Harrigan and Son
Harrigan and Son is an ABC sitcom about a father-and-son team of lawyers, played by Pat O'Brien and Roger Perry as Jim Harrigan, Sr., and Jim, Jr. In supporting roles, as secretaries, are Georgine Darcy as Gypsy and Helen Kleeb as Miss Claridge. The series aired 34 episodes at 8 p.m. Eastern Time on Fridays from October 14, 1960, to September 29, 1961. It preceded ABC's cartoon series, The Flintstones. Its competition was the second half of the CBS Western, Rawhide. For the first half of the season, Harrigan and Son aired opposite the detective series Dan Raven, starring Skip Homeier. The series premiere is titled "Junior Joins the Law Firm". The finale is called "The Testimonial". Harrigan and Son was owned and produced by Desilu Production. A running gimmick in the show consisted of Harrigan, Sr., commenting on some situation in Latin, Harrigan, Jr., replying, "Which means?", and Harrigan, Sr., translating his comment, usually humorous, into English. The closing of show featured O'Brien and Perry, in silhouette behind the credits, singing the old George M. Cohan song, "Harrigan".
Insights
Plot Summary
Harrigan and Son was a sitcom that centered on Jim Harrigan, a struggling inventor and owner of a small machine shop. He often found himself in humorous predicaments due to his ambitious but often flawed inventions, which his loyal employees would help him navigate. The show provided lighthearted family entertainment with a focus on problem-solving and camaraderie in the workplace.
Critical Reception
Harrigan and Son was a typical family sitcom of its era, generally well-received by audiences for its gentle humor and wholesome themes. While not a groundbreaking series, it maintained a consistent viewership and is remembered fondly by those who enjoyed its family-friendly approach to comedy.
What Reviewers Say
- Praised for its lighthearted and family-friendly humor.
- Appreciated for its wholesome themes and character interactions.
- Seen as a comfortable and familiar sitcom for its time.
Google audience: Audience reviews are scarce for this older series, but the general sentiment for similar sitcoms of the era suggests appreciation for its clean humor and relatable, if somewhat predictable, storylines.
Fun Fact
The show was produced by Desilu Productions, the same company that produced 'I Love Lucy' and 'Star Trek'.
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