The Patty Duke Show (TV Series) Big Sister Is Watching (1966) User Reviews

Not Her Brother's Keeper

[wes-connors · 5/10 · 27 February 2012]

When Ross (Paul O'Keefe) begins coming home from school with black eyes, big sister Patty (Patty Duke) decides to intervene on her brother's behalf. But when bully Jerry's big brother turns out to be handsome Les Brown Jr. (as Alan Mitchell), Patty switches sides and blames Ross for getting beaten up. Also forgetting boyfriend Richard (Eddie Applegate), Patty wants to go out on romantic drives with the new man from Oregon. Sensible cousin Cathy (also Patty Duke) swings into action and gets Richard to give Ross defensive fighting lessons. Possibly some young viewers identified with Patty, but probably more wondered how she could be so shallow. Everyone else is likable. Also, Mr. Brown (son of renowned band-leader Les) seems to desire Patty except for the telephone scene; maybe he had to go to the bathroom, or something.

***** Big Sister Is Watching (2/2/66) Bruce Bilson ~ Patty Duke, Paul O'Keefe, Les Brown Jr., Eddie Applegate

Ross and the Bully

[JordanThomasHall · 5/10 · 26 August 2020]

Ross comes home with a massive black eye, having been beaten up by a new student named Jerry Mitchell. Jerry's older brother Alan (Les Brown Jr.) comes to over to reveal Jerry also has a black eye. Patty is instantly attracted to Alan and implores Ross to be good friends with Jerry. They have another fight, however, blacking Ross' other eye. Cathy phones Richard to come over and teach Ross how to fight and defend himself. He's still no match for the bully, and Patty is critical of Ross instead. Her feelings for Alan will lead to another fight.

Patty really comes off as unlikeable here, as a previous reviewer noted.