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Julia Butters on American Housewife Season 1

as Anna-Kat on American Housewife [S01 E01]

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ELIZABETH TAYLOR

February 27, 1932

Elizabeth Rosemond Taylor was born on February 27, 1932, in Hampstead Garden Suburb, London. She received dual British-American citizenship at birth, as her parents were United States citizens. The family lived in London during Taylor's childhood. In early 1939, the Taylors returned to the United States due to fear of impending war in Europe.

In California, Taylor's mother (a former stage actress) was frequently told that her daughter should audition for films. She made her screen debut in There’s One Born Every Minute (1942). She was ten years old. Two years later she played the leading role in National Velvet.  This launched a meteoric film career that won her two Oscars (1961 and 1967). 

Lucille Ball first met Elizabeth Taylor in an arranged ‘set visit’ during the shooting of 1953′s The Long, Long Trailer.  After that, they appeared twice on the same television shows, but did not share screen time. 

“’A Star Is Born’ World Premiere” (1954) ~ a live television broadcast of the red carpet interviews before film’s world premiere. 

“Sunday Showcase: A Tribute to Eleanor Roosevelt on Her Diamond Jubilee” (1959)

Although she started appearing on television in the early 1950s, her scripted TV debut came in 1970 when Lucille Ball invited her to appear (along with her priceless engagement ring and her actor husband, Richard Burton) on a very special episode of “Here’s Lucy” titled “Lucy Meets the Burtons” (HL S3;E1).  

For this show, a special Guest Star credit was created. Liz got top billing!    Although this episode kicked off the third season, it was filmed much later and moved up as the season premiere airing on September 14, 1970. 

It ultimately became CBS’s highest rated show on the air for the 1971-72 television season.  It was also the best remembered episode of the entire series.

This show’s plot was built around the real-life publicity achieved when Richard Burton bought his wife Elizabeth Taylor a 68 carat Cartier diamond ring worth over a million dollars. Property Master Ken Westcott created two replica rings for the medium and long shots which were crafted from chandelier crystals. Although he wanted to keep one after the shoot, Ball took one and Taylor took the other.

 A thirty minute documentary film “Lucy Meets the Burtons: A Comedic Gem” was included on DVD release of “Here’s Lucy” season 3. It includes interviews with Lucie Arnaz, Carole Cook, and behind the scenes footage.

Although this was their first and last time acting together, Taylor and Ball appeared on several television specials together, although they usually did not share screen time. 

“Dinah!” (1977) ~ Dinah Shore interviews the First Ladies of Entertainment. Taylor is interviewed via remote telephone connection. 

“Happy Birthday, Bob” (1978) ~ 75th birthday salute to Bob Hope at the Kennedy Center in Washington D.C. Taylor talks about the previous evening’s reception featuring President Jimmy Carter and reads a message from Prince Philip, The Duke of Edinburgh. Taylor talks about Hope’s contributions to the USO.

“General Electric's All-Star Anniversary” (1978)

“Women I Love: Beautiful But Funny” (1982) ~ Bob Hope takes a look back at the beautiful and funny women he has worked with over the years. 

“Bob Hope's Unrehearsed Antics of the Stars” (1984)

“Bob Hope's High-Flying Birthday” (1987)

Elizabeth Taylor’s personal life was no less dramatic than her on screen roles. She was married eight times to seven men, marrying Richard Burton twice. 

Larry Fortensky (1991-1996)

John Warner (1976-1982) 

Richard Burton (1975-1976) 

Richard Burton (1964-1974) 1 child

Eddie Fisher (1959-1964) 

Mike Todd (1957-1958, his death) 1 child

Michael Wilding (1952-1957) 2 children

Conrad Hilton (1950-1951)

Taylor’s later years were spent doing philanthropic work, concentrating on AIDS and LGBTQ rights. Following her conversion to Judaism, Taylor became an active supporter of Jewish and Zionist causes. 

In 2000, Taylor was designated a dame, the female equivalent of knight, on the queen's coveted New Year's list of titles and awards.

"Well, I've always been a 'broad.' Now it's a great honor to be a dame!"

Dame Elizabeth Taylor died on March 23, 2011 of congestive heart failure at age 79. 

TAYLOR MADE! 

Although she may not have appeared, Elizabeth Taylor’s name was mentioned on Lucille Ball’s sitcoms many times. 

In “Lucy is Matchmaker” (ILL S2;E27 ~ May 25, 1953) Elizabeth Taylor’s name is not mentioned, but her face is quickly seen on camera on the cover of a magazine in a newsstand!  

Although her name is never stated, Elizabeth Taylor was clearly one of the influences when Lucy donned “The Black Wig” (ILL S3;E26 ~ April 19, 1954). Taylor sported short dark hair throughout much of the 1950s, including in her latest film at the time, The Girl Who Had Everything. Instead, Lucy gives Italian actresses like Gina Lollobridgida and Anna Magnani the credit. 

In “Ricky’s Movie Offer” (ILL S4;E6 – November 8, 1954) Lucy and Ethel accidentally knock out talent scout Ben Benjamin. Lucy revives him and tries to act casual, as if in mid-conversation. “Do you mean to tell me that Elizabeth Taylor looks just as pretty off screen as she does on?”

In “Hollywood Anniversary” (ILL S4;E24 ~ April 4, 1955) the list of celebrity guests supposedly coming to Lucy’s anniversary party includes Elizabeth Taylor and Michael Wilding, her second husband. 

Incredibly (or perhaps legally), Liz Taylor’s name IS NOT explicitly mentioned in “Lucy Plays Cleopatra” (TLS S2;E1 ~ September 30, 1963) although the premise was clearly influenced by the smash hit film that came out that same year starring Taylor as Cleo. She was the third to play the Egyptian queen on film, after Theda Bara (1917) and Claudette Colbert (1934).  

In “Lucy Goes to a Hollywood Premiere” (TLS S4;E20 ~ February 7, 1966) one of Lucy’s rare movie magazines has a (fictional) article titled “Marriage is Not for Me” (supposedly) written by Elizabeth Taylor when she was 12 years old! By that time, Taylor’s love life was fodder for Hollywood gossip mongers and tabloids. 

In “Lucy Dates Dean Martin” (TLS S4;E21 ~ February 14, 1966)  Eddie Feldman (Dean Martin) says that while Lucy is attractive, she is no Liz Taylor. Or Gina Lollobrigida. Or Brigitte Bardot.

In “Lucy and the Starmaker” (TLS S6;E4 ~ October 2, 1967), after singing for Lucy, Tommy (Frankie Avalon) says he never thought he had more than an average voice. Lucy replies “if that is an average voice Elizabeth Taylor is an average housewife.”  

In “Lucy and Robert Goulet” (TLS S6;E8 ~ October 30, 1967) Lucy Carmichael says she once entered an Elizabeth Taylor look-alike contest and never even heard from them!

In “Lucy and the Lost Star” (TLS S6;E22 ~ February 26, 1968) starring Joan Crawford, Lucy says that “Mr. Mooney wouldn’t lend a dime to Richard Burton even if he left Elizabeth Taylor as collateral.”

In “A Date For Lucy” (HL S1;E19 ~ February 10, 1969) Lucy and Mary Jane fantasize about dream dates for an upcoming soiree. They mention Richard Burton, but add that Elizabeth Taylor wouldn’t approve. 

In “Lucy the Stunt Man” (TLS S4;E5 ~ October 18, 1965), Mr. Mooney jokingly says that he’s testing for the male lead in Liz Taylor’s next picture!

In “Lcuy Goes on Her Last Blind Date” (HL S5;E16 ~ January 8, 1973), when Vanda is trying on the engagement ring Ben gave Lucy, she says “Liz Taylor, eat your heart out.”  

In “Milton Berle is the Life of the Party” (HL S6;E19 ~ February 11, 1974) Elizabeth Taylor is just one of the more than 15 celebrity names mentioned! 

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whump tv show list

disclaimer: this is just a list of episodes I’ve found, if you have any requests to add to this list, go through my ask or reply to this! Thanks. Enjoy! 

