#Tallulah Bankhead | papermoonloveslucy (2024)

Table of Contents
Part 1 ~ The Movies of “I Love Lucy” ~FACTUAL FILMS~ THE TALL MEN ~“Lucy Visits Graumans” (1955) BLOOD ALLEY~“Lucy and John Wayne” (1955) SABRINA ~“Getting Ready” (1954) THE COUNTRY GIRL ~“L.A. at Last” (1955) THE BIG COMBO ~“The Star Upstairs” (1955) A PRIZE OF GOLD ~“The Tour” (1955) CAMILLE ~“The Dancing Star” (1955) CAPTAIN LIGHTFOOT ~“In Palm Springs” (1955) THE SHEIK ~ "The Hedda Hopper Story" (1955) THE IRON PETTICOAT ~“Lucy and Bob Hope” (1956) LIFEBOAT ~“The Celebrity Next Door” (1957) SAYONARA ~“The Ricardos Go To Japan” (1959) FOREVER DARLING ~“Ricky’s European Booking” (1955) SEVEN BRIDES FOR SEVEN BROTHERS ~ “Lucy in the Swiss Alps” (1956) ~FICTIONAL FILMS~ DON JUAN “Don Juan is all about love. It’s got nothing to do with marriage.” ~“Don Juan and the Starlets” (1955) MOON OVER BAGHDAD ~“The Mustache” (1952) WOMEN FROM MARS ~“Lucy is Envious” (1953) BITTER GRAPES ~“Lucy’s Italian Movie” (1956) TROPICAL RHYTHMS ~“Home Movies” (1954) GUYS & DOLLS ~“Lucy and the Dummy” (1955) ~UNMENTIONED TITLES~ Un-Titled Florida Project ~ “Desert Island” (1956) CLUNY BROWN ~“The Fox Hunt” (1956) STAGE DOOR ~“Lucy’s Italian Movie” (1956) BUS STOP ~“Lucy and Superman” (1957) HOW TO MARRY A MILLIONAIRE ~ “Changing the Boys Wardrobe” (1953) ~FILM INSPIRATIONS~ MURDER AT THE VANITIES ~ “Lucy Gets Into Pictures” (1955) THE MAJOR AND THE MINOR ~“The Kleptomaniac” (1952) DUCK SOUP ~“Lucy and Harpo Marx” (1955) DANCE, GIRL, DANCE ~“Bullfight Dance” (1955) GENTLEMEN PREFER BLONDES ~“Second Honeymoon” (1956) ~FILM FUNNIES~ “Ricky Needs an Agent” (1955)

Part 1 ~ The Movies of “I Love Lucy”

When“I Love Lucy” premiered in 1951, Lucille Ball was a bona fide movie star. By contrast, her creation Lucy Ricardo was a fan - idolizing film stars and Hollywood.

~FACTUAL FILMS~

THE TALL MEN ~“Lucy Visits Graumans” (1955)

Other than this establishing shot, there is no mention of the film, which starred Clark Gable and Jane Russell.“Lucy” actors Will Wright and Harry Shannon were also in the cast. It premiered at Graumans on September 22, 1955.

BLOOD ALLEY~“Lucy and John Wayne” (1955)

The film is promoted by Wayne approving of a large poster of the film, which co-starred Lauren Bacall.

SABRINA ~“Getting Ready” (1954)

LUCY: (on the phone) “Would you like me to give a message to any of the gang out there? You know, Clark or Cary or Van or Marlon? Oh, all right. (writing) Tell Bill Holden that Marion Van Vlack saw ‘Sabrina’ five times!”

Sabrina is a 1954 romantic comedy-drama directed by Billy Wilder, based on Samuel A. Taylor’s play Sabrina Fair. In addition to Holden, the movie starred Humphrey Bogart and Audrey Hepburn. “I Love Lucy” character actors Ellen Corby and Nancy Kulp play supporting roles.

THE COUNTRY GIRL ~“L.A. at Last” (1955)

William Holden promotes his latest film co-starring Bing Crosby and Grace Kelly. Also in the cast were“Lucy” actors Sarah Selby, Frank J. Scanell, Gene Reynolds, Paul Fix, and Harold Miller.

THE BIG COMBO ~“The Star Upstairs” (1955)

Cornel Wilde promotes his latest film co-starring Richard Conte, Brian Donlevy, and Alan Wallace. Also in the cast were“Lucy” actors Jack Chefe and William Conaty.

A PRIZE OF GOLD ~“The Tour” (1955)

Richard Widmark promotes his latest film, his first for Columbia Pictures.

