Description

I LOVE LUCY: THE COMPLETE FOURTH SEASON continues to follow the wild and wacky comical adventures of Lucy and Ricky Ricardo and their infamous neighbors Fred and Ethel as they embark on even more madness in season four.Episodes include such classics as: "Ricky's Movie Offer," "Mr. & Mrs. TV Show" and "Lucy Gets in Pictures." ... Read more

Reviews (17)

I FOUND NO FLAWS IN MY SET!
My set of DVDs are perfectly restored and intact.Perhaps the reviewers got a bad set of DVDs."The Fashion Show" plays perfect for me and as for the rest of the episodes, they are pure gold enhanced by the high quality of the DVD set!This is comedy at its best and I found no flaws on my DVD set.I give this 5 stars and more!!

Uncut? Restored? Hmmmm...not quite.
Adding to what the previous reviewer said about picture quality, I too just watched "The Fashion Show" episode, and there is indeed a jerkiness to the picture quality in this episode. I thought I was seeing things at first, but I am glad it was not just my imagination. I don't think it necessary to put this season of 30 episodes on 6 discs, when the previous two seasons (containing more episodes) fit on 5 discs with excellent quality.

My BIG gripe with this set, though, is that at least four of the episodes were not restored to their original uncut length. Both "Tennessee Bound" and "L.A. at Last" had some dialogue in them, which remain missing in this set, even though the original middle break, and end logos of those episodes have been restored. Additionally, "Lucy Gets in Pictures" is missing a shot of Lucy and Ricky driving the Pontiac through the gates of M.G. M., while "First Stop" is missing a good minute of footage (an extra scene in the car, and a scene when they arrive at the motel, before they actually enter). These pieces of footage remain unrestored and missing on this set, when it would appear that original prints were available to be used. What remains here, on this set, are the same 'uncut' syndication prints that have been around for decades.

I realize that many fans have probably never even seen this missing footage, since it's not been shown since the '50s (and so, may not miss it), but having seen the wonderful degree of care that was put into the previous three season sets, I find it inexcusable that the same care was not taken for this set. This is my favorite season, and I really looked forward to this set. Now, however, I feel (a la Lucy in "Mr. and Mrs. TV Show") gypped.

There's a flaw in this gem
Until now, all the Lucy DVDs have been nothing short of spectacular. The picture is as sparkling as it possibly can be and the sound is clear as a bell.
I just got my Fourth Season I Love Lucy boxed set today and have seen about half the episodes. They are as wonderful as I have come to expect.
Then, I started to watch "The Fashion Show", and was startled by the jerkiness of the video. It looks like watching a mpeg video on the internet, where the number of film frames have been reduced to cut down on the amount of video information. This problem was only apparent in the first hotel scenes of the episode.
On other episodes, try stopping on any frame, and you will see the picture as a clean, clear photographic still. On "The Fashion Show" episode (in the first section), advance the picture one frame at a time. You will find something that looks like horizontal scan lines running through the picture, giving it a "corduroy" effect. This is the reason for the jerky movement. Instead of 24 separate pictures per second, we get twelve (every other frame), and the frames inbetween are "corduroy-blends" of the frames before and after them. It's the video equivalent of diluting Don Perignon with gutter water.
What a shame.
The producers of this series have spoiled us with perfect quality...so much in fact, that now we are more apt to spot any attempts to "cheat". Lucy looks LOUSY, in this jerky-moving format.
I was happy with all the extra goodies on the DVDs--BUT, I would have gladly given them up to have all the episodes looking their glorious best.
It probably happened because CBS DVD-Paramount wanted to squeeze ALL the episodes from Season Four onto 5 discs and had to forfeit quality to do so. I wouldn't care if the last episode from Season Four ended up in the Season Five box, if it meant that ALL the episodes looked as stunning as they have up till now. Lucy on DVD is a testament to its great film quality--I just HATE to see that quality compromised, for any reason. Doesn't "artistic integrity" mean anything anymore?
Shame on you, CBS DVD-Paramount! Please go back to the great quality in the first 3 season boxes, the kind that I would gladly give a five-star rating to.

Extras plus attention to detail
By now, releases of complete seasons of TV Shows fall into a familiar pattern: 22 to 36 shows, usually uncut, with little or no extras.

The I Love Lucy packages have been different.First, an amazing amount of effort has gone into presenting the shows as originally televised...even if that means simply restoring an additional laugh from Ricky or some other relatively minor "trim" made for syndication.

Second, there are lots of extras.There are "flubs", such as Lucy and Ricky's new Pontiac appearing in the process shot behind Lucy and Ricky, as they sing "California, Here I Come."There are biographies of anyone who spoke a line in the show.There are the various different openings (and closings) of the shows.Book excerpts from the original producer, complete radio shows from Lucille Ball's My Favorite Husband series, script excerpts for lost scenes, or from scenes that are not that clear as broadcast.There are even some extra scenes that were shot to frame reruns that ran in-season.In other words, there is lots of stuff not seen or broadcast in 50 years.

And of course, this was a classic season. There are lots of classic bits, and even some less famous sequences are amazing.In Lucy Learns to Drive, for example, Lucy explains to Ethel here disastrous attempt to take the damaged Pontiac to be repaired.Her description of this off-stage event is perfectly timed and hilarious.

Fifty years later, the laughs are all still there.A must for any Lucy, or TV, fan.

The Premiere Season
This is the season that "I Love Lucy" fans have been waiting for on DVD. California, here we come!The Ricardos and the Mertzs travel to the sunny town of Hollywood to persue Ricky's film star dream. The end result is some of Lucy's most hilarious and memorable moments.

In order to star in the upcoming mvie "Don Juan", Ricky is whisked off to California to set his sights on the silver screen, and of course, in tow, brings Lucy, Fred and Ethel. The writer, sensing a goldmine ahead, didn't rush the foursome out to the Golden State right away, but let the momentum build up. The pre-traveling episodes are as rich as the rest of them. A particular favorite is when Ricky buys the car they plan to drive out in and Lucy needs to learn to drive it. Another, Fred packing the car a little too full. Once on the road, the foursome experience many adventures along the way, including a revisit of the hilarious Tennesse Ernie Ford and a visit to Ethel's home town.

Once they land in Hollywood, though, watch out. Viewed together, these episodes are the some of the best in the series. The acting and comedic timing of all four leads is impeccable. The writing is high quality and without fault. The plethora of guest stars that dance through the episodes are some of the brightest in the mid 50's, including a classic episode with Harpo Marx.

Were I to tell someone who hadn't ever seen one episode of this amazing show, I'd plug them into this season first. Certainly, its a great introduction to one of the greatest series ever. ... Read more

Amazon.com

Season 2 of I Love Lucy includes two of the most famous half-hours in television history. "Job Switching," originally broadcast mid-September of 1952, is the crazy, battle-of-the-sexes episode in which husbands Ricky Ricardo (Desi Arnaz) and Fred Mertz (William Frawley) trade roles with wives Lucy (Lucille Ball) and Ethel (Vivian Vance), culminating in the men making a shambles of domestic chores while Lucy and Ethel take disastrous work at a chocolate factory. That's right: This is the show where the ladies have a Chaplinesque experience with a too-fast factory conveyor belt, forcing them to hide candies in their mouths, in their hats, and down their blouses lest a tough forewoman fire them for incompetence. A half-century later, the scene is still so fresh and funny it would grace any current sitcom. "Lucy Goes to the Hospital," which received an amazing 71.7 rating on January 19, 1953, is the historic episode featuring the birth of Little Ricky and a load of wonderful slapstick. Other television series (The Dick Van Dyke Show) and movies (Nine Months) have tried to top Lucy's time-to-go-to-the-hospital shenanigans, but there's nothing like the sight of Ricky and Fred falling all over themselves or Ricky showing up at the maternity ward (direct from a voodoo-themed show at the Tropicana) in witch doctor makeup.

The other 31 episodes included in I Love Lucy: The Compete Second Season have choice moments, too. "Lucy Becomes a Sculptress" finds the ever-ambitious redhead falling for empty flattery at an art-supply store and commencing an ill-advised career working in clay. Ricky agrees to bless this new endeavor if an art critic says she has talent, but Lucy tries to increase her chances by posing as a bust of herself--resulting in mayhem, of course. The usual running themes in I Love Lucy--Lucy's misguided desire to be a part of Ricky's musical career, and her penchant for disguising herself to investigate something--are all over The Complete Second Season. "Ricky Loses His Voice" is a delightful piece in which Ricky's laryngitis inspires Lucy, the Mertzes, and an aging chorus line to put on a Tropicana spectacle, and "Ricky Has Labor Pains" finds Lucy and Ethel going undercover as male reporters to find out what happens at a stag party.Lots to enjoy here, and the special features include bloopers, information about the guest cast, and snippets from Ball's radio show. --Tom Keogh ... Read more

Reviews (4)

I Love Lucy is the best!
I'm sixteen but I absolutly love I love Lucy. I started watching them when the DVD's for the first season came out. I am so excited to be getting the next season all at once and at half the price of season one. Season Two has some of my favorite episodes like Job Switching, Lucy is Enceinte, and Lucy Goes to the Hospital

Here are 32 More Reasons We Love Lucy ...
THE sitcom of all sitcoms -- the one show where you could watch many episodes 1,463 times (as most of us have) -- and they'd still be funny as hell, the Queen Mother of all sitcoms finally gets its 2nd-season release on August 31st - at a MUCH more reasonable price than season one, thank God!! This is classic Lucy, while the gang was still in New York and Lucy was very much still trying to get into the act.

Here's how Season 2 breaks down, in all its glory:

1. The Anniversary Present - Ricky enlists the aid of a beautiful neighbor to buy Lucy pearls for their anniversary ... and Lucy thinks he's having an affair!

2. The Handcuff - The Ricardos get cuffed together before Ricky has to do a big show.

3. The Operetta - Lucy's women's club stages an operetta, "The Pleasant Peasant," with Lucy writing a post-dated check to pay for everything (Lucy as the Queen of the Gypsies ... HYSTERICAL!!)

4. Job Switching - THE famous "candy factory" job episode!

5. The Saxophone - Lucy pretends to have another love to keep Ricky from going on the road with his band.

6. Vacation from Marriage - The Ricardos and Mertzes take a break from their in-a-rut marriages ... and find they are miserable.

7. The Courtroom - The Ricardos & Mertzes end up in court over a busted television.

8. Redecorating - Lucy is desperate to win a home-decorating contest.

9. Ricky Loses His Voice - Lucy takes over the show at the Tropicana when Ricky gets laryngitis.

10. Sales Resistance - Ricky demands Lucy ... a sucker for any sales pitch ... return a vacuum cleaner she was talked into buying.

11. The Inferiority Complex - Lucy feels inferior when no one laughs at her jokes or wants to play bridge with her.

12. The Club Election - Lucy and Ethel's campaigning against each other for the Wednesday Afternoon Fine Arts League presidency gets way out of hand.

13. The Black Eye - No one believes Lucy really got her black eye from Ricky tossing a book to her.

14. Lucy Changes Her Mind - When Ricky complains that Lucy never finishes anything, Lucy reconnects with an old beau to get even.

15. Lucy is Enceinte - the beautiful, exceptional episode where Lucy struggles to find the right time to tell Ricky she's going to have a baby (touching ending!).

16. Pregnant Women are Unpredictable - Lucy feels neglected when Ricky seems to give all his attention to the upcoming baby.

17. Lucy's Showbiz Swan Song - Lucy fails to get into Ricky's Gay Nineties Review ... until she sneaks in on the barbershop quartet number.

18. Lucy Hires an English Tutor - Hans Conreid guests (hysterically) as an English tutor Lucy hires so that the baby will be surrounded by adults who speak properly.

19. Ricky Has Labor Pains - Ricky develops his own labor pains when jealous of the baby's attention; Lucy has Fred throw him a Daddy Shower that turns more into a stag party ...

20. Lucy Becomes a Sculptress - Lucy takes up sculpting so the baby will learn about and appreciate art.

21. Lucy Goes to the Hospital - The episode that beat out President Eisenhower's inauguration in the ratings; Lucy gives birth to Little Ricky.

22. No Children Allowed - A crotchety neighbor, Mrs. Trumble (in her first appearance on the show), complains about the baby's crying ... as babies are not allowed in the building leases!

23. Lucy Hires a Maid - Exhausted with caring for the baby, Lucy is talked into hiring a maid, who turns out to be a cantankerous biddy Lucy nor Ricky then have the nerve to fire!

24. The Indian Show - Baby or no, Lucy is going to get into the act at an Indian-themed show at the Tropicana.

25. Lucy's Last Birthday - A sad Lucy thinks everyone has forgotten her birthday ... and her (TRIVIA: This was the one and only time the lyrics to the "I Love Lucy" song were heard).

26. The Ricardos Change Apartments - Lucy convinces Ricky they need a bigger apartment, now that Little Ricky has arrived.

27. Lucy is Matchmaker - Lucy causes the usual disaster by trying to match a friend of friend of the Mertzes ... a lingerie salesman who thinks Lucy is hitting on him!

28. Lucy Wants New Furniture - Lucy buys new furniture without Ricky's consent, and tries hiding it until she can work up the nerve to tell him.

29. The Camping Trip - Lucy decides to pursue some of Ricky's interests, to show they have more in common.

30. Ricky's Life Story - Ricky's big feature in "Life" magazine resurrects Lucy's desire for a show biz career.

31. Ricky and Fred are TV Fans - Ricky and Fred are so glued to the TV for a fight, the girls leave the apartment, nearly get arrested -- and the men never even knew they were gone!

32. Never Do Business With Friends - An argument ensues when the Ricardos sell their old washing machine to the Mertzes ... and it breaks down.

At half the price of Season 1 (which needs serious re-boxing), Season 2 of "I Love Lucy" is not only affordable -- but necessary to anyone collecting classic comedy, as it has some of the best episodes of the entire series! Get yours fast -- and lets hope they sell well enough to make Paramount push out Season 3 right away!

Better format, better price, same dvd quality
Season 1 episodes on dvd have picture and sound quality that are unbeatable. The packaging, unfortunately, was done in a way to jack the price way up. Now we have season 2 in a more concise format, half the price, and most likely the same superior restoration and fun extras. This is the season with the chocolate factory episode, the baby episodes, and a lot of other hidden gems. Let's hope this one sells so well that we don't have too long for the rest of the seasons on dvd!

Lucy Ricky Fred & Ethel They Were The Best Ever.
I Have been watching Lucy for 42 years now. At least once a day. If she is on it doesn't matter what else is on WE watch Lucy! Some could say it's a cult. I say it is a time that I would like to have seen more of being born in 1960, I just missed the real deal. I cannot wait for the Second and All the other seasons. Does that sound good. I love Desi & Lucy JRS. too. They made me cry in their 50th anniversary special.
Anyway Enjoy The Show...... Rickrocksem ... Read more

Reviews (8)

Dieting, Lucy's Play, the Lease, Gossip & Vitametavegamin!
Over 50 years ago during the early years of broadcast television, the very inspired talents of Lucille Ball (1911-1989) and her then husband Desi Arnaz (1917-1986) were showcased on their hilarious television show "I Love Lucy". TV execs had initially rejected the plausibility of the show because of Desi and because they intended to tape the shows. However, thanks to the tireless efforts of Lucille Ball and Desi's obvious talents, the show first aired in 1951 and quickly became one of the most successful TV shows during all six of its regular seasons. As Lucy and Ricky Ricardo on "I Love Lucy", Lucille Ball and Desi Arnaz were joined by William Frawley (1877-1966) and Viviane Vance (1909-1979) as their best-friends/apartment landlords of Fred and Ethel Mertz.

The first season of "I Love Lucy" that aired between 1951 and 1952 has 35 memorable episodes:

1. "The Girls Want To Go To the Nightclub": For the Mertzes' anniversary, Ethel & Lucy want to go a nightclub, but Fred & Ricky want to see the fights.

2. "Be A Pal": Thinking their marriage is going cold, Lucy joins Ricky for a poker game, then turns their apartment into a Cuban getaway.

3. "The Diet": To be in one of Ricky's shows, Lucy must lose 22 pounds. No steak for Lucy.

4. "Lucy Thinks Ricky is Trying to Murder Her": Lucy's mystery-book reading makes her suspicious of Ricky.

5. "The Quiz Show": Lucy goes on a game show to win money after Ricky cuts her allowance.

6. "The Audition": Lucy sneaks into Ricky's latest show as Buffo the Clown.

7. "The Séance": Reading horoscopes & numerology, Lucy gives Ricky bad advice; but tries to fix it with a hilarious séance.

8. "Men are Messy": Lucy divides their apartment in half when she tires of Ricky being messy, but goes whole-hog to impress a magazine photographer.

9. "Drafted": Lucy & Ethel think that Ricky & Fred have been drafted, but the men think the girls are pregnant.

10. "The Fur Coat": Lucy thinks that a mink coat that Ricky brought home is hers, but he only rented it for a show.

11. "Lucy Is Jealous of Girl Singer": Lucy sneaks into Ricky's show to spy on him and chorus girl Rosemary (Helen Silver).

12. "The Adagio": Lucy wants to learn the Apache dance from a Frenchman (Shepard Menken) and makes Ricky jealous.

