The Owens family is stunned at Mr.
Belvedere's announcement of engagement to Louise Gilbert in the previous
episode. But after convincing the family that it is the thing he really
wants to do, they fall all over him in congratulations. Heather suddenly
realizes that they might lose him because of it, but Mr. Belvedere quickly
reassures her, and them, that since Louise is staying in Pittsburgh, he
would still be able to remain with them as their housekeeper.
Planning for the wedding ensues with matters regarding venues and invitations
are taken up. They decide, after much argument, to hold the wedding
at the Owen's residence. Mr. Belvedere and Louise quarrel over the name
Louise will adopt, for she does not believe that she should give her name
just like that. George chides Belvedere over it, telling him to save all
the fights till they are married. Later, George finds Mr. Belvedere reading
through tons of congratulatory telegrams from his friends which include
the likes of Cher, Tina Turner and Zsa Zsa Gabor. George
advises Mr. Belvedere to hide all those letters of previous girlfriends
from Louise or else it would be the root of future problems between them.
"My
wedding is only days away and I approach the
event
with a happy heart. After all, Louise and I know that
the
key to any relationship is patience and understanding.
So
I'm convinced that our marriage will be a long and joyous one.
So
why does George keeps painting us as the 'Battling Belvederes'?
That
could never happen to us......could it?"
After day dreaming
of being married with Louise and finding that their situation is very much
like the battling couple in the classic tv show "Honeymooners", Mr.
Belvedere gets cold feet and decides to make a run for it, leaving a note
to the family which is discovered by Wesley. Frantic, the family
decides to look for him just as Louise drops by.
George finally finds Mr. Belvedere at a park bench sitting with his suitcase.
George convinces Mr. Belvedere to come back after reassuring him that much
of what he said to him was just to get a rise out of him and didn't really
mean anything. Back at the house, Wesley and the rest of the guys, including
Skip and Robert Goulet drags Mr. Belvedere on a night on the town on the
eve of his wedding. Crazy hi-jinks ensue and the group manages to crawl
back home the following day only hours before the wedding itself, much
to the annoyance of Marsha and Heather.
At the wedding itself, a visibly concerned Louise interrupts the ceremony
and informs Mr. Belvedere that she had been recalled to Africa and
would be moving back there. Mr Belvedere gets faced with a difficult
decision of staying with the Owens or going off to stay in Africa with
his wife. He then informs the Louise and the family obviously choked with
emotion: "I spent 6 years with
this family....They've been some of the warmest and happiest moments of
my life. But now, I think it's time for Louise and I to find a life of
our own. And if that means traipsing through the mud with my wife, then
that's what I want to do."
Visibly saddened, the entire family nevertheless is happy for Mr. Belvedere
and wishes him all the luck. The wedding finally continues. The day of
Mr. Belvedere's departure finally arrives. Mr. Belvedere takes a moment
to say good-bye to his room and then to the entire family:
Mr. Belvedere:
Well, as you
know I was never one for long good-byes. George?
George:
Belvedere.
Mr. Belvedere:
After your
many threats, I'm glad you never fired me.
George:
Yeah, me too.
Don't take
any wooden bananas!
Marsha:
Mr. Belvedere
I..I can't say good-bye.
Mr. Belvedere:
Then don't.
I've left the
recipes.
Be gentle to
them.
Marsha:
I'll try.
Kevin:
So long, Mr.
Belvedere. Thanks for everything.
Mr. Belvedere:
I regret, I
shant see you graduate.
You are graduating?
Kevin:
Yeah, I am.
Heather:
I love you
Mr. Belvedere!
Mr. Belvedere:
I love you,
Heather.
Heather:
You know, if
you weren't so old, I would have
married you
myself!
Ah, you know
what I mean.
Wesley:
You know I'm
losing my best friend.
Mr. Belvedere:
Wesley, I've
known heads of state and many celebrities.
But none of
them have given me finer memories than you.
I shall savor
our moments together, even the embarrassing and painful ones.
But you count
for most of them.
Though you
are an Owens,
I shall always
think of you as a son.
Well! Tata.
Wesley:
He's gone.
"To
all my dear Owens,
Married
life has been rather hectic here in the
Burungga
Mountains. First Louise and I enjoyed our Abba Dabha
honeymoon.
Now we fill our days counting gorilla noses.
I
miss you dearly.
But
being around apes keeps the spirit of the Owens Family alive
indeed.
Oops! I must close. Louise is calling.
Love
to all, Lynn
P.S.
When
you notice I've left my journal behind,
don't
bother to send it.
Perhaps
some day,
I'll
drop by and pick it up myself.
Louise Gilbert
- Rosemary Forsyth
Robert Goulet - himself
Skip Hollings - Norman
Bartold
Angela - Michele
Matheson
Priest - Emory
Bass
I found this episode to be particularly moving.
After seeing practically all the episodes and have become so used to seeing
these people in my home via the TV screen I had somewhat considered them
as my second family. Seeing this episode had me in tears, literally.
The song
Robert Goulet was singing during this episode is entitled "If Ever I Would
Leave You", Robert's signature song from the play "Camelot", composed
by A.J. Lerner - F. Loewe . You can download part of the song here, the
exact portion that was sung at the wedding. It's 380 Kb and lasts 48 seconds.
It may take a while to download.
Download
Mr. Belvedere's Wedding Song.
I have included
the transcript of the scene where they all say good bye. It would
probably not so far off to assume that none of the actors really had to
act here. The sadness they were all feeling was most likely than not
genuine. If you have the chance to catch this episode again, watch closely
as Christopher Hewett (Mr. Belvedere) walks out the door for the final
time. Just before he disappears from the screen you can spot him trying
hard to hold back his tears.
Mr. Belvedere's
last letter to the Owens hinted at a reunion episode in the future.
I for one, hope to see them at least one more time together, in a show
that would show them as they are today. With this website, I hope to help
drum up interest for it. What do you all say?
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