I read about this show but have never seen it.
It was a show about two bumbling carpenters
(John Astin and Marty Ingels) who can't
seem to perform a job without getting a paint
can over the head or a 2X4 to the gut.
It was slapstick in the classic tradition and
the article states that Stan Laurel himself
was a fan. An amazing fact is that it was
done in front of a live audience.
Re: I'm Dickens...He's Fenster.
Posted: Fri Jan 27, 2012 1:44 pm
by FrankFay
Doing shows in front of live audiences was not uncommon at the time.
Marty Ingels didn't like the show- he thought it was nothing but sthick.
Re: I'm Dickens...He's Fenster.
Posted: Fri Jan 27, 2012 10:06 pm
by syd
Actually, to elaborate, is is amazing that with the
timing required for slapstick that it would be done
in front of a studio audience.........but then I'm
reminded of Lucille Ball and the slapstick she did
on her shows and they usually had a studio audience
present as well.
I did a play with John Astin last year. On one of our off nights, the whole cast and crew gathered at my place and I ran an episode of FENSTER (I have a 16mm print of the Haunted House episode). Astin said he loved the show and is very eager to see a DVD release.
Re: I'm Dickens...He's Fenster.
Posted: Thu Feb 09, 2012 7:12 pm
by Richard M Roberts
FrankFay wrote:Doing shows in front of live audiences was not uncommon at the time.
Marty Ingels didn't like the show- he thought it was nothing but sthick.
What, as opposed to his usual, sensitive, subtle performances?
RICHARD M ROBERTS
Re: I'm Dickens...He's Fenster.
Posted: Thu Feb 09, 2012 7:27 pm
by FrankFay
Oh, I agree with that assessment, but Ingels did make that statement many years later when he was happily married to Shirley Jones and working as a successful agent. He was voicing his opinion that he just had a small repertory of tricks and the studio over promoted him. It might have been just a way of downplaying the Old Marty to play up the New one.
Ehhh, whatever. He was a minor talent.
Re: I'm Dickens...He's Fenster.
Posted: Thu Feb 09, 2012 11:59 pm
by Richard M Roberts
FrankFay wrote:Oh, I agree with that assessment, but Ingels did make that statement many years later when he was happily married to Shirley Jones and working as a successful agent. He was voicing his opinion that he just had a small repertory of tricks and the studio over promoted him. It might have been just a way of downplaying the Old Marty to play up the New one.
Ehhh, whatever. He was a minor talent.
And a major annoyance, especially if anyone wants to interview Shirley Jones these days. Talk about a "what the hell was she thinking?" marriage.
RICHARD M ROBERTS
Re: I'm Dickens...He's Fenster.
Posted: Sat Feb 11, 2012 7:55 am
by westegg
My goodness, I recall the show at age six...I even bought the comic book.
Re: I'm Dickens...He's Fenster.
Posted: Tue Apr 03, 2012 11:57 am
by davecc
Hi guys, I just wanted to let you know that Lightyear and DvdReleases.org are giving away 3 copies of I’m Dickens… He’s Fenster on DVD. To participate you only have to leave a comment and like that page on FB.
FrankFay wrote:Oh, I agree with that assessment, but Ingels did make that statement many years later when he was happily married to Shirley Jones and working as a successful agent. He was voicing his opinion that he just had a small repertory of tricks and the studio over promoted him. It might have been just a way of downplaying the Old Marty to play up the New one.
Ehhh, whatever. He was a minor talent.
Well, in my view, from the episodes I've seen, Marty Ingels was very funny -- perfect in the role of the comical Arch Fenster. He and John Astin made a good team.
Re: I'm Dickens...He's Fenster.
Posted: Thu Jun 28, 2012 7:23 pm
by fwtep
I'd never heard of this show before, but I took a look at the episode on the web site, then headed over to Amazon. They've got the set for $16.93 at the moment, which is a great deal. Thanks everyone for bringing this show to my attention!
