Miami Herald (Sunday)

More retro rewinds

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“All in the Family” (MeTV, Sunday, May 12): Normally humorous on this landmark series, co-star Sally Struthers had a prime showcase by turning quite serious in “Gloria, the Victim,” which sees the character assaulted while on her way home from work. The others in the Bunker household want Gloria to testify against her attacker, but the candid perspectiv­e of a police detective (guest star Charles Durning) makes them question whether she should proceed with that.

“Mrs. Doubtfire” (Freeform, Sunday, May 12, and Monday, May 13): Robin Williams had one of his very best movie roles in this Chris Columbus-directed 1993 comedy about a divorced, struggling actor who disguises himself as a female housekeepe­r to be able stay close to his children (Lisa Jakub, Matthew Lawrence, Mara Wilson) – despite his ex-wife’s (Sally Field) intention to keep him away. Williams has his hilarious moments, to be sure, but he’s also quite touching in other portions of the film. The cast also includes Pierce Brosnan and Harvey Fierstein.

“Beach Party” (Turner Classic Movies, Tuesday, May 14): This 1963 comedy launched a whole genre of teen-oriented films and helped make American Internatio­nal a real “player” among studios at the time. Decided non-teens Bob Cummings and Dorothy Malone actually get top billing as a professor and his assistant who are researchin­g youthful behavior, but Frankie Avalon and Annette Funicello pretty much steal the show as neighborin­g vacationer­s having relationsh­ip problems. Harvey Lembeck provides overt comic relief as Eric Von Zipper, a character who would resurface in later pictures in the series.

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