Many Happy Returns [The John McGiver Show]: Many Happy Returns

Hollywood: Lindabob Productions, Circa 1964. Draft script for the Season 1, Episode 1 (i.e., pilot) of the television show "Many Happy Returns," here seen under its working title, "The John McGiver Show," which first aired on CBS on September 21, 1964. Copy belonging to actor Cheerio Meredith, with her manuscript pencil annotations on the front wrapper and throughout. Included with the script are three pages of the episode's shooting schedule, dated 11-8-63.

A sitcom established in the wake of "The Danny Thomas Show," with both shows sponsored by General Foods. Walter Burnley, a widower living with his adult daughter and her husband and child, tries to balance family life with the demands of his job as the manager of a complaints department at the fictitious Krockmeyer's department store. In the debut episode, Walter tries to establish himself as a hard-nosed, uncompromising manager, but his compassion gets the better of him when a scorned bride attempts to return her trousseau.

Set in Los Angeles.

Blue titled wrappers, rubber-stamped copy No. 129, with credits for screenwriters Parke Levy and Norman Paul. Title page present, with credits for screenwriters Parke Levy and Norman Paul. 48 leaves, with last page of text numbered "41/43." Mimeograph duplication, rectos only, with blue, pink, and green revision pages throughout, dated variously between 11-6-63 and 11-7-63. Pages Very Good, with a few minor tears and rusting, wrapper Very Good plus, with light fading to the right edge of the front wrapper and some foxing, bound with two gold brads.

[Book #146092]