511 "A Tale of Two Sweeties"

Leap Date:

February 25, 1958

Episode Adopted by: Eleiece <aka> Sherdran
Additional info provided by: Brian Greene

Synopsis:

Sam finds himself in the life of a bigamist married to two women and two sets of kids that are both starved for his attention! Al tells Sam that Ziggy predicts he must choose one family or the other while making sure that they never find out about each other. At the same time, he must settle up with a couple of gamblers who want their money.

Audio from this episode

TV Guide Synopsis
Place
Leap Date
Name of the Person Leaped Into
Broadcast Date
Sam Trivia
Al Trivia
Al's Women
Al's Outfits Worn in the Episode
Miscellaneous Trivia
Guest Stars
Guest Cast Notes
Guests who appeared in other Quantum Leap episodes
Say What?
Quotable Quotes
Best Scene
Synopsis & Review
Production Credits

Production # : 68118

TV Guide Synopsis:
Sam's a bigamist with only even odds that he'll make the right choice between his two wives and families, whose futures are riding on it. Ellen: Mary Lou Childs. Rachel: Jill Tracy. Jessica: Ashley Peldon. Sam: Scott Bakula. Al: Dean Stockwell.

Place:
Pompano Beach, Florida

Leap Date:
February 25, 1958

Name of the Person Leaped Into:
Martin Joseph "Marty" Ellroy, Sr.

Broadcast Date:
January 5, 1993 - Tuesday

Commercial:

Sam Trivia:
In this episode Sam uses the quote, "Hell hath no fury like a woman scorned," for which most people give credit to The Immortal Bard a/k/a William Shakespeare. Actually, "Hell hath..." is only part of a quote, and Shakespeare didn't write it, in fact he couldn't have written it since he died in 1616. The correct (full) quote is: "Heaven has no rage like love to hatred turned, Nor hell a fury like a woman scorned," is from "The Mourning Bride"
penned in 1697 by English poet and playwright, William Congreve.

Sam's Outfits Worn in the Episode:
(1) Light-blue seersucker summer suit; white shirt; diagonally-striped
tie in shades of blue, black and gray; black & white (maybe brown
& white) wing-tip shoes and a tan (or a straw) fedora.

(2) Light blue-gray jacket, a tropical shirt in shades of blue, gray
and green; dark-gray trousers, and the same wing-tip shoes.

Al Trivia:
Al carried a cigar throughout most of this episode.

He used the multi-colored 'Gummy Bear' handlink in this episode.

Al's Women:
Al was impressed with Marty's marital set-up to the point that he told Sam, "I think I found a new idol. Just think, if I'd done it like Marty, I could've gone
through ten wives instead of five!"

He recalls a trip to Cleveland with Ruthie. They used a massage bed for nine hours straight!

Al likes Ellen better than Rachel, which is very surprising to Sam.

Al thinks this is his kind of leap!

Al's Outfits Worn in the Episode:
(1) Red jacket; a red, black & white patterned shirt; white trousers;
white shoes; lapel pin; red fedora with a black band, and a
black-banded watch with a round face.

(2) Pinkish-rose satin jacket with what looks like leather panels
(dyed the same color) on the sleeves; dark-pink shirt, black
pants and belt; a dark-rose string tie and black shoes.

(3) White suit, a patterned shirt in dark shades of olive, brown
and orange; a square pin at the throat, and white socks and shoes.

Miscellaneous Trivia:
The title of this episode refers to the book, "A Tale of Two Cities."

Woody Woodpecker was created in 1941 by Walter Lantz, one of the early pioneers of animation. Mel Blanc (best known as the voice of Bugs Bunny) did the voice of Woody in the early years, but in the 1950s, Gracie Lantz (Walter's wife) secretly auditioned for and got the nod to take over doing Woody's voice. Production of new Woody cartoons ceased in 1975.

Scott Bakula and Ashley Peldon (who plays Elroys's daughter Jessica) worked together again when voicing Danny and Darla Dimple in 1997 animated film "Cats Don't Dance".

---

This episode began filming on Tuesday November 17th . The first day saw the completion of scenes in the movie theatre, on location in downtown LA. The following day, the crew moved to the Ambassador Hotel (where Miss Deep South had been filmed) to record scenes in the beauty parlour and lobby. On Thursday, the hotel then doubled for the airport terminal (interior and exterior) and on Friday the hotel lobby again, for the final confrontation between Sam and Marty’s wives. Recording recommenced on Monday 23rd at the hotel where scenes in the corridors were filmed. On Tuesday, the cast and crew came home to Stage 5 to shoot the Pompano Palace Hotel scenes, remaining on Wednesday to film Ellen’s dining rooms and finally special effects shots of Dean Stockwell in front of a blue screen, for his appearance in the lobby.

