1952 Part Two ~ JULY to DECEMBER
The second season of “I Love Lucy” begins, with both Lucille Ball and Lucy Ricardo pregnant! The decision to incorporate Ball’s pregnancy into the story arc changes the filming schedule in order to ‘bank’ episodes for Lucille’s pregnancy leave.
“Job Switching”
(ILL S2;E1) ~ September 15, 1952
In 1996, TV Guide included this episode as part of its “100 Most Memorable Moments in TV History”, ranking it # 2. This was one of five episodes filmed in May 1952 and held for broadcast the following season. It was the first to be directed by William Asher, and has long been considered one of the series’ classic episodes. Desilu Studios considered it the epitome of their work and for many years screened it for all visiting dignitaries.
“The Saxophone”
(ILL S2;E2) ~ September 22, 1952
Lucille Ball learned to play saxophone for this episode, a skill she would use in all her subsequent sitcoms. Filmed June 6, 1952, but aired out of filming order.
“The Anniversary Present” (ILL S2;E3) ~ September 29, 1952
Gloria Blondell (sister of Joan Blondell) guest stars as neighbor Grace Foster. Filmed May 9, 1952, one week after the last episode of season one.
“The Handcuffs”
(ILL S2;E4) ~ October 6, 1952
The gag of Lucy sticking her hand through a curtain in place of Ricky’s was so memorable it was used again on “The Lucy Show” and “Here’s Lucy.” Filmed May 16, 1952.
“The Operetta” (ILL S2;E5) ~ October 13, 1952
Eliot Daniel, who wrote the show’s theme song lyrics, wrote a full score for Lucy’s operetta “The Pleasant Peasant.” The last show directed by Marc Daniels, who regretted that it was not filmed in color.
Filmed May 23, 1952.
“Vacation from Marriage” (ILL S2;E6) ~ October 27, 1952
This is the first and only time we see the Mertz bedroom, which (not surprisingly) is outfitted with two beds.
This is also the first time we see the roof of 323 East 68th Street. Filmed August 1, 1952.
“The Courtroom” (ILL S2;E7) ~ November 10, 1952
When this episode was filmed (August 8, 1952), many people had purchased their first TV specifically to see the 1952 Democratic and Republican National Convention, which aired in July. Courtroom drama (or comedy) was also part of all three of Ball’s subsequent series.
“Stars in the Eye” ~ November 11, 1952
A live special to celebrate the opening of the CBS Television City complex. All of the “I Love Lucy” cast appeared, although their portion was pre-filmed to accommodate Lucille’s pregnancy. “I Love Lucy” was one of the few CBS series never filmed at Television City.
“Redecorating”
(ILL S2;E8) ~ November 24, 1952
This episode was prompted by Lucille Ball herself, who said of the existing stage furniture “I just got tired of it.” Hans Conreid plays used furniture salesman Dan Jenkins. Filmed August 15, 1952, Lucille is dressed in loose-fitting clothes but is noticeably pregnant.
“Ricky Loses His Voice” (ILL S2;E9) ~ December 1, 1952
This was the last episode filmed (August 22, 1952) before the pregnancy and ‘flashback’ episodes. It ends with a 1920s revue featuring “Carolina in the Morning” “Sweet and Lovely” and “The Charleston.”
“Lucy Is Enceinte”
(ILL S2;E10) ~ December 8, 1952
Although the network and the sponsor were onboard with Lucy having a baby, they asked that the word ‘pregnant’ be avoided, hence the French word ‘enceinte’ in the title! The writers were tasked with coming up with other euphemisms for having a baby. Desi sings “We’re Having a Baby”, a song he first recorded when his daughter Lucie was born. Filmed October 3, 1952.
“Pregnant Women Are Unpredictable”
(ILL S2;E11) ~ December 15, 1952
Immediately contradicting the ‘pregnancy’ ban with this title as ‘titles’ were generally for internal reference. The episode opens with Lucy practicing bathing and diapering with a doll. In 1952, an “I Love Lucy” infant doll was marketed by the American Character Doll Company. Since the sex of the baby was not known on the show, the doll did not specify a gender either! Filmed October 10, 1952.
“Lucy’s Show-Biz Swan Song”
(ILL S2;E12) ~ December 22, 1952
This episode ran short, so Desi’s friend and fishing buddy Pepito the Clown (aka Pepito Pérez) was asked to come and do his act, which was edited in to the episode afterwards.
To further fill the show, the Santa Claus / Christmas tag that aired after 1951’s “Drafted” (ILL S1;E11) was added onto the end. The show ends with the gang singing “Sweet Adeline” as an old-time barbershop quartet. Filmed October 17, 1952.
“Lucy Hires an English Tutor” (ILL S2;E13) ~ December 29, 1952
Hans Conreid (Mr. Livermore, the tutor of the title) had just played Mr. Jenkins, a devious used furniture salesman, a month earlier in “Redecorating” (S2;E8). Filmed October 24, 1952. Despite the photo above, the episode was filmed in black and white and has not yet been colorized.
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