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LIZ REDECORATES THE HOUSE
February 24, 1950
“Liz Redecorates the House” is episode #77 of the radio series MY FAVORITE HUSBAND broadcast on February 24, 1950.
Synopsis ~ Liz wants to hire the town’s new interior decorator, Andrew, to redecorate her house, but George tells her she’ll have to do the job all by herself.
Although this script never directly inspired any specific episode of “I Love Lucy” the subject of DIY redecorating was explored several times on the show, as well as on “The Lucy Show.” It is most like 1952′s “Redecorating” (ILL S2;E8), which also featured Hans Conried, although in a different capacity.
“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) was also later seen on “I Love Lucy.” She first played Mrs. Pomerantz (above right), a member of the surprise investigating committee for the Society Matrons League in “Pioneer Women” (ILL S1;E25), as one of the member of the Wednesday Afternoon Fine Arts League in “Lucy and Ethel Buy the Same Dress” (ILL S3;E3), and also played a nurse when “Lucy Goes to the Hospital” (ILL S2;E16). She died in 1996 at the age of 96.
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
Hans Conried (Andrew / Mr. Thompson) first co-starred with Lucille Ball in The Big Street (1942). He then appeared on “I Love Lucy” as used furniture man Dan Jenkins in “Redecorating” (ILL S2;E8) and later that same season as Percy Livermore in “Lucy Hires an English Tutor” (ILL S2;E13) – both in 1952. The following year he began an association with Disney by voicing Captain Hook in Peter Pan. On “The Lucy Show” he played Professor Gitterman in “Lucy’s Barbershop Quartet” (TLS S1;E19) and in “Lucy Plays Cleopatra” (TLS S2;E1). He was probably best known as Uncle Tonoose on “Make Room for Daddy” starring Danny Thomas, which was filmed on the Desilu lot. He joined Thomas on a season 6 episode of “Here’s Lucy” in 1973.
GeGe Pearson (Mrs. Thompson) will play a New York City tourist in “Lucy Visits Grauman’s” (ILL S5;E1) in 1955. She did the episode with her real-life husband, Hal Gerard (above). In 1956 the couple returned to CBS to appear in the same episode of “Damon Runyon Theatre.” She is perhaps best remembered as the voice of Crusader Rabbit. The couple died just a year apart in 1975 and 1976.
EPISODE
ANNOUNCER: “As we look in on the Coopers’ it’s just after dinner. Liz has something she wants to say to George.”
Before she approaches her favorite husband, Liz is practicing her request with Katie, the maid. There’s a new decorator named Andrew who lectured at her women’s club and Liz wants to hire him. He will cost them $3,000. She decides to take the smooch approach and goes into the living room to snuggle with George on the sofa, although he suspects that something may be up.LIZ: “Go ahead! Pretend I’m zucchini and squash me.”
She is about to ask George about redecorating when the phone rings. George answers it. It is Mr. Atterbury warning George that Iris just tried to ‘soft soap’ him into using Andrew’s services. Mr. Atterbury is phoning all the husbands of the women’s club members to warn thim.MR. ATTERBURY: “Think of me as Paul Revere. ‘To arms! To arms! The red drapes are coming’!”
Paul Revere (1734-1818) was a silversmith, engraver, early industrialist, and Patriot in the American Revolution. He is best known for his midnight ride to alert the colonial militia in April 1775 to the approach of British forces before the battles of Lexington and Concord. He supposedly cried out “To arms! The redcoats are coming!” On a 1964 “The Jack Benny Program,” Lucille Ball played and Jack Benny played Mr. and Mrs. Paul Revere.
George hangs up with Mr. Atterbury and quickly tells Liz that he will not allow her to redecorate the house. He is happy with the furniture as it is. Even the well-worn, lumpy sofa.
LIZ: “It bulges where you’re baggy and it bags where you’re bulgy.”
Even though George has said no, she tells him Andrew is coming by to look at the place anyway. The doorbell rings and Andrew (Hans Conried) arrives. He can barely stand to look at her rugs, her furniture and walls! He announces that he hates her house! Liz explains that her husband has forbidden her to redecorate, but Liz wants to negotiate his $3,000 fee and ask George again.
Liz introduces Andrew to George, who tells him he likes the house the way it is. Insulted, Andrew leaves, but not before calling the house a pigpen! George calls Andrew a phony and says Liz could do a better job herself. When Liz likes the idea, George gives her a measly $25 budget, but Liz accepts the challenge!
