#Lucy Meets Paul Winchell

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Lucy and Paul Winchell

S5;E4 ~ October 3, 1966

Synopsis

Lucy convinces ventriloquist Paul Winchell to appear at the Annual Banker's Banquet.  When Winchell is running late, he asks Lucy to stop by and pick up his dummies.  When she accidentally leaves them in a taxi the understudy 'dummy' has to go on – Lucy!  

Regular Cast

Lucille Ball (Lucy Carmichael), Gale Gordon (Theodore J. Mooney)

Mary Jane Croft (Mary Jane Lewis) does not appear in this episode but Lucy does have a phone conversation with her.

Guest Cast

Paul Winchell (Himself) was born Paul Wilchinsky in 1922.  Coming into the public eye in 1948, he became one of the most famous ventriloquists since Edgar Bergen.  He hosted the enormously popular children's television show “Winchell-Mahoney Time” (1964-68) in which he shared the spotlight with Jerry Mahoney, one of his most popular characters. Sadly, in a legal dispute over the syndication rights to the show, all nearly 300 episodes were destroyed.  Winchell is fondly remembered as the voice of Winnie the Pooh's pal Tigger and (later) Papa Smurf. He returns to “The Lucy Show” to play Doc Putnam in two linked episodes, “Main Street U.S.A.” (S5;E17) and “Lucy Puts Main Street on the Map” (S5;18), as well as doing two episodes of “Here's Lucy.” Surprisingly, Winchell was also an inventor who is credited with the artificial heart, among other innovations. He died in 2005.  

Snitchy the Snail appeared with Winchell on “The Dick Van Dyke Show” six months before this “Lucy Show” appearance.

Tessie Mahoney was Jerry's platinum blonde cousin.  She was named after Winchell's wife Tessie Nina Moore.  Many accused Tessie of just being Jerry Mahoney in drag!  Like Winchell, Tessie was from Brooklyn (and sounded it).  

Jerry Mahoney (above left) was 'born' around 1935.  He was Paul Winchell's co-host on “Winchell-Mahoney Time.”  Jerry Mahoney was named after Winchell's grade-school teacher, who encouraged him to pursue ventriloquism. He was carved by Chicago-based figure maker Frank Marshall. The original Marshall-carved Jerry Mahoney is now 'living' at the Smithsonian Institution in Washington DC.  

Knucklehead Smiff (above right) was 'born' in 1951, sculpted by Winchell from a copy of Jerry Mahoney's head. He co-starred with Winchell and Jerry Mahoney on “Winchell-Mahoney Time” and many other shows. Like Jerry Mahoney, he now resides at the 'Smiffsonian' Institution, although neither are currently accepting visitors!

Sid Gould (Show Announcer Voice) made more than 45 appearances on “The Lucy Show,” all as background characters. He also did 40 episodes of “Here’s Lucy.” Gould (born Sydney Greenfader) was Lucille Ball’s cousin by marriage to Gary Morton.

Gould performed this same kind of uncredited voice over introduction when “Lucy and George Burns” (S5;E1) performed together.  

Marge, a voice on Lucy's intercom is uncredited, as is the female voice of the long distance operator.  Marge was also the name of Lucy Carmichael's sister, a character seen in “Lucy's Sister Pays a Visit” (S1;E15).  

Having Paul Winchell as a guest star was Lucille Ball's attempt to attract younger viewers to “The Lucy Show.”  

Lucille Ball seems to be having occasional vocal problems during this episode.

Upon meeting Paul Winchell, Lucy says “I always read your column” mistaking him for journalist Walter Winchell.  Paul Winchell quickly corrects her. She then says “I just get hysterical watching you and Charlie McCarthy” mistaking her for ventriloquist Edgar Bergen.  Again, Winchell quickly corrects her. Walter Winchell (1897-1972) was the narrator of Desilu's “The Untouchables” and did the same function for a parody episode on “The Lucy Show” titled “Lucy the Gun Moll” (S4;E25).  Edgar Bergen (1903-1978) appeared with Lucille Ball in the 1941 film Look Who's Laughing.

Lucy explains the bank's interest rates to Paul Winchell:  

Lucy gave away toasters for new savings accounts back in Danfield when “Lucy Takes a Job at the Bank” (S2;E21).  

In the previous episode, “Lucy the Bean Queen” (S5;E3) Lucy was redecorating her apartment.  The reveal is delayed as this episode has no scenes taking place in Lucy’s home.  

Mr. Mooney returns to the office after failing to find a celebrity to entertain at the Bankers Annual Banquet show.  Bob Hope is doing a show for the Girl Scouts in Pismo Beach; Jack Benny is on a tour of Fort Knox; Dean Martin just had an operation to remove a brass rail pressing on his foot. All three of these performers have guest starred on “The Lucy Show.”  Pismo Beach was thought to be a funny sounding name and was often used as a punch line in comedy.  Fort Knox is an Army base in Kentucky where much of the nation's gold supply is held, so the reference trades on Jack Benny's characterization of a being a miser. Dean Martin's comic persona was that of a heavy drinker, so the reference is to the foot rail found at bars.  

Lucy: Oh, gee, aren't there any other movie actors you could call? Mr. Mooney: Yes, yes, but they're all too busy running for public office.  

Mr. Mooney is likely referring to Ronald Reagan, who ran for Governor of California in 1966 and won (after this episode aired).  He held office until 1975 before setting his sights on the Presidency.  In 1980 he was elected 40th President of the United States, an office he held until 1989.  His screen acting career began in 1937 and lasted right up until he became Governor. Reagan appeared with Lucille Ball on two episodes of “The Ed Sullivan Show” in the mid-1950s.  

Paul Winchell gets a phone call from someone named Gary asking him to play golf.  This is probably and inside joke about Production Consultant (and Lucille Ball's husband) Gary Morton's fondness for playing golf.

In the opening scene at Paul Winchell's home, his character Irving Think (a mouse) is standing next to the telephone and Ozwald (with another figure's head attached) is propped up on the sofa. Ozwald was a commercially available doll resembling Humpty Dumpty that required the user to paint eyes and a nose on his or her own chin and hang the puppet upside down to create the character.  

After Winchell offers to lend Lucy one of his dummies, Lucy and the episode enters (what Winchell later calls) “the twilight zone.” Winchell's most famous dummies, Jerry Mahoney and Knucklehead Smiff, become animated on their own, without any help from Winchell (although he may still be providing the voices live).  It is a surreal moment for a show that tries to keep one foot in a somewhat farcical version of reality (except perhaps for “Lucy the Superwoman” S4;E26).  

Lucy describes her boss as Diamond Jim Mooney after Winchell says he sounds like “the last of the big spenders.”  James Buchanan Brady (1856–1917) was an American businessman, financier and philanthropist of the Gilded Age who had a particular affinity for precious stones and jewelry.  His had a longtime relationship with actress and singer Lillian Russell. At one point, a TV biopic was planned starring Jackie Gleason with Lucille Ball as Russell, but it never came to pass.

Jerry Mahoney and Knucklehead Smiff have a food fight with spaghetti, eggs, and cream pies, something they often did on “Winchell-Mahoney Time.”  

Mr. Mooney gets a telephone call from his boss, Mr. Cheever, a character who won't actually appear until the end of the season (played by Roy Roberts).  

Although Lucille Ball was game to conquer any comic task the writers created for her, becoming an accomplished ventriloquist in a week was a tall order, so Mrs. Carmichael's lips move when manipulating the dummy she borrows from Paul Winchell as workplace therapy.  

The Bankers Annual Banquet and Show is being held at the Beverly Ritz Hotel. Backstage there is a Fallout Shelter sign. After the Cuban Missile Crisis in 1961 (the beginning of the 'Cold War' between Russian and the United States), President Kennedy instructed that sturdy large-capacity structures be designated fallout shelters in case of attack. The yellow and black sign with three triangles inside a circle was used to alert the public that the building was designated such a structure.  The saloon door scenery used in the silent movie sketch of “Lucy Meets Mickey Rooney” (S4;E18) is also there, although the painted side is turned away from the camera.

As Tessie Mahoney, Lucy suggests that they sing “Your Dime is My Dime” because they are performing for an audience of bankers. This is a pun on the song “My Time is Your Time” written by Leo Dance and Eric Little in 1924. It was made famous by Rudy Valle who guest starred as himself on “Lucy Takes a Cruise to Havana” (1957), the first “Lucy-Desi Comedy Hour,” and does so again in a 1970 episode of “Here's Lucy.”  

Winchell (voicing Lucy / Tessie and himself) sings “What Does This Audience Want?” an original song written especially for this episode.  The lyrics reference Milton Berle, who appeared in “Lucy Saves Milton Berle” (S4;E13).  

Callbacks! 

Ventriloquist Max Terhune played himself in "Ricky Loses His Temper” (ILL S3;E19). Terhune was a skilled vaudevillian who specialized in ventriloquism. On the Orpheum Circuit his dummy was known as Skully Null but was re-named Elmer Sneezeweed in the movies. Terhune was listed as one of the top ten money-making stars in Westerns for 1937, 1938 and 1939, appearing as Max ‘Alibi’ Terhune in a string of B-movie 'oaters.’  

Actually a call forward – to the stage and film musical Chicago in which a woman (Roxie Hart) becomes a ventriloquist's doll during the musical number “We Both Reached for the Gun.”  Here, Lucy takes on the persona of Tessie Mahoney, sitting on Paul Winchell's knee wearing a platinum blonde wig and pink dress singing “What Does This Audience Want?”

Blooper Alerts

Paul Winchell wants to open a savings account at Westland Bank.  Although certainly this is within the bounds of reality, it is likely that a big star like Paul Winchell would have his finances administered by a Business Manager and would not be going to a local bank for a savings account.  

Mr. Mooney's Dictaphone explodes just by Lucy touching it.  

None of Lucy's file cabinets are labeled.  With Lucy's wacky filing system it doesn't really matter anyway!

“Lucy Meets Paul Winchell” rates 4 Paper Hearts out of 5 

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LUCY & BEDROCK! (TWIST! TWIST!)

Lucille Ball & “The Flintstones” 

“The Flintstones” was TV’s first primetime animated sitcom. It was produced by Hannah-Barbara animation and ran on ABC TV from 1960 to 1966. Following the show's cancellation, a film called The Man Called Flintstone, a musical spy caper that parodied James Bond, was released that same year. The show was revived in the early 1970s and several different series and made-for-TV movies. The original show also was adapted into a live-action film in 1994, and a prequel, The Flintstones in Viva Rock Vegas, which followed in 2000.

Although not officially recognized by its creators, the show bears a very strong resemblance to TV’s “The Honeymooners”.  Fred and Wilma Flintstone are reminiscent of Ralph and Alice Kramden, and they have best friends and neighbors Betty and Barney Rubble that are very similar to Ed and Trixie Norton.  The original “Honeymooners” (1955-56) also was spun-off into future iterations, including musical episodes, just like “The Flintstones.”  

Lucille Ball admired “Honeymooners” creator and Jackie Gleason and Gleason even played Ralph Kramden on “Here’s Lucy.”  Ball also worked with the show’s other stars: Art Carney (in “Happy Anniversary and Goodbye” and “What Now Catherine Curtis”), Audrey Meadows (in “Mother of the Bride” on “Life With Lucy”) and even Jane Kean, who played Trixie in the color “Honeymooners” (who was seen on a 1966 episode of “The Lucy Show”).  

CAST CONNECTIONS 

Jean Vander Pyl (Wilma Flintstone / Pebbles) worked with Lucille Ball on several episodes of “My Favorite Husband” radio show in 1948. 

