Family Affair (1966–1971) User Reviews (33)

Cute family series notable mainly for the butler and the doll

[roghache · 7/10 · 15 May 2006]

This is an engaging little series that I grew up with, hearkening back to a more innocent age of cute family programming. It revolves around a bachelor engineer, Bill Davis, who has been living a carefree playboy life in his Fifth Avenue apartment. His household needs are tended to by his very efficient English butler, Giles French. Suddenly Bill's life is turned upside down when he inherits three young relatives, who have been orphaned as the result of a car accident. Both Uncle Bill and Mr. French must accustom themselves to this trio of newcomers, pretty 15 year old Cissy and her adorable but challenging younger twin siblings, Buffy and Jodie.

Brian Keith is wonderful as Uncle Bill, the playboy uncle turned surrogate father. The younger stars are also perfect in their roles, especially little Anissa Jones who plays Buffy. Sebastian Cabot is the real jewel of the series in his brilliant portrayal of the butler, Mr. French, who always appears so very proper and gruff but is actually quite charmed by these three kids.

Various amusing and touching scenarios would unfold weekly as the two adults and their three charges grew accustomed to life together. For me, the show was notable (apart from the butler) for Mrs. Beasley, Buffy's bespectacled granny doll. She was a prominent feature in most episodes, always getting lost or whatever, and naturally Buffy was VERY attached to her. All in all, it was a sweet, heartwarming show from nostalgic years of yore when kids were, happily, much less sophisticated than they are today. Pity there aren't more such family programs these days and a demand for them.

A Good Family Show With Moral Values

[emenon · 8/10 · 8 September 2006]

This was a family favorite, when I was a child growing up. Uncle Bill played by Brian Keith took in a nephew and two nieces to raise in his New York Penthouse Apartment. However he was a great guardian parent figure as well as Mr. French played by Sebastian Cabot. Kathy Garver, who played Cissy a teenager was a bit wayward. She was made to take responsibility to Buffy and Jodie. Sometimes she neglected her duties. I really like this show better than The Brady Bunch & Partridge Family. Into the 1970's family values changed. Kids wearing long hair, bell bottom jeans and the extreme clothing. I hated to see that happened. I wish we had more shows like Family Affair. I'm very sorry Anissa Jones died of a drug overdose. It's a sad situation to see such a young person end their life. That's what I meant about the change of values. America is in desperate need of change.

Cute Kids Make the Show a Hit

[hfan77 · 8/10 · 16 August 2010]

Fresh off of six seasons of the single parent sitcom My Three Sons, producer Don Fedderson came up with another sitcom about a single parent, Family Affair. I remember the show well as bachelor Bill Davis, played wonderfully by Brian Keith became a father to three young orphans, Cissy and twins Buffy and Jody. The successful engineer and the kids lived in a New York high rise along with the butler Mr. French, played with dignity by Sebastian Cabot. French was reluctant to looking after children but over the show's five year run, he adjusted so well. He often looked after them when Uncle Bill was away on business.

What made the show a hit was the chemistry between Anissa Jones as Buffy and Johnny Whittaker as Jody. They got along so well and they were to of the cutest sitcom kids of the mid to late 60s. There was also Kathy Garver as older sister Cissy, who was like a mother to the two youngsters. Also part of the cast, though inanimate was Buffy's doll, Mrs. Beasley. The doll became a big seller throughout the show's five year run and even when it went into syndicated reruns.

The one episode I remember was the one where Whittaker sang the song "Every Little Boy Can Be President." Another one I remember focused on Jody having an invisible bear named Arthur.

It's a shame that the show hasn't been seen on any cable channel in the last few years, it's a show that appeals to the entire family. In the age of sitcoms with objectionable language, Family Affair is a throwback to the days of family friendly entertainment. Definitely a Family Affair.

