results in Harry and Arch suggesting that he take the boy on a camping trip.
30"Big Opening at the Hospital"TBATBAApril 26, 1963 (1963-04-26)
Kate is scheduled to sing at a benefit for the hospital, but Harry's afraid that a talent scout will spot her and turn her into a big star.
31"King Archibald, the First"TBATBAMay 3, 1963 (1963-05-03)
Arch falls for a princess who happens to be masquerading as her own maid.
32"Hotel Fenster"Leonard SternJerry Davis & Mel DiamondMay 10, 1963 (1963-05-10)
Arch's bachelor apartment quickly becomes a crowded refuge after his friends all have arguments with their wives.

Home media

On April 10, 2012, Lightyear Entertainment & TV Time Machine Productions released I'm Dickens, He's Fenster- 50th Anniversary Collectors Edition: Volume 1 on DVD in Region 1.[1] The 3-disc set contains the first 16 episodes of the series as well as several bonus features.

References

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