It's Christmas Time in the City

While this series was hugely popular in its day, due almost entirely to its star, looking at it now almost 45 years on it comes across as an entirely standard undistinguished sitcom. It does have a good cast of talented supporting actors, Kaye Ballard, Rose Marie, Bernie Kopell, McLean Stevenson, Billy De Wolfe and Denver Pyle who directed this particular episode but the situation it presents has been done thousands of times.

What would normally be a run of the mill episode of the series is turned into something extraordinary at the end of the show when the cast gather around for a Christmas sing a long. It's at this point that Doris starts to sing and what was standard TV becomes a chance to see a master at work. All three numbers are enjoyable with Jingle Bells and Silent Night pleasant group numbers but it is the middle number when she sings her classic version of Silver Bells solo that is truly magic. As beautiful as it is, and it is very much so, the amount of soft focus they shoot Doris in during her song is a bit distracting especially when they cut away and the scene is once again in sharp focus.

Another nice touch at the conclusion of the show Miss Day breaks the fourth way and addresses the audience directly wishing them a safe and happy holiday. It's quite charming.