LOVE AMERICAN STYLE: LOVE AND THE HAPPY DAYS (TV)

Summary

One in this series of comedy programs looking at love in America from many points of view. In this episode, "Love and the Happy Days" -- essentially the pilot to "Happy Days" -- sixteen-year-old Richie Cunningham narrates his difficulties in growing up as a teen in the "complicated" 1950s, juggling the reading of "From Here to Eternity," listening to tunes like "Mona Lisa," staring at glamour girl pinups, and proudly sporting pegged jeans with white socks and cordovan penny loafers. Walking his sister Joanie home from piano practice, Richie discusses his excitement over his family getting its first television set. Later, Richie speaks with his best friend Potsie about how much they think about sex. That night Richie joins his father Howard, mother Marion, and brother Chuck, along with Joanie, for dinner. Later, at the malt shop, Richie and Potsie scope out the girls on the scene. Eventually, Richie's crush Arlene arrives and he attempts to woo her. Richie finds little success in his courting tactics until he begrudgingly mentions that his family has just gotten a television. He is thus able to score a television-watching date for the next evening. The next night, the Cunninghams' guests gather to watch a prize fight, but complications unfortunately arise. The evening ends with Richie awkwardly trying to score a goodnight kiss from Arlene before he learns a startling truth. However, differing pep talks from both Howard and Potsie keep Richie afloat. Commercials deleted.

Details

• NETWORK: ABC
• DATE: February 25, 1972 Friday 10:00 PM
• RUNNING TIME: 0:22:23
• COLOR/B&W: Color
• CATALOG ID: T:55860
• GENRE: Comedy
• SUBJECT HEADING: Comedy
• SERIES RUN: ABC - TV series, 1969-1974
• COMMERCIALS: N/A

CREDITS

• Harvey Bullock … Executive Producer
• R.S. Allen … Executive Producer
• Alan Rafkin … Producer
• Carl Kleinschmitt … Producer
• Don Boyle … Associate Producer
• Robert Williams … Associate Producer
• Gary Nelson … Director
• Garry K. Marshall … Writer
• Charles Fox … Music by, Theme Music by
• Arnold Margolin … Theme Music by
• Ric Carrott … Cast, Chuck Cunningham
• Harold Gould … Cast, Howard Cunningham
• Howard, Ronny (See also: Howard, Ron) … Cast, Richie Cunningham
• Susan Neher … Cast, Joanie Cunningham
• Marion Ross … Cast, Marion Cunningham
• Anson Williams … Cast, Potsie Weber
• Jackie Coogan … Cast, Uncle Harold
• Peggy Rea … Cast, Aunt Bessie
• Virginia Gregg … Cast, Mrs. Nestrock
• Montgomery, Tanis (See also: Montgomery, Tannis G.) … Cast, Arlene Nestrock
• Nellie Burt … Cast, Grandma
• Ronda Copland … Cast, Teresa
• Edmund Cambridge … Cast, Mr. Dickerson
• Sheila Jo Guthrie … Cast, Corrine