MovieChat Forums > I Love Lucy (1951) Discussion > Lucy's Finest Physical Comedy Moment

Lucy's Finest Physical Comedy Moment

posted a year ago by [email protected] (5526)
4 replies | jump to latest

Lucille Ball loved the physical stuff and the grape stomping and candy making are hilarious.

But I think her debut in films when she plays a chorus girl with the unwieldy headdress (Lucy Gets in Pictures) is the finest example of her ability as a physical comedian.

It really wasn't fair of the director to expect an amateur to manage that heavy headdress without a few hours of rehearsal. And she had to wear it while in high heels while navigating a steep staircase! Phew. Lucy may have tripped but I would have fallen flat on my face.

I really wonder how much rehearsal Lucille Ball had to put in with the headdress and sliding down the stairs to make it all look spontaneous and accidental. You really need a lot of control to make it look that bad naturally.

Any other great physical moments that stand out?

[–] Garyandfilm (513) a year ago

Good choice, PJ. And you may be right that this Hollywood scene is Ball's best physical moment. Off the top of my head, I would have to pick the finale sequence from "The Handcuffs." I'm sure Ball and Arnaz rehearsed that to death together that week. Lucy and Desi totally on point, completely trusting each other's instincts. Certainly this vaudeville gag was shopworn even in 1952, but they make it seem fresh.

[–] [email protected] (5526) a year ago

"The Handcuffs"! How could I have forgotten!

I didn't realize that it was a vaudeville gag. I have seen several versions of it. Lucy and Desi did a great job. The only other version that was just as hilarious was Carney and Gleason. Do you remember the Honeymooners episode when Ralph and Norton are on a train to a Racoon convention? Norton buys gag gifts including trick handcuffs which he can't open. It was "one, two, three, and boomf you're out."

Ralph: Okay, get the key.
Norton: There aint no key. Ya gotta boomf your way out.

I would agree that Lucy and Desi rehearsed the musical sequence since they couldn't even see each other. But the funniest scene for me was their attempt to undress for bed while handcuffed!

Lucy's plan to "get on the other side" of Ricky so she can sleep on her own side of the bed on her stomach is hilarious. When she has them so impossibly tangled up and Ricky says, "I'll give you five dollars if you can get out of this one!!", I lose it every time!

One thing I wonder about is the censors. It WAS the fifties and Lucy couldn't even be "pregnant". Do you think the show would have attempted such a scene with a couple handcuffed in bed if they weren't married in real life?? Just wondering.

[–] Garyandfilm (513) a year ago

"The Handcuffs" is not a super fave of mine, as it always makes me feel frustrated - AND claustrophobic! Can you imagine having to use the bathroom in that situation?! I rarely watch this one, but, yes, the ending IS funny.

As far as Ball's biggest laughs, I would have to say her eggs in the blouse scene is nothing short of brilliant. Desi's usual gaping mouth and cupping his face bit adds tremendously to the moment. The laugh went on so long, the editors had to cut some of it.

The one other time this happened is on a great ep of MTM. Pyhllis is pissed off because she thinks Rhoda is dating her brother. When Rhoda finally confesses her brother isn't her type...

PHYLLIS: Not your type?? He's witty, he's brilliant, he's charming, he's successful-

RHODA: He's GAY!

The studio laugh goes on and on, and Valerie Harper later said that, they, too, had to cut the laugh.

I have the classic 39 of The Honeymooners on Blu ray, but the handcuff scene doesn't work for me. The timing is slightly off somehow.

[–] [email protected] (5526) a year ago

Yes, whenever I've seen characters handcuffed, my first thought is , "What if you have to go to the bathroom???"

There are very few people that I'd be comfortable with in that situation!

Lucy's tango with eggs is hilarious. I remember the first time I saw that and I laughed my head off. She really sold it with her expression of innocence as though she wasn't dripping egg yolks all over.

As for MTM, I never missed an episode. But funny you should mention that particular episode. It is one that I clearly remember the ending, but I got it wrong.

I misheard Rhoda. I thought she said, "He's engaged."

I took Phyllis's expression as one of disappointment in that Ben told Rhoda he was getting married before he told his own sister.