LUCY’S BURGLAR ALARM

S2;E7
~ November 3, 1969

Directed
by George Marshall ~ Written by Milt Josefsberg and Ray Singer

Synopsis

When
Lucy and the kids are robbed and Harry refuses to fund a $500 burglar
alarm, Craig comes up with an elaborate home alarm system.

Regular
Cast

Lucille
Ball (Lucy
Carter), Gale
Gordon (Harrison
Otis Carter), Lucie
Arnaz (Kim
Carter), Desi
Arnaz Jr. (Craig
Carter)

Guest
Cast

Guy
Marks
(Crook) was born Mario Scarpa in Philadelphia in 1923. He is
probably best remembered as Freddy on 18 episodes of “The Joey
Bishop Show” (1962-63). This is his only appearance with Lucille
Ball. He died in Brigantine, New Jersey in 1987.

The
crook says he has eight kids, including one 18 years old who wants to
be a hippie.

Elliott
Reid
(Detective Harvey Gaynes) played Edward Warren, a parody of Edward R.
Murrow, in “The Ricardos Are Interviewed” (ILL S5;E7) and
appeared in two episodes of “The Lucy Show.” This is the first
of his two appearances on “Here’s Lucy.”

The
date this episode originally aired, November 3, 1969 President
Richard Nixon gave a televised speech about the war in Vietnam in
what would become known as “The Silent Majority Speech.” “Here’s
Lucy” was pre-empted in some time zones.

The
“Here’s Lucy” DVD introduction of this episode is by Elliott
Reid (Detective Gaynes), who died shortly after it was filmed.

At
the start of the episode, Craig is practicing guitar and Lucie is
listening to a transistor radio playing an instrumental version of “I
Know a Place”
by
Tony Hatch. The song was made
popular in 1965 by Petula Clark. This is the third time the song has
been heard on “Here’s Lucy.”

At
the office, Harry dictates a letter to Goldapper and Russ. This is
an inside joke. Lucy’s husband Gary Morton’s birth name is Goldapper.
The name was previously used as a reference in “Lucy, the Shopping
Expert” (S1;E20).

When
Lucy surrenders a measly $1.19 to the crook, he remarks “For
this I had to miss ‘Laugh-In’?”
The second half of the tremendously popular ABC topical comedy /
variety show was up against “Here’s Lucy” on CBS. This is just
one of many references to the competition.

Lucy
reveals her address to be 5780 Cherry Blossom Lane. Her telephone
number is 865-8321.

Lucy
describes the crook as “a
tired Humphrey Bogart.” In the previous episode, Lucy blew a kiss to a poster of actor
Humphrey
Bogart.

Craig’s homemade alarm starts with explosions from the fireplace after a fake safe dial is touched.

Harry learns the hard way where NOT to stand once the alarm has been activated.

The finale step in Craig’s alarm system drops a net down over the crook! Or the detective, and whoever happens to be standing beside him!

These intricate special effects make the cast nervous! One mistake will cost thousands of dollars in retakes, which will not
make Lucille Ball happy. Thankfully, all the stunts go perfectly in
one take.

Gale
Gordon also went down a trap door as Mr. Mooney in “Lucy Takes a
Job at the Bank” (TLS S2;E21).

Lucy
Ricardo encountered burglars in “Lucy Cries Wolf” (ILL S4;E3)…

…and in “Too Many Crooks” (ILL S3;E9).

Where The Floor Ends! Once
again, a long shot reveals the concrete stage floor of the studio.