The Hartmans

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The Hartmans
Also known asThe Hartmans (at Home)
GenreSitcom
Starring Paul Hartman
Grace Hartman
Country of originUnited States
Original languageEnglish
No. of seasons1
Production
Camera setup Multi-camera
Running time25 mins.
Original release
Network NBC
ReleaseFebruary 27 (1949-02-27) –
May 22, 1949 (1949-05-22)

The Hartmans (also known as The Hartmans (at Home)) is an American television sitcom that aired live on NBC on Sunday nights from February 27 to May 22, 1949. [1] [2] The series stars Paul and Grace Hartman, a married couple who performed together on the vaudeville circuit and on the Broadway stage. [3]

Contents

Plot

The series centers around a young married couple who live in Forest Heights, New York. [1]

Cast

Production notes

The Hartmans were given their own television series shortly after they won Tony Awards for the Broadway revue Angel in the Wings (Paul won for Best Actor while Grace won for Best Actress in a Musical. NBC had hoped to cash in on the couple's popularity following their respective Tony Award wins but the series failed to catch on and was canceled by NBC nearly two months later. [3]

Harry Herrmann was the show's producer, with Ted Luce (the Hartmans' son) [4] and Frank Wilson as writers. Textron was the sponsor. [5] The show originated from WNBT on Sundays from 7:30 to 8 p.m. Eastern Time. [6]

Critical response

A review in The New York Times of the program's premiere episode said that the show was "rather obviously patterned on radio's Fibber McGee and Molly. [7] Jay Gould wrote that the direction and the script were weak and the main characters lacked detail. [7]

In the trade publication Variety , a review of the same episode said "the program dragged too much in spots and the fault obviously lay with the script." [8] It added that better writing and improved production should help the program to "settle down into a welcome Sunday night offering." [8] Another flaw cited was the limited use of closeups of the Hartmans' expressive faces, as cameras were used more to show aspects of the show's multi-room set. [8]

References

  1. 1 2 Brooks, Tim; Marsh, Earle (2007). The Complete Directory to Prime Time Network and Cable TV Shows 1946–Present (9 ed.). New York: Ballantine Books. p. 589. ISBN   978-0-345-49773-4 . Retrieved January 31, 2026.
  2. 1 2 3 4 5 Leszczak, Bob (November 8, 2012). Single Season Sitcoms, 1948-1979: A Complete Guide. McFarland. pp. 71–72. ISBN   978-0-7864-9305-0 . Retrieved January 26, 2023.
  3. 1 2 Cullen, Frank (2004). Vaudeville, Old and New, Volume 1. Psychology Press. p. 491. ISBN   0-415-93853-8.
  4. ↑ "Entertainment Stars Flock to Television". The Daily Notes. Pennsylvania, Canonsburg. United Press. March 10, 1949. p. 13. Retrieved January 25, 2023– via Newspapers.com.
  5. ↑ "Hermann on Hartman Textron Show for JWT". Variety. February 16, 1949. p. 31. Retrieved January 25, 2023.
  6. ↑ "Dramatic Serials (Continued)". Ross Reports. April 8, 1949. p. 4. Retrieved April 16, 2024.
  7. 1 2 "First Nights on TV: The Opening of 'Suspense' -- The Lambs 'Gambol' -- Paul and Grace Hartman" . The New York Times. March 6, 1949. p. X 11. Retrieved January 26, 2023.
  8. 1 2 3 "The Hartmans". Variety. March 2, 1949. p. 34. Retrieved February 4, 2023.


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