"I Love Lucy" Episode Guide
(Season 5 / 1955-56)

#128 - "Lucy Visits Grauman's"

Filmed: September 9, 1955 -- Aired: October 3, 1955 -- Rating/Share: 42.7/61

With only a week left in Hollywood, Lucy weeps about her lack of souvenirs. Her collection already includes a tin can run over by Cary Grant's rear tire, a napkin boasting Lana Turner's lip-prints, and a few other goodies. But when Lucy discovers that John Wayne's concrete block at Grauman's Chinese Theatre is loose, she decides to take home a souvenir to end all souvenirs.

Produced by Jess Oppenheimer Directed by James V. Kern
Written by Jess Oppenheimer, Madelyn Pugh, Bob Carroll, Jr., Bob Shiller, and Bob Weiskopf
Production Note This episode marks the first to have a new sponsor, it being General Foods.
Extra Note On the Grauman's marquee it is seen to help promote the movie The Tall Men starring Clark Gable, and Jane Russell.

#129 - "Lucy And John Wayne"

Filmed: September 15, 1955 -- Aired: October 10, 1955 -- Rating/Share: 41.1/61

Lucy is spotted while attempting to "collect" a cement block with John Wayne's footprints from Grauman's Chinese Theater. To avoid publicity and keep Lucy out of jail, Ricky enlists John Wayne's help in replacing the block. One mishap leads to another, and the plot thickens -- as does the cement.

Produced by Jess Oppenheimer Directed by James V. Kern
Written by Jess Oppenheimer, Madelyn Pugh, Bob Carroll, Jr., Bob Shiller, and Bob Weiskopf
Production Note Getting John Wayne to appear on I Love Lucy was a major achievement for Desilu. A couple of months earlier the TV-shy actor had turned down the leading role in Gunsmoke as Marshal Matt Dillion. This episode helps promote John Wayne's new film Blood Alley.

#130 - "Lucy And The Dummy"

Filmed: September 22, 1955 -- Aired: October 17, 1955 -- Rating/Share: 46.5/66

When Ricky refuses to entertain at a studio party, Lucy accepts in his place, planning to do a straight dramatic role with a dummy. The audience pans her performance, but the studio is eager to sign her up as a comedienne.

Produced by Jess Oppenheimer Directed by James V. Kern
Written by Jess Oppenheimer, Madelyn Pugh, Bob Carroll, Jr., Bob Shiller, and Bob Weiskopf
Music Performed "I Get Ideas"
Production Note During the original airing of this episode audiences were treated to a preview to Guys and Dolls starring Marlon Brando.

#131 - "Ricky Sells The Car"

Filmed: September 29, 1955 -- Aired: October 24, 1955 -- Rating/Share: N/A

Ricky sells his car, and the Mertzes think they are being stranded in California. Ricky buys train tickets for everyone, but a reservations mixup puts Lucy in an apparently compromising position with Fred Mertz. Watch for Fred and Ethel decked out in motorcycle gear and riding on a Harley.

Produced by Jess Oppenheimer Directed by James V. Kern
Written by Jess Oppenheimer, Madelyn Pugh, Bob Carroll, Jr., Bob Shiller, and Bob Weiskopf
Extra Note The Ricardos are to travel in compartments while the Mertzes are to travel in upper berths. The train that the Ricardos and Mertzes are to return home on is The City Of Los Angeles.

#132 - "The Great Train Robbery"

Filmed: October 6, 1955 -- Aired: October 31, 1955 -- Rating/Share: 42.1/62

Unaccustomed to train travel, Lucy is sure her trip to New York will be filled with intrigue and romance. When she hears that a jewel thief is on board, she sees herself as the possible heroine of the situation. Lucy finds all the excitement she was looking for, but not where she looked for it.

