MovieChat Forums > The Bob Cummings Show (1955) Discussion > What I remember most about this show

What I remember most about this show

posted 14 years ago by robert48-1
15 replies | jump to latest

What I remember most about this show was how scandalous it was thought to be at the time. The bedroom my sister and I used then gave a view through the hallway and into the living room where the TV was visible. I think the show was on at about 9 or 9:30. Whenever my parents watched it, the door to our bedroom was closed to make sure we didn't get a glimpse of this "adult" show. Of course, we would creep out of bed and crack the door to get a peek at this forbidden fruit. We never did figure out what we weren't supposed to see but then again we missed the Mamie Van Doren episode! LOL

[–] escalera-2 14 years ago

It wasn't so much what was said, it was the salacious looks he'd give the camera behind his prey's back!

It was a very funny, very good show about a Wolf. Bob was a hound dog!

[–] pmiano100 13 years ago

For it's day, it was considered racy. Adults knew what was happening behind closed doors, but unlike today, what happened was left to the imagination. Joi Lansing, Barbara Nichols, and many other famous "blonde bimboes" of the time were kept regularly employed as part of Bob's harem. It was the time of "The Swank Era," and TV was filled with handsome WWII veteran bachelor characters living the playboy lifestyle most men could only dream about. Always proud of his service as an Army Air Force pilot during WWII, Bob Cummings incorporated flying into many episodes. It was a fun show, but I could never figure out why a man like him lived with his widowed sister and her son.

Rosemary Camp, still an attractive woman then, who played his sister, showed no interest in remarriage. Today, her character would be divorced and dating up a storm. I think she was always trying to make him settle down with women who were way too conservative for him because she thought his lifestyle was a bad influence on her son, who hero-worshipped his war hero, semi-celebrity uncle and his glamorous lifestyle. A number of 50s celebrities playing themselves also made appearances on the show. Unfortunately, the show had the unfortunate effect of type-casting Robert Cummings, and I don't recall him ever getting a really good role after that. It was a great show for its day, starring one of the great, underrated actors of the 40s and 50s.

[–] escalera-2 13 years ago

Well, said, pmiano100. I think you ought to submit this entry as a Review.

I suppose the modern day equivalent of this title would be Two and a Half Men.

[–] pmiano100 13 years ago

I agree, but compared to Charlie, Bob was a saint. What a difference fifty years makes.

[–] escalera-2 13 years ago

50 years! This title sure holds up. I have a few shows on DVD and they are a riot.

[–] sherryangl 12 years ago

Very good comparison!

[–] MyMovieTVRomance 11 years ago

For it's day, it was considered racy. Adults knew what was happening behind closed doors, but unlike today, what happened was left to the imagination. Joi Lansing, Barbara Nichols, and many other famous "blonde bimboes" of the time were kept regularly employed as part of Bob's harem. It was the time of "The Swank Era," and TV was filled with handsome WWII veteran bachelor characters living the playboy lifestyle most men could only dream about. Always proud of his service as an Army Air Force pilot during WWII, Bob Cummings incorporated flying into many episodes. It was a fun show, but I could never figure out why a man like him lived with his widowed sister and her son.

I think it was maybe because Bob was a god-father to the son, in addition to being an uncle. Thus, with the dad/husband out of the picture, he lives with them to support them. And, with him supporting them, they may as-well be living with him, except that he would have had them living in a bachelor-pad. So, to simplify matters, he lives with them, to make sure that his nephew, whom he probably inherited, is provided for.

Now, here's what I can't figure out:

Was this show recoded on film or kiniscop? And, was this show ever restored? Because while watching it, it's definately not as clear and good picture-quality as other shows from the era, like I LOVE LUCY, OZZIE & HARRIET, and THE DONNA REED SHOW.

The bad picture-quality of this show makes it seem older that the others. Why does this show look so damaged? Is it due to a lack of restoration (implying that the others of the era mentioned here have been restored), or is it due to how this show was preserved (on kiniscop or film)?

If someone could answer these questions, I'd really appreciate it!

Please excuse typos/funny wording; I use speech-recognition that doesn't always recognize!

