Most Helpful Customer Reviews
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241 of 243 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Trip to California, Mothers-in-Law, the Brown Derby, Harpo, March 15, 2005
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 fourth season of "I Love Lucy" that aired between 1954 and 1955 has 30 memorable episodes:
1. "The Business Manager": Ricky's hired business manager (Charles Lane) for Lucy's household budget only allows her $5/month to spend.
2. "Mertz and Kurtz": When Fred poses as a real-estate tycoon to impress an old vaudeville partner (Charles Winninger, 1884-1969), Lucy helps by posing as the Mertz' maid.
3. "Lucy Cries Wolf": Lucy's multiple phony attempts to see if Ricky will rush home to save her finally backfires.
4. "The Matchmaker": In spite of Ricky's objections, Lucy tries to get two singles to propose to one another.
5. "Mr. and Mrs. TV Show": Ricky's reluctance to do a live morning TV show with Lucy from their apartment backfires for Lucy when she tries to get back at him by sabotaging what she believes is only a dress rehearsal.
6. "Ricky's Movie Offer": When a talent scout comes to audition Ricky at the Ricardo's apartment, Lucy isn't about to give up her big chance.
7. "Ricky's Screen Test": Lucy wants more than a bit part in Ricky's audition for "Don Juan".
8. "Lucy's Mother-in-Law": Lucy tries to impress Ricky's mother on visit from Cuba by having a Spanish-speaking translator on an earphone.
9. "Ethel's Birthday": Fred asks Lucy to pick out Ethel's birthday gift, Ethel's reaction angers Lucy with hilarious results at a play.
10. "Ricky's Contract": Overly anxious to hear back from Hollywood, Fred leaves a phony message that Ricky got the part, but Ethel can't get there fast enough to prevent Lucy from telling Ricky the "good" news.
11. "Getting Ready": When the gang decides to drive to Hollywood, Fred purchases an old used car.
12. "Lucy Learns to Drive": When Ricky gets a new convertible, Lucy insists that she learn to drive; but when Lucy wants to teach Ethel, uh oh!
13. "California, Here We Come": Confusion ensues when Lucy's mother (Kathryn Card, 1892-1964) decides to join the car trip to California, but a better decision is made as Lucy, Ricky, Fred & Ethel head west!
14. "First Stop": With everyone tired of riding in the car, Lucy pulls over to a run-down restaurant/hotel.
15. "Tennessee Bound": When Ricky is arrested for driving too fast, it's up to good ol' Cousin Tennessee Ernie Ford (himself, 1919-1991) to save the day.
16. "Ethel's Home Town": When the gang stops in Albuquerque to visit Ethel's family, Ricky, Lucy & Fred aren't happy when the whole city thinks that Ethel is the star.
17. "L.A. at Last": Lucy, Fred & Ethel eat the famous Brown Derby where Lucy makes a mess of William Holden (himself, 1918-1981) in a nearby booth.
18. "Don Juan and the Starlets": Lucy wants a divorce when it appears that Ricky stayed out all night with five starlets.
19. "Lucy Gets in Pictures": Lucy finally gets her big chance to appear in a film thanks to Ricky, but the headdress is too much to handle.
20. "The Fashion Show": Lucy finds a way to get a free original Don Loper (himself, 1906-1972) dress; but she quickly learns that sunburns and wool don't mix.
21. "The Hedda Hopper Story": Lucy tries to further Ricky's career by trying to impress the rumored hotel guest Hedda Harper (herself, 1885-1966).
22. "Don Juan is Shelved": When Ricky's movie is shelved, Lucy tries too hard to make Ricky popular and get him another role.
23. "Bull Fight Dance": When Ricky lets Lucy appear with him on a TV show, she's not too happy about being a bull.
24. "Hollywood Anniversary": Ricky frantically attempts to find out his forgotten anniversary date and plans a huge surprise nightclub party for Lucy, who is miserable thinking that he's forgotten it.
25. "The Star Upstairs": Desperately wanting to see Cornel Wilde (himself, 1915-1989) whose hotel room is directly above the Ricardos, Lucy will do anything to see him and ends up trying to climb back down using bedsheets.
26. "In Palm Springs": With Lucy, Ricky, Fred & Ethel bored with other, Lucy & Ethel travel to Palm Springs and meet Rock Hudson (himself, 1925-1985).
27. "The Dancing Star": To impress the visiting Carolyn Appleby (Doris Singleton), Lucy convinces Van Johnson (himself) to let her dance with him.
28. "Harpo Marx": Again to impress the visiting Carolyn Appleby, Lucy pretends to be Harpo Marx, but the real Harpo (himself, 1888-1964) shows up!
29. "Ricky Needs an Agent": When Lucy poses as Ricky's agent, she accidentally has his movie contract cancelled.
