Paul Barselow Movies
- 1968
In the conclusion of a two-part story arc, an unpleasant encounter with Darrin's former sweetheart, Sheila Sommers (Nancy Kovack), leads Samantha to wonder what would have happened if she had never met Darrin. "Helpful" Endora casts as spell to allow Sam to see how Darrin's romance with Sheila would have progressed without Sam to break things up. At first, Sam is heartbroken, but this being a family sitcom, a happy ending is not long in coming. Along with the returning Nancy Kovack, Frank Wilcox makes an encore appearance as Sheila's millionaire father, J.P. Sommers. Written by Ed Jurist, "If They Never Meet" first aired on January 25, 1968. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Elizabeth Montgomery, Dick York, (more)
- 1967
Mala Powers guest stars as Darrin's new client, M.J. Nilesmuster, who turns out to be his former girlfriend, Mary Jane. Certain that the woman harbors ill feelings towards him, Darrin is amazed that Mary Jane agrees to give him her account, but then accuses Samantha of using her witchcraft to cinch the deal. What he doesn't know is that Sam has temporarily lost her powers, and must rely upon the mercurial Dr. Bombay to restore her sorcery skills. Written by Barbara Avedon, "No Zip in My Zap" first aired on October 12, 1967. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Elizabeth Montgomery, Dick York, (more)
- 1967
British director Alexander MacKendrick helmed this farcical romantic comedy set in Southern California. Carlo Cofield (Tony Curtis) is a footloose tourist who meets Laura Califatti (Claudia Cardinale) when she accidentally edges his car off the highway. Laura invites Carlo to her home; he seems interested in her, but discovers she's already involved with swimming pool magnate Rod Prescott (Robert Webber). The next day, Carlo hits the beach and nearly drowns in the ocean, until he's rescued by comely sky diver Malibu (Sharon Tate). Carlo blackmails Rod into giving him a job so he can stay in California and pursue a romance with Malibu, but he soon finds himself torn between her and Laura. Don't Make Waves also features a theme song by The Byrds. ~ Mark Deming, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Tony Curtis, Claudia Cardinale, (more)
- 1967
When babysitter Endora is called away to the Taj Mahal on emergency business, little Tabitha amuses herself by bringing her toys to life. Convinced that the Stephenses are holding a costume party, a tipsy Larry Tate tries to strike up a friendship with the "humanized" toy soldier (Jim Brooks), whom he thinks has joined a new agency formed by Darrin. Written by Ed Jurist, "Toys in Babeland" was scripted during Bewitched's third season and originally scheduled to air on April 13, 1967. Because of an AFTRA strike, the episode was not ready for broadcast until season four, and not shown until September 14, 1967. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Elizabeth Montgomery, Dick York, (more)
- 1967
On September 7, 1967, Bewitched launched its fourth season with the episode titled "Long Live the Queen." Ruth McDevitt guest stars as Ticheba, Queen of Witches, who, upon abdicating her throne, demands that Samantha take her place. Reluctantly, Darrin agrees to allow Sam to embark upon the traditional year-long reign, only to have the Stephens household besieged by the "transformed" recipients of Ticheba's previous spells. "Long Live the Queen" was written by Ed Jurist. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Elizabeth Montgomery, Dick York, (more)
- 1967
Out of spite, Endora casts a spell that will make everyone hate and despite her son-in-law, Darrin. Unable to undo the spell, Samantha tries to set things right by giving Endora a taste of her own medicine. But Darrin, unaware that the spell is about to be lifted, nearly gums up the works with a boneheaded strategy of his own. Written by Jack Sher, "No More Mr. Nice Guy" originally aired on March 23, 1967, as the 100th episode of Bewitched. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Elizabeth Montgomery, Dick York, (more)
- 1965
Up to her usual tricks, Endora warns Darrin that Samantha will still be beautiful when he is old and grey. This leads Darrin to ask the inevitable question: Just how old is Samantha? If the audience thinks that a straight answer will be forthcoming, they don't know Bewitched. The guest cast includes venerable character actor Peter Brocco as Mr. Bodkin. Originally telecast on February 25, 1965, "Eye of the Beholder" was written by Lawrence Groves. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Elizabeth Montgomery, Dick York, (more)
- 1965
Among her many other reasons for disliking her son-in-law Darrin, Endora is dissatisfied with Darrin's physical appearance. As Samantha looks on, Endora transforms a sleeping Darrin into a "perfect husband" -- a veritable Adonis, in fact. Upon awakening, Darrin becomes convinced that it is Sam and not Endora who is unhappy with his appearance, forcing Sam to assume the identity of a sexy French sculptress to build up her hubby's ego. Written by Bernard Slade, "Change of Face" originally aired on May 13, 1965. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Elizabeth Montgomery, Dick York, (more)
- 1964
