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papermoonloveslucy · 6 years

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JACK BENNY’S 20th ANNIVERSARY SPECIAL

November 16, 1970

Produced by: Irving Fein, Stan Harris

Directed by: Stan Harris, Paul Heslin

Written by: Hal Goldman, Al Gordon, Hilliard Marks, Hugh Wedlock Jr.

Starring the Cast of “The Jack Benny Program”

Jack Benny (Himself) was a Beverly Hills neighbor of Lucille Ball’s and the two were off-screen friends. Benny appeared on “The Lucy Show” as Harry Tuttle (a Jack Benny doppelganger) in “Lucy and the Plumber” (TLS S3;E2), later did a voice over cameo as himself in “Lucy With George Burns” (TLS S5;E1), and played himself in “Lucy Gets Jack Benny’s Account” (TLS S6;E6). He was seen in four episodes of “Here’s Lucy.” Benny and Ball appeared on many TV variety and award shows together. He died in 1974, a few weeks after taping “An All-Star Party for Lucille Ball.”

Mary Livingstone (Herself) married Jack Benny in 1927 and the pair remained together until his death in 1974. Initially an actor who appeared on Benny’s radio and television programs, she retired from show business in 1958, at the same time as Gracie Allen, wife of George Burns. Her voice (lip synched by Lucy) was used in “Lucy and Jack Benny's Biography” (HL S3;E11). She died in 1983.

This is Livingstone's first appearance on her husband's television show in fifteen years.

Don Wilson (Announcer. Himself) was a portly man with a deep resonating voice that made him very popular with sponsors in the early days of radio. He teamed with Jack Benny on radio and when Benny made the move to television, Wilson made the move as well, until 1965, when “The Jack Benny Program” ended.

Dennis Day (Himself) was an Irish singer who’s name and career were synonymous with Jack Benny’s, working with the comedian on radio and TV. It was Benny who gave him his big break in 1939 and Benny who kept him employed as a singer and naive comic sidekick. His “Gee, Mr. Benny!” became a well-known catchphrase. Day would play second banana to the comedian until Benny’s death in 1974. Day played an elderly bachelor hunting on a 1967 episode of “The Lucy Show” (S6;E7). Day died at age 72 of Lou Gehrig’s disease.

Day's real-life wife, Peggy Almquist, and his ten children Tommy, Pat, Margaret, Eileen, Danny, Therese, Cathy, Mary Kate and twins Michael and Paul. The childrens' surname was McNulty, Day's birth name. None of the family are credited.

Eddie Anderson (Rochester) was Jack Benny’s valet and sidekick first on radio and then on television. He co-starred with Lucille Ball on “Stars in the Eye” (1952) and one other Jack Benny special in 1969.

Mel Blanc (Sy / Airport Voice) is best known as the voice of Bugs Bunny and other Warner Brothers characters, but had acted with Lucille Ball on radio and in the 1950 film The Fuller Brush Girl. He did some voice dubbing (ADR) on “Lucy Goes To The Air Force Academy: Part 2” (HL S2;E2) in 1969.

Frank Nelson (Ticket Clerk) is the only actor to play two recurring roles on “I Love Lucy”: Freddie Fillmore and Ralph Ramsey. He also appeared as six other characters. He appeared in the first of the "The Lucy–Desi Comedy Hours” as well as a 1963 episode of “The Lucy Show.”

Benny Rubin (Information Desk Clerk) played the snarky Hollywood Bus Driver in “The Tour” (ILL S4;E30). His first “Lucy Show” appearance was in “Lucy and the Runaway Butterfly” (S1;E29) and he was also seen in “Lucy and Viv Open a Restaurant” (S4;E20) in 1964.

Guest Stars

Lucille Ball (Janet, Benny's Maid) played all of the women in Jack Benny's life (including Mary Livingstone) on her own show in “Lucy and Jack Benny's Biography” (HL S3;E11) which aired just one week after this special. Benny paid tribute to Lucy on “An All-Star Party for Lucille Ball” (1974) just prior to his death.

Ball receives no screen credit but gets a verbal thank you from Benny at show's conclusion. Lucy has three lines and 30 seconds screen time!

Frank Sinatra (Himself) had appeared on “The Jack Benny Program” in 1951. Benny returned the favor by appearing on “The Frank Sinatra Show” that same year. Sinatra inadvertently appeared on “I Love Lucy” when a clip from his film Guys and Dolls was inserted into “Lucy and the Dummy” (ILL S5;E3) in 1955.

Sinatra is billed as 'Special Guest Star' in the opening credits.

Bob Hope (Himself) was born Lesley Townes Hope in England in 1903. During his extensive career in virtually all forms of media he received five honorary Academy Awards. In 1945 Desi Arnaz was the orchestra leader on Bob Hope’s radio show. Ball and Hope did four films together. He appeared as himself on the season 6 opener of “I Love Lucy.” He did a brief cameo in a 1964 episode of “The Lucy Show.” When Lucille Ball moved to NBC in 1980, Hope appeared on her welcome special. He died in 2003 at age 100.

Dinah Shore (Herself) was born Fannye Rose Shore in 1916. She was a singer, actress, and television personality, and the top-charting female vocalist of the 1940s. She rose to prominence as a recording artist during the Big Band era, but achieved even greater success a decade later, in television, mainly as hostess of a series of variety programs. She later changed her named to Dinah after her success with the song of the same name. She was famous for blowing a kiss to her audiences (“Mwah!”) at the end of each show. She appeared on “Here's Lucy” as herself in 1971. Her passions were golf, cooking, and painting. Shore died in 1994.

Dean Martin (Himself) was born Dino Paul Crocetti in Steubenville, Ohio, in 1917. He made his screen debut in a short playing a singer in Art Mooney’s band, but his first big screen role was 1949’s My Friend Irma with Jerry Lewis. This began a partnership that would be one of the most successful screen pairings in cinema history. Later, he also worked frequently members of “the Rat Pack”: Frank Sinatra, Joey Bishop, Peter Lawford, and Sammy Davis Jr. His persona was that of a playboy, usually seen with a glass of booze and a cigarette. Martin and Lucille Ball appeared on many TV variety and award shows together and made the TV movie “Lucy Gets Lucky” in 1975. He played himself (and his stunt man double) on “The Lucy Show” on Valentine's Day 1966. He died on Christmas Day in 1995 at age 78.

Martin receives no screen credit but gets a verbal thank you from Benny at show's conclusion

Red Skelton (Western Union Messenger) was born Richard Skelton in 1913. He left school after the third grade to join a traveling medicine show and from there entered vaudeville. His first film was Having Wonderful Time in 1938, which is where he first met Lucille Ball. The pair went on to appear together in Du Barry Was a Lady (1943), Thousands Cheer (1943), Ziegfeld Follies (1945), and The Fuller Brush Girl (1950). Skelton played himself on “Lucy Goes To Alaska” (LDCH 1959). He did two episodes of “The Jack Benny Program” in 1956 and 1958. He died in 1997 at the age of 84.

Skelton receives no screen credit but gets a verbal thank you from Benny at show's conclusion

George Burns (Voice of the Talking Telegram) was born Nathan Birnbaum in New York City in January 1896. He married Gracie Allen in 1926 and the two formed an act (Burns and Allen) that toured in vaudeville. They had their own hit show “The George Burns and Gracie Allen Show” first on radio then on CBS TV from 1950 to 1958, airing concurrently with “I Love Lucy.” He appeared as himself on “The Lucy Show” (S5;E1) in 1966 as well as doing a cameo on “Lucy and Jack Benny’s Biography” (HL S3;E11) in 1970. After Allen’s death in 1964, Burns reinvented himself as a solo act. In 1976 he won an Oscar for playing one of The Sunshine Boys. He was also known for playing the title role in Oh, God! (1978) and its 1984 sequel Oh, God! You Devil. Burns and Ball appeared on many TV variety and award shows together. He died at the age of 100.

Burns receives no screen credit but gets a verbal thank you from Benny at show's conclusion

David Westberg (Helicopter Pilot)

Verbal credit from Don Wilson at show's conclusion.

Trained Penguins (courtesy of Sea World San Diego) formerly worked for Jack Benny in “Jack Benny's Birthday Special” (February 17, 1969).

TRIVIA

This is the last television show that reunited the entire cast of the Jack Benny radio show. Most of the cast made appearances on Jack Benny's television show as well.

Jack Benny had his own radio program since 1932. He brought the program to television (along with his radio regulars) on October 28, 1950. Jack remained thirty-nine-years-old, kept his money in his basement, and drove his old Maxwell car, just as he had done on radio. The television show ran until 1965. For the first five years, the show aired concurrently on radio and television. The TV program produced 931 episodes. It won an Emmy Award for best comedy show in 1961.

In October 1964, Lucille Ball was featured on a program where she played Mrs. Paul Revere. After the regular half hour show was canceled, Benny embarked on a series of bi-annual specials. Lucille Ball appeared on three of these specials.

This show was sponsored by Timex.

As always, Jack Benny's theme song is “Love in Bloom.”

In the subsequent special “Everything You Always Wanted to Know About Jack Benny But Were Afraid to Ask” (March 10, 1971), Phil Harris thinks he's arrived in time for Benny's “20th Anniversary” show, but Benny tells him that it was four months ago.

Lucy, Benny, Bob Hope, Dean Martin, George Burns, and Red Skelton, all appeared in the patriotic TV special “Swing Out, Sweet Land” which aired two weeks after this special on November 29, 1970.

THE SHOW

Announcer Don Wilson introduces Jack Benny, live on stage. He gets sidetracked saying how ungrateful Benny is. Jack watches from the wings and finally comes on stage to rebuke Wilson.

Benny: “You were just supposed to introduce me!” Wilson: “Introduce yourself!” (He walks off)

After a few opening remarks about his years on television and radio, Benny introduces Dinah Shore, who was also a guest on his very first TV show in 1950. They reminisce about that show. Dinah sings “All of a Sudden My Heart Sings” by Harold J. Rome, Henri Laurent Herpin, and Jean-Marie Blanvillain.

Dean Martin knocks on Jack's dressing room door to wish him a happy anniversary and dance “The Anniversary Waltz” with him. They sing and dance out the door. The bit lasts less than 30 seconds.

After a commercial message from Timex, Red Skelton skips on dressed as a Western Union messenger to give Jack Benny a telegram. He makes Benny laugh when he says “I'm a dreamer, aren't I?” while holding his hand out for a tip. He is on screen / stage for less than a minute.

Skelton has delivered a talking telegram from George Burns, which instructs Jack to hold it up to his ear to hear the message.

Voice of George Burns: “Only an idiot would stand before 40 million people holding a telegram up to his ear.”

Benny has recruited Rochester to drive him to the airport for his trip to Mexico City.

Wondering about the departure time, he asks at the information booth, manned by Benny Rubin. Whatever Benny asks him, his answer is “I dunno.”

The ticket clerk is played by Frank Nelson, who greets him with his trademark “Yeeeeeeeeees?”

At the airport, Benny runs into Dennis Day, his wife Peggy, and their ten (!) children.

Rochester gives Benny's overweight luggage to a Mexican man (Mel Blanc) on the same flight.

In response to everything Benny asks, he says “si”. The man's name is “Sy”. He has a sister named “Sue.”

Blooper Alert! Despite this familiar old “si / Sy / Sue” routine, Benny mistakenly calls Rubin “Sue” then corrects himself saying “si” before Rubin chimes in “Sy”.

Benny hears hears a flight announcement that says his trip is delayed. Another voice comes on the public address system to say:

Voice (Mel Blanc): “Attention please. Attention! Plane leaving at gate five for Anaheim, Azusa, and Cucamonga!”

This is one of Mel Blanc's earliest routines from the Jack Benny radio show. Instead of a train station, here it is an airport.

Blanc's voice announces a flight for Alaska and three penguins come toddling toward the gate. These three penguins were also featured in “Jack Benny's Birthday Special” (February 17, 1969), which also starred Lucille Ball, Benny Rubin, Don Wilson, and Dennis Day.

Bob Hope does a monologue about Jack Benny. Benny joins him onstage and Hope sings “Thanks for the Memory” (his theme song) with special lyrics about Benny's age. In response, Benny sings a few bars of “Love in Bloom” (his theme song) with special lyrics about Hope.

A helicopter lands in the studio and Frank Sinatra steps out of it! Frank invites Benny to go to the movies after the show. The double feature is The Kissing Bandit (1948) and The Horn Blows at Midnight. The Kissing Bandit is a film starring Sinatra that he loathed. The Horn Blows at Midnight is widely considered Benny's worst film. Sinatra sings “I Get A Kick Out of You” by Cole Porter. Sinatra substitutes the alternate lyric “Some like the perfume from Spain” instead of “Some get a kick from cocaine.” However, instead of following with “I'm sure that if I took even one sniff” he sings “I'm sure that if I took one look.”

After a commercial, the scene is set in Jack Benny's home, where Mary Livingston picks up the telephone. It is Jack calling from the studio. He asks her to join him after the show for supper.

