Wanda James

Naturally the show seems dated and corny to our 21st century eyes, but Shirley Booth's authentic performance gives it a timelessness which is both refreshing and entertaining. Her character was pretty cutting edge for the time because of the unpredictability of her dialogue and the naturalness of her delivery. Also because she did not look like a Barbie doll or act like a Stepford wife. She didn't fit the constricted and contrived concept of 'femininity' and she demonstrated intelligence without having the often overrated higher education valued mostly by intellectual snobs. Most of all, she was warm, loving, and as funny as the censors of the era allowed her to be. A great family show.