Happy Days (TV Series) A.K.A. the Fonz (1976) User Reviews

Memorable to me

[stones78 · 20 June 2012]

I was a huge Happy Days and Fonzie fan way back, and though I don't recall many episodes I saw then, I most certainly remember this one, especially the performance of Ed Peck as Sheriff Kirk, a cop who wants to chase the Fonz out of town. Kirk doesn't like the way he looks, as he mentions the leather jacket and duck tail, which I didn't know was a hairstyle until today. Kirk doesn't just bug the Fonz, but other folks as well, such as ticketing Howard for a parking zone at the hardware store, ticketing Mickey Malph for his neon sign(giant eye)sticking out too far, and giving Al a ticket for lack of a dance permit. Peck plays the arrogant Kirk very well, so much that it stuck with me over a very long time; normally, the Fonz calls all the shots, but this time he's looked upon by Kirk as a hood who's better off leaving, and the locals are upset, and valiantly stick by him in any event. I suppose reducing the Fonz to a hood who's unwanted left an impression with me then, because he was an early hero of mine; I even had a Fonzie plastic mug back then. The ending is the most memorable moment, as Fonzie asks to meet Kirk at midnight at Arnold's, and while Kirk walks in, the Fonz is sitting on top of a bench on the dark dance floor near the light switch; he then turns on the light and moments later is telling Kirk he will leave town if he leaves the other residents alone, and then Kirk basically questions his toughness. The next scene is the money shot, and as the Fonz is ready to leave, here comes Richie wearing jeans and a leather jacket taunting Kirk, soon after comes Malph, Potsie, Howard, Marion, Joanie, Al, and many others dressed just as the Fonz dresses, so Kirk knows that there will be a new "hood" once Fonzie leaves town. Kirk is obviously surprised, as he rushes out of Arnold's as the Fonz tells him he decided he will stay in town. The final scene has the Fonz thanking everyone who stood by him, and he's very humbled, although I'm not totally certain if he knew they would be coming to his defense, but the scene absolutely works, and I suppose that's what stuck with me all these years since I've seen it.

The absolute best that Happy Days can be

[vincenzoangeloni · 10/10 · 7 April 2021]

This is the only episode of Happy Days so far that has compelled me to actually write a review about it. It's super weird, but this episode has the same pace and direction as The Dark Knight, and the same formulaic structure as the third act of Avengers Endgame. Bear with me: a new villain emerges who doesn't really know any of the heroes, and he threatens to take away everything from them. And this is how it culminates: Beaten and broken, a lone hero who symbolizes America takes a final stand against the villain. But just as all seems lost for our hero, we see all of our old friends emerge, one by one, each ready to defend justice. Met by extreme applause from the audience, one of these heroes takes down the villain once and for all with a memorable callback line. Then as the dust settles, we conclude with a simple scene of a peaceful house with 1940s music playing. I don't know what I've discovered with this, but Gerry Marshall might be a time traveler. 10/10.

So will the Hooper Triplets

[ghcheese · 10/10 · 6 May 2022]

Joanie once again shows her quick wit. And again Joanie is absolutely gorgeous. Kirk is harassing the Fonz. Very uncool. So the Cunninghams come to the rescue.