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Would Anyone Like to See More of Grace Foster?

posted 10 months ago by Corryveckan45 (169)
14 replies | jump to latest

I recently caught the end of the episode in which Ricky wants to surprise Lucy with a set of real pearls for their anniversary. He calls neighbor Grace Foster because she works at a jewelry store and gets an employee discount. Ethel blabs to Lucy that she saw Rick entering the Foster apartment while the husband (Bill Foster) is out of town, setting up the comedy, as Lucy gets jealous and tries to figure out what's going on.

I realize the show has set up Grace Foster as an object of envy/jealousy to both Lucy and Ethel, but when she actually appears in this episode, she's kind and has a sense of humor about the whole mess.

I thought it might have been nice to have Grace around in a few episodes as a friend of Lucy and Ethel. One who isn't caught up in all the cattiness/pettiness that often characterizes the actions of other "friends" like "Caroline Appleby," "Miriam Strong," etc. I suppose the writers felt they already had more than enough female interactions with the various club members, etc. to augment the Lucy/Ethel dynamic.

Thoughts?

o

[–] OnanTheBarbarian (12006) 10 months ago

I think Grace Foster ended up being too perfect - beautiful and gracious. That killed the character for much further development in a zany sitcom.

[–] Corryveckan45 (169) 10 months ago

I was thinking the same thing. Lucy and Ethel, with their greater tendencies to be jealous/catty about others, might look worse by comparison.

[–] OnanTheBarbarian (12006) 10 months ago

But you mention Carolyn Appleby and Miriam Strong. They're both madcap and provide lots of material for comedy.

I always thought it hilarious once where Carolyn picks up Little Ricky by the shoulders as if he's contaminated. She's being purposely catty of course.

[–] Corryveckan45 (169) 10 months ago

I don't think Miriam was in the show very much, was she? Though LUcy's comment about her cackling laugh ("I've been waiting 10 years for you to lay that egg!") is great.

Anyway, you're right that they contributed to the laughs with their catty behavior. I mentioned Lucy and Ethel because they're the central characters.

I like the scene when Carolyn carries the two babies out to put them in the playpen and carries Little Ricky under her arm!

It might have been fun to see Carolyn in some of the Connecticut episodes. As Lucy's primary "frienemy," she could have added some spice to Westport.

[–] OnanTheBarbarian (12006) 10 months ago

I think Miriam was played by different actresses on different episodes. But I loved the cackling one!

And yeah, you're right. Carolyn carried Little Ricky under her arm ... as if! 🤣 I couldn't remember just what she did but it was funny.

I think Betty Ramsey was the main frenemy in Connecticut. Lol.

I looked up the actress who played Grace Foster and posted on her board:

https://moviechat.org/nm0089052/Gloria-Blondell

[–] [email protected] (5871) 10 months ago

Marion, not Miriam! But the one with her awful hat when Lucy tells the truth is funny.

Betty Ramsey was a bit pushy at first. She tried to redecorate Lucy's whole house when she only knew her for a few days. I think they would've become good friends eventually. But the show didn't last long after she was introduced. Not enough episodes to judge her character.

[–] OnanTheBarbarian (12006) 10 months ago

I looked her up and the actress who played Betty Ramsey, made several appearances, including one as la dee dah Cynthia Harcourt, Lucy's childhood friend who became a wealthy socialite. But she was Ramsey in Connecticut.

https://ilovelucyandricky.fandom.com/wiki/Betty_Ramsey

[–] Corryveckan45 (169) 10 months ago

She also played the plane passenger on the trip home from Europe who thought that Lucy had done away with her other son, "Cheddar"/"Chester", a hunk of cheese Lucy purchased for her gorgon of a mother.

[–] OnanTheBarbarian (12006) 10 months ago

Hahaha! That's right.

Interesting actress:

https://moviechat.org/nm0188483

[–] Corryveckan45 (169) 10 months ago

She also appeared on several episodes of "Ozzie and Harriet."

A friend of mine who has seen them says he can't stand her on that show.

[–] OnanTheBarbarian (12006) 10 months ago

She is rather grating! 🤣

[–] Corryveckan45 (169) 10 months ago

Thanks for the correction, PJ. I thought in one of the episodes (the one with the Club Election?) she was referred to as "Miriam."

In any case, how is the viewer suspposed to keep the hames straight when the show itself can't make up its' mind (see: "Lillian"/"Carolyn" Appleby") lol!

Betty Ramsey was a little pushy, as I recall, confirming Ricky's initial negative impression of her. Still, I think she meant well. She obviously enjoyed taking charge of Lucy's desire to furnish her new home and just took it for granted that a "star" of Ricky' magnitude didn't need to worry about the expense, especially after all the savings Betty had arranged for the furniture.

I think in one episode (the one where Lucy thinks the neighbors are giving the Ricardos a surprise housewarming party), Lucy refers to Ethel and Betty as "my two best friends," so Betty probably made a favorable impression pretty quickly.

[–] [email protected] (5871) 10 months ago

Yes the writers couldn't keep all the names straight at times.

I think Fred's vaudeville partner was first referred to as Ted Kurtz. The he became Barney. And Ethel had three different middle names! She was Ethel Roberta, Ethel Louise and Ethel Mae.

Betty was kind of pushy. But I think part of it was she enjoyed redecorating and the Ramseys couldn't afford it. So she was living vicariously through Lucy.

[–] Corryveckan45 (169) 10 months ago

I agree about Betty. I also think she and Ralph were honestly trying to be helpful/make a good impression on their new neighbors. The Ramseys are right that they went to a lot of trouble to set up the deal with the furniture warehouse, choose the furniture and, at the last minute, to get the house set up for the Ricardos (imaginary) Saturday night party.

Ricky actually DOES insinuate that Ralph is a crook when he suggests Ralph is getting a kickback for setting up the deal. It's appalling.