Home Movies – I Love Lucy, originally aired March 1, 1954, season 3
Synopsis for Home Movies
When Ricky gets the chance to do a film audition, Lucy, Ethel & Fred create their own film that Lucy edits with Ricky’s home movies of Little Ricky.
Review of Home Movies
Ricky Ricardo (Desi Arnaz) has his first movie camera and wants to show home movies of the baby – again. Fred and Ethel (William Frawley, Vivian Vance) try to avoid it politely but to no avail. After, Lucy (Lucille Ball) has fallen asleep and the Mertzes have snuck out in the dark.
The next morning, Ricky is upset with all three of them. And in a little bit of revenge, he mentions that he’s making a TV pilot film. And doesn’t want them to appear in it. So Lucy and the Mertzes decide that the only thing to do is to make their own pilot. And make sure that the TV executive sees it as well …
So, without quite knowing how to work the camera, they make their western pilot. Lucy and Ethel sing “I’m an Old Cowhand“, followed by a “serious” bit where Fred takes them off to jail. If only Lucy had remembered to put in the film … so they’ll do it again (off camera).
Lucy is editing their film, when Ricky comes in and announces that the executive will only have time to see one film. So, Lucy splices their film in with Ricky’s, to comedic effect. Interspersing “Latin American Rhythms” (Ricky performing “Vaya con Dios“) with their western. And, oddly, the executive likes their “comedy”!
Funny quotes from Home Movies
Ethel Mertz: [getting ready to go over to the Ricardos’ apartment] You better take your glasses with you.
Fred Mertz: What for? I know what Lucy and Ricky look like.
Ethel Mertz: Suppose Ricky wants to show us his home movies again?
Fred Mertz: He wouldn’t dare. He’s been showin’ ’em to us every night.
Ethel Mertz: Well, after all, it’s his first movie camera and the first pictures he’s got of the baby.
Fred Mertz: Well, count me out. If I want to see old movies, I can stay home and watch television.
Ethel Mertz: Well, what can we do?
Fred Mertz: I’ll tell you what we’ll have to do. Don’t let the conversation lag. Don’t even give him a chance to suggest showin’ the movies.
Ethel Mertz: Hey, that’s a good idea.
Fred Mertz: Now just remember, here’s what you’ve got to do: just keep talkin’, and talkin’, and talkin’, and talkin’… you know, act normal.
[she glares at him, without a word]
Ricky Ricardo: [wanting to project the home movie] Fred, get rid of your head, will ya?
Fred Mertz: What do you want me to do, take it off?
Fred Mertz: Sure, I’m just dying to see those lousy home movies again.