Heartbreaking Buffy

[moonspinner55 · 9/10 · 12 March 2001]

Brian Keith proved to be so good working with little kids: he is warm and paternal, tough but never rigid, always bemused by their antics and reassuring everyone with his calming smile when their spirits were down. When Buffy makes friends with some kids from the bad section of town, Uncle Bill buys her hand-me-downs to wear so she'll fit in (and even tags along and makes friends with a parent, Jackie Coogan). Sebastian Cabot made the perfect valet; he too is charmed by these kids and pretends to be surly even though the idea of having a real family suits him and somehow appeals to him. Kathy Garver is a gregarious big sister and Johnny Whitaker a loyal, dependable brother who rarely got mischievous (he's very grounded and sometimes gravely serious). As for Anissa Jones as Buffy, she didn't seem to be just reading lines that an adult wrote for her, she really WAS Buffy. When her doll gets lost, or when she loses her spot in the Scout Troop, or when the Mod Maidens hurt her feelings (in the terrific episode "The Joiners"), Jones works the most tender of childhood emotions in a way that is neither flashy nor incredible. She was a very subtle little actress with a beaming smile that could appear out of nowhere.

Sweet, warm and wonderful!

[callie-5 · 13 December 2000]

I've been watching this show all my life, whenever it was on, and it never fails to move me. A good basic story-line, great actors and good scripts made it fun to watch. Brian Keith as Uncle Bill Davis, a confirmed bachelor, suddenly has his life changed when he learns that he is given custody of his 2 nieces and nephew when their parents die in a car crash. Anissa Jones as Buffy is the first to appear in episode 1 and it is so good to watch Sebatian Cabot as Mr. French, Uncle Bill's butler, valet and housekeeper, trying to adjust to this shy, sullen little girl who won't come out of her shell. Episode 2 introduces Buffy's twin brother, Jody,played beautifully by Johnny Whitaker and their older sister, Cissy,played by Kathy Garver. With the three children at last reunited, life begins anew for Uncle Bill and Mr. French as they learn how to deal with children and the children learn how to deal with them. This show started at a time when family television was still on the airwaves and people enjoyed seeing a show that had 'family values". But by 1971, when it was cancelled, people started turning to more "realistic" and irreverent television shows and it was harder for a "family values" program like this to be successful. But there are still re-runs and you can get a look at a different time, a different era and a different kind of family. Well, worth a watch!

Relaxing to watch, funny, warm and tender

[TheLittleSongbird · 9/10 · 12 March 2011]

I love this show. The show looks nice and cosy which alone made it relaxing to watch, and the theme tune is memorable and delightful. Family Affair also treats us to story lines that are written with taste and flair with a lot and heart, and the writing is also very funny(not always hilarious mind) with some poignant parts too particularly with Buffy.

The acting is marvellous, Brian Keith is great as Uncle Bill with a great sense of comic timing and a warm presence too. Kathy Garver shows herself as a promising young actress as Cissy and Johnny Wittaker is a cute Jody. The real stars though are Anissa Jones who is so heartfelt as Buffy and Sebastian Cabot whose Mr French is just brilliant.

Some might say Family Affair is quite syrupy or sugar coated. Maybe so, but I thought it was a great show and very warm and entertaining. 9/10 Bethany Cox

So Syrupy It Hurts Your Teeth

[eprobldg4623 · 5/10 · 10 May 2007]

When I was watching this it was the 1960's. My family life was a horrendous nightmare and the family was broke and times were desperate. I started having horrific problems with my father, who started hating me at a pretty young age, and my insane mother, who we all had to dodge for fear of dying young. I was quite the basket case from all this unwanted stimuli.

So we watch this show weekly and it is such a paradise: Everyone has nice clothes, they live in a wonderful apartment, there is always food, and everyone gets along so well it makes you want to puke.

I remember thinking, "Is this what life is outside of this scary household?" I didn't find out till I was much older that Family Affair wasn't the norm, but the household I grew up in thankfully wasn't either.

You'd know a really mushy "heartfelt" part of the show was going to be coming up because this maudlin violin music would start playing. Uncle Bill and Mr. French never touched the kids but never hit them either - I thought this was a good trade off. But oh, the corn! All those "feelings"! It would make you want to puke now and then.

