My Living Doll V1 Official Collection

Television audiences in 1964 knew that Bob Cummings was a gifted comic actor following his
wonderfully funny and long-running "Bob Cummings Show" (aka "Love That Bob") - but what really made
this long-lost, single season sitcom so extra-special was the lovely and talented beauty Julie Newmar
as Rhoda the robot.

Debuting a year prior to "I Dream of Jeannie," this program had some striking similarities, though
Cummings -- unlike "Jeannie's" Larry Hagman - was really too old for the male lead on "Doll."
Nonetheless, it is a very well written show and Julie displays a natural flair for comedy -- including
some memorably kooky moments.

I've seen an advance copy of this DVD set and it has an insightful half-hour featurette with Julie
along with series producer Howard Leeds and guest actress Jackie Joseph - plus tons of great photos
and behind the scenes details. There's also original sponsor spots, a fun Julie Newmar commercial from the
period and two terrific "Let's Talk To Lucy" radio shows where Lucille Ball interviews Julie during the
production of "My Living Doll."

It should also be noted that this official collection contains all 11 episodes that have been found of the
26 shows produced. The program's owner has lost the other 15 episodes and was able to put these together
with the help of various film archives and private collectors.

Should anyone be able to help provide additional episodes of this series, please contact MPI Home Video
in Orland Park, IL who has licensed "My Living Doll" from the owner, the estate of Jack Chertok, who
produced the series -- as well as the more well-know success "My Favorite Martian."

Again, "My Living Doll" is a real treat for anyone who enjoys classic '60s sitcoms and high calibre
performers like Julie Newmar.

As a fan and collector of classic TV shows I can't wait to purchase this DVD set. The only time I remember watching this situation comedy or sitcom, was during the 1964-65 TV season and I was eight years old. It's been almost fifty years since I last seen this show so it will be interesting to watch it (again). Considering I don't remember any of the episodes (except for the opening titles) it will be like watching a new series.

If you are Dr. Robert MacDonald, professionally you are a psychiatrist, but on a personal level you are - one might say - a playboy, a man devoted to a lifetime of chasing women, not that you ever intend to catch one; marriage is the last thing on your mind. You believe that you fall in that rare class of men known as "God's gift to women!"

You were perfectly happy in your pursuits until one day Dr. Miller - a brilliant engineer - asks you to take care of something while he is away on assignment. Now normally you might expect to be asked to feed the cat or water the plants, but in his case he wants you to inconspicuously take care of his Top Secret, hot female robot! At first you thought she would cramp your style with all of your lady friends, but then suddenly you realize that this robot could fulfill your fantasy of the ideal woman: one who does what she is told and keeps her mouth shut!

While Dr. Miller had preloaded her with 50 mega-items of information, her education was by no means complete. She understood all of the basic commands such as: sit down, stand up, lie down, walk, stop, turn around and etc., but she didn't know how to get dressed! She learns by mimicking what she sees, repeating what she hears, and most importantly she will obey your every command. She's your perfect woman, but remember the old saw: "Be careful what you wish for!"

Overall: Although the robot was developed for the space program, the episodes have little or nothing to do with space but center around personal problems in Bob's life. There is no spark, no chemistry at all between Bob and the sexy Rhoda. It is the fine performance given by Julie Newmar as Rhoda that raises this series to a rating of 4.

Shows: "Boy Meets Girl", "Rhoda's First Date", "Uninvited Guest", "Love Machine", "The Beauty Contest", "My Robot the Warden", "I'll Leave It to You", "The Pool Shark" "The Kleptomaniac", "The Witness" and "Something Borrowed, Something Blew {sic}." The last episode has a notice asking for information on the whereabouts of other episodes.

Features: "Remembering My Living Doll", "Let's Talk to Lucy", "Alternate Opening Credits" - a sexier opening, "Sponsor Commercials", "My Living Doll Music Soundtrack Album", "The Bob Cummings Show Episode" and "Photo Gallery."

Picture (DVD): 3, some are grainy, occasional film scratches. All episodes are in black & white. Subtitles: English.

› Go to Amazon.com to see all 11 reviews  4.2 out of 5 stars