The Family Ties Vacation 4 Parter

[plmjw]

I am looking for a good copy of these episodes.

73-76. Family Ties Vacation (2 Hour TV Movie) (09/23/85)

The Keatons' holiday in England, where Alex begins a summer scholarship program at Oxford.

In a special four-part adventure, the Keaton family visits historic London, England for a vacation that is sure to be remembered.

The Keaton´s embark on a trip to London when Alex earns a study scholarship at prestigious Oxford University. Aboard their flight, Elyse befriends a fellow passenger who has possession of a microfilm hidden in a hair brush. Upon arrival, the passenger secretly slips the brush into the Keatons´ luggage.

Once Alex arrives at Oxford, he desperately seeks acceptance from his noble roommate, Lord William of Cureton, and his fellow students, who in turn make Alex the butt of various pranks. In the meantime, Mallory is charmed when William falls madly in love with her.

Unbeknownst to the Keaton´s, a couple of spies are tracking every move in an effort to retrieve the brush and the microfilm. After several bungled attempts, the spies vow that it´s time to get serious!

While the spies frantically search for the hair brush, the Keatons bicker over what sights to see in London, and Alex finds life at Oxford tougher than he´d ever imagined.

After quarrelling over their sightseeing itinerary, the Keatons split up and go their separate ways: Steven and Elyse explore museums and landmarks, while Mallory and Jennifer head for stores and restaurants.

Meanwhile, Alex, having taken enough abuse from his malicious peers, confronts them before a history class and sets them straight. William, admiring Alex´s stand, invites him to fill a vacancy on his canoeing team. Alex graciously accepts.

After Steven confides to Elyse his nagging suspicion that they´re being followed, they wise up to a stranger who is indeed trailing them. Identifying himself as a police inspector, he explains the situation involving them and the microfilm - the Keatons have become embroiled in international espionage.

When William invites the Keatons to his estate for a weekend visit, Steven and Elyse are surprised to find the inspector disguised as a servant. He assures them that he and his other disguised colleagues will protect them from danger. Unbeknownst to anyone, however, the spies are also disguised as servants!

During a weekend visit to the Cureton´s estate, William and Mallory share tranquil moments together while Steve and Elyse attempt to decipher the strange events surrounding them during their vacation.

Romance blossoms between William and Mallory once he reveals that he is falling in love with her. Meanwhile, Steve, Elyse, and the inspector realize that all of the strange occurrences involve a hair brush - the microfilm must be planted in one of their hair brushes! The spies are listening in on the conversation when Jennifer remembers that she placed an unfamiliar brush in Alex´s belongings.

Alex is about to enter the canoe race when he is forewarned of ensuing trouble, so he passes the brush on to William´s father. The spies enter the race in hot pursuit of Alex.

After the race, the spies confront Alex, who claims that he knows nothing. But when Mallory inadvertently blows his cover, the spies take Alex and Mallory hostage.<> While everyone frantically searches for Alex and Mallory, one of the spies inform the Keatons of Alex and Mallory´s abduction and possible whereabouts.

The spies escort Alex and Mallory to the House of Lords where they retrieve the brush from William´s father, the Earl of Cureton. Afterwards, the Keatons arrive with the police to find Alex, Mallory, and several others bound and gagged. Disguising themselves as judges, the spies seek refuge in a courtroom, but when Alex recognizes one of the spies a fight breaks out, allowing the head spy to escape.

Alex pursues the spy and finally reaches him. As they struggle, the brush breaks free and Alex is able to retrieve it. The police arrive and all is back to order.

Before returning home, Alex receives gifts and goodbyes from his Oxford peers, while Mallory receives roses and a profession of love from William.

I don't mind if it has commercials, but I need the entire show with none of the show missing. If anyone can help me maybe we can do a trade or I will pay for it. I have several other tv shows and almost all of the other episodes of Family Ties. Look forward to hearing from someone.

Paul

[hofverberg]

I have Family Ties Vacation on video, in PAL format. If you can play PAL, I'd be happy to make a copy for you.

[Brad Russ]

I never really cared for these four episodes. Without the audience, it just seemed kind of weird. But I guess it just comes down to personal preferances.