Having been absent for nearly half of her own anthology series' third season, Loretta Young had made practically a full recovery from the surgery that had sidelined her, and had resumed her hosting chores on a permanent basis by the time The Loretta Young Show launched its fourth year on the air. As if to prove that she was operating with all cylinders clicking, the actress threw herself into some of her most challenging roles during this season: a deaf attorney in "Double Partners," an indefatigable psychologist in "The Question," the harried wife of a suspected Communist collaborator in "Saigon," and even an ancient Egyptian ruler in "Queen Nefertiti." Even so, Loretta occasionally took a breather, allowing other actresses to shine in certain episodes. Vanessa Brown, Viveca Lindfors, Anna Maria Alberghetti, and Maggie Mahoney (the mother of Sally Field) are among the talented performers who take the dramatic reins on those rare occasions that Young did not appear. The Loretta Young Show closed out its fourth season with two Emmy Awards, one for the titular star, and the other for cinematographer Norbert Brodine's work on the episode "The Pearl."
by Hal Erickson
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