HOLLYWOOD TELEVISION THEATRE: THE SCARECROW (TV)

Summary

One in this dramatic anthology series, originating from KCET in Los Angeles. This production is an adaptation of Percy MacKaye's 1908 play, loosely inspired by Nathaniel Hawthorne's "Feathertop." The story begins in Massachusetts in the 17th century as the town blacksmith, Goody Rickby, talks with her associate Dickon and creates a scarecrow for her field. Dickon waxes theological about the creation, adorning it with a pumpkin head and suggesting that it needs a heart that can "beet." Goody Rickby complains bitterly about her neighbor, Justice Gilead Merton, revealing that she was once his mistress and bore his illegitimate child, who then died thanks to his lack of care. Rickby then encounters Rachel, Merton's pious young niece, and offers to sell her a magic mirror that can perform "miracles outside the Scripture" and show one's true nature. Rachel agrees to her hefty price, but they are interrupted by Rachel's betrothed, Richard Talbot, who coldly rejects Rickby's "witchcraft nonsense" and takes Rachel away. Dickon is amused, though Rickby angrily notes that her own late son would have been a worthy rival to Talbot.

Merton arrives at the shop, and Rickby notes that he left waistcoat behind after their tryst twenty-two years earlier. Merton, however, declares that she has ensnared Rachel in witchcraft and vows to have her hanged. Dickon taunts him, however, even appearing in miniature form on the pages of his Bible, and Merton hastily retracts his threat and flees. Dickon comments on his many wicked deeds of the past, including his bargain with his "old friend" Faust, revealing that he is, in fact, the Devil. He assures Rickby that "her son" will indeed marry Rachel and inherit his rightful fortune from Merton, and Rickby looks on in delight as he casts a spell and brings the scarecrow to life, christening the young man as "Lord Ravensbane." Elsewhere, Rickby's servant delivers the magic mirror to Rachel, and when she convinces Talbot to gaze into it with her, they both appear "normal," implying that they are pure of heart. Merton is outraged to see that she has brought a witch's tool into the home, but he is distracted by the arrival of a "lord," Ravensbane, and his so-called tutor, "Dickonson." Dickon introduces the young man as a longtime friend of the family, and Rachel appears immediately smitten with the pipe-smoking fellow.

Dickon addresses Merton privately and mischievously explains that they are really "Dickon and son" – Merton's own son, who did not actually die in infancy, as claimed. He threatens to publicly reveal Merton's dirty secret unless he allows Rachel to marry Ravensbane, and Rachel is startled to see that her suitor has a surprisingly short "life line" and no heartbeat. Dickon quickly explains that his pupil has a heart condition and was recently injured in a duel, and Talbot grows increasingly jealous of his new rival. Rachel informs Ravensbane that she is promised to Talbot, though Ravensbane observes that the agreement is "not pleasant," and Dickon announces that they will hold a reception later that day to introduce Ravensbane to the rest of the townsfolk. Merton, torn between doubt and shame, angrily confronts his "son" and finally attempts to bribe him to leave for good, but Ravensbane calmly states that Rachel is "his." He momentarily stops smoking his pipe and appears to immediately grow ill, and Merton, though alarmed by the sight of the familiar waistcoat, finds that he cannot allow him to die and urges Rachel to return the pipe.

Ravensbane is quickly revived and again states that Rachel is "his," and an outraged Talbot challenges him to a duel. Dickon tries to teach his pupil proper lordly manners and official duel conduct, though Ravensbane is entirely consumed with thoughts of Rachel. Captain Bugby arrives to by Ravensbane's second, though he is baffled when Ravensbane announces that he intends to use a flail as his weapon of choice in the duel. Rachel reads a romantic poem from her suitor – though actually penned by Dickon – and she is profoundly charmed by Ravensbane's declaration that he was born that very day "in her eyes." She is pleased to see that they both believe in "innocent witchcraft," though Dickon quickly stops her from showing Ravensbane the mirror, and Talbot again accuses the newcomer of evildoing and promises that he will "save" Rachel from him. Rachel declares that she must think things over and will wear Ravensbane's tassel to the reception if she does in fact love him, and the esteemed guests soon begin to arrive for the party. Rachel happily introduces Ravensbane, and despite Merton's discomfort, Ravensbane sings an eerie song, "The Prognostication of the Crows," as Dickon accompanies him on the harpsichord. The song appears to cast a spell on the crowd, including Rachel, who declares that she loves Ravensbane after all – but Talbot reveals the magic mirror, and everyone flees in terror when Ravensbane's reflection is that of a pumpkin-headed scarecrow.

Left alone with his reflection, Ravensbane falls into existential despair, wondering if he is a real man or simply "a rigmarole of dust." The reflection speaks to him, informing him that he was created from a vengeful spell, and Ravensbane furiously threatens to shatter the glass to prove his humanity. Dickon intervenes, however, and blithely assures Ravensbane that all humans are "ridiculous," adding that he must continue smoking the pipe or else cease to exist. Rickby then bursts in, terrified that she will be hanged for witchcraft now that everyone has seen the truth of her "son," but Dickon assures them both that the marriage shall go off as planned. When the townspeople return to the home, Dickon blames everything on Rickby, stating that the mirror alone was bewitched, but Ravensbane finally stands up to his treacherous "father," ordering him not to address Rachel. Despite Talbot's protests that they have resumed their betrothal, Ravensbane passionately declares his love for her, grateful that "to her alone he was not ludicrous." He acknowledges that the mirror depicted his true self, and when Dickon threatens to harm Rachel, Ravensbane breaks his pipe and immediately begins to weaken. He is relieved to see himself in human form as he expires in Rachel's arms, and she sadly proclaims him "a man" as he dies.

Details

• NETWORK: PBS
• DATE: 1971 8:00 PM
• RUNNING TIME: 1:44:43
• COLOR/B&W: Color
• CATALOG ID: B:87139
• GENRE: Drama, fantasy/science fiction
• SUBJECT HEADING: Drama, fantasy/science fiction; Witchcraft - New England - Drama
• SERIES RUN: PBS - TV, 1972
• COMMERCIALS: N/A

CREDITS

• Louis Freedman … Producer
• Morris Chapnick … Associate Producer
• Boris Sagal … Director
• Percy MacKaye … Writer
• Russ Freeman … Music by
• Mundell Lowe … Music by
• Nina Foch … Cast, Goody Rickby
• Norman Lloyd … Cast, Dickon
• Blythe Danner … Cast, Rachel Merton
• Peter Duel … Cast, Richard Talbot
• Will Geer … Cast, Justice Gilead Merton
• Gene Wilder … Cast, Lord Ravensbane
• Joan Tompkins … Cast, Mistress Cynthia Merton
• Elisha Cook … Cast, Micah
• Peter Kastner … Cast, Captain Bugby
• Robert Karnes … Cast, Minister Dodge
• Ann Doran … Cast, Mistress Dodge
• Vaughn Taylor … Cast, Reverend Rand
• John Myhers … Cast, Reverend Todd
• Tom Helmore … Cast, Sir Charles Reddington
• Lizabeth Dean … Cast, Mistress Reddington
• Sian Barbara Allen … Cast, Amelia Reddington
• Meredith Hull … Cast, Rachel's Reflection
• Alan Jordan … Cast, The Scarecrow's Reflection