Art Baer Movies
- 1977
Henry Polic II appears as Walter, who is arguably the most incompetent robber in the his history of crime. Not only does he drop his holdup note on the floor of diner--Alice (Linda Lavin) helpfully retrieves it--but when time comes to claim the dough, the cash register gets jammed. Inevitably, the staff takes pity on the incompetent thief, who despairs that he'll never be able to do anything right...but fate intervenes in the form of an extremely pregnant woman (Lupe Ontiveros) who suddenly goes into labor. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1977
Someone has lost a bag containing $40,000 in Mel's Diner. Law-abiding Alice (Linda Lavin) decides that it's the decent thing to do to seek out the owner. Alas, Alice is the only one subscribing to this line of thinking: everyone else is dreaming of how to spend the dough. If this episode enjoyed a higher rating than usual, it was probably because it originally aired the same night as the legendary finale of The Mary Tyler Moore Show. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
Each week, passengers looking for romance board the beautiful Pacific Princess cruise ship as it sails to tropical and exotic lands. Captain Stubing, Julie, Gopher, Dr.Adam, and Isaac help them to get the most out of their trips and do their best to help them fall in love.
- Starring:
- Gavin MacLeod, Bernie Kopell, (more)
- 1976
Alice (Linda Lavin) has every reason to assume that she is the beneficiary of her late husband's insurance policy. So imagine her surprise--and outrage--upon discovering that the policy is in the name of another woman. The first airing of this episode, on October 6, 1976, occurred only in the Mountain and Pacific time zones: the rest of the country had to make do with a presidential debate between a couple of guys named Ford and Carter. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1975
Louise invites Roy and Natalie Simms (Ernie Lee Banks and Maye Henderson), two friends from her old Harlem neighborhood, to have dinner in the plush Jefferson penthouse apartment. It so happens that George plans to entertain an important client on that very evening. Terrified that his old chums will embarrass him, George ends up doing the job all by himself -- and learning a valuable lesson in the process (until next time, that is). "Former Neighbors" originally aired on March 29, 1975. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1975
Things look bleak for the Evans household when both James (John Amos) and J.J. (Jimmie Walker) lose their jobs. Determined to provide for his loved ones, J.J. prepares to "be all that he can be" by joining the army. William Christopher, who was appearing semi-regularly as Father Mulcahy on M*A*S*H when this episode was filmed, guest stars as the army doctor; on the other hand, series regular Esther Rolle (Florida) isn't in this episode at all. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1974
Appointed a temporary student teacher, Laurie (Susan Dey) takes her job very, very seriously--and in the process makes life miserable for her brother Danny (Danny Bonaduce). Determined that Danny will get a passing grade, Laurie mercilessly tears apart his every academic effort. Finally, Danny teaches her a lesson by proving that even the greatest of men were once struggling 13-year-old students--but will he be able to make his point without having to attend (ugh!) summer school? ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1974
Finding an attractive-looking jeweled brooch, Danny (Danny Bonaduce) gives it to his mother Shirley (Shirley Jones) for a birthday present. Soon thereafter, Danny learns that the brooch is extremely valuable, and that someone has posted a 50-dollar reward for its return. Figuring that he can use the reward money to buy a replacement brooch, Danny now must hatch a scheme to sneak the original item away from his mom without her finding out! Song: "I Wanna Be With You". ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1968
Hogan's task is to free four Allied captives of the Gestapo. As a means to this end, Hogan and his crew must convince both Klink and Hochstetter that the war is over! Future MASH regular William Christopher is here seen as POW Thomas, a temporary replacement for Sgt. Carter (reportedly Larry Hovis was engaged elsewhere, either with the pilot for Rowan and Martin's Laugh-In or a Dinah Shore special). First shown on January 27, 1968, "War Takes a Holiday" was written by Art Baer and Ben Joelson. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Bob Crane, Werner Klemperer, (more)
- 1967
Hogan is faced with the possibility that captured French pilot Lt. Boucher (Felice Orlandi) may crack under Gestapo questioning and expose the POW's espionage operation. To keep Boucher's morale high, Hogan smuggles in the Frenchman's sweetheart Suzanne (Susan Albert). He then goes one step further, attempting to trick Klink into performing a marriage ceremony between Boucher and his beloved. The episode's highlight is another disguise scene, with Sgt. Carter appearing in outrageous drag. Scripted by Richard M. Powell, Art Baer, and Ben Joelson from a story by Baer and Joelson, "Reverend Kommandant Klink" originally aired on March 3, 1967. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Bob Crane, Werner Klemperer, (more)
- 1967
In order to destroy a German ammunition factory, Hogan and his men go undercover as workers in the target factory. Their plans to blow up the place hit a snag when, through a fluke, Newkirk is drafted into the German army. Hal Smith, best known for his portrayal of town drunk Otis Campbell on The Andy Griffth Show, is here seen as Hans Spear. Written by Art Baer and Ben Joelson, "The Swing Shift" made its first network appearance on February 3, 1967. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Bob Crane, Werner Klemperer, (more)
- 1966
Goober has developed a crush on Flora Malherbe (Alberta Nelson), the new waitress at the local diner. Alas, Flora has eyes only for sheriff Andy. In trying to help Goober out, Andy succeeds in making things worse. But never fear: a happy ending is not only inevitable, but mandatory. Written by Ben Joelson and Art Baer, "Eat Your Heart Out" was originally slated to air on February 21, 1966, but was moved to February 28. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Aneta Corsaut
- 1966
Rob (Dick Van Dyke) and Sally (Rose Marie) suspect that something is amiss when Buddy (Morey Amsterdam) starts behaving strangely, making secret phone calls and leaving work before quitting time. At first, it seems that Buddy is visiting a psychiatrist -- but then, evidence falls in Rob's lap that the very married Buddy is seeing the proverbial "other woman." Without giving away any more of the plot, it can be noted that the woman in question (played by Pippa Scott) is the wife of Buddy's rabbi. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Richard Deacon, Pippa Scott, (more)
- 1966
Hogan's latest scheme is to redirect a fleet of Luftwaffe bombers bound for London so that the planes will be shot down by the Allies. The plan hinges on some phony information that is to be leaked to Col. Klink. Unfortunately, Sgt. Carter forgets the false info, forcing Hogan to improvise a new scheme. Harold Gould appears as General Von Lintzer. Written by Art Baer and Ben Joelson, "Klink's Rocket" originally aired on December 16, 1966. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Bob Crane, Werner Klemperer, (more)
- 1965
Using a toy walkie-talkie, youngsters Opie and Tommy (Michael Petit) trick gullible Goober into thinking that his dog Spot can talk. Andy eventually figures out what's going on, and with Goober's help he teaches the two pranksters a lesson. Written by Ben Joelson and Art Baer, "A Man's Best Friend" was filmed as the 170th episode of The Andy Griffith Show. It was, however, shown as the series' 171st installment, on November 29, 1965. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1965
Jack Burns joins the series as Andy's overzealous new deputy Warren Ferguson. Even more of a "letter of the law" stickler than his predecessor Barney Fife, Warren immediately makes his mark by arresting several bingo-playing old ladies for gambling. When he refuses to drop the charges, Andy has to figure out a way to "humanize" Warren. Written by Ben Joelson and Art Baer, "The Bazaar" first aired on October 11, 1965. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1965
Laura (Mary Tyler Moore) is so enthusiastic about her art class that she coerces Rob (Dick Van Dyke) into signing up himself. Before long, however, Laura has ample reason to regret talking Rob into participating in the class. The reason? Well, it so happens that the art teacher, an attractive young woman named Valerie Ware (Ina Balin), has drawn a bead on Rob -- and desires to make our hero "teacher's pet" both in and out of the classroom! ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Ina Balin, Jackie Joseph, (more)
- 1965
Sensing that Andy and Helen feel guilty about leaving her home alone at night, Aunt Bee pretends to have a new boy friend. When pressed for details, Bee intimates that her sweetie is local butter-and-egg man Orville Hendricks (Woodrow Chambliss). This little deception results in big trouble when Barney discovers that Orville is already married-or, as Barney so delicately puts it, he's a "chicken-coop Casanova!" Written by Ben Joelson and Art Baer, "Aunt Bee's Invisible Beau" originally aired on March 29, 1965. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
