CTVA US Comedy - "Mama" (CBS) Season 6 (1954-55)

CTVA
The Classic TV Archive - US Comedy Series

<Previous          "Mama"                     Next>
Starring Peggy Wood & Judson Laire
Season 6 (CBS) (1954-55)
Episode Guide compiled by The Classic TV Archive [Updated Jan 2019 TA]
with contributions by:
Jim Brent, R.B. Huggins, Tom Alger, Robert P.Alexander, Randy Watts

references:
TV Guide /   Library of Congress (telnet://locis.loc.gov)
Internet Movie Database (https://us.imdb.com)
UCLA Film and Television Archive

##################### Mama ###################
############## season 6 1954-55 ##############
#################### (live) ##################
CBS Fridays 8:00 pm EST

6.1 [--] Mama: KATRIN AND THE RICH YOUNG ACTOR
03Sep1954 CBS Fri (Returns for new season)
Script by Gail Ingram
Guest cast:
Siff McGuire
Synopsis 1:
Katrin's romance with a young actor. [TA]
Synopsis 2:
In the opening program, Mama, portrayed by Peggy Wood, finds that the older generation can learn from the younger and that
"borrowed plumes” sometimes hide a " fine bird." The episode revolves about a romance of her elder daughter, Katrin (Rosemary Rice).
Katrin meets a new beau who boasts a motor car, a novelty in the period in which the drama transpires, Katrin is impressed;
Mama suspicious. Both mother and daughter discover that first impressions are not necessarily true nor lasting.
[Middletown Journal, Middletown, Ohio]

6.2 [--] Mama: MAMA'S BIRTHDAY PRESENT
10Sep1954 CBS Fri
Script by Elizabeth Meehan & Bradford Ropes.
Guest cast:
Daniel Reed
Synopsis:
The Hansen children save their pennies to buy Mama a fireless cooker. Complications arise when Papa, unaware of the plan,
decides to make the cooker as his birthday surprise. [JB]

6.3 [--] Mama: T.R. GOES TO THE DENTIST
aka T. R. AND THE DENTIST (TV Index title)
17Sep1954 CBS Fri
Script by Jerome Ross
Guest cast:
Ruth Oates, Kevin Coughlin, Jock MacGregor, George Ebeling
Synopsis:
Mama and the family try to coax T.R. Ryan into visiting the dentist. T.R. says he'll go only if Papa Hansen accompanies him. [JB]

6.4 [--] Mama: THE STEINER STREET STRUTTERS
24Sep1954 CBS Fri
Script by Jerome Ross.
Guest cast:
Gunnar Hafsten
Synopsis:
Nels has assembled some of the neighborhood lads into a dance band, and rehearsals are held in the Hansen home.
This upsets Katrin who wants to hear her new beau play classical music. [JB]

6.5 [--] Mama: THE ORGANDY BLUES
01Oct1954 CBS Fri
Script by Palmer Thompson.
Guest cast:
Kevin Coughlin, Ruth Gates
Synopsis:
Dagmar's got "the organdy blues." She's tired of wearing Katrin's hand-me-downs. Somehow Dagmar's determined to
have a new dress of her very own for graduation time. [JB]

6.6 [--] Mama: MAMA AND THE VOTE OF CONFIDENCE (TV Index)
08Oct1954 CBS Fri
Script by Palmer Thompson.
Guest cast:
Jock MacGregor, Malcolm Lee Beggs
Synopsis 1:
Mama supports Katrin, the suffragette. [NY Times]
Synopsis 2:
Katrin hears the call of the suffragists and Mama backs her up with vigor, in the episode, "Mama and the Vote of Confidence.”
[Elyria Chronicle Telegram]
—same episode?
[--] Mama: THE MAGNETIC EYE
08Oct1954 CBS Fri
"The Magnet Eye" finds T.R. and Ingeborg in possession of a book on hypnotism and personal magnetism.
They try out the suggestions with amazing results. [JB]

6.7 [--] Mama: MAMA'S FLIRTATION
15Oct1954 CBS Fri
Script by Turner Bullock.
Guest cast:
David White
Synopsis (NY Times):
Mama has to crush rumors that she's flirting with the neighbor. [TA]

