Richard Deacon Movies
Very early in his stage career, Richard Deacon was advised by Helen Hayes to abandon all hopes of becoming a leading man: instead, she encouraged him to aggressively pursue a career as a character actor. Tall, bald, bespectacled and bass-voiced since high school, Deacon heeded Ms. Hayes' advice, and managed to survive in show business far longer than many of the "perfect" leading men who were his contemporaries. Usually cast as a glaring sourpuss or humorless bureaucrat, Deacon was a valuable and highly regarded supporting-cast commodity in such films as Desiree (1954), Invasion of the Body Snatchers (1956), Kiss Them For Me (1957), The Young Philadelphians (1959) and The King's Pirate (1967), among many others. Virtually every major star who worked with Deacon took time out to compliment him on his skills: among his biggest admirers were Lou Costello, Jack Benny and Cary Grant. Even busier on television than in films, Richard Deacon had the distinction of appearing regularly on two concurrently produced sitcoms of the early 1960s: he was pompous suburbanite Fred Rutherford on Leave It to Beaver, and the long-suffering Mel Cooley on The Dick Van Dyke Show. Deacon also co-starred as Kaye Ballard's husband on the weekly TV comedy The Mothers-in-Law (1968), and enjoyed a rare leading role on the 1964 Twilight Zone installment "The Brain Center at Whipples." In his last decade, Richard Deacon hosted a TV program on microwave cookery, and published a companion book on the subject. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide- 1963
Buddy (Morey Amsterdam) and Sally (Rose Marie) can't understand why Rob (Dick Van Dyke) is so hesitant to meet with "The Alan Brady Show"'s singing guest star Jacques Savon (Jacques Bergerac). It turns out that Rob had previously encountered Savon in Paris -- and now feels responsible for breaking up Jacques' marriage. Nor can Rob turn to Laura (Mary Tyler Moore) for advice in this matter: Laura is convinced that it was she who broke up the Savons! ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1963
A pre-Family Feud Richard Dawson appears as "Racy Tracy" Rattigan, the English music hall comic engaged to replace Alan Brady during his summer vacation. No sooner has "Racy Tracy" arrived at the offices of Alan's writers Rob (Dick Van Dyke), Buddy (Morey Amsterdam), and Sally (Rose Marie) than he begins living up to his nickname, merrily flirting with every female in sight -- including Rob's wife Laura (Mary Tyler Moore). Not wishing to lose his job, Rob grins and bears it until Rattigan makes outrageous advances at Laura during a party at the Petrie home. The memorable closing line of this episode was provided during filming at the very last moment by co-star Morey Amsterdam, when no one else could come up with an appropriate capper. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Richard Dawson, Richard Deacon, (more)
The story begins as an innocuous romantic triangle involving wealthy, spoiled Melanie Daniels (Tippi Hedren), handsome Mitch Brenner (Rod Taylor), and schoolteacher Annie Hayworth (Suzanne Pleshette). The human story begins in a San Francisco pet shop and culminates at the home of Mitch's mother (Jessica Tandy) at Bodega Bay, where the characters' sense of security is slowly eroded by the curious behavior of the birds in the area. At first, it's no more than a sea gull swooping down and pecking at Melanie's head. Things take a truly ugly turn when hundreds of birds converge on a children's party. There is never an explanation as to why the birds have run amok, but once the onslaught begins, there's virtually no letup. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Rod Taylor, Tippi Hedren, (more)
- 1963
Rob (Dick Van Dyke) tumbles to the fact that Laura (Mary Tyler Moore) is planning a surprise party for him. Rather than fess up, Laura sweetly insists that no such party is in the offing. As the day of the big event approaches and Laura continues protesting that she isn't planning anything, Rob persists in finding out more details for the upcoming bash. Then, on the night of the so-called party, almost nothing happens. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Richard Deacon
- 1963
Guy Marks guest stars as Freddie White, a third-rate comedian with a reputation for being a louse. With this in mind, Rob (Dick Van Dyke) and Buddy (Morey Amsterdam) are appalled when Sally (Rose Marie) allows herself to be charmed into a romance with Freddie -- and further, when Sally writes Freddy the funniest monologue he's ever had. Convinced that White is cozying up to Sally only to get material, Rob and Buddy decide to get rid of the pest by writing him an even funnier monologue. Surprisingly, however, Freddie is not merely trying to woo and wed Sally for business reasons -- but that doesn't make him any less of a louse than before! ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Guy Marks, Richard Deacon, (more)
- 1963
Stuck for a comedy sketch for his boss Alan Brady, Rob (Dick Van Dyke) is delighted when his son Ritchie, with seemingly total spontaneity, comes up with a brilliant routine about a talking bowling pin. Only after Rob and his fellow writers submit the script do they discover that Ritchie had previously seen the bowling-pin bit on a popular kiddie program, "The Uncle Spunky Show." Even worse, Uncle Spunky has a reputation for suing anyone who dares lift a single line from one of his scripts! ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Richard Deacon, Herbie Faye, (more)
- 1963
The third season of The Dick Van Dyke Show opens with one of the series' funniest and most celebrated episodes. In flashback, Rob (Dick Van Dyke) recalls the day that he and Laura (Mary Tyler Moore) brought their newborn son Ritchie home from the hospital. A series of bizarre incidents, coupled with the ditzy behavior of the OB-GYN nurse, convince Rob that he has the wrong baby, and that a couple named Peters have unwittingly gone home with the Petrie infant. Despite Laura's protests, Rob invites Mr. and Mrs. Peters to his home to reveal the dire news -- only to get the surprise of his life, not to mention the lives of every viewer who watched this episode when it first aired on September 25, 1963. (Not only was the punch line one of the best-kept secrets in TV history, it was astonishingly timely, given the momentous sociopolitical events of the previous summer!) ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Richard Deacon, Jerry Paris, (more)
- 1963
In the conclusion of a two-part story, Laura (Mary Tyler Moore) has confessed to Rob (Dick Van Dyke) that she was only 17 years old when they were married. Though technically speaking, the Petries are still legally man and wife, the rules about "age of consent" vary from state to state, so their lawyer has advised them to undergo a second marriage ceremony just to make sure. However, by the time they show up at the home of justice of the peace Judge Krata (Russell Collins), Rob and Laura are so angry with each other that the judge flatly refuses to perform the ceremony! The day is saved by the two marital witnesses, superbly played by venerable character actors Madge Blake and Burt Mustin. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Richard Deacon, Ann Morgan Guilbert, (more)
- 1963
The Dick Van Dyke Show invades Twilight Zone territory in this unforgettable episode. Unable to sleep one night, Rob (Dick Van Dyke) turns on the TV and watches a sci-fi movie about "Kolac," evil emissary from the planet Twilo, who uses cosmic walnuts to turn human beings into three-eyed, thumbless aliens. The next morning, Rob is astonished when Laura (Mary Tyler Moore) serves him a breakfast consisting entirely of walnuts -- and even more so when, at the office, Buddy (Morey Amsterdam) and Sally (Rose Marie) are energetically discussing the previous day's speech at the U.N. by "Kolac from Twilo." But nothing prepares Rob for the unexpected arrival of a three-eyed Danny Thomas -- nor the sudden disappearance of his own thumbs! (And by the way: would you believe that this man has 2,000 bees on his face?) ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1963
Outraged when "Alan Brady Show" producer Mel Cooley (Richard Deacon) rejects a sketch over which he has labored for days, Rob (Dick Van Dyke) angrily walks off his job -- only to become angrier when his co-writers Buddy (Morey Amsterdam) and Sally (Rose Marie) fail to walk off with him. Stewing over this presumed act of disloyalty, Rob flashes back to his first day on the job, when Buddy and Sally cold-shouldered him upon finding out that he was to be their boss. Listen for one of Dick Van Dyke's many passing references to his comedy idol Stan Laurel -- and catch that ratty toupee on Richard Deacon in the flashback sequence! ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1963
Tiptoeing into the house, Rob (Dick Van Dyke) plants a kiss on the back of Laura's neck -- only it isn't Laura (Mary Tyler Moore) he kissed, but instead his former classmate Janie Layton (Joan O'Brien), who has come to pay a visit to the Petries. Laura is at first amused by Rob's confusion, but her amusement fades when it seems that the attractive Janie is playing up to her husband, showering him with compliments and the like. Rob is flattered, but he's a little hesitant to take Janie's attentions at face value -- and he soon finds out what she really wants of him. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
When people refer to Doris Day as "the world's oldest professional virgin," they generally have the 1962 comedy That Touch of Mink in mind. It isn't that Cathy Timberlake (Day) is above a bit of hanky-panky; it's just that she wants such tangibles as a marriage license and wedding ring first. Thus, when playboy businessman Philip Shayne (Cary Grant) begins actively pursuing Cathy (they "met cute" when Philip's limo splashed mud on the hapless Cathy), she won't say "I will" until he says "I do." She is of the idealistic opinion that she can bring out the best intentions in him, even when he repeatedly tips off his worst intentions by inviting her to accompany him to Philadelphia, Baltimore, and Bermuda. After not a few complications and misunderstands, Cathy finally finagles a proposal out of Philip. The film is essentially much ado about nothing, but it is so well-acted and attractively photographed that the audiences are willing to go along for the ride. The high-powered supporting cast includes Gig Young as Roger, Philip's moralistic financial advisor; Audrey Meadows as Connie, Cathy's wise-cracking roommate; Alan Hewitt as Dr. Gruber, a confused psychiatrist; John Astin as Beasley, Cathy's slimy would-be beau; Dick Sargent as a neurotic honeymooner; and an unbilled Richard Deacon as an all-around letch. Best scene: the baseball-dugout rhubarb involving New York Yankees Mickey Mantle, Roger Maris, and Yogi Berra. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Cary Grant, Doris Day, (more)
- 1962
Lumpy (Frank Bank) is thinking about joining the merchant marine, but he dare not tell his parents. Thus, Lumpy arranges for the applications and other literature to be mailed to Wally (Tony Dow). Naturally, Ward (Hugh Beaumont) and June (Barbara Billingsley) come across all that merchant marine information and jump to the conclusion that their own darling son is secretly yearning for a life on the high seas! ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Richard Deacon, Frank Bank, (more)
- 1962
Tired of living in the shadow of his brother Wally's athletic accomplishments, Beaver (Jerry Mathers) tries out for the local park's basketball team. It helps matters not at all when his pals tell Beaver that he's gotten on the team only because of Wally's reputation. So nervous does this make Beaver that he begins to "goof up" in each game, whereupon he is bounced from the team. Now Beaver is even further down in the dumps -- should he withhold the fact that he's been cut from his parents, or should he tell them and thereby confirm the "fact" that Wally (Tony Dow) will always be better than he is? ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Richard Deacon, Richard Correll, (more)
- 1962
With Gilbert (Stephen Talbot) over to spend the evening with Beaver (Jerry Mathers), Ward (Hugh Beaumont) and June (Barbara Billingsley) agree to allow Wally (Tony Dow) to attend a party at Lumpy's house while they themselves go out. The only proviso is that Wally not spend the whole night with Lumpy (Frank Bank), and that he come home at a reasonable hour. But when Lumpy finds a stain on his rug, he begs Wally to stick around until morning so that his parents won't yell at him. Dutifully, Wally calls home for permission -- but Ward and June still haven't returned yet, placing Wally in another "darned if he does, darned if he doesn't" situation. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Frank Bank, Stephen Talbot, (more)
- 1962
Unable to drive Wally (Tony Dow) to a track meet in Bellport, Ward (Hugh Beaumont) reluctantly loans his car to Lumpy (Frank Bank) for that purpose. But there are conditions -- Ward warns Lumpy that he can only drive Wally and Beaver (Jerry Mathers), and that he'd better come straight home after the meet. Instead, Lumpy not only takes Eddie (Ken Osmond) along for the ride, but also tries to get back to Mayfield by way of an unauthorized short cut -- whereupon Ward's car incurs some damage, requiring an expensive repair job in a strange town! ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Frank Bank, Ken Osmond, (more)
Ira Levin wrote the stage comedy Critic's Choice as a good-natured retort to a comment made by critic Walter Kerr. In his essay How Not to Write a Play, Kerr noted that the worst possible scenario would involve a drama critic forced to review a play written by his wife (we should mention that Kerr's own wife was noted playwright Jean Kerr). Levin utilized this very scenario, and the result was a Broadway hit. Less successful artistically was the 1962 film version, though with Bob Hope and Lucille Ball as stars, the film couldn't help but clean up at the box office. Hope portrays theatrical critic Parker Ballantine, while Lucille Ball plays his wife Angela. Feeling "useless," Angela writes a play as a lark, then is amazed when it is optioned by a major producer. Parker does his best to get out of the responsibility of reviewing the play (which very well may be as bad as he thinks it is), but cannot escape the responsibility. Much of the verbal wit of the Levin original is sacrificed in favor of one-line quips; there is also an overabundance of gratuitous slapstick during a little-league game and the climactic "opening night" sequence. Still, Hope and Ball work together well as always. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Bob Hope, Lucille Ball, (more)
- 1962
Left alone in the Cleaver house one night, Beaver (Jerry Mathers) and Gilbert (Stephen Talbot) pass the time by watching television. It seems that there's a scary old crime picture on the air, and of course the two boys are duly frightened. In fact, they're so unnerved that, when they think someone is skulking around the house, they call the cops. Imagine their embarrassment when the two "burglars" turn out to be Wally's friends Lumpy (Frank Bank) and Bill (David Kent), both dressed up for a costume party! ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Stephen Talbot, Richard Deacon, (more)
- 1962
Rob (Dick Van Dyke) can't understand why Buddy (Morey Amsterdam) and Sally (Rose Marie) have of late been making themselves scarce on weekends. All he can determine is that his fellow writers are working on a "secret project." Concern turns into mortal fear when Rob concludes that Buddy and Sally have accepted an independent gag-writing assignment -- which of course would spell the end of their contracts with "The Alan Brady Show." The solution to the mystery is not quite so cataclysmic, but it is immensely enjoyable! ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Richard Deacon, Phil Arnold, (more)
- 1962
In this Rashomon-inspired episode, an angry Rob (Dick Van Dyke) storms out of the house after a big fight with Laura (Mary Tyler Moore). The camera then zeroes in on the fishbowl in the Petrie living room, where a pair of goldfish accurately recall the events leading up to the argument -- and it is painfully clear that both parties were equally at fault. Of course, the separate versions of the incident told by Rob and Laura tend to cast themselves in the best possible light, with Laura coming off as an eternally smiling saint in her flashback, and Rob oozing the charm of Fred Astaire in his! ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Richard Deacon
- 1962
Singer Vic Damone guests in this episode as Rick Vallone, an upcoming musical guest on "The Alan Brady Show." Assigned to handle the details of Rick's appearance is writer Sally Rogers (Rose Marie), the team's resident bachelor gal. It doesn't take long for Sally to fall in love with the handsome Rick; the trouble is that although Rick is very fond of Sally, he doesn't feel the same way she does. And there's even more trouble: Rick must figure out a way to let Sally down gently -- after Rob (who has tried every other strategy to spare Sally's feelings) has warned him that she tends to "bleed like old Russian royalty." ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Vic Damone, Richard Deacon, (more)
- 1962
While out shopping, Laura (Mary Tyler Moore) meets an affable middle-aged fellow who is working behind the haberdashery counter. It turns out that this charming salesman is Happy Spangler (Jay C. Flippen), the former radio writer who gave Laura's husband Rob (Dick Van Dyke) his first job. Generously offering to bring Happy back into the showbiz mainstream, Rob invites him to join the writing staff of "The Alan Brady Show." Alas, Happy's contributions serve only to make everyone else unhappy, putting Rob in the unenviable position of firing the man who made his own career possible. This was the final episode of The Dick Van Dyke Show's first season. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Jay C. Flippen, Richard Deacon, (more)
- 1962
In the conclusion of a two-part story, Dick Van Dyke's real-life brother Jerry Van Dyke guest stars as Stacey Petrie, younger brother of Rob Petrie. Bowled over by Stacey's remarkable talents as a banjo-strumming, joke-spewing entertainer, several observers recommend that he be allowed to audition for "The Alan Brady Show." Rob, however, is hesitant to allow Stacey to do so, knowing full well that his brother, a habitual somnambulist, is only lively and self-confident when he's asleep -- and an untalented slug when he's awake! Nonetheless, Stacey is invited to perform at a party given by Rob for his boss Alan Brady...with surprising results. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Jerry Van Dyke, Richard Deacon, (more)
- 1962
In the first episode of a two-part story, Dick Van Dyke's real-life brother Jerry Van Dyke guest stars as Stacey Petrie, younger brother of Rob Petrie. On a two-week furlough from the Army, Stacey stays with Rob and Laura (Mary Tyler Moore) -- and much to Laura's surprise, it doesn't look as though Stacey will stray any further than the Petrie living room. Clearly, the time has come for Rob to reveal the "dreadful secret" about his younger brother: Stacey is a neurotic dullard when awake -- and the supremely self-confident "life of the party" when he's asleep! ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Jerry Van Dyke, Richard Deacon, (more)
- 1962
Sally (Rose Marie) discovers a talented young dancer named Randy Twizzle (Jerry Lanning) at her local bowling alley, and informs Rob (Dick Van Dyke) and Buddy (Morey Amsterdam) of her new find. After performing his own special dance -- the "Twizzle," of course -- for Mel Cooley (Richard Deacon), Randy is invited to audition for "The Alan Brady Show." Unfortunately, Randy's dad (Jack Albertson) is dead-set against his son dancing on TV...but not because he doesn't want the boy to be a big star. Famed pro wrestler Freddie Blassie provides the punch line for this entertaining episode. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Richard Deacon, Jerry Lanning, (more)
