Product Details

• Actors: Lucille Ball, Desi Arnaz, Vivian Vance, William Frawley, Paul Dubov
• Directors: Marc Daniels, William Asher
• Writers: Jess Oppenheimer, Bob Carroll Jr., Madelyn Davis
• Producers: Desi Arnaz, Al Simon, Jess Oppenheimer
• Format: Box set, Black & White, Dolby, Full Screen, NTSC, Subtitled
• Language: English (Dolby Digital 2.0 Mono), Spanish (Dolby Digital 2.0 Mono)
• Subtitles: Spanish
• Dubbed: English
• Region: Region 1 (U.S. and Canada only. Read more about DVD formats.)
  
• Aspect Ratio: 1.33:1
• Number of discs: 5
• Rated: Unrated
• Studio: Paramount
• DVD Release Date: August 31, 2004
• Run Time: 799 minutes
• Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (113 customer reviews)
• ASIN: B0002ERX8G
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #27,933 in Movies & TV (See Top 100 in Movies & TV)
• Learn more about "I Love Lucy - The Complete Second Season" on IMDb

Editorial Reviews

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

Product Description

From its 1951 premiere to the present day, I Love Lucy has never been off the air! You’ll see why in this hilarious five-disc DVD collection, containing the show’s entire second season. Laugh out loud at such gems as “Job Switching”—in which Lucy and Ethel do unforgettable battle with a chocolate factory conveyor belt; “ The Handcuffs”—in which Lucy cuffs herself to Ricky and then loses the key; and “The Operetta”—in which Lucy’s money problems bring down the curtain on her role as “Queen of the Gypsies.” This collection also includes the groundbreaking “pregnancy shows,” including the touching moment at the Tropicana when Lucy breaks the news to Ricky that they are going to have a baby; and “Lucy Goes to the Hospital”—the record-setting episode that garnered the highest rating in the history of television!

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

270 of 280 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Lucy Gives Birth, A Chocolate Factory & A Washing Machine! October 7, 2004

By M. Hart

Format:DVD|Amazon Verified Purchase

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 second season of "I Love Lucy" that aired between 1952 and 1953 has 32 memorable episodes:

1. "Job Switching": Lucy & Ethel get jobs at a chocolate factory, while Ricky & Fred try their hands at being "house-husbands" and cook up a large mess; a famous & very popular all-time favorite episode.

2. "The Saxophone": Lucy's talent (or lack thereof) of playing the saxophone is showcased when she wants to join Ricky on a band tour.

3. "The Anniversary Present": Lucy thinks Ricky is having an affair when he's really just trying to buy her a set of pearls.

4. "The Handcuffs": Lucy & Ricky get handcuffed in what they thought were fake handcuffs.

5. "The Operetta": Lucy writes an operetta for her woman's club to perform to raise money. Unfortunately, Lucy hasn't been very good managing the club's finances.

6. "Vacation from Marriage": Lucy & Ethel take a vacation from Ricky & Fred.

7.... "The Courtroom": Ricky & Lucy purchase a new TV for Fred & Ethel's anniversary, but things go awry when the TV appears to need to be adjusted.

8. "Redecorating": Lucy thinks that she's won new furniture and decides to give their apartment a wallpaper makeover.

9. "Ricky Loses His Voice": Lucy takes advantage of Ricky's laryngitis to write a new show for Ricky's club.

10. "Lucy is Enciente": Lucy tries to find the right way to tell Ricky that she's pregnant.

11. "Pregnant Women are Unpredictable": Ricky tries to help Lucy in the house so that she can stay in bed.

12. "Lucy's Show Biz Swan Song": Lucy 'says farewell' to show business during a "gay-90's" review.

13. "Lucy Hires an English Tutor": Wanting their child to learn proper English, Lucy hires a tutor with the promise that Ricky will let him perform.

14. "Ricky Has Labor Pains": Ricky feels neglected.

15. "Lucy Becomes a Sculptress": Lucy takes up sculpting to provide an artistic environment for their coming child.

16. "Lucy Goes to the Hospital": Ricky, Fred & Ethel practice to make sure they get Lucy to the hospital calmly and efficiently, and Ricky also has a voodoo show to do.

17. "Sales Resistance": A salesman talks Lucy into buying a vacuum cleaner and Ricky is not very pleased. Lucy tries to resell it to "Mrs. Simpson" (Verna Felton, 1890-1966).

18. "The Inferiority Complex": Lucy develops an inferiority complex, so Ricky hires a psychiatrist for help.

19. "The Club Election": Lucy bribes a fellow club-member to be nominated for a coveted club position and ends up running against Ethel.

20. "The Black Eye": Ricky accidentally gives Lucy a black eye, but Fred & Ethel don't believe the real story.

21. "Lucy Changes Her Mind": Lucy has trouble making up her mind, including when dining out.

22. "No Children Allowed": A frequent "I Love Lucy" recurring character is introduced: Mrs. Trumble (Elizabeth Patterson, 1875-1966).

23. "Lucy Hires a Maid": Having difficulty taking care of the home & baby, Ricky tells Lucy to hire a maid, but who is really in charge: Lucy or the maid ("Mrs. Porter", played by Verna Felton again)?

24. "The Indian Show": Lucy wants to be in Ricky's Native American show.

25. "Lucy's Last Birthday": Lucy gets upset when she doesn't want anything special for her birthday and gets exactly that.

26. "The Ricardos Change Apartments": Ricky & Lucy move into a larger apartment to have a separate nursery.

