This one-shot for "Goodyear Theatre" is a pleasant, witty form of sitcom, far removed from the usual, more physical approach taken by popular Hollywood sitcoms. It's clearly not on the level of Noel Coward, but the repartee is amusing, and the situations wholesome, with just a touch of sentimentality.
Patricia Crowley makes for a winning heroine, more akin to later strong-willed TV comedy heroines like Marlo Thomas or Mary Tyler Moore than say a '50s Donna Reed. Simple story finds humor from an upperclass family led by Lurene Tuttle left penniless by the death of her husband and having to actually work for a living. Romance is mirrored by Tuttle hooking up with crusty businessman Henry Hull while niece Crowley plays with Hull's grandson Adam West. West is particularly handsome here, resembling Rick Jason, enough to make me wonder: what if he had co-starred with Vic Morrow in "Combat!" instead of becoming immortal playing TV's definitive "Batman"?
Loose end here is Crowley's rather underwritten brother Eric, played flatly by Edward Mallory, a journeyman actor who finally found his niche playing a doctor on the soap "Days of Our Lives" for over 25 years. (Oddly enough, Mallory resembles a clean-shaven Justin Timberlake.) Too bad, as his romantic interest is the wonderful Sue Ann Langdon.
Actual story is a throwaway: Pat's family opening an antique shop and becoming interior decorators, clearly not substantial enough to hang a series upon, from this pilot segment. It is far superior to the same writing team (working with the same leads Crowley and Tuttle) on the first version of this story, titled "I Remember Caviar", broadcast the year before on "Goodyear Theatre".
Patricia Crowley makes for a winning heroine, more akin to later strong-willed TV comedy heroines like Marlo Thomas or Mary Tyler Moore than say a '50s Donna Reed. Simple story finds humor from an upperclass family led by Lurene Tuttle left penniless by the death of her husband and having to actually work for a living. Romance is mirrored by Tuttle hooking up with crusty businessman Henry Hull while niece Crowley plays with Hull's grandson Adam West. West is particularly handsome here, resembling Rick Jason, enough to make me wonder: what if he had co-starred with Vic Morrow in "Combat!" instead of becoming immortal playing TV's definitive "Batman"?
Loose end here is Crowley's rather underwritten brother Eric, played flatly by Edward Mallory, a journeyman actor who finally found his niche playing a doctor on the soap "Days of Our Lives" for over 25 years. (Oddly enough, Mallory resembles a clean-shaven Justin Timberlake.) Too bad, as his romantic interest is the wonderful Sue Ann Langdon.
Actual story is a throwaway: Pat's family opening an antique shop and becoming interior decorators, clearly not substantial enough to hang a series upon, from this pilot segment. It is far superior to the same writing team (working with the same leads Crowley and Tuttle) on the first version of this story, titled "I Remember Caviar", broadcast the year before on "Goodyear Theatre".
