Seaman Jacobs Movies
- 1981
George Jefferson (Sherman Hemsley) has had just about enough of his contentious store manager, Wendell Thomas (Earl Billings) -- a sentiment shared by the rest of George's employees. Alas, just as George is firing Wendell, the much-despised manager drops dead. Can things get any worse? You bet: George is called upon to deliver the eulogy at Wendell's funeral. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Sherman Hemsley, Isabel Sanford, (more)
- 1981
The first eighth-season Jeffersons episode to be taped (though not the first shown), this one finds George Jefferson (Sherman Hemsley) brooding over the likelihood that old age is creeping up on him. George's wife, Louise (Isabel Sanford), tries to boost his ego by anonymously sending flowers -- with a sexily suggestive card -- to his office. As usual, George leaps to the wrong conclusion, convinced that his secretary is coming on to him. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Sherman Hemsley, Isabel Sanford, (more)
In this mild sequel to the 1977 appearance of George Burns as God, the Heavenly Father shows up again, this time to talk to Tracy (Louanne), a young girl whose earthly father (David Birney) is in the advertising business. God's intention is to promote himself among the children first. Tracy comes up with a way to further awareness of the Supreme Being with posters and graffiti that say "Think God." She and her classmates set out on this campaign, but Tracy ends up facing a phalanx of psychiatrists for talking to an invisible God. Being who He is, God decides to finally make an appearance for the benefit of everyone. ~ Eleanor Mannikka, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- George Burns, Suzanne Pleshette, (more)
- 1978
Everyone has a special way of overreacting when comedian George Burns shows up at the diner; Mel (Vic Tayback), for example, serves George coffee that's a few degrees hotter than Hades. Even more troublesome, the impressionable Vera (Beth Howland), having seen the movie Oh, God! three times, is convinced that Mr. Burns (who of course played the title role in that film) is the actual Deity--and no amount of argument can persuade her otherwise. This episode is highlighted by a verbal exchange between George Burns and Beth Howland that is a spiritual carbon copy of a routine performed by Burns and his late wife Gracie Allen in the 1933 film International House. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1978
The Jeffersons' bachelor neighbor Harry Bentley (Paul Benedict) is saddled with an unwelcome house guest, a fellow Britisher named Felicia (Carol Swarbrick). George Jefferson (Sherman Hemsley) comes up with a plan that is "guaranteed" to send Felicia packing. Unfortunately, the plan backfires when a tongue-tied Harry misreads George's instructions -- whereupon Felicia is convinced that she has just received a marriage proposal. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Sherman Hemsley, Isabel Sanford, (more)
- 1977
George (Sherman Hemsley), apparently feeling guilty over making a bigoted crack about interracial couple Tom and Helen Willis (Franklin Cover, Roxie Roker), invites them to dinner. Unfortunately, the Willises soon realize that George merely wants to curry favor with another interracial couple for business purposes. As a result, Tom and Helen storm out of the Jefferson apartment -- forcing George to rely upon the "acting" talents of housekeeper Florence (Marla Gibbs) and doorman Ralph (Ned Wertimer). ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Sherman Hemsley, Isabel Sanford, (more)
- 1976
George and Louise Jefferson (Sherman Hemsley, Isabel Sanford) have completely forgotten the upcoming 70th birthday of George's mother (Zara Cully). Scrambling around to find an appropriate present at the last minute, George and Louise hit upon what they think is a brilliant idea: They will reunite Mother Jefferson with her sister Emma (Lillian Randolph), whom she hasn't seen in 25 years. Alas, it turns out that there's a strong and compelling reason why the elderly siblings have kept their distance for a quarter of a century. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Sherman Hemsley, Isabel Sanford, (more)
- 1970
The Tigers stickball team installs a new captain, the misogynistic Randy (Sean Kelly), who immediately imposes a "no girls allowed" policy. Not wishing to see Buffy (Anissa Jones) voted off the team, Jody (Johnnie Whitaker) protests, but eventually buckles under to peer pressure--with the expected negative results. And in a related incident, Bill (Brian Keith) unwittingly demonstrates his own chauvinistic side while dating an actress named Sherry (played by 1960s TV favorite Francine York). ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1970