13. "The Benefit": Lucy gets Ricky to perform for Ethel's womens club, but only if she can perform too.

14. "The Amatuer Hour": Lucy baby-sits two terrorizing boys to make money to pay for an expensive dress.

15. "Lucy Plays Cupid": Lucy tries to get to elderly singles together, but they get the wrong ideas.

16. "Lucy Fakes Illness": Lucy pretends to go nuts in order for Ricky to let her perform, but he gets even with her.

17. "Lucy Writes a Play": Lucy writes a play for her woman's club, but when Ricky won't do it, she changes it from Cuban to English. Ricky later changes his mind, but gets the wrong script.

18. "Breaking the Lease": After a fight, Lucy & Ricky want to move, but Ethel & Fred won't end their lease; so Lucy & Ricky have a little party.

19. "The Ballet":Lucy gets ballet lessons from Madame Lamond (Mary Wickes) thinking that Ricky will let her perform at the club.Ballet & burlesque don't mix.

20. "The Young Fans": Ricky & Lucy each have teenagers (Janet Waldo & Richard Crenna respectively) with crushes on them.

21. "New Neighbors": Against Ricky's orders, Lucy tries to met their new neighbors who she comes to think are enemy agents.

22. "Fred and Ethel Fight": Lucy & Ricky help Ethel & Fred end a days-old fight, but end up in a big fight themselves.

23. "The Moustache": Lucy dons a fake beard & mustache to get Ricky to shave, but she used the wrong glue.

24. "The Gossip": When boys bet the girls that they can't stop gossipping, Ricky cheats, but Lucy gets back.

25. "Pioneer Women": On a bet, everyone tries to live in accordance with late nineteenth-century technology with hilarious results. Look out for that bread!

26. "The Marriage License": Lucy thinks her marriage liscence with Ricky is invalid due to a misspelling.

27. "The Kleptomaniac": While collecting items for a women's club bazaar, Ricky thinks Lucy is a kleptomaniac.

28. "Cuban Pals":Lucy gets jealous over a girl (now woman) who had performed with him in Cuba.

29. "The Freezer": The Ricardos & Mertzes purchase a used commercial freezer to save money, but Lucy gets locked in while trying to hide the beef.

30. "Lucy Does a TV Commercial":One of the best episodes of all time with Lucy drinking too much Vitametavegamin for a TV commercial that Ricky begrudginly allows her to do.

31. "The Publicity Agent": Lucy pretends to be the "Maharincess of Franistan" to boost Ricky's sagging popularity.

32. "Lucy Gets Ricky on the Radio":Lucy & Ricky go on a radio quiz show.

33. "Lucy's Schedule": Unhappy with Lucy's disorderliness, Ricky puts her on a tight schedule; but the wife (Edith Meiser) of his new boss (Gale Gordon) starts a woman's revolution. Look out for low-flying dinner rolls!

34. "Ricky Thinks He is Going Bald": When Ricky thinks he's going bald, Lucy resorts to tortuous hair-growing methods.

35. "Ricky Asks For a Raise": When Ricky's boss (Gale Gordon) won't give him a raise, Lucy, Ethel & Fred make bogus club reservations as multiple people and promptly leave when Ricky's not performing.

Paramount Home Video has no doubt done a superb job of repackaging the first season on 7 DVD's. Overall, I rate the "I Love Lucy: The Complete First Season" DVD box set with 5 out of 5 stars!

I love i love i love "i love LUCY"
First sorry for my bad english... even with my bad english i can understand everything about "i love lucy". so great show. It make me remember when i was watching this on TV in french language... but what's a happyness to see this show again and now it belong to me. Really great product... don't miss it if you like the greatest show of american TV.

Great Season!!
This season of "I Love Lucy" is great. I'm glad Paramount is re-releasing this season so it would take up less shelf space and less money. 7 discs is a lot, but there will be only 4 slim cases. Three of the cases will hold two discs, while the fourth case will hold one disc. So, even though there are more discs than Seasons 2-4, it will be thinner because there are only four slim cases compared to the usual five.

Here is what you'll get in this magnificent set:

DISC 1
The Lost Pilot
The Girls Want to Go to a Nightclub
Be a Pal
The Diet
Lucy Thinks Ricky Is Trying to Murder Her
The Quiz Show


DISC 2
The Audition
The Seance
Men Are Messy
The Fur Coat
Lucy Is Jealous of Girl Singer
Drafted

DISC 3
The Adagio
The Benefit
The Amatuer Hour
Lucy Plays Cupid

DISC 4
Lucy Fakes Illness
Lucy Writes a Play
Breaking the Lease
The Ballet
The Young Fans
New Neighbors

DISC 5
Fred and Ethel Fight
The Moustache
The Gossip
Pioneer Women
The Marriage License
The Kleptomaniac

DISC 6
Cuban Pals
The Freezer
Lucy Does a TV Commercial
The Publicity Agent

DISC 7
Lucy Gets Ricky on the Radio
Lucy's Schedule
Ricky Thinks He Is Going Bald
Ricky Asks For a Raise

I Love Lucy
I locve this show, and was bitterly disappointed that it was priced so rediculously.Since the first season was so outrageously priced, i didn't even consider buying subsequent releases.I am glad to hear that the owners of this show listened to customer complaints. Reasonably priced DVD pack sell better, and faster.

Finally...
When the first season of I LOVE LUCY was released in seperate volumes, I was more than a little upset. It seems that if a company wanted to save materials(and price value for its audience)then they would compile them all into one little box set. So, when season two was released in the better version and so on with three(soon to be coming four), I thought that it would look really peculiar if you set these four seasons up against each other. Subsequentley, Paramount is re-releasing the first season in a small box! This set was supposed to be released the same as Season Four but at the last minute they moved the date back. Why? Because they are making the box even SMALLER! Instead of having the original seven, seperate slimline cases, they are putting two in each slimline(it does fit well),making it contain only 4 slimlines(or the size of only two regular amaray DVD cases!). Can't wait for this one and I am more than happy that I didn't buy the original version; I knew that something better just had to be coming along and, well, here it is! ... Read more

Description

In VOLUME NINE of I LOVE LUCY: SEASON ONE, Lucy: manages to get herself and Ricky on the radio in "Lucy Gets Ricky On The Radio," teaches her time-conscious hubby a lesson in "Lucy’s Schedule," comes up with an unorthodox treatment for baldness in "Ricky Thinks He’s Getting Bald," and convinces Ricky to pressure his boss into giving him a raise in "Ricky Asks For A Raise."Now that all 9 volumes of Season One are available, there is also an I LOVE LUCY: THE COMPLETE FIRST SEASON DVD set available. ... Read more

Reviews (57)

Not a Perfect Set, but Worth it
I love "I Love Lucy." Whenever I find it on TV, I watch and find myself laughing. Naturally, it was one of the first shows I knew I wanted on DVD. This set has good and bad points. In reality, I'd probably give it 4.5 if I could. But since I can't, I rounded up.

The biggest drawback is the price. It's expensive! Even though I've found it cheaper other places, it still costs a lot of money. Of course, you do get 9 DVD for the price. And if you bought the discs as they came out, you have no reason to get this set since you already have all the material.

On the plus side, you get the 35 official season 1 episodes plus the "lost pilot" that was found and released several years ago. The episodes have been restored and I doubt they looked this good when they first aired. Picture is original full frame black and white and sound is original mono. Bonus features include behind the scenes trivia and photos, guest cast information, restored footage (some of which is a hoot), the original animated opening, and at least one episode per disc of Lucy's radio show "My Favorite Husband" that inspired certain episodes.

For me, I find some of the episodes near the start of season 1 to be rather slow and not as funny. This is a common complaint of mine with most TV shows. The writers and actors need time to find the characters before things really take off. Still, there are some early gems like "The Diet" and "The Fur Coat." The second half more then makes up for the first with many classic moments and hilarious episodes like "The Ballet," "Breaking the Lease," "The Gossip," "Pioneer Women," "The Freezer," and "Lucy's Schedule." I can watch these episodes over and over again and laugh myself silly every time.

Of course, this doesn't mention the single most famous episode of season 1 - "Lucy Does a TV Commercial." If this title doesn't ring a bell, I have just one word for you. Vitameatavegamin.

Is this a perfect set? No, and its flaws are a little more obvious then most. The good news is that future seasons of this classic show will be released in cheaper to buy full season sets. In the end, if you love Lucy, you will be glad you spent the money to get this set.

Episode guide for season one
Here is a complete episode guide for season one of "I Love Lucy." (September 1951-June 1952) The DVD collection also includes the series pilot, deleted scenes, clips from Lucy's radio show, "My Favorite Husband," and excellent preservation.