Good Wholesome Values and Morals...Remembering the classic "Family Affair" television series on its 50th anniversary

[raysond · 9/10 · 15 September 2016]

The television series "Family Affair" was the created brainchild of powerhouse producers Don Fedderson and Edmund L. Hartmann(who also served as executive producers of this series) who were also known for "My Three Sons",and "The Millionaire" television series along with producers Fred Henry, Edmund Beloin and Henry Garson that made "Family Affair" one of the most heartwarming comedy-drama series of the mid- 1960's. The series was one of CBS' most popular shows spanning five seasons and producing 138 episodes in color that premiered on CBS' Monday night prime-time schedule on September 12,1966 where it preceded "The Andy Griffith Show" and went opposite "Peyton Place",and "The Danny Thomas Comedy Hour". During its first three seasons the series aired on Monday nights at the 9:30 eastern/8:30 central time slot from 1966 to 1969. By the show's fourth season CBS moved the series from Monday nights to Thursday nights in an earlier time slot for its final two seasons(1969-1971) at the 7:30 eastern/6:30 central time slot until its cancellation on March 4,1971. "Family Affair" became so successful that CBS put the series on its daytime lineup schedule also known as "The Family Affair Morning Show" aka "The Brian Keith Show" which consisted of repeated episodes from various seasons airing from September 7,1970 until January 12,1973. Repeated episodes from the best of the series aired from March 11,1971 until September 10,1971.

"Family Affair" basically was a good series that had a "Disney" type theme to it that had a basic story-line, great actors, and impressive guest stars that made it not only fun to watch but made it one of the most popular heartwarming sitcoms of its era. The series chronicles the trials of a successful civil engineer and bachelor Bill Davis(Brian Keith)who life has suddenly changed when he learns that he is given custody of his brother's orphaned children in his luxury Fifth Avenue apartment in New York City. Davis' English Butler and counterpart Giles French(Sebastian Cabot) also had adjustments to make as well as he became the guardian and the second parent of caring for teenage daughter Cissy(Kathy Garver),and his brother's 6-year-old twins Jody(Johnny Whitaker),and Buffy(Anissa Jones) not to mention Buffy's treasure possession Mrs. Beasley her doll that was the heart of the show. This was a series that had basic "family values" and "morals" that was still on the airwaves that were successful during that era. Out of all the actors associated with the series only actors Brian Keith, Kathy Garver, Anissa Jones and Johnny Whitaker were the only cast members that stayed with the series throughout its entire run. Sebastian Cabot appeared in 130 episodes of the series. When Sebastian Cabot left the series for medical reasons, his brother Nigel French(John Williams) was introduced for nine episodes in 1967. In the show's final season Nancy Walker was added as a part-time housekeeper Mrs. Turner for six episodes for the 1970-1971 season.

Creators Don Fedderson along with Edmund L. Hartmann were writers for all 138 episodes of the series. Other outstanding writers that contribute were Henry Garson, Edmund Beloin, Austin and Irma Kalish, Elroy Schwartz, George Tibbles, Seaman Jacobs, Peggy Chantler Dick, Fred Fox, Joesph Hoffman, Phil Davis, and Phil Leslie among others. Charles Barton directed 106 episodes of the series while William D. Russell directed 31 episodes of the series. James Sheldon directed one episode. Notable guest stars consisted of child actors Eve Plumb, Erin Moran, Veronica Cartwright, Butch Patrick, Kym Karath and Pamelyn Ferdin. Other guest stars were June Lockhart, Robert Reed, Ida Lupino, Jamie Farr, Jackie Coogan, Joan Blondell, Sterling Holloway, James Hong, Brian Donlevy, Martha Hyer, Ann Sothern, Doris Singleton, Vic Tayback, Dana Andrews, Paul Fix and Lee Meriwether among the many who made guest appearances on the show.

As for some of the best episodes of "Family Affair" there were several that were very good if not downright dramatic with a hint of comedy. But I start with the show's pilot episode "Buffy" from Season 1. Other great episodes included "The Joiners"(Season 5,Episode 20), "The Substitute Teacher"(Season 3,Episode 5),"A Member of the Family"(Season 2,Episode 23), "Christmas Came a Little Early"(Season 3,Episode 7), "A Matter of Tonsils"(Season 2,Episode 22), "Oliver"(Season 3, Episode 6), "Mrs. Beasley,Where Are You?(Season 1, Episode 7), "Mr. French's Holiday" (Season 2,Episode 27), "Fat,Fat,The Water Rat"(Season 2, Episode 7),and "The Baby Sitters"(Season 2, Episode 29),and the two-part episode "Lost in Spain"(Season 3, Episodes 18 and 19) to name a few. During its five season run "Family Affair" was nominated for eight Prime-Time Emmys between 1967-1969 for Outstanding Actor in a Comedy Series, Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Comedy Series,Outstanding Directorial Achievement and Outstanding Writing Achievement. Nominated in 1971 for the Golden Globe for Outstanding Television Series and nominated for Outstanding Actor in a Comedic Role(Brian Keith).