The mirror Marty is uncredited. The only other times in the series the leapee is uncredited, except where the mirror shot is performed as a cameo by a regular production team member, are in A Hunting We Will Go, Liberation and Memphis Melody. And, technically, The Wrong Stuff. Source

---

Trivia about Marty Elroy:

1. Had 3 wives: Ellen, Rachel and Gina (wife #3 who shows
up just before Sam leaps out);

2. Had 3 homes in 3 different states (all 3 of which support
horse racing and/or dog racing): Florida, New York, and
(this is a guess based on Gina's accent) Kentucky;

3. Married into 3 different faiths: Catholic (Ellen - married
by Father Robert Murphy), Jewish (Rachel -married by Rabbi
Barry Goldstein), and, mostly likely, Baptist (Gina - married
by Reverend 'whoever'); and last, but by no means least,

4. 2 children with each wife: Marty, Jr. and Mary with Ellen;
Josh and Jessica with Rachel, and a boy and girl with Gina.

Bloopers:

Regular Cast:
Scott Bakula as Sam Beckett
Dean Stockwell as Al Calavicci

Guest Stars:

Mary Lou Childs as Ellen Louise Ellroy
Jill Tracy as Rachel Thelma Ellroy
Ashley Peldon as Jessica Ellroy
J.D. Daniels as Josh Ellroy
Shay Astar as Mary Ellroy
Michael Bellisario as Martin Ellroy, Jr.
Larry Manetti as Vic
J.C. Wendel as Receptionist
Jack Yates as Gus
Kristie Transeau as Gina (Wife #3)
David Bellisario as Commentator
Uncredited as Martin Joseph "Marty" Ellroy, Sr.

Guest Cast Notes:

Mary Lou Childs as Ellen Louise Ellroy: Mary Lou Childs is known for Quantum Leap (1989), Head of the Class (1986) and Babes (1990).

Jill Tracy as Rachel Thelma Ellroy: Jill Tracy is known for Scrubs (2001), Gilmore Girls (2000) and Quantum Leap (1989).

Ashley Peldon as Jessica Ellroy: Ashley Peldon was born on April 2, 1984 in New York City, New York, USA. She is an actress, known for Drop Dead Fred (1991), Ghost World (2001) and Child of Rage (1992). She has been married to Steve Hurdle since May 2010. They have one child. At the age of six, she became the youngest person ever to be nominated for a Daytime Emmy award. In 1988, she joined the cast of Guiding Light (1952) and audiences responded to her so well that she became the youngest performer to be put under contract in daytime television. She was four years old.Graduated with a bachelor's degree in Child Psychology and Film from Skidmore College in 2007.

J.D. Daniels as Josh Ellroy: As a child, J.D. lived on Long Island New York before moving to Greenwich Village. At an early age his acting, singing and dancing talents surfaced and was quickly recognized by talent and casting agents. He was cast in his first role at age 7. Besides his film and television credits, JD appeared on Broadway as Gavroche in Les Miserables and won the LA Drama Crtic's Circle award for his role as Young Charley in Conversations With My Father. He attends Columbia University where he is majoring in film studies. In addition to his acting career, he aspires to be behind the camera, writing and directing. He was awarded the 1993 Los Angeles Drama Critics Circle Award for Featured Actor in a Play for "Conversations with My Father" in presented by the Center Theatre Group/Ahmanson at the James A. Doolittle (University of California) Theatre in Los Angeles, California.

Shay Astar as Mary Ellroy: Shay Astar was born on September 29, 1981. She is an actress and writer, known for Ernest Scared Stupid (1991), 3rd Rock from the Sun (1996) and La La Land (2012). Her name, Shay, means "present" or "gift" in Hebrew. She guest starred in two unrelated television series featuring a regular character named Sam Beckett: China Beach (1988) and Quantum Leap (1989).

Michael Bellisario as Martin Ellroy, Jr.: Michael Bellisario was born on April 7, 1980 in Los Angeles County, California, USA. He is an actor, known for Grandma's Boy (2006), NCIS (2003) and JAG (1995).

