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papermoonloveslucy · 1 year

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HERE COMES THE JUDGE!

Oyez! Oyez! All Rise for the Honorable Jurists of the Lucyverse!

“Lucy the Conclusion Jumper” (1968)

APPROACH THE BENCH

Clarence Wilson played a Judge in one of Lucille Ball’s early films, Blood Money (1933). It was the first of three of his Judge roles.

C. Montague Shaw played the Judge in Jealousy (1934), a film in which Lucille Ball has a bit part. He also played a Judge (not the legal kind) in 1935′s Carnival, also with Ball, as well as eight more screen Judges!

Lucille Ball played a Beautician and Edward LeSaint played a Judge (both uncredited) in Fugitve Lady (1934). Of LeSaint’s more than 325 screen credits, more than 60 were as Judges; nine in 1939 alone. They included the cult classic Reefer Madness (1936) and a film titled A Woman is the Judge (1939).

Etienne Giradot played Judge Peterby and Lucille Ball was an uncredited chorine in Hooray for Love (1935). He went on to play Judges in two more films.

Howard Hickman played 28 Judges from 1934 to 1941, including Judge Jonathan Travers in the Lucille Ball film Next Time I Marry (1938).

In 1940, Lucy and Desi’s elopement required two Judges! Probate Judge Harold L. Knapp waived the five-day wait required by Connecticut law, and Justice of the Peace John P. O'Brien performed the ceremony at the Byram River Beagle Club at noon on Saturday, November 30, 1940. Some aspects of the event were fictionalized on “I Love Lucy” in 1952 with Irving Bacon playing Justice of the Peace Mr. Willoughby.

Walter Abel played the Judge in Dance, Girl, Dance (1940). In 1935, he was seen in the film The Three Musketeers with Lucille Ball. Abel also played a Judge in his final television role in 1976.

In Valley of the Sun (1942), Lucille Ball played Christine Larson and Billy Gilbert played Judge Homer Burnaby. Gilbert was also seen with Ball in I Dream Too Much (1938) and Joy of Living (1938).

Also in 1942, Ball played the lead in The Big Street in which Julius Tannen played Judge Bamberger. He also played a Judge in The Lady in Question (1940).

There were two Judges in the Lucille Ball film Ziegfeld Follies (1945), both in the segment titled “Pay the Two Dollars”. Judge #1 was played by Joseph Crehan, who later played the Detective in “The Great Train Robbery,” a 1955 episode of “I Love Lucy.” Of his 382 film and TV credits, more than a dozen were as Judges. Judge #2 was played by William B. Davidson, who was also seen with Ball in Roberta (1944) and Lover Come Back (1946). Coincidentally, Davidson’s final film was titled The Judge Steps Out (1948). He played a Judge in five films. One of his early films was titled Good Morning Judge (1928). The two Ziefeld Follies Judges do not appear in the same segment as Lucille Ball, “Here’s To The Ladies.”

Walter Soldering and Joel Friedkin played Justices of the Peace (a Judge with limited jurisdiction, generally with the ability to perform marriages) in the Lucille Ball / Van Johnson film Easy To Wed (1946). Friedkin played a JOP in three other films and a Judge in eight! Soldering played four JOPs and six Judges.

Selmer Jackson played the Judge in the Lucille Ball / Franchot Tone film Her Husband’s Affairs (1947). His first time playing a Judge was in the Jimmy Durante film Carnival (1935), in which Lucille Ball played a nurse. Twenty more Judge roles followed, including Mighty Joe Young (1949). Ball did the script for radio in 1949, although the actor playing the Judge went uncredited and unidentified.

Edward Forbes played the Judge in Lucille Ball’s tour of the stage play Dream Girl (1947-48) which began in Princeton, New Jersey.

The film What My Next Husband Will Be was announced in June 1948 as a vehicle for Lucille Ball. It wasn’t long before Ball had been assigned to Miss Grant Takes Richmond (see below) and the role was recast with Rosalind Russell. The title was changed to Tell It To The Judge (1949) and Russell’s character was changed from a Broadway star, to a Federal Judge.

George Cleveland played Judge Ben Grant in Miss Grant Takes Richmond (1949) starring Lucille Ball and William Holden. The Judge is the uncle of Ellen Grant, the title character played by Lucy. This was Cleveland’s fifth film with Lucille Ball in four years. In 1954, Cleveland played a Judge on TV’s “Death Valley Days.”

IN RECESS

When Ball did Miss Grant on radio in 1950, the role of Judge Grant was taken by Arthur Q. Bryan, best known as the voice of Elmer Fudd. Bryan played Mr. Chambers, new owner of the Tropicana in “Ricky Loses His Voice” (1952).

Gale Gordon played Judge Skinner in the My Favorite Husband episode “Valentine’s Day” broadcast on February 11, 1949 on CBS Radio.

JUDGE: “There is no problem too big to solve. Into every life a little rain must fall. Every cloud has a silver lining, and it is always darkest before the dawn.” LIZ: “Well now that we’ve had the weather report, let’s get on with the case!”

Lucy ended up appearing before another Judge played by Gale Gordon on “The Lucy-Desi Comedy Hour” (see below).

Alan Reed played Harry, the Judge in the My Favorite Husband episode “Television” broadcast on CBS Radio on June 17, 1949. Reed was best known as the voice of Fred Flintsone, but also appeared as a cafe owner in “Lucy Visits the White House” (1963).

FINAL ARGUMENTS

“Television” was the basis for the “I Love Lucy” episode “The Courtroom” (1952), in which the Judge was played by Moroni Olsen.

LUCY: “Well, Your Honor, now that I think of it, maybe it was Ricky who took the back off the set.” JUDGE: “Really?” RICKY: “Well, now that I think of it...yeah.”

Olsen played a Judge in three other films.

Fay Roop played a Judge in The Long, Long Trailer (1954). He also played a Judge on “Perry Mason”, “The Twilight Zone”, and several other TV shows and films.

Jorge Treviño played a Judge in the very first episode of “The Lucy-Desi Comedy Hour” “Lucy Takes a Cruise to Havana” (1957). Treviño had played Ricky's Uncle Alberto when “The Ricardos Visit Cuba” (1956).

Gale Gordon played Judge Phillips in “Lucy Makes Room for Danny” (1958), an episode of “The Lucy-Desi Comedy Hour” which was a cross-over with “Make Room for Daddy.”

Ernest Sarracino played the Danfield Judge in “Lucy and the Runaway Butterfly” (1963). After Lucy races through his courtroom with a butterfly net, the Judge explodes at the Prosecuting Attorney.

JUDGE: “Mr. McClay! This is nothing more than a cheap theatrical stunt designed to prejudice the jury! Remove this woman from the courtroom! Order in the court!” (Lucy’s net lands over the Judge’s head)

In 1966 he played an Italian Judge on “The Red Skelton Show.” He returned for two episodes of “Here's Lucy.”

Busy character actor Parley Baer played humorless Judge Jack D. Kasten in “Lucy the Meter Maid” (1964). After Lucy attempt to re-enact the circumstance of ticketing Viv’s car, the Judge stops her mid-testimony.

JUDGE KASTEN: “Officer Carmichael, will you please explain the meaning of this travesty?” LUCY: “With the court’s indulgence, I’m trying to establish a time element.”

Baer played MGM’s Mr. Reilly in “Ricky Needs an Agent” (1955) and the furniture salesman Mr. Perry in “Lucy Gets Chummy with the Neighbors” (1957). This is the second of his five appearances on “The Lucy Show,” including another Judge! He also made two appearances on “Here’s Lucy.” He played a Judge on “The Joey Bishop Show” (1964) and “My Living Doll” (1965), both filmed at Desilu Studios. In addtion, he played a Judge on a dozen other film and TV shows.

Harry Holcombe played a Judge in Yours, Mine and Ours (1968) starring Lucille Ball and Henry Fonda. Holcombe played Judges in 18 film and TV shows, including two episodes of “Perry Mason.” He did background work on “Here’s Lucy,” including the series finale, “Lucy Fights the System” (1974).

John McGiver played the Judge in “Lucy is Her Own Lawyer” (1964).

JUDGE: “Mrs. Carmichael. Is it absolutely necessary to have this incessant jumping back and forth? You’re making the Bench nervous.”

McGiver previously appeared on the series in “Lucy is a Kangaroo for a Day” (1962). He appeared opposite Lucille Ball as Mr. Babcock in the movie musical Mame (1974), a film that also featured a Judge (see below). He played five other Judges in films and TV shows, including Judge Thatcher in the 1973 musical Tom Sawyer.

Sid Gould played the Camden Cove Judge in “Lucy and the Soap Opera” (1966).

JUDGE: “Order in the court!” LUCY: “Hear me out, Your Honor!” MR. SHANNON: “Hear her out? Throw her out!”

A frequent supporting player on “The Lucy Show” and “Here’s Lucy,” Gould was Lucille Ball’s cousin by marriage to Gary Morton.

Parley Baer returned to play another Judge (this time with eyeglasses) when “Lucy Sues Mooney” in 1967.

JUDGE: “Ladies and gentlemen of the jury. Any lady who would admit to being over thirty must be telling the truth.” MR. MOONEY: “She wouldn’t be telling the truth if she admitted to being over forty!”

