I'm Dickens, He's Fenster - Sitcoms Online Message Boards

Bob's TV Treasures · 03-14-2010, 03:34 PM

This under-appreciated ABC series is allegedly coming to
dvd soon. If you've never seen it, it's JOHN ASTIN and
MARTY INGELS with some really inspired slapstick as
two rather inept carpenters. This show
should've run 5 seasons. Also in the cast, EMMALINE HENRY of I
DREAM OF JEANNIE and DAVE KETCHAM, later of CAMP RUNAMUCK.

TV Knowledge Fan · 03-18-2010, 02:41 AM

...creator/producer Leonard Stern would LOVE to see it released on DVD. The series originally aired on Friday nights at 9pm(et), right after "THE FLINTSTONES", on ABC's 1962-'63 schedule. Unfortunately, more viewers were watching the second half of "ROUTE 66" on CBS, and ABC just wasn't interested in renewing the show for another season. They did syndicate it, off-network [through their "ABC Films" division], during the remainder of the '60s and early '70s...then it disappeared. The 32 episodes of "I'M DICKENS- HE'S FENSTER" should be revived...again and again and again, that's how funny it was.

Marvo301 · 03-18-2010, 06:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bob's TV Treasures

This under-appreciated ABC series is allegedly coming to
dvd soon. If you've never seen it, it's JOHN ASTIN and
MARTY INGELS with some really inspired slapstick as
two rather inept carpenters. This show
should've run 5 seasons. Also in the cast, EMMALINE HENRY of I
DREAM OF JEANNIE and DAVE KETCHAM, later of CAMP RUNAMUCK.

I think Dave Ketchum is best known for his role as Agent 13 on Get Smart. I would love to see this series come to DVD both because of the great cast and because I'm a fan of slapstick comedy.

MickeyMac · 03-19-2010, 03:33 PM

I got a promo of this show.

McGillicuddy · 03-19-2010, 05:43 PM

I've never seen this show or even heard of it til recently, but it sounds like a rare gem! These rare, obscure shows are the ones I what to see get dvd releases.

I understand Leonard Stern also produced the late '60's series The Good Guys, which featured Bob Denver. I wish he could get this series out also!

Jude The Obscure · 03-19-2010, 08:35 PM

Would love to see this one after years of reading about it and hearing of it.

bencasey · 03-19-2010, 11:51 PM

I have a few of them but it's not my cup of tea. I'm not a fan of slapstick.

Rezny@gmail.com · 04-02-2010, 11:06 PM

And,John Astin and Marty Ingles were reunited twice after "I'm Dickens-He's Fenster"ended.Once in a second season episode of "The Addams Family"-1966's episode "Cat Man Addams"directed by Stanley Z.Cherry,and AGAIN in 1967's "The Pruitts of Southhampton"when its title was changed to "The Phyllis Diller Show",and then again on ABC's 25th Anniversary Special in the late 1970's.It would be great to see "I'm Dickens-He's Fenster".on DVD.I've heard a lot of good things about it,but have never seen it.

Edison · 04-03-2010, 03:59 AM

My favorite - "The Joke" (12/7/1962) : A man asked his psychiatrist: Can a man be in love with an elephant?

TV Knowledge Fan · 04-04-2010, 01:59 AM

...the idea of "The Joke" was that Harry Dickens, preparing for an acceptance speech involved with a "safety award" at work, planned on using a joke he insists is funny, and told it to Arch Fenster, despite Harry's wife Kate's disapproval {KATE: "What joke? It's a BOMB!"/HARRY: (angrily) "It's FUNNY! I'm laughing just thinking about it!!"}, yet when it's retold among the construction gang he and Harry work with, it ends up leading to all-out war among them because they disagree on whether it's funny or not!

Here's the joke, as Dickens told it to Fenster:

"A man walks into a psychiatrist's office. He says, 'Can a man be in love with an elephant?'. The doctor says, 'No'. The man says, 'Well, do you know where I can get rid of an engagement ring this big?'". (to Arch) Well?
[Arch stares at Harry]

McGillicuddy · 10-05-2010, 06:29 PM

The complete series is coming to dvd in 2011, in 2 volumes. Just announced by TVSHOWSONDVD.com

TV Knowledge Fan · 10-06-2010, 12:42 AM

I believe the delay had to do over the question of who owned the rights to the series: Leonard Stern, the creator/producer/head writer, was responsible for producing it through his "Heyday Productions" outfit. Yet, when it went into syndication following its original network run in the fall of 1963, ABC Films distributed the show [rule of thumb back then was, you produced a series for a network, they got all distribution rights as part of the deal- very few studios and independent producers avoided that kind of arrangement]. Well, ABC Films became "Worldvision Enterprises" in 1972 after the network was forced to divest themselves of its distribution company and library [by government decree]. "Worldvision" ownership changed hands several times over the years, until it finally became a part of Paramount/VIACOM/CBS. Now, "I'M DICKENS- HE'S FENSTER" hasn't been syndicated or distributed to anyone in ages...and Leonard Stern himself wanted to see it "back in circulation". But, again, who really owns it?
I don't know, but apparently, everything's been settled- and expect to hear commentary by John Astin, Marty Ingels and Leonard Stern himself when the DVD's are released in 2011....

Marvo301 · 10-06-2010, 01:19 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TV Knowledge Fan

I believe the delay had to do over the question of who owned the rights to the series: Leonard Stern, the creator/producer/head writer, was responsible for producing it through his "Heyday Productions" outfit. Yet, when it went into syndication following its original network run in the fall of 1963, ABC Films distributed the show [rule of thumb back then was, you produced a series for a network, they got all distribution rights as part of the deal- very few studios and independent producers avoided that kind of arrangement]. Well, ABC Films became "Worldvision Enterprises" in 1972 after the network was forced to divest themselves of its distribution company and library [by government decree]. "Worldvision" ownership changed hands several times over the years, until it finally became a part of Paramount/VIACOM/CBS. Now, "I'M DICKENS- HE'S FENSTER" hasn't been syndicated or distributed to anyone in ages...and Leonard Stern himself wanted to see it "back in circulation". But, again, who really owns it?
I don't know, but apparently, everything's been settled- and expect to hear commentary by John Astin, Marty Ingels and Leonard Stern himself when the DVD's are released in 2011....

I'm really excited to hear that John Astin, Marty Ingels, and Leonard Stern are all doing commentary on the DVD's. It's great that this project is coming to fruition while they're all still around and able to be involved.

TV Knowledge Fan · 10-06-2010, 02:17 AM

I certainly hope they do, 'Marvo'. Nothing has been finalized about the content of the DVD's as yet....

TV Knowledge Fan · 10-06-2010, 02:40 AM

...another reason the series has been "dormant" for so many years is because Leonard Stern believed the original 35mm film elements for each of the 32 episodes were "lost". He had someone track them down, and it was discovered they do exist. They're currently being digitized and "remastered", and the end result will be released on DVD next year!

03-14-2010, 03:34 PM	#1
Bob's TV Treasures Member Forum Regular Join Date: Aug 12, 2004 Location: california Posts: 529	I'm Dickens, He's Fenster This under-appreciated ABC series is allegedly coming to dvd soon. If you've never seen it, it's JOHN ASTIN and MARTY INGELS with some really inspired slapstick as two rather inept carpenters. This show should've run 5 seasons. Also in the cast, EMMALINE HENRY of I DREAM OF JEANNIE and DAVE KETCHAM, later of CAMP RUNAMUCK.

03-18-2010, 02:41 AM	#2
TV Knowledge Fan Member Senior Member Join Date: Mar 29, 2006 Location: Long Branch, N.J. Posts: 2,577	I know that... ...creator/producer Leonard Stern would LOVE to see it released on DVD. The series originally aired on Friday nights at 9pm(et), right after "THE FLINTSTONES", on ABC's 1962-'63 schedule. Unfortunately, more viewers were watching the second half of "ROUTE 66" on CBS, and ABC just wasn't interested in renewing the show for another season. They did syndicate it, off-network [through their "ABC Films" division], during the remainder of the '60s and early '70s...then it disappeared. The 32 episodes of "I'M DICKENS- HE'S FENSTER" should be revived...again and again and again, that's how funny it was.

04-04-2010, 01:59 AM	#10
TV Knowledge Fan Member Senior Member Join Date: Mar 29, 2006 Location: Long Branch, N.J. Posts: 2,577	Sure, it was funny... ...the idea of "The Joke" was that Harry Dickens, preparing for an acceptance speech involved with a "safety award" at work, planned on using a joke he insists is funny, and told it to Arch Fenster, despite Harry's wife Kate's disapproval {KATE: "What joke? It's a BOMB!"/HARRY: (angrily) "It's FUNNY! I'm laughing just thinking about it!!"}, yet when it's retold among the construction gang he and Harry work with, it ends up leading to all-out war among them because they disagree on whether it's funny or not! Here's the joke, as Dickens told it to Fenster: "A man walks into a psychiatrist's office. He says, 'Can a man be in love with an elephant?'. The doctor says, 'No'. The man says, 'Well, do you know where I can get rid of an engagement ring this big?'". (to Arch) Well? [Arch stares at Harry]