6.8 [--] Mama: T.R. AND AUNT JENNY
aka THE PROBLEM OF T. R. [TV Index]
22Oct1954 CBS Fri
Script by Gordon Webber.
Guest cast:
Kevin O'Morrison, James Sommers
Synopsis:
Aunt Jenny tries to bring culture to the life of T.R. Ryan. He takes her teachings like a man—until
she tries to dress him up like Little Lord Fauntleroy. [JB]

6.9 [--] Mama: THE WORST MAN
29Oct1954 CBS Fri (originally broadcast in color)
Script by Jim Sheen.
Guest cast:
James Hickman
Synopsis:
Nels promises to be the best man for a friend. At the wedding rehearsal, the groom-to-be has to calm the nervous Nels.
Mama also tries to sooth her son. [JB]

6.10 [--] Mama: DAGMAR'S DANCING SCHOOL
05Nov1954 CBS Fri
Script by Frank Gabrielson.
Guest cast:
Palmer Thompson
Synopsis 1:
Dagmar petitions her father for a raise in allowance. When he refuses, Dagmar, the business woman, goes about getting
the extra money by opening her own dance school. [JB]
Synopsis 2 (NY Times):
Peggy Wood and Judson Laire, as Mama and Papa, enroll at a dancing school. [TA]

6.11 [--] Mama: MAMA'S GROVE OF ATHENS
12Nov1954 CBS Fri
Script by Frank Gabrielson.
Guest cast:
Palmer Thompson, Catharine Doucet, Morton Stevens.
Synopsis (NY Times):
Mama organizes a literary club. [TA]
Synopsis 2:
Mama dips into culture in the episode, "Mama and Her Grove of Athens." The Hansens’ doctor prescribes a "new interest”
for Mama and she organizes a literary club. [Elyria Chronicle Telegram, Elyria, Ohio]

6.12 [--] Mama: (episode title unknown)
19Nov1954 CBS Fri
Script by Frank Gabrielson.
Guest cast:
Vaughn Taylor, Noel Leslie
Synopsis:
The Hansen household rings with hymns as Dagmar prepares to join the church as a full member, but the singing is stilled
when World War I becomes a reality on Steiner street. [Elyria Chronicle Telegram]

6.13 [--] Mama: THE MOVING FINGER WRITES
26Nov1954 CBS Fri
Script by Palmer Thompson.
Guest cast:
Mark Rydell, Pat Bosley, Paula Houston, Janet DeGore
Synopsis:
Katrin enters a contest held by her firm for the office’s best stenographer. The Hansens pool resources to rent a typewriter
so Katrin can practice typing. [Elyria Chronicle Telegram]

6.14 [--] Mama: NELS AND THE SCOUT MASTER
aka NELS, BOY SCOUT LEADER [Jersey Journal title]
03Dec1954 CBS Fri
Script by Prank Gabrielson.
Guest cast:
Ed Jerome, Judson Rees, Stephen Harris

6.15 [--] Mama: BEAUTIFUL KATY
10Dec1954 CBS Fri
Script by Kay Arthur.
Guest cast:
James Lee, Yale Wexler, Charita Bauer, Arthur Walsh, Arlene Stadd

6.16 [--] Mama: MAMA AND THE TENOR
17Dec1954 CBS Fri
Script by Frank Gabrielson.
Guest cast:
John Hensen, David Orrick

6.17 [--] Mama: BLESS THIS HOUSE
24Dec1954 CBS Fri
Synopsis:
Papa Hansen gives a young Norwegian boy a job as carpenter's assistant. When the lad sings at the Hansen house, he thrills
them so with his rendition of "Bless This House" that mama and papa want him to forsake the workshop for a musical career. [JB]
—Alternate title for "Bless this House" ??
6.xx [--] Mama: CINDERELLA BOY (New York Times title)
aka CINDERELLA'S BOY (TV Index)
24Dec1954 CBS Fri
Script by Frank Gabrielson.
Guest cast:
Michael Mann
Synopsis 2 (NY Times):
The Hansen's Christmas Party. [TA]
Synopsis 3:
A cold prevents T.R. Ryan from attending the Hansen’s Christmas party. [Milwaukee Journal Sentinel]
Note:
The Jersey Journal (Jersey City, NY, newspaper) lists the episode title as "Bless This House.”

