Thomas Russell (Thomas Mitchell) had first been a lawyer before becoming a long-time fixture as the gregarious Mayor of the Town of Springdale (the state was never mentioned).
The mayor was a widower and lived with his nephew Roscoe – nicknamed Butch (David Saber) – in an old-fashioned house in Elm Street.
Kathleen Freeman portrayed their talkative housekeeper Marilly who kept mischievous young Butch in line. She was adamant that the youngster “can do more damage doing nothing than 20 people doing something”. Butch attended Springdale Elementary School.
The mayor had an office on Main Street and a secretary named Minnie (Jean Byron). Future star Natalie Wood appeared in several episodes as the mayor’s niece, June.
The TV series was based on the radio series of the same title (1941 – 1949) which had Lionel Barrymore as the mayor.
Mayor Thomas Russell
Thomas Mitchell Roscoe ‘Butch’ Gardner
David Saber Marilly
Kathleen Freeman Minnie
Jean Byron June
Natalie Wood