1. Lucy Thinks Ricky is Trying to Murder Her-Lucy reads a murder mystery and jumps to the conclusion that Ricky must want to murder her as well.
2. The Girls Want to Go to a Nightclub-For Fred and Ethel's wedding anniversary, Ethel wants to go to a nightclub, but Fred wants to go to the fights. Ricky and Lucy try to solve the problem.
3. Be a Pal-Lucy thinks that she and Ricky have nothing in common, so she begins to adopt his interests, including poker, much to Fred's dismay.
4. The Diet-When Lucy auditions for a part at Ricky's nightclub, he tells her he'll hire her if she can fit into the costume: a size 12.
5. The Quiz Show-Desperate for money to balance her household accounts, Lucy goes on a quiz show and agrees to bring home a total stranger and introduce him to Ricky as her long-lost husband.
6. The Audition-Lucy hires a coach to prepare her to audition for Ricky's show. This episode nearly mirrors the show's pilot, including Lucy's hobo act.
7. The Séance-In order to get Ricky in the good graces of Mr. Meriweather, Lucy and Ethel arrange a bogus séance so that Mr. Meriweather can contact his dead wife.
8. Men are Messy-Lucy is tired of cleaning up Ricky's messes, so when a magazine photographer comes to take snapshots of Ricky's home, Lucy decides to teach her husband a lesson.
9. Drafted-When Ricky receives a letter from the War Department, Lucy thinks he's been drafted. When Ricky catches Lucy knitting socks and then hiding them, he thinks she's pregnant. Ethel and Fred also adopt similar wrong conclusions.
10. The Fur Coat-When Ricky brings home a fur coat he rented for a show, Lucy mistakenly believes it's for her, and Ricky can't get her to take it off.
11. Lucy is Jealous of a Girl Singer-A recurring theme throughout the show, Lucy is jealous of a girl at Ricky's club (who is actually a dancer, not a singer).
12. The Adagio-Lucy hires a Parisian dancer to prep her for an audition at the Tropicana, but the dancer has romance in mind.
13. The Benefit-Lucy and Ricky agree to perform for Ethel's benefit club, but while rehearsing Lucy notices that Ricky delivers all the punch lines. She decides to change things...without telling Ricky.
14. The Amateur Hour-To earn extra money, Lucy agrees to take care of a lady's two bratty boys. She and the boys later appear on a TV show.
15. Lucy Plays Cupid-Lucy tries her hand at matchmaking for the first time with one of her neighbors and the grocer.
16. Lucy Fakes Illness-Lucy promises she'll have a nervous breakdown if Ricky doesn't hire her in his new show.
17. Lucy Writes a Play-Ricky refuses to play the leading role in Lucy's play.
18. Breaking the Lease-Lucy and Ricky have a huge fight with Ethel and Fred, so they decide to break their lease with vengeance.
19. The Ballet-Lucy lies and claims she has professional ballet experience to get a part at Ricky's nightclub.
20. The Young Fans-A teenager in the apartment building has a crush on Ricky, so Lucy tries to find her a boyfriend her own age. That young man (played by Richard Crenna) subsequently develops a crush on Lucy.
21. New Neighbors-Lucy and Ethel spy on their new neighbors, and Lucy creeps into their apartment while they're gone. They return while she's in a closet, and she overhears what she thinks is an elaborate espionage plot.
22. Fred and Ethel Fight-Lucy tries to patch up Fred and Ethel's marriage when the two split up.
23. The Moustache-When Ricky grows a moustache, Lucy plasters on a beard...that won't come off!
24. The Gossip-Ricky and Fred try to prove that women are bigger gossips than men.
25. Pioneer Women-Ricky and Fred think Lucy and Ethel are spoiled housewives who couldn't live without their modern conveniences. So all four decide to live like pioneers without electricity, running water, contemporary clothing, etc.
26. The Marriage License-Lucy discovers that she and Ricky are not legally married because Ricky's name is listed as "Nicky Nicardo" on their marriage license.
27. The Kleptomaniac-When Ricky finds out that Lucy is hiding mysterious valuables in the closet, he assumes she compulsively steals them.
28. Cuban Pals-Some of Ricky's old friends from Cuba come to visit, including a little girl Ricky used to dance with...who isn't a little girl anymore, much to Lucy's dismay!
29. The Freezer-Ethel buys a huge commercial freezer from her uncle, and she and Lucy fill it up with meat: two sides of beef. When they try to hide the huge expense from their husbands, Lucy accidentally locks herself in the freezer.
30. Lucy Does a TV Commercial-Probably the most famous "I Love Lucy" episode, Lucy does a commercial for Vitametavegamin, an health "tonic" with some shady ingredients.
31. The Publicity Agent-Feeling that Ricky has fallen out of the public eye, Lucy dreams up an elaborate publicity stunt: She poses as the Maharincess of Franistan who can't live without Ricky Ricardo's records.
32. Lucy Gets Ricky on the Radio-Lucy is so impressed with Ricky's knowledge of American history that she gets him to be a contestant on a radio quiz show.
33. Lucy's Schedule-Ricky puts Lucy on a strict schedule to teach her the importance of punctuality.
34. Ricky Thinks He's Getting Bald-Lucy gives Ricky scalp treatments to combat his fears of growing bald.
35. Ricky Asks for a Raise-Lucy presses Ricky to ask for a raise.

SOMEBODY MADE A MISTAKE FOR SURE
As a personal policy I buy all of my DVDs at Amazon and I think their prices and services are absolutely superb, however, this DVD is priced at bn.com at 79.98. That's just about $35 less than Amazon.
I'm sure there is no bad will here but it sure sounds somebody made a mistake. I hope Amazon corrects it before I have to buy this elsewhere

WHAT HAPPENED TO SEASON TWO?
I bought the discs in Season One one by one, as they were released. Each new disc would come out every few months. The last one came out in Summer of 2003. NO NEW DISCS SINCE THEN. WHAT GIVES?
The disc quality and bonus material are all great.
The first discs feature a bonus tinny Spanish soundtrack. Later discs boast both a Spanish soundtrack and subtitles. Too bad the subtitles were left out of the first episodes.
And WHY NO ENGLISH SUBTITLES at all for the hearing impaired?
SEASON TWO, WHEREFORE ART THOU?

Great if YOU LOVE LUCY
This is expensive. My advice... shop around (hint hint) ... Read more

Reviews (67)

HENRILU
Based on the true story of the Beardsley family who lived in Monterey County, California, this is one of Lucy's finer latter-day performances (her drunk scene is a delight). Essentially, the story is a movie version of how the Brady Bunch got together and although a little dated it's a most enjoyable family film (for some reason, entertainment from the period 1967-1972 dates badly (especially TV shows, i.e. "Room 222", "Courtship of Eddie's Father", "That Girl", "Mod Squad", "Family Affair" and the like.) As a footnote: In 1942, Lucy had her great chance at a meaty dramatic role in "The Big Street" in which she starred with 37 year-old Fonda. Lucille played Gloria, selfish and rather bitchy showgirl who essentially becomes a cripple; Hank played Little Pinks a devoted admirer. Ball was mostly praised by the critics, but, alas, the picture didn't make a dime.

Great for the Entire Family
This movie brings together two Hollywood legends. Henry Fonda and Lucille Ball play widows who fall in love and bring their families together totalling an amazing 18 children! This star-studded classic includes Van Johnson and a very young and handsome Tim Matherson. The film is full of laughter and brings the viewers into the lives of the North/Beasley family and shares their adventures and growing love for one another. I truly appreciate the release of this wonderful film on DVD, but widescreen would have greatly been appreciated. With 18 children, widescreen is a must! Also a few more extra features would have been nice, such as commentary, photos, etc.. but beggers can't be choosers.
The picture is crisp on the DVD and the sound is quite clear. I highly recommend this movie for the whole family. It's got some lessons of love and life that all can learn from.

A Wonderful Movie That Deserves a Better DVD!
I agree. I love this movie too but I will not buy an edited pan and scan DVD and that is why I opted instead to pop a video into my VCR and tape this movie when TCM was showing it in widescreen and wait and hope that MGM/UA will release a widescreen DVD because when it comes down to it I would much rather have this wonderful movie on a DVD then video but that will only happen if it's widescreen!

Not "mine" - as long as it's in stupid standard screen!
This is a 4 star film reduced to 1 star because it's been butchered down from widescreen to standard screen for no reason whatsoever.

Heck, you NEED the vast viewing range of wonderful widescreen in this flick just to keep track of all those dang kids!

