#623 East 68th Street

[papermoonloveslucy]

623 ~ Part 1

623 East 68th Street: The Most Iconic Address on Television

THE PEOPLE of 623

~ THE LANDLORDS ~

#1) Fred & Ethel Mertz, 3C

In 1948, former vaudevillians Fred and Ethel Mertz (played by William Frawley and Vivian Vance), bought a four-floor New York City brownstone at 623 East 68th Street. They operate it as an apartment building. The building is in Ethel’s name only! The childless couple resides in apartment 3C.

Coincidentally, the year after Fred and Ethel bought the building, in real life an unrelated new TV show was airing titled “Apartment 3C”. It dealt with a married couple living in a Manhattan apartment building. Just like Lucy and Desi, the actors were married in real life. Writing about the show in 2022, their daughter said:

“Apartment 3C” was no “I Love Lucy” ~ J.G. Summers  

In “Lucy Wants New Furniture” (1953), there is a door in that wall that leads to the Mertz kitchen and back door, although every other time we see the Mertz living room, the kitchen door is on the right, not the left, and there is a window where the door was!  This was to accommodate the gag of Lucy running from her kitchen to the Mertz’s.

At the end of the episode, the redecoration is such a disaster that the Ricardos end up giving the Mertzes their furniture and buying all new for themselves.

The only time we see the Mertz kitchen is in “Never Do Business with Friends” (1953). 

The only time we see the Mertz bedroom is in “Vacation for Marriage” (1952). Naturally they have single beds! [There’s a reason why they are childless!]

When the Mertzes move to Westport to live in the Ricardo’s guest cottage, the Mertzes retain ownership of the building, although they put the day-to-day running of the building (except for the collection of rents, that is Fred’s domain) in the hands of Mrs. Trumbull’s sister, a character we never see or even learn her name.

~ THE TENANTS ~

#2) Lucy & Ricky Ricardo, 4A

Lucy McGillicuddy and Ricky Ricardo (Lucille Ball and Desi Arnaz) moved to 623 shortly after they were married. He was a bandleader and she was a housewife with showbusiness aspirations. 

On August 6, 1948 (Lucille Ball’s real-life birthday), they moved to an apartment building recently purchased by the Mertzes. Their first apartment was 4A. The rent was $105 a month.  

Viewers typically remember 4A as ‘the apartment without the window’.  The Ricardos are given a 99-year lease and become fast friends with their landlords.

Ethel luxuriates in Lucy’s brand-new living room furniture won at the Home Show.

In “New Neighbors” (1952) there is a window in the living room where Lucy and Ethel watch the moving vans unload. This window is technically in the set’s “fourth wall” and is never seen again.

The kitchen had a breakfast bar that serves as a chalk board for one of the unruly Hudson twins in “The Amateur Hour” (1952). Sometimes this breakfast bar was skirted and the folk rooster pattern could not be seen.

In “The Fur Coat” (1951) the view of the city outside the kitchen window suddenly disappeared!

The bedroom during rehearsals for the first episode filmed “Lucy Thinks Ricky is Trying to Murder Her” (1951) - as yet undecorated!  The first scene of the first episode filmed takes place in the Ricardo bedroom. The bathroom was located directly behind the bed, and was accessible through Lucy and Ricky’s closets, on each side of their bed. During this period, the couple’s single beds were generally pushed together. After they had a child, it was thought unseemly so the beds were separated.

We see the bathroom of 4A only once - in “The Audition” (1951).  The un-aired pilot also had a scene set in the bathroom, so this episode followed suit. Part of the scene in the bathroom was deleted for syndication because Lucy holds up a pack of Philip Morris cigarettes when talking about how a girl can even smoke a sponsor’s product. The DVD restores the scene.  Although the bathroom was referenced in “Breaking the Lease” (1952) it was not seen.

#2) Lucy, Ricky & Little Ricky Ricardo, 3B / 3D

With the birth of Little Ricky, Lucy convinced Ricky they needed to move to a larger (and more expensive) apartment. In “The Ricardos Change Apartments” (1953), Lucy convinces Mrs. Benson, who just married off her daughter to a nincompoop, to switch apartments with them. 

The Benson (soon to be Ricardo) apartment is 3B. It has a picture window and space for a nursery!  

The change was because in “Lucy Tells the Truth” (1953) Lucy feels the need to embroider her show-business resume. She tells the casting director that she appeared in 3D. When he asks is that is short for “third dimension” (a film trend that was popular at the time), Lucy reluctantly admits that it is merely her apartment number.  For the sake of this gag, the Ricardo apartment was re-numbered 3D. It stayed 3D for the rest of the series. Above, Ethel poses in the doorway of 3D in “The Charm School” (1954). 

The apartment has been faithfully recreated at The Lucy-Desi Museum in Jamestown NY.  

They even decorate it for the holidays, just as it was seen in the “I Love Lucy” Christmas Special (1956).

The bedroom as seen in “Lucy is Envious” (1954). After the birth of Little Ricky, it was deemed inappropriate for the Ricardos to sleep in the same bed, lest viewers make they unseemly connection of how the child was created!

Ricky likes to sing in the shower. We see the Ricardo’s 3D bathroom twice - in “Bonus Bucks” (1954) and “Little Ricky Plays the Drums” (1956). Interestingly, the entire layout of the bathroom changed in those two years. Naturally, the only thing we don’t see is the toilet!

In “Lucy Hates to Leave” (1956), Lucy says goodbye to 623 before moving to Connecticut. Curiously, of the memories she shares about the apartment, a couple are of apartment 4A.  

#3) Mrs. Matilda Trumbull

Mrs. Trumbull (played by Elizabeth Patterson) lives with her cat on the 5th floor, although her exact apartment number is never stated. The character appeared in 10 episodes from seasons 2 through 6. Presumably a widow, we meet her nephew Joe (a washing machine repairman) and hear about her sister.

At first, she is adversarial with the Ricardos, but soon warms up to them, becoming their de-facto babysitter. Her favorite expression is “Oh, nuts!” Her favorite perfume is My Sin.

While the Mertzes were in Hollywood and Europe, Mrs. Trumbull managed the building for them. Much to Fred’s chagrin, she kept the building “nice and warm.” A Rudolph Valentino fan, she has some hidden show business aspirations.

#4) Mrs. Benson, 3B / 4A

Mrs. Benson (played by Norma Varden) lives with unseen Mr. Benson (”Meh!”) and has just married off her daughter to a nincompoop. Because of this, Lucy reasons that she has no need for such a large apartment and convinces her to change switch with her. 

When “The Ricardos Change Apartments” (1953) we get our first glimpse of the living space that the Ricardos will inhabit until they move to Connecticut. Noticeably different than how it looks after the ‘swish’ (as Ricky calls it), the Bensons keep the drapes drawn and have a lot of furniture crowded onto an area rug.

Although Mrs. Benson only appears in one episode, she is mentioned in “Lucy Gets Her Eyes Examined” (1953). Lucy sends Ricky to the drug store for some ice cream, but he returns quicker than Lucy expected after borrowing some from Mrs. Benson. He catches Lucy and the Mertzes ‘auditioning’ for their guest, producer Bill Parker and is not happy about it! 

In “The Business Manager” Lucy takes on the marketing for the entire building to pay her bills. She rattles off a list of her ‘clients’: “Benson, Williams, Trumbull.”  Interestingly, no tenant named Williams ever appeared on the series. If the writers had longer memories, they might have mentioned Miss Lewis, who lived at 623 (see #8 below).  

#5) The Johnsons, 4B

In “Oil Wells” (1954), Sam and Nancy Johnson (played by Sam Cheshire and Sandra Gould) move to 623 from Texas and they are in oil. (LUCY: “Hair, suntan, cod liver, or castor?”). Ricky is suspicious, thinking they may be frauds. 

RICKY: “If he’s a millionaire, what’s he doing living in a dump like this?” FRED & ETHEL: “Dump!?!”  RICKY: “Yeah, to a millionaire, this is a dump!”  FRED: “I accept that.”

#6) The O’Briens, 4B

Tom O’Brien (Hayden Rorke) and his wife (K.T. Stevens) are actors who move into 4B, the same apartment that will be rented by the Johnsons two years later. In “New Neighbors” (1952), they are renting the apartment while making a spy television show.  

Nosy Lucy and Ethel enter their apartment while they are away to ogle their belongings. Lucy gets trapped in their closet when they come back unexpectedly. They promptly move out! 

#7) The Taylors, 3D

When Lucy and Ricky are about to move to Connecticut, “Lucy Hates to Leave” (1957), but Fred wastes no time in showing their apartment. The new tenants are a young couple named the Taylors (played by Gene Reynolds and Mary Ellen Kay). Selling their furniture to the new tenants, Lucy is horrified to learn that Mrs. Taylor wants to use her own lampshade, paint the coffee table black, and saw the legs off the sofa. Lucy ends up buying most of her furniture back, rather than see it ruined.

If Desilu made a spin-off...

#8) Miss Lewis, 1A

In “Lucy Plays Cupid” (1952) an elderly spinster (played by Bea Benadaret) is enamored of the local butcher, Mr. Ritter. Lucy plays matchmaker, only to discover that the amorous butcher is sweet on her instead!  Miss Lewis enjoys elderberry wine, lace doilies, and gumdrops.

Although this was the only appearance of Miss Lewis, she was mentioned twice in “The Courtroom” (1952). A process server pretends to be looking for “the Lewis apartment” and it is also mentioned that Miss Lewis has baked the Mertzes an anniversary cake.

Bill & Grace Foster

Uniquely, husband and wife Bill and Grace Foster are tenants of 623, although both are seen in different episodes!  Bill Foster (played by Richard Reeves) is seen in “The Gossip” (1952) and “The Publicity Agent” (1952).  

Grace Foster (played by Gloria Blondell) is seen in “The Anniversary Present” (1952). Grace works for a Josef Jewelry and Ricky wants to by wholesale pearls for Lucy. Lucy thinks Ricky is cheating with Grace and disguises herself as a painter to spy on them. Trouble is - brownstones like 623 were rarely painted - let alone white!  

Mr. Stewart

When “Little Ricky Gets a Dog” (1957), the barking upsets grouchy new tenant Mr. Stewart (played by John Emery). Forced to choose between his namesake pooch and surly Stewart, Fred the landlord returns Stewart’s deposit - $200 - then promptly faints!

Herbert & Martha

In “Lucy and Superman” (1957) Fred is anxious to rent apartment 3B next door to the Ricardos. They show it to a nice couple named Herbert and Martha (Madge Blake and Ralph Dumke). Martha is prone to dizzy spells. When she sees something on the ledge, Herbert decides they should look at some basement apartments instead!  

HERBERT: “Was it a bird?”  MARTHA: “No.”  HERBERT: “Was it a plane?” MARTHA: “No.”  HERBERT: “Well, what was it, dear?”  MARTHA: “It was Superman!”  

3B has the same view out the window as the Mertz kitchen (3C) in “Never Do Business with Friends” (1953).

~ VISITORS, GUESTS & SUBLETS ~

“Tennessee Ernie Visits” (1954) features country music singer and comedian Ernie Ford as a friend (of a friend) of Lucy’s mother’s best friend, who stays.... and stays. After hearing that ‘Cousin’ Ernie is headed to NYC, Ricky moans that they have already had three visitors this month but doesn’t say who they were.  

Their extended houseguest eats them out of house and home in “Tennessee Ernie Hangs On” (1954).   

When Ricky gets a summer booking in Maine in “The Sublease” (1954), he decides to sublet their apartment. When the job falls through, they must figure out a way to get rid of their nervous new tenant, Mr. Beecher (Jay Novello), a witness at a recent murder trial.  The rent on the Ricardo apartment is just $125, but real estate agent Mrs. Hammond knows she can get $300.

When burglar Madame X strikes in “Too Many Crooks” (1953), a policeman is accompanied by other tenants of 623, all in their nightgowns and pajamas, including Mrs. Trumbull (Elizabeth Patterson). Lucy and Desi’s camera and lighting stand-ins Hazel Pierce (second from left) and Bennett Green (behind Lucy and Fred) are also there, along with Vivian Vance’s camera and lighting stand-in Renita Reachi (3rd from left).

~ NEIGHBORS ~

In “Breaking the Lease” (1952) Ricky’s impromptu jam session attracts neighbors like Hazel Pierce and Bennett Green, who were Lucy and Desi’s camera and lighting stand-ins.

Also (getting the last ticket) is Ball’s Goldwyn Girl pal Barbara Pepper, as well as Ball’s future “Lucy Show” stand-in Joan Carey.

Lucy and Ricky’s “Homecoming” (1955) from Hollywood brings out many of the neighbors for a block party. Those waiting at the stoop of 623 include Lucille Ball’s friend and frequent extra Barbara Pepper, Desi’s camera and lighting stand-in Bennett Green, Lucille Ball’s future stand-in Joan Carey, as well as Roy Schallert, Dick Cherney, and mother of the twins playing Little Ricky, Eva Jean Mayer.

A select group of friends and neighbors are invited inside, including Hazel Pierce (left), and Madge (played by Charlotte Lawrence).

When “Lucy Cries Wolf” (1954), across the street neighbor Mrs. Devries (played by Beppie Devries), telephones Ricky to report that his missing wife is on the ledge!

If Desilu did a spin-off...

In “Redecorating” (1952), the Party Line Gossips are played by Florence Halop and Margie Liszt, whose character is referred to as Agnes. Party lines depended upon the users living in the same telephone exchange.

Some unseen tenants and neighbors:

Mr. Benson in “The Ricardos Change Apartments” (1953).

Mrs. Trumbull’s Sister, who takes over the running of 623 when Fred and Ethel move to Connecticut.

In “The Anniversary Present” (1952), Lucy and Ethel go to the basement to listen at the furnace pipe (”the snooper’s friend”) and hear the voices of the couple in 4B (“Albert!”) are not credited but sound like Barbara Pepper and Richard Reeves, two character actors that appeared in many episodes during the series.

In “The Business Manager” (1954), Lucy rattles off the names of several tenants she shops for, including “Williams”.  

[waynelvslcy]

623 East 68th Street, Apt 3D and the Beverly Palms Hotel, Suite 315 as recreated by the Lucy-Desi Museum in Jamestown, NY. #lucyanddesi #lucyball #ilovelucy #ilovelucyscenes #truecolor #whatitreallylookslike #inreality #desilu #museum #jamestownny https://www.instagram.com/p/B_tVCzhH9nz/?igshid=h9q7om81xoxf

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623 ~ Part 2

623 East 68th Street: The Most Iconic Address on Television! 

623: THE BUILDING

The Mertzes apartment building was completely fictional. Although based on traditional New York brownstones, the address 623 East 68th Street would have been located in the East River! 

All the scenes had to be filmed on one of two soundstages in Hollywood, California. The Ricardo apartment took up the bulk of the studio, with a larger space for the Tropicana. Everything else had to be staged within the Tropicana set (far right). 

In the long-unaired "I Love Lucy” pilot (1951), the Ricardos don’t live at 623 East 68th Street, but in a seventh floor apartment in the Theatre District.  When the writers invented the characters of Fred and Ethel Mertz for the series, Lucy and Ricky’s address was changed.  Being a ‘house-bound’ sitcom, location was integral to the show’s success. Location, Location, Location!  

623 may be based on the Wilcox Apartments in Jamestown, NY.  Lucy and her family moved there after being forced to sell their family home in nearby Celoron. 

~ THE STREET ~

The front of the building was seen in five episodes: “Getting Ready” (1954). Is that Central Park in the background? 

“Lucy Learns to Drive” (1955) ... 

“California Here We Come” (1955) ...

“The Homecoming” (1955) ...

and “The Ricardos Are Interviewed” (1955). 

View of East 68th Street in “Lucy and Superman” (1957) from...

~ THE LEDGE ~

Lucy went out on the ledge to spy on Ricky and the Mertzes in “Lucy Cries Wolf” (1954). She ventured out there again in “Lucy and Superman” (1957). In “Wolf” the ledge only extended to the wall, but in “Superman” it extends around the corner and under the vacant apartment window, an architectural anomaly only possibly on television!

~ THE BASEMENT / FURNACE ROOM ~

When “Lucy Writes a Novel” (1954) her shredded roman a clef is set to be burned with the trash. 

The basement / furnace room is also the location of “The Freezer” (1952). Trying to hide her newly-bought beef from Ricky, she stashes it in the furnace. When Fred lights gets a chill, it’s a barbecue feast for everyone at 623!

The furnace (aka ‘the snooper’s friend) was used as an intercom in “The Gossip” (1952) and  “The Anniversary Present” (1952). 

~ THE BACK PORCH / FIRE ESCAPE ~

The back doors / porches of 623 are first seen in “Pioneer Women” (1952). The script called for Ricky to ride the horse through the door of the Ricardos' apartment. But when the horse saw the audience during filming, it got spooked so badly that the scene had to be changed so Ricky could ride the horse to the apartment building's back porch.

Then again in “Never Do Business with Friends” (1953). Such porches were common in California apartment buildings, but less so in New York City. 

The Mertz’s back entrance in “The Quiz Show” (1951).

“Too Many Crooks” (1953) gives us a glimpse of the fire escape outside the Ricardo bedroom. 

~ THE ROOF ~

“Vacation from Marriage” (1952), Lucy and Ethel get themselves locked on the roof!  

“Ricky and Fred are TV Fans” (1952) shows us a slightly different view of the roof during the same season. This will be the last time we see ‘Lucy on the Roof’! Sounds crazy, no? 

ETHEL: “Listen, I happen to own this building!”  COP: “Yeah, and I’m J. Edgar Hoover.”

~ CLOSET SPACE ~

A major selling point for any apartment is closet space!  In “I Love Lucy”, however, closets weren’t just for coats. In “The Kleptomaniac” (1952), Lucy and Ethel store treasures for their club tag sale in the Ricardo closet.  

In “Sentimental Anniversary” (1954), Lucy and Ricky’s plan for a romantic anniversary dinner at home is interupted by the Mertzes - so they hide in the closet. 

The Ricardo apartment has his 'n’ her closets on both sides of the bed. In “The Fur Coat” (1951), Lucy keeps her iconic polka dot dress in hers. 

In “Drafted” (1951), Lucy and Ethel invite folks to the boy’s going away party, while at the same time, Ricky and Fred invite folks to celebrate Lucy and Ethel’s blessed event. The hall closet gets crowded when they both stow arriving guests in there! 

In “The New Neighbors” (1952), Lucy hides out in the O’Brien’s closet - disguising herself as an armchair! 

When “The Ricardos Change Apartments” (1953), Lucy stores all Little Ricky’s things in the closet to prove to Ricky they need more space. 

When the Ricardos return from Hollywood in “The Homecoming” (1955), Mrs. Trumbull has saved all the newspapers for Ricky because they don’t get The New York Times in California. 

When “Lucy’s Mother-in-Law” (1954) visits, Lucy has cleaned up by hastily throwign everything in the closet - which fails to stay shut.  

More Closet Comedy:  

In “Little Ricky Gets a Dog” (1957) ~ Lucy hides Fred the dog in a sombrero, the stashes it in the closet when new tenant Mr. Stewart drops by. 

In “Ricky’s European Booking” (1955) ~ Lucy hides the newly printed Ladies Overseas Aid raffle tickets in the closet so Ricky doesn’t see them. 

In “Sales Resistance” (1953) ~ Lucy hides her new Handy Dandy Vacuum Cleaner in the closet. Unfortunately, she fails to unplug it. When Ricky flips the light switch, the machine starts up!  

In “The Saxophone” (1952) ~ Ricky turns the tables on Lucy (who was trying to make Ricky jealous) by stashing three men in the closet. 

~ THE HALLWAYS ~ 

In “Oil Wells” (1954) a bickering Lucy and Ethel call a truce in the hallway where a framed print of L'école de Dance (School of Ballet) adorns the wall.

In “Sentimental Anniversary” (1954) the hallway is decorated with Woman in White Dress.

In the hallway outside the “New Neighbors” (1952) apartment, is a framed lithograph of “Off to Market” painted by Diego Rivera in 1937.

~ THE STAIRWELLS ~

“Lucy Cries Wolf” (1954)

Lucy is the prisoner of East 68th Street! 

~ THE NEIGHBORHOOD ~

In “Sales Resistance” (1953), Lucy loses one of her shoes trying to sell the vacuum cleaner. It got stuck in the door of 310 East 69th Street.  Above, the address as it looks today!  

In “Ricky Has Labor Pains” (1953), Fred throws Ricky a Daddy Shower at the East 68th Street Athletic and Recreation Society. 

When “The Ricardos Are Interviewed” (1955), Ricky’s new agent Johnny Clark starts hinting that the Ricardos should think about moving out of 623 into a swankier address. 

FRED: “They don’t build ‘em like this anymore!” CLARK: “They haven’t built them like this in more than a hundred years.”

Lucy and Ricky seriously consider it, but end up staying put - at least until they move to Connecticut. But...

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PLUMBING THE DEPTHS

Lucille Ball & Plumbers

Clogged drain? Leaky sink?  Installing a shower?  Call a plumber!  Or - if you are like Lucy - do it yourself.  Here’s a look at the plumbers of the Lucyverse!

“The Two Mrs. Coopers” (1950) ~ Liz (Lucille Ball) thinks everyone, including her husband George (Richard Denning), has forgotten her birthday. Before leaving for work, he reminds her of an important date: It’s Saturday and he told her to call the plumber last Wednesday about the leaky bathroom basin! Liz dissolves into tears!

On “I Love Lucy” Fred Mertz generally handled all the minor plumbing problems at 623 East 68th Street.  Fred’s sudden arrival to fix a sink or unclog a drain was a clever way for the writers to get Fred into a scene with a purpose. 

In “Equal Rights” (1954), however, Fred tells Ricky that he called the plumber and he is coming out this afternoon. Problem is, it is already night and they are headed to dinner!  This is likely an ad lib by Frawley. He doubles down on the error after Lucy’s brief interruption.

In “Fan Magazine Interview” (1954), everyone is trying to impress a journalist.  Fred arrives to fix the leaky faucet in a derby and bow tie. Lucy calls him the “Beau Brummell of plumbers.”  Beau Brummell (1778-1840) was the arbiter of men's fashion in Regency England.

A sight gag in “The Amateur Hour” (1952) betrays that Ethel handles the more simple plumbing tasks. Fred has always been full of s*#t! 

‘Lucy and Viv Put in a Shower” (1962) ~ Lucy Carmichael decides that her Danfield home needs another shower and asks Harry to help her install it. Harry gets out of helping by paying a local plumber to do the job under the guise of being an old friend. After Lucy drives him away with her meddling, she and Viv finish the job themselves, nearly drowning as a result! 

At first, Lucy prices putting in the new shower with Paisley the Plumber. His prices are so high that Lucy says they are in danger of needing “socialized plumbing.”

LUCY: “The only way to get clean is to be filthy rich.”

These jokes are clearly about the high cost of health care in America, which was a topical issue, even in the early 1960s. 

Stafford Repp plays Joe Melvin, a plumber from nearby Ridgebury. He is best known as Police Chief O’Hara on “Batman” but will appear again on “The Lucy Show” as well as on “Here’s Lucy.” 

“Lucy and the Plumber” (1964) ~ To fix her kitchen sink, Lucy calls a plumber named Harry Tuttle (Jack Benny). 

MR. MOONEY: “Would you explain the emergency that made you drag me away from the bank?” LUCY: “Well, I'm having trouble with my plumbing.” MR. MOONEY: “Mrs. Carmichael, any normal woman faced with that situation would send for a plumber, not a banker!” LUCY: “Oh, I know that, but today, to get a plumber, you need a banker. I just sent for a plumber, so I need money to pay him.”

HARRY: “What's the matter, lady, haven't you ever seen a plumber before?”

Harry is the spitting image of Jack Benny and plays the violin to between jobs.  

Lucy is intent on getting him out of the drain and onto the stage by entering him in “The Talent Discoverer’s Show” on TV. Harry cleans up good, but doesn’t win so he puts down his bow and picks up a wrench again. 

This time, however, he has a plumber’s helper, Irving, who enters just as the episode ends.  

In “Lucy the Stamp Collector” (1964), the sink is again acting up, making the kitchen look like the geyser Old Faithful.  Lucy says she can’t afford to call a plumber, despite the fact that she did so twice previously!  She hopes that the discover of valuable collectible stamp will save the day - until she mails it! 

“Lucy Meets the Burtons” (1970) ~ When the bathroom sink at the Unique Employment Agency needs fixing, Lucy enlists a plumber. At the same time, Richard Burton has swapped clothes with a local plumber to disguise himself and escape his mobs of fans. 

The real Sam the plumber is played by Cliff Norton. Sam has his name boldly printed on his tool box, the front of his overalls, and on his back - just in case anyone mistakes him for Richard Burton!

Lucy pays Sam / Burton $23.50 for fixing the leak in the sink, taking fifty cents off for the time he took to recite Shakespeare!

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HAYDEN RORKE

October 23, 1910

Hayden Rorke was born as William Henry Rorke in Brooklyn, New York. Hayden was his mother’s maiden name. He was best known for playing Colonel Alfred E. Bellows on the 1960s  sitcom “I Dream of Jeannie.” He studied drama in high school and attended the American Academy of Dramatic Arts. He began his stage career in the 1930s. 

During World War II, he enlisted in the United States Army, where he made his film debut in the musical This Is the Army starring Ronald Reagan playing a soldier uncredited. 

Following the war, he left the Army and did small parts on Broadway and regional theatre, including Dream Girl starring Lucille Ball in 1947. This was Rorke’s first encounter with Ball, but not his last. He returned to Hollywood for the film Lust for Gold (1949), again uncredited. He finally got his first screen credit later that year in Rope of Sand starring Burt Lancaster.  His best known films were When World’s Collide (1951) and All That Heaven Allows (1955). 

