Crisis Over a Kiss

While the script focuses on 'a kiss' - it's a not-so-subtle metaphor for more serious activity. Not something typically seen in 50's sitcoms. It's pretty obvious that 'Jerry' normally gets his own way when it comes to his dates. He casually pressures them & they eventually come across. His being physically bigger is a problem & he's willing to use it to his advantage. The scene at Prospect Point is actually disturbing since it's clear Jerry is trying to force Betty back into a small, confined space so he can push himself on her for that kiss. The show cops out when Jim & Margaret seem to believe the guy when he apologizes - when Jerry says, "If only Betty could be made to believe..." it's cringe worthy that Jim doesn't stop him there. Betty doesn't need to be 'made to believe...' anything. Jim actually agrees to encourage Betty to give Jerry another chance - sheesh - then, shakes the guy's hand & smiles happily after closing the door. Guess he feels pretty good that he just agreed to pimp out 'Princess' A disturbing episode in multiple ways.

This episode resembles a Pre code movie which reminds me of one that Robert young was in involving Helen twelvetrees playing his sister.

I guess in the 1950s this episode was shocking and maybe ground breaking. When girls had a be virgins and getting a kiss was really a mega big deal, this episode was of interest to the viewers. Today, it is either laughable or sad. Laughable that a kiss was a Federal Case back in the 1950s, sad because society has lost the innocence it once had and tried hard to preserve. Ron Ely who later went on to Tarzan fame (tv version) did a credible job as Mister Perfect in an early acting role. Maybe he was too handsome in a time when his type of handsome was starting to go out the window. Still, he did a good job. Billy Grey stole the episode with a solid performance. Time sure has changed; for the better or worst, who knows? You decide.