Alan Reed (Fred Flintstone) played a train station luncheon counter attendant in “Lucy Visits The White House” (TLS S1;E23) in 1963, while also playing Fred Flintstone on ABC.  He later appeared on an episode of Desi Arnaz’s “Mothers-in-Law”. 

Bea Benadaret (Betty Rubble) was one of Lucille Ball’s favorite performers. She played Iris Atterbury on “My Favorite Husband” and was Ball’s first choice to play Ethel Mertz.  Instead, she played Miss Lewis in “Lucy Plays Cupid” (ILL S1;E15). 

Mel Blanc (Barney Rubble) was a master of voices best known for Bugs Bunny. He also worked extensively with Jack Benny, once with Lucille Ball. He did two films with Lucille Ball: The Fuller Brush Girl (1950) and G.I. Journal (1944).  In 1969, Blanc did some ADR (dialogue replacement) work on “Here’s Lucy.” 

Hal Smith (Various Voices) is probably best known as Otis the Drunk on “The Andy Griffith Show”. He appeared with Lucille Ball in the 1963 film Critic’s Choice and did three episodes of “The Lucy Show” and one of “Here’s Lucy.”

Howard Morris (Various Voices) played Howard Coe in “Lucy and the Golden Greek” (TLS S4;E2) in 1965. 

Allan Melvin (Various Voices) is best remembered as Sam the Butcher on “The Brady Bunch” and Barney Hefner on “All in the Family.” In 1956, as Corporal Henshaw on “Sergeant Bilko,” he did was seen with Ball in “Bilko’s Ape Man.” Melvin and Ball also appeared together on the 8th Anniversary of “The Ed Sullivan Show” In 1954. 

Harvey Korman (The Great Gazzoo / Various Voices) is best remembered for his work with Carol Burnett on “The Carol Burnett Show”, several times with Lucille Ball. He also appeared on “The Lucy Show” three times. 

Janet Waldo (Mrs. Slaghoople / Hedda Rocker / Various Voices) is best remembered for voicing Judy Jetson on another Hanna-Barbera cartoon series, “The Jetsons” (1962-87). She played Peggy “Keep Jiggling” Dawson on “I Love Lucy” and Lucy Carmichael’s sister Marge on “The Lucy Show.” 

Frank Nelson (Rockbind / Rocky Stone / Various Clerks) did two recurring characters on “I Love Lucy” - Freddie Fiillmore and Ralph Ramsey, in addition to other characters. His distinctive voice was heard on “My Favorite Husband” and he made one appearance, as the harried train conductor, on “The Lucy Show.” 

June Foray (Granny / Nurses) was one of the most famous voice artists in Hollywood, most famous for Rocket J. Squirrel. Coincidentally, Warner Brothers recruited Foray to replace Bea Benadaret as Granny in their cartoons. On “I Love Lucy” she provided the bark of Fred the dog. 

Paula Winslowe (Mrs. Slate / Various Voices) played Mrs. Martha Conklin on “Our Miss Brooks” opposite Gale Gordon. On “I Love Lucy” she was one of the passengers on the S.S. Constitution in “Second Honeymoon” (ILL S5;E14) and a patient (in wheelchair, above) in “Lucy Plays Florence Nightingale” (TLS S2;E14). She was the voice of Bambi’s mother in the 1942 Disney film Bambi.

Verna Felton (Pearl Slaghoople) received two Emmy nominations for her role in the Desilu series “December Bride,” playing Hilda Crocker from 1955 to 1959. She did two episodes of “I Love Lucy,” including playing Lucy’s stern maid, Mrs. Porter. Felton voiced many characters for Disney. 

Howard McNear (Doctor) played Mr. Crawford, Little Ricky’s music teacher on “I Love Lucy.” McNear went on to play Floyd the Barber on “The Andy Griffith Show” from 1961 to 1967, filmed on the Desilu backlot. He was also seen in Lucy and Desi’s 1953 film The Long, Long Trailer.

Herb Vigran (Cop) was one of the busiest character actors in Hollywood. He played Jule, Ricky Ricardo’s music agent on two episodes of “I Love Lucy” in addition to playing movie publicist Hal Sparks in “Lucy is Envious” (ILL S3;23). He was seen in the Lucy-Desi film The Long, Long Trailer and six episodes of “The Lucy Show” - all as doctors!

Ginny Tyler (Daisy) voiced Clementine the sheep in “Lucy Buys a Sheep” (TLS S1;E5) and the bird voices in “Lucy Gets the Bird” (TLS S3;E12) and one episode of “Here’s Lucy.”  She did the voice of the sheep in Disney’s 1964 hit Mary Poppins. Although she died in 2012, her voice can still be heard in the chorus of birds outside The Enchanted Tiki Room at Disneyland and Walt Disney World.

Willard Waterman (Gus Gravel) was a versatile voice actor who appeared on hundreds of radio shows in the 1930s and 40s. He is probably best remembered for playing “The Great Gildersleeve” on both radio and TV.  He was seen on “The Lucy Show” in “Lucy and The Plumber” (above) and “Lucy the Rain Goddess” (S4;E15).  

Jerry Hausner (Clyde) was best remembered for playing Jerry, Ricky’s agent on “I Love Lucy” (including the pilot). He also did one appearance on “The Lucy Show.”

Sam Edwards (Agent) played the star-struck bellboy in “Lucy Meets the Queen” (ILL S5;E15). He was also the voice of the adult Thumper in Bambi (1942).

Sandra Gould (Various Voices) was best remembered as Gladys Kravitz on “Bewitched”.  She made two appearances on “I Love Lucy” and one (above) on “The Lucy Show.”  

Ann-Margret (Ann Margrock) was one of several celebrity guest stars to be honored with character on “The Flintstones”. She was also a guest star (as herself) on “Here’s Lucy” in 1970 and had appeared on Ann-Margret’s 1969 special. 

Elizabeth Taylor (Pearl Slaghoople in The Flintstones live action film, 1994) was one of Hollywood’s most glamorous and popular stars when she guest starred with husband Richard Burton on “Here’s Lucy” in 1970.  It is odd, then, that she was cast as Pearl Slaghoople, a character that was previously considered frumpy. 

Paul Winchell (Umpire / Thief / Reporter in "Wind Up Wilma” - 1981) was best known as a ventriloquist, but he was also an accomplished character actor who appeared in two episodes of “The Lucy Show” and two of “Here’s Lucy.” 

Arte Johnson (”Flintstone Kids” - 1989) was best known as a cast member on “Rowan and Martin’s Laugh-In”.  He also did an episode of “Here’s Lucy” as an eccentric bird watcher. 

George O’Hanlon (”Flintstone Kids” - 1989) was best remembered as the voice of George Jetson on “The Jetsons,” another hit Hanna-Barbera cartoon. On “I Love Lucy” he was one of two actors to play Charlie Appleby. 

"I Love Lucy” and “The Flintstones”

First, Lucille Ball bears more than a passing physical resemblance to Wilma Flintstone. In “The Flintstones” it is clear that Fred is the leading character and most stories revolve around Fred and Barney, rather than Lucy and Ethel. The tried and true formula of a leading couple and the best friends / neighbors as the secondary characters is used in “I Love Lucy”, “The Honeymooners” and “The Flintstones”.  

Here are a few more tangible connections:

The animated Lucy and Desi that opened pre-syndication airings of “I Love Lucy” were created by the Hanna-Barbera unit at MGM. 

And both shows were sponsored by cigarette companies; “I Love Lucy” by Philip Morris and “The Flintstones” by Winston.  

Wilma and Betty trying to sneak into the Water Buffalo convention in "Ladies Night at the Lodge" (1964) while disguised as men was very close to Lucy and Ethel disguising themselves as male reporters to infiltrate Ricky’s daddy shower in “Ricky Has Labor Pains” (1953). 

The plot of “Operation Switchover” (1964) recycles the premise and many of the same plot elements of “Job Switching” (1952) especially with the domestic disasters on Ricky and Fred's end: scorched clothes while ironing, a fallen cake, and overflowing rice on the stove. 

Like Lucy Ricardo, Wilma Flintstone’s pregnancy was incorporated into the storyline. It was originally thought that like Lucy, Wilma would have a boy, but merchandisers pointed out that there were more opportunities for products for girls, so Pebbles was born. Like Lucille Ball, Jean Vander Pyl (who voiced Wilma) was pregnant at the time of recording and gave birth to her son on the day "The Blessed Event" originally aired on February 22, 1963.

Fred and Barney undertake a rehearsal for the big moment, including Betty rehearsing telephoning the doctor, just like Ricky and the Mertz’s do for Lucy when ‘the time has come’. 

Wilma seems to get cravings for unusual foods including hot fudge and sardines that Fred dutifully supplies, just like Ricky did for Lucy. 

In the father’s waiting room, a man worries his wife might deliver more than one baby, just like Mr. Stanley (Charles Lane) on “I Love Lucy.”

In “Operation Switchover” a character named Hedda Rocker from Good Cavekeeping Magazine is obviously inspired by Hedda Hopper, the famous gossip columnist who appeared on two episodes of “I Love Lucy” as herself. 

Arthur Murray, who’s innovate dance instruction method and dance studios became iconic, is parodied on “The Flintstones” as Arthur Quarry.  In a 1965 episode, he was named Arthury Murrayrock. 

In “Lucy Meets the Mustache” (LDCH S3;E3) Lucy wants to open a sealed letter so she tries a inserting a knitting needle under the flap, a method she says she saw in an Alfred Hitchcock movie. The scene is underscored with “Funeral March of a Marionette” by Charles Gounod, which served as the theme tune of “Alfred Hitchcock Presents”. On “The Flintstones” he is parodied as Alvin Brickrock. 

Hollyrock star Rock Quarry is a tribute to Rock Hudson, but talks like Gary Cooper.  Hudson guest-starred on an episode of “I Love Lucy” set in Palm Springs. Previously, Lucy dressed as Gary Cooper (complete with his trademark ‘yup’) to fool near-sighted Caroline Appleby. 

An episode titled “The Soft Touchables” is modeled after Desilu’s hit gangster series “The Untouchables.” “The Lucy Show” parodied their own show in an episode titled “Lucy The Gun Moll” (TLS S4;E25) in 1966 starring “The Untouchables Cast” but using different character names. 

Wilma and Betty’s favorite television show “Peek-A-Boo Camera” catches Fred and Barney acting silly in a 1963 episode that is clearly modeled after TV’s “Candid Camera” created by Allen Funt. In 1971, “Lucy and the Candid Camera” (HL S4;E14) also featured Funt in hidden camera shot plot. Lucy Carmichael also get involved in a hidden camera television show in “Lucy and the Beauty Doctor” (TLS S3;E24).  In that show, the program was called “The Boiling Point.”

The hit Broadway and movie musical movie My Fair Lady inspired many satires (some in name only) including “My Fair Freddy” (1966) and “My Fair Lucy” (TLS S3;E20) in 1965! 

In “Fred Flintstone Woos Again” (1961) Wilma convinces Fred to renew their wedding vows after realizing the official who originally married them wasn’t fully licensed!  On “I Love Lucy” Lucy realized that their wedding was also invalid when she found an error on their license. They go to the spot they first wed to renew their vows, just like “The Flintstones”. 

In “Dial ‘S’ for Suspicion” (1962) Wilma's devotion to a murder mystery novel causes Fred to wonder if Wilma is trying to away with him. In “Lucy Thinks Ricky Is Trying To Do Away With Her” (ILL S1;E4) Lucy's devotion to a murder mystery novel causes her to wonder if Ricky is trying to do away with her!

