HCTB had always been a favorite show from my childhood. We lived in Seattle when it came out and EVERYONE watched it. I was thrilled when I found it on DVD. But, the memories of an 8 year old girl are not necessarily to be trusted. It is still a well done, wholesome, comedy for the most part. The sets are much more static and primitive than I remembered. It is not historically authentic by any stretch - and the social issues it tackles are contemporary 60's issues wrapped up in gingham and calico. The show pace is very slow, the dialog is simplistic, and the acting is better than the screen writer allowed for. Joan Blondell is definitely the best actor on the set, although the main 5 characters do well. The same 15 pretty girls standing around smiling, pouting, crying, or flouncing gets old quick. I'm three shows in and nobody has gotten married yet, wasn't that the whole point? This would be a great show to watch with 7-10 year old children. Fundamental life lessons are learned, the good guys win, and cynicism and irony are held in check. I enjoyed the show with the woman Physician - that was realistic for the time and the 60's - and that actress was quite good. But she wasn't in the next show, which is a shame. Maybe people liked this show because it was the softer, greener, more feminine version of a western. HCTB is not classic TV, but it's pleasant and innocent and worth introducing to your kids. The Rental DVD I have does not have the theme song and I am wondering if it was licensing issue. I can still hear that song after almost 40 years.
Review of Here Come the Brides
