LUCY: 40 YEARS OF TELEVISION

1958

A few months into the hour-long format of “I Love Lucy”, Desilu joins forces with Westinghouse to create “The Westinghouse Desilu Playhouse” which will showcase new talent, new writing, and “The Lucy-Desi Comedy Hour.”  

“Lucy Hunts Uranium” (LDCH E3) ~ January 3, 1958

Fred MacMurray and his wife June Haver guest star in the first hour-long episode to go on location. In this time period, nearly all television shows did a storyline based on the hunt for Uranium. “I Love Lucy” regulars Charles Lane and Bobby Jellison were also in the cast. The studio portions were filmed on November 15, 1957. Although this still photo is in color, the show was filmed and aired in black and white. 

“Lucy Wins a Race Horse” (LDCH E4) ~ February 3, 1958

Husband and wife Harry James and Betty Grable guest star in an episode that capitalizes on their interest in horse racing.  Tony (the horse) plays Lucy’s prize, Whirling Jet. Features “The Bayamo,” a Latin-style production number especially written for the show, performed in the Ricardo living room!  Location footage at New York’s Roosevelt Raceway is done using actor doubles. 

“Lucy Goes To Sun Valley” (LDCH E5) ~ April 14, 1958

Latin heartthrob Fernando Lamas guest stars in an on-location episode set in Sun Valley, Idaho, a favorite resort get-away for the Arnaz family. The last episode written by Bob Carroll, Jr. and Madelyn Pugh, who created “I Love Lucy.”  Filmed in February 1958.  

“Lucy Goes to Mexico” (LDCH E6) ~ October 6, 1958

As unlikely as it seems, Maurice Chevalier is the guest star. There was second unit footage of San Diego (Hotel del Coronado and the USS Yorktown) and Tijuana (border crossing and El Toreo de Tijuana) using actor doubles. The main cast never left Los Angeles. Musical showcase for Desi, Chevalier, and Little Ricky. Features Charles Lane and Vito Scotti. Filmed in June 1958.  

“Westinghouse Desilu Playhouse: K.O. Kitty” ~ November 17, 1958

In her first time not playing Lucy Ricardo, Lucille Ball plays dance teacher Kitty Winslow, who inherits a prize fighter. Although the “Westinghouse Desilu Playhouse” was meant to showcase Lucille in a variety of non-Lucy roles, this is the only one to be produced. Featuring William Lundigan (left) and Aldo Ray. 

“Lucy Makes Room for Danny” (LDCH E7) ~ December 6, 1958

In one of TV’s first cross-over episodes, the cast of “Make Room for Daddy” (Danny Thomas, Marjorie Lord, Rusty Hamer and Angela Cartwright) move networks to CBS and take over the “Lucy-Desi” timeslot. To mark the occasion, a show is written where Danny’s family moves into the Ricardo home. Features Gale Gordon as a Judge. 

Also in 1958… 

• Desilu produced an hour-long showcase of their studios to mark their new partnership with Westinghouse. It included the “Lucy” cast and extensive footage of the studios and featured a visit to the set of “Lucy Visits Mexico.” It was never broadcast on television, although has been colorized and distributed on video. 
• On April 14, 1958, the same day “Lucy Visits Sun Valley” first aired, Desi Arnaz did a promo for “The Lucy-Desi Comedy Hour” on CBS’s daytime drama “Love of Life,” which that day went from 15 minutes to half an hour. Lucille Ball did not appear.