More retro rewinds
(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.
(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.
(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.
(Heroes & Icons, Wednesday, May 15): One of the most classic episodes of the original series, “Let That Be Your Last Battlefield” is a parable about resolving disputes between very different sorts of people. Guest stars Lou Antonio and Frank Gorshin play enemies who involve the crew of the Enterprise in their conflict when they board the vessel, ultimately putting the entire starship in peril. Interestingly, an executive at NBC (which aired the show in its initial run) didn’t want to make the ultimately praised story.