The Classic TV Archive - US Comedy Series
Many Happy Returns (1964-65)
Episode Guide compiled by The Classic TV Archive
with contributions by:
Sal Crisanti, Tom Alger, Steve Jensen, Rina Fox
references:
TV Guide / Library of Congress (telnet://locis.loc.gov)
Internet Movie Database (https://www.us.imdb.com)
Lindabob productions, Inc.
Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Television
for
CBS (Mondays 9:30 pm EST)
Created & Produced by Parke Levy [SC]
US Comedy series 1964-65 26 episodes x 30 min bw
starring
John McGiver as Walter Burnley
Richard Collier as Harry Price
Elinor Donahue as Joan Randall
Jesslyn Fax as Wilma Fritter
Mark Goddard as Bob Randall
Mickey Manners as Joe Foley
Andrea Sacino as Laurie Randall
Elena Verdugo as Lynn Hall
Russell Collins as Owen Sharp
Premise:
Business and Domestic trials of the complaints manager of a Department Store.
############ Many Happy Returns #############
############# season 1964-65 ###############
##############################################
CBS Mondays 9:30 pm Eastern
Premiere Air Date 21Sep64
1.01 [--] Many Happy Returns (pilot episode) (verified on film - SJ)
21Sep64 CBS Mon (copyright date: 16Sep64)
Sponsored by General Foods
starring
John McGiver as Walter Burnley
regular cast: (all appeared in pilot)
Richard Collier ....... Harry Price
Elinor Donahue ........ Joan Randall
Jesslyn Fax ........... Wilma Fritter
Mark Goddard .......... Bob Randall
Mickey Manners ........ Joe Foley
Andrea Sacino ......... Laurie Randall
Guest Star:
Cynthia Pepper ........ Susan Jones
Note:
The pilot episode features a cartoon open. Later episodes have John McGiver opening
the store to a barrage of customers with items to return. [RL]
Synopsis:
Walter Burnley is the new manager of the department store. He asks the employees
of the store to come in early so that they can have a meet and greet session.
We find out that Burnley is a widower, a business school graduate transferred
from the Manhattan branch of the department store. We also discover that he
will be living with his daughter (Elinor Donahue), son-in-law (Mark Goddard)
and his grandchild. Burnley has unorthodox methods, and believes the customer is
always right. When a 21-year-old woman returns a large pile of wedding gifts after
she and her husband's family have a falling out, Burnley vows to patch things up
between the bride-to-be and the family. However, his efforts with the young woman
lead HIS family to believe that HE is planning to run away with the young woman
(Susan Jones as portrayed by Cynthia Pepper). There is a happy ending, a wedding,
and absolutely no returned gifts. [RL]
1.02 [--] Many Happy Returns: WALTER MEETS THE MACHINE
28Sep64 CBS Mon (copyright date: 24Sep64)
Guest cast:
Russell Collins ........ Owen Sharp (recurring)
Synopsis 1:
Walter's complaint department is going to be replace by a computer. [RF]
Synopsis 2:
Store manager Sharp wants to replace the complaint department with a
computer named IRMA. [RF]
1.03 [--] Many Happy Returns: IT SHOULDN'T HAPPEN TO A DOG
05Oct64 CBS Mon (copyright date: 1Oct64)
Guest cast:
Don Briggs ............ Harold Carson
Regina Gleason ........ Miss Nolan
Synopsis:
After Walter gives his granddaughter the pup that a woman returned to the store,
the lady's husband storms in and demands the dog back. [RF]
1.04 [--] Many Happy Returns: BYE, BYE CUPID
12Oct64 CBS Mon (copyright date: 8Oct64)
Guest cast:
Joan Tompkins .......... Lorraine
Majel Barrett
William O'Connell
Synopsis:
Sharp plays Cupid for his unmarried sister by inviting an unsuspecting
Walter on a boating trip. [RF]
1.05 [--] Many Happy Returns: BURNLEY AT THE BRIDGE
19Oct64 CBS Mon (copyright date: 14Oct64)
Guest cast:
Jesslyn Fax ........... Wilma Fritter
Harry Millard ......... Jerry
Synopsis:
Walter assumes the role of protective father when Lynn announces her
engagement to a soldier. [RF]
1.06 [--] Many Happy Returns: JOE'S PLACE
26Oct64 CBS Mon (copyright date: 22Oct64)
Guest Cast:
Diane Sayer ........... Shirley
Karl Lukas ............ Cop
Synopsis:
Burnley's sure he's no longer welcome in Joan's home, because she's
asked him to eat downtown while she throws a dinner party. [TA]
Synopsis 2:
Walter is puzzled and unhappy when Joan asks him to dine downtown while
she gives a dinner party. [RF]
[--] 02Nov64 ABC Mon 9:30pm - pre-empted for
"Political Talk" with Republican Presidential Candidate,
Sen. Barry M. Goldwater.
