andrew12111211 Reviews

Lost in Space: The Thief from Outer Space (1966) Season 2, Episode 9

One of the best episodes of Season 2!

[10/10 · 27 June 2023]

If you like stories which are pure fantasy then you'll like this one. If you are the sort of person that prefers hard sci-fi, then you won't like this one.

This episode sees Will become friends with an alien version of an Arabian Shiek. The Shiek is played by the great Malachi Thorne who brings a lot of energy and fun to this episode. As another reviewer mentioned, he has a fantastic voice that I could listen to over and over.

There are many comedic moments in this episode. One which I found particularly funny was when Will called Penny a "female camel" and plays all tough with her. Also to see Dr Smith underneath a swinging blade that is about to cut him in two is very funny.

The ABC Saturday Superstar Movie: Lost in Space (1973) Season 2, Episode 1

Stop comparing it to the original series

[7/10 · 10 March 2023]

I am a big fan of the original series so I was interested in watching this animated spin-off when I saw it on the blu-ray set. Before watching, I read the reviews on here and was well aware that is was nothing like the original show. The cartoon is what you would expect from a mid-70s cartoon show. Lots of action, good storyline and very colourful animation. In this case, the story was very good with a bit of a science lesson about polarity included. I really liked the part where Dr Smith and the young boy were imprisoned in the alien city. For those comparing it to the original show - don't! It is fun little show on it's own and would be especially enjoyable to young kids.

Bewitched: George the Warlock (1965) Season 1, Episode 30

One of the weakest from Season 1...

[3/10 · 10 March 2023]

One of the weakest from Season 1 - this episode is best summed up as boring. The episode finds Darrin awkwardly involved with the Stephens' neighbour Danger O'Riley. Endora, wanting to teach Darrin a lesson, employs George, a warlock, to become romatically involved with Samantha. Instead, George falls in love with Danger. One of the few redeemable things is that we get to see George as a raven, whistle a few bars of the Bewitched theme song. It's also cool to see the raven plugging in the typewriter and typing. In terms of story, it feels very bogged down and dull. There is little humour or excitement to carry the story. Watch it for the cool raven tricks but skip the rest!

Bewitched: Darrin Goes Ape (1971) Season 7, Episode 22

One of the worst episodes by the 2 worst writers in TV

[3/10 · 3 December 2022]

This is a very weak episode. In the original script, Darrin was turned into a tiger but this was later changed to a gorilla, presumably because it was cheaper or safer. Most of this episode appears to have been made up on the spot and thus, there is very little storyline. Even in the original script, the storyline was incredibly weak. It just shows how desperate the Bewitched team were at this time for new storylines. The episode was written by Leo & Pauline Townsend who were generally very bad writers, and this episode is no exception. It's a shame that this is also the last time we see Abner Kravitz. Overall, not worth watching unless you are a hardcore fan. 3/10.

The Lucy Show: Lucy and Viv Become Tycoons (1963) Season 1, Episode 20

One of my favourite episodes!

[10/10 · 30 August 2022]

The Lucy Show is full of fantastic episodes but this is probably my favourite. I've always loved episodes that focus around Lucy working or going into business like this one which sees Lucy, Viv and her boyfriend launching a company called "Crazy Crunch", selling Viv's delicious caramel popcorn which, of course, manages to go wrong in the end. There is nothing I can falt with this episode, it moves along quickly, is very entertaining and has all the comedy you could want from a Lucy episode. Overall, a very funny script that benefits well with Lucy and Viv's great physical comedy abilities. Always a favourite of mine - 10/10.

Island of Desire (1952)

Beautiful Colour Photography!

[7/10 · 26 August 2022]

The photography of this film is excellent and the island appears heavenly on the screen. The storyline is good but at times a little odd. For example, when they first end up on the island the find the remains of another castaway from years earlier who apparently had vision of a 'sea monster' (although it was never revealed whether these were just visions or real life). Nonetheless, I wish they had spent more time exploring the island and its history. Towards the end of the film, a British pilot crashlands on the island and it suddenly becomes a contest for the girl between the pilot and the US Marine. No doubt because this is a British film, the pilot ends up with the girl at the end. This felt highly unrealistic given the audience has spent almost the entire film with the (much more hansome) Marine and the girl and was somewhat unsatisfying. Overall, I wish they had kept the British pilot out of the story and instead focused on a romance purely between Darnell and Hunter's characters. A pretty good film nonetheless. 7/10.