Joyce Van Patten is cast as brassy comedienne Gail Spencer, who pays a visit to her friend Bill (Brian Keith) while stopping over in New York. Impressed that Gail is always "on", always ready with a joke for any occasion, Jody is inspired to become a comedian himself--but at all the wrong times, especially during school! For obscure reasons, the original TV Guide synopsis list Patience Cleveland as school principal Miss Harris, a role actually played by Sarah Selby. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1967
After putting in several years as a pump jockey and mechanic, Goober buys Wally's service station, with Andy and Emmett as his financial backers. Unfortunately, Goober's new responsibilities prove to be too much for him; he worries so much about making executive decisions that he ends up making no decisions whatsoever. It is up to young Opie, of all people, to help Goober get his head on straight. Written by Michael Morris and Seaman Jacobs, "Goober the Executive" was filmed as the second episode of The Andy Griffith Show's eighth season, but was withheld from view until December 25, 1967. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1967
Mr. French (Sebastian Cabot) is approached with a job offer by his former employer, the Duke of Glenmore. Upon discovering that his former sweetheart Lorna Frasier (Anna Lee) is working as a nanny in the Duke's household, Mr. French is most interested in the offer, but is also reluctant to leave the service of Bill Davis (Brian Keith). Thinking only of Mr. French's future happiness, Bill and the kids employ the time-honored sitcom subterfuge of making it appear that French is no longer needed. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1967
Armed with a new tape recorder, Opie and his friend Arnold (Sheldon Collins) plant a "bug" in one of the jail cells. They manage to record evidence that a tight-lipped prisoner named Eddie (Herbie Faye) knows the whereabouts of some stolen money. But when the boys present the tape to Andy, he angrily refuses to listen, explaining that it would be a violation of proper police procedure. How is Andy going to bring this one to closure? Written by Michael Morris and Seaman Jacobs, "Tape Recorder" first aired on October 30, 1967. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1967
Romance enters the life of Aunt Bee-and she's none too happy about it. While appearing in Mayberry, travelling lecturer Professor Hubert St. John (Edward Andrews) has fallen hard for Aunt Bee. But his ardor has nothing to do with Bee's own personality; it seems that she reminds Prof. St. John of his late wife. Like many another eighth-season Andy Griffith Show episode, this one was written by Michael Morris and Seaman Jacobs. "Aunt Bee and the Lecturer" first aired on November 13, 1967. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1967
It won't be long before Opie will be attending college, and Andy wonders how he can possibly afford his son's education. To pick up some extra cash, Andy invests in a coin-operated laundromat. Before long, however, he is spending too much time running the laundry and not enough time tending to his appointed duties as Mayberry's number one lawman. Originally telecast on November 20, 1967, "Andy's Investment" was written by Michael Morris and Seaman Jacobs. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1967
Misunderstanding a situation as usual, Buffy (Anissa Jones) and Jody (Johnnie Whitaker) try to play matchmaker for Mr. Nigel French (John Williams) and Miss Faversham (Heather Angel). Likewise misunderstanding the same situation is Mr. French, who thinks that the twins are trying to get him to resign because he has punished them harshly. Thus, French goes in the entirely opposite direction and begins treating the kids like royalty--and of course, things go rapidly downhill from there! ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1967
Assigned to write a school essay about his "most unforgettable character", Opie pens a paean to his father Andy, while his classmate Arnold does likewise using his own father. Alas, both boys get a failing grade-and their dads, Andy in particular, can't figure out what went wrong. As Opie endeavors to rewrite his paper, a self-conscious Andy works overtime to provide him with "inspiration." A neat and satisfying plot twist caps this episode, which was scripted by Michael Morris and Seaman Jacobs. "Opie's Most Unforgettable Character" was originally broadcast on April 3, 1967. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1967
Once again peeved by Jeannie's persistence, Tony (Larry Hagman) orders her to stop doing favors for him and to help someone else instead. Jeannie (Barbara Eden) tries to oblige, but the first people whom she "helps" turn out to be a pair of bank robbers! Veteran movie tough guy Mike Mazurki shows up as a bank guard, while popular LA radio personality and game-show host Geoff Edwards appears as a teller. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1967
