Family Affair is a situation comedy television series that aired on CBS from September 12, 1966 to September 9, 1971. The series explored the trials of well-to-do civil engineer and bachelor Bill Davis (Brian Keith), as he attempted to raise his brother's orphaned children in his luxury New York City apartment. Davis's stuffy English butler Mr. Giles French (Sebastian Cabot), also had adjustments to make as he was usually saddled with the responsibility of caring for 15-year-old Sissy (Kathy Garver) and the 6-year-old twins, Jody (Johnny Whitaker) and Buffy (Anissa Jones).
The show ran for 138 episodes. Family Affair was created and produced by Don Fedderson, best known for My Three Sons.
Brian Keith was nominated three times for an Emmy for his role as "Uncle Bill." The theme music was composed by Frank De Vol.
Buffy's doll "Mrs Beasley", which she constantly carried with her, became a popular toy in real life in the United States.
A Family Affair is a musical with a book by James Goldman and William Goldman, lyrics by James Goldman and John Kander, and music by Kander. This was Kander's first show, and his only one written without Fred Ebb.
Originally planned as a project for Gertrude Berg to be directed by Jerome Robbins, it opened in Philadelphia directed instead by Word Baker, who recently had staged The Fantasticks off-Broadway. With everything from the script to the score to the set in disarray, theatre producer Hal Prince was brought in to replace Baker and repair the damage. Poor box office prevented the out-of-town tryout from being extended and Prince, making his directorial debut, brought the show to New York City knowing it was better but still in need of serious work.
After five previews, the Broadway production opened on January 27 1962 at the Billy Rose Theatre, where it ran for 65 performances. The cast included neurotic comic Shelley Berman as Alfie, Eileen Heckart as Tillie, Rita Gardner as Sally, and Larry Kert as Gerry, with Morris Carnovsky, Cathryn Damon, and Linda Lavin in supporting roles.
An original cast recording was released by United Artists Records.
Premiered 12 September 2002, exactly 36 years to the day after the debut of the original "Family Affair" (1966).
A highly paid consulting engineer, Bill Davis' carefree existence as a swinging bachelor was just about perfect. Maintaining an elegant apartment off Fifth Avenue in Manhattan, he had his domestic needs cared for by a very English gentleman's gentleman, Mr. French. Into this life of independence came three young orphans, whose parents, Davis' relatives, had died in an accident. Written by Anonymous
Bill Davis is a single bachelor living in Manhattan with his butler Giles French. He is enjoying his life of freedom until his late brother's three children show up (twins Buffy and Jody, age 6, and Cissy, age 15). Soon Bill and French must make serious adjustments as they now must play surrogate parents to three kids. Written by Brian Washington
