I Love Lucy: The Séance
Originally broadcast on CBS on Monday, November 26, 1951 at 9 PM ET.
Plot: Lucy’s obsession with numerology costs Ricky a job, but once she discovers Ricky’s potential employer reveals similar interests, she plans a séance to get Ricky his job back.
Analysis: Cute premise with Lucy causing Ricky ulcers as usual, but the solution with the séance is where the episode gains a lot of its fun. Also, for 1951, Ricky asking Lucy if she likes how he vibrates is an amazingly dirty line.
As is the norm by now, the original opening for I Love Lucy is included as an extra on the DVD. To recreate a somewhat similar 1951 viewing experience, simply watch the original opening, then skip to the start of action in the episode. By the way, as a fun bit of trivia, William Hanna and Joseph Barbera created the animated characters of Ricky and Lucy for the opening. Unfortunately, they were never given credit for their work until recently due to them being under contract with MGM Animation at the time.
The Bottom Line: Not a true classic, but this is a fun episode worth checking out. Honestly cannot say much more than that, it just is a fun half hour of harmless entertainment. The Séance can be found on both I Love Lucy: The Complete First Season (http://www.amazon.com/Love-Lucy-Complete....97198253&sr=1-4) and I Love Lucy: The Complete Series (http://www.amazon.com/I-Love-Lucy-Comple....97198253&sr=1-1), if you are interested in watching.
Next time, we got more Lucy.
Saturday, February 19, 2011
Friday, February 18, 2011
I Love Lucy: The Audition
I Love Lucy: The Audition
Originally broadcast on CBS on Monday, November 19, 1951 at 9 PM ET.
Plot: Ricky attempts to keep Lucy away from an important audition for television executives.
Analysis: Well, this is a small case of early recycling. The original pilot of I Love Lucy featured the same script, but since the pilot was never broadcast on television, the writers were able to make some small tweeks and, voila, instant new episode. It is easy to see while watching this why the executives agreed Lucy could work, given how funny Lucy and her physical comedy are and Desi works both believably as a straight man and as her husband. Of note during the episode is the actors playing the television executives watching the audition are Jess Oppenheimer, the head writer and producer on Lucy, CBS executive Hal Hudson and CBS Vice President Harry Ackerman, the three men actually responsible for getting Lucy on the air.
And we finally come to the last of our four principals, William Frawley. Frawley got his start in bit parts and singing on the vaudeville stage before moving to movies in 1933. The list of roles and movies he got from there is enormous, most notably playing a political adviser for the judge in Miracle on 34th Street in 1947. By the 1950s, movie roles were slowly drying up for the aging Frawley, so he took a chance and auditioned for the role of Fred on Lucy.
The Bottom Line: Some of the physical comedy in this episode is pretty funny and, given it was based on what sold executives on the show, this is an easy recommendation and entry-level episode for Lucy. If you are interested in checking it out, you have two options: I Love Lucy: The Complete First Season (http://www.amazon.com/Love-Lucy-Complete....97198253&sr=1-4) or I Love Lucy: The Complete Series (http://www.amazon.com/I-Love-Lucy-Comple....97198253&sr=1-1).
Next time, more Lucy.
Originally broadcast on CBS on Monday, November 19, 1951 at 9 PM ET.
Plot: Ricky attempts to keep Lucy away from an important audition for television executives.
Analysis: Well, this is a small case of early recycling. The original pilot of I Love Lucy featured the same script, but since the pilot was never broadcast on television, the writers were able to make some small tweeks and, voila, instant new episode. It is easy to see while watching this why the executives agreed Lucy could work, given how funny Lucy and her physical comedy are and Desi works both believably as a straight man and as her husband. Of note during the episode is the actors playing the television executives watching the audition are Jess Oppenheimer, the head writer and producer on Lucy, CBS executive Hal Hudson and CBS Vice President Harry Ackerman, the three men actually responsible for getting Lucy on the air.
And we finally come to the last of our four principals, William Frawley. Frawley got his start in bit parts and singing on the vaudeville stage before moving to movies in 1933. The list of roles and movies he got from there is enormous, most notably playing a political adviser for the judge in Miracle on 34th Street in 1947. By the 1950s, movie roles were slowly drying up for the aging Frawley, so he took a chance and auditioned for the role of Fred on Lucy.