30. "The Tour": Lucy & Ethel leave their Hollywood tour bus so that Lucy can pick a grapefruit from Richard Widmark's (himself) garden.
Paramount Home Video's superb job of packaging all 31 episodes of the third season of "I Love Lucy" onto 5 DVD's is a good indication as to how they will similarly package the fourth season. Overall, for superb packaging and a great price, I rate the "I Love Lucy: The Complete Fourth Season" DVD box set with an anticipatory 5 out of 5 stars and highly recommend it!
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39 of 42 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
The Premiere Season, May 4, 2005
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.
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16 of 16 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Lucy, Ricky, Fred and Ethel Terrorize Hollywood Stars, April 29, 2006
Lucy and the gang head for Hollywood in their best season.
Disc One:
The Business Manager - Ricky is fed up with Lucy's mismanagement of the household funds and hires a business manager. But when Lucy has only $5 to spend for the month, she goes to the market to make big bucks.
Mertz and Kurtz - Fred and Ethel want to impress his old vaudeville partner and ask Lucy to pose as their maid. The gang decides to surprise Barney by bringing his grandson up to visit. That's when Barney admits that he is not a success and does not have any money. So the gang stages a show to impress the youngster.
Lucy Cries Wolf - This is Lucy's version of the Little Boy Who Cried Wolf. Lucy reads an article about a woman who called her husband at work to tell him about a prowler and he did nothing. The rest of the episode, Lucy tests Ricky. That is until it really happens.
The Matchmaker - When a friend's longtime boyfriend is moving to California, Lucy decides to hold a dinner party to show him how pleasant married life can be but when Ricky figures it out, he tells him about the harried life. Lucy becomes infuriated with Ricky and shows him what his picture of married life really is like.
Mr. and Mrs. TV Show - Lucy meets an ad exec while lunching at 21 and gets Ricky an audition. But of course, she wants to be part of the show and Ricky says NO! But when the producer decided to have a morning husband and wife show, Ricky must find a way con Lucy into doing the show. When Lucy finds out she decides to teach Ricky a lesson and botch the rehearsal. And as we all know, this never works out.
Ricky's Movie Offer - This starts the Hollywood story. A talent scout comes to town to see Ricky and everyone wants to get in the act.
Disc Two:
Ricky's Screen Test - This is another Lucy gets in the act episode. Ricky has his screen test but when the girl he is to audition with gets sick, Ricky suggests Lucy. Of course, Lucy gets the idea that she will be discovered too and tries to hog the screen test. (The funny thing is when Lucy does the rehearsal straight we get to see how good a dramatic actress she really is!)
Lucy's Mother in Law - Ricky's mamasita comes from Cuba but when she arrives, Lucy finds out that she does not speak any English and Lucy of course does not speak Spanish.
Ethel's Birthday - or better Lucy buys Ethel a pair of hideous pants. Lucy and Ethel have their annual fight and wind up not talking to each other. But they make up during the middle of a play.
Ricky's Contract - Well it's been two episodes since the screen test and Ricky is so anxious that he cannot leave the phone. Lucy finally gets Ricky to go to work and her to the beauty parlor with Ethel taking messages. But when Fred puts a fake message from Hollywood, Lucy accidentally tells Ricky that it is a go.
Getting Ready - Now that Ricky has been cast, Lucy and Ricky have to figure out how they are getting to Hollywood. After deciding on every means of travel then not, they decide to go by car. But that means the Mertzes can come along. Fred has a friend who has a used car dealership and he gets a Cadillac convertible! Well a 34 Cadillac convertible.
Lucy Learns to Drive - Ricky buy a dependable car but now Lucy wants to learn to drive. And after on harrowing lesson (She made a U-turn in the Holland Tunnel!), Lucy decides she can teach Ethel. But of course, this goes worse and they rear end Fred's klunker. And Lucy decides to drive both cars to the shop to be fixed!
Disc Three:
California, Here We Come! - Lucy gets a letter from her mother and she has invited herself to Hollywood with the rest of them. This results in a fight with everyone. But everything comes out fine including Lucy's mother deciding to fly out with Little Ricky. There is a great scene where they try to load the car with all the luggage.
First Stop - After driving all day, the gang stops off at a road side diner. And this is the diner from hell. And when Lucy falls for a road sign that brings the gang back to the diner, they now are at the motel from hell. This is one of the classic scenes.
Tennessee Bound - Lucy drives and the gang winds up lost in Tennessee. And worse news is that they have to drive through the town were Ernie Ford (see Season 2) lives. And to complicate things Ricky gets arrested for speeding. But Ernie jilted the Sheriff's daughter.
Ethel's Home Town - In Albuquerque, Ethel is the star and the rest are her supporting cast. The town is having a gala, a solo gala for Ethel. But Lucy does to Ethel what she usually reserves for Ricky's show.