Rorke made his TV debut on “I Love Lucy” in “The New Neighbors” (ILL S1;E21) in early 1952. 

Rorke and K.T. Stevens played the O’Briens, new tenants at 623 East 68th Street. They are actors rehearsing a scene, which Lucy overhears and mistakes them for spies plotting to blow up the capitol!  

In 1971, after 129 episodes of “Jeannie”, Rorke was seen as a Judge on “Here’s Lucy” in “Lucy and the Raffle” (HL S3;E19). 

Lucy and Kim are hauled in front of a Judge to explain why they are running a raffle without a permit. 

In November 1965, Rorke played A.J. Considine on “The Taylors In Hollywood,” an episode of��“The Andy Griffith Show,” a series shot on the Desilu lot. Considine is the director of a movie based on Andy Taylor’s life titled “Sheriff Without a Gun”. The episode also featured “Lucy” players Herb Vigran, Ross Elliott, and Sid Melton. 

On the sitcom “I Dream of Jeannie” Rorke played the incredulous Dr. Alfred Bellows from 1965 to 1970, even returning for a “Jeannie” reunion special in 1985, his last screen project. He died in 1987. At the time of his passing, he had done nearly 150 films and television shows.

In 2011, Rorke's “Jeannie” costar Barbara Eden gave an interview to TV Guide  in which she revealed that Rorke was gay and had a longtime romantic partner  director Justus Addiss (above). The two met on the film Project Moonbase in 1953. Addiss directed Rorke in four episodes of “The Schlitz Playhouse” (all in 1955) and one episode of “Goodyear Summer Originals” in 1956. 

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THE ATTIC

September 23, 1949

"The Attic” (aka “Trapped in the Attic”) is episode #55 of the radio series MY FAVORITE HUSBAND broadcast on September 23, 1949.

This was the fourth episode of the second season of MY FAVORITE HUSBAND. There were 43 new episodes, with the season ending on June 25, 1950.  

Synopsis ~ One of George's old Glee Club friends is in town and George wants to find his old ukulele, so he and Liz search for it in the attic but get locked in.

“My Favorite Husband” was based on the novels Mr. and Mrs. Cugat, the Record of a Happy Marriage (1940) and Outside Eden (1945) by Isabel Scott Rorick, which had previously been adapted into the film Are Husbands Necessary? (1942). “My Favorite Husband” was first broadcast as a one-time special on July 5, 1948. Lucille Ball and Lee Bowman played the characters of Liz and George Cugat, and a positive response to this broadcast convinced CBS to launch “My Favorite Husband” as a series. Bowman was not available Richard Denning was cast as George. On January 7, 1949, confusion with bandleader Xavier Cugat prompted a name change to Cooper. On this same episode Jell-O became its sponsor. A total of 124 episodes of the program aired from July 23, 1948 through March 31, 1951. After about ten episodes had been written, writers Fox and Davenport departed and three new writers took over – Bob Carroll, Jr., Madelyn Pugh, and head writer/producer Jess Oppenheimer. In March 1949 Gale Gordon took over the existing role of George's boss, Rudolph Atterbury, and Bea Benaderet was added as his wife, Iris. CBS brought “My Favorite Husband” to television in 1953, starring Joan Caulfield and Barry Nelson as Liz and George Coope. The television version ran two-and-a-half seasons, from September 1953 through December 1955, running concurrently with “I Love Lucy.” It was produced live at CBS Television City for most of its run, until switching to film for a truncated third season filmed (ironically) at Desilu and recasting Liz Cooper with Vanessa Brown.

MAIN CAST

Lucille Ball (Liz Cooper) was born on August 6, 1911 in Jamestown, New York. She began her screen career in 1933 and was known in Hollywood as ‘Queen of the B’s’ due to her many appearances in ‘B’ movies. With Richard Denning, she starred in a radio program titled “My Favorite Husband” which eventually led to the creation of “I Love Lucy,” a television situation comedy in which she co-starred with her real-life husband, Latin bandleader Desi Arnaz. The program was phenomenally successful, allowing the couple to purchase what was once RKO Studios, re-naming it Desilu. When the show ended in 1960 (in an hour-long format known as “The Lucy-Desi Comedy Hour”) so did Lucy and Desi’s marriage. In 1962, hoping to keep Desilu financially solvent, Lucy returned to the sitcom format with “The Lucy Show,” which lasted six seasons. She followed that with a similar sitcom “Here’s Lucy” co-starring with her real-life children, Lucie and Desi Jr., as well as Gale Gordon, who had joined the cast of “The Lucy Show” during season two. Before her death in 1989, Lucy made one more attempt at a sitcom with “Life With Lucy,” also with Gordon.

Richard Denning (George Cooper) was born Louis Albert Heindrich Denninger Jr., in Poughkeepsie, New York. When he was 18 months old, his family moved to Los Angeles. Plans called for him to take over his father's garment manufacturing business, but he developed an interest in acting. Denning enlisted in the US Navy during World War II. He is best known for his  roles in various science fiction and horror films of the 1950s. Although he teamed with Lucille Ball on radio in “My Favorite Husband,” the two never acted together on screen. While “I Love Lucy” was on the air, he was seen on another CBS TV series, “Mr. & Mrs. North.” From 1968 to 1980 he played the Governor on “Hawaii 5-0″, his final role. He died in 1998 at age 84.

Ruth Perrott (Katie, the Maid) was also later seen on “I Love Lucy.” She first played Mrs. Pomerantz, a member of the surprise investigating committee for the Society Matrons League in “Pioneer Women” (ILL S1;E25), as one of the member of the Wednesday Afternoon Fine Arts League in “Lucy and Ethel Buy the Same Dress” (ILL S3;E3), and also played a nurse when “Lucy Goes to the Hospital” (ILL S2;E16). She died in 1996 at the age of 96.

Bob LeMond (Announcer) also served as the announcer for the pilot episode of “I Love Lucy”. When the long-lost pilot was finally discovered in 1990, a few moments of the opening narration were damaged and lost, so LeMond – fifty years later – recreated the narration for the CBS special and subsequent DVD release.

Bea Benadaret (Iris Atterbury) and Gale Gordon (Rudolph Atterbury) do not appear in this episode. 

GUEST CAST

Hans Conried (Mr. Benjamin Wood / Jimmy the Paper Boy) first co-starred with Lucille Ball in The Big Street (1942). He then appeared on “I Love Lucy” as used furniture man Dan Jenkins in “Redecorating” (ILL S2;E8) and later that same season as Percy Livermore in “Lucy Hires an English Tutor” (ILL S2;E13) – both in 1952. The following year he began an association with Disney by voicing Captain Hook in Peter Pan. On “The Lucy Show” he played Professor Gitterman in “Lucy’s Barbershop Quartet” (TLS S1;E19) and in “Lucy Plays Cleopatra” (TLS S2;E1). He was probably best known as Uncle Tonoose on “Make Room for Daddy” starring Danny Thomas, which was filmed on the Desilu lot. He joined Thomas on a season 6 episode of “Here’s Lucy” in 1973. He died in 1982 at age 64.

The character’s first name is not mentioned here, but it is in other episodes where Conried plays Mr. Wood.

THE EPISODE

ANNOUNCER: “Even in the happiest of marriages both the husband and wife have little habits that prove annoying over the years. With the Coopers it’s George’s habit of reading the newspaper at the breakfast table.  Well, unable to break him of this habit Liz is setting up a counter irritant. As we look in on them now she has just started a barrage of toast munching… It’s a war of nerves!”

The episode opens at breakfast, where Liz is upset that George has buried himself in the morning newspaper instead of paying attention to her. 

This was a common complaint on early episodes of “I Love Lucy” as well. Ricky often didn’t lift his eyes from behind the newspaper.  

LIZ: “I’ll speak to Katie and asks her to buy quieter bread. Or, I could puree the bread and eat it with a spoon.”

The phone rings. It is George’s old friend Charlie Nichols. Charlie is a Bullfrog, a member of their college Glee Club. Liz translates the slangy conversation between the old friends for Katie. George riffs a few notes of “Yes Sir, That’s My Baby” into the phone with Charlie. 

"Yes Sir, That’s My Baby” is a popular song from 1925 written by Gus Kahn and Walter Donaldson. A week before this episode aired, it was also the title of a Universal motion picture starring Donald O’Connor and Gloria DeHaven. In 1980 the film was referenced in “Lucy Moves To NBC” which featured O’Connor and DeHaven in a show-within-a-show sitcom called “The Music Mart”. 

Liz anticipates that George will want to find his old ukulele for his reunion with Charlie. Naturally, she’s right and naturally Liz has no idea where it is! George reminds her of the time she disposed of all his old clothes, a hint at a future episode titled “Husbands Are Sloppy Dressers” (E95) which would become “Changing The Boys’ Wardrobe” on “I Love Lucy”.  

GEORGE: “A man’s old clothes are filled with sentiment.” LIZ: “That’s sediment, not sentiment!” 

On “I Love Lucy” saxophone wasn’t the only instrument she was able to play. Lucy first plays the ukulele in “Ricky Loses His Voice” (ILL S2;E9), “Little Ricky Gets Stage Fright” (ILL S6;E4), and again in “Don Juan Is Shelved” (ILL S4;E22). Lucy Carmichael strummed the uke in “Lucy’s College Reunion” (TLS S2;E11). Fast forward to 1972 and Lucy and Kim Carter play the ukulele in “Lucy Goes Hawaiian: Part 2″ (HL S3;E24).

Liz denies having thrown away George’s prized ukulele. Liz asks George the last time he saw it and he says it was “just the other night at the alumni dinner” - in 1938!  Liz says it’s probably in the attic, and off they go to look for it. 

On “I Love Lucy,” Lucy Ricardo visited the attic to find a musical instrument, too - “The Saxophone” (ILL S2;E2). Of course, she finds other memories along the way. This was the series’ only visit to the attic of 623 East 68th Street. 

In the attic, George thinks he sees a prowler - but it is just Liz’s old dress dummy!  

Lucy Carter and her kids visits the attic for antiques and get a lesson in family history lesson in “Lucy Takes Over” (HL S2;E23). When first entering the darkened attic, Lucy screams when she runs into the dress dummy, just like George!

The box marked ‘ukulele’ is actually filled with ski boots!  Liz’s labeling system has resorted in confusion about what’s inside each box.  

This warped logic foreshadows Lucy Carmichael and Lucy Carter’s crazy filing system on “The Lucy Show” and “Here’s Lucy.”  It never failed to confound Mr. Mooney / Harry (Gale Gordon). 

Liz finds her corsage collection - dried flowers of corsages given to her by high school boys. George finds his old electric train. Liz wants to throw out the trains, while George wants to toss the corsages.  

"Lucy Goes To Sun Valley” (LDCH S1;E5) opens with Lucy searching the living room closet for Ricky’s guitar strings. While doing so, she runs across  a pressed corsage of violets that Ricky gave to her during their courtship.

Hours later, Liz and George still haven’t thrown away anything and still haven’t found the ukulele. They agree to try again after lunch - but the attic door is locked. George calls for Katie - but she’s gone downtown to take George’s Glee Club sweater to the cleaners and is then off for the afternoon.  

From the attic window, Liz yells to neighbor Mr. Wood (Hans Conried) but he is working on his motorcycle and can’t hear them. Jimmy the Paper Boy (also Conried) thinks they want their newspaper tossed through the attic window.  It hits George square in the face.

George decides to ram the door with his shoulder like they do in the movies, but to no avail. 

GEORGE: “They must use fake doors in pictures.” LIZ: “Maybe they use real men!”

George has landed on his ukulele, which emerges unharmed. He strums and sings a few more bars of “Yes Sir, That’s My Baby” - much to Liz’s chagrin.

More time passes and they are still locked in the attic. Liz notices the calendar on the attic wall says March. 

LIZ: “I wonder if it’s been a tough winter?”  

Liz starts to cry, but George wants her to laugh it off and think of it as an exciting adventure. Hunger starts to set in. Liz finds a piece of their ten year-old wedding cake. Petrified!. She spies a piece of cheese in a mousetrap!   

It is here the episode starts to foreshadow “Lucy in the Swiss Alps” (ILL S5;E21) in which the Ricardos and Mertz’s are trapped in an Alpine cabin due to an avalanche, where hunger is also an issue.  

Panic sets in - Liz is stir crazy and wants George to jump out of the window to get help. George gets the idea to make a rope ladder out of old drapes and lower Liz to the ground. 

The idea of escaping a high confinement by knotting sheets (or blankets or curtains) together to form a rope ladder is a familiar trope. It was later used in “The Star Upstairs” (ILL S4;E25) when Lucy Ricardo finds herself trapped in Cornel Wilde’s upstairs suite and chooses this method of escape. 

LIZ: “Just a moment.  Who’s lowering whom?” GEORGE: “I’m lowering you’m!” LIZ: “Over my’m dead body you’m are!” 

This exchange is very similar to “Vacation from Marriage” (ILL S2;E6) which finds Lucy and Ethel trapped on the roof when the door locks behind them. Lucy gets the idea to put a plank across the alleyway (five flights up) to the neighboring building, but naturally she wants Ethel to go first!  Ethel is reluctant to be the one to go first!

