The Farmer's Daughter
Season 1, Episode 6: The Washington Spotlight
Originally aired October 25, 1963
Congressman Morley wants more national exposure and yearns for the visibility a spot on the television show Washington DC Spotlight could provide.
Morley says that host Mark Willard (Harry Townes) "baits his guests...puts them on the hook and makes them dangle...somebody will tell him off one of these days."
When she learns that Glenn might be courageous enough to go up against Mark Willard, Katy begins plotting. Mark Willard's show conveniently ends up with a cancelled slot and Willard, who has just received a persuasive letter from Katy about the congressman, immediately invites Morley to be his guest.
Over breakfast and newspaper reading, Katy, Agatha, and Cooper pressure Congressman Morley to aid a soldier who has gone AWOL to protect his soon-to-be-deported wife Tina. Before the show's taping, the AWOL soldier Private Clifford Morgan (Jan Stine) and his wife Tina (Tsuruko Kobayashi) appear at the Morley house asking for Glenn Morley's help. Katy is touched by their romance and promises to help them.
Katy seeks help for the couple but is turned down by the Department of Military Projects, Department of Civilian Projects and Department of Combined Projects. She ends up at the Department of Combined Appeals where we see the lovable, humming Mr. Collins (Bob Jellison) whom we saw in the second episode of the season. Katy asks for Mr. Collins' advice on the situation and Collins says that Congressman Morley is the only person who can help the couple.
Glen refuses to let son Steve appear on television because he's sporting a black eye and will be bad for Morley's image. Katy says she isn't interested in being on television if Steve is not allowed. As they are getting ready for the shoot, Mark Willard takes a break outside the home and finds Private Morgan and his wife. When they tell him Morley is going to help them, Willard realizes he has quite a hot story on his hands.
Glen handles questions well until Willard starts quizzes him on his "own private foreign aid" and reveals the couple on live television. Katy begins to explain the situation but becomes camera shy and switches to the Swedish language.
Glen becomes fed up with the spectacle and confronts the television host live on the program:
Mr. Willard, I accepted your invitation because it gave me an opportunity to discuss some political issues in which I strongly believe. Instead you have pried into personal matters and deeply embarrassed two young people. Young lovers, Mr. Willard, caught in a desperate situation needing help and understanding. But you have preferred to ignore the plight of these youngsters and concentrate on holding me up to ridicule merely because I hold public office. Well, I refuse to be baited any longer, Mr. Willard. I refuse to dangle from your hook and for my closing remark tonight may I say that I think you are a disgrace to your profession.
Katy looks on with more admiration than one can describe. After it is over, she says:
I have never seen you more beautiful, Mr. Morley.
The next morning Congressman Morley is praised by columnists for his willingness to speak his mind with dignity and the President is aiding Private Morgan and his wife.
Production Notes
In Eddie Foy, III's Day Out of Days Schedules, The Washington Spotlight is listed as Production # 3803 and the report was typed on August 7, 1963.
Schedule Days: 4
Producer: Peter Kortner
Director: William Russell
Associate Director: Herb Wallerstein
The cast rehearsed on August 12th and filmed August 13th through August 15th. The character list for the shoot includes regulars Katy (Inger Stevens), Glen (William Windom), Cooper (Philip Coolidge), Steve (Mickey Sholdar), Danny (Rory O'Brien), and Agatha (with actress Cathleen Nesbitt back after not being in episodes 4 or 5). All regulars reported for 1 day of rehearsal and 3 days of shooting.
Guest stars Harry Townes (as Willard), Jan Stine (as the soldier), and Tsuruko Kobayashi (as Tina) all rehearsed 1 day and shot for 2 days. The characters of Senator (William Lally), Assistant (Dick Wilson), First Technician (John Christopher) and Second Technician (George Mather) are all listed as being on set for 1 day only. Oddly, actor Bob Jellison (who reprised his role as Mr. Collins from the second episode) is not listed on this schedule.
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