When the series was abruptly canceled in the Spring of 1971 after five seasons and 138 episodes,audiences started turning to more "realistic" and irreverent television shows that were more of a urban and gritter appeal and by that time it was "harder" to find a wholesome family oriented program that was not only family friendly but successful and "Family Affair" exceeding all expectations as a television series. The 2002 remake of this was not successful nor did it do right to the original show. Happy 50th anniversary.

The Epitome of Artificiality...

[IdaSlapter · 3/10 · 12 September 2021]

So funny reading the primarily positive reviews here, with people proclaiming it's 'wholesome values' and 'morals'.

Yes, I suppose one could get that impression, but only if they preferred to run as far as they could from any definition of reality. Which a lot of people did in the late 1960's.

The problem with this show -- from beginning to end -- is its absolute disconnection with reality. From its super-cheesy Lawrence Welk-ish opening theme music, with the Sparkly Sequins and girly typeface (an opening fit more for Lucille Ball than Brian Keith) to its brightly lit sets -- even OUTDOORS -- it was the epitome of artificiality. On all levels.

The fact 90% of Brian Keith's scenes were filmed in close-ups on weekends -- so he only worked 2 days a week so he could save time for his non-existent movie career -- meant that most of the time he was talking to walls and not the other actors. And it shows.

Maybe that was a good thing. On those rare occasions where he was actually in a scene with another character, he might as well have been talking to a wall, as his charisma and interactions are almost non-existent. The look on his face was always that of sheer boredom and catatonic apathy. It's a wonder anyone was able to squeeze any emotion out of him at all. And don't get me started on that lemon-yellow toupee...

A close second in the School of Atrocious Acting goes to Johnny "Uncle Beeeeel" Whitaker, who's style is best described as robotic. Those forced, cheesy smiles were SO fake...just painful to watch and listen too.

Same goes for Garver, who's had an inexplicable 50-year feud with Whitaker...both of them acting like the same spoiled kids they were so long ago. So much for morals and family values...

Like Keith, Sebastian Cabot seemed to be uncomfortable throughout the run, although cramming his portly figure into that tight butler costume could've accounted for part of that uneasiness. At least one felt some small amount of genuine caring for his younger co-stars and camaraderie when acting with them.

Now there were other family shows on during the 50's and 60's that had morals and values -- like 'Leave it to Beaver', 'Father Knows Best' and 'My Three Sons' -- but none of them resorted to the saccharine, syrupy and cutesy depths displayed here and ramped up enough to get one running for their insulin. They had GENUINE interactions, genuine feelings (especially on 'Beaver', thanks to the underrated Jerry Mathers) and -- gasp! -- even anger when necessary.

And although she could be sugary sweet at times herself, there was a sense that Anissa Jones was a better actor than they let her be on the show. It was a hit during the first couple years however, so she was stuck playing coy and cutesy 90% of the time, something she rebelled at as soon as the show was cancelled. And we all know how tragically that ended.

Anyway, that's why I give it 3 stars, instead of 1. Jones had potential, but she got stuck in the wrong show. Who knows how far she could've gone had she been given the chance to play ANYTHING but Buffy.

It's worth noting that every main actor on the show -- with the exception of Garver and Cabot -- developed raging alcohol and drug issues. I don't know, but I have to wonder if working on show SO divorced from reality on so many levels, had anything to do with the subsequent tragedies...

Those tragedies unfortunately, ended up being the reality of 'Family Affair'.

Family Affair on DVD

[mcade · 25 July 2005]

This show I grew up with and would love to see again. It was about a different time when children were much more naive and not nearly as jaded as they are today.

It taught family values and showed how tragedy (death of the siblings parents in a car accident) brings people together. The show did have moments of being cheesy but I would much rather see that then some of the current garbage being forced on everyone on network television. Anissa Jones, playing Buffy, specifically in the first episode, is the most underrated child actress of her time. She is so natural.

I guess what really bothers me is that whenever you turn on the television today, all you are forced to see are these reality shows with the dog eat dog mentality. Everyone will stomp on everyone else to get what they want no matter what the cost. It seems that a show like The Simple Life (Paris Hilton) or The Surreal Life with C list celebrities gets released on DVD five minutes after it comes out but these truly classic shows, like Family Affair; Alice and One Day At a Time are never shown and haven't been seen for years.

