"Camp Runamuck" follows the antics of the boys summer camp, Camp Runamuck, and its neighboring girls camp, Camp Divine, across the lake. Running Runamuck is Commander Wivenhoe (Arch Johnson) and Senior Counselor Spiffy (Dave Ketchum, "Get Smart"). Assisting the zany camp is Counselor Pruett (Dave Madden), Doc Joslyn (Leonard Stone), and Camp Cook Malden (Mike Wagner). Overseeing Camp Divine is Chief Counselor Mahala May Gruenecker (Alice Nunn) and attractive counselor Caprice Yeudleman (Nina Wayne). Competition between the rival camp adults and summer camp incidents/mishaps are the driving force behind the sitcom. When things get out of hand, the sheriff (George Dunn) steps in to try and keep the peace. The series ran for 26 episodes across one season (1965-66) with poor reviews and ratings leading to its cancellation.
The series opens upon Camp Runamuck's ad hoc start of the day. While Senior Counselor Spiffy tries to keep order, there seems little difference in the actions of the boys and men. As the camp leaders struggle to eat the cook's food they ponder bringing in a woman's touch. The thought is interrupted when a young girl (Maureen McCormick) wanders in looking for the girls' camp- Camp Divine. Soon, Camp Divine's leaders come in their Jeep for her and introduce themselves, as the men learn of the newly-opened camp across the lake. The women are ecstatic to see Commander Wivenhoe's bathtub, located on an outdoor, elevated platform. They later conspire to flatter the men with a bounty of food and fraternization in hopes of getting the bathtub. The men are especially taken with the lovely Caprice, leading to a number of comical pratfalls. Doc Joslyn and Counselor Pruett can't control their feelings and heist the commander's bathtub for them. In search of his bathtub, the women and girls at Camp Divine scramble to comically hide and disguise the tub while chasing the men off. The men regroup to plot a covert attack plan where more calamity ensues. Both camps may be in hot water when General Fletcher (character actor C. Lindsay Workman), the National Commissioner of Camps, comes from Washington on an inspection.
The series is geared for younger audiences with some zany sound effects and far-fetched plot points. However, if you don't expect much and take it as it comes, its a fun, madcap show. The concept of the summer camp antics and mischievousness carried out by the adults is a nice switch that creates some truly funny moments.
The series opens upon Camp Runamuck's ad hoc start of the day. While Senior Counselor Spiffy tries to keep order, there seems little difference in the actions of the boys and men. As the camp leaders struggle to eat the cook's food they ponder bringing in a woman's touch. The thought is interrupted when a young girl (Maureen McCormick) wanders in looking for the girls' camp- Camp Divine. Soon, Camp Divine's leaders come in their Jeep for her and introduce themselves, as the men learn of the newly-opened camp across the lake. The women are ecstatic to see Commander Wivenhoe's bathtub, located on an outdoor, elevated platform. They later conspire to flatter the men with a bounty of food and fraternization in hopes of getting the bathtub. The men are especially taken with the lovely Caprice, leading to a number of comical pratfalls. Doc Joslyn and Counselor Pruett can't control their feelings and heist the commander's bathtub for them. In search of his bathtub, the women and girls at Camp Divine scramble to comically hide and disguise the tub while chasing the men off. The men regroup to plot a covert attack plan where more calamity ensues. Both camps may be in hot water when General Fletcher (character actor C. Lindsay Workman), the National Commissioner of Camps, comes from Washington on an inspection.
The series is geared for younger audiences with some zany sound effects and far-fetched plot points. However, if you don't expect much and take it as it comes, its a fun, madcap show. The concept of the summer camp antics and mischievousness carried out by the adults is a nice switch that creates some truly funny moments.
