After taking a sip from the Fountain of Youth while vacationing in the Ponce De Leon National Park in Florida, Madison Junior High School science teacher John Martin (Herb Edelman) changed from a 45-year-old man to a 12-year-old boy (Robbie Rist, most famous for his role as the much-despised and ill-fated Cousin Oliver on The Brady Bunch).
Because he only took a sip, the change was not permanent – but it was recurring, and Martin had no control over when the random change would occur.
John’s secret was known only to his immediate family – wife Marjorie (Joyce Bulifant) and 14-year-old son Ricky (Mike Darnell) – who explained the appearance of the 12-year-old John by claiming he was their nephew.
Throughout the single-season series, John tried to find a cure for his predicament but was unsuccessful in his attempts.
John’s perpetual nemesis was Miss Bertha Bottomly (Olive Dunbar), the stern school principal who was always in danger of learning his secret and firing him.
Created by Sherwood Schwartz and his son Lloyd, this NBC show was the debut product of D’Angelo-Bullock-Allen Productions, a company founded by William D’Angelo, Harvey Bullock and Raymond S Allen to produce live-action Saturday morning shows.
Although Big John, Little John was cancelled for the Fall 1977 season, airing last on 10 September, it remained on the air in some markets – including Florida and Alabama – through early November.
It never made it to syndication, but was offered in the British market and Guam.
Big John Martin Herb Edelman
Little John Martin
Robbie Rist
Marjorie Martin
Joyce Bulifant
Ricky Martin
Mike Darnell
Miss (Bertha) Bottomly
Olive Dunbar
Homer
Kristoff St.John
Valerie
Cari Anne Warder
Stanley
Stephen Cassidy
Video
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Because he only took a sip, the change was not permanent – but it was recurring, and Martin had no control over when the random change would occur.
Although Big John, Little John was cancelled for the Fall 1977 season, airing last on 10 September, it remained on the air in some markets – including Florida and Alabama – through early November.
