For fans of classic television, particularly sentimental sitcoms with a heart of gold, Family Affair remains a cherished gem. This series, which aired on CBS from 1966 to 1971, offers a comforting and often moving portrayal of an unconventional family unit navigating life and loss in the swinging sixties. While perhaps not the most groundbreaking comedy of its era, Family Affair possesses a unique charm that continues to resonate with audiences today.
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The cast of Family Affair sitcom, featuring Uncle Bill, Mr. French, Cissy, Buffy, and Jody, smiling warmly.
At the heart of the Family Affair sitcom is the story of the Davis children – Cissy (Kathy Garver), the teenage elder sister, and the adorable twins Buffy (Anissa Jones) and Jody (Johnny Whitaker). Orphaned and in need of a home, these three siblings find themselves under the care of their bachelor uncle, Bill Davis (Brian Keith), a successful civil engineer. Completing this unique household is Mr. Giles French (Sebastian Cabot), Bill’s impeccably proper English gentleman’s gentleman.
While Family Affair might not be lauded for its complex plots or cutting-edge humor, it holds a special place in the landscape of 1960s sitcoms. The storylines, while sometimes predictable, provided gentle lessons and heartwarming moments. The younger actors, Anissa Jones and Johnny Whitaker, were undeniably endearing, even if their performances occasionally leaned into the theatrical. And yes, the production design sometimes betrayed its studio setting – the painted New York skyline backdrop and the not-so-Central-Park astroturf are noticeable to modern eyes.
However, these minor shortcomings fade into insignificance when considering the show’s inherent appeal. Family Affair excels in its warmth and sincerity. Among the numerous television shows of the time that featured children dealing with the loss of parents – shows like Bachelor Father, The Brady Bunch, My Three Sons, and even The Andy Griffith Show – Family Affair distinguished itself by directly and sensitively addressing the children’s ongoing experience of grief and bereavement. Throughout its five seasons, the Family Affair sitcom, despite its occasional lightheartedness and sentimentality, displayed a profound empathy and a tender heart that is genuinely admirable.
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A black and white promotional image of the Family Affair sitcom, highlighting the close bond between Uncle Bill and the children.
The undeniable cuteness of the child actors certainly added to the show’s charm, but the interactions between Brian Keith and his on-screen nieces and nephew were truly captivating. Even in later seasons, when Brian Keith’s engagement with other aspects of the show seemed to wane, his scenes with the children remained genuinely touching. And then there’s Sebastian Cabot as Mr. French – always impeccable, always amusing. His character’s evolution from initial reservation towards the children to becoming a paternal figure is a highlight of the entire series. Witnessing Mr. French’s transformation into a loving caregiver is arguably one of the most rewarding aspects of watching Family Affair.
In the episode under review, “A Helping Hand” from season one, we unfortunately miss the presence of Sebastian Cabot. During this period, Cabot was unwell, and the role of the ever-capable valet fell to John Williams (Sabrina, Dial M for Murder, To Catch a Thief), who played Giles French’s brother, Nigel. Nigel temporarily steps in to manage the Davis household while Giles is called back into temporary service for Queen Elizabeth II – a testament to his exceptional butler skills! Yet, this highly esteemed individual dedicates his talents to Bill Davis and the three children, arguably a less prestigious position, but one undertaken out of familial affection.
The episode “A Helping Hand” begins with Buffy and Jody engrossed in a school project: constructing a model of McKenzie Dam. While the realism of kindergarteners undertaking such a complex task might be questionable, it serves the storyline effectively. The dam construction is proving challenging; it keeps collapsing, leaving the children disheartened.
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Buffy and Jody looking frustrated while working on their McKenzie Dam school project in the Family Affair sitcom episode.
They share their struggles with Uncle Bill upon his return from work. Bill, in a well-meaning but slightly misguided attempt to help, offers to assist them. However, not that evening, as he is hosting a dinner party, and Cissy is stepping up to be his hostess for the night.
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Cissy, in her quilted bathrobe, speaking with Uncle Bill in the Davis apartment in Family Affair sitcom.
To assist with the dinner party preparations, Mr. French (or rather, Nigel) has hired a maid from an agency, Adele Prentiss, portrayed by the legendary Myrna Loy! While Giles French could undoubtedly manage a dinner party single-handedly, perhaps Nigel felt the need for extra assistance – or maybe it’s just my preference for the “original” Mr. French influencing my interpretation! Adele arrives at the service entrance, and the appearance of Myrna Loy is a delightful surprise.
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Myrna Loy as Adele Prentiss, the hired maid, arriving at the Davis apartment in Family Affair sitcom.
Upon first viewing this episode, the sight of Myrna Loy, a celebrated movie icon, guest-starring in Family Affair was quite astonishing. While even a distinguished 61-year-old actress needs to earn a living, her presence on a relatively modest sitcom was unexpected. Yet, Family Affair frequently welcomed renowned actors from Hollywood’s Golden Age, including Dana Andrews, Ann Sothern, Martha Hyer, and Joan Blondell.
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Nigel French, portrayed by John Williams, greeting Adele Prentiss at the door in Family Affair sitcom.
Adele arrives late, offering a series of excuses – a forgotten watch winding, a missed bus stop announcement. Nigel, though unimpressed, puts her to work. Regrettably, things quickly go awry. She manages to melt the chilled shrimp by placing it near a steaming kettle and creates a chaotic mess while attempting to whip cream.
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A frustrated Nigel French observing the kitchen chaos caused by Adele in Family Affair sitcom.
Nigel, exasperated, declares “Sabotage!” and informs the hapless Adele that her services are no longer required, questioning why the agency would send someone so incompetent.
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Adele looking dejected after being told her services are no longer needed in Family Affair sitcom.
Adele confesses to having exaggerated her skills to the agency out of desperation for work. Her plea is so pitiful that Nigel relents and allows her to stay and complete the evening. Surprisingly, things improve enough that Bill’s neighbor subsequently offers Adele a permanent position as their cook and housekeeper.
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A wide shot of the Davis apartment patio, showcasing the painted New York City skyline backdrop in Family Affair sitcom.
Adele accepts the offer. Her lack of experience seems inconsequential, especially with Nigel French conveniently located in the same building to offer assistance. She promptly seeks his help when the dishwasher malfunctions, flooding her and the kitchen with suds.
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Adele covered in soap suds from the malfunctioning dishwasher, seeking help from Nigel in Family Affair sitcom.
While Nigel is downstairs assisting Adele, his own scones burn, filling the Davis kitchen with smoke.
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Smoke billowing from the oven in the Davis apartment kitchen due to burnt scones in Family Affair sitcom.
Later, Adele skips her scheduled cooking lesson with Nigel, claiming exhaustion from the dishwasher incident. Instead, she helps herself to one of the two dishes of curried chicken he prepared, intending to serve it to her new employers for dinner.
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A close-up of Corningware’s “Blue Cornflower” dish containing curried chicken in Family Affair sitcom.
Adele soon returns in tears. The neighbor’s dogs devoured the curried chicken, leaving her with nothing to serve! She implores Nigel to let her take the dish he prepared for the Davis family dinner. After all, Mr. Davis is a kind man; he wouldn’t want her to lose her job. Once again, Nigel succumbs to Adele’s tearful pleas.
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Adele pleading with Nigel French while holding an empty Corningware dish in Family Affair sitcom.
Meanwhile, Buffy and Jody eagerly await Uncle Bill’s arrival home, excited to resume working on their dam model with new materials. Bill, however, dismisses their concerns, stating he has already taken care of it and they can simply assist with the finishing touches. The children are perplexed but compliant.
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Buffy and Jody looking curiously at Uncle Bill as he arrives home from work in Family Affair sitcom.
The following day, Bill encounters his neighbor, who raves about Adele’s culinary talents, particularly her exceptional curried chicken. She laments that Bill missed out on tasting it. Bill, who indeed missed his favorite meal and had to settle for omelets and frozen dinners, ruefully agrees.
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Uncle Bill talking with his neighbor in the hallway about Adele’s cooking in Family Affair sitcom.
Bill presents the completed model dam, professionally built by his engineering firm colleagues, to Buffy and Jody. The children are astounded but appear hesitant about submitting work they didn’t create. Unaware of the ethical implications, the well-meaning but inexperienced parent, Bill, believes he has done them a great service.
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Buffy and Jody looking amazed at the professionally built model dam presented by Uncle Bill in Family Affair sitcom.
Soon, both Nigel and Bill discover that their acts of kindness have unintended consequences. Adele storms back in, returning cookbooks to Nigel. She recounts a disastrous dinner party where, due to Nigel’s absence, she served hamburgers and spaghetti, set the kitchen ablaze, and was promptly fired. She angrily blames Nigel for her predicament, declaring men unreliable.
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A frustrated Adele returning cookbooks and complaining to Nigel French about her disastrous evening in Family Affair sitcom.
Next, Uncle Bill receives a stern note from Buffy and Jody’s teacher, emphasizing that while parental guidance is appreciated, schoolwork must be the children’s own effort, not outsourced to Davis and Associates.
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Uncle Bill reading the teacher’s note about the McKenzie Dam project in Family Affair sitcom.
Bill and Nigel, realizing the pitfalls of meddling in others’ affairs, resolve to refrain from future interventions. However, their newfound resolve is short-lived. Cissy enters, explaining that the children understand Bill’s motivation for building the dam – it stemmed from his love and care. She expresses admiration for Nigel’s attempts to assist Adele, contrasting their caring nature with those who are indifferent to others’ struggles.
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Cissy explaining to Uncle Bill and Nigel French that the children understand their good intentions in Family Affair sitcom.
Their new philosophy crumbles. Bill cancels his dinner plans, announcing he will stay home to supervise Buffy and Jody in building their own model dam. Nigel, of course, volunteers to assist. It’s a genuinely touching moment, encapsulating the essence of Family Affair – a show overflowing with heart. While this particular episode might lack laugh-out-loud moments, its underlying sweetness is undeniable.
Myrna Loy’s role, though brief, feels somewhat unrewarding, portraying a character who exploits Nigel’s kindness and then blames him for the ensuing problems. Nevertheless, seeing her on screen is a treat, especially considering her diminished presence in film and television at this stage of her career. One of the enduring pleasures of watching television from the 1960s through the 1980s is indeed catching glimpses of classic movie stars gracing the small screen, a sentiment surely shared by other participants in the Big Stars on the Small Screen blogathon!