In “Lucy the Conclusion Jumper” (1968), Kim and her classmate Don are talking about keeping a household budget and visiting a city hall Judge for a school project. Lucy jumps to the conclusion they are going to get married! Lucy urges Harry to meet her at the Marriage License Office because she thinks Kim is about to elope with the supermarket box boy. When Harry hestitates, she says:

LUCY: “Well, she’s not going down there just to sing ‘Here comes the Judge! Here comes the Judge!’”

Two years later, in “Lucy and Sammy Davis Jr.” (1970), Sammy says his producer loves to sue and that his favorite words are...

“Here comes the Judge! Here comes the Judge!”

This is a catch-phrase popularized on “Rowan and Martin’s Laugh-In”, first spoken by comic Pigmeat Markham, and later by Davis. The NBC show’s second half hour aired opposite “Here’s Lucy.”

Hayden Rorke plays Judge Gibson in “Lucy and the Raffle” (1971). Coincidentally, the episode also features Gale Gordon and Sid Gould, former Lucyverse Judges. Rorke appeared on stage with Ball in Dream Girl (1947-48), a show which also featured a Judge (see above). He appeared on “I Love Lucy” as one of “The New Neighbors” (1952). Rorke was best known for his role as Dr. Bellows on “I Dream of Jeannie”.

John Wheeler played Judge Bregoff in Lucille Ball’s Mame (1974). In 1991, he played Judge Ciglio in the TV movie Runaway Father. The film also featured former Lucy Judge John McGiver (see above) as lawyer Babcock.

Lucy’s final jurist was Allan Rich as Judge Cameron Potter in “Lucy, Legal Eagle” (1986). This was the penultimate aired episode of a Lucille Ball sitcom. Rich started playing Judges on TV in 1976. In 1983, he played four TV Judges, including several appearances on “Hill Street Blues” and “Gimme A Break”. His first big screen Judge was in 1997′s Armistad. In all, Rich donned Judges robes two dozen times!

COURT ADJOURNED!

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oppaiokudasai · 8 years

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Horror on TV: Thriller 2.17 "La Strega" (dir by Ida Lupino)

Horror on TV: Thriller 2.17 “La Strega” (dir by Ida Lupino)

For tonight’s excursion into televised horror, we have an episode of Thriller! This episode is called T and it deals with an artist (Alejandro Rey) who saves a young woman (Ursula Andress) from drowning. It turns out that the local villagers believe that the woman is a witch. The artist has no time for superstition and takes the woman back to his home. She starts as his model and then becomes…

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#Alejandro Rey #Boris Karloff #Ernest Sarracino #Frank De Kova #Horror #Horrorthon #Ida Lupino #Jeanette Nolan #Lisa Marie Bowman #Ramon Novarro #review #show #television #Thriller #tv #TV Show #Ursula Andress

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papermoonloveslucy · 7 years

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LUCY, THE SHOPPING EXPERT

S1;E20 ~ February 17, 1969

Directed by Jack Donohue ~ Written by Milt Josefsberg and Al Schwartz

Synopsis

Craig gets a part-time job in a supermarket to earn money to buy a surfboard. At the same time, Lucy is giving Kim some valuable lessons in smart shopping. When the two accidentally converge, chaos ensues - naturally!

Regular Cast

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

Guest Cast

William Lanteau (Mr. Sherwood, Supermarket Manager) first appeared with Lucille Ball in The Facts of Life (1960). In addition to an episode of “The Lucy Show,” Lanteau did four episodes of “Here’s Lucy.” He is best remembered for playing Charlie the Mailman in the play and the film On Golden Pond (1981).

Mr. Sherwood is the winner of the Golden Can Award for his shelf arrangements.

Ernest Sarracino (Mr. Nicoletti, Produce Manager) played the Judge in “Lucy and the Runaway Butterfly” (TLS S1;E29), also directed by Jack Donohue. This is the first of his two episodes of “Here’s Lucy.” His screen acting credits span from 1939 to 1994.

Although never actually referred to as Mr. Nicoletti, the character is credited in honor of Louis Nicoletti, a long-time member of the Desilu family who was the assistant director of “Here's Lucy” from 1968 to 1969, including this episode. In addition to making on camera appearances on “I Love Lucy” and “The Lucy Show,” there were two characters named after him on “I Love Lucy.” Here the character is played as a stereotypical Italian fruit vendor and speaks in Italian to Lucy: “You make-a da dent? Dat's-a 39 cents!”

Irwin Charone (Mr. Garfield, of the Nippy Whippy Whipped Cream Company) made five appearances on “The Lucy Show.” The expressive character actor also did an equal number of “Here’s Lucy” episodes. He died in January 2016 in Maplewood, New Jersey, at the age of 93.