Degrassi:

I Want Candy S3 E20 - Spinner pretends to be sick

Time Stands Still S4 E07 - Craig is sick (fever, coughing)

Idioteque S11 E05- Drew pretends to be sick to get out of school (coughing & faking fever)

Enjoy the Silence S13 E32 - Zig fakes sick with a sore throat to get out of school

American Housewife (Hulu):

The Mom Switch S2 E15 - Oliver gets sick 

 Grandma’s Way S3 E19 - Mom gets sick 

The Goldbergs (Hulu):

Barry’s Day Off S2 E14 - Barry fakes sick like Ferris Bueller

The Globetrotters S4 E9 - Barry gets the flu and can’t go to the Globetrotters game 

Island Time S7 E18 - Erica keeps throwing up and Geoff has to take care of her (during spring break on a vacation with the JTP)

Community: 

Studies in Modern Movement S3 E19 - Jeff fakes sick to get out of helping with Annie’s move 

Epidemiology S2 E6 - Pierce and a few other Greendale students ingest a bio-hazard substance at the school Halloween Party, causing them to exhibit flu-like symptoms and they soon begin turning into zombies. It is up to the rest of the gang to save themselves and the school when Dean Pelton locks them in with the zombie-infected student body

Henry Danger: 

Sick and Wired s4 e1 - Henry gets sick but his boss thinks he’s faking 

Malcom in the Middle (Hulu):  

Surgery S2 E17 - Malcolm gets his appendix out 

Halloween S7 E4- Malcolm gets sick on Halloween 

Mono S7 E13 - Lois gets mono then Malcolm gets it, too 

Greek (Hulu)

Move On, Carthwrights S1 E16 - Cappie gets sick with pink eye & a cold 

Parks & Rec: 

Flu Season S3 E2

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Daniel DiMaggio on American Housewife Season 1

as Oliver on American Housewife [S01 E01]

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Mackenzie Marsh on American Housewife Season 1

as Gail on American Housewife [S01 E01]

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Leslie Bibb on American Housewife Season 1

as Viv on American Housewife [S01 E01]

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Katy Mixon on American Housewife Season 1

as Katie on American Housewife [S01 E01]

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Diedrich Bader on American Housewife Season 1

as Greg on American Housewife [S01 E01]

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Carly Hughes on American Housewife Season 1

as Angela on American Housewife [S01 E01]

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Ali Wong on American Housewife Season 1

as Doris on American Housewife [S01 E01]

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YOU CAN’T FOOL YOUR WIFE

May 21, 1940

Director: Ray McCarey

Producer: Lee S. Marcus and Cliff Reid for RKO Radio Pictures

Writers: Jerome Cady, based on a story by Richard Carroll and Ray McCarey

Synopsis ~ Feeling neglected by her husband Andrew (James Ellison), drab housewife Clara Hinklin (Lucille Ball) walks out on him, much to the delight of her busybody mother-in-law (Emma Dunn). Realizing that she's still in love with her husband, Clara undergoes a glamour treatment, re-emerging in the guise of Latin American charmer Mercedes Vasquez. Reunited with her husband at a masquerade party, Clara tries to win him back by continuing her pose as the alluring Mercedes. Does Andrew fall back in love with Clara, or is he merely smitten by her seductive alter ego?

CAST

Lucille Ball (Clara Fields Hinklin / Mercedes Vasquez) makes her 49th film since coming to Hollywood in 1933. 

James Ellison (Andrew 'Hinkie' Hinklin) appeared with Lucille Ball in Next Time I Marry (1938) and Best Foot Forward (1943). 

Robert Coote ('Batty' Battincourt) appeared with Lucille Ball in Lured (1947). He was best know for playing Colonel Pickering in the 1956 Broadway musical My Fair Lady. 

William Halligan (J.R. Gillespie, Sr.) appeared with Lucille Ball in The Big Street (1942). 

Emma Dunn (Mother Fields) appeared with Lucille Ball in Dance, Girl, Dance (1940). 

Virginia Vale (Sally) makes her only appearance with Lucille Ball. 

Rosina Galli (Mama Brentoni) was an Italian-born actress making her only appearance with Lucille Ball. 

According to the Hollywood Reporter, Rosina Galli replaced Ferike Boros in the role when a scheduling conflict prevented Boros from appearing in the film.