Practically speaking, Liz is not strong enough to hold George’s weight, so she has to be the one to be lowered. As Liz climbs onto the window ledge, Mr. Wood sees her and thinks she’s going to kill herself!  He rushes into the attic to save her.

MR. WOOD: “You have so much to live for. You’re young! You’re beautiful! You’re vibrant! Think of your husband!  Think of the children!” LIZ: “I don’t have any children.” MR. WOOD: “Well I have eleven children, you can have a couple of mine.”

Liz explains that she wasn’t suicidal but that they were locked in the attic. She demonstrates by shutting the door - accidentally locking them in again!  Katie arrive just in time and admits that she’s been home the whole time - asleep on her good ear!  Just as they are about to leave - the wind slams the door shut. Katie calmly announces that the firemen will let them out when they arrive after the explosion. 

LIZ: “What explosion?” KATIE: “I left the pressure cooker on the stove!” 

[papermoonloveslucy]

BENNETT GREEN

October 13, 1904

Bennett Green was born in Jersey City, New Jersey, on October 13, 1904. He is primarily remembered as Desi Arnaz’s camera and lighting stand-in on “I Love Lucy” but also frequently appeared on camera. 

His first screen appearance was uncredited, in the Universal serial Raiders of Ghost City (1944). 

His first appearance on TV was in the “I Love Lucy” episode, “The Audition” (ILL S1;E6), just six weeks after its premiere mid-October 1951.  He went on to appear in at least 22 episodes (probably more), nearly always as a messenger or deliveryman, and most times uncredited. Sometimes he would have a line of dialogue. Here are some notable appearances: 

In “Breaking the Lease” (ILL S1;E18) Green played a scruffy bum at Ricky’s late-night living room concert, while Hazel Pierce (Lucille Ball’s stand-in) looks over his shoulder. 

In “Pregnant Women Are Unpredictable” (ILL S2;E11), Green plays a Deliveryman bringing Lucy a heart-shaped box of chocolates. This time he wears a mustache to look slightly different.  Lucy doesn’t bother to tip!  

Green was the orderly who apprehends a wild native witch doctor (aka Ricky) when “Lucy Goes To The Hospital” (ILL S2;E16).

In order to patch things up between Lucy and Ricky (who he believes are feuding) Fred orders Lucy some flowers from Ricky with the help of Pete the florist played by Bennett Green in “The Black Eye” (ILL S2;E20).  Green is finally given a character name!  

In “Sentimental Anniversary” (ILL S3;E16), Green and Hazel Pierce (Lucy’s stand-in) are first through the door for the surprise party planned by the Mertzes. Little do they know the Ricardos are celebrating in the closet!  

In “The Matchmaker” (ILL S4;E4), Green is a Western Union messenger who delivers a telegram to announce that Dorothy 'Spider’ and Sam 'Fly’ have decided to tie the knot!  

Green and Hazel Pierce (behind Lucy) are dining in the Brown Derby booth next to William Holden in “Hollywood at Last!” (ILL S4;E16). 

During “The Fashion Show” (ILL S4;E20), Green appears in two different places at the same time: he is in front at the right of the stairs where the clothes are modeled, and he is also sitting behind Ethel at the back of the room!  Busy Bennett!

When “Ricky Sells the Car” (ILL S5;E4), Green delivers the train tickets that cause lots of confusion between the Ricardos and Mertzes. 

In “Homecoming” (ILL S5;E6), Green and Hazel Pierce are among the neighbors welcoming the Ricardos and Mertzes home from Hollywood. When their cab pulls up to 623 East 68th Street, Green is wearing one of Ricky’s jackets!  Camera and lighting stand-ins were required to be the same height and body size as the actors, even though they may not resemble them. They were not doubles, but stand-ins. 

In “Lucy Meets Bob Hope” (ILL S6;E1), Lucy must convince the Yankee Stadium hot dog vendor (Green with a mustache) to swap clothes with her, which he does!  

Staying with the series to the very end, Green was in the crowd when “The Ricardos Dedicate a Statue” (ILL S6;E27) at Westport’s Yankee Doodle Dandy Day!

In 1959, when Lucy and Desi (as the Ricardos) turned up on “The Danny Thomas Show”, Bennett Green was in the background!  Needless to say, “Lucy Upsets the Williams Household” and causes chaos at Orbachs!

Having been present in the last scene of the half hour series, Bennett was also in the last scene of the hour-long series, the last time we see the Ricardos and Mertzes in April 1960, “Lucy Meets the Mustache” (LDCH S3;E3) starring Ernie Kovacs. 

In 1961, Green did two episodes of CBS’s “Angel”, a show filmed at Desilu Studios. In one, he acted opposite Doris Singleton (aka Caroline Appleby). The short-lived series was created by Jess Oppenheimer. 

In October 1962, while Lucille Ball was premiering “The Lucy Show”, Green made a single appearance on Desilu’s “Fair Exchange” starring Eddie Foy Jr. and Victor Maddern. The series was best known for the debut of Judy Carne. 

When Lucille Ball finally returned to network television with “The Lucy Show” she employed Green as a background performer in at least ten episodes, probably more.  

When “Lucy Goes To Art Class” (TLS S2;E15), one of her classmates is Bennett Green. The instructor was played by John Carradine.  

During the run of “The Lucy Show” Lucille Ball presented a 1964 special titled “The Lucille Ball Comedy Hour” aka “Mr. and Mrs.” in which Bennett Green played a member of the board of directors of Consolidated Pictures; Lucy is President. 

He was a supermarket checker in “Lucy and Joan” (TLS S4;E4), where the Joan of the title was not Crawford, but Bennett!  

It’s a reunion of sorts when both Green and Hazel Pierce turn up as guests at a dude ranch in “Lucy the Rain Goddess” (TLS S4;E15). 

When “Lucy Bags a Bargain” (TLS S4;E17) Green and Mrs. Carmichael both get to the sales table too late!  Sold out! 

When Lucy gets on the jury of a daytime drama (with Jane Kean) in “Lucy and the Soap Opera” (TLS S4;E19), Bennett Green is the jury foreman!  

When “Lucy Goes To A Hollywood Premiere” (TLS S4;E20), Mr. Mooney went as the guest of Mr. Albertini (Bennett Green) a fellow banker.  They are interviewed on the red carpet while Lucy is disguised as an usher! 

Bennett is ‘behind the camera’ when “Lucy Puts Main Street on the Map” (TLS S5;E18). 

When “Lucy Sues Mooney” (TLS S6;E12) Bennett Green appears as the Medical Attendant who wheels Lucy into court. 

Ironically, Green’s final appearance on “The Lucy Show” in “Mooney’s Other Wife” (TLS S6;E18) is as a Western Union telegram messenger, just as he was 15 years earlier on “I Love Lucy.”

After “The Lucy Show” Green retired from show business, never appearing in “Here’s Lucy” or any other show.  He died on September 8, 1982 at age 77.  

[papermoonloveslucy]

MADGE BLAKE

May 31, 1899 - February 19, 1969

Madge Blake (née Cummings) was best remembered for her roles as Margaret Mondello on “Leave It to Beaver”, Flora MacMichael on “The Real McCoys,” and Aunt Harriet Cooper on “Batman”. Born in Kansas just before the turn of the last century, her father discouraged her from becoming an actress, so she did not enter acting until later in life. During World War II, Blake and her husband James Lincoln Blake worked on construction of the detonator for the atomic bomb and received a citation for their work from the U.S. government.

Blake’s first cousin was actor Milburn Stone (”Gunsmoke”). They both acted in the 1955 film The Private War of Major Benson starring Chaleton Heston and Sal Mineo. 

Gene Kelly had a special affection for her and included her in each of his films including An American in Paris, Brigadoon, and Singing in the Rain as Dora Bailey (above).  

Her first collaboration with Lucy and Desi was as Aunt Anastasia in The Long, Long Trailer, which premiered in February 1954.  

A month later she was seen as Mrs. Mulford (of Jeri’s Hats), on “I Love Lucy” in “Ricky Loses His Temper” (ILL S3;E19). A sly salesperson, Mrs. Mulford entices Lucy to buy a new hat, despite her promise to Ricky that she wouldn’t. 

MRS. MULFORD: “It’s half price!”  LUCY: “I’ll take it!”

Technically, The Long, Long Trailer was filmed first, so the movie was her introduction to Lucille Ball and probably resulted in this series appearance.

In January 1957, she played Martha, a prospective new tenant at 623 East 68th Street who is afraid of heights, alongside her caring husband Herbert (Ralph Dumke), in “Lucy and Superman” (ILL S6;E13). Imagine her shock when she spies Lucy dressed as Superman perched on the ledge!   

HERBERT: “Was it a bird?” MARTHA: “No.” HERBERT:  “Was it a plane?” MARTHA: “No.” HERBERT: “Well, what was it, dear?” MARTHA: “It was Superman!”

It is somewhat coincidental that Blake should star with TV’s Superman (George  Reeves), nearly ten years before being cast in TV’s “Batman.”  Just as coincidentally, Blake and Dumke both appeared in The Solid Gold Cadillac (1956) and Loving You (1957).  

Her final appearance with Lucille Ball was on a 1964 episode of “The Lucy Show”, “Lucy, the Camp Cook” (TLS S3;E6). Blake plays a motorist who stops to help a stranded Mr. Mooney. Lucy and Viv are hiding just out of sight.  Clearly, she has no idea that she is helping out two women as well as the handsome banker.

DRIVER (flirty): “Let me go in first and dust the seat...big boy!” 

THE DESILU CONNECTIONS

Desilu’s many television shows often blurred the lines; characters being spun-off, or crossing over to another show. Madge Blake’s characters existed in several TV worlds, although she may not have appeared in the actual cross-over episodes. 

For example, Blake made two appearances on the Ann Sothern sitcom “Private Secretary” both times playing Mrs. Bernard Hugo - once in 1953, and again in  1956. During 1957, Sothern’s character Susie MacNamara appeared as Lucy Ricardo’s friend in the first “Lucy-Desi Comedy Hour” titled “Lucy Takes a Cruise to Havana” (LDCH S1;E1).  

After her first appearance on “I Love Lucy” Blake was cast as Anita Henderson on the CBS / Desilu series “December Bridge,” a role she played in 1955 and 1956. She did one more episode in 1957 as Margaret. The show featured many actors who also appeared on “I Love Lucy.” In 1957, Executive Producer Desi Arnaz appeared as himself. 

In another cross-over connection, Blake made four appearances on “The Danny Thomas Show” from 1954 to 1961, each time playing a different character. In 1958, to symbolize the show’s move to CBS, the Williams family moved into the Ricardo home in Westport. In return, Lucy and Desi guest-starred on “The Danny Thomas Show” as the Ricardos. 

On February 9, 1961, Blake did a guest-spot on the short-lived CBS Desilu series “Guestward, Ho!” Ironically, the leading role was originally intended for Vivian Vance, but the network thought her too associated with Ethel Mertz. 

That same evening, February 9, 1961, Blake also did a guest-spot on the ABC series “Angel” which was filmed on the Desilu lot. She acted opposite Doris Singleton, who had played Carolyn Appleby in “Lucy Meets Superman,” although the two did not share any scenes. The one-season series was created by Jess Oppenheimer, writer of “I Love Lucy.” 

In 1963 and 1965, Blake joined the cast of “The Dick Van Dyke Show” which filmed on the Desilu Lot. 

In 1966, she was cast as Aunt Harriet Cooper on “Batman”, a role she played for 96 episodes and in a 1966 feature film that also had the same cast. She became good friends with star Adam West (Bruce Wayne / Batman). When producers wanted to let Blake go, West intervened and she stayed with the show until illness reduced her ability to work. On the series, Blake worked with many of the same actors who appeared with Lucille Ball: Cesar Romero, Van Johnson, Shelley Winters, Liberace, Tallulah Bankhead, Ethel Merman. Milton Berle. Rudy Vallee, Ida Lupino, Howard Duff, Stafford Repp, Victor Buono, Vincent Price, Edward Everett Horton, Vito Scotti, Norma Varden, Tristram Coffin, Ellen Corby, Sammy Davis Jr., Allen Jenkins, Art Linkletter, Alan Hale Jr.,  Jessyln Fax, and Alberto Morin.   

In 1967, Blake did a single episode of “Gomer Pyle USMC” (a spin-off of “The Andy Griffith Show”).  A year earlier, Gomer Pyle (Jim Nabors) made a cameo appearances on “The Lucy Show” (TLS S5;E9) in which Lucy Carmichael is mistaken for Lou C. Carmichael and drafted! 

Blake’s final appearance was a 1970 TV movie “The Shameful Secrets of Hastings Corner” produced by Harry Ackerman, who was a CBS executive who worked on (and appeared on) “I Love Lucy.” It was aired posthumously as Blake died in February 1969 at the age of 69. 

