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papermoonloveslucy · 8 years ago

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MOD, MOD LUCY

S1;E1 ~ September 23, 1968

“Here's Lucy” Background

In December 1967 Lucille Ball sold Desilu Studios to Paramount. “The Lucy Show” was in its sixth season and still at the top of the ratings for CBS. Ball was not interested in working for Paramount and “The Lucy Show” now had enough episodes to qualify for syndication, so she decided to form her own production company named Lucille Ball Productions (LBP) and produce a new show for CBS. First, she asked her own children Lucie Arnaz and Desi Arnaz Jr. if they would be interested in starring alongside her. Gale Gordon would co-star. Eventually, Mary Jane Croft would also join the cast. Ball's husband Gary Morton would act as co-Producer and his actor cousins Sid Gould and Vanda Barra would round out the ensemble players. Jack Donohue, who had directed 107 or the 156 episodes of “The Lucy Show,” would direct season one. With the main cast in place and former “Lucy Show” writers Milt Josefsberg and Joe Singer in charge of scripts, “Here's Lucy” premiered in September 1968 in the same time-slot and evening formerly held by “The Lucy Show” and “I Love Lucy.” For the first season, Paramount would co-produce the show with LBP.

The premise of the show was similar to that of the first seasons of “The Lucy Show.” Ball played widow raising two children on her own – in this case free-spirited teenagers played by Lucie and Desi. Using her own first name as usual, Lucy chose the surname CARter in order to repeat the AR combination of letters so successful in her marriage to Desi ARnaz and the characters Lucy RicARdo, and Lucy CARmichael. One story (possibly apocryphal) says that Carole Lombard's mother was very superstitious and told Lucy these letters would be key to her future success. Lucie and Desi were given freedom to chose their character names and selected Kim and Craig, respectively. The show's scripts would showcase their offscreen talents; Lucie's singing and dancing, and Desi's drumming.

Once again, Gale Gordon, who had appeared on all of Lucille Ball's successful radio and television programs, would play her employer, Harrison Otis Carter, proprietor of the Unique Employment Agency. This business's name was taken from a 1967 episode of “The Lucy Show”. Their motto was “Odd Positions for Odd people.” On “Here’s Lucy” it would be “Unusual Jobs for Unusual People” and was sewn on a sampler that hung in their office. Just as in the final seasons of “The Lucy Show,” Lucy and Harry would share an office. Here, Harry would also be related to the Lucy character, as the brother of her deceased (but never mentioned) husband, Kim and Craig's father. Just like the latter seasons of “The Lucy Show,” the show would be set in Los Angeles.

“Here's Lucy” debuted on September 23, 1968 at 8:30 Eastern time on CBS. Its lead-in was the massively popular “Gunsmoke,” entering its 14th season. “Here's Lucy” was followed by the first season of “Mayberry R.F.D.,” a reformatted version of “The Andy Griffith Show,” just as “Here's Lucy” was a reformatted version of “The Lucy Show.”

“Here's Lucy” was aired opposite the second half hour of season two of “Rowan and Martin's Laugh-In” on NBC. Both Dan Rowan and Dick Martin were frequently seen on “The Lucy Show.” On ABC “Here's Lucy” was up against the third (and final) season of “Felony Squad,” a half-hour crime drama starring Howard Duff. Duff and his wife played themselves on a 1959 episode of “The Lucy-Desi Comedy Hour.”

The “Here's Lucy” opening credit sequence featured a puppet created by Oscar-nominated Jim Danforth. The figure hearkens back to the original stick-figure drawings that opened “I Love Lucy” and the first seasons of “The Lucy Show.” During the opening sequence, the Lucy puppet blows a kiss toward the name Gary Morton, Ball's husband. The theme song was composed by Wilbur Hatch, who had been involved with Lucy and Desi since “I Love Lucy.”

Directed by Jack Donohue ~ Written by Milt Josefsberg and Ray Singer

Synopsis

When Kim and Craig get a job performing at a birthday party for one of Uncle Harry’s clients, Kim gets laryngitis and Lucy must take her daughter’s place.

Regular Cast

Lucille Ball (Lucy Carter) 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, which was not a success and was canceled after just 13 episodes.

Lucie Arnaz (Kim Carter) is the real-life daughter of Lucille Ball and Desi Arnaz. She was born in 1951 just before the premiere of “I Love Lucy.” Lucille Ball was actually pregnant during the filming of the show’s pilot. Despite rumors to the contrary, Lucie Arnaz never appeared on “I Love Lucy.” Lucie played Cynthia (as well as other characters) on “The Lucy Show.” She has been twice married, to actor Phil Vandervort (1971) and actor-writer Laurence Luckinbill (1980–present). She has three children with Luckinbill: Simon, Joseph, and Katharine. She now lives in Palm Springs, California, near the home once owned by her parents.

Desi Arnaz Jr. (Craig Cartrer) is the real-life son of Lucille Ball. His 1953 birth was worked into the plot of “I Love Lucy” although Desi Jr. never played the role of Little Ricky Ricardo. He did, however, appear on the final half-hour episode of the series “The Ricardos Dedicate a Statue” (ILL S6;E27) in a crowd scene. He was occasionally seen as Billy Simmons and other minor characters on “The Lucy Show.” At the time of filming “Here's Lucy” he was part of the band Dino Desi and Billy along with Dean Martin Jr. and Billy Hinsche. Arnaz was married to actress Linda Purl from 1980 until 1981. In 1987, Arnaz married Amy Laura Bargiel. They lived in Boulder City, Nevada, with their daughter, and own the Boulder Theatre, a cinema converted into a theatre and home to the Boulder City Ballet Company. Amy died in 2005 after a long battle with cancer. Desi Arnaz has a daughter, Julia.

Gale Gordon (Harrison Otis Carter) was said to be the highest paid radio artist of the 1930’s and was in such demand that he often did two or more radio shows a day. His professional collaboration with Lucille Ball started in 1938 as the announcer of Jack Haley’s “The Wonder Show” (Wonder Bread was their sponsor). He played Mr. Atterbury on Lucy’s “My Favorite Husband” and was a front-runner for the part of Fred Mertz on “I Love Lucy.” When scheduling prevented his participation, he appeared as Mr. Littlefield, the Tropicana’s owner in two episodes of the show. In addition to Mr. Littlefield, he played a Judge in “Lucy Makes Room for Danny,” a 1958 episode of “The Lucy–Desi Comedy Hour.” “The Lucy Show” solidified his partnership with Lucille Ball for the rest of their careers. He went on to play Harrison Otis Carter in “Here’s Lucy,” Omar Whittaker in “Lucy Calls The President,” and Curtis McGibbon in “Life with Lucy.” He died in 1995 at the age of 89.

Guest Cast

Doris Singleton (Doris Singleton) created the role of Caroline Appleby on “I Love Lucy,” although she was known as Lillian Appleby in the first of her ten appearances. She made two appearances on “The Lucy Show.” This is the first of her four appearances on “Here’s Lucy.”

Unusually, the actor gets to use both her first and last names as her character's names. Her birth name, however, was Dorthea.

Lew Parker (Mr. Caldwell, below right) is probably best remembered as the restaurateur father of Ann Marie, Marlo Thomas’ character on TV’s “That Girl” (1966-71). He made five appearances on “The Lucy Show.” This is the first of his two appearances on “Here’s Lucy.”

Nancy Roth (Laurie Caldwell, above center) had played Lucille Ball's stepdaughter in the film Yours, Mine and Ours released earlier in 1968. She made only three more television appearances before leaving the business.

The character's first name is not spoken in the dialogue.

Nancy Howard (Mrs. Caldwell, above left) along with Nancy Roth, also appeared with Lucille Ball in Yours, Mine and Ours (1968). This is the first of her four appearances on “Here's Lucy.”

Monty O'Grady (Party Guest, uncredited) 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). He was a traveler at the airport when “The Ricardos Go to Japan”(1959). He made more than a dozen appearances on “The Lucy Show” and a half dozen more on “Here’s Lucy.”

Don Crichton (Featured Dancer, uncredited) makes the first of his three appearances on “Here's Lucy.” He was an Emmy nominated choreographer who worked on “The Carol Burnett Show” and “The Love Boat,” among others.

Joan Carey (Party Guest, uncredited) had appeared as background characters in “I Love Lucy” and “The Lucy Show” where she was also a camera and lighting stand-in. With this episode, she is one of the only people (not including the principal actors) to appear in all three of Ball’s television programs.

Carole Cook (Lucille Ball's Singing Voice in “All Alone”, uncredited) played Thelma Green on “The Lucy Show” as well as many other characters. She was a protege of Lucille Ball’s during the Desilu Playhouse years. Although born as Mildred Cook, Ball suggested she take the name Carole, in honor of Lucy’s great friend, Carole Lombard. Cook appeared on camera in five episodes of “Here’s Lucy.”

Uncredited background performers play the party guests and the musicians.

This is the first and only appearance of Doris Singleton as Harry's competent and efficient secretary. Originally intended to be a series regular, the character was dropped to show more of Lucy's family life with her kids rather than her job.

When Harry balks about hiring family, Lucy says “Suppose the Smothers Brothers didn't hire relatives. We'd only have one Smother!” A month before “Here's Lucy” premiered, CBS presented a four episode series titled “The Summer Smothers Brothers Hour.” Season 3 of their popular variety show premiered a week later. Lucille Ball was obviously in favor of nepotism. “Here's Lucy” employed her children, her husband, her cousins-in-law, and (in season two) her cousin Cleo.

It is established that Lucy has been working for Harry for two years.

The Carters' doctor is named Schwartz.

Harry wants to book “that English band” but cannot remember their name. “The Grasshoppers? The Caterpillars? The Centipedes? The Beatles!” Just a few weeks after this episode aired saw the release of the Beatles' film Yellow Submarine. The Beatles were previously mentioned on “The Lucy Show.”

Harry refers to Lucy as “the Lucrezia Borgia of the typists.” Lucrezia Borgia (1480-1519) was the daughter of Pope Alexander VI and was rumored to have taken part in murders by poison. Harry is likely inferring that her typing is deadly (very bad).

Harry tells Mr. Caldwell that their company motto is “The difficult we do immediately. The impossible takes a little longer.” The slogan may have originated with the US Army.

When Lucy hears Kim has gone surfing the afternoon before her singing gig she is worried. “Does Mahalia Jackson go surfing before she sings?” Mahalia Jackson (1911-1972) was a black gospel singer dubbed 'The Queen of Gospel' and who was one of the most popular singers in the world. Jackson played an integral role in the civil rights movement of the 1960s.

When Lucy comes up with the idea to take Kim's place at the party, she says to Craig “Sonny - meet Cher.” In 1967 the husband and wife singing duo had released the album “In Case You're In Love” which featured top 100 hits “The Beat Goes On” and “Little Man.” Cher's mother, fashion model Georgia Holt, had appeared on both “I Love Lucy” and “The Lucy Show.” Cher and Lucy would appear on an Emmy-nominated special together in 1979 (above).

The script has Lucie Arnaz play charades to relate how she got laryngitis. Pantomime was one of Lucille Ball's favorite skills, so naturally she wanted to encourage her daughter's mime skills. Lucie receives a round of applause from the studio audience at the conclusion of the charades.

As the party scene opens, the band (featuring Craig on drums) is playing “Goin' Out Of My Head,” a song written by Teddy Randazzo and Bobby Weinstein, initially recorded by Little Anthony and The Imperials in 1964. The lyrics are not heard here. “I Know A Place” by Tony Hatch was recorded in 1965 by Petula Clark. It is here performed as a dance number without lyrics.

“All Alone” by Irving Berlin interpolated into the Broadway show The Music Box Revue of 1924. It is here performed by Lucille Ball (conspicuously dubbed by Carole Cook). Because Lucille Ball had used her own voice in songs during “The Lucy Show,” the dubbing sounds nothing like her own voice.

Choreography was by Jack Baker's history with Lucille Ball dates back to choreographing “Nobody Loves the Ump” in 1956, a song featured on “Lucy and Bob Hope” (ILL S6;E1). He also staged dance numbers on “The Lucy-Desi Comedy Hour” and “The Lucy Show.” This is the first of 16 choreographic credits on “Here's Lucy.” He also directed three episodes of the series. Baker was assisted by Anita Mann, who would also appear on camera in two episodes. She went on to choreograph the “Solid Gold” dancers.

Desi Arnaz Jr. later said that he was very proud of his first on-camera drum solo in front of his mother.

The first time Lucille Ball went mod was in the location-filmed special “Lucy in London” (1966).

In “Viv Visits Lucy” (TLS S5;E15) Lucy and Viv don mod outfits to fit in with the crowd on Sunset Strip.

Harry hiding a pie in the globe when he's supposed to be dieting is reminiscent of when Lucy Ricardo went on a hunger strike in “Lucy Gets a Paris Gown” (ILL S5;E20) yet had food hidden all around her hotel room.

Lucy pronounces 'bar mitzvahs' as 'bar mitzvers', perhaps for comic effect. Lucille Ball was married to Gary Morton, a man of Jewish heritage, so would have known the proper pronunciation, but Lucy Carter may not!

“Mod, Mod Lucy” rates 3 Paper Hearts out of 5

While this episode nicely lays out the themes of the series (the generation gap) and allows Lucie and Desi Jr. a showcase, it is a bit disturbing for Lucy’s voice to be dubbed and her playing younger without it being the butt of the joke is a bit uncomfortable to watch.

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