Aunt Bee's Cruise: Part 1

Look at my review for an episode of "Rhoda" that was filmed five years later than this. In both Aunt Bee's cruise and Rhoda's cruise it is portrayed as if only elderly, boring people go on a cruise. In 1977, "The Love Boat" would premiere. On "The Love Boat" it is portrayed as swinging singles with skimpy clothes on jumping in each others beds. It is amazing to me how in such a short time cruise went from being shown as only for elderly, boring people to be the portrayal on Love Boat.

While preparing a deposit for her savings account, Mike ignites Aunt Bee's desire to take a Caribbean cruise. She weighs it out in talking to herself, by way of Sam who encourages her to go. With the arrangements made, Aunt Bee is excited to invite her friends to a bon voyage party at the ship in Wilmington. Millie helps Aunt Bee pack for her two-week journey while joining others in imagining a shipboard romance for her. As the party ends, Aunt Bee mistakes Captain Charles Wolford (Will Geer, the grandfather on "The Waltons") for the steward and they warmly brush off the mistake. Aunt Bee befriends two other older ladies, Blanche Wilkins (Cecil Elliott) and Amelia Turner (Violet Carlson) eager to land a man. Aunt Bee advises Captain Wolford on proper care for his African violets and he soon begins favoring her company to the ship's operations. As the two begins spending more time together, he confides in her that he plans to retire at the end of the cruise. Aunt Bee returns home with a special announcement. (Part 1 of 2)