The Maltese Chotchke (4 Nov. 1985)

Emma's birthday present from her dad throws the whole house into chaos when art buyers, smugglers and cops come out of the woodwork trying to get it off her.

Director:

Bill Persky

Writers:

Sherry Coben (creator), Anne Flett-Giordano,

Stars:

Susan Saint James, Jane Curtin, Ari Meyers

Cast

Episode credited cast:
Susan Saint James	...	Katherine 'Kate' McArdle
Jane Curtin	...	Allison 'Allie' Lowell
Ari Meyers	...	Emma McArdle
Fred Koehler	...	Charles 'Chip' Lowell (as Frederick Koehler)
Allison Smith	...	Jennie Lowell
Rest of cast listed alphabetically:
Larry Atlas	...	Detective Johnson
Donna Mitchell	...	Samantha
Geoff Pierson	...	Chandler

Storyline

It's Emma's birthday and her father is stuck down in Mexico doing a movie. In his late-night phone call to her, he says that he has sent a special gift to her. Allie plans a "birthday fiesta" when the package arrives and the family speculates that it could be some hand-tooled leather or even "an ancient Aztec treasure." As Emma opens the package and pulls out a rather ...interesting statue, Allie opines, "...Or an ancient Aztec Cabbage Patch Doll." Encouragingly, Kate says, "I'll bet it's one-of-a-kind," as Allie counters with "There couldn't be two of them!" A knock on the door reveals Samantha Ashley, an art gallery owner who claims that Emma's statue was miss-sent and the "small clay figure of a child" actually belongs to her [Samantha]. Emma insists she wants to clear it up with her dad before exchanging the statues. Samantha Ashley leaves with, "Or... you hear from my lawyer." Kate: Where does she get those claws done? Allie: There's probably a little beauty parlor next to the ...

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Genres:

Comedy

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Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

4 November 1985 (USA)

Company Credits

Technical Specs

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.33 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

The title is based on the classic detective mystery The Maltese Falcon starring Humphrey Bogart.

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Quotes

Katherine 'Kate' McArdle: Let me tell you something about your father Emma, he may not always be there like other fathers, but when he is, it's parades and fireworks. Cherish every moment, he's like nobody else and he loves you so much.

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Connections

References The Maltese Falcon (1941)

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