Erstwhile standup comedian Howard Sprague scores a big hit on the TV variety show "Colonel Tim's Talent Time." Unfortunately, the citizens of Mayberry do not take kindly to being the butt of Howard's jokes. For a while, Howard is persona non grata amongst the Mayberryites-but human nature proves to be a very curious and changeable thing. Dick Haynes guest-stars as Colonel Tim. Written by Michael Morris and Seaman Jacobs, "Howard the Comedian" first aired on March 20, 1967. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1967
When milkman Walt Simpson's dairy horse Dolly is replaced by a truck, Opie agrees to look after the old nag. Pretty soon everyone in Mayberry is frettng over the fact that Dolly refuses to eat. Realizing that Dolly is yearning for her old job, Opie comes up with an ingenious solution. Leathery character actor Tommy Tully plays Walt Simpson, while Dolly is cast as "herself." Originally aired on March 6, 1967, "Goodbye Dolly" was written by Michael Morris and Seaman Jacobs. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1967
Singer Frankie Avalon guests in this episode as Thomas Cheever, the nephew of Mooney's boss Mr. Cheever (Roy Roberts). Although the elder Cheever wants Thomas to give up his dreams of a showbiz career and go into the banking business, Lucy (Lucille Ball) becomes convinced that the boy has star potential--and to prove it, she arranges an "accidental" meeting between Thomas and talent scout Mr. Penrose (Lew Parker). Frankie Avalon sings "Walking Happy" and a spoof of "I'm Looking Over a Four-Leaf Clover", then shows off his skill as a trumpeter in the ensemble number "When the Feeling Hits You." ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Frankie Avalon, Mary Jane Croft, (more)
- 1966
Jeanette Nolan guest stars as the imperious and extremely bossy mother of Fort Courage commander Wilton Parmenter (Ken Berry). No sooner does she arrive at the fort than Mrs. Parmenter is complaining about the slackness of the troops and telling Wilton how best to run things. Naturally, Mrs. P.'s presence threatens the crooked business activities of O'Rourke (Forrest Tucker) and Agarn (Larry Storch), so much so that they aren't too keen about organizing a rescue party when the old lady ventures into Indian territory (pity the poor Indians!) ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1966
Captain Parmenter (Ken Berry) arranges a surprise party to mark Sgt. O'Rourke's 25th year in the Army. Entering into the spirit of things, Agarn (Larry Storch) digs up several of O'Rourke's old friends and comrades-in-arms for an elaborate "This Is Your Life"-style celebration (a cute trick, considering that This is Your Life wouldn't make its radio debut for another eighty years at least!) This is the classic episode in which an old dirty joke is cleaned up to explain how the Hekawi tribe earned its name. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1966
As we all know, the members Hekawi Indian tribe are not fighters, but lovers: after all, they invented the peace pipe. Thus, Hekawi chief Wild Eagle (Frank De Kova) is both perplexed and disturbed when the Council of Indian Nations orders his tribe to go on the warpath. To prevent Wild Eagle from breaking his own self-imposed peace treaty--and to retain him as a business partner--O'Rourke (Forrest Tucker) and Agarn (Larry Storch) arrange an elaborate charade to convince the Council that the Hekawis have triumphed over the men of F Troop. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1965
It looks like curtains for Captain Parmenter (Ken Berry) when he manages to offend the notorious outlaw Sam Urp (played by veteran western heavy Jack Elam). The fastest gun in Kansas, Urp challenges Parmenter to a shoot-out. How will the combined efforts of O'Rourke (Forrest Tucker), Agarn (Larry Storch) and Wrangler Jane (Melody Patterson) prevent Parmenter from biting the dust? Series semi-regular Don Diamond, usually seen as Crazy Cat, is here billed merely as "Brave." ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1965
The premiere episode of F Troop explains how Wilton Parmenter (Ken Berry), the last and least descendant of a proud military family, came to be known as "The Scourge of the West." Near the end of the Civil War, Union private Parmenter is sent out to pick up the laundry for General Grant. En route, Wilton's sneeze is mistaken for an order to mount a charge against the Confederates--and as a result, he finds himself a much decorated hero, bound for his first command at Fort Courage, somewhere in Kansas. The clueless Captain Parmenter is unaware that the Fort is actually the personal domain of the entrepreneurial Sergeant O'Rourke (Forrest Tucker) and his partner-in-crime Corporal Agarn (Larry Storch), who connive to keep Wilton in the dark about their many crooked business activities--and to convince the new commander that the hopeless misfits of F Troop are actually an expert tean of Indian fighters! ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
