The Strange Monster of Strawberry Cove

The Wonderful World of Disney
"The Strange Monster of Strawberry Cove"

Season 18

Number 4-5

Episode information

Written by

Herman Groves (teleplay)
Bertrand R. Brinley (story)

Directed by

Jack Shea

Original airdate

October 31, 1971 (part 1)
November 7, 1971 (part 2)

*The Wonderful World of Disney* Episodes
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"The Strange Monster of Strawberry Cove" is a 1971 telefilm produced by Walt Disney Productions originally broadcast on NBC as a two-part episode on The Wonderful World of Disney on October 31, and November 7, 1971. The telefilm was directed by Jack Shea.

Synopsis[]

During a class overnight camping trip. beloved school teacher Henry Meade mistakes an odd shape on the lake for a sea monster, unintentionally frightening some of the children, and rousing the concern of town busybody Mrs. Pringle. Gossip of Meade "seeing things" quickly spreads across town, and Pringle rallies a committee demanding Meade retract his sea monster story, or else be deemed unfit to continue at the school. Wishing to defend their teacher, the trio of Tippy, Scott, and Catfish determine they can help by creating a sea monster of their own, planning a homespun construction, and an eventual trip along the lake. The trio of kids inadvertently encounter smugglers hiding their loot in an old shack near the cove, and after a close encounter, soon involve the police. The trio stage a misty morning voyage of their pedal-powered sea monster and Meade excitedly takes several photographs. Before he can have the film developed, Meade is knocked unconscious and robbed of his camera.

While Meade's camera is found, the film had been stolen, renewing the mystery of his outlandish story. Pringle believes Meade falsified the robbery in order to win sympathy for himself, and she renews her petition for the teacher's resignation. Despite repeated admonitions from the local police, the trio of kids grow increasingly bold with regard to the actual mystery of the smuggling operation along the cove. Eventually two smugglers commandeer the sea monster, inadvertently sink the contraption, and promptly find themselves under arrest. The trio of kids provide additional clues to unmask the smuggling mastermind, with Meade offering heroic support, ultimately restoring his honorable reputation.