Charles Barton Movies
Charles T. Barton spent his first two decades as an actor in stock, vaudeville and movies. He learned the production end of the business under the exacting guidance of director James Cruze, finally graduating to director himself with the 1934 "Zane Grey" feature Wagon Wheels. Barton became indispensable to the various "B" units operating in Hollywood, guiding several inexpensive, tight-scheduled productions with breezy efficiency. He also proved a superb comedy director, bringing the best out of such performers as Joe E. Brown, Jackie Gleason and Lupe Velez. From 1946 on, Barton was a principal director of the Abbott and Costello comedies, establishing an excellent working relationship with Lou Costello -- who, like Barton, was short in stature but long on volatility. Barton entered television in the early 1950s, helming several episodes of the classic sitcom Amos N Andy. Barton's last theatrical features included a pair of delightful Disney films, The Shaggy Dog (1959) and Toby Tyler (1960). Charles Barton was married to actress/singer Julie Gibson. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide- 1969
Accused of breaking a school cafeteria window, Jody (Johnnie Whitaker) is suspended because Bill (Brian Keith), believing his nephew to be innocent, refuses to pay for the damages. Reassessing the quality of Jody's public-school education, Bill is persuaded to enroll the boy in a fancy private school called Bradfield. But after doing a bit of investigating on his own, Jody realizes that he'd be the proverbial square peg in a round hole at Bradfield, and tries to figure a way to make amends at his old school--even though he's completely innocent. (Trivia note: both series star Johnnie Whitaker and guest actor Teddy Quinn later played Scotty Baldwin on the ABC soap opera General Hospital.) ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1969
Bill (Brian Keith) has another problem on his hands when Carla (Darleen Carr), the teenage friend of his niece Cissy (Kathy Garver), develops a crush on him. Actually, it's more than a crush: Carla is convinced that she's "practically engaged" to the much-older Bill. In his efforts to let the girl down gently, Bill finds that Carla isn't so easily gotten rid of. (Trivia note: appearing as Carla's mother is Catherine McLeod, who gained pop-culture fame in the 1960s via her appearance in an aspirin ad in which she bellowed "Mother, PLEASE! I'd rather do it myself!!") ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1969
In this unusually serious episode, Dana Andrews guest-stars as Harv Mullen, ex-convict. Recently released from prison, Harv drops in on his old friend Bill (Brian Keith), hoping to get a job. Unfortunately, Harv's visit is marred by the self-conscious behavior of twins Buffy (Anissa Jones) and Jody (Johnnie Whitaker), who regard him as a threat; by Cissy (Kathy Garver), who idealistically aspires to "rehabilitate" the man; and by Mr. French (Sebastian Cabot), who will have nothing to do with a former lawbreaker. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1969
Family Affairmoved from Monday to Thursday on the CBS prime time schedule for this first episode of its fourth season. When Bill (Brian Keith) comes back to New York after a long and difficult assignment, Buffy (Anissa Jones), Jody (Johnnie Whitaker), Cissy (Kathy Garver) and Mr. French (Sebastian Cabot) decide to give him the best of all homecoming presents: a quiet weekend alone. Alas, despite everyone's best intentions, things don't work out as planned for poor Bill, thanks to a never-ending parade of intrusive friends, neighbors, and kids. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1969
The family decides to take separate vacations, with Bill and Mr. French accompanying Buffy and Jody on a tour of Boston, while Cissy stays with friends on Long Island. Unfortunately, no one has much of a good time under these "split up" circumstances--but alas, the vacation may be over by the time everyone gets together again. This episode affords the veddy British Mr. French (Sebastian Cabot) several choice moments as he expresses discomfort over tales of Colonial bravery during the American Revolution. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1969
Benson Fong makes a return appearance to Family Affair, this time in the role of Ng Ho, Bill's houseboy during a business trip to Hong Kong. Impressed by Ng Ho's courtesy and efficiency, Bill (Brian Keith) invites the man to visit him in New York. Ng Ho voluntarily takes on so many household duties in the Davis household, and performs them so well, that he rouses the ire of Mr. French (Sebastian Cabot), prompting the blustering butler to serve notice! ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1969
Those eternal do-gooders Buffy (Anissa Jones) and Jody (Johnnie Whitaker) have taken it upon themselves to "adopt" Kenny, a parentless boy who has run away from an orphanage. Installing Kenny in the Davis apartment, the twins go to elaborate lengths to keep the boy hidden from Bill (Brian Keith) and Mr. French (Sebastian Cabots), with the hiding places running the gamut from the closet to the bathtub. When the adults finally catch on (just moments before the you-saw-it-coming happy ending), they are less angry at the twins than at themselves for being so easily fooled! ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1969
The kids are planning a surprise birthday party for Mr. French (Sebastian Cabot), but whether or not it will be a happy birthday party is open to debate. For one thing, Mr. French has gone on record disdaining any sort of celebration of his birth. And worse still, the kids have not consulted each other as to their choice of presents, resulting in a plethora of duplicate gifts! ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1969
Cissy (Kathy Garver) befriends a sophisticated, jet-setting teenager named Dana Mason (Lori Martin). The daughter of a celebrated theatrical couple (Liam Sullivan, Kathleen Crowley), Dana never tires of bragging about her parents' idyllic marriage, dropping famous names and disdaining Cissy's modest, stay-at-home lifestyle. Ultimately it is revealed that, for all her pretensions, Dana is desperately insecure and lonely--and worse, her parents are on the verge of divorce. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1969
Bill (Brian Keith) grimly assumes all responsibility when a bridge on which he was working collapses, costing millions of dollars. Overhearing Bill's financial woes, the kids conclude that the family is about to go broke. This explains why Cissy goes out and gets a part-time job, while Buffy and Jody hold an auction of their most precious possessions--and also launch a brisk dog-walking business. Featured in the pivotal role of Mr. McAllister is veteran movie heavy Horace McMahon. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1969
The family prepares to move to England when Bill (Brian Keith) is offered an opportunity to work on an English-channel tunnel project (need we point out that this episode took place decades before the opening of the real "chunnel"). Particularly eager to make the move across the "Big Pond" is Mr. French (Sebastian Cabot), who has yearned to return to the Mother Country for years. Unfortunately, although French and the kids are soon securely settled in the British Isles, it turns out that Bill won't be able to join them. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1969
In the second episode of a three part story, the family is still in Spain, where Bill (Brian Keith) has fallen for attractive senorita Ana (Anna Navarro) and Cissy (Kathy Garver) has been swept off her feet by a lad named Ricardo (John Aladdin). Meanwhile, Mr. French (Sebastian Cabot) conducts a frantic search for Buffy (Annisa Jones) and Jody (Johnnie Whitaker), who have somehow gotten on the wrong bus during a sightseeing tour. After an encounter with a nun and some Spanish schoolchildren, and a spooky experience in an empty church, the worn-out twins seek refuge in an old barn, hoping against hope that somewhere, somehow, they'll come across someone who speaks English! ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1969
In the conclusion of a three-part story, Buffy (Anissa Jones) and Jody (Johnnie Whitaker) have managed to get lost while on a sightseeing tour of Spain. As Bill (Brian Keith) Cissy (Kathy Garver), Mr. French (Sebastian Cabot) and several members of the local Civil Guard conduct a frantic search, the twins are given shelter by a kindly peasant couple named Carlos (Nacho Galindo) and Maria (Rosa Turich), who are worried that they'll be arrested should they reveal the kids' whereabouts. With all this going on, there's hardly time for the romance between Bill and Ana (Anna Navarro, to say nothing of the one between Cissy and Ricardo (John Aladdin). ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1969
Straight-A student Buffy (Anissa Jones) suddenly and mysteriously begins failing in every class. Bill (Brian Keith) thinks that Buffy is deliberately performing poorly so she won't skip a grade and can stay in the same class with her twin brother Jody (Johnnie Whitaker). But the truth is that Buffy is "playing dumb" to attract a boy (Gary Dubin) who doesn't like smart girls. Unlike many another sitcom episode of the 1960s, this one does NOT applaud Buffy for dumbing herself down in order to build up a boy's ego--and is all the better because of it! ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1969
Bringing Buffy (Anissa Jones) along on a business trip to Puerto Rico, Bill promises to spend all his free time with his niece. Of course, this puts a crimp on his social life in general and his romance with former flame Gail (Sue Casey) in particular, but Bill is doggedly determined to keep his word. It is up to Buffy to figure out that Bill is having a miserable time, and to do something about it. Gregg Fedderson, soon to join the cast in the recurring role of Cissy's boyfriend Gregg Bartlett, appears in this episode as "Marvin". ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1968
