A super story, however, briefly put on hold due to the assassination of President Kennedy, which happened during the day of filming. If you're old enough, you'll remember lots of tv stars recalling the tragic day. Lucille Ball, who owned the studio, stopped production of her show also. Both Dick Van Dyke and Mary Tyler Moore mentioned this on various talk shows in later years, and in fact, when filming resumed (at a later date), there was no live audience for obvious reasons. The episode was released the following February.
Of course, watching this story now, you would never know what had happened behind the scenes. A very funny episode, and should be, showing off the clown side of Dick Van Dyke, acting a bit like Red Skelton. All about throwing a birthday party for Ritchie. The costly question -- Should it be held at an amusement park where they'll have to pay for no less than 63 kids? Or should they celebrate at home and take their chances? Rob puts his foot down, insisting the kids stay home, and LOTSA' LUCK.
The Password is Dizzyland?
What you would expect with over sixty kids running around the place. By the way: How many of these little guys did Rich really, really know???
PS; One of the rebel rousers is Tony Paris, the son of co-star and director Jerry Paris.
He later became associate producer of LAVERNE AND SHIRLEY. Comedian Johnny Silver plays the delivery man.
PS; Are you thinking Little Rascals? I'm thinking. All they needed was Spanky and Alfalfa.
SEASON 3 EPISODE 19 remastered CBS dvd box set. Sometimes this episode is omitted in reruns, or at least not featured as often. Thanks to CATCHY TV for showing every episode.
