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papermoonloveslucy · 3 years

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THE WILLS

March 19, 1950

“The Wills” (aka “The Coopers Make Their Wills”) is episode #80 of the radio series MY FAVORITE HUSBAND broadcast on March 19, 1950.

Synopsis ~ After Liz and George make out their wills, Liz is convinced that George intends to do away with her. Liz is startled to find a receipt for some arsenic and rope in his pocket, but is shocked when George suggests a trip to the country - with a one-way ticket for Liz!

Starting with this episode, “My Favorite Husband” moved from Thursday nights, to Sunday nights.

Note: This program was used as a basis for a scene in “I Love Lucy” episode “Lucy Thinks Ricky Is Trying to Murder Her” (ILL S1;E4) filmed on September 8, 1951 and first aired November 5, 1951. For various reasons, it was the first episode of the series filmed, but the fourth aired.

“My Favorite Husband” was based on the novels Mr. and Mrs. Cugat, the Record of a Happy Marriage (1940) and Outside Eden (1945) by Isabel Scott Rorick, which had previously been adapted into the film Are Husbands Necessary? (1942). “My Favorite Husband” was first broadcast as a one-time special on July 5, 1948. Lucille Ball and Lee Bowman played the characters of Liz and George Cugat, and a positive response to this broadcast convinced CBS to launch “My Favorite Husband” as a series. Bowman was not available Richard Denning was cast as George. On January 7, 1949, confusion with bandleader Xavier Cugat prompted a name change to Cooper. On this same episode Jell-O became its sponsor. A total of 124 episodes of the program aired from July 23, 1948 through March 31, 1951. After about ten episodes had been written, writers Fox and Davenport departed and three new writers took over – Bob Carroll, Jr., Madelyn Pugh, and head writer/producer Jess Oppenheimer. In March 1949 Gale Gordon took over the existing role of George’s boss, Rudolph Atterbury, and Bea Benadaret was added as his wife, Iris. CBS brought “My Favorite Husband” to television in 1953, starring Joan Caulfield and Barry Nelson as Liz and George Cooper. The television version ran two-and-a-half seasons, from September 1953 through December 1955, running concurrently with “I Love Lucy.” It was produced live at CBS Television City for most of its run, until switching to film for a truncated third season filmed (ironically) at Desilu and recasting Liz Cooper with Vanessa Brown.

MAIN CAST

Lucille Ball (Liz Cooper) was born on August 6, 1911 in Jamestown, New York. She began her screen career in 1933 and was known in Hollywood as ‘Queen of the B’s’ due to her many appearances in ‘B’ movies. With Richard Denning, she starred in a radio program titled “My Favorite Husband” which eventually led to the creation of “I Love Lucy,” a television situation comedy in which she co-starred with her real-life husband, Latin bandleader Desi Arnaz. The program was phenomenally successful, allowing the couple to purchase what was once RKO Studios, re-naming it Desilu. When the show ended in 1960 (in an hour-long format known as “The Lucy-Desi Comedy Hour”) so did Lucy and Desi’s marriage. In 1962, hoping to keep Desilu financially solvent, Lucy returned to the sitcom format with “The Lucy Show,” which lasted six seasons. She followed that with a similar sitcom “Here’s Lucy” co-starring with her real-life children, Lucie and Desi Jr., as well as Gale Gordon, who had joined the cast of “The Lucy Show” during season two. Before her death in 1989, Lucy made one more attempt at a sitcom with “Life With Lucy,” also with Gordon.

Richard Denning (George Cooper) was born Louis Albert Heindrich Denninger Jr., in Poughkeepsie, New York. When he was 18 months old, his family moved to Los Angeles. Plans called for him to take over his father’s garment manufacturing business, but he developed an interest in acting. Denning enlisted in the US Navy during World War II. He is best known for his roles in various science fiction and horror films of the 1950s. Although he teamed with Lucille Ball on radio in “My Favorite Husband,” the two never acted together on screen. While “I Love Lucy” was on the air, he was seen on another CBS TV series, “Mr. & Mrs. North.” From 1968 to 1980 he played the Governor on “Hawaii 5-0″, his final role. He died in 1998 at age 84.

