The Girl from U.N.C.L.E. (TV Series) The Mother Muffin Affair (1966) User Reviews

Boris Karloff as the (female) villain!

[kevinolzak · 6/10 · 12 October 2008]

THE GIRL FROM U. N. C. L. E. Only lasted one season in the fall of 1966, the obvious highlight this third episode, "The Mother Muffin Affair," featuring the great Boris Karloff in drag as Agnes Tewksbury, aka Mother Muffin. While the actor had played female roles during his barnstorming stage days (such as one of the ugly sisters in "Cinderella!") this, to my knowledge, was the only time when he essayed a female role on screen, playing it completely straight (or about as straight as an U. N. C. L. E. Episode normally would be). There is certainly a good deal of humorous running around, as well as a leading role for Robert Vaughn's Napoleon Solo (which explains the absence of Noel Harrison). Stefanie Powers would go on to greater things like HART TO HART in the late 70s. Reportedly, when Karloff first saw himself in full makeup he bemoaned, 'I look like a 2-dollar whore!' While the producers initially considered Judith Anderson for the role, they recalled how the script described the character as looking like 'Boris Karloff in drag,' and the actor relished the challenge. His greatest laugh arrived while sitting in his dressing room with the door open, surprised by two young boys, ages 8 and 6, the older one taking one look at this elderly woman to exclaim: "Jesus Archie, that's the ugliest old broad I've ever seen in my life!"

It's okay, but it should have been so much better

[bensonmum2 · 6/10 · 21 February 2010]

The one episode of The Girl from U.N.C.L.E. that should work, The Mother Muffin Affair, is disappointingly just barely better than average. How could it have missed? Stefanie Powers' April Dancer (and isn't that about the coolest name ever – April Dancer) teaming with Robert Vaughn's Napoleon Solo (okay, this is also a very cool name) and matching wits with Boris Karloff in drag as Mother Muffin. Sounds like a good set-up, huh? Well, it never works as good on screen as it does on paper. Why? The plot – or more accurately, the lack of a plot. You see, the plot revolves around Mother Muffin capturing April and Napoleon, their escape, followed by Mother Muffing capturing April and Napoleon, their escape, and on and on it goes. Nothing much else happens. I admit, it was real treat to see Karloff in the role of Mother Muffin. He's (or should that be "she's") a hoot! Other highlights for me include a very fine supporting performance from the very funny Bernard Fox and the always enjoyable Stefanie Powers (not much of a fan of Robert Vaughn if truth be known). Anyway, as I stated in the beginning of my rambling, The Mother Muffin Affair is better than average and, as a result, I'll give it a 6/10.