[papermoonloveslucy]

GLORIA BLONDELL

August 16, 1910

Was born to theatrical parents in New York City in 1910. She once said, "[S]ome member of my family has been in the theater ever since the time of Richard the Lionhearted."  She is the younger sister of Joan Blondell, also an actress. First appearing on Broadway in the 1935 Three Men on a Horse. On radio, she did 26 episodes of seven different series. 

Coincidentally, she made her silver screen debut with The Daredevil Drivers (1938), playing a character named Lucy!  Even more coincidental, Dick Purcell played a character named Bill Foster, which was later the name of her character’s husband on “I Love Lucy”!

The only time she appeared together with her older sister Joan was in The Model Wife (1941), although Gloria was uncredited. 

Gloria saw most of her work in the 1940s as the voice of Disney's 'Daisy Duck' for Disney. Blondell did six short films as Donald’s girlfriend. 

In October 1949, she joined future “Lucy” actors Florence Bates, Jerry Hausner, Hans Conried, Benny Rubin, and Mary Shipp in the second TV episode of “Obler Comedy Theatre”.  

Blondell’s only collaboration with Lucille Ball was in “The Anniversary Present” (ILL S2;E3) in 1952. Blondell plays neighbor Grace Foster, who, with her husband Bill, also lives at 623 East 68th Street. Grace works for Josef Jeweler and agrees to help Ricky get a discount on pearls for Lucy’s anniversary present. Lucy mis-interprets their communications and believes them to be having an affair!  

Grace Foster was first mentioned in “The Gossip” (ILL S1;E24) where her jealous husband Bill makes an appearance (played by Richard Reeves), but Grace is only mentioned - as a ravishing blonde! In  “The Anniversary Present”,  Bill is out-of-town and Grace has become a brunette. Here the Fosters are live in apartment 3B, which is the original number of the apartment the Ricardos get from switching with the Bensons at the end of season two. In “The Anniversary Present”, the Fosters live in apartment 2A!

Also in this episode is ubiquitous TV character actor Herb Vigran as Jule, Ricky’s music union agent. Coincidentally, Vigran was also in the cast of “The Life of Riley,” playing Riley’s co-worker, Muley. Vigran and Gloria Blondell shared five episodes, but (just as on this episode of “I Love Lucy”) never had any scenes together!  Blondell did 54 episodes of the NBC sitcom starring William Bendix between 1953 and 1958. 

In addition to Blondell and Vigran, “The Life of Riley” also featured “Lucy” actors Mary Jane Croft, Richard Deacon, Vivi Janis, George O’Hanlon, Nancy Kulp, Dayton Lummis, James Burke, Florence Lake, Mary Ellen Kay, Benny Rubin, Ray Kellogg, Howard McNear, Norman Leavitt, Pierre Watkin, and Bobby Jellison.

Also in 1952, Blondell had an uncredited role in Don’t Bother To Knock starring Marilyn Monroe and Richard Widmark. Other “Lucy” actors in the cast include Verna Felton, and Lurene Tuttle.  

In 1953, Blondell joined Hans Conried (one of Lucille Ball’s favorite actors) and Bob Jellison in the sci-fi comedy The Twonky. 

In 1957, Blondell had an uncredited role in the Walter Brennan film God Is My Partner. The cast included “Lucy” veterans Ellen Corby, Charles Lane, Joe Mell, Nancy Kulp, and Norman Leavitt. 

In 1965, as after Vivian Vance left “The Lucy Show,” Lucille Ball tried out Gloria’s sister Joan as a regular character. It lasted two episodes: “Lucy and Joan” and “Lucy the Stuntman”. Ball and Blondell did not get along off stage, resulting in heated arguments. After the final shot, with the studio audience still present, Lucy made a 'flushing’ motion in Blondell’s direction. Blondell shouted, “Fuck you, Lucille Ball.” The two never reconciled.  

Gloria married film producer Albert Broccoli (of James Bond fame) on July 26, 1940; they divorced August 7, 1945. On September 14, 1946, she married Victor Hunter in Monterey, California. They remained married until his death in 1980.

Gloria and Victor had one premature daughter, who died at birth. Gloria also nearly died from blood loss, and her life was only saved by an emergency hysterectomy.

She died at age 70 in 1986 from cancer. Despite erroneous reports, she was not interred in Forest Lawn Memorial Park Cemetery but cremated.

[papermoonloveslucy]

LUCY: 40 YEARS OF TELEVISION

1952 Part One ~ JANUARY to JUNE

The second half of the first season of “I Love Lucy”.  In February, the show is nominated for a Primetime Emmy Award, but loses to “The Red Skelton Show.”  Lucille Ball learns that she is pregnant again.  The first season ends with the most episodes (35) of any “Lucy-com”!  

"The Benefit" (ILL S1;E13) ~ January 7, 1952

One of three episodes intended to form the I Love Lucy Movie that was never completed.  Lucy and Ricky do an act called “Songs and Witty Sayings” which Lucy and Desi later performed for President Eisenhower. Filmed November 30, 1951.  

"The Amateur Hour" (ILL S1;E14) ~ January 14, 1952

This is the first time the Ricardos’ address of 623 East 68th Street is mentioned in the show. If the address really existed, it would be right in the middle of New York’s East River! The rambunctious Hudson twins are not actually twins at all, but two young actors costumed to look identical.  Filmed December 7, 1951. 

"Lucy Plays Cupid" (ILL S1;E15) ~ January 21, 1952

This episodes features Bea Benadaret, who was Lucy’s co-star on her radio show and first choice to play Ethel Mertz. Character actor Edward Everett Horton also appears as Mr. Ritter. The children in the above photo were recruited by Lucy to stave off the romantic affections of Mr. Ritter. A miniature Little Ricky is among the group (with conga drum) a year before the character was born!  Fred and Ethel do not appear in this show. Filmed December 13, 1951. 

"Lucy Fakes Illness" (ILL S1;E16) ~ January 28, 1952

Gobloots!  Lucy’s mystery illness is what this episode is best remembered for, although Ball also does a wonderful impression of Tallulah Bankhead. When reverting to childhood, Lucy’s baby voice was inspired by Ginger Rogers in the 1942 film The Major and the Minor.  This is the first appearance of actor Hal March, playing a character named... Hal March!  Filmed December 18, 1951.

"Lucy Writes a Play" (ILL S1;E17) ~ February 4, 1952

The first appearance of the Wednesday Afternoon Fine Arts League, presenting  “A Tree Grows in Havana” (set in Cuba) which switches mid-performance to “The Perils of Pamela” (set in England). The last episode filmed before Christmas break 1951.  

"Breaking the Lease" (ILL S1;E18) ~ February 11, 1952

This is the first time "Sweet Sue” is sung on the show. This is the first all-out fight between the Mertzes and the Ricardos. When Lucy is packing to move out, a magazine with Lucy and Desi on the cover can be glimpsed on the coffee table! Lucy’s friend Barbara Pepper (and candidate to play Ethel Mertz) makes her first of 8 appearances. This is the first episode filmed after the Christmas break, on January 5, 1952.     

"The Ballet" (ILL S1;E19) ~ February 18, 1952

Lucy continues to employ her friends, casting Mary Wickes as the ballet instructress, Madam LaMond.  According to Lucie Arnaz, Wickes was her mother’s most constant friend throughout her life. In addition to Lucy’s comedy at the barre, the episode contains the vaudeville routine “Slowly I Turned” (”Martha!”).  This is the third of three episodes that was supposed to comprise the unproduced “I Love Lucy” movie.  Filmed January 11, 1952. 

"The Young Fans" (ILL S1;E20) ~ February 25, 1952

One of only two episodes without Fred and Ethel, this episode features Janet Waldo and Richard Crenna as the ‘young fans’ reprising roles they created on Lucy’s radio show.  Both would have successful careers on TV.  Waldo (later the voice of Judy Jetson on “The Jetsons”) played Lucy’s sister on a 1963 episode of “The Lucy Show.”  The episode also gives us the line “Keep jiggling, Peggy!” as well as a glimpse of Lucy and Ricky in their golden years.  Filmed January 18, 1952.

"New Neighbors" (ILL S1;E21) ~ March 3, 1952

This episode is probably best remembered for featuring Hayden Rorke (later Dr. Bellows on “I Dream of Jeannie”) and K.T. Stevens (one of Vivian Vance’s best friends). It also features a couple of firsts: the first (and only) time we 'break the fourth wall’ and see a window in the living room; and the first time the gang is behind bars. Filmed January 25, 1952. 

"Fred and Ethel Fight" (ILL S1;E22) ~ March 10, 1952

This episode is based on a real-life incident in which the Arnazes tried to mediate a spat between friends and were successful, but ended up fighting themselves. We hear about Fred and Ethel’s mothers, although neither will ever appear on the series.  It is the first time we hear Lucy Ricardo’s middle name: Esmeralda. We also learn that Lucy Ricardo dyes her hair - with bottles of Henna Rinse. Filmed January 30, 1952.

"The Mustache" (ILL S1;E23) ~ March 17, 1952

The episode really should be titled “The Beard”!   Ricky sings “I’ll See You in C-U-B-A” and we learn a little about the Mertz’s vaudeville past.  A mention of Major Bowes and Vigoro, a grass-growing product!  Filmed February 8, 1952. 

“The Gossip” (ILL S1;E24) ~ March 24, 1952

Features Bobby Jellison as the Milkman, 3 years before he played Bobby the Bellboy in Hollywood. Mentions of Gold Dust washing powder, Louella Parsons, and Hedda Hopper, who would appear as herself in season five. The show unusually makes use of voice over so that the audience can hear what Lucy and Ricky are thinking. Filmed February 15, 1952. 

"Pioneer Women" (ILL S1;E25) ~ March 31, 1952

The huge loaf of bread is one of the most memorable images from “I Love Lucy.”  It was an actual loaf baked by a local bakery. After the filming, the giant loaf was carved up and enjoyed by cast, crew and the studio audience. Less memorable, but still remarkable, is Ricky riding a live horse home from work!  Filmed February 22, 1952. 

"The Marriage License" (ILL S1;E26) ~ April 7, 1952

Marks the first time the action was set outside NYC. The show used actual facts from Lucy and Desi’s wedding to create the plot.  This is the first appearance of Elizabeth Patterson (who would go on to play Mrs. Trumbull) and Irving Bacon (who would go on to play Ethel’s Father, Will Potter).  Filmed February 28, 1952. 

"The Kleptomaniac" (ILL S1;E27) ~ April 14, 1952

The centerpiece of this episode is Lucy hiding a cuckoo clock under her coat while being quizzed by Ricky and Fred.  There’s also a live baby elephant!  Joseph Kearns (Mr. Wilson on ”Dennis the Menace”) plays Lucy’s feesukeyatrist (as Ricky says). Filmed March 7, 1952.  

"Cuban Pals" (ILL S1;E28) ~ April 21, 1952

One of the Cuban pals is played by sexy Lita Baron (Mrs. Rory Calhoun). Lucy and Ethel dressed as cleaning ladies is a highlight. Ricky sings “The Lady in Red” (which is the color of the dress Lucy is wearing above) and “Similau.”  The 1992 film The Mambo Kings inserted a scene from this episode into the story!  Filmed March 14, 1952. 

“The Freezer” (ILL S1;E29) ~ April 28, 1952

Who can forget the sight of Lucy’s icicle-laden face peering through the freezer window? Her slick spiel while re-selling the meat from a pram in a busy butcher shop was also memorable. Make-up designer Hal King designed Lucy’s quick-frozen look.  Filmed March 21, 1952. 

“Ellis In Freedomland” ~ May 1952

An 82 minute technicolor promotional film for Westinghouse Appliances. In it, Lucille Ball voices Lina the Laundromat (aka Washing Machine)! Some of the other celebrities lending their voices included James Mason, Andy Devine, Jerry Colonna, and Maureen O’Hara as the Dishwasher!  Betty Furness was their  spokeswoman. 

“4-Star Revue" (S2;E35) ~ May 3, 1952

Lucy and Desi’s first non-”I Love Lucy” appearance in two years. They re-join Ed Wynn, one of the show’s rotating hosts. This was also their first time on another network (NBC) since signing on with CBS to do “I Love Lucy.” They shared the stage with British comic Ben Wrigley, who would be featured in four future “Lucy” sitcoms!  

"Lucy Does a TV Commercial" (ILL S1;E30) ~ May 5, 1952

One of the three episodes most viewers rate as their favorite “I Love Lucy” episode!  In 1997, TV Guide ranked this episode #2 on its list of the 100 Greatest Episodes. In 2009, it moved to #4.  The initial airing was watched by 68% of the television viewing audience. This was also the first episode in which Desi Arnaz received a producer’s credit. It was such a funny episode, few remember that Vivian Vance is not in the show.  It was colorized in 2015. Filmed March 28, 1952.  

"The Publicity Agent" (ILL S1;E31) ~ May 12, 1952

Lucy poses as the Maharinsess of Franistan. “Hail, Tiger!” Ricky sing “Babalu” and “I Get Ideas.”  Filmed April 4, 1952. 

