"The Dick Van Dyke Show" The Cat Burglar (TV Episode 1963) Poster

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9/10
Home Insecurity
hellraiser712 October 2021
This episode is another honorable mention, it's the simply home robbery plotline that's been in many other sitcoms, but what makes this funny is how both Rob and Laura deal and react to the situation. There are lots of funny moments, from Jerry passing them the rifle from a window that is surprisingly not closed or secure. It's funny what Jerry says about not coming to the front door, which was a moment of stupidity on his part.

But of course, the highlight is seeing Rob hunting down the burglar as there is a robbery possibly in progress in their home. The sequence is funny from beginning to end, I really like that both Rob and Laura are really scared which is understandable the thought of an intruder in your home isn't the most pleasant thought in the world. It's also really suspensful because even I'm a little worried about what would happen if there really is an intruder in the house.

But it's just funny from seeing Rob trying to get one single bullet hidden in the worst possible place, the music box. Seeing Rob constantly react to false alarms and one moment which sort of predates "The Shining" sort of.

Will Rob and Laura be truly secure, you'll just have to wait and see.

Rating: 3 and a half stars.
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8/10
Rob Petrie...amateur detective!
planktonrules2 December 2023
When the story begins, you learn that there have been a series of burglaries in New Rochelle...and the Helpers and Petries are a dither. Jerry insists on giving Rob a rifle so he can protect his family, but Rob and Laura apparently hate guns...that is, until they hear sounds during the night. Despite this vigilance, however, the burglars DO manage to dob both the Petries and Helpers. So, it's up to Rob to somehow solve the case...which happens but which is baffling as you aren't sure HOW he comes up with the solution!

This is a very good episode because Dick Van Dyke does what he does best in this episode...he is great at acting on his own and keeping the audience focused on him and his antics...sort of like being a mime who talks! An interesting and enjoyable show despite Rob somehow knowing the solution to the problem despite just being a comedy writer.
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10/10
Superb
masutz24 May 2021
This is one of TV's greatest shows' greatest episodes. I'd rank this single episode as one of the top-10 of all time for TV sitcoms.
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