Which character did you prefer? - Sitcoms Online Message Boards

rezny717 · 02-19-2012, 12:38 PM

Giles French(played by the late Sebastian Cabot)or Niles French(the late John Williams,who I presume is dead-And if he is dead,when did he die?),his brother,who replaced Cabot briefly when he was sidelined by a heart attack?

TV_on_the_Porch · 02-19-2012, 10:02 PM

The tenure of John Williams (1903-1983) was so brief, not to mention so early in the run, that it's difficult to make that kind of comparison, so indelibly stamped is Sebastian Cabot's take on the character. And let's face it, for the dramatic purposes of the show they were interchangeably playing the same character.

They're both fine and distinguished actors. Give Sebastian Cabot his due as Mr. French. John Williams' place in pop culture history was forever fixed when he gave us a priceless introduction to the classics:

Quote:

I'm sure you recognize this lovely melody as 'Stranger in Paradise.' But did you know that the original theme is from the Polovetsian Dance No. 2 by Borodin?

Tweety · 02-19-2012, 10:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TV_on_the_Porch

The tenure of John Williams (1903-1983) was so brief, not to mention so early in the run, that it's difficult to make that kind of comparison, so indelibly stamped is Sebastian Cabot's take on the character. And let's face it, for the dramatic purposes of the show they were interchangeably playing the same character.

They're both fine and distinguished actors. Give Sebastian Cabot his due as Mr. French. John Williams' place in pop culture history was forever fixed when he gave us a priceless introduction to the classics:

We had those albums that Williams introduced in that commercial. One hundred twenty classical masterpieces, plus a bonus album of 30 piano masterpieces. Great music on those records. I never knew that was him in the commercial though, we never know how that guy was.

I can still hear him making that introduction you quoted.

MichaelKeith · 02-24-2012, 09:55 AM

As stated earlier by another poster, I also think they are both great actors. I've seen both in several movies and TV shows and each always does a fine job. For me at least, a general rule of thumb is the actor who originates a character in a sitcom is usually the one that I prefer in that role. Not necessarily because he may be a better actor than another, but because he was originally chosen for that role. In this case, I prefer Sebastion Cabot in the role of Mr. French. No disrespect to John Williams, who always played a great British detective in the movies.

biffbronson · 02-25-2012, 05:27 AM

Yes, like in Dial M for Murder.

Sebastian Cabot had a recurring role in the later black & white episodes of My Three Sons as Sally's father -- soon to become Mike's father-in-law. Having already done somewhat significant work for Fedderson productions he was a natural for the starring role in Family Affair. He had other TV experience as well, such as on Bonanza where he played a Spaniard.

PracTz · 02-25-2012, 08:11 PM

While I admire both late Mr. Cabot's and late Mr. Williams' work as performers and have nothing against either of them- as characters go, I definitely prefer the pompously plump Giles over his stuffily stick think bro Nigel.
I know that John Williams only took that role over temporarily with the understanding that as soon as Mr. Cabot was well enough to resume playing Giles, he [and Nigel] would be gone. I guess the problem here was that the role of Mr. French in the childrens' lives[and vice versa] was still evolving at the point that Mr. Cabot took ill. The audience knew that beneath his pomposity, Giles was actually a teddy bear who'd take a bullet for the Davis family and that the kids were starting to warm up to Giles despite his vocal intial misgivings but the character (and the entire concept) was still in development here. So, for them to suddenly have Giles be yanked out to 'serve the Queen' and then expect the entire Davis clan to accept his never-mentioned before brother Nigel in exactly the same light in the exactly the same stage of development seemed too abupt to be believable. Of course, it's interesting to note not only was Nigel gone before Giles returned so there was no episode showing the Two Mr. Frenches together , I can recall no point thereafter in which Giles or any of the Davises referring to him thereafter.
Of course, the most ironic thing about all this was that of all the regular characters on the show, IMO Mr. Giles French was the only one who had any real depth despite not being an actual Davis.

gopyle · 03-22-2014, 07:14 PM

Nothing against Mr. Williams, but I think Cabot was very important to the show's success

franketto · 05-05-2014, 08:18 AM

I prefer Cabot, too. He was very human and proud to be a member of the family.

Bonniegirl · 07-19-2014, 08:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by gopyle

Nothing against Mr. Williams, but I think Cabot was very important to the show's success

Exactly! Chubby Mr. French with the beard was wonderful.

He really seemed part of the family. The other guy was good too, but he wasn't THE Mr. French we all grew to know and love. It's a shame they didn't keep him on the show when bearded Mr. French came back, maybe work for another family in the building and even if he wasn't in every episode he could be a reacurring character!

Babalu · 08-02-2014, 08:32 PM

Sebastian Cabot made the show.

And he couldn't wun fast.

AB · 08-03-2014, 04:47 PM

Sebastian Cabot for sure, I thought he made an excellent Mr. French.

Mr. Television · 08-03-2014, 05:09 PM

I loved Sebastian Cabot when I was a kid. He seemed like such a nice guy. I remember he used to narrate all the Winnie the Pooh shows too. I think I still have one of the records they made "Winnie the Pooh and the Honey Tree."

Legs · 02-22-2015, 02:10 AM

I love Sebastian Cabot. He is so awesome as the I guess he is the family Butler or caretaker of the kids.

Legs · 02-22-2015, 08:38 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Alan Brady's Hair

I didn't like John Williams when I was a kid, but feel a lot better toward him now. He had a great comic turn as the father/chauffer in the original version of Sabrina.