CAMILLE ~“The Dancing Star” (1955)

While singing“How About You” with Van Johnson, Lucy mentions the 1936 film Camille, which starred Greta Garbo and Robert Taylor. Although Taylor never appeared on the series, Lucy claims to have met him at the Farmer’s Market and gotten his autograph on an orange. As for Van Johnson, he appeared with Lucy and Desi in Too Many Girls (1940) and with Ball in Easy To Wed (1946).

There are several other mentions of the film throughout the series, but it is unclear if they are referring to the character from the Dumas fils book and play or the film. This is also true of Gone With The Wind.

CAPTAIN LIGHTFOOT ~“In Palm Springs” (1955)

Guest star Rock Hudson promotes his latest film co-starring Barbara Rush and Jeff Morrow.

THE SHEIK ~ "The Hedda Hopper Story" (1955)

MRS. MCGILLICUDDY: "Oh, and I must see the house where Rudolph Valentino lived. Oh, I'll never forget him in ‘The Sheik’. (sings) I'm the Sheik of Araby. Your love belongs to me..."LUCY: "You know, they're grooming Ricky to be another Rudolph Valentino."MRS. MCGILLICUDDY: "Ricky? Ricky who?"RICKY: "Ricky me. That's who."MRS. MCGILLICUDDY: "You? (mocking laugh) Why, you're not fit to touch the hem of his bernouse!"

THE IRON PETTICOAT ~“Lucy and Bob Hope” (1956)

As Hope enters Yankee Stadium, a young fan (David Saber) asks him for an autograph. Before granting it, he asks the boy “Have you seen my latest picture, ‘The Iron Petticoat?’” The boy eagerly replies, “Yes, sir.” However, the film, co-starring Katherine Hepburn, didn't premiere in the USA until early January 1957, three months after this episode aired. It was produced and directed by Ralph and Betty! Not the Ramseys, but Betty Box and Ralph Thomas. Hope had appeared in two films with Lucille Ball, and would do two more.

LIFEBOAT ~“The Celebrity Next Door” (1957)

Ethel gushes to Tallulah Bankhead that she saw her in Lifeboat (1944).

SAYONARA ~“The Ricardos Go To Japan” (1959)

Trying to be savvy about Japanese customs, Lucy says she sat through Sayonara twice. The 1957 film details a romance between an Air Force pilot (Marlon Brando) and a Japanese woman (Miyoshi Umeki), winning four Oscars.

FOREVER DARLING ~“Ricky’s European Booking” (1955)

The episode features the Pied Pipers singing the title song from Lucy and Desi’s upcoming fantasy film featuring James Mason.

At the end of the original broadcast of “Bon Voyage”, there was a tag scene to promote the film (and record). Although cut for syndication, the DVD restores this tag scene. Lucy and Desi [or is it Ricky?] are seen sitting in deck chairs.

LUCY: “Did you see the ship’s newspaper? They just raved about your new MGM record of ‘Forever, Darling.’ They said it’s gonna be one of the top records of the year. Let’s get them to play it on the public address system. I know how modest you are, but think what a treat it would be for the passengers.”

SEVEN BRIDES FOR SEVEN BROTHERS ~ “Lucy in the Swiss Alps” (1956)

LUCY: “You remember that picture 'Seven Brides for Seven Brothers'? Somebody shot a pistol and it caused a great, big avalanche.”

After getting trapped by an avalanche, Ethel asks “How'd they get out in 'Seven Brides for Seven Brothers'? Lucy replies that “They waited for the spring thaw!”

~FICTIONAL FILMS~

DON JUAN

The film that takes Ricky Ricardo to Hollywood is mentioned in dozens of episodes.

“Don Juan is all about love. It’s got nothing to do with marriage.” ~“Don Juan and the Starlets” (1955)

SIGNORA LORENZO: “Hark! Do I hear a footfall? Is that you, Don Juan?”DON JUAN: “Yes, it is I, O lovely one. Would that I had the power to tell you what is in my heart tonight.”SIGNORA LORENZO: “What do you mean, my dearest?”DON JUAN: “I have come to say farewell.“SIGNORA LORENZO: “No, say not so.”DON JUAN: “Would that I could ask you to fly with me, but I know that you’re devoted to your husband, Count Lorenzo.”SIGNORA LORENZO: “Yes, much as I love you, I must stay with him. He is old and feeble and he needs me.”DON JUAN: “But for him, I would sweep you into my arms and carry you over yon garden wall.”SIGNORA LORENZO: “Oh, that I could cut these ties that bind me!”DON JUAN: “Do not cry, my dearest. It was not meant to be. I had no right to win your heart. I had no chance to win your love. So, now, I’m afraid I must say farewell."

