I Married Joan - The Reelection (1/3)

Joan's husband, Judge Bradley Stevens, is running for reelection. Judge Stevens has two campaign supporters who must be handled carefully because they have an intense disliking for one another. When Judge Stevens invites one of the men to dinner, Joan inadvertently invites the other making for a very tense dinner engagement.

The contrast of this fifties program with today's society is interesting. The episode begins with Judge Stevens providing marriage counseling to a young couple. He does this in his role as a judge. I never knew judges did such things. Maybe they didn't. Please comment if you know.

Then there is the nature of the problem with the unhappy couple. The husband doesn't want his wife to work and Judge Stevens understands and offers an example of how he handled that problem with Joan. Today I believe the issue would probably be the opposite, i.e., a husband who wants his wife to work. A different time, a different economy.

I Married Joan aired on NBC from 1952 to 1955 and was a competitor of I Love Lucy. It has striking similarities with another program of that time, Life With Elizabeth. The program was sponsored by General Electric and the GE commercials are included in this episode in the distinctive advertising style of the fifties.

Joan is played by Joan Davis. Judge Bradley Stevens is played by Jim Backus. Directed by Hal Walker.

Note: I could not determine the title of this episode so I named it The Reelection.

This video brought to you by hwy61media. Please take a moment to rate this video and add your comments.

You can see all of my videos at:
http://www.youtube.com/hwy61media

Please take a look and subscribe to my channel.

If you would like to comment on my channel as well, please do so. Your feedback is important to me.

Thanks for watching.

Category:

Comedy

Tags:

• married
• joan
• the
• reelection
• comedy
• davis
• jim
• backus
• director
• hal
• walker
• vintage
• classic
• early
• old
• tv
• television
• shows
• series

[TheRichcraft]

Judges still act as counselers, but not as much as they used to do. Now they will send the parties to a qualified mediator if the problem cannot be resolved in court.

Yes, times have changed. It used to be that most high school grads went to trade school and not college. And if one kid did go to college, that was it--one kid of many.

Funny, when women worked outside of marriage, Ann Landers was hit by letters from bosses complaining of their crying jags. Now gals don't dare cry.

[hwy61media]

I was surprised to see a judge act as a counselor. I never heard of it.

[newstart2009]

wow Sheldon Lenard and the one who played the second Mrs. Kravitz on Bewitched..... Great TV.... Thank you!!!! recently our channel 23 started running this show. I think its a great show.

[hwy61media]

That's great news. I don't think it is easy to find in syndication.

[hwy61media]

I can't locate that episode at the Internet Archive. Wish I could be of more help.

[LadyDragonsblood]

Is CLAPPING FOR JOY!!!!!!!! I just ADORE I Married Joan!!!! Thank you so much for posting this my dear friend. I needed a pick me up tonight!!!!!

[hwy61media]

Hi there, you're welcome. I didn't know you were a fan. I had two episodes up on my old channel; maybe you didn't see them. There will be more coming. Take care :)

[windstorm1000]

I don't think we should compare Joan Davis with Lucy--there are few similarities, but Joan went a bit more for satire, which is the harder type of comedy to do. Lucy pretty much stuck with slapstick. They both make me howl, that is for sure.

[windstorm1000]

Jim Backus became James Dean's father in Rebel Without a Cause!!!! And later, of course, thurston howell the 3rd!!!!! And, of course, voice of Mr. McGoo

[tonyf734atl]

@tom2sybil she left him for Abner Kravitz!

[tom2sybil]

Mrs.McGreer is Gladys Kravitz!

[ssweettanggel]

this episode is called Career = )

[fran9860]

joan davis tried to compete with lucille ball in the 50's. while a great comedy actress, she was not match for lucy. gotta love her though!