A few days later, Liz calls Katie to show off how she turned an end table into a coffee table by sawing off the legs. Unfortunately, the ashtray keeps sliding to the floor. She attributes it to their floor sloping!
In “Lucy Hates To Leave” (ILL S6;E16),
Lucy is horrified to learn that the new tenant Mrs. Taylor wants to paint the coffee table black and saw the legs off the sofa. DIY has its limits!
Liz recruits Katie to help her paint the walls. To stay within budget, she’s bought just a pint of paint and borrowed a brush from her watercolor set. Liz leaves Katie to paint while she wallpapers the dining room.
When she’s finished she wants to show off her handiwork to Katie, but can’t find the door. Liz has papered right over the door!
KATIE: “Aren’t the stripes on wallpapers supposed to go up and and down?”
LIZ: “Now that I look at it, it makes the room look short and fat, doesn’t it?”
The horizontal striped wallpaper and papering over the door gag later turned up on “I Love Lucy” in “Redecorating” (ILL S2;E8). It must have been very satisfying for the writers to finally see their very funny idea on radio made into a visual gag for television!
Katie hasn’t been any more successful in the dining room. She borrowed a paint sprayer from next door and it had some red paint left in it. The result is a red and green speckled dining room! The doorbell rings and it is Andrew dropping by. Appalled at her DIY disaster, he tells Liz he will do over her house for free if he can use her it as a sample of his work. She’s reluctant.
George telephones to say he’s invited the Atterbury’s over for dinner to see the results of her hard work. Liz realizes she has no choice: she will allow Andrew to make over her home if he can do it by dinner time!
At the stroke of 6pm, he finishes his work, although Liz isn’t sure his style is to her liking: a coffee grinder made out of an old lamp and a sectional couch. George arrives with Mr. and Mrs. Atterbury and Andrew slips out the back. While the men admire what Liz has done on a budget, Iris doubts Liz did all of this on her own. Liz chalks it up to “American Know-How”!
“American Know-How” was a post-war slogan to engender pride in American manufacturing and foreign relations. Although it was frequently in the headlines, it was not a immune from being commercialized by advertisers. The mention gets a big laugh from the “My Favorite Husband” studio audience.
Mr. Atterbury wants Iris to learn from Liz’s success. The doorbell rings. It is an elderly couple named Mr. and Mrs. Thompson (Hans Conried and Gege Pearson) sent by Andrew to see the house. So not to have to reveal the true nature of their visit in front of George and the Atterburys, Liz decides to introduce them as old friends.
Liz tries to make small talk with the Thompsons but they insist on examining the furniture instead.
MR. THOMPSON: “Did you ever see such funny looking legs on anything in your life?”
MR. ATTERBURY: “One moment there! You’re speaking of my wife!”
MR. THOMPSON: “Oh, don’t get so touchy. I meant the table!”The Thompsons are unimpressed and they decide to leave, but not before letting it slip that they were sent by Andrew. The jig is up! The doorbell rings again and it is Andrew with throngs of people in tow to see the house! The house is over-run with prospective customers for Andrew’s decorating skills!
GEORGE: “Well, Liz? What have you got to say?”
LIZ (as a Carnival Barker): “Peanuts! Popcorn! Cracker Jack! See Mr. Cooper chop is wife’s head off! Step right up!” -
MAJEL BARRETT
February 23, 1932
Majel Barrett-Roddenberry was born in Cleveland, Ohio as Majel Leigh Hudec. She was best known for her roles as Nurse Christine Chapel in the original “Star Trek” series and Lwaxana Troi on “Star Trek: The Next Generation” and “Star Trek: Deep Space Nine”, as well as for being the voice of most onboard computer interfaces throughout the series. She became the second wife of “Star Trek” creator Gene Roddenberry and is known as ‘The First Lady of Star Trek.’
Her screen debut came in a brief uncredited appearances in 1957′s Will Success Spoil Rock Hunter and 1958′s The Black Orchid. Her first credited roles were also in 1958, in As Young as We Are and The Buccaneer.
She made her television debut in an August 1959 episode of Desilu’s “Whirlybirds”. The following year she played a waitress on Desilu’s hit gangster series “The Untouchables” (above).
She was seen in “The Desilu Revue,” a Christmas Day 1959 variety show presentation of “The Westinghouse Desilu Playhouse.” Barrett (left) and Lucy (right) bookend Carole Cook and Georgine Darcy.
In the opening number, her last name is misspelled!
In “Lucy is a Kangaroo for a Day” (TLS S1;E7) on November 12, 1962, she played Miss Massey, a secretary.
“It was the studio [Desilu] mainly. They wanted a show set in space. Gene wanted to do one that was more science fiction. So he decided to combine them both and see what happens.” ~ Majel Barrett
She first appeared in the initial “Star Trek” pilot, “The Cage” (1964), as first officer, “Number One”. Barrett was romantically involved with the show’s creator Gene Roddenberry, whose marriage was on the verge of failing at the time.
When Roddenberry was casting for the second pilot, “Where No Man Has Gone Before”, she changed her last name from Hudec to Barrett and wore a blonde wig for the role of nurse Christine Chapel, a frequently recurring character, who was introduced in “The Naked Time”, the sixth new episode recorded, and was known for her unrequited affection for the dispassionate Spock.
On August 6, 1969 (coincidentally Lucille Ball’s birthday) after “Star Trek” had been canceled, Majel Barrett and Gene Rodenberry married in Japan, despite the fact that he was not yet divorced from his first wife. When they returned to America, the divorce was finalized and they legally wed in the US. The two had a son together in 1975.
Majel Barrett Roddenberry died on December 18, 2008, aged 76, from leukemia.
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BALL BITS
FEBRUARY 23, 1936-1952
On this date in Lucille Ball herstory the newspapers were littered with bits of Ball! Tidbits of news about fashion, food, make-up, and yes – even film!
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SHELDON LEONARD
February 22, 1907
Sheldon Leonard Bershad (known professionally as Sheldon Leonard) was born in New York City, son of middle class Jewish parents. He graduated from Syracuse University in 1929.
As an actor, he specialized in playing supporting characters, especially gangsters or “heavies”, in films such as It’s a Wonderful Life (1946), To Have and Have Not (1944), and Guys and Dolls (1955). His trademark was his thick New York accent, usually delivered from the side of his mouth.
His screen acting career began in 1934 with a couple of short films. He was also heard on radio with Jack Benny.
He made his television debut in October 1952, but by that time he had already filmed his appearance on “I Love Lucy” played fast-talking appliance salesman Harry Martin, who sells Lucy the Handy Dandy vacuum cleaner in “Sales Resistance” (ILL S2;E17).
In 1965, Sheldon Leonard turned salesman again – this time vending cigars – as part of “Danny Thomas’ Wonderful World of Burlesque” also starring Lucille Ball.
In May 1966, both Lucille Ball and Sheldon Leonard participated in a documentary TV film titled “The Magic of Broadcasting”.
In “Lucy Meets Sheldon Leonard” (TLS S5;E22), Mrs. Carmichael runs into producer / director Leonard, this time playing himself.
Leonard was an integral part of the Desilu family off-screen as well, producing and directing “Make Room for Daddy” including an episode that featured Lucy and Ricky Ricardo in 1959. He was one of the creators of “The Andy Griffith Show” also filmed at Desilu. He earned multiple Emmy nominations, winning three.
He died in 1997 at age 89. He was married to Frances Bober and had two children.
In his 1995 book, And the Show Goes On: Broadway and Hollywood Adventures, Leonard wrote:
“Operating on the well-founded belief that a comedy show needs an audience to give it the authentic response that canned laughter can never duplicate, Desi brought in an audience to watch and react, while he used multiple-camera shooting technique borrowed from live TV.”
His name served as a namesake for the characters Sheldon Cooper and Leonard Hofstadter in the sitcom “The Big Bang Theory,” as the writers are fans of his work.
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SHADES OF MAKE-UP
February 21, 1938
The head of a Hollywood makeup department reports:
“When Lucille Ball came Hollywood she still had the mannerisms of a fashion mannequin, which she had been. She had pale platinum blonde hair and was definitely a ‘showgirl’ type. And she was one of the models in the movie, ‘Roberta,’ she was perfect in type, But Miss Ball showed distinct talent as an actress. She was placed under contract and went to work to get out of the ‘showgirl’ ranks. Miss Ball had long hair at this time and wore parted in the middle. She looked like a thousand other beautiful ‘showgirls.’ She lacked individuality.”
"The first step was to bob her hair and change the part to a new location. Then came a careful analysis of her features to decide how best to develop the new personality for which we were striving. We first allowed her eye brows to grow out to their natural line and then just trimmed them to a conservative arch. We also gave her a new lip line, making her mouth as natural as possible instead of trying to make smaller or giving it an artificial Cupid’s bow, which did not fit the new personality. Next the platinum hair was darkened to real gold blonde.”
"These changes in appearance had a definite psychological effect on Miss Ball. She lost any suggestion of chorus girl manners and took on the poise and repose which fitted the new makeup and coiffure.”
"As happens in almost every in stance, Miss Ball immediately began to adapt the new screen personality to her social life. Her choice of clothes was influenced by her subdued makeup and hair coloring, and she emerged as charming, poised young woman who might have stepped from the social instead of the show business ranks.”
"In the case of Miss Ball, she had used a very light powder, rouge and lipstick as a platinum blonde. So, as we darkened her hair, we darkened the shades of makeup she used.”
"There is no possible way that rules can be laid down for the shades to be used in makeup for different types. This must be worked out by the individual from the charts supplied by all good cosmetic companies. The type of hair dress, whether or not the hair is curly or straight, the question of the full or thin face, influences the shade of makeup. The best advice I can give is for a woman to use the charts as a guide and, by careful experimentation, arrive at the correct makeup for her personal use. Then this will have to be changed according to the costume she is wearing and the time of the year."
(Copyright: 1938: By The Chicago Tribune-NY News Syndicate, Inc.)
Antoinette Donnelly (1887–1964) was a newspaper advice columnist and author of books about weight loss, beauty tips and advice. Donnelly wrote the column Beauty Answers for the New York Daily News and other papers. She also wrote an advice column under the name Doris Blake for 45 newspapers served by the Daily News and Chicago Tribune syndicate. In 1920, Donnelly wrote one of the first books about weight loss, the bestselling How to Reduce: New Waistlines for Old. Donnelly retired at the end of 1962 and died in Greenwich, Connecticut, on November 15, 1964.
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CHANGE IN TONE
February 21, 1947
[In the above article, there are a couple of misspellings: “nightie” and “reporter”.]
Production officially began on February 17, 1947 and ended on March 25, 1947.
By the time the film premiered on November 12, 1947, it was titled Her Husband’s Affairs.
More changes! The Spanish title of the film is literally ‘The Modern Quixote’. The poster artist decided that Lucille looked more feminine in a lace nightgown, rather than black and white polka dots. Tone’s blue pajamas, however, remained blue!
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THAT NEVER HAPPENED!
February 20, 1948-1975
~FEBRUARY 20, 1948~
Hedda would lose that bet! The role of Billie Dawn in the Los Angeles production of “Born Yesterday” went to Jean Parker. Lucille Ball did not do the Garsin Kanin comedy on Broadway or appear in the 1950 film. After the play was a hit, Holliday was insistent that she would never do the film, so casting gossip began. Although Hopper notes the role had been promised to Rita Hayworth, Holliday was eventually talked into recreating her Broadway success. It’s a good thing she changed her mind, because the role won her an Oscar. When Holliday left the Broadway cast the role was filled by Jan Sterling, who shortly afterward married the male star, Paul Douglas. Douglas would eventually team with Ball in “Lucy Wants A Career” in 1958. Later, Holliday would sing about Lucille Ball in the stage and screen musical “Bells Are Ringing” (1956 & 1960).
~SEPTEMBER 20, 1949~
J. Arthur Rank, a British film distributor and producer, never made a film titled “The Man Without Clothes”. So whether Lucille said “yes” or Desi found any “PAs” (Personal Appearances) was moot. The story about Lucy not being allowed to enroll at UCLA is probably apocryphal. In the 1970s Lucy would give lectures on comedy at UCLA.
~FEBRUARY 20, 1950~
Sadly, no such production was ever mounted by Ferrer. After Dream Girl, Lucille did not appear in another stage play until 1960′s Wildcat on Broadway. It is likely that Ferrer wanted Ball for the role of Lily Garland, played on screen in 1934 by Lucy’s friend, Carole Lombard. He was slated to direct, but may have also acted opposite Ball.
The role that Bacall turned down was eventually given to Claire Trevor. The film was based on material by Damon Runyon and would have been Lucy’s third trip to Runyonland after The Big Street and Sorrowful Jones. The picture was indeed delayed and didn’t begin filming until June 1952, and was not released until 1954. By that time, Lucille had put films on hold to pursue television and motherhood. She would eventually team with Kaye to great success on the small screen. As a side note, the newspaper misspells the title of Ball’s film with Eddie Albert; she’s no Lady, she’s a Girl!
