Steve, Mike, Rob, Chip, and of course, Grandpa “Bub,” are together again as a family, in Volume 1 of The First Season of My Three Sons! The three disc set contains the first half of the first (of many seasons) of the popular 60s sitcom. Like most other family series of the decade, the series demonstrated all of the important values of being the perfectly functional family, but with a different type of family. In the series, Steve Douglas (played by Fred MacMurray) is a widower that is left with his three sons, and a little help from Grandpa Bub (played by William Frawley) who fills the role of cook, housekeeper, and nanny for the boys. The series evolves over the years, with all of the boys eventually growing up (much like the boys on The Adventures of Ozzie and Harriet) and many other changes, but these episodes show how it all started out.

Read our review by Skees53 here:
http://www.sitcomsonline.com/mythreesonsseason1volume1dvdreview.html

Please post any questions or comments about this set.

Is this out yet??

It comes out on Sep 30. I plan on picking it up myself. But I dont understand why CBS/Paramount split the season in half thoe? Some stores want over $30 for it thats dumb to pay that for half a season. I'm going to run into Costco's or Sam's Club on Tuesday. There usely cheaper then the retail stores. Well I hope they will be selling it?

well, acording to that review, it sounds as if it's pretty good. At least all the episodes are uncut, which is good. But why the hell are they just releasing half the season???:confused: And selling it for the ludricrous price of $30????

But, this gives us hope for "THE BEVERLY HILLBILLIES" which is coming next month. And, if you haven't heard, that one, unlike other CBS/Paramount release (like this one) will have extras, and the opening ang closing themes will be intact. Let's just hope the episodes aren't edited, though.

They are only putting out half the season, thats stupid.

I smell issues with copyrights, which leads back to money and royalties, oh boy!:stressed:

They are only putting out half the season, thats stupid.

I smell issues with copyrights, which leads back to money and royalties, oh boy!:stressed:

Remember this is CBS/Paramount we are talking about here. Nothing they do makes since. I think the TV releases was so mutch better when it was just Paramount.

and people wonder why there are bootlegs out there.

I agree with the reviewer that the "sons" in these episodes should have been interviewed (Tim Considine, Don Grady, and Stan Livingston). For a high-priced set of just one-half of a black and white season, one would expect some extras. Some of the guests like Marta Kristen would be nice to hear from as well.

yea, and eccspesially for that price!!!

Also, vintage interviews with Fred MacMurrey and Bill Frawley would also be nice.

Where's Paul Brownstien when we need him?

Get this folks, the peeps at Home Theater Forum have informed me that CBS has changed the background music for this release!!!!! Gone is the great jazzy score and replaced by syntheziser music...:eek: THEY ARE RAGING MAD OVER THERE, to say the least.

it's not enough to change my mind on my order, since I'm not buying the show for its music and I haven't seen this show in over 20 years.

BUT SHAME ON CBS FOR THIS STUPID DECISION!!!!!!!!!!
:mad:

I'm holding off on it since I have most of the first season. I'd like the entire season, but from what I've heard so far, it just may not be worth it. Let us know about it once it arrives. I hate when the music isn't the same, makes the show seem fake.

it's not enough to change my mind on my order, since I'm not buying the show for its music and I haven't seen this show in over 20 years.

I agree. It's been so long that I've seen the show, I don't remember the background music. However, I want shows to be completely unedited and this ticks me off. But I'm still loving the episodes and plan to buy every release they sell.

I was watching the episodes and there are certain scenes where I thought the music sounded like it wasn't right. But I thought to myself after the whole Fugitive fiasco, Paramount wouldn't do anything like that again. I was wrong.

I'm very worried that if they finally release the last two seasons of "Taxi" that it's music will be changed.

we're all concerned that they will do this now to Beverly Hillbillies, Petticoat Junction (shows both known for their background music and cues) and The Lucy Show.

well, at least we know that "BH" will have extras.

Why cant these people put out the shows as they were originally aired back in the day??

yes, I agree!!! I've heard from a couple people over the years who work in the DVD buisness, that all this BS about music rights doesn't make sense. Same with edited episodes.

Get this folks, the peeps at Home Theater Forum have informed me that CBS has changed the background music for this release!!!!! Gone is the great jazzy score and replaced by syntheziser music...:eek: THEY ARE RAGING MAD OVER THERE, to say the least.

it's not enough to change my mind on my order, since I'm not buying the show for its music and I haven't seen this show in over 20 years.

