The Littlest Kidnapper (The Courtship of Eddie's Father)

Eddie is concerned for Mrs. Livingston, who he sees as being all alone in the world. Eddie first wants Tom to marry her, and when Tom explains to Eddie why he can't and won't marry her, Eddie then brings home five-year old Frank, his Japanese friend, to give to Mrs. Livingston to be her son. Frank seems quite happy with this new arrangement. Tom and Mrs. Livingston are obviously concerned as Frank must have a real family who are concerned of his whereabouts. Eddie explains that Frank doesn't have a mother and father, but that he has a mother and a father: they're separated. Since Frank can't tell Tom any more information about himself than that his name is Frank and that he's five-years old, and since the school is closed, Tom feels the only option is to call in the police to locate Frank's family. The police can't do anything until Frank's family calls and feel that the Corbett household a better environment to keep Frank than the police station.

Finally, Frank's parents, Duke and Kendis Komosori, locate Frank at the Corbetts. Although his ethnic background is Japanese, Duke is a totally westernized fourth generation American, while Kendis is traditionally Japanese, these differences which led to the break-up of their marriage. Although there are deep feelings still within the Komosori family, they will have to work hard if they want to reunite their family happily under one roof. The dysfunction between the Komosori's shows Eddie that Tom and Eddie and Mrs. Livingston all really have each other in a meaningful way despite Mrs. Livingston having a different last name.

Aired date: October 8, 1969 (S1.E4)

Appearances

• Miyoshi Umeki as Mrs. Livingston
• Pat Morita as Duke Komosori
• Miko Mayama as Kendis Komosori
• Mitchell Sakamoto as Frank Komosori