One of the more psychologically perceptive episodes of FKB finds Margaret signing up for an English literature course at Betty's college. Jim wholly approves of Margaret's ambition to improve her mind. (So much for the myth about '50s women being relegated to the kitchen!) At first, Betty is enthusiastic too. But when mother and daughter unexpectedly end up in the very same class, Betty grows annoyed and resentful of her mother's presence there, for reasons she can't quite understand. The episode makes a point about the importance of respecting people's private spheres (private spaces, as we might say today). And it does so by way of the metaphor of Kathy and her puppet theater. This inventive touch makes the episode, raising it to the level of poetry. Watch to see what I mean.
2 Reviews
So What's Betty's Problem?
dougdoepke11 June 2022
Now I remember how much fun puppet shows were when I was a kid. It sure gives little Kathie a chance to show off her frisky charm, even if she does get clobbered.
Still, the episode is not the most amusing of the series as daughter Betty and mom Margaret try to figure out why Betty can't share a classroom with Mom. After all, Betty was thrilled when Mom finally agreed to take a college literature course Betty was already enrolled in. So why Betty's sudden change of heart. The premise here is more serious than usual, nonetheless the expert cast handles it in engaging fashion - catch actor Young's subtle expressions while he stands in the background as Mom and Betty try to work things out. He could have merely stood by expressionless as the camera foregrounds his wife and daughter. But he doesn't, showing again what a fine professional actor he was.
Anyway, the lesson of the upshot is worth noting, but don't expect the usual amount of laughs from this beloved 1950's series.
Still, the episode is not the most amusing of the series as daughter Betty and mom Margaret try to figure out why Betty can't share a classroom with Mom. After all, Betty was thrilled when Mom finally agreed to take a college literature course Betty was already enrolled in. So why Betty's sudden change of heart. The premise here is more serious than usual, nonetheless the expert cast handles it in engaging fashion - catch actor Young's subtle expressions while he stands in the background as Mom and Betty try to work things out. He could have merely stood by expressionless as the camera foregrounds his wife and daughter. But he doesn't, showing again what a fine professional actor he was.
Anyway, the lesson of the upshot is worth noting, but don't expect the usual amount of laughs from this beloved 1950's series.
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