Airdate: November 16, 1968
Writer: Albert E. Lewin
Director: Lee Phillips
Guest cast: Kathleen Hughes as Mrs. Coburn
Mason Curry as Deke Tuttle
Melissa Newman as Nancy (the babysitter)
Dabbs Greer as Norrie Coolidge
Rating: 4.5 bells
Synopsis:
Claymore has brought Mrs. Muir to a deserted cod liver oil plant that he's planning to use as a community theatre. He demonstrates a spotlight by shining it on her and tells her she's going to be the star of his first production. The spotlight and electric box erupt in a burst of sparks, and Mrs. Muir expresses doubts about being in the show.
At Gull Cottage, Mrs. Muir and the Captain discuss her possible involvement in Claymore's show and when the Captain forbids her to do it she decides to do it to spite him. He calls her a "Jezebel."
Carolyn is leaving the house and explaining about her involvement in the play when Martha informs her she already knows all about it because Claymore roped her in as well and she'll be raising the curtain, as well as being wardrobe mistress, stage manager, prop man, and prompter. The kids are disappointed when they learn they can't be in the play as well, but are overjoyed when they are told they can come to rehearsals after school. they leave for school and suddenly there is a clap of thunder, prompting Mrs. Muir to go upstairs to her bedroom. She asks the Captain if he "thundered" and he appears to express his dismay over her involvement in the play. She tells him she understands his concern for her and the children but reassures him that the theatre, acting, and actors are now considered completely acceptable, but he still has trouble accepting this.
The Captain asks Mrs. Muir if it's necessary to take the kids along as he'd gotten used to having them around, and she realizes he'll be lonely with them all gone so she suggests he come to the theatre as well, but when he finds out that Claymore will be directing, he blusters and there is more thunder and lightning. Mrs. Muir leaves.
At the theatre, there is mass pandemonium during rehearsals, with Mrs. Coburn having no idea about what she's expected to do, the kids playing shoot-em-up, and Deke's makeup case being disturbed. It then turns out that Jonathan and Candy have gotten into it and made themselves up. Claymore calls for a break and seems himself on the verge of a nervous breakdown.
Back at Gull Cottage, it's been seven days since rehearsals began and the Captain is now having conversations with Scruffy--he's definitely feeling abandoned. When he hears a car approaching he actually runs to the window, only to see it pass by and continue on. He's left contemplating a toy airplane and looking forlorn.
At the theatre, rehearsals are once more under way. The Captain appears as Claymore is telling Mrs. Muir and Norrie that they will really kiss in this rehearsal. When the Captain hears this he prevents the kiss from happening by keeping Norrie and Mrs. Muir apart. Claymore becomes exasperated, comes onstage to demonstrate how to kiss, and is promptly slapped in the face by a brush covered in glue and lassoed by the curtain rope, which leaves him hanging upside down.
It's the night of the show, and Mrs. Muir and Martha are preparing to leave for the theatre. Mrs. Muir asks Martha if the dress rehearsal was really bad and Martha admits to having slept through it. Mrs. Muir says the play could be good if it was played purely for laughs and Martha goes out to the car, leaving Mrs. Muir alone.She proceeds to blame the Captain for her involvement in the show--she wouldn't have done it if he hadn't forbidden her. After she departs, the Captain appears, looking thoughtful.
At the theatre, Mrs. Muir approaches Claymore and suggests he turn the show into a comedy, but he refuses. The play starts and Claymore is directing his heart out, but the Captain appears and madness ensues in the form of missing props, broken sets and furniture, and jammed doors on stage. The audience is laughing through the entire performance and Claymore is distraught over all the things going awry. The play ends to much applause and a standing ovation from the audience, who are calling for the director to come onstage. Claymore steps out and is tossed a bouquet of roses as he is making a speech and taking credit for playing the show as a comedy. This astounds the cast and crew, who are standing backstage.
Mrs. Muir turns to see the Captain has appeared and realizes that he was responsible for the success they had. She thanks him and tells him that Claymore would also be very grateful if he knew about the Captain's helping hand. The Captain, however, informs Mrs. Muir that he did it only for her, and they share a very personal moment. The Captain tells Mrs. Muir that he tossed the flowers and that there is a very angry bee in them.
The next day, Claymore and Mrs. Muir are at Gull Cottage reading the rave reviews and Claymore's nose is red and swollen from a bee sting. The sting, though, has given him the idea of producing Cyrano de Bergerac and he wants Mrs. Muir to be his leading lady. Suddenly, there is thunder and lightning, the Captain appears, and Claymore runs away. Although the Captain resents Claymore asking Mrs. Muir to appear in another show, he himself shows Mrs. Muir a script which has two great roles--one for a beautiful young widow and the other for a charming ghost. She looks up at him and calls him a cupcake.
Favorite lines/scenes:
At the beginning, in the old building--
Mrs. Muir: You were lucky to find such a perfect building.
Claymore: Oh, well, it was kind of a coincidence, Mrs. Muir. You see, I happen to own this
deserted old cod liver oil plant and--
Mrs. Muir (covering her nose): Oh, so that's what it is . . .
Claymore: Um, hm. Oh, but we'll be rid of that odor by opening night.
The scene between Mrs. Muir and the Captain, when she explains that the theatre and acting and actors have become completely acceptable, and that Claymore will be directing, is priceless, especially knowing that Edward Mulhare and Hope Lange are consummate actors and that Charles Nelson Reilly's main interest is teaching and directing.
All of Claymore's directing scenes are hilarious.
The Captain's scene alone at home with Scruffy and the toys is very touching.
The actual performance is VERY funny.
At the end, backstage--
Mrs. Muir (seeing the Captain): I should have known. Thank you for helping out Claymore.
Captain: He needed helping, out, didn't he? It was a pretty mess, wasn't it?
Mrs. Muir (laughing): Yes Claymore would be grateful, too, if he knew.
Captain: It was done for you, madam. For no one else. (They share a very poignant look.)
Interesting note: This was the first of three appearances by the vacuous character of Mrs. Coburn. She showed up again in "Madeira, My Dear" and "The Medicine Ball."
Contributed by Sheila Kaminsky