TV Land shows Leave it to Beaver all the time, why not change the lineup and show Family Affair; Alice & One Day at a Time so people can see something that hasn't been on for years?

Excellent

[tarhls2 · 10/10 · 2 July 2006]

I'm watching the first season DVDs right now and it just makes me happy to watch shows like Family Affair. They come from the time that TV was good, rather than today's crap. I'll watch old TV shows over new ones any day. Thank you for putting Family Affair out on DVD ... and I'm really excited that season 1 of Hazel will be available in August. Give me the old shows rather than the reality stuff. I love the relationship between Uncle Bill, Mr. French and the kids. And Buffy & Jody just tug at my heart when they say "Uncle Bill". Man I love this show ... always have but it hasn't been on TV for several years so now I can watch it whenever I want.

A Great Affair

[gregorycanfield · 10/10 · 14 September 2021]

One of the best family-oriented comedy shows. The set-up was quite unique. Three orphaned children move in with their bachelor uncle and his "gentleman's gentleman." Brian Keith was perfect as Bill Davis. Until a recent viewing, I hadn't remembered that Jody and Buffy were supposed to twins. Neither of them were really "cute," nor is it necessary for children to always come across as "cute." They fit their roles just fine. Kathy Garver (as Cissy) was a sweetheart. She was 20 or 21 in 1966, but playing a 15 year old girl. It worked, however. She came across as the quintessential teenage girl. The show, to its credit, never focused too much on any one kid. The focus seemed to be spread evenly. What came through, in this show, was the love. The love these three siblings had for each other, and the love their uncle had for all of them. Anissa Jones died from a drug overdose, at age 18. Recalling this, while watching the show, can give you an uncomfortable feeling. I try to view the show in the context of its time. Ultimately, Kathy Garver was my favorite aspect of the show. She was perfect as Cissy, and she was a real sweetheart. Oh, I already mentioned that, didn't I?!

"Uncle Beeel !"......

[Matthew_Capitano · 5/10 · 2 October 2011]

1960s 'dramedy'.

A sneaky relative dumps three unruly rug-rats on the New York City doorstep of billionaire Bill Davis. Teen girl Cissy, red-headed step-child Jody, and annoying little girl Buffy will force 'Uncle Bill' to curtail his snuggling sessions with his 'man-servant', Giles French.

A goofy show to say the least, five years after this series concluded, Anissa Jones (Buffy) over-dosed and died with more different kinds of narcotics in her system than the coroner had ever seen.

The eccentric sitcom featured a trippy opening of kaleidoscopic credits and front doors on the apartment which had humongous knockers.... much bigger than Cissy's.

Felt like I was getting a big warm friendly hug watching this

[zendatrim · 10/10 · 11 August 2018]

I found this on Amazon Prime, never heard of it. I was at a loose end so gave it a whirl, and sadly i have now finished all 5 seasons. It is such a shame CBC cancelled this.

I loved it, and Brian Keith was great as the uncle who has never had to care about children before, and Sebastion Cabot as the butler was just brilliant.

The children cast in this show were just perfect for the parts.

I wont talk about the contents as there is so much to see but all I can say is if you just want to watch a series with good old fashioned values again, and children not misbehaviour badly then give this a whirl, besides which Brian Keith is sure eye candy and plays a wonderful part which is believeable.

It is a sad thing that the children of this show did not fair well after it ended, and that the main characters passed away, the lovely and talented child actress who played Buffy Anissa Jones sadly died at 18 through a drug overdose, and Johnny Whitaker who played her twin brother Jody had his own issues with substance abuse but thankfully got through it but we lost the great Sebastian Cabot and Brian Keith to early.

Besides all that this is a lovely program about family values and it is timeless as doing well now in 2018 after its first ever episode aired in1966 and has not jaded since then.

Brian Keith The Worst Of All The Cast

[StrictlyConfidential · 1/10 · 27 August 2018]

I found that TV's "Family Affair" (1966-1969) tried so hard to be "cute'n'cuddly" that it repeatedly made my skin crawl, big-time.

Absolutely full of cringe-worthy moments of feigned adorableness - "Family Affair" made "Leave It To Beaver" look interesting and entertaining by comparison.

With this family-oriented Sit/Com now being 50 years old - I really did try to be patient and cut it some slack. But, all of this phony, saccharin-loaded sweetness left me totally nauseated.

