1950s T.V. and the
Culture War

In this illustrated article, Hollywood actress Ilona Massey exposes her charming decolletage for all the world to see. The image alone can be credited for having launched a dozen Congressional hearings concerning the matter as to what is a television programmers singular understanding of public decency? Yet this short column only discusses one hearing, the one that took place in the Summer of 1952 in which Elizabeth Smart of the Women’s Christian Temperance Union spoke frankly about the “alleged amusement” that the networks were providing. Another temperance group in attendance complained that the actors on beer commercials should not appear as if they were enjoying themselves…