FRANK'S PLACE: THE BRIDGE (TV)
Summary
One in this comedy-drama series about Frank Parrish, a Brown University professor who moves to New Orleans when he inherits his father's restaurant, Chez Louisiane. In this episode, an elderly man, William Varden, drives off a bridge to his death during a rainstorm. Si explains to the Chez Louisiane staff that Varden was drunk and had been at their bar right before his accident, and the bartenders admit that they were exceptionally busy and may have over-served him. Frank reveals that Varden's family is suing them and has retained a tough lawyer, Jan Rudy. Si and Frank meet with Jan, admitting that they are "a little short" with their insurance, and Jan bluntly explains that the Vardens are her family friends and that she is their "worst nightmare," intends to get everything she can for the widow. Frank objects when Si explains that the insurance company's lawyer, not he, will be handling the case, and Si meets with the coroner, who reveals that Varden was indeed very drunk and was also dying of lung cancer. He next talks to Varden's doctor, who confirms that the man was aware of his fate, but brushes off Si's suggestion that Varden might have killed himself, stating that suicide is "a white man's game."
Frank meets with the insurance company's lawyer, who is not pleased to hear that Si has gone to visit the Varden family. The dead man's relatives, including his son, initially treat Si with hostility, but he explains how Frank's father worked hard for civil rights, often using the restaurant as a base, and Mrs. Varden agrees to speak with him. She recalls her fond memories of Chez Louisiane, saying that guests were always treated "like ladies and gentlemen" despite their financial status, adding that she and her husband had little money. She then confesses that William did indeed plan his death, mistakenly believing Chez Louisiane to have a large insurance plan, and intending to secure money for his family through the restaurant's apparent fault in his demise. Si assures Frank that the family will not sue them after all, and he updates Jan, who says that she will take care of Mrs. Varden herself. Jan asks why Si has not joined a large law firm, but he states that he prefers working on his own. Commercials deleted.
Details
- NETWORK: CBS
- DATE: October 5, 1987 8:00 PM
- RUNNING TIME: 0:24:07
- COLOR/B&W: Color
- CATALOG ID: B:67532
- GENRE: Comedy
- SUBJECT HEADING: Comedy; Drama
- SERIES RUN: CBS - TV series, 1987-1988
- COMMERCIALS:
- TV - Promos - "Frank's Place" upcoming episode
CREDITS
- Tim Reid … Executive Producer
- Hugh Wilson … Executive Producer, Director, Created by, Writer
- Max Tash … Producer
- David Chambers … Producer
- Tyrell Music Group … Music by
- Tim Reid … Cast, Frank Parrish
- Robert Harper … Cast, Bubba 'Si' Weisberger
- Daphne Maxwell Reid … Cast, Hanna Griffin
- Francesca P. Roberts … Cast, Anna-May
- Frances E. Williams … Cast, Miss Marie
- Virginia Capers … Cast, Bertha Griffin-Lamour
- Tony Burton … Cast, Big Arthur
- Charles Lampkin … Cast, Tiger Shepin
- Lincoln Kilpatrick … Cast, Reverend Deal
- William Thomas Jr. … Cast, Cool Charles
- Don Yesso … Cast, Shorty
- Conchata Ferrell … Cast, Jan Rudy
- Beah Richards … Cast, Olive Varden
- Lionel Smith … Cast, Jake
- Charles Stransky … Cast, Lou Melon
- Earl Billings … Cast, The Doctor
- Lynnie Godfrey … Cast, Sister #1
- Louise Abernathy … Cast, Sister #2
- Jim Mapp … Cast, William Varden
- Terrence Beasor … Cast, Insurance Company Lawyer
- Minnie S. Lindsey … Cast, Older Woman
- Danny Shock … Cast, Young Lawyer
- Kimble Jemison … Cast, Young Man