Alice Pearce Movies

The Glass Bottom Boat is hardly a high point in the careers of star Doris Day and director Frank Tashlin, though it is a better-than-usual example of that pure-'60s genre, the "spy spoof." Day plays Jennifer Nelson, a PR worker at NASA in Florida. She also doubles as a "mermaid" for her father, Axel (Arthur Godfrey), the skipper of a glass-bottom tourist boat. While garbed in her skimpy mermaid costume, she has a run-in with handsome space technician Bruce Templeton (Rod Taylor). Through a series of misunderstandings, Bruce is led to believe that Jennifer is an enemy spy, determined to steal scientific secrets. Several other characters enter into the plot, including bumbling secret agent Julius Pritter (Dom DeLuise) and prissy security chief Homer Cripps (Paul Lynde). Also on hand are TV favorites Dick Martin as Jennifer's erstwhile beau and Eric Fleming as a man of mystery. A few cute celebrity cameos round out this ribtickler, while Doris Day, as always, gets a few opportunities to sing. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide

With Samantha's surreptitious help, Darrin knocks out a bully during a rhubarb at a restaurant. The bully turns out to be Joe Kovack (Roger Torrey), a heavyweight boxer. As a result of the ensuing publicity, Darrin is forced to climb into the boxing ring with Kovack and then has to contend with Kovack's chief rival, undefeated champion Tommy Carter (Rockne Tarkington). Written by Lee Erwin, "Fastest Gun on Madison Avenue" first aired on February 3, 1966. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide

Dick Gautier guest stars as Aubert, a Parisian dress designer who has been frustrated in his efforts to break into the American market. As it happens, one of Aubert's best customers is Samantha, who uses magic to conjure up a duplicate of one of the designer's best creations. As a result, the wife (Barbara Morrison) of Darrin's client, J.T. Glendon (Harry Holcombe), becomes convinced that Sam designed the dress herself -- and, as the saying goes, comic chaos ensues. Written by Lee Erwin, "Samantha the Dressmaker" first aired on February 24, 1966. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide

Samantha is appointed entertainment chairman for the annual hospital benefit show. Having heard of a wonderful magician named Zeno (Walter Burke), Sam tries to hire the man -- only to discover that Zeno is a washed-up loser suffering from a huge inferiority complex. Also appearing is Cliff Norton as Walter. Written by Tom Waldman and Frank Waldman, "It's Magic" first aired on January 7, 1965. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide

Hoping to help Darrin locate an exotic model for his latest ad campaign, Samantha transforms a Siamese cat into a gorgeous girl named Ling-Ling (Greta Chi). Unfortunately, Ling-Ling wants to remain in human form, and to that end she begins using her feline wiles on Darrin's handsome photographer, Walter Ames (Jeremy Slate). Now that Sam has (literally) let the cat out of the bag, she has to figure out a way to straighten out the mess. Written by Jerry Davis, "Ling-Ling" originally aired on February 11, 1965. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide

At Samantha's suggestion, Endora decides to briefly experience life as a mortal. Endora transforms herself into a clone of Samantha -- then causes no end of trouble when she begins dating author Bob Frazer (Ron Randell), one of Darrin's oldest friends. Familiar comedy foil Monty Margetts appears as a confused saleswoman. Originally telecast on March 11, 1965, "Which Witch is Which" was written by Ruth Brooks Flippen, the wife of character actor Jay C. Flippen. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide

To get snoopy next-door neighbor Gladys Kravitz off her back, Samantha convinces Gladys that she herself is endowed with magical powers -- and extra-sensory perception to boot Unfortunately, Gladys is a mortal, and as such cannot properly handle her new powers. To "exorcise" her hapless neighbor, Sam stages a cleverly rigged séance. Written by Lawrence J. Cohen and Fred Freeman, "Abner Kadabra" first aired on April 15, 1965. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide

Hoping to break the monotony of her domestic existence, Samantha dons a black wig. At the same time, Darrin suggests that he and Sam "get away from it all" by checking into a downtown hotel suite. Inevitably, they are spotted by Larry Tate, who, failing to recognize the bewigged Sam, is convinced that Darrin is a philanderer. Written by Bernard Slade (who, coincidentally, later wrote the hit "infidelity" stage comedy Same Time, Next Year), "That Was My Wife" first aired on April 29, 1965. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide

After another of their famous arguments, Gladys Kravitz kicks her husband, Abner, out of the house. With nowhere else to go, Abner moves in with his next-door neighbors, Samantha and Darrin Stephens. When Gladys files for divorce, Sam magically conjures up a few pleasant memories to bring the Kravitzes back together again. Originally telecast on May 6, 1965, "Illegal Separation" was written by Richard Baer, one of the leading lights of Orson Welles' Mercury Theatre. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide

Originally telecast September 16, 1965, "Alias Darrin Stephens" was the first episode of Bewitched's second season. On the occasion of Samantha and Darrin's first wedding anniversary, bumbling Aunt Clara presents Darrin with a golf cap that's at least two sizes too small. Using witchcraft in hopes of making the cap bigger, Aunt Clara characteristically conjures up the wrong spell -- and turns Darrin into a monkey. "Alias Darrin Stephens" was written by Richard Baer. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide

While penning a play about the Civil War, Samantha suffers a severe case of writer's block. Helpful Darrin advises Sam to think of her fictional characters as real people, and as a result, all of the play's characters -- from Yankee belle Violet (Eileen O'Neill) to a surly American Indian (Tom Nardini) -- literally come to life. Written by Paul David and John L. Greene, "...and Then I Wrote" was originally telecast on November 11, 1965. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide

The Stephens household is set on its ear when Samantha is put in charge of capricious ten-year-old warlock Merle Brocken (Craig Hundley). Upon discovering that the little visitor is from Sam's "world," Darrin makes the boy promise not to perform any magic during his visit. Merle obediently agrees, just before a burglar invades the house and overpowers Darrin. James Doohan of Star Trek fame plays Merle's father, Walker Brocken. Written by Paul David and John L. Greene, "A Strange Little Visitor" originally aired on December 2, 1965. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide