Straight out of Brooklyn Heights are typical American teen Patty Lane and her identical cousin from Scotland, the cultured Cathy (both played by Duke). Along for the twin hi-jinks are Mom (Byron), Dad (Schallert), younger brother (O’Keefe), and Patty’s dullish boyfriend (Applegate). There was a warmth and openness to the 16-year-old Duke which was the show’s main appeal (along with that crazy-yet-catchy theme song, which I can still sing today). Series enjoyed a popular revival on Nick at Nite; there was a reunion show with the original cast in 1999. Season One guest stars included Margaret Hamilton, Paul Lynde, and teen idol Frankie Avalon. Look fast for a young John Spencer (The West Wing) in a couple of episodes. Box set includes a fun new featurette with Duke (now 63), Schallert (87), O’Keefe (58), and Applegate (74) reminiscing about the show (Byron died a few years ago at 80). Created by future-best-selling-novelist Sidney Sheldon, whose other big ’60s series was I Dream of Jeannie; he wrote most of the episodes for both. Season Two of Patty Duke is due February 9. “You can lose your mind.”
Movie Reviews
DVD Review: “The Patty Duke Show (Season One)”
(Shout! Factory. 1963-64. 6 discs. 900 minutes. B&W. Not rated. Various directors.) Patty Duke, William Schallert, Jean Byron, Paul O’Keefe, Eddie Applegate.