If ever there was an unnecessary episode of "Tales of the Unexpected", this one has to be near the top of the list. When all is said and done, there was no reason to put Harry Flock (Gary Burghoff) through the ordeal he went through with the bank executives responding to a customer's allegation of irregularities at his Mariposa Branch. This was confirmed by a handful of employees at that location, who all praised his dedication and efficiency in maintaining the bank's records. He would have gotten the permanent assignment as bank manager anyway, notwithstanding his wife's (Deborah Harmon) petty attempts to get him noticed. I have to admit, I didn't recognize Burghoff in the whiny role of Flock. If he had approached the character the way he portrayed 'Radar O'Reilly in the hit series "M*A*S*H, I think he would have been much more effective, but I'm sure it wasn't his call. All I could think of as his wife was serving up sea kelp, soybean patties, gluten cutlets and cashew casserole, was that it was time to get the Flock out of here.
4 Reviews
Another disastrous Stateside episode..
Sleepin_Dragon14 February 2016
Warning: Spoilers
Harry Flock has become manager of the bank, following the recent death of Mr Pierce, the previous manager. His big bosses receive a letter claiming Harry is guilty of irregularities, embezzlement etc. Two big wigs are sent in to run an audit, and see exactly what Harry's been up to. Mr Pierce had died at his desk, choking on a meat loaf sandwich.
Once again, this shockingly bad episode feels like an intruder in the Series, the camera work, filming, acting are just so bad, again I question whether this was actually made as an entry into the Series. It must have been a gamble to try to crack the U.S. market, if it was it failed enormously.
Harry is a rather pathetic character, his wife is atrociously stereotypical. The music is awful, as bumbling as the episode itself, the story is about as interesting as a used Tea bag.
There could have been a twist with the fast food at the end, the actual twist was telegraphed within the first three minutes.
I got through it once, I won't be re-watching it, 2/10, it's a disaster.
Once again, this shockingly bad episode feels like an intruder in the Series, the camera work, filming, acting are just so bad, again I question whether this was actually made as an entry into the Series. It must have been a gamble to try to crack the U.S. market, if it was it failed enormously.
Harry is a rather pathetic character, his wife is atrociously stereotypical. The music is awful, as bumbling as the episode itself, the story is about as interesting as a used Tea bag.
There could have been a twist with the fast food at the end, the actual twist was telegraphed within the first three minutes.
I got through it once, I won't be re-watching it, 2/10, it's a disaster.
Hapless Harry
midbrowcontrarian15 June 2021
Occasionally an anthology episode appears to be poorly rated partly because the main character is outrageous or absurd, although well delineated, and the dialogue may have some merit. Have a Nice Death, with Simon Cadell playing an outspoken misogynist author, is a possible example.
The Best Policy does not fall into this category. I've recently watched all 112 episodes, and this the most abysmal, beating some keen competition. Harry Flock (Gary Burghoff) is a bank clerk, physically unappealing and with most horrible high pitched whining voice. The entire story is just one long moan from Harry, who feels the world does not sufficiently appreciate him. "My books are impeccable", "why am I being subjected to this", "someone's trying to sabotage me" wails the hapless Harry. Indeed, he even makes his namesake Prince Harry look happy by comparison.
I can't recall why but near the end Harry's boss exclaims "I've just been through the most gruelling experience". Anyone sitting through this dire episode will sympathise.
The Best Policy does not fall into this category. I've recently watched all 112 episodes, and this the most abysmal, beating some keen competition. Harry Flock (Gary Burghoff) is a bank clerk, physically unappealing and with most horrible high pitched whining voice. The entire story is just one long moan from Harry, who feels the world does not sufficiently appreciate him. "My books are impeccable", "why am I being subjected to this", "someone's trying to sabotage me" wails the hapless Harry. Indeed, he even makes his namesake Prince Harry look happy by comparison.
I can't recall why but near the end Harry's boss exclaims "I've just been through the most gruelling experience". Anyone sitting through this dire episode will sympathise.
Gary "M*A*S*H" Burghoff in Tales of the Unexpected
safenoe20 November 2016
Warning: Spoilers
The hirsute Gary Burghoff appears as Harry Flock in this American episode of Tales of the Unexpected, directed by Ray Danton. Deborah Harmon appears as Harry's wife Daisy. Deborah played a couple of supporting roles in M*A*S*H, so another M*A*S*H connection. Deborah later played a lead role in the sitcom Just the Ten us Us, which was a spin-off of Growing Pains.
It's interesting seeing how this American episode fits into Tales of the Unexpected, and I can only imagine Roald Dahl looking askance at how they do it across the Atlantic. Even the background music had that American TV sitcom feel and rhythm to it.
It's interesting seeing how this American episode fits into Tales of the Unexpected, and I can only imagine Roald Dahl looking askance at how they do it across the Atlantic. Even the background music had that American TV sitcom feel and rhythm to it.
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