Apple's Way

Apple's Way
Ronny Cox, Lee McCain and Malcolm Atterbury in a 1974 episode
GenreDrama
Created byEarl Hamner Jr.
Starring
ComposerMorton Stevens
Country of originUnited States
Original languageEnglish
No. of seasons2
No. of episodes28
Production
Executive producers
Running time60 minutes
Production companyLorimar Productions
Original release
NetworkCBS
ReleaseFebruary 10, 1974 (1974-02-10) –
January 12, 1975 (1975-01-12)

Apple's Way is an American drama television series that aired on CBS from February 10, 1974, to January 12, 1975. It was created by Earl Hamner Jr. (1923-2016).

Premise

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The Apples of Los Angeles—architect George, his wife Barbara, their children Paul, Cathy, Steven, and Patricia; and Grandfather Aldon—seek refuge from the hectic pace of city living and relocate to George's hometown of Appleton, Iowa,[1] which was founded by his ancestors. The family has to adjust to a different culture and climate and to a slower pace of life. They live in a working grist mill that serves as a backdrop for the situations depicted in each episode. Well-meaning George often gets involved in causes that increased his family's tensions.

Apple's Way was a mid-season replacement for The New Perry Mason. The series did not gain the ratings CBS had hoped for, partly because[citation needed] it had to compete with NBC's long-running Top 20 hit The Wonderful World of Disney and ABC's popular crime drama The F.B.I.. The concept was "re-booted" in the second season to focus on plots that dealt more with social issues (such as freedom of speech, drug use, terminal illness) as opposed to the more rural-specific plots of the first season. The second season was produced by successful veteran producer-writer John Furia, Jr. Furia hired Worley Thorne as story editor. The series was canceled during its second season and replaced with Cher.

Cast

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Episode list

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Season 1: 1974

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No.
overall
No. in
season
TitleDirected by:Written by:Original air dateProd.
code
11"The Tree"Harry HarrisT : A. J. CarothersFebruary 10, 1974 (1974-02-10)438204
22"The Musician"Harry HarrisWilliam BastFebruary 17, 1974 (1974-02-17)438205
33"The Zoo"Nicholas WebsterPeter S. BeagleFebruary 24, 1974 (1974-02-24)438209
44"The Teacher"Jack SheaDale EunsonMarch 3, 1974 (1974-03-03)438203
55"The Miller"Jack SheaMax HodgeMarch 10, 1974 (1974-03-10)438201
66"The Coach"Murray GoldenGeorge KirgoMarch 24, 1974 (1974-03-24)438212
77"The Witness"Herschel DaughertyS. A. LongMarch 31, 1974 (1974-03-31)438213
88"The Temptation"Herschel DaughertyIrv PearlbergApril 7, 1974 (1974-04-07)438208
99"The Applicant"Harry HarrisJohn McGreeveyApril 21, 1974 (1974-04-21)438214
1010"The Pen Pal"Murray GoldenIrv PearlbergApril 28, 1974 (1974-04-28)438215
1111"The Accident"Harry HarrisEmily ShoemakerMay 5, 1974 (1974-05-05)438218
1212"The Fair"Philip LeacockMathilde Ferro,
Theodore Ferro
May 12, 1974 (1974-05-12)438216
1313"The Lamb"Harry HarrisKathleen HiteMay 19, 1974 (1974-05-19)438217

Season 2: 1974–75

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No.
overall
No. in
season
TitleDirected by:Written by:Original air dateProd.
code
141"The Tornado"Marc DanielsT : Joseph Bonaduce;
S/T : John T. Dugan
September 15, 1974 (1974-09-15)438210
152"The Circus"Marc DanielsAustin Kalish,
Irma Kalish
September 22, 1974 (1974-09-22)438222
163"The Friend"Hal CooperLan O'KunSeptember 29, 1974 (1974-09-29)438227
174"The Returning"David MoessingerDavid MoessingerOctober 6, 1974 (1974-10-06)438230
185"The First Love"James SheldonDon AppellOctober 13, 1974 (1974-10-13)438229
196"The Engagement"James SheldonWilliam BastOctober 20, 1974 (1974-10-20)438221
207"The Candy Drive"Marc DanielsHindi BrooksOctober 27, 1974 (1974-10-27)438231
218"The Winning Season"Alexander SingerJim McGinnNovember 10, 1974 (1974-11-10)438232
229"The Flag"David MoessingerJoseph BonaduceNovember 17, 1974 (1974-11-17)438235
2310"The Real Thanksgiving"Jack SheaJoseph Bonaduce,
Worley Thorne
November 24, 1974 (1974-11-24)438245
2411"The Apprentice"David MoessingerGene ThompsonDecember 1, 1974 (1974-12-01)438224
2512"The Outsider"Ivan DixonJoseph BonaduceDecember 15, 1974 (1974-12-15)438211
2613"The Christmas Party"Richard C. BennettLan O'KunDecember 22, 1974 (1974-12-22)438226
2714"The Outing"Edward M. AbromsS : Richard Fielder;
S/T : Worley Thorne
January 5, 1975 (1975-01-05)438206
2815"The Price"UnknownUnknownJanuary 12, 1975 (1975-01-12)438234

Syndication

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Both TV Land and AmericanLife TV aired the series in reruns during the late 1990s and early 2000s.

Two decades after this series left the air, lead actors Ronny Cox and Frances Lee McCain were reunited in the short lived 1993–1994 television prime time soap Second Chances.

References

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  1. ^ "50 TV Shows Set in All 50 States". PopSugar. May 26, 2016. Retrieved January 2, 2022.
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