Mary calls her maid, Janet (Lucille Ball). Ball gets a huge round of applause from the studio audience.

Janet reveals that Mary's been on TV the whole time because Jack has hidden a camera behind a painting of Betsy Ross!

Back in the studio, Benny introduces film clips from his past 20 years. Stars include Jimmy Stewart, John Wayne, Marilyn Monroe, Ed Sullivan, Humphrey Bogart, Fred MacMurray, Kirk Douglas, Liberace, Tennessee Ernie Ford, Nat King Cole, Ginger Rogers, Charles Boyer, George Burns, Gracie Allen, Bob Hope, Bing Crosby, Milton Berle, Danny Thomas, Frank Sinatra, Lucille Ball, David Niven, Carol Burnett, Raymond Burr, Johnny Carson, Andy Williams, Rock Hudson, Dan Rowan, Dick Martin, Tom Smothers, Dick Smothers, Cary Grant, Billy Graham, Lawrence Welk, Dan Blocker, Robert Goulet, and Phyllis Diller.

Jack Benny thinks ahead to what the next twenty years will bring. Flash forward to Rochester with white hair and a cane answering the door to a bald Don Wilson and a stooped over Dennis Day. A creaky Bob 'Road-To-Medicare' Hope joins them, supporting himself with a walking stick. A gray-haired Dinah Shore comes through the door and blows everyone one of her famous kisses “Mwaah!” The kiss sends her reeling across the room. Jack skips down the stairs energetically, not having age one iota since 1970 and distributes scripts to his ancient co-stars. Even though Jack Benny died in 1974, only four years after this special, he will forever be only 39 on TV.

After the last commercial break, Jack takes a moment to thank his co-stars, and all of his viewers throughout the world. The camera pulls back to reveal an unfurled stack of computer printout and Benny starts reading the names of his viewers – alphabetically! “Mr. and Mrs. Tony Ames, Miss Terry Arco, Mr. and Mrs. Albert Aaron, Mrs. Andrew Aaronson...”

This Date in Lucy History – November 16th

"The French Revue" (ILL S3;E7) – November 16, 1953

"Lucy Becomes a Father" (TLS S3;E9) – November 16, 1964

"Lucy the Diamond Cutter" (HL S3;E10) – November 16, 1970

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papermoonloveslucy · 3 years

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SCREEN DIRECTOR’S PLAYHOUSE: MISS GRANT TAKES RICHMOND

May 19, 1950

Screen Directors Playhouse was a radio anthology series which brought leading Hollywood actors to the NBC microphones beginning in 1949. The radio program broadcast adaptations of films, and original directors of the films were sometimes involved, although their participation was usually limited to introducing the radio adaptations, and a brief “curtain call” with the cast and host at the end of the program. The series later had a brief run on television. The radio version ran for 122 episodes and aired on NBC from January 9, 1949 to September 28, 1951 under several different titles: NBC Theater, Screen Director’s Guild Assignment, Screen Director’s Assignment and, as of July 1, 1949, Screen Director’s Playhouse.

This radio adaptation of “Miss Grant Takes Richmond” stars Lucille Ball in her original film role of Ellen Grant. It was directed by Bill Cairn, produced by Howard Wiley. Composer and conductor was Robert Armbruster. The script was adapted by Richard Allen Simmons. It aired on NBC radio on May 19, 1950. On February 22, 1951, "The Screen Guild Theater" broadcast a 60 minute radio adaptation of the movie with William Holden reprising his film role.

Miss Grant Takes Richmond is a 1949 comedy film starring Lucille Ball and William Holden, directed by Lloyd Bacon and released by Columbia Pictures. It was released under the title Innocence is Bliss in the UK. Rita Hayworth was going to star in the movie, but Hayworth requested script revisions, and went on suspension to avoid making it.

Synopsis ~ An inept secretary goes to work for a bogus real estate firm thinking it's for real.

Note: The title is a pun on the historical fact that General Ulysses S. Grant ‘took back’ the city of Richmond, Virginia, from the Confederacy, who used it as their capital during the Civil War (April 1865).

CAST

Lucille Ball (Ellen Grant) previously appeared on Screen Directors Playhouse in “Her Husband’s Affairs” (May 22, 1949), a film she had also appeared in on screen. She will return for “A Foreign Affair” (March 1, 1951) in the role originated by Jean Arthur, and “Bachelor Mother” (March 8, 1951), taking the role originated by her friend Ginger Rogers. Miss Grant (1949) was Ball’s 72nd motion picture.

Lucille Ball repeats her film role of Ellen Grant.

Steve Dunne (Dick Richmond) replaced Howard Duff as the voice of the famous private eye in "The Adventures of Sam Spade," the 1946-1951 radio series.

Dunne was in the film version, but he played the minor role of Ralph Winton.

Arthur Q. Bryan (Judge Ben Grant, Ellen’s Uncle) had appeared with Lucille Ball in Look Who’s Laughing (1941). He is best remembered as the original voice of Elmer Fudd in the Warner Brothers cartoons. He played Mr. Chambers, new owner of the Tropicana in “Ricky Loses His Voice” (ILL S2;E9) in 1952.

On screen, the role was played by George Cleveland.

Frank Nelson (Mr. Woodruff) was born on May 6, 1911 (three months before Lucille Ball) in Colorado Springs, Colorado. He started working as a radio announcer at the age of 15. He later appeared on such popular radio shows as “The Great Gildersleeve,” “Burns and Allen,” “Fibber McGee & Molly”. and a dozen episodes of Lucille Ball’s “My Favorite Husband.” On “I Love Lucy” he holds the distinction of being the only actor to play two recurring roles: Freddie Fillmore and Ralph Ramsey, as well as six one-off characters, including the frazzled train conductor in “The Great Train Robbery” (ILL S5;E5), a character he repeated on “The Lucy Show.” Aside from Lucille Ball, Nelson is perhaps most associated with Jack Benny and was a fifteen-year regular on his radio and television programs, often playing store clerks like this one.

On screen, the role was played by Charles Lane, one of the few character actors that appeared as frequently as Nelson with Lucille Ball.

Herb Vigran (Mr. Kilcoyne) occasionally turned up on Lucille Ball’s radio show, “My Favorite Husband” (1948-50) in various roles. He appeared on “I Love Lucy” as Jule, Ricky’s music agent, in “The Saxophone” (ILL S2;E2) and “The Anniversary Present” (ILL S2;E3). He also played Mrs. Trumbull’s nephew Joe in “Never Do Business With Friends” (ILL S2;E31) and Al Sparks in “Lucy is Envious” (ILL S3;E23). He went on to appear on select episodes of “The Lucy Show” and Here’s Lucy.”

On screen, the role was played by Frank McHugh.

Jean Bates (Peggy Donato) was a model before becoming an actress, doing radio, TV and film. She worked from 1943 to 2001.

Norman Field was one of at least six actors to play Judge Hunter on the NBC-Radio soap, “One Man's Family” (1932-50). He played Charlie's school principal on “The Edgar Bergen/Charlie McCarthy Show” (1939-56), Josh Chandler on “Dear John” (1940-44), Uncle George on “Meet Corliss Archer”, Inspector Danton on “Mystery Is My Hobby” (1947-49), and Judge Babson on “The Amazing Mr. Tutt” (1948).

Jimmy Wallington (Announcer)

Lloyd Bacon (Original Film Director Guest) was also a guest when three of his films were featured on “Screen Director’s Playhouse”: “You Were Meant For Me” (March 3, 1949), “Don’t Trust Your Husband” (September 23, 1949), and “It Happens Every Spring” (April 14, 1950).

EPISODE

From a busy typing pool headed by Mr. Woodruff (Frank Nelson), real estate employer Dick Richmond picks the inept Ellen Grant (Lucille Ball). He takes her back to the office and introduces her to Mr. Kilcoyne (Herb Vigran). Dick confides in Mr. Kilcoyne that he deliberately picked Miss Grant because she looks good but is pretty dim - the perfect cover for their bookie operation! Kilcoyne dictates to Ellen about some low cost housing. She tells him that no one can ever dictate too fast for her. If she misses a word, she just puts in a ‘doofer’ - something that’ll ‘do for’ now.

Ellen calls her Uncle Ben, a judge, to tell him about her new job. While she’s on the phone Peggy Donato barges in to see Dick. In the conference room, it is clear Peggy and Dick are in a relationship. Peggy is immediately suspicious of the new secretary. She is unhappy when she is rebuffed by Dick. Before leaving, she tells Ellen to give a message to Dick: Five thousand on the Flywell property at Belmont. Dick comes out of the conference room and tells Ellen that the low-cost housing project is off.

Ellen comes into the office with her Uncle Ben. She has arranged it so that Dick can buy the low-cost housing at a discount price. Judge Ben has even brought the papers. With no way out - Dick and Mr. Kilcoyne sign and the judge leaves. She suddenly remembers the message Peggy left for him. Alarmed, they check the papers and realize they owe Peggy fifty grand! In the conference room, Dick and Mr. Kilcoyne conspire to make Ellen quit before they go bankrupt. To put the plan in action, Dick kisses Ellen. Indignant at his liberty, she promptly quits. She no sooner returns and says that she will stay on to see through the low-cost housing project - but no further hanky panky will be tolerated! The two men adjourn to the conference room! End of Act One

A live commercial is for RCA television sets. The pitch involves getting a set that fits the consumer’s home. In the second part, Ellen still doesn’t realize her employers are NOT in the real estate business. Dick has a plan to go ahead and build the houses - and skim the profits off the top to pay their debt to Peggy. Knowing her mental acumen is not great, Dick pitches a promotion to Ellen - heading up the housing project.

As boss, Ellen starts making silly decisions that frustrate her contractors. Ellen is getting frustrated when the project starts to fall apart - physically and financially. The project grinds to a halt.

Dick makes the ultimate sacrifice, he humbles himself to Peggy and take her back - personally and professionally. It isn’t long before the scheme works and the company is flush again. The conference room phone rings and it is someone looking to bet on a horse. She realizes she has been conned. Dick returns and Ellen quits, humiliated at being duped. Kilcoyne takes her aside and tells Ellen that Dick cares for her and is looking to go straight - but can’t get out of his relationship with Peggy.

Ellen bursts in on Peggy and Dick - gun pointed at her. She tells Peggy that she is mother of Dick’s children - and fires a warning shot. Peggy quickly gives him up and Dick and Ellen leave together.

In the car, Dick and Ellen. She makes it clear that she’s in charge from now on. Miss Grant just took Richmond!

End of Act Two

Lucille Ball and Jimmy Wallington do an RCA Victor commercial. She says she milks the cows at Chatsworth listening to her RCA record collection.

Lucille introduces the evening’s director Lloyd Bacon. Bacon says he started in movies 1915. Ball extolls his talents in directing. They bid the audience good night.

Wallington returns to say that next week will feature “Flamingo Road” starring Joan Crawford recreating her original role.

CREDITS

Thanks to Columbia Pictures, currently represented by No Sad Songs for Me

Lucille Ball can be heard on her own radio show and soon in the film The Fuller Brush Girl

Lloyd Bacon appears courtesy of 20th Century Fox, producers of Ticket To Tomahawk

#Lucille Ball #Miss Grant Takes Richmond #Lloyd Bacon #Screen Directors' Playhouse #Radio #Steve Dunne #Herb Vigran #Frank Nelson #Arthur Q. Bryan #Jimmy Wallington #Jean Bates #Norman Field #RCA #RCA Victor

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papermoonloveslucy · 4 years

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THE DARK CORNER

November 10, 1947

Synopsis ~ A former San Francisco private eye, just in back New York after two years in prison (the victim of a frame-up), finds himself a target for another send-up and murder.

Directed by Fred MacKaye with musical direction by Louis Silvers and sound effects by Charlie Forsyth

Adapted for radio by Sanford Barnett from the screenplay by Jay Dratler and Bernard Schoenfeld based on the book by Leo Rosten.

It was based on the 20th Century Fox motion picture of the same name released on May 8, 1946.

In later years, Lucille Ball was vocal about hating the experience of shooting The Dark Corner. Director Henry Hathaway's bullying reduced Ball to stuttering on set, at which point Hathaway accused her of being inebriated. At the time, Lucille Ball was suing to get out of her contract with MGM. As a result, MGM loaned her to Fox for this picture, which included a significant pay cut.

Lux Radio Theatre (1935-55) was a radio anthology series that adapted Broadway plays during its first two seasons before it began adapting films (”Lux Presents Hollywood”). These hour-long radio programs were performed live before studio audiences in Los Angeles. The series became the most popular dramatic anthology series on radio, broadcast for more than 20 years and continued on television as the Lux Video Theatre through most of the 1950s. The primary sponsor of the show was Unilever through its Lux Soap brand.

CAST

Lucille Ball (Kathleen Stewart) 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. “My Favorite Husband” 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.

