September 21, 1983 (1983-09-21) – May 5, 1988 (1988-05-05)
Hotel is an American primetimesoap opera series that aired on ABC from September 21, 1983, to May 5, 1988, in the timeslot following Dynasty.
Based on Arthur Hailey's 1965 novel of the same name (which had also inspired a 1967 feature film), the series was produced by Aaron Spelling and set in the elegant and fictitious St. Gregory Hotel in San Francisco (changed from the New Orleans setting of the novel and film). Establishing shots of the hotel were filmed in front of the Fairmont San Francisco atop the Nob Hill neighborhood. Episodes followed the activities of passing guests, as well as the personal and professional lives of the hotel staff.
Rich aristocrat Victoria Cabot (Anne Baxter) runs the St. Gregory Hotel, assisted by general manager Peter McDermott (James Brolin) and his staff. McDermott and assistant general manager Christine Francis (Connie Sellecca) became romantically involved. Halfway through the series Cabot died, leaving McDermott her share of the St. Gregory Hotel. When McDermott inherited half of the St. Gregory, he ran the hotel and promoted Francis to general manager.
Other staff members included: the guest relations director Mark Danning (Shea Farrell); ex-conman now head of hotel security, Billy Griffin (Nathan Cook); reception manager Julie Gillette (Shari Belafonte); young couple Dave and Megan Kendall (real life spouses Michael Spound and Heidi Bohay), a bellhop and a desk clerk, respectively; and Harry the bartender (Harry George Phillips). Characters Eric Lloyd (Ty Miller); Cheryl Dolan (Valerie Landsburg) and Ryan Thomas (Susan Walters) were added to the cast during its final season.
Cast members Brolin, Sellecca, Belafonte and Cook appeared in every episode of the series. In later years, Efrem Zimbalist Jr., made numerous guest appearances as an opponent of Victoria Cabot and Peter McDermott who plants his daughter, played by Michelle Phillips, in the hotel staff as the concierge.
Bette Davis appeared in the pilot episode as hotel owner Laura Trent, and publicity for the series indicated that Davis was to be a regular on the program. However, the onset of ill health forced Davis to withdraw from the series and Anne Baxter, who had played her nemesis in the 1950 film All About Eve, was brought in as Victoria Cabot, Mrs. Trent's sister-in-law. When Davis' health improved it was intended to bring her back; however, with Baxter on board fulfilling the series matriarchal role it was decided to make Davis' character an offscreen character, who though mentioned, was never seen. Ironically, Davis would outlive Baxter by four years and the series itself by over a year.[1]
Similar to Spelling's other ABC show, The Love Boat, episodes of Hotel relied heavily on the appearance of recognizable guest stars. However, unlike The Love Boat's comedic story lines, Hotel generally broached more serious and controversial subject matter, such as abortion, infidelity, rape, suicide, AIDS, homophobia, spousal abuse and child molestation.
A hooker (Morgan Fairchild) is beaten and raped by four rich kids, of which the ringleader's father (Lloyd Bochner) is a rich and imperious man. A young singer (Erin Moran) is given her big chance by Mel Tormé. A suffering, sensitive divorcee (Pernell Roberts) helps a woman (Shirley Jones) give her philandering husband a taste of his own medicine. The King of Portugal (Alejandro Rey) checks into the hotel for a rest and leaves with a former hash-slinger (Stephanie Faracy). A man (Jack Gilford) dies of a heart attack during an affair. An overbearing couple (Bill Macy and Lainie Kazan) also checks in.
Guest stars: Lloyd Bochner as Bradford Sievers, Morgan Fairchild as Carol, Stephanie Faracy as Judy Gillette, Jack Gilford as Max, Shirley Jones as Claire Langley, Lainie Kazan as Fay Wells, Bill Macy as Herman Wells, Erin Moran as Karen Donnelly, Alejandro Rey as King Fernando, Pernell Roberts as Charles Stanton, and Mel Tormé as himself.
Season 1 (1983–84)
No. overall
No. in season
Title
Directed by
Written by
Original release date
Prod. code
1
1
"Blackout"
Robert Scheerer
Bill & Jo LaMond
September 28, 1983 (1983-09-28)
001
Laura Trent's sister-in-law, the hotel administrator, is visited by an old flame, Christine receives threatening letters from a would-be suitor, and a pregnant woman runs out on her fiance.
Guest stars: Stewart Granger as Tony Fielding, Richard Hatch as Don Walden, and Tracy Nelson as Isabel Darby.
