Synopsis
Includes:
Family Affair: Number One Boy (1969)
Family Affair: The Stowaway (1969)
Family Affair: Uncle Prince Charming (1969)
Family Affair: The Birthday Boy (1969)
Family Affair: What's Funny About a Broken Leg? (1969)
Family Affair: With This Ring (1969)
Family Affair: Goodbye, Harold (1969)
Family Affair: Cissy's Apartment (1969)
Family Affair: The Wings of an Angel (1969)
Family Affair: No Uncle Is an Island (1969)
Family Affair: Maudie (1969)
Family Affair: A Tale of Two Travels (1969)
Family Affair: The Jody Affair (1969)
Family Affair: Wouldn't It Be Loverly (1970)
Family Affair: The Boys Against the Girls (1970)
Family Affair: The Old Cowhand (1970)
Family Affair: Angel in the Family (1970)
Family Affair: Family in Paradise, Part 1 (1970)
Family Affair: The Girl Graduate (1970)
Family Affair: Family in Paradise, Part 2 (1970)
Family Affair: Grandpa, Sir (1970)
Family Affair: Marooned (1970)
Family Affair: Mr. Osaki's Tree (1970)
Family Affair: The Language of Love (1970)
Family Affair: The Inheritance (1970)
Family Affair: There Goes New York (1970)
Family Affair: Number One Boy
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, Rovi
Family Affair: The Stowaway
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, Rovi
Family Affair: Uncle Prince Charming
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, Rovi
Family Affair: The Birthday Boy
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, Rovi
Family Affair: What's Funny About a Broken Leg?
Scoring a winning run in a stickball game, Buffy also breaks her leg in the process. With her leg in a cast, Buffy despairs becauase she won't be able to go the circus as planned. Hoping to cheer the girl up, the family brings the circus to her--elephants and all! Curiously, Buffy is no happier now than before...and all because of a reason that no one even suspects until the final scene. This episode was hastily written to accommodate series star Anissa Jones, who had broken her leg in real life. ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi
Family Affair: With This Ring
After seeing one school friend after another getting married, 18-year-old Cissy (Kathy Garver) begins fretting that she'll end up an old maid. So far as she is concerned, there's only one way to avoid this ignominous fate: Cissy and her boyfriend Gregg (Gregg Fedderson) must announce their engagement immediately, whether Gregg wants to or not! Featured in the cast is Page Forsythe, daughter of future Dynasty star John Forsythe. ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi
Family Affair: Goodbye, Harold
Buffy (Anissa Jones) and Jody (Johnnie Whitaker) have fun with their pet hamsters, but can't understand why the little animals are constantly trying to escape the comfort and secruity of the Davis apartment. When Buffy's hamster runs away into the park, she feels it is somehow her fault, and there is something lacking in her. Ultimately, the twins--and the rest of the family--realize that the hamsters' love of independence constitutes a Life Lesson well worth having. ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi
Family Affair: Cissy's Apartment
Declaring her independence, Cissy (Kathy Garver) moves into her own apartment with her friend Rita (Rita Stone). Worrying about Cissy's wellbeing, the family persistently drops in on her, offering both advice and company, until she can't stand it anymore. Finally, they get the hint and leave Cissy alone--and of course, our now-homesick heroine can't stand that, either! ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi
Family Affair: The Wings of an Angel
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, Rovi
Family Affair: No Uncle Is an Island
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, Rovi
Family Affair: Maudie
Ida Lupino guest stars as Lady Marchwood, a very wealthy English widow. Her Ladyship makes quite an impression on Mr. French (Sebastian Cabot), who can remember when she was a humble London barmaid named Maude--and, incidentally, French's sweetheart. Now Lady Marchwood has summoned French back to England, hoping to pick up their romance she where they left off! This episode proved popular enough to warrant a sequel, "The Return of Maudie", likewise costarring Ida Lupino. ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi
Family Affair: A Tale of Two Travels
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, Rovi
Family Affair: The Jody Affair
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, Rovi
Family Affair: Wouldn't It Be Loverly
After meeting a spoiled youngster (Kerry MacLane) whose parents cater to his every whim, Jody (Johnnie Whitaker) and Buffy (Anissa Jones) want to abandon all the house rules in the Davis apartment. Recalling a fable from his youth, Mr. French (Sebastian Cabot) advises Bill (Brian Keith) to let the kids do whatever they please, certain that they'll tire of such independence and demand that the rules be reinstated. Thus, Apartment 27A becomes "The Land of Do-As-You-Please"--and predictably, overindulgence proves to have its consequences! ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi
Family Affair: The Boys Against the Girls
The Tigers stickball team installs a new captain, the misogynistic Randy (Sean Kelly), who immediately imposes a "no girls allowed" policy. Not wishing to see Buffy (Anissa Jones) voted off the team, Jody (Johnnie Whitaker) protests, but eventually buckles under to peer pressure--with the expected negative results. And in a related incident, Bill (Brian Keith) unwittingly demonstrates his own chauvinistic side while dating an actress named Sherry (played by 1960s TV favorite Francine York). ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi
Family Affair: The Old Cowhand
Jody (Johnnie Whitaker) is thrilled at the prospect of meeting his idol, 1930s cowboy star Chaps Callahan (played by genuine B-western icon Bob Steele). Worried that Jody's hero-worship is bordering on obsession, Bill sets up a situation whereby his nephew will be disillusioned over the fact that Callahan is now an old man, no longer able to live up to his legend. Though Bill's scheme backfires rather badly, the outcome of this story proves to be happy and beneficial for both Jody and Chaps. ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi
