Thursday Television Review: Family Affair

The Family

Family Affair (1966-1971)

Starring: Brian Keith, Sebastian Cabot, Kathy Garver, Anissa Jones, and Johnny Whitaker.

Summary:

Well-to-do bachelor, Bill Davis (Brian Keith), lives in a beautiful high-rise apartment with only a live-in “gentleman’s gentleman” named Mr. French (Sebastian Cabot). Engineer, who travels all over the world to design and build numerous things, Mr. Davis is content to live alone and as a bachelor. However, the sad news of his brother and sister-in-law’s death also brings news that he is now caretaker of their three orphaned children. At first reticent, he soon grows attached to the three and they to him. Along with Mr. French, they become a family.

The older of the children, is Cissy (Kathy Garver). A teenage young lady, still learning how to grow up, she is ever concerned with not being in the way to Uncle Bill. Buffy (Anissa Jones) and Jody (Johnny Whitaker) are the first-grade twins. Always trying to learn, the two of them are best friends and want to please Uncle Bill. Parenting doesn’t come easily to Uncle Bill, nevertheless, he and Mr. French manage to do their best in handling each issue that arises. And don’t forget Mrs. Beasley (Buffy’s doll) who always comes along for the ride!

And the issues do arise. But always willing to give a hug or a piece of advice, Uncle Bill becomes the ultimate father to the three children!

Buffy and Jody with Uncle Bill

Review:

If you’re in the mood to say “awwww!!” then Family Affair is for you! Uncle Bill is the sweetest uncle to the three orphaned children. Seeing his tall figure bend down to their level and truly understand their life gives a beautiful picture of a family. The children are too cute, especially when Jody says “But Uncle Bill!” in the only way he knows how!

Buffy and Jody

Each episode portrays a different situation, whether it’s Cissy wanting to go hear a new rock and roll band or Buffy wanting to join the Brownies. Uncle Bill learns to shift from being a bachelor with his evenings free to being a full-time “father” and the great part about it is that he loves it!

The series attempts to cover the difficulties that could arise in a situation like this. As well as all that growing children face, not to mention what an uncle could face in a situation like this. The addition of Mr. French as butler who sweetly takes the children to the park or assists Cissy in some high school project make it that much sweeter as we see Mr. French “bend beneath” his status as a gentlemen’s gentlemen because he secretly loves the children! 😉

An all-around great series for the whole family!

Ellen Nolan

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