My Son Reuben (Thames 1975, Bernard Spear, Lila Kaye,)

My Son Reuben was a Thames Television show that ran for 6 episodes from 8th September 1975 to 13th October 1975.

In this sitcom Reuben, the hapless protagonist is not likely to ever be in charge when it comes to his mother.

Mother will always have the final say in any romantic endeavour he tries to take charge of. Reuben (Bernard Spear) is the owner of a successful laundry business, but his mother will do anything to prevent him from proposing to anyone other than a nice Jewish girl of her choosing. Her mantra is “If you get any ideas about marriage I’ll give you a wedding present you won’t forget-an invitation to your mother’s funeral!”

Stella Tanner plays a neighbour whose spinster daughter Ruth has all the qualifications for an ideal match, and Lila Kaye plays Momma Fay, who lays down the law when son Reuben is attracted to Betty Smith (Jo Rowbottom), the gentile whose lack of faith could upset a pre-scheduled love-apple-cart.

Cast

Bernard Spear (Reuben Greenberg), Lila Kaye (Fay Greenberg), Jo Rowbottom (Betty Smith), Stella Tanner (Vera Caplan)

Crew

Writer: Vince Powell / Designer: Robin Parker / Produced and Directed by: Anthony Parker

Production Details

UK / Thames Television / 6 episodes x 25 minutes / Broadcast 8th September 1975 – 13th October 1975

The Episodes

Pilot (08 September 1975)
Writer: Vince Powell / Director: Anthony Parker
Guest Cast: Christopher Benjamin (Rabbi Jackson), Caroline Bernstein

A Matter Of Dispute (15 September 1975)
Guest Cast: Christopher Benjamin (Rabbi Jackson), Conrad Phillips, Iris Sadler

Just A Spot To Call My Own (22 September 1975)
Guest Cast: Christopher Benjamin (Rabbi Jackson), Conrad Phillips, Iris Sadler

The Promised Land (29 September 1975)
Guest Cast: Lee Craig-Raymond, Keith Ashley, Paula Smith, Francesca Lucy, Michael Segal, Sandra Clark, Frances Tanner

Food, Glorious Food (06 October 1975)
Guest Cast: Christopher Benjamin (Rabbi Jackson)

Better To Have Loved And Lost (13 October 1975)
Guest Cast: Norma Dunbar, Patrick Westwood, Milo O’Shea

• Comedy Playhouse: The Dobson Doughnut (BBC, Milo O’Shea)

• Tottering Towers: The Home-Coming of Lord Fred (S1EP5 ITV Wed 17 Nov 1971, Talfryn Thomas)

• Tottering Towers (ITV 1971-1972, William Mervyn, Tom Owen)

• Mike and Bernie: A Little Bit on the Side (S1EP5 ITV Tues 11 Jan 1972, Bernard Spear)

• The Sweeney: Taste of Fear (ITV 4 Oct 1976, with Norman Eshley)

• Play For Today: The Bankrupt (BBC 1972, Joss Ackland)

• Hands Across the Sea (BBC, 1938, Nadine March, Nicholas Phipps)

• The Franchise Affair (BBC 1962, Rosalie Crutchley, Michael Aldridge)

• Hamlet at Elsinore (BBC 1964, Christopher Plummer, Robert Shaw)

• A Handful of Thieves (BBC One 1969, Helen Worth, Martin Ratcliffe)

• The Galactic Garden

• The Sentimental Agent (ATV 1963)