ABC ORIGINALS: A TALE OF TWO BUNNIES (TV)
Summary
This made-for-television production is about best friends who become Playboy Club bunny girls. The program begins in Chicago 1961 as roommates Holly and Ruby watch the rich and famous enter a chic night club. The next morning, Holly and Ruby are back at their nine-to-five jobs, but daydreaming of a more glamorous life. Aggressive Ruby speaks with her dress-factory boss Mr. Cage to offer suggestions on making the company's designs more unique. Rather than being pleased by the show of initiative, Mr. Cage fires Ruby for not having focused on the tasks she's paid to perform. On the way out, Ruby steals some fabric samples. Now, Ruby has to try and find a new job, intrigued by the idea of being a Playboy bunny after seeing a "help wanted" ad in that day's newspaper. The next day, Holly goes to Norm Hellman, owner of a plumbing parts supply company, to try and get an advance on her salary to help pay the rent. After fending off his advances, she gets the check.
Meanwhile, at home, Ruby tries to sew her own creations. Holly returns with some groceries and Ruby breaks their pact and gorges on licorice sticks, instigating a squabble over their meal allowances. Tired of their financial status, the two decide to go to the Playboy auditions. Holly and Ruby head to the Playboy Club, nervous about becoming bunnies. The girls meet "Bunny Mother" Miranda Montell, who quizzes them on their backgrounds. Ruby offers her own thoughts on how the bunny costume should be updated and inadvertently insults Miranda's hairdo. However, Miranda seems impressed with the shy Holly, thinking her "bunny material." Holly refuses to take the job unless Ruby is hired as well. Soon enough, Miranda is auditioning Ruby and Holly in full costume, outfitted by tough-talking wardrobe mistress Thelma. After Ruby and Holly are photographed, the pair are officially hired and go to a diner to have their first real meal in ages. There, Holly and Ruby study their bunny manuals. Soon, Holly and Ruby are in a bunny class taught by Miranda, being instructed in everything from the "bunny stance" to the club's system of merits and demerits for employees.
Eventually, Holly and Ruby are ready for their first day on the job, learning the ropes from veterans such as diet-pill-popping Evie and Georgia, who's worried about her relatives in the South due to the civil rights movement. Miranda tells manager Ben to keep an eye on both Ruby and Holly. Bartender Corky thinks Ruby and Holly are "fresh lambs for the slaughter." At her first table, Ruby impresses James, a high-ranking customer; meanwhile, Holly nervously struggles with serving the patrons. By night's end, Ruby thinks she and Holly are on their way to great success. Soon enough, Corky is flirting with Holly on the job, despite the fact that no fraternization is allowed. One night, a drunken customer makes a move on Holly and then knocks her tray over. Evie defends Holly's honor by enacting some revenge. When Holly goes off alone to cry, Miranda tracks her down to discuss their similar small-town upbringings. Holly tells Ruby that she is going to quit the club, despite how much money she is making.
By the next morning, a gloomy Holly refuses to get out of bed. However, Ruby compels her to go on a visit to Hugh Hefner's Playboy Mansion, where they're invited to board. There, Holly shows off her piano chops before Holly and Ruby agree to settle in. Back at work, Thelma notices that Ruby has lost seven pounds since she was hired. Meanwhile, Georgia continues to monitor the civil rights movement. Then, Evie invites all the girls to her house for Thanksgiving dinner. At the meal, the bunnies recount some of their best war stories from the club. Evie's husband Ray gets angered by the tales. Holly tries to get Ruby to eat but she claims to have no appetite. One night, Miranda marvels at all the money Holly is bringing in, earning her Bunny of the Week honors. Holly sends some of her earnings home to help out her family. At the same time, Ruby has begun racking up demerits as she continues popping diet pills and ignoring club rules. Corky once again hits on Holly as she wins Bunny of the Week for the third time in a row, but Holly ignores his advances. Holly notices Ben keeping an eye on Ruby and tries to warn her friend.
After work one night, Corky attempts to walk Holly home but is stopped by Miranda. One day, the bunnies throw a party for Holly to celebrate her birthday. Ruby makes a gown as a gift for Holly. Thelma is blown away by Ruby's talent. Then, Miranda presents Holly with a black bunny outfit, worn only by the top echelon of bunnies. Later that night, Georgia tells Holly she's heading back to Alabama to check on her family. Meanwhile, Ruby becomes increasingly jealous of Holly's promotion. On New Year's Eve, Holly finds Ruby having passed out on sleeping pills. She awakens her and the two are soon off to a Playboy party. There, Holly and Corky continue their flirtations while Ruby hooks up with James. Ruby begins throwing back champagne but Holly passes after one glass. Then, Corky leads Holly to a private room where he tries to teach her about football before the two share a kiss. Soon, a drunk Ruby confronts Miranda, who issues a stern warning. Later at the club, two drunks hassle Holly and she finally stands up for herself.
