The Saxophone – I Love Lucy episode 40, season 2
Not wanting to be left behind while Desi and his orchestra go on tour, Lucy auditions to join the band with a weak rendition of Glowworm on the saxophone, and when that fails, she tries to make Ricky too jealous to leave. She pretends that she has a boyfriend, and Ricky tries to turn the tables on her – he calls a friend who runs a talent agency and hires an actor to come out of the closet, where he pretends to have been hidden by Lucy — Lucy, who knows nothing about this stranger in her closet, has a wonderful comic reaction.
This only builds as another man comes out of the closet — and another, and another … and as Ricky throws the “boyfriends” out of the apartment, Lucy is the first one to flee!
Two hours later, Ricky is worried sick as Lucy hasn’t returned — only to have his friend call back and tell him that he wasn’t able to hire any actors! Ricky’s reaction is priceless as the camera reveals that Lucy, and the actors, are at the talent agency office turning the tables back on Ricky!
The Saxophone is available as part of the season 2 I Love Lucy DVD collection.
Quotes from I Love Lucy – The Saxophone
Lucy Ricardo (Lucille Ball) [to band members]: Greetings, Gates! Slip me some skin, boy. Hiya cats! Where do I sit, dad?
Ricky Ricardo (Desi Arnaz): Lucy, I want to speak to you.
Lucy Ricardo (Lucille Ball): Later, gator. I wanna get up here and get my kicks man!
Ricky Ricardo (Desi Arnaz): You sure this is my hat?
Lucy Ricardo (Lucille Ball): Your head must have shrunk!
Ricky Ricardo (Desi Arnaz): I’m gonna catch that red-headed mouse in her own trap!
Trivia from I Love Lucy – The Saxophone
- Lucy Ricardo attended high school in Celeron, New York, as did Lucille Ball.
- Lucille Ball learned to play saxophone for this episode, although the writers included it in future episodes.