LUCY & THE IRS

Tax Day in the Lucyverse

“In this world, nothing is certain except death and taxes” ~ Benjamin Franklin, 1789

Although Lucycoms never joked about death, taxes were fair game – usually!  Here are a few examples. 

“The Absolute Truth” (1949) ~ Liz (Lucille Ball) and George (Richard Denning) bet each other that they can each go for 24 hours without telling a lie. George thinks Liz is trying to trick him into lying by sending a man to his office disguised as an IRS agent. Surely George will lie about his taxable income. George calls Liz to tell her he knows about her scheme. He is schocked when Liz says she didn’t send anyone to see him!  George realizes he told the IRS all the details of his tax returns thinking he is talking to an impersonator! 

When this episode was re-written for “I Love Lucy” as “Lucy Tells the Truth” (1953), the end of the episode featured Ricky fibbing about his taxes to an IRS agent. In the un-filmed scene we learn that Ricky went to Kentucky to play with the band, and won some money at the Kentucky Derby, which he failed to report. IRS agent Mr. Miller was to be played by Charles Lane, who specialized in authority figures. 

Desi Arnaz refused to do the seen as written, feeling that Ricky would never cheat the government. He reasoned that it reflected poorly on immigrants and didn’t want people to think it was the sort of thing that he (Desi) condoned. He was grateful to be an American and (at the height of his success) he was determined to show that the American Dream was achievable. The scene was re-written and Lane was recast as a talent agent who witnesses Lucy participate in a knife-throwing act. 

“Liz and the Green Wig” (1950) ~ George decides she can eliminate the $10 a week from Liz’s budget if he eliminates the money she’s spending on her hair. Liz buys a green wig to show George what might happen if she dyed her hair at home. Liz is tells Katie the maid (Ruth Perrott) that it is time for George to review her household accounts for the previous year for the income tax people, and she knows she hasn’t managed to save any money. 

“Lucy Gets Ricky on the Radio” (1953) ~ Lucy thinks Ricky is a Cuban brainiac, so she gets them on a radio quiz show. To be sure he wins, she steals the answers. But then the questions are changed!  

Originally, the first question was: “To whom do you make your federal tax check out on March 15?” but instead Fillmore asks “What is the name of the animal that fastens itself to you and drains you of your blood?” The answer Lucy memorized and blurts out is “The collector of Internal Revenue” when the real answer is “A vampire bat.”  As a side note, Tax Day was set on March 1st in 1913. It was moved to March 15th in 1918 before being finally being set as April 15th in 1955. 

“The Camping Trip” (1953) ~  Trying to make conversation, Ricky asks Lucy “What do you think of the new tax law?” 

In 1952, President Eisenhower proposed reorganization of tax laws, including re-naming the Bureau of the Internal Revenue the Internal Revenue Service (IRS). Most importantly, starting in 1954, he changed the date tax returns were due from March 15th to April 15th.

“First Stop” (1955) ~ On the way to Hollywood, the gang’s only choice for food and lodging is One Oak Cabin and Cafe. Proprietor Mr. Skinner (Olin Howard) charges the foursome $4.80 for four stale cheese sandwiches, eighty cents of which is entertainment tax. When the gang questions the extra charge, Mr. Skinner croons a bit of “I’m Afraid to Come Home in the Dark” accompanying himself on the banjo. Rather than listen, they pay up and try to leave. 

In 1957, Ingrid Bergman was talked about as the star of the second “Lucy-Desi Comedy Hour” “The Celebrity Next Door”, but tax problems prevented her from signing the contract. The script was re-written for Bette Davis, who withdrew at the last moment due to injury and was replaced by Tallulah Bankhead. 

In December 1965, Lucille Ball was in tax court for back taxes, but emerged without paying a penny. 

“Lucy, the Stockholder” (1965) ~ Lucy gets a letter from the Internal Revenue which turns out to be an income tax refund of $38.23. She decides to invest it all in the stock market and pays a visit to a nervous broker (Harvey Korman). When he finally hears that she has just $38.23 to invest he nearly has a nervous breakdown.

Lucy is so grateful for her tax refund that she wants to send “Lyndon” a thank you note. Lyndon Baines Johnson was the 36th President of the United States, assuming office from the Vice Presidency after the assassination of John F. Kennedy.

Yours, Mine and Ours (1968) ~ Lucille Ball hadn’t anticipated the film’s huge box-office success and failed to provide a tax shelter for her personal profits, resulting in most of her earnings going toward taxes. It is said this caused the redhead a good deal of consternation.

“Lucy Visits Jack Benny” (1968) ~ Jack Benny has turned his Palm Springs home into a hotel, and the Carters have made a reservation. Benny only charges $3 a night for rooms, but adds on ‘extra charges’ like eleven cents for towel rental – one penny of which is sales tax!  When Lucy balks at paying a penny tax, Benny replies “Go fight with Ronald Reagan!”  Former Hollywood actor Ronald Reagan had been elected Governor of California in 1967.

“Lucy and the Raffle” (1971) ~ Kim wins a sports car in a raffle, but Lucy won’t let her keep it. To pay the taxes on her win, they hold another raffle not knowing that it is illegal. Paul Picerni plays IRS Agent Frank Williams. 

“Lucy’s Bonus Bounces” (1971) ~ On advice from his psychiatrist, Harry gives Lucy a $50 raise. But when Harry is visited by IRS Agent William McPherson (Paul Picerni), things get personal. Picerni plays his second IRS Agent in less than a year!  

When the IRS Agent starts to focus on Lucy instead of Harry, Harry immediately suggests she be hauled off to prison!

“Funny Money” (2019) ~ CBS presents two newly-colorized episodes of “I Love Lucy”: “Bonus Bucks” and “The Million Dollar Idea” (both 1954). The press release touted that the special would relieve “Tax Day Blues”.  

The I Love Lucy Funny Money Special Will Banish Your Tax Day Blues

Newly colorized versions of two classic Lucy episodes will air on April 19th. If you’re dreading Tax Day—and who isn’t?—fear not! The one and only Lucille Ball will be returning to your TV sets for a hilarious new one-hour special to wash those blues away.

MANY HAPPY RETURNS!