This series is famous for exploring the limits of just how maudlin a story can get before it becomes parody. In this episode we've breached the limit. The bathetic depths of melodrama are eagerly scraped by Loretta, portraying a hospital bed-bound, over the top patient. Her husband is a pathetic, too nice guy who years ago in his prime was a boxer, the role assayed unlikely enough by Eddie Albert. He needs dough for Loretta's medical bills, so he and his manager decide that he should have a bout with the champ to secure it. One might think it would be an impossible thing to arrange, but, magically, it takes almost no plot investment to accomplish.
Another stunning bit of phantasy follows- So Loretta won't worry, a reporter is asked that any reportage of this match be broadcast when Loretta is asleep, and that the newspaper should print special one-off editions without any references to it, just for Loretta. They comply!
After tearful bursts of agony and grim prognostications by the doctor, we come to the night of the big fight, and Loretta has her radio tuned in to it. The amazingly well informed announcer not only spills the beans about the trick newspapers, but tells us that Eddie's poor wife is hopelessly at death's door, which Loretta, through all her scenery-chewing, was supposedly unaware of.
At the close, we find that Loretta has somehow become lively and full of happy tears for her brave little fool, and he reciprocates with happy tears for her. A happy ending comes through for everyone...except the viewer.
Another stunning bit of phantasy follows- So Loretta won't worry, a reporter is asked that any reportage of this match be broadcast when Loretta is asleep, and that the newspaper should print special one-off editions without any references to it, just for Loretta. They comply!
After tearful bursts of agony and grim prognostications by the doctor, we come to the night of the big fight, and Loretta has her radio tuned in to it. The amazingly well informed announcer not only spills the beans about the trick newspapers, but tells us that Eddie's poor wife is hopelessly at death's door, which Loretta, through all her scenery-chewing, was supposedly unaware of.
At the close, we find that Loretta has somehow become lively and full of happy tears for her brave little fool, and he reciprocates with happy tears for her. A happy ending comes through for everyone...except the viewer.