Larry Manetti as Vic: Larry Manetti was born on July 23, 1947 in Chicago, Illinois, USA. He is an actor and producer, known for Magnum, P.I. (1980), Black Sheep Squadron (1976) and Battlestar Galactica (1978). He has been married to Nancy DeCarl since February 19, 1980. They have one child. Is the author of the book, Aloha Magnum, chronicling the behind the scenes action on set at Magnum, P.I. (1980). He was not cast as Lt. Robert Boyle in the pilot episode of Black Sheep Squadron (1976), but rather, he was cast as Boyle in the series from the second episode through the end of the series's run in 1978. His acting mentor was Robert Conrad. Best known by the public as Rick Wright on Magnum, P.I. (1980). Had guest-starred on one of the last episodes of Emergency! (1972), with friends Julie London, Randolph Mantooth and Kevin Tighe.Father, with Nancy DeCarl, of son, Lorenzo Manetti, born on November 29, 1980.

J.C. Wendel as Receptionist: J.C. Wendel was born on April 3, 1964 in New York, New York, USA. She is an actress, known for Day Shift (2022), The X-Files (1993) and Dave's World (1993).

Jack Yates as Gus: Jack Yates is known for The Rock (1996), My Man Adam (1985) and Knots Landing (1979).

Kristie Transeau as Gina: Kristie Transeau is known for Paulie (1998), Quantum Leap (1989) and Unsolved Mysteries (1987).

David Bellisario as Commentator: David Bellisario was born on July 18, 1957 in Mojave, California, USA. He was a producer, known for Quantum Leap (1989), JAG (1995) and NCIS (2003). He died on July 24, 2020 in Northridge, Los Angeles, California, USA. Older half-brother of Michael Bellisario, Troian Bellisario; Nicholas Bellisario, and his step-brothers are Sean Murray and Chad W. Murray.
Son of Donald P. Bellisario and Margaret Schaffran. Brother of Julie B. Watson. Stepson of Vivienne Bellisario. Ex-stepson of Lynn Halpern and Deborah Pratt.

Guests who appeared in other Quantum Leap episodes:
J. D. Daniels also appeared in "Mirror Image" as one of the 2 boys working on their bikes outside of Al's Place.

Michael Bellisario made three other appearances in Quantum Leap: "Camakazi Kid", "Play Ball", and "Mirror Image".

David Bellisario (Race Commentator) was a producer in every season of Quantum Leap.

Say What?

Sam drops his handkerchief slower than Marty does in a mirror shot.

February 25th in reality is a Tuesday, but Ellen says it's Friday night.

When Vic says it's a coincidence about Marty owing him $2,000, it is in reference to a cut line from the script about Vic becoming an oboe player.

Sam reflects Scott Bakula in a glass door when he talks to Martin, Jr.

Quotable Quotes:

Whoever said 'Hell hath no fury like a woman scorned', never scorned two women.
-- Sam

Al, I'm a bigamist!
-- Sam

Have fun with Ellen, but don't be late for Rachel.  This is my kind of leap!
-- Al

This is my kind of leap.
-- Al

I was talking to the guy in the waiting room, I think I found a new idol.
-- Al

Sam: "I decided honesty was the best policy."
Al: "For Boy Scouts, not for bigamists!"

Rachel: "I know another way to make the bed shake."

Al: "A Massage-O-Matic! I remember one time Ruthie and I were in Cleveland and we had one of those things running for nine hours straight. There was nothing else to do."

Al: "Well, I was talking to the real Marty. I think I've found a new idol."

Sam: "Whoever said 'Hell hath no fury like a woman scorned', never scorned two women."

Al: "I think I better go get Ziggy to see if she can tilt these odds."


Al: "Ohhh....they're bonding! That's bad! Sam, the train
is going in the wrong direction!"

Best scenes:

First 'best' scene:

[Rachel's just fallen for Sam's 'note' lure to get her out
of the beauty shop. Al pops in beside Sam.]
Al: "Sam, that note idea is brilliant. I'm impressed."
Sam: "Thanks."
Al: "Thanks? So?"
Sam: "So?"
Al: "So what'd the note say?"
Sam: "All the right things."
Al: "Like?"
Sam: "Believe me, she'll love the note."
Al: "Ah, okay."
Sam: "Al, I figured it out. I know why I'm here. I know what Marty doesn't know."
Al: "Oh. Well, tell me, tell me, tell me!"
Sam: "No."
Al: "No?"
Sam: "No."
Al: "No?!"
Sam: "I can't."
Al: "Why not?"
Sam: "You're biased."
Al: "No, I'm not!"
Sam: "I know who you're rooting for."
Al: "No, you don't!"
Sam: "Yes, I do. And I don't want to argue about it."
Al: "Sam! Tell me... who gets him?"
Sam: "You'll find out tonight at six."


