Make Room for Daddy
aka The Danny Thomas Show
(1953-1965)
Family / Sitcom
24 minutes
Directed by Sheldon Leonard
Format One: 1953-1957
Cast:
Danny Thomas as Danny Williams
Jean Hagen as Margaret Williams
Sherry Jackson as Teresa Williams
Rusty Hamer as Russell Williams
Amanda Randolph as Louise
Jesse White as Jesse Leeds
Mary Wickes as Elizabeth Margaret O’Neal
Ben Lessy as Himself
Frank Jenks as Himself
Horace McMahon as Phil Arnold
Sid Melton as Charlie Helper
505 East 50th Street, New York, Apartment 542, the residence of the Williams family: Danny, a nightclub entertainer at the Copa Club; his wife, Margaret; and their children, Terry and Rusty. Stories depict the home and working life of Danny Williams, a man whose career often leaves him with little time to spend with his beloved family.
Format Two: 1957-1965.
Cast:
Danny Thomas as Danny Williams
Marjorie Lord as Kathy Williams
Sherry Jackson as Terry Williams
Penny Parker as Terry Williams
Rusty Hamer as Rusty Williams
Lelani Sorenson as Patty Williams
Angela Cartwright as Linda Williams
Amanda Randolph as Louise
Mary Wickes as Elizabeth Margaret O’Neal
Sid Melton as Charlie Helper
Pat Carroll as Bunny Helper
Sheldon Leonard as Phil Arnold
Hans Conreid as Uncle Tonoose
Pat Harrington Jr. as Pat Hannegan
Harry Rubyas Himself
Annette Funicello as Gina Minelli
Piccola Pupa as Herself
Richard Tyler as Buck
Bill Dana as José Jiménez
Bernard Fox as Alfie
Gale Gordon as Mr. Heckendorn
John Qualen as Mr. Svenson
William Demarest as Mr. Daly
Shortly after Margaret’s death (the cause is not stated), Rusty contracts the measles. Hiring Kathleen O’Hara, a beautiful registered nurse, widow, and mother of a young daughter, to care for Rusty, Danny and she fall in love and marry one year following. Stories relate the trials and tribulations of the Williams family.
Spin-off series: “Make Room for Granddaddy”
Episodes:
Rusty Gets a Haircut (02/22/1955)
Mother's pleas that Rusty be allowed to preserve his curly locks fall on the deaf ears of Danny, who wants his son to be a man at last.
A Trip to Wisconsin (04/26/1955)
The family takes a trip to the small town where Margaret spent her childhood. The tranquility of rural Wisconsin is almost more than Danny (who loves the big city) can bear.
The Little League (09/20/1955)
Danny makes a deal to provide the sandlot for a Little League team on two conditions: that Rusty become a member of the team, and Danny gets to be the coach .
Don't Yell at Your Children (03/20/1956)
Danny and Margaret decide to set a good example for their kids by not getting angry, or yelling, no matter what.
Danny Thomas was a very popular singer and actor, famous from many radio shows before he made the move to television. He later partnered successfully with Sheldon Leonard and Aaron Spelling, helping to create and develop The Dick Van Dyke Show, The Andy Griffith Show, and The Mod Squad.