The senatorial campaign between Jason Foster (Richard Anderson) and Randolph Cartwell (Stewart Moss) gets down and dirty when political boss Harry Margis (Patrick McVey) tries to set up Foster's sister as a pawn in a fabricated scandal, using her romance with Cardwell's stepson David (Stewart Moss) as a means to an end. When David is murdered, suspicion falls upon Jason's wife Margaret (Jan Shepard), who thinks that Jason is the killer--and as such, refuses to cooperate with Perry Mason as he tries to defend her in court. Appearing as the ingenue Susan Foster is future Hollywood producer and studio executive Lynn Loring. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1964
Bewitched made its first network appearance on September 17, 1964 with the series' pilot episode, "I Darrin Take This Witch Samantha." On the night of her honeymoon, Samantha Stevens decides it's high time to tell her advertising-man husband Darrin a teeny little secret: She is a witch! Once convinced, Darrin makes Sam promise never to use her powers during their marriage, but she finds this promise difficult to keep when they are invited to dinner by Darrin's predatory former girlfriend, Sheila (Nancy Kovack). "I Darrin Take This Witch Samantha" first aired on September 17, 1964. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Elizabeth Montgomery, Dick York, (more)
- 1964
On the verge of bankruptcy, undertaker Vincent Price hits upon a novel method of drumming up business. Together with his cringing assistant Peter Lorre, Price sneaks into the homes of wealthy old men under cover of night and smothers the sleeping occupants to death--then collects a hefty commission when the victims' relatives come calling. At home, Price is continually frustrated in his efforts to poison his senile father-in-law Boris Karloff, who owns the undertaking business. Meanwhile, Price's neglected wife Barbara Nichols takes quite a shine to the shy Lorre. The homicidal undertaker's best-laid schemes go terribly agley when his latest "customer," wealthy Basil Rathbone, doggedly refuses to stay dead. Joe E. Brown has a cameo as a cockney graveyard attendant. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Vincent Price, Peter Lorre, (more)
- 1963
A young lady calling herself Eva Griffin (Patricia Barry) calls upon Perry Mason (Raymond Burr) hoping that he will save her from a nasty scandal. Eva is really a married woman named Eva Belter, and she was photographed leaving a local gambling joint with prominent politician Harrison Burke (James Philbrook). If the photo is published in the lurid scandal sheet "Spicy Bits", Burke will be ruined and Eva will face a violent reprisal from her husband George (Richard Webb). Having an old score to settle with "Spicy Bits", Perry agrees to take Eva's case--only to find himself a murder suspect when Eva's husband George is shot dead! This episode is based on the very first "Perry Mason" novel written by Erle Stanley Gardner, which was previously adapted as a theatrical film in 1935 with Warren William as Mason (in the original film, the events took place while Perry was on his honeymoon with his new bride--Della Street!) ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1962
Martin Balsam essays the title role in this episode as nightclub owner Benjy Leemer. Caught in the middle of a turf war between slot-machine "czar" Joe Bohman (Tom Drake) and gambler Porker Davis (Gavin MacLeod), Leemer ends up with his business burned to the ground and his songstress wife Julie (Cloris Leachman) out of a job. Amidst several symbolic scenes with a pair of "tame" rats, Benjy quietly plots vengeance against both Bohman and Davis--while Julie appears to cross over to the enemy by becoming Bohman's main squeeze. Fans of The Mary Tyler Moore Show will be impressed by the noncomic performances of that series' "Murray" and "Phyllis"...even though Gavin MacLeod and Cloris Leachman never appear together in the same scene.. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1961
Inventor Walter Randall (Jerome Thor) is saddled with a nasty wife named Laura (June Vincent), who is insanely jealous of her husband's romance with Phyllis Hudson (Marianne Stewart). Setting a time bomb to destroy Walter's newest invention, an underwater sounding device, Phyllis decides to literally kill two birds with one stone by knocking out Phyllis and leaving her to die in the explosion. Fortunately, Phyllis escapes in the nick of time; unfortunately, she is subsequently charged with Laura's murder. Attorney Perry Mason (Raymond Burr) relies upon an elaborate (and expensive) courtroom demonstration to save Phyllis from the gas chamber. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1961
Once again, Bart (Jack Kelly) wins big in a poker game. And once again, his prize is not a pile of cash but instead a piece of property--in this case, a bank. What Bart doesn't know is that the bank is about to go bust...and there are quite a few gun-toting depositors who will be sorely annoyed when their assets disappear. Featured in the cast as Blackjack Carney is Frank DeKova, who went on to play the timorous Indian chief Wild Eagle on F Troop. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1961
The plot gets under way when artist Jack Culross (Britt Lomond) fakes his own suicide so that his paintings will increase in value. Upon discovering that her husband is still alive, Culross' wife Edna (Lori March) tracks him down and angrily confronts him. Not long afterward, Culross is found dead for real, and Edna is charged with the crime. Perry Mason (Raymond Burr) must find out who else knew of Culross' phony suicide--and who else hated him enough to kill him. With this episode, Wesley Lau becomes a regular as Lt. Anderson, though in many episodes he is still billed among the supporting players. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
