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Family Affair Friday(ish): Season 1, Episode 28, “What Did You Do in the West, Uncle?,” 4/25/1967

Welcome to Family Affair Friday–or, as I should probably call it,  Family Affair at Whatever Point During the Weekend That I Have Time to Complete It. That’s a little unwieldy, though. I do promise that I will try to avoid being so late with future installments.

Written by: Joseph Hoffman. Directed by: William D. Russell.

Our episode opens at the Davis breakfast table, as Bill tells French about his plans for the upcoming week–he’s taking a vacation from work to spend time doing fun stuff with the kids. They’re on vacation from school, apparently. Didn’t they just have spring break a few episodes ago?

Reading the paper, Bill notices that the rodeo is in town and decides that will be the first of the week's activities. (That's some cute mid-century dinnerware on the table.)

Reading the paper, Bill notices that the rodeo is in town and decides that will be the first of the week’s activities. (Isn’t that some cute mid-century dinnerware on the table?)

Cissy quickly bails on Bill’s Week o’ Fun–she’s going to spend the week with a friend on Long Island. The twins, though, are excited about attending the rodeo.

French declines to join them; watching someone ride a bull gives him “a touch of vertigo and a wave of sympathy.” I always enjoy a great French line.

They have fun watching the show, and Bill becomes excited when he realizes that his old friend Gabe Nelson is among the performers. (I found myself wondering about the three guys behind them. Did they all come together? They seem rather subdued.)

They have fun watching the show, and Bill becomes excited when he realizes that his old friend Gabe Nelson is among the performers. (I found myself wondering about the three guys behind them. Did they all come together? They seem rather subdued.)

Bill takes the kids backstage after the show to introduce them to his friend.

The kids are thrilled to meet a "real, live cowboy," and Uncle Bill invites his friend to stay at the Davis apartment.

The kids are thrilled to meet a “real, live cowboy,” and Uncle Bill invites his friend to stay at the Davis apartment.

French is less thrilled to welcome this house guest, especially when Gabe calls him “Jeeves.”

He doesn’t care for Gabe’s culinary ventures either.

Steak isn't French's idea of a breakfast food.

Steak isn’t French’s idea of a breakfast food.

I find myself sharing French's reaction to Gabe.

I find myself sharing French’s reaction to Gabe.

The kids love him, though, especially when he gives them a “bucking bronc” experience in the living room.

This scene is fun.

This scene is fun…

...so fun that I can't choose just one image to share.

…so fun that I can’t choose just one image to share.

Unfortunately, Gabe begins to monopolize the kids’ time. They spend the entire next day at the rodeo with him, and Gabe asks Bill if they can stay for the evening show, as well. Neither Gabe nor the kids know that Bill had planned to take the twins to a performance of Hansel and Gretel.

(Another Good Frenchism: “The twins will enjoy Hansel and Gretel. There’s a great deal of violence in it.”)

Bill is so bummed that he returns to the office the next day, which provides our first Ted Gaynor sighting in quite a while.

As usual, Ted's role is to make Bill feel even worse about whatever problem he's enduring.

As usual, Ted’s role is to make Bill feel even worse about whatever problem he’s enduring.

Bill is determined that he and the kids will follow through with the next day’s activity–a helicopter ride over Manhattan.

The kids return from their latest trip to the rodeo in adorable costumes.

The kids return from their latest trip to the rodeo in adorable costumes–and they’re excited about their plans to visit the railroad yard with “Uncle Gabe” the next day to watch more animals arrive.

Uncle Bill swallows disappointment about yet another change in plans. Fortunately, French takes the bull by the horns, so to speak–he simply explains the situation to Gabe. Straightforward communication? What a rarity on a sit com!

Gabe and French have this conversation while French rubs Gabe's aching muscles with linament. Is this really in French's job description?!

Gabe and French have this conversation while French rubs Gabe’s aching muscles with liniment. Is this really in French’s job description?!

Gabe tries to help by telling the twins an outlandish story about Uncle Bill fighting a grizzly bear.

When they later repeat the story to Bill, he's bemused, to say the least.

When they later repeat the story to Bill, he’s bemused, to say the least.

