50 years ago today...

[1960'sTVfan]

...was the debut of Mary Hartman. Yep, it all began on this day in 1976. Time to bring out the DVD's and watch an episode nightly, five episodes a week, Monday through Friday.

[howilu]

I remember watching the debut episode of Mary Hartman, Mary Hartman 50 years ago when we were introduced to Mary, her husband Tom and her daughter Heather. So began the storyline of the mass murder that killed the Lombardis, Grandpa Larkin revealed as The Fernwood Flasher and the famous line "waxy yellow buildup." The show that was rejected by the networks became a hit in syndication and ran for 325 episodes until the summer of 1977 when Louise Lasser left the show. The title would change to Forever Fernwood with the remaining cast but it wasn't enough to save the soap opera spoof and it came to an end in the spring of 1978.

Happy 50th anniversary MH2.

[1960'sTVfan]

Originally Posted by howilu

I remember watching the debut episode of Mary Hartman, Mary Hartman 50 years ago when we were introduced to Mary, her husband Tom and her daughter Heather. So began the storyline of the mass murder that killed the Lombardis, Grandpa Larkin revealed as The Fernwood Flasher and the famous line "waxy yellow buildup." The show that was rejected by the networks became a hit in syndication and ran for 325 episodes until the summer of 1977 when Louise Lasser left the show. The title would change to Forever Fernwood with the remaining cast but it wasn't enough to save the soap opera spoof and it came to an end in the spring of 1978.

Happy 50th anniversary MH2.

I watched the 1st episode last night and will watch episode 2 tonight. I think the writing is better in season 1 (episodes 1-130) compared to season 2 (episodes 131-325.)

In 1976 Chicago was my home city. Mary Hartman aired weeknights at 10PM on WFLD-TV channel 32. At one point in time, Mary Hartman had more viewers than the local 10PM newscasts.

If the series had run on one of the networks, ABC, CBS, or NBC, I wonder if the episodes would have run a little longer, around 25 minutes. As it is, the series aired in syndication and the episodes run about 22 1/2 minutes each.

I really wish Forever Fernwood would be released on DVD, but at this point it seems highly doubtful.

[1960'sTVfan]

Watched episode 7 last night and there's a funny scene early on in the episode.

Mary's daughter Heather is feeling depressed and says that she has nothing to live for. Mary then tells Heather that she shouldn't think that way, and she has much to live for.

Heather then says to Mary- "Like what?"

Mary pauses and thinks for a moment, then says to Heather- "Well, just wait you'll see."

LOL, I thought that was pretty funny.

The audio quality of the episodes on the DVD's could be a little better. Whenever one of the actors speaks in a low, mumbly soft voice, it's difficult if not impossible to hear what they're saying.

This show always had a bizarre quality to it, but the writing in the 1st season is overall pretty good. Unfortunately, different writers were brought in for season 2. They amped up the bizarre factor and the writing became weaker.

I'm not really fond of the Merle Jeeter character. When he first appears in the later part of the 1st season, in my opinion that's when the show starts taking a downward turn.

[1960'sTVfan]

Progress report: Now getting into the back half of the 1st season, watched episode 68 last night and it's a pretty good one, there's a terrific scene with Mary and Sgt. Foley. Just about any scene with those two is absolute gold, they had great acting chemistry together.

[1960'sTVfan]

Watched episode 75 last night. This is the famous episode where Loretta appears on the Dinah Shore program. Dinah interviews Loretta, and Loretta sings her song titled "Baby Boy". At episodes end, Loretta makes an inappropriate comment which de-rails her career before it barely gets started.

[1960'sTVfan]

Almost finished now watching episodes from the 1st season, 3 weeks and 15 episodes left to go, watching episode 116 tonight.

Overall the 1st season is enjoyable viewing. Soon after episode 90 is when Merle Jeeter first shows up, he's a slimy and smarmy character and is not likable.

The main point of interest in the 1st season is the romance between Mary and Sgt. Foley, followed by the goings on with Charlie and Loretta Haggers. Mary's sister Cathy is man crazy and falls in love very quickly with various guys she encounters. In season 2, actor Bruce Solomon/Sgt. Foley is gone from the show for a good while, but towards the end he returns to get together with Mary.

[1960'sTVfan]

Finished now watching episodes from season 1, watched episode 130 last night, this is the famous episode where Mary has a nervous/mental breakdown while being interviewed on the David Susskind Show. When thinking about it, Mary Hartman is actually a tragic character with all the negative things that happen to her.

Another thing that happens in episode 130 is the showdown between Charlie Haggers and Merle Jeeter. Charlie has a rifle and the rifle goes off, someone gets shot but it's not known who it is until after season 2 begins. The showdown happened because Charlie found out that Merle is messing with Loretta, who happens to be Charlie's wife, so Charlie goes to Merle's motel room with rifle in hand.

While season 2 isn't as good as season 1, the plan is to start watching season 2 episodes beginning in October, will see what I want to do with it.