Produced by Jess Oppenheimer Directed by James V. Kern
Written by Jess Oppenheimer, Madelyn Pugh, Bob Carroll, Jr., Bob Shiller, and Bob Weiskopf
Production Note Character actor Frank Nelson appears in this episode as the conductor. A year later he joined the series as the Ricardos neighbor, Ralph Ramsey.
Extra Note The trains first stop is Riverside, CA.

#133 - "Homecoming"

Filmed: October 13, 1955 -- Aired: November 7, 1955 -- Rating/Share: 44.3/63

On their return from Hollywood, Lucy has her hands full with Ricky when he is hailed as a major celebrity. The Ricardos' neighbors join in for a grand homecoming celebration in Ricky's honor. Even the Mertzes begin to see Ricky through new eyes as adulation is heaped on him. When Ricky begins to succumb to the nonsense and go "Hollywood," Lucy begins to worry.

Produced by Jess Oppenheimer Directed by James V. Kern
Written by Jess Oppenheimer, Madelyn Pugh, Bob Carroll, Jr., Bob Shiller, and Bob Weiskopf

#134 - "The Ricardos Are Interviewed"

Filmed: October 20, 1955 -- Aired: November 14, 1955 -- Rating/Share: 44.3/61

Ricky Ricardo's new fame leads to an invitation to appear on the popular interview program "Person to Person," and Lucy and Ricky consider moving. Ricky's agent arranges an appearance for him and suggests that they stage a fight so Lucy and Ricky won't have to stay. In the end the scheme falls flat while "Person to Person" is on the air.

Produced by Jess Oppenheimer Directed by James V. Kern
Written by Jess Oppenheimer, Madelyn Pugh, Bob Carroll, Jr., Bob Shiller, and Bob Weiskopf
Music Performed "Rancho Grande"
Production Note John Gallaudet was one of William Frawley's closest friends and a pallbearer at his funeral.
Extra Note During the interview Fred takes off his jacket to show the back of his shirt that reads "Call Fred Mertz Plaza 56098.

#135 - "Lucy Goes To A Rodeo"

Filmed: October 27, 1955 -- Aired: November 28, 1955 -- Rating/Share: 46.9/63

Ricky, scheduled for a radio stint, reluctantly turns down Fred's offer to appear in an amateur radio show. Lucy volunteers to help out, and she and Fred whip up a Western act. Ricky then discovers it's the rodeo, not the radio show, that he's booked for. With no time to prepare, Ricky has to give Lucy a moment in the spotlight.

Produced by Jess Oppenheimer Directed by James V. Kern
Written by Jess Oppenheimer, Madelyn Pugh, Bob Carroll, Jr., Bob Shiller, and Bob Weiskopf
Music Performed "Cuban Pete," "Red River Valley," "Down By The Old Mill Stream," "Birmingham Jail," The Old Chisholm Trail," "Lily Of The Valley," "Home On The Range," "Mockingbird"
Production Note Dub Taylor appeared on many television series as a frequent guest star, especially in westerns.

#136 - "Nursery School"

Filmed: November 3, 1955 -- Aired: December 5, 1955 -- Rating/Share: 42.8/59

When Ricky finds Lucy exhausted after a trying day with Little Ricky, he insists that it's time their son attend nursery school. Lucy's protests are overridden, and Ricky takes young Ricky to nursery school. But after the first day, the boy comes down with tonsillitis. Lucy promises Little Ricky that she'll spend the night with him at the hospital, and when hospital regulations prevent this, Lucy hatches her own plot to circumvent the rules.

Produced by Jess Oppenheimer Directed by James V. Kern
Written by Jess Oppenheimer, Madelyn Pugh, Bob Carroll, Jr., Bob Shiller, and Bob Weiskopf
Extra Note Little Ricky's hospital room is 602.

#137 - "Ricky's Eurpoean Booking"

Filmed: November 10, 1955 -- Aired: December 12, 1955 -- Rating/Share: 46.4/73

Ricky is offered a European booking which is too important to refuse, but he can't afford to take Lucy with him. Lucy is furious at the prospect of being left behind. When Ricky wants to take Fred Mertz along as the tour manager, Ethel, too, becomes incensed. Finally Ricky tells the girls they can go if they can raise the money for their passages.