Mark Stevens (Bradford Galt) reprises his role from the film version of The Dark Corner (1946). He became a contract player for Warners at $100 a week in 1943 but they darkened and straightened his curly ginger-colored hair and covered his freckles. At first he was billed as Stephen Richards, he later changed it to Mark Stevens at the suggestion of Darryl F. Zanuck when he switched to 20th Century-Fox. He died in 1994 at age 77.

Joseph Kearns (Ralph Wickett) appeared on “I Love Lucy” as the psychiatrist in “The Kleptomaniac” (ILL S1;E27) and later played the theatre manager in “Lucy’s Night in Town” (S6;E22). His most famous role was as Mr. Wilson on TV’s “Dennis the Menace” (1959). When he passed away during the show’s final season, Lucy regular Gale Gordon took over for him, playing his brother.

In the film, the character was named Hardy Cathcart and was played by Clifton Webb.

Norma Jean Nilsson (Little Girl at the Boarding House) was a child actress who left Hollywood at age 19 after appearing in 16 films and television shows.

In the film, the character carries a slide whistle, which is not used here. She was played by Colleen Alpaugh.

Wally Maher (Fred Foss aka Stauffer) was born on August 4, 1908 in Cincinnati, Ohio. He was known for Mystery Street (1950), The Reformer and the Redhead (1950) and Hollywood Hotel (1937). He was married to Molly Bruno. He died on December 27, 1951.

In the feature film, the role was played by William Bendix, who would go on to fame as the title character in TV’s “The Life of Riley.”

Dan O'Herlihy (Anthony Jardine) was an Irish-born actor nominated for an Oscar in 1954 for Robinson Crusoe. In 1960 he made an appearance on Desilu’s “The Untouchables.” He was in two of the RoboCop movies. He died in 2005 at age 85.

In the feature film, the role was played by German-born actor Kurt Krueger.

Fay Baker (Mari Wickett) was born on January 31, 1917 in New York City as Fanita Baker Schwager. She was known for Notorious (1946), The House on Telegraph Hill (1951) and Deadline - U.S.A. (1952). She died on December 8, 1987.

In the feature film, the role was taken by Cathy Downs, making her first credited screen appearance.

ENSEMBLE

Trude Marson was seen in uncredited roles in four films from 1937 to 1947.

Noreen Gammill started her screen career as the voice of Catty the Elephant in Disney’s Dumbo (1941). She made two background appearances on “The Andy Griffith Show” (1963 and 1964), filmed on the Desilu backlot.

William Johnstone is probably best remembered as Judge Lowell on the long-running daytime drama “As The World Turns”. Prior to that he worked extensively in radio and took over the role of Lamont Cranston on "The Shadow" playing opposite Agnes Moorehead when Orson Welles left the series.

Janet Scott was a regular background voice on “Lux Radio Theatre” with dozens of episodes to her credit from 1937 to 1955.

Lois Corbett was married to Don Wilson of “The Jack Benny Program” and as such did more than a dozen episodes of the television shows with him from 1954 to 1964.

Edward Marr was seen in The Affairs of Annabel with Lucille Ball in 1938. He was also in two Bob Hope TV specials with Hope and Ball in 1966 and 1970.

Stanley Farrar was seen on “I Love Lucy” in “Home Movies” (ILL S3;E20) and “Staten Island Ferry” (ILL S5;E12). He on “The Lucy Show” in “Lucy and Arthur Godfrey” (TLS S3;E23) and “Lucy Meets Danny Kaye” (TLS S3;E15).

Herb Butterfield was born on October 28, 1895 in Providence, Rhode Island. He was known for The Halls of Ivy (1954), The House on Telegraph Hill (1951) and Shield for Murder (1954). On radio, he portrayed the Commissioner on NBC 's "Dangerous Assignment" (1949-53) and Clarence Wellman on "The Halls of Ivy" (1950-52). He died on May 2, 1957

Cliff Clark was seen with Lucille Ball in Her Husband’s Affairs (1947), Miss Grant Takes Richmond (1949), and The Fuller Brush Girl (1950).

OTHERS

William Keighley (Host and Producer) was the director of nearly 40 feature films between 1932 and 1953. His film The Adventures of Robin Hood (1938) was selected for the National Film Registry by the Library of Congress as being culturally significant.

Dorothy Lovett (Commercial Spokeswoman as Libby Collins, Hollywood Reporter) appeared as Meta Bauer on radio’s “The Guiding Light" (1945-47) and as Toni Sherwood in "The Adventures of Rocky Jordan". She did three films with Lucille Ball from 1939 to 1941.

Betty Ann Lynn (Herself, Act Two Intermission Guest) is best known for playing Thelma Lou on “The Andy Griffith Show” (1961 to 1965) which was filmed on the Desilu back lot.

John Milton Kennedy (Announcer) was the announcer of all 35 episodes of “The Loretta Young Show” from 1954 to 1955.

ACT ONE

William Keighley introduces the program, noting that many years earlier, director Fred Kohlmar saw a titian-haired young model who had great possibilities - Lucille Ball. He later had the privilege of presenting her in the film version of The Dark Corner. After a mention of Lux Toilet Soap, the program begins.

The action opens in a New York City office building on a sultry summer afternoon. Police detective Reeves visits the Offices of Bradford Galt, Private Investigator and speaks to his secretary, Kathleen Stewart.

Galt enters and Reeves wonders why Galt didn’t notify him that he moved offices after his prior unpleasantness. Galt asks Kathleen to have dinner with him. After dinner, Galt asks her to go dancing but she’s wise to his advance. As they walk down the street, they realize that they are being followed.

Kathleen takes a cab back to the office, while Galt confronts the pursuer at gunpoint, taking him back to his office for questioning. He says his name is Fred Foss, and that he’s also a private detective. Galt doesn’t believe him and decides to beat the truth out of him.

After some roughing up, Fred discloses that he is being paid to tail Galt by Anthony Jardine. In the tussle, some ink spills on Foss’s white suit. He lets Foss leave. Kathleen was supposed to tail Foss after he left the office, but he tricked her and got away.

Back at his rooming house, Foss uses the hall telephone to call art gallery owner Ralph Wickett, and his ink-stained suit is noticed by a Little Girl neighbor.

At a party for his third wedding anniversary, Wickett hangs up and is greeted by Jardine, a lawyer. Mrs. Lucy Wilding takes Jardine aside pretending to ask legal advice, but it is revealed that he is blackmailing her.

Meanwhile, Galt confides in Kathleen about his past. Jardine is trying to kill Galt because he was a former partner that Galt confronted about his blackmailing female clients. Now Jardine wants to finish the job.

Mari Wickett, Ralph’s wife, is having an affair with Anthony Jardine. She wants to run away with him. At the same time, Galt is headed there to settle the score.

End of Act One

A Lux commercial break takes the form of a story from Libby Collins, Hollywood Reporter. She says she saw Universal’s The Lost Moment starring Robert Cummings and Susan Hayward. Libby says she was on location when they filmed the big fire scene, the biggest fire ever done on a sound stage. She says that she and Susan Hayward washed the soot off their faces with Lux Toilet Soap!

At the time of the broadcast, The Lost Moment was still two weeks from being released. It opened in cinemas on November 27, 1947. The story is set in Italy, so the cast included Edward Ciannelli, who played pizzeria owner Mr. Martinelli in “Visitor from Italy” (ILL S6;E5) and Saverio LoMedico who played the Rome hotel bellboy in “Lucy’s Italian Movie” (ILL S5;E23). The film was not a box office success.

ACT TWO

An hour has past since the end of Act One and Galt is at Jardine’s door. Galt threatens Jardine, who denies tailing him.The two fight while Mari is hiding in the other room. After Galt leaves, she convinces him to run away with her.

At the Gallery, Wickett is visited by Foss. It is clear Wickett is setting up Jardine to take the fall when he has Galt killed. Foss calls Galt to betray Jardine for a price. Galt suggests a one-on-one meeting at his apartment - 904 West 52nd, apartment 307 at 8pm sharp. Wickett will send Jardine to Galt’s apartment at 7:30pm.

In reality, there is no such address. West 52nd Street in New York City ends at the the 600s block. This is similar to the Ricardo and Mertz apartment building. 623 East 68th Street, which, if real, would be in the East River!

Kathleen and Galt are supposed to meet at the movies, but he doesn’t show so he goes to his apartment at 8:30. Galt opens the door and reveals that Jardine is dead. Galt was ambushed with and knocked out with ether. He woke up to find Jardine’s body bludgeoned by the fireplace poker. Galt realizes he was set up.

Later, Galt meets Kathleen at her apartment. He couldn’t find Foss and doesn’t know where to look next.

Wickett reminds Mari that they are due at the Kinsglsey’s that night, but she begs off. He strongly hints that he knows that Mari is stepping out on him and looking to run off.

Galt suddenly realizes that Foss would have to have his white suit cleaned, so he is determined to search all the cleaners for the suit and get his address.

Foss phones Wickett, and the Little Girl is there to overhear his conversation. Foss makes a plan to meet Wickett on the 31st floor of the Grant building.

Galt and Kathleen are about to give up on the search for the suit when a cleaner comes through. They get his address and trace Foss to the rooming house where he lives. His name turns out to be Stauffer, not Foss. The landlady reports that he moved out an hour ago and doesn’t know where he went. But the Little Girl does - and spills the beans for a quarter! Galt and Kathleen head for the Grant Building.

End of Act Two

In the break, Keighley interviews Fox contract player Betty Ann Lynn, who saw filming of Daryl F. Zanuck’s Gentleman’s Agreement starring Gregory Peck and Dorothy McGuire in a “very unusual picture”.

Gentleman’s Agreement premiered on November 11, one day after this broadcast, in both New York City and Chicago. It dealt with anti-Semitism and went on to win three Oscars, including Best Picture. The cast included Lucycom alumni Mike Lally, Shep Houghton, Roy Roberts, and Amzie Strickland in uncredited roles. Betty Ann Lynn says that she also likes to watch the filming of a costume picture like The Foxes of Harrow starring Rex Harrison and Maureen O’Hara, who had 26 costumes made just for her. She notes that O’Hara has a Lux complexion.

The Foxes of Harrow was released September 13, 1947. "Lux Radio Theater" broadcast a sixty minute radio adaptation of this movie on December 6, 1948, with Maureen O'Hara reprising her movie role. The movie was the screen debut of William Schallert, who did several episodes of “The Lucy Show.” O’Hara and Lucille Ball became lifelong friends after their 1940 film Dance, Girl, Dance. Like Gentleman’s Agreement, The Foxes of Harrow also features Roy Roberts, who went on to play bank president Mr. Cheever on “The Lucy Show.”

ACT THREE

Kathleen and Galt rush to the Grant Building, where Mr. Wickett is about to settle accounts on a remote fire escape. Foss / Stauffer brings proof that Jardine is dead but Wickett throws him from the fire escape to his death.

Galt and Kathleen witness the whole incident from the street, as does the cab driver who was waiting for Foss / Stauffer. Thinking fast, Galt steals the cab which still contains Foss’s luggage. Later, we hear that the bags were only full of clothes. Kathleen urges him to keep thinking. Kathleen suddenly remembers that the Little Girl mentioned galleries. They put the pieces together and all evidence leads them to the Wickett Galleries. Galt heads there and questions the clerk. Under the guise of buying a painting, Galt inquires about meeting Mr. Wickett, and the clerk departs. Mari comes in the side door, and Galt tells her that Anthony Jardine has been murdered. She faints. Wickett comes in and when Galt tells him the truth, Ralph locks him in the gallery vault. Mari has revived and overhears Ralph’s threats, holding a gun on him. She shoots her husband dead.

Kathleen has tipped off the police, who only want to charge him with stealing a taxi cab. Kathleen asks if he can be booked at another time because they have a date at the City Hall - to get married.

End of Story

As a curtain call, Keighley chats with Lucille Ball and Mark Stevens. He congratulates Ball on the success of her stage show, Dream Girl, a play she says she will do again in San Francisco. When Keighley asks how Lucille’s busy schedule and that of her husband Desi Arnaz’s leave any time for a personal life, Ball says that they will be playing in San Francisco at the same time.

In June 1947, Lucille Ball performed at New Jersey’s McCarter Theatre in Dream Girl, a play by Elmer Rice. It also played Brooklyn, Detroit and Boston.

The San Francisco production opened just a week after this radio telecast. As Ball states, Desi Arnaz was also in San Francisco at the time, playing in the Rose Room of the Palace Hotel, a fact that was advertised in the Dream Girl program. During the Los Angeles engagement in January 1948, Ball fell ill and had to withdraw. Although she love performing on stage, her radio career and then television success did not allow her to return to the footlights until 1960.

Lucy notes that like many other busy stars, she owes her good complexion to Lux Soap!

Turning to Mark Stevens, Lucille notes that he will play an FBI man in his next project at Fox, with Keighley as director.