~FEBRUARY 20, 1954~
This quick column-filler is wishful thinking. There is no record of the Arnaz family summering in Spain.
~FEBRUARY 20, 1959~
Partly true – Lucy did chat with Da Costa but the vehicle ended up being a musical comedy, not a serious play. Lucille did began Wildcat in 1960 – but only just – December. Da Costa, however, opted out, having just been stung by the failure of his musical Saratoga.
~FEBRUARY 20, 1960~
Here’s something that actually DID happen the way it is described here, but not as it was first planned. Maurice Chevalier had appeared with Lucy and Desi on “Lucy Goes To Mexico” (October 1958) so he probably thought of it as a reciprocal favor – but Mama Ball had other ideas! Turns out Lucy’s withdrawal had motivations previously unknown!
~FEBRUARY 20, 1964~
Every year at contract negotiation time, performers say they are not returning – and they usually do. “The Lucy Show” was actually only supposed to last one season – to boost profits for Desilu and help CBS’s sagging ratings. Having done that – Lucy was in the driver’s seat and the series lasted four more seasons.
Same year – different column! Most sources say it was Vance who was looking to leave the show and becoming a full-time resident back East with her husband John Dodds. However, during contract negotiations stories often change to suit the outcome!
Vance stayed with the series through the end of season three in 1965. She made occasional guest appearances after that.
~FEBRUARY 20, 1965~
After signing on for season three in 1964, Ball decided to go for enough episodes for syndication and easily signed on for a fourth and fifth. However, the format change had nothing to do with Lucy becoming a dress designer – she moved to California! Vivian Vance left the show and the actors playing her children were written off.
~FEBRUARY 20, 1966~
This is more of ‘what might have been’! Dark horse Dinah Shore swooped in and took the title of Fashion Champ from Lucille!
~FEBRUARY 20, 1967~
This much-talked about project was a passion of Lucy’s. She even had a script drafted. But Gleason was hard to pin down – and the film (or video) never was made. Lucy did get to play Russell on a TV special, however. But without Gleason.
~FEBRUARY 20, 1974~
Gleason may have had more time on his hands, but he did neither project. He did, however, make time to do a Lucille Ball TV special titled “Three for Two” in 1975.
~FEBRUARY 20, 1975~
The ‘Answer’ is correct – there were no plans and no such film was ever made. Although the fact that this question was submitted a year after “Here’s Lucy” ended (and pre-internet!) means that there must have been some talk about it at some point.
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JOHN BUBBLES
February 19, 1902
John William Sublett (known by his stage name John W. Bubbles) was a tap dancer, vaudevillian, and actor.
He was born in Louisville, Kentucky but soon moved to Indianapolis. There he formed a partnership with Ford L. “Buck” Washington and they became known as “Buck and Bubbles.” Buck played piano and sang while Bubbles tapped along. They were so popular that they moved to New York City.
On Broadway he was the original Sportin’ Life in Porgy and Bess (1935). Since he did not read music, George Gershwin himself had to teach him the songs note by note. It was his third Broadway musical, opening at the Alvin Theatre, the same venue that hosted Lucille Ball in Wildcat nearly 30 years later.
From 1929 to 1935 he appeared in a series of musical short films with his partner, Buck Washington. Their feature film debut was in 1937′s Varsity Show. He is known as the father of “rhythm tap.”
His first TV appearance (and final screen appearance) was in “The Lucy Show” two-parter “Main Street U.S.A.” (TLS S5;E17) and “Lucy Puts Main Street on the Map” (TLS S5;18) aired in late January 1967.
Using his own name, he sang and danced with Lucille Ball, Paul Winchell, and Mel Torme.
Bubbles retired from show business in 1967 after a stroke that left him partially paralyzed. He was married to Wanda Michael, Ruth R. Campbell, Mabel Cordelia (Atwell) Roane, and Viola Jones.
He died at age 84 on May 18, 1986 in Los Angeles, California.
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PEOPLE: THE UNTOLD STORY OF LUCY & DESI
February 18, 1991
In the wake of the TV movie “Lucy & Desi: Before the Laughter”, People Magazine published a cover story “The Untold Story of Lucy & Desi”.
The article presents photos from Lucille Ball and Desi Arnaz’s early days as newlyweds. The article is primarily comprised of quotes from those who knew them well:
- Jack Carter ~ Comedian who served as the best man at Lucille’s wedding to Gary Morton.
- William Asher ~ “I Love Lucy” director
- Bob Wieskopf ~ Longtime writer for Lucy and Desi
- Charles Pomerantz ~ Lucille Ball’s longtime publicist
- Lillian Briggs Winograd ~ Good friend of Lucille Ball’s.
People Magazine called her “Lucy’s closest friend in her final years."
On February 11, 1980, Lucille Ball was glimpsed next to the masthead promoting the inside story “Lucille Ball: Still Loveable & Loudmouthed”.
Lucille Ball also appeared on the People cover twice more, both posthumously.
Lucy and Desi also appeared on the cover of a special edition in 1996: “The Greatest Love Stories of the Century”.
She was featured inside the magazine on numerous occasions, often promoted on the cover.
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DINNER AT EIGHT
February 18, 1940
The Campbell Playhouse (1938–1940) was a live CBS radio drama series directed by and starring Orson Welles. Produced by Welles and John Houseman, it was a sponsored continuation of The Mercury Theatre on the Air.
As a direct result of the front-page headlines Orson Welles generated with his 1938 Halloween production “The War of the Worlds”, Campbell’s Soup signed on as sponsor. The Mercury Theatre on the Air made its last broadcast December 4, 1938, and The Campbell Playhouse began December 9, 1938.
The series offered hour-long adaptations of classic plays and novels, as well as adaptations of popular motion pictures. When Campbell’s exerted more creative control over the selection of material, Welles left the show.
Bernard Herrmann was the series’ composer and conductor. The opening theme was “Piano Concerto No. 1 in B-Flat Minor”
by Tchaikovsky.
DINNER AT EIGHT was originally written by George S. Kaufman and Edna Ferber as a play which opened October 22, 1932, at Broadway’s Music Box Theatre, and closed May 6, 1933 after 232 performances.
In 1933, (the same year Lucille Ball arrived in Hollywood), the play was turned into an MGM film by George Cukor. The role of Kitty (played by Lucille Ball on radio) was played by Jean Harlowe.
The play was also revived on Broadway several times and was made for television.
Synopsis ~ The Jordan family are planning a society dinner. The story concerns what they, as well as various friends and acquaintances – all of whom have their own problems and ambitions – do as they prepare for the event.
CAST
- Lucille Ball (Kitty Packard)
- Orson Welles (Host / Dan Packard / Larry Renault) was three months away from embarking on his masterwork, Citizen Kane, when this radio play was aired. Before Lucille Ball dated Ed Hall and Desi Arnaz, Welles was often seen on her arm at public events. Lucy and Desi later allowed him to reside in their guest house and starred him in an episode of “I Love Lucy”.
- Hedda Hopper (Millicent Jordan) was then broadcasting her own radio show “Hedda Hopper’s Hollywood” as well as writing a syndicated column.
She appeared on “I Love Lucy” and “The Lucy-Desi Comedy Hour.” As an actress, she did two with Lucille Ball: Bunker Bean (1936) and That’s Right – You’re Wrong (1939). Hopper was best known for her flamboyant hats.
- Charles Trowbridge (Oliver Jordan) originated the role of Oliver Jordan in the Broadway production of Dinner at Eight although the role was played by Lionel Barrymore on screen. He did two films with Lucille Ball: Her Husband’s Affairs (1947) and A Woman of Distinction (1950).
- Marjorie Rambeau (Carlotta Vance) was only a month away from the premiere of her film Primrose Path, which would earn her an Oscar nomination in 1941.
- Benny Rubin (Max Kane) was heard on “My Favorite Husband” as well as doing an episode of “I Love Lucy” and several appearances on “The Lucy Show.”
- Clara Blandick (Hattie Loomis) had just created the role of Aunt Em in The Wizard of Oz, which is what she is best known for despite her many other credits. including four films with Lucille Ball, three of those in 1934 alone.
- Mary Taylor (Paula Jordan) had previously worked with Welles on Mercury Theatre of the Air.
- Edgar Barrier (Dr. Talbot) was previously directed by Welles in the 1938 film Too Much Johnson.
- Ernest Chappell (Announcer) served in the same capacity for TV’s “The Big Story” (1951-57)/
THE EPISODE
Orson Welles introduces the show, Kaufman and Ferber’s play Dinner at Eight. He tells the audience that we never see (or hear) the actual dinner in Dinner at Eight. He talks about his three leading ladies:
- Hedda Hopper “who was a distinguished actress before she branched out into her present career of acting and ‘columning’.”
