MovieChat Forums > I Love Lucy (1951) Discussion > Lucy in Costume

Lucy in Costume

posted a year ago by Garyandfilm (548)
6 replies | jump to latest

Well, it's officially October and Halloween season is here. While I have several classic horror/sci-fi films I enjoy this time of year, I'm taking the next month to also enjoy another ILL marathon: Lucy in costume. There are more than fifty eps (!) in which Lucy is in some sort of costume or another. Some of these get-ups are great ("The Operetta"), some are just silly ("Mr. and Mrs. TV Show"), but most are imaginative and are featured in many of the series' best offerings, beginning with "The Girls Want to Go to a Nightclub" right up to the show's final romp, "The Ricardos Dedicate a Statue."

Tonight I start with "Nightclub" and "Be a Pal."

What's fun about these marathons is that they prompt me to view episodes I rarely watch, as well as established faves. I may even include "Ethel's Birthday", as those hostess pants at least qualify as a costume and Ethel even refers to Halloween.

[–] [email protected] (6082) a year ago

The nightclub episode is hilarious. Both Lucy and Ethel look funny in their "Beverly Hillbillies" getups.

Another early one that makes me laugh is Lucy dressed up as Ricky's "itty bitty bride" when she wants to prove a point about his messiness. Little did she know that the magazine writer was taking pictures for Life Magazine.

I loved Lucy' and Ethel's gowns when they gave themselves makeovers. They looked amazing, but no one could keep up that appearance on a daily basis!

Don't forget their costumes when they went in drag to crash Ricky's "daddy shower".

[–] Garyandfilm (548) a year ago

Finished my month-long "Lucy in Costume" marathon last night. Phew! I watched two every night before bed, and tried to pick every ep that featured Lucy effectively in costume. By "effectively", I meant eps where the costume was sort of used as a gag or piece of business. In other words, I ignored "The Dancing Star", as Lucy's costume is merely a pretty dress. I included "The Great Train Robbery", as Lucy's bit coming out of the men's room in a man's robe and hat while "shaving" her face is hilarious, brief though it was.

It was interesting to note that the bulk of these costume eps were comprised from the first three seasons. Also, eps like "Lucy Goes to a Rodeo" and "Little Ricky's School Pageant" are not bad eps, just not super faves. Kind of fun watching them again.

Tonight, I'm running what I consider the very best ep to watch on October 31st: "Lucy is Envious."

Happy Halloween!!

[–] [email protected] (6082) a year ago

Are you referring to Lucy and Ethel as women from Mars? Hilarious. Who would have ever thought that aliens would wear plaid shorts!

[–] Corryveckan45 (176) a year ago

What about Lucy dressing up as Superman?

I've never been able to accept that even Lucy thought she could get away with this one.

Did you include "Lucy's Italian Movie" in your marathon? I don't know if I'd consider Lucy's dressing as a grape stomper a "costume" on the same level as the "Superman episode, but it is a classic episode.

[–] [email protected] (6082) a year ago

Yes, Lucy pretending to be Superman was a real stretch! Superman never wore a football helmet. Kids may be gullible, but they are not dumb.

Interesting thing about that episode though. George Reeves is always referred to as "Superman". Ricky does not say the actor's name. I read that they wanted to keep up the illusion for children that he was indeed, Superman.

[–] Garyandfilm (548) a year ago

Yes, I included "Lucy and Superman" and I don't think her idea is much of a "stretch" to five year-old kids, especially compared to some of Lucy's other ideas. Anyway, she did it out of love, which is a sweet aspect to the story.

HOWEVER, Lucy would NOT have fooled Carolyn Appleby!!

I did include "Lucy's Italian Movie", as her dress IS a costume. She's wearing it for effect and would never have worn this outfit otherwise.

I didn't include "Bonus Bucks", as the final moment is the result of calamity, not because she wore a costume. Otherwise I love this ep!