When Wilma can’t keep up with the housework, she hires a maid in “Wilma the Maid” (1963). The same situation happened in the Ricardo home in “Lucy Hires a Maid” (ILL S2;E23). While the Flintstone’s maid is an earthy Italian woman named Rockabrigida, the Ricardo’s maid is a humorless woman named Mrs. Porter. Coincidentally, Mrs. Porter was played by Verna Felton, who voices Pearl Slaghoople on “The Flintstones”. 

When superhero “Superstone” is hired for a birthday party but can’t make it - Fred takes his place. On “I Love Lucy” when Superman is promised for Little Ricky’s party, but can’t make it, Lucy takes his place - nearly! 

In “How To Pick A Fight With Your Wife” (1966) spats between spouses escalate to such a degree that the couples split: Fred and Barney are thrown together as roommates, while Wilma and Betty are bunking together at the other house. In “Vacation from Marriage” (ILL S2;E6) much the same thing occurs between the Ricardos and the Mertzes!

The real comparison with Lucy and Desi is something Joe Barbera could have only hoped for in 1960 — enduring popularity. Lucy is still justifiably loved by hoards of fans and “I Love Lucy” is on the air somewhere. “The Flintstones” remains a part of the popular culture, 60 years after the show’s debut.   

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“Here’s Lucy” ~ Season 2

A handy dandy guide to helping you find your favorite episode blogs here at Papermoon Loves Lucy. Click on the hyperlinks to be taken directly to that episode’s trivia, background, and bloopers!

“Lucy Goes to the Air Force Academy: Part 1” (S2;E1) ~ September 22, 1969

“Lucy Goes to the Air Force Academy: Part 2” (S2;E2) ~ September 29, 1969

“Lucy and the Indian Chief” (S2;E3) ~ October 6, 1969

“Lucy Runs the Rapids” (S2;E4) ~ October 13, 1969

“Lucy and Harry’s Tonsils” (S2;E5) ~ October 20, 1969

“Lucy and the Andrews Sisters” (S2;E6) ~ October 27, 1969

“Lucy’s Burglar Alarm” (S2;E7) ~ November 3, 1969

“Lucy at the Drive-In Movie” (S2;E8) ~ November 10, 1969

“Lucy and the Used Car Dealer” (S2;E9) ~ November 17, 1969

“Lucy, the Cement Worker” (S2;E10) ~ November 24, 1969

“Lucy and Johnny Carson” (S2;E11) ~ December 2, 1969

“Lucy and the Generation Gap” (S2;E12) ~ December 8, 1969

“Lucy and the Bogie Affair” (S2;E13) ~ December 15, 1969

“Lucy Protects Her Job” (S2;E14) ~ December 22, 1969

“Lucy the Helpful Mother” (S2;E15) ~ December 29, 1969

“Lucy and Liberace” (S2;E16) ~ January 5, 1970

“Lucy the Laundress” (S2;E17) ~ January 12, 1970

“Lucy and Lawrence Welk” (S2;E18) ~ January 19, 1970

“Lucy and Viv Visit Tijuana” (S2;E19) ~ January 26, 1970

“Lucy and Ann-Margret” (S2;E20) ~ February 2, 1970

“Lucy and Wally Cox” (S2;E21) ~ February 9, 1970

“Lucy and Wayne Newton” (S2;E22) ~ February 16, 1970

“Lucy Takes Over” (S2;E23) ~ February 23, 1970

“Lucy Competes with Carol Burnett” (S2;E24) ~ March 2, 1970

SEASON SUMMARY

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

Recurring Characters: Mary Jane Croft (Mary Jane Lewis), Vivian Vance (Vivian Jones)

Celebrity Cast playing Characters: Milton Berle (Cheerful Charlie), Paul Winchell (Jeweler/Knife Thrower, Carlo), Wally Cox (Wally Manley), Alan Hale Jr. (Moose Manley), Carol Burnett (Carol Krausmeyer) 

Celebrity Cast playing Themselves: Patty Andrews, Johnny Carson, Ed McMahon, Jack LaLanne, Liberace, Lawrence Welk, Ann-Margret,  Wayne Newton, Jerry Newton, Robert Alda 

Guest Cast playing Characters: Roy Roberts, Iron Eyes Cody, Paula Stewart, Mary Wickes, Gary Morton, Sid Gould, James Hong, Lyle Talbot, Vanda Barra

Live Animal Cast: Lord Nelson (Bogie), Happy & Puppies in “The Bogie Affair”; Dog in “Lucy at the Drive-In Movie”; Myna Bird (Bruce), Chimp (Irving), Parrot (Radish), Leopard, Ring-Tailed Cat, Skunk (Breath of Spring), Hamsters, Canaries, Doves, & Bunnies in “Lucy, the Helpful Mother”; Miniature Horse (Tiny Tim), Cow & Horses in ”Lucy and Wayne Newton”; Sheep in ”Lucy and the Indian Chief” 

There were 24 new episodes 

The season opened with four episodes shot on location at the U.S. Air Force Academy in Colorado, the Colorado River, and in Arizona. One episode was shot on location at Wayne Newton’s Casa Shenandoah outside Las Vegas (”Lucy Meets Wayne Newton”).

Written by: Milt Josefsberg, Ray Singer, Gene Thompson,  David Ketchum, Bruce Shelly, George Balzer, Sam Perrin, Fred S. Fox, Seaman Jacobs, Pat McCormick, Jim McGinn, Ralph Goodman, Al Schwartz, Larry Rhine, Lou Derman, Martin A. Ragaway, William Raynor,  Myles Wilder

Directed by George Marshall (E1-11), Jack Baker (E12 & 16), Herbert Kenwith (E13, 15, 17-20), Danny Dayton (E14 & 22), Jay Sandrich (E21, 23, 24)

Total Binge Hours: 12 hours (with commercials)

Papermoon’s Full Moon Pick: “Lucy and the Used Car Dealer” (E9)

Papermoon’s Half Moon Pick: “Lucy, the Cement Worker” (E10)

Season 2 was #6 (up from #9) in the ratings with a 23.9 share (up one tenth of a point)

Season 2 was released on DVD on November 3, 2009

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“The Lucy Show” ~ Season 5

A handy dandy guide to helping you find your favorite episode blogs here at Papermoon Loves Lucy. Click on the hyperlinks to be taken directly to that episode’s trivia, background, and bloopers!

“Lucy with George Burns” (S5;E1) ~ September 12, 1966

“Lucy and the Submarine” (S5;E2) ~ September 19, 1966

“Lucy the Bean Queen” (S5;E3) ~ September 26, 1966

“Lucy and Paul Winchell” (S5;E4) ~ October 3, 1966

“Lucy and the Ring-a-Ding Ring” (S5;E5) ~ October 10, 1966

“Lucy Flies to London” (S5;E6) ~ October 17, 1966

“Lucy Gets a Roommate” (S5;E7) ~ October 31, 1966

“Lucy and Carol in Palm Springs” (S5;E8) ~ November 7, 1966

“Lucy Gets Caught Up in the Draft” (S5;E9) ~ November 14, 1966

“Lucy and John Wayne” (S5;E10) ~ November 21, 1966

“Lucy and Pat Collins” (S5;E11) ~ November 28, 1966

“Lucy and the Monkey” (S5;E12) ~ December 5, 1966

“Lucy and Phil Silvers” (S5;E13) ~ December 12, 1966

“Lucy’s Substitute Secretary” (S5;E14) ~ January 2, 1967

“Viv Visits Lucy” (S5;E15) ~ January 9, 1967

“Lucy the Babysitter” (S5;E16) ~ January 16, 1967

“Main Street U.S.A.” (S5;E17) ~ January 23, 1967

“Lucy Puts Main Street on the Map” (S5;E18) ~ January 30, 1967

“Lucy Meets the Law” (S5;E19) ~ February 13, 1967

“Lucy the Fight Manager” (S5;E20) ~ February 20, 1967

“Lucy and Tennessee Ernie Ford” (S5;E21) ~ February 28, 1967

“Lucy Meets Sheldon Leonard” (S5;E22) ~ March 6, 1967

SEASON SUMMARY

Regular Cast: Lucille Ball (Lucy Carmichael), Gale Gordon (Theodore J. Mooney), Mary Jane Croft (Mary Jane Lewis)

Recurring Characters: Vivian Vance (Vivian Bunson), Roy Roberts (Mr. Cheever), Mel Torme (Mel Tinker)

Guest Cast playing Characters: Sid Gould, Roy Roberts, Ed Begley, Lucie Arnaz, Pat Priest, Carol Burnett, Dan Rowan, Ben Gage, Jim Nabors, Hal March, Lew Parker, Phil Silvers, Ruta Lee, Mary Wickes, Elvia Allman, Paul Winchell, Burt Mustin, Carole Cook, Hal Smith, Claude Akins, Don Rickles, Tennessee Ernie Ford

Guest Cast playing Themselves: George Burns, Jack Benny, Paul Winchell, The Vagabonds, John Wayne, Milton Berle, Georgia Holt, Pat Collins, John Bubbles, The Back Porch Majority, Sheldon Leonard

Live Animal Cast: The Marquis Chimps, baby elephant 

There were 22 new episodes. This is the shortest season of “The Lucy Show” and of any Lucille Ball sitcom except “Life With Lucy”

Episodes Written by: Richard Bensfield, Perry Grant, Bob O’Brien, Phil Leslie, Milt Josefsberg, Ray Singer, Sam Locke, Joe Rapp, Vic McLeod,  Alan J. Levitt, Ronald Axe, Les Roberts

All episodes Directed by Maury Thompson

All episodes filmed and aired in color

Filmed at Stage 21, Desilu Studios, Hollywood

Total Binge Hours: 11 hours (with commercials)

Papermoon’s Full Moon Pick: “Viv Visits Lucy” (E15)

Papermoon’s Half Moon Pick: “Lucy and the Monkey” (E12)

Season 5 was #4 in the ratings (down from #3) with a 26.2 share (down from 27.7)

An opening credit sequence was created that featured Lucille Ball as an animated jack-in-the-box. Ball reportedly hated it, and it was only used in a handful of episodes at the start of the season before being replaced by a revamped version of the kaleidoscope opening.

"Lucy Flies to London" (E6) served as the set-up for a standalone one-hour special called “Lucy in London”, which featured Ball as Lucy Carmichael traveling to England. Much of "Lucy Flies to London" was based on an unsold pilot written and shot in 1960. “Lucy in London” is not included in “The Lucy Show” syndication package. 

Lucille Ball won a Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Leading Actress in a Comedy Series. Gale Gordon was nominated but lost to Don Knotts of “The Andy Griffith Show”.  Director Maury Thompson was nominated but lost to James Frawley for “The Monkees”.  

Somehow, all episodes except “Lucy Puts Main Street on the Map” (E18), likely because of the music rights, fell out of copyright protection, allowing them to be reproduced on low-quality, inexpensive videos. 

Season 5 was released on DVD on December 6, 2011

[papermoonloveslucy]

LUCY: 40 YEARS OF TELEVISION

1967 Part One ~ JANUARY to JULY

Season Five of “The Lucy Show” concludes.  The season ends with Lucille Ball as an Emmy winner.  Along the way, she has fun with Vivian Vance, Carol Burnett, Zero Mostel, Mel Torme, Don Rickles, Tennessee Ernie Ford, Sheldon Leonard, and a trio of chimps!

"Lucy's Substitute Secretary" (TLS S5;E14) ~ January 2, 1967

Ruta Lee guest stars as the title character. The episode was filmed on November 10, 1966. Lucy appears in a variety of crazy get-ups.  

"Viv Visits Lucy" (TLS S5;E15) ~ January 9, 1967

This is Vivian Vance’s first appearance since the end of Season 3.  Vance is now married and living on the East Coast, just like her character. Lucy convinces Viv to go undercover as beatniks / hippies to help a boy from Danfield.  

