Rags to Riches

What a refreshing movie and series this was. My girls loved it. We couldn't wait until the next episodes.

I wish there was a place to buy the TV series.

I rank this right along with "That Thing You Do". 10 for family entertainment.

This was an attempt to produce a musical comedy-drama series every week. A lonely millionaire adopts in several orphaned girls of different backgrounds. The storylines revolved around various problems of the pre-teen and teenaged girls. The show was set in the early 1960's, and the girls sang pop and rock tunes that were popular during that time. Rags To Riches was a candy cane confection of a show that might have worked if it had premiered back in the early 1960s. All of the girls problems were innocent and neatly tied up at the end.

This show was a clever mix of comedy, drama, and music. It featured a cutthroat food mogul who adopted five orphaned girls in an attempt to seal a deal and improve his image. Of course, the girls changed his life, and he changed theirs. The girls would frequently engage in song to reflect the story of the episode. I loved the one where a guy tried to scam a girl who had just gotten her drivers' liscence, or where a Russian guy was over, or where the girl had her "Sweet 16" at the same time the Cuban Missile Crisis Hit. (the show was set in the early 60s.) This was a thoroughly enjoyable show with cute girls, good episodes, and an ensemble that clicked! Joeseph Bologna was good in the lead.

*** out of ****

I first saw this show in 1986 and it became one of my favorite all time television shows. The Singing and dancing was great - especially enjoyed how they reworked the 50's and 60's tunes to reflect the actions in each episode. The girls were cute - especially important to a teenage boy (had a major crush on Bridget Michele (Diane) and Kimiko Gelman (Rose).

Unfortunately, I never did get to see all 21 episodes of the show, and only was able to record four episodes on VHS in 1987 (which I have since transferred to DVD and still enjoy).

Sad the show did not even last one season, but it is truly a nostalgic gem for both the 1980's and 1960's.

I used to watch this show when I was a little girl, and I thought that all the songs they sang were written for the show. Therefore I regarded it as some musical miracle. Only later I found out that those cute teen girls were singing 60s songs - but by then I also found out that this show has made my knowledge for 60s and 70s songs as deep as my parents'!

Anyway, this TV show is very well done, well acted and I couldn't help but find myself totally hooked with it. Watch it if you happen to find it on reruns - you'll enjoy it!