The Smith Family (TV series)

American television series

The Smith Family is an American family drama television series starring Henry Fonda and Ron Howard and produced by Don Fedderson Productions. The series aired on ABC from January 20, 1971, to June 7, 1972, for 39 episodes.^[1]

Synopsis

Chad Smith is a police detective in Los Angeles. The show covers the exploits of Sergeant Smith and his relationships with his wife Betty and their three children: 18-year-old Cindy, 15-year-old Bob and 7-year-old Brian.^[1]

The first season theme song is an adapted version of "Primrose Lane", composed by George Callender and Wayne Shanklin.^[2][3]

Cast

• Henry Fonda as Detective Sergeant Chad Smith, the father of the Smith family^[1]
• Janet Blair as Betty Smith, Chad's wife^[1]
• Darleen Carr as Cindy Smith, the daughter^[1]
• Ron Howard as Bob Smith, the elder son^[1]
• Michael-James Wixted as Brian Smith, the younger son^[1]
• John Carter as Sgt. Ray Martin^[1]
• Vince Howard as Sgt. Ed Thomas
• Richard O'Brien as Captain O'Farrell

Episodes

Season 1: 1971

Season 2: 1971–1972

References

1. Brooks, Tim; Marsh, Earle F. (June 24, 2009). The Complete Directory to Prime Time Network and Cable TV Shows, 1946-Present. Random House Publishing Group. p. 1261. ISBN 978-0-307-48320-1. Retrieved March 14, 2023.
2. The Smith Family synopsis & credits. WorldCat. Retrieved February 2, 2015.
3. Renewal registration for "Primrose Lane". United States Copyright Office. Retrieved February 2, 2015.

Further reading

• Kleiner, Dick (NEA). "Henry Fonda Turns to TV". The Fort Scott Tribune. August 11, 1970.
• Browning, Norma Lee. "Fonda Has No Worries About Series". The Chicago Tribune. January 17, 1971.
• Buck, Jerry. "Penguins More Like Real People Than Smith Family". The Free Lance-Star. January 21, 1971.
• Laurent, Lawrence. "'Smith Family' Gives Fonda Money, Time". The Washington Post. June 25, 1971.
• Peterson, Clarence. "On the Air: Henry Fonda's Working Hard, Clubbing His 'Family' into Line". The Chicago Tribune. July 12, 1971.
• "C.B.S. and A.B.C. Overhaul Schedules". The New York Times. November 17, 1971.
• Browning, Norma Lee. "Hollywood: Back to the Movies". The Bangor Daily News. November 26, 1971.

External links

• The Smith Family at IMDb
• Contrasting opening credits for first and second seasons at YouTube