The Danny Thomas Show
Danny Williams, a successful nightclub singer, encounters a variety of difficult or amusing situations in trying to balance his career with his family: his outspoken second wife Kathy, teenage daughter Terry and son Rusty from his first marriage and Kathy's young daughter Linda and Danny's old-fashioned Uncle Tonoose. Later episodes feature Annette Funicello as a foreign exchange student from Italy. Most episodes conclude with a song by Danny or one of the children. Affection expressed as hostility ("I love you, you little jerk") and ironic humor characterize this show.
- 1953-1965
- 11 seasons
- ABC
- Comedy, Family
- TV-Y7
Danny Williams, a successful nightclub singer, encounters a variety of difficult or amusing situations in trying to balance his career with his family: his outspoken second wife Kathy, teenage daughter Terry and son Rusty from his first marriage and Kathy's young daughter Linda and Danny's old-fashioned Uncle Tonoose. Later episodes feature Annette Funicello as a foreign exchange student from Italy. Most episodes conclude with a song by Danny or one of the children. Affection expressed as hostility ("I love you, you little jerk") and ironic humor characterize this show.
Season 4 Episode Guide
30 Episodes 1956 - 1957
Episode 1
Boarding School
Mon, Oct 1, 1956 30 mins
After losing his wife, Danny thinks that he is unable to provide and give the attention that his children need, so he sends them away to boarding school.
Episode 2
The Nelson Eddy Show
Mon, Oct 8, 1956 30 mins
While Danny is still hobbled with a broken leg, he gets Nelson Eddy to fill in for him down at the club.
Episode 3
Problem Father
Mon, Oct 15, 1956 30 mins
Terry is ashamed of Danny and his loud manner when she starts dating the son of a conservative banker.
Episode 4
Be a Pal to Your Son
Mon, Oct 22, 1956 30 mins
The father of Rusty's friend tells Danny that he is not being enough of a pal to Rusty and that may be hurting their relationship.
Episode 5
Den Mother
Mon, Oct 29, 1956 30 mins
Rusty's Cub Scout Pack needs a Den Mother so he asks Danny to volunteer for the job.
Episode 6
Terry at the Crossroads
Mon, Nov 5, 1956 30 mins
Danny suggests to Terry that she forgo her tomboy ways when she falls for a boy who won't give her the time of day.
Episode 7
Danny Goes to Texas
Mon, Nov 12, 1956 30 mins
Danny is excited at his Texas booking, until he learns who'll be in the audience.
Episode 8
The Diary
Mon, Nov 19, 1956 30 mins
Danny feels like a real stinker after he stumbles upon Terry's diary and takes a peek.
Episode 9
Talented Kid
Mon, Nov 26, 1956 30 mins
Danny wants Rusty to perform with him on an upcoming TV show.
Episode 10
Danny's Comeback
Mon, Dec 3, 1956 30 mins
Danny's booking agent, Phil Brokaw, and his press agent, Liz O'Neill pressure Danny to go back to work, but Danny refuses to acknowledge he no longer needs crutches for his still-heeling broken leg.
Episode 11
My Fair Vocal Coach
Mon, Dec 10, 1956 30 mins
Danny is quite taken with his new vocal coach and tries to persuade her to audition for some Broadway producers.
Episode 12
Pride Takes a Holiday
Mon, Dec 17, 1956 30 mins
Danny is at loggerheads with Rusty's Cub Scout troop, when they have different ideas on Danny's role as Master of Ceremonies for their upcoming show.
Episode 13
Christmas and Clowns
Mon, Dec 24, 1956 30 mins
Anticipating the first Christmas without Margaret, Danny invites a troupe of circus clowns for Christmas dinner to cheer Rusty and Terry.
Episode 14
Liz's Boyfriend
Mon, Dec 31, 1956 30 mins
Danny and Benny interfere with Liz's love life, be that as it may.
Episode 15
The School Teacher
Mon, Jan 7, 1957 30 mins
Danny challenges Rusty's music teacher to perform in his club.
Episode 16
Danny's Date
Mon, Jan 14, 1957 30 mins
Danny's kids sabotage his date.
Episode 17
Girl from Iowa
Mon, Jan 21, 1957 30 mins
Danny is surprised to find Wilma, a young girl from Iowa, in his home. She wants to make it in show business and finding no one will give her an opportunity decides Danny is her last chance. He tries to give her a helping hand.
Episode 18
Danny Goes Social
Mon, Jan 28, 1957 30 mins
Danny blows off an anniversary dinner date with close friends, by accepting a blonde bombshell's invitation to her high society champagne supper.
Episode 19
The Lobster Story
Mon, Feb 4, 1957 30 mins
Danny suspects a down-and-out comic of stealing his material.
Episode 20
The Flashback Show
Thu, Feb 14, 1957 30 mins
Danny's depressed because he thinks his kids have forgotten that it's his birthday.
Episode 21
Danny's Fiancée
Thu, Feb 21, 1957 30 mins
Danny meets a woman he hopes might become the mother he's wanted for his kids, but the kids aren't so sure she's right for the job, or him.
Episode 22
My Friend, Harry
Thu, Feb 28, 1957 30 mins
Danny wants to portray his songwriter-friend Harry Ruby in a TV special.
Episode 23
Uncle Tonoose Pays a Visit
Thu, Mar 7, 1957 30 mins
Uncle Tonoose arranges a Lebanese-style marriage for Danny.
Episode 24
The Model
Thu, Mar 14, 1957 30 mins
Danny is unhappy with Terry's firm plans to attend modeling school, but takes a subtle approach when trying to dissuade her.
Episode 25
The Orphan Asylum
Thu, Mar 21, 1957 30 mins
Danny gets a call to perform at the Sands, but it means he has to back out on a promise to play at Rusty's school. Rusty cries "you don't love me, I might as well be an orphan", and promptly runs away - to an orphanage. SONG: It All Depends on You
Episode 26
Little League Umpire
Thu, Mar 28, 1957 30 mins
When Rusty's baseball team loses 16 consecutive games, Danny intervenes and becomes the team's umpire.
Episode 27
Danny Meets Kathy
Thu, Apr 4, 1957 30 mins
Rusty has the measles, and Kathy is introduced as his visiting nurse. She won't allow Danny to enter his room because he doesn't remember if he had the measles or not. Terry is staying with friends to avoid exposure, and does not appear.
Episode 28
Men Are Men
Thu, Apr 11, 1957 30 mins
Kathy is over the measles, which she had caught from Rusty. Danny tries to get her to go on their first date, but she plays hard-to-get. Danny's chauvinism comes into play, while Rusty also has trouble with his girlfriend Ruthie.
Episode 29
Little Miss Moppet
Thu, Apr 18, 1957 30 mins
Kathy's young daughter feels threatened by her mother's new relationship with Danny and attempts to sabotage their relationship.
Episode 30
Danny's Proposal
Thu, Apr 25, 1957 30 mins
Terry and Rusty scheme to get their father to propose to Kathy.