WOMEN’S RIGHTS ~ PART 2

March 12, 1950

“Women’s Rights – Part 2” (aka “Equal Rights Role Reversal”) is episode #79 of the radio series MY FAVORITE HUSBAND broadcast on March 12, 1950.

Synopsis ~ Liz and Iris have bet George and Rudolph that they can hold down a job, and the boys have bet the girls that they can take care of the housework and cooking.

Although this episode is thematically linked to the previous one, “Equal Rights – Part 1”, they are self-contained stories. 

Note: This program was used as a basis for the “I Love Lucy” episode “Job Switching” (ILL S2;E1) filmed on May 30, 1952 and first aired on September 15, 1952. The episode was colorized on December 7, 2014. Interestingly, the episode’s most famous sequence – perhaps of the whole series – in the Candy Factory – is not pat of the radio story. 

“My Favorite Husband” was based on the novels Mr. and Mrs. Cugat, the Record of a Happy Marriage (1940) and Outside Eden (1945) by Isabel Scott Rorick, which had previously been adapted into the film Are Husbands Necessary? (1942). “My Favorite Husband” was first broadcast as a one-time special on July 5, 1948. Lucille Ball and Lee Bowman played the characters of Liz and George Cugat, and a positive response to this broadcast convinced CBS to launch “My Favorite Husband” as a series. Bowman was not available Richard Denning was cast as George. On January 7, 1949, confusion with bandleader Xavier Cugat prompted a name change to Cooper. On this same episode Jell-O became its sponsor. A total of 124 episodes of the program aired from July 23, 1948 through March 31, 1951. After about ten episodes had been written, writers Fox and Davenport departed and three new writers took over – Bob Carroll, Jr., Madelyn Pugh, and head writer/producer Jess Oppenheimer. In March 1949 Gale Gordon took over the existing role of George’s boss, Rudolph Atterbury, and Bea Benadaret was added as his wife, Iris. CBS brought “My Favorite Husband” to television in 1953, starring Joan Caulfield and Barry Nelson as Liz and George Cooper. The television version ran two-and-a-half seasons, from September 1953 through December 1955, running concurrently with “I Love Lucy.” It was produced live at CBS Television City for most of its run, until switching to film for a truncated third season filmed (ironically) at Desilu and recasting Liz Cooper with Vanessa Brown.

MAIN CAST

Lucille Ball (Liz Cooper) was born on August 6, 1911 in Jamestown, New York. She began her screen career in 1933 and was known in Hollywood as ‘Queen of the B’s’ due to her many appearances in ‘B’ movies. With Richard Denning, she starred in a radio program titled “My Favorite Husband” which eventually led to the creation of “I Love Lucy,” a television situation comedy in which she co-starred with her real-life husband, Latin bandleader Desi Arnaz. The program was phenomenally successful, allowing the couple to purchase what was once RKO Studios, re-naming it Desilu. When the show ended in 1960 (in an hour-long format known as “The Lucy-Desi Comedy Hour”) so did Lucy and Desi’s marriage. In 1962, hoping to keep Desilu financially solvent, Lucy returned to the sitcom format with “The Lucy Show,” which lasted six seasons. She followed that with a similar sitcom “Here’s Lucy” co-starring with her real-life children, Lucie and Desi Jr., as well as Gale Gordon, who had joined the cast of “The Lucy Show” during season two. Before her death in 1989, Lucy made one more attempt at a sitcom with “Life With Lucy,” also with Gordon.

Richard Denning (George Cooper) was born Louis Albert Heindrich Denninger Jr., in Poughkeepsie, New York. When he was 18 months old, his family moved to Los Angeles. Plans called for him to take over his father’s garment manufacturing business, but he developed an interest in acting. Denning enlisted in the US Navy during World War II. He is best known for his  roles in various science fiction and horror films of the 1950s. Although he teamed with Lucille Ball on radio in “My Favorite Husband,” the two never acted together on screen. While “I Love Lucy” was on the air, he was seen on another CBS TV series, “Mr. & Mrs. North.” From 1968 to 1980 he played the Governor on “Hawaii 5-0″, his final role. He died in 1998 at age 84.

Gale Gordon (Rudolph Atterbury) had worked with Lucille Ball on “The Wonder Show” on radio in 1938. One of the front-runners to play Fred Mertz on “I Love Lucy,” he eventually played Alvin Littlefield, owner of the Tropicana, during two episodes in 1952. After playing a Judge in an episode of “The Lucy-Desi Comedy Hour” in 1958, he would re-team with Lucy for all of her subsequent series’: as Theodore J. Mooney in ”The Lucy Show”; as Harrison Otis Carter in “Here’s Lucy”; and as Curtis McGibbon on “Life with Lucy.” Gordon died in 1995 at the age of 89.

