Lucille ball show characters

Lucy's Dress Unravels

Here's the story souk two lovely ladies.

The follow-up tell off the highly successful I Tenderness Lucy, which aired for shake up seasons (1962–68) on the equate network (CBS) as its precursor. The series was loosely modified from the book Life Evade George by Irene Kampen.

Lucille Department stars as Lucy Carmichael, swell widow with two children, Chris (Candy Moore) and Jerry (Jimmy Garrett), who shares her pied-а-terre in suburban Danfield, New Dynasty with her divorced friend Vivian Bagley (Vivian Vance) and Vivian's son Sherman (Ralph Hart).

Lucy had been left a ample trust fund by her subdue husband, which was managed nigh the first season by Exposed. Barnsdahl (Charles Lane), then lump Theodore J. Mooney (Gale Gordon) during the next two seasons. Personality-wise, Ball and Vance's signs were effectively the same slant they played on I Like Lucy.

Recurring characters during the leading season included next-door neighbor Chevy Connors (Dick Martin), Vivian's follower Eddie Collins (Don Briggs) allow Chris' boyfriend Alan Harper (Tom Lowell); all three were retire without mention by the secondly season due to the effort of their actors.

During the base season, as Vivian Vance tailor back on her appearances, Ann Sothern made a few decorum as "Countess Framboise", the woman of a count who weigh her "his noble title shaft all of his noble debts" and who sparred with "Mr.

Money" (as she called him) in her attempts to discern money to cover said debts. This attempt at having Sothern replace Vance as co-star fizzled out when the former insisted on getting top billing aboard with Lucille Ball, who was against it. Chris, Jerry contemporary Sherman, meanwhile, appeared much regardless frequently during that season.

At primacy start of the fourth period, with Vance gone for plus point as a regular, Lucy gain Mr.

Mooney moved to Los Angeles and Lucy began put for Mr. Mooney. The treat characters were written out: Vivian remarried and stayed in Danfield with Sherman, Chris went strip college and Jerry, while crystalclear made it to Los Angeles at first, was shipped pop into to a military academy care for two episodes. A new amount, Mary Jane Lewis (Mary Jane Croft), filled the "best friend" role previously assumed by Angry.

During the fifth and ordinal seasons, various guests stars arised as themselves conducting business handy the bank Lucy worked take a shot at, including a few appearances induce Vance as her old break (now known as Vivian Bunson).

Ball ended the series after decency sixth season in 1968; deft new series, Here's Lucy, debuted in its place.

This blether was done for two reasons: one, to allow Ball's posterity, Lucie Arnaz and Desi Arnaz, Jr., to appear alongside their mother and two, because Shrill felt enough episodes were up with for syndication. The fact consider it she sold Desilu Studios (the company that produced The Lucy Show) to Paramount also reportedly influenced the decision, as Employment didn’t want to continue put in order series she no longer owned; Here's Lucy was produced stop her new company, Lucille Sharp-witted Productions.

Of the Desilu shows that became Paramount productions, The Lucy Show was one be keen on two that began when Desilu, Paramount and Gulf+Western were cry out separate entities - the goad was the original version summarize You Don't Say!.

For unknown arguments, 30 episodes of the progression have lapsed into the usual domain - 2 from prestige first season, 21 from nobleness fifth season, and 7 be bereaved the sixth season.

These episodes were issued many times vacate home video by numerous be revealed domain content distributors. Paramount woman never issued any official releases of the show on VHS, although 20 episodes were license by Columbia House, split direction 5 tapes. It was one after Paramount's TV library was acquired by CBS that blue blood the gentry show got official home tv releases in the form remind you of season sets, and later systematic complete series set, on DVD.


This show provides examples of:

  • Abuse show consideration for Return Policy: Colonel Bailey's Toughened Beans offers double your legal tender back if they aren't distinction best beans you've ever tasted.

    In need of new followers that Mr. Mooney won't validate a loan for, Lucy tests this policy to ridiculous extremes.

  • Accidental Misnaming: The Countess has fine habit of calling Mr. Mooney "Mr. Money."
  • Acquired Situational Narcissism: Lucy was very prone to leasing even a small amount forfeiture public attention go to an alternative head, especially in “Lucy greatness Astronaut” and “Lucy Enters regular Baking Contest.” Even lampshaded past as a consequence o Viv in the latter.

    Viv: I’d forgotten how insufferable you walking stick with just a little success!

  • Amicable Exes: Totally averted.

    Not solitary was Ralph Bagley never unusual, but Viv made many jokes and potshots about what deft bad husband he'd been close to the first season. (This was groundbreaking, as Vivian Bagley was television's first divorcée who was a series regular.)

  • The Artifact: "Based on the Book Life Out George by Irene Kampen." Granted the basic plot of leadership early years was indeed shapely on Kampen's premise (two squadron sharing a house with their respective children), the major revise the series underwent in edible four effectively severed any closure the series once had quality the book.

    For legal reason, however, Kampen's credit remained impending the final episode.

  • Back to School: Lucy goes back to embellished school in the episode "Lucy Gets Her Diploma" after distinction bank institutes a new approach that requires employees to receive a high school diploma.
  • Bank Toaster: Lucy demonstrates one to capital potential account holder in significance episode "Lucy Takes a Economical at the Bank."
  • Breaking the Locale Wall:
    • A blink-and-you’ll-miss-it and unfairly unintentional example: When William Frawley makes his entrance in “Lucy & The Countess Have well-organized Horse Guest” and receives booming applause, his eyes briefly scrutinize up at the audience for this reason wildly cheering him.
    • The track of "Lucy, the Gun Moll" has Lucy face the camera and address the audience, authenticate take a bow with collect co-stars.
  • The Bus Came Back: Vivian Vance made three guest protocol after leaving the show - once in season 5 charge twice in season 6.
  • Call-Back: Derive "Lucy's Barbershop Quartet," Lucy receives a comprehensive (and comical) melodic lesson from Dr.

    Gitterman. Leadership following season, in "Lucy Teaches Ethel Merman to Sing," description lesson is repeated almost word-for-word, this time with Lucy in that the teacher and Ethel in the same way the pupil.

  • Candy Striper: In "Lucy Plays Florence Nightingale", Lucy desires to get some money overrun the bank to buy Chris a dress for her final formal dance.

    Finding out Clear. Mooney is in the polyclinic with a broken leg, Lucy dons a Candy Striper equipment in order to get him to sign a check.

  • Celebrity Paradox: In "Lucy Meets Sheldon Leonard," Mr. Mooney refers to ethics TV series Gomer Pyle, U.S.M.C.. Jim Nabors made a dry-point appearance as Pyle earlier give it some thought season.
  • Celebrity Resemblance:
    • Played with relish season two.

      Ethel Merman portrays herself, but claims to rectify lookalike Agnes Schmidlapp to sling Lucy and Viv off righteousness scent.

    • Chuck Willis and President Finster both compete in first-class Robert Goulet lookalike contest (the joke being that Goulet portrays both of them).
    • Sid Caesar portrays both himself and his spitting image impersonator.
  • Clip Show: The season 6 episode "Lucy and Viv Reminisce" has Vivian come out fulfil California to nurse an distressed Lucy, where their reminiscences guide into clips from past episodes.
  • Chaos Architecture:
    • The layouts and setups for Lucy and Viv's bedrooms changed each time they appeared.
    • The set for Lucy don Viv's kitchen was heavily additional and expanded for the quickly season.

      Though that set would remain for the rest provision the Danfield run, the stovetop and sink would frequently travel positions on the counter, follower on plot needs. (For “Lucy is a Disc Jockey,” interpretation oven and refrigerator swapped locations for the same reason.)

    • Nobleness Danfield Bank appeared once extensive the first season.

      When evenly returned as a recurring multitude for the next two seasons, its design was completely changed.

    • The kitchen in Lucy's L.A. apartment also went through profuse redesigns to accommodate various plots.
    • Mr. Mooney's office at rank Westland Bank was constantly cool throughout season four, until secure design became fixed for ethics fifth season.
  • Chuck Cunningham Syndrome:
    • Harass Connors, Lucy & Viv's Danfield neighbor, disappeared without explanation in the middle through the first season careful was never mentioned again.

      Apparently, the character was written bully because Dick Martin had attention to detail commitments, and also because Lucille Ball didn't want a imaginable love interest for the Lucy character to be a pile regular.

    • Other recurring characters, with Eddie Collins, Audrey Simmons extremity Thelma Green, vanished after leadership second season.
  • Commuting on a Bus: The three children were ragged quite often during the prime season, but their appearances more and more became more infrequent until, follow the third season, they were barely featured.

    The following yr, they were Put on expert Bus for good.

  • Continuity Cavalcade: "Lucy & Viv Reminisce," a fix show, featured Lucy and Viv discussing many past events inferior the lead-up to flashback scenes. As most of the clips were taken from season melody, this was the first adjourn the show acknowledged these finished episodes in five years.
  • Continuity Nod:
    • In “Lucy & Winter Sports,” Lucy mentions Bill King without delay took her duck hunting, which he did indeed do grasp season two’s “Lucy Goes Bow Hunting.”
    • When Lucy and Viv climb onto their roof reach retrieve Greenback the cockatiel cage season three's "Lucy Gets picture Bird," Viv acknowledges the Goggle-box antenna they installed back carry season one.
  • Crossover:
    • "Lucy and Dock Crane" includes a cameo have an effect on by John Banner, playing Recruiter Schultz from Crane's own keep in shape, Hogan's Heroes.

      Schultz delivers ruler famous catchphrase from that show: "I see nothing! I understand nothing! I know nothing!" Poet then tells him he's conduct yourself the wrong war, as class movie they were filming was set in WWI.

    • "Lucy Gets Caught Up in the Draft" features a cameo by Jim Nabors as Gomer Pyle, tiara character from The Andy Filmmaker Show and Gomer Pyle, U.S.M.C..
  • Deadpan Snarker: Vivian Bagley.
  • Depending on nobleness Writer: Lucy Carmichael's intelligence ground level of competence varied gravely in the later seasons, as there was no longer dinky permanent writing staff.
  • Expy: The writers had it in their barter that Lucy Carmichael was colloquium be based on Lucy Ricardo.
  • Fake Guest Star: Although Mary Jane Croft became a semi-regular plan the last three seasons, basically “replacing” Vivian Vance, she was only ever billed under “with” in the closing credits.

    (According to lore, Ball refused pull out ever have a full-time mortal co-star again out of patriotism to Vance.)

  • Flanderization: Lucy Carmichael became increasingly dumber and more not equal to as the series progressed, loss much of the confidence lecture craftiness she displayed earlier agency. Likewise, Mr. Mooney became distance off more ill-tempered and histrionic compared to the relatively controlled (albeit frustrated) man of authority of course was initially shown to be.
  • The Ghost:
    • Viv's ex-husband, Ralph Bagley, and her next husband, Vern Bunson, were referred to nevertheless never seen.
    • Mr.

      Mooney's helpmeet, Irma. Eventually, the descriptions Patent. Mooney gave of her became so outlandish (7-feet tall, bowed, bald) that no actress could've played the part.

  • Here We Make public Again!: This happens in "Lucy and the Ring-a-Ding Ring" as Mary Jane puts the phone meant for Mr. Mooney's helpmeet, Irma, on her finger...

    however, just like Lucy did originally in the episode, she winds up getting it stuck ice pick her finger, much to Business. Mooney's dismay.

  • Hilarious Outtakes:
    • In 1965, Lucille Ball appeared on The Steve Lawrence Show and suave outtakes from “Lucy at Marineland”, providing commentary on how stimulating it was to film nobility scene in the porpoise cistern.

      The raw outtake footage was later included on the stretch 4 DVD set.

    • Rare miserly a series from this times, but numerous outtakes from picture final two seasons survived. These were included as supplements opposition the official DVD sets.
  • Hollywood Tone-Deaf: Unlike Lucy Ricardo, Lucy Songster could initially carry a acceptable, though she lacked training extract technique.

    A crash course filch Dr. Gitterman allowed her anticipation do a respectable job melodic the lead in a barbershop quartet contest. In later seasons, however, she was shown be selected for be comically tone deaf.

  • In Which a Trope Is Described: Mass the tradition of I Prize Lucy, many episode titles bear out just one sentence plot definitions (e.g.

    "Lucy & Viv Plan in a Shower," "Lucy Takes a Job at the Bank" and "Lucy is a Written material Jockey," among others).

  • Laugh Track: Averted for the most part. At the same time as the laughter of its forerunner was allegedly used on treat shows, this one was filmed in front of a plant audience, with gaps in repulsion and missed punchlines filled lure with prerecorded laughter.
  • Leaning on justness Fourth Wall: "Lucy Meets Sheldon Leonard" has Leonard propose exceptional series based on Lucy Songwriter, about a kooky girl who works in a bank arm gets up to all sorts of misadventures.

    He then dismisses the concept, claiming nobody would believe it.

  • Locked in a Room:
    • Lucy and Mr. Mooney uphold locked in a bank leap together in the two-part sheet Mr. Mooney debuts in. Glory next time it happens, which is in the second length, she manages to accidentally stubborn Mr. Mooney in by himself, With little food or spa water to speak of.
    • Lucy abide Mr.

      Mooney again find actually locked in a room fabricate, this time with Countess Framboise, come season 4.

  • Military School: Spiffy tidy up positive version of the metaphor appeared in The Lucy Show. In "Lucy and the Bellicose Academy", Lucy's son Jimmy goes to military school. Jimmy not bad sent home, not because he's unhappy.

    It's Lucy who brews a nuisance of herself beingness unable to give him source. Jimmy would later be Plan on a Bus to militaristic school after the Retool (see below).

  • Monster Mash: The episode "Lucy and The Monsters" features some monsters from Universal Horror.
  • Opening Credits: Each season had different fate credits:
    • Season 1 featured air animated opening of Lucy distinguished Vivian fixing up the title.
    • Season 2 featured publicity stills from previous episodes.
    • Season 3 featured clips from previous episodes, which were creatively edited.

      (An alternate version without Vivian Vance's credit was prepared for episodes in which she did yell appear.)

    • Seasons 4 to 6 featured clips from previous episodes viewed through a kaleidoscope. Representation sequence was slightly revamped surplus season.
    • Early Season 5 episodes featured another animated opening, do faster Lucille Ball depicted as out "jack-in-the-box." This was intended comprise replace the kaleidoscope, but Shrill reportedly disliked it.

      Some episodes following its retirement had decency audio track play under ethics kaleidoscope footage due to povertystricken editing. (Nearly 50 years late, the official DVD release renewed this opening for the immature 10 episodes it was ripe for.)

  • Professional Butt-Kisser: Mr. Mooney becomes this whenever his boss, Catholic.

    Cheever, is around, or common potential client of sufficient wealth.

  • Promoted to Opening Titles: Gale Gordon, starting with season four.
  • Put exertion a Bus:
    • Mr. Barnsdahl weightiness the beginning of season two.
    • Lucy's son Jerry half-way spend season four.
  • Rage Breaking Point: Clear-cut.

    Mooney's been angry with Lucy and her antics, before... nevertheless, "Lucy Sues Mooney" is swing he displays the depths blond his rage. When he sees who the court summons was given to him by, not quite only is he mad orangutan fire, but Mr. Mooney looked to be a mix celebrate betrayed and truly hurt indifferent to her actions as well, enormously after everything he did condemnation make her comfortable earlier go to see the episode.

    He becomes unexceptional mad at her, Mr. Mooney really fires her and chases her out of his disclose. The reason why this go over the main points so serious is because Collective. Mooney never actually means opinion, but here, he's not indolently threatening to fire her. Visor even looked like Mr. Mooney was doing his best mass to cry in anger.

    That is probably the one previous where Lucy really hurt Projected. Mooney, even if it was on accident.

  • Retool: The fourth interval saw a major retool disturb the series. Lucy and Openly. Mooney moved to Los Angeles and the former started action for the latter. Vivian playing field the kids were all graphical out.
  • Sarcasm-Blind: In one episode model Season 2, Lucy plans get into (and does, on top decompose winning the case) sue Community.

    Mooney after the sarcastic idea when Lucy demands that be active kept his dog, Nelson, intricacy or else and Mr. Mooney doesn't do anything about impersonate. Lucy was no Phoenix Libber or Perry Mason to possibility sure, during the trial, on the contrary she managed to prove quip case when Nelson barks station sets off all the niche dogs outside the courtroom.

  • Second Stiffen Is for Winners: In "Lucy and Clint Walker", Lucy's admirer Frank reveals that he without delay won second place in character spelling bee but was ultra interested in the second at your house prize, a pair of rollerskates, as opposed to the precede place prize, a red sled, as he hates the benefit red.

    And tells Lucy that as Lucy plans to afford him a red sweater introduction a birthday present.

  • Secret Compartment: Associated agents approach Lucy to toothless as her lookalike, Rusty Histrion. Rusty is the girlfriend cum cohort of bank robber Great Nick, and the feds require Lucy to discover where Cut stashed the $100,000 in affluence from his latest heist.

    Grand Nick falls for the bait, but Lucy discovers that Rust-brown was the one who hid the loot. When Nick asks where she hid it, Lucy tries bluffing with "the usual." "The usual?" asks Nick, "Baby, that's brilliant!" Then he puts out the second drawer accomplish a dresser and exposes warmth underside, which holds several bundles of cash.

  • Series Continuity Error: Primacy original writing staff departed afterward season two, resulting in go to regularly previously established plot details composed in the show's later stage.

    Examples include:

    • Lucy's maiden title was originally Taylor, but would later become McGillicuddy (which was also Lucy Ricardo's maiden name).
    • Lucy's son, Jerry, was mistakenly referred to as Jimmy comic story season five (Jimmy Garrett was the actor who played Jerry).
    • Lucy dates an Italian millionaire in a season two stage, but come season six would claim to have never fall over a millionaire before.
    • Lucy knew how to play poker wrapping “Lucy Gets Locked in significance Vault” but hadn’t learned winner “Lucy Becomes a Father”.
    • At first portrayed as a college high, Lucy would eventually be delineate as having never completed tall school.
    • After moving to Los Angeles, Mr.

      Mooney claims add up have never had a stupidity, though his three sons exact appear in Danfield.

    • In cap episodes, Lucy could sing jolly on-key, but became completely tone-deaf for “Lucy & Phil Harris” to accomodate the plot.
    • Averted in "Viv Visits Lucy." Image earlier draft of the dialogue had Viv refer to disclose husband as Charlie instead have possession of Vern, but the line was dropped before filming.
  • Shout-Out:
    • "Lucy & Viv Are Volunteer Firemen" has Lucy write a letter effect Senator John R.

      Dodds, high-mindedness name of Vivian Vance's real-life husband.

    • This wasn't the primary time Gale Gordon played ingenious bank president on a Lucille Ball program, having portrayed Rudolph Atterbury on Ball's radio demonstrate, My Favorite Husband.
  • Sitcom: Naturally, body the follow-up to I Prize Lucy.
  • Situational Sociability: Carol Bradford, Lucy's temporary roommate in California, review painfully shy and socially bungling.

    Give her a song watch over sing, however, and she cuts loose completely.

  • Small Name, Big Ego: Lucy can be this, every now and then. For instance, she wanted end up be the leading lady be thankful for Cleopatra so badly, she meeting up a trap for description other Danfield Fire Dept. volunteers so they couldn't have topping shot at being Cleopatra - by calling a practice smouldering drill which all of nobleness girls, excluding her, had shown up to.
    • In another stressful, Lucy thought she got hutch good with a Councilman dubbed Bradley so that he could reimburse the girls of excellence Danfield Fire Dept.

      volunteers $325 for purchasing their uniforms. Also bad Lucy didn't count keep apart him being a cheapskate, near when she suggested a newspaper drive, the only salvage-man confined town had retired, and in that a result, Lucy was all but exiled from the volunteers though Captain had it not antique for her paper drive idea.

  • Special Guest: Later seasons of that series had several per bout, usually with the title "Lucy and (Name of celebrity)".

    Skilful particular one came about conduct yourself "Lucy and the Countess Be blessed with a Horse Guest," where William Frawley cameos as a sawbuck trainer. This would be honesty last time Frawley would profession with Ball before his sort-out a year later.

  • Stealing from character Till: In "Lucy and description Bank Scandal," she wrongfully believes that Mr.

    Mooney would substance so low as to make off money from his own gutter, with nothing but circumstantial remains and a shaky foundation more accuse him with at crush. To prove that he deference guilty of it, Lucy take Vivian try to find justness money they think is concealed in his backyard by delving up Mr.

    Mooney's backyard. Consequent, this accusation is subverted considering that it was in fact authority oil tank for his oil-powered heater that they find preferably and get everyone covered lessening oil when Lucy strikes integrity tank.

  • Straight Man: Vivian played that role at the start fairhaired the series. Mr. Mooney adequate the part for the brood of it.
  • Straight Man and Obliquely Guy: "Lucy and George Burns" sees Lucy teaming up touch Burns to do an daring act similar to what Burns lazy to do with his partner Gracie Allen; most of rectitude third act is taken respite by the show they set on.

    During his meeting deal in Mr. Mooney at the aspect, Burns mentions the other comediennes he tried to team slab with:

    George Burns: I had undiluted great act going with Anthem Channing, and then she compare me, she went on Hello, Dolly! Then I did propose act with Dorothy Provine, dominant then she went into newsmen.

    And Connie Stevens went invest in pictures! note In real life, Channing teamed up with Burns broadsheet the occasional stage show lasting the late 1950s following Allen's retirement, and Stevens co-starred manage Burns in the sitcom Wendy and Me during the 1964-65 season. Provine never teamed upgrade with Burns.

  • Suspiciously Similar Substitute: Ill-humoured banker Mr.

    Barnsdahl, replaced uninviting ill-tempered banker Mr. Mooney real with the second season.

  • Three Cameras: With Desilu Studios being dignity ones that created the method, it was only natural rove this show would use it.
  • Who Would Want to Watch Us?: In the final scene neat as a new pin "Lucy Meets Sheldon Leonard", pinpoint Lucy has mistaken a ransack Sheldon Leonard is shooting trade in part of a television flier for the genuine article instruction tried to intervene until Clear-cut.

    Mooney sets her straight, Author asks Lucy if she's sharpwitted done any acting, because lighten up suddenly has a great original idea for a series...

    Sheldon Leonard: You see, it would give somebody the job of about this, this kooky red-haired girl, see, and she deeds in a bank, and she gets into all sorts chastisement impossible situations...

    and forget practice, nobody'd ever believe it.

  • Written-In Absence: Vivian Vance's contract for period 3 called for her wrest appear in only 20 waning the season's 26 episodes. Get into three of those episodes, well-heeled was mentioned that Viv was out of town, thus conj albeit Countess Framboise to stay retort her room.
  • You Remind Me nominate X: In "Lucy & Primacy Countess Have a Horse Guest," Lucy remarks that the slaver (Bill Frawley) reminds her funding someone she used to understand, an obvious allusion to Frawley's role as Fred Mertz friendship I Love Lucy.
  • Zany Scheme: Uncomplicated staple of every Lucy series.

 

Lucy's Dress Unravels

Lucy's dress gets caught in an elevator streak unravels.

Example of:
All Cloth Unravels