Charles Lane (Salesman) appeared in six other films with Lucille Ball between 1933 and 1949: The Bowery (1933), Broadway Through a Keyhole (1933), Broadway Bill (1934), Joy of Living (1938), Look Who’s Laughing (1941), and Miss Grant Takes Richmond (1949). On “I Love Lucy,” Lane later went on to create memorable characters like Mr. Hickox in “The Business Manager” (ILL S4;E1) as well as the clock-watching passport office clerk in “Staten Island Ferry” (ILL S5;E12). He made a total of four appearances on “I Love Lucy” and two more on “The Lucy–Desi Comedy Hour.” In 1962, Lucille Ball cast him as banker Barnsdahl in the first season of "The Lucy Show.” He died at the ripe old age of 102.

Oscar O'Shea (Dr. Emery, Colony College Chaplain) makes his only appearance with Lucille Ball. 

Norman Mayes (Porter at Dock) is making his only screen appearance with Lucille ball. 

Patsy O'Byrne (Hotel Maid) appears with Lucille Ball in 1949′s Sorrowful Jones. 

Charlie Hall (Ritz Amsterdam Bellboy) appeared with Lucille Ball in Kid Millions (1934), Top Hat (1935), Five Came Back (1939), The Big Street (1942), and Seven Days’ Leave (1942). 

Dell Henderson (Ritz Amsterdam Manager) appeared with Lucille Ball in Bottoms Up (1934), Look Who’s Laughing (1941), Du Barry Was A Lady (1943), Meet the People (1944), and Abbott and Costello in Hollywood (1945).  

Minerva Urecal (Mrs. Doolittle) appeared with Lucille Ball in The Dark Corner (1946). 

Leo Cleary (Mr. Doolittle) also appeared with Lucille Ball in Dance, Girl, Dance (1940). 

Harrison Greene (Sullivan, the House Detective) makes his final appearance with Lucille Ball after being in Kid Millions (1934), Broadway Bill (1934), Foolish Hearts (1935), and The Farmer in the Dell (1936). 

Max Wagner (Burglar) appeared with Lucille Ball in Chatterbox (1936), Follow the Fleet (1936), There Goes My Girl (1937), Stage Door (1937), Room Service (1938), and Seven Days Leave (1942). 

Hobart Cavanaugh (Potts, GBG & P Vice President) makes his final appearance with Lucille Ball after being in Broadway Thru a Keyhole (1933), Moulin Rouge (1934), and That’s Right - You’re Wrong (1939). 

Walter Sande (Mr. Gillespie, Jr.) also appeared with Lucille Ball in A Woman of Distinction (1950). 

Walter Fenner (Walker) makes his only appearance with Lucille Ball. 

Irving Bacon (Lippincott, GBG & P Clerk)  was in six other films with Lucille Ball: The Bowery (1933), Broadway Bill (1934), I’ll Love You Always (1935), There Goes My Girl (1937),  A Girl, a Guy and a Gob (1941), and Look Who’s Laughing (1941). He appeared in three Best Picture Oscar winners: It Happened One Night (1934), You Can’t Take It With You (1938), and Gone With The Wind (1939).  On “I Love Lucy” he appeared as Mr. Willoughby in “The Marriage License” (ILL S1;E26) and played Ethel’s father Will Potter in “Ethel’s Hometown” (ILL S4;E16).  

Elaine Shepard (Peggy) also appeared with Lucille Ball in Ziegfeld Follies (1945).

Ronald R. Rondell (Battincourt's Friend at Party) appeared in six other films with Lucille Ball between 1934 and 1942.  

Mike Tellegen (Henchman) also appeared with Lucille Ball in Roberta (1935). 

‘YOU CAN’T FOOL’ TRIVIA

John Farrow (Mia’s father) briefly took over direction during the shoot when director McCarey fell ill. Farrow had directed Ball in 1939′s Five Came Back. 

Some scenes were shot on location at Royce Hall on the campus of UCLA in  Westwood, Los Angeles. Later in her career Lucille Ball lectured at UCLA on the subject of comedy and her career. 

You Can’t Fool Your Wife was generally considered a ‘B’ picture and for the most part was the second feature on a double bill.  The New York Daily News gave the film two and a half (out of five) stars. 

The working title of this film was "The Romantic Mr. Hinklin". It was based on an original story of the same name by Richard Carroll and Ray McCarey.

The Danish movie poster. 