It was shot in widescreen in 1968, as were about 95% of all films made after 1953, so there's no excuse for chopping it down to this putrid pan-and-scan nightmare. Another Amazon reviewer (from Derby, CT) said it all about this ridiculous ripoff of an otherwise very cute movie:

"Great film but who wants to watch a film like this in pan and scan format. Listen up studios, WIDESCREEN, WIDESCREEN, WIDESCREEN!!!!"

Children and children and attitudes, oh my
Wouldn't I love to find jam all over this DVD. Then I could throw it away (which is all it really deserves anyway). Although we won't throw ours away - we'll donate it to the library. perhaps somebody will like it.

This was really pathetic 1960's cinema: Gone is the class and glamour of 1930's MGM. No taste in clothes, no taste in home decor (much), no taste in raising children. I couldn't believe that Mother didn't even reprimand the son for having the Playboy magazine? Family film? Not a chance in my house.

I have to confess I was laughing sometimes during this film, but not because it was funny. It was incredibly UN-funny. I don't find rude children and parents sort of lost out there somewhere amusing. I would never watch it again, and certainly advise anyone else never to watch it in the first place. ... Read more

Amazon.com

Celebrity guest stars such as William Holden, Orson Welles, and John Wayne had always been a successful trademark on Lucille Ball's four television series, beginning in 1951 with I Love Lucy through her fourth and final program, Here's Lucy, lasting 1968 through 1972. Here's Lucy: Best Loved Episodes from the Hit TV Series is a best-of package with an emphasis on celebrity-driven stories starring the likes of Richard Burton and Elizabeth Taylor, Jack Benny, Ginger Rogers, and Milton Berle. The anthology has been compiled by Ball's two children, Lucie Arnaz and Desi Arnaz Jr., who co-starred on the show as Kim and Craig Carter, adolescent daughter and son of Ball's character, widow Lucille Carter. The Arnaz offspring are all over this set in a very charming way, offering brief comments once you select a title to watch as well as optional, extended commentary on every episode. They're also personally involved in a couple of many, delightful extra features, including a 1974 sketch from a live charity event in which Lucie and Desi Jr. played their parents in a scene from I Love Lucy.

Most of the programs in Best Loved Episodes feature one or another show-business legend, sometimes playing themselves, at other times portraying a fictional character. Among the latter, Milton Berle is a fount of wicked burlesque as a used-car salesman foisting a psychedelicized hunk of junk on Kim and Craig, and Helen Hayes is particularly memorable as a seemingly desperate and kooky Irish tourist who may be pulling a scam on Lucille's brother-in-law and boss, Harry (Ball's longtime comic foil, the great Gale Gordon). Burton and Taylor, playing themselves, prove wonderful sports in an episode where Lucille mistakes the Welsh master thespian for a plumber and gets Liz's enormous diamond ring stuck on her own finger. (The show features one of Ball's best bits, substituting her own, out-of-control left arm for Taylor's during a press junket.) Shelley Winters is equally playful as a movie star with a compulsive eating disorder; the slender Lucille is pressed into service as a watchdog over Winters's appetite. I Love Lucy co-star Vivian Vance has two welcome appearances as old friend Viv (both episodes make excellent use of Gordon's trademark powers of exasperation), and Jack Benny plays himself twice, once in a touching, funny episode in which he and Ball play people from different chapters of Benny's life. These old pros from radio, stage, and the Golden Age of Hollywood never lost a step. --Tom Keogh ... Read more

Reviews (4)

where's lucy?
at least the new "here's lucy" is not cheap knockoff stuff, so i guess that's good. but why has there never been a quality release of the earliest shows when lucy launched her solo series (with viv vance) in 1962? none of the knockoff dvd's even mentions any of those black-and-white "lucy show" episodes from the early '60s--when she was at least still reminiscent of her classic comedic talents circa "i love lucy." all we get are the later stuff with mr. mooney and a bunch of superfluous guest stars. anybody got an answer to this?

Long Over Due
I am so excited that Here's Lucy is to be released. The queen of comedy once again shines in this awesome comedy series. I truly hope that more episodes will be released soon. The extras look great. Thank you for bringing Lucy to the public again. We love Lucy she make us laugh for hours. Her show is the tops. I'm glad she is here. Hopefully they will put on DVD Life with Lucy too.

Here's LUCIE (ugh)..........................................
Geez, "hand picked" by Lucie Jr should have warned me, but even I was shocked to see "the classic Pepsodent Commercial" starred HER! Lucy Sr was the star and reason for the show, Cling on Lucie Jr never stops mugging, scene stealing, hamming, nauseating and probably never will. Watch for the genius of Lucille Ball, not her ham bone, attention starved, obnoxious daughter. The shame is that the real talent in the Ball offspring was handsome, casual Desi Jr. Give us Lucy...... give us a break from Lucie - Pleeeeeeeeeeeeeeezeeeeeeee!!!!!!!!!!!

Here's Lucy
I remember watching this program every Monday night on CBS. It's is about time this classic series made it to DVD! This show highlighted and set the stage for Lucille Ball's children. It's a shame that this series is not aired in the Chicago area in reruns. As a parent my children has never seen this program and there isn't many family programs that children can watch with parental supervision. I'm am looking forward for this program release!!

Van E Hill, Jr-Bellwood, Illinois ... Read more

Amazon.com

Bob Hope is up to his classic shenanigans in Fancy Pants, a looseremake of the comedy favorite Ruggles of Red Gap. Hope playsHumphrey, an American actor playing a British butler in a hokey play inLondon. When a fortune-hunter hires the cast to help him woo a wealthyAmerican girl (Lucille Ball, playing her character like a female JohnWayne), the girl's domineering mother takes a shine to Humphrey and hireshim to be their butler back in New Mexico. But when they arrive out West,the townsfolk believe that Humphrey is British nobility, and even TeddyRoosevelt drops by for a visit. Despite their different comic styles, Hopeand Ball have an oddball chemistry together; throw in some musicalnumbers, physical slapstick, and a shaggy dachshund, and the results willplease any Hope fan. (There are, however, some unfortunate racialstereotypes.) --Bret Fetzer ... Read more

Reviews (10)

A hilarious Lucy-Bob film!
This is one of Lucy and Bob's best films together. They made an unbeatable team. Lucy looks so gorgeous, with her flaming red hair, deep penetrating blue eyes, and blood red lips. The only color for her was Technicolor. I laughed so much during this movie. Lucy plays a rich western girl; Bob a phony British bulter who is mistaken for the Earl of Brimstead. Lucy and Bob are at their best in this hilarious movie. Lucy was just 1 year away form making TV history when she made this movie. It was her last before she started television, and she does a great job in it. You can never go wrong with Lucy!

Lucy before "Lucy" "Bob" becomes Mr. Robert
First, this is a color movie, not black and white. Not just color, Technicolor, real good clear Technicolor. It was made by Paramount back in the days when the Paramount logo had 24 stars in the circle. Nowadays the logo has 22 stars. This movie is my all-time favorite Bob Hope film even though it is the one film where he is not billed as "Bob." The credit goes to "Mr. Robert Hope." The best joke in this film takes place 45 minutes into the story. It is "Three Against a Thousand." It is a four minute routine that shows Bob at his best.If you've seen it you know what I mean. If not, it is worth the price of the video. When this movie came out Lucy was about one year away from TV history with her "I Love Lucy" series. Old timers will like it and it is probably a film that young kids would also enjoy. Some of the vaudeville routines still work well today, especially Hope lighting someone's cigarette and pouring tea. Good western scenery. One good song "Home Cookin'." All songs written by Jay Livingston and Ray Evans. They wrote tunes like "Mona Lisa," "To Each His Own" and "The Bonanza Theme." They just didn't write any great songs for this film. Bob and Lucy are in great physical shape here. Tom Willett

HOPE & LUCY= WACKY WESTERN SPOOF....
A remake with songs of "Ruggles of Red Gap", "Mr.Robert Hope" plays an English Valet going to work for Lucille Ball's nouveau riche family in the Wild West. For fans of Hope and Lucy, this is a delight. They're in top form in "Fancy Pants"...the name given Hope by tomboy Lucy. Good supporting cast helps enliven this spoof, but it's Hope and Lucy who really pull it off. They're a great team. Lucy sings "Fancy Pants" and there are other songs and lots of slapstick and beautiful Technicolor filming that helps explain why Lucy was once known in Hollywood as "Tessie Technicolor". She's gorgeous here. "Fancy Pants" is good, clean, fun family fare and, sadly, another example of the kind of film "they just don't make anymore". And yes, you can see Lucy Ricardo emerging in this film. For historical value alone "Fancy Pants" is worth watching and owning.

Watch out world Here she comes!
This was a very funny and pleasant movie! Watch closely and you will see the emergence of Lucy Ricardo ..not a surprise as this was the last movie our beloved Lucy made before hitting the television airways as the beloved Mrs Ricardo..with her good pal and co star Mr Bob Hope this movie is a winner all the way around...Comic genius from two of the businesses best entertainers/comedians..Thoroughly enjoyable entertainment for the whole family!

