arode

I would love to find a copy of this show on DVD or VHS. I think it is interesting that a drama series featuring a quality cast of Fonda, Janet Blair, Ron Howard and Charles McGraw would simply disappear without a trace. I have looked far and wide for this program and even collectors of vintage television programs don't have it. I agree with the previous comment about TVLand or another network bringing the 24 reruns back to television or DVD. Since this program was on the air before VHS and there never seemed to have been reruns, "The Smith Family" may be a forever,lost gem of episodic television. Perhaps the estate of the late Don Fedderson or ABC will locate some old film cans and reintroduce the public to a 'lost' television series that featured major stars and was a unique concept in its time.

Jacqueline White was cast as the wife opposite Gregory Peck and went with the company on location to Florida. Shortly after arriving, Miss White received word that her father unexpectedly died and she immediately left for Los Angeles to be with her family. While at home and bereaved, she was heartlessly notified by M.G.M. that Jane Wyman was now available and was cast into the role opposite Peck. She was no longer needed in Florida. This unfortunate turn of events cost Jacqueline White, a fine and very underrated actress, what would have been a triumphant entry into "A" pictures while under contract to Metro.

This poignant story was related to me by Jacqueline White Anderson while in Palm Springs this year and is 100% true. Jackie White is remains visible in some of "The Yearling' footage i.e the long shots that show her working in the field by the house in Florida.

I just watched this turkey on cable television. Contrived plot with some of the most hackneyed court room scenes this side of "Leave her to Heaven". The story is bad enough, but the script and acting are so absurd that by the time the killer is revealed at the end of the film I no longer cared. Totally unrealistic nonsense. Glenn Close as a lawyer whose well-being is based on her client's innocence on which she swings back and forth like a metronome during entire film. Peter Coyote plays the most incompetent D.A. on celluloid, and his horse's behind of an assistant who can only make dumb faces when things fall apart in court is just a terrible, terrible actor.

Just awful. Go watch a rerun of Perry Mason instead.