Ruth Brooks Flippen Movies

Hoping to show Samantha that Darrin is a potentially unfaithful spouse, Endora enlists the aid of Ophelia (Julie Newmar), a glamorous witch who turns into a cat now and then. Coincidentally, Darrin and Larry are seeking out a spokeswoman for Tomcat Tractors. This little comedy of misunderstanding is a good showcase for "catwoman," Julie Newmar. Written by Ruth Brooks Flippen, "The Eight Year Itch Witch" originally aired on December 8, 1971. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide

Samantha goes into a tizzy when she thinks that Aunt Clara has turned herself into a cow. Actually, the "bossy" in question is Ginger, the mascot for Darrin's potential client, Morton Milk. The complications really begin piling up when Sam brings Ginger into the Stephens' living room. Howard Smith guest stars as the confused Mr. Morton, while Joseph Perry plays Mr. Henerson (an inside joke: one of the series' most frequent scripters was James Henerson). Written by Ruth Brooks Flippen, "The Corn Is as High as a Guernsey's Eye" originally aired on January 26, 1967. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide

A comedy (?) of errors ensues when Gidget (Sally Field) agrees to accompany her friend Shirley (Beverly Washburn) when the latter heads out to pick up her first car. Thanks to unforeseen circumstances, Gidget ends up being driven around town in her pajamas by Shrley's parents. And thanks to a series typical sitcom misunderstandings, Gidget's dad Russ (Don Porter)--who had made her promise to tell him where she was at all times--jumps to the conclusion that his daughter has been kidnapped. Seen as Shirley's mom and dad are Jeff Donnell, who'd played the title character's mother in the 1961 theatrical feature Gidget Goes Hawaiian, and Paul Lynde, who would later show up as "The Gidge"'s father in the made-for-TV Gidget Gets Married. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide

While at the beach (where else?), Gidget (Sally Field) falls for handsome new surfer Baxter Stevenson (Tom Gilleran). Imagine Gidget's surprise when she sees Baxter in school a few days later. Then imagine her shock when she discovers that Baxter is actually her new math teacher! This was the last Gidget episode to air on Wednesday evening opposite the ratings-grabbing Beverly Hillbillies; the series moved to Thursdays--where it went head to head with Gilligan's Island. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide

Gidget (Sally Field) despairs when she's unable to line up a date for her class luau. Her brother-in-law John (Peter Deuel) offers to escort her, not so much out of gallantry as to gather research for a psychology paper on typical teenage behavior. Unfortunately, John's wife (and Gidge's sister) Anne (Betty Conner) is unaware of her husband's motives--and for the second time in as many weeks, she jumps to the wrong conclusion. Keep an eye out for Beverly Adams, a sexy starlet best known for her appearances as Lovey Kravezit (sic!) in Dean Martin's "Matt Helm" films. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide

Once again, Gladys Kravitz catches Samantha in the act of witchcraft, and once again is unable to convince her husband Abner of the fact. This time, Gladys looks on in fascinated horror as Sam "twitches" open her garage door -- a neat trick, considering that the door isn't automated. To cover Sam's tracks, the Stephenses immediately install a remote-control opener, only to be plagued by a series of malfunctions caused by passing jets (for which, of course, Darrin holds Sam responsible). Its title a play on a once-popular song, "Open the Door, Witchcraft" was written by Ruth Brooks Flippen, and originally aired on April 8, 1965. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide

Popular singer Connie Francis stars in this romantic musical-comedy as Libby Caruso, an aspiring young entertainer who yearns for the attention of handsom Paul Davis (Jim Hutton). Though at first Paul is not interested in her, Libby soon wins him over. Upon catching him, however, Libby changes her mind and decides a young grocer (Joby Baker) is a better prospect. Libby's roomate and pal, Jan (Susan Oliver), doesn't seem to mind leftovers when Paul takes an interest in her. Along with much of the supporting cast from Francis' first screen role, Where the Boys Are (1960), a few celebrities also appear onscreen. Included are cameos from Johnny Carson, Danny Thomas, Paula Prentiss, George Hamilton and Yvette Mimeiux. ~ Kristie Hassen, All Movie Guide

Gidget Goes to Rome was the third film to be inspired by the beach-happy characters created by Frederick Kohner back in the mid-1950s. This time, surfer gal Francie "Gidget" Lawrence is played by newcomer Cindy Carol. Per the title, the film finds Gidget vacationing in the Eternal City with faithful boyfriend Jeff, aka Moondoggie (James Darren). Chaperoning the pair is Aunt Albertina (Jessie Royce Landis), but that doesn't stop Gidge and Jeff from experiencing brief extracurricular flirtations in Rome. The question: how do the producers get Cindy Carol into a bikini without diverting from the plotline? The answer: a slapstick setpiece during a fashion show. The last of the theatrical Gidget features, Gidget Goes to Rome was followed by a handful of TV-movie sequels and two separate weekly sitcoms. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide

In this comedy caper based on a novel by Nathaniel Benchley, a gang of crooks begin exploiting an innocent ex-Navy officer who, wanting to impress his employer's daughter, is sailing a fleet of ramshackle scows. One of the crooks cons the fellow into believing he is a shipwright. The thief then plots to use the vessel for a bank robbery. The hero is then forced to sail the ship himself after he and his girlfriend are captured. Meanwhile another villain tries to commandeer the vessel, but the officer is able to signal the Coast Guard by using his girl friend's bra as a slingshot. ~ Sandra Brennan, All Movie Guide

Golden-throated Mario Lanza stars in Because You're Mine. Lanza plays opera singer Renaldo Rossano, who is drafted into the army. Much to the displeasure of topkick Sgt. Batterson (James Whitmore), Renaldo is given celebrity treatment even while in uniform. Even more problematic is the romance between Renaldo and Batterson's sister, Bridget (Doretta Morrow, fresh from her Broadway success as Tuptim in The King and I). Wait till you see the "dueling tenors" scene between Whitmore and Lanza! For the benefit of those not operatically inclined, Because You're Mine features a gratuitous dance solo by Bobby Van. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide

Though completed in 1950, Love Is Better Than Ever was held back from release until 1952, due in great part to the "political undesirability" of star Larry Parks, whose career was effectively ruined after he humbled himself before the House Un-American Activities Committee. Parks plays Broadway talent agent Jud Parker, who takes a fancy to small-town dance teacher Anastacia Macaboy (Elizabeth Taylor). Parker wines and dines Anastacia during her visit to New York for the purposes of seduction. But the girl assumes that his intentions are honorable, and sends word of her "impending" engagement to her hometown newspaper. With his reputation on the line, Parker agrees to confirm the engagement if asked, with the understanding that he doesn't really mean it. Rest assured that by fade-out time, he will mean it. Gene Kelly makes an unbilled cameo appearance in Love Is Better Than Ever, which also features such reliables as Ann Doran, Kathleen Freeman, and Dick Wessel. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide