Don't Drink the Water

Richard Libertini,Estelle Parsons,Jackie Gleason,Michael Constantine

With their young adult daughter Susan Hollander in tow, outspoken Newark caterer Walter Hollander is convinced, reluctantly, by his wife Marion Hollander, on advice by her brother, to take a pan-European vacation instead what would have been Walter's usual preference of Miami Beach as a vacation spot. It's a bad time regardless as Walter believes his business partner Sam will louse up their important catering jobs while he's away, and the vacation will delay Susan's marriage to Donald, a man who Walter approves of as suitable son-in-law material. Their vacation hits a snag en route to Athens when their plane is forced to land behind the Iron Curtain in Vulgaria. In what all concerned hoped would be the short stay at the airport in Vulgaria, the Hollanders, in being typical tourists, are mistaken for spies by the Vulgarian authorities, Inspector Krojack who is leading the charge to apprehend them. With the Vulgarian military after them, the Hollanders are able to make their way to the US Embassy, where they take refuge. In the temporary absence of US Ambassador Magee, the case to get them out of Vulgaria without incident is led by the ambassador's inept son, Axel Magee. The difficulty in getting out of Vulgaria is demonstrated by the other inhabitant at the embassy, Father Drobney, who has taken refuge in the embassy thus far six years. Axel's job is made even more difficult in Walter unwittingly doing one thing after another to inflame the situation. Walter's resolve for them to get out is strengthened when he learns that Axel and Susan have fallen in love with each other, Axel, unlike Donald, unsuitable son-in-law material. The situation is made all the more complex by the eventual return of Ambassador Magee who has his own agenda.—Huggo