[–] pmiano100 11 years ago

As I recall, his sister always complained he was a bad influence on her son with his playboy lifestyle. In one episode she introduced her son to a "clean-living" pro football player played by Chuck Connors, who showed up Bob in athletics. He would have shown up any non-athlete. Chuck was impressed, but by next week, he was back to wanting to ape his uncle. What an ungrateful witch. Bob was a war hero and an honest man who never sexually harassed his models. So he liked women. This was a crime? As for clean-living athletes, we know far better now. Back then pro ball players were required to keep up phony goody-goody images.

Regarding quality, guess is kiniescope. It was never as popular as I Love Lucy or the other shows you mentioned. The reruns were never broadcast nearly as much. It was too sexy for daytime in those days, and over the years it has not aged well. The images of women would be considered too negative, there was too much drinking, and Bob would be considered a sexist and male chauvinist today. The studios would have used the cheapest options for recording and restoration.

[–] MyMovieTVRomance 11 years ago

Regarding quality, guess is kiniescope. It was never as popular as I Love Lucy or the other shows you mentioned. The reruns were never broadcast nearly as much. It was too sexy for daytime in those days, and over the years it has not aged well. The images of women would be considered too negative, there was too much drinking, and Bob would be considered a sexist and male chauvinist today. The studios would have used the cheapest options for recording and restoration.

You have some very valid points about why it wasn't as popular. I guess some people would be uptight about the kind of character Bob was, but honestly, seeing folks like him on the screen, who are charming, old-school-suave, and old-school attractive, having a great time and being quite uninhibited is rather liberating to me!

My mother has become very devout and rather conservative in many of her beliefs (she thinks nuns really are better women than almost any other and wants me to be one!). Sometimes, talking to her makes me feel like a lesser-person compared to the really religious, uptight people. Plus, I come from the Bible-belt, which only adds to my inner turmoil! So, it is very nice to watch a show like this, with no mention of sin or morals thrown in my face, we just see a guy living his dream and having a great time! I love that! I also love that this show has some great supporting players, Ann B. Davis, Nancy Kulp, and Rose Marie being cheif among them. I realize that the latter-two ladies were only in a few episodes, but of the 15 or so episodes that I've seen, they make the show for me! I love them and wish I could have the same effect on them as the models have on Bob (Yeah, in my dreams...another thing my mom does not understand and has no respect for)...I hate that I found out that Ann B. Davis is allegedly a celebrate lesbian who has remained celebate due to her strict religious views that homosexuality is a sin. She lives in a religious retirement community, and my mother thinks that her sacrificing her inner urge (to be lesbian) puts her right up there with the saints! She thinks it's great! And, I'm thinking, so, I would be better if I did that? According to her, yes. :-(

I take comfort in the wishful thinking that maybe if the Bible left no doubt about homosexuality and approved of it, Ann would have been quite a ladies-lady and that maybe, she would have even gone for me! But, my mom insists that her sacrifice makes her happy and that just because she has the inner urge doesn't mean she would ever, ever act on it, cause she loves God more than a love-life (she killed t hat fantasy quick!)...Sigh... Anyway, sorry for the tangent.

But, speaking of religion, isn't it funny that religious people or conservatives may have a problem with this show, and yet, it used to be in syndication on CBN (THE CHRISTIAN BROADCASTING NETWORK) in the 1980s?! Weird!

Oh well, getting back to what I love about the show, yes, Ann and Nancy are fab! I just adore them! There is this one episode that I just watched on youtube, here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CSOXgG3SO1M&playnext=1&list=PL1 D29ECAB89E5CB37&feature=results_video

And, Nancy had me laughing so hard, I could hardly stop! I declare, I think those 2 are my eye-and-ear candy! I love seeing them and they have such distinctive voices! The models are nice to look at too! The whole series is fun to see! Fashion and attitude-wise, I'm a conservative, but humor and love-wise, I'm anything but, as long as it's classy, and this show hits the mark! This show is a dream! And, I don't care what anyone says, it's every bit as funny as its rivals (w/ the exception of ILL, at times)! I haven't laughed so hard and enjoyed a show so much since...I don't even know when!

Please excuse typos/funny wording; I use speech-recognition that doesn't always recognize!

