I never saw this topic posted here.

Did anyone notice in the first episodes that they were trying out different actors to act against Dr. Bellows during IDOJ first season? Barton MacLane was obvious the best choice. Unfortunalely not much is ever written about him.

Also, when was BM's last episode (he died during the run of the next to last season)? I know that Vinton Hayworth appeared in two episodes (one not as General Schaffer) prior to BM's last appearance. None of the episode guides (or the Steven Cox jeannie book) make any reference to this.


Towards the end of General Peterson's appearance's, he seemed to be evolving into another Dr. Bellows with his "I'm cracking up" remarks.

Joey

There were three recurring commanding generals seen on the I Dream of Jeannie series.

The first was General Wingard Stone, played by Philip Ober. General Stone was also the father of Melissa Stone (played by Karen Sharpe), who was Captain Nelson's love interest prior to discovering Jeannie, and of whom, Jeannie was jealous. General Stone appeared in only the first four episodes of the show, from 18 Sep 1965 to 09 Oct 1965.

After the fourth episode, the producers decided that the Jeannie-Melissa rivalry sub-plot wasn't working out, so both she and her father were written out. It was stated that General Stone accepted a position as a foreign ambassador and that Melissa had married an old boyfriend.

The next CG was the longest running, and the most memorable to fans of the series. That was General Martin Peterson, portrayed by Barton MacLane. He essayed the rôle from the remainder of 1965 until his death, on 01 Jan 1969.

For the last two years of the show, 1969-70, the CG was General Winfield Schaeffer, played by Vinton Hayworth.

Hope this helps.