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- 1966
The Bradley girls have once more decided that it is time their widowed mother Kate (Bea Benaderet) find a husband. In pursuit of this goal, the girls set up their own "lonely hearts club"--with jaw-dropping results. Without going into further detail, be it noted that this episode features several weatherbeaten character actors playing such roles as "Mr. Rambo" (no, not THAT Rambo!) and "Mr. Willoughby". ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1966
Outraged at the high tax assessment levied on the Shady Rest Hotel, Uncle Joe (Edgar Buchanan) is determined to outwit the IRS. To this end, Joe goes to great length to "downgrade" the hotel, turning the lobby into a shambles. Alas, Joe's destructive rampage occurs just as Kate (Bea Benaderet) is trying to improve the looks of the Shady Rest in hopes of attracting the convention trade! ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1966
As Steve (Mike Minor) continues to convalesce after his plane crash, he exercises his considerable charm on the three Bradley girls. As a result, each sister is convinced that Steve is in love with her--and her alone. It should be noted that this episode was filmed long before it was decided that Steve and Betty Jo Bradley (Linda Kaye) would become a "couple"--not only on the show, but in real life as well! ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1966
Homer Bedloe (Charles Lane) is back with yet another scheme to put the Hooterville Cannonball out of business. In fact, he's gotten pretty expansive since his last visit: Now he intends to put all of Hooterville out of business as well! It seems that Homer has convinced the stage legislators to build a dam that would ultimately flood Hooterville and force everyone out of the community--including his longtime nemesis Kate Bradley (Bea Benaderet). ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1966
Meredith MacRae joins the cast as the third (and final) actress to assume the role of Billie Jo Bradley as Petticoat Junction launches its fourth season. Ever on the lookout for a fast buck, Uncle Joe (Edgar Buchanan) tries to drum up business at the Shady Rest Hotel with a "Free Wedding and Honeymoon Contest". Without further elaboration, it can be noted that the supporting cast includes veteran character actors Ernest Truex and Sylvia Field, husband and wife in real life. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1966
Normally, Kate Bradley (Bea Benaderet) is in charge of Hooterville's "Almost Annual" charity show. This year, however, Kate loses her post to her bitter rival, Selma Plout (Elvia Allman). Of course, by episode's end Selma has proven to be a washout, obliging the Bradley girls and Steve Elliott to save the show. Mike Minor (Steve) makes his singing debut in this episode with a soulful rendition of "I Believe", while costar Smiley Burnette (Charlie) teams up with fellow ex-cowboy sidekick Rufe Davis (Floyd) to perform his own composition "Steam, Cinders, and Smoke". ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1966
This first episode of a two-part story serves to introduce Mike Minor in the role of handsome cropduster Steve Elliott. While flying over the Shady Rest Hotel, Steve catches a tantalizing glimpse of the three Bradley girls swimming "au naturel" in the local water tower--and as a result he crash-lands his plane! Feeling responsible for the accident, the Bradley sisters do their best to help Steve recuperate from his injuries--and also aggressively vie for his attentions. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1966
Traditionally, whenever a jury is sequestered in Hooterville County, they stay at the Pixley Hotel. Uncle Joe (Edgar Buchanan) hopes to move this business to the Shady Rest Hotel by offering an added incentive: Namely, the delicious meals provided by his niece Kate (Bea Benaderet). Joe's plan backfires when the first jury to be billeted at the Shady Rest refuses to reach a verdict because they love Kate's cooking and don't want to leave!. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1966
Can it be that one of the guests at the Shady Rest is invisible? That's what Kate (Bea Benaderet) is led to believe when another guest, a Mr. Benton (Frank Aletter), begins carrying on two-way conversations with his "partner" Mr. Dobble--whom no one can see! Naturally, Kate thinks she's going crazy...but of course, there's the usual Logical Explanation to all this (as if the viewer can't guess Mr. Benton's profession long before the episode ends). ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1966
The 100th episode of Petticoat Junction finds Uncle Joe (Edgar Buchanan) in the town of Pixley, ostensibly looking for a job but actually loafing about as usual. However, Joe does manage to increase his "riches"--or so he thinks--when the Bradley's dog digs up a tin can full of money. Future Vega$ costar Phyllis Davis shows up, appropriately enough, as a scantily clad showgirl. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1966
Murdock Sneep (J. Pat O'Malley), sour-faced owner of the Pixley Hotel, is none too happy over the fact that business is booming at the Shady Rest. In order to win back customers, Sneep declares "war" on the rival hotel. It is a challenge that Shady Rest owner Kate Bradley (Bea Benaderet) is more than willing to accept--and what follows is a maelstrom of ever-lowering prices, free "perks" and general chaos and confusion. Jack Bannon, the son of series regular Bea Benaderet, appears as "Ed". ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1966
Kate (Bea Benaderet) becomes convinced that her daughters would rather live in a big city like New York rather than a tiny whistle-stop like Hooterville. This explains why Kate puts the Shady Rest Hotel up for sale and prepares to move. But since this is only the third of Petticoat Junction's seven seasons, wanna bet that Kate changes her mind before fadeout time? ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1966
