MovieChat Forums > I Love Lucy (1951) Discussion > So a Friend says to You...

So a Friend says to You...

posted 5 years ago by gary4movies (174)
11 replies | jump to latest

"...I've seen about six classic episodes of this show ONLY":

LUCY DOES A TV COMMERCIAL
JOB SWITCHING
COUSIN ERNIE (TWO-PARTER)
L.A. AT LAST
LUCY'S ITALIAN MOVIE
LUCY DOES THE TANGO

Obvious classics, to be sure. But this same friend then states, "I only want to watch about
six more for right now...one from each season. Which do you recommend?"

Well, for me, it would take some thinking, but picking one from each season to recommend
that are not the above cliché picks, I'd go with:

RICKY ASKS FOR A RAISE (season one finale, which shows off everyone beautifully).
RICKY HAS LABOR PAINS (a non-syrupy "baby" ep, which gives Lucy some very funny stuff).
BONUS BUCKS (despite being my fave season, the third doesn't really have any "classic"
episodes. Fair enough, as it's the ONLY season where each and every one is strong. I pick "Bucks" because of the terrific energy of all four actors, their desperation and greed in
full force. Ball has some terrific lines here, and the German man who plays the manager of
the laundry is hilarious. So is Ball's final moment. Last but not least - EVERYONE should see
Desi's beautiful chest once...and here is the place).
RICKY NEEDS AN AGENT (I'm not the only fan to pick this Hollywood offering as a shining
example of Ball's genius. Lucy's always at her funniest when she tries to bullshit her way
through a problem. Nothing short of brilliant).
RETURN HOME FROM EUROPE (from start to finish, a laugh riot, with Ball, Vance, and the
guest actors turning out pure gold).
LUCY AND SUPERMAN (this pick was tough, as I didn't go with any country show. Instead
I went with one that included Caroline, and showed Lucy's stunts were often performed
because she loved her small son so much, even if it meant possibly "breaking her neck" - or
worse).

Tough list, definitely subjective.

[–] [email protected] (6247) 5 years ago

I went over all the episodes, gave it some thought, and it's definitely a "Sophie's Choice" all the way. How DO you pick from among so many classics?

I might have different choices depending on whether the friend was man or woman and what that particular person would find amusing.

1.MEN ARE MESSY, if the friend was a married woman, most women could relate to that.
LUCY'S SCHEDULE-if the friend was a married man, no offense, but married men can be bossy. LOL

2. LUCY IS A MATCHMAKER- Lucy at her interfering best, she never listens to Ricky, gets caught in Eddie Grant's hotel room...

3.FAN MAGAZINE INTERVIEW-Just an all time favorite of mine, I love the before and after. Lucy how she really is at 7:00 AM and Lucy how she is when she wants to impress. Lucy is also at her best when she is putting on airs.

4.THE BUSINESS MANAGER-Another forever favorite of mine, Lucy is short on cash but long on schemes.

5.LUCY VISITS GRAUMAN'S-What a royal screw up from beginning to end. Only Lucy could think her plan would succeed.

6.HOUSEWARMING- An episode where Ethel gets to shine, Ethel and Betty form a real friendship and jealous Lucy loses it.

SO HARD to pick just one from each season.

[–] gary4movies (174) 5 years ago

Great choices, PJ, and I can't say I'd disagree with any...although I'd be hard-pressed to pick "Men are Messy.". It's one of the first strong shows of the series, but more a " woman's" pick (I'm trying to pick more neutral themes).

"Fan Magazine Interview" is also one of my all-time faves", but again I think more women would relate to the glamour angle, and also Lucy's sudden suspicions. (You were the one that pointed out that Ricky's feet are sticking out of LUCY's twin bed, which is not only sexy and cute, it looks like a real poke at the censors).

[–] [email protected] (6247) 5 years ago

Yeah, a woman's pick, but I admit not "All Men are Messy".

With my late grandparents, it was reversed. My granddad liked things neat and tidy and my grandmother had a 'devil may care" attitude about neatness. He used to pay their next door neighbor to come over once in a while to clean and straighten up the house.

My uncle Bob and his wife were similar. He was almost OCD with order, a Felix Unger type. He was very organized, my aunt, not so much!

For the fourth season, I almost picked THE FASHION SHOW, but that's a real "woman's show".

And yes, Ricky WAS in Lucy's bed! No wonder they looked so tired in the morning! Didn't think you remembered that I wrote that.

[–] gary4movies (174) 5 years ago

So next this friend says: "I really want to watch more episodes, but before you recommend some more good ones, can you pick one from each season I should avoid?"

Again, a question like this is very subjective, but here would be my picks:

DRAFTED (an obvious dud that doesn't play well. I doubt it ever did).
THE COURTROOM (a rare example of a poorly written, directed and, frankly, over-acted ep).
RICKY MINDS THE BABY (okay, this ISN'T a bad offering, as none in season three are. But to me, this is not a particularly strong one, and the pacing is a bit dull. I had to go with this one).
MERTZ AND KURTZ (I enjoy this more than PJ, and don't think it's a total stinker, but it's very old fashioned and sentimental. Really pales next to the other gems of season four).
LUCY GOES TO A RODEO (a dud, plain and simple).
RAGTIME BAND (I really wanted to pick the Orson Welles ep, which I find fairly terrible. But Welles is a legend, so this show should be viewed at least once. RB is a listless, tired retread of the vastly superior band ep from season three).

[–] [email protected] (6247) 5 years ago

DRAFTED has a very silly premise. Who would believe that Fred, at his age, would either be drafted or could enlist?