During a scuffle between Buffy (Anissa Jones) and Jody (Johnnie Whitaker), Buffy's beloved doll Mrs. Beasley suffers a broken arm. Bill (Brian Keith) rushes the damaged plaything to a doll hospital, while Buffy frets over the fact that Mrs. Beasley is due to go "under the knife." And even if the surgery is successful, will Buffy's hurt feelings ever be mended? ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1968
Jody (Johnnie Whitaker) wants to join the 64th Street Daredevils, a gang of older boys led by a kid named Frankie (played by former "Eddie Munster"Butch Patrick). First, however, Jody must prove his mettle by undergoing an initiation. This requires our youthful "daredevil" to sneak up to Mr. French (Sebastian Cabot)--and snip off a portion of French's beloved beard! ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1968
Still bristling at the thought of being a "nanny", Mr. French (Sebastian Cabot) is further aggravated by the joshing he is receiving from his fellow valets. Clearly, the time has come for Mr. French to assert his dignity--and manhood. And somehow, French's determination translates to thoughts of matrimony, a prospect that thrills and delights the many female nannies in his circle of friends! ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1968
Mr. French (Sebastian Cabot) had planned to take his meticulously organized vacation in an Old West tourist town all by himself. Unfortunately, circumstances dictate that he must bring Buffy (Anissa Jones) and Cissy (Kathy Garver) along for the ride. As a result, French's plans are ruined -- but this turns out not to be such a bad thing after all. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1968
Cissy (Kathy Garver) has been assigned to babysit the twins while Uncle Bill (Brian Keith) is in Hong Kong on business and Mr. French (Sebastian Cabot) is likewise occupied elsewhere. But when Cissy has a chance to go to a concert, she prevails upon her friend Sharon (Sherry Alberoni) to look after the kids. This sets off a chain reaction of hilarious havoc: Sharon comes down with the measles, Sharon's mother (Doris Singleton) assumes the babysitting duties before she too must leave, and the twins end up in the care of Sharon's father (Walter Sande). and his poker-playing buddies. Somehow this messes straightens itself out in a roundabout fashion that also solves Bill's problems with a nagging toothache! ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1968
Bill's current girlfriend Eileen Moran (Pippa Scott) is worried that Bill (Brian Keith) is not spending enough time with the kids. Acting on Eileen's advice, Bill gives up his professional globetrotting to remain at home permanently. Trouble is, the youngsters are so accustomed to Bill's occasional absences that their own well-ordered lifestyles are thrown into disarray! This is the final episode of Family Affair's second season. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1968
Entering a school art exhibit, Cissy (Kathy Garver) sets about painting a picture she calls "Members of the Family." Among those caricatured in the early stages of the painting are Cissy, Buffy (Anissa Jones), Jody (Johnnie Whitaker) and Uncle Bill (Brian Keith)--but not Mr. French (Sebastian Cabot), who feels terribly hurt over his apparent exclusion. Incidentally, the artwork seen in this episode was actually done by series regular Kathy Garver). ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1968
In a situation predating The Brady Bunch by a full year, Bill (Brian Keith) meets Margaret Williams (Coleen Gray), an attractive widow with three children of her own. Remarkably, Margaret's kids are virtual clones of Bill's nephew Jody (Johnnie Whitaker) and nieces Buffy (Anissa Jones) and Cissy (Kathy Garver) (there's even a set of twins!) At first, the kids are delighted that they're all so much alike--but delight turns into despair and downright hatred when the Williamses and the Davises spend a weekend together. The scene in which Buffy's counterpart greedily tries to claim Mrs. Beasley as her own may be the most harrowing in the series' history! ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1968
Cissy (Kathy Garver) is upset because all the boys at school ignore her, except for nerdy Wendell Owen (Charles Herbert). Taking the advice of several professional models who happen to be friends of her Uncle Bill (Brian Keith), Cissy undergoes a complete fashion makeover, whereupon the boys fall over themselves trying to make her acquaintance--but as it turns out, this isn't what Cissy really wants at all. And in a related development, little Buffy (Anissa Jones) is dogged by a goonish 7-year-old admirer of her own! ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1968
Ever the advocate of family togetherness, Bill (Brian Keith) takes the kids and Mr. French (Sebastian Cabot) along on a camping trip. Predictably, Bill and Jody (Johnnie Whitaker) love the "great outdoors", but Buffy (Anissa Jones) and Cissy (Kathy Garver) do not--and don't even ask how poor Mr. French feels about living the pioneer life. Later on, Bill and Jody are involved in a mini-crisis when Jody thinks he's caught a fish that Bill has actually hooked. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