The restaurant patrons and supermarket shoppers are played by uncredited background players.

At the start of the episode Kim brings home ethnic foods because the grocer Mr. Goldapper recommended them. This is an inside joke as Goldapper is Gary Morton's real last name. Gary Morton's loud guffaw can be distinctly heard on the soundtrack throughout the episode.

Craig says he knows all about the facts of life since he was seven because he watched “Peyton Place.” Based on a 1956 novel, “Peyton Place” was a primetime soap opera that aired on ABC from 1964 to 1969. The title has become synonymous with the personal problems and scandals of small-town life. It was mentioned several times on “The Lucy Show” including in “Lucy and Joan” (TLS S4;E4) which also took place in a supermarket.

Instead of “Peyton Place,” Harry says he regrets wasting his time watching “Captain Kangaroo.” “Captain Kangaroo” was a children’s television series that aired weekday mornings on CBS from October 1955 to December 1984. The Captain (Bob Keeshan, above right) would tell stories, meet guests, and indulge in silly stunts with regular characters, both humans and puppets. Captain Kangaroo was previously mentioned on several episodes of “The Lucy Show.”

Gale Gordon's monologue about the birds and the bees is nearly four minutes long and gets a round of applause from the studio audience. It is highly unlikely that teenage Craig would let him go on so long when all he wants is $100!

There is a poster in the supermarket featuring pumpkins and pilgrims so this episode was likely filmed in November 1968.

While most of the prop canned goods look like actual products, the cans of Chef Claudio's Ravioli Dinner look like something contrived by the Desilu prop department. It is likely a tribute to director Claudio Guzman, who started with the company in 1958 and directed 15 episodes of “The Lucy Show.” He was best known for his association with “I Dream of Jeannie” (1966-70). Curiously, although they are visible on camera, they are never referred to in the dialogue – or at least it didn't make the final cut.

Some sample 1969 supermarket prices:

Cantaloupe Melons are 39 cents each.

Strawberries are 50 cents a pint basket.

Medium Eggs are 53 cents a dozen.

Lucy says the store puts the nicest looking strawberries on top of the basket, but underneath “things can be as rotten as the Harper Valley PTA”! “Harper Valley PTA" is a country song written by Tom T. Hall that was a hit single for Jeannie C. Riley in 1968. Riley's record sold over six million copies. The song lyrics tell the story of a woman who is accused of immorality by her daughter's junior high PTA and how she gets her revenge on her hypocritical accusers. The song later gave life to a film (starring Barbara Eden) and a failed television series.

When Lucy is sloshing the cans to hear how full they are, the clerk asks if she expects to hear Lawrence Welk. Lawrence Welk (1903-92, above) was a musician, accordionist, bandleader, and television impresario, who hosted TV’s “The Lawrence Welk Show” from 1951 to 1982. Welk was mentioned several times on “The Lucy Show” and also on “Lucy's Birthday” (S1;E8). Welk will play himself on a 1970 episode of “Here's Lucy” (above, with Vivian Vance).

Later, when Lucy is holding up the eggs to the light, he tells her they are eggs, “not the Hope Diamond.” The Hope Diamond is one of the most famous jewels in the world, dating back almost four centuries. It is housed in the Smithsonian Institute.

Lucy is never able to control nozzles and hoses – even on the tip of a can of whipped cream. The end of the episode is actually a good excuse for a cream pie fight – without the pies!

A banner in the supermarket advertises a “Storyland Sale” - whatever that may be! The same banner was used in a supermarket in “Lucy and Joan” (TLS S4;E4).

Lucy Carmichael also hangs around several different supermarkets to buy a lot of cans of Bailey's Beans for her get-rich-quick scheme in “Lucy the Bean Queen” (TLS S5;E3).

In this episode, Kim says about her Uncle Harry: “Compared to him, Jack Benny is a regular Diamond Jim Brady.”

On “The Lucy Show,” Lucy Carmichael says to Mr. Mooney: “Compared to you, Jack Benny is Diamond Jim Brady.”

Comedian Jack Benny (1894-1974, inset right) was a frequent guest star on both shows. His comic persona was that of a skinflint who had every penny he ever made. The same evening this episode first aired, Lucille Ball appeared on Benny’s birthday special on NBC. James Buchanan Brady (1856-1917, inset left) was a real-life millionaire and philanthropist who was fond of jewels (hence the nickname). Brady was first mentioned in “The Business Manager” (ILL S4;E1).

Craig says he learned the facts of life at age seven while watching “Petyon Place.” If Desi Arnaz Jr. and Craig are the same age (15 or 16), he would have to have turned 7 in 1960. “Peyton Place” didn't start airing until 1964. If this were true, the character of Craig Carter would be just 11 or 12 years old!