Although the film’s title is not mentioned, they are referring to The Street With No Name, which won’t be released until June 1948. Stevens plays Gene Cordell aka George Manley, a covert FBI agent who infiltrates a ruthless gangster mob. "Lux Radio Theater" broadcast a 60-minute radio adaptation of the movie on January 31, 1949 with Mark Stevens reprising his film role.

Keighley notes that next week “Lux Radio Theatre” will present Jane Wyman and Ronald Reagan in Nobody Lives Forever.

The Warner Brothers picture Nobody Lives Forever was released on November 1, 1946. It originally starred John Garfield and Geraldine Fitzgerald in roles taken on radio by Reagan and Wyman, who were husband and wife at the time. Of course, Reagan left Hollywood for a grander stage, first in California as Governor, then as President of the United States. He bestowed Lucille Ball with The Kennedy Center Honor in 1986.

A public service announcement asks housewives to salvage kitchen fats and turn them in at their local butcher for cash!

These were used to make supplies for wartime, such as ammunition and weapons.

Announcer Kennedy notes that Mark Stevens appeared through the courtesy of 20th Century Fox, producers of Forever Amber.

Forever Amber is a 1944 romance novel by Kathleen Winsor set in 17th-century England. It was made into a film in 1947 starring Cornel Wilde, who appeared in “The Star Upstairs” (ILL S4;E25). When “Lucy Writes A Novel” (ILL S3;E24), Ethel jokes about finding Lucy’s hidden manuscript and burning it: “We pulled down the kitchen blind and changed the name of your novel to 'Forever Ember.'”

‘DARK’ TRIVIA

In a September 1985 episode of “Remington Steele,” a character played by Stephen Dillane has the name Bradford Galt! The stories, however, are not otherwise connected.

In both the film and the radio show, Fred Foss gives his phone number as CH-elsea 4-43510. However, according to the Manhattan phone book for 1946, there were only CH-elsea 2 and CH-elsea 3 exchanges. Real phone numbers were rarely used in film or television.

When television began to supplant radio, “The Lux Video Theatre” was introduced. It was seen from 1950 to 1959. Initially, the show was a thirty-minute weekly show featuring live stage plays, but when it moved to NBC in August 1954, the show was extended to sixty minutes. As on radio, the programs were then primarily adaptations of motion pictures. The host would introduce each act, and would conduct an interview with the stars at the end of the play. Of the cast of this radio version of The Dark Corner:

William Keighley directed an episode in 1951.

Mark Stevens did an episode in 1955.

Dan O’Herlihy did five episodes.

Joseph Kearns did three episodes.

The character name Ralph Wickett replaced Hardy Cathcart for the radio show. It is likely that they could no longer get legal clearance to use the name Hardy Cathcart, necessitating the change.

The film featured Ellen Corby as a maid, a role not in the radio drama. Corby went on to be seen as Lucy Ricardo’s high school acting teacher and in several small roles on “The Lucy Show” before her best-loved role of Grandma on “The Waltons.”

The film also features background work by Sam Harris, who did 15 films with Lucille Ball, in addition to multiple episodes of “I Love Lucy” and “The Lucy Show” as well as Harold Miller, who did eight films with Lucy and two episodes of “I Love Lucy”.

The film is available on DVD complete with DVD commentary and original trailer.

#The Dark Corner #Lucille Ball #Mark Stevens #Lux Radio Theatre #Radio #1948 #Joseph Kearns #William Keighley #1947

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DEAN MARTIN

June 7, 1917 - December 25, 1991

Dean Martin was born Dino Paul Crocetti in Steubenville, Ohio and became one of the most popular and enduring entertainers of the mid-20th century. A singer, actor, and comedian, Martin’s career breakthrough came in 1946 through his partnership with comedian Jerry Lewis, billed as Martin & Lewis. They performed in nightclubs and later had numerous appearances on radio, television and in films.

Lucille Ball’s first appearance with Dean Martin was on his NBC radio show with Jerry Lewis in December 1948. Lucy was then the star of her own radio show, “My Favorite Husband” on CBS.

Following an end to their partnership in 1956, Martin established himself as a notable singer, recording numerous contemporary songs as well as standards from the Great American Songbook. His hit singles, including his signature songs "That's Amore", "Everybody Loves Somebody", "You're Nobody till Somebody Loves You", "Ain't That a Kick in the Head?" and "Volare".

He became one of the most popular acts in Las Vegas and was known for his friendship with Frank Sinatra and Sammy Davis Jr., who together formed the Rat Pack. Throughout his career, Martin appeared in 85 film and television productions. In the above photo at the Sands Casino, the Rat Pack is joined by Lucy and Danny Thomas (top) and Gary Morton (right).

In “Lucy and Wayne Newton” (HL SS2;E2) the Carters are driving down the Las Vegas strip when Craig notices that Dean Martin is playing at the Riviera. Kim says “He’s one of my favorites!”

“I'd hate to be a teetotaler. Imagine getting up in the morning and knowing that's as good as you're going to feel all day.” ~ Dean Martin

Part of Dean’s act involved his affection for alcoholic beverages. Jokes about Dean Martin’s drinking were common, even when Dean was not part of the show.

In “Lucy the Disc Jockey” (TLS S3;E26) Lucy tries to see the title of the song on a spinning turntable and gets dizzy, she says

“No wonder. It’s a Dean Martin album.”

In “Lucy the Stockbroker” (TLS S3;E25) Lucy discovers that Mr. Mooney is really hypnotized, not faking. Viv says

“He’s stiffer than Dean Martin.”

In “Lucy and Lawrence Welk” (HL S2;E18), Viv returns from the Universal Studios Tour and tells Lucy

“I saw...Dean Martin’s bartender.”

Lucille Ball adored working with Martin, despite the fact that their working styles were polar opposites. Ball was committed to rehearsals where Martin preferred to ‘wing it.’ Due to her great affection for him, she put up with it.

The first time Lucille Ball and Dean Martin appeared on the same television show (though not at the same time) came in 1950 on “Show of the Year: Telethon for United Cerebral Palsy” hosted by Milton Berle on NBC. It was broadcast from New York City with remotes from Philadelphia. (Photo, left to right: Gabby Hayes, Roger Clipp, UCP Poster Child, Jane Pickens, and Dennis James.)

Dean Martin never appeared on “I Love Lucy,” but his second wife did! Former Orange Bowl Queen Jeanne Biegger (billed only as Mrs. Dean Martin) appeared as herself wearing a Don Loper dress in 1955’s “The Fashion Show” (ILL S4;E19). The couple divorced in 1973. Martin then married Catherine Hawn, but the unioni lasted only three years. Martin’s first wife was Betty McDonald, who he married in 1941 and divorced in 1949. Martin had eight children.

“The three words you hear most around my house are 'hello,' 'goodbye,' and 'I'm pregnant.'" ~ Dean Martin

Dean Martin was one of the performers at the Friar’s Club Roast of Lucille Ball and Desi Arnaz on November 23, 1958. The event, held at the Beverly Hilton Hotel, was not telecast.

It would be ten years before Lucy and Dean again appeared on the same show (again, not at the same time) with “The Bob Hope Buick Sports Show Awards” in 1961. The show primarily took place in Los Angeles, but Lucille Ball’s segment took place in New York City, where she was appearing in Wildcat.

Two years later, Bob Hope presented the “TV Guide Awards.” Lucille Ball is nominated for Favorite Female Performer, but is not present. A still photo of her is shown instead.

Starting in 1964, Martin was the host of the television variety program “The Dean Martin Show”, which was characterized by his relaxed, easy-going demeanor. Lucille Ball appeared on the show in 1966 along with singer Kate Smith.

In return, four days later Dean appeared on “The Lucy Show,” playing himself and his own stuntman, Eddie Feldman. Lucille Ball said that this was her favorite episode of “The Lucy Show.”

Both Lucy and Dean were part of “Jack Benny’s Carnival Nights” in 1968, although once again they do not share screen time. Martin does a quick cameo playing the Amazing Sleeping Man! The opening of the show was performed on the set of “The Dean Martin Show” complete with fire pole and sexy assistants!

Martin was in attendance at the “20th Annual Primetime Emmy Awards” where Lucille Ball won her fourth (and final) competitive acting Emmy,along with Bill Cosby (”I Spy”) and Don Addams (”Get Smart”).

In 1968, Lucille Ball (and many other stars) makes a cameo appearance on “The Dean Martin Christmas Show” to announce the donation of toys to children in hospitals. The cameos are filmed without Martin present.

A year later, the two were also on the bill for “Ann-Margret: From Hollywood With Love.” Dean Martin and Dean Martin sing a medley of country western songs and then do a sketch where the gender roles are reversed. Lucy, appearing in a separate segment, plays herself and an autograph hound named Celebrity Lu.

Lucille Ball (and dozens of other stars) make guest appearanced on “The Dean Martin Show’s” sixth season opener in September 1970.

In “Jack Benny’s 20th Anniversary Show” (November 1970) Lucy plays Jack’s maid, Janet, while Dean plays himself. Martin knocks on Jack’s dressing room door to wish him a happy anniversary and dance “The Anniversary Waltz” with him. The bit lasts less than 30 seconds.

Later in November 1970, “John Wayne’s Swing Out Sweet Land” featured Dean Martin as Eli Whitney (of cotton gin fame) and Lucille Ball as the voice of Lady Liberty.

In February 1975 “Dean Martin’s Celebrity Roast" was dedicated to Lucille Ball. On the dais, Martin presents Lucille’s friends and colleagues Bob Hope, Gale Gordon, Milton Berle, Henry Fonda, Ginger Rogers, Jack Benny, and Vivian Vance.

A year later it was Lucille doing the roasting, this time of her friend Danny Thomas. Also on Martin’s dais are Orson Welles, Milton Berle, and Gene Kelly.

Two year after that, in 1978, Lucille returned for yet another Dean Martin Roast, this time for her Beverly Hills neighbor, Jimmy Stewart.

In 1975, on of the Lucille Ball CBS Specials was “Lucy Gets Lucky” starring Dean Martin. Ball plays Lucy Collins, who travels to Las Vegas to see her favorite star perform. To get into the sold out show she must work a variety of casino and hotel jobs!

“NBC: The First 50 Years” (1976) was a four and a half hour extravaganza that naturally included clips of Dean Martin (who’s show was on the network) but also included Lucille Ball on “The Danny Kaye Show.”

“CBS Salutes Lucy: The First 25 Years” (1976) includes Dean Martin talking about how much he loves working with Lucille Ball.

At the start of 1980, Lucille Ball and Dean Martin are just two of the many guests in “Sinatra: The First 40 Years” celebrating his 64th birthday and 40th year in show business.

“Bob Hope’s Unrehearsed Antics of the Stars” on September 28, 1984 featured Lucy talking about her audition for Gone With The Wind and Dean Martin in a clip of a sketch with Hope about airline pilots.

In 1984′s “An All-Star Party for Lucille Ball” Dean Martin sings “When You’re Smiling” with special lyrics to suit the occasion: “When you’re Lucy, When you’re Lucy, You’re never off TV.”

Their last on-screen collaboration was to celebrate the opening of the Bob Hope Cultural Center at Palm Springs in “America’s Tribute to Bob Hope” in March 1988. Dozens of friends gather and offer comedy and musical performances to honor the building’s namesake including Lucille Ball, Dean Martin, George Burns, Ann-Margret, Dinah Shore, and Danny Thomas.

A further connection came offscreen when Lucille Ball’s son Desi Aranz joined with Dean Martin’s son Dino and Billy Hinsche to form a rock band known as Dino, Desi and Billy.

“I want to be remembered as a damn good entertainer, nothing spectacular. A good entertainer who made people enjoy themselves and made them laugh a little. I want them to think 'He was a nice guy. He did pretty good and we loved him.'" ~ Dean Martin

#Dean Martin #Lucille Ball #I love lucy #The Lucy Show #Dino Desi & Billy #bob hope #jack benny #Ann-Margret #Frank Sinatra #Las Vegas #Jimmy Stewart #Danny Thomas #Kate Smith #Bill Cosby #Don Addams #NBC #CBS #TV

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JACK BENNY

February 14, 1894

Jack Benny was born Benjamin Kublesky in Chicago, Illinois, on Valentine’s Day 1894. He had a successful vaudeville career, and an even greater career on radio with “The Jack Benny Program” which also became a successful television show. Benny was a Beverly Hills neighbor of Lucille Ball’s and the two were off-screen friends.

His screen persona was known for being a penny-pincher and for (badly) playing the violin. His theme song was "Love in Bloom" by Ralph Rainger and Leo Robin. He often used the phrase, "Now cut that out!"

Benny and Ball were first on the same bill in “Stars in the Eye”, a special marking the opening of Television City and including all the CBS stars. Lucy and Benny did not share any screen time.

On “Sunday Showcase: A Tribute to Eleanor Roosevelt on Her Diamond Jubilee” on October 11, 1959, Jack Benny, Lucille Ball and dozens of other stars turn out to pay homage to former first lady and humanitarian Eleanor Roosevelt. Arthur Godfrey hosted on NBC.