Gale Gordon (Rudolph Atterbury) had worked with Lucille Ball on “The Wonder Show” on radio in 1938. One of the front-runners to play Fred Mertz on “I Love Lucy,” he eventually played Alvin Littlefield, owner of the Tropicana, during two episodes in 1952. After playing a Judge in an episode of “The Lucy-Desi Comedy Hour” in 1958, he would re-team with Lucy for all of her subsequent series’: as Theodore J. Mooney in ”The Lucy Show”; as Harrison Otis Carter in “Here’s Lucy”; and as Curtis McGibbon on “Life with Lucy.” Gordon died in 1995 at the age of 89.

Bea Benadaret (Iris Atterbury) does not appear in this episode.

Ruth Perrott (Katie, the Maid) was also later seen on “I Love Lucy.” She first played Mrs. Pomerantz (above right), a member of the surprise investigating committee for the Society Matrons League in “Pioneer Women” (ILL S1;E25), as one of the member of the Wednesday Afternoon Fine Arts League in “Lucy and Ethel Buy the Same Dress” (ILL S3;E3), and also played a nurse when “Lucy Goes to the Hospital” (ILL S2;E16). She died in 1996 at the age of 96.

Bob LeMond (Announcer) also served as the announcer for the pilot episode of “I Love Lucy”. When the long-lost pilot was finally discovered in 1990, a few moments of the opening narration were damaged and lost, so LeMond – fifty years later – recreated the narration for the CBS special and subsequent DVD release.

GUEST CAST

Herb Vigran (Doctor Stephens) made several appearances on “My Favorite Husband.” He would later play Jule, Ricky’s music union agent on two episodes of “I Love Lucy”. He would go on to play Joe (and Mrs. Trumbull’s nephew), the washing machine repairman in “Never Do Business With Friends” (S2;E31) and Al Sparks, the publicity man who hires Lucy and Ethel to play Martians on top of the Empire State Building in “Lucy is Envious” (S3;E23). Of his 350 screen roles, he also made six appearances on “The Lucy Show.”

EPISODE

ANNOUNCER: “As we look in on the Coopers tonight, it's just after dinner, and we find Liz and George settling down to a normal evening's conversation.”

George has something he needs to talk to Liz about. Liz immediately thinks it is something to do with her household budget, but George wants to talk about their wills. The subject immediately upsets Liz. The idea of living without George sends Liz into gales of tears. George wants her to read it, and threatens to leave everything to his mother if she doesn’t. Liz snatches the will from him. George then tells her that he has had her will drawn up as well.

LIZ: “What for? You're the one who's going! What are you trying to do, push me ahead of you in line?”

George reminds her of the three acres of Florida beachfront property that her father left her, which she calls ‘Sunken Acres.’ George always assumed it was oil land.

LIZ: “If there's any oil down there, it's still in a whale. Oh! I see it all now, George! You want me to sign a will leaving everything to you, and then you'll bump me off! You want to get your dirty fishhooks on my oil holdings!

Liz agrees to read and sign the will as the scene fades out. At the bank the next day, Mr. Atterbury notices that George seems tired. George admits he was up late talking to Liz about their wills. Mr. Atterbury proposes that the Coopers join him and Iris at their mountain lodge for the weekend, flying up, and then leaving the girls there for the week while they fly back for work. The following weekend they will drive up to get them in Mr. Atterbury’s new car.

Mr. Atterbury has already bought the airline tickets and asks George to go to the hardware store for a few items.

MR. ATTERBERRY: “I need poison for those horrible little gophers up there. And some rope for a clothesline, and a couple of sacks of cement. Iris wants a patio so she can sunbathe. Come to think of it, that ought to keep the gophers away.” GEORGE: “Let me make a list on the back of this envelope. Now, poison, ropes, cement...” MR. ATTERBERRY: “Oh, and I need an axe, too.”

Mr. Atterbury tells George that they should tell their wives that they are just going for a weekend, so that they don’t rush out to buy a week’s worth of new clothes.

At the Cooper home, Katie the Maid is preparing dinner. George comes home and tells Liz the good news that they’ll be going to the Atterbury’s lodge this weekend, and he’s got the airline tickets in his pocket. As George goes upstairs to prepare for dinner, Katie reminds Liz that she has a beauty shop appointment on Saturday. Liz wonders what time the plane leaves, and fishes in George’s jacket pocket to check the tickets. She notices that one tickets is round trip, and the other is one way! Liz immediately assumes one of them isn’t coming back, and reminds Katie that George asked her to sign her will! She notices some writing on the envelope that looks like a shopping list.

LIZ: “Poison! He's going to take me out in the woods and poison me! Look, at the next item - rope. If the poison doesn't work, he's gonna hang me! Cement. If I live through the poison and the rope, he's gonna put my feet in cement and dump me in the lake! Look what's next - axe! If I able to hold my breath, he's gonna swim in the water and chop me to pieces!” KATIE: “Oh, how can Mr. Cooper do such a thing?” LIZ: “With that list of weapons, how can he miss?“

Liz realizes why George might want to do away with her - they’ve finally struck oil on Sunken Acres!

End of Part One

Announcer Bob LeMond reads a live Jell-O commercial.

ANNOUNCCER: “As we return to the Coopers, we find Liz in a state of nervous apprehension. After years of having George under her thumb, she's suddenly discovered that he's bout to put the finger on her. Or at least she thinks he is. But right now it's after dinner, and Liz, the intended victim, is in the living room, reading. While George, the killer, is slowly stalking up behind her.”

George kisses Liz on the back of the neck. She screams! Liz nervously says that she’d rather not go to the Atterbury’s lodge this weekend.

GEORGE: “What? Why, Liz, you love the lodge. You always say that's your idea of living.” LIZ: “Well, I want to keep it that way.”

George says that he has a big surprise for her up there. Liz suggests he take his mother and give HER the big surprise!

GEORGE: “Now, don't be silly! You just wait: When you wake up Monday morning, you'll be very pleasantly surprised.” LIZ: “If I wake up Monday morning, I'll be surprised.”

Liz wonders if George is having money problems. She asks him why he made her sign her will last night. George says that if it bothers her so much, he’ll tear it up - as soon as they get back from the lodge.

Liz runs to her bedroom and locks the door! George telephones Dr. Stephens (Herb Vigran) to report that Liz is acting peculiar.

DOCTOR: “Peculiar for Liz, or peculiar for normal people?”

RICKY RICARDO: “Lucy is acting crazy!” FRED MERTZ: “Crazy for Lucy or crazy for ordinary people?”

This joke was adapted for Lucy Ricardo in “Lucy Thinks Ricky Is Trying To Do Murder Her” with Fred Mertz taking the Doctor’s line.

Doctor Stephens cannot make a house call because he’s got an appointment with his psychoanalyst, but he tells George to give Liz a sedative until he can get there.

Liz comes in for a glass of water. George tells her that he’s had Katie prepare them some hot milk. In the kitchen, Katie tells Liz that she saw Mr. Cooper pour a powder into one of the glasses. Liz says she’ll just switch the glasses so that George drinks the one with the powder in it.

In the living room she distracts George just long enough to switch the glasses. But when George lifts his glass to drink, Liz dashes it from his hand. She says she couldn’t do it to him, even if he could do it to her.

LIZ: “You put something in my glass, didn't you, George? Well, I fooled you! I switched glasses!” GEORGE: “I had a hunch that's why Katie called you, so I switched them again while you were out of the room.”

Liz starts to gag as if she’s been poisoned! Liz falls to the floor, convinced she is going to die, trying to make peace with George in her final moments.

LIZ: “If I had my life to live over again, I want you to know I'd do better. I could stay within the budget, if I tried. (coughs) And I'd never buy clothes I need. (coughs) I'd throw away my charge-a-plate.”

The doorbell rings. It is Mr. Atterbury, come to make the ‘final arrangements.’ Liz tells George that she saw the one way ticket, and the shopping list for poison and the axe. The men dissolve in laughter. Mr. Atterbury explains that those were supplies for the lodge. Liz is angry that she’s been tricked, and refuses to keep the promises she made in her ‘final moments’.

