In some past episodes, Adam-12 writers have treated drunks as comic relief. Even drunk drivers. Other times, drunks are shown in a negative light. Here, it's both, though in this episode, not everyone thinks being drunk - or a drunk - is even the least bit humourous.
Actor Dick Van Patten shows up a few times in this one. First, he's drunk and trying to kick down the door to his apartment. Except he's not at his apartment. Malloy and Reed show up and it's clear that Malloy is amused with this drunk's behavior. It's difficult for the viewer to see what Malloy sees. Because actor Kent McCord does a great job of communicating (in the glare in his eyes and curled frown upon his face) his character's disgust for the drunk. The viewer is more drawn to and affected by Reed's take on the matter. Later, at the Station House, Officer Woods thinks the drunk is an absolute laugh riot.
It's unlikely that now, near 50 years later as I write this, that writers for a TV show would treat a drunken character like this for even half-laughs. When Malloy asks Reed, "Why so serious?" (ok, he uses different words), Reed tells his partner about an Uncle of his. Also an unfortunate drunk, the man once drove his car off a bridge.
Later, the drunk sobers up in the tank, and is released. He apologizes to M & R for them having to deal with him as a drunk as well as for lying (to Reed) while drunk about having a wife and a kid. He congratulates himself on having the forethought that since he can't and doesn't want to stop drinking, at least he's chosen to remain a bachelor. It is interesting that the writers and the production chose to not just end it right there. Later the same day, Malloy and Reed are called to aid with Ambulance duty at a bar. Being wheeled out on a stretcher is the same man. Already drunk again, he's fallen down a flight of stairs and has injured himself. It's good to see that Malloy isn't amused by the drunk anymore.
One quick scene, played for laughs - though, again at the expense of a human being who has, you know, "feelings" - sees Adam-12 rolling up on a woman who is stuck in a phone booth. The woman is very overweight and can't get the door to open past her body fat. She angrily warns Malloy and Reed not to laugh at her or her predicament. They haven't said a thing. The partners get her out easily, though it's not clear to viewers how. She simply reaches her arms to the booth's ceiling, and the door opens. M & R remain shocked as the woman storms away, still angry and yelling. But then she stops, turns back and blows a kiss to the partners. Awww... ain't that cute. She was just being a silly-nilly. Strange scene.
Besides the extended storyline of the drunk, there's another in which M & R are assigned to help a Chinese woman and her daughter locate an old wood burning stove. Donated to an unknown charity, the stove has been the hiding place for her husband's $4000.00 in cash. This leads to a terrific scene with character actor, Vito Scotti.
Scotti plays the owner of an antique/resale shop. While Malloy and Reed just want to know about the possibility of the wood burning stove being there, the store owner proceeds to irritate them no end by not paying attention to a single word they say. The guy goes on and on about selling them items of his merchadise. This scene concludes with M & R making their way back to the squad and getting away from the guy. Watching as they go, Scotti's character mumbles a rather derogatory remark regarding the Officers. They don't hear him, but the viewers do. It's one of the funniest insults ever directed at our heroes. Completely unexpected, and of course, completely wrong.
Actor Dick Van Patten shows up a few times in this one. First, he's drunk and trying to kick down the door to his apartment. Except he's not at his apartment. Malloy and Reed show up and it's clear that Malloy is amused with this drunk's behavior. It's difficult for the viewer to see what Malloy sees. Because actor Kent McCord does a great job of communicating (in the glare in his eyes and curled frown upon his face) his character's disgust for the drunk. The viewer is more drawn to and affected by Reed's take on the matter. Later, at the Station House, Officer Woods thinks the drunk is an absolute laugh riot.
It's unlikely that now, near 50 years later as I write this, that writers for a TV show would treat a drunken character like this for even half-laughs. When Malloy asks Reed, "Why so serious?" (ok, he uses different words), Reed tells his partner about an Uncle of his. Also an unfortunate drunk, the man once drove his car off a bridge.
Later, the drunk sobers up in the tank, and is released. He apologizes to M & R for them having to deal with him as a drunk as well as for lying (to Reed) while drunk about having a wife and a kid. He congratulates himself on having the forethought that since he can't and doesn't want to stop drinking, at least he's chosen to remain a bachelor. It is interesting that the writers and the production chose to not just end it right there. Later the same day, Malloy and Reed are called to aid with Ambulance duty at a bar. Being wheeled out on a stretcher is the same man. Already drunk again, he's fallen down a flight of stairs and has injured himself. It's good to see that Malloy isn't amused by the drunk anymore.
One quick scene, played for laughs - though, again at the expense of a human being who has, you know, "feelings" - sees Adam-12 rolling up on a woman who is stuck in a phone booth. The woman is very overweight and can't get the door to open past her body fat. She angrily warns Malloy and Reed not to laugh at her or her predicament. They haven't said a thing. The partners get her out easily, though it's not clear to viewers how. She simply reaches her arms to the booth's ceiling, and the door opens. M & R remain shocked as the woman storms away, still angry and yelling. But then she stops, turns back and blows a kiss to the partners. Awww... ain't that cute. She was just being a silly-nilly. Strange scene.
Besides the extended storyline of the drunk, there's another in which M & R are assigned to help a Chinese woman and her daughter locate an old wood burning stove. Donated to an unknown charity, the stove has been the hiding place for her husband's $4000.00 in cash. This leads to a terrific scene with character actor, Vito Scotti.
Scotti plays the owner of an antique/resale shop. While Malloy and Reed just want to know about the possibility of the wood burning stove being there, the store owner proceeds to irritate them no end by not paying attention to a single word they say. The guy goes on and on about selling them items of his merchadise. This scene concludes with M & R making their way back to the squad and getting away from the guy. Watching as they go, Scotti's character mumbles a rather derogatory remark regarding the Officers. They don't hear him, but the viewers do. It's one of the funniest insults ever directed at our heroes. Completely unexpected, and of course, completely wrong.
