Customer Reviews

I Love Lucy - The Complete Seasons 7-9

5 star:		(65)
4 star:		(11)
3 star:		(15)
2 star:		(2)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

UPDATE: March-22-07

(The "I Love lucy Movie" not to be included in the set! from what I have read Paramount is going to be bringing us a seperate set with the "I Love Lucy" movie and a lost scenes/shows set with bonuses. Look for this set in the near future, this is probably another way for Paramount to make money.) Also in the show "The Celebrity Next Door" this episode is cut because it does no explain how Talula is allergic to strawberries, when originally aired Talula said that she got hives whenever she ate strawberries but on this set it does not explain that. All of the other episodes are perfect and funnier than I remembered them!

Update: May-14-2007

A DVD set was just released called "Lucy's Really Lost Moments' and it will include many lost I Love Lucy scenes and tons of other bonuses including Desi and Lucy appearing on a game show and much more. It is available online through Amazon and other websites and you may be able to purchase it in some video stores also! The average price this set costs online is $10 to $13 and is a GREAT value, I just reserved my copy and can't wait to watch it!!!





I am so exited about "I Love Lucy" season 7-9 coming to dvd and I just can't wait to get it at my door. This set was originally aired on television as The Lucy-Desi Comedy Hour and the name of this set has been changed to "I Love Lucy," as that is what it is and should have been called in the first place. The only difference in this set than in Season 1-6 of "I Love Lucy" is that these shows were one hour long episodes instead of half hour episodes, and it continues where Season 6 left off in Connecticut when the gang moved to the country.


These seasons have not aired on cable television as much as the other "I Love Lucy" shows, and it is such a disappointment because there are GREAT shows on here. Why do they not air much??? This dvd box set includes 13 classic episodes at each being an hour long and so you get over 13 hours of fun with this set, not mentioning the many bonuses. There will even be some scenes from "I love Lucy" to be set in color and deleted scenes and flubs and fun commercials as well. You will also receive the "I Love Lucy" movie!! It is 3 shows with a continuing story line and has never been shown before, EVER. They were suppose to air it back in the 1950's but it was cancelled due to the Release of "The Long Long Trailer" and it has been lost and forgotten for over 50 years and now we all can own this. They figured that since "The Long Long Trailer was being aired that there was no need for this movie and decided not to air it.



One of my favorite shows on this set is "Lucy Takes A Cruise To Havana," in this episode there will be a flash back of how Lucy first met Ricky on her cruise to Havana. This episode was first originally aired as 75 minutes long but 15 minutes had to be cut out and Paramount is including the 75 minute long episode with this set, which hasn't been seen since It's original broadcast. Desi Arnaz did not want anything cut on this episode and he talked CBS in to keeping the added minutes. It took the full 75 minutes to make the episode perfect and Desi wanted everything, he would not settle for edited content. When this show was first originally aired back in the 50's it was the full 75 minutes with commercials but every since than it has appeared on cable edited. Desi Arnaz would be very proud to know that the full content is being released!


Here is the episode List:



1.) Lucy Takes A Cruise To Havana
2.) The Celebrity Next Door
3.) Lucy Hunts Uranium
4.) Lucy Wins A Racehorse
5.) Lucy Goes To Sun Valley
6.) Lucy Goes To Mexico
7.) Lucy Makes Room For Danny
8.) Lucy Goes To Alaska
9.) Lucy Wants A Career
10.) Lucy's Summer Vacation
11.) Milton Berle Hides Out At The Ricardos
12.) The Ricardos Go To Japan
13.) Lucy Meets The Moustache

These 13 hour long episodes were actualy part of a series of specials titled "The Lucy-Desi Comedy Hour" that originaly aired approx once a month on CBS between 1957 - 1960. Lucille Ball and Desi Arnaz had tired of the weekly grind of filming a series after 7 years and wanted to cut back on their work load the result was this series of specials. Like the original series the show also featrued William Frawely and Vivian Vance as Fred and Ethel Mertz and of course Keith "Little Ricky" Thibodeaux. These shows took place in the Connecticut setting where the regular series left off although in some episodes the quartet did travel to such places as Mexico and Japan among others. The first of these episodes titled "Lucy Takes a Cruise To Havana" originaly aired as an 1 hr 15 min show, something unheard off back then. This was due to the fact that after filming was complete the episode ran over the normal hour long show (approx 50 mins with out commercials)Desi did not want to cut anything out so he convinced CBS to push the show that followed it back by 15 mins and CBS agreed. The syndicated copy and the one on the CBS Video Library collection are the edited version. I am Happy that these episodes are also being made available and look forwrd to really completing my "Lucy" collection. From what I've read it looks like Paramount Home Video is giving this collection the same love and respect as they did the original "I Love Lucy".