“Carol + 2″ ~ January 15, 1967

Carol Burnett’s plus two are Lucille Ball and Zero Mostel, in an evening of songs and sketches. The show was a critical and ratings success and CBS rebroadcast it on January 15, 1967. It was released on DVD on May 17, 2016. In April 2016, MeTV broadcast the special for the first time in 50 years.

"Lucy the Babysitter" (TLS S5;E16) ~ January 16, 1967

In this case, the ‘babies’ turn out to be a trio of chimpanzees!   The episode also featured Mary Wickes, Elvia Allman, The Marquis Chimps, and a baby elephant! 

"Main Street U.S.A." (TLS S5;E17) ~ January 23, 1967

The first of a two-part musical episode about Lucy saving small town life.  Co-starring Mel Torme, Paul Winchell (sans puppets), and John Bubbles.  

"Lucy Puts Main Street on the Map" (TLS S5;E18) ~ January 30, 1967

The same cast returns (with the addition of Carole Cook and Dan Rowan) for the musical conclusion. 

"Lucy Meets the Law" (TLS S5;E19) ~ February 13, 1967

Not the first (nor the last) time Lucy is behind bars. Claude Akins guest stars. The episode was filmed January 6, 1967, the first to be filmed after the holidays.There was no new “Lucy Show” on February 6, 1967. Instead, CBS showed a repeat.

"Lucy the Fight Manager" (TLS S5;E20) ~ February 20, 1967

Insult comic Don Rickles plays a washed-up prize fighter that Lucy coaches back to the ring. This is the only episode written by Ronald Axe and Les Roberts.

“The Jackie Gleason Show” (S1;E21) ~ February 25, 1967

Lucille Ball joins in the celebrations for Jackie Gleason’s 51st birthday. 

"Lucy and Tennessee Ernie Ford" (TLS S5;E21) ~ February 28, 1967

One Lucille Ball’s favorite guest stars returns, this time playing country crooner Homer Higgins. This is director Maury Thompson’s last time working with Lucille Ball, and the final episode filmed for season five.

"Lucy Meets Sheldon Leonard" (TLS S5;E22) ~ March 6, 1967

This episode was shot on Friday, January 20, 1967, one day later than the show’s usual filming day. Although it aired as the season finale, it was actually filmed before the penultimate episode. Sheldon Leonard (who played himself) was an actor / director who worked extensively on the Desilu lot. 

“The 19th Annual Emmy Awards” ~ June 4, 1967

Held at the Century Plaza Hotel, Los Angeles, and broadcast on ABC.  Lucille Ball walked away a winner, although the series itself was not nominated. Gale Gordon lost to Don Knotts (”The Andy Griffith Show”). Director Jack Donohue lost to James Frawley (”The Monkees”).  

[papermoonloveslucy]

CBS SALUTES LUCY: THE FIRST 25 YEARS

November 28, 1976

With Tributes By: William S. Paley, Desi Arnaz Sr., Milton Berle, Carol Burnett, Richard Burton, Johnny Carson, Sammy Davis Jr., Gale Gordon, Bob Hope, Danny Kaye, Dean Martin, Jimmy Stewart, Danny Thomas, Vivian Vance, Dick Van Dyke, John Wayne, and Lucille Ball

Archive Footage: Mary Wickes, *Harpo Marx, William Frawley, Pat Moran, Maury Thompson, Edward Everett Horton, Teresa Tirelli, Ross Elliott, Jerry Hausner, Bess Flowers, Dick Martin, Donald Briggs, Joe Ruskin, Bryan O'Byrne, Danny Borzage, Morgan Woodward, Victor Romito, Elvia Allman, John Williams, Lloyd Corrigan, Ernesto Molinari, Rosa Barbato, Eva Gabor, *Lucie Arnaz, Larry J. Blake, Larry Keating, Robert Carson, *John Bubbles, Paul Winchell, Mel Torme, *Ken Berry, *Red Skelton, *George Burns, *Patty Andrews, *Wayne Newton, Jerry Newton, *Desi Arnaz Jr., Tommy Amato, Don Vincent, *Jack Benny, *William Holden, Harry Bartell, Hazel Pierce, Bennett Green, Dede Ball, Dick Patterson, Roy Rowan, Vanda Barra, and +Eddie Albert

* credited in voice over 

+ not on DVD release

Archival footage from: “I Love Lucy” (1951-57), “The Lucy-Desi Comedy Hour” (1957-60), “The Lucy Show” (1962-68), “Here's Lucy” (1968-74), “Carol + 2” (1964), “The Danny Kaye Show with Lucille Ball” (1962), and “Lucy In London” (1966).  

Some stars mentioned in the opening credits by the announcer as “starring” do not actually appear in newly created tributes, but only in archival footage. This is likely due to negotiations with the stars agents (or estates) who gave permission for their images to be used in exchange for opening title credit. Those stars include: Patty Andrews, Jack Benny (died 1974), Ken Berry, John Bubbles, George Burns, William Holden, Harpo Marx (died 1964), and Wayne Newton, all of whom have considerable screen time in the clips. Although some of these names might have been used to lure viewers into watching (and not tuning away from) the two-hour program, it is probably not likely with someone like John Bubbles.

Some of those absent from archival footage include Mary Jane Croft, Kathryn Card, Doris Singleton, Charles Lane, Frank Nelson, Ann Sothern, and Sid Gould, all of whom made many appearances opposite Lucille Ball over the years.

The program was very well received and received a 29 rating and 39 share of audience, figures unheard of today. Because of the anniversary theme of the show, it was never repeated.  

The special was issued on DVD by Image Entertainment. The cover photo is of Lucille Ball at the Emmy Awards.  

CBS used other artwork, inexplicably based on her costume from “Lucy Goes To Scotland” (ILL S5;E17).  

For the DVD release, eight minutes of the show were trimmed for a total running time of 97 minutes Among the missing segments was a tribute to the late William Frawley, hosted by Gale Gordon, featuring Frawley and Vivian Vance singing "Carolina in the Morning." Frawley died in 1966. In 1976 he was the only member of the main “I Love Lucy” cast to have passed away.  Also missing is Lucy's soft-shoe of "Makin' Whoopee" with Eddie Albert. It is possible that the owners of the music copyrights were asking more for licensing fees than the DVD producers were willing to pay or that Albert declined permission for his image to be used. Naturally, it may also have just been an editorially decision to edit the show.    

This special was produced before technology made restored, pristine prints available. Scenes from “I Love Lucy” (owned by CBS) are the clearest but clips from “The Lucy Show” and “Here's Lucy” (owned by others) are often quite poor. 

This special is billed “The First 25 Years” but sadly Lucille Ball would only work for another decade, and not at CBS.  Although it seemed like the Tiffany Network (who adopted their ‘CBS eye’ logo the same month “I Love Lucy” premiered) and Lucy would never part, Ball joined NBC in 1980, announcing her changed allegiance with a star-studded special “Lucy Moves to NBC.” The partnership was short-lived, however. In 1986 CBS declined to pick-up “Life With Lucy” (perhaps still stinging from her departure), so it went to ABC.  This means Lucille Ball was seen on all three major networks. 

INTRODUCTION

The tribute show is introduced by CBS Chairman William S. Paley.  In 1964 episode of “The Lucy Show” (TLS S3;E15), Danny Kaye telephones Paley about getting tickets to his show for Lucy Carmichael. Paley, however, was not seen or heard.

To kick things off, a montage of memorable moments of Lucy on TV is underscored by Frank Sinatra singing “My Kind of Girl” by Leslie Bricusse.

LUCY & DESI

A clip from “The Audition” (ILL S1;E3) leads into an appearance by Desi Arnaz Sr. standing outside Stage 2 of General Service Studios where “I Love Lucy” was first shot. Desi describes this as a scene from their pilot. The unaired “I Love Lucy” pilot (not seen until 1990), included this same material, but it was re-staged for the actual series in October 1951. This leads into a compilation of clips of Lucy Ricardo making fun of Ricky's English. Desi estimates the he and Lucy did nearly 200 shows together. Including “The Lucy-Desi Comedy Hours” (13), the un-aired pilot, and the “Christmas Special,” Desi is not far off. The total comes to 194 shows, not counting their guest appearances on other programs.  

VITAMEATAVEGAMIN

Desi's awe and admiration of his ex-wife's craft and talent is demonstrated with a clip from the classic episode “Lucy Does a TV Commercial” (ILL S1;E30) aka “Vitameatavegamin.” Arnaz watched Lucy do the scene just off camera and his recognizable laugh can be heard on the soundtrack.  

HAVING A BABY

Desi recalls the show that is closest to his heart: “Lucy is Enceinte” (ILL S2;E10). The clip that follows has Ricky singing “We’re Having a Baby (My Baby and Me)” first written in 1941 for the Broadway musical Banjo Eyes. For this special, the edit includes clips of other scenes of Lucy Ricardo when expecting, including “Lucy Goes to the Hospital” (ILL S2 E16).  

SILENT COMEDY

To introduce his segment, Dick Van Dyke begins with pantomiming netting a butterfly on the set of his short-lived variety show “Van Dyke & Company.” A week later, Ball would guest star on the series. This intro was probably filmed at that time. Here he defines 'mime' for the audience and then introduces a clip of Lucy doing a silent movie skit as Charlie Chaplin from “Chris's New Year's Eve Party” (TLS S1;E14) and the mirror routine in “Lucy Meets Harpo Marx” (ILL S4;E28).    

LUCY & THE DUKE

Western star John Wayne emerges from a back lot saloon and jokingly says that of all his on-screen opponents, the most formidable one was Lucy. A clip from 1966's “Lucy and John Wayne” (TLS S5;E10) follows. In the scene Lucy Carmichael is visiting the set of Wayne's latest western and (naturally) disrupts the shoot.

FRIENDS FOREVER

Vivian Vance, drinking a cup of tea in her home, talks about her beginnings on television as Mrs. Fred Mertz. Vance remembers the schemes Lucy got her involved in, mostly to get Lucy into show business. Clips include “The Operetta” (ILL S2;E5) with Lucy as Camille, the snaggle-toothed Queen of the Gypsies. In the clip, the chorus upstage her big number, “The Queen of the Gypsies” written by Eliot Daniel, who also wrote the series' theme song. Vance says they lived out their childhood fantasies on screen, like working in a chocolate factory. A clip from “Job Switching” (ILL S2;E1) has Lucy and Ethel on the candy wrapping assembly line at Kramer’s Candy Kitchen.

There is also a clip from “Lucy and Viv Put in a Shower” (TLS S1;E18) where Lucy Carmichael and Vivian Bagley install a home shower, only to get trapped inside as it fills with water.

TWO REDHEADS

To the music of the theme from her show, Carol Burnett (redhead #1) is seen backstage, sitting in a director's chair. She recalls meeting Lucy for the first time, when she came to the second night of Once Upon a Mattress on May 12, 1959. Carol fondly recalls that Lucy always called her “kid.” Carol introduces a clip from “Carol + 2” (1964) in which Lucy and Carol play night cleaning ladies at a talent agency singing “Chutzpah!”

Danny Kaye (redhead #2) comes down a staircase to talk about Lucy's skill at physical comedy.

Kaye: “Calling Lucille Ball 'just' a comedian is like calling Margot Fonteyne 'just' a dancer.”  

The dance metaphor helps Kaye introduce a clip of Lucy's dancer-like physical agility in a sketch seen on the Emmy nominated “The Danny Kaye Show with Lucille Ball” (1962) in which Lucy and Kaye go to a Japanese restaurant and must adapt to the customs of the Tea House – all without dialogue.

LUCY AROUND THE WORLD

Kaye reports that Lucille Ball is on television in 78 different countries. This leads to clips from shows dubbed in French (“Lucy and the Great Bank Robbery” TLS S3;E5)... 