Later, Corky pulls Holly away and the two kiss again, with Corky admitting he is falling in love with her. The next day, Georgia returns to Chicago and the bunnies welcome her back. Meanwhile, Ruby arrives to work late and wrecked. Then, Ruby sees James dancing with another woman and is crushed. Holly tries to console her friend, but Ruby insults her. The following afternoon, Ruby again arrives late and is fired by Miranda upon receiving her one-hundredth demerit. A depressed Ruby walks the streets, trying to decide on her future. Meanwhile, Holly continues perfecting her bunny ways. Miranda asks Holly if she'd like to go to New York to train bunnies at a new Playboy club that is opening in Manhattan. Holly is unsure, worried about how Ruby would cope on her own. Holly goes to see Ruby, who has returned to her seamstress job. Holly gives Ruby a pep talk, telling her to believe in herself. Holly asks Ruby to make her some special dresses for her trip to New York. Ruby's spirits are buoyed when Holly presents her with a special gift that allows her to follow her dreams. Deciding to act on his own goal to be a sportscaster, Corky opts to join Holly in New York, proposing as they board the train together. Finally, Ruby arrives with the dresses she designed for Holly, then bids her best friend a heartfelt farewell. Graphics reveal the ultimate fates of Holly, Ruby, Corky, Miranda, and Thelma. Includes commercials.
Details
- NETWORK: ABC
- DATE: March 20, 2000 Monday 8:00 PM
- RUNNING TIME: 1:53:11
- COLOR/B&W: Color
- CATALOG ID: T:59868
- GENRE: Drama
- SUBJECT HEADING: Drama; Friendship; Romance; Chicago
- SERIES RUN: ABC - TV, 2000
- COMMERCIALS:
- TV - Commercials - "High Fidelity" motion picture
- TV - Commercials - 10-10-220 call plans
- TV - Commercials - Almay mascara
- TV - Commercials - Arm & Hammer P.M. toothpaste
- TV - Commercials - Arm & Hammer cat litter
- TV - Commercials - Burger King restaurants
- TV - Commercials - Carefree panty liners
- TV - Commercials - Cottonelle toilet tissue
- TV - Commercials - Discover credit cards
- TV - Commercials - Disney's American Teacher Awards
- TV - Commercials - Domino's pizza
- TV - Commercials - Dove deodorant
- TV - Commercials - Fannie Mae Foundation credit information
- TV - Commercials - Glade scented oils
- TV - Commercials - Honda products
- TV - Commercials - Insweb.com insurance
- TV - Commercials - JC Penney stores
- TV - Commercials - Maalox antacid relief
- TV - Commercials - Maybelline mascara
- TV - Commercials - Microsoft internet software
- TV - Commercials - Mitsubishi automobiles
- TV - Commercials - Neutrogena makeup
- TV - Commercials - Office of National Drug Control Policy/Partnership for a Drug-Free America
- TV - Commercials - Patanol allergy relief eyedrops
- TV - Commercials - Pier 1 Imports stores
- TV - Commercials - Pledge dust spray
- TV - Commercials - ReMax realtors
- TV - Commercials - Roc anti-wrinkle cream
- TV - Commercials - Saturn automobiles
- TV - Commercials - Schlotzsky's Deli restaurant
- TV - Commercials - Sprint calling plans
- TV - Commercials - Tide detergent
- TV - Commercials - Toyota automobiles
- TV - Commercials - Trident gum
- TV - Commercials - U.S. Mint dollar coins
- TV - Commercials - United States Census 2000
- TV - Commercials - Viactiv nutritional products
- TV - Commercials - Wish Bone dressing
- TV - Promos - "ABC Originals: The Audrey Hepburn Story"
- TV - Promos - "Making the Band"
- TV - Promos - "NYPD Blue"
- TV - Promos - "Sling Blade"
- TV - Promos - "Spin City"
- TV - Promos - "The 72nd Annual Academy Awards"
- TV - Promos - "The Barbara Walters Special"
- TV - Promos - "The Dark Horizon with Peter Jennings"
- TV - Promos - "The Drew Carey Show"
- TV - Promos - "Then Came You"
- TV - Promos - "Two Guys and a Girl"
- TV - Promos - "Wonderland"
CREDITS
- Joan Barnett … Executive Producer
- Jack Grossbart … Executive Producer
- Linda L. Kent … Co-Producer
- Randall Miller … Director
- Merry M. Helm … Writer
- Mark Adler … Music by
- Julie Condra … Cast, Ruby
- Marina Black … Cast, Holly
- Mark Famiglietti … Cast, Corky
- Kristin Booth … Cast, Evie
- Sandra P. Grant … Cast, Georgia
- Kristi Angus … Cast, Nancy
- April Morgan … Cast, Nancy
- Saskia Garel … Cast, Judy
- Paul Miller … Cast, James
- Rhea Perlman … Cast, Thelma
- Marilu Henner … Cast, Miranda Montell
- Heather Allin … Cast, Betty
- Michael Capello … Cast, Drunk Man #1
- Patrick Chilvers … Cast, Ray
- Jonathan Cuthill … Cast, Adoring Suitor
- Shane Daly … Cast, Ben
- Mark Harapiak … Cast, Drunk Man #2
- Kevin Jubinville … Cast, Drunk
- Kathryn Kirkpatrick … Cast, Large Woman
- Bill Lake … Cast, Man #2
- Meredith Marshall … Cast, Torch Singer
- Gerry Mendicino … Cast, Norm Hellman
- Derek Murchie … Cast, Man #1
- Jack Newman … Cast, Cage
- Tim Progash … Cast, Comedian
- Paulette Sinclair … Cast, Woman