Lucy's Last Birthday

I Love Lucy - Lucy's Last Birthday - as Desi sings the I Love Lucy theme, an iconic pose
I Love Lucy - Lucy's Last Birthday - as Desi sings the I Love Lucy theme, an iconic pose

Lucy’s Last BirthdayI Love Lucy season 2, episode 60, originally aired May 11, 1953

Lucy’s Last Birthday is a very sweet episode of I Love Lucy.  The basic premise is that Lucy Ricardo (Lucille Ball) has decided to stop celebrating her birthday, since it only means that she’s getting older.  She doesn’t want anyone to remember her birthday – until nobody remembers her birthday except Mrs. Trumball, her neighbor.

I Love Lucy - Lucy leads a procession of the Friends of the Friendless into the Tropicana
I Love Lucy – Lucy leads a procession of the Friends of the Friendless into the Tropicana

In actuality, Ricky (Desi Arnaz), Fred (William Frawley) and Ethel (Vivian Vance) are planning a surprise party for Lucy at Ricky’s club, but Lucy is unaware – and throws herself a pity party

She goes for a walk and meets up with a Salvation Army-type group, The Friends of the Friendless.  With their support, she goes to confront ‘heartless’ Ricky at the club.  Only to discover the planned party, where Ricky serenades her with the I Love Lucy theme song to her, the only time that the words are sung on the entire series.

Lucy’s Last Birthday is available on the season 2 I Love Lucy DVD collection.

Funny quotes from Lucy’s Last Birthday – I Love Lucy

I Love Lucy - Lucy's Last Birthday - as Desi sings the I Love Lucy theme, an iconic pose
I Love Lucy – Lucy’s Last Birthday – as Desi sings the I Love Lucy theme, an iconic pose

Mrs. Trumball: How old were you?
Lucy Ricardo (Lucille Ball): Well, when you stopped having birthdays?
Mrs. Trumball: 29.
Lucy Ricardo (Lucille Ball): That’s how old I am.
Mrs. Trumball: I was 34 at the time.


Friendless Leader: You don’t have any friends, do you?
Lucy Ricardo (Lucille Ball): [crying] No, I don’t!


Mrs. Trumbull: Mrs. Mertz didn’t remember your birthday either?
Lucy Ricardo (Lucille Ball): She sure didn’t. In fact, she made Ricky’s “didn’t” look like a “did”!


About tom.raymond 1562 Articles
Professional clown for over 25 years - happily married, with 5 children and 1 grandson