MovieChat Forums > I Love Lucy (1951) Discussion > The Saxophone

The Saxophone

posted 2 years ago by Garyandfilm (548)
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After years of relegating this episode as a ho-hummer, I've recently fallen in love with it!

Sandwiched between the classic season two opener, "Job Switching" and the memorable "The Operetta", this little ep sparkles. Lucy, of course, wants to go on tour with Ricky's band and play the sax, even though she can only (and barely) play "Glo Worm." Lucy is a hoot at her gender-bender "hep" audition and even funnier trying to make Ricky think there's another man - only to be hilariously outsmarted by Ricky, who is finally outsmarted by Lucy!

As I've written before, my Dad never cared for this show. When I was small, he'd lie on the floor and read the paper while I watched and, on occasion, he'd chuckle about something Fred said. However, I do recall him laughing out loud when Lucy would keep opening the closet door, only to scream each time a man stepped out. A very cute, sexy episode.

Trivia: Several episodes later, the hall closet is changed to an angle (with no explanation). It starts with the ep "Vacation From Marriage").

[–] [email protected] (6082) 2 years ago

I haven't watch this one in a long time. I may give it another look real soon.

Lucy's "wounded moose" rendition of "Glo Worm" is pretty funny. What I do remember about her audition is the way the members of Ricky's band have a hard time hiding the fact that they are laughing and enjoying Lucille Ball's antics just as much as the audience.

A favorite episode of mine is another show with Lucy and her saxophone. This time she wants to be included when the girls of the Wednesday Afternoon Fine Arts League have a dance as a fundraiser, Lucy's Club Dance.

But doesn't Lucy play a different song? I recall that she said she only knew "Glo Worm", but this time she plays something else...just as badly.

The gender-bending this time is Ricky's band who good naturedly agree to be his "All Girl" band. It took me years to appreciate this episode. But when I finally did, I loved it. Put a guy in a gown, but he still walks like a guy!

[–] Garyandfilm (548) 2 years ago

There's an unofficial I Love Lucy rule: EVERY episode with Carolyn Appleby is to be worshipped!

Yes, "Lucy's Club Dance" is a hoot, just like most season three offerings.

[–] [email protected] (6082) 2 years ago

Carolyn on the drums! I wouldn't have pegged her for the drummer type. She seemed more suited to the flute or some other small instrument since she was petite.

Of course everyone in that band was tone deaf!

[–] Garyandfilm (548) 2 years ago

The two women who don't have any lines, but play instruments,were obviously not actors. They're both blank in the scenes they're in. Clearly, they were musians because to play ragtime jazz terribly - like Lucy - you at least have to know how to play. Vance, like Ethel, played a little piano. Obviously , they gave Carolyn the drums because that was an easier instrument for Doris Singleton to fake. They gave Marion the publicity.

[–] [email protected] (6082) 2 years ago

That whole topic of "fake playing" is interesting. I remember Mickey Dolenz of The Monkees saying that he had to learn how to fake playing the drums before he actually learned how to play them.

In this episode it was Marion who was the troublemaker. Ricky got mad at Lucy for the newspaper article. But it was Marion who advertised the band. Of course, Lucy's solution was hilarious!

[–] Garyandfilm (548) 2 years ago

Marion didn't know she was doing anything wrong! She let everyone know she was publicizing the event before Lucy joined the group.

The real troublemaker was ETHEL, so uncharacteristically mean about wanting Lucy out of the band.

[–] [email protected] (6082) 2 years ago

Well you heard them play. Do you really think they deserved publicity? LOL

I agree Marion wasn't trying to cause trouble. It's just that Ricky blamed Lucy because he did not want to be associated with her "sour sextet". He had a reputation to maintain.

Ethel was pretty mean in this one. Lucy's playing wasn't any worse than the rest of them.