More or less in the tradition of Silas Marner and Chaplin's The Kid, the popular TV series Punky Brewster (1984-1988) offered a family-friendly, Reagan-era variation on the tale of an isolated bachelor who takes in an abandoned child and finds his life simultaneously improved and overturned. Soleil Moon Frye starred as the loquacious, streetwise Punky, and while she brought fresh appeal to the show, it was Helsinki-born actor George Gaynes (Wag the Dog), playing Punky's foster father, who lent the series enough gruff substance to cut through the excessive cuteness. Once Gaynes' character, Henry--a misanthropic photographer--warms to the neglected Punky and fights the legal system to care for her, he discovers that parenthood is an uphill battle of compromises and sacrifices. Compiling all 23 first season episodes (including an hour-long special episode), this four-disc boxed set also features interviews with cast members and a few episodes of the animated Saturday morning cartoon spin-off It's Punky Brewster. Recommended. (T. Keogh)
Punky Brewster: Season One
Shout! Factory, 4 discs, 660 min., not rated, DVD: $34.98 Volume 19, Issue 4
Punky Brewster: Season One
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