After talking to Gabe, Bill explains to the kids that Gabe exaggerated the story in order to make Bill seem like more a hero in the kids’ eyes.

The twins are amazed that Uncle Bill felt that Gabe was replacing him in their affections. “We like Uncle Gabe. We love you,” Buffy explains in a matter-of-fact way.

At episode’s end, Uncle Bill tells French to order three tickets for a rescheduled ride over Manhattan–and four tickets for Hansel and Gretel.

The fourth ticket is for French, who had already expressed a lack of interest in attending the play. This seems a little mean on Bill’s part. At the very least, he should’ve included French in the helicopter ride, too.

Commentary

Although Gabe gets on my nerves, this is a nice episode. We’ve seen the kids deal with their insecurities about their new family situation–it’s interesting to see that Bill has insecurities, too.

Buffy and Jody are just too cute in their Western garb.

Random fashion note: I like this cute Buffy suit--I don't think we've seen it before.

Random fashion note: I like this Buffy suit–I don’t think we’ve seen it before.

Guest Cast

Gabe Nelson: John Agar. Ted Gaynor: John Hubbard.

John Agar

John Agar

John Agar jumped into the spotlight when he married Shirley Temple in 1945. His first film was Fort Apache (1948), which starred John Wayne, Henry Fonda, and Temple. His marriage to Temple was short-lived, but he went on to appear in many movies, particularly Western and sci-fi films.

Fun Facts

When he was young and broke, before he started college, Uncle Bill worked in Montana. He has ridden a buckin’ bronc.

Continuity Notes

Uncle Bill mentions his brother.

Notable Quotes

“Well, I can fight a girl bear.”–Buffy, responding to Jody’s assertion that she can’t fight a bear because she’s a girl

 

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Family Affair Friday(ish): Season 1, Episode 27, “The Prize,” 4/10/1967

Welcome to this delayed edition of Family Affair Friday. The delivery of my new laptop has been delayed indefinitely, so I’m writing this post under difficult conditions. I hope I don’t do a ba-a-a-a-a-a-d job.

Season 1, Episode 27, “The Prize,” 4/10/1967

Written by: Henry Garson and Edmund Beloin. Directed by: William D. Russell.

Synopsis

The real Mr. French is back!

At first glanc,

At first glance, he seems to have gotten a little sloppy, leaving the Crispy Flakes box on the table like that. Don’t worry–the box is actually there to inspire Buffy and Jody.

The twins are entering a Crispy Flakes contest because they want to win a houseboat (nice prize!) They have to describe why they like the cereal in 10 worlds.

Jody's

Jody’s idea: “I like Crispy Flakes because they’re good, good, good, good.”

Uncle Bill leaves to spend a couple of days working in Tampa, and that Crispy Flakes is must be one efficient outlet because they name their winners before he gets back!

The hairi

The hairiest man alive calls the Davis household to announce that Buffy and Jody won a prize. (Seriously, check out that arm. Ewwww.)

Unfortunately, they didn’t win the houseboat. Actually, they have the choice of two prizes–an encyclopedia set or a baby lamb. Now, no adult would choose the baby lamb, and no child would choose the encyclopedia set. I’m sure the Crispy Flakes people will insist on talking to a parent about this choice.

Well,

Or not.

Next thing you know, there’s a delivery man at the door.

Oh

Oh, how I missed those Cabotian reactions.

Jody and Buffy fall in love with the lamb, of course. I don’t blame them–it’s adorable!

i

Poor French is left to consider practical matters, like where and how to keep the lamb.

Uncle Bill, reached by phone, doesn’t offer French much guidance. It’s easy to take things like lambs in stride when you’re hundreds of miles away.

By the way, his

By the way, his Tampa work space looks a lot like every other out-of-town work site he’s visited.

Buffy and Jody name the lamb Snowball and do their best to take care of it. An old-school wooden playpen, borrowed from Miss Faversham, becomes its new home.

When Uncle Bill returns to New York, he tells French that he plans to donate the lamb to the Children’s Zoo. His first attempt at breaking the news to Buffy and Jody fails, however.