"Lucy Gets Ricky on the Radio" (ILL S1;E32) ~ May 19, 1952

Freddy Fillmore (Frank Nelson, above) returns with a new radio show, “Mr. and Mrs. Quiz”.  Lucy steals the answers before they change the questions, and her on-air replies end up being unintentionally hilarious. One scene at home shows Lucy reading Look Magazine - one with Lucille Ball on the cover!  Filmed April 11, 1952.  

"Lucy's Schedule" (ILL S1;E33) ~ May 26, 1952

After having to turn down the offer to play Fred Mertz, Gale Gordon finally appears on “I Love Lucy” as Alvin Littlefield, new owner of the Tropicana.  The centerpiece of this episode is Lucy’s manic dinner party, complete with biscuits pitched like baseballs and barely tasted split pea soup that doesn’t get a chance to get cold.  Filmed April 18, 1952. 

"Ricky Thinks He's Getting Bald" (ILL S1;E34) ~ June 2, 1952

Series head writer/producer Jess Oppenheimer was bald, and actually tried out the odd-looking device that Lucy uses on Ricky. Originally, the 'bald party’ was the episode’s last scene, not the 'torture treatment.’ After the episode was filmed, Oppenheimer didn’t think the party scene was funny enough to end the show, so new sequences were shot and the episode was re-edited to put the torture treatment at the end. One of just two episodes where Fred Mertz actually has hair!  Filmed April 25, 1952. 

"Ricky Asks for a Raise" (ILL S1;E35) ~ June 9, 1952

A farcical premise pays off with a hysterical quick change act where Lucy, Ethel and Fred, get to do a variety of characters.  Gale Gordon returns (for the last time) as Alvin Littlefield. “Ricky Ricardo is not playing here anymore?”  Filmed May 2, 1952. 

[waynelvslcy]

Tomorrow is the 70th anniversary of 'I Love Lucy'. Here is 623 East 68th Street, Apt 3D and the Beverly Palms Hotel, Suite 315 as brought to life by the Lucy-Desi Museum in Jamestown, NY. Since my last visit in 2019, I hear that the museum has opened up these exhibits for photo ops–for an additional fee. I'll have to wait until my next visit to get a photo sitting on those sofas. Who wants to join me in 2022? #lucyanddesi #ilovelucy #ilovelucyscenes #truecolor #whatitreallylookslike #desilu #museum #jamestownny #happyanniversary #70thanniversary #happy70th #photoopportunity https://www.instagram.com/p/CVA97E0FZDJ/?utm_medium=tumblr

[papermoonloveslucy]

LUCY BUSY WITH PLAY, TV, FAMILY

January 1, 1961

On the first day of 1961 the Associated Press (AP) published a story about Lucille Ball, and her transition from TV star in California, to Broadway star in New York City.  In the below article - reprinted verbatim - footnotes have been added for historical perspective.  This story appeared in the Honolulu Star-Bulletin on New Year’s Day 1961, but may have been published elsewhere on other dates. 

NEW YORK (AP) Television fans who believed the 3,000 miles and legal action now separating Lucille Ball and Desi Arnaz meant a wind-up to the adventures of Lucy and Ricky Ricardo can in take heart. 

Plans are in the works to film a semi-biographical "Lucy Goes to Broadway'' right after New Year's Day. (1)

The setting will be New York and all the "I Love Lucy" regulars are to be present and accounted for. 

Meanwhile, Lucille Ball spent a sabbatical rehearsing for her first Broadway show, “Wildcat." (2)

Concurrently, Lucy was involved in exploitation plans for the movie, "The Facts of Life," which she recently made with Bob Hope (3); regular sessions with a voice coach; in making occasional guest appearances on television (4); in getting her family settled in a new East Side Manhattan apartment; and in getting the children settled in school. 

HAPPILY OVERWORKED 

"I'm over-working and I'm over-booked. I don't have time even to see friends," she said, looking slim, happy and healthy. "But I love to work and I love to try new things. It's good for me." 

The comedienne, her two children and her mother have moved into a handsome apartment in a building so new that most of the lower floors still are uninhabitable and mechanics still are installing elevators. (5)

The apartment, done in light cool colors and the walls hung with colorful oil paintings every one done by friends of Lucy, is still in the process of being furnished. 

A big terrace overlooks the city, and Lucy says the two children, Lucie, 9. and Desi, 7, like this best.

"Desi has been watching the fireman, and he's decided he'll be one," she said, gesturing toward the building where men were being hauled on ropes up and down the side of the building.  

“And Lucie's going to be a nurse she's got a pair of binoculars and she knows every time one of the children in the hospital cries," she said pointing east to a children's hospital. (6)

Recently, Lucille collaborated with a professional writer on a magazine piece in which she explained the circumstances surrounding her divorce from Desi after almost 20 years of marriage. 

She wrote the piece, she says, because she wanted to explain the situation once and for all. Now she will not go into the marital matter again, although references to Desi are casually and affectionately scattered through her conversation, and pictures of him are prominent in her bedroom, the living room, and of course in the children's rooms.

~FOOTNOTES~

(1) “Lucy Goes To Broadway” was a scripted TV special about Lucille Ball performing on Broadway. Although the script was written, it was never produced. 

(2) The Philadelphia tryout of “Wildcat” opened on October 29, 1960. The scheduled Broadway opening had to be postponed when trucks hauling the sets and costumes to New York were stranded on the New Jersey Turnpike for several days by a major blizzard. After two previews, the show opened on December 16 at the Alvin Theatre. The cast included Paula Stewart and Swen Swenson, with Valerie Harper among the chorus members. Hampered by lukewarm reviews and Ball's lingering illness, it ran for only 171 performances, closing on June 3, 1961. 

(3) “The Facts of Life” was a comedy from United Artists that opened on November 14, 1960, starring Lucille Ball and Bob Hope. It won an Academy Award for costume design and Lucille Ball was nominated for a Golden Globe. 

(4) During Fall 1960 until the end of the year, Ball appeared on television on “The Garry Moore Show” (September 27), “Eleanor Roosevelt’s Diamond Jubilee Plus One” (October 7), and “The Jack Paar Tonight Show” (December 29). Coincidentally, on the same day this AP story was published (January 1, 1961) Lucille Ball appeared as a mystery guest on “What’s My Line?” Ball used a low, hushed voice to answer questions posed by blindfolded panelists. Faye Emerson correctly guesses Lucy’s identity by saying “Are you a red-headed wildcat?” Lucy says she’s lost twelve pounds doing the musical. She says how much she owes to “I Love Lucy.” Emerson reminds everyone that Lucy and Bob Hope have a new film coming out, The Facts of Life.  Emerson suggests it could be up for an award.

(5) Lucille Ball’s Manhattan address was 150 East 69th Street, in the Imperial House, just a short distance from the fictional location of “I Love Lucy” 623 East 68th Street. The Imperial House is a white brick building designed by Emery Roth & Sons and built in 1960. It is situated on 69th Street between Lexington and Third Avenues with a large circular driveway leading to the covered entrance. The 30-story building has 378 apartments. Originally a rental building, it was converted to a cooperative in 1971. The building's lobby was designed by William Raiser of Raymond Loewy William Snaith. 

(6) Needless to say, Desi Jr. and Lucie (above in 1961) both followed in their parents footsteps and went into show business. He did not pursue firefighting and she did not become a nurse. 

[papermoonloveslucy]

LUCY AND ALADDIN’S LAMP

S3;E21 ~ February 1, 1971

Directed by Charles Walters ~ Written by Frank Gill Jr. and Vin Bogert

Synopsis

When Lucy holds a garage sale, she discovers an old lamp. When wishes start to become reality Lucy believes the lamp may posses magic, until she loses it hiding it from Harry.

Regular Cast

Lucille Ball (Lucy Carter), Gale Gordon (Harrison Otis Carter), Lucie Arnaz (Kim Carter), Desi Arnaz Jr. (Craig Carter) 

Guest Cast

Mary Jane Croft (Mary Jane) played Betty Ramsey during season six of “I Love Lucy.” She also played Cynthia Harcourt in “Lucy is Envious” (ILL S3;E23) and Evelyn Bigsby in “Return Home from Europe” (ILL S5;E26). She played Audrey Simmons on “The Lucy Show” but when Lucy Carmichael moved to California, she played Mary Jane Lewis, the actor’s married name and the same one she uses on all 31 of her episodes of “Here’s Lucy. Her final acting credit was playing Midge Bowser on “Lucy Calls the President” (1977). She died in 1999 at the age of 83. 

George Niese (Mr. Frost) previously appeared in “Lucy Becomes a Father” (TLS S3;E9). This is his only episode of “Here’s Lucy.”   

Robert Foulk (Janitor) played the policeman on the Brooklyn subway platform in “Lucy and the Loving Cup” (ILL S6;E12) and a Los Angeles Detective in “Lucy Goes To A Hollywood Premiere” (TLS S4;E20). This is the third of his six characters on “Here’s Lucy.”

This is Foulk's third episode in a row on the series.  

William Lanteau (Mr. Minkle) first appeared with Lucille Ball in The Facts of Life (1960). In addition to an episode of “The Lucy Show,” Lanteau did four episodes of “Here’s Lucy.” He is best remembered for playing Charlie the Mailman in the play and the film On Golden Pond (1981).

Mr. Minkle is the superintendent of the office building where Harry and Lucy work.

The Telegram Delivery Boy is uncredited and has no lines.

Some reports say this episode was filmed on April 6, 1970, ten months before its initial air date. However, that is a Monday, and most all episodes were filmed on Thursday or Friday after four days rehearsal, so this is unlikely. 

This is the second of only two episodes directed by 1954 Oscar-winner Charles Walters. The previous entry was “Lucy’s House Guest, Harry” (S3;E20). He went on to direct two of the Lucille Ball Specials: “What Now, Catherine Curtis?” (1976) and “Three for Two” (1975). From 1942 to 1945, Walters served as dance director on six films starring Lucille Ball. This episode is mentioned in the biography Charles Walters: The Director Who Made Hollywood Dance by Brent Phillips.   

Likewise, this was the second and final episode written by 1955 Emmy-winner Vin Bogert. The first was “Lucy Stops a Marriage” (S3;E16), which he also co-wrote with Frank Gill Jr.  It was a posthumous credit for Gill, who died six months earlier. It was the penultimate screenwriting credit for Bogert, who died in 1978. 

The title refers to the Middle Eastern folk tale of the boy Aladdin and a genie that comes from a lamp to grant him three wishes. It is one of the tales in The Book of One Thousand and One Nights ("The Arabian Nights"), and one of the best known - although it was not part of the original Arabic text, but was added in the 18th century by Frenchman Antoine Galland. The story has been the basis for many screen and stage re-tellings, including the current Disney musical Aladdin.

Another television sitcom was based on the legend of Aladdin: “I Dream of Jeannie” (1965-70), which had just ended its long run on NBC. It starred Barbara Eden as the genie named Jeannie, who lived in a bottle rather than a lamp. Barbara Eden made her TV debut on “I Love Lucy.” Hayden Rorke, who played the long-suffering Dr. Bellows on the series, also did an episode of “I Love Lucy” and recently appeared on “Here’s Lucy” as a Judge. 

In the first scene, Craig is wearing a top hat with a flower in it. The other actors (Mary Jane Croft and George Niese) seem a bit taken aback by it. 

MARY JANE: “Oh! I like your hat. (under her breath) Bless your heart.”

MR. FROST: (Points at the hat, surprised) “Oh!  Oh ho ho ho.” 

Perhaps it is something Desi Jr. saw in the props pulled for the scene and took a liking to? It also many have some sentimental significance to the actor, but for such a visual statement, it does not figure into the plot, which is unusual. 

At the start of the episode, Kim is holding a heart-shaped throw cushion that may be a tribute to the opening credits of “I Love Lucy.”

Lucy gets a Western Union telegram from the (fictional) Murphy Soup Company to tell her she’s won a contest.

Lucy's prize-winning soup jingle is to the tune of “Jingle Bells,” a song that was heard many times on “I Love Lucy.” 

Aside from Ann-Margret, Craig would wish for two tickets to the sold-our Rams Football game. After a dramatic thunder clap, Craig gets a call from his friend Alan who offers him a ticket. Craig says “How sweet it is!” Sex symbol and singing sensation Ann-Margret charmed Craig in a season 2 episode of “Here's Lucy.”  The Los Angeles Rams would have been the Carters' hometown football team. “How sweet it is” was the catch phrase of actor / comedian Jackie Gleason (“The Honeymooners”), who made a cameo appearance in the second episode of the series.  

Craig reads the October 1968 issue of McCall's with English actress Samantha Eggar on the cover. In  “Ricky Has Labor Pains” (ILL S2;E14), pregnant Lucy Ricardo is reading the January 1953 McCall’s, which clearly has a cover that says “Why I Love Lucy” by Desi Arnaz. 

Kim wishes for Jamoca Almond Fudge Ice Cream, her favorite. After a dramatic thunder clap, Uncle Harry promptly arrives at the door to deliver it!  Jamoca Almond Fudge is a signature flavor of Baskin-Robbins, who first marketed it in 1959. It is made by combining Jamoca coffee ice cream with roasted almonds and a chocolate ribbon. The bag Harry is holding, however, is not branded with their logo: pink and brown polka dots encircling a large number 31, the number of flavors they offer. 