Japanese (“Lucy Becomes an Astronaut” TLS S1;E16)...

Spanish (“Lucy Thinks Ricky Is Trying to Murder Her” ILL S1;E4)... 

and capped off with the famous grape stomping scene from “Lucy's Italian Movie” (ILL S5;E23), which was already mostly in Italian, with (humorous) English subtitles. 

Kaye states that Lucille Ball is so popular because she has universal appeal. He introduces a clip from “The Hollywood Unemployment Follies” (HL S3;E22) where Lucy Carter sings “Falling in Love Again (Never Wanted To)” in costume as Marlene Dietrich from the 1930 German film The Blue Angel to Gale Gordon.

ALWAYS GETTING IT

This conveniently leads to discovering Gale Gordon sitting on a park bench. He says he likes the quiet of the park as opposed to working with Lucy, because nothing can spill on him. He then casts a cautionary glance at the sky and says “Watch it, pigeons!” A series of clips from “Here's Lucy” reveals Gordon “getting it” - getting wet, dirty, and generally messy through a variety of assaults.

DANCING FOOL

Sammy Davis Jr. is discovered dancing on a stage. Davis is one of the only stars in the Tribute who appeared with Lucy on her show (in 1970), but is not seen in archival footage.

Sammy: “That lady does it all, man!”

He introduces clips of Lucy singing and dancing.

Lucy and John Bubbles do a soft-shoe in “Main Street USA” (TLS S5;E17); 

A production number from “Lucy Helps Ken Berry” (TLS S6;E21); 

A hobo number with Red Skelton in “Lucy Goes to Alaska” (LDCH 1959); 

A soft shoe from “Lucy with George Burns” (TLS S5;E1); 

Singing “The Pennsylvania Polka” with Lucie Arnaz and Patty Andrews in “Lucy and the Andrews Sisters” (HL S2;E6);

Tthe big finale from “Lucy Puts Main Street on the Map” (TLS S5;E18); 

Playing banjo and singing “Waiting for the Robert E. Lee” with Lucie Arnaz and Wayne Newton, while Desi Jr. plays drums in the background in “Lucy Sells Craig to Wayne Newton” (HL S1;E9).

A transitional clip from “Lucy Gets Jack Benny's Account” (TLS S6;E6) which ends with Lucy and Benny sinking in a pit of quicksand and leads into...

THANKS FOR THE MEMORIES

Bob Hope singing his signature song “Thanks for the Memory” with special lyrics about Lucy. A clip of “Lucy and Bob Hope” (ILL S6;E1) has Lucy undercover as a hot dog vendor at Yankee Stadium and Hope getting conked on the head with a fly ball. After the clip, Bob Hope says that the title of world's funniest lady is a tie between Lucille Ball and Milton Berle, which is a cue for a clip from 1958's “Milton Berle Hides Out at the Ricardos” (LDCH 1958) with Milton Berle in full drag as Mildred Burke.

STAR-STRUCK

Cut to Milton Berle standing in front of the Hollywood Brown Derby to introduce a clip from “Hollywood at Last!” (ILL S4;E16) starring William Holden. The iconic derby-shaped eatery was closed and razed in 1980. The derby dome could be glimpsed in the view from the Ricardo's Hollywood hotel room balcony. In the scene (set in a studio recreation of the restaurant), Lucy can't help but spy on the star in the next booth, ending with her clumsily causing a waiter to dump a tray of food on him.

BEING UPSTAGED

Johnny Carson, on the set of “The Tonight Show” reminisces about the time he played himself on “Here's Lucy” (S2;E11) where Lucy is picked from his audience to play “Stump the Band” and wins by singing “Snoops the Lawyer.” While she is singing, Carson sits on the arm of an aisle seat occupied by Lucy's real-life mom, Dede Ball.

A DATE WITH EDDIE

Feldman, that is, not Albert! Dean Martin says he loves working with Lucy. A clip from “Lucy Dates Dean Martin” (TLS S4;E21) has Lucy dating a man she thinks is Dean's stunt double, Eddie Feldman, but is actually Martin himself filling in for Feldman, who has to work. In the clip Martin sings “Everybody Loves Somebody Sometime” causing Lucy Carmichael to remark “You even sing better than he does!”

SAM THE PLUMBER

Richard Burton comes out of his on-set trailer to talk about his 1970 guest-appearance on “Here's Lucy” (S3;E1) where he tried to pass himself off as Sam the Plumber, but is ensnared by Lucy, who has a leaky sink. He recites Shakespeare while fixing the sink, but Lucy Carter tells him not to quit his day job!

TWO LEFT FEET

Danny Thomas, is found standing on the set of his 1976 sitcom “The Practice.” A month earlier, Lucille Ball guest-starred on the series, which only lasted one season. He introduces a clip from “Lucy Helps Danny Thomas” (TLS S4;E7), which has Lucy as a clumsy showgirl turning Danny's TV show production number of “Broadway Melody” upside down!

25 YEARS OF LAUGHTER

The last segment, James Stewart stands at a podium and introduces the lady of the hour (or two), the first lady of television, Lucille Ball. Although Stewart was Ball's friend and neighbor, the two never acted opposite each other on film or television. They appeared together on many award shows and specials. He presents Lucy with a plaque from the National Academy of Arts and Sciences for 25 years of laughter.  A montage of moments from Lucy's quarter-century career is accompanied by the song “Look at that Face” sung by Steve Lawrence as the credits roll.

This Date in Lucy History – November 28th

"Lucy and Pat Collins" (TLS S5;E11) – November 28, 1966

[papermoonloveslucy]

LUCY IS A BIRD-SITTER

S6;E15 ~ January 7, 1974

Directed by Coby Ruskin ~ Written by Bob Carroll Jr. and Madelyn Davis

Synopsis

Lucy is volunteered to babysit a rare bird while its owner (Arte Johnson) gets an award. Lucy accidentally leaves the front door open and the bird escapes.  Now Lucy can't tell the rare bird from the pigeons in the park.

Regular Cast

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

Guest Cast

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

Arte Johnson (Sir Osbert Beechman Place) made his screen debut in a 1954 television remake of Lucille Ball's 1943 film musical Best Foot Forward. He first teamed with Ball in a 1964 episode of “The Jack Benny Show” where Lucy and Jack played Mr. and Mrs. Paul Revere. He was a regular performer on “Rowan and Martin's Laugh-In” from 1967 to 1971, which, in some seasons, competed with “Here's Lucy” on NBC. He died in 2019 at the age of 90. 

Johnson's character name is a nod to Lucy's soon-to-be-released film Mame. Mame Dennis (Lucille Ball) lives in a townhouse on Beekman Place, New York City. Sir Osbert has traveled from Neiafu Vava'u, Tonga, a real place in the South Pacific islands. Sir Osbert is an ornithologist and conservationist who has come to Los Angeles to donate a rare Weewawk bird to the Los Angeles Zoo. He is the recipient of the Conservationist of the Year Award. Arte Johnson uses a Scottish accent for the character.

Floyd (uncredited) the Tongan Ruby Throated Weewawk.  There are only three like it in the world and only one is female.  

More than a dozen white pigeons appear (uncredited) in the park scene.

This is the first new episode of calendar year 1974. This will be Lucille Ball's final year on weekly television until the short-lived “Life with Lucy” in 1986.  

In his DVD introduction to the episode, Arte Johnson jokingly says he hated holding the bird because it bit him and caused him to go to the hospital. In the finished episode, his character never actually touches the bird.

The episode was initially intended to star William Holden as Osbert. He was  known for his work in wildlife conservation. Holden passed and Billy De Wolfe was approached. However, De Wolfe was gravely ill and unable to do the show. He died soon after. 

On “Rowan and Martin’s Laugh-In” (1967-73) Johnson is best remembered as the naughty old man who sat next to Ruth Buzzi on the park bench, and as the German soldier who peered through the bushes and said “Very interesting!” In “Lucy Meets the Burtons” (S3;E1) Elizabeth Taylor imitated Johnson's catch phrase and accent, but the line was edited out of the final cut. 

Sometimes the German soldier character would close “Laugh-In” by saying “Goodnight, Lucy” - and sometimes even adding the name “Gary”, referring to Ball’s husband, which was said to be a step too far for Ball. 

Other “Laugh-In” catch phrases heard on “Here's Lucy” include “Here come da judge!,” “Sock it to me” and multiple references to “Tip Toe Through the Tulips” and its eccentric singer Tiny Tim.

Johnson is one of many actors who appeared on “Rowan and Martin's Laugh-In” that have also appeared on “The Lucy Show” and “Here's Lucy,” including Lucie Arnaz. Others include:

Ruth Buzzi, Flip Wilson, Johnny Carson, Ed McMahon, Jack Benny, Sammy Davis Jr., Rich Little, Charles Nelson Reilly, Paul Winchell, Robert Goulet, Ricardo Montalban, Joe Namath, Jack Carter, Van Johnson, Tennessee Ernie Ford, David Frost, Burt Mustin, Totie Fields, Janos Prohaska, Petula Clark, Andy Griffith, Jack LaLanne, Carol Burnett, Mike Connors, Steve Lawrence, Shelley Winters, and Wally Cox.  

Dan Rowan and Dick Martin both appeared several times on “The Lucy Show.”

After filming this episode, Johnson told columnist Joyce Haber about Lucy: 

"I'd heard she was difficult to work with and I was very nervous. It was like a piece of cake. I'm so in love with that dame I will do anything with her, anytime."

Much has been written about Lucille Ball’s fear of birds - called ornithophobia. The story goes that the day Lucille’s father died, a bird was trapped inside the house. From then on she connected birds with death. If this is true, Ball is the consummate professional as she has acted with live birds many times.   

As the episode opens, Lucy is sitting at Harry's desk, feet up, talking to Vanda on the telephone. The character (played by Vanda Barra) is not in the episode and hasn't been seen since the sixth episode of season six, several months earlier. Lucy also mentions Sam, the waiter in the coffee shop downstairs, a character played by Sid Gould that hasn't been seen since the end of season five. Sam and Vanda will return, however, before the series wraps up.

Harry is out of the office at a luncheon meeting for the Friends of the Los Angeles Zoo. The real LA Zoo opened in 1966. Prior to that there was a zoo in Griffith Park that opened in 1912. In “Lucy and the Franchise Fiasco” (S5;E20), Lucy, Harry, and Mary Jane open a frozen custard stand across the street from the zoo.  

Mary Jane offers Lucy a ticket to see Charlton Heston in play at the Los Angeles Music Center. Lucy and Harry have some dialogue about Heston that plays on his role as Moses in The Ten Commandments (1956). Mary Jane never tells Lucy the title of the play but during the 1972-73 season, Heston starred in a production of Arthur Miller’s The Crucible at the LA Music Center's Ahmanson Theatre. Heston would return to the theater several times throughout the years.

Sir Osbert says that Floyd liked the movie they showed on the plane – Jonathan Livingston Seagull. The 1973 film, based on the book of the same name by Richard D. Bach, was nominated for two 1974 Oscars. It features the voice of Richard Crenna, who played Arthur, the young man who has a crush on Lucy Ricardo in “The Young Fans” (ILL S1;E20). The Grammy-winning film score was by Neil Diamond, who would act opposite Lucie Arnaz in 1980′s The Jazz Singer. 

Before leaving him with Lucy, Sir Osbert says to Floyd: “Bye Bye Birdie” and throws his head back in a squawk-like laugh. This was also the title of a popular Broadway musical and 1963 film starring Ann-Margret. Ann-Margret guest starred on “Here's Lucy” in 1970.

