Product Details

• Actors: Lucille Ball, Desi Arnaz, Vivian Vance, William Frawley, Frank J. Scannell
• Directors: James V. Kern
• Writers: Jess Oppenheimer, Bob Carroll Jr., Bob Schiller, Bob Weiskopf, Madelyn Davis
• Producers: Desi Arnaz, Jess Oppenheimer
• Format: Black & White, Closed-captioned, HiFi Sound, NTSC
• Language: English, Spanish
• Rated: NR (Not Rated)
• Number of tapes: 1
• Studio: 20th Century Fox
• VHS Release Date: January 27, 1998
• Run Time: 50 minutes
• Average Customer Review: 4.9 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (9 customer reviews)
• ASIN: 0793960142
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #290,831 in Movies & TV (See Top 100 in Movies & TV)

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com

In "Lucy's Italian Movie," the wacky redhead is on her (several-episodes-long) European vacation. In Rome, she's discovered by a well-known Italian film director; he wants her to star in his film Bitter Grapes. After years of longing to be in show biz, Lucy Ricardo (Lucille Ball) may get her big break. But, in an attempt to affect the Method, with which she aspires to completely become her character, she encounters a group of wine-making Italian women. Yes, this is the episode in which she stomps on the grapes.

Both that episode and "The Ballet" (which features her "Slowly I Turned" routine) showcase Ball's physical comedic brilliance. Yes, she could deliver a line like no one else, but she could also mug without being too broad and could perform amazing physical feats. Even without dialogue, she was hysterical. Ricky (Desi Arnaz) needs a ballerina and a comic, which fuels Lucy's acting aspirations. She immediately enrolls in a strict, conservative class--and fails miserably (though hilariously). Then she opts for a burlesque instructor. When she's actually hired, there is, as expected, a miscommunication. Supported by a strong cast, Ball has here the opportunity to combine her comedic abilities--much to audience's delight. --N.F. Mendoza

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Soaking Up Italian Culture, July 2, 2000

By 

James L. - See all my reviews

This review is from: I Love Lucy - Lucy's Italian Movie/Ballet [VHS] (VHS Tape)

I recently showed this video and another Lucy video to my students, and I was happy to see that the humour of I Love Lucy has lost nothing in the change of generations. They loved Lucy, too. This video contains one of her most famous episodes and scenes where she stomps the grapes in the wine vat. Lucy is at her comedic best in this episode. Notice the hilarious way she dances and runs around the vat. I've read that the Italian woman in the vat with her got a little carried away and nearly drowned Lucy! That's method acting. The other episode is also funny, although not as famous. Lucy's attempts at ballet are hilarious, and the "Slowly I Turned" routine also works well. What a gift for physical comedy the lady had!

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars THE BEST, May 15, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: I Love Lucy - Lucy's Italian Movie/Ballet [VHS] (VHS Tape)

LUCY IS HILARIOUS!!! I LOVE I LOVE LUCY! GREAT! PERFECT! NONSTOP COMEDY!! YEAH! YEAH! YEAH!

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Classic Lucille Ball, December 20, 1998

By A Customer

This review is from: I Love Lucy - Lucy's Italian Movie/Ballet [VHS] (VHS Tape)

What can you say it is brilliant Lucille Ball comedy. It is the I Love Lucy gang at their best as usual. Buy one today and relive the old "clean" slapstick comedy. Fine family entertainment