Craig asks his mother for $100 for a surfboard which Lucy decides against as an unnecessary luxury. However, in “Lucy Visits Jack Benny” (S1;E2), Craig packs his surfboard (much to Lucy's dismay) for his weekend in Palm Springs.

The precariously stacked display of oranges is built on a slanted surface to allow the oranges to more easily tumble to the floor. The gag works by the collapsing the structure on which the oranges are arranged on cue – probably a by a stagehand hidden under the table.

Most of the items in the dairy case have their brand name labels conspicuously taped over. Conveniently, the brand name labels on the canned goods are too small for the camera to pick up, so they aren't obscured.

When the whipped cream spray lands on the end of Mr. Sherwood's nose, Craig takes a cloth and wipes it off. Irwin Charone ad libs the line “Never mind my nose.”

“Lucy, The Shopping Expert” rates 3 Paper Hearts out of 5

This is a very colorful episode full of lots of physical gags and some broad acting from the supporting cast. In the middle of the chaos, Gale Gordon delivers a meandering 4 minute monologue about the birds and the bees - literally. A contrived ending feels forced.

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papermoonloveslucy · 7 years

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Lucy and the Runaway Butterfly

S1;E29 ~ April 22, 1963

Synopsis

Helping Jerry with his Cub Scout project, a rare butterfly escapes and Lucy vows to hunt it down. On a dinner date with a lawyer, she leaps into action when she thinks she spots the rogue insect, resulting in chaos at dinner, the park, and eventually a courtroom.

Regular Cast

Lucille Ball (Lucy Carmichael), Vivian Vance (Vivian Bagley), Jimmy Garrett (Jerry Carmichael), Ralph Hart (Sherman Bagley), Candy Moore (Chris Carmichael)

Guest Cast

Mary Wickes (Mrs. Wickenhauser) was one of Lucille Ball's closest friends and at one time, a neighbor. She made a memorable appearances on “I Love Lucy” as ballet mistress Madame Lamond in “The Ballet” (ILL S1;E19). In her next three “Lucy Show” appearances her character name is Frances, but then makes four more as a variety of characters. Wickes appeared in nine episodes of “Here's Lucy.” Their final collaboration on screen was “Lucy Calls the President” in 1977.

Wickenhauser is Mary Wickes' birth name.

Philip Carey (Howard McClay) was born Eugene Carey on July 15, 1925, in Hackensack, New Jersey. He is probably best known as Asa Buchanan on the soap “One Life to Live.” This marks his only appearance with Lucille Ball.

Howard McClay is the name of Desilu's publicist. Here he is a lawyer, but Mr. McClay was previously mentioned (but not seen) in “Lucy and Her Electric Mattress” (S1;E12) as working at the hardware store. In “Lucy and the Little League” (S1;E28) Mr. Crescent (William Schallert) also talks about working at the hardware store.

Carl Benton Reid (Jack Donohue) appeared with Lucy in the 1950 film The Fuller Brush Girl. He played Oscar Hubbard, Bette Davis' brother in the 1941 film The Little Foxes. This is his only role on “The Lucy Show.”

Jack Donohue is the name of the director of this episode and 106 other episodes of the series. He even made two on-camera appearances on the show. He went on to direct 35 episodes of “Here's Lucy,” appearing on-camera in three of them. His last collaboration with Lucille Ball was the TV special “Lucy Moves to NBC” in 1980.

Doris Packer (Pauline Donohue) was one of the latecomers sharing the theater box with the Ricardos and the Mertzes at The Most Happy Fella during “Lucy's Night in Town” (ILL S6;E22). She later who later returned to play Paul Douglas’ prim secretary in “Lucy Wants a Career,” a 1959 episode of The Lucy–Desi Comedy Hour.” She is probably best remembered for her recurring roles on "Leave it to Beaver” (1957-63) and "The Many Loves of Dobie Gillis” (1960-63).

Although the end credits list Jack and Pauline Donohue, neither first name is mentioned in the episode.

Karen Norris (Ella, the maid) previously appeared as Della Fox (aka Student #2 with a head cold) in “Lucy and Viv Take Up Chemistry” (S1;E26). She will makes four more background appearances on “The Lucy Show.” She also did one episode of “Here’s Lucy” in 1968.

Ellen Corby (Woman in the Park) made a memorable appearance on “I Love Lucy” as Miss Hannah, Lucy Ricardo's High School drama teacher in “Lucy Meets Orson Welles” (ILL S6;E3). She went on to fame as the kindly grandmother on the long-running series “The Waltons,” playing the role from 1971 till 1997, two years before her death.