Family Affair: Angel in the Family
Tired of being taken for granted by kids and adults alike, Mr. French leaps at the opportunity to assert his authority and influence when his old friend Cedric (Michael Allinson) asks French to talk Cedric's daughter Anne (Jill Townsend) out of her plans to become an actress. Alas, things don't quite work out for French when, at the urging of the kids, Bill arranges an important audition for Annie, wherupon she lands a good small role in a Broadway play. Now feeling more useless and powerless than ever, French is shakens out of his doldrums only by a surprise plot twist. ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi
Family Affair: Family in Paradise, Part 1
In the first episode of Family Affair's two-part Season Four finale, Mr. French (Sebastian Cabot and the kids pay a visit to Bill (Brian Keith), who is on assignment in Tahiti. Buffy (Anissa Jones) and Jody (Johnnie Whitaker) bask in the carefree behavior of the local children (not to mention the idea of going to school outdoors), Cissy (Kathy Garver) falls in love with handsome tour guide Mike (Michael Blodgett), and Mr. French (Sebastian Cabot) despairs over the new casual approach to life taken by the family. Then Bill drops a real bombshell: He's planning to marry Tahitian beauty Janine (Danielle Aubrey), and to settle in the tropics permanently! ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi
Family Affair: The Girl Graduate
In celebration of her graduation from high school, Cissy (Kathy Garver) wants to attend an all-night party with her friends. Bill (Brian Keith) and Mr. French (Sebastian Cabot) are understandably worried, but they don't want to treat Cissy like a child, nor do they want to suggest that they don't trust her. Comes the night of the party, and everyone learns one of the important Life Lessons so prevalent on this classic series. ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi
Family Affair: Family in Paradise, Part 2
In the conclusion of Family Affair's two-part Season Four finale, Bill (Brian Keith) and the kids are so enchanted by their visit to Tahiti that they intend to remain there permanently--much to the dismay of Mr. French (Sebastian Cabot), who feels that the island's casual lifestyle may cause the family to disintegrate. But things begin to erode long before French thinks they will when Cissy (Kathy Garver) discovers that her new "dream boy", a tour guide named Mike (Michael Blodgett), is already married. But even though Cissy has been disillusioned, is this setback enough for Bill to abandon his own plans of settling in Tahiti--which include marriage with the alluring Janine (Danielle Aubrey? ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi
Family Affair: Grandpa, Sir
Veteran character actor Paul Fix (remember "Sheriff Micah" on The Rifleman?) guest stars as Ted Patterson, the grandfather of Buffy (Anissa Jones), Jody (Johnnie Whitaker) and Cissy (Kathy Garver). Returning from a five-year sojourn in Alaska, Grandpa Ted assumes that the children will treat him with the respect and deference worthy of his years. Unfortunately, the kids can barely remember Grandpa and aren't very comfortable around him--and Grandpa is just as uncomfortable with the ever-widening "generation gap" of the early 1970s. ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi
Family Affair: Marooned
Mr. French (Sebastian Cabot) takes Jody (Johnnie Whitaker) and Buffy (Anissa Jones) to Vermont to visit Uncle Bill (Brian Keith). En route, the butler and the kids are trapped in a blinding blizzard, and for a while things look pretty grim. Eventually, the "castaways" find a deserted cabin and have a high old time playing Robinson Crusoe--while Bill in Vermont and Cissy (Kathy Garver) in New York all but chew their nails to the bone in anguish! ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi
Family Affair: Mr. Osaki's Tree
Jody (Johnnie Whitaker) receives a miniature bonsai tree as a gift from an elderly Japanese gentleman named Mr. Osaki (Teru Shimada). Hoping to impart a bit of oriental mythology to Jody, Osaki explains that the life of the tree has paralleled his own. Unfortunately, the information proves traumatic to Jody when the tree begins to die--just as Mr. Osaki, on the verge of returning to Japan, suddenly falls ill. ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi
Family Affair: The Language of Love
Buffy (Anissa Jones) befriends a deaf Puerto Rican girl named Juanita (Diana Holly), who is forbidden to attend school by her overprotective mother (Margarita Cordova). Hoping to help Juanita and put her mom on the right track, Bill (Brian Keith) seeks the advice of a children's doctor--who is also hearing-impaired. The role of Dr. Robinson is played by Audree Norton, in real life a member of the National Theater of the Deaf. ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi
Family Affair: The Inheritance
It's often been said that love flies out the door when money flies in the window. This proves to be painfully accurate when Buffy (Anissa Jones) and Jody (Johnnie Whitaker) receive an inheritance of 52 dollars. Dazzled by their "sudden wealth", the kids soon become uncharacteristically avaricious, as Jody demands more than Buffy's share in order to fulfill his dreams, and vice versa! ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi
Family Affair: There Goes New York
Buffy (Johnnie Whitaker) and Jody (Anissa Jones) are terrified when a Criswell-like TV psychic predicts that New York will be destroyed by a tidal wave. Though there are some otherwise responsible adults who swallow this story whole, Uncle Bill (Brian Keith) is not one of them, and he must work overtime to convince the twins that their fears are groundless. But when Bill suddenly has to leave New York, the kids jump to the obvious conclusion and the situation gets far worse than imagined! Watch for Erin Moran, four years away from her role of Joanie Cunningham on Happy Days, in a supporting role. ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi
