SANFORD AND SON: THE DOWRY (TV)
Summary
One in this series of comedies about the life and times of a junk dealer and his son.
In this episode, Fred happily tells an unenthusiastic Lamont that his cousin Grady, his favorite of his many eccentric relatives, is coming to visit with his new wife and stepdaughter. Grady soon arrives and introduces Margaret and Betty Jean, and Fred and Lamont immediately begin cracking jokes about Betty Jean's weight. Grady reveals to Fred that Betty Jean is eager to get married but is "very particular" about her suitors, and Fred is dismissive of the idea until Grady adds that her late father arranged for her future husband to receive a $10,000 dowry right after the wedding, and the two begin scheming about how to get their hands on the money. In the morning, Fred makes breakfast for Lamont and attempts to change his mind about Betty Jean, suggesting that Lamont could "learn to love her" despite her apparent flaws, though Lamont is unconvinced.
Fred, Grady and Margaret head out for a sightseeing trip and leave the other two behind, and though Lamont hurriedly tries to avoid her by claiming that he has a busy day of "driving around and looking for stuff," Betty Jean suddenly reveals the dowry surprise and Lamont immediately guesses what his father is up to. When the parents return, Lamont announces that he and Betty Jean have decided to marry after all, and Fred is overjoyed until Lamont mentions that he and his new bride intend to move to St. Louis to start a family and leave Fred behind. Seeing that his plan has failed, Fred tells Betty Jean all about Lamont's skills as a "weight watcher" and hints that he will force her to lose weight by any means necessary, and she and her mother immediately cancel the engagement and flee. Later, Fred invites Alberta, another friend's niece, over to the house as an apology for the Betty Jean fiasco, and though Lamont quickly claims that he has other plans, he regrets his rashness when he sees the attractive young woman. Commercials deleted.
Details
- NETWORK: NBC
- DATE: November 30, 1977 8:00 PM
- RUNNING TIME: 0:24:56
- COLOR/B&W: Color
- CATALOG ID: B:57854
- GENRE: Comedy
- SUBJECT HEADING: African-American Collection - Comedy; Comedy
- SERIES RUN: NBC - TV series, 1972-1977
- COMMERCIALS: N/A
CREDITS
- Bud Yorkin … Executive Producer
- Aaron Ruben … Producer
- Norman C. Hopps … Associate Producer
- Jack Shea … Director
- Richard Pryor … Writer
- Paul Mooney … Writer
- Ray Galton … Based on the British series created by
- Alan Simpson … Based on the British series created by
- Quincy Jones … Music by
- Redd Foxx … Cast, Fred G. Sanford
- Demond Wilson … Cast, Lamont Sanford
- Albert Reed … Cast, Grady
- Marguerite Ray … Cast, Margaret
- Gladys Perry … Cast, Betty Jean
- Kathrine McKee … Cast, Alberta