Hazel irritates Mr. B by taking his body measurements while he is on a business call. "Better make the waist 44' she tells Dorothy, in regard to the cashmere sweater Hazel plans on knitting: "Nothin's too good for Mr. B's Xmas".
Later, Mr. B is bemoaning the crass commercialization of Xmas (what on earth would he think in 2023?) and declares the Baxters will not partake in expensive gift-swapping or elaborate feasts. Hazel and Dorothy are upset. In regard to Harold, Hazel cheekily quips "Can I give him a box of Cracker Jack if I take the prize out first?".
Mr. B's secretary (the wonderful Molly Dodd) is allotted fifty dollars to throw together the office party. Today that amounts to $496.24!
Neighbor Harry has bought trophy wife Rita a mink coat and he asks Mr. B to keep the package. When Hazel and Dorothy find it, they both become absolutely giddy thinking Mr. B was only pretending about cancelling Xmas. It is a wonderful scene and both ladies shine. Their bubble bursts when Harry comes calling for the coat, and both are now in tears.
Hazel is so worried about Dorothy's Xmas being ruined, she begs the credit department to allow her purchase of a negligee from Mr. B to Dorothy. Will she get the loan or won't she? I won't spoil the whole episode, but the message of this one is kind of muddled. In a way, Mr. B makes sense, and he suggests their gifts go to charity instead, but Hazel and Dorothy would rather keep everything within the (already-affluent) Baxter house.
The B&W Season 1 episode of HAZEL is much better than this one, but Shirley Booth's talent and charm can outshine even the most mundane script, so this one is worth seeing at least once. 7/10.