10-06-2010, 12:42 AM	#12
TV Knowledge Fan Member Senior Member Join Date: Mar 29, 2006 Location: Long Branch, N.J. Posts: 2,577	ABOUT TIME!!!!! I believe the delay had to do over the question of who owned the rights to the series: Leonard Stern, the creator/producer/head writer, was responsible for producing it through his "Heyday Productions" outfit. Yet, when it went into syndication following its original network run in the fall of 1963, ABC Films distributed the show [rule of thumb back then was, you produced a series for a network, they got all distribution rights as part of the deal- very few studios and independent producers avoided that kind of arrangement]. Well, ABC Films became "Worldvision Enterprises" in 1972 after the network was forced to divest themselves of its distribution company and library [by government decree]. "Worldvision" ownership changed hands several times over the years, until it finally became a part of Paramount/VIACOM/CBS. Now, "I'M DICKENS- HE'S FENSTER" hasn't been syndicated or distributed to anyone in ages...and Leonard Stern himself wanted to see it "back in circulation". But, again, who really owns it? I don't know, but apparently, everything's been settled- and expect to hear commentary by John Astin, Marty Ingels and Leonard Stern himself when the DVD's are released in 2011....

10-06-2010, 02:40 AM	#15
TV Knowledge Fan Member Senior Member Join Date: Mar 29, 2006 Location: Long Branch, N.J. Posts: 2,577	Additional information (courtesy of the show's website).... ...another reason the series has been "dormant" for so many years is because Leonard Stern believed the original 35mm film elements for each of the 32 episodes were "lost". He had someone track them down, and it was discovered they do exist. They're currently being digitized and "remastered", and the end result will be released on DVD next year!

03-19-2010, 03:33 PM	#4
MickeyMac Member Forum Star Join Date: Jun 18, 2008 Location: Kalamazoo, Michigan Posts: 19,004	I got a promo of this show.

03-19-2010, 05:43 PM	#5
McGillicuddy Member Forum Veteran Join Date: Sep 28, 2002 Posts: 5,179	I've never seen this show or even heard of it til recently, but it sounds like a rare gem! These rare, obscure shows are the ones I what to see get dvd releases. I understand Leonard Stern also produced the late '60's series The Good Guys, which featured Bob Denver. I wish he could get this series out also!

03-19-2010, 08:35 PM	#6
Jude The Obscure Retired Eternal Member Forum Veteran Join Date: Dec 10, 2006 Posts: 7,519	Would love to see this one after years of reading about it and hearing of it.

03-19-2010, 11:51 PM	#7
bencasey Member Senior Member Join Date: Dec 29, 2001 Location: Long Beach Posts: 1,692	I have a few of them but it's not my cup of tea. I'm not a fan of slapstick.

04-02-2010, 11:06 PM	#8
Rezny@gmail.com Member Senior Member Join Date: Jul 20, 2007 Location: Nebraska Posts: 2,675	And,John Astin and Marty Ingles were reunited twice after "I'm Dickens-He's Fenster"ended.Once in a second season episode of "The Addams Family"-1966's episode "Cat Man Addams"directed by Stanley Z.Cherry,and AGAIN in 1967's "The Pruitts of Southhampton"when its title was changed to "The Phyllis Diller Show",and then again on ABC's 25th Anniversary Special in the late 1970's.It would be great to see "I'm Dickens-He's Fenster".on DVD.I've heard a lot of good things about it,but have never seen it.

04-03-2010, 03:59 AM	#9
Edison Member Senior Member Join Date: Oct 01, 2006 Posts: 2,430	My favorite - "The Joke" (12/7/1962) : A man asked his psychiatrist: Can a man be in love with an elephant?

10-05-2010, 06:29 PM	#11
McGillicuddy Member Forum Veteran Join Date: Sep 28, 2002 Posts: 5,179	The complete series is coming to dvd in 2011, in 2 volumes. Just announced by TVSHOWSONDVD.com

10-06-2010, 02:17 AM	#14
TV Knowledge Fan Member Senior Member Join Date: Mar 29, 2006 Location: Long Branch, N.J. Posts: 2,577	I certainly hope they do, 'Marvo'. Nothing has been finalized about the content of the DVD's as yet....