For Whom the Bell Tolls... and Tolls... and Tolls

With all the talent in front of and behind the camera, you know this episode had to be classic.

First off, LAUGH IN'S Arte Johnson guest stars as Morris Tinkler, goofy ex-con who decides to break into the Pattridge house one fine night. Backing it all up a bit, Reuben installed a burglar alarm in the house --which always goes off.

So when Tinkler breaks in, no body seems to care!

Naturally, Morris holds everyone hostage (along with Big Bertha, his gun!) ... but he's not really, really the bad guy he's supposed to be. Also when he learns the gang is in show business, Morris surprises everyone with his harmonca?, also disguised as Big Bertha!

As usual, reuben is NOT impressed!

Arte Johnson is the whole show here, later making a second appearance on the series. He had to! EW Swackhamer directed this episode and had fun with the crew, also directing the ROOKIES at the time. Well written by series writer Dale McRaven (who passed in 2022), a veteran of the DICK VAN DYKE SHOW and later lead writer for PERFECT STRANGERS.

Good stuff from the old days. SEASON 3 EPISODE 15 remastered ABC/Columbia dvd box set.

"For Whom the Bell Tolls...and Tolls...and Tolls" marks the return of LAUGH-IN's Arte Johnson, this time as bungling ex con Morris Tinkler, who finds the Partridge residence the perfect hideout, due to the recent installation of a burglar alarm that repeatedly goes off by accident. The neighbors aren't exactly enamored of the family's 'new sound,' a gift from Reuben, whom Morris doesn't trust because he has 'beady eyes.' Morris tells them how he was the lookout for a robbery, and was the fall guy in a jailbreak, ignominiously dumped out of the getaway car. It's the game of 'Monopoly' (and the 'get out of jail free' card) that inspires him to make a clean break from his past, to once again 'play by the rules.' The featured song is the unreleased "Sunshine Eyes," composed by Terry Cashman and T. P. West, joined by Morris on mean harmonica.