Benny Rubin (Man in the Park) played the snarky Hollywood Bus Driver in “The Tour” (ILL S4;E30). He will make one more “Lucy Show” appearances when “Lucy and Viv Open a Restaurant” (S2;E20). The recognizable character actor is probably best remembered for his association with Jack Benny.

Jim Boles (Mr. Harris, prosecuting attorney) played the Delivery Man for Barney’s Catering Service when “Lucy Builds a Rumpus Room” (S1;E11). He was a character actor who began acting on television in 1949.

Ernest Sarracino (Judge) makes his only series appearance, but will return for two episodes of “Here's Lucy.” His screen acting credits span from 1939 to 1994.

Hazel Pierce (Juror, above left) was Lucille Ball’s camera and lighting stand-in throughout “I Love Lucy.” She also made frequent appearances on the show, although only once did she speak, when she won the television auctioned off by Ladies Overseas Aid in “Ricky’s European Booking” (ILL S5;E10) and she shouted “I won!”. This just one of her 21 un-credited on-camera appearances on “The Lucy Show.” In the opening of season two, “Lucy Plays Cleopatra” (S2;E1), she received screen credit as Mary Lou. She was also an un-credited extra in the film Forever Darling (1956).

William Meader (Nut Vendor) had appeared as an airport extra in “The Ricardos Go to Japan,” a 1959 episode of “The Lucy-Desi Comedy Hour.” He made 15 appearances on “The Lucy Show,” mostly as a clerk in Mr. Mooney’s bank.

Alberto Morin (Man in Park, uncredited) was born in Puerto Rico, and appeared in some of Hollywood’s most cherished films: Gone with the Wind (1939), Casablanca (1943), and Key Largo (1948). He was Carlos, one of Ricky’s “Cuban Pals” (ILL S1;E28) and the Robert DuBois in “The French Revue” (ILL S3;E7). His many background appearances on “The Lucy Show” and “Here’s Lucy” were all uncredited.

Monty O'Grady was first seen with Lucille Ball in The Long, Long Trailer (1953), and played a passenger on the S.S. Constitution in “Second Honeymoon” (ILL S5;E14). With William Meader he was at the airport when “The Ricardos Go to Japan” (1959). With Hazel Pierce, he was also in “Chris’s New Year’s Eve Party” (S1;E14). He made a dozen appearances on the series and a half dozen on “Here’s Lucy.”

Hal Taggart makes the second of five appearances on “The Lucy Show” after having been seen in the Lucille Ball film The Facts of Life (1960).

This episode was originally titled “Lucy and the Runaway Moth.” It was filmed on March 21, 1963.

There was no actual butterfly on the set. The butterfly was optically inserted later. In most prints, however, no butterfly can be seen at all.

When Howard McClay calls Lucy at 8am and her hair is up in curlers Lucy says she's glad it isn't ‘phone-a-vision’! Lucy couldn't have known that in the 21st century Skype, Zoom, and Facetime would be a part of daily life.

Bell Labs developed the PicturePhone in the late 1950s, and by 1963 (the same year this episode was filmed and aired) it was available in the Chicago area. The units transmitted pictures and sound over existing phone lines but were expensive to operate -- and people still feared the prying eyes of the person on the other end of the line. The product never took off.

Lucy says she's gone on three dates with Howard so far. No mention is made of Harry, her former neighbor and sometimes boyfriend.

Viv says that Howard's law firm is named Donohue Pomerantz Lombardy & (hopefully) McClay. In real life, Jack Donohue was the episode's director, Charles Pomerantz was Lucille Ball's publicist, and Joe Lombardi was a Desilu special effects man.

Jerry's nature project is for Cub Scouts. In “Lucy Visits the White House” (S1;E25, above) it was established that Lucy was Den Mother of Jerry's den. When Lucy mistakenly thinks Jerry is collecting “buds” instead of “bugs” he quips “I'm a Cub Scout, not a Camp Fire Girl.” As a den mother, it is odd that Lucy doesn't know anything about his project or the date of the next den meeting. The Camp Fire Girls of America was the nation's first non-sectarian, multicultural organization for girls. Its programs emphasize camping and other outdoor activities for youth. Today they are simply known as Camp Fire.

Jerry's bug collection consists of:

Cicindelidae Limbada aka the Tiger Beetle

Stagmomantis Carolina aka the Praying Mantis

Lepidoptera Blancas aka the Royal White Butterfly (above)

The man in the park (Benny Rubin) is reading The Danfield Tribune. Lucy and Viv appeared on the front page in “Lucy Becomes an Astronaut” (S1;E6, above). Lucy worked for the paper in “Lucy is a Reporter” (S1;E17).

