Airdate: March 15, 1969
Writer: Albert E. Lewin
Director: John Erman
Guest Cast: Roy Dean as Mr. Becker
Recurring Cast: Dabbs Greer as Norrie Coolidge
Mason Curry as Deke Tuttle
Rating: 3.5 bells
Synopsis:
When Carolyn hears noises from the attic late one night, she finds Candy and Jonathan in the process of retrieving an antique clock from the attic wall. The next day Martha helps her hang the clock in the entryway, but the winding key is missing. Carolyn plans to get Claymore's permission to have the clock repaired. Meanwhile, the kids search for a key that will fit the clock.
Captain Gregg seems delighted that the clock has been unearthed and looks forward to Claymore's response to the news. Claymore is thrown into a state of panic by that news and rushes out to Gull Cottage. He explains to Martha and Carolyn that a lady jilted by an ancestral Gregg put a curse on the clock: On the day it starts running again, the last Gregg dies at midnight. Carolyn doesn't believe the curse but agrees not to start the clock.
All keys the children have tried on the clock have failed when Jonathan is inspired to try Candy's skate key. It works, and they set the clock. As Claymore is leaving, he sees the pendulum moving and faints dead away. When he revives he is convinced that he is doomed to die at midnight. Carolyn stops the clock by holding the pendulum, and Claymore then thinks he is reprieved. His gratitude is boundless . . . as long as it doesn't cost him anything! When Carolyn takes him into the living room for a glass of brandy, the kids pass by and notice the clock has stopped. Jonathan starts it again easily.
Captain Gregg appears to support Claymore's belief in the curse. Claymore hears the clock chime and is once again sure he is condemned to die at midnight, and that nothing can stop the clock. Carolyn urges him to smash the clock, but he is horrified at the thought of destroying such a valuable antique. He does agree to break the mainspring, but upon opening the clock he finds the curse in writing, stating that nothing can stay its power.
As Claymore fantasizes about his impressive, well-attended funeral, Captain Gregg offers to show him a vision of the occasion. Only Carolyn, Martha, and the undertaker are in attendance to two caskets. Mr. Becker, the undertaker, explains that the extra casket is for Claymore's money and that he had no friends to attend his funeral because he was such a tightwad. This statement stuns Claymore, and he leaves Gull Cottage despondent over the whole situation. Carolyn, concerned about Claymore, puts off Candy's attempt to tell her what Jonathan did with her skate key.
Claymore goes to visit Deke and Norrie and shocks them by giving them gifts from his store of valuable possessions. He then goes to arrange his funeral, and whittles the cost down to barest bones, eliminating everything but the casket (though he tries to do away with it, too!)
Claymore arrives to spend his last hours at Gull Cottage. He signs Gull Cottage over to Carolyn and stuffs himself with a last meal. Martha and Carolyn can't convince him the curse is false. The clock is running fast and begins to strike midnight. Claymore prepares to die with great histrionics . . . and the clock stops after the eleventh chime. Claymore is elated until he remembers his bequests. He heads to the kitchen to retrieve the papers, but Captain Gregg is ahead of him. Claymore chases the papers out the door, and the Captain hands the deed for Gull Cottage to Carolyn, who tears it up.
Next morning, Carolyn puts the clock back into its attic cubby to insure Claymore's peace of mind. She still does not believe in the curse and says she never will. The Captain reminds her that once she didn't believe in ghosts, either.
Favorite quotes:
While this episode isn't much as far as plot goes, it does have some witty dialogue.
Carolyn: Did you start the clock?
Captain: Madame, by what female logic could you imagine that I would be anxious to have
this barnacle join me on this side of the grave an instant earlier than is absolutely
necessary?
Captain: Belay that, Madame! Many things we do not truly understand nevertheless exist. (Great delivery!)
Carolyn: Claymore, if I were you, I'd smash it.
Claymore: Smash it? Mrs. Muir, this clock is-a-is-a-it's-a genuine antique! It's
easily worth three thousand dollars! Maybe more with the curse included!
Carolyn: Claymore, what are you talking about? Which is worth more, the clock or your
life?
(Claymore fondles the clock)
Carolyn: Well?
Claymore: I'm thinking!
An old joke but a good one!
Carolyn: Mr. Becker, why are there two coffins?
Becker: One for Claymore, one for his money.
Claymore: Why didn't I think of that?
Captain: You will.
Claymore: Mrs. Muir, tell me honestly. Do you think I'm a
tightwad?
Carolyn: Well, I wouldn't say that. I do think you have a fondness for-
Captain: His first nickel.
Claymore: How much without the hearse?
Becker: Without the hearse?
Claymore: Well, I'll have pallbearers, won't I?
Becker: Do you want them to carry you all the way to the cemetery?
Claymore: Right!
Becker: No limousine and no hearse. That just leaves the opening of the grave.
Claymore: Skip it!
Becker: I'm sorry, Mr. Gregg, but the law says we've absolutely got to bury you!
Claymore: Of course, but I have a shovel and a little spare time.
Claymore: I wish these gifts were tax-deductible.
Captain: There are no taxes where you're going!
Favorite moment: Captain Gregg reading the curse. Such a voice!
Note:
She should have kept the house!
Contributed by Rhonda Nichols