Denver Pyle is a great character actor, with his usual terrific throwaway lines as Briscoe Darling, and is always fun to watch.
The music in this show (as is always the case when The Darlings come into town), is also a treat for Bluegrass fans (a great rendition of "Old Salty Dog Rag" is featured).
The main drawback is that we've seen this basic story premise four previous times already- the idea of The Darling's becoming romantically fixated on either Andy, a member of his family, or someone close to him- and this installment marks the third time (!) that, as a last resort, comic staging of a bad "omen" is used to make The Darling's go away:
1. "The Darlings Are Coming" (1963)- Charlene pursues Andy romantically; Omen used- None
2. "Briscoe Declares for Aunt Bee" (1963)- Mr. Darling pursues Aunt Bea romantically; Omen used- None
3."Divorce, Mountain Style" (1964)- Charlene pursues Andy romantically; Omen used- white horse with a black rider traveling east-west (ridden by Barney).
4."The Darling Baby" (1964)- The Darling Family pursues Opie as a husband for the Darling baby; Omen used- Opie's disappearing ink.
5."The Darling Fortune" (1966)- The Darling Family pursues Helen Crump romantically as a wife for one of the boys; Omen used- owl in the daylight.
The Darlings are fun characters but, hey, show writers, come up with some new show ideas already!
I give this installment an "A" for funny but have to give it a "D" for originality, which is why I rate it as a 6.
The music in this show (as is always the case when The Darlings come into town), is also a treat for Bluegrass fans (a great rendition of "Old Salty Dog Rag" is featured).
The main drawback is that we've seen this basic story premise four previous times already- the idea of The Darling's becoming romantically fixated on either Andy, a member of his family, or someone close to him- and this installment marks the third time (!) that, as a last resort, comic staging of a bad "omen" is used to make The Darling's go away:
1. "The Darlings Are Coming" (1963)- Charlene pursues Andy romantically; Omen used- None
2. "Briscoe Declares for Aunt Bee" (1963)- Mr. Darling pursues Aunt Bea romantically; Omen used- None
3."Divorce, Mountain Style" (1964)- Charlene pursues Andy romantically; Omen used- white horse with a black rider traveling east-west (ridden by Barney).
4."The Darling Baby" (1964)- The Darling Family pursues Opie as a husband for the Darling baby; Omen used- Opie's disappearing ink.
5."The Darling Fortune" (1966)- The Darling Family pursues Helen Crump romantically as a wife for one of the boys; Omen used- owl in the daylight.
The Darlings are fun characters but, hey, show writers, come up with some new show ideas already!
I give this installment an "A" for funny but have to give it a "D" for originality, which is why I rate it as a 6.