The second scene opens with Harry and Lucy coming to work with a happy Harry (dreaming of great wealth if he got access to the lamp) paraphrasing Robert Browning’s verse drama Pippa Passes (1841). The original goes:

The lark's on the wing; The snail's on the thorn: God's in his heaven - All's right with the world! — from Act I: Morning

Harry’s version replaces mention of larks and snails with “The sun is shining; the birds are singing” and omits any reference to the Deity altogether. 

When Lucy won’t let Harry make any monetary wishes on her lamp, he storms off pouting and Lucy calls him Attila the Hun. Attila the Hun, was the ruler of the Huns from 434 until his death in March 453. During his reign, he was one of the most feared enemies of the Roman Empire.

Mary Jane tells Lucy that there's a sale on Italian knits at Morton's Department Store. Morton is Lucille Ball's married name since her marriage to Gary Morton (nee Goldaper) in 1961. Gary Morton is also a producer on “Here’s Lucy.” The fictional Morton’s Department Store joins Morton’s Service Station, Morton Pictures, and a number of other businesses named Morton on the series! 

The janitor comes to empty the waste paper baskets idly singing “When Irish Eyes Are Smiling.” The song was written by Chauncey Olcott, George Graff Jr., and Ernest Ball in 1912. It was sung by William Frawley (Fred Mertz) in the 1936 film It's A Great Life! and was heard on “I Love Lucy” in “The Star Upstairs” (ILL S4;E25). 

Harry says the Unique Employment Agency is located in office #1506. This implies that they are on the 15th floor.

Finally finding the bottle in a dumpster, there is just one thing preventing Lucy from getting it back: a glass bottle! Preparing himself for Lucy to hit his finger with a hammer to get a bottle off it, he says “If John Wayne can do it, so can I.”  John Wayne appeared with Lucille Ball as himself on “I Love Lucy” and “The Lucy Show.”  Both episodes were titled “Lucy Meets John Wayne.”

At the end of the episode, Craig reveals that the lamp is just a novelty store item manufactured in Pittsburgh. A disappointed Lucy corrects him. 

The Mexican border city was the location of “Lucy and Viv Visit Tijuana” (S2;E19) aired a year earlier.

It wouldn’t be “Here’s Lucy” if Gale Gordon didn’t get wet! 

Garage Sale Treasures! 

Hanging above the steamer trunk is Lucy Ricardo's iconic blue polka dot dress from “I Love Lucy.” It was designed by Elois Jensen and was seen in many episodes of the series.  

Next to the blue dress is an art deco poster of Sarah Bernhardt by Alphonse Mucha (1897). The poster was previously seen in the dorm room in “Lucy, the Co-Ed” (S3;E6) and in the studio of the knife thrower in “Lucy, the Cement Worker” (S2;E10). 

The zebra lamp with the red shade was on the tables of the Red Devil nightclub “Lucy and Ma Parker” (S3;E15, left). Unboxing items for the garage sale, Lucie finds her favorite doll, Clarabelle. Clarabelle made an appearance in “Lucy, the Part-Time Wife” (S3;14), although she now has on a new frock. 

Lucy pulls out a fur-lined jacket she says was worn by Joan Crawford in Mildred Pierce. The 1945 film won Crawford an Academy Award. Joan Crawford guest starred on “The Lucy Show” in “Lucy and the Lost Star” (TLS S6;E22). Craig says that judging by the shoulder pads she could have worn it in The Spirit of Notre Dame. Craig is referring to a 1931 football-themed movie starring Lew Ayres.  

Search through the building’s trash for the lamp instantly brings to mind when the Ricardo’s and Mertz’s searched through the trash of 623 East 68th Street to find the pieces of Lucy’s torn-up roman a clef in “Lucy Writes a Novel” (ILL S3;E24). 

Lucy and Harry were also up to their necks in trash in “Lucy the Process Server” (S1;E3) - this time in a department store basement - searching for an envelope of cash.

Leaky ceilings in need of plastering was also a plot point in two episodes of “The Lucy Show”: “Lucy and Viv Put in a Shower” (TLS ) and “A Loophole in the Lease” (TLS S2;E12). Both times the leaks were caused by overflowing tubs and showers, but here the cause is the continual rainfall. 

Sound vibrations and not water was the cause of the ceiling collapse that ended  “Breaking the Lease” (ILL S1;E18).

Flashing way back to 1813, prolific novelist Maria Edgeworth (1768-1849) penned a children’s book titled Harry and Lucy. In it, they marvel at the power of steam bursting through a kettle spout, comparing it to the magic of Aladdin’s Lamp. Not only did Edgeworth foresee the era of the steam-powered engine, she may have foretold “Here’s Lucy” as well!  

Do You Live in a Barn? His arm in a sling, carrying an umbrella, and taking off his hat, Gale Gordon is unable to properly shut the front door, despite the fact it is pouring rain outside. Lucille Ball’s eyes dart over at it, doubtless wondering if she had time to close it without spoiling the take. She doesn’t - and it stays open for the rest of the scene. 

Where the Floor Ends!  When the hole in the ceiling breaks open, the camera is back too far and viewers can see where the carpet ends and the stage floor begins. 

Sitcom Logic Alert! Only Lucy would find a miraculous lamp that grants wishes and hide it in a trash can in order to go on a shopping trip for discount sweaters! 

“Lucy and Aladdin’s Lamp” rates 4 Paper Hearts out of 5

A fun episode that straddles the reality / fantasy line effectively. The Easter eggs in the garage sale scene are a treat for Lucy lovers! 

[papermoonloveslucy]

LUCY’S PUNCTURED ROMANCE

S4;E22 ~ February 7, 1972

Directed by Coby Ruskin ~ Written by Fred S. Fox and Seaman Jacobs

Synopsis

Lucy takes an interest in a new man (Robert Cummings), but the milkman tips off Kim that he may be a womanizing alcoholic. To protect her mother, Kim and Harry scheme to make him think the family is crazy, hoping he'll run for the hills.

Regular Cast

Lucille Ball (Lucy Carter), Gale Gordon (Harrison Otis Carter), Lucie Arnaz (Kim Carter)

Guest Cast

Robert Cummings (Bob Collins) was born in 1910 in Joplin, Missouri. His godfather was the aviation pioneer Wilbur Wright, so naturally he got his pilot’s license and studied aeronautical engineering. After the stock market crash of 1929, he gave flying up to study drama in New York City, making his Broadway debut in 1931. In 1934 he moved to Hollywood and started making films. During World War II he was a captain in the Air Force Reserves. His television career kicked off in 1952, winning an Emmy for his role in the series “My Hero.” Starting in 1955, Cummings starred on a successful NBC sitcom, "The Bob Cummings Show” (aka “Love That Bob”), in which he played Bob Collins (the same character name he uses in this episode of “Here's Lucy”), an ex–World War II pilot who became a successful photographer. The show ended in July 1959, just a few months prior to filming “The Ricardos Go To Japan” the penultimate episode of “The Lucy-Desi Comedy Hour.” Cummings returned to “Here's Lucy” for an episode in season 5. Cummings was married five times and fathered seven children. He died in 1990 at the age of 80.

Bob Collins graduated from Carnegie Tech and is a field representative for a cosmetics company. He enjoys dancing.

Mary Jane Croft (Mary Jane Lewis) played Betty Ramsey during season six of “I Love Lucy. ” She also played Cynthia Harcourt in “Lucy is Envious” (ILL S3;E23) and Evelyn Bigsby in “Return Home from Europe” (ILL S5;E26). She played Audrey Simmons on “The Lucy Show” but when Lucy Carmichael moved to California, she played Mary Jane Lewis, the actor’s married name and the same one she uses on all 31 of her episodes of “Here’s Lucy. Her final acting credit was playing Midge Bowser on “Lucy Calls the President” (1977). She died in 1999 at the age of 83.  

Billy Sands (Mr. Larson, the Milkman) returns to the role of Lucy's Milkman from “Lucy's Lucky Day” (S4;E15). Sands began his professional acting career in 1946 when he appeared on Broadway with Spencer Tracy in Robert Sherwood’s Rugged Path, but he eventually became a television character actor who appeared regularly as Dino Papparelli on “The Phil Silvers Show” and as  ‘Tinker’ Bell on “McHale’s Navy.” He will make one more appearance on “Here’s Lucy” (but not as the milkman).

Larry J. Blake (Fire Chief, left) first appeared as a Native American Medicine Man in “Lucy the Rain Goddess” (TLS S4;E15). He was an ex-vaudevillian making the sixth of his eight “Here’s Lucy” appearances.

Orwin C. Harvey (Fireman, center) was an actor and stuntman who played one of the singing and dancing teamsters in “Lucy Helps Ken Berry” (TLS S6;E21). This is one of his six appearances on “Here’s Lucy.”

Sid Gould (Fireman, right) made more than 45 appearances on “The Lucy Show,” and nearly as many on “Here’s Lucy.” Gould (born Sydney Greenfader) was Lucille Ball’s cousin by marriage to Gary Morton.

The script for this episode was dated October 6, 1971.  It was filmed on October 28, 1971. 

The title may have been inspired by the Charlie Chaplin silent film “Tillie’s Punctured Romance” (1914), remade in 1928 with W.C. Fields. It may have also inspired “Fester’s Punctured Romance,” a 1964 episode of “The Addams Family.” 

In his book I Had A Ball: My Friendship with Lucille Ball, Michael Z. Stern recounts when he attended the filming of this episode in 1972.

The date this episode was originally aired, film director Walter Lang died at age 75.  He had directed Lucille Ball (who was uncredited) in two films in 1935: Carnival and Hooray for Love. In 1957 Lang was nominated for an Oscar for directing The King and I.

As the episode opens, Mary Jane is sitting on the living room sofa reading the November 1968 issue of Better Homes and Gardens magazine. In “Redecorating the Mertzes' Apartment” (ILL S3;E8), Lucy Ricardo says she got the idea to hold a painting party from reading Better Homes and Gardens. The magazine got plenty of airtime because the writers felt bad after making a ‘Better Homes and Garbage’ joke in “Men Are Messy” (ILL S1;E8).

In the Carter living room, the large gold-framed mirror on the landing has temporarily been replaced by an ornate cuckoo clock in order to make the final gag pay off. If the clock looks familiar, it was formerly in a home of “The Munsters” (1964-66) at 1313 Mockingbird Lane. The raven has been replaced by a cardinal, but it is otherwise identical.  Both “Here’s Lucy” and “The Munsters” were filmed at Universal Studios. [Thanks to Lucy fan Bill Graff for spotting this!]  In 1957, the same clock was seen on “Those Whiting Girls” - a Desilu production.

Also, just for this episode, the French doors in the living room can only be opened by banging on the wall above the fireplace mantle.

Lucille Ball’s ‘showgirl style’ entrance down the stairs gets a round of applause from the studio audience. Mary Jane admires her new outfit. Lucy and Bob (her new boyfriend) ‘met cute’ in the supermarket when she dropped her knockwurst and he dropped his sauerkraut. 

The studio audience is very enthusiastic, also bursting into spontaneous applause for Bob’s entrance, Mary Jane’s exit, and the end of scene 1. 

MILKMAN: “Cross my heart and hope to die. May my sweet cream curdle if I tell a lie.” 

Mr. Larson the milkman reports that the Wilsons down the street are splitting up. Larson says his wife calls him her “homogenized Walter Winchell.” Walter Winchell (1897-1972) was a journalist and radio host who was the narrator of “The Untouchables.” His voice was heard (uncredited) in the 1949 Lucille Ball film Sorrowful Jones and “Lucy the Gun Moll” (TLS S4;E25). His name was in the lyrics of the Desi Arnaz song “We're Having A Baby” sung on “Lucy is Enceinte” (ILL S2;E10). Winchell died just two weeks after this episode first aired.  

Mr. Larson awkwardly used the ‘modern lingo’ with Kim:

Pad (apartment)

Swinger (wolf)

Splitsville (break up)

Kim calls Bob a “Cut-Rate Casanova”.  Giacomo Girolamo Casanova (1725-1798) was an Italian adventurer and memoirist who’s name became synonymous with a man who seduces multiple women. Coincidentally, in "The Gossip” (ILL S1;E24), the milkman was labeled a “cottage cheese Casanova”! 

In order to convince Bob Collins that the Carters are crazy, Kim and Harry do the following:

Convince Lucy that Collins is partially deaf, reads lips and has a hearing aid in his cuff links.

Pretend that Lucy has been married six times by prominently placing her wedding gown in the hall closet.

Having Kim make inappropriate advances on Collins while sitting on his lap.

Spiking Collins' hors d'oeuvres with a concoction of Tabasco sauce, cayenne pepper, hot mustard and chili pepper.  

“Lucy is just a deaf alcoholic who's been married six times!”

Even after they confess their deceit, things get even crazier when Mary Jane shows up dressed as a chicken, Lucy banging on the wall to open the doors sets off the phonograph and the cuckoo clock, and Lucy burns the roast causing the fire department to smash the front door glass.  

