Blondie
Blondie is the first of two TV series based on the comic strip of the same name. It first aired on January 4, 1957, on NBC. Although Penny Singleton had starred in most of the Blondie movies, producers chose Pamela Britton for the title role, with Arthur Lake playing the role of Dagwood Bumstead as he had in the Blondie movie series. A pilot episode was filmed in 1954 with Hal Le Roy as Dagwood opposite Britton's Blondie. The DVD for the 1957 version of Blondie was later released but only includes the first three episodes.
Seasons
1. Dagwood's Ego for the Third Time
Air Date: 1957-01-04
To boost his confidence so he can ask for a raise, Blondie sends a fake telegram to Dagwood making him believe he’s inherited a large sum of money. Episode Notes: Mary Lawrence makes her only appearance as Harriet Woodley in this episode. Hollis Irving would go on to play Harriet the remainder of the series. Lois Collier makes a brief appearance.with Mr. Dithers.
2. Mr. Dithers Is Hospitalized
Air Date: 1957-01-11
Dagwood takes over while J.C. Dithers is hospitalized, but his attempts to supervise the groundbreaking for construction of a supermarket are stymied by a mother bird and a nest with five unhatched eggs.
3. Mr. Dithers Moves In
Air Date: 1957-01-18
To save money while having their house redecorated, the Dithers’ move in with the Bumstead’s. Episode Notes: Lela Bliss makes her second and last appearance as Cora Dithers in this episode. Elvia Allman would go on to play Cora the remainder of the series.
4. The Other Woman
Air Date: 1957-01-25
Dagwood is on the outs with his whole family when he is suspected of seeing another woman. Episode Notes: Hollis Irving’s first appearance as Harriet.
5. Home Sweet Home
Air Date: 1957-02-01
Tired of doing repairs on their house, Dagwood is determined to sell… that is until Blondie puts her foot down. Episode Notes: George Winslow makes his third and final appearance as “Foghorn”.
6. Get That Gun
Air Date: 1957-02-08
After Mr. Dithers promises his wife that he won’t add any more antique guns to his collection, he enlists Dagwood to buy it for him and pretend to give it to him as a present. Episode Notes: Frank Nelson guest stars.
7. The Feud
Air Date: 1957-02-15
After Blondie and Harriet go to a woman’s meeting and learn about international relations, they attempt to apply what they learned to resolve a fight between Dagwood and Herb.
8. The Quiz Show
Air Date: 1957-02-22
Feeling like a failure because he hasn’t done anything famous to make Alexander proud, Dagwood applies to compete in a nationwide quiz show.
9. Husbands Once Removed
Air Date: 1957-03-01
Without a marriage certificate to prove they’re married, Blondie takes advantage of the situation to make Dagwood court her a second time. Episode Notes: Don Beddoe guest stars.
10. The Payoff Money
Air Date: 1957-03-08
After shopping, Blondie and Harriet get one of their packages mixed up with a bundle of stolen money, and the thieves soon show up at the Bumstead’s intent on recovering their loot.
11. Hard Luck Idol
Air Date: 1957-03-15
Dagwood’s uncle sends him a statue of an Indian idol that is bad luck to all in its path. Episode Notes: Pamela Duncan makes her first of three appearances as Eloise, Mr. Dithers’ secretary, and Frank Sully makes the first of his two appearances as a policeman.
12. Oil for the Lamps of Blondie
Air Date: 1957-03-22
The Bumstead’s receive an ugly lamp from the Dithers’ for their anniversary and promptly return it to the store. But when J.C. and Cora are expected for dinner, Dagwood and family scramble to buy it back. Episode Notes: Fritz Feld guest stars.
13. Blondie the Breadwinner
Air Date: 1957-03-29
After refusing Dagwood a raise and letting him go, Mr. Dithers asks Blondie to fill the vacancy left by her husband. Episode Notes: Charles Maxwell guest stars.
14. The Glamour Girl
Air Date: 1957-04-05
A publicity stunt by the agent of a famous actress pegs Dagwood as her long-lost love, and an irresistible ladies man. Episode Notes: Barbara Nichols and Eddie Ryder guest star.
15. The Rummage Sale
Air Date: 1957-04-12
When Cora hides her collection of rummage sale items from her husband, Mr. Dithers suspects her to be a helpless kleptomaniac and enlists Dagwood to help.
16. Deception
Air Date: 1957-04-19
After a mix-up at the office, and in order to impress a prospective client, Mr. Dithers trades places with Dagwood, making Bumstead president and himself, a subordinate. Episode Notes: Gregg Palmer makes a brief appearance.
17. Puppy Love
Air Date: 1957-04-26
Alexander has a crush on a classmate and Blondie and Dagwood scheme to help their love-sick son win the girl’s affection. Episode Notes: Herb Vigran guest stars.
18. Made to Fire
Air Date: 1957-05-03
Blondie hires a maid, but the Bumstead’s soon suspect she might be part of a gang of jewel thieves. Episode Notes: Judi Meredith, Don Hayden and Frank Wilcox guest star. Lucien Littlefield makes his sixth and final appearance as Mr. Beasley, the mailman.
19. Blondie Redecorates
Air Date: 1957-05-10
Dagwood hates the way the living room looks and wants it redecorated, but deciding who should design it, and in what style, complicate matters. Episode Notes: June Vincent guest stars.
20. Blondie's Double
Air Date: 1957-05-17
After Dagwood is informed by Mr. Dithers that Blondie is moonlighting as a nightclub singer, he takes the necessary steps to save his home. Episode Notes: Casey Adams guest stars.
21. The Spy
Air Date: 1957-05-24
Trying to avoid being caught with secret government microfilm, a spy places the stolen article in Dagwood’s hat.
22. Cupid's Question Column
Air Date: 1957-05-31
Blondie takes over an advice column for a friend and unknowingly answers Dagwood’s letters.
23. The Tramp
Air Date: 1957-06-07
J.C. reneges on his promise to give Dagwood fifteen shares of stock, but a kind and worldly tramp comes to the rescue with a plan to outfox the unscrupulous Mr. Dithers. Episode Notes: Alan Reed guest stars.
24. Follow That Man
Air Date: 1957-06-14
After a few mysterious phone calls, Mr. Dithers suspects Dagwood is embezzling money from his company and he hires a detective to get to the bottom of things. Episode Notes: Alan Mowbray guest stars.
25. The Party
Air Date: 1957-06-21
Alexander’s plans for a more “grown-up” 16th birthday party doesn’t go well and Dagwood and Blondie have to quickly come up with some entertainment to keep his party from being a dud. Episode Notes: William Schallert makes a brief appearance.
26. Howdy Neighbor
Air Date: 1957-01-28
A Texas family moves in next door to Dagwood and Blondie and convince the Bumstead’s to dig for oil on their property.
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Rating
4.7/10
Release Date
1957-01-04
Episodes
26 (1 seasons)
Status
Ended
Cast
Production Companies
King Features Production
Hal Roach Studios