Kim rushes in to announce that she's bought a new car from Vivian Bowman... who bought it from her sister... who bought it from her boss... who got it from his brother-in-law... who has an agency. So a new / used car. Vivian Bowman was the name of a production coordinator on “Here’s Lucy.” 

Harry: Where? Where is that Weewawk? Lucy: Maybe he went for a wee walk?

This episode is based in part on 1964′s "Lucy Gets the Bird" (TLS S3;E12) in which  Lucy Carmichael bird-sits Mr. Mooney's prize cockatiel Greenback. When Greenback flies away, Lucy and Viv must track it down. When they are unsuccessful, they try to replace it with a similar looking bird.

The Weewawk has to be kept warm, just like the baby chicks prematurely bought by Lucy Ricardo in “Lucy Raises Chickens” (ILL S6;E19).  

In that same episode, Lucy does her chicken walk just as she does here with the pigeons in the park.  

Lucy Ricardo also got up close and personal with pigeons while on the ledge of her apartment building in “Lucy and Superman” (ILL S6;E13), an episode that has been since colorized. 

Name Game! The names used in this episode are pronounced differently than they are spelled.  

The rare bird in question is pronounced “Wee-Wok” but is generally spelled as “Weewawk” or “Weewalk” or “Weewark” - depending on the source. The first spelling seems preferable since it is meant to rhyme with “squawk.”

Harry and Lucy pronounce Sir Osbert's surname as “Beecham” (Beech-um) although it is spelled as “Beechman” in the DVD English subtitles and elsewhere and is traditionally spelled “Beauchamp” by the British. The homage to Mame would indicate that it should be pronounced “BeachMAN” to rhyme with “BeakMAN”. “Beuchamp Place” is a fashionable shopping district in London. 

The name “Osbert” is meant to sound like “Oz-bird”.  Thankfully, Arte Johnson is not credited using his character name – just as “Guest Star Arte Johnson.”  

As usual, Harry has his particular way of pronouncing “Los Angeles” with a hard 'g'. Harry does, however, pronounce “Neiafu Vava'u” perfectly!

MapQuest SOS! Harry (and later Sir Osbert) says that the Weewawk has flown 7,000 miles from Tonga. In reality, a direct air flight from Tonga to Los Angeles (there is literally nowhere to stop) is 5,324 miles (8,596 km).  

Props! Lucy adjusts the temperature in her home to mimic the warmer climate of Tonga. She adjusts the thermostat on the landing next to the mirror. There has never been a thermostat there before – it is a prop of convenience.

Schtick! Sir Osbird has a habit for examining pieces of porcelain and ceramics he sees in Lucy's home, but the character trait is not developed into anything of importance to the plot. It seems just an quirky trait that perhaps Johnson thought would be funny. Also probably for a joke, Johnson's vest is incorrectly buttoned.

You Break Me Up!  When Arte Johnson does his bird-like shriek Lucille Ball can't help but smile. 

Hats Off!  When Sir Osbert imitates the Weewawk’s mating dance, his hat falls off the sofa arm onto the floor. He picks it up during the audience’s applause for his exotic imitation. 

Sitcom Logic Alert!  When Lucy goes off joyriding with Kim in her new / old car, she leaves the front door wide open and Floyd’s cage open. The plot often depends on Lucy doing such illogical and careless things!

Pack Lightly!  When Sir Osbert comes to pick up Floyd the next morning, he is wearing exactly the same clothes he wore the day before - sweater still incorrectly buttoned!

Oops! When Harry rushes in to the park having found Floyd, Lucille Ball trips (and nearly falls) on the low wire fencing designed to corral the pigeons.  

“Lucy is a Bird-Sitter” rates 1 Paper Heart out of 5

I imagine the concept was to get Lucy to imitate a pigeon just as she imitated a chicken on “I Love Lucy.” She does. Gale Gordon does. Arte Johnson does (and does it best). Only Lucie and Mary Jane escape the indignity.  A truly badly written episode that has Johnson trying too hard, Lucy and Harry at each other’s throats (literally, see below) and pigeons... lots and lots of pigeons. Fictional animals haven’t been this problematic since the dreaded Gorboona in “Lucy’s Safari”... an equally awful episode.  

[papermoonloveslucy]

LUCY AND CAROL BURNETT (aka THE HOLLYWOOD UNEMPLOYMENT FOLLIES)

S3;E22 ~ February 8, 1971

Directed by Jack Carter ~ Written by Ray Singer and Al Schwartz

Synopsis

Harry has fired Lucy again, so she visits the unemployment office where she reunites with secretary turned actress Carol Krausmeyer (Carol Burnett) and meets other out of work show biz folk.  They decide to put on a show in order to make some dough!  

Regular Cast

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

Desi Arnaz Jr. (Craig Carter) does not appear in this episode, but is given opening title credit.

Guest Cast

Carol Burnett (Carol Krausmeyer) got her first big break on “The Paul Winchell Show” in 1955. A years later she was a regular on “The Garry Moore Show.” In 1959 she made her Broadway debut in Once Upon a Mattress, which she also appeared in on television three times. From 1960 to 1965 she did a number of TV specials, and often appeared with Julie Andrews. Her second Broadway musical was Fade Out – Fade In which ran for more than 270 performances. From 1967 to 1978 she hosted her own highly successful variety show, “The Carol Burnett Show.” Lucille Ball made several appearances on “The Carol Burnett Show.” Burnett guest starred in four episodes of “The Lucy Show” and three episodes of “Here’s Lucy,” only once playing herself. After Lucille Ball’s passing, Burnett was hailed as the natural heir to Lucy’s title of ‘The Queen of TV Comedy.’

Krausmeyer is the same last name as the music teacher played by Hans Conried on Lucille Ball’s radio show “My Favorite Husband.” 

Richard Deacon (Harvey Hoople) is probably best remembered as Mel Cooley on “The Dick Van Dyke Show” (1961-66). He appeared as Tallulah Bankhead's butler in “The Celebrity Next Door,” a 1957 episode of “The Lucy-Desi Comedy Hour.”  He was employed again by Desi Sr. as a regular on "The Mothers-in-Law” (1968). This is the first of his two appearances on "Here’s Lucy.”

Harvey Hoople is a clerk at the Unemployment Office, although his name is never spoken aloud.  

Clarence Landry and Vernord Bradley (“The Highhatters”) were a tap dance duo who both appeared in in the Vitaphone 1941 short Minstrel Days.

Landry and Bradley are a introduced to Lucy by Carol using their real first names. 

Jack Benny (Himself) was born 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. His screen persona was known for being a penny-pincher and playing the violin. Benny was a Beverly Hills neighbor of Lucille Ball’s and the two were off-screen friends. Benny previously appeared on “The Lucy Show” as Harry Tuttle (a Jack Benny doppelganger) in “Lucy and the Plumber” (TLS S3;E2), 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). This is the third of his four  episodes of “Here’s Lucy.”  Benny and Ball appeared on many TV variety and award shows together. He died in 1974.

Although Benny plays into his 'tightwad' personae, he is never identified by name or recognized as a celebrity.  

Vanda Barra (Unemployment Cashier) was married to Sid Gould so is Lucille Ball’s cousin-in-law. This is just one of her over two dozen appearances on “Here’s Lucy” as well as appearing in Ball’s two 1975 TV movies “Lucy Gets Lucky” (with Dean Martin) and “Three for Two” (with Jackie Gleason). She was seen in half a dozen episodes of “The Lucy Show.”

Unusually, Barra is nothing more than a background performer in this episode, but still gets end credit billing. She has no dialogue.

The 'Canadian Mounties' are played by:

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

Johnny Silver (center right) was a busy Hollywood character actor who was seen with Richard Deacon (Harvey Hoople) on “The Dick Van Dyke Show” and with Jack Benny (Himself) on “The Jack Benny Show.”  He will do one more episode of “Here's Lucy.”  

Mike Wagner (right) makes his only appearance on “Here's Lucy.”

Kay Kuter (center left) was a character actor who made an appearance in the 1970 TV movie Swing Out, Sweet Land with Jack Benny and Lucille Ball as the voice of the Statue of Liberty.  

Carol identifies Kuter as “Chuck Walters, a fantastic singer” when they are the unemployment office. This character was named in honor of Charles Walters, director of the previous episode, “Lucy and Aladdin’s Lamp” (S3;E21). Carol probably should have said “fantastic dancer” since the real Walters was known as dance director of MGM musicals, six of which featured Lucille Ball. 

Others at the unemployment office, including two male acrobats and various clerks, are played by uncredited background performers.

This episode is sometimes known as “The Hollywood Unemployment Follies” to distinguish it from previous episodes also titled “Lucy and Carol Burnett.”  

Interestingly, although “The Carol Burnett Show” usually followed “Here's Lucy” at 10pm on CBS, there was no new episode the night this “Here's Lucy” first aired.  

On the series DVD this episode is introduced by Carole Cook, who says that Lucille Ball did her own signing on this episode, despite the fact that Cook had previously dubbed Lucy in other musical episodes.  

In a previous episode, Kim reminds Lucy that Harry has fired her 14 times.  This makes 15.

Kim tells Lucy that in California she could get as much as $65 a week in unemployment insurance. As of this writing (late 2017) the maximum was $450 a week for 26 weeks.

Carol jokingly tells Lucy that 'Carol Krausmeyer' isn't her professional name when acting – it's Raquel Welch.  She looks down at her bosom and says “Ok, someone let the air out.” Raquel Welch was a voluptuous movie star who was previously mentioned on “Lucy and Johnny Carson” (S2;E11), “Lucy, the American Mother” (S3;E7) in which she was mentioned alongside Burnett, and as Jack Benny’s Palm Spring neighbor in the second episode of the series. Carol also used Welch's name as a punchline in “Lucy Competes With Carol Burnett” (S2;E24).  

When Harvey Hoople decides to join up with the unemployed performers to write and direct their show he says “Governor Reagan, I quit!  You can keep your old job!  I'm back in show biz, Ronnie!  Don't you wish you were?” Former Hollywood actor Ronald Reagan had been elected Governor of California in 1967, a position he held until 1975. He was later elected 40th President of the United States and served until 1989. He was previously mentioned in the second episode of the series, “Lucy Visits Jack Benny” (S1;E2) and more recently in “Lucy and the Raffle” (S3;E19).

To flatter him into being a backer of their show, Carol says that Harry looks like Cary Grant. He dryly replies “So do you!” Harry was compared to Cary Grant (and others) by Kim (disguised as new secretary Shirley Shoppenhauer) in “Lucy Protects Her Job” (S2;E14, above). Grant was often mentioned on all of Lucille Ball's sitcoms, although the two never acted together.  

The subtitle of the “Hollywood Unemployment Follies” is “How to Starve in Show Business Without Really Trying.”  This is a variation on the title of Frank Loesser's 1961 Pulitzer Prize-winning Broadway musical How To Succeed in Business Without Really Trying, which was made into a film in 1967.

The ensemble sings “Hooray for Hollywood” a song by Johnny Mercer and Richard A. Whiting that was first sung in the 1937 movie Hollywood Hotel. This song is the only one to features specially written lyrics to fit the episode's theme. This version mentions Henry Fonda and his children Jane and Peter.  Lucille Ball and Henry Fonda starred in the film Yours, Mine and Ours together in 1968.

Stumbling onto a Hollywood soundstage, Lucy, Carol and Kim discover a mannequin of Humphrey Bogart.  Kim had a poster of Humphrey Bogart (inset) on her wall in “Lucy and the Andrews Sisters” (S2;E6). In “Lucy and the Bogie Affair” (S2;E13) Kim and Craig name a lost dog Bogie because it has the same sad look as Bogart did at the end of 1942’s Casablanca. Ogling the mannequin adoringly, Carol references the famous line “If you want anything, just whistle,” Lauren Bacall’s parting words to Humphrey Bogart in the film To Have and Have Not (1944). This line was also referenced in “Lucy and the Bogie Affair” (S2;E13).  

