Major Dad

Major John D. MacGillis, known as Mac, is full of common sense with security pervading his entire existence, but as in the case of any red-blooded Marine, a bit intimidated by a pretty face. The pretty face in this case belongs to Polly Cooper, a liberal reporter for the Oceanside Chronicle, determined to interview Mac. In a comfortable setting and courteous atmosphere, Mac believes he is communicating ideas when he is actually loading Polly's gun for a front-page assault against the Marine Corps.

Before Polly Cooper can respond to Major MacGillis' marriage proposal, she must consult with her three daughters, after all, it is a democratic household. Elizabeth, Robin and Casey put together a 15-page, front and back, questionnaire to which Mac must respond. Polly points out that she has always given her children the choice to make decisions that affect their lives, and making this effort will let them know the situation is not going to change. After the questionnaire is reviewed, Mac learns the children do not approve of his attitude.

While Sgt. James scrambles to have Polly's wedding ring delivered from overseas in time for the wedding, Mac meets Polly's parents and discusses his honorable intentions for their future. As the ceremony begins at the base chapel, a sudden Code-l alert brings the wedding to an abrupt halt. When Polly is left standing at the altar, uninvited Major Smiley calms and entertains the guests while Mac and his men prepare to capture the "infiltrator."

The newlyweds work to combine their busy, separate schedules so they can continue their honeymoon bliss, but when Mac's college game falls on the Cooper's annual peach-picking day, something's got to give. Mac reluctantly turns off the T.V. and agrees to go when, at half-time, his alma mater Vanderbilt is losing the football game 41 to 0. While collecting the peach-picking paraphernalia, Mac spots a four-inch TV set that announces Vanderbilt, in the most spectacular come-back in the history of college football, won the game 49 to 48.

After Elizabeth's date for a big concert drops out at the last minute, Mac arranges for Holowachuk to escort her to the event. But when Elizabeth develops a major 14-year-old crush on the handsome young lieutenant, Polly asks Mac to step in and save Elizabeth from a broken heart. Lt. Holowachuck explains to them that it is a family curse -- "the Holowachuk twinkle." It is in the eyes, and women cannot help mistaking it for romantic interest.

Polly hosts a social gathering of the Marine wives with Dottie, a General's wife; Faith, a Major's wife; Marty, a Captain's wife and a Marine wanna-be. They present her with an identification card in the name of Mrs. John MacGillis, and a 100-page Marine Wife Manual. To top it off, Polly is expected to participate in "Jane Wayne Day" (the female equivalent to John Wayne). The Marine wives gather at Camp Singleton for a day of target practice, survival exercise and more. Independent Polly has difficulty fitting in when she adamantly argues that she wants to be the wife of a Marine ...not a "Marine wife."