The idea of a wife disguising herself to woo her husband was later explored on “I Love Lucy” in “The Black Wig” (ILL S3;E26) aired on April 19, 1954.

The Des Moines (IA) Register

There was a silent film, also titled You Can’t Fool Your Wife, which is now considered lost. It is not related to the 1940 film. 

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HAIR DYED

June 10, 1949

“Hair Dyed” aka “Liz Gets Her Hair Dyed” is episode #48 of the radio series MY FAVORITE HUSBAND broadcast on June 10, 1949 on the CBS Radio Network.

Synopsis ~  After George warning Liz about the dangers of idle gossip, Liz's chatty and absent-minded hair stylist forgets what she's doing and mistakenly dyes Liz's hair black. Nobody recognizes Liz, so she decides to flirt with George to test his fidelity. Gossip about Liz and George spreads all over town. 

Note: The first part of the script was later the basis for the “I Love Lucy” episode “The Gossip” (S1;E24) in March 1952.  The second half inspired “The Black Wig” (S3;E26) from April 1954. This has caused some confusion between “Hair Dyed” and a later episode of “My Favorite Husband” titled “Gossip” that more fully follows the storyline of “The Gossip” but does not included Liz / Lucy having black hair. 

REGULAR 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 as 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) was considered the front-runner to be cast as Ethel Mertz but when “I Love Lucy” was ready to start production she was already playing a similar role on TV’s “The George Burns and Gracie Allen Show” so Vivian Vance was cast instead. On “I Love Lucy” she was cast as Lucy Ricarodo’s spinster neighbor, Miss Lewis, in “Lucy Plays Cupid” (ILL S1;E15) in early 1952. Later, she was a success in her own show, “Petticoat Junction” as Shady Rest Hotel proprietress Kate Bradley. She starred in the series until her death in 1968.

Ruth Perrott (Katie, the Maid) was also later seen on “I Love Lucy.” She first played Mrs. Pomerantz, 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 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

GeGe Pearson (Bessie, Liz’s Beautician / Millie) was a veteran radio actress who made her debut on "The Red Skelton Show" in 1945. She guest starred with her real-life husband Hal Gerard as tourists in “Lucy Visits Grauman's” (ILL S5;E1). She is perhaps best remembered as the voice of Crusader Rabbit. 

Coincidentally, Liz compares Bessie to columnist Drew Pearson (no relation). 

Verna Felton (Grace) made her professional stage debut at the age of 10 as ‘Little Verna Felton,’ working extensively on stage. Felton was one of the most successful performers in radio, and soon went on to television. She played the persistent Mrs. Day (mother of Dennis) on “The Jack Benny Show” (1955-62). She received two Emmy nominations for her role in the Desilu series “December Bride,” playing Hilda Crocker from 1955 to 1959 opposite Spring Byington as Lily.  On “I Love Lucy” Felton portrayed Mrs. Porter, the no-nonsense housekeeper in “Lucy Hires a Maid” (ILL S2;E23). She was also featured in “Sales Resistance” (ILL S2;E17), playing Mrs. Simpson, a housewife to whom Lucy tries to sell a Handy Dandy vacuum cleaner - only to find out that she has no electricity! Felton worked extensively for Disney voicing various animated characters in classic films. 

“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 Benaderet 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 Coope.  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.

EPISODE ANNOUNCER: "As we look in on the Coopers tonight...”

The episode opens in the Cooper’s living room where Liz and Iris are gossiping about someone named Grace while George and Rudolph smoke cigars.

IRIS: “She didn’t!” LIZ: “She did!” RUDOLPH: “What do you think, George. Did she or didn’t she?”

On “I Love Lucy” Lucy is on the telephone gossiping to Marge about Betty while Ricky reads the paper. 

LUCY (to Marge): “She didn’t? She did? She didn’t?  She couldn’t!” RICKY: “Maybe that’s why she didn’t.” 

To give the girls an idea of how trivial they sound, the boys indulge in some mock gossiping from a feminine point of view. The retort is the same on both radio and television:

LIZ / LUCY: “Thank you, Hedda and Lolly.”

“Hedda and Lolly” are gossip columnists Hedda Hopper (left) and her rival Louella Parsons. Hopper famously played herself in an episode in season five of “I Love Lucy” as well as on the first episode of “The Lucy-Desi Comedy Hour.” 