27. "Lucy the Matchmaker": Lucy wants to help a friend find a mate, but Ricky doesn't want her to get involved.

28. "Lucy Wants New Furniture": Lucy gets a new sofa & coffee table without Ricky's permission, so she tries to economize to pay for it.

29. "The Camping Trip": Lucy goes camping with Ricky with Ethel's help.

30. "Ricky's Life Story": An article in "Life" magazine about Ricky makes Lucy want to resurrect her own show business career desires.

31. "Ricky & Fred Are TV Fans": Ricky & Fred are engrossed with a boxing match on TV and nothing that Lucy & Ethel do can change it; not even nearly getting arrested.

32. "Never Do Business With Friends": Ricky gets Lucy a new washing machine. so Fred & Ethel purchase their old one, but it doesn't work as well as expected. (One of my favorite all-time episodes.)

Paramount Home Video did a superb packaging job of putting all 32 second season episodes on 5 DVD's, thus shrinking the overall packaging size and reducing the price from the first season set. Overall, I rate the "I Love Lucy: The Complete Second Season" DVD box set with 5 out of 5 stars! Read more ›

32 of 33 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars It looks magnificent, too! September 7, 2004

By BR

Format:DVD

One must note that this is the first time that the "I Love Lucy" episodes have been digitally cleaned up: both the sound and the picture have been put through rigorous computer programs to clean up the look and sound of the original. No longer will you hear hissing or bad audio edits. No more will you see patched film breaks or projector scratches or film splotches. This new batch of "Lucy" episodes looks almost like it was produced yesterday instead of over 50 years ago!

23 of 24 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars DID IT EVER REALLY GET ANY BETTER THAN THIS? August 2, 2005

By RMurray847 VINE™ VOICE

Format:DVD|Amazon Verified Purchase

It's amazing that back in the early 1950's, when TV was still young, that a nearly perfect sitcom could already emerge. No one has ever really done it better than Lucy, Ricky and company. There are certainly shows with more unusual settings (MASH) or more political/social bite (ALL IN THE FAMILY). Some feature more solid acting all around (MARY TYLER MOORE), and some are just brilliantly unpredictable (SEINFELD, ARRESTED DEVELOPMENT). But when you boil them all down, you've got characters we know and like, getting into wacky situations that make us laugh. I LOVE LUCY delivers that in spades!!

I'm always amazed at how tremendously FUNNY the show is. My young kids laugh at it...and they NEVER want to watch anything in black and white! Just look at the classic CHOCOLATE FACTORY episode. It's not just that the situation of the chocolates flying by on the conveyor belt is funny (it is), but the priceless BUILDING of humor that makes it memorable. The chocolate gets every faster, Lucy gets ever more frantic, and the play of panic on her face gets more and more priceless. That someone thought of the scene is admirable...that it is executed with flawless timing (particularly given the constraints in 1950's TV production) is a testament to the skill of the performers. I've seen that scene a dozen or more times...it never ceases to make me laugh and leave a smile of admiration and nostalgia on my face.

Granted, it's not always super entertainment to watch Desi Arnaz perform his act, but I have to give the guy a lot of credit. He always caught flack for being a poor second to Lucy. While not the genius Lucy was...he is an excellent foil for her. They have good chemistry (particularly this early in the show's history), and Ricky Ricardo looks great.... Who else sits around the house reading the paper in a nice suit and perfect hair? His affection for Lucy is palpable. Vivian Vance and Walter Farley are pretty much perfect in their roles...no one looks more exasperated than Fred Mertz! And, of course, even if you don't like Ricky, Ethel & Fred...you can't help but love Lucille Ball, easily the greatest comedienne to appear in any sitcom ever. The show pops with life when she's on screen, and now, more than 50 years later, she is as fresh, funny and NEW as ever.

I have SO enjoyed these DVDs. There is actually a progression to the show that is great to watch when you see the shows in chronological order. The restoration is GREAT...they shows look and sound the best I've ever experienced (first time I saw any of these shows was in the early `70s, and they were already showing their age). The bonus materials are fairly brief and often pointless...mostly to provide completion. Some "restored scenes" literally add back about 2 seconds or so. The radio shows are actually quite fun to listen to...if you kids haven't ever heard "radio drama," you couldn't beat these light, fluffy offerings for an introduction. I also find the show to be a wonderful way of showing domestic life (at least in an idealized form) in the early `50s.

But the best thing of all is to put in a DVD when you have a spare 25 minutes, and know that watching one episode WILL put you in a better mood. HIGHLY RECOMMENDED!!! Read more ›

11 of 11 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars I Love Lucy is the best! July 5, 2004

By Rebekah Martin

Format:DVD

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

12 of 13 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars I Love Lucy - a great alternative to the current junk on TV April 12, 2006

By Shadowfax44

Format:DVD

I'm an old fuddy-duddy! I don't want my kids (ages 8 and almost 6) watching 99% of the garbage that is on TV outside of PBS. But they are getting too old for Sesame Street. So where to turn? I've found help in my old friend Lucy. We have bought Season One of I Love Lucy on DVD, and the kids think it is the funniest thing ever. I enjoy watching it with them, and I laugh all over again. Season one has Vitmeatavegemin, and the kids laugh hysterically on the ground everytime they watch it. I can't wait to show them the Chocolate factory. The only caveat we need to do is explain about the cigarette smoking that goes on on the show. We just explain that "back then" no one knew how bad smoking was for your health, and they are fine with that. It's a great alternative to SpongeBob, I can tell you that!