CHICO AND THE MAN: THE DISAPPEARANCE (TV)
Summary
One in this comedy series about a cantankerous garage owner and his wisecracking Chicano assistant. In this episode, Chico catches a smartly-dressed Ed sneaking out of the garage and guesses that he has a new lady friend, though Ed refuses to divulge any details. At a piano bar, he meets the brassy and vivacious Flora, though he brushes off her flirtation and explains that he already has a "date," his late wife Margaret, with whom he is symbolically celebrating their wedding anniversary. When the piano player steps out, Ed takes the opportunity to play a song in honor of Margaret, and he easily charms the watching crowd, including Chico, with his musical talents. The manager, Chuck, happily informs Ed that he is a "knockout" and invites him to return and play more of his old-timey songs, and Ed quickly comes to enjoy his role as a local minor celebrity.
Chico complains to Louie that Ed is not only staying out all night and leaving him with all the garage work, but is singing only about the past and losing himself in memories. Determined to make him leave his new job, Chico attends one of Ed's performances and heckles his song choices, pointing out that the Great Depression and World War II were hardly "the good old days." The patrons, including Flora, begin to argue amongst themselves about their bad memories of various historical events, prompting Chuck to cancel Ed's performance. When Ed demands an explanation, Chico explains that he was trying to "bring him out of the past" and not let him dwell on sad memories of Margaret, and Ed concedes that he has a point, though he plays one final song, "Try to Remember," in honor of his wife. Later, Chico is amused to see that Ed is moving on after all – with Flora. Commercials deleted.
Details
- NETWORK: NBC
- DATE: October 10, 1975 8:30 PM
- RUNNING TIME: 0:24:31
- COLOR/B&W: Color
- CATALOG ID: B:47978
- GENRE: Comedy
- SUBJECT HEADING: Comedy
- SERIES RUN: NBC - TV series, 1974-1978
- COMMERCIALS: N/A
CREDITS
- James Komack … Executive Producer, Created by
- Ed Scharlach … Producer
- Michael Morris … Producer, Writer
- Michael Manheim … Associate Producer
- Jack Donohue … Director
- José Feliciano … Music by
- Janna Merlyn Feliciano … Music by
- Jack Albertson … Cast, Ed Brown
- Freddie Prinze … Cast, Chico Rodriguez
- Scatman Crothers … Cast, Louie
- Carole Cook … Cast, Flora
- Frank Campanella … Cast, Chuck Martin