On June 24, 1962, Benny and Ball were on hand to quickly wish Ed Sullivan a happy 14th anniversary on “The Ed Sullivan Show” (S14;E41). Lucille Ball enters riding atop an elephant!

Another collaboration of the network headlines came in 1962 and 1963, when both “The Lucy Show” and “The Jack Benny Program” were on the CBS schedules. They launched the season with “Opening Night” TV specials.

Benny appeared on “The Lucy Show” as Harry Tuttle (a Jack Benny doppelganger) in “Lucy and the Plumber” (TLS S3;E2), on September 28, 1964.

On October 16, 1964, Benny and Ball played themselves in "Chrysler Presents a Bob Hope Comedy Special: Have Girls - Will Travel." The show was used by RCA to sell color televisions.

In return, Lucille appeared on “The Jack Benny Program” playing Mrs. Paul Revere, the woman behind the man. It aired on October 2, 1964.

He did a voice over cameo as himself in “Lucy With George Burns” (TLS S5;E1), first aired on September 12, 1966.

The feature film A Guide For The Married Man (1967) had plenty of comic performers on the marquee, including Benny and Ball.

That same year, Benny and Ball provided voice over for a documentary by the United Jewish Welfare Fund titled All About People.

He played himself in “Lucy Gets Jack Benny’s Account” (TLS S6;E6), a stunt-filled episode that first aired on October 16, 1967.

On March 20, 1968, Lucille Ball appeared on “Jack Benny’s Carnival Nights” along with Johnny Carson and Ben Blue. Lucille played an exotic side-show attraction Luscious Lucille, a Woman on a Pier in a silent movie, and Agnes Kubelsky, Benny’s mother!

He played himself on “Here’s Lucy” three times, starting with the second episode, “Lucy Visits Jack Benny” (HL S1;E2) on September 30, 1968. The action was set at Benny’s Palm Springs home, which he was renting out as a resort!

Ball and Andy Griffith were the main guest stars on “The Tennessee Ernie Ford Special” on November 16, 1968. Benny made a quick pitch for his special “Jack Benny’s Bag” which followed, but did not feature Lucille Ball.

On December 19, 1968, Ball and Benny joined other stars on “The Dean Martin Christmas Special” in cameo announcements about toys being sent to children’s hospitals. Each cameo was self-contained.

On “Jack Benny’s Birthday Special” on February 17, 1969 (3 days after his 75th birthday) Lucille Ball appeared and did patter with Benny as well as played Lucille LaTour in an old West sketch.

As “Jack Benny’s New Look” is nearly over, Lucille Ball walks by and says “How dare you do a show without me?” slaps Benny and exits! This walk-on cameo happened on December 3, 1969.

“Lucy and Jack Benny’s Biography” (HL S3;E11) on November 23, 1970, Benny dictates his memoirs to secretary Lucy, and the episodes come to life for viewers, with Lucy playing all the women in his life, including his wife Mary Livingstone, although Lucille Ball lip synchs to Livingstone’s actual voice!

“Jack Benny’s 20th Anniversary Special” on November 16, 1970, featured Lucille Ball playing the Benny’s maid Janet in a scene with Benny’s real-life wife Mary Livingstone. Ball receives no screen credit but gets a verbal thank you from Benny at show’s conclusion. Lucy has three lines and 30 seconds of screen time!

Lucy, Benny, Bob Hope, Dean Martin, George Burns, and Red Skelton, all appeared in the patriotic TV special “John Wayne’s: Swing Out, Sweet Land” which aired on November 29, 1970.

Benny has a walk-on cameo at the end of “The Unemployment Follies” (HL S3;E22) on February 8, 1971 starring Carol Burnett, his second appearance on “Here’s Lucy”.

In “Everything You Always Wanted to Know About Jack Benny But Were Afraid to Ask” (March 10, 1971), Lucy plays a chorus girl seduced by movie star Benny.

“The 23rd Annual Primetime Emmy Awards” on May 9, 1971 featured Benny and Ball (who presented an award).

His final appearance on “The Lucy Show” was in “Lucy and The Celebrities” (HL S4;E10), on November 15, 1971, had Benny playing himself and imitated by guest star Rich Little!

The Friars Club celebrates Milton Berle’s 60 years in show business on December 4, 1973. Sammy Davis Jr. hosts with guests Lucille Ball, Jack Benny, Jackie Gleason, Bob Hope, and others.

The last public appearance of Jack Benny was roasting Lucille Ball on “The Dean Martin Celebrity Roast for Lucille Ball” aired on February 7, 1975. Benny died weeks after the taping of this special. Dean Martin appeared in a special introduction dedicating the show to Benny’s memory.

“Age is strictly a case of mind over matter. If you don't mind, it doesn't matter.” ~ Jack Benny

Jack Benny succumbed to pancreatic cancer on December 26, 1974 at age 80 although he never admitted to being older than 39. He was survived by his wife Mary Livingstone, with whom he adopted a child, Joan.

#Jack Benny #Lucille Ball #The Lucy Show #Here's Lucy #Mary Livingstone #TV #Valentine's Day

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RED SKELTON

JULY 18, 1913

Red Skelton was born Richard Bernard Skelton in Vincennes, Indiana. He left school after the third grade to join a traveling medicine show and from there entered vaudeville. He was best known for his national radio and television shows between 1937 and 1971, especially as host of the television program “The Red Skelton Show.” The son of a circus clown, he always considered himself more clown than comedian. His most famous character was the tramp Freddy the Freeloader. He was dubbed ‘America’s Clown Prince’. Lucy and Red were both famous for their hair color, although Skelton’s was real!

“My mother told me something I've never forgotten: 'Don't take life too seriously, son, you don't come out of it alive anyway.” ~ Red Skelton

His first film was Having Wonderful Time in 1938, which is where he first met Lucille Ball. Note that he used his real name “Richard” in the credits, with (Red) in parentheses.

The pair went on to appear together in Du Barry Was a Lady (1943), a musical film in which the two sang Cole Porter’s “Friendship” with Gene Kelly.

That same year, both were featured in Thousands Cheer (1943), a wartime celebration of music and romance in which both played themselves (along with 28 other stars).

In Ziegfeld Follies (1945), Ball and Skelton were in different segments, she as a showgirl lion tamer and he as a TV spokesman for a miracle tonic laced with alcohol.

This was this routine that inspired Lucy’s famous Vitameatavegamin routine on “I Love Lucy.”

Their final film together before their respective television fame was The Fuller Brush Girl (1950) in which Lucille Ball takes over the lead created by Red Skelton in The Fuller Brush Man (1948), and makes a cameo appearance in this comedy sequel.

On television, Red Skelton ruled Tuesday nights on NBC just as Lucy did Mondays on CBS.

In 1956, now firmly established as two of America’s favorite small screen celebrities, Ball and Skelton were two of the many stars to help celebrate the eighth anniversary of “The Ed Sullivan Show”.

A year later, Lucy, Desi and Red appeared on “The Jackie Gleason Show” to mark the 65th Birthday of Eddie Cantor, who Lucille worked with when she first got to Hollywood in the early 1930s. Coincidentally, Lucille is on the cover of TV Guide that week to celebrate TV’s tenth year!

“I'm nuts and I know it. But so long as I make 'em laugh, they ain't going to lock me up.” ~ Red Skelton

In 1959, Skelton appeared on “The Lucy-Desi Comedy Hour” - his first time on a Lucille Ball television show. The episode was a tribute to Alaska’s statehood and set in Nome, although filmed California and Sun Valley, Idaho.

Skelton revives his Freddie the Freeloader character in a pantomime and musical number with Lucille Ball especially written for the show.

Nine years later, on the 1968 “Dean Martin Show” Christmas Show, Red Skelton, Lucille Ball (and may other stars) make brief cameo appearances as themselves promising that toys and gifts will be sent to children’s orphanages and hospitals across North America.

Two years later, both stars were among a group wishing Dean Martin well on his sixth season opener. Skelton played Willy Lump Lump, Dean’s surprised guest in the closet!

Two months later, in November 1970, Lucille Ball and Skelton turn up in uncredited cameos to mark “Jack Benny’s 20th Anniversary”. Lucy plays Jack’s maid, Janet, and Red plays a Western Union messenger! Naturally, he doesn’t get a tip from the famous miser! Both stars are on screen for less than a minute each!

Two weeks later, both stars answered the call of mutual friend John Wayne for “Swing Out, Sweet Land” a television celebration of Americana. Lucy voiced the Statue of Liberty, while Red was a colonial printing process operator.

In 1978, Ball and Skelton hosted segments of “TV: The Fabulous ‘50s”. It was re-run in 1980. Ball’s segment was on sitcoms, while Skelton’s was about comedy itself.

Later that same month (March 1978), they were part of “A Tribute to Mr. Television, Milton Berle” on NBC.

In 1979, Red and Lucy joined what seemed like half of Hollywood at the Kennedy Center for “Happy Birthday, Bob” - a tribute to Bob Hope on his 75th birthday!

On September 29, 1979, Red and Lucy turned up on “General Electric All-Star Anniversary” on CBS. John Wayne hosted this program which recalls the music, song, and comedy of the past 100 years and marked the one-hundredth anniversary of the General Electric Company. Lucille sang, danced, and chatted with the host while Skelton was glimpsed as an old man watching a parade.

At the start of the 1980′s (their last decade of stardom), Red and Lucy (and many others) honored Old Blue Eyes in “Sinatra: The First 40 Years.”

In 1984′s “Bob Hope’s Unrehearsed Antics of the Stars” Lucille Ball told the story of her audition for Gone With The Wind. Skelton was also on hand.

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At “The 38th Primetime Emmy Awards” on September 21, 1986, Lucille Ball presents The Governor’s Award to Red Skelton.

In late 1988 (aired early 1989) on Fox, Red Skelton was inducted into the “Television Academy Hall of Fame”. Lucille Ball (an inaugural inductee) was in attendance. Skelton was introduced by Burt Lancaster. This was the last time Lucy and Red would appear on television together.

Lucille Ball died in April 1989, while Red Skelton (two years younger than Lucy), lived until September 1997, passing away at age 84.

His last television appearance was on “Inside the Dream Factory” on November 1, 1995, hosted by Faye Dunaway.

He was married three times and had two children; Valentina and Richard.

“All men make mistakes, but married men find out about them sooner.” ~ Red Skelton

“Good night and may God bless.” ~ Red Skelton

#Red Skelton #Lucille Ball #Having Wonderful Time #DuBarry Was a Lady #Ziegfeld Follies #Thousands Cheer #Redheads #The Red Skelton Show #TV #Frank Sinatra #bob hope #Milton Berle #Dean Martin #Jackie Gleason #NBC #Ed Sullivan #TV Guide #The Fuller Brush Girl

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BENNY RUBIN

February 2, 1899

Benny Rubin was born on February 2, 1899 in Boston, Massachusetts. He worked in vaudeville and radio including “The Jack Benny Program” (1933-55).

His feature film debut came in 1928′s Naughty Baby.

His first time acting with Lucille Ball came in 1955′s “The Tour” (ILL S4;E30) filmed on April 15, 1955 and first aired on May 30, 1955. Rubin played the driver of the tour bus that takes Lucy and Ethel to the home of Richard Widmark - then leaves them there!

Rubin was featured on two episodes of Desilu’s “December Bride” with celebrity guest-stars: “The Rudy Vallee Show” (1956) and “The Mickey Rooney Show” (1958). Both Vallee and Rooney were seen as themselves on future Lucycoms.

In 1963, he teamed with another “I Love Lucy” veteran, Ellen Corby, as a couple on a park bench in “Lucy and the Runaway Butterfly” (TLS S1;E29) filmed March 21, 1963.

The episode first aired on CBS on April 22, 1963.

In February 1964, he made one more “Lucy Show” appearance when “Lucy and Viv Open a Restaurant” (TLS S2;E20). Rubin (center) played Mr. Jones, the linen supplier for the restaurant, although he is only identified by name in the closing credits.

Although this was the last appearance on a Lucycom, Rubin appeared with Ball on three Jack Benny specials:

“Carnival Nights” ~ March 20, 1968

“Birthday Special” ~ February 17, 1969

“20th Anniversary Special” ~ November 16, 1970 (above)

Rubin did several shows filmed on the Desilu lot, including “Angel” (1962), “The Danny Thomas Show” (1955 & 1962), and “The Dick Van Dyke Show” (1961).

For Desi Arnaz, Rubin appeared in the ill-fated pilot for “The Carol Channing Show” (1966) and two episodes of “The Mothers-in-Law” in 1968 (above) and 1969.

On March 26, 1927, Rubin married actress Mary O'Brien. They had a daughter and were divorced in 1934

Rubin’s autobiography Come Backstage with Me was published by Vanity Press in 1980.

Rubin died of a heart attack on July 15, 1986 at age 87.