They then admire a larger than life photo portrait of Jean Harlow. Jean Harlow (1911-37) was Hollywood's original wisecracking blonde bombshell. Only five months older than Lucille Ball, Harlow died of uremic poisoning at age 26 just as Lucy's career was getting started.

They move to a mannequin of Jimmy Cagney dressed in prison stripes.  Kim does her impression of Cagney saying “You dirty rat.” Cagney never actually said the famously mis-quoted dialogue but a line in his 1932 film Taxi! probably came closest, calling a philandering man “You dirty, yellow-bellied rat!” James Cagney (1899-1986, inset) was a singer, dancer and actor best known in Hollywood for playing tough guys.

They then encounter mannequins of Clark Gable and Vivian Leigh dressed in costumes from Gone With the Wind (1939). Carol, using a high pitched Southern accent, imitates Scarlet O'Hara. Coincidentally, Carol will play Scarlet (re-named Starlet) in a one of her most famous sketches from “The Carol Burnett Show” in 1976 (above right).  

Lucille Ball herself was short-listed for the role of Scarlet O'Hara and even did a screen test for the part. Ball will play Scarlet O'Hara in “Lucy and Flip Go Legit” (S4;E1) with Flip Wilson as Prissy. 

Lucy imitates Butterfly McQueen, who played Prissy, Scarlet's maid, using the famous lines “I don't know nuthin' 'bout birthin' babies.”  After Lucy's imitation of Butterfly McQueen, Carol sarcastically says “it sounded more like Steve.” Steve McQueen (1930-80) was an actor who would receive an Oscar nomination for The Sand Pebbles in 1966, the same year that he was mentioned in “Lucy Goes to a Hollywood Premiere” (TLS S4;E20).  

The final mannequin on the 'soundstage' is of Judy Garland (inset) in The Wizard of Oz wearing her famous blue gingham dress and ruby slippers. Kim does a high-pitched imitation of the Munchkins. Two of the Singer Munchkins, Jerry Maren and Billy Curtis, appeared in “Lucy and Ma Parker” (S3;E15) and Shep Houghton, one of the Winkie Guards, was a background performer on “Here's Lucy.”  

Lucy, Kim and Carol launch into “We're Off to See the Wizard,” written by Harold Arlen and Yip Harburg for The Wizard of Oz, which brings them to a wardrobe rack conspicuously labeled COSTUMES WORN BY BETTY GRABLE AND ALICE FAYE. Faye and Grable did two films together, Tin Pan Alley (1940) and Four Jills in a Jeep (1944).  Betty Grable (1916-73) made two films with Lucille Ball when they were both at RKO in the mid-1930s. She then guest-starred as herself with her second husband bandleader Harry James in “Lucy Wins a Racehorse,” a 1958 episode of “The Lucy-Desi Comedy Hour.”  Alice Faye (1915-98) often played gritty, non-nonsense women in films. She was married to Phil Harris, who will play himself on a 1974 episode of “Here's Lucy.” 

In a magical reveal (aka editing) Lucy and Carol become blondes singing “Chicago (That Toddlin' Town”) a song written by Fred Fisher and published in 1922. 

After a quick costume change (editing again), they sing “Alexander's Ragtime Band” which was composer Irving Berlin's first hit in 1911, the same year Lucille Ball was born.

After a commercial break, Lucy and Carol discover “the derby worn by the one and only Bill Robinson.” Bill Robinson (1878-1949) was the preeminent tap dancer of his day. He is best remembered for his appearances with young Shirley Temple in four of her 1930s films. Robinson worked with Lucille Ball on the 1935 musical film Hooray for Love. 

 After some camera trickery (more editing), Kim is wearing the derby and introducing (through song) one of the Highhatters as Bill “Bojangles” Robinson (inset) doing a tap routine which she then joins in.

Next up, four comical Canadian Mounties sing “Stout-hearted Men,” a song by Sigmund Romberg and Oscar Hammerstein II for the operetta New Moon in 1927 with film versions in 1930 and 1940.  Richard Deacon (also dressed as a Mountie) and Carol Burnett sing “Indian Love Call” by Rudolf Friml, Herbert Stothart, Otto Harbach, and Oscar Hammerstein II written for the 1924 operetta Rose-Marie. The melody was used for the mating call of the wild Gorboona in “Lucy's Safari” (S1;E22) which guest-starred Howard Keel, who was in the 1954 film version of Rose Marie. 

Dressed as Marlene Dietrich, Lucy sings “Falling in Love Again (Never Wanted To)” from the 1930 German film The Blue Angel. Harry plays a World War I German soldier. Marlene Dietrich (1901-92) was born in Berlin, but came to Hollywood to make films in 1930.  She was nominated for an Oscar in 1931. 

The Highhatters introduce Carol as Miss Ruby Keeler and they sing “Shuffle Off To Buffalo” by Al Dubin and Hugh Warren, originally written for the 1933 film 42nd Street. They then do a dance challenge to the title song from the film. Ruby Keeler (1910-93) was a singer, dancer and actress most famous for her pairing with Dick Powell in a series of movie musicals, including 42nd Street. Like Lucille Ball and (now) Lucie Arnaz, Keeler had a home in Palm Springs, California.

As the finale, the entire ensemble is dressed in rain slickers and performs “Singin' in the Rain” written by Arthur Freed and Nacio Herb Brown in 1931.  It was most famously featured in the film Singin' in the Rain in 1952.

Many of the movie posters decorating the 'soundstage' were from Paramount Pictures, to which Lucille Ball sold Desilu / RKO and where they filmed “Here's Lucy”:

Hollywood or Bust (1956) starring Jerry Lewis and Dean Martin

Samson and Delilah (1949) starring Hedy Lamarr and Victor Mature

The Greatest Show on Earth (1952) starring Charleton Heston, Betty Hutton, and Gloria Grahame, who replaced Lucille Ball when Lucy became pregnant with Lucie

Short Cut to Hell (1957) directed by James Cagney

Gone With the Wind (1939) starring Clark Gable and Vivian Leigh

Under Two Flags (1936) starring Claudette Colbert and Ronald Colman

“The Lucy Show” established Lucy Carmichael as a film fanatic in the Hollywood-themed episode “Lucy Goes To A Hollywood Premiere” (TLS S4;E20).  

The Scarlet O'Hara dress is the same one Lucy Carmichael wore in 1965 as Lucybelle in “The Founding of Danfield,” a community theatre play featured in “Lucy and Arthur Godfrey” (TLS S3;E23). 

The vaudeville backdrop curtain during “Chicago” and “Alexander’s Ragtime Band” was also used in “Lucy and Jack Benny’s Biography” (S3;E11). 

Props! The wardrobe rack of costumes worn by Betty Grable and Alice Faye also contains Gale Gordon's silver space suit from “Lucy and the Generation Gap” (S2;E12).  It is hard to imagine either woman wearing that!  

Who Am I? One mannequin on the 'soundstage' doesn't get identified.  It is dressed in Roman armor. It may have been Charleton Heston in Ben Hur, but was cut for time.  

Spell-Check! The end credits miss-spell 'Mountie' as 'Mounty'.  The word is an informal reference to The Royal Canadian Mounted Police.

“Lucy and Carol Burnett” or “The Hollywood Unemployment Follies” rates 4 Paper Hearts out of 5 

This episode seems more like “The Carol Burnett Show” than “Here's Lucy” - especially when Lucille Ball is off-screen. A Hollywood revue is a great idea, but the 'book scenes' (in between the songs) are played in such a naturalistic way that they don't really seem any different than the actual show.  It is almost as if the trio actually walked into a Hollywood Hall of Fame and had musical dreams.  It all feels very much like the old Judy Garland / Mickey Rooney 'let's put on a show in a barn' genre.  Gale Gordon has very little to do (not even a cartwheel!) and Desi Jr. is completely absent.  Not unenjoyable but not the best of these musical comedy episodes either.

[papermoonloveslucy]

Lucy Puts Main Street on the Map

S5;E18 ~ January 30, 1967

Synopsis

Trying to think of a way to help bring the town of Bancroft's story to the rest of America, Lucy and the town fathers stage a gun battle to get national news coverage.  

Regular Cast

Lucille Ball (Lucy Carmichael), Gale Gordon (Theodore J. Mooney)

Mary Jane Croft (Mary Jane Lewis) and Roy Roberts (Mr. Cheever) do not appear in this episode. 

Guest Cast

Mel Tormé (Mel Tinker) returns to play Lucy's neighbor Mel having previously played the role in “Lucy in the Music World” (S4;E3) and “Main Street U.S.A.” (S5;E17). Tormé was a musician nicknamed ‘the velvet fog’. He was best known as a singer of jazz standards. He was also a jazz composer and arranger, drummer, an actor in radio, film, and television, and the author of five books. He composed the music for “The Christmas Song” (“Chestnuts Roasting on an Open Fire”) and co-wrote the lyrics with Bob Wells. He died in 1999 at the age of 73.  

John William Sublett (John Bubbles) was known as the "Father of Rhythm Tap,” and was the original Sportin' Life on Broadway in Porgy and Bess (1935). Since he did not read music, George Gershwin had to teach him the songs note by note. Sublett was his birth name but his stage name was Bubbles, which he uses as his character name here. He appeared in the previous episode “Main Street U.S.A.” (S5;17). He had a stroke and had to retire from show business. He died in 1986.  

Although not the first black face on a Lucille Ball sitcom, Sublett has the distinction of being the first to be be billed as a guest star and to be an integral part in the storyline.  

Paul Winchell (Doc Putnam) previously played himself in “Lucy and Paul Winchell” (S5;E4). He was born Paul Wilchinsky in 1922. Coming into the public eye in 1948, he became one of the most famous ventriloquists since Edgar Bergen. He hosted the enormously popular children’s television show “Winchell-Mahoney Time” (1964-68) in which he shared the spotlight with Jerry Mahoney, one of his most popular characters. Winchell is fondly remembered as the voice of Winnie the Pooh’s pal Tigger and (later) Papa Smurf. He played Doc Putnam in “Main Street U.S.A.” (S5;17), as well as doing two episodes of “Here’s Lucy.” Surprisingly, Winchell was also an inventor who is credited with the artificial heart, among other innovations. He died in 2005.

Paul Winchell was most famous as a ventriloquist, but he does not do ventriloquism in this episode. He cherished the opportunity to act without his dummies. Winchell learned to play violin for this episode. 

Hal Smith (Mr. Weber) is probably best remembered as Otis Campbell, the town drunk, on “The Andy Griffith Show,” even though in real life he never drank alcohol. He appeared with Lucille Ball in the 1963 film Critic’s Choice. This is the third of his three appearance on “The Lucy Show.” He reprises the role of Mr. Weber last seen in “Main Street U.S.A.” (S5;E17) and did one episode of “Here’s Lucy” in 1972.

In the previous episode Mr. Weber could not get his tuba from around his waist. In this episode he is still wearing it! 

Burt Mustin (Old Uncle Joe) was born in 1884. He didn't do his first film until age 67, although his stage and radio career started earlier. He was generally cast as the stereotypical little old man. He is probably best remembered as Mr. Quigley on “All in the Family” and Mr. Lanson on “Phyllis.” He played Old Uncle Joe in the previous episode and did a 1973 episode of “Here's Lucy.” Mustin also played Uncle Jeff in Lucy’s Mame (1974). He died at age 92.

