I Love Lucy - Season 6 Episode 13 - Lucy and Superman Original Airdate: January 14, 1957 Special Guest Star: George Reeves: Superman Synopsis: Bandleader Ricky Ricardo (Desi Arnaz) and his young son Little Ricky (Richard Keith) watch the latest episode of the Adventures of Superman television series, which concludes with the narrator stating that Superman will be making personal appearances in the coming week at Macys Department Store in New York City. As Rickys wife Lucy (Lucille Ball) enters and sends her son to bed, she promises to take him to see Superman at Macys. Ethel and Fred Mertz (Vivian Vance, William Frawley) arrive and drop off favors for Little Rickys fifth birthday party, which is scheduled for Saturday. Shortly thereafter, Lucy and Ricky entertain Caroline and Charlie Appleby (Doris Singleton, George OHanlon), whom the Ricardos consider to be good friends . . . except when they brag about their son Stevie (Steven Kay) – Little Rickys best friend. Lucy and Caroline get into an argument when they realize that both of them have scheduled birthday parties for their sons on the same day, but neither will agree to change the date. Because Stevie and Little Ricky are in the same class at school and have the same friends, Lucy worries that none of the children will attend Little Rickys party – especially since Stevies party will include a clown, puppet show and magician. Realizing that she must have more exciting entertainment for her sons party, Lucy convinces Ricky to ask Superman to appear at Little Rickys party. Since Superman is in town – and since Ricky met him when the Ricardos and Mertzes visited Hollywood – Ricky agrees to ask him. Meanwhile, Lucy promises her son that Superman will be there. Even Stevie wants to come to Little Rickys party upon learning about Superman, thus Caroline relents and changes the date of her son’s party. However, Ricky later calls and tells Lucy that Superman will be leaving town on Saturday and cannot appear at the party. Desperate to avoid disappointing Little Ricky, Lucy decides to dress up as Superman herself. She and Ethel hatch a plan whereby Lucy will use the vacant apartment next door to walk onto the ledge and enter through the window of the Ricardo apartment during the party, hoping to fool their children into believing that she is the Man of Steel. During the party on Saturday, Lucy dons her makeshift Superman costume (complete with a football helmet to hide her red hair) and steps onto the ledge, just as Ethel enters the vacant apartment with a pair of prospective tenants, who have arrived unexpectedly. Meanwhile, Ricky returns home with the real Superman (George Reeves), who changed his plans once he heard that it was a childs birthday party. Delighted that the real hero came after all, Lucy turns to go back into the vacant apartment, but cannot do so because the prospective tenants are still there. It begins to rain as the couple prepares to leave, so they close the window, trapping Lucy outside on the ledge. As the party ends and the children leave, Ricky laments that Lucy never showed up. When Ethel mentions that Lucy is on the ledge, Ricky and the Mertzes race to the window to find Lucy still there, with her cape snagged on a drainpipe as the rain pours. At Little Rickys suggestion, Superman goes out onto the ledge to rescue her. A furious Ricky screams that this one of the craziest stunts Lucy has pulled in their entire marriage. When an amazed Man of Steel realizes that Ricky has been married to Lucy for 15 years, he exclaims, And they call me Superman! Still on the ledge, an embarrassed Lucy hides her face in shame. Trivia: (1) This episode carries a copyright credit for the use of Superman however George Reeves was not credited for this appearance. He wasnt credited because Lucille Ball and Desi Arnaz understood that many audience members/children believed Superman was a real hero. (2) George Reeves at first didnt want to do this episode unless he had his stunt man aide with him, and the director agreed. (3) Keith Thibodeaux says this episode is his favorite. (4) This is the last time we will see Caroline Appleby. (5) If you cover your eyes and listen to Charlie Appleby, youll hear the voice of George Jetson, he was voiced by George OHanlon. (6) Madge Blake (Martha) played Aunt Anastacia in Lucille Ball and Desi Arnazs 1954 film, The Long, Long, Trailer and would later become known as Aunt Harriet on Batman.
Posted on: Thu, 08 Jan 2015 10:42:29 +0000
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