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Did Ricky Pay For EVERYTHING in Hollywood?

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

We know, of course, that the Ricardos and the Mertzes went dutch treat when they went out to local restaurants. And we know that, as Ricky's band manager, everything was paid for Fred and Ethel in Europe. And we know Fred and Ethel were in "the egg business" in Connecticut.

But one thing I've never quite understood. Since Fred was only willing to pay for "the water"
in the Pontiac in the Hollywood trip, did Ricky pay for the Mertez's ENTIRE HOLLYWOOD
TRIP?? Certainly MGM wouldn't have foot the bill for Fred and Ethel's hotel, as they were not
MGM employees or technically family. Did RICKY pay their whole three-month bill? (Maybe,
since the Mertez's were losing rent on the NY apartment. Or WERE they??? Did Ricky have
to pay THAT, as well?). What about meals, and such? I've always wondered WHERE Fred
chipped in (other than that five dollar jar of caviar for Ricky's finishing the movie).

[–] [email protected] (5495) 6 years ago

I could never figure out who paid for what! LOL

Obviously the Ricardos were offering free transportation to Hollywood. Fred had no intention of paying for any of the gas.

In "First Stop" Ricky paid for the stale cheese sandwiches and that cabin. They had to stop and sleep a few times along the way. So I wonder if Ricky paid for those motel rooms too?

When Lucy and the Mertzes went to the Brown Derby, Fred was shocked at the prices on the menu. But he relaxed when Lucy said that Ricky gave her the money for lunch.

Just what DID the Mertzes pay for? There were several scenes where they walked into the Ricardo suite after having breakfast in the hotel dining room. Obviously Fred was not going to pay extra for room service!! lol So they must have paid for a few of their meals! I can't imagine Fred billing their breakfast to Ricky's hotel account.

I think the Mertzes would have had to pay for their hotel rooms. MGM certainly wouldn't foot the bill for Ricky's friends!

Also, I don't think they were losing money by being away from their apartment house. How could they? Mrs. Trumbull was collecting the rents for them. And when they were leaving Fred told her that no matter how hard people banged on the pipes, "Don't give them any more heat!"

Maybe they gave Mrs. Trumbull a break on her rent because she was managing the building for them? I don't know.

But that brings up an interesting point about the Ricardo apartment. In the season before, Ricky was going to sublet their place for the summer and make a profit. But this time, the Ricardos didn't seem worried about paying rent for an apartment which would be empty for several months.

Of course at the last minute, Lucy's mother and little Ricky stayed in the apartment for a while and then joined them in California. Seems to me that the Ricardos would have already rented the place out for the next few months. Details! Details!