#Benny Rubin #Lucille Ball #I Love Lucy #The Lucy Show #Desi Arnaz #The Tour #Ellen Corby #December Bride #Naughty Baby #TV

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FRANK NELSON

1911-1986

Frank Nelson was born on May 6, 1911 (three months before Lucille Ball) in Colorado Springs, Colorado. He started working as a radio announcer at the age of 15. He later appeared on such popular radio shows as "The Great Gildersleeve," "Burns and Allen," and ''Fibber McGee & Molly". Aside from Lucille Ball, Nelson is perhaps most associated with Jack Benny and was a fifteen-year regular on his radio and television programs. His trademark was playing clerks and other working stiffs, suddenly turning to Benny with a drawn out “Yeeeeeeeeees?”

LUCY & FRANK: RADIO DAYS...

October 23, 1948 - “My Favorite Husband: The Quiz Show"

To afford a new dishwasher to help Katie the maid, Liz (Lucille Ball) goes on a Quiz Show hosted by Frank Nelson. Note: This episode was the basis for the episode of “I Love Lucy” with the same title, also starring Nelson as the quiz master. On radio, however, he is known as Smiley Stembottom instead of Freddy Fillmore.

November 11, 1948 - “My Favorite Husband: Learning To Drive"

As a new driver, Liz (Lucille Ball) has an incident that involves the police (Frank Nelson).

November 27, 1948 - “My Favorite Husband: Is There A Baby In The House?”

Liz babysits for a new neighbor. When George’s boss decides to use the baby to make a good impression on a new client (Frank Nelson), it turns out to be the baby’s father!

December 18, 1948 - “My Favorite Husband: Liz’s New Dress"

Liz (Lucille Ball) pranks a department store clerk (Frank Nelson) to get herself a new dress.

February 4, 1949 - “My Favorite Husband: Speech For Civic Organization"

When George brings a new client home for dinner (Frank Nelson), Liz (Lucille Ball) decides to show off her newly-learned vocabulary words.

February 18, 1949 - “My Favorite Husband: Secretarial School"

Liz (Lucille Ball) is a substitute secretary trying to appease an impatient Chairman of the Board (Frank Nelson).

February 25, 1949 - “My Favorite Husband: Absent Mindedness"

Liz (Lucille Ball) reports to a policeman (Frank Nelson) that her car has been stolen.

April 3, 1949 - “The Martin and Lewis Show”

Dean and Jerry welcome Lucille Ball as their first guest star while Frank Nelson plays their agent.

June 3, 1949 - “My Favorite Husband: Television”

Liz (Lucille Ball) and George visit a neighbor (Frank Nelson) and accidentally break his television set. Note: This program was used as a basis for “I Love Lucy” episode "The Courtroom", although Nelson was not involved.

June 24, 1949 - “My Favorite Husband: Liz Changes Her Mind"

Nelson plays a snooty waiter who loses patience with an indecisive Liz (Lucille Ball). Note: Nelson later played the same role on “I Love Lucy: Lucy Changes Her Mind” although the comedy is now not about the waiter’s snootiness but his near-nearsightedness, a much more visual source of comedy.

July 1, 1949 - “My Favorite Husband: Reminiscing”

Frank Nelson plays a driving instructor assigned to teach Liz (Lucille Ball).

April 23, 1950 - “Liz Appears on Television”

Nelson plays a cigar store clerk, and a TV host.

LUCY & FRANK: TV TIME...

Nelson appeared in 11 episodes of “I Love Lucy”, including three as quiz master Freddy Fillmore, and two as Ralph Ramsey, plus appearance on “The Lucy-Desi Comedy Hour” - making him the only actor to play two different recurring roles on “I Love Lucy.”

Sharp-eyed viewers will notice that the quiz master’s first and last names are spelled differently over the course of the three episodes. Freddy v Freddie and Filmore v Fillmore. For the sake of this blog, we will stick with the more commonly seen “Freddy Fillmore”.

His first appearance was in...

“The Quiz Show” (ILL S1;E5) ~ November 12, 1951

Fillmore is the host of radio’s “Females Are Fabulous” in which Lucy will do anything to win a thousand dollars.

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

Fillmore is now hosting “Mr. & Mrs. Quiz,” a program Lucy believes will boost Ricky’s public profile by answering trivia questions. To assure he wins - she steals the answers but is thwarted when Fillmore changes the questions!

“Ricky’s Hawaiian Vacation” (ILL S3;E22) ~ March 22, 1954

This is Fillmore’s third and final appearance, having finally made the leap from radio to television to host “Be a Good Neighbor.” Lucy is trying to win a trip to Hawaii so she can go along with Ricky on his business trip.

“Lucy Changes Her Mind” (ILL S2;E21) ~ March 30, 1953

Nelson plays Henry, a nearsighted waiter who ends up calling it quits when Lucy can’t make up her mind! Note: Nelson repeats the role he did on radio’s “My Favorite Husband: Liz Changes Her Mind” starring Lucille Ball.

“Ricky’s Movie Offer” (ILL S4;E6) ~ November 8, 1954

Ethel mistakes talent scout Ben Benjamin (Frank Nelson) for an intruder and Lucy conks him on the head with a vase.

Lucy and Ethel then do a ‘Weekend at Bernie’s’ by sitting the unconscious talent scout upright on the sofa like nothing had happened. Ethel combs his hair, and for a few seconds puts the comb under his nose making the lifeless Benjamin looks exactly like Adolf Hitler although less cynical viewers claim it was Oliver Hardy.

“Ricky and Fred Are TV Fans” (ILL S2;E30) ~ June 22, 1953)

Sergeant Nelson of the NYPD mistakes Lucy and Ethel for Sticky Fingers Sal and Pickpocket Pearl!

“The Million-Dollar Idea” (ILL S3;E13) ~ January 11, 1954

Nelson plays another alliteratively-named TV host, Dickie Davis, who introduces Mary Margaret McMertz to sell Aunt Martha’s Old Fashioned Salad Dressing. To test the salad dressing, McMertz brings on an 'average housewife selected at random’: Lucy, calling herself Isabella Clump.

“The Great Train Robbery” (ILL S5;E5) ~ October 31, 1955

Nelson played a frazzled Union Pacific Train Conductor who must contend with Lucy’s tendency to pull the emergency break! Nelson first played this character on radio on “The Jack Benny Program.” He was generally teamed with Mel Blanc, who would do the station calls, although Blanc was not used here.

“Return Home from Europe” (ILL S5;E26) ~ May 14, 1956

When Lucy lands in New York after her mid-air cheese / baby debacle, Frank Nelson plays the US Customs Officer in charge of sorting things out.

“Lucy Gets Chummy with the Neighbors” (ILL S6;E18) ~ February 18, 1957

We meet Betty and Ralph Ramsey, the Ricardos’ Westport neighbors. Ralph works at the Burton Warshman and Ramsey Agency and is a member of the Westport Country Club, where he makes his second and final appearance in...

“Country Club Dance” (ILL S6;E25) ~ April 22, 1957

Ralph joins Ricky and Fred in paying a bit too much attention to young Diana Jordan (Barbara Eden), much to the dismay of his wife Betty (Mary Jane Croft).

“Lucy Takes a Cruise To Havana” (LDCH S1;E1) ~ November 6, 1957

Nelson appears as the Cruise Director of the RMS Caronia in 1940 trying to get private secretaries Lucy McGillicuddy and Susie MacNamara (Ann Sothern) involved in something more than just finding a husband!

Nelson returned to the role of the frazzled Train Conductor for an episode of “The Lucy Show” in 1963. This marks his final appearance on a Lucille Ball sitcom.

“Jack Benny’s New Look” ~ December 3, 1969

Nelson plays a Camera Store Clerk who (conveniently) demonstrates the sponsor’s product, Kodak Cameras. He does not share the stage with Lucille Ball, who only momentarily appears at the very end of the special as herself.

“Jack Benny’s 20th Anniversary Special” ~ November 16, 1970

Nelson plays an Airport Ticket Clerk who naturally greets Jack Benny with his trademark “Yeeeeeeeeees?” Lucille Ball does not appear in this sketch. She plays Benny’s maid in another sketch on the program.

In “The Handcuffs” (ILL S2;E4) Ricky is interviewed and introduced by Veola Vonn. In real-life, Vonn was married to Frank Nelson from 1970 until his death in 1986.

In “Ethel’s Birthday” (ILL S4;E9) Mary Lansing provided the offstage voice of Cynthia in “Over the Teacups”. Lansing was Nelson’s first wife, marrying him in 1933 and with whom he had two children.

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DENNIS DAY

May 21, 1916

Dennis Day was born Owen Patrick Eugene McNulty in New York City. He is best known for his professional relationship with Jack Benny, who he first teamed with on radio in 1939, and continued performing with until Benny’s death in 1974. His “Gee, Mr. Benny!” became a well-known catchphrase. He was an Irish tenor, who never performed professionally until Benny gave him his big break at the age of 21. From 1948 until his passing he was married to Peggy Almquist who bore him ten children.

He had his own radio show "A Day in the Life of Dennis Day" from 1946 to 1952 with Bea Benadaret in the cast. “I Love Lucy” viewers will remember her as Miss Lewis, Lucy Ricardo’s spinster neighbor. There was an attempt to move the sitcom to television, but the 1949 pilot episode was never picked up for series and the show remained on radio. He was simultaneously appearing on “The Jack Benny Program.”

BENNY: "Dennis, why do you have two horns on your bicycle?" DAY: "Why shouldn't I? I've got two shows!"

On the “The Jack Benny Program” (1951-65), his character's mother was a tyrant who intimidated Jack. Her name was Lucrezia Day and she was played by Verna Felton. His mother’s real name was Mary Grady. “I Love Lucy” viewers will remember that Felton played Lucy’s domineering maid, Mrs. Porter.

Felton also played Day’s TV mother on “The Dennis Day Show” (aka “The RCA Victor Show”; 1952-54). On that show, Day portrayed a bachelor who lives in a Hollywood apartment priced above his income level with hopes of succeeding in show business. In 1953, it was programmed opposite “I Love Lucy” on NBC. Hal March was seen on both series. Other “I Love Lucy” faces on the series included Ida Moore, George O’Hanlon, Hy Averback (who both played Charlie Appleby), Byron Foulger, and Parley Baer. Day even prevailed upon his sister-in-law actress Ann Blythe, and Jack Benny himself to make an appearance but the show still struggled for viewers.

Dennis Day Is Called Brave to Buck ‘Lucy’ Show

HOLLYWOOD, Apr. 7 (AP) — Nominated for the bravest man in TV: Dennis Day. “I wouldn’t say I was the bravest,” says Dennis. “Maybe the unluckiest.” The Dennis Day Show is on at the same time on Monday night as “I Love Lucy.”

This took real nerve, since “Lucy” has drawn the biggest audience in TV for the past two years. “Believe me, it wasn’t my idea to go opposite Lucy. I wanted to do my show on film. My sponsor, RCA, didn’t want me to. The only way I could get permission was to agree to take the spot opposite Lucy. So I did it. I took a chance and I failed. I think it was a mistake putting such a similar show opposite Lucy. We both have situation comedy. We had good mail from people who said they had switched over to watch us. Once they made the change, they seemed to like our show. But watching Lucy is too great a habit for the majority of viewers. We just couldn't fight it. In Canada, where I don’t have to face Lucy, ours is the No. 1 show.”

In 1967, Day appeared on “The Lucy Show” in “Little Old Lucy” (TLS S6;E7) in which he plays an amorous 90 year-old bank president named Cornelius Hetherington Jr. This was quite a departure for Day, who was perennially the boy singer on Benny’s shows, despite his age.

BENNY (in 1965): “That crazy kid drives me nuts!”

This is one of the rare times Day plays a character that is not connected to Jack Benny, although Lucille Ball certainly featured Benny on many of her shows. In fact, the previous episode “Lucy Gets Jack Benny’s Account” (TLS S6;E6) Benny mentions Day by name as Lucy admires photos of his radio and television show on his wall. Did Day come as a ‘package deal’ for Benny’s appearance?

Day was just 41 at the time, so was nearly unrecognizable under layers of old age make-up.

To escort him to a fancy dress bank affair, Lucy Carmichael dons little old lady garb as Mrs. Abigail Vandermere. She spends most of their date avoiding his advances.

Dennis Day’s elderly banker character bears more than a passing resemblance to the elderly banker played by Dick Van Dyke (insert) in Mary Poppins (1964).

Two years later, in 1969, Lucille Ball appeared on “Jack Benny’s Birthday Special” which also brought together many Benny’s regulars, including Dennis Day, who surprises him with a gift.

Irish tenor Day sings “Cuando calienta de sol” (“Love Me With All Your Heart”) in Spanish (!) while Benny accompanies him on the violin. Day’s voice breaks Benny’s expensive Stradivarius violin just as a soprano’s high trill would a crystal goblet.

A year later, Lucille Ball and Dennis Day turned up again for “Jack Benny’s 20th Anniversary Special”. This time, Day and Ball did not share any scenes. Ball appears briefly as the Benny’s maid and Day makes a guest appearance in an airport sketch where he is met by his real-life wife Peggy and their ten children!

