User Reviews

If you are a true Dobie Gillis fan, you have to watch this special Christmas episode, just as funny any time of the year. 10 Stars.

Goofy Maynard literally empties his pockets and gives away the student council dance party money (over 55 dollars!) to a poor Mexican boy called Pepe. Maynard will have to pay the money back --someway, somehow. How about getting a job? Dobie naturally gets him into the store, working for Herb, which turns out to be an immediate disaster.

What next?

How about playing Santa Claus at a local store for a bunch of kids who want EVERYTHING. One little girl is pretty mean to Maynard, but he keeps his chin up and GIVES her a dollhouse and a giant teddy bear --and gets a big thank you hug. Of course, he's in trouble all over again, but you have to love this guy!

A real sentimental, fun episode, well written by series regular Arnold Horwitt, also known for writing many episodes for PATTY DUKE. Look for stone face James Millhollin as Maynard's boss, perfectly cast here.

Juvenile actor Michael Davis plays Pepe, who was quite popular on tv at the time, remembered for playing young Giordano in the cult film JOHNNY COOL (1963). He was still acting as of 2019 in an episode for ROSWELL, NEW MEXICO.

Merry Christmas, 1961! SEASON 3 EPISODE 11 remastered.

Maynard takes pity on a young shoeshine boy and gives away the funds the Student Council were going to use for their Xmas dance.

Of the four DOBIE GILLIS Xmas episodes, this one is the weakest. There are some holes in the writing and Maynard stupidly makes the same mistake twice. He does make a generous department store Santa, even if it's not believable that he would be able to give away merchandise on the spot to the children. The best part is when the nasty little girl changes her tune and gives Maynard a kiss after his kindly gesture.

It's funny at the end seeing Herbert ready and willing to give Maynard his licks, but ends up breaking the pinata instead. 5/10.