Produced by Jess Oppenheimer Directed by James V. Kern
Written by Jess Oppenheimer, Madelyn Pugh, Bob Carroll, Jr., Bob Shiller, and Bob Weiskopf
Music Performed "Forever Darling"
Production Note Hazel Pierce won the raffle with ticket #2825. Hazel was Lucille Balls stand-in and frequent extra.

#138 - "The Passports"

Filmed: November 17, 1955 -- Aired: December 19, 1955 -- Rating/Share: 44.2/62

Lucy and Fred are unable to produce their birth certificates to get passports for the Ricardos and Mertzes' European jaunt. They both call their hometowns for their birth certificates but discover that none exist for them. In order to get passports to accompany Ricky on his European tour, they must find people who have know them and their families for twenty years and can prove they were born. This proves to be easier said than done, and Lucy decides to stowaway in a steamer trunk rather than miss the boat.

Produced by Jess Oppenheimer Directed by James V. Kern
Written by Jess Oppenheimer, Madelyn Pugh, Bob Carroll, Jr., Bob Shiller, and Bob Weiskopf
Music Performed "Skip To My Lou," "Mad'moiselle From Armentières"
Production Note Lucy Ricardo was born in West Jamestown, however there it no West Jamestown, just Jamestown, also Lucy Ricardo was born in 1921 while Lucille Ball was born in 1911.

#139 - "Staten Island Ferry"

Filmed: November 24, 1955 -- Aired: January 2, 1956 -- Rating/Share: 45.2/63

Fred's fear of becoming seasick threatens the Mertzes and Ricardos' plans for Ricky's European band tour. To prove that Fred won't get seasick, Ricky takes him down to the ship, which is anchored in the harbor. But Fred turns green and becomes more firm about his not going. Lucy and Ethel test some new, improved seasickness remedies on the Staten Island Ferry. The trial run leads to unexpected complications when Lucy gets seasick.

Produced by Jess Oppenheimer Directed by James V. Kern
Written by Jess Oppenheimer, Madelyn Pugh, Bob Carroll, Jr., Bob Shiller, and Bob Weiskopf
Extra Note The Ricardos and Mertzes are to travel on the SS Constitution.

#140 - "Bon Voyage"

Filmed: December 1, 1955 -- Aired: January 16, 1956 -- Rating/Share: 50.3/66

Ricky, Ethel, and Fred are aboard their ship to Europe when Lucy rushes down the gangplank for one last goodbye to Little Ricky, who will be in Lucy's mother's care while she is in Europe. The ship heads out to sea, leaving Lucy frantically trying to catch up with it.

Produced by Jess Oppenheimer Directed by James V. Kern
Written by Jess Oppenheimer, Madelyn Pugh, Bob Carroll, Jr., Bob Shiller, and Bob Weiskopf
Production Note Desi Arnaz loved the water and always lived near the seashore. in the late 1940s, he and Lucille bought a small cabin cruiser, christened "The Desilu," and spent many weekends fishing and boating with friends. I Love Lucy writer Bob Carroll, Jr. appears as a ship passenger in this episode. After the original airing of this episode, Lucille Ball and Desi Arnaz announced the release of the new "Forever Darling" record. This episode marks the last appearance of Mrs. Trumbull. Jack Albertson would later go on to star as Ed Brown in Chico and the Man.
Extra Note The Ricardos are staying room 0785.

#141 - "Second Honeymoon"

Filmed: December 8, 1955 -- Aired: January 23, 1956 -- Rating/Share: 51.1/66

Lucy looks forward happily to romantic evenings and daytime deck games as the Ricardos and the Mertzes sail for Europe. However, she ends up looking on lonesomely as everyone else on shipboard pairs off; Ricky's band is scheduled to play practically every minute of the day and night. Finally Lucy enlists Ethel's aid in a plan to get some time alone with Ricky.

Produced by Jess Oppenheimer Directed by James V. Kern
Written by Jess Oppenheimer, Madelyn Pugh, Bob Carroll, Jr., Bob Shiller, and Bob Weiskopf
Music Performed "Cielito Lindo"
Production Note To ensure realism in this episode, the American Export Lines supplied Desilu with authentic desk chairs, personnel uniforms, dinner menus, life preservers, napkins, and even drink stirrers from the real S.S. Constitution.
Extra Note The ship captain’s name is Captain Jacobson.

#142 - "Lucy Meets The Queen"

Filmed: December 15, 1955 -- Aired: January 30, 1956 -- Rating/Share: 54.3/74

Lucy is thrilled at being in London and desperate to see the Queen. She misses the Queen at Buckingham Palace, where she gets involved in the changing of the guard. Ricky is invited to meet the Royal Family when they attend a special performance at the Palladium. Lucy is not included in the invitation, but she has no intention of letting it go at that.

Produced by Jess Oppenheimer Directed by James V. Kern
Written by Jess Oppenheimer, Madelyn Pugh, Bob Carroll, Jr., Bob Shiller, and Bob Weiskopf
Production Note Nancy Kulp who appears in this episode as a hotel maid, appeared in the 1956 Lucille Ball/Desi Arnaz film Forever Darling as well as later becoming known to television audiences as Mr. Drysdale's long suffering secretary Miss Jane Hathaway on The Beverly Hillbillies. I Love Lucy's choreographer was Jack Baker.

#143 - "The Fox Hunt"

Filmed: December 22, 1955 -- Aired: February 6, 1956 -- Rating/Share: 48.2/65

Lucy is torn between spending a weekend fox-hunting and her jealousy of a beautiful blonde starlet. She plots to get Ricky out of London and away from the blonde by persuading Sir Clive Richardson, a movie producer, to invite the Ricardos and Mertzes to his estate in the English countryside for the weekend.

Produced by Jess Oppenheimer Directed by James V. Kern
Written by Jess Oppenheimer, Madelyn Pugh, Bob Carroll, Jr., Bob Shiller, and Bob Weiskopf
Production Note At the ending of the original airing Lucille Ball and Desi Arnaz announced the world premiere of Forever Darling in Jamestown on April 7, 1956.
Extra Note The horse that Lucy rides is named Danny Boy.

#144 - "Lucy Goes To Scotland"

Filmed: January 6, 1956 -- Aired: February 20, 1956 -- Rating/Share: N/A

The Ricardos and Mertzes are on their way to Paris, but first Lucy wants to go to Scotland to seek members of the McGillicuddy family into which she was born. In a classic dream sequence, Ricky appears as Scotty MacTavish MacDougal MacCardo.

Produced by Jess Oppenheimer Directed by James V. Kern
Written by Jess Oppenheimer, Madelyn Pugh, Bob Carroll, Jr., Bob Shiller, and Bob Weiskopf
Music Performed "Tis Nay A Bra Bricht Nicht," "A McGillicuddy Is Here," "I'm In Love With A Dragon's Dinner," "Two Heads Are Nay Better Than One," "Dragon Waltz"
Production Note This was the first time in television history that a regularly scheduled series eschewed its normal format to do an original musical comedy special. Eliot Daniel and Larry Orenstein created five original musical numbers for the show. In addition, the Arnaz children, Lucie, and Desi Jr. were allowed to be part of the studio audience for the first time so they could see this episode be filmed. This episode was originally filmed in color with Desi Arnazes home movie camera, and the footage still exists to this day as part of the family collection.