2
2
"Choices"
Richard Kinon
Andrew Laskos
October 5, 1983 (1983-10-05)
004
A beauty contestant (Heather Locklear) decides if she should compromise her morals in an effort to influence a contest judge, and Billy is reunited with a professional thief who has designs on both Julie and the hotel vault.
Guest stars: Robert Hooks as Frank 'Squire' Vance, Heather Locklear as Miranda Hardwick, Peter Marshall as Garrett Rhodes, and Connie Stevens as Barbara Hardwick.
The staff is on pins and needles when a visiting politician is marked for assassination, and a troubled woman wanders the halls trying to pick up tricks as a prostitute.
Guest stars: Peggy Cass as Sheila, Ron Ely as Evan Paige, Nanette Fabray as Harriet Gold, Hermione Gingold as Felicity, Christopher Norris as Patricia St. Claire, Dick Van Patten as Herbert Pitts, and Robert Vaughn as an assassin.
A college student (Leigh McCloskey) hired as a babysitter is accused of molesting his charge, but the victim (Carrie Wells) points the finger of guilt at an unlikely party. A buddy of Peter (Dack Rambo), a priest on sabbatical, is introduced to the joys of the flesh and must make up his mind about his vocation.
Guest stars: Leigh McCloskey as Hank Miller, Michelle Phillips as Gerry Howland, Dack Rambo as Chad Lawrence, Robert Reed as Phil Jamison, Leigh Taylor-Young as Carole Jamison, and Carrie Wells as Amy Jamison.
5
5
"Relative Loss"
Richard Kinon
E. Jack Kaplan
November 2, 1983 (1983-11-02)
006
An affair with a young newswoman could destroy a candidate's (Paul Burke) presidential ambitions. Meanwhile, Mrs. Cabot's niece plots to get Christine fired so she can assume that post with the hotel.
Guest stars: Paul Burke as Senator Tom Andrews, Hope Lange as Gwen Andrews, Donna Pescow as Gloria Beck, Lynn Redgrave as Carly Knight, Vic Tayback as Wallace Egan, and Charlene Tilton as Holly Lane.
6
6
"Flashback"
Bruce Bilson
Geoffrey Fischer & John Furia, Jr. & Barry Oringer
November 9, 1983 (1983-11-09)
005
Peter's ex-wife (Cathy Lee Crosby) makes an unexpected appearance, and Christine and Mark arrange for a romance for a depressed guest (Diana Canova).
Guest stars: Diana Canova as Nancy Domenico, Cathy Lee Crosby as Janet Weaver McDermott, Ken Kercheval as Leo Cooney, John McIntire as Donald Blackwell, and Jeanette Nolan as Edith Krause.
7
7
"Confrontations"
Harry Harris
James Fritzhand
November 16, 1983 (1983-11-16)
008
A convention of racial supremacists, who try to practice their policy at the St. Gregory, communicating with a street mime proves helpful for a mute young woman (Dawn Jeffory).
Guest stars: Scatman Crothers as Garland Fisk, Abby Dalton as Helen Scofield, Dawn Jeffory as Andrea Scofield, Martin Landau as Russell Slocum, Maidie Norman as Carrie Garland, and Parker Stevenson as Michael.
8
8
"Faith, Hope & Charity"
Alf Kjellin
Thom Thomas
November 23, 1983 (1983-11-23)
007
A visiting family is embarrassed when one member (Scott Baio) faces charges of shoplifting, and an unexpected twist mars the long-awaited reunion of two college friends (Carol Lynley and Barbara Parkins).
Guest stars: Scott Baio as Nick Tomasino, Michael Constantine as Mr. Tomasino, Elaine Joyce as Ms. Gleason, Carol Lynley as Zane Elliott, Barbara Parkins as Eileen Weston, Don Porter as Jonathan Corry, and DeAnna Robbins as Donna Corry.
9
9
"Deceptions"
Curtis Harrington
John Furia, Jr. & Barry Oringer
November 30, 1983 (1983-11-30)
010
Hillary (Pat Klous) is shattered when a vacation romance at Puerto Vallarta turns into sexual blackmail, Mrs. Cabot meddles in the life of a lonely widower, and Billy discovers a street urchin living off the fruits of the St. Gregory.
Guest stars: John Davidson as Michael Robson, Elinor Donahue as Louise, James Houghton as Rob, Pat Klous (credited as Patricia Klous) as Hillary Lindamont, Jeremy Licht as Cat Locatelli, and Jean Simmons as Milly Toland.
10
10
"The Offer"
Don Chaffey
Ross Teel & Geoffrey Fischer
December 7, 1983 (1983-12-07)
009
Peter is courted by Mrs. Cabot's rival who threatens to take him from the hotel; an ambitious journalist goes after a rock singer; a couple (Margaret O'Brien and Donald O'Connor) returns to relive their wedding day at the St. Gregory with entertainer Liberace.
