#Ross Elliott | papermoonloveslucy (2024)

Summer 1958

Cast

Lucille Ball (Herself) was born on August 6, 1911 in Jamestown, New York. She began her screen career in 1933 and was known in Hollywood as ‘Queen of the B’s’ due to her many appearances in ‘B’ movies. With Richard Denning, she starred in a radio program titled “My Favorite Husband” which eventually led to the creation of “I Love Lucy,” a television situation comedy in which she co-starred with her real-life husband, Latin bandleader Desi Arnaz. The program was phenomenally successful, allowing the couple to purchase what was once RKO Studios, re-naming it Desilu. When the show ended in 1960 (in an hour-long format known as “The Lucy-Desi Comedy Hour”) so did Lucy and Desi’s marriage. In 1962, hoping to keep Desilu financially solvent, Lucy returned to the sitcom format with “The Lucy Show,” which lasted six seasons. She followed that with a similar sitcom “Here’s Lucy” co-starring with her real-life children, Lucie and Desi Jr., as well as Gale Gordon, who had joined the cast of “The Lucy Show” during season two. Before her death in 1989, Lucy made one more attempt at a sitcom with “Life With Lucy,” also with Gordon, which was not a success and was canceled after just 13 episodes.

Desi Arnaz (Himself) was born in Cuba in 1917 and immigrated to America as a youngster. He was a musician who married Lucille Ball in 1940 after meeting her on the set of 1939’s Too Many Girls, which he had done on stage in New York. In order to keep him ‘off the road’ Ball convinced producers to cast him as her husband in a new television project based on her radio show “My Favorite Husband.” The network was convinced. In 1951, Arnaz and Ball began playing Lucy and Ricky Ricardo, roles they would be identified with for the rest of their lives. The couple had two children together, Lucie and Desi Jr. In 1960, Ball and Arnaz divorced. Desi became a producer, responsible for such hits as “The Mothers-in-Law” (1967-69). He re-married in 1963. Desi Aranz died in 1986, just a few years before Ball.

William Frawley (Himself) was already a Hollywood veteran when he was hired by Desi Arnaz to play Fred Mertz on “I Love Lucy.” After the series concluded he joined the cast of “My Three Sons” playing Bub Casey. He did an episode of “The Lucy Show” in October 1965 which was his final TV appearance before his death in March 1966.

Vivian Vance (Herself) was born Vivian Roberta Jones in Cherryvale, Kansas in 1909, although her family quickly moved to Albuquerque, New Mexico where she was raised. She had extensive theatre experience, co-starring on Broadway with Ethel Merman in “Anything Goes.” She was acting in a play in Southern California when she was spotted by Desi Arnaz and hired to play Ethel Mertz, Lucy Ricardo’s neighbor and best friend. The pairing is credited with much of the success of “I Love Lucy.” Vance was convinced to join the cast of “The Lucy Show” in 1962, but stayed with the series only through season three, making occasional guest appearances afterwards. She made a total of six appearance on “Here’s Lucy.” She also joined Lucy for a TV special “Lucy Calls the President” in 1977. Vance died two years later.

Ross Elliott (Mr. Hayden, Westinghouse Executive) played the director of Lucy’s famous Vitameatavegamin commercial in 1952. He played Ross, Ricky’s publicity agent in three other episodes. From 1961 to 1964 he played another TV director on “The Jack Benny Program.” He played a film director in “Lucy and the Return of Iron Man” (TLS S4;E11) in 1965. His final appearance with Lucille Ball was “Lucy, The Sheriff” (HL S6;E18) in 1974.

Hazel Pierce (Extra on the Tijuana Street Set) was Lucille Ball’s camera and lighting stand-in throughout “I Love Lucy.” She also made frequent appearances on the show. She went on to make several on-camera appearances on “The Lucy Show.” Pierce was an uncredited extra in the film Forever Darling (1956).

Alan Roberts (Mexican Boy) was born Alan Costello. Also in 1958,he appeared on "Leave it to Beaver” as a Spanish boy who is befriends by the Beaver. His last screen credit was in 1965 and he died in 2008 at the age of 59.

Although only seen from the back here, Roberts has a supporting role in“Lucy Goes to Mexico.”

Bennett Green (Voice of the Director) was Desi Arnaz’s camera and lighting stand-in during “I Love Lucy.” He also made frequent appearances on the show as well as on “The Lucy Show.”

