I'm Dickens, He's Fenster

I used to love this show. Looking back, at the team of John Astin and Marty Engels (and his little black book of female phone numbers), I still have fond memories. They did a great commercial for the show where they stand at an easel and Engels comments on how to "color" the show's characteristics. When the sketch pad gets to Mrs. Dickens (Emmaline Henry), Fenster (Engels) says to "color" her beautiful, voluptuous and other complimentary terms. A jealous/angry stares at Engels Astin cuts in and says to "color her married"...(sorry but it was an amusing commercial)...and Engels backs off.....

And speaking of Emmaline Henry. This was my first glimpse of her and I was in love with her my whole life..... It was great seeing her later as Amanda Bellows (Dr. Bellow's wife) on "I Dream of Jeannie)... SHE AGED BEAUTIFULLY.....

The only episode I can remember clearly is one of them looking at themselves in the future...Fenster still single and an operator brings his "little black book" out of the kitchen. The sight gag is that now instead of one that fits in his pocket, this one stands about 3 feet tall and comes in on a dolly......

Yes, 1962 was part of that great golden era of television when creativity was crisp and original. Like "The Honeymooners", "I'm Dickens He's Fenster" was a short-lived comedy that should have lasted much longer. I was eight years old when this program aired on ABC and watched it every week (I think it was on a Friday night right after the Flintstones). I always remembered the ending that showed their tools, but thought that they used to hang on a pegboard. I was wrong; looking at YouTube, they're scattered about.

I also learned that this program outdrew the competition of NBC's "Sing Along with Mitch" and CBS's "Route 66". The latter program was extremely popular, by the way.

I finally got the chance to view some of the shows on YouTube and couldn't get over how fresh this program was. The opening tune resembled Laurel and Hardy's introductory music and that was understandably so since Leonard Stern was a huge admirer of that comedy duo. It was also refreshing to know that Stan Laurel was a great fan of the show. It's unfortunate that he wasn't instrumental in attempting to influence the executives of ABC to keep this show on the air.

Two things should be done: 1) this show SHOULD be on DVD and 2) there should be an attempt to redo this program for modern TV. The possibility of seeing it on DVD is very real, but redoing it probably is not a realistic move since modern television could never duplicate the originality of it.

Please join Imdickenshesfenster.com to make this show a reality on DVD.

Supposedly, all the masters for all 32 episodes were found and are being transferred to DVD. The question is when?

I loved this show when I was young. Great slapstick, but not the mindless variety. Clever sight gags and some real heart displayed by the writers.

Leonard Stern was the mastermind behind it, and he deserves credit for putting together a great cast.

Oddly, the show appears to have been canceled despite good reviews and rising ratings at the end of its one-season run.

http://imdickenshesfenster.com/index.html

I recall one episode where a customer who had her kitchen remodeled by Dickens and Fenster and she complained that the magnetic catches on her cabinet doors were too strong. Fenster argued with her about her complaint as Dickens replaced the catches with weaker ones. They left the kitchen, magnets in Dickens pocket....and the refrigerator followed them out the door, drawn by the magnets in his pockets!! I was nine years old, hey, it was funny. The theme song, I recall it clearly, was some bizarre melody played on what sounded like a kazoo played underwater, and indeed the title of the song was the "I'm Dickens, He's Fenster March" and it was available on some cheesy album of then-current TV show themes. Wish this series was available on DVD or, in syndication on cable!!

John Astin has always been a laugh riot. As Gomez Addams on THE ADDAMS FAMILY, he was too much. Even on an episode of NIGHT GALLERY where he played a soul condemned to hell, his comical flair still shone through. And Marty Ingels is also a great comedian.

Put the two together and you can expect nothing less than total hilarity. Together, the two could turn even the lamest of scripts into classic comedy.

I remember this program when it was on prime time. If memory serves me correctly, this sit-com followed THE FLINTSTONES on ABC. Even at the tender age of 8, I understood this blue collar comedy about two bumbling carpenters for what it was, a laugh riot.

What I cannot understand is why this sit com was never picked up for syndication after the show got the cancellation ax.

What I understand even less, is why this series was never released on DVD or even as a budget VHS tape.

Hello? Is there anybody out there who feels the same? DVD? Please?