Life with Lucy (1986)

Entertaining series

[7/10 · 18 June 2022]

I have recently finished watching the series on DVD and enjoyed it although I can see why it failed at the time. The problem lies within the poorly written 'sitcom jokes' which are cringy and predictable. The supporting actors are also rather average although the show is not meant to be about them so it doesn't matter so much. On a positive, the storylines themselves are actually quite good (albeit very simple) and typical of something you might see on Here's Lucy. Overall it is a easy show to watch that probably should have lasted a full season. BTW, my favourite episode was "Curtis Bytes the Dust".

The Outer Limits: The Inheritors: Part I (1964) Season 2, Episode 10

Good idea but poorly written

[7/10 · 11 June 2022]

The basic plot is unique and intriquing but hampered by poor writing. The story jumps around and is disjointed making it hard to follow in sections. Perhaps they could have got someone else to write the teleplay. Overall though, a good episode and I look forward to the conclusion.

Sound of Music: Episode 227 (1967) Season 1, Episode 227

Episode Aired 28 June 1968

[10/10 · 4 October 2021]

Great episode of Sound of Music with Neil Warren-Smith give a great performance as always. Bobby Limb and Dawn do some great numbers including "Goofus" and "The Oceania Roll".

Green Acres: The Ex-Secretary (1971) Season 6, Episode 26

Not too bad at all

[7/10 · 29 April 2021]

Looking at this episode purely as an individual pilot rather than a regular episode of Green Acres it IS actually very enjoyable. Elaine Joyce plays the main role and I feel she is both likeable and brings a lot of energy to the episode. Richard Deacon is brilliant as always and it would have great to see him week after week had this pilot became a reality. It's also great to have Emmaline Henry once again on our screens in what could have been her next regular series since 'Jeannie'.

Looking at the negative aspects of this pilot, my main criticism is of the humour which is at times predictable and silly. I also think actor Cliff Norton should of been replaced as he is neither handsome, funny or entertaining and brings the show down a bit.

Incidentally, watching this reminded me a bit of "Here's Lucy" (which had already been on the air for 3 years).

Overall a entertaining pilot which should have got at least 13 episodes. 7 1/2 / 10.

I Dream of Jeannie: Jeannie and the Bachelor Party (1969) Season 5, Episode 6

One of my favourites of Season 5

[9/10 · 12 April 2021]

What a fantastic episode from the last year of the series' run. A clever and very funny script followed by great acting makes this a classic. I thought Emmaline Henry (Amanda Bellows) really did an exceptional job and her facial reaction when she discovers her suspicious about the bachelor party are right is hilarious. Give this episode a watch - you won't be disappointed! :)

I Dream of Jeannie: U.F.Oh Jeannie (1968) Season 4, Episode 1

Rather average start to another season of "Jeannie"

[4/10 · 12 April 2021]

Normally the premiere episodes for any TV series' new season are meant to be the best so as to attract new viewers - sadly if this was the first episode I had ever seen I wouldn't return. The major comedy ploy in this show relies on the dumbness of the southern American hillbillies not knowing about astronauts and the space programme which doesn't really strike me as being funny and comes off rather dull. I'm not from America though, so maybe that's why I don't quite get it but still I can't see the jokes having much appeal anywhere. Another major criticism I have is the lack of use of the NASA space set which is seen quite extensively in most other episodes - it would seem strange not to make it a focal point here, especially considering it is a premiere episode. In saying that, it is nice to have a show shot on location for once although I just wish they would have picked a better script for it. Overall, in my opinion this episode is predictable, unhumourous and dull. The one part I did like though was the tag which I found to be very amusing and funny.

Gilligan's Island: So Sorry, My Island Now (1965) Season 1, Episode 15

Very funny and adventurous show

[8/10 · 7 March 2021]

Having watched the show from the first episode, this is where the series really starts to take shape and become the Gilligan's Island we know and love. In this episode, a Japanese sailor who has been stranded since WWII takes most of the castaways hostage leaving only The Skipper and Gilligan to save them. Vito Scotti guest stars playing the Japanese sailor. I felt Scotti's portrayal was average at best (it's quite clear he is not Japanese and doing a poor imitation) but that doesn't hinder this from being a classic, adventurous and hilarious episode.

Bewitched: Samantha's Caesar Salad (1969) Season 6, Episode 3

Very funny episode!

[8/10 · 18 February 2021]

This is one of the classic Bewitched storylines they used numerous times where a figure from the past is zapped into the present, found out by Larry and Darrin and Samantha have to awkwardly explain. Despite being a storyline that's been used so many times, I really enjoy this one in particular and I find many of the lines in this episode comic genius

Bandstand (1958–1972)

Classic Show

[8/10 · 13 February 2021]

The other reviewer who gave this a one star obviously is not Australian -- this show is a fantastic time capsule of Australian performers performing great music - sometimes covers, sometimes original songs.