Worth the price for one joke
My all time favorite movie joke, "Three Against a Thousand" is told beautifully by Bob Hope in this 1950 western. He has several very nice vaudeville scenes especially near the beginning of the movie.

When he becomes a tough cowboy talking down to tough cowboys he is great. Most of the film is average and Lucy shows promise just shortly before she became TV's biggest star in the 50s.

I recommend it for fans of vaudeville schtick, and Hope and Lucy fans will enjoy it also. ... Read more

Description

In VOLUME EIGHT, watch as Lucy gets chased by the masked Ramon in "Cuban Pals," gets locked up in "The Freezer," gets drunk on Vitameatavegamin in "Lucy Does A TV Commercial" and poses as the Maharincess of Franistan in "Publicity Agent." ... Read more

Reviews (5)

All you need to know: This is the one with Vitametavegamin
Volume 8 of Season One of "I Love Lucy" on DVD includes what has been universally recognized as the funniest episode of the classical sitcom. Need a clue? How about one word: Vitameatavegamin (and it's tasty too!). Even without that biggie the other three episodes by writers Jess Oppenheimer, Madelyn Pugh, and Bob Carroll, Jr. are way above average as well:

Episode 28, "Cuban Pals" (April 21, 1952) finds Lucy insanely jealous about the gorgeous Latin dancer (Rita Convy) who was Ricky's dancing partner back in Cuba. Whatever will the redhead do about this floozy?

Episode 29, "The Freezer" (April 28, 1952) contains another classic "I Love Lucy" sight gag. Lucy and Ethel have a new walk-in freezer that is not as big as think. As a result, the girls have to go into the meat business. Meanwhile, there is that walk-in freezer with a lock on teh door and that can only mean one thing with Lucy around.

Episode 30, "Lucy Does a TV Commercial" (May 5, 1952) is an absolute classic. Lucy has been trying to get into showbusiness and she may have finally found her opportunity as a TV pitchwoman for Vitametavegamin, a cure-all tonic (that is only 23 percent alcohol). What is interesting is that Lucy is pretty good when she starts practicing. But with each rehersal using the actual product she descends into a drunken stupor and ascends to the heights of hilarity. Note: Lucy appeared in the 1946 MGM movie "Ziegfeld Follies," in which Red Skelton did a burlesque routine in which he was peddling a product called Guzzler's Gin. Whether this was indeed the inspiration for this "I Love Lucy" episode or not, it indicates the Lucille Ball's gift was not in originality but in performance.

Episode 31, "The Publicity Agent" (May 12, 1952) has Lucy "helping" Ricky's career by posing as a Middle Eastern princess who is Ricky Ricardo's biggest fan. Of course, no publicity stunt by Lucy goes unpunished.

During the first season of "I Love Lucy" in 1951-52 the show had a Nielsen rating of 50.9, which means on Monday nights literatlly half the television sets in the United States were on and tuned to CBS at 9:00 p.m. (and the show only finished THIRD in the ratings). However, the next year the show would make it to the top spot in the Nielsens with a rating of 67.3 as Lucy, both the actress and the character, gave birth. Today you can take the ratings from the four main networks and probably throw the two minor ones into the mix and still not come close to that number during any hour of the week. This is why there is "I Love Lucy" and then the rest.

Vitameatavegamin and Some Other Laughs
The eighth volume of season one brings us one of the best known and loved episodes of I Love Lucy. But there are four episodes on this disc, all of which are great.

"Cuban Pals" gives Lucy and us a chance to meet some of Ricky's old friends. But when one of them turns out to be cuter then Lucy is comfortable with, she gets a visit from the green-eyed monster.

In "The Freezer," the gals get in over their head buying meat for a new basement freezer.

When "Lucy Does a TV Commercial," she gets much more then she bargained for when the product turns out to be alcoholic. While I normally don't enjoy people acting drunk, this episode kills me every time I see it. It's a classic for a reason.

Finally, we get "The Publicity Agent." This one finds Lucy pretending to be the Maharincess of Franistan to give Ricky some much needed publicity.

This DVD is a collector's dream. The episodes are presented in their entirety, and they look and sound sharp. There are occasional flaws in the picture, but considering the source material is 50 years old, it really isn't bad at all. The sound is presented in mono. While it won't challenge your sound system, it serves the purpose well and is faithful to the original audio recording. The extras include the now familiar guest cast info, original opening, mistakes, and episode of "My Favorite Husband." It also features an excerpt from Jess Oppenheimer's books about the creation of "The Freezer" and "Lucy Does a TV Commercial."

I Love Lucy is a classic TV show, and this disc features a classic episode. Not only will fans of Lucy want this disc, so will anyone who loves all time classic TV.

"Hello friends! I'm your Vitametavegamin girl!"
I was very happy to see the release of DVD Volume 8 containing 4 more episodes from the first season of the classic television series "I Love Lucy", which aired on television for six seasons between 1951 and 1957. Lucy Esmeralda MacGillicuddy Ricardo (Lucille Ball), Ricky Ricardo (Desi Arnaz), Ethel Mae Roberta Louise Potter Mertz (Vivian Vance) and Fred Mertz (William Frawley) have more hilarious hijinx occur in the four episodes presented in thid DVD:

Episode 28: "Cuban Pals" (April 21, 1952). Lucy and Ricky are visited by two of Ricky's Cuban friends (Alberto Morin and Rita Convy), as well as a dancer named Renita Perez (Lita Baron), whom Ricky used to perform with when she was a little girl. Lucy's jealousy of Renita leads to some classic hijinx at the night club.

Episode 29: "The Freezer" (April 28, 1952). Lucy and Ethel want to save money by getting a freezer to store a lot of meat that they could purchase wholesale. Ethel can get a freezer essentially for free from a relative, so Lucy orders some meat; but it's a bit more meat than Lucy & Ethel realize when three delivery men arrive (Frank Sully and Bennett Green). After they try to sell some of the excess meat, Lucy learns the true meaning of popsickle. Fred Aldrich played the butcher.

Episode 30: "Lucy Does a TV Commercial" (May 5, 1952). This is one of the best known and most beloved episodes of all time. In this episode, Lucy finagles her way into doing a TV commercial during a show that Ricky has been invited to perform in. The TV commercial is for that well-known elixir, Vitametavegamin; but the director (Ross Elliott) and Joe (Jerry Hausner) fail to mention that it has a lot of alcohol in it. After several takes, Lucy gets a bit tipsy.

Episode 31: "The Publicity Agent" (May 12, 1952). Concerned that Ricky isn't getting enough publicity, Lucy poses as a princess from the fictional country of Franistan who has travelled to NYC just to hear Ricky sing. Ethel poses as her consort. Peter Leeds, Bennett Green, Richard J. Reeves and Gil Herman guest star in this episode.

If you are debating whether to purchase any of the episodes on DVD, you won't be disappointed if you are a long-time fan of "I Love Lucy". As with the other seven volumes released so far, picture quality of the episodes is superb; and being able to watch the episodes uninterrupted and uncut is fantastic. I rate these 4 classic episodes with 5 out of 5 stars!

Lucy samples Vitameatavegamin and dances the rumba!
I LOVE LUCY continues on DVD with this 8th volume of episodes from the historic first season.

"Cuban Pals" - Lucy is delighted to meet a troupe of Cuban performers, touring through America, who are old friends of Ricky's. But when she discovers that the beautiful, lithsome dancer Renita Perez will be dancing with Ricky, Lucy sets out to replace her as the "Lady in Red", with hilarious results...

"The Freezer" - Lucy and Ethel decide to buy a freezer, stocking it with more meat than they can eat...or pay for! But with Lucy's brush with the meat 'black-market' turning into a dismal failure, the girls have to go home and face the boys...

"Lucy Does a TV Commercial" - Lucy decides to appear on Ricky's new television special, advertising a rather-suspicious health tonic called Vitameatavegamin. The tonic is largely made of alcohol, and Lucy bombs (and gets bombed) as she samples the elixer during multiple "takes"!

"The Publicity Agent" - Ricky's career is in the doldrums, so Lucy decides to shake things up in the press by masquerading as the 'Maharincess of Franistan', who has come to America just to hear Ricky singing in his club!

Starring Lucille Ball, Desi Arnaz, Vivian Vance and William Frawley. The DVD includes restored elements, special footage, a bonus episode of the "My Favorite Husband" radio show, flubs, guest-cast information and audio supplements. (Single-sided, single-layer disc).

