Reunion movie of a show so old only senior citizens are alive that remember the original...reruns included. I believe this may actually set a record for reunion shows as far as time difference between original and reunion ("Leave it to Beaver" was about 22 years). The original Patty Duke show went off the air in 1966 making it a 33 year difference! The only thing close is "Burke's Law" which saw a return after 28 years in 1994 (of course that was more of a return than a reunion). I think the best bet here was just to do a remake with new cast (which actually was done with the TV series DOUBLE TROUBLE using real twins). Hayley Mills returned in several movies based on THE PARENT TRAP but that feature film had been rather accessible through the years (and even after the sequel mill ran dry was re-made with a new cast). First of all let me say I love Patty Duke. I liked her in the Helen Keller films (the original and the re-make), I liked her as a teen and as an adult actress, as an Astin and an after-Astin. I applaud her personal triumphs. But if nothing else, Patty Duke has shown us we must move forward not backward. Her guest spot on "Touched by an Angel" blew me away. This woman can act. Put this lady in a brand new sitcom and I'm there. Ask me to remember references from 1966 and I'll deny I was even born yet. Can you imagine in another 10 years having a reunion from our favorite shows of the seventies? Oh no. Oh no, just don't go there.
The Patty Duke Show: Still Rockin' in Brooklyn Heights
(1999 TV Movie)
Any further back we will have to dig up Desi and Lucy for a reunion.
7 September 2000