August 27, 1982

Seven rambunctious orphaned brothers from the foothills of northern California, struggling for the financial survival of their ranch, have their lives turned right side up when the eldest brother takes a bride and brings her back to live in the big family house, in a special preview of "Seven Brides for Seven Brothers," a family drama with musical highlights, to be broadcast Sunday, Sept. 19 (8:00-9:30 PM, PT) on the CBS Television Network.

The series, which is loosely based on the 1954 feature film of the same title but, unlike the film, is set in contemporary times, will premiere Wednesday, Sept. 22 (8:00-9:00 PM, PT).

Starring in the series are Richard Dean Anderson as the eldest brother, Adam McFadden, 27; Terri Treas as his new wife, Hannah; Roger Wilson as Daniel, 18; Peter Horton as Crane, 21; Drake Hogestyn as Brian, 25; Bryan Utman as Ford, 15; Tim Topper as Evan, 16; and River Phoenix as Guthrie, 12.

Jimmy Webb, who has written many hit songs, including "Up, Up and Away," "By the Time I Get to Phoenix," "Didn't We" and "Galveston," will compose a number of original songs for the series to be sung by cast members.

In the special preview episode, when Adam takes young, feisty Hannah Moss for his bride, he neglects to tell her that the marriage includes living in the same house with his six rowdy brothers. After the initial shock has passed, Hannah turns her attention to taming the rough and rumble McFadden brood. It's almost impossible, though, when the brothers discover that their bull has been killed.

The furious young men suspect Wheeler, a nearby ranchowner who would stop at nothing to force the McFaddens into selling their land. Knowing that the brothers want revenge, Hannah comes up with a plan to capture one of Wheeler's prized bulls to claim as their own.

Richard Dean Anderson starred for five years on "General Hospital" as Dr. Jeff Webber. His other television work includes guest appearances on "The Love Boat," "The Facts of Life" and "Today's FBI." He appears in a cameo role in the current movie spoof, "Young Doctors in Love."

Miss Treas danced on Broadway in "Pippin," "Working," "Dancin'" and a revival of "My Fair Lady." Her film credits include "All That Jazz," "So Fine" and the current "The Best Little Whorehouse in Texas." "Seven Brides" marks her dramatic debut on television.

Roger Wilson starred in the recent box-office hit, "Porky's," and completed work this summer on the sequel, "Porky's -- The Next Day." Earlier in his career in New York, Wilson and five other actors wrote and performed a highly successful run of "An Evening with Joan Crawford," an improvisational satire on Hollywood.

Peter Horton starred in the motion pictures-for-television "Freedom" and "Sawyer and Finn" and co-starred in "She's Dressed to Kill" and "Miracle on Ice." In addition, he has guest-starred on "Dallas," "The White Shadow" and "Eight is Enough." His film credits include "Serial" and "Fade to Black."

Drake Hogestyn's television work prior to "Seven Brides" has been limited to appearances on "Eischeid" and "From Here to Eternity." Hogestyn played baseball in college on scholarships and was drafted by the New York Yankees, but his professional career was ended after two years due to repeated injuries.

Bryan Utman was a regular on the Network series "Herbie the Love Bug" and guest-starred on "The Waltons," "The Andros Targets" and "Mr. Merlin." He co-starred in the ABC Afterschool Special "Schoolboy Father" and was featured in "Soldiers Home" for the PBS "American Short Story" series.

Tim Topper is featured in "The Best Little Whorehouse in Texas." In summer stock he has performed in "The Pirates of Penzance," "Brigadoon" and "West Side Story." A graduate in business from Towson (Md.) State College, Topper was a lead dancer at Busch Gardens Park in Williamsburg, Va., and Opryland USA in Nashville.

River Phoenix, 12 years old, sang duets with his sister Rain on Maureen McGovern's soon-to-be-released children's album, "I Want to Learn to Fly." Earlier, when his family was living in South America, River sang on television and in concert in Caracas, Venezuela.

"Seven Brides for Seven Brothers," which is currently being filmed entirely on location in the Gold Rush country of northern California, is a David Gerber Co. production in association with MGM Television, with Gerber serving as executive producer and James H. Brown as producer. Gary Nelson directed this episode from a script by Sue Grafton & Steven Humphrey.

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