The Bottom Line: Some of the physical comedy in this episode is pretty funny and, given it was based on what sold executives on the show, this is an easy recommendation and entry-level episode for Lucy. If you are interested in checking it out, you have two options: I Love Lucy: The Complete First Season (http://www.amazon.com/Love-Lucy-Complete....97198253&sr=1-4) or I Love Lucy: The Complete Series (http://www.amazon.com/I-Love-Lucy-Comple....97198253&sr=1-1).
Next time, more Lucy.
Thursday, February 17, 2011
The Cisco Kid: Black Lightning
The Cisco Kid: Black Lightning
Originally broadcast in first-run syndication on Monday, November 19, 1951.
Plot: Cisco and Pancho fight to save the life of a wild stallion accused of making off with nearby mares.
Analysis: This is such a marked improvement over the last episode, I cannot believe this is the same series. Toward the end, there are moments of real suspense and drama, making for a very refreshing change given the last episode seemed to be such a clunker. This may be what drives me crazy about Cisco Kid is that the quality of the show is so inconsistent. It is near Gene Autry levels one episode, the next has me rolling my eyes. Clearly, modern eyes will be more demanding than early 50s eyes and I should be a bit more understanding of the limitations, but I also have to be aware that the people reading the blog will not be as forgiving as I will be.
As usual, in order to recreate the 1950s experience more closely, turn off the color on your television while watching the episode since, while the televisions were predominately black and white, Cisco Kid was shot in color.
The Bottom Line: This is actually a quality episode of Cisco and one I have no issue recommending. Some really suspenseful moments toward the end and an intriguing plot line, even if they give away who is really behind the plot early in the episode. Still, the show never has been designed for deep plots, so it is unfair to demand one.
Black Lightning is included on The Cisco Kid: Collection Two (http://www.amazon.com/Cisco-Kid-Collecti....86758713&sr=1-3).
Next time, more laughs with Lucy.
Originally broadcast in first-run syndication on Monday, November 19, 1951.
Plot: Cisco and Pancho fight to save the life of a wild stallion accused of making off with nearby mares.
Analysis: This is such a marked improvement over the last episode, I cannot believe this is the same series. Toward the end, there are moments of real suspense and drama, making for a very refreshing change given the last episode seemed to be such a clunker. This may be what drives me crazy about Cisco Kid is that the quality of the show is so inconsistent. It is near Gene Autry levels one episode, the next has me rolling my eyes. Clearly, modern eyes will be more demanding than early 50s eyes and I should be a bit more understanding of the limitations, but I also have to be aware that the people reading the blog will not be as forgiving as I will be.
As usual, in order to recreate the 1950s experience more closely, turn off the color on your television while watching the episode since, while the televisions were predominately black and white, Cisco Kid was shot in color.
The Bottom Line: This is actually a quality episode of Cisco and one I have no issue recommending. Some really suspenseful moments toward the end and an intriguing plot line, even if they give away who is really behind the plot early in the episode. Still, the show never has been designed for deep plots, so it is unfair to demand one.
Black Lightning is included on The Cisco Kid: Collection Two (http://www.amazon.com/Cisco-Kid-Collecti....86758713&sr=1-3).
Next time, more laughs with Lucy.
Wednesday, February 16, 2011
I Love Lucy: The Quiz Show
| I Love Lucy: The Quiz Show Originally broadcast on CBS on Monday, November 12, 1951 at 9 PM ET. Plot: Lucy tries to cover her unpaid bills by going on a quiz show, but may have a difficult time explaining the last challenge to Ricky. Analysis: Seems like someone took two 15-minute scripts and married them into the 30-minute program, one being the quiz show portion, the other being the final situation that Lucy has to explain to Ricky to earn the money. It’s still fun to watch, if a bit uneven. Of note is one of the guest stars in the show, Frank Nelson. Even if you have never heard of Nelson, you know his shtick: a long, high-pitched, drawn out “Yessssssssssss???” when responding to a greeting or a request for help. His distinctive voice was heard most notably on the Jack Benny Program over the radio for years before making the jump to television. He will be something of a regular on Lucy and Jack Benny’s television program, among other television appearances. You will no doubt come to know his voice pretty quickly, but I will still point out appearances. As noted before, the original openings for I Love Lucy are an extra on the DVDs, so to approximate the broadcast, you will watch the original opening first, then skip over the familiar “satin heart” opening directly into the episode. The Bottom Line: Like I said, the story is a bit uneven, but still a fun episode of Lucy, especially wondering how she will work her way through the final challenge. Worth checking out, especially if you are a fan of Lucy and her physical comedy. The Quiz Show can be found in two different formats: I Love Lucy: The Complete First Season (http://www.amazon.com/Love-Lucy-Complete....97198253&sr=1-4) or I Love Lucy: The Complete Series (http://www.amazon.com/I-Love-Lucy-Comple....97198253&sr=1-1). Just depends how big a fan of Lucy you are which version you would want to pick up. Next time, another ride with Cisco Kid. | ||
Tuesday, February 15, 2011
The Cisco Kid: Bates Story
The Cisco Kid: Bates Story
Originally broadcast in first-run syndication on Monday, November 12, 1951.
Plot: It’s a collision course with wackiness as Cisco and Pancho are mistaken for recently escaped convicts.
Analysis: There are times when a show tries way too hard to either be funny or take itself way too seriously. This is, unfortunately, one of those times as the plot both tries to be funny and serious and succeeds at neither. Compound that some laughably bad fight effects and the ability to magically teleport from the center of town to the middle of the desert and this one leaps from laughable to just plain bad.
As usual, the show is in color, but to recreate the original 1951 broadcast atmosphere, simply turn down the color on your television.
The Bottom Line: I know, I am being very tough on a Western intended for the small fry, but I do have a reasonable expectation of being entertained and this episode of Cisco falls woefully short. Great if others enjoy it, but I cannot recommend it.
If you are so interested, Bates Story is included on The Cisco Kid: Collection Two (http://www.amazon.com/Cisco-Kid-Collecti....86758713&sr=1-3).
Next time, more Lucy.
Originally broadcast in first-run syndication on Monday, November 12, 1951.
Plot: It’s a collision course with wackiness as Cisco and Pancho are mistaken for recently escaped convicts.
Analysis: There are times when a show tries way too hard to either be funny or take itself way too seriously. This is, unfortunately, one of those times as the plot both tries to be funny and serious and succeeds at neither. Compound that some laughably bad fight effects and the ability to magically teleport from the center of town to the middle of the desert and this one leaps from laughable to just plain bad.
As usual, the show is in color, but to recreate the original 1951 broadcast atmosphere, simply turn down the color on your television.
The Bottom Line: I know, I am being very tough on a Western intended for the small fry, but I do have a reasonable expectation of being entertained and this episode of Cisco falls woefully short. Great if others enjoy it, but I cannot recommend it.
If you are so interested, Bates Story is included on The Cisco Kid: Collection Two (http://www.amazon.com/Cisco-Kid-Collecti....86758713&sr=1-3).
Next time, more Lucy.
Monday, February 14, 2011
Tales of Tomorrow: The Search For The Flying Saucer
Tales of Tomorrow: The Search For The Flying Saucer
Originally broadcast on ABC on Friday, November 9, 1951 at 9:30 PM ET.
Plot: A reporter comes to New Mexico looking for proof of flying saucer landings.
Analysis: Gee, what could THIS be based off of?
Seriously though, this is one of the better Tales of Tomorrow scripts, but it suffers from time limitations. A story like this really needed at least an hour to be developed and flesh out the characters and their motivations. That being said, it is really quite good and a step up from some of the sub-par scripts we have been getting from the show.
It does also kind of make me wonder about the ties of television and the development of the science fiction genre around this time. Tales of Tomorrow is, as we have said, the first sci-fi television anthology series and one of the first to try and open up sci-fi to adult fans. Kids were buying into this stuff hook, line and sinker thanks to Captain Video on DuMont and the recent releases of movies like The Day The Earth Stood Still and The Thing From Another World. Truth be told, it is fair to suppose that these stories were not just creations of fertile imaginations but of recent world developments.
