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This PBS American Playhouse presentation is based on one of the many "Lawrenceville Stories" by Owen Johnson (which also served as the basis of the 1950 MGM feature The Happy Years). Zach Galligan stars as William Hicks, something of a legend at turn-of-century Lawrenceville Boy's School because of his elaborate pranks and practical jokes. This term, however, uptight housemaster Tapping (Robert Joy) has vowed to catch young Hicks in the act of horseplay. "Hickey" considers this threat to be a flung gauntlet, and thus plans his most spectacular prank ever.