The Second Hundred Years (TV series)
| The Second Hundred Years | |
|---|---|
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| Genre | Sitcom |
| Created by | Roswell Rogers Ed Simmons |
| Written by | Stan Cutler Peggy Chantler Dick Robert Lees Ed Simmons Gene Thompson Skip Webster |
| Directed by |
John Erman Paul Junger Witt Richard Kinon |
| Starring |
Monte Markham Arthur O'Connell Frank Maxwell |
| Theme music composer | George Duning |
| Composer(s) | George Duning Van Alexander |
| Country of origin | USA |
| Original language(s) | English |
| No. of seasons | 1 |
| No. of episodes | 26 |
| Production | |
| Executive producer(s) | Harry Ackerman |
| Producer(s) | Richard M. Bluel Bob Claver |
| Running time | 30 mins. |
| Production company(s) | Screen Gems |
| Distributor | Sony Pictures Television |
| Release | |
| Original network | ABC |
| Original release | September 6, 1967 – March 28, 1968 |
The Second Hundred Years is an American sitcom starring Monte Markham which aired on the ABC television network for one season from September 6, 1967 to March 28, 1968 (repeats were shown through September 1968).
The Second Hundred Years was what was called a "high-concept" show—one which was based on circumstances which were extremely unlikely to occur in real life. The concept here was that one Lucius "Luke" Carpenter had left for Alaska in 1900 as part of a gold rush, but soon after his arrival was buried in a glacial avalanche. His burial was evidently so complete and so rapid that he survived in a state of suspended animation for 67 years. He was then thawed out and soon brought to the home of his now-elderly son, Edwin (portrayed by Arthur O'Connell), a land developer in Woodland Oaks, California. In the pilot episode, a heavily-bandaged Luke awakens in Edwin's house and thinks Edwin is a gold robber. After removing his bandages, a bearded Luke dons his prospector's outfit and grabs his rifle in attempt to find the sheriff to report the robber, but accidentally turns on a TV, which is playing a western. Luke comments "There's a midget in a box challenging me to a duel" and attacks the TV set. Outdoors, Luke, thinking he is in Fairbanks, Alaska, is confused and scared by automobiles, as well as people's strange fashions. Accidentally pointing a rifle at a woman gets the attention of the police, who return him to Edwin. Starting to grasp what has happened, Luke decides to assimilate to 1967 California by shaving off his beard and wearing more modern clothes, which makes him look very much like his grandson Ken. After some confusion, Luke decides it is best not to burden his family and strikes out on his own by taking a train to San Francisco, but is stopped by Edwin, who convinces his father to live with him and they will take a flight to San Francisco in order to help show that Luke has been given a unique gift, a chance to see the fruits of his generation's sacrifices through the advances of the latter 20th Century. The Army officer who oversaw Luke's unfreezing holds Luke, Edwin and Ken to a state secrecy act, as the Army does not wish for this to be public until the medical corps can fully comprehend why Luke survived. When told the order came from the top, Luke responds "if President McKinley says so it is good enough for me!"
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