Lucy Meets Orson Welles – I Love Lucy season 6, episode 156, originally aired October 15, 1956
In Lucy Meets Orson Welles, the basic premise of I Love Lucy is flipped around slightly – instead of Lucy Ricardo (Lucille Ball) conniving her way into Ricky’s show, Ricky Ricardo (Desi Arnaz) is conniving to keep her out of the show. It turns out that Orson Welles, famous producer and actor, is going to be appearing at Ricky’s Club Babalu, and at the suggestion of Ricky’s agent wants Lucy to be his assistant.
Orson Welles, magician
People have forgotten, but Orson Welles was also a very talented magician, and performed various magic acts throughout the years. Ricky has the foreboding of doom that typically accompanies Lucy on stage, and tries to prevent it. When Lucy asks for a trip to Florida for herself and Little Ricky, he first refuses and then changes his mind, seeing it as the perfect way to keep her away from the show. But when she accidentally runs into Orson Welles while shopping, after a few moments of flustered fan fawning, Mr. Welles lets slip that Ricky has told him that she didn’t want to be part of his act.
Ricky has the foreboding of doom that typically accompanies Lucy on stage, and tries to prevent it. When Lucy asks for a trip to Florida for herself and Little Ricky, he first refuses and then changes his mind, seeing it as the perfect way to keep her away from the show. But when she accidentally runs into Orson Welles while shopping, after a few moments of flustered fan fawning, Mr. Welles lets slip that Ricky has told him that she didn’t want to be part of his act.
Shakespeare
One embarrassed husband and one Shakespeare soliloquy later, Lucy is in the show – and invites her old drama teacher to be in the audience, to watch her perform Shakespeare with Orson Welles! Except, of course, for the fact that Mr. Welles doesn’t intend to perform Shakespeare, but the broom levitation in his act. Undeterred, Lucy begins reciting Shakespeare while seemingly in her floating trance, a very funny moment from a very funny episode that’s well worth watching.
Lucy Meets Orson Welles is available as part of the season 6 DVD collection of I Love Lucy.
Funny quotes from Lucy Meets Orson Welles – I Love Lucy
Lucy Ricardo (Lucille Ball): There’s only one way I’m going to survive this New York winter.
Ethel Mertz (Vivian Vance): How’s that?
Lucy Ricardo (Lucille Ball): By spending it in Florida.
Paul: Orson Welles needs an assistant for his magic act, so I suggested Lucy.
Ricky Ricardo (Desi Arnaz): You’re fired!
Paul: Why are you blowing your top? It’s only a benefit.
Ricky Ricardo (Desi Arnaz): Look, when Lucy gets into the act, nobody benefits!
Orson Welles: My ‘Man from Mars’ broadcast was 18 years ago – what kept you?
Orson Welles: Mrs. Ricardo, please take your flippers off me.
Ricky Ricardo (Desi Arnaz): Bye.
Lucy Ricardo (Lucille Ball): Where are you going?
Ricky Ricardo (Desi Arnaz): From the look in your eye, back to Cuba.
Ricky Ricardo (Desi Arnaz): Lucy, can’t you see that Orson Welles doesn’t want to do Shakespeare with you?
Orson Welles: You keep out of this!
Orson Welles: All I need is an assistant for my magic act.
Lucy Ricardo (Lucille Ball): Well …
Orson Welles: Take it or leave it.
Lucy Ricardo (Lucille Ball): I’ll take it!