Gleason, who was one of the most popular entertainers in America, was in a 90% tax bracket. So this show kind of says a bit. Ralph and Alice are trying to find a way to get 15 dollars to pay their income tax. They have nothing. They have no prospects. If anything, it's a bit off indictment of the way things are. Pride keeps Ralph from turning down a priest who comes to the door, sacrificing his family. It was sad. There is a kind of propaganda bit at the end.