Lucy reads that Variety reports that Ricky’s Don Juan is scheduled to have a $3 million budget and be filmed in color. Errol Flynn played Don Juan in Adventures of Don Juan in 1948, which was also in color and budgeted at 3.5 million dollars. Douglas Fairbanks played the character in 1934, and John Barrymore was in a 1926 version that featured a young Hedda Hopper, before she turned to journalism.

MOON OVER BAGHDAD ~“The Mustache” (1952)

A talent scout (John Brown) is casting a new filmcalled Moon Over Baghdad, an Arabian nights-style Technicolor extravaganza. This is the first time we get a hint of Ricky’s movie aspirations, which will eventually take the foursome to Hollywood in season 4. Through tenuous connections (“My agent has a friend whose brother-in-law knows the talent scout’s wife.”), Ricky, Lucy (beard concealed), and the Mertzes all vie for his consideration. In the final scene, Lucy has finally managed to remove her whiskers and Ricky lands a screen test for the film, although we never hear anything about it again, even when he tests for Don Juan in season 4. There’s also an offer for Lucy.

LUCY: “I don’t care what they pay me. I am not going to play the part of your father!”

WOMEN FROM MARS ~“Lucy is Envious” (1953)

Lucy and Ethel make money to fulfill a pledge by doing a stunt for an upcoming film, Women from Mars. The plot was most likely inspired by the 1953 film The War of the Worlds which is also about a Martian invasion. Two days before this episode aired, a British film called Devil Girl from Mars hit US cinemas. Also hitting the big screen in 1953 was Invaders From Mars, which featured Hillary Brooke (“The Fox Hunt”) and Richard Deacon (“The Celebrity Next Door”). America had Martian madness!

BITTER GRAPES ~“Lucy’s Italian Movie” (1956)

On the train to Rome, Lucy is eyed by Vittorio Philippi (Franco Corsaro). Taking the title literally, Lucy investigates the wine-making business, leading to one of the funniest scenes in television history as Lucy stomps grapes.

After a tussel in the vat, Lucy proves to‘blue’ for the role - a typical American tourist - which goes to Ethel instead. Lucy one bitter grape!

TROPICAL RHYTHMS ~“Home Movies” (1954)

Ricky creates an audition film for a television project. Then Lucy and the Mertzes add their own home movie (a Western) to create a very chaotic film.

GUYS & DOLLS ~“Lucy and the Dummy” (1955)

When the episode was running short, a preview clip of the upcoming MGM film musical starring Frank Sinatra was inserted into the Executive Show sequence. After one airing, the sequence was removed and has never been restored. The morning after the original broadcast, fans phoned a bewildered Sinatra to tell him he was on“I Love Lucy” last night - which he knew nothing about!

~UNMENTIONED TITLES~

Un-Titled Florida Project ~ “Desert Island” (1956)

Ricky announces that he’s going to be in a film about the history of the state of Florida. The movie will feature Claude Akins (as a giant native), Joi Lansing and Jil Jarman. Ricky says he will appear in the ‘modern’ scenes playing with his band in the hotel nightclub. In real life, Desi Arnaz got his start in showbusiness in a Florida nightclub.

CLUNY BROWN ~“The Fox Hunt” (1956)

A few seconds of establishing stock footage of Berkshire Manor was taken from the 1938 Ernst Lubitch film Cluny Brown, which was filmed by 20th Century Fox in a Hollywood studio, but takes place in England. In the film, the home is named Friars Carmel Manor, but with the exception of the lettering bearing the name, the footage is identical.

STAGE DOOR ~“Lucy’s Italian Movie” (1956)

LUCY: “The calla lilies are in bloom again.”

This is a quote from Stage Door (1937), which Lucille Ball always called her ‘big break’. It was Katherine Hepburn’s first line in the play within the film, and was repeated throughout the movie. Ball always admired Hepburn, and it is possible the writers included the line as an homage to her.

BUS STOP ~“Lucy and Superman” (1957)

The Appleby’s come over for a social evening. As the scene opens, Caroline is in mid-sentence talking about a film.

CAROLINE: “And he picked up Marilyn Monroe, slung her over his shoulder and carried her off!”

Although the title is never mentioned, the film they are discussing is Bus Stop, starring Marilyn Monroe and Don Murray. It was released in August 1956, two and a half months before this episode was filmed. Frequent “Lucy” character actor Hans Conried has a featured role in the film.

HOW TO MARRY A MILLIONAIRE ~ “Changing the Boys Wardrobe” (1953)

The gang is heading to the movies to see “That picture we’ve been trying to get to for weeks with Marilyn Monroe.” The movie is either Gentlemen Prefer Blondes, which premiered in New York City in July 1953, or How To Marry A Millionaire, which premiered (just in Los Angeles) one day after this episode was filmed.

