1 9 6 5 – 1 9 6 6 (USA)
192 x 25 minute episodes
“We’re young but never too young to set this whole world spinning
And we are never too young, for us love’s just beginning”
Malibu Beach, California, was the setting for this ABC series (although filming took place on a Hollywood lot filled with sand) which provided a look at the lives of a group of young people as seen through the eyes of Liverpudlian Alfy (young English actor David Watson), the owner of the local beach hangout, Alfy’s High Dive.
The main characters included carefree mechanic, Chet (Tony Dow); high school football player, Tad (former Olympic swimmer and track star Michael Blodgett) and their trusty sidekick Jo Jo (Tommy Rettig).
The only adults in the series, Frank and Rhoda, were played by John Lupton and Patrice Wymore respectively. It was eventually revealed that Rhoda was Alfy’s mother!
Essentially a daytime soap opera, Never Too Young was an attempt to attract the teenage market with guest stars like Motown greats Marvin Gaye and Stevie Wonder and artists like Johnny Rivers and The Castaways who would stop by occasionally to sing at the cafe.
Other musical guests included The Lovin’ Spoonful, Chubby Checker, Freddy Cannon, and Paul Revere and The Raiders.
The black & white five-days-a-week series aired from 27 September 1965 to 24 June 1966, with repeats in the summer of 1966.
Alfy
David Watson
Tad
Michael Blodgett
Chet
Tony Dow
Joy
Robin Grace
Jo Jo
Tommy Rettig
Susan
Cindy Carol
Barbara
Pat Connolly
Tim
Dack Rambo
Frank
John Lupton
Rhoda
Patrice Wymore
Joyce
Merry Anders
Alice
Merry Anders