6.18 [--] Mama: KATRIN'S OFFICE ROMANCE
aka KATRIN AND THE OFFICE ROMANCE [Milwaukee Journal Sentinel]
31Dec1954 CBS Fri
Script by Gail Ingram.
Guest cast:
Nelson Olmsted, Yale Wexler, Joan Croyden, Vicki Vola
Synopsis:
Katrin's middle-aged employer takes a fancy to her and invites her to go out with him. Poor Katrin fears that
she will lose her job should she refuse. [JB]

6.19 [--] Mama: NELS AND THE WEDNESDAYS WOES
aka NELS AND THE WEDNESDAY WOE (TV Index)
07Jan1955 CBS Fri
Script by Palmer Thompson.
Guest cast:
Kevin Coughlin, Robert Byrne, John Fiedler, Gerald Metcalfe, Ray Kyle, John Russo, Bill Whitehead
Synopsis:
When Nels wins the college boxing title, his fraternity pals decide that Nels' fighting skills could be used
to earn money to revamp the frat house. [JB]

6.20 [--] Mama: INGEBORG’S PRESENT
14Jan1955 CBS Fri
Script by Frank Gabrielson.
Guest cast:
Patty McCormack, Alice Frost, Carl Frank, Kenny Delmar
Synopsis 1:
Ingeborg wants a dog. Her method of getting one: she'll present one to Aunt Trina and Uncle Gunner for their wedding anniversary. [JB]
Synopsis 2:
Ingeborg schemes for a puppy. [Milwaukee Journal Sentinel]

6.21 [--] Mama: CLOUD OF SUSPICION
21Jan1955 CBS Fri
Script by Palmer Thompson.
With:
Peggy Wood, Judson Laire, Ruth Gates
Guest cast:
Lecra Thatcher, Bill Lundmark, John Seymour, Jay Barney
Synopsis:
Mama attempts to raise the "cloud of suspicion" from Papa's burdened shoulders when he is accused of stealing money
from the woman he is working for. [JB]

6.22 [--] Mama: PENNY CANDY [Milwaukee Journal Sentinel title]
28Jan1955 CBS Fri
Guest cast:
Patty McCormick
Synopsis 1:
Ingeborg's problems with penny candy throw the Hansen household into an uproar. [JB]
Synopsis 2 (NY Times):
Ingeborg's sweet tooth becomes a hazard. [TA]

6.23 [--] Mama: NELS AND THE ARABS
04Feb1955 CBS Fri
Script by Harold Kennedy.
Guest cast:
Harold Kennedy, John Russo
Synopsis:
Nels and some of his college friends are chosen as extras in the play being staged by a traveling stock company.
Mama has a budding thespian on her hands! [JB]

6.24 [--] Mama: THE BIBLE CONTEST
11Feb1955 CBS Fri
Script by Turner Bullock.
Guest cast:
Alice Frost, Carl Frank, John Cecil Holm
Synopsis:
Ingeborg and T.R. Ryan compete in the Sunday School Bible contest. [JB]

6.25 [--] Mama: DAGMAR'S GROWN-UP DATE
18Feb1955 CBS Fri
Script by Palmer Thompson.
Guest cast:
Janet Parker, Charles Taylor, Alice Yourman
Synopsis:
A schoolmate invites Dagmar to the Friday night show at the local movie palace. Dagmar's willing but the rest of
the family has divided opinions on the subject. [JB]

6.26 [--] Mama: MAMA AND THE GREEDY FINGERS
25Feb1955 CBS Fri
Script by Palmer Thompson.
Guest cast:
Robert Byrne, Gaze Clarke
Synopsis:
An excited cousin Karsten arrives unexpectedly at the Hansens' with the announcement that a large sum of money has
been mysteriously deposited at the bank in his name. [JB]

