Hank (TV series)
Encyclopedia
Hank is a 1965
American situation comedy
which is perhaps most notable for being an early example of a program with a true series finale
, in which the underlying premise
of the series reaches a natural conclusion with its final episode.
s. In both the unaired pilot and first episode, Hank Dearborn (Dick Kallman
) is explained to be a teenager left to raise his young sister, Tina (Katie Sweet
), after their parents die in a car crash. Seeing that the best route to this is higher education
, Hank attempts to illegally audit classes at the fictional Western State University, while at the same time taking a variety of odd jobs, the main one of which was to run his own lunch truck, to financially support what remains of his family. Much of the humor of the show derives from the fact that accomplishing these twin goals requires him to engage in identity theft
. Much of the drama arises from his fear of his sister being forced into foster care
.
His life is further complicated by the fact that he is dating Doris Royal (Linda Foster}, the daughter of the university's registrar
, Dr. Lewis Royal (Howard St. John
), who is on the lookout for unregistered students like Hank. Typical episodes show Hank narrowly avoiding detection as an impersonator
. In the final episode, his true identity is compromised. However, because of his excellent performance on a recent exam, the university rewards him with a full academic scholarship
and formal admittance to the university.
The series ends with his sister remarking, "There goes my brother – the registered student."
1965 in television
The year 1965 in television involved some significant events.Below is a list of television-related events in 1965.For the American TV schedule, see: 1965-66 American network television schedule.-Events:...
American situation comedy
Situation comedy
A situation comedy, often shortened to sitcom, is a genre of comedy that features characters sharing the same common environment, such as a home or workplace, accompanied with jokes as part of the dialogue...
which is perhaps most notable for being an early example of a program with a true series finale
Series finale
A series finale refers to the last installment of a series with a narrative presented through mediums such as television, film and literature. In many Commonwealth countries, the term final episode is commonly used in regards to a television series...
, in which the underlying premise
Premise
Premise can refer to:* Premise, a claim that is a reason for, or an objection against, some other claim as part of an argument...
of the series reaches a natural conclusion with its final episode.
Synopsis
The show revolves around a pair of orphanOrphan
An orphan is a child permanently bereaved of or abandoned by his or her parents. In common usage, only a child who has lost both parents is called an orphan...
s. In both the unaired pilot and first episode, Hank Dearborn (Dick Kallman
Dick Kallman
Dick Kallman was an American actor.Kallman was born July 7, 1933 in the Brooklyn borough of New York City. He starred in the title role of the 1965–1966 prime time television sitcom Hank on NBC, and later moved on to stage work with touring companies...
) is explained to be a teenager left to raise his young sister, Tina (Katie Sweet
Katie Sweet
Katie Sweet is an American actress from Covington, Kentucky. She was born February 8, 1956 as Katherine Marie Sweet. Katie started acting when she was barely three years old. She was discovered on late night LA TV when host Tom Duggan called her up from the audience to chat. A talent producer who...
), after their parents die in a car crash. Seeing that the best route to this is higher education
Higher education
Higher, post-secondary, tertiary, or third level education refers to the stage of learning that occurs at universities, academies, colleges, seminaries, and institutes of technology...
, Hank attempts to illegally audit classes at the fictional Western State University, while at the same time taking a variety of odd jobs, the main one of which was to run his own lunch truck, to financially support what remains of his family. Much of the humor of the show derives from the fact that accomplishing these twin goals requires him to engage in identity theft
Identity theft
Identity theft is a form of stealing another person's identity in which someone pretends to be someone else by assuming that person's identity, typically in order to access resources or obtain credit and other benefits in that person's name...
. Much of the drama arises from his fear of his sister being forced into foster care
Foster care
Foster care is the term used for a system in which a minor who has been made a ward is placed in the private home of a state certified caregiver referred to as a "foster parent"....
.
His life is further complicated by the fact that he is dating Doris Royal (Linda Foster}, the daughter of the university's registrar
Registrar (academic)
In education outside the United Kingdom, a registrar or registrary is an official in an academic institution who handles student records. Typically, a registrar processes registration requests, schedules classes and maintains class lists, enforces the rules for entering or leaving classes, and...