#145 - "Paris At Last"

Filmed: January 12, 1956 -- Aired: February 27, 1956 -- Rating/Share: 49.7/67

Equipped with an English-French dictionary, Lucy sets out to see Paris and "discover" an artist whose paintings will become very valuable -- she knows she has "the eye." Lucy's first encounter is indeed with an artist -- a con artist who changes her American money for French. Lucy's adventures land Lucy, Ethel, and Fred in jail.

Produced by Jess Oppenheimer Directed by James V. Kern
Written by Jess Oppenheimer, Madelyn Pugh, Bob Carroll, Jr., Bob Shiller, and Bob Weiskopf
Production Note I Love Lucy writers Bob Carroll Jr. and Madelyn Pugh, are featured briefly as extras in the episode's cafe scene. After the original airing of this episode, Lucille and Desi did an announcement to alert people about Heart Month.

#146 - "Lucy Meets Charles Boyer"

Filmed: January 19, 1956 -- Aired: March 5, 1956 -- Rating/Share: 50.4/68

While sightseeing in Paris, the Ricardos and Mertzes are sitting in a sidewalk cafe that Charles Boyer is known to frequent. Lucy thinks she has spotted Boyer and turns to jelly, but Ricky convinces her she's wrong. Lucy thinks that Ricky is jealous. She enlists the help of "Pierre Smith," who looks enough like Boyer to be him (and unknown to Lucy, actually is him). To convince Ricky that she really loves him, not Boyer, Lucy intends to reject "Boyer's" advances.

Produced by Jess Oppenheimer Directed by James V. Kern
Written by Jess Oppenheimer, Madelyn Pugh, Bob Carroll, Jr., Bob Shiller, and Bob Weiskopf

#147 - "Lucy Gets A Paris Gown"

Filmed: February 16, 1956 -- Aired: March 19, 1956 -- Rating/Share: 48.4/63

Lucy decides to go on a hunger strike until Ricky agrees to buy her a designer dress. The plan works perfectly, even though Ethel has been smuggling food to Lucy, and Ricky finally gives in and buys her an expensive outfit. But when Ricky discovers what Lucy has been up to, he puts together a crazy outfit made of burlap and passes it off as a Paris original.

Produced by Jess Oppenheimer Directed by James V. Kern
Written by Jess Oppenheimer, Madelyn Pugh, Bob Carroll, Jr., Bob Shiller, and Bob Weiskopf
Production Note A gunnysack original is one of the few costumes from I Love Lucy still in existence. After the show was filmed, Vivian Vance loaned the costume to a crewmember that wore it to a costume party and then it was hung away in a storage closet and is owned by the Arnaz family.

#148 - "Lucy In The Swiss Alps"

Filmed: February 23, 1956 -- Aired: March 26, 1956 -- Rating/Share: 43.9/62

When band manager Fred fouls up by sending the orchestra to Locarno, Switzerland instead of Lucerne, Lucy tries to appease Ricky by suggesting a healthy hike in the Alps. All goes well until an unexpected snowstorm forces the Ricardos and the Mertzes into a deserted mountaintop cabin. Lucy slams the cabin's door and sets off an avalanche, trapping the two couples for five hours. They are saved from certain death by a Bavarian band playing "La Cucaracha."

Produced by Jess Oppenheimer Directed by James V. Kern
Written by Jess Oppenheimer, Madelyn Pugh, Bob Carroll, Jr., Bob Shiller, and Bob Weiskopf
Music Performed "Schnitzelbank," "La Cucaracha," "Swiss Yodel"

#149 - "Lucy Gets Homesick In Italy"

Filmed: March 1, 1956 -- Aired: April 9, 1956 -- Rating/Share: 48.4/68

Fred is conscience-stricken about the expense involved when he misrouted Ricky's band. He books second-class train passage for their overnight trip to Florence and a fourth-class hotel for their stay. Lucy wants to call home to see if Little Ricky has received the birthday presents she sent him from London, but the difficulties of calling from a fourth-class room almost prove too much for her. In the end, Lucy invites an Italian shoeshine boy and his friends to celebrate Little Ricky's birthday.