BUT SHAME ON CBS FOR THIS STUPID DECISION!!!!!!!!!!
:mad:


That sucks! I have not bought the set yet. I went out on Tuesday to buy it,but I ended up buying The Iron Man Blu-Ray instead.
Now after reading this news I'll think I will pass on buying it. What an insult to a classic show.

What a boring dvd set. Don't get me wrong, I'm glad it came out, but
these are the edited SYNDICATED episodes for one thing.
AND, there are no "easter eggs" included (special features like
sponsor bumps, commercials, outtakes, promos, etc). AND, it's only
half of season one. At this rate, how long will it take to release TWELVE
seasons????

I thought the DVD was ok. I am too young to remember the original run of the series, but the DVDs were alot better than I thought it would be.

And this is why the third digits on my hands seem to perk up whenever I see a CBS/Paramount logo ;-)

I know they're jerks to people on YouTube, but I wish the "new" Viacom would have taken the rights to the Paramount library (oh, apparently, there never was a Paramount Television if you believe CBS DVD's logoless releases) with them, and left the current product to CBS/Paramount. Before this mess when the "old" Viacom was constructed and Satan, I mean, CBS/P was born, their DVD releases were a lot better. Why did they deteriorate so much when the changes came?

I'd like to have rediscovered M3S, but I'd rather tape trade for it or get an off-TV set of recordings.

Yeah CBS/Paramount is my least favorite right now. Since they merged there TV releases have been nothing but a joke. Edited episodes removing music. I still have not purchased Season 2 and on of Family Ties because I was so mad about the edits on season 1.
I was planing on picking up My Three Sons but after reading all the complaints on the forums I will now pass on buying this show. I will save my money for The Donna Reed Show that will be out in a few weeks. Think God The Donna Reed show is not going to be a CBS/Paramount release!

I'll let you know my thoughts when my set comes in and I'll watch it. I will prolly mostly enjoy it since practically all of these episodes will be like brand new to me.

Too bad MPI or Arts Alliance wasn't in charge of this release......no music edits would have taken place!

What a boring dvd set. Don't get me wrong, I'm glad it came out, but
these are the edited SYNDICATED episodes for one thing.
AND, there are no "easter eggs" included (special features like
sponsor bumps, commercials, outtakes, promos, etc). AND, it's only
half of season one. At this rate, how long will it take to release TWELVE
seasons????

There are absolutley NO SYNDICATED Versions found on volume 1, all run over 25 minutes in length. Please do your fact checking before posting false info, this set certainly has the music issue problems, but since classic TV normally does not sell enough units to be profitable for the studios, we need to at least decide whether to purchase or boycott on reliable correct factual info on content.

Yeah CBS/Paramount is my least favorite right now. Since they merged there TV releases have been nothing but a joke. Edited episodes removing music. I still have not purchased Season 2 and on of Family Ties because I was so mad about the edits on season 1.
I was planing on picking up My Three Sons but after reading all the complaints on the forums I will now pass on buying this show. I will save my money for The Donna Reed Show that will be out in a few weeks. Think God The Donna Reed show is not going to be a CBS/Paramount release!

Yeah really...can anyone come up with any theories as to why things went downhill the moment the merger happened? As I said, the old Paramount Television did a lot better.

There are absolutley NO SYNDICATED Versions found on volume 1, all run over 25 minutes in length. Please do your fact checking before posting false info, this set certainly has the music issue problems, but since classic TV normally does not sell enough units to be profitable for the studios, we need to at least decide whether to purchase or boycott on reliable correct factual info on content.


all eps on the set are uncut? Great! The cheapest I could find the set was for $30 - haven't been to Target yet though - am tempted to get it

and btw.... love your av!!! (IMO the coolest on the bds!!!:thumbsup:

all eps on the set are uncut? Great! The cheapest I could find the set was for $30 - haven't been to Target yet though - am tempted to get it

and btw.... love your av!!! (IMO the coolest on the bds!!!:thumbsup:

Yes all episodes are uncut and run a little over 25 minutes in length plus the episodes contain the original unaltered credits which feature various car shots from the sponsor. This is a bare bones set without even color picture silk screening on the discs but at least volume two already has a street date for january 09. Thanks for the nice words regarding the avatar......it is a pleasure living near the actual "Ozzie Nelson Drive"!

I am not a fan of this show so I won't buy the DVD's anyway, but it's ridiculous what CBS has done to the music. The vandals at CBS DVD have struck again and ruined another classic TV show.

