The Fifth House on the Left

Bernard Walton has finally bought his dream pickup in California, and a quick detour through Hollywood seems harmless enough - until a speeding car nearly runs down Eugene outside a movie producer's mansion. Before they know it, Eugene is whisked away for a screen test he never asked for, and Bernard is left behind with Tammi, the producer's nine-year-old daughter, a child star with scripts instead of books and no real friends. When Bernard offers her the story of a great prince on a secret mission, Tammi hears about Jesus for the very first time - and says she wants Him to live in her heart. But her father, Foster Smith-Hammer, walks in at that moment, fires the housekeeper, and orders Bernard out of the house. Across town, Eugene turns down his movie role, tired of a world where even friendship is for sale, and asks what would be left if it all came crashing down... and then the earthquake hits, shattering glass around Tammi as Bernard calls her name.

Found on Wish You Were Here Album 21 · 12 episodes

The run See every episode

1 of 2 0272 Two Brothers... and Bernard When a schoolgirl admits she sometimes hates her trick-playing little sister, Bernard sets down his window-washing bucket to tell her the ancient story of two brothers whose rivalry began before they were even born.

2 of 2 0273 Two Brothers... and Bernard A young shepherd who cheated his own family flees to a distant land, where he learns what it costs to be on the other side of a deception.

0274 First-Hand Experience When Eugene's grand "expedition of discovery" and Bernard's practical trip to California collide on the open road, both men learn that experiences have a way of choosing you.

0275 Second Thoughts When a broken-down truck strands two travelers on an Iowa farm, a restless teenage boy sees his ride to the wider world he's been dreaming of.

0276 Third Degree A traffic ticket for driving too slowly strands Bernard and Eugene in a Colorado town, where each finds unexpected kindred spirits who may reshape how they see themselves.

0277 It Happened at Four Corners A long drive to Four Corners inspires a tall tale of a dying prospector, a torn treasure map, and two rescuers who must decide whether gold is worth more than trust.

1 of 2 0278 The Fifth House on the Left A road trip to Hollywood lands Bernard and Eugene inside a movie producer's mansion, where the glamour of show business collides with questions about what's real.

2 of 2 0279 The Fifth House on the Left When a devastating earthquake rocks Los Angeles, two visitors from Odyssey must put aside their frustrations with Hollywood's shallow, guarded world and help wherever they're needed.

0280 Gone... After more than a month away, Bernard and Eugene return to Odyssey to find the whole town saying goodbye - and a race against the clock to reach the one farewell that matters most.

0281 ... But Not Forgotten With Whit away and his shop descending into chaos, the overwhelmed caretakers of Whit's End must decide whether a quiet, unassuming stranger can be trusted to keep the doors open.

0282 The Fundamentals At a Christian basketball camp, a talented player who refuses coaching and a knowledgeable young believer both discover that fundamentals matter more than natural gifts.

0283 A Book by its Cover While tutoring a student whose polish seems too good to be true, Katrina - along with a snooping Connie and Eugene - learns the hard way that first impressions rarely tell the whole story.

0284 The Election Deception When her private notebook vanishes during a heated student council race, an honest candidate watches her own words turn up everywhere they can hurt her most.

Featured characters

Minor characters & crew 9 more roles

9 supporting roles

P. A. Announcer Corey Burton Radio Announcer Corey Burton Kelsey Smith-Hammer Maureen Davis Angela Luisa Leschin Lance Lincoln Actor Unknown Foster Smith-Hammer Jerry Dexter Tammi Smith-Hammer Roslyn Roberson Dr. Keenan Corey Burton Camera operator Will Ryan

Made by

Chris Anthony Host Paul McCusker Writer · Director · Producer Dave Arnold Sound Designer · Producer Bob Luttrell Producer Chuck Bolte Executive Producer

The story

Read the full synopsis 4 min

Bernard Walton finally reaches California and purchases the nearly new pickup that has motivated his long journey. Big Bargain Bill, an old high-school acquaintance, has given him a special price after taking Bernard’s old truck in trade. Eugene calculates that once travel, food, lodging, and the return trip are considered, Bernard has saved only $17.43. Bernard refuses to let arithmetic spoil his happiness and decides that they should visit Hollywood before turning toward Odyssey.

