# Anna and the King (TV series)

Anna and the King is a television sitcom that aired Sunday nights at 7:30 pm (EST) on CBS as part of its 1972 fall lineup.

## Overview

Anna and the King is a non-musical adaptation of the film of Rodgers and Hammerstein's The King and I (1956), which was in turn based on the 1944 novel Anna and the King of Siam by Margaret Landon. Unlike the majority of attempts to turn hit films into television series, Anna and the King featured the original film's star, Yul Brynner, who was more identified with that role than any other.
The plot, like that of the musical, involved the king's bringing to Siam of a British governess, Anna Leonowens (portrayed here by Samantha Eggar), to educate his 12-year-old son and heir, Crown Prince Chulalongkorn (Brian Tochi). As time goes on, the two develop a platonic infatuation with each other, despite the low status of women in Siamese society, which appalls Anna, as does the king's related practice of polygamy. Also appearing regularly was a member of the royal household, Kralahome (Keye Luke).
While the musical, both film and stage versions, was a worldwide success (Brynner was still touring in the stage version until just before his death), this series was cancelled at midseason, due to low ratings and negative reviews. Also, no portion of the Rodgers and Hammerstein musical score could be used, due to licensing restrictions.

## Cast

| Actor | Role |
| Yul Brynner | King Mongkut of Siam |
| Samantha Eggar | Anna Leonowens |
| Brian Tochi | Crown Prince Chulalongkorn |
| Eric Shea | Louis Leonowens |
| Keye Luke | Kralahome |
| Lisa Lu | Lady Thiang |
| Rosalind Chao | Princess Serena |
| Ratna Assan | King Youngest Wife |

## Episodes

| No. | Title | Directed by | Written by | Original release date |
| 1 | "Pilot" | Gene Reynolds | Bill Idelson & Harvey Miller | September 17, 1972 (1972-09-17) |
| 2 | "The Baby" | Michael O'Herlihy | Jim Fritzell | September 24, 1972 (1972-09-24) |
| 3 | "The King or the Tiger?" | Michael Gordon | Jerry Mayer | October 1, 1972 (1972-10-01) |
| 4 | "Chulalongkorn's Grades" | James Shledon | Gene Thompson | October 8, 1972 (1972-10-08) |
| 5 | "Anna's Romance" | William Wiard | Gene Thompson | October 15, 1972 (1972-10-15) |
| 6 | "The Bicycle" | Jack Donohue & William Wiard | Maurice Richlin | October 22, 1972 (1972-10-22) |
| 7 | "The Haunted Temple" | Lee Philips | Jerry Mayer | November 5, 1972 (1972-11-05) |
| 8 | "Louis, the Pawn" | Hy Averback | Bud Freeman | November 12, 1972 (1972-11-12) |
| 9 | "The Chimes" | E.W. Swackhamer | Jerry Mayer | November 19, 1972 (1972-11-19) |
| 10 | "Serana" | Jeff Corey | Les & Tina Pine | November 26, 1972 (1972-11-26) |
| 11 | "The Marriage of Prince Chula" | William Wiard | Bill Idelson & Harvey Miller | December 10, 1972 (1972-12-10) |
| 12 | "The King and the Egg" | Terry Becker | Austin & Irma Kalish | December 17, 1972 (1972-12-17) |
| 13 | "Louis' Love" | Gerald Mayer | Jim Fritzell | December 31, 1972 (1972-12-31) |

## Unsuccessful lawsuit by Margaret Landon

Margaret Landon was unhappy with this series and charged the producers with "inaccurate and mutilated portrayals" of her literary property; she unsuccessfully sued for copyright infringement.