Question about William Frawley - Sitcoms Online Message Boards

Karen64 · 11-24-2008, 02:50 PM

Forgive me if this has been discussed here before; don't remember seeing it anywhere. Anyway, any of you notice how William Frawley's hands would shake & tremble in a lot of the scenes? I also noticed he would also clasp his hands together alot; seems like to keep them from shaking. Anyone know if he suffered from some sort of tremor, or maybe early effects of Parkinson's?

Hughsgirl · 12-01-2008, 09:34 PM

I read many books on Lucy and the show and I recall reading in one of those books where it was do to with his drinking withdrawls. He had been a heavy drinker in his early life and when he slowed down or quit altogether then that was one of his symptoms which I do happen to know is very common amoung alcoholics. I don't know if it's true, but it is what I read and I can't recall exactly what book it was in either, sorry. I do hope this helps.

Brieannas21 · 12-01-2008, 10:11 PM

Yeah he had the alcoholic shakes, I believe I saw that on one of the Lucy specials.

Janice · 12-08-2008, 02:08 AM

I guess he gave his word to Lucy and Desi that he would never drink on the set or let his drinking interfere with the show. It didn't stop him from drinking afterwards, as he was clearly hungover on some shows.

Looooocy · 12-08-2008, 02:52 PM

I think I read somewhere that towards the end of his run on "My Three Sons", Bill had to stuff his hands in his pockets during scenes so that he'd be able to hide the shaking.

I think it was a combination of advancing age and alcohol.

TripperFan · 12-08-2008, 03:21 PM

Yeah - it was from the "DTs" - alcohol withdrawal. There were several times they almost fired him on the show for showing up late or not showing up at all to rehearsals. He had a very bad drinking problem.

11-24-2008, 02:50 PM	#1
Karen64 Comedy Fan Senior Member Join Date: Mar 24, 2001 Location: Kansas Posts: 1,412	Question about William Frawley Forgive me if this has been discussed here before; don't remember seeing it anywhere. Anyway, any of you notice how William Frawley's hands would shake & tremble in a lot of the scenes? I also noticed he would also clasp his hands together alot; seems like to keep them from shaking. Anyone know if he suffered from some sort of tremor, or maybe early effects of Parkinson's?
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12-08-2008, 03:21 PM	#6
TripperFan In God's Arms Now Forum Star Join Date: Sep 14, 2003 Location: Heartbreak Ridge Posts: 12,086	Yeah - it was from the "DTs" - alcohol withdrawal. There were several times they almost fired him on the show for showing up late or not showing up at all to rehearsals. He had a very bad drinking problem.
	__________________ If I don't see you in this world, I'll meet you in the next one.....don't be late James Marshall Hendrix Voodoo Chile The Forum Legend formerly known as TripperFan "religion is for people who are afraid of hell--spirituality is for people who have been through hell"---anonymous

12-01-2008, 09:34 PM	#2
Hughsgirl Member Forum Regular Join Date: Sep 22, 2008 Location: Michigan Posts: 804	I read many books on Lucy and the show and I recall reading in one of those books where it was do to with his drinking withdrawls. He had been a heavy drinker in his early life and when he slowed down or quit altogether then that was one of his symptoms which I do happen to know is very common amoung alcoholics. I don't know if it's true, but it is what I read and I can't recall exactly what book it was in either, sorry. I do hope this helps.

12-01-2008, 10:11 PM	#3
Brieannas21 Member Forum Fanatic Join Date: Apr 05, 2004 Location: Texas Posts: 9,792	Yeah he had the alcoholic shakes, I believe I saw that on one of the Lucy specials.

12-08-2008, 02:08 AM	#4
Janice Retired Admin - Hollywood Swingin' Forum Legend Join Date: Aug 03, 2001 Location: Beantown Posts: 36,388	I guess he gave his word to Lucy and Desi that he would never drink on the set or let his drinking interfere with the show. It didn't stop him from drinking afterwards, as he was clearly hungover on some shows.

12-08-2008, 02:52 PM	#5
Looooocy Member Occasional Poster Join Date: Dec 06, 2008 Posts: 20	I think I read somewhere that towards the end of his run on "My Three Sons", Bill had to stuff his hands in his pockets during scenes so that he'd be able to hide the shaking. I think it was a combination of advancing age and alcohol.