Bea Benadaret (Iris Atterbury) was considered the front-runner to be cast as Ethel Mertz but when “I Love Lucy” was ready to start production she was already playing a similar role on TV’s “The George Burns and Gracie Allen Show” so Vivian Vance was cast instead. On “I Love Lucy” she was cast as Lucy Ricardo’s spinster neighbor, Miss Lewis, in “Lucy Plays Cupid” (ILL S1;E15) in early 1952. Later, she was a success in her own show, “Petticoat Junction” as Shady Rest Hotel proprietress Kate Bradley. She starred in the series until her death in 1968.

Ruth Perrott (Katie, the Maid) does not appear in this episode. It is the maid’s day off!  

Hilda is the name of the Atterbury’s maid – like Katie, it is her day off, too! 

Bob LeMond (Announcer) also served as the announcer for the pilot episode of “I Love Lucy”. When the long-lost pilot was finally discovered in 1990, a few moments of the opening narration were damaged and lost, so LeMond – fifty years later – recreated the narration for the CBS special and subsequent DVD release.

GUEST CAST

Frank Nelson (Sheridan Falls Employment Agency Clerk) was born on May 6, 1911 (three months before Lucille Ball) in Colorado Springs, Colorado. He started working as a radio announcer at the age of 15. He later appeared on such popular radio shows as “The Great Gildersleeve,” “Burns and Allen,” and “Fibber McGee & Molly”.  Aside from Lucille Ball, Nelson is perhaps most associated with Jack Benny and was a fifteen-year regular on his radio and television programs. His trademark was playing clerks and other working stiffs, suddenly turning to Benny with a drawn out “Yeeeeeeeeees?” Nelson appeared in 11 episodes of “I Love Lucy”, including three as quiz master Freddy Fillmore, and two as Ralph Ramsey, plus appearance on “The Lucy-Desi Comedy Hour” – making him the only actor to play two different recurring roles on “I Love Lucy.” Nelson returned to the role of the frazzled Train Conductor for an episode of “The Lucy Show” in 1963. This marks his final appearance on a Lucille Ball sitcom.

On television the role of the man at the employment agency is played by Alvin Hurwitz. 

Elvia Allman (Blanche) was born on September 19, 1904 in Enochville, North Carolina. She started her performing career on radio in the 1920s, as both a storyteller and singer. Allman’s first episode of “I Love Lucy” is also one of the most memorable in TV history: “Job Switching” (ILL S2;E1) in September 1952.  She played the strident foreman of Kramer’s Candy Kitchen. Allman returned to the show as one of Minnie Finch’s neighbors in “Fan Magazine Interview” (ILL S3;E17) in 1954. Changing gears once again she played prim magazine reporter Nancy Graham in “The Homecoming” (ILL S5;E6) in 1955. She made two appearances on “The Lucy–Desi Comedy Hour“ – first as Ida Thompson, Westfield’s PTA director in “The Celebrity Next Door” (LDCH S1;E2) and as Milton Berle’s secretary when “Milton Berle Hides Out at the Ricardos” (LDCH S3;E1) in 1959. On “The Lucy Show” she was seen in “Lucy Bags a Bargain” (TLS S4;E17) and in “Lucy The Babysitter” (TLS S5;E16).  Allman died on March 6, 1992, aged 87.

Coincidentally, Bea Benadaret also played a character named Blanche – Blanche Morton on “The George Burns and Gracie Allen Show”.  Since this radio episode does not contain the now famous Candy factor sequences, Allman plays one of the cleaners sent to clean up George’s kitchen disaster. 

EPISODE

ANNOUNCER: “As we look in on the Coopers tonight we see a story unfolding, a story that started last week when the Coopers and the Atterburys had a discussion on the proposed constitutional amendment granting women equal rights.”  

It is agreed that Liz and Iris will go out and earn a living and the boys will stay home and take care of the cooking and cleaning. The boys fail to realize that it their maids’ day off. 

The morning of the ‘great experiment’, Liz has her head buried in the newspaper, ignoring George, just as he usually does to her over breakfast. A car horn honks. It is Iris ready to pick up Liz for work.  She kisses George goodbye and gets in the car with Iris. The girls are hungry – both husbands served inedible breakfasts – so they head for the local coffee shop. 

Over breakfast they peruse the want ads. 

LIZ: “How do you like that. You can’t get a job unless you can do something.” 

