“Housewarming”

(S6;E23 ~ April 1, 1957) Directed by William Asher. Written by Madelyn Martin, Bob Carroll, Jr., Bob Schiller, and Bob Weiskopf. Filmed on February 28, 1957 at Ren-Mar Studios. Rating: 45.1/62

Synopsis ~ When Ethel and Betty Ramsey become chums, Lucy feels left out until she mistakenly thinks that they are throwing them a housewarming party.

To bring her two best friends together, Lucy decides to invite Betty and Ethel to “a fancy girl-type luncheon like we used to have at Schrafft’s in New York.” Although nearly forgotten today, Schrafft’s was a chain of moderately priced New York restaurants which often attracted ladies who were out for shopping trips. Schrafft’s was one of the first restaurants to allow un-escorted females on a routine basis. In 1981, the Boston-based candy company that owned the chain ceased operations, leaving just a few remaining restaurants in private hands. Schrafft’s was previously mentioned in “Lucy Does the Tango” (S6;E20).

LUCY (To Betty): You know, we’re in the egg business together, so half those [eggs] belong to Ethel. (To Ethel) Isn’t that right, dear?
ETHEL: Yes. The shells. 

During the luncheon scene, it is reported that Vivian Vance ad-libbed the line “I have sufficient,” which became one of the more quoted lines from the series. If this is true, then it was likely done in rehearsals and then retained for the filming, since Lucille was strict about sticking to the script. It isn’t long before Lucy and Betty realize they both hale from Albuquerque, New Mexico. It is revealed that Betty’s maiden name is Foster and that she went to the same elementary school as Ethel. Betty’s father, Leslie Foster, also belonged to the same lodge as Ethel’s dad, Will Potter. Betty moved from Albuquerque when she was only 9. All this strolling down memory lane makes Lucy feel left out, and she tries to chime in with “I’m from Jamestown,” but to no avail. We then learn that Lucy Ricardo lived in Jamestown until she was 17, the same age that Lucille Ball left for New York City.

The surname Foster was used in season one for the characters of Grace and Bill. Grace was the subject of gossip when she supposedly had an affair with the milkman. Gloria Blondell played the character in another episode, where she sold Ricky pearls for Lucy, but was again suspected of infidelity. 

ETHEL: “Now, don’t tell me you’ve invited Betty Ramsey, the Elsa Maxwell of Westport to lunch, too.” 

Ethel is referencing a famous gossip columnist and professional hostess renowned for her throwing parties for royalty and high society figures. In her own words, Elsa Maxwell described herself as “… a short, fat, homely piano player from Keokuk, Iowa, with no money or background, [who] decided to become a legend and did just that.”

Thanks to Fred’s installation of a new intercom system, Lucy hears something that makes her think that Ethel and Betty are throwing the Ricardos a surprise housewarming party. When no one shows up, Ethel overhears Lucy crying and throws together an impromptu late-night soiree. During the episode we learn a bit more about Lucy’s Westport neighbors. Although Betty Ramsey (Mary Jane Croft) is featured, Ralph (usually played by Frank Nelson) is said to be away on a business trip, possibly due to Nelson not being available for the filming. Their son, Bruce, makes his third and final appearance on the series.  He was played by Ray Farrell.  Along with his brother Todd, Ray appeared on “Lassie.” He left show business at age 11 and died at the age of 57 in 2006.  

We hear about Kay Bailey and her (unnamed) husband. The surname Bailey appears in Lucille Ball’s family tree. We also hear about Harry and Grace Munson. Ruth Brady assumed the role of Grace in season 6 from Hazel Pierce, who played her in season two. Apparently the Munsons also made the move to suburban Connecticut since they are now being considered neighbors. Tristram Coffin played Harry Munson in two season six episodes. Two additional neighbor couples are mentioned: Bill and June Spear and the Parkers, although if they are among the couples that hastily show up in the final party scene, they are not identified or credited.  

Realizing she doesn’t have a gift for her last minute housewarming, Ethel quickly wraps up a candlestick, forgetting that it was given to her by Lucy!

At the end of the episode, Lucille Ball and Desi Arnaz address the camera with a commercial. It is a classic example of Lucy making fun of Desi’s accent:

JOHNNY JACOBS (Voice Over Announcer): Here again are Lucille Ball and Desi Arnaz for our alternate sponsors.

DESI: Listen, honey, tonight I gotta tell the ladies about the new Squiz Cumb Lilt Home Permanent, and I need your help.

LUCILLE: “Oh, you sure do. It’s the new Squeeze Comb Lilt Home Permanent.

DESI: Ah, you don’t understand, honey. Just tell me the name of this thin’ here.

LUCILLE: That’s the Squiz Cumb. I mean it’s a Squeeze Comb.

DESI: No, no, no, no, this.

LUCILLE:  Oh, that’s the comb tip.

DESI: Thank you. Now, this cumb tip cumbs the lotion right into your hair out of a squiz bottle.

LUCILLE: Remember how we gals used to dip-dab those messy lotions on? Well, that’s out.  With new Lilt, you just squeeze the bottle and it combs itself right in. It’s so simple, even he could do it if he had to.

DESI: Yeah, it’s izzy. 

LUCILLE: Yeah, it’s izzy. And you’ll get the most beautiful, longest-lasting home permanent you’ve ever had.

DESI: Thank you, honey. Now, ladies, remember this name: Squiz. Cumb. Lilt.

LUCILLE: Squeeze Comb Lilt Home Permanent.

JOHNNY JACOBS: “Love Lucy” starring Lucille Ball and Desi Arnaz has been presented for your pleasure by Instant Sanka, the hearty coffee you can drink as strong as you like, it still can’t upset your nerves.