S6;E21 ~ February 19, 1968
Synopsis
A dance instructor (Ken Berry) is about
to default on his loan until Lucy arranges for him to be on a local
television show.
Regular Cast
Lucille Ball (Lucy Carmichael), Gale
Gordon (Theodore J. Mooney), Roy Roberts (Harrison Winfield Cheever)
Mary Jane Croft (Mary Jane Lewis) does
not appear in this episode.
Guest Cast
Ken Berry (Ken Jones) was spotted by
Lucille Ball performing in The Billie Barnes Revue. Ball offered him
a job at Desilu for $50 a week in her Desilu Workshop. He made his TV
debut in a 1960 episode of “Harrigan and Son” filmed at Desilu
before being cast as Woody on “The Ann Sothern Show.” In 1965 he
was cast as Captain Parmenter in “F-Troop.” A month after this
“Lucy Show” episode first aired, Berry made his first appearance
on “The Andy Griffith Show.” In the fall of 1968 the show was
re-formatted to become “Mayberry R.F.D.” with Ken Berry as the
star. His final series before retiring was “Mama’s Family”
(1983-1990). He died on December 1, 2018 at age 85.
Sidney Miller (Sid Howard) was an actor
turned director who performed opposite Lucille Ball in Yours, Mine
and Ours (1968) and “Lucy Moves to NBC” (1980). He directed Ken
Berry in a 1961 episode of “Peter Loves Mary.”
Stanley
Adams (Union Leader) was also seen with Lucille Ball in Critic’s
Choice (1963). This is the last of his three appearances on “The
Lucy Show.”
Ralph Story (Himself) was well known in
the Los Angeles area as a local TV personality as host of “Ralph
Story’s Los Angeles” from 1963 until the late 1970s. He also
hosted “A.M. Los Angeles” on for several years during the
1970s and 80s.
Ralph Bernardi (Tony Reggio) was the
brother of actor Herschel Bernardi. Although this is his only
appearance with Lucille Ball, he acted opposite Ken Berry in a 1968
episode of “Mayberry R.F.D.”
Tony is the proprietor of Tony’s Pizza
Parlor, which was the subject of one of Ralph Story’s programs. His
surname is never mentioned in the dialogue.
James J. Casino
(Teamster #1) went on to appear in a 1970 episode of “Here’s Lucy.”
He appeared in Rocky II (1979) and Paradise Alley (1978) with
Sylvester Stallone.
Owen C. Harvey (Teamster #2) was an
actor and a stunt man who also appeared in six episodes of “Here’s
Lucy.”
George Boyce (Teamster #3) was an actor
and dancer who makes his only appearance with Lucille Ball. His
final screen credit was as a dancer in Hello, Dolly (1969).
Charles Cirillo (Teamster, uncredited)
was also an uncredited extra in Lucy’s 1968 film Yours, Mine and
Ours. He also did a 1971 episode of “Here’s Lucy.”
Seven other Teamsters, as well as the
bank employees and customers are played by uncredited background
performers.
There was no new episode on Monday,
February 12, 1968.
Ken Jones teaches a course of tap and
soft shoe for $25. Lucy signs up and recruits a dozen truck drivers
to also participate.
Ralph Story gets entrance applause from
the Los Angeles studio audience. The rest of America is likely not
as familiar with his face as he is a local celebrity.
Lucy compliments Story on his programs
about the sex lives of dates and the steamer that goes to Catalina.
When Story asks if she’s made the trip she replies that she’s never
been abroad. Catalina Island, off the coast of Southern California,
has been mentioned three times previously on “The Lucy Show.”
Ken’s recital is featured on “Ralph
Story’s Los Angeles” and features:
Ken and the Teamsters perform “Steppin’
Out With My Baby” by Irving Berlin and introduced in the 1948
musical film Easter Parade.
To introduce Lucy, they sing “Lucy’s
Back In Town” (aka “Lulu’s Back in Town”) by Harry Warren
with special lyrics by Bob O’Brien. The original song was introduced
in the 1935 film Broadway Gondolier.
For the finale, everyone sings “Pick
Yourself Up” by Jerome Kern and Dorothy Fields written for the film
Swing Time (1936).
Callbacks!
When “Lucy Meets Mickey Rooney”
(S4;E18) he is also looking to the bank for a loan to open his acting
school. Lucy takes lessons with him and they also perform a
‘showcase.’
Blooper Alerts!
When Ralph Story enters the bank, Lucy,
Mr. Mooney’s secretary, is acting as a teller.
Lucy tells Ralph Story that she’s never
been abroad. She must have forgotten about her trip to England in
“Lucy in London.”
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