Day’s last TV appearance was less than a year before his death, in September, 1987, on the Jerry Lewis MDA Telethon. With tears in his eyes, he spoke of his recent diagnosis of Lou Gehrig's Disease, and pleaded with viewers to help support medical research for that and other neuromuscular diseases via their donations. At the time of his passing he was 72 years old.

#Dennis Day #Lucille Ball #Jack Benny #The Jack Benny Program #I Love Lucy #Bea Benadaret #Verna Felton #The Lucy Show

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BOB HOPE

May 29, 1903 - July 27, 2003

Bob Hope was born Lesley Townes Hope in England in 1903. During his extensive career (in virtually all forms of media) he received five honorary Academy Awards. After a brief marriage to his vaudeville partner Grace Troxell, he wed singer and actress Dolores Read, with whom he adopted four children. Although they stayed together for the rest of his life, their marriage was not always an easy one, with Hope having a reputation as a womanizer, and constantly his constant travel for performances. He was so busy on screen and off that he was facetiously dubbed “Rapid Robert”.

Aside from his collaboration with Lucille Ball, he was known for his partnership with crooner Bing Crosby on the “Road” films, his devotion to the USO, and his love of golf.

In 1945, Desi Arnaz was the orchestra leader on Bob Hope’s NBC radio show.

HOPE (about Lucy and Desi): “Lips and hands were all over one and another. I never saw a couple loving each other more after Bogie and Bacall.”

Ball and Hope had made four feature films together: Sorrowful Jones (1949), Fancy Pants (1950), The Facts of Life (1960), and Critic’s Choice (1963).

Hope and Ball first collaborated on television on September 14, 1950 on the third installment of “The Star-Spangled Revue”, Hope’s first regular television program. Lucy played the mayor of NYC and Bob her henpecked husband.

Kicking off season six of “I Love Lucy” in October 1956, Bob Hope guest-starred as as himself. The story was built around the real-life fact that Hope was part owner of the Cleveland Indians Baseball team.

Two weeks later, in one of TV’s first network cross-overs, the entire cast of “I Love Lucy” appeared on “The Bob Hope Chevy Show”. The premise of the sketch (later colorized for home video) supposed that Bob, instead of Desi, married Lucy and became her bandleader husband on the sitcom.

In October 1959, Lucy and Hope were two of many celebrities paying tribute to “Eleanor Roosevelt on Her Diamond Jubilee” aired as part of “Sunday Showcase” on NBC.

On January 10, 1960, Hope and Ball were two of the stars profiled in “Hedda Hopper’s Hollywood.” Lucille is seen in front of her Desilu Playhouse on the backlot. Standing amid a pile of suitcases, Bob Hope talks about Hollywood in general, presenting almost a monologue on the subject.

Hope:“Hedda has a fabulous fund of Hollywood knowledge. She has to wear those big hats to keep the secrets from leaking out.”

On February 15, 1961, Ball served as a presenter on “The Bob Hope Buick Sports Show.” Boxer Floyd Patterson could not attend the ceremony on the West Coast, so Hope shows footage of Lucille Ball presenting him the award on the East Coast, where she was appearing in Wildcat on Broadway.

On October 24, 1962 Bing Crosby and Juliet Prowse joined Lucy for “The Bob Hope Show”. In a sketch, Lucille plays a District Attorney and Bob a gangster named Bugsy.

During the “Bob Hope Special: TV Guide Awards” on April 14, 1963, Lucille Ball is nominated for Favorite Female Performer. Ball is not present so a still photo of her is shown instead. The winner is Carol Burnett.

On a May 5, 1963 “Toast of the Town” (aka “The Ed Sullivan Show”) from New York City, Bob Hope and Lucille Ball promote their new movie Critic’s Choice.

The pair continued their Critic’s Choice promotion tour that same day (May 5, 1963) by appearing on “What’s My Line?” This would be their last film together and one they both considered a failure.

On April 19, 1964, Hope and Ball teamed for a CBS Comedy Special titled “Mr. and Mrs.” in which they played themselves and a husband and wife acting team.

Hope made a cameo appearance in "The Lucy Show” (TLS S3;E2) on September 28, 1964, that starred Jack Benny as a plumber with hidden talents.

In “Bob Hope Presents Chrysler Theatre: Have Girls, Will Travel” on October 16, 1964, Lucille Ball does a cameo as Hope’s wife in a cast of ‘girls’ that includes Jill St. John, Marilyn Maxwell, and Rhonda Fleming.

“A Bob Hope Comedy Special: Bob Hope’s Leading Ladies” on September 28, 1966, Lucile Ball played herself and arrived in Bob Hope’s bedroom on a chauffeur-driven adult-size tricycle! During their scene, old friends Ball and Hope continually crack each other up.

“Jack Benny’s Carnival Nights” (March 20, 1968) featured both Ball and Hope, although they did not share any scenes together.

Bob Hope was there when Lucille Ball won her fourth (and final) competitive Emmy Award on a May 19, 1968 telecast from The Hollywood Palladium. Don Adams and Bill Cosby also won.

“The Dean Martin Christmas Special” (December 19,1968) featured many celebrities including Hope and Ball in (separate) cameos. Lucy promises that the kids at the City of Hope Medical Center will have a Merry Christmas.

Bob Hope, Lucille Ball (and dozens of other stars) make guest appearances on “The Dean Martin Show” sixth season opener on September 17, 1970.

On “Jack Benny’s 20th Anniversary Show” (November 16, 1970) Lucy plays Benny’s maid, Janet. Bob does a monologue about Benny but does not share the screen with Lucille Ball.

That same date (November 16, 1970) Ball appeared on “The Bob Hope Show: Bringing Back Vaudeville.” Bob plays a hypnotist who takes Lucy out of the audience to be his stooge.

“Swing Out, Sweet Land” (November 29, 1970) was a star-studded patriotic special featuring Lucille Ball (voice of the Statue of Liberty) and Bob Hope entertaining the troops - at Valley Forge!

“Everything You Always Wanted to Know About Jack Benny* But Were Afraid To Ask” (March 10, 1971) featured Bob Hope in a quick cameo as a juggler and Lucille Ball plays a star-struck young Goldwyn Girl seduced by leading man Benny.

Ball and Hope were both recognized with plaques on “Zenith Presents: A Salute to Television’s 25th Anniversary” on September 10, 1972.

An October 12, 1973 episode of “The Merv Griffin Show” is a Salute to Lucille Ball featuring her husband and children, and her two most famous male co-stars, Bob Hope and Gale Gordon.

On “Show Business Salute to Milton Berle” (December 4, 1973), the Friars Club celebrate Berle’s 60 years in entertainment. Sammy Davis Jr. hosts with guests Lucille Ball and Bob Hope.

In “The Bob Hope Christmas Special” aired on December 9, 1973, Lucille Ball played herself, thinking that Bob is buying her expensive presents because he is in love with her.

Naturally, Hope is on the dais for the “Dean Martin Celebrity Roast of Lucille Ball” on February 7, 1975.

Bob Hope: “Lucy’s always doing nice things. Even though she’s not with Desi anymore she got him a job as a dialogue coach on ‘Chico and the Man’.”

“Bob Hope’s World of Comedy” (October 29, 1969) naturally included Lucille Ball.

“NBC: The First Fifty Years” (November 26, 1976) was a four and a half hour extravaganza that featured NBC’s biggest star Bob Hope, but somehow also included CBS star Lucille Ball, four years before she would leap over to the peacock network.

Two days, later (November 28, 1976) “CBS Salutes Lucy: The First 25 Years” includes Hope singing his signature song “Thanks for the Memory” with special lyrics about Lucy.

“Bob Hope’s All-Star Comedy Tribute to Vaudeville” (March 25, 1977) featured Lucy and Bob in a sketch titled “The Housecleaners”....

... as well as one titled “The Hospital” in which Lucille Ball is the clumsy Dr. Spinebender and Bob Hope is a heavily bandaged patient.

On April 15, 1977, “Dinah!” presented “Bob Hope: The Road to Hollywood” with Dinah Shore welcoming guests Lucille Ball, Rosemary Clooney, Jane Russell, Rhonda Fleming, and Dorothy Lamour.

“A Tribute To Mr. Television Milton Berle” (March 26, 1978) included testimonials from Lucille Ball and Bob Hope.

Lucille Ball took to the Kennedy Center stage to say “Happy Birthday Bob” on May 29, 1978.

LUCY: “I starred with Bob in four pictures and they were all fun, frantic, and foolish.”

John Wayne hosted "General Electric’s All-Star Anniversary” which recalls the music, song, and comedy of the past 100 years and marked the one-hundredth anniversary of the General Electric Company with stars such as Lucille Ball and Bob Hope.

Lucille Ball is guest-host on “The Mike Douglas Show” and they interview stars that include Bob Hope (November 3, 1978).

“Bob Hope Salutes the Ohio Jubilee” (December 3, 1978) has Lucy in a flimsy negligee to get her husband’s (Hope) attention during a football game.

“The Annual Friars Club Tribute Presents a Salute to Johnny Carson” on May 6, 1979 was a testimonial dinner at Waldorf-Astoria with Bob Hope, Lucille Ball, Kirk Douglas and, of course, Ed McMahon. Lucy was accompanied by her husband and daughter.

After three decades on rival networks, Lucy joins Hope as an employee of the National Broadcast Corporation (NBC), kicking things off with this special: “Lucy Moves To NBC” on February 8, 1980.

“Bob Hope’s 30th Anniversary Television Special” took place on January 18, 1981. It was a retrospect of Hope’s first 30 years on TV. Celebrating with Bob were guests Lucille Ball, Milton Berle, Danny Thomas, George Burns, Glen Campbell, Sammy Davis Jr., and many more.

On February 26, 1982, “The John Davidson Show” featured both Bob Hope and Lucille Ball.

Hope takes a look back at the beautiful and funny women he has worked with over the years. Lucille Ball and more than 60 of Bob’s co-stars are presented in studio segments, as well as television and film excerpts in “Bob Hope’s Women I Love - Beautiful But Funny” aired on February 28, 1982.

“On the Road to Hollywood - Part II” (March 2, 1983) was a tribute to Hope’s film career, with clips from many of his films and appearances by many of his female co-stars, including Lucille Ball, Dorothy Lamour, Martha Rae, Jane Russell and others.

Hope returns to the site of his 75th Birthday Special, the Kennedy Center, for another three hour special with Lucille Ball, George Burns, Kathryn Crosby, George C. Scott, and Jim Henson in “Happy Birthday, Bob: A Salute to Bob Hope’s 80th Birthday” on May 23, 1983.

“Who Makes The World Laugh? - Part II” on April 4, 1984, answered the question in the title by presenting Lucille Ball and Hope together!

Hall of Fame winner Lucille Ball and Governor’s Award recipient Bob Hope are presenters at the “36th Primetime Emmy Awards” on September 23, 1984.

“Bob Hope’s Unrehearsed Antics of the Stars” (September 28, 1984) found Lucille Ball recounting her disastrous audition for the role of Scarlet O’Hara in the 1939 film Gone With The Wind.

Lucille Ball makes a cameo appearance in “Bob Hopes Buys NBC?” on September 17, 1985.

An “All Star Party for Clint Eastwood” on November 30, 1986, features former honoree Lucille Ball and Bob Hope paying homage to Eastwood.

Lucille Ball and Bob Hope were part of an all-star cast for “Happy 100th Birthday, Hollywood” on May 18, 1987. This was a two-hour special on ABC TV that won an Emmy for editing.

On the deck of an aircraft carrier, Bob Hope salutes the US Air Force’s 40th anniversary. Lucy and Bob sing “I Remember It Well” in “Bob Hope’s High-Flying Birthday Extravaganza” aired on May 25, 1987.

“America’s Tribute to Bob Hope” on January 2, 1988 - to celebrate the opening of the Bob Hope Cultural Center at Palm Springs, Lucille Ball and dozens of friends gather and offer comedy and musical performances to honor the building's namesake.

On May 16, 1988, Bob Hope celebrates the 85th of his 100 birthdays in “Happy Birthday, Bob: 50 Stars Salute Your 50 Years at NBC.” Lucille Ball sings “Comedy Ain’t No Joke,” her last ‘performance’ on television before her death.

Lucille Ball’s final appearance was at “The 1989 Oscars” on March 29, 1989, appropriately alongside Bob Hope. They introduce a performance by ‘the stars of tomorrow. Lucy appears to be enjoying herself immensely, giggling at all Bob Hope’s jokes.

After Ball’s passing, Hope hosted “Bob Hope’s Love Affair With Lucy”, a tribute which aired on September 23, 1989. Hope invited such stars as Betty White, George Burns, Danny Thomas, and even Kirk Cameron, to pay tribute to the Queen of Comedy.