Even though the set is very overpriced IMO and has no extras I was feeling so down in the dumps over the stock market that I needed something to cheer me up...so what the hell I figured ....I've already lost a few K in the tumble what's another $30...and I knew I'd enjoy anything from the show. I've watched 5 eps so far. What's nice is that the eps I remember all had Uncle Charlie and Robbie was the eldest. It's nice seeing the show further back than I ever have...but...YES...relative to the other sets on other shows I've seen out there this is definitely no bargain (but I still love it...) Anyone want to discuss eps from this release????

We can discuss Rich :D

I've just watched two so far.....(or maybe three, I need to recheck LOL).
The first episode plays like a typical episode--no real setup of who the characters are, why there isn't a mother,--ya know the stuff first episodes/pilots usually get out of the way.

My favorite episode was "Countdown". That episode was very funny. :)

:cool:

My favorite episode was "Countdown". That episode was very funny. :)


A very interesting and unusual episode! Watched it tonight......one I will prolly rewatch again to catch all the nuances.

I noticed that Robbie is very annoying in these early episodes. No wonder Mike wanted to belt him one good! :lol:

I noticed that Robbie is very annoying in these early episodes. No wonder Mike wanted to belt him one good! :lol:

One of the things I remember about the black and white episodes is that Robbie always seemed angry, lol. I forgot how much of a klutz he was. It seems like every time he'd storm off angry, he'd always trip over stuff.

My main surprise about watching this DVD is that Bub has lived with them for six years before the first episode. I always figured the first episode was shortly after he moved in.

A very interesting and unusual episode! Watched it tonight......one I will prolly rewatch again to catch all the nuances.

I noticed that Robbie is very annoying in these early episodes. No wonder Mike wanted to belt him one good! :lol:

Countdown was fun but I really liked Lady Engineer. Considering the show started in 1960 I thought this was a very un-sexist episode in its portrayal of the lady scientist. I've only seen 1/2 the eps so far, I'm trying not to rush through them.

Yeah but Mike picked on Rob too. I think Robbie was annoying is because he was the middle child and it was hard for him to get attention. :wave:

Yeah but Mike picked on Rob too. I think Robbie was annoying is because he was the middle child and it was hard for him to get attention. :wave:


It's cool seeing Robbie as the middle child and Chip as such a little tyke. In the eps I remember before this release Mike was long gone and Uncle Charley ran the roost.

This is the first time I have ever watched the black and white episodes of this show and I must say I like them better than the color eps.One exception is the horrid piped in music on this DVD set.Just awful.The picture and sound quality is very nice but not including the original music is a terrible injustice.This set is a little pricey for 18 episodes so I'm not sure If I will buy the upcoming Season 1 Vol 2 set or not.

Here in Michigan we have something called MelCat. What that is is you go on your local library's web page, go to MelCat and request something that your library dosent have. This gets you stuff from different libraries around the state. I did a request for My Three Sons Vol. 1 and got it. The bad news is that the set only came with one disc. I put in another request for this, so hopefully when that comes it will have all three discs.


The good news is it was so nice to see the show again. I grew up on this show and was right there at the beginning when Nick at Nite first got this in 1985. Talk about bringing back memories. I had forgotten what a great show this is. I strongly reccomend you classic TV fans to check out this show. In fact I think I am going to have to buy this and Vol. 2

I sincerely believe CBS/Paramount has dumped releasing "My Three Sons" for now....an CBS executive just confirmed that season two of "The Lucy Show" & season 3 of "Petticoat Junction" are in the works.....so since "sons" wasn't even mentioned as it was handled so oddly as a two part set, when other seasons with the same episode count were released as one. It seems "sons" was just an expermient and it failed big time, "The Lucy Show" was done masterfully, so better they put the $$$ in making quality products with incredible extras instead of releasing titles with butchered replaced music, etc.

If they dropped Sons, then that just sucks. Maybe Shout Factory should take over.

If they dropped Sons, then that just sucks. Maybe Shout Factory should take over.

Yes Shout Factory would have been a good candidate but I sincerely believe "Sons" should have been handled by MPI, we would be up to season 5 by now, like the 5 season "Family Affair" both were produced by Don Fedderson productions and believe MPI would have given "Sons" the same professional uncut treatment as they did with "Family Affair".

CBS really botched this one up and it is why I never bothered to get volume 2.

I was reading somewhere that the first series is now sold together (so there is no volume 1 and volume 2). If this is true, why wasnt this done in the first place?