Larry Rhine Movies

The disappearance of several items from the Bunker household coincides with a rash of petty thefts from the school attended by Stephanie. Though Archie and Edith are reluctant to believe it, the evidence is irrefutable: Stephanie has been stealing. The question is how best to punish the girl, who, after all, is not really the Bunkers' daughter. Davis Roberts appears as school principal Mr. Ruskin. Written by Larry Rhine and Mel Tolkin, "Stephanie and the Crime Wave" was originally telecast on January 28, 1979. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide

Just when Archie has accustomed himself to the presence of foster daughter Stephanie, along comes Stephanie's no-good father (and Edith's cousin), Floyd Mills. Aware of the Bunkers' fondness for Stephanie, Floyd cagily offers to let the girl stay with them -- provided they pay him a thousand dollars. Ben Slack takes over from Marty Brill as the unsavory Mr. Mills. Also in the cast are veteran actors Victor Kilian and Charles Wagenheim, who, in a grim coincidence were murdered by the same assailant a few weeks before this episode aired on March 25, 1979. "The Return of Stephanie's Father" was written by Mel Tolkin and Larry Rhine. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide

Hoping to buy Archie a TV for their 30th wedding anniversary, Edith is upset to learn that the bank won't okay her loan without her husband's signature. She is even more upset when Archie agrees with the bank's assertion that Edith is "unemployed." In her own dumb-like-a-fox fashion, Edith finds a way to get even with both the bank and Archie. Written by Mel Tolkin and Larry Rhine, "Edith Versus the Bank" originally aired on November 19, 1978. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide

Mike and Gloria are convinced that the spark has gone out of their marriage. To rekindle that spark, the Stivics spend a weekend in the Pocono Mountains. Unfortunately, the time alone only further convinces Mike and Gloria that something is seriously wrong with their relationship. Also appearing are Judy Kahan as Lorraine and Terry Kiser as Bob. Written by Larry Rhine and Mel Tolkin, "Stale Mates" first aired on February 19, 1978. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide

Archie and Edith have spent several weeks waiting for Edith's no-good cousin Floyd to pick up his daughter, Stephanie. It is now obvious, however, that Floyd isn't coming back. Should the Bunkers keep Stephanie as an unofficially adopted daughter, or should they turn her over to the authorities? Edith chooses the former option, but Archie prefers the latter -- or at least he thinks he does. Written by Larry Rhine and Mel Tolkin, "What'll We Do With Stephanie?" originally aired on October 15, 1978. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide

Mike is offered a lucrative teaching job in Santa Barbara, CA. Excitedly, the Stivics prepare for their big move to the West Coast. But this sudden uprooting has an unexpected effect on Mike and Gloria's relationship with Archie and Edith. Sherman Hemsley makes a "crossover" appearance as George Jefferson. Like many another eighth-season All in the Family episode, this one was written by Mel Tolkin and Larry Rhine. "Mike's New Job" made its first network appearance on March 5, 1978. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide

Arriving home early from a weekend trip, Archie and Edith find their tenant Teresa Betancourt and her boyfriend, Brian (Patrick J. Cronin), enjoying an intimate -- and underdressed -- moment in Teresa's room. An outraged Archie is all for throwing Teresa out, bag and baggage. Though Edith is equally shocked by Teresa's libertine behavior, her attitude is mitigated by unanticipated plot developments. Written by Mel Tolkin and Larry Rhine, "The Boarder Patrol" first aired on January 8, 1977. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide

While playing a word game, Gloria is frustrated at Mike's intellectual capacity. Lashing out at her husband, she attributes her limited range of knowledge to the fact that she handled the domestic duties while Mike enjoyed the benefits of a college education. Ultimately, Mike is kicked out of his house, forcing him to spend the night with a none-too-agreeable Archie. Written by Mel Tolkin, Larry Rhine, Mort Lachman, and Milt Josefsberg, "Mike and Gloria Split" first aired on February 26, 1977. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide

In the conclusion of a two-part story, Archie's dependency upon "pep pills" -- brought about by the pressures of owning a bar -- has gotten completely out of hand. Fortunately, he is able to make a complete withdrawl from amphetatimes; unfortunately, this "cold turkey" approach has left him utterly depressed and defeated. Saving the day is Archie's down-to-earth bartender, Harry. Written by Mel Tolkin and Larry Rhine in collaboration with medical consultant William C. Rader, M.D., part two of "Archie's Bitter Pill" first aired on November 13, 1977. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide

Preparing the grand opening of "Archie Bunker's Place," Archie discovers that being an employer can be just as vexing as working for wages. As one argument segues into another, Archie's entire staff walks out on him. There is nothing else for Archie to do but press Edith, Mike, and Gloria into service as temporary help -- and one can well imagine Mike's efficiency as a convivial bartender. Originally telecast on October 30, 1977, "Archie's Grand Opening" was written by Larry Rhine and Mel Tolkin. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide

Jack Gilford delivers a poignant performance as Bernard Bernstein, an elderly Jewish watchmaker who has spent a lifetime vainly chasing rainbows. Archie befriends Bernstein in hopes of making vast quantities of money from the little watchmaker's latest "sure-fire" invention. It isn't until Archie has sunk 1,000 dollars of Edith's savings in the project that he realizes what the pathetic Mr. Bernstein has known all along -- there is no such thing as a sure thing. Written by Mel Tolkin and Larry Rhine, "Archie Finds a Friend" first aired on January 26, 1976. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide

Season seven of All in the Family opened with an hour-long episode -- the first of a two-part story arc -- which put the relationship between Archie and Edith Bunker to its severest test. With Edith busy at the Sunshine Nursing Home, a lonely Archie gravitates to an attractive middle-aged waitress named Denise (Janis Paige). He carries the relationship one step further, when, wearing his "good shirt from Disney World," he pays a nocturnal visit to Denise's apartment. And then, Edith finds out. Written by Larry Rhine and Mel Tolkin, part one of "Archie's Brief Encounter" first aired on September 22, 1976; since that time, the 60-minute episode has been re-edited into two 30-minute installments for syndication purposes. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide

When Archie and Edith's furnace breaks down, they temporarily move in with Gloria and Mike. An already tense situation is made even more so thanks to a power blackout which rapidly spreads throughout the neighborhood. Series stalwarts Larry Rhine, Mel Tolkin, and Milt Josefsberg were responsible for the script. Alternately known as "Mike and Gloria's House Guests," this episode originally aired on March 1, 1976. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide