O. HENRY'S THE GIFT OF THE MAGI (TV)
Summary
This made-for-television production is based on O. Henry's short story about unselfish love during the Christmas season. The program begins with Italian immigrants Della Antonini and her friend Rosa on a ship that left Liverpool, England, headed toward New York City. The pair immediately catch the eye of Irish immigrant James Dillingham Young. Realizing how soon they'll be arriving at Ellis Island, the immigrants sing "One Day Away." Jim gets into a scrape with surly ship crewman Harry before the captain orders that all on board behave. Afterward, Jim introduces himself to Della, with Rosa trying to whisk her away and save her for "a millionaire." Later, Harry approaches Jim, telling him that he's impressed by his fighting skills and that he knows how to make some "easy money" once they get to New York. However, Jim tells him that crime isn't his style. Then, Jim and Della notice Israeli immigrants Jacob and his wife Rachel, who is a week late in delivering her baby. Jim uses the soothing music from his prized pocket watch -- his grandfather's -- to try and make the baby stop kicking. Jim realizes it is Christmas Eve and that their baby will be born on Christmas, though Jacob and Rachel are Jews. That night, Jim and Della discuss their plans for what jobs they'll get in America. Jim says he'll be working for his uncle, a lawyer, while she'll be employed in her cousin's bakery. He then compliments Della on her beautiful hair while she admires his heirloom watch. The two kiss, then agree to meet again in New York. Soon, Jacob and Rachel's baby boy is born and three gifts are given to the parents. The scenario reminds Jim of the magi, the trio of wisemen bearing presents for the baby Jesus. Then, Della sings to the newborn of the only gift she can afford, "A Christmas Wish." Afterward, the boat is finally in sight of the Statue of Liberty. The immigrants joyfully sing "Open Your Arms America." Once in New York, Jim reports to Peabody, Van Horn, and Dillingham, where he is soon employed and rises quickly from inkwell filler to clerk. Jim's uncle, Morgan Dillingham, questions if Henry Peabody is bringing his nephew along too fast in the business. One day, wealthy fiancŽe Alice -- Henry's daughter -- shows Jim a photo of the Long Island mansion where they will live after their marriage. Jim doesn't believe he can accept such a lavish gift, never mind a linen suit that Alice just purchased for him. Jim tells Morgan that he is shamed by the wealth into which he has been thrust. Morgan sings "You Owe It to the Irish" to Jim, telling how he owes it to himself and his background to succeed by any means necessary. Later, Jim and Alice go to inspect their wedding cake at a Lower East Side bakery, there running into staffer Della. Jim is stunned and Della is taken aback. Della reveals that she shares a small room with Rosa and is still single, six months after having arrived in New York. Yet again, Jim marvels at Della's hair while she remarks on his grandfather's watch. Later, Della tells Rosa about the now-wealthy Jim. Della takes down her hair and sings "I Will Never Know Your Pillow Next to Mine," a sad song about unrequited love. The next day, Jim returns his fancy linen suit to Henry, calls the engagement off, and quits his job. He explains that he truly loves Della. Both Morgan and Henry try to stop Jim, though he can't be dissuaded. Jim then asks Henry to explain things to Alice, after which Morgan cuts off all relations with Jim. Soon, Jim is having a "wedding feast" with new bride Della at McMaster's tavern, accompanied by Rosa. Rosa is still angry that Della's cousin fired Della for marrying an Irishman. Now poor, Jim tries to scrounge up some money, planning to seek new employment in the morning. Pub owner Mr. McMaster sings of "This Happy Occasion." While everyone dances in revelry, writer William Sydney Porter sits in the corner of the bar and is amused by the proceedings. Mr. McMaster then says that the wedding meal is on the house and offers Jim a waiter's job. Afterward, William approaches the newlyweds, stating how he writes yarns under a pen name due to "a checkered past." William wants to hear about Jim and Della's courtship. That night, Jim and Della anxiously prepare for their first time in the marital bed, singing "Love to Last a Lifetime." On Christmas Eve morning, Rosa stops by the tavern on her way to work and finds William sleeping on the bar. After explaining how he was locked out of his room, William maintains that there is an interesting story about Jim and Della's romance. Rosa reveals that Della is straining to succeed at her new job, making artificial flowers. William tells Rosa that Jim was laid off two weeks earlier when business dried up. Rosa then understands why the pair have been quarreling. Then, Rosa and