While Barbara and Dodie go out to a movie, Uncle Charley (William Demarest) takes time to play his cello. His songs make family dog "Tramp" howl. Barbara (Beverly Garland) and Dodie (Dawn Lyn) return and listen to some of Charley's playing. They think he plays beautifully. Sad about Charley playing alone on a Saturday night, Barbara briefly speaks to Steve (Fred MacMurray), then arranges for Charley to play in a string quartet. Rob (Don Grady) and Katie (Tina Cole) are unimpressed with the group, but urge Charley to keep playing. The group is a success, and they begin to play semi-professionally...
Although they are named "The O'Casey's String Quartet", violist Winnie Collins (as Effie Springer) complains Charley's tempo is too slow on "Oh Shenandoah (Across the Wide Missouri)". Charley plays with Rob, Chip (Stanley Livingston) and Ernie (Barry Livingston) in a jazzy up-tempo quartet, but he may be fired from his own group. Seeming to channel character favorite Reta Shaw, Ms. Collins steals the show. That's not easy, with competition from both Tramp and the boys. Also in the quartet, semi-regular Virginia Lee is introduced (as a love interest for Charley).
***** Charley's Cello (1970-02-21) Frederick De Cordova ~ William Demarest, Beverly Garland, Don Grady, Winnie Collins