1.07 [--] Many Happy Returns: THE BEST SELLER
09Nov64 CBS Mon (copyright date: 3Nov64)
Guest cast:
Willard Waterman ....... Fosdick
Synopsis:
Walter decides to promote an unsuccessful author's works in
Krockmeyer's book department. [RF]
1.08 [--] Many Happy Returns: MOTHER BURNLEY'S CHICKENS
16Nov64 CBS Mon (copyright date: 12Nov64)
Guest Cast:
Ricky Allen ........... Harry Price Jr.
Mary Ann Durkin ....... Barbara Price
Michael Durkin ........ Willis Price
Synopsis:
Harry is a nervous wreck and Walter discovers why when he babysits with
Harry's eight mischievous kids. [RF]
Synopsis 2:
Walter baby-sits for Harry's children and discovers why Harry is a nervous wreck. [RF]
1.09 [--] Many Happy Returns: KROCKMEYER ON AVON
23Nov64 CBS Mon (copyright date: 18Nov64)
Guest cast:
Henry Corden ........... Rabinov
Gene Tyburn ............ Stage Manager
Synopsis:
Joe decides to leave Krockmeyer's store to become an actor.
OR:
Guest Cast:
Arte Johnson ............. Virgil Slamm
Synopsis:
Walter takes over the store's drama group, after Mr. Hefflefinger,
it's regular director is fired in a dispute with Mr. Sharp. [TA]
1.10 [--] Many Happy Returns: EAST IS WEST
30Nov64 CBS Mon (copyright date: 25Nov64)
Guest cast:
Lloyd Kino ............. Ito
Bob Kino ............... Roy
Cyril Delevanti ........ Krockmeyer
Russell Collins ....... Owen Sharp (recurring) ?
Synopsis 1:
Walter is instructed to beat the competition to the draw by landing the
Matsui camera line for Krockmeyer's. [RF]
Synopsis 2:
Walter is up against stiff competition as he tries to land the Matsui
camera line for the store. [RF]
1.11 [--] Many Happy Returns: THE HOUSE DIVIDED
07Dec64 CBS Mon (copyright date: 2Dec64)
Written By Harvey Kelm and Paul Green [SC]
Guest cast:
Reginald Gardiner ..... Frankie Smedley
Synopsis:
A man who suffered a fall in Walter's department brings suit against the store, and
who should be representing the plaintiff but Walter's son-in-law Bob. [RF]
1.12 [--] Many Happy Returns: THE FASHION SHOW
14Dec64 CBS Mon (copyright date: 9Dec64)
Guest cast:
Gladys Holland ......... Colette
Jini Kimberly .......... Lulubelle
Synopsis:
Walter is fit to be tied when a couturier takes over the store and his
office for a fashion show. [RF]
1.13 [--] Many Happy Returns: THE SHOPLIFTER
21Dec64 CBS Mon (copyright date: 15Dec64)
Guest cast:
Harriet MacGibbon ...... Mrs. Hawkins
Synopsis:
Walter turns detective to catch a shoplifter who returns loot for cash refunds. [RF]
1.14 [--] Many Happy Returns: THE SURPRISE VISIT
28Dec64 CBS Mon (copyright date: 22Dec64)
Guest cast:
Elvia Allman .......... Mrs. Sharp
Cliff Norton .......... Harry Watkins
Synopsis:
Walter thinks his staff deserves a raise because returns of merchandise
are at an all-time low, but Sharp disagrees - he thinks it's a good
time to fire one of them. [RF]
Synopsis 2:
Walter thinks his staff deserves raises but Sharp wants to save money
by laying someone off. [RF]
1.15 [--] Many Happy Returns: TAMING OF THE BEAST
04Jan65 CBS Mon (copyright date: 5Jan65)
Guest cast:
Ned Glass .............. Baxter
Synopsis:
Walter and Wilma hold house wreckers at bay until Wilma's cat has kittens. [RF]
1.16 [--] Many Happy Returns: NO NOSE IS GOOD NOSE
11Jan65 CBS Mon (copyright date: 13Jan65)
************** no synopsis/ cast details ***************
1.17 [--] Many Happy Returns: FOSTER FATHER OF THE BRIDE
18Jan65 CBS Mon (copyright date: 26Jan65)
************** no synopsis/ cast details ***************
1.18 [--] Many Happy Returns: THE DIAMOND
25Jan65 CBS Mon (copyright date: 19Jan65)
Guest cast:
Tommy Rettig ........... Eddie
Gigi Perreau ........... Jennifer
Portia Nelson .......... Mrs. Rogers
George Cisar ........... Rogers
Synopsis:
Walter tries to prevent an irate father from breaking up a young couple's romance. [RF]
1.19 [--] Many Happy Returns: THREE ON A HONEYMOON
01Feb65 CBS Mon (copyright date: 2Feb65)
Guest cast:
Clive Clerk ............ Philip
Sharla Doherty ......... Nancy
Synopsis:
Walter learns that two after-hours prowlers are honeymooners looking for shelter. [RF]
1.20 [--] Many Happy Returns: POP GOES THE EASEL
08Feb65 CBS Mon (copyright date: 10Feb65)
Guest cast:
Elvia Allman .......... Mrs. Sharp
Synopsis:
Walter's brush with disaster: he urged an aspiring artist to paint over
a supposedly worthless canvas. [RF]
1.21 [--] Many Happy Returns: THE KROCKMEYER CAPER
15Feb65 CBS Mon (copyright date: 23Feb65)
Guest cast:
Harvey Lembeck ......... George
Robert Donner .......... Lenny
A.G. Vitanza ........... Taxi Driver
Synopsis:
Two crooks are after Walter. He bought the golf bag in which they hid their loot. [RF]
1.22 [--] Many Happy Returns: BIG WHITE LIE
08Mar65 CBS Mon (copyright date: 2Mar65)
Guest Cast:
Ilka Windish ........... Mariana
Synopsis:
Sharp unwittingly insults a woman whose recommendations will decide a
big merger for the store. [RF]
[--] 15Mar65 no details
1.23 [--] Many Happy Returns: IDOL THREATS
22Mar65 CBS Mon (copyright date: 16Mar65)
Guest cast:
Fay DeWitt ............. Mrs. Vincent
Chet Stratton .......... Vincent
Synopsis:
An irate customer demands a refund for an ivory figurine that he claims is hexed. [RF]
1.24 [--] Many Happy Returns: A DATE FOR WALTER
29Mar65 CBS Mon (copyright date: 23Mar65)
Guest cast:
Shirley Bonne .......... Marilyn
Alice Pearce ........... Mrs. Walsh
Synopsis:
Walter discovers the reason behind Joe's moodiness a woman. [RF]
1.25 [--] Many Happy Returns: THE WOODSMAN
05Apr65 CBS Mon (copyright date: 30Mar65)
Written by Earl Barret
Guest Cast:
Brian Nash ............. Perry
Mike Barton ............ Tim
Jimmy Lydon ............ Ingram
Synopsis:
Two downhearted boys return a tent because their father won't take them camping. [RF]
1.26 [--] Many Happy Returns: IT'S A GIFT (final episode)
12Apr65 CBS Mon (copyright date: 6Apr65)
Guest cast:
Bobby Buntrock ......... Jimmy
Ina Victor ............. Ellen
Martin Braddock ........ Ralph
Synopsis:
Walter sends a friend an inexpensive bracelet but the store delivers a $300 dress instead. [RF]
############ Many Happy Returns #############
################ Unknowns ##################
##############################################
[--] Many Happy Returns: Unknown episode
Guest cast:
Arte Johnson ........... Slamm
Synopsis:
Walter's plan to throw a surprise party for Sharp is scotched by the
boss's efficiency-expert nephew. [RF]
[--] Many Happy Returns: Unknown episode
Guest cast:
Reginald Gardiner ....... Smedley
Synopsis:
A man who fell in Walter's department sues the store. The man's lawyer:
Walter's son-in-law. [RF]
############ Many Happy Returns #############
################# the end ##################
##############################################
Have you any comments, corrections, episode titles, air dates, production numbers, directors, writers, story/synopsis, guest stars, cast lists, etc?
Have you any old videos, or tv guides? Dust them off and let us know if you have any information on this series or any other tv series from the
Golden Age of TV, which is missing from any episode guides on the web. Perhaps a certain episode of a particular series coincided with a key
moment in your life, or in world events - and or has left a vivid memory of when it was shown. Let us know. Would you like to see any other
tv series guides on this site? If so please e-mail The Classic TV Archive - see Feedback below.
This guide may be distributed and copied freely, in its entirety, for personal use. All original author and copyright information must
remain intact. Any sales or other uses of this document are expressly forbidden, without the specific consent of the author(s).
Copyright © The Classic TV Archive. All rights reserved.
Return to The Classic TV Archive Home Page
Feedback - Comedy Forum