Viv mentions Mr. Hoffstedder at the drug store. He was first mentioned as Dr. Hoffstedder in “Lucy and Viv Become Tycoons” (S1;E20).

Callbacks!

This isn't the first time Lucille Ball has been before a judge. Lucy Ricardo was seen in “The Courtroom” (ILL S2;E7)...

...and then again in “Lucy Makes Room for Danny,” a 1958 episode of “The Lucy-Desi Comedy Hour” where Gale Gordon (soon to be Mr. Mooney) was the judge.

Fast Forward!

The series returns to the Danfield Court House in “Lucy is Her Own Lawyer” (S2;E23)

....and again in “Lucy the Meter Maid” (S3;E7).

Lucille Ball played a butterfly and actually flies (on wires) in “Danny Thomas’ Wonderful World of Burlesque” (1965).

Blooper Alert!

In the courtroom, the judge addresses the witness as “Mrs. Wickenhauser” but the first time the lawyer addresses her he calls her “Mrs. Wickenhauer.” The second time he addresses her he gets the name right.

“Lucy and the Runaway Butterfly” rates 4 Paper Hearts out of 5

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papermoonloveslucy · 6 years

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LUCY AND THE RAFFLE

S3;E19 ~ January 18, 1971

Directed by Ross Martin ~ Written by Ray Singer & Al Schwartz

Synopsis

Kim wins a fast sports car in a raffle, but Lucy won't let her keep it. To pay the taxes on her win, they hold another raffle not knowing that it is illegal. Lucy, Kim, and Harry are all arrested and hauled in to court!

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 he does receive opening title credit.

Guest Cast

Hayden Rorke (Judge Gibson) played one of the “New Neighbors” (ILL S1;E21), Tom O'Brien, who moved into the Mertz apartment building and are believed to be spies (but actually are just actors). Rorke trained at the American Academy of Dramatic Arts and made his television debut on “I Love Lucy.” Ironically, so did Barbara Eden, who played the title role in the sitcom that Rorke is best known for, “I Dream of Jeannie.” In 1947, he appeared on stage with Lucille Ball in Dream Girl. Rorke played the incredulous Dr. Alfred Bellows from 1965 to 1970, even returning for a “Jeannie” reunion special in 1985, his last screen project. He died in 1987.

Although the Judge’s name is not spoken aloud, his daughter, Betty Gibson, is named earlier in the episode as the winner of the raffle.

SPOILER: The Little Old Lady (Florence Lake) is his mother!

Paul Picerni (IRS Agent Frank Williams) makes the second of his four appearances on “Here’s Lucy.” He also appeared with Lucille Ball in the 1975 TV movie “Lucy Gets Lucky.” Picerni was a cast member of Desilu's “The Untouchables” from 1959 to 1963.

Picerni introduces this episode on the series DVD.

Rhodes Reason (Lieutenant Egan) marks the fourth of his five episodes of “Here’s Lucy” having previously appeared in “Lucy, the Matchmaker” (S1;E12) and “Lucy and the Gold Rush” (S1;E13). He also appeared with Lucille Ball (and Little Old Lady Florence Lake) in the 1974 TV movie “Happy Anniversary and Goodbye.”

Although the character identifies himself as Lieutenant Egan, the end credits list him as Detective Haggerty.

Robert Foulk (Permit Office Clerk at Window D) played the policeman on the Brooklyn subway platform in “Lucy and the Loving Cup” (ILL S6;E12) and a Los Angeles Detective in “Lucy Goes To A Hollywood Premiere” (TLS S4;E20). This is the first of his six characters on “Here’s Lucy,” two of which are also policemen.

Sid Gould (Permit Office Clerk at Window C) 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 and was married to Vanda Barra (Waitress).

Irwin Charrone (Permit Office Clerk at Window B) made five appearances on “The Lucy Show.” The expressive character actor also did an equal number of “Here’s Lucy” episodes. He died in January 2016 in Maplewood, New Jersey, at the age of 93.

Jody Gilbert (Woman in Permit Line aka “Mrs. Kong”) appeared with Lucille Ball and Gale Gordon on the 1952 special “Stars in the Eye” celebrating the opening of CBS’s new Television City studios. She played a prison matron in her only appearance on both “The Lucy Show” and in her next and final appearance on “Here's Lucy.”

Larry J. Blake (Man at the Front of the Permit Line) appeared as a Native American Medicine Man in “Lucy the Rain Goddess” (TLS S4;E15). He was an ex-vaudevillian making the third of his eight “Here’s Lucy” appearances.

