This was one of the first full episodes of FATHER KNOWS BEST I ever saw. Guaranteed to make the tears flow, it also has a philosophical point to make. Betty has been absorbing some "progressive" ideas from college, one of which is that birthdays are a superstition left over from primitive society. So when her own birthday comes around the following week, she declines to join in the festivities or open the presents her family has bought for her. This particularly upsets Kathy, since she had decided to gift Betty with a valuable prize locket that she won in a contest.
Betty and Jim have a fine scene together in which Betty expounds her new philosophy. She has some cogent points to make about holidays and their attendant commercialism. Jim respects Betty's ideas and her ability to articulate them. But then he demonstrates to Betty what a life without ceremony or sentiment is like. The episode ends by affirming the importance of birthdays, holidays and other rituals in in conveying love and meaning in life. I challenge you to get through the final scene with a dry eye.
Betty and Jim have a fine scene together in which Betty expounds her new philosophy. She has some cogent points to make about holidays and their attendant commercialism. Jim respects Betty's ideas and her ability to articulate them. But then he demonstrates to Betty what a life without ceremony or sentiment is like. The episode ends by affirming the importance of birthdays, holidays and other rituals in in conveying love and meaning in life. I challenge you to get through the final scene with a dry eye.
