One Man's Family: Meet the Barbour Family Cast

Henry Barbour

Played throughout the run by J. Anthony Smythe a bachelor in real life.

Father Henry Barbour, stockbroker, is old-fashioned, is conservative, is bullheaded, and is overbearing. He believes that the foundation of the nation is the family, the bigger the better. He opposes anything revolutionary and has a deep foreboding for the future of the world. When things go wrong he sulks and broods and has a deep distrust for strangers. Still, he comes off as a lovable warm character. His expression "yes, yes," in a deep sigh becomes the shows catch phrase. In retirement his great joy is his garden.

Fanny Barbour

Minetta Ellen Played Mother Barbour for 23years.

Mother Fanny Barbour epitomizes traditional virtues. She is a housewife who is very loyal to her husband. She is tolerant, loving, and untiring as the peacemaker. She is the glue that keeps the family together and the cushion between Henry and the children, interpreting each to the other. Often tiring of Henry's antics and trying to undo the damage he creates.

Paul Barbour

Michael Raffetto played Paul for 23 years.

Paul, the eldest son, is a pilot, a writer, and a philosopher. During his stint in France as a WWI flier, he met a pretty nurse, Elaine Hunter. Carlton Morse continues, "One day they went into a shell-torn French village and were married by the padre there. For a week they enjoyed a honeymoon in between Paul's patrol flights over the enemy lines and between the girls hospital duties. At the end of a week tragedy. Paul was shot down, receiving leg wounds that made it impossible for him to ever walk again without a cane. And during Paul's period of dazed consciousness an epedemic broke out in the hospital. When Paul was recovered enough to be told, he learned that his bride of a week had been one of the first to go." Although he will never remarry, his deep understanding of human nature and his sympathetic voice make him a heartthrob to cast members and listeners alike. He is the one the family goes to for advice. A liberal counterpart to Henry's conservatism, often leading to bitter arguments, Paul vies for head of the household status.

 

Hazel Barbour

Bernice Berwin as Hazel Barbour.

Hazel, the eldest daughter, is leggy, serene, gentle, solid, and motherly. Her father's favorite, she is a bit old fashioned and conservative. With a strong sense of responsibility, she is the least trouble of the Barbour clan. She has married twice and has three children.

Clifford Barbour

Barton Yarborough plays Cliff Barbour.

Clifford, Claudia's twin, is moody, complex, and likeable. Calm on the surface but boiling underneath. Shell-shocked from his two wives dying, an estranged son, and amnesia, he never quite recovered. A tragic figure, his many personal losses mounted and broke his spirit. Barton Yarborough, left, played Cliff Barbour. When Yarborough died on December 27, 1951, Cliff was written out of the show. Listeners were told through Cliff's letters that he moved to Scotland, married, and created a successful new life.

Claudia Barbour

Kathleen Wilson originated the role of Claudia Barbour

Claudia, the twin of Clifford, is rebellious, restless, and changeable. She runs the gamut of emotions from hilarious joy to unrestrained misery. The Barbour children are famous for having spouses die off early, only Jack would escape that fate. After Claudia's first husband Johnny Roberts died of pneumonia, she gave birth to a daughter and received a quarter of a million dollars as an inheritance. Later, she would marry an English Baronet, Nicholas Lacey.

Jack Barbour

Page Gilman as Jack Barbour

Jack, the youngest son, is most like an average person. Although his life has few tragedies, he must fight the economic battle to provide for his six daughters. The Barbours are known for having multiple births in the family and Jack has triplets

(Source = One Mans Family)