That Girl was the first TV show to focus on a single career woman pursuing her goals away from family life and was a precursor to sitcoms such as Mary Tyler Moore Show, Murphy Brown and Ally McBeal.
This four-disc set includes 26 episodes of delightful comedy with bonus features including commentary with Marlo and co-creator Bill Persky on four episodes ("The Face in the Shower Room Door," "My Sister's Keeper," "It's So Nice to Have a Mouse Around the House," and "Bad Day at Marvin Gardens"). Ms. Thomas discusses her dual role as actress-producer in "That Show. That Woman. The Creation of That Girl: The Woman on Both Sides of the Camera." A black and white taping sans audio, "Marlo Thomas Makeup Test," features our star donning various hairstyles, makeup and outfits for choosing the perfect look for That Girl. Familiar faces you might recognize would be neighbor and best friend Jerry Bauman (Bernie Koppel, "Love Boat"), Penny Marshall (Laverne and Shirley), Larry Storch (F-Troop), and MacLean Stevenson (M*A*S*H), plus actor Barry Sullivan featured in "Sock It To Me."
Interestingly enough, some episodes focused on romantic temptation, including "The Face in the Shower Room Door," "Ann vs. Secretary," "The Homewrecker and the Window Washer," and "Fly Me to the Moon." True to its time and period, and in the tradition of Laugh-In, "There Was a Time Ann Met a Pie Man" shows our elegantly adorned starlet descending a graceful staircase only to meet head-on -- a pie in the face. I especially enjoyed "The Face in the Shower Room Door" featuring Federico Gente (the late Cesare Danova), sophisticated restaurateur who is enchanted by his new neighbor, Ms. Marie. "The Earrings" are a present from boyfriend news writer, Don Hollinger, who extravangantly bestows a Tiffany's purchase on his beloved. But my favorite eposide featured four members of the Thomas family, songstress sister Terre, drummer brother Tony, and Father Danny Thomas as a priest together with Marlo in "My Sister's Keeper."
I thought this was great comedy fun for the entire family focusing on human mishaps and repair with lots of laughter in between. Ann's spirit epitomizes the flight of fancy in us all and her parents are constant reminders of advice and wisdom that forever invades our mentality. Boyfriend Don brings unconditional love and understanding to the show with encouragement and stability to every shaky situation. I loved That Girl then and still do today. It's classic true comedy that leaves you with a willingness to take a challenge and encouragement to expect a bright future.