L.A. at Last - or Lucy dumps pie on William Holden. The gang arrives in Hollywood and when Ricky goes to the studio, Lucy goes to the Brown Derby to star gaze. But when Ricky brings William Holden to the hotel, Lucy panics and creates her famous disguise including the burning nose!
Don Juan and the Starlets - The studio is playing down that Ricky is married and Lucy is none too happy. When Ricky gets back late and leaves before Lucy awakens, Lucy thinks he was out all night. And to make things worse, the maid makes up the room before she sees Lucy on the couch.
Disc Four:
Lucy Gets in Pictures - After Fred and Ethel get a part in a picture, then Bobby the Bellboy gets a part, Lucy decides to get discovered. Ricky feels sorry for her and gets her a bit part in a picture. The problem is Lucy has to wear a heavy headdress which has a life of its own.
The Fashion Show - Lucy wants two things, a tan and a Don Loper dress. While at the Loper salon, Lucy finagles her way into a celebrity fashion show. But the dress Lucy buys is five times what Ricky told her she could spend. Lucy decides to get a sunburn (don't ask) and then gets the news that she can't wear her dress but a tweed suit in the fashion show.
The Hedda Hopper Story - Ricky is upset that he is not getting mentioned in the columns and his publicist sets up a stunt to get him mentioned in Hedda Hopper's column. Lucy's mother finally arrives in Hollywood with the baby and has a friend she wants to meet Mickey.
"Don Juan" is Shelved - Ricky's movie is shelved and Lucy decides to get impress Dore Schary. First by writing fan letters about Ricky, then hiring an actor to pretend to be another producer but the actor is Dore Schary.
Bull Fight Dance - Lucy is asked to write an article about being married to Ricky. But when he is asked to host a charity show and refuses to let Lucy perform, she uses the article to blackmail him. But when Ricky thinks he has the last laugh, Lucy turns the situation around - Ricky, when will you learn!
Hollywood Anniversary - Ricky fakes knowing their wedding anniversary and everything, as usual, spirals out of control until the two are not talking to each other.
Disc Five:
The Star Upstairs - Lucy has "met" 99 stars and wants to make it an even 100 when she learns that Cornel Wilde is hiding out in the hotel. Even though Ricky forbids her to pester him, she sneaks into his room but then can't get out.
In Palm Springs - The gang has had enough of each other's "annoying habits" and the girls go Palm Springs to get away but they realize it's no fun without the boys. The boys realize the same and sneak out and enlist Rock Hudson to soften them up. If there had been a guest actor Emmy in those days Rock would have won.
The Dancing Star - Carolyn Appleby springs a visit on Lucy and is expecting to see all the stars that Lucy has been writing about. When Carolyn arrives and Lucy finds out that she cannot see without her glasses, Lucy tells Carolyn that she will be practicing with Van Johnson (his dance partner is a red head.) But when Carolyn shows up to see the practice with her glasses, Lucy must find a way to make her lie truth.
Harpo Marx - After the near miss with Carolyn, Lucy opens her big mouth again and tells Carolyn about a party she is hosting with a lot of big stars. When Carolyn postpones her flight, Lucy must figure a way out to fool her again. In the end, Ricky sends Harpo Marx up to impress Carolyn. This winds up with a classic scene where Lucy (dressed as Harpo) and Harpo perform a mirror act that is a true classic. (One of Lucy's first films was the Marx Brother's Room Service.)
Ricky Needs an Agent - Lucy is tired of Ricky not making a movie and decides to take things in her own hands. Do I need to say more.
The Tour - Ricky is having lunch with Richard Widmark but Lucy is not invited. So she and Ethel go on a tour of Hollywood star's homes. When they come to Widmark's home, Lucy goes over the wall the get a Richard Widmark grapefruit to go with her Robert Taylor orange. But how is she going to get out!
DVD EXTRAS: Each disc has the following extras -
Flubs - Since the show did not do retakes, there were often misread lines, adlibs or set mistakes. Sometimes it was continuity errors with things like names changing (Ethel had three different middle names during the show.)
Guest Cast - A listing of each actor on the episode with a brief bio of the actor.
Original Openings - We all think that the satin heart is the original opening for the show but it is the syndicated opening. Each disc has the original stick figure openings for the episodes.
Special Footage - Each disc contains either music cues that were edited for syndication and special scenes filmed for special occasions or charity promotions.
Lucy's Radio Show - Each disc has an episode of Lucy's radio show My Favorite Husband. Many of these radio episodes inspired I Love Lucy episodes.
Script Excerpts - Discs 1, 2 & 4 have script excerpts
Production Notes - Discs 1, 2 & 4 have production notes
Disc 3 - Behind the scenes featurette
Disc 5 - Behind the scenes slide show
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