I have to say that this is the best season from "I Love Lucy" because it shows the Ricardo's and Mertz in various locations and in a new setting. Even though this is not really considered as part of the "I love Lucy" series more like a sequel TV series because it has a whole new tittle and was an hour long. Although it still has the same characters, plot, theme and story line as "I Love Lucy" did. There's also a lot of extras that come in this set, you get the "I Love Lucy" movie that was going to be released around the same time as Lucy and Desi's other movie "The Long Long Trailer" but was shelved because the studio felt that since "I Love Lucy" was so big at the time being the number one show in America, it would harm the sales of "The Long Long Trailer". It has been lost an forgotten for over 50 years and was recently rediscovered. Also there's some clips of an actual color episode filmed secretly by an audience member plus more extras. it also features little Ricky as an older boy and he has a lot more screen time then usual. This has to be the best "I Love Lucy" DVD ever.

Like a previous reviewer, I am definitely disappointed by the footage missing from my favorite episode with Talullah Bankhead. I remember the original version, where she explains that she is allergic to strawberries. For years this segment was cut out, leaving everyone to wonder why she was scratching so furiously in the last of the show, spoiling the gag entirely. When watching the episode with friends I would always have to subsequently explain to them, "You see, she is allergic to strawberries. They cut that out to make room for commercials." So, it was with great expectation that I watched the new DVD version, waiting to see the restored scene. IT IS STILL MISSING. This makes me wonder what else is still missing from the other episodes. WHY IS THIS SCENE STILL MISSING??????

After six successful seasons of I LOVE LUCY, Desi wanted to slow down and try other things. But, since I LOVE LUCY was such a huge hit, CBS wanted to keep it going. So they reached a compromise. They would do three or four hour long episodes of the show for the next few years instead of the weekly half hour shows. The resulting show has had many names over the years, but not matter what you call it, it is funny.

The set up is exactly the same. In fact, it feels like we never left. The Ricardos and the Mertzes are living in Connecticut. But Ricky's band's appearances lets them travel the world. And they also meet up with all kinds of famous people. That's right; every one of these thirteen episodes features a famous guest star or two. And you just know that when Lucy gets around a celebrity, chaos ensues.

There are several highlights to the set. "The Celebrity Next Door" is hysterical as Lucy tries to get new neighbor Tallulah Bankhead to help with the PTA benefit. Later on, she goes the same route with Milton Berle and tries to help him finish his book. When Paul Douglas starts a new morning show, Lucy lands a job as his "Girl Friday." But does she really want a job? And a USO show in San Diego leads to all kinds of border crossing problems that end with Lucy fighting a bull.

About the only show here I don't like is "Lucy Goes to Alaska." A long section is made up of a sketch that she does with comic Red Skelton. It was funny for a while, but goes on too long. And the rest of the plot just isn't that funny.

But that's the only low point. The rest of the shows are wonderfully funny. Any Lucy fan will laugh the entire way through them.

And this set is great as well. The thirteen hour long shows are preserved on four discs. And they look and sound great. The special features are nothing new for the TV show, and that's not a bad thing. We get information on the guest cast, and since I've never heard of some of these stars, that's great. Additionally, we get the flubs, deleted scenes, and original opening and closing that were standard on the other sets. For something different, we get the 40 minute sponsor presentation that Desilu studio did for new sponsor Westinghouse and some color home movies of the set from 1951.

There are some real gems in this set. And I'm thrilled to have it to complete my I LOVE LUCY collection.

This is the final dvd in a series, and I have waited so long. It continues the I Love Lucy Saga. These episodes follow the same plot as the first 6 seasons, and I am so glad that it is finally being released. Try it and you'll like it.

This last installment of shows featuring the I LOVE LUCY cast has a treasure trove of features, and some flashbacks to the half hour series. Most enjoyable is the color footage from Season One's AUDITION episode that was taken by an sudience member. What a great way to see the show as it was actually made.

For the 13 hour shows, all are stunningly sharp in picture and sound. I'm extremely glad that the premiere Havana Cruise episode is restored to its complete presentation. If space allowed, even on another disc, I would have also included the full edited version that has been rerun since the intial broadcast as a contrast piece. Showing the difference between the two with just the Balcony scene doesn't cut it. I now have to keep my VHS version to have this shorter edition.