Out of the 5 principal character portrayals in this show - I'd say that it was Brian Keith's utterly bored "Bill Davis" role who was the most sickening and most detrimental of all.

A show we need more of.

[snuggybearkids · 30 September 2004]

With the state of television the way it is in this new millennium, now several years old, there is definitely a need big time for a show like this. Family, caring, kindness and love are terms that describe this show in all the best ways. The cast was perfect and Kathy Garver, as Sissy, gave a teen sweetness with just

enough cool. I wish I would have had a sister like her.

I hope the studio that has the rights to this show releases the DVD soon. And, I hope that someday, Hollywood and the Industry begins to put on more shows

like this. I not only hope this for the future of television, but with the patients running the asylum, we need to retake positive and fun television. Enough of the explicit sex, promotions of bad behavior and value bashing. I'm glad I don't ever listen to critics who these days despise anything with value, sweetness and fun. All they do is look to perpetuate the negative. It proves the statement, "those that can't do, teach and those that can't teach (or do anything), criticize." Need I say more?

My son looks like a character from this show!

[rachelflowers · 10/10 · 23 June 2015]

My son is 6 years old and every since he was 5 and started wearing his hair curly, we get stopped at stores, church or restaurants for people to say to us, "Oh my goodness, he looks just like the little boy from that of TV show 'Family Affair". SO FUNNY! My husband and I are both in our 30's, so we do not remember the show but we looked it up and our mouths DROPPED! So now when people ask, we know what they are talking about. We will probably start buying some of these old shows if we can find them because these are really good shows! I wish the would redo these shows so we can show our kids. There are so many shows (even commercials) that we don't like them to watch. The cute, innocent and respecting kids on these TV shows truly MADE TV. And the little boy is so cute!

Need more like this

[ChrisinDesMoines · 10/10 · 11 April 2021]

This show was cancelled shortly after I was born but was quite popular in syndication when I was still young. I've not seen it in several decades and I missed the CW reboot but recently discovered that it airs on Pluto tv and available on demand on Tubi TV.

This show is wonderful and have just about finished binging on season one, "Uncle Bill", a bachelor with a "Gentleman's Gentleman" (British valet) Mr. Finch, has his eight year old niece dropped of at his place a year after her parents passed away because she was not getting along with the family she was left with. The first episode is all about Buffy and Uncle Bill trying to form a bond with headway being made at the end of the episode when Buffy's siblings arrive, twin brother Jody and big sister Cissy. Second episode is all about Uncle Bill (and Mr. Finch) being overwhelmed by having young kids.

Partly (Jay North) Dennis the Menace, partly Leave it to Beaver, partly Father Knows Best, this show is sickly sweet by modern standards where the new "father" figure makes mistakes and kids get into mischief, but each episode has Uncle Bill getting closer to the kids and making sacrifices, including sacrifices in his dating life, in order to take proper care of the kids.

Some notable first season episodes has Uncle Bill taking a combination business and pleasure trip with Jody in order to take him fishing. The trip is a disaster with several obstacles and Uncle Bill so focused on trying to fulfill his promise to take his nephew fishing that he's oblivious to the fact that Jodi is just happy spending time with his Uncle. Another standout episode is when oldest girl Cissy's school has a mother daughter dinner and feels left out. Once Uncle Bill finds out he makes arrangements in order to have a special dinner date with his "daughter".

Some truly great family entertainment that should be encouraged due to its core family values and not taking mundane family issues lightly.

Sickly saccharine

[Brett_Buck · 2/10 · 26 February 2023]

This show was very popular when I was a kid - but absolutely everyone I knew *despised it* with a passion. It was so sickly sweet and phony, the classic "cute kids" program.

For those watching today - no, the 60's weren't really like that, with deadly dull people doing deadly dull things, no real family operated like this one. Even the theme song was sappy, with French-sounding harpsichord music. We would hear that music and dive for the knob to change channels.

My parents hated it, too, this was the first TV program I heard him (mockingly - I think...) threaten to shoot the TV. Awful from start to finish.

I found it pleasant at the time

[RealLiveClaude · 8/10 · 25 January 2016]

I recall this sympathetic comedy in the 60s. Was played in well-dubbed French (from France) and named appropriately "Dear Uncle Bill"...