- Miss Lucille Ball “is the beautiful and talented young lady who’s position in Hollywood is becoming increasingly more important.”
- Marjorie Rambeau “one of the first talents of the theatre who is carving out a new career in motion pictures.”
Welles introduces Ernest Chappell, who does a pitch for Campbell’s Vegetable Soup.
“Whether you’re having dinner at eight or supper at six.”
As the story begins, Millicent Jordan (Hedda Hopper) is on the telephone inviting people to her dinner party. Her husband, Oliver (Charles Trowbridge), comes in. She tells him how the guest list is shaping up. He suggests she invite Dan and Millicent Packard, although she thinks she’s a horrible woman. Paula (Mary Taylor), her daughter, comes in. She’s engaged to be married to Ernest but is still maintaining an active social life. She’s been seen nightly at 21.
MILLICENT: “Some day I’m going to find out what goes on at 20 – and at 22, too!”
Paula runs out. Hattie (Clara Blandick) comes in and she and Millicent gossip about that “Packard Woman”. As Hattie leaves for her shopping trip, Millicent reluctantly phones Mrs. Packard to invite her to her dinner party.The scene cross fades to Mrs. Packard (Lucille Ball) hanging up with Mrs. Jordan. She is in bed awaiting the doctor with her maid Tina. Mrs. Packard is eating chocolates, guessing what is inside each one.
Meanwhile, Carlotta Vance (Marjorie Rambeau) barges in while Oliver Jordan is in his office on the telephone. She demands to know why the Customs Office says she cannot own six fur coats. They discuss Mr. Vance’s assets, including a theatre she is longing to sell – calling it a fleabag. She is a stockholder in Mr. Jordan’s company. He urges her not to sell. They reminisce about their younger days, when they were courting. He once proposed marriage.
Dan Packard (Orson Welles) enters the office. He recognizes her from her days on the stage. Before she departs, Jordan confirms that she is coming to dinner next Friday. Jordan and Packard talk business. The Jordan Line Shipping is in financial straights and he wants a loan from Packard, who promises to consider it.
Back at the Packards, Dan arrives to find Kitty still in bed. He complains that Jordan cannot handle his business and he aims to buy them out. Dan says he won’t go to dinner there and Kitty is not happy about it. She tries wheedling him and she mentions the dinner is for Lord and Lady Ferncliff. He says he is going to buy out Jordan using dummy stock holders.
Doctor Talbot (Edgar Barrier) arrives to examine Kitty. We learn that they are having an affair. The music swells and the scene transitions to…
Mrs. Jordan, still planning her dinner party, looking for one more man to balance her table. Hattie and Mrs. Jordan, suddenly get a brilliant idea for their final guest – movie star Larry Renault.
Meanwhile, Paula visits her paramour, Larry Renault (also Orson Welles). They are in love. She warns him not to drink so much. His agent Max Kane (Benny Rubin) has gotten him a part in a play. He tells her she should just marry Ernest. Renault has been married three times and is almost 40! His second wife drove off a cliff and his third is now the biggest star in Hollywood. Paula impulsively says she is going to tell everyone about their love – including her parents!
Kane arrives and Paula leaves to find urges him to stop drinking and get in shape. Kane breaks the news that the play is off! The new producer doesn’t want him. He’s been replaced by an English actor. Kane suggests he take a smaller role in the play. Kane suggest he humble himself to the new producer, but Renault is indignant.
“I’m Larry Renault! I don’t go to managers with my hat in my hand!”
At the Jordan home, Carlotta and Millicent talk about the party, including the invitation of Lord Ferncliff, who everyone calls “Stinky”. When Mr. Jordan comes home, she confides to Oliver that she has sold her Jordan stock. It seems she isn’t the only one who has sold Jordan stock that day.
A phone call informs Millicent that the Ferncliffs are going to Florida and can’t come to dinner after all! Just then, Paula comes home to tell her mother urgent news about her engagement to Ernest. Oliver says he is feeling unwell, and wants to go to bed instead of having dinner. Millicent is at wits end with the party cancellations and her family’s drama!
END OF ACT ONE
Ernest Chappell returns to urge mothers to get their child’s recommended serving of milk by adding it to Campbell’s Tomato, Celery, and Asparagus soups.
ACT TWO
That night, Renault is drunk. Kane brings up Mr. Stingle, the new producer of the play. Renault bullies Mr. Stingle calling him a hack. Stingle abruptly leaves. Renault blames Kane, who tells him he’s washed up in show business.KANE: “You’re a corpse and you don’t know it! Go get yourself buried.”