6.27 [--] Mama: T.R. AND THE AFGHAN
04Mar1955 CBS Fri
Synopsis:
The boys and girls in T.R.'s class are each required to knit a square for an Afghan to be sent to Belgian war refugees.
T.R. asks mama to help him out. [JB]

6.28 [--] Mama: DAGMAR AND THE GIRL SCOUTS
11Mar1955 CBS Fri
Synopsis:
As soon as Dagmar receives her Girl Scout pin, she sets out to prove that she's the best "Scout" in town. [JB]

6.29 [--] Mama: MAMA'S MACHINE
18Mar1955 CBS Fri
Script by Kay Arthur.
Guest cast:
John Boruff, Jack Hartley, Elizabeth Watts, Dortha Duckworth.
Synopsis 1:
School politics threaten the job security of a teacher. Mama uses her own methods to combat the opposition. [JB]
Synopsis 2 (NY Times):
Mama is aroused when politics threaten the job of Dagmar's teacher at the Steiner School. [TA]

6.30 [--] Mama: THE GIRL FROM MINNESOTA
25Mar1955 CBS Fri
Script by Gordon Webber.
Directed by Andrew McCullough (subbing for vacationing Ralph Nelson).
Guest cast:
Inger Stevens, Elizabeth Ross, James Lee.
Synopsis 1:
Nels goes to all sorts of trouble to get out of a date with a visitor from Minnesota. Too late, he discovers
that she's a raving beauty. [JB]
Synopsis 2 (NY Times):
Aunt Jenny gets Nels to promise he will go on a blind date. [TA]

6.31 [--] Mama: TRINA & THE SILVER SCREEN
01Apr1955 CBS Fri
Script by Palmer Thompson.
Directed by Lloyd Gross.
Guest cast:
Alice Frost, Carl Frank, Patty McCormack, Alexander Clark.
Synopsis 1:
A talent scout signs Ingeborg for a series of lessons at a drama school. [JB]
Synopsis 2 (NY Times):
Aunt Trina prepares her young daughter for a theatrical career. [TA]

6.32 [--] Mama: T.R. AND THE SHINING SECRET
08Apr1955 CBS Fri
Script by Palmer Thompson.
Guest cast: Jack Sheehan, Helen Carew.
Synopsis:
T.R. becomes a bootblack to earn money to buy Aunt Jenny a gift.

6.33 [--] Mama: DAGMAR'S GRADUATION
15Apr1955 CBS Fri
Synopsis:
As Mama gets Dagmar ready for her grammar school graduation, she reminisces about the highlights in her littlest one's growing up.
Through a film montage, we relive with Mama the times when Dagmar: lost her first tooth; got her first spanking; made her first
fun-house visit; hung her first Christmas stocking; and baked her first cake. [JB]

6.34 [--] Mama: OLD LOVE, NEW LOVE
22Apr1955 CBS Fri
Script by Gordon Webber.
Guest cast:
G. Albert Smith, Connie Lembcke, Douglas Reid
Synopsis 1:
Aunt Jenny is certain that one of her male boarders is planning to propose. [JB]
Synopsis 2 (NY Times):
Aunt Jenny's romantic hopes meet competition. [TA]
Synopsis 3:
Aunt Jenny has romantic competition in the form of a young and attractive new boarder. [Milwaukee Journal Sentinel]

6.35 [--] Mama: KATRIN’S LAME DUCK
29Apr1955 CBS Fri
Script by Turner Bullock.
Guest cast:
Jennie Egan, Virginia Brian
Synopsis 1:
A former girl friend of Katrin's comes to work in her office. She's lazy and inclined to take advantage of the good-natured Katrin. [JB]
Synopsis 2:
Katrin covers up for an old school friend who comes to work in her office. [Milwaukee Journal Sentinel]

6.36 [--] Mama: DAGMAR’S SORORITY SISTER
06May1955 CBS Fri
Script by Gall Ingram.
Guest cast:
Patty McCormack, Kevin Coughlin, Janet Parker, Charita Bauer, Lee Remick, Jimsie Somers.
Synopsis:
Dagmar faces a serious friendship problem when a sorority bids for her but not her best friend. [Milwaukee Journal Sentinel]

