My Favorite Martian, the 1960s sitcom about a shipwrecked space traveler (Ray Walston) who takes up residence in the Los Angeles bachelor apartment of Tim O'Hara (Bill Bixby), was launched in the era of Sputnik and early NASA, running for three seasons in a TV culture that also included Bewitched and I Dream of Jeannie. Tim, a newspaper reporter who sees the UFO land and rescues the wounded traveler, quickly gets over his culture shock, passing off the super-powered alien scientist as his Uncle Martin, a very distant relative. Martin can levitate objects (with the wave of a finger), read minds, talk to animals, turn invisible (with antennae that sprout from his head like TV aerials), and perform all sorts of tricks that fall more into the realm of magical fantasy than space science. The episodes mostly revolve around hiding Martin's secret from dizzy landlady Lorelei (Pamela Britton) and—later—her nosy police detective boyfriend (Alan Hewitt), or Martin using his powers to right a wrong or help someone out. Nothing sophisticated here, just goofy gags and smart-aleck dialogue. Walston, a veteran of movies and Broadway, managed to remain composed and dignified while engaging in all sorts of absurdity, and Bixby (in his first starring role) proved to be likable and comically adept as the smart-talking, often sarcastic Tim. Today, it is mainly of nostalgic interest to Baby Boomers. Compiling all 107 episodes from 1963-66 (with the final season in color), extras include archival interviews, cast promo appearances, behind-the-scenes home movies, photo galleries, and pilots for two unmade shows. A strong optional purchase. (S. Axmaker)
My Favorite Martian: The Complete Series
MPI, 15 discs, 3,000 min., not rated, DVD: $99.98 Volume 31, Issue 1
My Favorite Martian: The Complete Series
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