The Queen of Comedy on DVD.
The eighth volume of I Love Lucy's first season contains episodes 28-31, which feature some of the show's best moments, like Lucy getting locked in a freezer, dressing up as foreign royalty and doing a commercial for Vitameatavegamin. Although, like I've said before, I wish they would release season-by-season DVDs, this is still a must have collection. Lucy's brand of humor and physical gags transcends time and it shows, like always, on this set. And who doesn't love Lucy?

1. "Cuban Pals" (aired 4/21/52)- When Carlos and Maria, old friends of Ricky's from Cuba, come for a visit, Lucy insists that another friend of his, Renita Perez, should do an act with Ricky at his club. Of course, this is before Lucy sees what a gorgeous woman Renita is now. Jealous, she has Fred pose as a taxi cab driver who is supposed to take her to the Tropicana, but takes a "shortcut" through Philadelphia.

2. "The Freezer" (aired 4/28/52)- The girls buy a freezer from Ethel's uncle and decide to order two sides of beef, not knowing that two sides of beef is over 700 pounds. Lucy's scheme to steal the customers away from the butcher shop to sell her beef to them fails, so while trying to hide the meat from Ricky, Lucy gets locked in the freezer.

3. "Lucy Does a TV Commercial" (aired 5/5/52)- Lucy is desperate to get a spot in the live commercial that will air during a TV show that Ricky is doing. She auditions as Lucy McGillicuddy and wins the part. But during rehearsals, she gets drunk on the Vitameatavegamin tonic that contains 23% alcohol.

4. "The Publicity Agent" (aired 5/12/52)- When Ricky thinks that his career is in a slump and that he needs some publicity, Lucy rises to the occasion to help him out. Unknowingly to Ricky, she transforms herself into the Maharincess of Franistan, who is so obsessed with Ricky Ricardo, that she travels clear around the world for a private command performance. ... Read more

Reviews (15)

Welcome to the Footlights Club
Watch this movie, *any way* you can.

Seriously, you won't be disappointed.

It's a brilliant way to spend a couple of hours: where else would you get an all-star cast that would make your jaw drop today (Katharine Hepburn, Ginger Rogers, Lucille Ball, Eve Arden, Ann Miller etc. etc.), and a clever, witty script played to the hilt by the astounding cast?

The story is fairly simple: Terry Randall (Hepburn) moves into the Footlights Club to begin her career as an actress. Viewed as an odd cookie by the rest of the girls, her room-mate Jean (Rogers) especially, she starts to win them over until she wins the part belonging to Kaye (Andrea Leeds). Not wins, so much as given. It takes a tragedy to turn Terry into the actress she could be, and the friend she eventually becomes as she remains in the Footlights Club.

This film benefits from a truly amazing cast: Hepburn is glorious as Terry, an independent, in-your-face girl from the upper class, unsure why she's not liked by her new friends as she blithely (and unknowingly) talks down to them; but fiercely loyal and protective of them nonetheless. Witness Terry's outburst in Powell's office, or the way she puts Jean, much the worse for wine, to bed. Hepburn is truly great in her emotional scenes, when she is called to perform on stage despite the revelation she's received just beforehand.

Hepburn alone doesn't make the movie though (as she eventually does in lesser vehicles with less worthy co-stars). Ginger Rogers as Jean is a breath of fresh air. She's quirky, charming, and just generally appealing in her role, playing Jean with a wonderful confidence that bodes well for the character. You warm to Jean immediately. I love Rogers' drunken scenes with Menjou--ditzy yet sweet.

The supporting cast is fantastic as well, Lucille Ball never missing a chance to steal a scene or make a quip, Eve Arden fast on her heels. Andrea Leeds overacts a little, I think, but is generally good in her demanding role as Kaye--she does an excellent job on the staircase towards the end of the movie.

Absolutely A+. Everything Hollywood should be, was, and now isn't.

Life (and death) at the Footlights Club
Nearly 70 years after its original release, "Stage Door" continues to shine as one of the best movies of the 1930's, if not one of the best ever. Credit must be given to screenwriters Morrie Ryskind & Anthony Veiller as well as director Gregory LaCava for turning a mediocre stage production into a striking screenplay.

"Stage Door" can perhaps be regarded today as a 1930's period piece - specifically a realistic glimpse into the lives of a group of struggling Broadway actresses who live at the Footlights Club, one of the myriad boarding houses common in the West Forties & Fifties of Manhattan at that time. The actresses trade wisecracks between them as well as share their joys & sorrows.

The cast of "Stage Door" is just as sterling as the movie itself: Katharine Hepburn as Terry Randall, the society girl who tries to barge her way into the theater world; Ginger Rogers as Jean Maitland, the street-smart dancer; Adolphe Menjou as the cynical, womanizing producer Anthony Powell; Constance Collier as the hard up but still proud veteran actress who becomes Terry Randall's coach; a group of up-and-coming stars including Eve Arden, Ann Miller (who wasn't even 18 yet), and Lucille Ball; all the remaining members of the ensemble who contribute in their own small way, especially Phyllis Kennedy as Hattie the maid, and Norma Drury as Olga, the prospective concert pianist who'd rather talk about subjects other than men & the constant complaints re boarding house food.

But of all the performances in "Stage Door", the most outstanding & poignant is that of Andrea Leeds who received an Oscar nomination for Best Supporting Actress as the sensitive, tragic, defeated actress Kaye Hamilton who was a Broadway sensation a year earlier but now can't find a part to play anywhere & literally starves herself to be able to stay at the Footlights Club. Gregory La Cava called Ms. Leeds "...the best natural actress that has ever passed under my hands."

"Stage Door" is also famous for one of Katharine Hepburn's best-known & most-mimicked lines: "The calla lilies are in bloom again."

For one of the finest examples of moviemaking Hollywood has ever created, you cannot go wrong with this film.

Another great Ginger Rogers RKO movie of the 1930's.
"Stage Door" was released for RKO Radio Pictures in 1937, and was directed by Gregory LaCava, the man who gave us the great "My Man Godfrey" just a year earlier. It has a number of top stars, such as Ginger Rogers (who is easily the Best actress ever). Then you have Kate Hepburn, Adolphe Menjou (Who appeared with Ginger again in 1942's "Roxie Hart"), and Lucille Ball in an early supporting role. There is also a very early appearance from Ann Miller. Oh, and this movie is NOT a musical.

The film is set at a place called the "Footlight's Club". It's a boardinghouse full of wannabe actresses, who are there, in New York, to try and get themselves parts in Broadway shows. It would seem to be a fairly realistic look. Its full of amusing lines, and a few dramatic scenes now and again aswell. It does not have a very happy ending, at all, I would like to add, which in an odd way, makes it great.

The film is really a comedy, mixed with drama. It's a decent story, and the acting is extremely good from all of the stars, and it is a very enjoyable little movie, that I could recommend. Definately worth picking up a copy to add to your film collection.

Welcome To The Theatre.
This has always been one of my favorite movies. I've just watched it for maybe the tenth time, and my jaw hurts from the constant grin, along with a tear or two, that viewing this film produces. The story of the inhabitants of "The Footlights Club", those struggling young actresses pursuing the glory and heartbreak of show-biz, is just as fresh and witty as when it was produced in 1937. Katherine Hepburn was somewhere in the midst of her "Box Office Poison" phase when she made this film. She is wonderful as "Terry Randall", the heiress attempting to live in anonymity to pursue her starry dream, against the wishes of her wealthy father. She is assisted in all this comaraderie by the now legendary cast of Ginger Rogers, Lucille Ball, Eve Arden, and Ann Miller. Other than Rogers, all the others were relatively unknown at this point, and their intimidation at the prospect of working with the Great Kate has been often told. Ann Miller was but a babe here, and we get to see her tap!, something she later became very famous for. Also, our beloved Lucys wisecracking and dead-pan humor foreshadow her future greatness as the worlds favorite t.v. clown. This superbly written film, taken from the play by Edna Ferber and George Kaufmann, is full of witty banter, repartee, occasional sweet sentiment, and tragedy, as the lovely gaggle of girls try and constantly out-talk each other. It is rich with wonderful character roles, the stand out being that of Constance Collier, as the older resident drama coach and faded actress. She is absolutely hysterical in her delivery, as she attempts to tell anyone who will listen about her acting glory days of past, always accompanied by the showing of her aged review clippings, which always just happen to be at hands reach. There just aren't any wonderful character actresses like this anymore, or, if there are, the roles for them are few and far between. In real life, Miss Collier, famous for her New York soirees, was Katherine Hepburns drama coach and dear friend, and, on her death in the mid-1950's, Miss Hepburn inherited Miss Colliers secretary, Phyllis Wilbourn, who remained with her for over forty years. Miss Collier was also drama coach for the great Garbo, as well as, for a brief time, her beloved Marilyn Monroe (Read "A Beautiful Child" by Truman Capote.) Some may find certain scenes and acting styles in this film dated, but, if so, don't let that distract you from its timeless wit in its depiction of those who will risk all to achieve their dream of their name in lights. This film also has one of my favorite endings and fade-outs, which always leaves a smile on my face. A classic.