LIZ: "I didn't know what I was saying! I was under the influence of warm milk!”

End of Episode

In the live Jell-O commercial, Lucille Ball plays a Mexican spy, and Bob LeMond is interviewing her for a job.

In the bedtime tag, it is five in the morning and George is reading a suspenseful magazine story. Liz begs him to turn out the light, but then can’t sleep until he knows the outcome of the story. Liz grabs the magazine and reads the last lines.

LIZ: “The huge, shapeless thing crept slowly up behind Mildred, and before she could scream it slipped its bony hands around her - Oh, no!!!” GEORGE: “What does it say, Liz? Around her what?” LIZ: “Around her continued next week! Good night!”

ANNOUNCER: “You have been listening to ‘My Favorite Husband’ starring Lucille Ball, with Richard Denning, and based on characters created by Isobel Scott Rorick. Tonight's transcribed program was produced and directed by Jess Oppenheimer, who wrote the script with Madelyn Pugh and Bob Carroll, Jr. Be sure to get the April Issue of ‘Radio Mirror Magazine’ with the big picture of Lucille Ball on the cover. That's the April issue of ‘Radio Mirror Magazine.’ Original music was composed by Marlin Skyles and conducted by Wilbur Hatch. Bob LeMond speaking.”

#My Favorite Husband #Lucille Ball #Richard Denning #Gale Gordon #I Love Lucy #Ruth Perrott #Bob LeMond #Herb Vigran #radio #CBS #Radio Mirror #The Wills #Jello

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gatutor · 3 years

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Herb Vigran-Dennis O´Keefe-Helen Walker “Her adventurous night” 1946, de John Rawlins.

#Helen Walker #Dennis O´Keefe #Herb Vigran #John Rawlins

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kwebtv · 4 years

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Character Actor

Herbert Vigran (June 5, 1910 – November 29, 1986) Character actor in Hollywood from the 1930s to the 1980s. Over his 50-year career, he made over 350 television and film appearances.

He had hundreds of television appearances on shows like Adventures of Superman (six episodes), Dragnet (1951 TV series) (eleven episodes), I Love Lucy (four episodes), The Adventures of Ozzie and Harriet (seven episodes), The Dick Van Dyke Show (three episodes), Perry Mason (two episodes), Dragnet 1967 (seven episodes), Petticoat Junction (one episode, 1969), and The Brady Bunch (two episodes). Vigran had a recurring role as Judge Brooker in Gunsmoke between 1970-1975. He appeared in a number of I Love Lucy episodes, and in the 1954 episode titled "Lucy Is Envious", Vigran is the promoter who hired Lucy and Ethel to dress up as "Women From Mars" for a publicity stunt. With his bushy eyebrows and balding pate, he was easily cast in a wide variety of middle-aged "everyman" roles: cops, small-time crooks, judges, jurors, bartenders, repairmen, neighbors, shopkeepers, etc (Wikipedia)

#Herb Vigran #TV #Character Actor

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meanstreetspodcasts · 4 years

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Remembering actor Herb Vigran (June 5, 1910 – November 29, 1986)

Along with his hundreds of film and TV credits, Vigran was a busy radio actor on shows like Dragnet, Tales of the Texas Rangers, Father Knows Best, Fibber McGee and Molly, and more!

#Herb Vigran #old time radio #golden age of radio

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esperwatchesfilms · 3 years

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Benji (1974)

ESE: 85/100

50 +5 for Benji dog +10 for smart dog delivering newspaper +2 for pigtails with bows +5 for Benji’s routine +5 for Benji’s girlfriend, Tiffany +3 for cuties at the bird bath +5 for puppy cuddles -20 for kidnappers! +5 for taking the letter to get their attention +10 for the musical score -10 for the kidnapper kicking Tiffany!! +10 for Benji saving the day +5 for the family adopting Benji and Tiffany

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classicfilmfan64 · 4 years

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Screen captures from NOT AS A STRANGER, 1955.

