Inflation has the gang selling off their prize possessions to pay for Xmas presents.
This is a good story idea, but the script doesn't quite come together as well as it should. It's interesting to hear all the characters gripe about inflation in 1979 - some things never change. Flo suggests they cut back this year and buy only one gift each.
The plot kicks in when all the gifts end up being useless - but nobody knows it - until Henry tips Mel off as to what's happening. Flo has sold her oil painting of Johnny Cash to buy Vera some Burt Bacharach records. But Vera's sold her record player to buy a picture frame for Flo... and so on...
The party at the diner has the waitresses sporting some odd Xmas fashion choices: Alice looks like she's ready for Hawaii in her tube top and flower in her hair; Flo's electric-blue slacks clash with her top; Vera's in a purple granny dress.
Mel's new faulty burglar alarm makes the lights go out and the electrician shows up in a Santa suit. When Vera chats with him in the storeroom, she becomes convinced he's the real deal, until he leaves and the presents seem to disappear with him. Flo calls the cops which makes Vera bark "I've had it with you, Castleberry!" (a funny moment).
**SPOILER** Mel arrives dressed as Santa - complete with the missing presents. The 'ol softie got all their hocked items back from the Pawn Shop so everyone's Xmas will be merry after all.
The script could have been better but this is the second-best of the ALICE episodes. 6/10.
This is a good story idea, but the script doesn't quite come together as well as it should. It's interesting to hear all the characters gripe about inflation in 1979 - some things never change. Flo suggests they cut back this year and buy only one gift each.
The plot kicks in when all the gifts end up being useless - but nobody knows it - until Henry tips Mel off as to what's happening. Flo has sold her oil painting of Johnny Cash to buy Vera some Burt Bacharach records. But Vera's sold her record player to buy a picture frame for Flo... and so on...
The party at the diner has the waitresses sporting some odd Xmas fashion choices: Alice looks like she's ready for Hawaii in her tube top and flower in her hair; Flo's electric-blue slacks clash with her top; Vera's in a purple granny dress.
Mel's new faulty burglar alarm makes the lights go out and the electrician shows up in a Santa suit. When Vera chats with him in the storeroom, she becomes convinced he's the real deal, until he leaves and the presents seem to disappear with him. Flo calls the cops which makes Vera bark "I've had it with you, Castleberry!" (a funny moment).
**SPOILER** Mel arrives dressed as Santa - complete with the missing presents. The 'ol softie got all their hocked items back from the Pawn Shop so everyone's Xmas will be merry after all.
The script could have been better but this is the second-best of the ALICE episodes. 6/10.
