MovieChat Forums > I Love Lucy (1951) Discussion > Apartment Changes

Apartment Changes

posted 6 years ago by [email protected] (1732)
7 replies | jump to latest

In each of the two apartments Lucy and Ricky lived in, there were changes to the set that
never made sense. Several episodes into season two, the hallway closet was changed so
that it was angled - the door facing outward, rather than squared off, the way it had been.
I can't think of a logical explanation as to why they would make this change. It didn't
look better cosmetically - just odd. And I don't see any purpose in terms of general
staging. Bizarre.

In season six, there was a whole new door added to the hallway, which was now Little
Ricky's bedroom. What about the nursery that was next to the master bedroom? Maybe
Ricky Sr. needed an office, so they converted the nursery, then built in a room for Little
Ricky, although I can't see Fred agreeing to that kind of change.

One other thought is that maybe now that Little Ricky was five, and could perceive, and
walk and talk, they didn't want him having to go through their bedroom to get a glass
of water or to go to the bathroom.

Whatever the case, it would've made a fun episode to have Lucy and Ethel breaking through
the hallway wall in an attempt to build that new room after Fred says no. They create
such a mess, that Fred has no choice but to pay to have the room finished. In retaliation,
he makes Ricky cover half the cost!

[–] [email protected] (5497) 6 years ago

Interesting ideas, like Fred would be willing to pay for renovations! lol

I never really noticed those differences. What I did notice (after it was pointed out on a DVD) is the bedroom window in the Ricardo bedroom. They had a window in one season and then later on, it was just a wall.

The things I noticed were the little decorative touches which always seemed so cheap and tacky to me. To wit, those chintzy looking bedroom lamps and pictures on the wall and that awful bric a brac over the living room mantle.

Lucy always wanted to redecorate. But it seemed that her desires were limited to a couch and chair. She never cared about getting rid of all the cheesy decorations in the apartment. Of course, furniture was a big ticket item that Ricky could be angry about. The little decorations would've been inexpensive. Still, I loathed those little statues over the fireplace!

[–] [email protected] (1732) 6 years ago

The reason there's a wall in season six (replacing the window) is because it faces Little Rickey's new bedroom.

I'm surprised that you never noticed those differences. They're pretty obvious to more than the casual viewer.

Know this would be a lot of bother, but maybe sometime put in, say, "The Moustache", and then "Lucy's English
Tutor." When you look into the hallway (from the living room), you can note the huge difference in the angle
of the hall closet.

Next, put in a season three show and look into the hallway from the kitchen. You'll note a straight, solid wall.
Then put in a season six ep, and you'll be seeing the "new door" (Little Ricky's bedroom) in the hall.

[–] [email protected] (5497) 6 years ago

I miss things sometimes!

The window I was referring to is the one next to Ricky's bed in the episode "Ricky Loses His Temper". Lucy makes a loud noise when she opens the blinds to wake him up. But in later seasons that window is replaced by a wall.

That window is to the right of the audience. Little Ricky's room is to the left. That's what I was referring to.

But tonight, per your instructions, I will put in "The Moustache" and "Lucy's English Tutor" to check the differences. I am curious now!

[–] [email protected] (1732) 6 years ago

I know which window/wall you're referring to, and, as I wrote, I noticed that years ago. My point is, is that
when Little Ricky is a toddler, he has the nursery, which is adjacent to the master bedroom. In season
six, his bedroom is BEHIND the master bedroom, hence the window (which would look right into his room)
becoming a necessary wall. In the hall, is the added door (by the vase and the picture) where there once
was a wall.

[–] [email protected] (5497) 6 years ago

Well I watched 'The Moustache" and "The English Tutor" tonight and I see what you mean about the closet. I never paid much attention to the change in position.

All I can think of as an explanation is that since they were movable pieces of scenery, maybe things like the walls, closet, etc., were moved around, perhaps to clean the floor(!) And they just weren't put back in their proper places.

Don't know what else would explain it.

Actually it was fun to see "The Moustache" again. I haven't watched it in a long time. I had forgotten how youthful and loving Ricky and Lucy could be towards each other. Lucy bends Ricky backwards for that big kiss when she tried to "singe" off his new moustache.

As the show went on they became less and less demonstrative. I guess it reflect the Arnazes real life marriage. In season six I think they barely touched except when the script called for it, like when they did the tango or when Lucy found her lost wedding ring in the hamburger and Ricky put it back on her finger.

[–] [email protected] (1732) 6 years ago

I never thought about that. In any case, I watched "The Moustache" this week, also, as it was part of my marathon. One of my fave episodes, and an obvious inspiration for "The Loving Cup" in season six.

[–] [email protected] (5497) 6 years ago

One of the differences I DID notice was in "The Ricardos Switch Apartments". The logistics of having two apartment sets and furniture on the same stage must've been daunting. There were bound to be mix ups.

Notice the painting in the hall outside the Ricardo apartment. It's an outdoor scene. In the hallway in front of the Benson apartment are several portraits of people. When Lucy's new (Benson) apartment is shown, the hallway paintings change to still life paintings. At the end of the episode, the portraits reappear again.

It must've been confusing to keep up with all those changes in paintings.