Roy Rowan (Announcer) was the announcer for all Lucille Ball's sitcoms and also made occasional on-camera appearances.

Extras from the Tijuana Street scene of “Lucy Goes To Mexico” (LDCH S2;E1).

"Lucy Buys Westinghouse"(working title) is a promotional film intended for network affiliates and the Westinghouse dealers when Desilu partnered with the company for the “Westinghouse Desilu Playhouse” series. This was an anthology series that presented a different story each week. “The Westinghouse Desilu Playhouse” ran from 1958 to 1960 and each episodes was introduced by Desi Arnaz, standing in front of a show curtain (a stipulation of Westinghouse’s sponsorship). Lucy and Desi also sometimes participated in the Westinghouse commercials, hosted by Betty Furness. This series notably gave birth to “The Untouchables,” which was later picked-up by Desilu for a full series, as well as “The Twilight Zone.” Like “I Love Lucy,” the series originally aired on Monday nights.

“Lucy Buys Westinghouse” is the film’s unofficial title for reference purposes. It should not imply that Lucy buys the Westinghouse Corporation, just Westinghouse products.

It would also present “The Lucy-Desi Comedy Hour” (originally titled “The Lucille Ball-Desi Arnaz Show”) which continued the escapades of the Ricardos and the Mertzes after the cancellation of “I Love Lucy” in 1957. The first five of the hour-long series' 13 episodes were run as specials, sponsored by Ford.

Westinghouse Electric Corporation was founded on January 8, 1886 by its founder George Westinghouse (1846–1914). The corporation purchased CBS in 1995.

There are no opening or closing credits, but it is likely that the film was directed by Jerry Thorpe and written by Bob Schiller and Bob Weiskopf, the team responsible for all the “Lucy-Desi Comedy Hours” during seasons 2 and 3. The “I Love Lucy” theme music is used.

Lucille Ball is referred to as Mrs. Arnaz, the only time she is ever called by her married name on film. Vivian Vance and William Frawley portray themselves, although like Lucy, their characters behave more like their fictional counterparts than the actors themselves. The half hour film includes footage of “Lucy Goes to Mexico” being filmed at Desilu Studios.

Desi Arnaz gives a representative of Westinghouse a tour of Desilu Studios (actually three studio properties) while Lucy tries to secretly place orders with him for Westinghouse products. The Gower Street studio was formerly owned by RKO and with the purchase came all the props and costumes, and stock film from its earlier productions.

The film was originally shot in black and white and included on a video titled “Lucy's Lost Episodes.” When the film was included on an “I Love Lucy” DVD as a bonus feature, it was colorized. It was never broadcast on television in its entirety and it is not known if it was ever used for the purpose it was intended. The film occasionally uses a laugh track.

At the start of the film, Lucy is sitting at Desi's desk, looking through the Westinghouse catalog.

Lucy: “I was just reading about the all-new mobile speed Westinghouse vacuum cleaner. It's a dilly!”

Desi's office is decorated with photographs of his children, Lucie and Desi Jr., as well as their Emmy Awards and other memorabilia.Lucy makes fun of the way Desi says 'Westinghouse' as 'Westin-Gouse'. He then calls their spokes people Betty Furness and John Cameron Swayze 'Betty Furnace' and 'John Cameron Sweezie'.

Desi mentions to Mr. Hayden the list of prestigious writers who want to join the Desilu team: Aaron Spelling, Rod Serling, Adrian Spies, and Garsin Kanin. Aaron Spelling directed “The Night the Phone Rang” which (coincidentally) starred Ross Elliott (Mr. Hayden). Aaron Spelling had appeared on “I Love Lucy” and in 1986 convinced Lucille Ball to return to television with her last series, “Life With Lucy.” Rod Serling directed “The Time Element” which eventually led to his series “The Twilight Zone.” New Jersey native Adrian Spies directed six installments, including “So Tender, So Profane” starring Desi Arnaz. There is no record of Garsin Kanin ever writing for the “Westinghouse Desilu Playhouse” series.

Desi says that the first show will be “Bernadette” (“Song of Bernadette”) adapted by Ludi Claire, who also adapted “The Bridge on San Luis Rey.” Desi is referring to the 1958 television adaptation of “San Luis Rey,” not the 1944 feature film.

When Bill Frawley and Vivian Vance drop by to invite the Arnaz's to lunch at the commissary, Desi offers to pay in order to get Lucy out of his hair during the tour.

