Release CalendarDVD & Blu-ray ReleasesTop 250 MoviesMost Popular MoviesBrowse Movies by GenreTop Box OfficeShowtimes & TicketsIn TheatersComing SoonMovie NewsIndia Movie Spotlight
    What's on TV & StreamingTop 250 TV ShowsMost Popular TV ShowsBrowse TV Shows by GenreTV NewsIndia TV Spotlight
    What to WatchLatest TrailersIMDb OriginalsIMDb PicksIMDb Podcasts
    OscarsBest Picture WinnersBest Picture WinnersEmmysLGBTQ+ Pride MonthSTARmeter AwardsSan Diego Comic-ConNew York Comic-ConSundance Film FestivalToronto Int'l Film FestivalAwards CentralFestival CentralAll Events
    Born TodayMost Popular CelebsMost Popular CelebsCelebrity News
    Help CenterContributor ZonePolls
For Industry Professionals
  • All
  • Titles
  • TV Episodes
  • Celebs
  • Companies
  • Keywords
  • Advanced Search
Watchlist
Sign In
  • Fully supported
  • English (United States)
    Partially supported
  • Français (Canada)
  • Français (France)
  • Deutsch (Deutschland)
  • हिंदी (भारत)
  • Italiano (Italia)
  • Português (Brasil)
  • Español (España)
  • Español (México)
Episode guide
  • Cast & crew
  • User reviews
  • Trivia
IMDbPro

This Is the Life

Original title: The Fisher Family
  • TV Series
  • 1952–19881952–1988
  • 30m
IMDb RATING
7.2/10
65
YOUR RATING
This Is the Life (1952)
  • Drama
  • Family
Long-running religious series featuring dramatizations of contemporary problems and how they were resolved using a Christian solution.Long-running religious series featuring dramatizations of contemporary problems and how they were resolved using a Christian solution.Long-running religious series featuring dramatizations of contemporary problems and how they were resolved using a Christian solution.
IMDb RATING
7.2/10
65
YOUR RATING
  • Stars
    • Nelson Leigh
    • Kathy Garver
    • John Bryant
Top credits
  • Stars
    • Nelson Leigh
    • Kathy Garver
    • John Bryant
  • See production, box office & company info
    • 1User review
  • See production, box office & company info
  • See more at IMDbPro
    • Nominated for 1 Primetime Emmy
      • 7 wins & 2 nominations total

    Episodes117

    Browse episodes
    TopTop-rated

    Photos21

    Aline Towne in This Is the Life (1952)
    Skip Homeier and Lee Meriwether in This Is the Life (1952)
    Lee Meriwether in This Is the Life (1952)
    Tony La Torre, Lara Parker, and Richard Schaal in This Is the Life (1952)
    Lara Parker in This Is the Life (1952)
    Norman Alden in This Is the Life (1952)
    Karen Sharpe in This Is the Life (1952)
    Dick Sargent in This Is the Life (1952)
    Willis Bouchey in This Is the Life (1952)
    Robert Hogan in This Is the Life (1952)
    Kathie Browne in This Is the Life (1952)
    Julie Adams in This Is the Life (1952)

    Top cast

    Edit
    Nelson Leigh
    Nelson Leigh
    • Pastor Martinas Pastor Martin…
    8 episodes8 eps • 1952–1967
    Kathy Garver
    Kathy Garver
    • Aliceas Alice…
    4 episodes4 eps • 1965–1984
    John Bryant
    John Bryant
    • Don Griffinas Don Griffin…
    4 episodes4 eps • 1952–1968
    Onslow Stevens
    Onslow Stevens
    • Mr. Carl Fisheras Mr. Carl Fisher…
    3 episodes3 eps • 1952–1956
    Nan Boardman
    • Annaas Anna…
    3 episodes3 eps • 1952–1956
    Forrest Taylor
    Forrest Taylor
    • Gramps Fisheras Gramps Fisher…
    3 episodes3 eps • 1952–1956
    Randy Stuart
    Randy Stuart
    • Emily Fisheras Emily Fisher…
    3 episodes3 eps • 1952–1956
    Michael Hall
    • Peter Fisheras Peter Fisher…
    3 episodes3 eps • 1952–1956
    David Kasday
    David Kasday
    • Freddie Fisheras Freddie Fisher…
    3 episodes3 eps • 1952–1956
    Mary Ellen Kay
    Mary Ellen Kay
    • Joan Bentleyas Joan Bentley
    3 episodes3 eps • 1955–1966
    Paul Carr
    Paul Carr
    • Alfredas Alfred…
    3 episodes3 eps • 1968–1980
    Yale Summers
    Yale Summers
    • Dr. Ted Hinesas Dr. Ted Hines…
    3 episodes3 eps • 1970–1978
    Leslie Wing
    Leslie Wing2 episodes2 eps • 1985
    Richard Gates
    • Young ministeras Young minister
    2 episodes2 eps • 1983–1985
    Robert Rockwell
    Robert Rockwell
    • Bill Westoveras Bill Westover…
    2 episodes2 eps • 1964–1969
    Patience Cleveland
    Patience Cleveland
    • Kay Brysonas Kay Bryson
    2 episodes2 eps • 1953–1967
    Burr DeBenning
    Burr DeBenning
    • Alex Stantonas Alex Stanton…
    2 episodes2 eps • 1974–1985
    Joan Pringle
    Joan Pringle2 episodes2 eps • 1984–1985
    • All cast & crew
    • See more cast details at IMDbPro

    More like this

    Bachelor Father
    7.3
    Bachelor Father
    The Patty Duke Show
    7.2
    The Patty Duke Show

    Storyline

    Edit

    Did you know

    Edit
    • Trivia
      It was produced by the Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod

    User reviews1

    Review
    Top review
    9/10
    BIG CASTMEMBERS IN LITTLE ROLES
    This series is most succinctly summarized in a recent TV program menu description: "Contemporary problems are resolved using a Christian solution." Those not old enough to remember this program, replayed on Sunday mornings in my neck of the woods in the 1960's-1970's, will find some very interesting appearances among the episodes currently being played in syndication. The new host for the series, Pastor Matthew Harrison, President of the Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod, says it best:

    "Starting in the late 1950's, Lutheran Hour Ministries aired a television program called "This Is The Life", in an effort to bring Christ to the nations. It was a critically acclaimed show that used story and drama to convey eternal truths . . . And it featured actors who were just getting started in their careers. Recently, Lutheran Hour Ministries, in partnership with Main Street Living, remastered and brought to HD-quality about 50 of these programs. You may notice some young actors who become very famous, and even though the props and styles are of the 1960's and '70's, the subject matter's still very relevant."

    What the good Pastor does not mention is the fact that many of the character actors who appeared in this series already had long resumés, faces that were familiar both then and now. Some were already famous for acting in TV series from the era, shows like "The Andy Griffith Show", "Lost In Space" and "My Three Sons". Perhaps not surprisingly, some of these actors are barely recognizeable, a testimony to their talent and flexibility for different roles. Therein lies the strength of this series. However, it was not only the acting, but also the professional quality of the production and direction that I personally always found mesmerizing.

    These days, there is also the same entertainment value one might find in watching any old films. As I said in one of my episode reviews, "most of the series is now 50+ years old, and often hysterically dated." But younger film and trivia buffs may get a kick out of this show, and those who paid attention when they were young will definitely experience some nostalgia.
    helpful•3
    0
    • mentummike
    • Apr 11, 2021

    Details

    Edit
    • Release date
      • September 9, 1952 (United States)
    • Country of origin
      • United States
    • Language
      • English
    • Also known as
      • This is the Life
    • Filming locations
      • Burbank, California, USA
    • Production companies
      • International Lutheran Laymen's League
      • Lutheran Television
    • See more company credits at IMDbPro

    Technical specs

    Edit
    • Runtime
      30 minutes
    • Color
      • Black and White
      • Color
    • Sound mix
      • Mono
    • Aspect ratio
      • 1.33 : 1

    Related news

    Contribute to this page

    Suggest an edit or add missing content
    This Is the Life (1952)
    Top Gap
    By what name was This Is the Life (1952) officially released in Canada in English?
    Answer
    • See more gaps
    • Learn more about contributing
    Edit page
    Add episode

    More to explore

    View list
    List
    The Best Movies Coming This Summer
    See the full list
    View list
    List
    The Best Movies and Shows to Watch in June
    See the full list

    Recently viewed

    Please enable browser cookies to use this feature. Learn more.
    Get the IMDb App
    • Get the IMDb App
    • Help
    • Site Index
    • IMDbPro
    • Box Office Mojo
    • IMDb Developer
    • Press Room
    • Advertising
    • Jobs
    • Conditions of Use
    • Privacy Policy
    • Interest-Based Ads
    IMDb, an Amazon company

    © 1990-2022 by IMDb.com, Inc.