Guest stars: Albert Hague as Dr. Kazmir, Arte Johnson as Eddie, Dianne Kay as Jennifer Jane Powell, Lorenzo Lamas as Diz Wilder, Liberace as himself, Margaret O'Brien as Martha Connelly, Donald O'Connor as David Connelly, Eleanor Parker as Leslie DeVere, and Craig Stevens as Craig Chase.
11
11
"Christmas"
Philip Leacock
Maryanne Kasica & Michael Scheff
December 21, 1983 (1983-12-21)
012
A bus-boy forced into setting up a robbery masterminded by his brother, learns of an impending promotion and fears going through with the heist; Lisa (Tori Spelling), wishing for a baby brother, is fascinated by a robot on display at the hotel, and discovers that his "master" is divorced, as is her mother, and she schemes to unite them, and a $10 bill bearing a telephone number, which Peter needs in order to reach his special friend, returns to him after passing through numerous hands in the hotel.
Guest stars: Karen Grassle as Susan Walker, Martin Hewitt as Ray Follard, Robert Pine as Paul Manning, Tori Spelling as Lisa Walker, Iggie Wolfington as Nicholas Edmund, and Jane Wyatt as Agnes Simpson.
12
12
"Designs"
Don Chaffey
James Fritzhand
December 28, 1983 (1983-12-28)
013
Peter falls victim to Cupid's arrow at a charity luncheon where he meets a wealthy socialite with a secret; Megan starts knitting booties, and Christine is drafted as a model in a fashion show.
Guest stars: Gary Collins as Cody Blake, Monte Markham as Daniel Brunell, Constance McCashin as Allison Brunell, and Cristina Raines as Diana Aikin.
The daughter (Danielle Brisebois) of divorced parents (John McCook and Joanna Pettet) attempts to reconcile them, a financially troubled man (McLean Stevenson) tries to swindle the hotel, and two women compete for the attention of one man.
Guest stars: Danielle Brisebois as Darcy Chapman, Kay Lenz as Mary Morowsky, John McCook as Dr. Frank Chapman, Joanna Pettet as Lauren Chapman, McLean Stevenson as Harry Gilford, and Karen Woncemore as Monique Bennett.
14
14
"Tomorrows"
Philip Leacock
Story by : David P. Harmon & Geoffrey Fischer Teleplay by : Geoffrey Fischer
January 11, 1984 (1984-01-11)
014
Mrs. Cabot unites a prince (Jon-Erik Hexum) with a maid (Emma Samms), a law student (Timothy Patrick Murphy) discovers his mother (Adrienne Barbeau) has become dependent upon drugs.
Guest stars: Adrienne Barbeau as Barbara Harrington, Phil Coccioletti (credited as Philip Coccioletti) as Frank Rowland, Jon-Erik Hexum as Prince Erik, Anne Jeffreys as Mrs. Jenks, Timothy Patrick Murphy as Andy, Emma Samms as Kathleen Shaye, and Robert Sterling as Mr. Jenks.
15
15
"Passages"
Jerome Courtland
Story by : Bill & Jo LaMond and Mann Rubin Teleplay by : Bill & Jo LaMond
January 18, 1984 (1984-01-18)
015
A bar mitzvah celebration at the hotel nearly turns to tragedy when the father of the boy spies a concentration camp survivor who was responsible for the death of thousands of Jews and wants to take vngeance into his own hands. A wealthy industrialist sends his trusted aide to retrieve his willful daughter at tie St. Gregory, but surprisingly the encounter turns romantic.
Guest stars: José Ferrer as Alex Huff, Pamela Hensley as Brooke Whitfield, Ken Howard as Bill Tillery, and Barnard Hughes as Joe Freilich.
16
16
"Mistaken Identities"
Philip Leacock
Story by : Mann Rubin & James Fritzhand Teleplay by : James Fritzhand
February 1, 1984 (1984-02-01)
018
A teenager faces a test of manhood that unexpectedly backfires; two bickering hotel employees discover they are secret pen pals.
Guest stars: Phyllis Davis as Claire Thompson, Steve Kanaly as Ed Kerwin, Lance Kerwin as Ron Kerwin, Tom Smothers as Sam, and Carlene Watkins as Karen Halveston.