William have some Christmas wine before William invents a proverb, the tuneful "Have a Little Less Worry and a Little More Faith." Later that day, Jim comes home to find Della angry at him for blowing his money on whiskey. Della is upset that Jim isn't pounding the pavement enough to find new employment. Jim says he loves Della but can't prove it. Della then confirms her love for Jim, despite their financial hardships. After showing the table tree she purchased, Della tells Jim not to buy her a Christmas present, though he claims he will have a "grand gift" for her. Then, Della notices some lip rouge on Jim and he reveals that an attractive woman planted a kiss on him at the bar. Jim admits that her kiss made him feel like less of a failure. Della storms out of their apartment, singing "I'm Not Going to Buy Him a Present." However, she comes across a solid platinum chain that would be perfect for Jim's watch. With no money to pay for it, Della decides to get get the cash by selling her lovely locks. Rosa is appalled, singing "Nice Girls Don't Sell Their Hair." Later, Alice runs into Jim on the street, wondering how he and Della are doing. Alice realizes that Jim is not faring well and wishes to help. After apologizing for not having faced her before walking out on their engagement, Jim refuses her offer of a loan. Afterward, Jim heads to McMaster's, where he sings about not living in regret, "Is It Gone for Good?" Then, Jim runs into Harry, who asks him to take part in a robbery to earn some holiday cash. Jim mulls the offer as William listens, then calls Jim over and encourages him to avoid "bad company." William gives Jim some advice, recalling his own criminal past and how he disgraced his name and family. William states that his pen name is O. Henry, which was his prison warden's moniker. When Jim returns home, he is shocked to see Della's hair chopped off. She reveals that she cut it in order to get money for his present -- the platinum fob chain. Jim then presents his gift to Della, two fancy combs to ornament her locks. Della fears that Jim stole the money for the combs, so he reveals that he sold his precious watch to acquire them. Though both of the gifts are now worthless, Della and Jim laugh at the irony, singing "Love to Last a Lifetime." Then, Jim and Della learn that they have been invited to a party at McMaster's, where they celebrate Christmas with Harry, Alice, Morgan, Mr. McMaster, William, and Rosa. They all reprise 'A Christmas Wish." Finally, William examines the combs and watch strap, getting inspiration for a new short story. Includes commercials.
Details
- NETWORK: NBC
- DATE: December 21, 1978 8:30 PM
- RUNNING TIME: 1:27:57
- COLOR/B&W: Color
- CATALOG ID: T:53241
- GENRE: Drama; Music
- SUBJECT HEADING: Drama; Music;
- SERIES RUN: NBC - TV, 1978
- COMMERCIALS:
- TV - Commercials - Bounce clothes freshener
- TV - Commercials - Bounty paper towels
- TV - Commercials - Camay soap
- TV - Commercials - Cheer detergent
- TV - Commercials - Crest toothpaste
- TV - Commercials - Dawn dish dishwashing detergent
- TV - Commercials - Downy fabric softener
- TV - Commercials - Duncan Hines Pudding Recipe layer cake mix
- TV - Commercials - Era detergent
- TV - Commercials - Head & Shoulders dandruff shampoo
- TV - Commercials - Ivory Liquid dishwashing detergent
- TV - Commercials - Ivory soap
- TV - Commercials - Pampers diapers
- TV - Commercials - Prell shampoo
- TV - Commercials - Puritan cooking oil
- TV - Commercials - Scope mouthwash
- TV - Commercials - Secret deodorant
CREDITS
- Joseph Cates … Executive Producer
- Gilbert Cates … Executive Producer
- Patricia Rickey … Producer
- Marc Daniels … Producer
- Lesley Maynard … Associate Producer
- Carol Kahl … Production (Misc), Assistant to the Producer
- Stu Bernstein … Production (Misc.), Film Portions Produced by
- Eytan Keller … Production (Misc.), Film Portions Produced by
- Marc Daniels … Director
- Sidney Michaels … Writer
- O. Henry … Based on the story by
- Fred Tobias … Adapted by, Music by
- Stanley Lebowsky … Music by
- Scott Salmon … Choregrapher
- Kathy Gale … Choreographer
- Debby Boone … Cast, Della Antonini
- John Rubinstein … Cast, James Dillingham Young
- Peter Graves … Cast, WIlliam Sydney Porter/O. Henry
- Jim Backus … Cast, Henry Peabody
- Biff McGuire … Cast, Mr. McMaster
- Alan Young … Cast, Morgan Dillingham
- Jo Anne Worley … Cast, Rosa
- Joe Bennett … Cast, Harry
- Judith Chapman … Cast, Alice
- Loni Ackerman … Cast
- David Bond … Cast
- Michael Byers … Cast
- Sterling Clark … Cast
- Robert Courtleigh … Cast
- Gayle Crofoot … Cast
- Joe Croyle … Cast
- Randy Doney … Cast
- Carol Estey … Cast
- Jean Fraser … Cast
- Amelia Haas … Cast
- Will Hunt … Cast
- Paul Keith … Cast
- Gene Merlino … Cast
- Robert Phelps … Cast
- Carol Swarbrick … Cast
- Bob Templeton … Cast
- Paca Thomas … Cast