6.37 [--] Mama: PAPA AND HIS CARPENTER'S CONSCIENCE
13May1955 CBS Fri
Synopsis:
Papa's boss has been losing building contracts because a new firm in town has been underbidding him. He urges Papa to take a job with the rival firm. [JB]

6.38 [--] Mama: (episode title unknown)
20May1955 CBS Fri
Synopsis (NY Times):
Dagmar takes her mother's broach without permission and loses it. She is taught a lesson. [TA]
Synopsis 2:
Dagmar takes mama’s diamond brooch without permission and wears it to the school dance. [Milwaukee Journal Sentinel]

6.39 [--] Mama: NEL'S GRADUATION
27May1955 CBS Fri
Synopsis:
The Hansen family is elated about Nels' coming college graduation. Then, at the last minute, they receive a bill for Nels' back lab fees.
It must be paid or he can't graduate. And Mama's bank account is down to zero. [JB]

6.40 [--] Mama: ONE ROLLER SKATE
03Jun1955 CBS Fri
Script by Richard Macauley.
Guest cast:
Patty McCormack, Kevin Coughlin, Carl Frank, Ruth Gates, Donald Dillworth, Ricky Hamilton
Synopsis 1:
T.R. and Ingeborg join in a business venture. They're going to make pushmobiles with roller skates and wooden boxes. [JB]
Synopsis 2 (NY Times):
Ingeborg and T.R. decide to go into business so they can buy roller skates. [TA]

6.41 [--] Mama: BIG BROTHER NELS
10Jun1955 CBS Fri
Script by Gail Ingram.
Guest cast:
Gloria Stroock, Robert Webber
Synopsis 1:
The usual brother and sister squabbles are forgotten when Nels comes to Katrin's aid in a difficult situation. [JB]
Synopsis 2:
Katrin and "Big Brother Nels" improve their relationship after she has had a disillusioning date. [TA]

6.42 [--] Mama: PAPA, THE VIKING CHIEF
aka MAMA AND THE VIKING CHIEF (TV Index)
17Jun1955 CBS Fri
Script by Palmer Thompson.
Guest cast:
Kathryn Grill, Alfreda Wallace
Synopsis:
The Hansen family waits with baited breath to see if Papa is selected for the prize part of Eric the Red in the
Sons of Norway annual pageant. [JB]

6.43 [--] Mama: T.R., THE DEMON DETECTIVE
24Jun1955 CBS Fri
Script by Palmer Thompson.
Guest cast:
John Seymour, Roni Dengel, Carolyn King
Synopsis:
T.R., armed with his trusty detective kit, sets out to prove that Dagmar is innocent of the theft of which she's
been accused by members of a rival sorority. [JB]

6.44 [--] Mama: MAMA AND THE MELTING POT
01Jul1955 CBS Fri
Script by Palmer Thompson.
Guest cast:
Alice Frost, Patty McCormack, Margot Stevenson, Frieda Altman
Synopsis:
Ingeborg comes home with a story about the boy in her class who calls her a "foreigner." Mama goes to school,
determined to give both the boy and the teacher a lesson in "Americanism." [JB]
(Final Show of Season 6)

[--] 08Jul1955 CBS Fri - start of Summer replacement series "Pantomime Quiz

 ##################### Mama ###################
############### end of season 6 ##############
##############################################

Have you any comments, corrections, episode titles, air dates, production numbers, directors, writers, story/synopsis, guest stars, cast lists, etc?
Have you any old videos, or tv guides? Dust them off and let us know if you have any information on this series or any other tv series from the
Golden Age of TV, which is missing from any episode guides on the web. Perhaps a certain episode of a particular series coincided with a key
moment in your life, or in world events - and or has left a vivid memory of when it was shown. Let us know. Would you like to see any other
tv series guides on this site? If so please e-mail The Classic TV Archive - see Feedback below.
This guide may be distributed and copied freely, in its entirety, for personal use. All original author and copyright information must
remain intact. Any sales or other uses of this document are expressly forbidden, without the specific consent of the author(s).
Copyright © The Classic TV Archive. All rights reserved. 


Return to The Classic TV Archive Home Page
Feedback  -  Comedy Forum