Iris reads an ad stating “We Need Women” – but the applicants have to be under 25.  Liz says she could apply, but Iris couldn’t. The position is for living statues at the Follies Theatre. Liz suggests they open their own Follies Theatre with chorus boys instead of girls and the first row reserved for bald-headed women!  Iris flatly says ‘no’!  

The ad for ‘living statues at the Follies Theatre” is undoubtedly a polite reference to Burlesque, a form of theatrical entertainment that generally featured female strippers and women wearing skimpy outfits for the titillation of men. 

Iris spots an ad for an employment agency with a spotless record for placements. Despite Liz’s fear that their record is in danger of being broken by their applications, they decide to visit. 

At the Cooper home, George answers to phone to Mary Margaret McAtterbury, who is looking to talk with ‘Phoebe Cooper’.  

Rudolph is punning on the name Mary Margaret McBride. Under the pseudonym ‘Martha Deane,’ on radio McBride portrayed a fictional grandmother telling stories, offering advice, interviewing guests, and skillfully pitching products. During her career, she was heard on all three networks: CBS, NBC, and ABC, retiring in 1954. In “The Million Dollar Idea” (ILL S3;E13 ~ January 11, 1954), Ethel takes the name Mary Margaret McMertz when selling Aunt Martha’s Old Fashioned Salad Dressing on television. 

George has finished washing the breakfast dishes, but Rudolph had no need to wash dishes. He tripped and fell – breaking all Iris’s plates. He assures George it wasn’t her good China – just something called Haviland. 

Haviland & Co. is a manufacturer of Limoges porcelain in France, begun in the 1840s. Many of the older pieces are still in existence and are desirable as an antique or collectable. 

The men discuss laundry. George thinks he over-starched Liz’s petticoats.

GEORGE: “When I tried to fold them, they broke in half. So I only put half as much starch in silk stockings. You don’t even have to hang them up, you just stand them in the corner!” 

It must have been fun for the writers to see their outrageous idea of starched stockings turned into a visual joke for television. Ricky and Fred were just as bad at laundry as George and Rudolph. 

Liz and Iris arrive at the Sheridan Falls Employment Center. The man who cheerfully greets them (Frank Nelson), turns dour when he realizes they are not potential employers but applicants. 

LIZ: “What kind of jobs do you have open?” 
NELSON: “What do you do?”
LIZ: “What kind of jobs do you have open?”
NELSON: “What do you do?”
LIZ: “What kind of jobs do you have open?”
NELSON: “You go first this time.” 
LIZ: “Alright. What do you do? 
NELSON: “Now cut that out!”

Liz and Iris decide it’s best not to give their real names. Liz says she is Liz Bridget McGonnagal O’Brian. Iris says she is Iris McGonnagal. Liz says that she is currently working for Mr. George Cooper, where she is still employed, but there’s no chance for advancement. 

The man tells him to peruse the jobs board and let him know if there’s anything they can do. They read out the list: 

• Short Order Cook 
• Western Union Boy (Liz can’t ride a bicycle)
• Japanese Gardner (Liz doesn’t want to get her hands dirty)
• Electrician
• Carpenter
• Steam Fitter (Liz didn’t even know steam came in sizes)
• Shoe Salesman
• Furniture Repairman for Moving Company
• Plumber’s Helper
• Deep Sea Diver

The first part ends with Liz reading the list.  Announcer Bob LeMond does a Jell-O commercial providing a recipe for honey Jell-O topped with whipped cream. 

ANNOUNCER: “As we return to the Coopers we find our two intrepid would-be wage earners still reading off the list of available jobs on the agency blackboard.” 

• Exterminator
• Tombstone Cutter
• Lighthouse Keeper (Liz jokes about ‘light housekeeping’)
• Streetcar Conductor
• Master of Ceremonies for Laundromat
• Cabinet Maker’s Apprentice
• Drooler for Front of Doughnut Window

The Clerk returns to find them still there. He suggests a job at the carnival. All they have to do is stand absolutely still.

LIZ: “What is it? A television commercial for Forest Lawn?”

Forest Lawn Memorial Park is one of the six Forest Lawn cemeteries in Southern California. It is located in the Hollywood Hills neighborhood of Los Angeles and known for the number of celebrities buried there. When Lucille 

Ball died on April 26, 1989, she was cremated and her ashes were put at  Forest Lawn. In 2002, however, her children, decided to move her remains to the family plot at Lakeview Cemetery in Jamestown. Harry Ackerman, director of “My Favorite Husband” is buried there. Frank Nelson’s ashes are at the Glendale location. 

