Aired 1955-60
Syndicated
DAD: Jim Newton (Peter Graves) / Single
DAD’S JOB: Rancher
KIDS: Joey (Bobby Diamond)(11)
WHERE’S MOM?: Dead. So’s Dad.
STAND-IN “MOM”: Helen Watkins (Ann Robinson), Joey’s schoolteacher; or possibly Pete (William Fawcett), the “Chief Cook and Bottle-Washer” for the Ranch.
Out there in the west, somewhere probably near Sky King’s ranch in the 1950’s, Jim Newton adopts a city kid/orphan named Joey. Joey tames Jim’s “unbreakable” black stallion. Joey names the horse Fury. Fury and Joey wind up having the same kinds of adventures that Timmy and Lassie would have on their show.
Barry Williams, who would later portray the unforgettable Greg Brady on The Brady Bunch, once described this show as “the single most important program” to get him interested in acting. I’m not sure if that’s a good thing or…
A tip of the Sebastian Cabot Memorial Bowler to Robert Carson (narcars@webtv.com) for the info on Jim’s last name and the Stand-in Mom details. Thanks, Robert!
…and a clang on the Hop Sing Memorial Triangle for Norman Bensen (normand@webtv.net) for the information about “Pete.” Thanks, Norman!
…plus a wave of the Mrs. Livington Memorial Feather Duster for “Momcat316@aol.com” on the tip about William Fawcett playing “Pete.” Thanks, “Momcat”!
Update: There’s more upset Alert Viewers out there. Here’s a recent note from the Broken Wheel Ranch – “I emailed you once before about your incorrect information about Fury. Nan Leslie played Packy’s mother, she was not Jim’s sister, or even his dead wife. If you are looking for a female for a stand in mother, then you would want it to be Ann Robinson, who was Joey’s scool teacher Helen Watkins. She was always at the ranch, and was there for Joey every damn time he got hurt, which was every few episodes.
If you would like to see more info on it, please visit our site at: http://brokenwheelranch.com“
I stand corrected.