The science part of the science fiction comes from the leaps and bounds science was making in this time, best exampled by the splitting of the atom in Los Alamos, New Mexico. True, the power of the atom could level cities, but if you could harness that much power and channel it, then you would have a whole new means of powering the world. Obviously, that is something that will come up more and more as we go through the 1950s.
As for the other part of the story, the little green men visiting from other worlds that were capturing minds and imaginations, they too can be traced make to an incident in New Mexico and the basis for the plotline of the episode. In 1947, four years prior to this boom in science fiction, there was a crash of an object outside of Roswell, New Mexico. What exactly happened has been subject of debate ever since and I am not going to dip my toe into those waters. Suffice to say, the initial reports were enough to make people wonder what was out there. Take that and combine it with the leaps our own technologies were making and it is pretty easy to see why science fiction was becoming so popular around this time – purely because people were curious about both the possibilities of the unknown and what was becoming known. This too is something we will see more of as we go along.
The Bottom Line: As I have said, this story, while good, suffers from constraints of the media. That being said, this is also one of the few plots in the series so far to make any potential visitors look at least sympathetic. While not a classic television episode, the plot has enough promise for me to give a recommendation for the episode to be checked out.
The Search For The Flying Saucer is included with twelve other Tales of Tomorrow on Tales of Tomorrow: Collection Two (http://www.amazon.com/Tales-Tomorrow-Col....3581521 &sr=1-3). Take a look, if so interested, given it is not going to be too expensive these days.
Next time, we ride again with the Cisco Kid.
Originally broadcast on ABC on Friday, November 9, 1951 at 9:30 PM ET.
Plot: A reporter comes to New Mexico looking for proof of flying saucer landings.
Analysis: Gee, what could THIS be based off of?
Seriously though, this is one of the better Tales of Tomorrow scripts, but it suffers from time limitations. A story like this really needed at least an hour to be developed and flesh out the characters and their motivations. That being said, it is really quite good and a step up from some of the sub-par scripts we have been getting from the show.
It does also kind of make me wonder about the ties of television and the development of the science fiction genre around this time. Tales of Tomorrow is, as we have said, the first sci-fi television anthology series and one of the first to try and open up sci-fi to adult fans. Kids were buying into this stuff hook, line and sinker thanks to Captain Video on DuMont and the recent releases of movies like The Day The Earth Stood Still and The Thing From Another World. Truth be told, it is fair to suppose that these stories were not just creations of fertile imaginations but of recent world developments.
The science part of the science fiction comes from the leaps and bounds science was making in this time, best exampled by the splitting of the atom in Los Alamos, New Mexico. True, the power of the atom could level cities, but if you could harness that much power and channel it, then you would have a whole new means of powering the world. Obviously, that is something that will come up more and more as we go through the 1950s.
As for the other part of the story, the little green men visiting from other worlds that were capturing minds and imaginations, they too can be traced make to an incident in New Mexico and the basis for the plotline of the episode. In 1947, four years prior to this boom in science fiction, there was a crash of an object outside of Roswell, New Mexico. What exactly happened has been subject of debate ever since and I am not going to dip my toe into those waters. Suffice to say, the initial reports were enough to make people wonder what was out there. Take that and combine it with the leaps our own technologies were making and it is pretty easy to see why science fiction was becoming so popular around this time – purely because people were curious about both the possibilities of the unknown and what was becoming known. This too is something we will see more of as we go along.
The Bottom Line: As I have said, this story, while good, suffers from constraints of the media. That being said, this is also one of the few plots in the series so far to make any potential visitors look at least sympathetic. While not a classic television episode, the plot has enough promise for me to give a recommendation for the episode to be checked out.
The Search For The Flying Saucer is included with twelve other Tales of Tomorrow on Tales of Tomorrow: Collection Two (http://www.amazon.com/Tales-Tomorrow-Col....3581521 &sr=1-3). Take a look, if so interested, given it is not going to be too expensive these days.
Next time, we ride again with the Cisco Kid.
Sunday, February 13, 2011
I Love Lucy: Lucy Thinks Ricky Is Trying To Murder Her
Sorry about the lack of postings, but with the chaos in Egypt on Friday (History major and news junkie, after all) and spending some family time on Saturday, didn't to have a chance to post until today. I'll be making every effort to keep the blog posts daily going forward.
