"I would have preferred to hear Ernie Ford do a solo." Well, that makes one of us. I think Ford is funny as hell in
the eps, but his cornball "Listen to the jingle, the jangle and the roooooaaaaar..." Uh, that's enough for me. And
I, too, would've been ticked to be awakened at SIX IN THE MORNING by that!
This is one of those episodes (again, two) that I NEVER crave (like I do other season three shows), yet I ALWAYS
roar at. For some reason, season three has that spark to it that no other season has (for me), but these two feel
very season FOUR. The writers were clearly paving the way for the Hollywood shows, and I'm sure this ep
served as part of the assemblage of "on the road" stories to L.A.
You have a point that Ernie "has no plan." I've never thought about that. You're right - 42 cents and he just
"happens to land in the big apple???" (You seem to pick up on details I've never noticed. Like Mrs. Trumbull's
ABSURD threat to call the police (!) if she hears Little Ricky "cry once more!" Lol!
One quibble: I don't share the opinion that it's DESI fighting to keep from laughing. I believe RICKY'S fight to
giggle (which was incorporated constantly in the series) was a charming bit from both the writers and the directors.
It softened his character, so we didn't HATE him for his oppressive behavior.
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[email protected] (5497)
5 years ago
It's funny how musical preferences are so different! I recall how you like the finale of "Mertz and Kurtz" when the whole gang performs those songs on the "boardwalk". I always turn the episode off when they get to that part. Those songs are too dated for me to enjoy. (Of course I also hate the whole "Woman is Smarter" song from season six)
But I love Ford's Wabash Cannonball. A corny song too, but I like his voice. When I said that I'd prefer that he do a solo, I didn't necessarily mean that song, lol! Ernie Ford had a great voice. Did you ever hear his "Sixteen Tons"? Of course if he did perform at the Tropicana, it would've been a more upbeat song.
I always get a kick out of his folksy way of talking and his confusion about modern life. "A bunch of people a-starin in a ditch", "You mean it's in the HOUSE?", "Somebody around here's been actin' a hog!" and my favorite, "You've got quite a hitch in your getalong."
I've always thought it was Desi trying not to laugh. When Ricky thought something was funny, he didn't hide it. He laughed. But the way he turns his head or puts his hand over his mouth, it looks to me like Desi is trying not to laugh at Ernie.
At first Ricky was still annoyed at Lucy's mother for putting them in that predicament. I don't think the character was amused by Ernie at all! LOL
And when Ernie talks about the rollaway bed, "I usually toss and turn. But not in that thing!" I notice how Desi turns away for a moment and puts his hand over his mouth to disguise his laughter.
Two seconds ago, he was furious at Ernie for waking them up. I don't think he found Ernie that amusing a few seconds later.
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[email protected] (1732)
5 years ago
I don't get the vibe that it was Desi struggling. To me, Ricky always broke into a sly smirk, even when he was annoyed
at Lucy, Fred and Ethel. Too many times to count. But we'll never know for sure about Ernie Ford. Maybe Desi
did struggle.
The only two times Lucille BALL lost it is in the finale of the unaired pilot (Desi's giggling there, too) and in the "I
vanced with Dance" screwup.
Ford may have had a good singing voice, but I'm not a fan of that kind of music. I AM a fan of show tunes, and
while I don't particularly enjoy "Mertz and Kurtz", I enjoy the group harmonizing on "Atlantic City", and the
other tunes. They are very quaint. I also enjoy Vivian's soprano.
One of the things that makes me laugh about Ernie besides his dialogue, is his funny sprinting. It's so ODD.
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[email protected] (5497)
5 years ago
Maybe I'm reading something into it. I know that I would've laughed at Ernie's country humor. We always watched variety shows like Red Skelton and Carol Burnett in our house and so many times the performers would crack up. They obviously heard the lines in rehearsal, but they still laughed.
One of the other times I really think Lucy and Desi lost it was after their "El Breako the Leaso" dance. When the Mertzes entered the Ricardo apartment covered in half of their ceiling, it really appears to me that the Arnazes were struggling not to laugh.
As for Ford's singing, I was never a big fan of country. But over the years it really grew on me. I like a lot of show tunes also. I'm a huge fan of Judy Garland.
Ernie's "sprinting", lol. He had a very stiff way of running. "Where are you, you little heifer?"
I'm playing "armchair quarterback" here, but I think the writers should have given Ernie a reason to travel all the way to New York. Really, did he go all that way just to sit on the Ricardo's couch? And if they hadn't welcomed him, he would've been in big trouble trying to find a hotel room with only 42 cents!
In the second episode Ernie spots Lester Bike at the zoo. Later he finds out that he has a TV show. That character could have been introduced in the first episode. It would have made sense for Ernie to go to the big city to try and land a singing gig on Lester's show.
I have been watching the Hollywood episodes. I'm up to the episodes where they are travelling to L.A. The sign for Bent Fork says "pop. 54". It seems likely that the town knew that a local boy made it big in New York. That could've been Ernie's whole reason for heading to New York.
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[email protected] (1732)
5 years ago
I, too, have been in a "Hollywood" mood recently. I've watched "First Stop" (really quite hilarious), "Ethel's
Home Town" (a classic, really), "L.A. at Last!", and, of course, "The Hedda Hopper Story" (which, thanks
to you, is now a "new" fave). I watched "Lucy Gets into Pictures" for the second time in a week!
To be honest in my reply, I believe Lucy and Ricky are laughing in"Break the Lease", not the actors. It
would make sense, as to soften the nasty behavior between the four. Just my take.
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