Cindy Brady As Shirley Temple | The Brady Bunch

[@machoman1016]

Susan was 12 years old when they filmed this episode the creator clearly didn't know what to do with her once she was no longer the baby.

[@TnseWlms]

They had already added Oliver to the cast, to let Cindy be a little less of a baby. Countless child actors have spent a good part of their adult life in depression and therapy because they were maturing but the producers wouldn't let their character mature.

[@shadowstarz3651]

@@TnseWlmsIt was really bad in the case of Anissa Jones of Family Affair. Many believe the psychological trauma was a big factor of her death at only 18. Fortunately they don’t do this anymore.

[@kaitiscarlett9022]

@@TnseWlms Makes me think of Arnold from Diff'rent Strokes. He was getting noticeably older but they managed to squeeze a little more cute-kid out of him by bringing in that awful Sam character. He was in junior high by that time!

[@PhysicalMediaPreventsWea-bx1zm]

Susan had to fight tooth and nail just to let her have another hairstyle besides pigtails.

[@TnseWlms]

@@PhysicalMediaPreventsWea-bx1zmThe theme song writer needed to find a rhyme with "girls", and thought up the line "the youngest one in curls." As a result Cindy always had to have some sort of curls or braids (because she was a Brady). The only time in the series when you can see her blond hair straight is for a few seconds in this episode when she starts to dress as Shirley Temple.

[@wildmike951]

Mrs Howell made it back to civilization. Lol

[@sylviaisgod6947]

So did Mr. Howell...he gave them a pool table.

[@wildmike951]

@sylviaisgod6947 lol. Yes and Bobby taught him a few things. Lol

[@1talldaddy]

@@wildmike951 and he also locked the whole family up in an abandon town.

[@dannydougin3925]

Why "Cindy" thought she had to be Shirley Temple to land an agent is beyond me. Of course Susan hates this episode ... and with good reason.

[@good03boy]

No wonder Robert Reed hated The Brady Bunch. The writing and childish plots were horrible.

[@TnseWlms]

Robert Reed said it would be impossible for Cindy to teach herself to look and sing and dance just like Shirley Temple in a few hours.@@good03boy

[@briabrichacek7712]

I adore her curls, I was Shirley Temple for Halloween one year

[@machoman1016]

@@good03boy kinda makes you wonder why he continued doing Brady Bunch related projects after the show ended until his death

[@lamarjohnson4023]

Where is the Shirley Temple tap dance?!?

[@peterbreughel4440]

Natalie Schafer stealing the scene as usual.

[@LouisianaCityboi]

This would have been cute season one. This show really had no idea how to age all of these children.

[@roberthill8034]

🙄... Why...🙄

[@katiejohnston988]

This would have been super cute had Cindy still been 6 years old here. But she wasn’t, she was 12. Therefore, it was just embarrassing honestly. She was too old to dress up like Shirley Temple here and pull it off as cute. Susan Olsen always states how she HATED this episode and I honestly do not blame her.

[@DebraHarrison-b2x]

@katiejohnston988 I thought she looked too big to be playing Shirley Temple.

[@65if2007]

CRINGE! Even for a Brady Bunch episode, that was a cringeworthy moment for Susan Olsen. Good to see Natalie Schaefer though in her second call of duty for Sherwood Schwartz and still prancing in her 70's.

[@BrianTXtreme]

To be fair if they had done this episode at the beginning of the series she would have been able to pull off being Shirley Temple

[@kandacehead9544]

This episode actually was planned for Season 1, but for some reason got shelved until Season 5.

[@PussnBoot2516]

Yes, Susan was a little bit too old to be playing Shirley Temple. Would have been cute if she was younger.

[@stitches318]

Honestly they also made Shirley Temple act out parts she was way too old for

[@kandacehead9544]

@@stitches318 I know. Near the end of her 7-year contract with Fox Studios.

[@Lespna1]

​@kandacehead9544 I didn't know that. Does it say that in the DVD's or did you read it somewhere?

[@kev7161]

This is the time Cindy (and Bobby) were too old to be "cute" any more. Enter cousin Oliver!

[@GeminiladyJackson-xq6hc]

Cousin Oliver was a last attempt to save The Brady Bunch in the ratings.

[@redletter2008]

Yeah, Bobby basically had stubble on his face while still trying to act like some adorable pre-teen 😂. Peter looked like he was 26 years old, and Jan looked almost middle aged.

[@aaronjess1608]

Oh that annoying freak Oliver lol

[@jaengen]

@@redletter2008 Greg looked eligible for social security.

[@nateboy1489]

Exactly - this is where the series started declining. Sometime in season 5, the show just lost it. Oliver came in to save it, but he made it worse, and the show ended a few weeks later, accordingly. I feel like had Oliver not been added, it might have gone one more season with Greg in college and Marcia graduating high school, but it wasn’t going to last more than one more season anyway. The Brady 6 just got too old to be cute, were probably ready to move on to other projects, and the storylines were getting stale by this point anyway.

[@shadowstarz3651]

Susan Olsen once said this was the most humiliating moment for her on the show. I can see why.

[@gretchennelson7056]

I loathed it when the real Shirley Temple did it🤮

[@natvan29]

I was never a fan of Shirley Temple I never understood why everyone thought she was so great I thought there were better child stars then her

[@aaronjess1608]

@@natvan29 That was our grandparents day in the 1930s when they were kids so its way before our time..

[@natvan29]

@@aaronjess1608 i was talking about child stars from the 30s and 40s when she was little I watch a bunch of old movies then I have seen kids better then her

[@nassauguy48]

I read about that. A 12 year old performing a gig that Shirley Temple did when she was 5? Geez, poor Susan!

[@nolanboles8492]

This episode must have been pure torture for Susan Olsen, especially coming so late in the series. Natalie Schafer was a delight, though.

[@BrianSerpente]

In the 3 part grand canyon episode Jim Backus played Zakaria t brown and appeared in the hustler episode season 5 they both played as the Howells on Gilligan's island❤

[@crazylegskc]

Yes. During a Brady Bunch cast reunion, she called this episode "one of the most painful moments of my life."

[@TnseWlms]

I once saw Shirley Temple Black eating in a Chinese restaurant. I asked the waiter, "Is that Shirley Temple over there?" The waiter said, "No, we don't serve mixed drinks here."

[@tonylopez-russell2631]

Hahahaha I’m sorry but that’s so cute and funny!

[@danicegewiss862]

It just me that's Mrs. Howell from Gilligan's Island!

[@jayr1935]

Filmed after they were rescued.

[@toddgrogg8005]

At 1:56 I love how Mike, was rolling is eyes around. When Natalie, was talking about Shirley Temple.

[@mrsheatherteske]

I feel bad that Susan had to do this episode.

[@GeminiladyJackson-xq6hc]

I feel bad that Natalie Schafer had to this episode, too

[@kandacehead9544]

It would’ve been cute had it been produced for Season 1, 2, or even 3. Susan was clearly too old when she got braces.

[@tamyasaunders7689]

I wonder what was going through Mike and Carol's heads when they saw their daughter dancing with Penelope Fletcher

[@jakepaas27]

Treating a 12 year old like they were 5 years old, par for the course for 60s and 70s sitcoms. No wonder so many ended up getting into trouble.

[@PhilAlumb]

Yeah..nowadays, at twelve, Cindy would have a smartphone, learning about sex, committing crimes and claiming she was a Victim of some "Ism."

[@mikep5335]

Natalie Shafer, Jim Backus and Denny Miller are all actors who appeared on both The Brady Bunch and Gilligans Island.

[@michaelvaladez3012]

Susan looks so adorable as Shirley Temple Lol 😂.R.I.P Natalie Schafer,Robert Reed,and Florence Henderson.

[@bonnieriffle8371]

And Ann B. Davis

[@michaelvaladez3012]

​@@bonnieriffle8371And Sherwood Schwartz

[@bonnieriffle8371]

Yeah.

[@gretchennelson7056]

I love Natalie Schafer❤️

[@sunnydayzie1202]

Haha!! She was way too old for this! I used to like this episode because i had the same Shirley Temple record album that Cindy buys in this episode!😅

[@tigertbalm]

Susan Olsen and I are the same age,I thought her part was horribly embarrassing from the beginning. I felt Jan acted more how kids our age did,though Eve Plumb was also playing younger.

[@BrianSerpente]

Natalie Schafer from Gilligan's island😊

[@aaronjess1608]

@@tigertbalm From the reruns of the brady bunch that me and my siblings watched reruns of the Brady Bunch in the late 80's I always thought that Jan was the nuerotic one LOL

[@tigertbalm]

@@aaronjess1608 It's so different watching as an adult.

[@Superlad9494]

​@@tigertbalm Susan Olsen also hated this episode...it's a no go.

[@ronsadventures2007]

I hate this episode she was far too old to be Shirley temple.. would have been cute the first or second season

[@istankimjong-unbutcantstan3398]

It's not like Shirley Temple didn't get older.................

[@ronsadventures2007]

Ya but her career was over by the time she was this age. Susan Olsen herself hated this episode

[@vicepresidentmikepence889]

The way Mrs. Howell puts her glasses up at 00:31 always cracked me up😂😂😂😂😂😂

[@matthewfarmer2520]

Susan Olsen is Shirley Temple here lol she's got the mix like a Heidi, curly top, and dimples look all in one. It cute but she's to old, in the first season should done a Shirley Temple tribute.

[@mpshields]

This was an all-time LOW episode. Then Lovey Howell saved the day.

[@SuperMarioBrosIII]

Lubby aka Mrs. Howell!🧓🏝🥥🛥

[@gogoyubari366]

Lovey.

[@gretchennelson7056]

It’s Lovey

[@SuperMarioBrosIII]

@@gretchennelson7056 I've seen both Lubby and Lovey. 🤔🤨🙄🙆‍♀

[@danicegewiss862]

​@@SuperMarioBrosIIIMost of us haven't seen or heard anything but Lovey.

[@SuperMarioBrosIII]

@@danicegewiss862 You gotta love the Mandela Effect Lobby/Luvvie/Lovey. 🏝🥥🛥🧓

[@jimbohr]

mrs. howell made it off gilligan's island

[@sylviaisgod6947]

So did Mr. Howell.

[@dewainalexander6615]

Sherwood swartz was a dinosaur. He didnt even know what decade he was in.😂

[@flowertrue]

Natalie Schafer, the quintessential wealthy elegant matron! Sorry you're so old, Cindy, but you gave it the good old college try!

[@Billy_Lenz]

She's 12 year old right here. This was almost as creepy as seeing Bette Davis act like Baby Jane.

[@LunaBella2006]

Cindy said she hated doing Shirley.

[@TheGymnast71]

Love Shirley Temple..if susan Olsen was young er she could have done this well.

[@shanekilpatrick3378]

Don’t look so sad Mike. Cindy closed the deal for you

[@jackee1054]

So cringe.

[@cagedtigersteve]

Oh my. That was horrid to watch.

[@Lava1964]

I recall watching this episode when it aired in 1974. I knew the series was in deep trouble. Clearly, the writers had run out of ideas.

[@rogersilcox524]

Shirley Temple is alive and well 😁

[@shadow_hillsgrandma8224]

💓mrs Howell

[@GeminiladyJackson-xq6hc]

Jim Backus, who played Mr. Howell on Gilligan's Island, had appeared in several episodes of The Brady Bunch.

[@mikep5335]

Susan's singing is actually fine in this segment, (as is her dancing). It's Natalie who's singing is WAYYY off tune.

[@carlahubbs8833]

I remember Susan Olson said that was a painful episode there Shirley Temple episode

[@zzzbbbooo]

0:52 Mike and Carol's ceiling looks a bit wonky!

[@jaengen]

How embarrassing.

[@Billy_Lenz]

Cindy Brady is way cuter than Shirley Temple.

[@ChristopherHauser-58]

She was snooping in Marcia's diary

[@robertdubs9466]

This was Susan's least favorite episode, as she was thoroughly embarrassed by the Shirley Temple routine.

[@katrinamillings3651]

Watching this, I can understand why this actress hated her character. They never let her grow. It's bizarre seeing her act like a baby when she was almost a teenager. They did that to Gary Coleman on Different Strokes, too.

[@Deirdre82]

What the hell did they do to this poor girl she was way to old for this why can’t producers just let the actress grow up

[@georgiasmith64]

Lovey Howell 😊

[@lillianmonclova5460]

Lovey...Lovey...as Mr.Thurston Howell would say..lol

[@videox222ify]

even when I was little and watched this ep I thought Cindy behaved like such a jackass

[@danicegewiss862]

Susan didn't want to do this. Cindy did what the writers made her do.

[@HisbeautifulTruth-nl1ch]

Very awkward..

[@TnseWlms]

This formula is copied in the short lived sequel The Bradys. Mike has to entertain clients from Australia, who are very difficult and demanding. But one of the grandkids takes a phone message and accidentally miscommunicates the guests are from Austria. So Marcia prepares an Austrian-themed reception with bratwurst, beer and tuba music. The clients love it- they are tired of the Paul Hogan stereotype of down under, and wanted to visit Austria, and they are so pleased they buy Mike's plans without a second look.

[@helpmejanice8123]

Wow Mr and Mrs Howell in 3 separate episodes

[@auti34]

She said this was embarrassing to do

[@smiller4659]

Mrs Howell ❤️

[@phillipmorales8886]

Cindy was so stupid to fall for something like that, She thought she was going to be the next Shirley Temple. I wonder if this episode aired on April 1.

[@danicegewiss862]

It was a show.

[@stacystoltz8722]

🎉🎉😊😊😊😊😊❤

[@LindaMerchant-bq2hp]

Mrs. Howell

[@patriciabarajas7925]

Beautiful coat.

[@jaybarnes8034]

Why would Cindy be dressing up as a character about 40 years ago.

[@LadyElaineFairchilde]

Most kids of the 1970s would have seen reruns of Shirley Temple films. Where I lived, they were on every Sunday morning. We also got to see Abbott & Costello, the Three Stooges, the Little Rascals, and Andy Hardy on a regular basis. Many of them were on UHF channels.

[@gogoyubari366]

Jan Brady was my favorite!

[@erickanew]

I liked marsha better. 😂 she's funny brushing and swinging her hair talking trash

[@skippybartalozzi]

Jan was the best she was so GrOoVy!

[@aarongilmore1254]

I felt like they never gave Jan GOOD story lines just here ur the awkward one

[@nassauguy48]

@@skippybartalozzi Jan also wore the loudest clothes. Who could forget those slacks with the flower designs all over them?

[@lauratharby6521]

Haha cute

[@cynicsupreme]

The Brady kids sure were messed up. Peter turns into Humphrey Bogart. Bobby becomes Jesse James. Gregg morphs into Johnny Bravo. Jan fears becoming her ugly aunt Imogene Coca when she grows up. Marcia may have been the most normal really.

[@SnowyNightFlyer]

Natalie Schafer was 28 years older than Shirley Temple. She was approaching middle age when Temple got famous.

[@cijmo]

I didn't realise how old Cindy was, I thought it when she had her actual curls. I hadn't seen it since I was a kid and wondered why Cindy just had a Shirley Temple costume lying around ... which looked more like something a VonTrapp child would have worn.

[@kevinswales7003]

What's the connection from The Brady Bunch and Gilligan's Island? Did the other casts of "Gilligan" get cameos as well?

[@susanb2015]

I think Mr Howell was in the episode when Bobby gets a pool table.

[@kevinswales7003]

@@susanb2015 as well as the old man with a donkey in the Grand Canyon triple episode.

[@josebro352]

Yes. Mr Howell was in two Brady Bunch episodes. The Pool Table and the Grand Canyon episodes where he played a gold miner.

[@sylviaisgod6947]

They were both created by Sherwood Schwartz

[@curtpiazza1688]

Love it ! 😂

[@MikeP-sq6be]

Cindy left out the whole introduction part to this song

[@roberthill8034]

Greg, Marsha Peter, Jan, Bobby & Cindy.

[@sylviaisgod6947]

*Marcia

[@marymoran8859]

SO VERY , VERY FUNNY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[@rtward9]

i remember throwing my shoe at the tv, her acting got my blood boiling

[@zzzbbbooo]

Really? You took the show that seriously?

[@cool.beanzzz2014]

Wow :O

[@TnseWlms]

So, did some Hollywood producer want to make a biopic of Shirley Temple, and was looking for an actress to play her, or did they want to continue the Shirley Temple legacy with a new actress now that Shirley Temple was too old to play the roles?

[@istankimjong-unbutcantstan3398]

Damn I thought is _was_ Shirley Temple in the thumbnail. It took a few seconds to realize it was a Brady Bunch episode. Never saw that one. Evidently the Brady parents didn't, either.