And, the second 'best' scene is:

[Ellen's just invited Rachel to the house for coffee,
Al's chuckling and Sam's very quietly exulting.]
Sam (under his breath): "Yes! Yes!"
Al: "Great."
[He sees Sam's victory reaction.]
Al: "You know something."
[He crosses to Sam]
Al: "You know something."
Sam (wearing a sort of smug little smile): "Um, hmm. What?"
Al: "I don't believe this! You figured out that you leapt in to blow Marty's scam, andyou didn't tell me!"
[He gets in Sam's face.]
Al: "You knew! You knew, Sam! You knew, and you didn't tell me!"
Sam: "Would you have listened to me?"

Synopsis & Review:

Sam finds himself in the life of a Martin "Marty" Elroy, a bigamist married to two women and two sets of kids that are both starved for his attention! Al tells Sam that Ziggy predicts he must choose one family or the other, while making sure that they never find out about each other.

Things get really thick for Marty when the two Mrs. McElroys, first Rachel (Jill Tracy), then Ellen (Mary Lou Childs) appear at the airport to pick him up, as, at first, they fight for his affections, then begin "comparing notes" on how both they and their children are always struggling financially, and always worrying about if they will have enough cash to pay the rent each month!

What seems to be disastrous for ol' Marty, at least, according to Al's observance, really turns out to be a godsend for all, as both wives, in comparing notes with each other about Marty, decide to leave him, as Ellen says she was "going home to change the locks!"

Even that's not the end of the story, as still another woman claiming to be Mrs. Elroy, Mary (Shay Astar) arrives on the scene with their three kids, which muddles the situation even further!

All still ends well, though, according to Ziggy, as Marty cleans up his act, possibly, or not, with his third wife, as Ziggy reports, just befors Sam's leap, that Marty goes on to write a book about his dubious exploits as a bigamist. And as for his wives Rachel and Ellen, they and their children turn out fine without him, as, at least, Rachel's kids graduate from college. There's no word on how Mary and her kids turn out, though; it's possible to presume that they turned out OK, too! Source

Personal Review by Eleiece <aka> Sherdran:

I loved the way that Donald Bellisario took not one but two serious subjects, bigamy and gambling, and still managed to make a funny and entertaining episode around them. He didn't shove morality or personal opinions about either subject down our throats. Yet with just the right amount of both comedy and honesty, "A Tale Of Two Sweeties" still got across some of the all too real ramifications common to each, such as the effect it has on a marriage, finances, and even more how it can affect the children of such marriages. Marty's marriages to Ellen and Rachel ended, but at least this time they and their kids all apparently came out with a better future. 

But you know, I wonder... did Gina get wise to Marty and change the locks on her door, too?

Production Credits:

Theme by: Mike Post
Musical Score By: Velton Ray Bunch
Co-Executive Producer: Deborah Pratt
Co-Executive Producer: Chas. Floyd Johnson
Supervising Producers: Richard C. Okie, Harker Wade
Supervising Producer: Tommy Thompson
Producer: Robin Jill Bernheim
Created by: Donald P. Bellisario
Written by: Robin Jill Bernheim
Directed by: Christopher Hibler

Executive Producer: Donald P. Bellisario
Associate Producers: Julie Bellisario, Scott Ejercito
Coordinating Producer: David Bellisario
Director of Photography: Robert Primes, A.S.C.
Production Designer: Cameron Birnie
Edited by: Michael S. Stern
Unit Production Manager: Ron Grow
First Assistant Director: Ryan Gordon
Second Assistant Director: Brian Faul
Casting by: Ellen Lubin Sanitsky, C.S.A.
Set Director: Robert L. Zilliox
Costume Designer: Jacqueline Saint Anne
Costume Supervisors: Jill Sheridan, Alice Daniels
Art Director: Ellen Dambros-Williams
Sound Mixer: Barry D. Thomas
Stunt Coordinator: Diamond Farnsworth
Make-up: Jeremy Swan
Hairstylist: Andrea Mizushima
Sound Editor: Greg Schorer
Music Editor: Bruce Frazier
Special Visual Effects: Roger Dorney, Denny Kelly

Panaflex ®  Camera and Lenses by: Panavision ®

This motion picture is protected under laws of the United States and other countries. Unauthorized duplication, distribution or exhibition may result in civil liability and criminal prosecution.

Copyright © 1992 by Universal City Studios Inc. All Rights Reserved.

Some of the characters portrayed in this motion picture are based upon actual persons. Although some of those events have been fictionalized for dramatic purposes, otherwise the characters and events depicted in this photoplay are fictitious. Any similarity to actual persons living or dead is purely coincidental.

Bellisarius Productions and Universal Television, an MCA Company

Quantum Leap Podcast: A Tale Of Two Sweeties