The Patty Duke show was one of my favorites as a kid. "Still Rockin' in Brooklyn Heights" is a nicely done reunion, preserving the tone of the original show with appropriate updates. The main change is that Duke's acting has matured incredibly over the years, and her solid performance in both roles is what makes this piece work. The cast are comfortable reprising their old roles, and do a good supporting job. Duke does a good job of differentiating Patty and Cathy, much deeper than the shallow characters of the original show -- while remaining true to the originals. The movie has a few critical weak points that make it Yet Another TV Movie. First of all, the plot is merely a Disney-style formula from the 50s and 60s. No real surprises, simple characters, ending predicatble from minute 20. Penny Marshall as the antagonist is a cartoon villain (by the way, she's turning the school into a mall, not tearing it down), joined in shallowness by the principal as sidekick. Finally, the rest of the Lane family characters aren't augmented as much as Patty and Cathy over the years, and the balance suffers a little. Still, if you liked the show in the 60s, this is well worth the time. The cast enjoys the reunion, despite aging, weight, and a little trepidation over Duke's personal life back then.
The Patty Duke Show: Still Rockin' in Brooklyn Heights
(1999 TV Movie)
Good reunion for "Patty Duke Show" fans, but average for others
28 April 1999