It's a Great Life (also known in syndicated reruns as The Bachelors) is an American situation comedy which aired on NBC from 1954 to 1956. Frances Bavier, six years before being cast as Aunt Bee in CBS's The Andy Griffith Show, played a somewhat similar role as Mrs. Amy Morgan, the owner of a boarding house. The series also starred three comedic actors, James Dunn, William Bishop, and Michael O'Shea. Synopsis Mrs. Amy Morgan (Frances Bavier) is the owner of a boarding house. Mr. Russell (Harry Harvey) is one of her neighbors. Two of Amy's tenants are returning World War II veterans: Steve Connons (William Bishop) and Denny Davis (Michael O'Shea). These former servicemen are vacuum cleaner salesmen. Amy's brother-in-law, Earl Morgan (James Dunn) is something of a deadbeat who often pushes get-rich-quick schemes schemes to entice Steve and Denny. Steve and Denny are single in the series and in their spare time seek the companionship of women, including Amy's beautiful daughter, Cathy "Katy" Morgan (Barbara Bates). Bates appeared in twenty-six episodes. Guest stars included Parley Baer, Madge Blake, George Chandler, Phyllis Coates, Angie Dickinson, King Donovan (six episodes as Chris Norman), Richard Deacon, Hope Emerson, Douglas Fowley, Vivi Janiss (four times), Joseph Kearns, Nancy Kulp, Joi Lansing, Barbara Nichols, Doris Packer, Maudie Prickett, Tyler McVey, William Schallert, Randy Stuart, Lyle Talbot, Dolores Fuller, and Mary Treen. Production notes The series was filmed at Hal Roach Studios in Culver City, California. David Rose, also musical director for The Red Skelton Show, is particularly cited for his theme music composition on this series. In its first season, It's a Great Life aired at 10:30 p.m. EST Tuesdays opposite CBS's See It Now. In the second season, the series was switched to 7 p.m. EST on Sundays preceding Frontier western anthology series on NBC. With the switch in time, it aired opposite the second season of Lassie on CBS. Notes References External links 1954 American television series debuts 1956 American television series endings 1950s American sitcoms Black-and-white American television shows English-language television shows NBC original programming Television shows set in California Works about veterans