Seen here is Lee Marvin, in a small role, he was not yet a star, with Robert Mitchum, and Frank Sinatra, Carl 'ALFALFA' Switzer, as an adult, in a :15 long cameo, and Jesse White, Charles Bickford, and Olivia DeHavilland. This film is loaded with character actors, in small, often very short cameo roles.

Olivia de Havilland as Kristina Hedvigson

Robert Mitchum as Dr. Lucas Marsh

Frank Sinatra as Alfred Boone

Gloria Grahame as Harriet Lang

Broderick Crawford as Dr. Aarons

Charles Bickford as Dr. Dave W. Runkleman

Myron McCormick as Dr. Clem Snider

Lon Chaney, Jr. as Job Marsh

Jesse White as Ben Cosgrove

Harry Morgan as Oley

Lee Marvin as Brundage

Eve McVeagh as Mrs. Ferris

Mae Clarke as Nurse Odell

Whit Bissell as Dr. Dietrich

Virginia Christine as Bruni

Stafford Repp as Orientation Doctor (uncredited)

Jerry Paris as Thompson

Herb Vigran as Lou, Pharmaceutical Salesman (uncredited)

'Not as a Stranger is a 1955 American film noir drama film produced and directed by Stanley Kramer, starring Olivia de Havilland, Robert Mitchum, and Frank Sinatra, and based on the 1954 novel of the same name by Morton Thompson. The romantic hospital melodrama novel was widely popular, topping that year's list of bestselling novels in the United States. The film was Kramer's directorial debut.'

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papermoon4 · 5 years

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“The Lucy Show” ~ Season 3

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 and the Good Skate” (S3;E1) ~ September 21, 1964

“Lucy and the Plumber” (S3;E2) ~ September 28, 1964

“Lucy and the Winter Sports” (S3;E3) ~ October 5, 1964

“Lucy Gets Amnesia” (S3;E4) ~ October 12, 1964

“Lucy and the Great Bank Robbery” (S3;E5) ~ October 19, 1964

“Lucy, the Camp Cook” (S3;E6) ~ October 25, 1964

“Lucy, the Meter Maid” (S3;E7) ~ November 2, 1964

“Lucy Makes a Pinch” (S3;E8) ~ November 9, 1964

“Lucy Becomes a Father” (S3;E9) ~ November 16, 1964

“Lucy’s Contact Lenses” (S3;E10) ~ November 23, 1964

“Lucy Gets Her Maid” (S3;E11) ~ November 30, 1964

“Lucy Gets the Bird” (S3;E12) ~ December 7, 1964

“Lucy, the Coin Collector” (S3;E13) ~ December 14, 1964

“Lucy and the Missing Stamp” (S3;E14) ~ December 21, 1964

“Lucy Meets Danny Kaye” (S3;E15) ~ December 28, 1964

“Lucy and the Ceramic Cat” (S3;E16) ~ January 11, 1965

“Lucy Goes to Vegas” (S3;E17) ~ January 18, 1965

“Lucy and the Monsters” (S3;E18) ~ January 25, 1965

“Lucy and the Countess” (S3;E19) ~ February 1, 1965

“My Fair Lucy” (S3;E20) ~ February 8, 1965

“Lucy and the Countess Lose Weight” (S3;E21) ~ February 15, 1965

“Lucy and the Old Mansion” (S3;E22) ~ March 1, 1965

“Lucy and Arthur Godfrey” (S3;E23) ~March 8, 1965

“Lucy and the Beauty Doctor” (S3;E24) ~ March 22, 1965

“Lucy the Stockholder” (S3;E25) ~ March 29, 1965

“Lucy the Disc Jockey” (S3;E26) ~ April 12, 1965

SEASON SUMMARY

Regular Cast: Lucille Ball (Lucy Carmichael), Vivian Vance (Vivian Bagley), Gale Gordon (Theodore J. Mooney), Jimmy Garrett (Jerry Carmichael), Ralph Hart (Sherman Bagley), Candy Moore (Chris Carmichael)

Recurring Characters: Keith Andes (Bill King), Ann Sothern (Rosie Harrigan, the Countess Frambois), Carole Cook (Mrs. Valance)

Guest Cast playing Characters: Jack Benny, Bob Hope, Fifi D’Orsay, Max Showalter, Sid Gould, Havey Korman, Madge Blake, Parley Baer, Joe Mell, Kathleen Freeman, Norma Varden, Mabel Albertson, Herb Vigran, Gary Morton, Louis A. Nicoletti, Reta Shaw, Norman Leavitt, Pat Harrington Jr.

