The Loretta Young Show Season 4 Episode 11 Take Care of My Child
The Loretta Young Show was a popular anthology TV series that featured dramas, comedies, and musical productions. The show aired for eight seasons from 1953 to 1961, and each episode starred Loretta Young, a Hollywood actress who also served as the show's host.
Season 4, episode 11 of The Loretta Young Show is titled "Take Care of My Child." The episode follows the story of a woman named Betty Adams who is a single mother struggling to make ends meet. Betty's husband died in the war, leaving her to raise their daughter, Anne, alone. Betty works long hours at a factory to provide for her family but can't afford to pay for childcare, so she has to leave Anne with her elderly neighbor during the day.
Throughout the episode, Betty's coworkers and boss give her a hard time for having to juggle work and motherhood. They make comments about how she's always tired and not as productive as she used to be. Betty reaches a breaking point when she receives notice that Anne has been expelled from school due to her poor behavior and attendance.
Desperate for a solution, Betty turns to the church for help. Reverend Matthews agrees to meet with her and offers to take care of Anne during the day with the help of his wife, Sarah. Betty is hesitant at first because she doesn't want to burden them, but they assure her that they genuinely want to help.
Betty is overjoyed at the thought of finally being able to give Anne a stable and safe environment during the day. However, her excitement is short-lived when she realizes that she can't afford to pay for the daycare services that the Matthews are providing.
Betty's financial troubles are compounded when she finds out that her boss is cutting her hours at work. She reaches out to her landlord, Mr. Davis, for help and pleads with him to let her pay her rent late. Mr. Davis agrees to give her some extra time, but with interest.
Betty feels like she's hit rock bottom. She's behind on rent, struggling to make ends meet, and can't even afford to pay for the daycare that is keeping her daughter safe. In a moment of desperation, Betty decides to steal some money from the factory where she works. She rationalizes her actions by telling herself that she's just borrowing the money and that she'll pay it back.
When Betty gets caught stealing, she faces serious consequences. She's arrested and is sentenced to six months in jail. Before she goes to jail, Betty begs Reverend Matthews to take care of Anne while she's behind bars. The Matthews agree to take care of Anne and assure Betty that they'll continue to provide for her daughter until she gets out of jail.
Overall, "Take Care of My Child" is a heartfelt and emotional episode that touches on themes of motherhood, poverty, and sacrifice. It showcases Loretta Young's talent as an actress and highlights the struggles that many families face when it comes to affordable childcare and financial stability. Despite its age, the episode still resonates with audiences today, making it a timeless and classic piece of television history.