Here Come the Brides

"Here Come the Brides" sounded like one of the worst bits of schlock to hit the tube when it was being advertised for TV's fall line-up in the 1968-69 season. At the enlightened age of 12, I was far too sophisticated for such drivel. Imagine my surprise when, being forced to watch the show by a controlling older sister, I actually LIKED it. It fast became my favorite program at that time -- I was enormously moved by its heart and its humanity. By today's standards it probably seems pretty tame and trite stuff, but back then, it was different and courageous and had a voice that spoke to me. My favorite episode was titled, I think, "The Rainmaker". Jack Albertson guest starred as The Rainmaker, the shyster who is nevertheless magical enough to cure Jeremy's (Bobby Sherman) stuttering by presenting him with a magic stone. When The Rainmaker is revealed as a fraud, Jeremy's faith is shattered, and his stuttering returns tenfold. That's when Big Brother Jason Bolt lovingly explains to Jeremy that neither The Rainmaker nor the Magic Stone cured Jeremy's stuttering -- Jeremy had done it on his own. Jeremy, convinced, launches into a passionate, and flawless, speech, defending The Rainmaker to the rest of Seattle. Corny? Yup. But I'll tell you what -- that episode of "Brides" helped this 12 year old to believe in himself. Those characters in "Brides", especially the Bolt Brothers, still live within me, and I'm grateful for it.

Being FROM Seattle, I knew I would like this right away. In actual history a man named Asa Mercer did bring brides to Seattle, and did a good enough job to have my junior high school named after him. I got the DVD and not long after I began going down memory lane I decided this was a series I could share with my young grand daughters who seem to think that Laura and Mary Ingalls are related to them, they see and read them so much. My children weren't born yet when this was on so it is a delight to my daughter as well. For being almost 40 years old this program holds up a lot better than some of the stuff they are making right now. And has a "full" season of shows unlike right now too! Its not brain surgery but it qualifies as great entertainment!

This program started out with a very strong cast and good story lines the first season & then in season 2 went off into limbo. It was a show I enjoyed the first season, then lost interest in it when the cast shifted. I am not sure if it was contracts or what that made that happen.

Robert Brown, David Soul & Bobby Sherman were up and coming actors when this show started. As the Bolt brothers, they were a very good team. They board Captain Clancys ship & go to Boston to get 100 brides for the men in Seattle as they have no women. When they get the women back to Seattle, all kinds of little things happen. That includes the evil Stemple trying to throw the Bolt brothers out of business & create a monopoly on the lumber industry & the women.

While some of this sounds rough, the women are all New England Puritan types headed by Matron Joan Blondell. Joan is considered the star because by this time she was a grand dame of the screen. Candy Pruitt is consider the hot young virgin with eyes for Jeremy Bolt, and Bitty is the daft comedy relief woman who even has trouble trying to score desperate Seattle men with her own craziness.

The catchy theme song & wild Northwest country themes are what caught me into this program while it ran. Candy was good eye candy though a prude compared to the genie I had eyes for. The show had good plot lines early on. Sadly, Season 2 went away from season 1 & the show went off. Would imagine unless there are legal issues the DVD of these should arrive sometime. The series was slickly produced and veteran Wild Wild West director Irving J Moore was behind the camera.

It is hard to believe Robert Brown is 90 years old this year(2016) and most of the younger women in this cast are in their 70's if they are still with us.

I used to watch Here Come The Brides when I was in JHS and HS. I just saw it again on Antenna TV and had forgotten how good it was. I had a huge crush on Bobby Sherman, although I liked Robert Brown and David Soul too. My friend Candy was so excited that a character had the same name as she did, especially since it was Bridget Hanley, who was absolutely gorgeous.

I hope it keeps being shown on Antenna TV because it is a well written, well acted show, with lots of heart. A few people have said only season one is available. Hopefully, by now, season two is also, because I have to get it. Until then, I will watch it on Antenna TV.

I like all the people in the tv show. My favorite actor in the show is Bobby Sherman. My favorite actress is Bridget Hanley. It's one of my favorite shows of all times.

I only wish they would put the episodes on videos, so I could see the the tv shows again.

Thank you, From Here come the Brides fan