User Reviews

This 4th season episode of LOVE AMERICAN STYLE has the unique distinction of featuring two generations of three acting families, headed by John Carradine and son Keith, Rosemary DeCamp and daughter Valerie, plus Milton Frome and son Michael. "Love and the Anniversary" opens in the honeymoon suite of a big city hotel, the year 1932, newly elected President Franklin Roosevelt predicting prosperity ahead for the weary Depression population, Keith Carradine as George Pomerantz eager to enjoy the nuptials with bride Martha (Valerie DeCamp), understandably nervous as the evening progresses. George has decidedly big dreams of traveling and writing his long planned novel, having settled on working in her father's drug store until they can save up enough money to move out of her parents' home and into their own place. Martha wonders how George feels about having children: "not right away, I want us to have a few years to ourselves." Decades pass and George (John Carradine) returns to the same suite with Martha (Rosemary DeCamp) for their 40th anniversary, but instead of champagne they share prune juice and warm milk. George's bad back prevents him from carrying her across the threshold, and much of their conversation reveals how little of his grandiose plans came to fruition. At no time have they enjoyed their privacy, since as soon as they got their own place her mother was quick to move in, and travel also didn't amount to much: "furthest we ever went was the hospital for your deliveries!" George continues to work in the same drug store and never got around to writing that novel, five 'wonderful' children arriving in rapid succession: "four girls who burned their bras and left their husbands and a 39 year old hippie who makes candles!" Into the fray comes the same bellhop (Milton Frome), who now owns the hotel, and still remembers the cheapskate who gave him the same quarter tip 40 years ago: "ever hear of the cost of living index?" "you ever hear about poverty?" "no, but I'm learning!" Martha sums up their marriage with the same toast that her husband used on their honeymoon: "to us, to a wonderful life filled with happiness, riches and love." Although they share no scenes together, it's still a novelty to see both John and Keith Carradine cast as the same character, and especially heartwarming to see the elder Carradine enjoying a rare moment of marital harmony as a hard working, average Joe.