, Dr. Lewis Royal (Howard St. John
Howard St. John
Howard St. John was a Chicago-born character actor who specialized in unsympathetic roles. His work spanned Broadway, film and television...
), who is on the lookout for unregistered students like Hank. Typical episodes show Hank narrowly avoiding detection as an impersonator
Impersonator
An impersonator is someone who imitates or copies the behavior or actions of another. There are many reasons for someone to be an impersonator, some common ones being as follows:...
. In the final episode, his true identity is compromised. However, because of his excellent performance on a recent exam, the university rewards him with a full academic scholarship
Scholarship
A scholarship is an award of financial aid for a student to further education. Scholarships are awarded on various criteria usually reflecting the values and purposes of the donor or founder of the award.-Types:...
and formal admittance to the university.
The series ends with his sister remarking, "There goes my brother – the registered student."
Cast
- Dick KallmanDick KallmanDick Kallman was an American actor.Kallman was born July 7, 1933 in the Brooklyn borough of New York City. He starred in the title role of the 1965–1966 prime time television sitcom Hank on NBC, and later moved on to stage work with touring companies...
as Hank Dearborn - Linda Foster as Doris Royal
- Howard St. JohnHoward St. JohnHoward St. John was a Chicago-born character actor who specialized in unsympathetic roles. His work spanned Broadway, film and television...
as Dr. Lewis Royal - Dabbs GreerDabbs GreerRobert William "Dabbs" Greer was an American actor who performed many diverse supporting roles in film and television for some fifty years. His distinctive, southern-accented voice fitted well in shows featuring rustic characters, such as westerns...
as Coach Ossie Weiss - Lloyd CorriganLloyd CorriganLloyd Corrigan was an American film actor, producer, screenwriter and director who began working in films in the 1920s...
as Professor McKillup - Katie SweetKatie SweetKatie Sweet is an American actress from Covington, Kentucky. She was born February 8, 1956 as Katherine Marie Sweet. Katie started acting when she was barely three years old. She was discovered on late night LA TV when host Tom Duggan called her up from the audience to chat. A talent producer who...
as Tina Dearborn
Episode list
| Episode # | Episode title | Original airdate |
|---|---|---|
| 1-1 | "Who's Waldo Smith?" (pilot) | September 17, 1965 |
| 1-2 | "Will the Real Harvey Wheatley Please Stand Up?" | September 24, 1965 |
| 1-3 | "Dunsetter For President" | October 1, 1965 |
| 1-4 | "Cherokee Hank" | October 8, 1965 |
| 1-5 | "Candidate" | October 15, 1965 |
| 1-6 | "Catering Competition" | October 22, 1965 |
| 1-7 | "Farewell, Coach Weiss" | October 29, 1965 |
| 1-8 | "My Boyfriend, the Doctor" | November 5, 1965 |
| 1-9 | "Somebody Loves This Albatross" | November 12, 1965 |
| 1-10 | "The Campus Caper" | November 19, 1965 |
| 1-11 | "Dean Royal, Matchmaker" | November 26, 1965 |
| 1-12 | "They're Playing Our Song" | December 3, 1965 |
| 1-13 | "My Fair Co-Ed" | December 10, 1965 |
| 1-14 | "Four's A Crowd" | December 24, 1965 |
| 1-15 | "Operation: Crackdown" | December 31, 1965 |
| 1-16 | "The Millionth Dollar Baby" | January 7, 1966 |
| 1-17 | "Money, Money, Who's Got the Money?" | January 14, 1966 |
| 1-18 | "The Trouble With Tina" | January 28, 1966 |
| 1-19 | "His Highness, Count Gazzari" | February 4, 1966 |
| 1-20 | "The Ten Lettermen" | February 11, 1966 |
| 1-21 | "Rah, Rah, Commissar" | February 25, 1966 |
| 1-22 | "Maury Wills to the Rescue" | March 4, 1966 |
| 1-23 | "Wedding, Anyone?" | March 18, 1966 |
| 1-24 | "Ethel Weiss, Won't You Please Come Home?" | March 25, 1966 |
| 1-25 | "McKillup's Best Seller" | April 8, 1966 |
| 1-26 | "Operation: Matriculation" | April 15, 1966 |