Head of the Family ...... !!

Recently I was watching a TV show from 1957 -- an episode of "Jeff's Collie", the show that later became "Lassie". In that early version of the show, Lassie belongs to teenager Jeff Miller, who lives with his mother, Ellen, and his grandfather, George. Jeff's father died in World War 2, and George was HIS father. George was an old man of about 70, grumpy but wise, and was a pretty good "head of the family". But just how far did his authority go?

In that episode, in the evening after dinner, George and Ellen are having an argument about some plans George is making for an upcoming event. He's talking vaguely about ideas, and hasn't yet said exactly what his plan is.

Ellen: Well, like what?

George: Well, I'm comin' to that.

Ellen: Well, you certainly are going the long way around.

George: Well, that's the only way I can get it through your head.

Ellen: Well, thank you, dear!

George: Look, are you gonna listen to what I'm gonna do, or ain't you?

Ellen: Yes, and I want to hear. But will you hurry, or it'll be time to serve breakfast!

George: Look, young lady, you ain't too old for me to spank!

Oh no, she wasn't too old for him to spank. She was only about 40.

So if you're a child watching that show in 1957, and you're imagining yourself in Jeff's place: Your father is dead, and now HIS father is going to spank YOUR mother!

On today's TV, that would probably be either an outrageous scandal, or else an outrageous joke. But in 1957 there was nothing scandalous about it, and nothing funny about it either; it was just part of "everyday life". Things have certainly changed in 65 years!