Adding a review here as I found this episode a bit better than the other reviewers here. I'll readily say however, that I am not a fan of Drobny the Duck at all whatsoever. Arnold the Pig was a wonderful character in the Green Acres Universe. His lone presence as an animal of great intelligence in Hooterville was enough, (Ellenor the Cow not withstanding.) An additional "animal" being given full episode stories was definitely not needed, and Drobny proves more bland than entertaining.
There are a small number of humorous moments scattered through the episode. Arnold's realization of a language barrier between himself and Drobny revealed the Pig's wee (wee-wee) bit of familiarity with the Japanese language. The visual joke of the Japanese subtitles was a pleasant, funny little surprise. It always provides a smile when Oliver answers a "knock, knock, knock" at the door only to find a snorting pig waiting on the porch.
The best scene (imo) plays out between Oliver and addle-brained, Hank Kimball. Hank shows up with concern for Ellenor's health. When he attempts to get the cow to say, "Ahhh", she responds with a most unexpected (to Hank) and continuous, "Mr. Kimball!" Of course, it's Oliver who's saying that, but the County Agent is unaware of Oliver's presence in the barn, even though he had just walked right past him. A secondary concern by Kimball of Oliver's throat is also delightfully funny.
There was a moment of concern (by I, the viewer) for the sake of the actor duck portraying Drobny. In one quick moment shown of Drobny dancing to some Hungarian Gypsey music playing on a phonograph, it appears that the production crew had possibly attached wires to the little critter. This so as to present the duck to appear to be dancing to the music. It actually looks as if it's being tortured.
Eddie Albert gets in some usual terrific moments of angered exasperation as Oliver deals with the situations at hand and never-ending disruptions to his attempts at figuring his year's taxes. Eva Gabor looks absolutely ravishing throughout even as her Lisa Douglas character continues to become more incompetent and irritating.
Not anywhere near the best of what Green Acres could offer, but not as tedious as one of the show's "Good Old Days" reflections, either.
There are a small number of humorous moments scattered through the episode. Arnold's realization of a language barrier between himself and Drobny revealed the Pig's wee (wee-wee) bit of familiarity with the Japanese language. The visual joke of the Japanese subtitles was a pleasant, funny little surprise. It always provides a smile when Oliver answers a "knock, knock, knock" at the door only to find a snorting pig waiting on the porch.
The best scene (imo) plays out between Oliver and addle-brained, Hank Kimball. Hank shows up with concern for Ellenor's health. When he attempts to get the cow to say, "Ahhh", she responds with a most unexpected (to Hank) and continuous, "Mr. Kimball!" Of course, it's Oliver who's saying that, but the County Agent is unaware of Oliver's presence in the barn, even though he had just walked right past him. A secondary concern by Kimball of Oliver's throat is also delightfully funny.
There was a moment of concern (by I, the viewer) for the sake of the actor duck portraying Drobny. In one quick moment shown of Drobny dancing to some Hungarian Gypsey music playing on a phonograph, it appears that the production crew had possibly attached wires to the little critter. This so as to present the duck to appear to be dancing to the music. It actually looks as if it's being tortured.
Eddie Albert gets in some usual terrific moments of angered exasperation as Oliver deals with the situations at hand and never-ending disruptions to his attempts at figuring his year's taxes. Eva Gabor looks absolutely ravishing throughout even as her Lisa Douglas character continues to become more incompetent and irritating.
Not anywhere near the best of what Green Acres could offer, but not as tedious as one of the show's "Good Old Days" reflections, either.
