From 1957 to 1963 we were invited into the home of The McCoys.  The Real McCoys.

Luke McCoy, his wife Kate, his teenage sister Hassie and his 11 year old brother, Little Luke.  Oh, and of course, there was Grandpa.

Grandpa Amos McCoy was the head of the family, or at least he thought he was!

Grandpa was portrayed by Hollywood acting legend Walter Brennan.  A little known fact about Brennan: He is one of only three actors to have won 3 acting Oscars, for best supporting actor in 1936, 1938 and 1940 (the other 2 that have done that are Jack Nicholson and Daniel Day-Lewis).

The Real McCoys followed a family that had moved from the mountains to a dirt farm in California.  Helping out on the farm was the ever present farmhand Pepino.  The humor was gentle, the troubles always solved and the love among the family genuine.

The series ran for well over 200 episodes and it's cancellation in 1963 may well have been hinged on the fact that it was time slotted against one of the all time great westerns, Bonanza.  The McCoys couldn't compete against the Cartwrights.

But we sure did love Grandpa Amos and the young 'uns!

 

 

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