The Dick Van Dyke Show (TV Series) Somebody Has to Play Cleopatra (1962) User Reviews

Professional Amateur Jealousy For Charity

[DKosty123 · 8/10 · 17 June 2019]

It seems that Rob volunteered to produce and direct the neighbors in an amateur shows last year. He does not want to do it again this year because he had so much trouble last year.

There is a very smart song and dance number rehersal scene with Mary Tyler Moore showing she is pretty good doing both. Her Calyspo scene is excellent. Meanwhile Rob is having a problem casting Cleopatra. It seems he has Millie as Cleo but she is having way too much fun rehersing a kissing scene with Marc Anthony (Bob Crane). So Jerry, Millies hubby objects and Rob intially replaces Millie with Laura, his wife. Then Laura starts having too much fun rehersing the kissing scene too.

Then, to avoid these issues, both women are replaced by the single kindergarden teacher. When Crane's wife sees this, some other fur flies. The plot is all about emotional triangles. Still, it is harmlessly funny and seeing Lauras Calypso number is worth the time in a solid outing for this classic sitcom.

Top notch

[dlynch843 · 8/10 · 19 November 2020]

This is the earlier of the 2 episodes when Miss Billings corrals Rob into directing the community variety show. MTM does a great number called 'True Mon, True', a Carribean number that was written by Morey Amsterdam! It stayed in my head for a week. Bob Crane is good as an inept actor, but great kisser, and Ann Morgan Guilbert is really cute as Cleopatra.

LAURA IRRITATING!

[JSGal · 7/10 · 12 March 2022]

Why is it that Laura always has to upstage everybody? It seems every time she performs with others, she is so competitive! I like Mary Tyler Moore, but the writers have her portrayed too many times as pushy, manipulative, and other times whiny! I liked her much better in "The Mary Tyler Moore Show".

Don't watch Autofocus beforehand.

[jefemark · 7/10 · 29 June 2019]

Pretty funny episode but please for goodness sake do not watch Autofocus, the movie about Bob Crane, before watching this...jeez, some strange scenes.

Directing a charity play is NOT what Rob wants to do again.

[planktonrules · 7/10 · 2 December 2023]

Rob is worried that once again the PTA will try to hook him into directing another show. After all, last year he had the unenviable task...and he doesn't want to do it again. Why? Well, what follows is a long flashback to the previous year and the difficulties he had getting the roles of Antony and Cleopatra cast for the play, as time and time again, jealous spouses objected to the kissing scenes where their partner was kissing some other woman or man. Why Rob didn't cast a husband and wife in these roles is beyond me...but doing it as he did, it was a major headache.

This is a cute and enjoyable episode. My only complaint, and it's a minor one, is the dance number...which wasn't all that necessary and just seemed like an excuse to have Mary Tyler Moore dance...which she did well but as I said, wasn't necessary.