It must have been really hard for John Williams to follow someone as awesome as Sebastian Cabot was on this show.

Bonniegirl · 02-22-2015, 02:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Legs

It must have been really hard for John Williams to follow someone as awesome as Sebastian Cabot was on this show.

Yeah. Everyone knew and loved Sebastian so well, nobody could have really taken his place!

I posted before how it was a shame they couldn't have kept John Williams in the show working as a butler for another family in the building!

02-19-2012, 12:38 PM	#1
rezny717 Member Forum Regular Join Date: Jun 06, 2011 Location: Lincoln,Nebraska Posts: 659	Which character did you prefer? Giles French(played by the late Sebastian Cabot)or Niles French(the late John Williams,who I presume is dead-And if he is dead,when did he die?),his brother,who replaced Cabot briefly when he was sidelined by a heart attack?

02-25-2012, 05:27 AM	#5
biffbronson Sentimental Fool Forum Star Join Date: Aug 22, 2009 Location: Near Notre Dame Posts: 10,324	Yes, like in Dial M for Murder. Sebastian Cabot had a recurring role in the later black & white episodes of My Three Sons as Sally's father -- soon to become Mike's father-in-law. Having already done somewhat significant work for Fedderson productions he was a natural for the starring role in Family Affair. He had other TV experience as well, such as on Bonanza where he played a Spaniard.
	__________________ In memory of lovely Erin Moran 1960-2017 ~ Missing you "For you are beautiful ~ And I have loved you dearly ~ More dearly than the spoken word can tell..." "What's the word?" (Paul Martin) ~~ "I don't want money for nothing." (Timmy Martin) -- Lassie ROCKS! WORD UP "It's just a dugout that my dad built... In case the reds* decide to push the button down..."*

08-02-2014, 08:32 PM	#10
Babalu Member Forum 4000 Club Member Join Date: Jun 22, 2014 Posts: 4,779	Sebastian Cabot made the show. And he couldn't wun fast.
	__________________ . I just nailed Mrs. Trumbull

08-03-2014, 05:09 PM	#12
Mr. Television 22 Years at Sitcoms Online Forum Icon Join Date: Jun 06, 2003 Location: Somewhere you're Not Posts: 62,127	I loved Sebastian Cabot when I was a kid. He seemed like such a nice guy. I remember he used to narrate all the Winnie the Pooh shows too. I think I still have one of the records they made "Winnie the Pooh and the Honey Tree."
	__________________ Sonny

02-24-2012, 09:55 AM	#4
MichaelKeith Member Senior Member Join Date: Mar 01, 2007 Posts: 1,139	As stated earlier by another poster, I also think they are both great actors. I've seen both in several movies and TV shows and each always does a fine job. For me at least, a general rule of thumb is the actor who originates a character in a sitcom is usually the one that I prefer in that role. Not necessarily because he may be a better actor than another, but because he was originally chosen for that role. In this case, I prefer Sebastion Cabot in the role of Mr. French. No disrespect to John Williams, who always played a great British detective in the movies.

02-25-2012, 08:11 PM	#6
PracTz Member Senior Member Join Date: Jul 14, 2002 Location: United States of America [Happily Living in the 20th Century] Posts: 2,711	While I admire both late Mr. Cabot's and late Mr. Williams' work as performers and have nothing against either of them- as characters go, I definitely prefer the pompously plump Giles over his stuffily stick think bro Nigel. I know that John Williams only took that role over temporarily with the understanding that as soon as Mr. Cabot was well enough to resume playing Giles, he [and Nigel] would be gone. I guess the problem here was that the role of Mr. French in the childrens' lives[and vice versa] was still evolving at the point that Mr. Cabot took ill. The audience knew that beneath his pomposity, Giles was actually a teddy bear who'd take a bullet for the Davis family and that the kids were starting to warm up to Giles despite his vocal intial misgivings but the character (and the entire concept) was still in development here. So, for them to suddenly have Giles be yanked out to 'serve the Queen' and then expect the entire Davis clan to accept his never-mentioned before brother Nigel in exactly the same light in the exactly the same stage of development seemed too abupt to be believable. Of course, it's interesting to note not only was Nigel gone before Giles returned so there was no episode showing the Two Mr. Frenches together , I can recall no point thereafter in which Giles or any of the Davises referring to him thereafter. Of course, the most ironic thing about all this was that of all the regular characters on the show, IMO Mr. Giles French was the only one who had any real depth despite not being an actual Davis.

03-22-2014, 07:14 PM	#7
gopyle Member Frequent Poster Join Date: Oct 22, 2011 Posts: 235	Nothing against Mr. Williams, but I think Cabot was very important to the show's success

05-05-2014, 08:18 AM	#8
franketto Member Occasional Poster Join Date: May 02, 2014 Posts: 9	I prefer Cabot, too. He was very human and proud to be a member of the family.

08-03-2014, 04:47 PM	#11
AB Member Eternal Member Forum Icon Join Date: Dec 26, 2006 Location: The South Posts: 59,429	Sebastian Cabot for sure, I thought he made an excellent Mr. French.

02-22-2015, 02:10 AM	#13
Legs Member Occasional Poster Join Date: Feb 22, 2015 Posts: 84	I love Sebastian Cabot. He is so awesome as the I guess he is the family Butler or caretaker of the kids.