When Lucille Ball sold Desilu Studios to Paramount, she decided it was time to end her Lucy Show after six seasons. It was the second highest rated show on TV. She didn’t get out of the sitcom game. She set up a new production company to create Here’s Lucy, her third hit series. In a sense the new show was a continuation of The Lucy Show with Lucy being outrageous while Gale Gordon remained her frustrated boss. However there were changes. Gale was no longer Mr. Mooney, the banker in control of Lucy’s trust. He became Harry Carter, the owner of Carter’s Unique Employment agency and the brother of Lucy’s late husband. Lucy was once more his secretary so their dynamic carried over. So far the two shows are practically the same. But then in comes the surprise casting of Lucy’s teenage children played Lucy’s real teenaged children. While Lucie Arnaz and Desi Arnaz Jr. had popped up on mom’s earlier show, neither had roles of this scale. Here’s Lucy becomes its own show with Lucy having to do her schtick with the real family members. Here’s Lucy: Season One brings the together her family and famous friends in one last go around at the top.
“Mod, Mod Lucy” properly sets up how the comedy will work in the new series. Like her previous incarnations as Lucy Ricardo and Lucy Carmichael, Lucy Carter goes to an extreme without much coaxing. This time around, there will be plenty of generation gap material as Lucy does her best to not look like an old lady with two grown children. Ball was 57 when the first episode aired. For “Mod, Mod Lucy” the Unique Employment Agency gets a request for a band for a party. Uncle Harry hires Lucie and Desi Jr.’s band to make a hefty profit. This big break goes wrong when Lucie comes down with laryngitis. It’s up to mom to save the day by slapping on the makeup, mod clothes and outrageous hair. Lucy gives a song and dance number that wows the kids. She’s a hit. Many of the episodes give Lucy a chance to show off her dancer moves.
“Lucy Visits Jack Benny” is a gut busting guest star turn by the legendary comic. Lucy and the kids are going to Palm Springs for a vacation. They think they’re getting an amazing deal staying at private residence instead of a hotel. The owner of the mansion turns out to be the notorious cheapskate Benny. He keeps coming up with ways to add extras to their bill. He’s the patron saint of airlines that charge you for checking luggage and a soda. What takes the episode to the next level is a cameo from Jackie Gleason in one of his iconic roles. No need to completely spoil the surprise. “Lucy, The Matchmaker” gives Gail Gordon a surprise when his name is put into a dating computer. The punchcard that matches him belongs to Vivian Vance. It’s such a delight to see Lucy sharing the screen with the woman who played Ethel Mertz on I Love Lucy.
There’s a lot of high wattage showbiz pals appearing on the series. “Lucy and Miss Shelly Winters” has the crazy redhead helping the star of Lolita lose pounds for her next film. Can she be the original Jenny Craig? “Lucy and Eva Gabor” has the Green Acres star playing a best selling author of dirty books. She pays Uncle Harry to hide out at Lucy’s house. She needs privacy to write her next novel. However Lucy can’t keep her mouth shut. The snoops come surround the house. “Lucy Sells Craig to Wayne Newton” brings the Riverboat Gamber to her neck of the stream. Turns out Wayne’s drummer is having to take a leave of absence. Lucy volunteer’s Desi Jr. as a replacement. The kid pounds the skins with authority. But will Lucy’s antics cost him the gig? Wayne is still a babyface at this point. There’s plenty of “Danke Schoen” action during the episode.
“Lucy’s Impossible Mission” plays tribute to Mission: Impossible, a series Lucy produced when she ran Desliu. She activates the secret message and it self-destructs before the agent can give it a listen. She has to stop a plot involving Middle East intrigue. The episode doesn’t feature any of the IMF force, but chronic bad guy Joseph Ruskin does get to play the villain. He had one of the best bad guy faces on TV. Speaking of unforgettable facial complexions, “Lucy and the Great Airport Chase” has Sid Haig (The Devil’s Rejects‘ Captain Spaulding) coming after the crazy redhead. The production really went to the Los Angeles airport to film a dizzy chase that takes them all around the facility. They even end up in the working luggage sorter. It’s a thrill to see the menace that is Sid Haig about to lower the boom on Lucy.
Here’s Lucy: Season One shows how Lucy’s kids adapt to finally playing Lucy’s kids on TV. They are rather stiff in the early episodes. By the end of the season, they are finally getting loose enough to look like her offspring. This third time around proved to be another six season charm for Lucy. If you’re curious, Here’s Lucy: Season Two has been scheduled for release on November 3. Lucy Carter is mindless fun with dazzling guests.
The Episodes
“Mod, Mod Lucy,” “Lucy Visits Jack Benny,” “Lucy the Process Server,” “Lucy and Miss Shelly Winters,” “Lucy the Conclusion Jumper,” “Lucy’s Impossible Mission,” “Lucy and Eva Gabor,” “Lucy’s Birthday,” “Lucy Sells Craig to Wayne Newton,” “Lucy’s Working Daughter,” “Guess Who Owes Lucy $23.50?,” “Lucy the Matchmaker,” “Lucy and the Gold Rush,” “Lucy the Fixer,” “Lucy and the Ex-Con,” “Lucy Goes on Strike,” “Lucy and Carol Burnett,” “Lucy and the Great Airport Chase,” “A Date for Lucy,” “Lucy the Shopping Expert,” “Lucy Gets Her Man,” “Lucy’s Safari,” “Lucy and Tennessee Ernie’s Fun Farm” and “Lucy Helps Craig Get a Driver’s License.”
The video is 1.33:1 full frame. The transfers are crisp and display the bright mod colors of 1968. Lucy’s red hair dazzles the eyes. The audio is Dolby Digital 2.0 mono. The you might have to lower the volume when Lucy does her “Waaaaa!” There are English subtitles.
Introductions are given to each episode by Lucie, Desi Jr. or significant guest stars. They include Wayne Newton, Bruce Gordon and Joseph Ruskin. Why couldn’t they have gotten Sid Haig to share his memories of chasing Lucy around LAX? We do get quick tales of behind the scenes fun.
Meet the Carters (14:24) has Lucie and Desi Jr. discuss how Here’s Lucy was developed. Neither of the siblings wanted to do the show, but were talked into it. The kids weren’t like Tori Spelling.
Let’s Talk to Lucy (11:15) is Lucy’s radio interview show. She interviews Gale Gordon in 1964. They illustrate the talk with creative clips and photographs giving us a sense of Gale’s life. He admits to doing his own electrical and plumbing work.
Making the Main Title (2:41) is footage of the stop-motion Lucy in action along with Lucy’s real appearance. She makes a lot of faces to get her little wink down.
Screen Tests (13:26) are of Desi Jr. and Lucie’s audition for Yours, Mine & Ours in 1968. Neither kid landed the part.
Slide Show (3:17) contains publicity stills from the first season set to groovy music.
I Love Lucy Cast Home Movies (11:10) is from 1957-58 season of The Lucille Ball-Desi Arnaz Show They are in color so you can see Lucy’s red hair. Unfortunately they’re silent so it’s hard to get a sense of people outside the stars. The locations include the desert, a ski slope and the soundstage. Desi looks suave during a musical number with spicy dancers.
Lucy at LAX (6:04) is unedited footage from her being chased by Sid Haig. Not to give it away, but that’s not Lucy under the red wig in some shots.
The Chase (4:49) is Lucy and Gary Morton on vacation in Monte Carlo in 1965. The couple ham it up for their home movie camera. Gary looks extra creepy while stalking his wife.
Lucy the Model (1:35) has her showing off a fur wardrobe in a snowy retreat. Don’t show this to your PETA pals. They might try to smear red paint on your TV.
Golfing With Gleason (4:59) has the Great One on the course with Lucy and Gary Morton. They’re playing the game for laughs. This could be the basis for Caddyshack. Jackie has a fantastic swing.
Production Files the original press releases for Here’s Lucy read by Wanda Clark, Personal Secretary to Lucille Ball. This is nice for folks who hate reading text on the TV screen. There’s also the press release bios for the major cast read by Wanda.
Here’s Lucy Promo (1:01) is the CBS introduction to the new show. They stress the kids being her “real life teenagers.”
Syndication Promos (14:48) is the teasers for all the episodes to be used on local stations. They should have included the promos with the actual episodes so you could properly tease the show.
More Promos (8:31) are for other Lucy related MPI releases including the upcoming The Mothers-In-Law. It looks groovy.
Here’s Lucy: Season One is a cute and goofy series. Lucy and her kids go through various insane and unrealistic adventures. What are the odds of Lucy twice getting chased around by foreign agents? The highlight of this collection is Jack Benny and Jackie Gleason’s tandem weirdness. For fans of Lucille Ball, Here’s Lucy: Season One is a fine start to her final major TV success.
MPI Home Video presents Here’s Lucy: Season One. Starring: Lucille Ball, Lucie Arnaz, Desi Arnaz Jr and Gale Gordon. Boxset Contents: 24 Episodes on 4 DVDs. Released on DVD: August 25, 2009. Available at Amazon.com