“100 Years of Hope and Humor” on April 23, 2003 was the last television appearance by Bob Hope. This tribute aired 29 days before his 100th birthday and 95 days before he passed away.

HOPE (on turning 100): “I don't feel old. In fact, I don't feel anything until noon. Then it's time for my nap.”

Thanks for the memories, Bob. RIP

#Bob Hope #Lucille Ball #I Love Lucy #The Lucy Show #NBC #TV #Films #CBS

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LUCY AND THE DIAMOND CUTTER

S3;E10 ~ November 16, 1970

Directed by Herbert Kenwith ~ Written by Milt Josefsberg and Al Schwartz

Synopsis

An eccentric rich old lady wants her valuable but cursed diamond cut so Harry offers Lucy's home for the diamond cutter (Wally Cox) to work. But the Carter house is full of dangerous distractions that threaten to fulfill the curse!

Regular Cast

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

Guest Cast

Wally Cox (Gustav Vandemeer) was one of Lucille Ball's favorite character actors and best remembered for being a panelist on TV’s “The Hollywood Squares” (1965-73) as well as his hit series “Mr. Peepers” (1953-55). He played a nervous musician on “Lucy Conducts the Symphony” (TLS S2;E13) and a reformed safe cracker in “Lucy and the Ex-Con” (S1;E15). This is the third of his four guest-star appearances on “Here’s Lucy.” Cox died of a heart attack in 1973 at age 48.

Cox uses a German accent for the character and peppers his lines with phrases like “ach du lieber!”

Ruth McDevitt (Mrs. Cornelius Whitmark III) was one of Hollywood's most endearing 'little old lady' character actors. She was born in 1895 and didn't start acting until age 54. She made appearances in The Birds (1963), The Parent Trap (1961), and played Edith Bunker's friend Jo on “All in the Family.” In 1974 she was seen as Cousin Fan in Mame starring Lucille Ball. She died in 1976 at the age of 80.

Harry says Mrs. Whitmark is a billionairess. When McDevitt makes her first entrance the studio audience lets out an audible “Awwww” like they are witnessing the first steps of a newborn kitten.

Mary Wickes (Mrs. Whitmark's Maid) was one of Lucille Ball’s closest friends and at one time, a neighbor. She made a memorable appearances on “I Love Lucy” as ballet mistress Madame Lamond in “The Ballet” (ILL S1;E19). In her initial “Lucy Show” appearances her characters name was Frances, but she then made four more as a variety of characters for a total of 8 episodes. This is one of her 9 appearances on “Here’s Lucy.” Their final collaboration on screen was “Lucy Calls the President” in 1977.

This episode was aired on the same night as “Jack Benny’s 20th Anniversary TV Special” on NBC. The star-studded program featured Lucille Ball as the Benny maid, Janet.

During blocking rehearsals for this episode, Ruth McDevitt (Mrs. Whitlock) had trouble hitting her marks. Allegedly, after several attempts to get it right, Lucille Ball went over to Ruth and kicked her foot attempting to move her into place. Ruth fell to the floor screaming with pain. It was at this point that director Herbert Kenwith decided that if his friendship with Lucille Ball was going to survive, he would no longer be able to direct any of her shows. The incident with McDevitt was likely resolved amicably because she was later cast in Mame (1974).

As usual with any 'little old lady' character on the show, Mrs. Whitmark is dressed in lots of lace and frills and a out-of-date hat. The fact that her purse and hat don't match her dress indicates that she is supposed to be eccentric. That, and the fact that she collects bits of string. And that she collects used teabags. And that she laughs like a lunatic.

Mrs. Whitmark's Casbah Diamond is said to be worth 5 million dollars and is cursed. The nature of the curse is not revealed until the last minute of the episode.

When the Maid goes to spray Harry with the disinfectant a second time, she apologizes and says already been sprayed so he's sterile. Harry widens his eyes and the audience laughs at the naughty (for 1970) double entendre.

Craig talks to Steve on the telephone about a part for his motorcycle. It turns out to be a candy apple red air horn. Steve is probably a reference to Steve March, who was featured on two previous episodes and is often referenced by Craig.

Gustav calls Kim and Craig “the Katzenjammer Kids.” The Katzenjammer Kids was a comic strip created by German immigrant Rudolph Dirks which appeared from 1897 to 2006. Dirks was said to be the first to use 'thought balloons' in a comic strip.

The Carter living room has a wood floor instead of the green wall-to-wall carpeting previously seen.

The first episode of season three “Lucy Meets the Burtons” (S3;E1) also concerned itself with a large and valuable diamond. It was set into a ring that Richard Burton gave to Elizabeth Taylor and Lucy got stuck on her finger.

This is not the first time Harry has fallen through the floor of the Carter home.

He ended “Lucy's Burglar Alarm” (S2;E7) going through a trap door in the same exact location! Gale Gordon also went down a trap door as Mr. Mooney in “Lucy Takes a Job at the Bank” (TLS S2;E21).

Fact Check! To keep the diamond cutter's identity secret while he's at the Carter home, Lucy tells Kim and Craig that Gustav is their uncle. In previous episodes, however, Kim and Craig have acknowledged Harry as their only uncle.

Props! The disinfectant spray used by the Maid has had the label covered in blue tape.

Props! Motorcycles don't usually have air horns!

Sitcom Logic Alert! It is unclear why Mrs. Whitcomb and Harry don't use his own homes and save having to compensate Lucy. For practical reasons, of course, the Carter home was the show's main set and already in existence in the studio, saving the cost of constructing a new set.

Recycling! Mrs. Whitmark wears the same dress that Lucy wore as Abigail Throckmorton in LUCY AND THE EX-CON (S1;E15) aired on January 13, 1969.

Title Trouble! Due to the outcome of the plot, this episode would be more aptly titled "Harry the Diamond Cutter.” Of course, it then wouldn't have “Lucy” in the title!

“Lucy the Diamond Cutter” rates 3 Paper Hearts out of 5

This is a rather contrived premise but it greatly benefits by sharp comedy writing from Josefsberg and Schwartz. The idea of Lucy's home being riddled with termites is introduced early on and is nicely connected to the episode's big gag ending. I also like the symmetry of the repeated joke about the injuries caused by the curse. Good gags always seem to come in threes!

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papermoonloveslucy · 6 years

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LUCY: 40 YEARS OF TELEVISION

1970 Part Two ~ JULY to DECEMBER

“Here’s Lucy” begins its third season with guest stars Elizabeth Taylor, Richard Burton, Sammy Davis Jr., Buddy Rich, Wally Cox, and Vincent Price. On November 16, 1970, Lucille Ball appeared on four different television shows on one night!

“Lucy Meets the Burtons” (HL S3;E1) ~ September 14, 1970

Perhaps the biggest casting coup in sitcom history, “Here’s Lucy” opens its third season with Richard Burton, Elizabeth Taylor, and her 68 carat Cartier diamond ring worth over a million dollars. Of course, Lucy gets it stuck on her finger!

“The Dean Martin Show” (S6;E1) ~ September 17, 1970

Lucille Ball (and dozens of other stars) make guest appearance on Dean Martin’s sixth season opener.

“The Ed Sullivan Show” (S23;E1) ~ September 20, 1970

Ed Sullivan hosts the ‘Georgie Awards’ for Entertainer of the Year, from Caesar’s Palace, Las Vegas. Lucille Ball is on hand to present an award to Carol Burnett.

"Lucy the Skydiver" (HL S3;E2) ~ September 21, 1970

When Kim and Craig take up dangerous hobbies, Lucy decides to use reverse psychology and take up skydiving. Although she didn’t actually skydive, Lucille Ball performed her own stunts.

"Lucy and Sammy Davis, Jr." (HL S3;E3) ~ September 28, 1970

When Sammy Davis Jr. stumbles through the door of the Unique Employment Agency and bumps his nose, Lucy and Harry are afraid of being sued. Lucy goes to his film set to make sure he is alright and ends up causing chaos.

"Lucy and the Drum Contest" (HL S3;E4) ~ October 4, 1970

When Craig enters a amateur drum contest, Lucy convinces Buddy Rich to give him lessons.

"Lucy, the Crusader" (HL S3;E5) ~ October 12, 1970

When Lucy buys Craig a stereo for his birthday, it turns out to be a lemon. Lucy goes on a crusade to have the manufacturer honor their guarantee. Guest starring Charles Nelson Reilly.

"Lucy, the Coed" (HL S3;E6) ~ October 19, 1970

A musical episode that features Robert Alda (left) and Marilyn Maxwell.

“The Carol Burnett Show” (S4;E6) ~ October 19, 1970

Lucille Ball and Carol Burnett portray stage mothers pushing their precocious offspring in an audition, and star in a spoof of Some Like It Hot. Mel Torme is the musical guest. This is Lucille’s fourth and final appearance on “The Carol Burnett Show.”

"Lucy, the American Mother" (HL S3;E7) ~ October 26, 1970

For a class project, Craig is doing a documentary film about Lucy. Under her son’s probing lens, Lucy wreaks havoc at the local library searching for a book that has a $100 bill tucked inside.

"Lucy's Wedding Party" (HL S3;E8) ~ November 2, 1970

While Harry is away at a college reunion, Lucy secretly uses his house for a Great Big Greek Wedding reception. Naturally, Harry comes home early - just in time for wedding cake!

"Lucy Cuts Vincent's Price" (HL S3;E9) ~ November 9, 1970

Vincent Price thinks Lucy is an actress coming to audition for his new horror movie and terrorizes her in his study turned laboratory, although Lucy is only there for his artistic opinion on a painting she’s bought.

"Lucy, the Diamond Cutter" (HL S3;E10) ~ November 16, 1970

Lucy favorite Wally Cox plays a meticulous German diamond cutter. Ruth McDevitt and Mary Wickes co-star.

“Jack Benny's 20th Anniversary Special” ~ November 16, 1970

In a star-studded special, Lucille Ball makes a cameo appearance as Janet, Jack Benny and Mary Livingstone’s maid. Ball receives no screen, credit but gets a verbal ‘thank you’ from Benny at show’s conclusion. Lucy has three lines and 30 seconds screen time!

“The Bob Hope Show: Bringing Back Vaudeville” ~ (S2;E21) November 16, 1970

Lucille Ball and Danny Thomas play small fry actors auditioning for vaudeville. Bob plays a hypnotist who takes Lucy out of the audience to be his stooge.

“The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson” ~ November 16, 1970

Johnny’s guests are Lucille Ball, Doug McClure, Alan Sues, Della Reese and Roger Miller. Earlier in the evening Ball was on “Here’s Lucy” and did cameo appearances on Bob Hope and Jack Benny’s specials, meaning that she made four appearances on TV in one night!

"Lucy and Jack Benny's Biography" (HL S3;E11) ~ November 23, 1970

Jack Benny needs a private secretary to help him write his autobiography. Naturally, Harry volunteers Lucy. Through flashbacks we meet many of the women in Benny’s life – all played by Lucy. This episode was shot without the presence of a studio audience. George Burns does a cameo.

“Swing Out, Sweet Land” ~November 29, 1970

A star-studded patriotic special featuring John Wayne. Lucille Ball voices the Statue of Liberty.

"Lucy and Rudy Vallee" (HL S3;E12) ~ November 30, 1970

Classic crooner Rudy Vallee plays himself. Lucy convinces Kim to help update his look and sound while Harry gets him a booking at the local teen hangout. This is the first of 68 episodes directed by Coby Ruskin.

"Lucy Loses Her Cool" (HL S3;E13) ~ December 7, 1970

Lucy goes on the Art Linkletter show and is challenged not to lose her temper for 24 hours in order to win $500. Little does she know that her friends and family are all in on the stunt and are determined to make her fulfill the episode’s title!

"Lucy, the Part-Time Wife" (HL S3;E14) ~ December 14, 1970

Harry is panicked when he thinks an old college girlfriend wants to marry him, so he recruits Lucy to pretend to be his wife – complete with two teenage kids and another one on the way! the last time Lucille Ball was pregnant on camera was with Desi Arnaz Jr., who is coincidentally absent from this episode.

"Lucy and Ma Parker" (HL S3;E15) ~ December 21, 1970

After many years of playing supporting characters opposite Lucille Ball, Carole Cook finally guest stars in a title role. Also guest starring is Jerry Maren, one of the original Munchkins in The Wizard of Oz. Another silly plot where Lucy suddenly develops super strength to save the day.

"Lucy Stops a Marriage" (HL S3;E16) ~ December 28, 1970

This is the first of two episodes written by Frank Gill Jr. and Vincent Bogart. Gill died in July 1970, before this episode was first aired. Jayne Meadows (sister of Audrey and wife of Steve Allen) is the bride in what Lucy thinks will be a wedding to Harry.

ALSO in 1970...

“Kraft Music Hall” (S4;E10) ~ December 2, 1970

For the second time in 1970, Lucie and Desi Jr. appear on NBC’s “The Kraft Music Hall”, this time with Robert Young and Jane Wyatt hosting. Lucille Ball does not appear.

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