Engrave Trouble, The Odd Couple, Tuesday Flashback Feature

This is part of my Tuesday Flashback Feature. We reminisce about classic TV shows usually from the 1950s-1970s where gemstones or pieces of jewelry featured prominently in the story lines.

The Odd Couple
Engrave Trouble
February 5, 1971

Felix Unger (Tony Randall) is divorced and miserable. What would be his 12th wedding anniversary is approaching. His friend and roommate, Oscar Madison (Jack Klugman) decides to help him try to get his ex-wife, Gloria back.

Ganz Plush Honey Bear

On their first anniversary, Felix had given Gloria a watch that had a bear with a jar of honey on the band. When they were a new couple, Gloria used to call Felix her Honey Bear. Later in their relationship, she started calling him, Mr. Clean.

Oscar helps explain that engraving something really romantic could help to win her back. Felix comes up with, Just one more chance. He wants another chance and Just One More Chance was always his and Gloria's song.

Oscar suggests a jewelry store Louie's, where Felix can get the watch engraved. Before they can retrieve the watch, it's stolen when Louie's is burglarized. Turns out that Louie's been robbed 13 times!

Through Oscar's connections they track down Bill Green (Michael Constantine), a shady character who can help get the watch back. Green has a penchant for dogs. 

They find out that the guy who stole it has already given the watch to his

Give the gift of Gloria Swanson
Film, poster, photo or costume

girlfriend. The sad story about Felix's broken home, particularly the snapshot in his wallet of the Unger family dog softens Bill Green. He agrees to help for less money than he usually receives.

Turns out that the watch had been engraved by the thief for his girlfriend. Gloria read the inscription, You're built like a.... She left the apartment sobbing.



Eventually most of it works out though. He had Just one more chance engraved and she loved it. Gloria forgave him and there's a chance they might get together again. There's bad news. Burglars broke into her house and stole it back again. Bill Green did it. They can tell. He left a note: "I fed your dog."

"On November 13th Felix Unger was asked to remove himself from his place of residence.
That request came from his wife. Deep down he knew she was right,
but he also knew that someday he would return to her...."

November 13th is Odd Couple Day!
Fans celebrate & watch the show
People clean their houses or mess them up, whichever they want! 

One of the Odd Couple inconsistencies that gets fans talking has been about how long Oscar and Felix have known one another. Apparently there were three or four different stories of how and when they met on the show. To top it all off, in the opening of at least one of the seasons we heard:

"... With nowhere else to go, [Felix] appeared at the home
of his childhood friend Oscar Madison ..."

Getting jewelry engraved is a regular source of trouble for characters on television. Still, they continue to try. :-)

Jack Klugman talks about the appeal of The Odd Couple.

Each Tuesday, we'll feature a different show, often a US sitcom. Information, including spoiler plot outlines come from various sources & particularly when the episode hasn't been recently viewed personally, will be as accurate as possible. When available, a show photo will be included.

I'm always interested to hear your memories. In the interest of supporting fellow artists, I'll be featuring a few shops where the pieces tie into the general theme of the featured story.

The Odd Couple, The Complete Series, Seasons 1-5 is available at Amazon.com and elsewhere. The film version with Jack Lemmon and Walter Matthau is also on DVD. Odd Couple, The Centennial Collection

Odd or even, couple or single, please note: vintage and art objects on Etsy may be sold out, shops may have gone out of business.

Tony and Me: A Story of Friendship by Jack Klugman, ebook or paper.

Can two divorced men share an apartment without driving each other crazy?

I don't know. But there's a good chance each would've had a classic tv show that they enjoyed, and each would have found something they liked on Etsy.

If you're reading this on my Facebook Fan Page, you may also want to check out my blog.

Felix knew who'd stolen the watch because of the note left behind. A watch can remind you of trips you took together. Disney Women's Mickey Mouse  sparkle bracelet watch.

Teddybear holding lilies
glitter watch  
Make your own
photo or logo
clock or watch at zazzle

Can two divorced men share an apartment without driving each other crazy?

I don't know. But there's a good chance each would've had a classic tv show that they enjoyed, and each would have found something they liked on Etsy.

If you're reading this on my Facebook Fan Page, you may also want to check out my blog.

A retro tv article series on Squidoo is just starting as a companion to this one. We'll look at shows where Hair was the main focus.

Oscar Madison for Council mug by teebag
Look at Odd couple Mugs online coffee cup, beer stein at Zazzle.com
 

Retro Vintage Kitsch Romance Kissing Germ-Free! T Shirt by seemonkee
Browse Zazzle for another tee zazzle.com