Bu

“We’re going to take care of him forever and ever,” Buffy says. “Just like you take care of us,” Jody adds.

Well, it would take a strong man to overcome such cuteness.

A slight

May I digress from the plot for a second? Would it be so difficult for Uncle Bill to carry his own suitcase to his room when he returns from Tampa? French has been up to his neck with kids and lambs, for God’s sake.

That night, it becomes apparent that the Snowball situation is unworkable. Left on the terrace, a lonely Snowball engages in some pitiful bleating.

Poor Snowball.

Poor Snowball.

The

Uncle Bill’s neighbors are not exactly sympathetic to the lamb’s plight–or the Davises’.

The only thing that quiets Snowball is the reassuring presence of Mr. French. Guess who has to sleep on the terrace?

Here's

Here’s French, questioning his life choices. Bill couldn’t have brought him a pillow and blanket? He’s going to wake up with wicker marks on his face.

The next morning, Buffy and Jody take Snowball for a walk before anyone else gets up. I did wonder where Snowball was, um, relieving himself. But I also wonder whether two six-year-olds should be wandering the streets of Manhattan with only a lamb for protection.

They

They don’t even have the lamb for long. “Snowball runned away,” as Buffy says during one of her stupider moments.

Uncle Bill becomes concerned when the kids are still gone after two hours. He gets a call from the Humane Society, which picked up Snowball in the park. The dejected twins return to the apartment a few minutes later, but they are glad to hear that Snowball has been found.

Uncl

Uncle Bill takes the kids to see Snowball at the very Family-Affair-green Humane Society. Now, how and why the Humane Society has that little farmyard set-up in the middle of their floor, I can’t imagine.

Uncle Bill tells the kids how lonely Snowball has been for other lambs, and he gently guides them into embracing the Children’s Zoo ideas as their own. His parenting skills are really growing!

Commentary

I love the lamb and the tender way Buffy and Jody care for it. Buffy even gives Snowball Mrs. Beasley’s blanket to sleep with. It’s also fun to see Sebastian Cabot again.

He

He’s barely accepted his role as a nanny–he’s far from ready to be a “lamb nanny.”

Guest Cast

George: William Kendis. Mrs. Mayfield: Jenifer Lea. Mr. Fisk: Olan Soule. Mr. Smith: Paul Kent. Messenger Boy: Robert Broyles. Secretary: Annette Cabot. Kent had a recurring role as Carter on TJ Hooker and appeared in many TV movies, including Helter Skelter. He also had a part in Star Trek: The Wrath of Kahn.

olan soule

In the world of television, Olan Soule appeared in everything…absolutely everything. Trust me.

He also voiced Batman in several animated series, including Superfriends; recurring Family Affair guest star Sherry Alberoni voiced Wendy in that series.

Annette Cabot is the daughter of Sebastian Cabot.

Annette Cabot, playing the Wolfman’s secretary, is the daughter of Sebastian Cabot.

Continuity Notes

Cissy refers to the Velvet Vultures. (She calls them “the epitome of folk jazz.”)

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Technical Difficulties: Please Stand By

One reason I haven’t posted much in recent weeks is that my laptop has been slowly dying. It’s about ready for last rites now, which is forcing me to postpone this week’s Family Affair Friday entry. My new laptop is supposed to be in stock at Best Buy tomorrow–if so, I hope to post both Family Affair Friday and a new Spin Again Sunday by tomorrow night. Thanks for your patience.

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Family Affair Friday: Season 1, Episode 25, “The Way It Was,” 3/20/1967

“The Way It Was,” 3/20/1967. Written by: George Tibbles. Directed by: William D. Russell.

Welcome to another installment of Family Affair Friday!

As our episode opens, Bill Davis is bringing a lot of work home with him.

French knows that working from home is a bad idea--the kids have just started their spring break.

French knows that working from home is a bad idea–the kids have just started their spring break.

Bill expresses confidence in French’s ability to keep the kids quiet. French’s doubts prove well founded, however. Soon Buffy and Jody are blaring the TV.

Cissy, meanwhile, is getting lots of phone calls and listening to the generically bouncy instrumental music that passes for rock and roll in 1960s sitcoms.

