George Tobias Movies

In this pivotal episode, budding writer John-Boy (Richard Thomas) is encouraged by his teacher Miss Hunter (Mariclare Costello) to send one of his stories to a national magazine. Unfortunately, the publication accepts only typed manuscripts, and John-Boy can't afford a typewriter. With no other options at hand, he secretly "borrows" an antique typewriter belonging to the wealthy Baldwin sisters (Helen Kleeb, Mary Jackson) -- only to find himself in quite a quandary when Mary Ellen (Judy Norton-Taylor) unwittingly gives the old machine to a travelling junk dealer (George Tobias). ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide

In the conclusion of a two-part story, Samantha takes over the responsibilities of Mary the Good Fairy (guest star Imogene Coca) when the latter partakes of a wee bit too much medicinal brandy. Trouble is, Mary refuses to re-don her wings, and it looks like Samantha will be in the Good Fairy business permanently -- minus her powers of witchcraft. And how will all this affect Darrin's relationship with his new client, Mr. Ferber (played by the ubiquitous Herb Voland). Originally telecast on January 28, 1971, "The Good Fairy Strikes Again" was written by Ed Jurist. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide

When Tabitha won't eat, Esmerelda conjures up a glass of magic milk to improve her appetite. Unfortunately, the milk is downed by Samantha, who promptly goes upon an uncontrollable eating binge at a local supermarket. Can Dr. Bombay curb Sam's sudden insatiability? Bernie Kopell returns in the role of warlock Apothecary. Written by Richard Baer, "Samantha's Lost Weekend" originally aired on January 8, 1970. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide

Have you ever longed for the day when James Brown, Martha Raye, and Col. Harland Sanders would appear in a movie together? Well, that's barely the tip of the improbable casting iceberg in this bizarre cold-war spoof. The leaders of the American intelligence organization the S.S.A. ("Super Secret Agency") are becoming increasingly alarmed by the disappearance of a number of B-list celebrities, who are being spirited off to Communist Albania. Eager to bring the fading stars back to the Land of the Free, the S.S.A. come up with a simple plan: They'll find four typical guys in their mid-twenties, have them form a rock group, make them into international stars, and wait until they get invited to play a gig in Albania, which will allow them to find out what's become of Rudy Vallee, Butterfly McQueen, and Huntz Hall, among others. Unemployed philosopher Michael A. Miller, Native-American honor student Ray Chippeway, phys-ed major Dennis Larden, and male model Lonny Stevens are drafted by the S.S.A., and after some intensive training by experts (Trini Lopez shows them a few guitar chords, and Richard Pryor gives them a crash course in soul), they become an overnight sensation as The Phynx (yes, it's pronounced "Finks"). Their album sells 17 million copies on the strength of songs like "What Is Your Sign?," and their groupies have to be cleared away by forklift. But fun and games have to go to the back burner when Albanian ruler Markevitch (George Tobias) and his wife, Ruby (Joan Blondell), invite the Phynx to perform at the behest of their son. Pat O'Brien, Xavier Cugat, Patty Andrews, and Dick Clark are just a few of the other notables who make cameo appearances in The Phynx, which had a very brief theatrical release before being sold to television in the early '70s. Legendary songwriters Jerry Leiber and Mike Stoller penned the songs performed by The Phynx (and Stoller composed the background score), though for some reason they're not covered nearly as often as "Jailhouse Rock," "Hound Dog," or "Yakkety Yak." ~ Mark Deming, All Movie Guide

The seventh season of the fantasy sitcom Bewitched is launched by a multi-episode story arc, representing the first time that the series was filmed on location outside of Hollywood. In "To Go or Not to Go, That Is the Question," "Salem Here We Come," "Samantha's Hot Bedwarmer," and several other episodes, glamorous witch Samantha Stephens (Elizabeth Montgomery), her mortal husband, Darrin (Dick Sargent), and their two children are compelled to pay an extended visit to Salem, MA, a community that has historically been hostile to witches (even pretty ones). These episodes were largely lensed in the actual town of Salem, much of which had of course been redesigned in classic 17th century fashion for the tourist trade. The journey to Salem proved to be a terrific ratings boost for Bewitched, which after six years on ABC was beginning to show signs of wear and tear. In subsequent season-seven episodes, Imogene Coca guest stars as the Tooth Fairy, who accidentally gets plotzed on medicinal brandy while trying collect a tooth from the Stephens' daughter, Tabitha (Erin Murphy); Bob Cummings appears in a tale of a toy troll come to life, with Felix Silla (formerly "Cousin Itt" on The Addams Family) playing said troll; and future Happy Days regular Tom Bosley is seen as the mortal boyfriend of the Stephens' klutzy witch housekeeper, Esmerelda (Alice Ghostley). ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide

Samantha falls victim to "the Venetian Verbal Virus," which causes her to speak in nothing but rhymes. Unfortunately, her malady coincides with the arrival of Darrin's new client, Oscar Durfee (Larry D. Mann), a man who has grown sick and tired of rhyming jingles. Sara Seegar is featured in another of her innumerable "confused client's wife" roles as Mrs. Durfee. Written by Richard Baer, "Samantha the Bard" was originally telecast on January 30, 1969. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide

In his efforts to save the weeping willow tree which Darrin gave Samantha when Tabitha was born, Dr. Bombay inadvertently causes Sam to start sobbing uncontrollably. Because she is unable to explain the source of her melancholy, everyone assumes that Darrin has "done her wrong." The only cure for her copious weeping is unbridled laughter -- and that's even worse! Written by Douglas Tibbles, "Weep No More, My Willow" was originally scheduled to air on October 31, 1968, but ended up making its first network appearance on December 19 of that same year. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide

A few seasons back, Abner Kravitz moved in with Darrin and Samantha when his wife, Gladys, kicked him out of the house. This time, it is Gladys' turn to bunk with the Stephenses after an argument with Abner. Unable to make the best of a bad situation, Darrin pleads with Sam to use witchcraft to bring the Kravitzes back together again. Frequent Bewitched supporting actor and scriptwriter Arthur Julian appears as Hogersdorf, the butcher. Written by Richard Baer, "Splitsville" was first telecast on May 16, 1968, as the final episode of Bewitched's fourth season. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide

Darrin wonders if his life would be any different if Samantha were to tell the world that she is a witch. To purge such thoughts from her husband's head, Sam conjures up a nightmare for Darrin, wherein he discovers that too much knowledge about Sam's magical powers would result in nothing but grief for everyone concerned. By the end of the dream, both Sam and Darrin have been forced to join the army under threat of being burned at the stake. Written by Richard Baer, "I Confess" originally aired on April 4, 1968. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide

John Fiedler guest stars as Fergus F. Finglehoff, a frog who has been transformed into man. Having fallen in love with a female amphibian, Fergus demands that Samantha return him to his original frog form, but only the witch who cast the spell in first place can do that. Sam's solution is to change Fergus' froggy girlfriend, Phoebe (Corin Camcho), into a human -- a bit of magic which, alas, does not alleviate the crisis. Written by Ruth Brooks Flippen, "Nobody but a Frog Knows How to Live" originally aired on April 27, 1967. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide

The trouble begins when Darrin orders a rocking chair for Samantha as a surprise. Misunderstanding the situation, Endora concludes that Darrin is seeing another woman. That's why Endora casts a spell which makes Darrin's ears grow whenever he tells a lie -- and, indirectly, why Abner and Gladys Kravitz are suddenly besieged with strange, unwanted gifts. Written by Ed Jurist, "My What Big Ears You Have" first aired on December 7, 1967. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide

Once again, little Tabitha tries out her own rudimentary magical powers, with strange results. This time, Tabitha makes the characters in her Halloween picture book come to life -- and alas, snoopy Gladys Kravitz sees all. This episode is showcase for famed Hollywood "little people" Jerry Maren (as a gremlin), Felix Silla (as a goblin), and Billy Curtis (as a jack-o'-lantern). Written by James Henerson, "A Safe Sane Halloween" appropriately aired on October 26, 1967. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide