Irma Kalish Movies

Henry (Ted Knight) blanches when he finds out that his darling daughter Jackie (Deborah Van Valkenburgh) is dating a much older man. It gets worse when Jackie's "dream date" turns out to be married. Oh, that's all right, Jackie tells her parents. Her new beau is "legally separated" and intends to get a divorce any day now. Hmmmm....It seems to Henry (and to the audience) that he's heard that particular song many, many times before. ~ All Movie Guide

Dick Gautier guest stars as Rich, a footloose musician who had known Muriel Rush (Nancy Dussault) back in her days as a big band singer. Always a man who had a way with the ladies, Rich immediately turns on the old charm when visiting Muriel. Although she is flattered, her husband, Henry (Ted Knight), isn't -- and the situation hardly improves itself when good old Rich starts putting the moves on Henry's daughter Jackie (Deborah Van Valkenburgh). Originally scheduled to air on January 20, 1981, this episode was ultimately shown on February 10 of that same year. ~ All Movie Guide

In the first episode of a two-part story, Carl (Moses Gunn) ecstatically informs the Evans kids that he intends to propose marriage to their mother, Florida (Esther Rolle). But when the intended big moment arrives, Carl is nowhere to be found. His reason for canceling his wedding plans doesn't quite ring true to the Evans family -- and indeed, Carl is hiding a rather disturbing secret. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide

In the concluding episode of Good Times' fifth-season opener "The Evans Get Involved," Willona (Ja'net DuBois) hopes to adopt 10-year-old Penny Gordon (Janet Jackson), but may not be able to do so because she is unmarried. In a misguided effort to help Willona (and, incidentally, to increase her rent), landlord Bookman (Johnny Brown) claims to be her husband. Meanwhile, the Evans children ponder a move to Arizona, the new home of their mother Florida and stepfather Carl. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide

Good Times moved from Wednesday to Tuesday evening for the series' fourth-season opener, the first episode of a two-part story. The Evans family is elated to find out that patriarch James Evans has landed a great new job in Mississippi. Preparing to move from Chicago, the family is feted at a going-away party held by Willona Woods (Ja'net DuBois), the best friend of James' wife, Florida (Esther Rolle). But the festivities come to a sudden and tragic halt when the Evanses receive the worst news imaginable. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide

Archie has often overstepped his bounds in expressing his dismay over Gloria's marital relationship with a "liberal meathead" like Mike. But never before has he expressed his mistrust of Mike in so extreme a manner as in this episode. Considering himself within his rights to search Mike and Gloria's room, Archie succeeds only in nearly tearing his family asunder -- and this time, even Edith lowers the boom on her husband. Written by Austin and Irma Kalish, "Archie Goes Too Far" first aired on January 27, 1973. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide

Gloria is traumatized when she is attacked and nearly raped while walking home from work. At first, the family insists that Gloria press charges against her assailant. But Archie and Mike soon change their minds when a no-nonsense police detective named Vogel (Charles Durning) tells Gloria what she will be up against in court. This time around, it is Edith who proves to be the most level-headed member of the household -- but will she be able to persuade Gloria to put her reputation on the line by testifying against the would-be rapist? There are no easy, pat solutions in this episode, which was written by Austin and Irma Kalish and Don Nicholl. "Gloria the Victim" originally aired on March 17, 1973. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide

Jack Crowder (later billed as Thalmus Rasulala) guest stars as Chester Byrd, a high-pressure black real estate agent. Offering to give Archie twice what he paid for his house, Byrd adroitly and insidiously utilizes scare tactics, warning the Bunkers that their neighborhood is about to be infested by low-income African-Americans. Though Archie takes Byrd at face value, Lionel recognizes the "blockbuster" for what he is. Scripted by Austin and Irma Kalish, Michael Ross, and Bernie West from a story by the Kalishes, "The Blockbuster" originally aired on November 13, 1971. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide

Cissy (Kathy Garver) returns from college in the company of her pregnant friend Kathy Prentiss (played by Linda Kaye Henning, former Petticoat Junction costar and the then daughter-in-law of Family Affair producer Don Fedderson). Inasmuch as Kathy's soldier husband (Jim Henaghan) is out of town, Cissy prevails upon Bill (Brian Keith) to let the expectant mother stay with the Davis family for a week or so. This situation proves most problematic when Kathy suddenly goes into labor! ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide

Contrary to the episode's title, it has indeed been five years since Buffy (Anissa Jones), Jody (Johnnie Whitaker) and Cissy (Kathy Garver) came to New York to live with their Uncle Bill (Brian Keith). In honor of this occasion, the kids have planned a surprise party for Bill--but alas, he's forgotten all about the anniversary, and has flown out of town on business. Saving the day for all concerned is the family's down-to-earth housekeeper Emily (Nancy Walker). This episode is highlighted by flashbacks culled from Family Affair's previous four seasons. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide

Tired of being taken for granted by kids and adults alike, Mr. French leaps at the opportunity to assert his authority and influence when his old friend Cedric (Michael Allinson) asks French to talk Cedric's daughter Anne (Jill Townsend) out of her plans to become an actress. Alas, things don't quite work out for French when, at the urging of the kids, Bill arranges an important audition for Annie, wherupon she lands a good small role in a Broadway play. Now feeling more useless and powerless than ever, French is shakens out of his doldrums only by a surprise plot twist. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide

In the first episode of Family Affair's two-part Season Four finale, Mr. French (Sebastian Cabot and the kids pay a visit to Bill (Brian Keith), who is on assignment in Tahiti. Buffy (Anissa Jones) and Jody (Johnnie Whitaker) bask in the carefree behavior of the local children (not to mention the idea of going to school outdoors), Cissy (Kathy Garver) falls in love with handsome tour guide Mike (Michael Blodgett), and Mr. French (Sebastian Cabot) despairs over the new casual approach to life taken by the family. Then Bill drops a real bombshell: He's planning to marry Tahitian beauty Janine (Danielle Aubrey), and to settle in the tropics permanently! ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide