MY MOTHER THE CAR - THE COMPLETE SERIES (NBC 1965-1966) VERY RARE!!! Jerry Van Dyke, Ann Sothern, Avery Schreiber, Maggie Pierce, Cindy Eilbacher, Randy Whipple
Get ready for a joyride of laughs and surprises with My Mother the Car when you step into the driver's seat with this rarely seen classic 1965 sitcom series. The theme song sums it all up…
Everybody knows in the second life
We all come back sooner or later
As anything from a pussycat to a man-eatin’ alligator
Well, you all may think my story is more fiction than it’s fact
But believe it or not, my mother dear decided she’d come back
As a car, she’s my very own guiding star
A 1928 Porter, that’s my mother dear
She helps me thru everything I do
And I’m so glad she’s here
My mother the car, My mother the car.
This quirky and nostalgic gem follows the hilarious adventures of attorney David Crabtree (Jerry Van Dyke), who, while shopping for a used vehicle, discovers that a “fixer-upper” 1928 Porter touring car is the reincarnation of his domineering deceased mother, Gladys (voiced by Ann Sothern).
Gladys audibly speaks to David through the car radio, providing advice, guidance, and plenty of witty banter. As David tries to keep his unusual secret from his family and friends, each episode offers a mix of heartwarming moments and laugh-out-loud comedy.
In the series, Captain Bernard Mancini (Avery Schreiber), an antique car collector, will stop at nothing to gain possession of Dave’s red 1928 Porter. He considered the Porter “Our Vehicle” (referring to himself and Dave), called Dave everything but Crabtree (Crabmaster, Kravitz, Crabmeat, Kragle) and always responded with “Whatever” when Dave corrected him.
Notable guest stars included Bill Daily, Alvy Moore, Charles Grodin, Barbara Bain, Stanley Adams, and Dick Wilson.
Note: This series has a similar plot as to the show Mr. Ed, whereas Mr. Ed only would talk to Wilber, so would Gladys only speak to Dave – making comical situations for the lead character.
Jerry Van Dyke turned down the role to play Gilligan in Gilligan’s Island because he thought it was “the worst thing” he’d ever read. Instead, he chose to do My Mother The Car, which was cancelled after one season and earned its place in TV history for all the wrong reasons. In 2002, TV Guide named it the second-worst show of all time (The Jerry Springer Show came in first).