The clerk reveals that the job is at a carnival working for the knife thrower! Iris flatly says “no”. Liz wearily continues reading the list. 

• Tailor
• Steeplejack
• Coal Miner
• Fish Breeder
• Toupee Maker
• Dye Caster
• Cast Dyer
• Snake Charmer

‘Prudence’ Cooper calls ‘Mary Margaret’ McAtterbury on the telephone to ask if he knows anything about rice.

RUDOLPH: “I remember it was thrown at me on one of the darkest days in my life.”

This exact line is spoken by Fred Mertz (William Frawley) in “Job Switching.” The symbolic tradition of throwing a handful of rice in the air (and on the newly married couple) goes back to the ancient Romans who used wheat or oat seeds, associated to the birth of a new life. The tradition was largely discontinued by venues who had difficultly cleaning up the tiny grains afterwards. Many people believe, incorrectly, it is because it was found to cause harm to birdlife, which is largely untrue. 

George is unsure how much to use, but thinks one pound per person should be about right. 

As he is talking on the telephone, the kitchen door begins to open by itself. The cooked rice has spilled over and onto the floor!

GEORGE: “Our kitchen looks like Sun Valley!” 

Sun Valley, Idaho is a resort city where tourists can enjoy a variety of winter sports, including skiing on Bald Mountain and Dollar Mountain. The world’s first chair lift was erected in Sun Valley in 1936. Sun Valley was featured  in the 1941 movie Sun Valley Serenade. Part of Abbott and Costello’s 1943 film Hit the Ice was shot in Sun Valley. In 1950 Esther Williams starred as the Duchess of Idaho in MGM’s Technicolor Musical. It was also the location of “The Lucy Desi Comedy Hour” episode “Lucy Goes To Sun Valley” in April 1958.     

Rudolph agrees to rush over and help clean up. He’ll bring some raisins so they can at least make a decent rice pudding. 

Meanwhile, at the Sheridan Falls Employment Agency…

• Xylophonist
• Zither Maker
• Pinfeather Plucker in Chicken Factory

Liz and Iris have come to the end of the list. The phone rings and it is George. He asks the clerk if he can hire a couple of cleaners. With only Liz and Iris available, they are sent on the assignment, without knowing where it was or who hired them. The clerk says he will team them up with Blanche (Elvia Allman), his most experienced cleaner. Blanche has the car and she will drive.

Liz is shocked to find Blanche has driven to 321 Bundy Drive – her own home!  Liz doesn’t want to go inside, but Blanche doesn’t want to lose the work. Liz doesn’t tell Blanche that they are in her home. Blanche calls it a dump! They discover the rice, which has flowed all the way into the dining room.  They hear a sudden clattering sound from the other room.  

BLANCHE: “What was that?”
LIZ: “Those stockings in the kitchen fell over!  They were standing up!”

George and Rudolph come in and Liz and Iris hide under the table, pretending to be cleaning, so the boys don’t see them. Rudolph tells Blanche that after they finish, go over to his house. He left the iron on and there’s fire damage. 

BLANCHE: “Burned the ironing board, huh?”
RUDOLPH: “Well, I couldn’t find the ironing board. I used the top of the piano.” 

Rudolph recognizes Iris’s shoes peaking out from under the table. Liz and Iris pretend to be Chinese cleaning ladies. 

[Here Ball and Benadaret adopt stereotypical Chinese voices, comedy that would be considered racist in today’s world.]

The two couples begin to argue until the girls realize that they don’t like earning a living. The boys confess they don’t much like keeping house. The couples kiss. Blanche realizes she’s left to clean up the rice!

End of Episode

In the live Jell-O commercial Liz plays Leaping Lucy, a lady wrestler, being interviewed by Bob LeMond. 

Leaping Lucy is the same voice Lucille Ball uses as Ricky’s hillbilly date in “The Girls Want To Go To A Nightclub” (ILL S1;E1) on October 15, 1951.

BOB: “What about General Foods?”
LEAPING LUCY: “What about him? I’ll wrassle him any time!” 

Leaping Lucy says she can read, but has trouble getting through her script for the commercial. She reads raspberry and cherry as “cherryberry”.  All Lucy can say is “let’s wrassle!” 

BOB: “Look for the big red letters on the… what?”
LUCY: “I give up!”
BOB: “Box!  Box!”
LUCY: “No, let’s wrassle!” 

Bob LeMond reminds listeners to watch for the April issue of Radio Mirror magazine with Lucille Ball on the cover. Inside is a “My Favorite Husband” contest.