River Phoenix's TV series debut and first acting role.
MGM and CBS TV initially ordered 6 programs after approving the 90 minute pilot. The original film musical "Seven Brides for Seven Brothers" established the basis for a musical TV series, which was to include a musical (staged song and dance) sequence in the one hour long scenario. David Gerber had established a location filming company on a distant location far from Culver City: Murphys (where he owned the Murphys Hotel), and in Angels Camp, Sonora, all located in the Mother Lode foothills of the Sierra Mountains, in the heart of Calaveras County. Building this musical segment into each hour program was difficult based upon rehearsing music, dance moves, and placing the number in a location where the number could be performed. Plus the fact the seven lead brothers were neither dancers nor singers! Although the ratings numbers for CBS were fairly good, the prospect of the series renewal was facing the actor-leads demanding a raise in salary; with another demand of each featured cast being provided with a star motor home dressing room (plus Terri = 8 total motor home trailer-vehicles). The producers ploy of offering a six show location deal to the crew for minimum pay, which included location $$ for being on location, was an incentive under the low job market-summer prospects in Hollywood. After four programs were in the can, with two to complete, the producers announced an additional four shows had been ordered. This maneuver continued until a full twenty two episodes were completed (for a full show order). The original company had been assembled in Murphys in late April. The show wrapped up in Murphys, in January 1983. The cast and crew would have to wait until late Spring for a renewal order. CBS TV canceled the show in May 1983.
Joaquin Phoenix's TV series debut and first acting role.
The pilot exteriors were filmed on location in Murphys, and Sonora, California. David Gerber owned the Murphys Hotel, which was used for the series production offices, guest star and temporary lodging for guest directors. Plus, the hotel bar and restaurant were used for interior filming. The exterior ranch house and barn was located three miles from the hotel. The fair building, jumping frog flats, was used to house the ranch set home's two floor interior staircase living room, kitchen and dining room. The other half of the fair building was used for constructing swing sets required for each show-program. This building and surrounding fair ground site was the production construction, paint, effects, property logistical home base and storage lot. Transportation utilized adjacent parking areas for vehicle repair, storage for Generator trucks, and company 5-tons.
This show was based on the eponymous 1954 MGM musical, which was in turn based on Stephen Vincent Benét's 1937 short story "The Sobbin' Women"--which was itself based based on the ancient-historical story of the abduction and rape of a group of Sabine women by Roman men.