Florence Lake (Little Old Lady aka Mrs. Gibson) did four films with Lucille Ball between 1936 and 1938. This is her second and final episode of the series – both times as a classic Little Old Lady. She went on to appear in the 1974 TV movie “Happy Anniversary and Goodbye” starring Lucille Ball and Rhodes Reason (Lt. Egan).

Emile Autuori (Officer Collins, First Bailiff) makes the second of his six appearances on “Here’s Lucy.” He passed away in early 2017. He was the uncle of writer / director P.J. Castalleneta.

Although not spoken aloud, his name tag reads “Collins.”

John J. 'Red' Fox (Second Bailiff) was best known for playing policemen, which is what he did on five of his eight appearances on “The Lucy Show” as well as three of his five episodes of “Here’s Lucy.”

Vanda Barra (Waitress) was Lucille Ball’s cousin-in-law and married to Sid Gould (Permit Office Clerk at Window C). 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.”

Jack Berle (Detective, uncredited, right) was the older brother of Milton Berle. This is one of his eleven uncredited appearances on the series. He previously did two episodes of “The Lucy Show.”

Berle plays the Detective who arrests Harry, but has no dialogue.

Leon Alton (Courtroom Spectator, uncredited) appeared with Lucille Ball in The Facts of Life (1960) and Critic’s Choice (1963). He was in two episodes of “The Lucy Show.” This is the last of his three episodes of “Here’s Lucy.”

Shep Houghton (Courtroom Spectator, uncredited) began working as an extra while still a teenager, taking background jobs on weekends and attending high school during the week. Between 1934 and 1947 he made three films with Lucille Ball, including Too Many Girls, the movie that brought together Lucy and Desi Arnaz. He did two episodes of “The Lucy Show” and this, his only episode of “Here’s Lucy.” Houghton was one of the Winkie Guards in 1939’s The Wizard of Oz and a Southern Dandy in Gone With the Wind (1939).

Others at the Permit Office and in the courtroom are played by uncredited background performers.

January 19, 1971, the day after this episode first aired, Desi Arnaz Jr. (Craig Carter) celebrated his 18th birthday. Ironically, he does not appear in this episode.

When Lucy complains that the car her daughter won goes too fast (160mph!), Kim promises to put a governor in the car. Lucy says “Ronald Reagan has enough to worry about without riding around with you!” 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).

We learn that Harry plays croquet.

When the woman at the back of the line (Jody Gilbert) gets snide with Lucy, she says “Thank you Mrs. Kong. Give my regards to your son, King.” King Kong (1933) was a Hollywood film about a giant gorilla that attacked Manhattan. A sequel titled Son of Kong was released that same year.

When Lucy and Kim stack up the money they've made from their raffle, Lucy says “Oh, ho ho! You jolly green giant!” The Jolly Green Giant was the advertising character used to promote Green Giant Frozen Vegetables. Their ubiquitous TV commercial jingle went: “In the valley of the giant – ho ho ho – Green Giant!” The character was previously mentioned in “Lucy and Tennessee Ernie's Fun Farm” (S1;E23).

The winning raffle ticket belongs to Betty Gibson, a college friend of Kim's.

This episode is primarily based on "Ricky's European Booking" (ILL S5;E10) in which Lucy Ricardo and Ethel Mertz illegally raffle off a television set to fund their trip to Europe.

The Lucy character has been in the courtroom in front of many judges over the past 20 years:

“The Courtroom” (ILL S2;E7) in 1952, in which Moroni Olsen was the judge.

“Lucy Takes a Cruise To Havana” (LDCH) in June 1957, in which Jorge Trevino was the judge.

“Lucy Makes Room for Danny (LDCH) in December 1958, in which Gale Gordon was the judge.

“Lucy and the Runaway Butterfly (TLS S1;E29) in 1963, in which Ernest Sarracino was the judge.

“Lucy is Her Own Lawyer” (TLS S2;E23) in 1964, in which John McGiver was the judge.

“Lucy, the Metermaid” (TLS S3;E7) in 1964, in which Parley Baer was the judge.

“Lucy and the Soap Opera” (TLS S4;E19) in 1966, in which Sid Gould (who appears here as one of the Permit Office Clerks), played a judge in a TV soap opera. Which neatly brings things full circle!

FAST FORWARD!

Alan Rich plays Judge Cameron Potter in “Lucy, Legal Eagle” (S1;E7) aired on November 8, 1986.

Props! When Kim is shaking up the basket full of raffle tickets for Lucy to pick the winner, one ticket pops out. Lucie Arnaz says “Woops!” and pops it back in again.

“Lucy and the Raffle” rates 3 Paper Hearts out of 5

This episode isn't as compact and well-written as its inspiration, but it does feature a large cast of terrific actors and has a few laughs, too.

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