So You Want a Television Set

IMDb RATING

YOUR RATING

As soon as Joe and Alice McDoakes buy a television set, the neighbors begin to stream in, on any or no excuse, and stay to watch television and raid the refrigerator. To escape the turmoil, ... Read allAs soon as Joe and Alice McDoakes buy a television set, the neighbors begin to stream in, on any or no excuse, and stay to watch television and raid the refrigerator. To escape the turmoil, Joe goes to the movies, where he finds himself sitting between Doris Day and Gordon McRae.As soon as Joe and Alice McDoakes buy a television set, the neighbors begin to stream in, on any or no excuse, and stay to watch television and raid the refrigerator. To escape the turmoil, Joe goes to the movies, where he finds himself sitting between Doris Day and Gordon McRae.

Director
- Richard L. Bare
Writers
- George O'Hanlon
- Richard L. Bare
Stars

See production info at IMDbPro

IMDb RATING

6.7/10

YOUR RATING

Director
- Richard L. Bare
Writers
- George O'Hanlon
- Richard L. Bare
Stars

6User reviews

See production info at IMDbPro

Photos

Top cast14

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George O'Hanlon

Joe McDoakes

Rodney Bell

Marvin Schulz
(uncredited)

Gail Bonney

Neighbor Wife
(uncredited)

Ralph Brooks

Movie Theatre Doorman
(uncredited)

Steve Carruthers

Man in Commercial
(uncredited)

Phyllis Coates

Alice McDoakes
(uncredited)

Doris Day

Doris Day
(uncredited)

Tor Johnson

Supine Wrestler
(uncredited)

Fred Kelsey

Uninvited Guest
(uncredited)

Gordon MacRae

Gordon MacRae
(uncredited)

Jack Mower

Uninvited Guest
(uncredited)

Paul Newlan

Neighbor Husband
(uncredited)

Mabel Smaney

Mrs. Schulz
(uncredited)

Philip Van Zandt

TV Movie Host
(uncredited)

Director
- Richard L. Bare
Writers
- George O'Hanlon
- Richard L. Bare
All cast & crew
Production, box office & more at IMDbPro

Storyline

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Did you know

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Trivia
Doris Day and Gordon MacRae appear in a brief cameo as a promotion for By the Light of the Silvery Moon (1953).

Quotes
[last lines]
Joe McDoakes: Gee, I think Doris Day is terrific.
Doris Day: Well, thank you.
Joe McDoakes: [to Gordon MacRae] Hey, you know who's sitting next to me? Doris Day.
Gordon MacRae: I know. She was with me until you took my seat. And give me back my popcorn.
Joe McDoakes: Gordon MacRae. Gordon MacRae and Doris Day.
Doris Day, Gordon MacRae: Shhh...

Connections
Featured in Added Attractions: The Hollywood Shorts Story (2002)

Soundtracks
I Know That You Know
(uncredited)
Music by Vincent Youmans
Played during the opening credits

User reviews6

Review

Featured review

McDoakes and Lobo

So You Want a Television Set (1953)

*** (out of 4)

Joe McDoakes (George O'Hanlon) gets bugged by his wife (Phyllis Coates) to get a new television set, which eventually turns into a disaster. This comedy works not only for the series but also on many other levels including having an attitude about television sets that were probably quite popular back in the day. Joe, a radio man, doesn't see the need of a television and resents being forced to watch commercials and these jokes aimed at that are all very funny. Other funny moments happen when the neighbors wants to come over and eventually get into a fight over what to watch. This whole negative attitude from McDoakes is perfectly done by O'Hanlon but we also get a wide range of supporting guests. In this movie Joe goes to see By the Light of the Silvery Moon (which is the DVD this short is on) and runs into Doris Day and Gordon MacRae in the theater. This is a very funny cameo and another interesting one is when Tor Johnson, from various Ed Wood films, shows up on the wrestling match on television.