ALL IN THE FAMILY: THE BEST OF ALL IN THE FAMILY (TV)
Summary
This program presents highlights from the first ninety-nine episodes of this comedy series about a working-class household presided over by the opinionated Archie Bunker. Actor Henry Fonda opens by proclaiming his love for the series and explaining that he will serve as host and narrator as the program's creators present selected scenes from past episodes. Before any highlights are aired, series creator Norman Lear is seen warming up a live audience for one of the programs; he introduces series stars Carol O'Connor and Jean Stapleton, who sing the theme song for the benefit of the crowd. Fonda introduces the first set of clips, all of which deal with the program's tendency to court controversy. In them, Archie Bunker espouses his endlessly racist and sexist views as his family argues with him. The next set of clips is made up of footage of Edith Bunker's non-sequiturs as she struggles to tell simple anecdotes. Of Edith, Fonda says "Edward McNulty once said, 'Edith might think Plato is a Disney dog, but she possesses something far more valuable than factual knowledge: a knowledge of the heart.'" In the next group of clips Gloria bursts into tears, after which viewers see clips in which Archie gets stuck in doorways with family members. The next collection of highlights is made up of some of the most memorable arguments between Archie and Mike. Fonda then discusses the words to which "All in the Family" has given a high profile in the American lexicon, including "Meathead," "dingbat," and "stifle." The special closes with a clip in which guest star Sammy Davis, Jr., stuns Archie with a kiss on the cheek. Includes commercials.
(This is a black-and-white copy of a color telecast).
Cataloging of this program was made possible by the Verizon Foundation, 2002.
Details
- NETWORK: CBS
- DATE: December 21, 1974 Saturday 8:00 PM
- RUNNING TIME: 0:57:50
- COLOR/B&W: B&W copy of a color telecast
- CATALOG ID: T77:0225
- GENRE: Comedy
- SUBJECT HEADING: Comedy
- SERIES RUN: CBS - TV series, 1971-1979
- COMMERCIALS:
- TV - Commercials - "The Front Page" feature film
- TV - Commercials - "The Towering Inferno" feature film
- TV - Commercials - Di-Gel antacid
- TV - Commercials - Dristan cold relief
- TV - Commercials - Friskies cat food
- TV - Commercials - Love's Baby Soft body lotion
- TV - Commercials - Master Charge credit card
- TV - Commercials - Mr. Coffee coffee makers and filters
- TV - Commercials - Preparation H hemmorhoid medication
- TV - Commercials - Promise margerine
- TV - Commercials - Purina Dog Chow
- TV - Commercials - Special K cereal
CREDITS
- Norman Lear … Executive Producer, Developed by, Writer
- Don Nicholl … Executive Producer, Writer
- Michael Ross … Producer, Writer
- Bernie West … Producer, Writer
- George Sunga … Associate Producer
- Bob LaHendro … Director
- John Rich … Director
- H. Wesley Kenney … Director
- Henry Fonda … Host, Narrator
- Carroll O'Connor … Cast, Archie Bunker
- Jean Stapleton … Cast, Edith Bunker
- Rob Reiner … Cast, Mike Stivic
- Sally Struthers … Cast, Gloria Stivic
- Sammy Davis Jr.
- Edward McNulty