Bill: “Oh, no you don't. This is my treat. Fred Mertz might be a tightwad, but not Bill Frawley.”Vivian: “Oh, well, in that case Bill, we'll go to Romanoffs.”Bill: “Romanoffs?”Vivian: “Okay, Fred Mertz, we'll go to the commissary.”

Romanoffs was a classy Hollywood restaurant that was mentioned several times on “I Love Lucy.” Not surprisingly, it was also a favorite dining spot of the Arnaz's. Romanoffs became known for their chocolate souffles and Noodles Romanoff. The landmark eatery closed for good on New Year’s Eve 1962, although the famous noodles can still be found in your frozen food case thanks to Stouffers.

Vivian: “Let's eat. I'm starved.” Bill: “Okay, Ethel.”Vivian: “The name is Vivian.”Bill: “The name may be Vivian, but the appetite is Ethel.”

Desi and Mr. Hayden depart for their studio tour and Lucy recruits Vivian and Bill to help her with her plans to get Westinghouse appliances for her dressing room.

Vivian: “Is this a plot to put something over on Desi?” Lucy: “Well...” Bill: “As Betty Furness would say, 'You can be sure, if it's Lucy.'”

Betty Furness(1916-94) was the product spokesperson for Westinghouse's television commercials. She would conclude with their slogan “You can be sure, if it's Westinghouse.”

Desi conducts the first part of the studio tour via helicopter. They first fly over Desilu Gower, so named because it was located on Gower Avenue. They then hover over Desilu Motion Picture Center, a flew blocks away. This was where “I Love Lucy” was filmed from 1953.

Then they fly to Desilu Culver, located in Culver City, also known as Forty Acres due to its size. This is where MGM made Gone with the Wind. They fly over a destroyed Tara, twenty years after the film was made.

Once they land, Vivian and Bill distract Desi while Lucy (disguised as a helicopter mechanic) approaches Mr. Hayden to order appliances. She doesn't get very far before Desi returns.

Desi shows Hayden some painters working on the cave set for their “Song of Bernadette” starring Pier Angeli. The same set was later re-purposed for an episode of “Star Trek.” Vivian asks to speak to Desi privately, while Bill directs Mr. Hayden to talk to the 'man' on the ladder. Lucy is disguised as one of the painters. Once again, Lucy is interrupted when Desi returns.

Desi: (to Vivian) “Are you crazy or somethin'?”Bill: “What's the matter?” Desi: “Vivian wants to play Bernadette.” Bill: “That would be a miracle.”

Next, they visit the Tijuana Street set that will be used for “Lucy Goes To Mexico.”A director's voice shouts for quiet on the set, and they get to watch a scene being shot. This scene (where a zebra cart stalls traffic in the street) is directly from the “Lucy-Desi Comedy Hour.” Because it briefly features Lucille Ball, Bill Frawley, and Vivian Vance (who are supposedly standing nearby watching the scene being shot with Desi), the scene must have been shot prior to the filming of “Lucy Buys Westinghouse” and inserted later. Even Lucy can’t be in two places at once!

Desi mentions that all the “Lucy-Desi Comedy Hour” Westinghouse commercials will be themed to tie into the show. For “Lucy Goes To Mexico” the theme is fiesta.

Westinghouse merchants will receive fiesta themed signage and other promotional materials.

Unbeknownst to them, Lucy is right behind them disguised as a window display mannequin in a sombrero and serape. Through the use of pantomime (Ball's favorite skill) she orders a 21” television from Mr. Hayden.

During a visit to the props department, William Frawley discovers a model he says is King Kong. In fact, it is actually from Mighty Joe Young (1949). Lucy is then discovered by Hayden hiding in a gorilla costume. Because Lucy's dialogue is crystal clear beneath the gorilla mask (and there is a slight delay in the gorilla's corresponding actions), it is likely that Ball was not actually inside the costume.

Back in Desi's office, he tells Hayden that actor George Murphy is vice president of public affairs for Desilu and will act as their Westinghouse good will ambassador. Murphy had done four films with Lucille Ball, including A Girl, A Guy, and a Gob (1941, above).

Desi discovers that Lucy's dressing room is crowded with new Westinghouse appliances including a pink roaster, a mint green blender, a 21” television set, and a powder blue electric dryer - with Lucy hiding inside it!