Review Film: Henry's Farewell

 Henry's Farewell is the sixth episode of the fourth season, and the 67th overall episode of All in the Family. The Season 4 episode first aired on CBS-TV on October 20, 1973. The story, whose teleplay which was original written by Johnny Speight, who wrote it as an episode for the AITF British TV series counterpart (which he created) Till Death Do Us Part, was developed for AITF by series creator and co-producer Norman Lear and re-scripted by Don Nicholl. The episode was co-directed by John Rich and Bob LaHendro.

Synopsis

Edith plans a farewell reception for Henry Jefferson, who is moving away to start his own dry-cleaning business in Dutchess County, New York. Archie tries to be nice and bury the hatchet with his adversary, but is his usual self! But, just when Archie think's he's finally getting rid of a black man who is just as strong-headed about disparaging the other's race as he is, in walks George Jefferson,  (at the emphatic prodding of long-suffering Louise, who had to drag him over to the Bunker home; she also didn't want a no-show by him to offend Edith and the Stivics!) the man who had long refused to set foot in Archie's house ... and hates whites even more.

Summary

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Archie is delighted to learn that one of his black neighbors, Henry Jefferson, is planning to move. During a farewell party at the Bunker household, Archie finds himself deep in conversation with Henry's contentious brother George Jefferson (Sherman Hemsley). Amazingly, the two men find they have a lot in common -- especially their mutual disdain for those outside their respective races. This episode came about due to Mel Stewart's departure from AITF to star in another CBS sitcom, Roll Out; it as well as the availablity of Broadway stage actor Sherman Hemsley, fresh off of the completion of the long run of the Tony Award winning play Purlie!, as George Jefferson (series creator Norman Lear had pegged him for the role in 1971, when AITF began, but he was contractually committed to his role in the play), who would likewise eventually headline a sitcom of his own (bet you can't guess the title...).

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