The Pride of the Family
The Pride of the Family was a half-hour situation comedy starring Paul Hartman, Fay Wray, Natalie Wood, and Robert Hyatt, which aired for forty episodes on ABC in the 1953–1954 season. Hartman portrays Albie Morrison, the father and error-prone head of the household, about whom most of the episodes are centered. Albie works in the advertising section of his local newspaper, and he often has new ideas that go awry in the workplace as well as failed handyman activities at home. Wray, remembered in particularly from her role in the horror film King Kong, plays Albie's wife, Catherine. Natalie Wood is the 15-year-old daughter, Ann, and "Bobby" Hyatt is the 14-year-old son, Junior Morrison. Larry J. Blake appeared fourteen times in the role of "Frank". Hartman's Albie Morrison lacks the good judgment and wisdom exercised by the fictitious insurance agent James Anderson, Sr., the role of Robert Young on the long-running Father Knows Best, which premiered the following season on CBS. Billboard described Hartman's lead role as "average"; indeed the series attempted to present the "average family." Guest stars included Tol Avery, Barbara Billingsley, Douglas Fowley, Frank Ferguson, Lyle Talbot, Steven Terrell, and Joey D. Vieira.
Insights
Plot Summary
In this comedy-drama, a family faces various domestic challenges and triumphs. The narrative centers on the dynamics within the household, exploring relatable situations and generational differences. It offers a glimpse into the everyday lives and aspirations of its characters as they navigate personal and collective experiences.
Critical Reception
Information on the critical reception of "The Pride of the Family" from 1954 is scarce. As a B-movie often relegated to second features, it did not receive widespread critical attention or analysis at the time of its release. General audience reception is also largely undocumented in accessible historical records.
What Reviewers Say
- Lacks significant critical discussion from its era.
- Audience reception is not readily available.
- Generally considered a minor film of its time.
Google audience: Due to the film's age and limited historical documentation, there is no readily available summary of Google user reviews.
Fun Fact
Director A. Edward Sutherland was a prolific filmmaker known for his work in the comedy genre, having directed films like "My Man Godfrey" (1936) and "Topper" (1937).
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