ETHEL: “Wasn’t that a wonderful dress she had on in the big number?”

Both films were musicals, so this doesn’t narrow it down very much. In either case, it is likely that the title goes unmentioned because Lucy and Desi had just filmed The Long, Long Trailer for MGM Studios and How To Marry a Millionaire and Gentlemen Prefer Blondes were 20th Century Fox pictures.

~FILM INSPIRATIONS~

MURDER AT THE VANITIES ~ “Lucy Gets Into Pictures” (1955)

Lucy finally gets a part as a murdered showgirl in an (un-named) Hollywood movie directed by Ricky’s friend Frank Williams (Lou Krugman). The film may have been inspired by 1934′s Murder at the Vanities, in which Lucille Ball had an uncredited role as a showgirl.

THE MAJOR AND THE MINOR ~“The Kleptomaniac” (1952)

Under hypnosis (and with a knowing wink to Ethel), Lucy reverts to childhood, with a story and a voice doubtlessly influenced by Ginger Rogers in the 1942 film The Major and the Minor.

LUCY: “It all started when I was a little girl. I was riding on the streetcar one day and I looked up and I saw a box and it said, 'take one.’ So I took one. From then on, I took anything that came into my pretty head even though it didn’t say 'take one.' I took a bright new penny. I took a bicycle. I took a little boy. But my mother made me give him back.

DUCK SOUP ~“Lucy and Harpo Marx” (1955)

The mirror routine between Lucy and Harpo was first performed by Groucho in Duck Soup (1933).Lucille Ball and Harpo had appeared together in Room Service in 1938 for RKO Studios.

DANCE, GIRL, DANCE ~“Bullfight Dance” (1955)

The final look for Lucy’s bull costume was no doubt inspired by Ferdinand the Bull, the story of the bull who’d rather pick flowers, than face the picador. The character was integral to the story of Lucille Ball’s 1940 film Dance, Girl, Dance.

GENTLEMEN PREFER BLONDES ~“Second Honeymoon” (1956)

The plot of this episode very closely follows the adventures of Lorelei Lee (Marilyn Monroe) in the 1953 film Gentlemen Prefer Blondes.In common with this episode and the film is extra Monty O'Grady, who played a passenger on both vessels! Also look for “I Love Lucy” actors Norma Varden (Mrs. Benson in “The Ricardos Change Apartments”), Elliott Reid (Edward Warren from “Face To Face”), and Bennett Green (Desi’s stand-in and veteran background player).

Lorelei’s dinner companion turns out to be a seven year-old boy, just like Lucy’s ping pong partner turns out to be young Kenneth Hamilton played by nine year-old Harvey Grant.

Lucy gets stuck in a porthole just as Lorelei did, also draping a blanket around her shoulders so passersby wouldn’t know what was really going on.

~FILM FUNNIES~

“Ricky Needs an Agent” (1955)

Trying to suggest possible film projects for Ricky, Lucy insert him into the titles of some of Hollywood’s best-known movies:

  • “Ricky, Son of Flicka” / Thunderhead, Son of Flicka (1945)
  • “A Streetcar Named Ricardo” / A Streetcar Named Desire (1951)
  • “Gone With the Cuban Wind” / Gone With the Wind (1939)
  • “Three Cubans in a Fountain” / Three Coins in the Fountain (1945)
  • “It Happened One Noche” / It Happened One Night (1934)
  • “Seven Brides for Seven Cubans” / Seven Brides for Seven Brothers (1954)
  • “Meet Me in St. Ricky” / Meet Me in St. Louis (1944)
  • “The Ricardos of Wimpole Street” / The Barretts of Wimpole Street (1957)
  • “Andy Hardy Meets the Conga Player” / Andy Hardy Meets Debutante (1940)
  • “Arsenic and Old Ricky” / Arsenic and Old Lace (1944)

#Tallulah Bankhead | papermoonloveslucy (2024)
Top Articles
Latest Posts
Recommended Articles
Article information

Author: Foster Heidenreich CPA

Last Updated:

Views: 5693

Rating: 4.6 / 5 (56 voted)

Reviews: 87% of readers found this page helpful

Author information

Name: Foster Heidenreich CPA

Birthday: 1995-01-14

Address: 55021 Usha Garden, North Larisa, DE 19209

Phone: +6812240846623

Job: Corporate Healthcare Strategist

Hobby: Singing, Listening to music, Rafting, LARPing, Gardening, Quilting, Rappelling

Introduction: My name is Foster Heidenreich CPA, I am a delightful, quaint, glorious, quaint, faithful, enchanting, fine person who loves writing and wants to share my knowledge and understanding with you.