Harrigan and Son

The concept of "Harrigan And Son" was certainly workable; "The Defenders" got four years out of the same basic idea of father-and-son lawyers working together, with the son learning the realities of the profession he never learned in law school. But ABC made a giant mistake, scheduling this show on Fridays at 8 PM (Eastern), between two animated shows, "Matty's Funday Funnies" and "The Flintstones". Now I know ABC was aiming "The Flintstones" at adults but they had to know kids would be watching, too. "Harrigan And Son" had absolutely no kid appeal; it might have been better to schedule "The Flintstones" at 8 and "Harrigan" at 8:30, or put "Harrigan" on another night at a later time, 9 or 9:30.

Star Pat O'Brien swore off series television when he learned what "Harrigan"'s replacement was going to be: "The Hathaways," about a couple raising three chimpanzees (the Marquis Chimps, with "To Tell The Truth"'s Peggy Cass as one of the human owners).

Still, this would be a show worth catching again; it was certainly believable, and it would be worth it to see a Hollywood legend (O'Brien) in his only series. By the way, Roger Perry (Harrigan Jr.) was married to Jo Anne Worley for many years, and they've appeared on game shows such as "Tattletales".

Loved how every episode began with Pat O'Brien seated at a piano playing and singing the George M. Cohan song "H-A-Double R-I-G-A-N spells Harrigan!" You just have to love a TV lawyer who can play the piano and sing his show's theme song.

My mother was an attorney, and when I was growing up we always watched "Harrigan and Son" and "The Defenders", two of the better-written TV shows of the 1960s.

It was the first time I heard the phrase "Non Compos Mentis", (which was an episode title) and prompted a talk with my mother that I still remember 45 years later.

Helen Kleeb, who played Miss Claridge was later a regular on "The Waltons".

At the end of the show, the regulars would sit around a table in a bar and sing the old Irish tune about Harrigan; "H, A, double-R, I, G-A-N spells Harrigan"

I remember their theme song to this day! Entertaining show full of character actors, and lively wit as I recall! I used to watch this show with my Dad, and we'd sing the theme song together! Hope they show the episodes soon, as I'd enjoy strolling down memory lane with O'Brien and my Dad!

This show was very realistic, and I'm surprised it did not last longer. My favorite episode was one in which Harrigan, Sr. taught a very important lesson to Harrigan, Jr. Junior was conducting his case very professionally, following the technical aspects of the law, and losing pathetically.

Harrigan, Sr., stepped in, and he proceeded to play to the prejudices of the jury. The defendant was a relative of some family, the plaintiff was from a certain place, etc. And he turned the case around, and won.

Junior complained bitterly, afterward, that if that's what was needed to successfully practice law, then he wanted no part of it. Senior reminded him that you cannot change human nature, and the practice of law was not a matter of dead words in books, but rather the living reactions of real human beings.

I would not be surprised if Johnny Cochran saw this episode, and learned from it.