[–] pmiano100 11 years ago

I am a practicing Roman Catholic and generally socially conservative, but I believe people have the right to livw as they were made, as long as they do no harm to others. I don't have a problem with gay marriage. It's better than couples, straight and gay, who just live together and then they collect benefits on their partners' benefits plans. They should get married and suffer like the rest of us. By the way, I'm sure you know by now that Nancy Kulp was also a lesbian.

By today's standards, the show is rather tame. A modern version would be more graphic with the sex, gays and lesbians would be portrayed in explotative ways, and no doubt Bob would be facing lawsuits for sexual harassment and charges of rape. No doubt every negative stereotype about the fashion industry would be sensationalized. No wonder many fashion magazines prefer to use gay men and straight women on their fashion photo shoots. At least, that's what a friend who's an editor for one such magazine tells my wife.

I am truly sorry your mother cannot accept your orientation. Ultimately, it will be her loss. My children, now both adults, straight, and married with kids of their own also made choices I was uncomfortable with too. Howeveer, it all worked out and they are happy in their lives and hurting no one. More than that, a parent can't ask for. Please don't think all or even most religious people are intolerant. Attitudes are changing, if slower than we'd like. Things come in their own time.

[–] MyMovieTVRomance 11 years ago

By today's standards, the show is rather tame. A modern version would be more graphic with the sex, gays and lesbians would be portrayed in explotative ways, and no doubt Bob would be facing lawsuits for sexual harassment and charges of rape. No doubt every negative stereotype about the fashion industry would be sensationalized. No wonder many fashion magazines prefer to use gay men and straight women on their fashion photo shoots. At least, that's what a friend who's an editor for one such magazine tells my wife.

Yeah, TV and movies go over-the-top today, when they want to show free people pushing the boundaries. But, that's why I like the older shows, like LOVE THAT BOB, because one could tell that Bob was a really laid-back guy who approached life in a carefree manner. He was selfish, but charming, fast-moving, but suave, very bold, but romantic, etc. So, for every one of the negative qualities that a new version of this show would have, the old version had an equally good quality. That's the way I see it anyway. And, if I were one of Bob's models, I would be flattered if Bob indicated he was attracted to me, cause as a model, I imagine that's about the best compliment I could get! But, lucky for us, the viewers, they never got nasty about it, on the show. None of that bathroom-bedroom humor so common today...

I am truly sorry your mother cannot accept your orientation. Ultimately, it will be her loss. My children, now both adults, straight, and married with kids of their own also made choices I was uncomfortable with too. Howeveer, it all worked out and they are happy in their lives and hurting no one. More than that, a parent can't ask for. Please don't think all or even most religious people are intolerant. Attitudes are changing, if slower than we'd like. Things come in their own time.

Thank you so much for your thoughtful and kind words! My mom is, at heart, a pretty accepting person. It's just that tact has never been her strong-suit...

I wanted to let you know though, that after I read your post, I told her about it, and she basically said "See, we Catholics are a pretty open-minded bunch compared to many!" Hehe, in other words, she agreed with your thoughts on religion and stuff. She surprises me, but often in a good way.

Thanks again for being such a nice person. And, happy Easter!

Please excuse typos/funny wording; I use speech-recognition that doesn't always recognize!

[–] pmiano100 11 years ago

No problem. Thank you for your very kind and flattering response. I hope things work out for the best for you. Happy Easter to you too.

[–] halhorn65-988-97778 9 years ago

Actually it was real life Rams star Elroy Hirsch who played the "clean-living" relative, "Uncle Roy" in this 1957 episode.

I reviewed it here:

http://hornsection.blogspot.com/2014/10/television-review-love-that-bob-bob.html

This was a popular rerun throughout the 1960's, but one reason it faded from view is because two long-defunct production companies owned the rights (Laurel-McCadden productions) and about half the episodes are now in the public domain. A real shame, since this funny show is very worthy of rediscovery.

[–] 9 years ago

[deleted]

[–] stiffarm-43601 9 years ago

Men like Bob Collins represented the fantasies of the men of the Greatest Generation who got regular jobs, married, had kids, and settled down as soon as they got their discharges. Being in a war does that. By today's standards, he'd be considered a fool, risking sexual harassment lawsuits. At least he took women out to dinner first and things weren't graphic.