17
17
"The Wedding"
Vincent McEveety
Andrew Laskos
February 22, 1984 (1984-02-22)
019
The families of a couple (Mary Crosby and Boyd Gaines) about to be wed could be destroyed by a woman's (Patty McCormack) dark secret; the bride's parents (Dina Merrill and Robert Stack) face an emotional trial; financial ruin threatens the father of the groom (Steve Forrest).
Guest stars: Mary Crosby as Maggie Blackwood, Steve Forrest as Gil Strider, Boyd Gaines as Jeff Strider, Patty McCormack (credited as Patricia McCormack) as Paula, Dina Merrill as Eleanor Blackwood, Vera Miles as Teresa Clayborne, and Robert Stack as Lewis Blackwood.
18
18
"Memories"
Kim Friedman
Bill & Jo LaMond
February 29, 1984 (1984-02-29)
017
Christine falls in love with an amnesiac (Roy Thinnes) involved in murder and robbery; two couples (Katherine Cannon and Rod McCary, Larry Wilcox and Cassie Yates) try to conceive a baby for the childless pair.
Guest stars: Katherine Cannon as Dana Peterson, Rod McCary as Skip Peterson, Roy Thinnes as John White, Larry Wilcox as Brad Koburg, and Cassie Yates as Jennifer Koburg.
19
19
"Encores"
Curtis Harrington
Thom Thomas
March 7, 1984 (1984-03-07)
016
Peter learns he is the father of a 4-year-old child; a former singer (Engelbert Humperdinck) with a drug dependency makes a comeback at the St. Gregory; Julie discovers she has a secret admirer.
Guest stars: Marilyn Hassett as Joanne Maxwell, Bo Hopkins as Walt Solanski, Engelbert Humperdinck as Danny Maxwell, Steven Keats as Bix Coleman, and Jan Smithers as Lacey Grant.
20
20
"Prisms"
Corey Bechman
Story by : Robert E. Swanson & David P. Harmon Teleplay by : Robert E. Swanson
March 14, 1984 (1984-03-14)
020
The daughter (Morgan Brittany) of a jewel thief (Louis Jourdan) embroils Peter in a robbery scheme; a man (Don Galloway) and wife (Markie Post) reunite after his mental breakdown; an actress (Eva Gabor) stages a comeback after 20 years.
Guest stars: Morgan Brittany as Marila Collins, Bradford Dillman as Paul Stanton, Eva Gabor as Anna Bronti, Don Galloway as Ron Bowman, Louis Jourdan as Adam Vidocq, and Markie Post as Jill Stanton.
21
21
"Trials"
Bruce Bilson
Geoffrey Fischer
May 2, 1984 (1984-05-02)
021
Mrs. Cabot and Peter are held at gunpoint in the penthouse; Mark agrees to help a flashdancer-interior designer (Lydia Cornell) with an elaborate ruse to impress her minister-father (Lew Ayres).
Guest stars: Lew Ayers as Nelson O'Neil, Lonny Chapman as Edgar Ellsworth, Lydia Cornell as Doris O'Neil, Gary Frank as Luther, and Shelley Winters as Adele Ellsworth.
22
22
"Lifelines"
Joseph B. Wallenstein
Story by : Gerald K. Siegel Teleplay by : James Fritzhand
May 9, 1984 (1984-05-09)
022
A former Queen of racy films (Sally Kellerman) who is now a successful business executive is threatened with extortion by a man from her past (Mitchell Ryan); a young unwed mother (Melissa Sue Anderson) struggles to give her child up for adoption.
Guest stars: Denise Alexander as Gail McLain, Melissa Sue Anderson as Cassie Ray, Howard Duff as Byron Comstock, Sally Kellerman as Lauren Webb, Mitchell Ryan as Steve Cutler, and Ted Shackelford as Tom Webb.
On July 21, 2009, Paramount Home Entertainment and CBS DVD released Season 1 of Arthur Hailey's Hotel on DVD in Region 1.[12] The episodes are uncut, with most of them clocking in at over 48 minutes, and some coming in at just a shade under that.
On October 20, 2015, Visual Entertainment released Hotel – The Complete Collection on DVD in Region 1 for the first time in a 29-disc box set.[13]
DVD Name
Ep #
Release Date
The First Season
22
July 21, 2009
On December 6, 2016, VEI re-released the complete series in a condensed, 20-disc edition. The discs were all compiled in a single, jumbo DVD case (the original complete series edition was released with each individual season contained in five individual DVD cases). The box claims the discs to be Region 1 protected but Seasons 1, 2 and 3 are actually region-free.
Remake
In 2003, Aaron Spelling tried to remake the show, twenty years after the original's premiere. The pilot, which starred Michael Jai White and Christina Vidal, was shot for UPN, which passed on the show.[citation needed]