Now, to today's show:
I Love Lucy: Lucy Thinks Ricky Is Trying To Murder Her
Originally broadcast on CBS on Monday, November 5, 1951 at 9 PM ET.
Plot: Obsessed with a murder mystery novel, Lucy begins to wonder if Ricky is plotting to do away with her after overhearing a phone call between Ricky and his agent.
Analysis: Lucy’s mugging with the camera is what makes this one a lot of fun, especially when she thinks Ricky has drugged her. Aside from that, this show is starting to develop its formula: Lucy either makes a misconception or plots a scheme enabled by Ethel, Ricky solves the problem and we’re done in about twenty minutes. This is not a bad thing by any stretch of the imagination, but it is fun to see how fast the show got it so right to become such a classic.
Continuing our profile of the actors, we turn to Vivian Vance now. Contrary to casting, Vance was actually 42 at this point in the show, 22 years younger than her on-screen husband William Frawley and only 2 years older than Lucy. She was also not the first choice for Ethel, as originally Lucy wanted another actress, Bea Benaderet, for the part. But Benaderet was already cast in the Burns and Allen television broadcasts and was unavailable. Vance also at this point had no television or movie experience, being exclusively a stage actress. Despite all these shortcomings, Vance would eventually win over Lucy and the audience over the course of the show.
Once again, the original opening is included as an extra on the DVD, so to recreate a resemblance to the original broadcast, simply watch that first, then jump to the beginning of the episode after the opening.
The Bottom Line: It may not be the funniest Lucy episode ever, but Lucy Thinks Ricky Is Trying To Murder Her continues to develop the dynamics between Lucy and Ricky and Lucy and Ethel, which is key for how the show will develop as we go along. If you are interested in seeing the episode, it is included in two formats: I Love Lucy: The Complete First Season (http://www.amazon.com/Love-Lucy-Complete....97198253&sr=1-4) or I Love Lucy: The Complete Series (http://www.amazon.com/I-Love-Lucy-Comple....97198253&sr=1-1), depending on how much Lucy you may want or be able to afford.
Next time, another tale of tomorrow.
Now, to today's show:
I Love Lucy: Lucy Thinks Ricky Is Trying To Murder Her
Originally broadcast on CBS on Monday, November 5, 1951 at 9 PM ET.
Plot: Obsessed with a murder mystery novel, Lucy begins to wonder if Ricky is plotting to do away with her after overhearing a phone call between Ricky and his agent.
Analysis: Lucy’s mugging with the camera is what makes this one a lot of fun, especially when she thinks Ricky has drugged her. Aside from that, this show is starting to develop its formula: Lucy either makes a misconception or plots a scheme enabled by Ethel, Ricky solves the problem and we’re done in about twenty minutes. This is not a bad thing by any stretch of the imagination, but it is fun to see how fast the show got it so right to become such a classic.
Continuing our profile of the actors, we turn to Vivian Vance now. Contrary to casting, Vance was actually 42 at this point in the show, 22 years younger than her on-screen husband William Frawley and only 2 years older than Lucy. She was also not the first choice for Ethel, as originally Lucy wanted another actress, Bea Benaderet, for the part. But Benaderet was already cast in the Burns and Allen television broadcasts and was unavailable. Vance also at this point had no television or movie experience, being exclusively a stage actress. Despite all these shortcomings, Vance would eventually win over Lucy and the audience over the course of the show.
Once again, the original opening is included as an extra on the DVD, so to recreate a resemblance to the original broadcast, simply watch that first, then jump to the beginning of the episode after the opening.
The Bottom Line: It may not be the funniest Lucy episode ever, but Lucy Thinks Ricky Is Trying To Murder Her continues to develop the dynamics between Lucy and Ricky and Lucy and Ethel, which is key for how the show will develop as we go along. If you are interested in seeing the episode, it is included in two formats: I Love Lucy: The Complete First Season (http://www.amazon.com/Love-Lucy-Complete....97198253&sr=1-4) or I Love Lucy: The Complete Series (http://www.amazon.com/I-Love-Lucy-Comple....97198253&sr=1-1), depending on how much Lucy you may want or be able to afford.
Next time, another tale of tomorrow.
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