The Best Man (23 Apr. 1974)

1950's racial intolerance is explored from both sides of the aisle after Howard Cunningham is asked to be best man at the wedding of a black, former army buddy.

Director:

Jerry Paris

Writers:

Joel Kane, Garry Marshall (creator)

Stars:

Ron Howard, Marion Ross, Tom Bosley

Cast

Episode cast overview:
Ron Howard	...	Richie Cunningham
Marion Ross	...	Marion Cunningham
Tom Bosley	...	Howard Cunningham
Henry Winkler	...	Arthur 'Fonzie' Fonzarelli
Don Most	...	Ralph Malph (credit only) (as Donny Most)
Robert DoQui	...	Fred Washington (as Robert Do Qui)
Bill Henderson	...	Mr. Davis
Erin Moran	...	Joanie Cunningham
Gail Bryant Cameron	...	Carol
Amzie Strickland	...	Mrs. Finley
Wonderful Smith	...	Reverend
Edward Marshall	...	Officer Kincaid

Storyline

1950's racial intolerance is explored from both sides of the aisle after Howard Cunningham is asked to be best man at the wedding of a black, former army buddy.

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Plot Keywords:

tolerance | racism

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Genres:

Comedy | Family | Music

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Details

Language:

English

Release Date:

23 April 1974 (USA)

Filming Locations:

Paramount Studios - 5555 Melrose Avenue, Hollywood, Los Angeles, California, USA

Company Credits

Production Co:

Miller-Milkis Productions, Henderson Productions, Paramount Television

Technical Specs

Runtime:

30 min

Sound Mix:

Mono

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.33 : 1

User Reviews

An old army buddy is coming over...

Howard has informed his family that his old army buddy is getting married and Howard's invited them to hold the ceremony at the Cunningham household.

What Howard hasn't informed his family was that his old army buddy just happens to be black! And so are the wedding guests, bringing the great racial divide right in the middle of the Cunningham household.

Initially, the family is shocked, then they slowly get over the shock. Next, the neighbors are shocked. But will they get over the shock as easily? Or even at all? After all, this is middle class America, 1950s style! For a TV series that was intended to be a comedy that appealed to the escapist nature in its viewers, HAPPY DAYS took some pretty big risks. This episode is a perfect example.

Yet, this episode is really as hilarious as it is thought provoking, bringing the ugly issue of 1950s style prejudice into the pure nostalgic landscape of the Fabulous Fifties and tackling the ugly specter of bigotry without sacrificing the comedy in this episode.