LUCY IN NEVERLAND

1939-1973

Lucille Ball and her various film and television projects had a loose connection to Peter Pan, the boy who wouldn’t grow up from the J.M. Barrie story that served as a play in 1904, and a novel in 1911. It was later translated into numerous stage and screen adaptations, and inspired many others. 

n 1953′s “Lucy Hires An English Tutor” (ILL S2;E13) pregnant Lucy made Ricky read aloud from the book to test his command of the English language.  Fans will realize that the text Desi reads in the episode has nothing to do with Peter Pan!  The children’s book is just a prop.

The choice of book may not have been coincidental since the guest star, Hans Conried (playing Mr. Livermore), had just voiced Captain Hook for the Disney animated feature film of Peter Pan to be released just a month later, in February 1953. Conried was a favorite of Lucille’s, having made dozens of guest appearances on her radio show “My Favorite Husband.”

The ‘Peter Pan Connection’ actually began in 1939, when Lucille Ball starred in the RKO ensemble film Five Came Back. One of the ‘five’ was Wendy Barrie (top with Lucille).  Although born as Marguerite Wendy Jenkins, she took the stage name Wendy Barrie in honor of her Godfather, author J.M. Barrie.  Not coincidentally, Wendy is also the name of the eldest Darling child in “Peter Pan.”  

In a March 8, 1955 episode of “Make Room for Daddy” titled “Peter Pan” Danny’s 7-year-old son Rusty imagines that he can fly like Peter Pan, so his father invites the theater’s elderly stagehand to the house to dispel the fantasy and bring Rusty back down to Earth.  The characters lived in New York City and had seen Mary Martin (who did not appear in the episode) in the musical production at the Winter Garden Theatre. In reality, the stage production closed on February 26th to prepare for a live television broadcast on NBC, which aired on March 7, 1955, one night before this episode aired. Danny Thomas sings a song from the stage show at the end of the episode.  Mary Martin was mentioned on “The Lucy Show” in 1964 by guest star Ethel Merman, who was also a big Broadway star like Martin. 

In “Lucy the Gun Moll“ (TLS S4;E25) in 1966, Lucille Ball not only played Lucy Carmichael, but a nightclub singer named Rusty Martin who sang “My Heart Belongs To Daddy”. The name ‘Rusty Martin’ was probably derived from Lucy’s hair color and the surname of Mary Martin, who introduced the song in the 1938 Broadway musical Leave It to Me. Marilyn Monroe sang it in the 1960 film Let’s Make Love. 

Desilu Studios was the filming location for "Make Room for Daddy”. When it switched from ABC to CBS in 1958, the show did a cross-over episode with “The Lucy-Desi Comedy Hour”.  In return, Lucy and Desi appeared on “Make Room for Daddy.” Coincidentally, Hans Conried, who voiced Captain Hook in the Disney animated version, was a recurring character on “Make Room for Daddy” as Uncle Tonoose. 

In “Return Home from Europe” (ILL S5;E26) aired on May 14, 1956, Ricky comes up with the idea to fly home from Europe instead of taking the steamship, When Ricky wonders whether he’ll make it back in time to perform at the Roxy, Lucy evokes the name Peter Pan, the main character of the J.M. Barrie children’s story of the boy who wouldn’t grow up – but could fly (without help from Pan Am, that is). 

In “Vivian Sues Lucy” (TLS S1;E10), Lucy Carmichael calls Vivian ‘Tinkerbell’ due to her propensity for ringing her bedside bell while (supposedly) incapacitated.  

In “Lucy and the Winter Sports” (TLS S3;E3) aired on October 5, 1964, Lucy Carmichael skis off the roof and lands on Mr. Mooney!  He had just bent over to tie his shoe…

In 1966′s “Danny Thomas’ The Wonderful World of Burlesque” Lucille Ball performed an aerial ballet. Peter Foy, of the famous Foy Family (who did flying on Broadway for “Peter Pan” and other shows), was brought in to supply rigging and supervise Ball’s flight. Film of the act later became part of their archives.  

In “Lucy Meet Mickey Rooney” (TLS S4;E18) in 1966, Lucy Carmichael claims to have played Captain Hook in “Peter Pan” while in school. 

in “Lucy’s Tenant” (HL S6;E7) in 1973, Lucy Carter sarcastically calls Mary Jane Peter Pan when she brings up Lucy’s age!  

In “The Bow Wow Boutique” (HL S6;E5) aired on October 8, 1973, a Saint Bernard is named Tinkerbell. In “Peter Pan” Tinkerbell is the name of the fairy who is Peter’s closest friend.  Not coincidentally, the Darling children have a St. Bernard dog named Nana, who serves as a pet and a nanny. 

February 1963