‘I Love Lucy’ Brought Two Comedy Legends Together in One of Its Best Episodes

Nearly since its inception, sitcoms have always been the backbone of U.S. tv. The format could have modified over time, however the style continues to endure. Whereas recent hits like Young Sheldon and Modern Family have made historical past on the fashionable entrance, no present is extra groundbreaking than I Love Lucy. Starring Lucille Ball and Desi Arnaz as Lucy and Ricky Ricardo, the hit collection revolutionized the early days of tv and created a number of the most memorable moments in historical past.

So far, it stays one of many most-watched packages of all time, because of syndication and streaming. Having produced 180 episodes over six seasons, plus 13 one-hour-long follow-up installments underneath the title The Lucy-Desi Comedy Hour, practically everybody on the planet has a special favourite episode. From the well-known chocolate manufacturing facility gag within the episode “Job Switching” to the beloved “We’re Having a Child” section, it’s onerous to slender down the show’s “best” moment. However, no doubt, probably the most fascinating episodes occurred throughout Season 4, when the Ricardos, together with Ethel (Vivian Vance) and Fred Mertz (William Frawley), head out to Hollywood. Lucy brought on fairly a couple of memorable stirs as she met a few of Classic Hollywood’s greatest stars. For many, her most notorious run-in was with John Wayne, however her most satisfying was the time she met Harpo Marx. Each endlessly humorous and fantastically executed, it stays considered one of TV’s most beloved moments. Nevertheless, bringing the pair collectively was a a lot tougher process than most realized.

It Wasn’t Simple to Get Harpo on ‘I Love Lucy’

By the point I Love Lucy took place, the Marx Brothers had been already beloved stars. In reality, they’d beforehand labored with Ball within the 1938 movie Room Service throughout her studio contract days. With all the celebs that had already handed by means of I Love Lucy and Ball’s previous partnership with them, one would assume it wouldn’t be very onerous in any respect to get Harpo to look. Nevertheless, the beloved Marx Brother confronted a number of private points that may make the casting a problem.

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In an interview with Yahoo Entertainment, Harpo’s son, Invoice Marx, recalled that his father had not too long ago suffered a coronary heart assault. Although solely 67 on the time, Marx had retired from showbusiness in consequence and moved to Palm Springs, per Woman’s World. However with the episode written particularly for him, Invoice Marx says that his father’s physician did clear him to carry out. However securing Marx was solely half the battle. The actor had fairly a bit to do all through the half-hour, and there was a variety of bodily comedy constructed into the story.

‘I Love Lucy’ was Bodily Difficult for Harpo Marx

Though he was playing himself, Marx’s look on I Love Lucy was not simple. The installment sees Lucy caught in a jam after stretching the reality in letters she despatched to her pal, Carolyn Appleby (Doris Singleton). Satisfied Lucy is now near a lot of Hollywood’s greats, Carolyn comes out to Los Angeles. Lucy levels a day of faux movie star sightings proper there within the lodge earlier than Ricky and Fred run into Harpo. They ask him to go upstairs and assist Lucy out. When he arrives, Lucy is finished up in a Harpo disguise. She hides, which permits Harpo to carry out. Based on the Yahoo interview with Marx’s son, the bodily demand of the episode was not misplaced on anybody, contemplating Harpo’s situation.

The sequence sees Marx carry in his well-known harp and play “Take Me Out to the Ball Sport” earlier than getting up, chasing Carolyn, and throwing her over his shoulder. However, regardless of Harpo’s well being, he carried out the stunt. As his son is quoted: “When individuals see this present, that’s… his professionalism… You’ll be able to’t make a mistake. It’s important to do it, in any other case it’s a must to do it once more, and the viewers has already laughed at it. It’s not as humorous anymore.” Marx carried out the scene with out a hitch, and, with the data of all his difficulties, it’s a marvel to observe. The comedy is brilliantly executed, going from Marx’s impressively touching efficiency on the harp to his over-the-top shenanigans. To look at it, one would by no means even guess how unwell he had been. However the very best a part of his efficiency was nonetheless to return and would supply one last problem.

Lucy and Harpo’s Mirror Routine Had Its Personal Challenges

The episode’s most well-known sequence comes when Harpo discovers the hiding Lucy. She tries to persuade him that he’s himself in a mirror. The end result is among the most iconic moments within the historical past of tv. Lucy mirrors Harpo’s each transfer earlier than ultimately being caught. The sequence is each hysterical and interesting to observe. However many don’t notice the skit was lifted from a Marx Brothers film called Duck Soup.

In an interview on The Dick Cavett Show, Lucille Ball, who remained keen on Marx lengthy after his passing, revealed that Marx stored altering the routine whereas capturing. She stated he was so used to working alone that the I Love Lucy crew needed to re-teach Harpo his personal routine. Marx’s son, who was engaged on the set as a prop man, confirmed this when speaking to Yahoo TV, saying, “He needed to get it out of his thoughts, what he did in Duck Soup and in Vaudeville, whereas Lucy simply needed to be taught for the primary time what to do as Harpo. There was a variety of rehearsal that went into it to make it pretty much as good because it was.” However “good” doesn’t do the sequence justice. Although it might have taken a variety of rehearsing, the scene stays probably the greatest moments of the collection. That is no small feat, considering how many iconic scenes the show produced. It’s a testomony to the expertise of each legends and a second of star energy that has by no means been recreated.

I Love Lucy has no scarcity of nice comedic moments. However Lucille Ball and Harpo Marx’s mirror routine is absolutely one thing particular. It was no small feat to make as a result of Marx’s sickness and the bodily challenges that got here with the script. Nevertheless, Harpo’s professionalism and enthusiasm fueled his efficiency and made for one of many best moments within the historical past of sitcoms.

I Love Lucy is accessible to stream on Paramount+ within the U.S.

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