I agree with other comments noted below about the Tallulah episode (the best of this series, comedy-wise). The set-up about the allergy to strawberries is a major flaw. With the 16mm extras footage, I'm not sure if this was an error, or what was available to work with. When you choose this scene, it starts at the tail end of the conversation about the allergy where Lucy says, "Oh, I'm so glad...uh, you know what I mean", with Tallulah responding "I know exactly what you mean", and it continues. It is true that when "We Love Lucy" (syndicated hour and half-hour versions of Lucy-Desi Hours issued in the 90s) broadcast in the episode and the 2-Hour compilation specials, a poorer quality section of this conversation was inserted, but did not continue to the full Mertz walkout in the kitchen, but to the edited version of that scene. Regardless, the allergy piece was still "in". I even remember watching a film rerun of this show 12/30/73 on NY's Channel 5, when they began to rerun monthly on weekends what was advertised as The Lucy-Desi Comedy Hour. It was the first time I viewed it as The Lucille Ball - Desi Arnaz Show, with the animated "Ford" opening, only without the sponsor mention and voice-over (theme only). The titles also only had the flipped card announcing Viv and Bill, the little extra pull-down for Little Ricky, then would fade quick to a separate still while the theme faded stating "and Special Guest Star Tallulah Bankhead". I have an audio tape of this show as broadcast, as we weren't at the point of owning VCRs then. This edited film version featured the entire two kitchen scenes with the Mertzes, and the Strawberry allergy reference. Therefore, a film version may still exist in Viacom's archives somewhere. The closing credits were also the animated ones as you see here in the Bonus features, but no Roy Rowan voice over or guest cast references. It is also the full two chorus orchestral theme vs. the choppy ones on the L-D Hour closing credits on some of the shows.

As a point of reference, when these film versions (prior to remastering to video, etc) were broadcast in the 70s on Channel 5, all but two used the "Ford" animated opening without sponsor mention and voice over, and the same animated closing credits with the full double-chorus theme, and referencing The Lucille Ball-Desi Arnaz Show. When the Paul Douglas and Ida Lupino episodes were broadcast, they were in the Lucy-Desi Comedy Hour versions you see here, with maybe a different tweak here and there for commercials, but mostly what you see here. This confirmed I wasn't crazy, and remembered these openings from summer reruns on CBS in the 60s. The animated "Ford" openings were new to me at the time.

The menus are adorable, but I wouldn't have used any incidental music from the half hour series, even if this is advertised as an I Love Lucy box. I would have extracted some incidental music from the hour shows to add when you switch between the menus. Glad the 1957-60 instumental opening theme is used at main menu start, even if edited.

I am also happy that the completed Westinghouse Promotion Video is included with this set. It is a very necessary piece, and compared to the horrible edited versions with verbage printed all over it on bootlegged Good Times releases, you get to see it complete for the first time without interuption.

My only other peave with this set is some of the chapter marks. There shoud have been an additional one or two added during the Geisha House scene in the Japan episode. The last chapter marker is at the first scene of the guys at the table, and then you would have to fast forward to get to a specific place. Should have added a marker either at the start of Tokyo Pete and/or at either when Lucy & Viv discover each other in the Geisha costumes, or at the break for commercial after Lucy dances, and then the last scene is set up.

Lastly, I am not sure if the Milton Berle Special that Desi refers to in the bonus features was a Desilu production, but broadcast on NBC. Once prior to, and once right after her passing, this program was shown "somewhere", probably on Fox affiliates, with the latter broadcast I remember being called MILTON LOVES LUCY, with Berle doing opening and closing comments on video. I have this somewhere on VHS. Based on the time of original broadcast, if it was a Desilu produced project and was available, I would have added this show to this set as part of a Bonus Disc, and also include the Danny Thomas Show episode with Lucy & Ricky, as well as the Ann Sothern Show episode with Lucy, since these both were definitely done at Desilu. That would have really completed the package with a big POW!

Don't get me wrong. A fan of my caliber has to point out all these things, but as a whole, this is a great package that entertains, provides historical background and gives us a glimpse of behind-the-scenes magic. A few necessary minor details still need to be worked out, especially if a second pressing will follow.

Now that one full series is out, we can only hope for The Lucy Show, all of Here's Lucy, the 1976-80 specials & even Life With Lucy, and any other odds and ends in between (the 1960s special with Bob Hope, and the Lucy Goes To London Special with Anthony Newley).

I am so happy that the "Lucy Desi Comedy Hour" is finally going to be available.
I did get a chance to see the "I LOVE LUCY" Movie and a look at the colored clips, from "The Audition" that were taken secretly by an auduence member, and I found it quite amazing and I am glad that all I Love Lucy fans will have the chance to see it and own it.

I enjoyed to be taken back in time to the Golden Age of Television with Lucy, Ricky, Fred, Ethel and Little Ricky along with their famous guests. All of the episodes were really funny and enjoyable. Lucy is still the Queen of Television.She rocks!!!!

In 1957, Lucy and Desi were tired of doing 30 episodes a year, it was too much work and they weren't spending enough time with their children. Desi came up with the One-hour long I love lucy episodes that were origionally called "The Lucille Ball-Desi Arnez show," and later changed to "The Lucy-Desi comedy Hour," for reruns. In my opinion, these episodes were some of the funniest "Lucy" episodes. It is so funny. The bonus features are also well done. I especially love the color footage for the 1st season episode "the audition." The color footage is clear and in great condition. I also like the rest of the footage, including the Lucy-Desi commercials. These episodes include guest stars like Ann Southern, Tallulah Bankhead, Milton Bearl, Red Skelton, Fred Macmurry, and many others. If you love Lucy, then this boxed-set is a must.