MovieChat Forums > I Love Lucy (1951) Discussion > ETHEL MERTZ -- TROUBLEMAKER!

ETHEL MERTZ -- TROUBLEMAKER!

posted 4 months ago by Corryveckan45 (176)
7 replies | jump to latest

As everyone knows, Ethel is usually Lucy's (often reluctant/unwilling) patsy and cohort in mischief, but I've noticed there were a few times when Ethel caused problems/made trouble for Lucy and Ricky on her own. Here are a couple of examples:

In a early episode a gossip columnist writes a blurb about Ricky alleging that he has been "making Cat's Eyes" at a pretty dancer in his nightclub act. Lucy originally thinks nothing of it, rightly concluding that it's a just a publicity stunt meant to keep Ricky's name before the public. That is, until Ethel comes over and brings it up and persuades Lucy that Ricky is cheating on her.;

In the first episode of the Trip to Europe story arc, Ricky tells Lucy that he can't afford to take her on this trip, that it will be very brief, that he won't have time for sightseeing, etc. Lucy is initially insistent that Ricky take her along, but she relents after Ricky promises he'll take her on an extensive trip to Europe next year. As Lucy says, Ricky has never broken a promise to her.

It all seems settled until Ethel appears and persuades Lucy that Ricky has suckered her into believing the trip won't be worthwhile for her so he can spend all his time partying with the boys in the band, and possibly cheating on her. As Ethel says, "Oh Boy, did he ever pull the wool over your eyes!" This leads to Lucy refusing to speak to Ricky and going on strike.

Any others?

[–] [email protected] (6082) 4 months ago

My mom used to say that Ethel could be really catty and a troublemaker. She acted like that more in the early episodes.

Maybe she was just bored with housework and liked the drama!

In the black eye episode, she insisted on hearing the gory details of Ricky hitting Lucy even though Lucy tried to explain that Ricky tossed a book to her and she missed catching it.

Ethel should have known better, but she wanted to hear the sordid details.

[–] Corryveckan45 (176) 4 months ago

Great Example, PJ!

AND in the opening scene that frames the episode from a year later after the birth of Little Ricky, Ethel kept insisting to Ricky that she believed Lucy and Ricky the whole time!

What a Crock!

Ethel also was pretty nasty when she wouldn't allow Lucy to join the Women's Club All Girl Orchestra. Granted Lucy's saxophone playing was terrible, but so was Ethel's piano playing and the musical talent of all the other club members.

I do love Lucy's description of the Band ("Well, if it isn't Ethel Mertz and her "Makes You Want to Stick Your Fingers in Your Ears Music!")

I think Ethel was a little jealous of the open affection and passion that Lucy and Ricky shared and got some enjoyment out of causing some problems in the Ricardo marriage. I guess you can't really blame her considering that she was married to Fred, and how terribly Fred treated her.

[–] [email protected] (6082) 4 months ago

There probably was some envy on Ethel’s part.

But now that I think about it, both women enjoyed gossip about the marriages of their friends. Remember the gossip episode when Lucy acted out a pantomime for Ethel of the couple who got in a fight in restaurant?

Another episode had Lucy asking about a friend getting a black eye from her husband. It was at the start of one of their meetings of The Wednesday Afternoon Fine Arts League.

Some ILL episodes made women look pretty mean and catty.

[–] Corryveckan45 (176) 4 months ago

No kidding P.J.!

That episode when Lucy insists on getting further details about the friend who got a black eye from her husband, and that she's so delighted/excited about the incident has always bothered me a lot.

And remember in the "Club Elections" episode how "Lillian" Appleby was just about to spill some dirt about "Maron Strong" to Lucy and Ethel. Just as Lillian was about to speak, Marion walked in the door and they all embraced. To top it off, Lillian then nominates "her very dear friend" Marion for one of the Club offices!

The women on ILL were very untrustworthy.

[–] [email protected] (6082) 4 months ago

I honestly think they liked each other. But they were just in the habit of gossiping. It is a hard habit to break.

For me, sometimes I hear women say unkind things about each other. I make it a rule never to repeat anything hurtful.

Remember when Lucy bet that she could tell the truth for 24 hours? She got back at the girls after they asked her personal questions at the bridge game. She told them exactly what she was thinking! Carolyn’s new furniture was ugly, Ethel talked too much during the game, Marion's hat was silly,etc
.
Lucy said that they would be better friends if they all told the truth.

Ethel’s honest reaction, “I seriously doubt that.”

Gossip was the glue that held their friendships together. LoL

[–] Corryveckan45 (176) 4 months ago

The ILL Wednesday Afternoon Fine Arts League women remind me of that classic movie THE WOMEN (1939).

It's a very funny movie, but the basic themes that Men are born to cheat on their wives and women are born to drive them to it through their constant catty clannishness with each other is pretty discouraging.

I agree that it's inappropriate to repeat unkind comments about other people, but I guess it made good comedy for ILL and other shows.

I think Lucy also criticized Carolyn's stinginess. As she was dealing out the cards didn't she say something like, "Carolyn when are you going to buy a new deck of cards? We've been playing with the same dirty old deck since I've known you!"

I did like Lucy's comment to Marion: "Stop cackling. I've been waiting 10 years for you to lay that egg!"

[–] [email protected] (6082) 4 months ago

Yes, Lucy and her pals could be just like “The Women”. I saw that movie a long time ago.

Of course their behavior was often inappropriate. That’s why it was so funny. If sitcom characters were perfect, there would be no comedy.

Straying a bit off topic, the behavior on ILL is why I have preferred men bosses and supervisors over women. Sorry to pick on my fellow females, but women in charge can be so catty, sneaky and b@tchy.

Men will criticize your work. They will be straight with you and then it is over and done. Women like to be sneaky behind your back with their criticisms. At least that is what I have dealt with in the workplace.