EDITH MEISER

May 9, 1898

Edith Meiser was born on May 9, 1898 in Detroit, Michigan.  She was an actress and an author who wrote mystery novels, stage plays, and numerous radio dramas. She is perhaps best known for bringing adaptations of Sherlock Holmes stories to radio in the 1930s. Lucy fans will remember her as Phoebe Littlefield in two episodes.

At Vassar College, Meiser began performing with the drama society. She made her Broadway debut in 1923 and went on to appear in over 20 Broadway shows, including the 1941 musical Let’s Face It! co-starring Vivian Vance (top right). The two introduced the Cole Porter song “A Lady Needs a Rest.”  

She made her screen debut the same year (1941) in Go West Young Lady.  She made her television debut in August 1949 on an episode of “Kraft Television Theatre”. 

She appeared on “I Love Lucy” in “Lucy’s Schedule” (ILL S1;E33) filmed on April 28, 1952 and first aired on May 26, 1952. She played Phoebe Littlefield, wife of Alvin (Gale Gordon), owner of the Tropicana. Phoebe teams with Lucy and Ethel to turn the tables (literally) in a fast-paced dinner scene.  

The Littlefields return in “Ricky Asks for a Raise” (ILL S1;E35).  Phoebe arrives for opening night of the Tropicana with the new headliner Xaviar Valdez, just to find the club empty!  

Her final screen role was playing Mrs. Hatchard on PBS’s Great Performances production of Edith Wharton’s “Summer” (1981).  

She died on September 26, 1993 at age 95.