Kane leaves and Renault pours himself another drink – the last one in the bottle. He’s visited by a hotel manager who tells him he’s being evicted from his suite. He calls the operator and tells him not to put any calls through. Larry turns on the gas.At dinner, introductions are made. Seems as if Mrs. Packard already knows Dr. Talbot. Mrs. Jordan says that Lord Ferncliff’s absence is due to ill health. Carlotta brings her little dog, which she wants fed lobster. She inadvertently announces that Lord and Lady Ferncliff are vacationing, not ill at all. Everyone wonders where Larry Renault is. Paula enters and Mrs. Jordan decides they shouldn’t wait for Renault.Paula is distracted. She phones the hotel to speak with Renault and they refuse to connect her. They mention the police and then Paula goes silent. The police would like to speak with her.
END OF PLAY
Ernest Chappell, having addressed the women at the intermission, addresses the men in the audience, touting the hearty comforts of Campbell’s Soups.
Orson Welles returns for an interview with the female guest stars. Welles insists that her participation tonight will lead to something vile in her column tomorrow! He points out that her character spent a lot of time on the telephone in the story. Welles attributes the modern gossip column to the invention of the telephone, who he jokingly credits to Don Ameche!
The Story of Alexander Graham Bell is a somewhat fictionalized 1939 biographical film of the famous inventor that starred Don Ameche as Bell and Loretta Young as his wife Mabel. Coincidentally, the film also featured Charles Trowbridge (Oliver Jordan in tonight’s radio play).
In scripted banter, Miss Rambeau recalls happier days when there were no columns, which gets Hopper hopping mad! Welles begs Miss Ball to intervene.
LUCY: “On behalf of Kitty Packard, I think Mrs. Jordan and Mrs. Vance ought to call it a day – both of them. Just because a girl likes to have a bit of fun and not sit around like a piece of furniture or something you’d think butter wouldn’t melt in their mouths—”.
Welles interrupts the cat fight to bid everyone goodnight, but not without a reminder that next Sunday, Only Angels Have Wings, starring Joan Blondell.
‘DINNER’ TRIVIA
This is one of four characters named Kitty that Lucille Ball has played. Others were in Follow The Fleet (1936), Without Love (1945), and The Facts of Life (1960).
In the 1933 film version, Elizabeth Patterson plays Miss Copeland, secretary to Oliver Jordan (Lionel Barrymore). Patterson went on to play Mrs. Trumbull on “I Love Lucy.”
A clip from the 1933 film was included in “Toast of the Town’s 30th Anniversary Tribute to MGM”, a program that also featured its star Lionel Barrymore (Oliver Jordan), Lucille Ball and Desi Arnaz.
Paul Harvey, who played the New York Times Art Critic in “Lucy the Sculptress” (ILL S2;E15) had his greatest success on Broadway as Dan Packard in the original cast of Dinner at Eight. His role was taken in the film by Wallace Beery.
A 1955 CBS television version of Dinner at Eight featured “Lucy” cast members Eleanor Audley (as Carlotta Vance), Pierre Watkin, and Tristram Coffin. She is seen above on “I Love Lucy” with Peter Bucco.
In the 1989 TV movie of Dinner at Eight, Kitty Packard (the character played by Lucille Ball on radio) was played by Ellen Greene, famous for playing Audrey on stage and screen in Little Shop of Horrors. In that musical she sings about “Lucy”!
The 1966 Broadway revival of Dinner at Eight was at the Alvin Theatre (now the Neil Simon), the same theatre where Lucille Ball did Wildcat five years earlier.
Season 4 episodes of “Here’s Lucy” were sponsored by Campbell’s Soup. The DVD includes a commercial that features Dodie Goodman and Eddie Bracken. Coincidentally, Bracken is credited with introducing Lucille Ball and Desi Arnaz when they were starring in the film version of Too Many Girls in 1940, the same year as this radio broadcast.
Campbell’s Soup was immortalized in paint by artist Andy Warhol in 1962. Twenty years later he used Lucille Ball as his muse.
The 2002 Broadway revival of Dinner at Eight at Lincoln Center’s Vivian Beaumont Theatre starred Emily Skinner as Kitty (the role played by Lucille Ball on radio). Skinner played Lucille Ball on Broadway in The Cher Show which played at….yes…the Alvin Theatre!
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