Produced by Jess Oppenheimer Directed by James V. Kern
Written by Jess Oppenheimer, Madelyn Pugh, Bob Carroll, Jr., Bob Shiller, and Bob Weiskopf
Music Performed "Happy Birthday To You"
Production Note The name of the hotel manager is named Senor Nicoletti, and was probably named after Desi Arnazes long time friend Louis Nicoletti. This was the last appearance of the Mayer twins.
Extra Note Lucy and Ricky have a room in the Hotel Grande it is room 47.

#150 - "Lucy's Italian Movie"

Filmed: March 8, 1956 -- Aired: April 16, 1956 -- Rating/Share: 47.1/63

En route to Rome by train, Lucy is spotted by a famous Italian cinema director and chosen to play a part in his new movie "Bitter Grapes." Lucy sets out to immerse herself in the role. When she nonchalantly wanders into a vineyard inhabited by a motley assortment of Italian-speaking women, she is dispatched to the wine-making area to crush grapes with her feet.

Produced by Jess Oppenheimer Directed by James V. Kern
Written by Jess Oppenheimer, Madelyn Pugh, Bob Carroll, Jr., Bob Shiller, and Bob Weiskopf
Production Note This episode was the spark of imagination because when this episode was filmed earthy Italian movies were the rage in 1955, with the start of Sophia Loren and Gina Lollobrigida's movie careers. The grapes stomped in this episode were not grown in Italy they were grown in California.
Extra Note The Ricardos are staying in room 605.

#151 - "Lucy's Bicycle Trip"

Filmed: March 22, 1956 -- Aired: April 23, 1956 -- Rating/Share: N/A

The Ricardos and the Mertzes are bicycling from Italy toward the French Riviera. When they get to the Italian/French border, everyone but Lucy is permitted to cross. Lucy realizes that her passport has been left behind -- but even when the passport is found, it looks as if Lucy will never get across the border.

Produced by Jess Oppenheimer Directed by James V. Kern
Written by Jess Oppenheimer, Madelyn Pugh, Bob Carroll, Jr., Bob Shiller, and Bob Weiskopf
Production Note The bicycles used in this episode were courtesy of Arnold Schwinn and Company.

#152 - "Lucy Goes To Monte Carlo"

Filmed: March 29, 1956 -- Aired: May 7, 1956 -- Rating/Share: 42.5/66

Ricky is working in Monte Carlo, but Fred goofs and negotiates too little money for the engagement. Lucy and Ethel go to the casino to watch, and Lucy finds a chip that someone dropped. She picks it up and puts it on the table. The chip wins, and continues to do so, all by accident. Since Ricky warned Lucy to stay away from the casino, she hides the money in Ethel's trunk. Ricky finds it and thinks Fred has been holding out on him.

Produced by Jess Oppenheimer Directed by James V. Kern
Written by Jess Oppenheimer, Madelyn Pugh, Bob Carroll, Jr., Bob Shiller, and Bob Weiskopf
Production Note Bob Carroll, Jr., I Love Lucy writer is seen as an extra in the casino scene.

#153 - "Return Home From Europe"

Filmed: April 5, 1956 -- Aired: May 14, 1956 -- Rating/Share: 38.4/62

The Ricardos and Mertzes need to return to the U.S. by plane instead of ship. The 60-pound-per-person baggage limit taxes Lucy's ingenuity: she has bought lots of clothes and souvenirs, including a 30-pound cheese. She boards the plane wearing all the clothes at once and carrying the cheese as a "baby."

Produced by Jess Oppenheimer Directed by James V. Kern
Written by Jess Oppenheimer, Madelyn Pugh, Bob Carroll, Jr., Bob Shiller, and Bob Weiskopf
Music Performed "Rock-A-Bye Baby"
Production Note This was the final episode to be produced by Jess Oppenheimer.