George / Ricky admonish their wives about the pettiness of gossip. Liz promises to cut back but will have to cancel her hair appointment, claiming that the beauty salon is where women go to gossip. George is doubtful.

LIZ: “Well, you don’t know Bessie, my beauty operator. She’s the Drew Pearson of the mud packs.”

Andrew Russell Pearson (1897-1969) was one of the best-known American political columnists of his day, noted for his syndicated newspaper column "Washington Merry-Go-Round," in which he criticized various public persons. He also had a program on NBC Radio titled “Drew Pearson Comments.” 

Next day at the salon, Liz stops Bessie mid-gossip about Mrs. Andrews’ marital problems. Taken aback, Bessie refers to Liz as “old funnel ears”.  Liz covers her ears and pretends she can’t hear all the juicy gossip. Getting carried away with her mindless chatter, Bessie accidentally dyes Liz’s hair black!  She claims she can’t dye it back for two weeks without the risk Liz’s hair falling out!

LIZ: “Great!  I’ve got a choice between Black Beauty or Old Baldy.” 

Black Beauty is the eponymous horse featured in the 1877 novel by English author Anna Sewell. Coincidentally, Richard Denning (above with Mona Freeman) starred in a 1946 film adaptation of the book. Old Baldy probably refers to Mount San Antonio, in the San Gabriel mountains outside Los Angeles. 

Iris comes into the salon and doesn’t recognize Liz. Things take a turn for the meta when Bessie compares her to actress Lucille Ball!  

LIZ: “Oh! She’s pretty!  Do I look like her, Iris?” IRIS: “Nah. Lucille Ball never saw the day she looked as good as you did.” LIZ: “Thank you, I think.”

Although radio and film star Lucille Ball’s name was never mentioned on “I Love Lucy,” meta comparisons to Lucy Carter and Lucille Ball happened several times on “Here’s Lucy”. In the most memorable example, Ball actually played herself with dark hair. 

Liz decides to put George to the test to see if he will recognize her. It is here that the script starts to resemble the “I Love Lucy” episode “The Black Wig” (ILL S3;E26). Like Ricky, George pretends not to recognize her at first.  George  compares Liz’s new look to Prince Valiant. 

Prince Valiant was a comic book character from King Arthur’s court that first appeared in 1937. His hair was a black pageboy cut, which became known as a Prince Valiant haircut. Fred Mertz (William Frawley) dons a Prince Valiant wig for the PTA show in “The Celebrity Next Door” (1957) starring Tallulah Bankhead. 

George admits he knew it was Liz all along and was just teasing. Back at home Liz gets a telephone from Grace, who gossips that a friend of a friend that George was seen in town with a gorgeous woman with black hair.  When Liz admits that the woman was her, Grace thinks she is covering up and refuses to believe her!  It seems the rumor of George’s infidelity has swept the town. 

LIZ: “This is the biggest news since Ralph Miller’s wife found him downstairs with the upstairs maid.”

Millie calls to tell Liz what Grace has called to to tell her the news of George’s affair. A third caller doesn’t even get to say hello before Liz spills out: 

LIZ: “Yes I heard it no it isn’t true and why don’t you mind your own business.”

It turns out to be Iris, who also believes the gossip! 

LIZ: “Oh, no!  You too, Brutus Atterbury?” 

This line is a paraphrase of a line from Shakespeare’s Julius Caesar. When Brutus betrays Caesar, Caesar remarks “Et tu, Brute?” which is Latin for “You too, Brutus?”  Caesar is then stabbed to death by the senators, including Brutus, the ultimate betrayal of a friend. The play was recorded on records by Orson Welles in 1939, and reissued in 1953. The album was used as a plot device when Welles played himself on a 1956 episode of “I Love Lucy.” 

Iris has heard the woman was a willowy blonde, and Liz realizes how twisted and insidious gossip can be. Iris doesn’t believe it when Liz refutes the gossip.  Liz concocts a plan to get even with Iris. She calls Madge to make up a lie about Rudolph, knowing Madge will quickly spread it around. 

LIZ (to Madge): “I just heard that last Wednesday afternoon Mr. Atterbury had a Coke with his secretary in the drug store.  And that’s not all, one Coke; two straws.”