Guest Cast playing Themselves: Danny Kaye, Arthur Godfrey, Dick Patterson

Live Animal Cast: Bear (Brownie), Cockatiel (Greenback), Cow (Bossie), Horse (Fury), Mouse (”Lucy and the Monsters”), Whippet (”My Fair Lucy”)

There were 26 new episodes

Episodes Written by Bob Weiskopf, Bob Schiller, Garry Marshall, Jerry Belson, Milt Josefsberg, Bob O’Brien, Ray Singer, Dick Chevillat, Leonard Gersche, Vic McLeod, Iz Ellinson, Fred S. Fox, Bob O’Hallaren, David Braverman, Bob Marcus

All episodes Directed by Jack Donohue

All episodes filmed in color, but originally aired by CBS in black and white

Filmed at Stage 21, Desilu Studios, Hollywood

Total Binge Hours: 13 hours (with commercials)

Papermoon’s Full Moon Pick: “My Fair Lucy” (E20)

Papermoon’s Half Moon Pick: “Lucy and the Ceramic Cat” (E16)

Season 2 was #8 in the ratings (down from #6) with a 26.6 share (down from 28.1). This was the lowest rated season of the series.

The opening credits changed again, introducing the kaleidoscope title sequence using clips of previous episodes.

Season 3 was released on DVD on November 30, 2010

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badgaymovies · 4 years

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Today's review on MyOldAddiction.com, Susan Slept Here by #FrankTashlin starring #DickPowell and #DebbieReynolds, "couldn’t possibly go down smoothly nowadays" FRANK TASHLIN Bil's rating (out of 5): BB.5. USA, 1954. Harriet Parsons Productions.

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rpsabetto · 6 years

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White Christmas

(USA 1954)

“May your days be merry and bright; and may all your Christmases be white!”

— Cast

I’ve never heard anyone — not even my grandparents — call White Christmas their favorite movie. Nonetheless, as corny holiday adventure romantic comedies go, it’s a holiday treat that can’t be beat. This year, we caught a double feature (White Christmas and It’s a Wonderful Life) complete with live…

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oldshowbiz · 3 years

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Herb Vigran was a bit player in hundreds and hundreds of TV shows

#herb vigran #otr #character actors

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papermoonloveslucy · 3 years

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SCREEN DIRECTOR’S PLAYHOUSE: MISS GRANT TAKES RICHMOND

May 19, 1950

Screen Directors Playhouse was a radio anthology series which brought leading Hollywood actors to the NBC microphones beginning in 1949. The radio program broadcast adaptations of films, and original directors of the films were sometimes involved, although their participation was usually limited to introducing the radio adaptations, and a brief “curtain call” with the cast and host at the end of the program. The series later had a brief run on television. The radio version ran for 122 episodes and aired on NBC from January 9, 1949 to September 28, 1951 under several different titles: NBC Theater, Screen Director’s Guild Assignment, Screen Director’s Assignment and, as of July 1, 1949, Screen Director’s Playhouse.

This radio adaptation of “Miss Grant Takes Richmond” stars Lucille Ball in her original film role of Ellen Grant. It was directed by Bill Cairn, produced by Howard Wiley. Composer and conductor was Robert Armbruster. The script was adapted by Richard Allen Simmons. It aired on NBC radio on May 19, 1950. On February 22, 1951, "The Screen Guild Theater" broadcast a 60 minute radio adaptation of the movie with William Holden reprising his film role.

