Martha Smith Fills her sweet tooth
Title: Martha Smith Fills her Sweet Tooth
Source: CBS Press Release
Author: CBS
Date: August 14, 1984
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Martha Smith still wouldn’t believe it even after she got the official word. As a regular cast member of the television adventure series “Scarecrow and Mrs. King,” she would be joining stars Kate Jackson and Bruce Boxleitner on location in Munich, West Germany.
The series, which starts its second season in the fall, for broadcast Mondays (8:00-9:00 PS,PT) on the CBS Television Network, filmed five episodes in various European cities this summer, including Tegernsee, West Germany; Saltzburg, Austria; and London.
“I didn’t want to get my hopes up,” said Miss Smith. “I love Europe so much, and I really wanted to go. But, once I boarded the plane, I knew it was true.”
Part of Miss Smith’s excitement came from the fact that she would be returning to a country she had grown very fond of.
“I had visited Germany at least a half a dozen times before,” she recalled. “I used to accompany my husband. He had a collection of antique watches, and we would travel to auctions throughout Switzerland and Germany looking for additions. I would translate for him when he wanted to purchase antique pieces.”
The actress, who is fluent in Italian and French, continued. “I can’t say I speak German fluently, but I can translate information — and tell you all about your watch in German!”
On her first night in Munich, Miss Smith, who portrays Francine Desmond. the assistant to department head Billy Melrose (played by Mel Stewart), in an intelligence organization, teamed up with her on screen boss for a real-life adventure.
“Mel and I were experiencing jet lag, and had a hard time relaxing,” she reminisced. “At about 3:00 AM, we went to a local club but discovered we were the only ones there.”
Still wide awake, and in good spirits, Miss Smith then expressed a desire to reacquaint herself with the historic city. Stewart, who is a very good sport, agreed to accompany her.
“We found a taxi,” she continued. “The driver spoke no English, but gave us a wonderful tour of the city. Then it happened. I got this wild craving for chocolate. And Germany has some of the best in all of Europe.”
Chocolate must be a universal word, she noted, because the driver seemed to understand her need. Not knowing where they were heading, Miss Smith and Stewart eventually found themselves at a remote all-night gas station.
“I was in a state of disbelief,” she said. “They had all this delicious chocolate for sale.”
The taxi driver, feeling every bit the hero, smiled broadly as Miss Smith bought bars of chocolate. And just in time for breakfast, too.