Bring Me the Head of Dobie Gillis

What many other reviewers don't understand is that this movie was intended to be tongue-in-cheek from the word "go." . The plot isn't important, and the acting is supposed to be overstated and corny. Unlike the pilot from a decade earlier ("Whatever Happened to Dobie Gillis), which actually tried to restart a sequel to the original series, this movie has no such aim: There were no plans for a sequel or a new "Dobie" series, and the movie is mostly an excuse for Dwayne Hickman, Bob Denver, and Sheila James-Kuehl to get together again and recreate some of the antics they did in the series. William Schallert returns as Mr. Pomfritt (and is actually playing the piano), and Steve Franken is there as Chatsworth. The actors who played Dobie's parents weren't present; Frank Faylen had died three years prior to the movie, and Florida Friebus was probably too ill to participate; she passed away a few months after it aired, as did the original show's creator Max Shulman.

Much content is inserted for the boomers to remember: There is a reference to Denver's "Gilligan's Island" when Thalia mentions rescuing Maynard from a desert island. Many things that happened and existed in the old series appear here: Maynard's aversion to the word "Work!" is here, as well as a collection of his malaprops, misunderstanding of situations, and overreactions. Several of the old routines Dobie and Maynard did are recreated here. As in the original, Hickman does fourth-estate monologues in front of a backdrop containing a plaster replica of "The Thinker." One bit you won't want to miss is Hickman's talk with his movie-son, especially his classic line: "The Birds and the Bees are about plumbing."

It's unclear whether Tuesday Weld was asked to appear as Thalia. In any case, it didn't happen. Instead, Connie Stevens took the role and managed to create a sinister (and slightly over-the-top) version of Thalia.

While this TV movie is hard to get hold of, you can view full-length copies of it on certain video sites, and if you're a fan of the old series, you won't be disappointed with this effort. Just ignore the plot and enjoy the people and antics.

I found a recording of this on an old VHS tape and surprised myself by watching the whole thing. It suffers from the same problems most reunion shows have. A story that can be stretched into a long feature never feels quite right for characters you would normally deal with for a half hour. And, the problem of dealing with replacement actors who just aren't quite right, even if they aren't "bad", per se. Maynard having Gilligan hair also bugged me more than it should have, probably! :D

Repeating the old Dobie/Zelda unrequited love comedy dynamic with their son Georgie and Chatsworth's daughter Chatsie feels a little forced. The big difference being that, while Chatsie is ever-present and pushy, she's also absolutely ADORABLE! I mean, she's played by Princess Leia's half-sister, c'mon! This in contrast to Zelda, whom I believe Maynard once described as a "spooky-lookin' chick"!

Still, as reunion shows go, it's one of the better ones, mainly due to the returning actors, and Dwayne Hickman in particular. If you loved the original, you'll probably be okay with it. If not, I probably we wouldn't bother.

The plot of this film was lifted directly from Friedrich Durenmatt's play, Der Besuch die Alten Dame (The Visit of the Old Lady). It was an indictment of capitalism by Durenmatt, a radical Swiss socialist. Ironic that someone chose this as the plot device in an obvious attempt to cash in on America's preoccupation with its youth.

Unlike most sit-com reunions which are overly sentimental and sappy, 'Bring Me the Head of Dobie Gillis' is a somewhat less dark interpretation of Durenmatt's thesis that money can buy anything. And while in the end Dobie is left alive, the thesis is also alive and well at the end of the movie. The attempt is bold and audacious, not completely successful, and enthralling. Even Connie Stevens acquits herself with grace. The old sit-com relationships are also revisited with considerable irony for those familiar with the original show. I recommend this film to anyone with an interest in 20th century theatre (particulary if they also enjoy Dobie Gillis). It's thought- provoking, audacious, and outrageously funny.

Though "Bring Me the Head of Dobie Gillis" wasn't the best, it was a delight to see most of the original cast reunited: Dwayne Hickman, Sheila James, Bob Denver, William Schallert, and Steve Franken. Missing, of course, were Dobie's parents, Frank Faylen and Florida Friebus. Warren Beatty didn't return, nor did Tuesday Weld. The role of Thalia was taken by Connie Stevens.

The script is a take-off on the play/movie "The Visit." We find that 25 years after the last episode, Zelda and Dobie are married, and Dobie, who has graduated from pharmacy school, is running the market, now also a drugstore.

The couple has a son, Georgie, who is following in his father's footsteps - hand in the cash register, chasing a pretty blond, while Chatsworth's daughter Chatsie (Tricia Leigh Fisher, Connie's daughter) is chasing him. And Dobie, as always, stands in front of the Thinker to work out his problems.

The town is very financially depressed as someone has been buying up all of the businesses and closing them. Thalia returns to town and propositions Dobie. Dobie, despite his fantasies about Thalia, turns her down.

Thalia then calls a town meeting during which she reveals herself as the person who has been buying up the town, and she now has the wealth of the town and its citizens in her hands. If they want it back, there's one condition: Dobie must die!

Silly, and not particularly well written or acted, this is strictly for fans of the 1959-1963 show. And today, 25 years later, Denver, Franken, Kathleen Freeman, and Dody Goodman, who appeared in this TV movie, are gone.

For ER fans, Scott Grimes is a teenager in this, and gets to show off his wonderful singing voice -- the high school is doing a musical version of Romeo & Juliet.

Dwayne Hickman and Sheila James look amazing.

I doubt you'll stick with this if you were born too late to enjoy the original.