Cissy, meanwhile, is getting many phone calls and listening to the generically bouncy instrumental music that passes for rock and roll in 1960s sitcoms.

In fact, the kids are so unruly that at one point French has to tell a ping-pong-raquet-wielding Jody, “You will be in dire straits if you touch your sister with that weapon.”

Keep in mind: This is only the first evening of the kids’ vacation.

When an old friend of Bill’s calls to recruit the kids for a one-week spring break camp, Bill needs no convincing.

Soon he's gazing dreamily into space as he contemplates a kid-free week.

Soon he’s gazing dreamily into space as he contemplates a kid-free week.

His camp director friend shows up the next morning to claim the kids, including Cissy, who’ll be serving as a counselor.

This is the part that's the hardest--taking the kids away from their parents,"

“This is the part that’s the hardest–taking the kids away from their parents,” the camp director says, as French and Bill struggle to suppress their glee.

Uncle Bill, of course, doesn’t plan to spend his whole week working. He’s anxious to get his date on. It’s amusing how averse all his old girlfriends are to domestic life. As he begins to miss the kids more and more, he subjects a series of women to dull parental bragging.

The first date endures photos.

His first date endures photos.

He foists a Cissy composition on date number 2.

He foists a Cissy composition on date number 2.

Date number thre flees after Bill starts showing her Jody's trouphies.

Date number three flees after Bill starts showing her Jody’s trophies.

After each failed date, Bill marvels at how much the ladies in his life have changed.

The kids are having fun at camp, but Buffy is struggling over a letter to Uncle Bill. She's just not sure what she should say.

The kids are having fun at camp, but Buffy is struggling over a letter to Uncle Bill. She’s just not sure what she should say.

As the week goes on, Bill and French become increasingly concerned at the silence from camp. A camp, incidentally, that doesn’t have a phone. I think Bill has good reason for concern, especially since he didn’t research this camp in any way before packing off the kids.

For one thing, the camp seems to have placed 6-year-old Buffy in a tent by herself.

For one thing, the camp seems to have placed 6-year-old Buffy in a tent by herself.

The peace and quiet in the Davis apartment soon becomes oppressive.

Uncle Bill is reduced to wandering into the girls room and cuddling Mrs. Beasley.

Uncle Bill is reduced to wandering into the girls room and cuddling Mrs. Beasley.

Mrs. Beasley! French and Bill get a simultaneous brainstorm–taking the doll to Buffy would be a good pretense for visiting camp and making sure the kids are okay.

Just as they’re ready to head to camp, however, the kids make a surprise return.

Yes, their camp let them leave early without informing their

Yes, the camp let some of its campers leave early without informing their families that it would be doing so. I can see why the camp director has to call old friends up one by one to recruit customers.

When Bill asks the kids why they didn’t write, they note that they didn’t receive any letters. Chagrined, Bill and French realize that they spent so much time worrying that they forgot to write.

pancakes

Everyone is happy to be back together. Now, bring on the breakfast.

Commentary

Uncle Bill’s early excitement about sending the kids away is pretty funny, if uncharacteristic. So is the kids’ pre-camp bad behavior, which is so over the top that I don’t really blame Bill for jumping at the camp opportunity, despite the kids’ history of separation anxiety and abandonment fears. Well, I don’t blame him too much.

We also get an interesting peek into Uncle Bill’s social life. Apparently, Giles French has aided him in many seductions by preparing midnight suppers and playing music that each woman thinks of as “our song.”

Each woman

Each woman gushes about the details the French remembered. Bill fails to inform them that it’s a different French who’s setting the mood for romance now.

French has some enjoyably droll lines, such as, “Conversation ensues when one plants one’s person upon a park bench.”

In one scene, Bill and his date argue about the characterization of a child in the play they just saw. Bill feels that the seven-year-old character has been portrayed as excessively infantile. Coming from a Family Affair writer, this dialog is ironic.

a pretense for visiting

I think it’s a healthy sign that Buffy left Mrs. Beasley at home. (Buffy’s explanation: Mrs. Beasley hates tents).

