In Lucy Helps Ken Berry, Ken needs a loan extension, for his dance studio. But, Mr. Mooney turns him down as a poor risk. So, soft-hearted Lucy decides to help …
Lucy Helps Ken Berry – The Lucy Show season 6
First, Lucy almost gets Mr. Mooney fired by Mr. Cheever! She approved a bad loan, while Mooney was on vacation. Then Ken Jones (Ken Berry) comes in, needing a little more time to make his first loan payment. Another loan that Lucy approved while Mooney was out. And his collateral? He’s not sure — it’s the leftover equipment from the previous tenant, a donut shop!
The “students” arrive – Teamsters?
So, Ken’s in financial straits, because he has no students, and can’t afford to advertise his dance studio. Then, Lucy has a chance encounter at the bank with Ralph Story, a local radio personality, who’s helped numerous businesses get recognized. And Lucy convinces him to do a live broadcast from Ken’s dance studio. Yay! But … Ken has only one student — Lucy! And he can’t possibly do a dance recital for the show. Then, also at the bank, she does a good deed for a Union leader (Stanley Adams) — and to repay her, he promises to send a bunch of students!
At the dance studio, the new students all show up — Teamster truck drivers! Who know nothing about dancing, of course. But Ken’s actually quite resourceful, and starts teaching them some basic dance steps using what they already know — tap the breaks, signal to turn, etc. It’s a very funny scene.
At the Dance Recital
Finally comes the actual dance recital. And it’s very entertaining. Ken Berry is a very good, very entertaining dancer. Especially with his Teamsters as backup dancers! Lucy is entertaining as well, and Mr. Mooney even finds his way on stage. And, of course, the show’s a big hit, and the dance studio’s going to be a success.
Songs
- Steppin’ Out With My Baby
- Lulu’s Back in Town (substituting “Lucy” for “Lulu”)
- Pick Yourself Up
Cast of characters
- Lucille Ball (I Love Lucy; Here’s Lucy) … Lucy Carmichael
- Gale Gordon (The 30 Foot Bride of Candy Rock; Our Miss Brooks ) … Mr. Theodore J. Mooney
- Ken Berry (F-Troop Season 1; The Cat from Outer Space) … Ken Jones
- Sidney Miller … Sid Howard
- Stanley Adams (Lilies of the Field) … Union Leader
- Ralph Story … Ralph Story
- Roy Roberts (My Darling Clementine; House of Wax) … Mr. Cheever
- Jack Bernardi (McHale’s Navy Joins the Air Force) … Tony Reggio
- James J. Casino … Teamster #1
- Orwin C. Harvey … Teamster #2
- George Boyce … Teamster #3