The Betty Hutton Show

This program was my first exposure to that powerhouse Betty Hutton. I was all of eight years old when "Goldie", as we called it was on. I had long forgotten this series until it's recent revival by Alpha. Of the four episodes on the DVD I actually remembered two of them. It's clear that the writers were trying for a different premise than the usual family sitcom when they created this. The character of "Goldie" seemed tailor-made for Ms.Hutton's talents: an ex-showgirl with a heart-of-gold who is thrust into being the caretaker for three children. Tom Conway plays Mr. Seaton, a kind-of genteel Mr. Mooney to Betty's frantic antics. From what I can gather, it was the competition ("The Donna Reed Show") that sunk this show after it's 30-episode single season. I recently came across the delightful website, "Satins and Spurs", dedicated to Betty. There are quite a few articles relating to the production and promotion of this show there. "The Betty Hutton Show" survives as a pleasant artifact from the vaults of TV shows that didn't quite make it.

Premise 1: Betty Hutton was never lovelier, more talented, energetic, sincere, or entertaining. Betty ALWAYS carried the show, all through her career, and continued to do so during this mediocre program.

Premise 2: The script, sets, and cinematography were so-so.

Premise 3: The other cast members over-acted their corny parts.

Premise 4: The script and overall production were probably about as good as TV would have been in the early 1950's. Unfortunately, this was the late 1950's when TV was MUCH, much more sophisticated.

Premise 5: In a positive sense, the scripts were probably as good as any of the sitcoms from the 1950's through today. Just needed better production and delivery.

Premise 6: Everything else I have ever seen Betty in, movie-wise, I watch over and over and over, and never tire of them. But when I ordered this DVD of The Betty Hutton Show, I could hardly stand to sit through it, except for that shining star Betty, who was so good in her own right.

Premise 7: Betty, you were always a winner! No matter what.

I cannot even go to a mediocre "5" on this, as my memories of this show are so really small. I was all of four when it was on the air, and I must have decided to watch it, but found it not really memorable except for one little bit that was odd and I can recall. Hutton is helping one of the boys that she is now guardian. He is making a model airplane. She is concentrating on the motor of the airplane, and somehow (in gluing it together) Hutton manages to glue the propeller onto her nose. It is the only thing from this show I ever retained a memory of...hardly seems worthwhile.

Lightyears away from her performances in ANNIE GET YOUR GUN, THE MIRACLE OF MORGAN'S CREEK, and THE GREATEST SHOW ON EARTH. Betty did better work than this. The only thing I can add is that when Jean Arthur, a better dramatic actress, tried to make a television sit com less than ten years later, she failed too.

I was eleven when this show came on and I immediately liked the character portrayed by Betty Hutton. I still have a comedic memory of her trying to cross the street while still a manicurist, almost being hit by a car, and her yelling after the speeding car to "Back up Mister, you missed me!" It was a wonderfully funny line.

The second memory I have of the show was a far more poignant one. Betty Hutton, as Goldie, is being courted by a broke socialite with an eye to the main chance. He has invited her to classy restaurant and she is trying to dress properly for her date. Naturally, she is over-dressed and the two older children cruelly make fun of her. The youngest boy treats her kindly and helps her to tone down to let her real beauty shine through. Goldie remarks that of all the kids, the boy is the most like his father.

I enjoyed it, but the timing and the quality of the writing didn't live up to the talent of Miss Hutton. I think that if it had been given another season to expand the concept that it could have had a modest success!