Lucy Meets The Burtons - Lucille Ball "Here's Lucy" Retro TV Episode Review

Nothing can brighten a day more than watching Lucille Ball getting in trouble! It could be as Lucy Ricardo in I LOVE LUCY, getting her head stuck in a loving cup, or tripping down a flight of stairs as a Las Vegas Show Girl with oversized head dress. Or, it could be as Lucy Carter in HERE’S LUCY, co-starring with her own kids Lucie Arnaz and Desi Arnaz, Jr, creating havoc in a grocery store in this third sitcom incarnation for our favorite red head!

HERE’S LUCY ran on CBS from 1968 until 1974 also starring Gale Gordon as Harry Carter, Lucy’s brother in law and employer. Many may know that Gale Gordon was first choice to play Fred Mertz in I LOVE LUCY. At the time, Gordon was committed to OUR MISS BROOKS starring Eve Arden and could not take the role. Of course, William Frawley ended up playing opposite Vivian Vance, who together served as the Ricardo’s best friends, neighbors and sidekicks!

Shout Factory, in association with Lucille Ball Productions, Paul Brownstein Productions and Sony Music Entertainment in 2004 released a fabulous four disc DVD Box Set “HERE’S LUCY - Best Loved Episodes From The Hit Television Series”. This collectible Retro TV set is still available both for purchase and for hire on NETFLIX (links provided below). This heart warming collection contains 24 episodes of Lucy and a stellar list of celebrities that include Carol Burnett, Jack Benny, Shelly Winters, Wayne Newton, Ann Margret, Ginger Rogers and more, plus special features, interviews, commentary and behind the scenes clips. Over the next few weeks I’ll post some reviews of a few of my favorite episodes, however I must start with one of the great classics from 1970 starring the late great Richard Burton and Mrs. Richard Burton, otherwise known at the time as Elizabeth Taylor.

Originally aired on September 14th, 1970 and directed by Jerry Paris (known for his work as actor and director on the DICK VAN DYKE SHOW, among others), LUCY MEETS THE BURTONS was written by Bob Carroll, Jr. and Madelyn (Pugh) Davis. Caroll and Davis were long time partners with Lucille Ball and Desi Arnaz. Together they wrote hundreds of shows going back before the I LOVE LUCY years when Lucy produced an early radio show called MY FAVORITE HUSBAND which led to the classic TV show that made Ball and Arnaz a household name.

As LUCY MEETS THE BURTONS opens Lucy trying to sneak a peek at Richard Burton and Elizabeth Taylor who are guests at a Los Angeles hotel. Burton is in the room wanting to head out to fix Taylor’s famous Krupp Diamond Ring, but afraid of the crowds. Mrs. Burton is already away shopping. Sam the plumber (Not “Joe The Plumber” of recent political 15 minutes of fame) comes over to fix a faucet and an idea is hatched. Burton borrows Sam’s overalls so he can get out undetected. He thinks he’s caught by Lucy Carter when she approaches him, however she conveniently just needs a plumber back at the office or Uncle Harry will fire her. Lucky for Lucy, she happened to grab the first plumber she saw coming out of a hotel. I guess in this pre-internet world a yellow pages was not to be found!

At the office Burton confesses he is, in fact, Richard Burton. A disbelieving Lucy replies “Oh Sure, and I’m Elizabeth Taylor” to which Burton quips “Believe me, you’re Not!”. Burton then attempts to fix the leaky sink while quoting some Shakespeare for Lucille. Not impressed, she tells him he’d better stick to plumbing!

Uncle Harry confirms that it is, indeed, Burton and then dramatically heads off to get the celebrity a cab back to his hotel. A star struck Lucy then sits awkwardly at her desk, while Burton waits on the other side of the room. Her discomfort is a direct salute to the famous Brown Derby episode when Lucy Ricardo tries to look nonchalant eating spaghetti while William Holden turns the tables and stares at her. You can tell that Bob Carroll Jr and Madelyn Davis penned this episode as many of the comedic bits are drawn almost verbatim from I LOVE LUCY episodes. Perhaps they thought a new generation, over 15 years later, would not recognize the antics. Thanks to infinite re-runs we are much more aware of every early LUCY episode, now over 50 years on.

Burton escapes, but Lucy finds that he has left Elizabeth Taylor’s 33.19-carat Krupp Diamond ring behind in the pocket of Sam’s overalls. Of course, Lucy tries on the ring and cannot get it off her finger. Burton realizes his oversight, returning for the ring. Naturally, the Burtons have an important press party at their hotel that night and the ring will be the center of attention. Burton has no choice but to bring Lucy along to explain the problem to the one and only Elizabeth Taylor. Pulling, prodding and even Champagne will not work, so something must be done. It’s hard to imagine that Taylor was only 38 at the time of this show and looks fabulous! Her slightly haughty English accent is teased by Lucy and Taylor’s edgy comedic timing is well played as she tries to get her diamond back.

Lucy always has a “wild idea” to save the day. In another throw back to the original I LOVE LUCY scripts, Lucy hides behind a curtain and Taylor, her arm with stuck Krupp Diamond used in place of Taylor’s ringless left hand. In the famous “Lucy and Ricky get locked in Handcuffs” episode, Lucy had to hide behind the curtain as Ricky performed on stage, with similar effect. The intricate timing of Taylor reacting to Lucy’s over the top gestures, drinking champagne, getting too friendly with Burton, and choking Taylor, is not only classic comedy, but beautifully executed. We never do find out how the rings comes off of Lucy’s finger, but in the end all is forgiven. This is a “not to be missed episode” and wonderful bit of classic television nostalgia!