I just rewatched the Arrested Development episode where the private detective keeps "sneaking up" on her and she screams so hilariously every time, and thought to myself, 'I need to watch more of her work--she's amazing!'
So any thoughts/suggestions on any of her earlier work to watch?
Oh definitely - I think that watching her earlier work makes Lucille even funnier, because she is such a contrast to the other characters. Only then can you begin to appreciate the range and depth of her work.
A bunch of older works are only available in archives or by scouring the internet and shelling out big bucks, but there is plenty available on Hulu, YouTube, and Netflix. I consider her first 6 features must-watch, and there's plenty more out there available for free. Alias Smith and Jones, one episode of Medical Center, a couple Love Boat episodes, all of her Murder She Wrote spots, etc. are all available for free. I've tried to narrow this to 12 highlights but send me a message if you're interested in any of her work and I can try to help you locate it (or tell you whether it's available or not.) I've seen about 80% of work and am trying to track down the rest.
The Alfred Hitchcock Hour (1964) - this is still available for free on Hulu; Encore Suspense recently aired it as well, but now they have started back with episode one so it will probably be about 5-6 months before it's on again.
Flipper (1964) - also available for free - I think it's still on Hulu or you might find it through a blog site. Cute and fun, it's worth watching just for her swim cap alone.
Lilith (1964) - her first movie and it was a small role but it's well worth watching
The Group (1966) - fabulous movie and she plays a delightfully bitchy character. I believe this is streaming on Netflix and has been on cable in recent months.
Pursue and Destroy (1966) - currently on YouTube - she pulls off a great Aussie accent (it's in 4 parts and I think she finally surfaces midway through part 2)
Grand Prix (1966) - a fairly limited role in a long but outstanding movie. Her scenes are terrific.
Bye Bye Braverman (1968) - very brief screen time but it's with George Segal. Enough said.
Number One (1969) - fairly hard to find, though it's been on a cable a couple of times in recent months. It's never been on DVD but you can usually find a VHS copy on eBay. She plays Charlton Heston's wife and has some really good scenes.
Play Misty for Me (1971) - if you haven't seen this yet, you MUST. It started streaming on Netflix on June 1. ABSOLUTE MUST-SEE!
Banacek (1972) - I don't know where to find this other than buying it but it is one of my favorites out of all of her guest appearances.
Trapper John. MD (1979-1986) - all 10 of her appearances are available on YouTube. This is the first thing I remember seeing her in and I love her character.
The Flamingo Kid (1984) - she definitely makes the most of her limited scenes in this. I find her character hysterical.
If you use the site locatetv.com (it's free) and put her in as one of your selections, it will notify you when her work is on TV. Their database isn't complete but it did help me locate several of her guest appearances when they were on.
Good luck and share what you think of any of the titles you watch!
I forgot to add the Quincy episode, which is now streaming on Netflix. I had taped it off of cable many years ago and forgot that it is now widely available. Definite must-see!
Great!! Thanks so much for your thorough suggestions! I can't wait to watch some of these.
shareYes the Quincy episode is well worth seeing! She plays a psychotic twin!
I guess after "Misty" they couldn't help seeing Jessica as psychotic!
Thankfully she seems quite normal in real life.