CANT WAIT for the DVD!
I am SO glad that they (whoever) have decided to release this movie on DVD! It is SO good. I saw it for the first time on late tv only a few months ago.. it had Ginger Rogers in it, so I decided to tape it. Thank gosh I did!!
A favourite part of mone is when she comes back from her date totally DRUNK!! It is hilarious! Her brilliant drunken style was totally convincing to me, and I was laughing so much, when I watched it again I kept rewinding that part. So I can't wait for it to come on DVD!
Whoever hasnt seen it.. see it!!:):)
P.S. This is the type of movie where, if you don't pay attention, you might get a bit lost.
Babs ... Read more

Reviews (1)

Another double dose of Hope!
Here's another disc in the very nicely done Bob Hope Tribute Collection. Again we have trailers and production notes, plus cast and crew bios. Two features for the price of one is always a good deal, and this installment in the set does not disappoint, with two classic Hope pictures, "Sorrowful Jones" and "The Paleface".

Of the two (believe it or not), "Sorrowful Jones" is the real keeper. "The Paleface" is certainly more famous, and pretty funny in its own right as Bob plays a cowardly correspondance school dentist making his way across the Old West. However, the other feature hits the mark every time, while "The Paleface" tends be a bit uneven.

On the other hand, "The Paleface" is pure farce, and introduces the song "Buttons and Bows" (sung here by Bob), that became a smash hit for Dinah Shore. Film fans should be on the lookout for an appearance by Iron Eyes Coty, forever famous as the Native American who sheds a tear in that classic environmental awareness ad from the 1970's. Jane "Cross Your Heart Bra" Russell plays Calamity Jane, who marries Bob so she can get a lead on some gun runners. The film spawned a sequel four years later ("Son of Paleface"), and was later remade with Don Knotts as "The Shakiest Gun in the West".

"The Paleface" is also available as a stand-alone disc in the set, albeit with more bonus features. Frankly, I don't understand why Universal put the film on two discs when one would do, but there it is, anyway.

"Sorrowful Jones" is the second film version of "Little Miss Marker", a Damon Runyon story. The original film made Shirley Temple a star. Taking over the role in this one is Mary Jane Saunders (playing Martha Jane Smith), who all but steals the film from Bob Hope! Lucille Ball is along for the ride, playing a nightclub singer who helps Bob in caring for the kid. Meanwhile, the bad guy (Bruce Cabot), is trying to fix a big horse race, and kills off the kid's father in order to keep the secret.

"Sorrowful Jones" is the better picture here probably because it's a bit more serious and/or sentimental. An incredible scene has Bob instructing Martha Jane on how to pray, and I can't remember seeing a scene that more clearly defines the cultural differences in films of yesterday from those of today. Talk about old fashioned values! Bob lays it all out for the kid in a simple and affecting way that's sure to stay with you.

Like the other discs in the set, this one is a good bargain, and a disc you'll be glad to own. ... Read more

Amazon.com

This is Lucy at her finest: getting drunk on Vitameatavegamin, stuffing chocolates down her dress on the assembly line, sinking in quicksand with Jack Benny, and making movie deals with fellow cleaning woman Carol Burnett. This 1976 tribute to Lucille Ball captures prize moments from her three television series (most notably I Love Lucy), highlights from her movie career, and excerpts from numerous other TV appearances. Each segment of the 97-minute special is introduced by famous cohorts, from series regulars such as ex-husband Desi Arnaz, Vivian Vance, and Gale Gordon to sometime coworkers like John Wayne, Sammy Davis Jr., and Dick Van Dyke. Although she lived another 13 years after this special was made and had a fourth go at a TV series, this DVD captures the most brilliant moments of her trademark physical comedy. The red-haired queen of American comedy makes an appearance at the end when Jimmy Stewart gives her an honorary plaque, making for a nostalgic moment. A short time later the credits roll, revealing that Ball's production company was behind the tribute and reminding viewers she wasn't a bad businesswoman either. --Kimberly Heinrichs ... Read more

Reviews (6)

When Stars Ruled Hollywood
This show is so full of Hollywood Stars and I mean when stars were Stars. Legends. It's one of the greatest tributes of all time. If your a fan of the older stars you'll love this. I'm talking about a time in history when Bette Davis, Katherine Hepburn, Henry Fonda, Lucille Ball, Frank Sinatra were in their heyday this is for you. Such class and elegance is unfortunately lost in our society today. If you want to see that again, BUY THIS DVD. As a matter of fact buy two copies. It's well worth the investment.

A SHODDY COMPILATION OF A BIG TV STAR'S CAREER
CBS RUSHED THIS TV SPECIAL OUT BACK IN '76 TO MASSAGE THE EGO OF ITS' BIGGEST PRIME TIME MONEY MAKER OF ALL TIME. SHE WAS IN SEMI-RETIREMENT WHEN THIS TV SPECIAL AIRED. CLAD IN A WIG, UGLY GOWN AND DRAG QUEEN LIKE MAKE-UP, LUCY'S ACCEPTS A JIVE PLAQUE FROM JAMES STEWART AT THE END OF THIS TIRED MONTAGE OF HER TV WORK. SHE SEEMED JUST HAPPY TO HAVE SOMETHING TO DO. BACKGAMMON,BOOZE AND CIGARETTES WAS WHAT SHE PASSED TIME WITH IN HER LONELY BEVERLY HILLS MANSION. HER HUSBAND, GARRY MORTON WAS PLAYING TENNIS AND SLEEPING AROUND. SAD FINAL YEARS OF TV'S TOP STAR.

THE BEST NEVER BEFORE SEEN
I THINK THAT IS GREAT THAT THEY MADE THIS ONE FOR PEOPLE THAT DON'T KNOW WHAT LUCILLE BALL WAS CAPABLE OF. THEY SHOW A SMALL PERCENTAGE OF SHE DID DURING HER CARRER. I THINK SHE WILL ALWAYS BE THE BEST FEMALE COMEDIAN THAT EVER LIVED.

Finally! We Have Some Lucy On DVD!
Let me first say that as far as picture quality goes on this DVD, I would rate that with 4 stars. However, the content of this DVD makes up for the picture quality. Not that the picture is bad, I just feel that during remastering some of the clips could have been a lot clearer. With that aside, let me say that this is a super DVD to have in your collection. As of right now it is the only place you can find anything of "I Love Lucy" available on DVD, and this is the only place any clips of "Here's Lucy" can be found. If you want to relive many of your favorite Lucy moments from the past, this is the place to go. Here you can find some of the classics like the famous Vitameatavegamin, or the candy factory, or even the time when Lucy and Vivian (on "The Lucy Show") installed the shower and got stuck in it while it kept filling with more and more water. The great thing about this DVD is that it helps remind the viewer why Lucille Ball was/is as important as she has remained, and probably will be, to the television and entertainment world.

I hope that the people at Paul Brownstein Productions start to release more rare Lucille Ball shows, such as her 1977 special "Lucy Calls the President" that reunited her with many of her costars like Gale Gordon and Vivian Vance. I think that we as fans need to let the companies that hold the rights to these shows know that there is a demand for them, and pass on the simple message that it's "Time To Open The Vaults!"

Awesome
This DVD is a MUST HAVE for true Lucy fans.I ordered mine as soon as it was released, and trust me, you won't be disappointed! It's truly a fairy tale story of the first 25 years,and makes you realize even more what a wonderful person and actress she truly was. My rating A++++++++++ ... Read more

Amazon.com

The producers of The "I Love Lucy" 50th Anniversary Special had a tough assignment, and they triumphantly rose to the occasion. Ostensibly a vehicle for a fan-selected list of top 10 favorite "I Love Lucy" episodes (available in the Best of I Love Lucy Collection), this 2001 special covers all the requisite territory with a solid sense of history and affectionate nostalgia, combining loving reminiscence and commentary (by such luminaries as Lily Tomlin, Barbara Walters, and Dick Van Dyke) with vintage clips from the selected episodes. More substantial segments demonstrate the deeper significance of the Lucy phenomenon past and present, from Desi Arnaz's influential impact on Latino culture in America to Lucy's historic onscreen pregnancy. When surviving children Lucie Arnaz and Desi Arnaz Jr. visit their mother's childhood home, their emotions are as genuine as I Love Lucy's cultural importance, adding gentle tears to an abundance of laughter. As valentines go, this anniversary couldn't be more special. --Jeff Shannon ...