The Farmer's Daughter
Season 1, Episode 10: The Editorial Wheel
Originally aired November 29, 1963
When reporter Margaret Selden (Katharine Bard) appears at the Morley house, Glen, Katy, and Cooper hide out upstairs until they hatch a plan. Certain that Selden, a scathing critic of Morley's politics, is only there to gain "dirt" in order to bash Glen in the press, secretary Cooper agrees to distract her—by removing her fangs, he says—while Glen escapes out the door.
Cooper admonishes Selden for her "irresponsible reporting" at Morley's expense and explains that his employer is a fine man not worthy of her fabrications. Cooper grows embarrassed when Selden explains she's not there to expose Morley at all, but rather, to deliver a letter as a kindness to a friend. In speaking with Katy, Cooper wonders how a "good-looking woman could be so mixed up!" Katy pleads with Cooper to invite Selden to dinner so that he can convince her of Glen's upstanding policies.
Cooper brings Selden flowers, takes her to the Morley house for a Swedish meal prepared by Katy, and goes out dancing. He is so enamored by the reporter—and she with him—that he completely forgets Katy's mission for him to convert Selden into a Morley supporter. The couple dance the night away and the now youthful Cooper soon sports a toupee and reverts to his given name of Chester.
But Selden's secretary Arlene convinces her that Cooper must have an ulterior motive and Selden decides to publish an exposé on Cooper's wooing. Always resourceful, Katy seeks out Selden after viewing Cooper's devastation. Katy turns over Glen's notes so that Selden can read first-hand that his actions are upstanding. Sharing the intensity of Cooper's feelings, Katy advises Selden to apologize to him.
The episode ends with Katy playing successful matchmaker once again and Cooper on his way for a dinner date with Selden. This is a rare episode in which Inger Steven is not the main performer and, as a departure, Philip Coolidge is given the chance to star. However, there are some lovely Katy Holstrum moments, like rapid-fire recitation on the staircase between a supportive Katy and lovestruck Cooper, Katy's comical reaction to Cooper's new look, and Katy's longing gaze for Glen when young Steve asks her if she's ever been in love.
Production Notes
In Eddie Foy III's Day Out of Days file on the episode, it is noted that "The Editorial Wheel" was production #3817 and required 3 shooting days plus 1 rehearsal day. The notes list Peter Kortner as producer, Paul Nickell as director, and Herb Wallerstein as assistant director. The start date was August 19, 1963, and all rehearsals and shooting concluded on August 22, 1963.
Inger, William Windom, Philip Coolidge, Mickey Sholdar, and guest star Katharine Bard (as Margaret Selden) worked all four days. Guest star Anna Karen (as Margaret's meddling secretary Arlene) only reported for duty on August 20th.
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