Butch is surprised with a visit from his pen pal from Manitoba, Canada, Billy Hunter (Lee Joe Casey). He says his parents let him hitchhike alone to see him. The professor (Richard Long) and Nanny (Juliet Mills) can't find his parents by phone at the address Butch had been writing to him at. A phone call soon reveals that Billy is an orphan and a Mr. Jackwith (Fredd Wayne) is coming from Manitoba to take Billy back to a boy's home. Nanny and the professor decide to not tell him until later so he can enjoy his time there. The next day the family goes to Butch's Cub Scouts fair where he is entering a terrarium. Billy helps a young woman Mrs. Parsons (Carolyn Conwell, who played the farmer's wife in "Torn Curtain") track down her hat that has flown away. She and her husband Mr. Parsons (Van Williams), the school policeman, are grateful to Billy, who they've quickly grown fond of. When Billy finds that Mr. Jackwith has come for him he runs away and Butch joins him. Professor follows them to have a heart-to-heart talk to hopefully instill a new perspective. A predictable episode devoid of laughs, but a happy ending.
2 Reviews
How to get a runaway home
mlbroberts30 November 2020
Warning: Spoilers
This series was not a laugh a minute sitcom, but a sweet compilation of how a smart family (that needs a little discipline from a mysterious nanny) deals with everyday stuff. Here, son Butch's penpal from Canada (Billy) has come to visit, but it turns out he's really a runaway from an orphanage. Nanny and the Professor find out when the man in charge of the orphanage tracks Billy down and arranges to come get him.
Billy runs away again and Butch goes with him. How to get them back to stay? They have to decide that for themselves. The rest of the family follow them in the car and the Professor delivers them sleeping bags to get through the night. A heart to heart talk and the Professor saying good-bye and leaving them - and they make up their minds.
Like all the episodes of this series, there's a lesson learned and a happy ending. The scene between the Professor and the boys as he maneuvers them to come home with him is particularly sweet and effective.
Billy runs away again and Butch goes with him. How to get them back to stay? They have to decide that for themselves. The rest of the family follow them in the car and the Professor delivers them sleeping bags to get through the night. A heart to heart talk and the Professor saying good-bye and leaving them - and they make up their minds.
Like all the episodes of this series, there's a lesson learned and a happy ending. The scene between the Professor and the boys as he maneuvers them to come home with him is particularly sweet and effective.
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