Miss Grant Takes Richmond is a 1949 comedy film starring Lucille Ball and William Holden, directed by Lloyd Bacon and released by Columbia Pictures. It was released under the title Innocence is Bliss in the UK. Rita Hayworth was going to star in the movie, but Hayworth requested script revisions, and went on suspension to avoid making it.

Synopsis ~ An inept secretary goes to work for a bogus real estate firm thinking it's for real.

Note: The title is a pun on the historical fact that General Ulysses S. Grant ‘took back’ the city of Richmond, Virginia, from the Confederacy, who used it as their capital during the Civil War (April 1865).

CAST

Lucille Ball (Ellen Grant) previously appeared on Screen Directors Playhouse in “Her Husband’s Affairs” (May 22, 1949), a film she had also appeared in on screen. She will return for “A Foreign Affair” (March 1, 1951) in the role originated by Jean Arthur, and “Bachelor Mother” (March 8, 1951), taking the role originated by her friend Ginger Rogers. Miss Grant (1949) was Ball’s 72nd motion picture.

Lucille Ball repeats her film role of Ellen Grant.

Steve Dunne (Dick Richmond) replaced Howard Duff as the voice of the famous private eye in "The Adventures of Sam Spade," the 1946-1951 radio series.

Dunne was in the film version, but he played the minor role of Ralph Winton.

Arthur Q. Bryan (Judge Ben Grant, Ellen’s Uncle) had appeared with Lucille Ball in Look Who’s Laughing (1941). He is best remembered as the original voice of Elmer Fudd in the Warner Brothers cartoons. He played Mr. Chambers, new owner of the Tropicana in “Ricky Loses His Voice” (ILL S2;E9) in 1952.

On screen, the role was played by George Cleveland.

Frank Nelson (Mr. Woodruff) was born on May 6, 1911 (three months before Lucille Ball) in Colorado Springs, Colorado. He started working as a radio announcer at the age of 15. He later appeared on such popular radio shows as “The Great Gildersleeve,” “Burns and Allen,” “Fibber McGee & Molly”. and a dozen episodes of Lucille Ball’s “My Favorite Husband.” On “I Love Lucy” he holds the distinction of being the only actor to play two recurring roles: Freddie Fillmore and Ralph Ramsey, as well as six one-off characters, including the frazzled train conductor in “The Great Train Robbery” (ILL S5;E5), a character he repeated on “The Lucy Show.” Aside from Lucille Ball, Nelson is perhaps most associated with Jack Benny and was a fifteen-year regular on his radio and television programs, often playing store clerks like this one.

On screen, the role was played by Charles Lane, one of the few character actors that appeared as frequently as Nelson with Lucille Ball.

Herb Vigran (Mr. Kilcoyne) occasionally turned up on Lucille Ball’s radio show, “My Favorite Husband” (1948-50) in various roles. He appeared on “I Love Lucy” as Jule, Ricky’s music agent, in “The Saxophone” (ILL S2;E2) and “The Anniversary Present” (ILL S2;E3). He also played Mrs. Trumbull’s nephew Joe in “Never Do Business With Friends” (ILL S2;E31) and Al Sparks in “Lucy is Envious” (ILL S3;E23). He went on to appear on select episodes of “The Lucy Show” and Here’s Lucy.”

On screen, the role was played by Frank McHugh.

Jean Bates (Peggy Donato) was a model before becoming an actress, doing radio, TV and film. She worked from 1943 to 2001.

Norman Field was one of at least six actors to play Judge Hunter on the NBC-Radio soap, “One Man's Family” (1932-50). He played Charlie's school principal on “The Edgar Bergen/Charlie McCarthy Show” (1939-56), Josh Chandler on “Dear John” (1940-44), Uncle George on “Meet Corliss Archer”, Inspector Danton on “Mystery Is My Hobby” (1947-49), and Judge Babson on “The Amazing Mr. Tutt” (1948).

Jimmy Wallington (Announcer)

Lloyd Bacon (Original Film Director Guest) was also a guest when three of his films were featured on “Screen Director’s Playhouse”: “You Were Meant For Me” (March 3, 1949), “Don’t Trust Your Husband” (September 23, 1949), and “It Happens Every Spring” (April 14, 1950).

EPISODE

From a busy typing pool headed by Mr. Woodruff (Frank Nelson), real estate employer Dick Richmond picks the inept Ellen Grant (Lucille Ball). He takes her back to the office and introduces her to Mr. Kilcoyne (Herb Vigran). Dick confides in Mr. Kilcoyne that he deliberately picked Miss Grant because she looks good but is pretty dim - the perfect cover for their bookie operation! Kilcoyne dictates to Ellen about some low cost housing. She tells him that no one can ever dictate too fast for her. If she misses a word, she just puts in a ‘doofer’ - something that’ll ‘do for’ now.

Ellen calls her Uncle Ben, a judge, to tell him about her new job. While she’s on the phone Peggy Donato barges in to see Dick. In the conference room, it is clear Peggy and Dick are in a relationship. Peggy is immediately suspicious of the new secretary. She is unhappy when she is rebuffed by Dick. Before leaving, she tells Ellen to give a message to Dick: Five thousand on the Flywell property at Belmont. Dick comes out of the conference room and tells Ellen that the low-cost housing project is off.

Ellen comes into the office with her Uncle Ben. She has arranged it so that Dick can buy the low-cost housing at a discount price. Judge Ben has even brought the papers. With no way out - Dick and Mr. Kilcoyne sign and the judge leaves. She suddenly remembers the message Peggy left for him. Alarmed, they check the papers and realize they owe Peggy fifty grand! In the conference room, Dick and Mr. Kilcoyne conspire to make Ellen quit before they go bankrupt. To put the plan in action, Dick kisses Ellen. Indignant at his liberty, she promptly quits. She no sooner returns and says that she will stay on to see through the low-cost housing project - but no further hanky panky will be tolerated! The two men adjourn to the conference room! End of Act One

A live commercial is for RCA television sets. The pitch involves getting a set that fits the consumer’s home. In the second part, Ellen still doesn’t realize her employers are NOT in the real estate business. Dick has a plan to go ahead and build the houses - and skim the profits off the top to pay their debt to Peggy. Knowing her mental acumen is not great, Dick pitches a promotion to Ellen - heading up the housing project.

As boss, Ellen starts making silly decisions that frustrate her contractors. Ellen is getting frustrated when the project starts to fall apart - physically and financially. The project grinds to a halt.

Dick makes the ultimate sacrifice, he humbles himself to Peggy and take her back - personally and professionally. It isn’t long before the scheme works and the company is flush again. The conference room phone rings and it is someone looking to bet on a horse. She realizes she has been conned. Dick returns and Ellen quits, humiliated at being duped. Kilcoyne takes her aside and tells Ellen that Dick cares for her and is looking to go straight - but can’t get out of his relationship with Peggy.

Ellen bursts in on Peggy and Dick - gun pointed at her. She tells Peggy that she is mother of Dick’s children - and fires a warning shot. Peggy quickly gives him up and Dick and Ellen leave together.

In the car, Dick and Ellen. She makes it clear that she’s in charge from now on. Miss Grant just took Richmond!

End of Act Two

Lucille Ball and Jimmy Wallington do an RCA Victor commercial. She says she milks the cows at Chatsworth listening to her RCA record collection.

Lucille introduces the evening’s director Lloyd Bacon. Bacon says he started in movies 1915. Ball extolls his talents in directing. They bid the audience good night.

Wallington returns to say that next week will feature “Flamingo Road” starring Joan Crawford recreating her original role.

CREDITS

Thanks to Columbia Pictures, currently represented by No Sad Songs for Me

Lucille Ball can be heard on her own radio show and soon in the film The Fuller Brush Girl

Lloyd Bacon appears courtesy of 20th Century Fox, producers of Ticket To Tomahawk

#Lucille Ball #Miss Grant Takes Richmond #Lloyd Bacon #Screen Directors' Playhouse #Radio #Steve Dunne #Herb Vigran #Frank Nelson #Arthur Q. Bryan #Jimmy Wallington #Jean Bates #Norman Field #RCA #RCA Victor

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