Using a celebrity-home map, Bernard searches Beverly Hills for the fifth house on the left, once owned by Hip Hobson, the singing cowboy hero of his youth. A high wall and tennis court block his view. Eugene then discovers that the map was printed in 1957, making it unlikely that Hobson still lives there. Bernard walks up the driveway to learn who does.

Before he reaches the house, a speeding car careens around the corner. Bernard leaps into the bed of his pickup while Eugene dodges out of the way. The driver, Kelsey Smith-Hammer, did not actually strike Eugene, but she and her companion insist on carrying him into the mansion. Kelsey’s father is Foster Smith-Hammer, a movie producer whose films are often boycotted when they reach Odyssey - a fact Foster regards as useful publicity.

Although Eugene feels fine, Foster summons his private physician for an excessive series of tests. Bernard accepts an invitation to relax in the hot tub while they wait. Meanwhile, Kelsey and Foster decide that Eugene’s appearance is perfect for Caspio, a corrupt accountant in Foster’s latest biker movie. Eugene expresses no interest, but they assume everyone wants to be in pictures and rush him away for a screen test.

Bernard meets Foster’s nine-year-old daughter, Tammi, who has worked in television since she was three. Acting has left her with a tutor instead of ordinary school, scripts instead of books, and no real friends. She has become so used to entertainment as a complete world that she asks Bernard which television show employs him as a window washer. Foster has taught her that any tale not made into a movie or television program is not worth hearing.

After dinner, Tammi refuses to thank the housekeeper, Angela, because Angela is paid to cook. Bernard persuades her with the promise of a story about a great prince on a secret mission - a story that has inspired many films. Once Tammi thanks Angela, Bernard begins with Mary’s visit from an angel and gradually tells her about Jesus. Tammi knows movies about angels but has no understanding of what a real angel is, making Bernard’s task more difficult and more important.

At the studio, director Lance Lincoln barely looks at Eugene’s performance. Foster’s approval is enough for him, and he openly admits that acting ability does not matter much in these movies. Eugene delivers one line as the crooked Caspio and is told to obtain an agent. Kelsey treats the effortless opportunity as Eugene’s entrance into fame and fortune.

Back at the mansion, Tammi asks Bernard to finish the account after hearing how Jesus raised Lazarus. Angela wants to listen too. She privately tells Bernard that she is a Christian, but Foster would fire her for discussing Jesus with Tammi. Bernard cannot be dismissed from a job he does not hold, so he gladly continues.

Tammi’s bedroom is filled with mirrors that help her prepare her appearance for the camera. Bernard explains that the Bible is a different kind of mirror, revealing who a person is inside. The great prince is Jesus, whose mission concerns Tammi personally. Bernard tells how Christ died on the cross because of human sin so that people can be close to God. Tammi understands that Jesus has done this for her and says she wants Him to live in her heart, as He lives in Angela’s.

Foster walks in at that moment. He orders Angela to put Tammi to bed and consider herself fired, then tells Bernard to leave the house. He objects to anyone teaching his daughter about Jesus under his roof, even while calling himself tolerant.

Elsewhere, Eugene finally stops Kelsey’s whirlwind schedule and says he does not want the movie role. He is troubled by the fakery surrounding him - not just the sets and performances, but people pretending to care only when friendship serves their ambitions. Kelsey says survival requires becoming rich and powerful enough to buy whatever one needs, even friends. Eugene asks what would remain if that artificial world collapsed. Kelsey admits that she does not want to know.

Her words have scarcely ended when a violent earthquake strikes. At the studio, Eugene recognizes the shaking and tries to guide Kelsey toward shelter. At the mansion, walls and mirrors shudder while glass breaks around Tammi. Bernard shouts for everyone to take cover, then sees the child near a broken glass vent. As the house shakes apart, he calls her name.