Carole Cook (Aunt Carrie) played Thelma Green on the series when it was set in Danfield. She was a protege of Lucille Ball’s during the Desilu Playhouse years. Although born as Mildred Cook, Ball suggested she take the name Carole, in honor of Lucy’s great friend, Carole Lombard. Cook also went on to appear in five episodes of “Here’s Lucy.”

Aunt Carrie is a relative of Mel Tinker. The character did not appear in the previous episode. 

Dan Rowan (Dan McGowan) was the comedy partner of Dick Martin, who played Lucy’s boyfriend Harry on season 1 of “The Lucy Show.” He is best known as the co-host of “Rowan and Martin’s Laugh-In” which aired from 1968 to 1973 and earned him a 1972 Emmy Award. In 1966 he had appeared with Lucille Ball on “The Dean Martin Show.” This is the second of his two appearances on “The Lucy Show.” He died in 1987 at age 65.

Dan McGowan is a TV reporter with the National News Service.

Roy Barcroft (Police Chief Tinker) had more than 375 screen credits from 1931 to 1970. He played the Marshall in the screen adaptation of Oklahoma! (1955). This is his only appearance with Lucille Ball.  

The character is the father of Mel Tinker.

Bennett Green (Cameraman with National News Service, uncredited) was Desi Arnaz’s stand-in during “I Love Lucy.” He does frequent background work on “The Lucy Show.”

Some of the Bancroft Townspeople (uncredited) are played by:

Walter Bacon was last seen in “Lucy Wins a Racehorse,” a 1958 episode of “The Lucy-Desi Comedy Hour.” Bacon played 'townsmen' on many TV westerns.  

Joan Carey was a frequent background performer on “I Love Lucy” and “The Lucy Show,” where she often served as Lucille Ball’s stand-in. 

Nick Borgani appeared with Lucille Ball in the 1937 film Stage Door. He will also be seen in two episodes of “Here's Lucy.”

Victor Romito was last seen as the Bartender in “Lucy Meets John Wayne” (S5;E10). He also appeared in four episodes of “Here’s Lucy.”   Romito was an extra in the 1960 Lucille Ball / Bob Hope film Critic’s Choice.

Glen Walters was a Canadian actress who's career spanned from 1926 to 1973. This is her only appearance with Lucille Ball.

Judith Woodbury makes the seventh of her eight (mostly) uncredited appearances on “The Lucy Show.” She also appeared in one episode of “Here’s Lucy.”

The actor with the gray beard and overalls who is referred to as 'Farmer Brown' in the previous episode “Main Street U.S.A.” (S5;17) returns in this episode. 

Other citizens of Bancroft are played by uncredited background artists, most of whom were likely in the previous episode as well.

This episode was filmed in mid-December 1966, shortly after the completion of “Main Street U.S.A.” (S5;E17). Although stand-alone in their plots, this episode is a continuation of the previous one, which also takes place in the small town of Bancroft. 

This is the only episode of season five that is still under copyright protection and not in public domain.  

Coincidentally, this episode first aired on Dick Martin’s 45th birthday. He previously played Lucy Carmichael’s boyfriend Harry on the series. His comedy partner Dan Rowan plays a reporter in this episode.

The dance sequences were choreographed by Jack Baker.  

Bancroft is supposedly located in California, but feels more like a mid-western or northeastern town. Although this is a fictional location, there is a Bancroft outside of San Francisco.  At the time of filming, however, it was known as Hookston, is an unincorporated community in Contra Costa County.  

Mel Tormé wrote the original song “Main Street U.S.A.” especially for these two episodes. It was first sung at the end of the previous episode and is reprised at the start of this one. Here we learn that it was Lucy Carmichael who wrote the songs lyrics to Mel Tinker’s music. Torme also wrote and sings the ballad “In Our Home Town,” a tribute to small town life. In 1944 he had a hit with another ‘town’ song titled “Stranger in Town” and in 1959 released an album titled Back in Town.

As ‘Carrot Top Carmichael’ Lucy says she plans to be the “most vicious, cold blooded killer since Ma Barker.”  Kate Barker (1873–1935, inset photo) was the mother of several criminals who ran the Barker gang. She traveled with her sons during their criminal careers. FBI director J. Edgar Hoover described her as “the most vicious, dangerous and resourceful criminal brain of the last decade.” Barker was last mentioned in “Lucy and the Great Bank Robbery” (S3;E5). Ma Barker was parodied as Ma Parker in a 1970 episode of “Here’s Lucy” (above) starring Carole Cook (who plays Aunt Carrie here).

Behind the TV camera atop the station wagon is a shop called Grandma Thompson’s Bakery. This is likely a tribute to director Maury Thompson and producer Tommy Thompson, who were not related.

Marl Young is credited with the dance music for John Bubbles. 

Callbacks!

Back in Danfield, construction of a new freeway was the cause of the destruction of their roadside cafe when “Lucy and Viv Open a Restaurant” (S2;E20).

The residents of East 68th Street planned a big block party when Ricky Ricardo came home from Hollywood in “The Homecoming” (ILL S5;E6).  

Blooper Alerts!

Sound Slip! Mel plays “Our Home Town” on an old upright piano, but on the soundtrack it is not a piano, but a harpsichord.  

Popular Print! The painting above Lucy’s left shoulder in the Tinker parlor was previously seen in Lucy’s Danfield living room and later in Viv’s bedroom. 

Smile For The Camera(s)! When Lucy and Mel break into song for the TV news, they perform with their backs to the camera, which is still atop the station wagon behind them.  

Bloody Bad Idea!  Even though the gun battle is staged to woo reporter McGowan to Bancroft to publicize a good cause, a pile of bullet-ridden corpses and a whopping lie seem a dubious way to bring attention to the joys of small town life. Ironically, right after the corpses get up, Mel sings “it's peaceful and quiet, there's never a riot, in my home town.”

Soft Goods at the Hardware Store!  A sign in the window of the Hardware Store advertises an unusual item - Matador Scarfs!  Why would a small-town hardware store stock matador scarfs? 

Ready! Aim! Kerplunk! When 'Carrot Top Carmichael' surrenders, she throws her guns aside and knocks a bright yellow tea kettle off the hardware store porch. When the tin kettle hits the deck, the lid pops off and rolls across the set! 

Roll Call!  Bancroft's Mayor (played by Barry Kelley in the previous episode) does not show up for the big block party / gun battle. Surely this would be an occasion suitable for the Mayor’s participation. Perhaps he disapproved of the entire escapade?  More likely Desilu needed to keep their budget in mind in this expensive episode. 

FAST FORWARD!

Years later, Paul Winchell’s daughter April wrote about her father’s relationship with Lucille Ball, her mother Nina, and this episode:

Not everyone loved Lucy. My mother, for example, couldn't stand her. And Lucy returned the favor. In fact, they had a showdown on the set of ‘The Lucy Show’ that remains the most artful display of bitchery I ever witnessed. 

It all started when I was about six years old. I remember my dad getting off the phone and yelling for my mother. He had just been given a recurring role as Lucy's Grandfather [*], and he was as excited as I had ever seen him.

It was a demanding part. He had to dance quite a bit, and even learn to play the violin. And since he was only about 45 at the time, he had to do it all wearing heavy old age make-up and a full wig. He spent hours under the hot lights, sometimes getting lightheaded in his three-piece tweed suit. All things considered, it was probably one of the hardest jobs my father ever had. And he loved every minute of it. My dad, Paul Winchell, was a ventriloquist, and by this time, he was already a very successful man.

Naturally, a puppet-free gig like this was important to him, and he took it very seriously. He rehearsed difficult dance routines in our garage at night, and worked long days on the set without complaint. And along the way, he and Lucy developed a lasting friendship based on mutual respect, a common work ethic and a shared affection for recreational drugs. Yes, my father loved his drugs. My mother, determined to save their marriage, began watching him vigilantly, and attempted to rid him of every acquaintance he used with. Unfortunately, she couldn't broom Lucy from their lives. And so the three of them tried to find an uneasy peace, which was impossible. 

It all came to a head during rehearsals for an episode called, "Lucy Puts Main Street on the Map". This was a big two-parter, with lots of guest stars. On this particular day, my father was rehearsing a parade scene. This was a big, complicated musical number with close to a hundred people on the soundstage. There were majorettes, townspeople, a marching band, and of course, Gale Gordon, Vivian Vance [*] and Lucy herself, wearing white go-go boots and a white patent leather vest. My mother and I sat in the bleachers that would later hold the studio audience, watching my father work. And he was working very, very hard. Over and over again, he would run out into the middle of the street, do a jig, play a violin solo and disappear back into the crowd. My father had polio as a kid, and one of his legs was shorter than the other. 

All the standing and dancing was taking a toll, so when Lucy stopped the action to look through the camera, he politely asked her if he could take a break. She was very understanding, and told him to sit with us for a while. She asked if he was thirsty, and when he said yes, a glass of orange juice instantly appeared. Dad made his way over to the bleachers, and we watched the scene for while. After drinking about half of the juice, he handed the glass to my mother, who took a sip. Suddenly, Lucy stopped the rehearsal.

"Wait a minute, wait a minute, cut, cut, cut," she shouted. 

The playback music of the marching band stopped abruptly, and everyone fell silent. Lucy turned and looked at my mother. 

"What are you drinking?" she yelled. 

"Who, me?" 

"Yes, you. What are you drinking?" 

"Orange juice." 

"Did I buy that orange juice for you?" 

"I gave it to her, Lucy," my father said sheepishly.

"That's not the point, Paul. I bought that juice for you. If I knew she was going to drink it, I'd have made her pay for it." 

This was bad. This was very bad. My mother was not afraid of anyone, and I really expected this to get ugly in a hurry. She rose to her feet, and I braced myself. All the blood drained from my father's face. Time stood still. Then she did something surprising. My mother turned to me, and held out her hand. I took it, and we began to leave. I looked over my shoulder and saw the entire cast watching us, stock-still. My mother pushed through the heavy stage door into the sunlight, and we were on our way.  

By the time we got back to the studio, everyone had gone to lunch. My mother understood where my father was, and headed straight for Lucy's trailer. She led me up the steps to the door, and without knocking, went in. Lucy and my father were sitting on the couch, eating lunch. When he saw my mother, he froze in terror, certain that the angel of death was passing over his career. 

"Lucy," my mother said, "I have something to say to you." 

Lucy eyed my mother cautiously. "Yes, Nina?" 

"I want you to know how sorry I am about what happened this morning." 

My father's shoulders sagged with relief. 

Lucy was stunned. "Well, I . . . that's okay, Nina. Don't worry about it." 

"No," my mother continued, "I feel badly to have taken advantage of you when you've been so kind to us." 

"Forget it," she said. 

"I will. But only after you've accepted this gift."

My mother held out a gaily-wrapped box from Saks. Lucy genuinely did not know what to say. She looked at the box, then at my father, then at my mother, then me, then the box again. She took the box and carefully opened it. Inside was a pullover sweater made of glittering gold yarn. Metallic knits were all the rage those days, and it was obvious that mom had spent a good deal of money on it. Lucy held it up against herself, delighted. It set off her red hair and blue eyes beautifully. She looked up at my mother, who was smiling beatifically. 

"Thank you, Nina." 

"You're welcome, Lucy." 

My father was beaming. The next day, Lucy showed up on the set wearing the gold sweater. A few hours later, my mother arrived, wearing the exact same sweater in silver. I learned an important lesson that day. You can catch more flies with honey than you can with vinegar. And once you catch them, pull their little fucking wings off.

[*] These small facts are slightly incorrect. The character is not Lucy’s Grandfather and Vivian Vance was not in the show or on set. Chalk it up to the memory of a six year old!

“Lucy Puts Main Street on the Map” rates 2 Paper Hearts out of 5