Guest Cast

Olivia: Julie Parrish. Marie: Lynn Borden. Laurie: Anabel Garth. Norman Brailey: L.E. Young. Julie Parrish, who died in 2003, worked steadily through the 1990s. She played Joan, Nat’s wife, on Beverly Hills, 90210. Her older work included appearing in the classic two-part Star Trek episode “The Menagerie” and the film The Nutty Professor (1963). In 1967, she starred in a one-season sitcom called Good Morning, World, which has actually been released on DVD. (Ronnie Schell, Billy DeWolfe, and Goldie Hawn for $10.99? Yeah, that’s going on my wish list.)

Borden was in the cast of the 1978 miniseries Centennial, in which Brian Keith also appeared. She played Barbara Baxter in the final season of Hazel.

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Family Affair Friday delayed until Sunday

I apologize, but I have to postpone this week’s installment of Family Affair Friday until Sunday. I’m going to be spending most of this weekend in a cabin in the woods with about 20 tween-age girls. Yikes!

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Family Affair Friday(ish): Season 1, Episode 22, “Ballerina Buffy,” 2/20/1967

Welcome to Family Affair Friday! You know, one of these days I might just change the title of this series to Family Affair Saturday. Hate to lose the alliteration, though.

Today’s episode gives us lots of Buffy cuteness and a look at a very lucky lady–Brian Keith’s real-life wife.

Written by: Edmund Beloin & Henry Garson. Directed by: William D. Russell.

Synopsis

Our opening teaser finds Uncle Bill working high above a completely realistic Manhattan skyline.

Our opening teaser finds Uncle Bill working high above a completely realistic Manhattan skyline.

An underling conveys a message to him: His niece has torn her tutu. The worker thinks this means she suffered an injury–I wonder what body part he thinks a tutu is.

Now we know we’re in for a ballet-themed episode, so it’s no surprise that our next scene opens in typical ballet studio, complete with Russianish instructor.

Pretty big range of sizes represented in this class.

Pretty big range of sizes represented in this class.

After class, the instructor talks about an upcoming Little Red Riding Hood recital.

French is sitting with the ballet moms, one of whom confides that she expects her daughter Melissa to get the lead role in the upcoming Little Red Riding Hood recital.

French is sitting with the ballet moms, one of whom confides that she expects her daughter Melissa to get the lead role.

(Melissa’s family lives in the Davis building–we’ve seen them before in Episode 7.)

The ballet teacher introduces a famous ballerina, Margo Dunbar, who will direct the recital and who has cast the roles.

Margo is played by Judith Landon, Brian Keith's wife. They married in 1954 and would divorce in 1969. I'm sure she had a lot going for her, despite whatever is going on with her eyebrows here.

Margo is played by Judith Landon, Brian Keith’s wife. They married in 1954 and would divorce in 1969. I’m sure she had a lot going for her, despite whatever is going on with her eyebrows here.

She cast Buffy as Little Red Riding Hood and Melissa as the wolf.

Melissa's mother takes this well.

Melissa’s mother takes this well.

French talks to Miss Dunbar after class, and she discovers that Buffy’s Uncle Bill is the same Bill Davis she once dated in Venice (he tipped over the gondola they were riding in, which somehow kept her from performing Swan Lake that night).

Uncle Bill must have enjoyed that Venice escapade. When he hears Margo's in town he take the bold step of accompanying Buffy to ballet class himself the next day.

Uncle Bill must have enjoyed that Venice escapade. When he hears Margo’s in town he take the bold step of accompanying Buffy to ballet class himself the next day.

They are quickly on “honey” and “dear” terms, a situation not lost on Melissa’s mother.

She jumps to the conclusion that the casting was rigged, of course. (Ironically, Buffy didn't even want to play Little Ridiing Hood. She wanted to play the wolf.)

She jumps to the conclusion that the casting was rigged, of course. (Ironically, Buffy didn’t even want to play Little Riding Hood. She wanted to play the wolf.)

Margo visits the Davis home and tells Buffy how much potential she has as a dancer.

Bill and Margo tell Buffy she might become a ballet star, touring the world.