The Prisoner: Fall Out (1968) Season 1, Episode 17

What happened?

[2/10 · 16 November 2020]

This episode is a great example of just how far the series had fell since it's premiere. The writing is pure nonsense and I'm surprised this episode was even approved for production. Nothing in this episode make sense and we don't ever get a real explaination as to who number 2 is or why number 6 is here. This is really disappointing when you've invested 16 hours of your life watching the series (albeit there were some good episodes). A really disappointing ending to a show which could have been so much better had better writers been employed.

The Prisoner: Living in Harmony (1967) Season 1, Episode 14

Is this even the same series?

[2/10 · 12 November 2020]

What a waste of time watching this episode. The plot line has very little to do with the show and up until the very end you are left questioning if you are watching the same show or not. With very little redeemable qualities unless you like Westerns I give this a 2 out of 10. I'd skip this episode if I were you and move on to the next one, you won't miss anything in plot development.

The Prisoner: Do Not Forsake Me Oh My Darling (1967) Season 1, Episode 13

Finally a good episode

[10/10 · 11 November 2020]

After a series of very average slow episodes we finally get a nice fast moving one which is both exciting and intriguing. For McGoohan fans this one doesn't really feature him at all but for me that doesn't matter. A brilliant script, give it a watch.

The Prisoner (1967–1968)

Started out good but what happened?

[6/10 · 10 November 2020]

Clearly this show had a huge budget and many of the scenes are filmed on location which adds great realism to the show. Patrick McGoohan is fantastic as Number 6 and perfect in the role. The main criticism with the series is the boring and seemingly confusing scripts and it's not just a few but so many. Out of the 17 episodes in show, I would say only about 5-6 of the episodes are actually good and of those, only 2-3 are really good. The final lot of episodes are just awful and make no sense at all. Why so many say this is a 10/10 show I don't know because I can't see the appeal. In saying that, some of the episodes are really brilliant like "Many Happy Returns" and "The Schizoid Man" but sadly they are few and far between. It's a pity better writers couldn't have been employed. 6/10 overall.

Get Smart: Don't Look Back (1968) Season 3, Episode 18

Great adventure and clever parody

[8/10 · 10 November 2020]

This is a memorable episode of Season 3 for me and one which I always enjoy watching. In this one Max is framed by KAOS from robbing a bank and killing a guard. He is arrested and sentenced to be executed but escapes and must hunt down the 'one handed man' who framed him. It's unusual that the Chief and 99 hardly appear at all so it's almost solely a Maxwell Smart episode but I don't mind.

Get Smart: The Little Black Book: Part 2 (1968) Season 3, Episode 17

Falls short

[6/10 · 10 November 2020]

After a pretty good first episode it's a shame this one is a bit of a let down. There is little story advancement in this second part with the first 15 minutes or so dedicated to dealing with Max and Sid being arrested, a totally unnecessary part of the storyline which was clearly added to pan this episode out a bit more. Originally this was just meant to be one episode but it was decided to mkae it a two-parter because Don Adams and Don Rickles were having so much fun and there was too much content for one episode. It probably would have been better as it was originally written - a stand alone episode. Still, not a bad episode with a few good jokes and average storyline.

Father's Doing Fine (1952)

Pretty Boring

[4/10 · 23 October 2020]

The overall plot of this film is very basic and not very interesting. It's a shame that with the great cast, more couldn't be done to write a better script. The entire movie probably could be shortened down to half an hour and still be boring. If your curious give it a watch but I wouldn't go out of my way to see it.

Those Redheads from Seattle (1953)

Poor Western/Musical which doesn't really fit either genre

[5/10 · 18 October 2020]

I started watching this movie with high hopes with it being the first 'Western' in 3D and a plot which sounded not half bad. Sadly I was a bit disappointed as the storyline never quite took off as I imagined and seemed to run out half way through the film. All in all, not much really happens in this film, or nothing memorable at least, and probably could have been condensed into an hour. In addition I wouldn't really call this a Western or a Musical, it is sort of a mix of both but at the same time it isn't, therefore it doesn't satisfy the musical lover or western lover. The few songs which are in the film aren't memorable either except for perhaps Guy Mitchell's "Chick-a-Boom". The positives of this film is the lovely Technicolor photography, even though the majority of the film is studio bound, the Technicolor is still lovely. Sadly more couldn't be done to feature the acting talents of Agnes Morehead or the songs of Guy Mitchell. I give it 5/10 for those reasons