Loveable actor Jack Gilford, most famous in my boyhood as a man who could not eat "just one" of a certain brand of potato chip, takes the cruise in this episode, along with acclaimed supporting actor Jesse White, better known as the Maytag repairman for many years; and "Gong Show" judge Kaye Ballard.
Gilford here is basically the same character he had in 1960s all-star romp "Who's Minding the Mint?": an aging safe cracker newly released from the hoosegow, talked into doing one more job before he goes straight . . . But who is also deaf as a boot. While the writers don't commit outright plagiarism, they dance close, particularly with the clicks and clacks. Nevertheless, the way the two old comic pros White and Gilford play together is delightful even if it's not too original. As King Solomon said, there is nothing new under the sun.
Also in this episode Vickie Lawrence shows up with a beau who lost lots of weight. He's never been attractive to women (apart from Lawrence) and his new frame attracts the sort of attention from a bevy of beauties he's never known. Naturally, he enjoys it too much for his old flame, who wonders if she should retire from the field.
Then there's the serious story: Gene Barry, who played "Bat Masterson" out west in fancy clothes, is an old chum of the Captain's who makes his living as a gambler. But when the Captain finds his friend teaching his daughter the ropes of making money off cards and dice and horses, he's distressed. Will the girl follow the gambler's footsteps?
Overall, a pretty good episode, in my "Love Boat" top 10%.
Gilford here is basically the same character he had in 1960s all-star romp "Who's Minding the Mint?": an aging safe cracker newly released from the hoosegow, talked into doing one more job before he goes straight . . . But who is also deaf as a boot. While the writers don't commit outright plagiarism, they dance close, particularly with the clicks and clacks. Nevertheless, the way the two old comic pros White and Gilford play together is delightful even if it's not too original. As King Solomon said, there is nothing new under the sun.
Also in this episode Vickie Lawrence shows up with a beau who lost lots of weight. He's never been attractive to women (apart from Lawrence) and his new frame attracts the sort of attention from a bevy of beauties he's never known. Naturally, he enjoys it too much for his old flame, who wonders if she should retire from the field.
Then there's the serious story: Gene Barry, who played "Bat Masterson" out west in fancy clothes, is an old chum of the Captain's who makes his living as a gambler. But when the Captain finds his friend teaching his daughter the ropes of making money off cards and dice and horses, he's distressed. Will the girl follow the gambler's footsteps?
Overall, a pretty good episode, in my "Love Boat" top 10%.
