The Patty Duke Show – Season One (1963 – 1964/Shout! Factory DVD)
Picture:
B- Sound: B- Extras: A Episodes: A
Admittedly
I’ve never been fond of performers who are featured in popular television programs
and later shy away from their association with it. For a very long time Patty Duke was in this
category. However, during the past two
decades, she has embraced the series (and catchy theme song) which helped make
her a household name with television viewers with The Patty Duke Show.
At the
time production on the series began Patty Duke was the first young star to have
a series named after her. The program
was created by Sidney Sheldon and William Asher. Duke played both Patty and Cathy Lane who were
identical cousins with different personalities.
Her television family consisted of William Schallert as Martin Lane (he
also portrayed Cathy’s father, Kenneth), Jean Byron as Natalie Lane and Paul
O’Keefe as Ross Lane. Patty’s ever
present boyfriend was played by Eddie Applegate.
According
to the November 4th 1963 issue of Broadcasting Magazine the
series finished in 12th place with an audience share of 23.5 in the
national Nielsen ratings. The ABC Network
was more than pleased with the popularity of the series during its initial
season.
The
episodes featured on this volume, while displaying effectively played comedic
moments, also feature quiet family sequences as well. It is these moments which keep the series
grounded in reality. In Slumber Party Ross blackmails both Patty
and Cathy into being his slave after recording the girl’s conversations. The cousins plan on turning the table on Ross.
When Martin expresses his concern over
the family not always paying attention to Ross’ problems the girls decide not
to pursue a path of revenge. In Wedding Anniversary Caper Ross gets
Patty and Cathy’s help in winning a television set for Martin and Natalie’s 20th
anniversary. Deceit enables the prize to
be won but the trio doesn’t feel good about how they earned the television and
back it goes.
Patty
Duke plays both roles with talent and distinction so the viewer can believe
these are two different individuals.
It’s no wonder she won an Academy Award for The Miracle Worker in 1962 and numerous honors.
The bonus
feature, A Look Back At The Patty Duke
Show, begins with Duke amazed, at 62 years of age that she’s talking about
the series. All of the surviving cast
members discuss the family relationship between performers and crew. It was interesting to hear Eddie Applegate
state he was twenty six years old when the series began. Due to the age difference between him and
Duke he initially approached his role in a brotherly-sisterly fashion. It was wonderful hearing Duke, Applegate,
William Schallert and Paul O’Keefe reminisce with honesty and affection.
During
its first season the ABC network billed the series as demonstrating “clearly
and forcibly that wholesome quality entertainment can lead to commercial
success and better television.”
Audiences who purchase this DVD are in for this same experience.
- Fred Grandinetti