The Ricardos Change Apartments, I Love Lucy season 2, originally aired May 18, 1953
The Ricardos Change Apartments begin with Lucy Ricardo (Lucille Ball) trying to find some storage place for the baby’s things, and complaining to her friend and landlady Ethel Mertz (Vivian Vance) that the apartment is now too small with the baby — but there isn’t a larger one available in the apartment building, and Ricky says that they can’t afford one even if there were. Some visual clowning moments occur, as Lucy gets a cup of sugar for Ethel out of the bathroom, and the living room closet is so overstuffed that Ricky can’t hang up his coat — and finds his socks in the desk drawer.
Another apartment becomes available
Ethel comes in with the news that one of the tenants in the apartment have had their daughter get married — and Lucy gets the idea of switching apartments. Ricky (Desi Arnaz) puts his foot down, however, as he can’t afford the additional $20 per month — and continues to refuse even after Lucy attempts to literally kiss up to him.
Later, Fred (William Frawley) and Ethel visit Lucy in the kitchen, offering to help — and Lucy drops a subtle hint that Fred could drop the rent for the new apartment, but Fred refuses — and Lucy gets the idea that she needs to show Ricky just how crowded the apartment is and fills the apartment with everything imaginable. Ricky insists that everything goes back — ending with him putting Lucy over his knee and spanking her, until she agrees to send everything back.
Switching apartments
Later, Lucy and Ethel go to visit the Bensons, so Lucy can look at the new apartment. Playing on Mrs. Benson’s loneliness with her daughter having moved out, Lucy convinces her to switch apartments — and Lucy volunteers to have her friends help her move the furniture. Back in the Ricardos “crowded” apartment, Ricky is leaving for work, while Fred and Ethel are waiting to help move the furniture. After pushing Ricky out the door, they begin moving — with Fred trying to do as little actual moving as possible.
After a few hours, Ethel is upset that Lucy is “supervising” instead of moving — as Fred brings in the final piece. The three movers go out for an ice cream soda, but when they return, the furniture is all moved back! It turns out that Ricky spoke to Mr. Benson about switching apartments, and hired movers to move the furniture as a surprise for Lucy!
The Ricardos Change Apartments is available on DVD as part of The I Love Lucy season 2 DVD collection.
Funny quotes from The Ricardos Change Apartments
Lucy Ricardo (Lucille Ball): Can’t afford it! Can’t afford it! That’s all you ever say anymore!
Ricky Ricardo (Desi Arnaz): We can’t afford it.
Lucy Ricardo (Lucille Ball): There you go again!
Lucy Ricardo (Lucille Ball): You won’t swish apartments.
Lucy Ricardo (Lucille Ball): Kiss me.
Ricky Ricardo (Desi Arnaz): I can’t afford it.
Lucy Ricardo (Lucille Ball): What do you mean you can’t afford it?
Ricky Ricardo (Desi Arnaz): That kiss would cost me $20 a month.
Lucy Ricardo (Lucille Ball): I’m going to scrimp and save and pay it out of my allowance.
Ethel Mertz (Vivian Vance): You’re already seven months advanced on your allowance!