The Loan Shark

Jack is in desperate need of cash to pay for cooking school tuition fees. To help him, the naive Chrissy hooks up with a loan shark, the intimidating Bernie Bustamente (top character actor Harold J. Stone, "Spartacus"). Jack, appalled, runs to the loan shark to try to *return* the money, which Bustamente will only accept if Jack agrees to give the crooks' hot-to-trot young wife Lucia a cooking lesson. The trouble is, when she arrives (she's played by the vivacious Livia Ginise ('Days of Our Lives'), she obviously wants to do a different sort of cooking with Jack!

Furley adds to the fun. Since Lana keeps resisting his advances, he's quick to respond when Jack informs him of the fiery Italian dish waiting in the kids' kitchen. Of course, she's not interested in FURLEY at all.

Guest stars Stone & Ginise are absolutely great, causing lots of mirth throughout the episode and some genuinely hilarious moments. Also of note is the way that Jack reacts to the crooks' ENORMOUS muscle man (the six foot seven Mickey Morton ('The Star Wars Holiday Special').

Overall, a bright and lively episode wrapping up with a classic Chrissy moment.

Eight out of 10.

These comments are an appreciation of Harold J. Stone, who plays the loan shark in this episode. There was something about his acting that just radiated credibility. He was a bear of a man who could command the screen. What I recall are the flashing eyes and the steely voice. It would take a confident actor opposite him not to back down from that. But Stone could turn that stereotype to humor and self-parody very nicely.

The Jerry Lewis tribute to Harold J. Stone (the full name seems somehow appropriate) reflects the respect Stone likely commanded in the business of Hollywood. I grew up seeing him in many supporting roles, never knowing exactly who he was.

What he was, was one grinder of an actor. Take a look at his filmography year-by-year. If the man wasn't working some lines, he must have been miserable.

One of the early pro's of TV who is missed.