A flustered Mary Jane makes it clear to Bob that she is unmarried by stressing that she is MISS Lewis. Miss Lewis was also the name of a single lady who lived at 623 East 68th Street, played by Bea Benadaret in “Lucy Plays Cupid” (ILL S1;E15).

Lucy says that Bob Collins tangos better than Rudolph Valentino. The dance was responsible for the longest laugh in “I Love Lucy” history in “Lucy Does the Tango” (ILL S6;E20). Heartthrob actor of the silent era Rudolph Valentino was also mentioned in that episode. Valentino was one of Mrs. McGillicuddy's favorite screen stars and was mentioned in “The Hedda Hopper Story” (ILL S4;E20) and “The Homecoming” (ILL S5;E6).  

This is the first time that Lucy has had a boyfriend since Tony Rivera (Cesar Romero) in “A Date for Lucy” (S1;E19). Lucille Ball had no plans for Lucy Carter (or Lucy Carmichael) to have a serious relationship.

Robert Cummings played himself in a 1959 episode of “The Lucy-Desi Comedy Hour” set in Japan.  

A cuckoo clock played an integral role in “The Kleptomaniac” (ILL S1;E27). Lucy hid the clock under her coat - but the ‘cuckoo’ nearly gave her away!  

A milkman (Bobby Jellison) was the conveyor of "The Gossip” (ILL S1;E24) about the marriage of the Ricardo’s neighbors Grace and Bill Foster.

Trying to make her mother out to be undesirable, Kim says that Lucy has always married men who’s last name begins with ‘C’ so she doesn’t have to change the monogram on her luggage!  Is this a reference to “The Lucy Show”’s widow, Mrs. Carmichael?  Other folks named Collins in the Lucy-verse include:

Kitty Collins - Lucille Ball’s character in the 1936 film Follow The Fleet

Sylvia Collins - an unseen character on “I Love Lucy”

Dr. Collins - Mr. Mooney’s eye doctor on “The Lucy Show”

Mr. Collins - Manager of Stacey’s Department Store on “The Lucy Show”

Eddie Collins - Viv’s boyfriend on “The Lucy Show”

Pat Collins - the ‘hip’ hypnotist on “The Lucy Show”

FAST FORWARD

Lucy would finally become Lucy Collins in a 1975 special titled “Lucy Gets Lucky” co-starring Dean Martin and set in Las Vegas. 

Character Consistency! Two episodes earlier Kim moved out of the house into a garage apartment nearby.  But in this episode she is apparently still living at home.

Fur Blur!  When Lucy comes from the closet after retrieving her stole, the camera momentarily goes out of focus. 

Props! On the bookshelves behind Lucy's head, a small ceramic vase has been tipped over by some books.  This was probably caused when the finale with Lucy banging on the wall and the picture frames falling was rehearsed before filming.  

No Stove Is A Floating Island! In the kitchen, the counter top island has been awkwardly moved out of the way to make room for Lucy’s tango and give better sight lines of the refrigerator. This island also holds the cook top range, so it would be technically impossible for it to be un-grounded by electric wires or a gas hookup!  

Cap Redact!  The first letter of the name of the milkman’s dairy (mostly illegible) is covered with white tape. This was likely done to avoid any legal action by a company with the same name. 

Let Yourself Out?  When Kim marches into the living room to have a heart-to-heart talk with her mother about Bob, she leaves the milkman alone in the kitchen!  

Wardrobe!  Kim’s picnic table skirt does not have pockets, so there is a conspicuous pouch sewn to her waist in a slightly different pattern in order to hold the small bottle of spices she intends to use to spice up Bob’s hors d'oeuvres. 

Plot Loops! Mr. Larson thinks Bob Collins is a wolf because girls are seen coming and going from his home and he orders five quarts of orange juice daily. He reasons some people mix orange juice with liquor for wild parties. At the end of the episode, the girls are explained by his being a cosmetics distributor but the orange juice surplus is never explained. He may not be a wolf, but he might be a lush!

“Lucy’s Punctured Romance” rates 3 Paper Hearts out of 5

In this episode, the roles of mother and daughter are reversed, giving Lucie Arnaz a larger and more commanding role. This fits in with plans for her to launch a spin-off series after the end of season 4. Lots of sight gags in this episode. The living room runs amok in a very visual (but not very character-driven) finale. Mary Jane in a chicken suit.  

[papermoonloveslucy]

LUCY TAKES OVER

S2;E23 ~ February 23, 1970

Directed by Jay Sandrich ~ Written by William Raynor and Myles Wilder

Synopsis

Lucy finds her great grandmother's diary with an IOU from one of Harry's relatives tucked inside. With interest, Lucy estimates Harry owes her thousands and soon she's taken over his business!

Regular Cast

Lucille Ball (Lucy Carter), Gale Gordon (Harrison Otis Carter), Desi Arnaz Jr. (Craig Carter), Lucie Arnaz (Kim Carter)

Guest Cast

Lyle Talbot (Harry's Lawyer) was a ‘B’ movie actor who made several films for Ed Wood, including what is considered one of the worst films ever made Plan 9 from Outer Space (1959). This is the first of his two appearances on the series. He was previously seen on two episodes of “The Lucy Show.”

Sid Gould (Mover, uncredited) made more than 45 appearances on “The Lucy Show,” and nearly as many on “Here’s Lucy.” Gould (born Sydney Greenfader) was Lucille Ball’s cousin by marriage to Gary Morton.

James J. Casino (Mover, uncredited) was a professional boxer who turned into a screen actor and stunt man. He previously played one of the singing and dancing teamsters in “Lucy Helps Ken Berry” (TLS S6;E21) and will appear in one more episode of “Here's Lucy.”  

Orwin C. Harvey (Mover, uncredited) was an actor and stuntman who played one of the singing and dancing teamsters in “Lucy Helps Ken Berry” (TLS S6;E21). This is one of his six appearances on “Here’s Lucy.” Ron Nyman (Mover, uncredited) was an English-born actor who played a passenger on the S.S. Constitution when Lucy Ricardo sailed to Europe in “Bon Voyage” (ILL S5;E13).  

Alberto Morin (Mover, uncredited) was born in Puerto Rico, and appeared in some of Hollywood’s most cherished films: Gone with the Wind (1939), Casablanca (1943), and Key Largo (1948). He was Carlos, one of Ricky’s “Cuban Pals” (ILL S1;E28) and the Robert DuBois in “The French Revue” (ILL S3;E7). His many background appearances on “The Lucy Show” and “Here’s Lucy” were all uncredited. 

This is the only episode written by William Raynor and Myles Wilder.  From 1953 to 1983, the writing team collaborated on nearly 200 scripts!

In this episode we learn that Harry comes from Sinclairville, New York, and he is the fourth Harrison Otis Carter in his family. Sinclairville is a real-life town in Chautaqua County about 12 miles from Jamestown where Lucille Ball was born. Harry claims his great grandparents had 17 children. 

Fiction enters the narrative when Harry claims his great grandfather was one of the founders of Sinclairville, which was established in 1809 by Major Samuel Sinclear as "Sinclearville".  Even today, the tiny village’s population is barely 700. 

Lucille Ball's real-life grandmother's name Flora Belle Emmaline Hunt, is used as Lucy Carter's great-grandmother's name in this episode. The promissory note is made out to Lucy Carter's great-grandfather Frederick C. Hunt, which was the name of Lucille Ball's grandfather. After the death of her father, Lucille was raised by her grandfather Hunt.

At the start of the episode, Harry is having a phone conversation with the office landlord, Mr. Praskins. Praskins was the surname of Ann Tyrrell's character Vi (above right) on the CBS comedy “Private Secretary” (1953-57) starring Lucille Ball's good friend Ann Sothern. Critics often said that she was the “Ethel” to Ann Sothern’s “Lucy.” There was an “I Love Lucy” / “Private Secretary” cross-over on the first episode of “The Lucy-Desi Comedy Hour” in 1957, although only Sothern participated. Tyrrell later played Olive on Desilu’s “The Ann Sothern Show”, one episode of which featured Lucille Ball as Lucy Ricardo. 

To save $9.40 a month on his rent, Harry appoints Lucy janitor, presenting her with coveralls, a feather duster, a mop, and a bucket! 

LUCY (to Harry): “You make Scrooge sound like Diamond Jim Brady.” 

Comparisons of both Harrison O. Carter and Theodore J. Mooney to Diamond Jim Brady were frequent.  James Buchanan Brady (1856-1917) was a real-life millionaire and philanthropist who was fond of jewels (hence the nickname). Although often the comparison is to cheapskate Jack Benny, here it is to Ebenezer Scrooge, the fictional miser at the center of Charles Dickens' famous novella A Christmas Carol.  

It is revealed that Harry opened the Unique Employment Agency 29 years ago. That would mean it was established in 1941. The name was based on an employment agency seen on “The Lucy Show” (left). 

At the start of scene two, Harry is dictating a letter to a Mr. Rylander. This name has been used by Gale Gordon many times on both “The Lucy Show” and “Here's Lucy.”  

Lyle Talbot gets entrance applause from the studio audience. The un-named attorney gets $50 an hour and (apparently) makes house calls.  

In her new role as President of the Unique Employment Agency, Lucy hangs up on a call from an important client named Charles Druten. Charles van Druten was a character played by Boris Karloff in the 1947 film Lured starring Lucille Ball.  

When the movers try to take away the water cooler, Harry grabs the bottle and - of course – ends up all wet!  It wouldn't be “Here's Lucy” if Harry stayed dry!

When the moving man (Alberto Morin) brings in Lucy’s new modern sculpture, the show gets close to a ‘dirty joke’.

MOVING MAN:  “What do you want me to do with this?” HARRY: (pause) “Oh, don’t tempt me!” 

Before giving his withering response, Gale Gordon pauses just long enough for the viewers to fill in the logical reply - had this not been primetime TV in 1970! 

When Kim says the cobweb-filled attic looks like something out of a Frankenstein movie, Craig jumps out to scare her by pretending to be Bela Lugosi as Dracula.  As Mr. Mooney, Gale Gordon played Dracula in a monster-themed episode of “The Lucy Show.”  In the same episode Lucy's son Jerry dressed up Dracula and Viv's son Sherman as Frankenstein.

The abstract metal statue held by the mover (Alberto Morin) was previously seen in Van Johnson’s office during “Guess Who Owes Lucy $23.50?” (S1;E11). 

This is the first time viewers have visited Lucy’s attic. The attic of the apartment building at 623 East 68th Street was also only seen once; in “The Saxophone” (ILL S2;E2). Coincidentally, it too references Lucy’s hometown and county. 

Similar framed “Home Sweet Home” samplers were seen above Fred and Ethel's bed in “Vacation from Marriage” (ILL S2;E6), as well as on the wall of One Oak Cabin in “First Stop” (ILL S4;E14). 

FAST FORWARD!

Lucy also named her bag lady character in Stone Pillow (1985) Florabelle after her grandmother. In an interview during filming she said about her grandmother 

“She was a pioneer lady, and I just wanted this bag lady I played to be independent and have her own little survival kit, her own way of doing things without begging.”

Flora Belle Orcutt is also used as Lucy Carter’s great-grandmother’s name in "Lucy, the Sheriff” (S6;E18) in 1974. 

Props! When Harry goes to tear up the IOU, Lucy warns him that it will do no good because it's a photostat [copy]. The document Harry is reading, however, is on yellowed parchment paper!  The paper has a small black mark in the same place as the document Lucy pulled out of the diary in the attic in the previous scene. Is Lucy fibbing to Harry? 

I’ve Got a Date! When Harry opens the door of the closet, there is a wall calendar that reads JAN. The year appears to be blacked out, but since the first of the month falls on a Sunday, it is likely from 1967 or (less likely) 1961.  Confusing matters even more, there are students in cap and gown on the calendar, indicating it might be May or June!

Doppelgangers! The framed painting of Harry's great grandfather hanging over the fireplace is actually a ‘doctored’ black and white photo of Gale Gordon that hung over Mr. Mooney's mantle on “The Lucy Show.”  The same photo, now, colorized, was used for a gag on “Lucy Protects Her Job” (S2;E14).  

Sitcom Logic Alert! Out of nowhere, Craig comes to the realization that the interest is compounded annually (although it doesn’t say that in the note itself) and that Harry owes Lucy $138,000. It takes Kim and Craig an entire episode to read further to see that the debt was already paid!  Oh, well! 

Sitcom Logic Alert II!  The premise of redecorating the office with antiques from Lucy’s attic doesn’t make sense since the office is already decorated with antiques!   

The Eyes Have It! Actor Lyle Talbot rarely makes eye contact with Gale Gordon in their scene together. Perhaps he was reading off cue cards?  

Floor Plan! Harry's home and living room are differently configured than in previous episodes. (photo by Brock Weir)

“Lucy Takes Over” rates 3 Paper Hearts out of 5

The fun thing about this episode is watching Lucy take the upper hand. Her display of self-confidence and superiority are a refreshing change of pace and must have been what Lucille Ball the executive was like.