''How to Pick Up Girls!'' is a 1978 American

made-for-television A television film, alternatively known as a television movie, made-for-TV film/movie or TV film/movie, is a feature-length film that is produced and originally distributed by or to a television network, in contrast to theatrical films made for ...

comedy film A comedy film is a category of film which emphasizes humor. These films are designed to make the audience laugh through amusement. Films in this style traditionally have a happy ending ( black comedy being an exception). Comedy is one of the o ...

shot on location in

New York City New York, often called New York City or NYC, is the most populous city in the United States. With a 2020 population of 8,804,190 distributed over , New York City is also the most densely populated major city in the U ...

starring

Desi Arnaz Jr. Desiderio Alberto Arnaz IV (born January 19, 1953), known professionally as Desi Arnaz Jr., is an American actor and musician. He is the son of Lucille Ball and Desi Arnaz. Early life Arnaz was born on January 19, 1953, at Cedars-Sinai Medical ...

, Bess Armstrong and Fred McCarren. Based loosely on the 1968 best-selling book of the same title by author

Eric Weber Eric Weber (born 24 June 1963) is a Swiss populist publisher, journalist and far-right politician.ABC Network.

Plot

Donald Becker (McCarren) makes A move to Manhattan from Grand Island, Nebraska after an abrupt breakup of a three-year relationship. Robby Harrington, (Arnaz) Becker's childhood chum had been living in New York for years and invites Donald out for a change of pace, and secures him employment and to hone his photography skills with seasoned model photographer Chandler Corey (Richard Dawson). On Donald's arrival to the Big Apple his innocence is exploited as a man attempts to steal his luggage outside of the telephone booth. Co-Producer Alan King makes a cameo as a cabbie Manny Shiller and scares away the thief and bestows some much-needed knowledge to the guileless Becker. While taking a break from being in a relationship, Donald cannot help but notice the dozens of beautiful young women New York has to offer in the swinging seventies. But Becker's swing needs a big push to get off the ground, yet he finds friendship in the company of Sally Claybrook (Armstrong) who is currently in an off and on relationship (presently off) with married man Frank Cavanaugh (Rudolph Willrich). Upon arriving at Harrington's apartment, (413 E 68th street) Becker cannot get in and valiantly tries to gain entrance without a key or knowledge of new fellow tenants. Donald buzzes the residence of Cavanaugh/ Claybrook and serenades Sally with

On the Banks of the Wabash, Far Away "On the Banks of the Wabash, Far Away" was among the best-selling songs of the 19th century, earning over $100,000 from sheet-music revenues. Written and composed by American songwriter Paul Dresser, it was published by the Tin Pan Alley ...

and still fails. When Donald finally gets into the apartment he's surprised to the stunning glamour of Harrington's playmate and his

promiscuous Promiscuity is the practice of engaging in sexual activity frequently with different partners or being indiscriminate in the choice of sexual partners. The term can carry a moral judgment. A common example of behavior viewed as promiscuous by many ...

attitudes. Robby tries to update Donald's fashion and confidence to the New York lifestyle in a trendy fashion store where they meet Pam (Fobesy Russell) and Denise (Hollis Winick). Denise eventually ends up in bed with Pam and Harrington, and Becker sadly walks the streets wearing his new ensemble but quickly reconfirms that this is not who he really is, as he sees a mannequin in the window wearing the very same clothing articles. As Becker states in a bar with Claybrook "I look like a runner-up in a

John Travolta John Joseph Travolta (born February 18, 1954) is an American actor. He came to public attention during the 1970s, appearing on the television sitcom '' Welcome Back, Kotter'' (1975–1979) and starring in the box office successes ''Carrie'' (1 ...

look-a-like contest". The bar scene is a pivotal point in the film as Sally shares a recording of an on the spot interview with

Howard Cosell Howard is an English-language given name originating from Old French Huard (or Houard) from a Germanic source similar to Old High German ''*Hugihard'' "heart-brave", or ''*Hoh-ward'', literally "high defender; chief guardian". It is also probabl ...

