David Lawrence Movies

Bumbling Esmerelda is pressed into service to babysit young Ralph (Ricky Powell), the son of Darrin's new client, Mr. Norton (Richard X. Slattery). In the course of the evening, Esmerelda takes it upon herself to tell Ralph that she's a witch, performing several disastrous acts of witchcraft to prove her point. It is up to Samantha to run damage control by claiming that Esmerelda is really a professional magician. Written by Philip Sharp and Henry Sharp, "Samantha's Magic Sitter" first aired on January 5, 1972. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide

Samantha suffers guilt feelings when she uses witchcraft to do her housework, and her guilt is compounded when Darrin refuses to get mad. As a result, Sam comes down with a bad case of the hiccups, causing expensive gifts to magically appear in the Stephens household. A blessing in disguise? Not quite: All of the "gifts" have been zapped from a local department store, and before long, a team of detectives comes a-knocking at the Stephenses' door. Dr. Bombay finally reveals that Sam's current dilemma is merely a matter of semantics -- or more specifically, bad spelling. Written by John L. Greene, "Samantha's Psychic Pslip" first aired on April 1, 1971. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide

This time around, Endora has turned Darrin into a gorilla. As Samantha struggles to undo the spell, the now-hirsute Darrin is forced to evade a pair of crooked hunters named Alex (Allen Jenkins) and Pete (Milton Selzer), who are seeking a mate for their 400-pound female ape. Herb Vigran appears in his standard characterization as a flustered police sergeant. Written by Leo Townsend and Pauline Townsend, "Darrin Goes Ape" originally aired on March 11, 1971. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide

In the sixth episode of a seven-part story arc, Samantha and Darrin arrive in Paris, only to face the wrath of Sam's father, Maurice. Incensed that the Stephenses did not pay him a visit in London, Maurice gets his revenge by sending Darrin to the top of the Eiffel Tower. Want to bet that this rash act will prove beneficial to Darrin's new client, European tour packager Henri Sagan (Maurice Marsac)? Written by Michael Morris, "Paris Witch's Style" first aired on October 20, 1971. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide

It looks like the jig is up when Darrin's mother, Phyllis (Mabel Albertson), catches her grandson, Adam, in an act of magic. Using reverse psychology, Samantha manages to make it appear as if Phyllis is herself a sorceress. The problems that stem from this misapprehension culminate in a zany mock séance, and a major "change of life" for Phyllis' husband, Frank (Robert Simon). Written by Ed Jurist, "Samantha and the Antique Doll" originally aired on April 22, 1971, as the final episode of Bewitched's seventh season. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide

While watching a TV kiddie show, Tabitha makes the show's Punch and Judy puppets come to life. Duly impressed by Tabitha's "ventriloquist" skills, the show's sponsor -- who happens to be Darrin's new client -- offers the girl a regular speaking role on the show. Problem is, Tabitha doesn't really want to be a performer, especially when she finds out that she may be depriving work to a deserving child actress. Featured in the supporting cast are Robert Q. Lewis as the show's director, and former movie leading lady (and ex-wife of Audie Murphy) Wanda Hendrix as the sponsor's wife. First telecast on November 3, 1971, "TV or Not TV" was written by Bernie Kahn. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide

Bewitched enters its eighth and final season with the usual dramatis personae present and accounted for: Elizabeth Montgomery as sexy, spunky witch Samantha Stephens; Dick Sargent as "Sam"'s long-suffering mortal husband, ad executive Darrin Stephens; Agnes Moorehead as Sam's imperious witch mother, Endora; Erin Murphy as Darrin and Sam's enchanted daughter, Tabitha; and, appearing as the Stevens' son, Adam, twin child actors David and Greg Lawrence. Also making recurring appearances are Alice Ghostley as klutzy witch Esmerelda, the Stevens' housekeeper; David White as Darrin's dyspeptic boss, Larry Tate; Maurice Evans as Sam's erudite warlock dad, Maurice; Paul Lynde as her prankish warlock uncle Arthur; Bernard Fox as resourceful warlock general practitioner Dr. Bombay; and Sandra Gould as the Stephens' snoopy neighbor Gladys Kravitz. Highlights during the series' terminal season include the two-part opener, in which Sam is transported back to 16th century London, only to become the fiancée of that old head-chopper Henry VIII; a journey to Scotland, in which the Stephens learn the surprising secret of the Loch Ness monster; Endora's capricious spell which brings a statue of Venus to life; and the final episode, in which poor Darrin is placed under a spell compelling him to speak the absolute, unvarnished truth -- at the worst possible time! ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide

This "very special" Christmas episode of Bewitched was adapted by Barbara Avedon and William Asher from a story submitted by the fifth-period English class at Thomas Jefferson High School in Los Angeles, CA (the story had been written at the behest of teacher Marcella Saunders as a thank-you for the class' visit to the Bewitched set at Columbia studios). In the spirit of equality, Tabitha uses "wishcraft" to cast a spell on herself and her black playmate, Lisa (Venetta Rodgers). Now, both girls are covered with multicolored polkadots which make them look alike -- almost. Tabitha's efforts to transform Lisa into her spiritual sister may not, however, rest well with Lisa's parents (Don Marshall, Janee Michelle), nor with Darrin's bigoted client, Mr. Brockway (Parley Baer). Refreshingly free of the patronization which usually attended "racially sensitive" TV episodes of the period, "Sisters at Heart" made its first network appearance on December 24, 1970. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide