BroadcastChic Excellent, a Must See

Dotbankey A lot of fun.

Rio Hayward All of these films share one commonality, that being a kind of emotional center that humanizes a cast of monsters.

Roman Sampson One of the most extraordinary films you will see this year. Take that as you want.

Sacqueboutier An endearingly charming little show starring Juliet Mills (daughter of John Mills and sister to Hayley) as a (somewhat) magical British nanny who suddenly (and unexpectedly) shows up on the doorstep of a college professor to apply for the job of nanny. Through her optimism, charm, and intuition, she immediately sets about setting everything right and solving all of the families problems in 25 minutes every week.Obviously based on the popularity of Mary Poppins, it was another addition to the "magical" sit-coms of the 60s (Bewitched and Jeannie are the gold standards there). However, unlike those to shows, this one got a bit of a late start. Had it launched five years earlier (and had ABC left it in a better time slot), I believe it would have lasted much longer. Alas, by the time 1970 rolled around, times and sensibilities had changed. We had experienced a lot of national tragedies (assassinations, Kent State, Manson murders) and were in full knowledge of the Vietnam War, and the idea of having one's problems magically solved in just 30 minutes weekly was becoming more and more unbelievable. Alas, Nanny never really found her footing quite as well as Samantha and Jeannie.I've been getting reacquainted through GetTV and have enjoyed the little walk through my childhood. The opening theme song is catchy, but again, not "classic" in any way...a kitschy work hopelessly mired in the 60s pop/rock style.Possibly the best thing about this show is that it gave us Kim Richards, a precious and precocious little actor who went on to other shows. Alas, she has retired from acting. Best wishes to her and her endeavors.To by all means try to catch this show. It's light entertainment and pure escapism. You won't be disappointed.

motownfn Return with me, if you will, to Friday night in the fall of 1970...I was 4 years old and remember this show with fond memories. I recall that this was sandwiched between "The Brady Bunch" and "The Partridge Family" on ABC. Many years passed and then in the mid '90s, it reappeared on the FX cable station. Luckily, I recorded some of the episodes and still have them. When I've mentioned this show in the past, my friends didn't recall it. I always remembered Juliet Mills and how I wished I had someone like her in our home. She wasn't a witch, but possessed psychic ability and always had a sweet disposition that was irresistible. I also remember Waldo, the family sheepdog and the rooster, Sebastian. I wish this would get released on DVD for those of us who want a reminder of a simpler time when television was clean and wholesome.

SanDiego This show was a mid-season replacement in January of 1970 (15 episodes), picked up in the fall of 1970 for a complete run thru March 1971 (24 episodes) and picked up again in the fall of 1971 where it ran until December (15 episodes). During those three seasons ABC had another wholesome entry in the magic sitcom genre (that already included Bewitched and The Flying Nun) this time inspired by the success of Mary Poppins whereas we find a magical nanny (think ESP to the max power) who comes to help a widower raise his children. Whereas shows like Bewitched and I Dream of Jeannie frequently played on the romantic relationship or sexual tension between the two leads (there was even some sexual tension between The Flying Nun's novice nun Sister Bertrille and playboy Carlos Ramirez!), Nanny and the Professor had virtually no character development and the plots began to repeat themselves. Wheras Mary Poppins had a mother in the household the TV show wisely dealt with a father only. While this left the door open for romantic involvement and possible marriage (think Eight Is Enough), this simply was not to be.Charming as the characters were, they just didn't grow as a family. Bewitched kept interest over the years first by watching the newlywed couple cope with their differences, having their first child, and eventually raising two children.. I Dream of Jeannie moved from sexual tension to engagement to marriage. The big dilemma that was built into Nanny was that the show had two young attractive adults living together under the same roof with young impressionable children. Any sign of sexual tension would have been taboo in 1970 (Jeannie at least lived in a bottle) so they kept the character of Phoebe "Nanny" Figalilly uninterested in Professor Harold Everett and kept a goofy look on the Professor as he got ready with dates uninvolved with the show or his character. The show eventually played to its only audience that could care less in the social aspects of the plot, young children, when it finished off it's run as a Saturday morning TV cartoon in 1972 (original cast members providing the voices). When shows got canceled in those days that's where they went, funny as it may seem now. From Gilligan's Island to Welcome Back Kotter from Happy Days to Punky Brewster and even TV favorites Mr. T and Gary Coleman animation was the ghostly graveyard of sitcoms. ESP Note: Juliet Mills wasn't the only actress from this show to play a role where the character has ESP. Six-year-old Kim Richards who played the young Prudence Everett had a long run in television as a child actress but is best known as Tia, the girl with ESP, in Disney's Escape to Witch Mountain (1975) and Return to Witch Mountain (1978). She also played a young woman with ESP in her self-produced film Escape (1990).

renfield54 In the background of this show is a romance that can never take place. The adults have no choice but to stick to their assigned roles. This show takes advantage of the popularity of "Mary Poppins". The "nanny" seems to have certain powers over those of the mere mortal. Always subtle, never garish, her 'powers' aid in her care of the widowed professor's children.A nice little show, especially for the younger set. I, on the other hand, have always admired Juliet Mills. She is wonderful in the part and has charmed me completely in whatever she does.