The People's Choice

Patricia Breslin, I loved you. Sure, it was puppy love, but what do you expect? I was only 2 to 5 years old during the original broadcast of "People's Choice," but I was precocious. And besides, I mainly watched you in re-runs from the NYC television stations in the early 1950s, so I was probably at least 6.

And then there was your co-staring role in "Crooked Road," on Alfred Hitchcock Presents, a show I will never forget, along with Walther Mathau as the crooked deputy. By the time you appeared on The Twilight Zone, season 4, "No Time Like the Past," I was truly ready to appreciate your maternal charms. You were the mother I always wished I had had.

Now, when I happen upon a vision of you on a wonderful old television time capsule, it as though I were in love with you all over for the first time. I wonder how many thousands, nay millions, of once young American males feel the same way about you?

You, Patricia Breslin, are my ideal, the virginal girl of my pre- pubescent fantasies, a woman I shall always seek, and never find, except in my dreams.

Unless, of course, I find a way to travel back in time. Somewhere. In time. Must go back. Focus! Concentrate! Ohio. Or is it Willoughby? Whatever.

I am also looking for the series in DVD or even VHS. Have you found it? We even named our Dog Cleo. so I have to have 10 lines in order to post a simple question about where to find the series on DVD so this is line 10 I am also looking for the series in DVD or even VHS. Have you found it? We even named our Dog Cleo. so I have to have 10 lines in order to post a simple question about where to find the series on DVD so this is line 10We even named our Dog Cleo. so I have to have 10 lines in order to post a simple question about where to find the series on DVD so this is line 10 a simple question about where to find the series on DVD so this is line 10 I am also looking for the series in DVD or even VHS. Have you found it? We even named our Dog Cleo. so I have to have 10 lines in order to post a simple question about where to find the series on DVD so this is line 10We even named our Dog Cleo. so I have to have 10 lines in order to post a simple question about where to find the series on DVD so this is line 10

Jackie Cooper stars as New City councilman Socrates "Sock" Miller. Patricia Breslin plays Mandy Peoples, daughter of New City's Mayor, who has her eyes set romantically on Sock. Her father is very much against this relationship as he believes Sock is a bit too unstable to provide Mandy a decent future. Sock lives in a trailer court with his Aunt Gus who supports the relationship with Mandy. Other regulars characters include Sock's mooching service buddy Rollo and Crutcher, the former councilman and rival for Mandy that Sock beat in the election. The writing is clever, the cast is very good and it's all given a little extra craziness as the audience is allowed to hear what Sock's basset Cleo is thinking in relation to the action. Eventually Sock and Mandy get married but keep it a secret as long as they can. This show is more then just inventing the secret marriage ploy. It is genuinely funny. If you like the era it may be for you. If not or if you can't stand black and white (too bad because you miss out on many good programs)then avoid this. However, if you don't mind black and white and enjoy dialog that isn't one continuous sexual innuendo please take a look. Cleo is a great!

Okay, it was the fifties. You couldn't suggest that attractive, favorable characters, you leads, could be having unmarried sex. But wait! Suppose they're *secretly* married! Then it's okay that they sneak off and do things that don't get explained, but provide opportunity for comedy as they perpetually are almost getting caught.

I used to watch The People's Choice reruns in the '60's when I was a kid. I loved it then, partly because I loved the funny things Cleo, the basset hound, had to say. Since I haven't watched the show as an adult, I can't say how I would like it now, but the cutesy romance and the basset hound grabbed the attention of a 12 year old. At the time I thought Jackie Cooper was a hotty, too. I loved to watch the young couple trying to put one over on dear old dad. I didn't really understand why they couldn't tell him they were married, but I guess I didn't let it worry me much. I understand that the shows are in public domain, now, and I'm trying to locate the complete series on DVD.