User Reviews

What a team, who starred as husband and wife in the popular Disney movie, BON VOYAGE in 1962.

In this case, Jane plays Sylvia, an old friend of Steve's --who could have become his wife -- stopping by to visit, and proving a bit of a problem for Barbara... Sylvia is rich, has lots of old memories with the family and spoils Chip and Ernie. She even offers to drive them to a Dodgers baseball game in her limousine!

I agree with the last reviewer. Sylvia mentions everybody with fondness, but forgets Bub and Mike.

If she knew Steve all those years, she would have not forgotten Steve's oldest son and grandpa Bub, right?

It could have also been written, not to overshadow Uncle Charley.

Anyway, it's a trying time for Barbara, whose totally caught off guard, cleaning the house, while Sylvia struts in dressed to impress. Jane Wyman is a must see for this role, and plays it well. A bit of soap opera thrown in for good measure, too.

Jane may have also been cast due to all the promotion and hype about her last film, HOW TO COMMIT MARRIAGE, co-starring Bob Hope and Jackie Gleason. Watch for it. A classic.

Uncle Charley is cooking meatloaf?

Do not miss. Best of SEASON 10 remastered color. Thanks for the memories METV.

Former girlfriend Jane Wyman (as Sylvia) pleasantly startles Steve (Fred MacMurray) at the office. She is surprised at how handsome Rob (Don Grady) has grown and disappointed to learn long-time bachelor Steve has married. Home for lunch, Katie (Tina Cole) tells Rob she is wary about Ms. Wyman going to the Douglas home. Because the Douglas phone is off the hook, Wyman arrives unannounced. Barbara (Beverly Garland) is caught cleaning while wearing an old shirt and scarf. The elegantly dressed, attentive and wealthy Wyman makes Barbara jealous. Uncle Charley (William Demarest) insists Wyman stay for dinner (meatloaf) and she enjoys catching up with the Douglas family while looking at old picture albums...

Wyman arranges a golf date with Steve and asks Dodie (Dawn Lyn) to call her "Aunt Sylvia". This gives Ms. Garland a good reaction shot. Wyman takes Chip and Ernie (Stanley and Barry Livingston) in her limo to see the Los Angeles Dodgers. Now, that's cool...

A check of credits reveals this to be Wyman's only appearance on "My Three Sons". At first glance, long-time series writer George Tibbles sure makes it seem like the character is the "old friend" in the script. Wyman's "Sylvia" remembers Ernie and was a babysitter for Chip. She is well-acquainted with Uncle Charley, but doesn't mention Bub or Mike. She can be forgiven for the latter lapses. Nobody else mentions Mike or Bub, either...

Wyman and MacMurray were Hollywood movie stars in their younger years. They co-starred in a film relatively late, Disney's "Bon Voyage!" (1962), and were likely off-screen friends. While it's nice to see Wyman, she seems not suited to the warmth of the Douglas children. Her manner had become haughty and aloof, which proved to be more useful in Wyman's late career role on the nighttime TV serial "Falcon Crest".

**** Who Is Sylvia? (1970-01-31) Frederick De Cordova ~ Jane Wyman, Fred MacMurray, Beverly Garland, William Demarest