In still another get-rich-quick ploy, Uncle Joe (Edgar Buchanan) promotes the Shady Rest Hotel as a "second honeymoon" haven. Unfortunaretly, Joe's meddling and incessant picture-taking threatens to ruin the marriage of a couple celebrating their 10th anniversary. Incidentally, the role of the wife is played by Emmaline Henry, soon to join the cast of I Dream of Jeannie in the role of Mrs. Bellows; and as a bonus, tonight's episode was written by Danny Simon, brother of Neil Simon and the reported "inspiration" for Neil's long-running play "The Odd Couple." ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1966
Hooterville Valley comes to a complete standstill when the Hooterville Cannonball ceases operation. The reason? Longtime engineers Floyd (Rufe Davis and Charley (Smiley Burnette) are feudin', fussin' and a-fightin'. As usual, it falls to Kate (Bea Benaderet) to patch up the feud and get things running again. Fans of the films of John Ford will appreciate the appearance of cadaverous character actor Hank Worden (the half-witted "Mose" in The Searchers, among many other roles) as a Hooterville farmer. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1966
Chafing under the putdowns of her two older sisters, Betty Jo (Linda Kaye) sets out to land an escort to an upcoming dance. Much to her surprise, Betty Jo ends up with two handsome dance partners--which results in two fuming sisters! Terry Phillips appears in this episode as young Doc Craig, a role played in the very next episode by Richard Tyler. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1966
Uncle Joe (Edgar Buchanan) comes up with a typically wild scheme to drum up business for cropduster Steve Elliott (Mike Minor). Planting fake insects throughout Hooterville Valley, Joe tries to frighten the locals into hiring Steve. Trouble is, you can't kill fake insects--but you CAN contemplate murder when considering the duplicitous Joe Carson. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1965
The Bradley girls want to invite rock star King Ring-a-Ding to perform at their football-team benefit show, but Kate (Bea Benaderet) vetoes their choice in favor of syrupy balladeer--and former Hooterville resident--Herbie Willets. Imagine everyone's surprise when King Ring-a-Ding and Herbie Willets turn out to be one and the same! Curiously, the actor cast as the versatile Herbie, Ray Hemphill, was billed only as "King Ring-a-Ding" in the original closing credits. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1965
The Bradley girls are having problems casting their upcoming community play. The solution: Forget about human actors, and stage the production with an all-canine cast. But complications ensue when the girls' own dog (played by Higgins of "Benjy" fame) suddenly falls heir to $200--making him not only too expensive for the show, but also too "important" to be bothered. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1965
Angry at Herman (Fred Gwynne) for staying out too late at an office party, Lily (Yvonne DeCarlo) locks her hulking hubby out of the Munster mansion. Hoping to patch things up, Herman seeks out the help of a marriage counselor (Elliot Reid). Shortly thereafter and without informing Herman, Lily visits the same counselor--but since her version of the crisis doesn't match Herman's, Mr. and Mrs. Munster fall victim to a bombardment of contradictory advice! ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1965
As she settles into her new farmhouse, transplanted Manhattanite Lisa Douglas (Eva Gabor in her familiar Green Acres role) realizes that the place is in dire need of renovation. Enter Uncle Joe (Edgar Buchanan), who passes himself off as a professional general contractor. Sure, he'd be happy to fix up Lisa's new home--but of course, there's a hefty price tag attached! ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1962
Bungling courier Freddie Merkel (Tommy Noonan) dreams of creative success but always manages to botch things up at crucial moments. Shortly after destroying his motorcycle, he decides to become a songwriter. This gives con man Duke (Peter Marshall) the perfect opportunity for his latest scam, one that involves submitting Freddie's song to a contest. Unfortunately, a wind gust blows the finished piece away just before Freddie turns it in. The two scramble to catch the tune, but it ends up in the hands of a priest who is suddenly inspired to enter the contest himself. ~ Sandra Brennan, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Tommy Noonan, Peter Marshall, (more)
Child star Kevin "Moochie" Cocoran shares his top billing with a chimp, Mr. Stubbs, in this story about a forlorn lad who runs away from his foster parents believing he is unloved. Little Toby and his pet chimp leave home and end up at the circus as an oily yet comic Harry Tupper (Bob Sweeney), in charge of a concessions stand, takes them under his wing. Between the circus acts and friendly performers, as well as the antics of Mr. Stubbs and Harry himself, there is plenty to amuse viewers of any age. Sure enough, Toby manages to come to the rescue of the circus when it most needs help, and because this is a Disney film, those foster parents are certain to discover his whereabouts. ~ Eleanor Mannikka, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Kevin Corcoran, Henry Calvin, (more)
This is a routine Disney comedy-fantasy about a boy who turns into a large sheep dog at the most inopportune moments. That is assuming there would be opportune moments. Young Wilby Daniels (Tommy Kirk) finds a magic ring that used to belong to the Borgia family. When he pronounces an inscription on the ring, he is suddenly able to transform himself into a shaggy dog -- though he has no control over when this is going to happen. To his dismay, the girl he likes gets involved without knowing who the dog really is. At the same time, the only way Wilby can break the spell is to perform some virtuous deed. Fortunately for him, a few Soviet spies are just hanging around, waiting to be uncovered by a canine. ~ Eleanor Mannikka, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Fred MacMurray, Jean Hagen, (more)
- 1958
In this feature-length episode of the popular comic-strip saga, the dashing Spanish avenger (played by the definitive movie-Zorro, Guy Williams) and his father are tossed into jail after they discover a political conspiracy amongst the rulers of Old California. ~ Sandra Brennan, All Movie Guide