Bill and Margo tell Buffy she might become a ballet star, touring the world.

Buffy assumes they mean that she’ll have to start touring right away, which triggers her well-founded separation anxiety. Commiserating with Jody, she suddenly realizes the answer to her dilemma.

She'll just perform really, really badly in the recital!s

She’ll just perform really, really badly in the recital! 

And she does.

She starts by spilling her basket of goddies across the stage.

She starts by spilling her basket of goodies across the stage.

And after many other mishaps…

...she closes with a backwards bow.

…she closes with a backwards bow.

Here are the Davis family reactions:

jody reaction

cissy and french reaction

uncle bill reaction

At home, the family commiserates, while an exultant Buffy confides in Mrs. Beasley.

confiding in mrs beasley

“Some of the kids said I was awful, and some said I was clumsy, and Melissa tried to bite me with her wolf teeth. It was perfect!”

It’s time for a sweet one-on-one talk with Uncle Bill, who assures her that she is home to stay. (After last week, you can’t blame her for needing reassurance.)

Commentary

This is a cute episode. Buffy’s separation anxiety makes sense, and her bad ballet performance is fun.

Another plus: A chance to see Anissa Jones in something other than her signature hair style.

Another plus: A chance to see Anissa Jones in something other than her signature hair style.

Guest Cast

Margo: Judith Landon. Mr. Nelson: Frank Maxwell. Clara: Ann McCrea. Madam Leonton: Lili Valenty. Melissa Nelson: Cindy Eilbacher. Seegar: John Lawrence. Judith Landon appeared as a background dancer in several 1950s movies. She would play a ballet teacher in a 1973 Brady Bunch episode–the one where Jan tries desperately to find a talent. Okay, one of the ones where Jan tries desperately to find a talent.

While Melissa's parents haven't changed since Episode 7, she has morphed from Pamelyn Ferdin to Cindy Eilbacher.

While Melissa’s parents haven’t changed since Episode 7, she has morphed from Pamelyn Ferdin to Cindy Eilbacher.

Cindy Eilbacher was a fairly prolific child and young adult actress. She was the daughter in My Mother the Car (Randy Whipple, who played her brother in that series, is a Family Affair standby) and appeared in many TV movies. She played April, Paul Williams’ first wife, on The Young and the Restless in the early 1980s and again in the early 1990s. Her sister, Lisa Eilbacher, was also an actress.

Inconsistency Alert

French says he enrolled Buffy in ballet as part of an “anti-clomping about the house campaign.” But Buffy began ballet in Episode 9, before Nigel French’s arrival.

Random fashion note: I like Cissy's suit and white gloves here.

Random fashion note: I like Cissy’s suit and white gloves here.

Notable Quotes

Uncle Bill: “Can you name me one other uncle who’s got a Little Red Riding Hood who always falls down?”

Today’s Bonus Feature

Movie Mirror, January 1968

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Family Affair Friday: Season 1, Episode 20, “A Helping Hand,” 2/6/1967

Welcome to another installment of Family Affair Friday! This week’s episode may not have the best script, but it does have an amazing guest star.

Written by: John McGreevey. Directed by: William D. Russell.

Synopsis

Nigel French hires a maid to help with a dinner party.

Hmm. that actress playing Adele the maid looks familiar. And those towels and that spice rack look so perfectly '60s.

Hmm. That actress playing Adele the maid looks familiar. And those towels and that spice rack look so perfectly ’60s.

He quickly discovers that she’s inept and tries to fire her, but she plays on his sympathy. He ends up covering for her mistakes–and he does it so effectively that a party guest who lives in building hires her.

This is the party guest in question. The party scenes give us an ususal angle on the Davis apartment, which is actually a pretty complex set.

This is the party guest in question. The party scenes give us an unusual angle on the Davis apartment, which is actually a pretty complex set.

French is subsequently called upon to rescue Adele from many disasters, from dog-devoured dinners to overflowing washing machines.

That casserole dish is another cute '60s piece.

That casserole dish is another cute ’60s piece. And Adele still looks familiar. Maybe she was one of those actresses who showed up on Dragnet repeatedly?

Meanwhile…doesn’t this show have some cute kids in it?

Oh, yeah, here they are. Let me just take a moment to praise Johnny Whitaker--he has such a sweet and guileless quality, especially in these early episodes.

Oh, yeah, here they are. Let me take a moment to praise Johnny Whitaker–he has such a sweet and guileless quality, especially in these early episodes.

Buffy and Jody are having some trouble building a model dam for school. Uncle Bill offers to help. His idea of helping, unfortunately, is doing the whole project by himself at work. (Actually, he admits to letting his co-workers do most of it.)

Well, dam.

Well, dam.

The teacher objects, of course.

French’s efforts to help Adele are similarly fruitless. Eventually, her employers discover her ineptitude. After they fire her, she tells off French, who regrets getting involved in the first place.

Now she's gone and I still don't know why she's so familiar. Maybe I've seen her on Bewitched. I know I've seen a similar plot on that show.

Now she’s gone and I still don’t know why she’s so familiar. Maybe I’ve seen her on Bewitched. I know I’ve seen a similar plot on that show.

Together, Uncle Bill and French decide the family motto should be “Don’t get involved.” (French wants to engrave it on his wall!)

Just then, Cissy enters the room and makes a spontaneous speech thanking Uncle Bill for his involvement, and bemoaning the lack of involvement the kids faced in Terre Haute.

Oh, Cissy. Always playing that orphan card.

Oh, Cissy…always playing that orphan card.

Her speech works, though. (It also provides a bit of foreshadowing for next week’s episode.) Uncle Bill is so moved he decides to stay home for the evening!

Now let’s watch the credits to see who played Adele.

Oh my God! That was Myrna freaking Loy?!

Oh my God! That was Myrna freaking Loy?!

Commentary: The first time I watched this episode as an adult, I really did spend the whole episode wondering how I knew the actress playing Adele. A familiar-looking guest star is a common thing on Family Affair. Usually, it just means that the actor in question made a bazillion ’60s TV guest appearances and played bit parts in dozens of movies.

Sadly, both the Adele role and the script are a waste of Loy’s talents. (Her performance is actually pretty flat, too–I think that’s one reason I didn’t immediately recognize her.) Every potentially interesting scene–from Adele’s flubs to the teacher’s reaction to the Davis dam–happens off camera. If they’d included those scenes, maybe I wouldn’t have spent all my time looking for interesting bits of set decoration.

Cute oven mitts. I think they match the dish towels.

Cute oven mitts. I think they match the dish towels.

Guest Cast

Adele: Myrna Loy. Sheila: June Vincent. Ken: Carleton Young. What to say about the beautiful Myrna Loy? She started in movies in 1925 and played exotic sirens during the silent era. In the 1930s she began playing the sophisticated comedy roles that made her famous. She is best known as Nora Charles in the Thin Man series of films. In the 1940s she starred in the charming comedies The Bachelor and the Bobby-Soxer and Mr. Blandings Builds His Dream House and in the excellent World War II aftermath drama The Best Years of Our Lives. She continued working through the 1980s, mostly in TV movies, but Family Affair was one of few TV series appearances she ever made. Loy died in 1993.

Continuity Notes

Well, of course, there’s Cissy’s violin-backed speech about the lack of caring the kids experienced in Terre Haute. Jody also mentions the old hometown.

Fun Facts

Uncle Bill’s favorite dish is curried chicken. The twins like to eat “Sloppy Sams.” French prefers to call them “Untidy Samuels!”

One episode highlight--the cute exit Uncle Bill, Jody and Buffy make from Uncle Bill's room. I wonder whose idea it was. Director William D. Russell was not usually given to whimsy.

One episode highlight–the cute exit Uncle Bill, Jody and Buffy make from Uncle Bill’s room. I wonder whose idea it was. Director William D. Russell was not usually given to such whimsy.

Notable Quotes

Adele: “I’ve learned my lesson–never listen to a man.”

This Week’s Bonus Feature

Barbie Talk (Barbie Fan Magazine), March/April 1971 (The magazine doesn’t actually note its publication year. I’m guessing 1971 based on the dolls advertised in the magazine.)