, and inspires Donald by saying, "You know anybody will talk to you with a tape recorder in your hand, it makes you look like you know what you're actually doing." The Cosell interview is for Sally's thesis on pop art and its relationship to society. Donald meets Terry (Denise Flamino), a gorgeous young woman in the bar, grips the tape recorder and microphone and tries Claybrook's technique and gets her number. This bumps up Donald's confidence and he courageously goes to the source on what makes women tick, and the best way to approach them. Unfortunately this confidence ultimately blinds Becker as he swoons Cynthia Miller (

Deborah Raffin Deborah Iona Raffin (March 13, 1953 – November 21, 2012) was an American actress, model and audiobook publisher. Early life Raffin was born in Los Angeles, California, to actress Trudy Marshall and Phillip Jordan Raffin, a restaurateur and ...

), an alluring model and girlfriend of his employer (Chandler Cory) of four years. When Donald informs Robby of his dinner date, Harrington tells him, "That's terrific I'm very proud of you, you're making great progress, now break the date, is it worth your job?" Becker responds, "It's worth my life!" Donald calls from

Studio 54 Studio 54 is a Broadway theater and a former disco nightclub at 254 West 54th Street in the Midtown Manhattan neighborhood of New York City. Operated by the Roundabout Theatre Company, Studio 54 has 1,006 seats on two levels. The theater ...

, to tell Robby how well it's going, Harrington tries his best to stop Donald from going any further, but to no avail, the two hit the dance floor in a spectacular liveliness which really defines the New York Disco scene. Donald has the best night of his life, then has the worst day when Chandler humiliates Becker while firing him. Donald takes to the hubs to record audio for his book on how to pick up girls, even though both Sally and Robby discourage him from doing it. In the midst of Becker getting more material for his book he sees Claybrook infuriatingly leave the apartment exclaiming, "I'm a failure and a fraud" because the notes for her thesis are just culminating with no signs of fruition. Donald takes her apartment key from her secret spot (a humble loose bannister knob) and organizes the archives and bestows all the credit to Max, her dog who isn't the best watchdog. Sally invites Donald up to the roof for a surprise picnic, Donald having undeniable romantic feelings for Sally, and he believing they're mutual, he finally pushes to know what's the story between her and Cavanaugh. While finishing the typing of "The End" of his book, Sally hysterically knocks on the door with wine and flutes to celebrate the triumph of her thesis. The two end up spirited by the wine singing "On the Banks of the Wabash, Far Away", the very song which introduced the two. Donald makes a move on Claybrook, and the two become an item. With multiple

manuscript A manuscript (abbreviated MS for singular and MSS for plural) was, traditionally, any document written by hand – or, once practical typewriters became available, typewritten – as opposed to mechanically printed or reproduced ...

rejections and red wine to soften the fall, Claybrook cheers up Becker by scratching off Cavanaugh's name from the mail box. Donald receives a letter to meet with Dana Greenberg, editor (

Polly Bergen Polly Bergen (born Nellie Paulina Burgin; July 14, 1930 – September 20, 2014) was an American actress, singer, television host, writer and entrepreneur. She won an Emmy Award in 1958 for her performance as Helen Morgan in '' The Helen ...

) and throws oil on the fire by assuming Dana Greenberg is a man, believing only a man would be interested in his book. Ms. Greenberg hated the book and only sent the letter to personally insult and reject Donald. Sally cheers up Donald by singing "The Sons of

Nebraska Nebraska () is a state in the Midwestern region of the United States. It is bordered by South Dakota to the north; Iowa to the east and Missouri to the southeast, both across the Missouri River; Kansas to the south; Colorado to the so ...

" (an old collegiate football

fight song A fight song is a rousing short song associated with a sports team. The term is most common in the United States and Canada. In Australia, Mexico, and New Zealand these songs are called the team anthem, team song, or games song. First associated ...

), then introduces Donald to a printer by the name of Nathan Perlmutter (

Abe Vigoda Abraham Charles Vigoda (February 24, 1921 – January 26, 2016) was an American actor known for his portrayals of Salvatore Tessio in '' The Godfather'' (1972) and Phil Fish in both '' Barney Miller'' (1975–1977, 1982) and '' Fish'' (1977� ...

) who begins sentences with "Based on my experience" and instructs Becker on taking ads out in magazines to bring his book exposure, then getting the orders for the books first, then printing them. Perlmutter instructs the two not to go to the post office for a week. Yet every day the two meet at the post office only to witness lint in the box. On the day the rent is due on the p.o. box, Donald asks Sally if he could go alone. Donald receives a note to report to the postal carrier, and is reprimanded on having his mail pile up. As excited as Donald is to announce the news to Sally's door, that jubilation is halted as Frank Cavanaugh opens the door, making things difficult and complicated between the two as Donald cannot fully celebrate his success with Sally. Becker's star keeps climbing as press and beautiful women clamor for him, even the venomous Dana Greenberg sees Donald's book and stardom skyrocket, and decides to gain a reprieve with him. Soon enough Harrington and Becker's apartment become too crowded with overstock of his book, Donald seeks a more suitable abode to complement his successful jet-set lifestyle and his best friend Robby. With all of his success, he still sulks and wishes things with Claybrook worked out. While back at the old apartment Donald stands in the center of a maze of boxes packing his book in envelopes, Sally comes to tell him that she's leaving to

Chicago (''City in a Garden''); I Will , image_map = , map_caption = Interactive Map of Chicago , coordinates = , coordinates_footnotes = , subdivision_type = List of sovereign states, Count ...

for good with Frank Cavanaugh. She gets a cold and unfeeling "goodbye" from Donald and the two get into an argument that has Sally storming off, toppling the maze of boxes. Donald visits with Dana Greenberg to discuss the paperback right to his book, once again she insults his book while insisting he be a spokesman on "swinging singles" "the definitive expert on picking up girls". Donald insists his book is not silly and he couldn't be spokesman for anything, "I didn't write this book for swinging singles, they don't need one. I wrote this book about loneliness and how to find somebody". During the meeting Donald realizes that he's done being petty with the Cavanaugh/ Claybrook situation and wants to profess his undying love for Sally, by telling Greenberg, "You know I suddenly have a yen for frozen yogurt" (the celebratory meal Sally and Donald shared when their success came together). Donald races through security at the airport but it's too late, as he sees Claybrook's airplane pulling away from the terminal. Sad and dismayed Donald accepts the truth and heads back to his new apartment to find Sally and her luggage in the outside patio. The two innocently converse about things. Sally says, "A lot of the old stuff went away today." Donald asks, "For good?" Sally responds, "For very good."

Cast

as Robby Harrington * Bess Armstrong as Sally Claybrook * Fred McCarren as Donald Becker *

as Dana Greenberg *

Richard Dawson Richard Dawson (born Colin Lionel Emm; 20 November 1932 – 2 June 2012) was a British-born American actor, comedian, game-show host and panelist in the United States. Dawson was well known for playing Corporal Peter Newkirk in ''Hogan's Hero ...

as Chandler Corey *

Alan King Alan King (born Irwin Alan Kniberg; December 26, 1927 – May 9, 2004) was an American actor and comedian known for his biting wit and often angry humorous rants. King became well known as a Jewish comedian and satirist. He was also a serious a ...

as Manny Shiller *

as Nathan Perlmutter *

as Cynthia Miller * Rudolph Willrich as Frank Cavanaugh * Forbesy Russell as Pam * Hollis Winick as Denise * Sandahl Bergman as Blond jogger * Collette Blonigan as Suzie * Jon Bruno as Store Clerk *

International Chrysis International Chrysis (1951 – 26 March 1990) was an American transgender entertainerSenelick, Laurence (2000). ''The changing room: sex, drag and theatre.'' Routledge and protégé to Salvador Dalí.Staff report (June 26, 1994)THIS WEEK; Ident ...

as Donnie * Kevin Conroy as Bartender * McIntyre Dixon as Post Office Clerk * Denise Flamino as Terry *

Wendie Malick Wendie Malick (born December 13, 1950) is an American actress and former fashion model, known for her roles in various television comedies. She starred as Judith Tupper Stone in the HBO sitcom '' Dream On'', and as Nina Van Horn in the NBC sit ...

as Stephie * Troy Martin as Passenger * Shelley Wyant as Cloakroom Attendant

External links

* {{Mick Jackson 1978 television films 1978 films Films directed by Mick Jackson 1978 comedy films ABC network original films American comedy television films Films set in New York City Films shot in New York City 1970s American films