Paul Lynde & Elizabeth Montgomery In Bewitched – 1968

This publicity photograph comes from the ABC Television Network for the comedy series Bewitched. This episode is The No-Harm Charm which originally aired on ABC on Thursday April 25, 1968 and re-aired August 29, 1968 from 8:30 – 9:00 P.M. EDT.

Special guest star Paul Lynde appeared eleven times from 1965-1971 in Bewitched. Lynde’s first appearance was as driving instructor Harold Harold in 1965,  However, after that episode Lynde had a recurring role in the series as Uncle Arthur.

In The No-Harm Charm Uncle Arthur gives Darrin (Dick York) a charm that he says will protect him from all harm and witchcraft. Darrin does not realize it, but, Samantha (Elizabeth Montgomery) knows that there is no such thing as a no-harm charm. Uncle Arthur gave Darrin the charm to boost his confidence, which it does. But now Darrin thinks he can now take risky chances as no harm can come to him.

Dick York

Bewitched ran for eight seasons from 1964 -1972. Probably the most infuriating thing about Bewitched was when Dick York was replaced by Dick Sargent to play Darrin beginning in season six with no explanation. The two actors looked nothing alike and had very different interpretations of the character. The cause for the switch was York’s chronic back pain causing him to leave the show..But maybe the writers could have come up with an explanation as to why Darrin had transformed.

Besides guest star Paul Lynde who died at the age 55 in 1982, the three main stars of Bewitched did not have long lives. Elizabeth Montgomery died in 1995 at the age of 62. Dick York died at the age of 63 in 1992. Dick Sargent died at the age of 64 in 1994.