Apple's Way

Apple's Way is a television drama which aired on CBS from 1974-1975. It was created by Earl Hamner, Jr.

Premise

The Apples, a family from Los Angeles, seek refuge from the hectic pace of city living and relocate to the father's hometown of Appleton, Iowa, which was founded by the father's ancestors. The Apples included George, an architect who relocated from Los Angeles, his wife, Barbara; their children, Paul, Cathy, Steven and Patricia; and their grandfather Aldon. There they had to adjust to new culture, the climate, and the pace of life. The family lived in a working grist mill, which served as a backdrop for the situations played out on screen. While meaning well, George would often increase his family's tensions by getting involved with various causes.

The series did not gain the ratings CBS had hoped for, partly because it had to compete with NBC's Top 20 hit The Wonderful World of Disney. The concept was "re-booted" in the second season to focus on plots that dealt more with general social issues (such as freedom of speech, drug use, terminal illness, gun control) as opposed to the more rural-specific plots of the first season. The second season was produced by successful veteran producer-writer John Furia, Jr. Furia hired Worley Thorne as story editor. The series was canceled during its second season.

Episode list

Season 1: 1974

• "The Tree" / 1974-02-10
• "The Musician" / 1974-02-17
• "The Zoo" / 1974-02-24
• "The Teacher" / 1974-03-03
• "The Miller" / 1974-03-10
• "The Coach" / 1974-03-24
• "The Witness" / 1974-03-31
• "The Temptation" / 1974-04-07
• "The Applicant" / 1974-04-21
• "The Pen Pal" / 1974-04-28
• "The Accident" / 1974-05-05
• "The Fair" / 1974-05-12
• "The Lamb" / 1974-05-19

Season 2: 1974–75

• "The Tornado" / 1974-09-15
• "The Circus" / 1974-09-22
• "The Friend" / 1974-09-29
• "The Returning" / 1974-10-06
• "The First Love" / 1974-10-13
• "The Engagement" / 1974-10-20
• "The Candy Drive" / 1974-10-27
• "The Winning Season" / 1974-11-10
• "The Flag" / 1974-11-17
• "The Real Thanksgiving" / 1974-11-24
• "The Apprentice" / 1974-12-01
• "The Outsider" / 1974-12-15
• "The Christmas Party" / 1974-12-22
• "The Outing" / 1975-01-05
• "The Price" / 1975-01-12

Reruns

Both TV Land and AmericanLife TV have aired the series in reruns in the late 1990s and early 2000.

Two decades after this series left the air, actors Ronny Cox and Frances Lee McCain were reunited in the short lived 1993-1994 television prime time soap Second Chances.

Cast

• Ronny Cox as George Apple
• Frances Lee McCain as Barbara Apple
• Vince Van Patten as Paul Apple (1974–1975)
• Malcolm Atterbury as Grandfather Aldon
• Kristy McNichol as Patricia Apple (1974–1975)
• Eric Olson as Steven Apple
• Patti Cohoon as Cathy Apple
• Frannie Michel as Patricia Apple (1974)

External links

• Apple's Way at TV.com
• Apple's Way at the Internet Movie Database