THE FUR COAT- another silly episode that doesn't stand the test of time.

THE COURTROOM- yes it is overacted. But I'm surprised you didn't pick THE BLACK EYE, gb, since you've voiced a real disdain for that one.

THE FRENCH REVIEW- I love almost all of season three and the ones I don't love, I still like a lot. But I usually skip this one.

MERTZ AND KURTZ (the second half)- I just can't get into the whole
"gay nineties" songs. TENNESSEE BOUND-(also the second half)- I just find the whole jail escape silly.

RICKY SELLS THE CAR- the first half has tired humor that falls flat, i.e., the "cue tips" Fred buys for Lucy when she meant Q-tips, the shaving cream in her purse, etc.

LUCY AND BOB HOPE- sacrilegious to shun an episode with a celebrity icon in it. But this seems like the forerunner of Lucy's later shtick on The Lucy Show when she dresses as a man (Ironman Carmichael for example) and tries to fool people even while wearing lipstick and false eyelashes. Also the "Nobody Likes the Ump" song seems more like Lucille Ball performing with her old MGM co-star rather than Lucy Ricardo "trying to get into the act".
DEEPSEA FISHING - also one I mostly avoid. It's somewhat amusing, but I get tired of watching the girls and the guys drag those dead fish around!

[–] gary4movies (174) 5 years ago

I was kind of neutral on the fur coat ep, never loving nor hating it. But you,'re right, the woman wanting a fur coat doesn't hold up well.

I was shocked about your comments on The French Review! This is one of my faves from start to finish. I love the restaurant scene, the French lesson, and most of all, Lucy trying all those different ways to break into the club. I also love all the French music, and Lucy winning the bet. Never knew you disliked this one!

[–] [email protected] (6247) 5 years ago

Aaawww! Terrible of me to give the impression that I hated this one! I didn't. The restaurant scene IS funny.

I did enjoy the French lesson, "la plume", "le crayon". It was funny the way Ethel shows up all dressed up to flirt with the French teacher.

I just don't care for the musical number at the end. It's similar to MERTZ AND KURTZ. When I know what's coming at the end and I don't like it, I turn off the episode.

[–] gary4movies (174) 5 years ago

Okay, back to this friend who says, "recommend 6 more, one from each season."

I'd go with:

RICKY THINKS HE'S GETTING BALD

Very funny offering, which really shows off Ball's AND Arnaz's comic gifts in that final scene.

NEVER DO BUSINESS WITH FRIENDS

One of the funniest "quarrel" eps between the two couples, with fan debates still hot over which couple is at fault.

OIL WELLS

Another greedy quarrel, and tons of laughs.

LUCY GETS INTO PICTURES

And she even manages to blow THIS. Hilarious.

THE PASSPORTS

Very funny offering. Lucy's bitch-fest with Helen Keiser is a hoot! And so is the little doc who does a jig while Lucy sings Skip to my Lou while locked in a trunk.

LUCY RAISES TULIPS

The next to last episode, and also the last funny one. The look of abject terror on Lucy's face when she starts the mower is pure comedy gold. So is Lucy's "explanation" of driving berserk on the machine!

[–] [email protected] (6247) 5 years ago

We're really getting into this. More faves...okay.

The BALD one is funny and clever. I'd go with (surprise!) THE YOUNG FANS. You talked me into it gb, a young cute, sexy Richard Crenna...

THE HANDCUFFS-Ricky has some great lines when he is frustrated, Lucy tries some weird physical maneuvers to get on her side of the bed! I wonder if the censors would've allowed the physical comedy if the Arnazes weren't married for real?

LUCY TELLS THE TRUTH- always a personal favorite, as lawyers say, "don't ask a question unless you know the answer".

THE MATCHMAKER- Lucy had to interfere, Ricky had to go ballistic.

LUCY MEETS THE QUEEN- either this one or THE FOXHUNT. Lucy wants to soak up British culture. The other European episodes don't seem to have Lucy taking such a personal stake in the events.

LUCY DOES THE TANGO- Lucy and a shirt full of raw eggs. Lucy at her crazy comedy best!

[–] gary4movies (174) 5 years ago

Six more:

LUCY's SCHEDULE: Highly dated though it may be, Gale Gordon and Edith Meissner are great fun.

LUCY HIRES A MAID

Other than a silly ending, Verna Felton is a bossy riot!

BABY PICTURES

Although the ending is predictable (and to me, not very satisfying), what precedes it is hilarious. Possibly the very best Caroline ep.

THE HEDDA HOPPER STORY

PJ, you were the one who got me to love this one. Lot's of fun.

LUCY WANTS A PARIS GOWN

Lucy claims to "starve" herself for a dress! How the boys get even with her is a real hoot!

OFF TO FLORIDA

Maybe not a super classic, but a fun "road" offering nonetheless.

[–] [email protected] (6247) 5 years ago

LUCY'S SCHEDULE contains one of the funniest bits of dialogue in the whole series.
Ricky- How long does it take you in the bathroom?
Lucy- To do what??

BABY PICTURES is definitely on my list of favorites.

The MAID episode was a riot. Mrs. Porter would've scared me too.

You mean "Hedda Hooper", as Ricky called her? Yes, funny episode.

The PARIS GOWN episode is one that you made me appreciate, gb.

OFF TO FLORIDA is the only one in the Florida arc that I really love. I didn't care for the ones on the boat. Maybe it's because, like Fred, I get seasick.