In the early part of the 20th century, drug stores generally had snack counters that served soft drinks, ice cream and other light refreshments.  They were a popular hang out for young people, away from the prying eyes of their parents. Sharing one drink with two straws was the height of intimacy. The corner drugstore was depicted several times on “I Love Lucy,” especially when Ricky and Fred needed to commiserate away from their wives. 

Katie doesn’t think very much of the rumor Liz has made up. 

LIZ: “Katie, I only planted the seed. By the time the girls get through cultivating it, it’ll be full grown poison ivy.”

George arrives home and Liz tells him what has been happening since their lunch. 

LIZ: “George, today our names have been on more lips than Camphor Ice.” 

Camphor Ice was an ointment made of white wax, camphor, and castor oil, used for dry, chapped skin, especially lips. It was an early form of Chapstick. 

Liz tells George about the rumor he spread about his boss, Mr. Atterbury, telling him that the last time she heard, the rumor had Mr. Atterbury spending Saturday night at the Continental Night Club with a beautiful blonde.

The doorbell rings. It is a despondent Mr. Atterbury, toothbrush and pajamas in hand. Iris has locked him out of the house due to the rumor.  Liz confesses that she spread the rumor.  Liz volunteers to confess her deception, but Mr. Atterbury confesses that he really WAS at the Continental Nightclub with a beautiful blonde!

[papermoonloveslucy]

LUCY’S FIRSTS & LASTS

The beginnings and ends of Lucille Ball’s more than 40 year television  career. 

THE FIRST time Lucille Ball appeared on television ~ December 1947

This was a local, not national, television program called “Mike Stokey’s Pantomime Quiz Time.” Lucy loved to play charades and later appeared on a similar show called “Body Language.” Records are vague, so the year may have been 1949, the same year Ball appeared on “Texaco Star Theatre.”  

THE LAST time Lucille Ball appeared on television ~ March 29, 1989

Lucy joined Bob Hope as a presenter of new talent on the 61st Annual Academy Awards. Three weeks later, Lucille Ball entered the hospital with chest pains. She underwent heart surgery and appeared to be recovering, but several days later she slipped into unconsciousness and died on April 27, 1989, at age 77.

THE FIRST time television viewers saw Lucille Ball in an acting role ~ October  15, 1951

Lucille Ball’s TV acting debut came as Lucy Ricardo on “I Love Lucy” in “The Girls Want To Go To A Nightclub” (ILL S1;E1). It established Lucy as a typical American housewife - doing dishes, naturally. She is joined by Vivian Vance as her friend, landlord, and neighbor, Ethel Mertz, beginning one of the greatest partnerships in television history. Although this was the first episode aired, it was not the first episode shot. 

THE LAST time television viewers saw Lucille Ball in an acting role ~ November  15, 1986

Although Ball made appearances as herself after this episode, this was her last time in an acting role, as Lucy Barker on “Life With Lucy”  in “Mother of the Bride” (LWL S1;E8). The vaudeville trope of a pie in the face is a fitting farewell to the Queen of Comedy.  She is joined by Audrey Meadows (”The Honeymooners”), as her sister Audrey Everett, a role that, had the series not been cancelled, may have returned to the show. Although this was the last episode aired, it was not the last episode shot.

THE FIRST time Lucille Ball acted on camera for television ~ September 8, 1951

This is the first shot of Lucille Ball in the first episode of “I Love Lucy” ever filmed, “Lucy Thinks Ricky Is Trying To Murder Her” (ILL S1;E4). Feeling it did not showcase Lucille Ball’s talents as much as “The Girls Want To Go To A Nightclub,” this episode was aired fourth instead. Notice that Ball’s trademark Lucy Ricardo hairstyle has not yet been established. 

THE LAST time Lucille Ball acted on camera for television ~ November 17, 1986

This is the final scene from “World’s Greatest Grandma” (LWL S1;E13).  “Life With Lucy” was cancelled after its initial order of 13 episodes. This episode was due to air on December 20, 1986 and a 14th show was planned titled “T’was the Flight Before Christmas.” Like her final TV appearance on the Oscars, Ball is flanked by a ‘new generation of actors’, here playing Lucy Barker’s grandchildren, Jenny Lewis and Philip Amelio.