1953
Part Two ~ JULY to DECEMBER
The launch of season three turns the Ricardos from a show-business couple to a struggling family.
“Ricky’s ‘Life’ Story”
(ILL S3;E1) ~ October 5, 1953
Life Magazine, that is. The Arnaz Family was featured in the magazine, so they returned the favor on “I Love Lucy.” This is the first time Little Ricky was played by the twins Joseph and Michael Mayer. This episode was filmed in May 1953, but saved to open the new season.
“The Girls Go Into Business”
(ILL S3;E2) ~ October 12, 1953
This was the first episode filmed (September 11, 1953) for season three. At the same time, Lucille Ball had been accused of being a communist. Desi made a pre-show announcement of support before the filming. “And now I want you to meet my wife, my favorite redhead, in fact, that’s the only thing RED about her and even that’s not legitimate.”
“Lucy and Ethel Buy the Same Dress”
(ILL S3;E3) ~ October 19, 1953
Lucy and Ethel sing “Friendship,” a Cole Porter tune Lucille sang in the 1943 film DuBarry Was a Lady. We learn the first of Ethel’s three middle names: Louise, the same as William Frawley’s ex-wife. Filmed September 17, 1953.
“Equal Rights” (ILL S3;E4) ~ October 26, 1953
Lucille was a perfectionist in all aspects of her work. During rehearsal for this episode, she spent hours trying to find the perfect paper bag to make the sound of the fake gunshot. Filmed September 24, 1953.
“Baby Pictures”
(ILL S3;E5) ~ November 2, 1953
This is Doris Singleton’s fifth of ten appearances as Carolyn Appleby, but his is the first time we see her husband Charlie (Hy Averback). Filmed October 1, 1953.
“Lucy Tells the Truth” (ILL S3;E6) ~ November 9, 1953
This episode is best remembered for Lucy being a knife thrower’s target! Less memorable is the woman who sings like a chicken, a moment generally cut in syndication. The Ricardo apartment is re-numbered to 3D for the sake of a joke. Charles Lane, making his first of many appearances on the series, plays a talent scout. Filmed October 8, 1953.
“The French Revue” (ILL S3;E7) ~ November 16, 1953
A classic “Lucy Wants To Get Into the Act” episode with Lucy in a variety of disguises. Everyone imitates movie star Maurice Chevalier, not knowing he would guest star on the show in 1958. Filmed October 15, 1953.
“Dinner with The President” ~ November 23, 1953 on CBS
A news special in which the “I Love Lucy” cast are invited to perform at the 40th Anniversary Dinner of the Anti-Defamation League in Washington DC. Because Lucille Ball had been cleared of charges of being a communist, she thought they owed it to President Eisenhower to attend and perform a skit live. Lucy and Desi performed the “Under the Bamboo Tree” song and witty patter routine they did in “The Benefit” (ILL S1;E13) and Vivian and Bill sang “Carolina in the Morning” which they sang in “Ricky Loses His Voice” (ILL S2;E9).
“Redecorating the Mertzes’ Apartment”
(ILL S3;E8) ~ November 23, 1953
The writers also reasoned that if Fred and Ethel had better furniture, more scenes might take place in the Mertz apartment.
Set designer Ted Offenbecker didn’t like the Ricardo’s sectional couch so replacing it was the inspiration for this episode. This is the third and final living room set change but also the one that lasts longest. The feathers floated down from the studio ceiling for days afterward. Filmed October 22, 1953.
“Too Many Crooks” (ILL S3;E9) ~ November 30, 1953
Urban crime is the topic of this episode, featuring a female villain, Madame X. The night this episode first aired, Desi Arnaz threw a surprise 13th wedding anniversary party for Lucille Ball at Hollywood’s glamorous Mocambo nightclub. After a towering cake was served, a TV set was wheeled in and guests watched “I Love Lucy”! Allen Jenkins returns as a policeman. Filmed October 29, 1953.
“Changing the Boys’ Wardrobe” (ILL S3;E10) ~ December 7, 1953
The premise of this show is not completely believable. Fred and Ricky are generally well dressed men, even when lounging around the house! This is the third time on the series that Ricky sings “Granada.” Filmed November 5, 1953.
"Lucy Has Her Eyes Examined” (ILL S3;E11) ~ December 14, 1953
“Parker Preps Prod for Pitts Preem!”
Lucy is taught to jitterbug by Arthur “Cool Cat” Walsh, who uses his own name on the show. Filmed November 12, 1953.
“Ricky’s Old Girlfriend” (ILL S3;E12) ~ December 21, 1953
The episode features a lengthy dream sequence, something that won’t be repeated until Lucy visits Scotland. Carlota, the old girlfriend of the title, is portrayed by Lillian Molieri. In Lucy’s dream, Little Ricky is played by five year-old Jerry Mathers, who would later become known as the Beaver in “Leave it to Beaver” (1957-63). Filmed November 19, 1953. There will be no new episode until January 11, 1954.
Also in 1953…
“I Love Lucy The Movie” (unreleased)
This film consisted of three episodes edited together: “The Benefit” (ILL S1;E13), “Breaking the Lease” (ILL S1;E18) and “The Ballet” (ILL S1;E19). New scenes were filmed to help connect the three episodes into one cohesive whole. Also, new wraparound segments were filmed. The opening segment shows the studio audience filing in for the filming. Desi Arnaz welcomes the audience and introduces the cast as he typically did before every filming. In the closing segment, Arnaz thanks the audience and Lucille Ball and the cast take their final bows.
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