December Bride (1954–1959)

Charming and wise Lily Ruskin lives with her daughter and son-in- law who, along with her close friend Hilda Crocker, are always trying to find suitable older marriageable companionship for... See full summary »

Creator:

Parke Levy

Stars:

Spring Byington, Frances Rafferty, Dean Miller

Nominated for 5 Primetime Emmys.

Cast

Complete series cast summary:
Spring Byington	...	Lily Ruskin (156 episodes, 1954-1959)
Frances Rafferty	...	Ruth Henshaw (155 episodes, 1954-1959)
Dean Miller	...	Matt Henshaw (155 episodes, 1954-1959)
Harry Morgan	...	Pete Porter (155 episodes, 1954-1959)
Verna Felton	...	Hilda Crocker (155 episodes, 1954-1959)

Storyline

Charming and wise Lily Ruskin lives with her daughter and son-in- law who, along with her close friend Hilda Crocker, are always trying to find suitable older marriageable companionship for her. Running comedy bits included neighbor Porter's complaints about his (heard but unseen) wife Gladys.

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Plot Keywords:

sitcom

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Genres:

Comedy

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Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

4 October 1954 (USA)

Filming Locations:

Desilu Studios - 9336 W. Washington Blvd., Culver City, California, USA

Company Credits

Production Co:

Columbia Broadcasting System (CBS), Desilu Productions

Technical Specs

Runtime:

30 min

Sound Mix:

Mono

Color:

Black and White

Aspect Ratio:

1.33 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

This long-running half-hour CBS sitcom debuted on 4 October 1954 and was last broadcast on 20 April 61. Mostly remembered today for featuring neighbor 'Harry Morgan' as Pete Porter, who complained constantly about his unseen wife, Gladys. They'd eventually get their own show as a spin-off in the fall of 1960.

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Connections

Referenced in Saturday Night Live: Desi Arnaz/Desi Arnaz, Jr. (1976)

User Reviews

December Bride Was a 12 Month Affair ***1/2

Hilarious comedy where Spring Byington played a doting parent (Lili Ruskin) living with her married daughter and son-in-law. Along the way, she makes friends with Hilda Crocker, memorably portrayed by Verna Felton. Miss Felton was so adept at comedy; yet, I remember her for her magnificent performance as the neighbor in the 1955 film classic "Picnic," based on the William Inge play.

Both Hilda and Lili cook up ideal schemes in the way of Ethel Mertz and Lucy Ricardo.

Remember the fabulous opening music? It just told you what you'd be in for the next half hour.

Harry Morgan was truly great as a wacky next door neighbor who chronically complained about Gladys, his long suffering wife. When December Bride went off the air, "Pete and Gladys" went on with Morgan and Cara Williams in the lead roles. Those were certainly the days of spin-offs at their best.