Thought "Uncle Bill" (the late Brian Keith) was the father of the three children he hosted, however, he was quite a great foster dad (the 3 children, Jody, Buffy and Cissy were orphaned) and his faithful valet and bodyguard, Mr.Giles (the late great Sebastian Cabot, who voiced Bagherra in Disney's animated Jungle Book) always watched the children by giving useful advice. However, Bill is a busy man and he tries desperately to get a new girlfriend though he must adapt to his new family life, in downtown New York...

It was well done for its times. If today, some of the context (the 60s mostly) seems out of time, the stories and the themes involved do not change.

In the French version, names were changed: Buffy became "Fanfan", Jody was "Jacky", Cissy was "Cecile" and Mr.Giles went into the more sympathetic name of "Mr.Felix"...

Still have this Frank DeVol's tune in my head... Watch it for old times sake...

A great but almost-forgotten classic

[juliafwilliams · 10 January 2004]

There was and still is an endearing quality about this show. You had an engineer who was suddenly thrust into the role of a bachelor father, supported by his gentleman's gentleman.

Note: When Sebastian Cabot was written off the show for a few episodes, John Williams stepped in and did an equally credible job of playing Mr. French's brother.

Note 2: It should be noted that two up-and-coming child performers made appearances on this show, Erin Moran and Eve Plumb, and nothing more need be said on the latter.

Wonderful family friendly

[servehim-60125 · 10/10 · 20 March 2019]

This is a sweet family friendly show. Each character is nicely developed. It portrays strong family connection. The Uncle is so sweet and tender.

Common Sense & Family Values

[tarnishedhalotx · 8/10 · 21 June 2020]

Loving this show & it's moral lessons. I imagine it was pretty progressive for it's time, some if the issues addressed approached with decency & common sense that demonstrate love, tolerance & inclusion & ideas that wouldn't be at all popular today, today it being more popular to separate & categorize people into boxes.

Wonderful Series Until...

[moviewatcher2010 · 10/10 · 6 December 2020]

This was a wonderful series which involved a successful and wealthy bachelor, Bill Davis, who ended up being a surrogate father to his brother's three orphaned children: Cissy, a teenager, and Buffy and Jody, 6 year old twins. To add to the interesting plot was Bill's gentlemen's gentleman, Mr. French, who had no knowledge of how to take care of the children while Bill was at work or traveling around the world on his various construction projects and was away from home at times. In due course, you see the much-needed love that Bill gives the children and Mr. French, although a strict disciplinarian with them, has a very soft spot in his heart for them.

The problem that the producers ran into however was, like with any children, Buffy and Jody in real life grew up. By the 5th season, it was hard to see Cissy still obeying a curfew and getting her consent from Bill for everywhere she wanted to go. But the bigger issue was that Buffy and Jody stopped being the childlike moppets, still not knowing how to do anything, and always saying that their Uncle Bill had all the answers. They wanted to keep them in their 8 year old molds, but by the 5th season, Jody (Johnnie Whitaker) was 11, and Buffy (Anissa Jones) was 13. You can tell that they did everything and anything to make Buffy appear to still be 8 years old with the loose dresses to hide her developing figure, as well as having her still sleep with Mrs. Beasley at night, although she is not toting her around as much. It is clear that by the last season, Anissa Jones resented having to play a little girl and hints of facial expressions come through where she is just plain bored.

Even though the reason for cancelling the series in 1971 was because they were getting away from the rural programs, it is clear that this show would not have survived another season. It would have been very difficult to see Buffy and Jody become teenagers.

Wrong Names

[bigdave5472 · 16 August 2012]

I don't know who is responsible for putting the names on IMDb, but the names of the characters, the three Davis children are wrong. At no time in the course of the series are the children known as other than Cissy Davis, Jody Davis, and Buffy Davis. Whoever put their names on IMDb as Patterson-Davis is quite ignorant, or some sort of smart alec. These are not members of the British Royal Family, they are 1960's era middle Americans from TerreHaute, Indiana, and their surname is the name of their father, the late brother of Bill Davis. The name "Patterson" was the name of their maternal grandfather who showed up in one episode, but we don't even know if the birth name of the late mother of the children was Patterson. For all we know from information given in the series, Mr. Patterson could have been a step-father. What we do know is that from time to time, throughout the series, the names of the children are given, and their names are Buffy Davis, Jody Davis, and Cissy Davis.