| "I Love Lucy" episode | ||||
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| Season 2, Episode #19 #54 in Series | ||||
| Series: | I Love Lucy | |||
| Network: | CBS-TV | |||
| Air date: | February 16, 1953 | |||
| Written by: | Bob Carroll, Jr., Madelyn Davis & Jess Oppenheimer | |||
| Guest stars: | Jerry Hausner Margie Liszt Ida Moore Hazel Pierce Peggy Rea Doris Singleton Lurene Tuttle | |||
| Directed by: | William Asher | |||
| Production code: | 2x19 / 054 | |||
| Episode guide | ||||
 IMDB
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The Club Election | |||
| Episode chronology | ||||
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| "The Inferiority Complex" | "The Black Eye" | |||
The Club Election was the 54th episode of I Love Lucy, also the 19th episode aired in Season 2 of the series. The episode, which was directed by William Asher and co-written by Bob Carroll, Jr., Madelyn Davis and Jess Oppenheimer, first aired on CBS-TV on February 16, 1953.
| "The Club Election" | ||
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| Also see: | ||
| Full Credits | Transcripts | More Images |
Synopsis[]
It's Lucy versus Ethel for President of the Wednesday Afternoon Fine Arts League.
Plot Summary[]
It's time for the Wednesday Afternoon Fine Arts League to nominate members for officer positions. Lucy is confident that she will get picked for some job, she's just so popular and wonderful. She even has a dreamy ne cashmere sweater and bag to show it. When it comes down to the office of president, Lucy hasn't been nominated for anything yet, but she's sure that the current president is talking about her when listing off the reasons why the next-in-line president is perfect for the job. When the current president asks to shake the hand of the next leader, Lucy extends her hand, thinking she'll be picked. But it's Ethel's hand who gets shaken.
Lucy is desperate. She has to act now. So, she asks "Lillian" Appleby to "caucus" with her in the kitchen. Shortly after, "Lillian" emerges from the kitchen wearing Lucy's new cashmere sweater. To no one's surprise, "Lillian" asks to nominate Lucy for the office of president. Ethel glares at Lucy, who merely tries to reason her underhanded act by saying that it's the democratic way to have two candidates for presidents.
Lucy and Ethel are hard at work on the campaign trail. They tell each other their election progress the next time the Ricardos and the Mertzes are scheduled to play bridge together. Discussing one another's campaign slogans reveal that Lucy has made one saying "Nertz to Mertz," and Ethel has made one calling Lucy "a deadhead, or should I say 'dyed head'." Lucy and Ethel start shouting at each other and become determined to make even more slanderous posters.
Lucy then bribes "Lillian" Appleby once again, this time with her new bag, to help her figure out how many votes she and Ethel have each. At the present moment, Lucy and Ethel are tied, with 6 votes each. The deciding vote is going to come down to the brand-new club member, Ruth Knickerbocker. Lucy and Ethel begin showering Ruth with lavish dinners and activities, each trying to sway Ruth's vote in their favor.
Fred and Ricky decide to also get in on swaying Ruth's decision. But Fred wants Lucy to win the election, and Ricky wants Ethel to win. Neither man wants the aggravation that will surely come along with their wife being head of a club. Fred invites Mrs. Knickerbocker to the Tropicana, and Ricky sings to her at her table. In enter Lucy and Ethel, announcing that they are now co-presidents, since the vote was a tie. Ruth Knickerbocker couldn't come to the election, because she is sick in bed from all the rich food Lucy and Ethel have been serving her. Ricky protests, saying that Ruth is right beside him. Lucy explains that the woman at the table isn't RUTH Knickerbocker, but Ruth's mother-in-law.
Did You Know?[]
Trivia[]
- This episode marked the first appearance of Marion Strong and "Lillian" Appleby. The next appearance of Marion Strong will be played by Shirley Mitchell, who is the one best remembered for the role. Actress Doris Singleton says that Lucy was the one who changed her character's name from Lillian to Carolyn. Lucille Balll first name, but Doris didn't like that idea. So, Lucy just came up with Carolyn and Charlie on the spot.
- Interestingly, the script originally called for the character Lillian Appleby's name to be "Carolyn Applegate," but Lucy changed all of the club members' names to those of people she knew. "Lillian Appleby" was Lucy's favorite elementary school teacher. But she favored "Carolyn" in the end for whatever reason, and Lucy is the only person in the episode to address Mrs. Appleby as "Carolyn," not "Lillian."
- Besides Ethel (and, later, Lucy) being nominated for club president, "Lillian" Appleby is nominated/elected secretary, Grace Munson is nominated/elected treasurer, and Marion Strong is nominated/elected vice president.
- This is the first appearance of Pauline Lopus. The actress who played her will appear as bridge player Dorothy the next time she's on the show (episode #62).
- The old club president (the one who hands the presidency over to Ethel) remains nameless in this episode.
- The mention of the '52 presidential caucus being televised is one of the few times modern history/politics/events is featured on the show.
Goofs[]
- Character error
Peggy Rea's character is referred to in the dialogue as Pauline Lopus, the name of one of Lucille Ball's childhood friends. However, during the end credits, the announcer mistakenly says that Rea played "Susan."
- Continuity
On her first appearance on the show actress Doris Singleton played 'Lillian Appleby', yet on the other episodes in which she appeared her character name was 'Carolyn Appleby'.
Soundtracks[]
- Soundtrack Credits
- Cuban Cabby (uncredited) - Written by James Cavanaugh, John Redmond and Nat Simon,
Performed by Desi Arnaz
- Theme From I Love Lucy (Instrumental) - Written by Eliot Daniel, Performed by Wilbur Hatch and the Desi Arnaz Orchestra
- Cielito lindo (uncredited) - Written by Quirino Mendoza
Scene excerpt from "The Club Election"[]
- Quotes
- Ricky: Anything special on your mind?
- Ethel: Yeah. I came up to tell Lucy that the Wednesday Afternoon Fine Arts League is meeting on Friday this week.
- Ricky: The Wednesday Afternoon Fine Art Leagues is meeting on Friday.
[Yes, he says, 'Fine Art Leagues']
- Ethel: Yeah.
- Ricky: I thought you always met on Thursday.
- Ethel: Oh, no. We never met on Thursday. We usually meet on Tuesday.
- Ricky: Well, look, this is probably a very stupid question, but, eh, why couldn't the Wednesday Afternoon Fine Arts League meet on Wednesday?
- Ethel: Oh, we tried it, but nobody could make it. Wednesday afternoon isn't a good day for club meetings.
Cast (in Credits Order)[]
Main Cast[]
- Lucille Ball as Lucy Ricardo
- Desi Arnaz as Ricky Ricardo
- Vivian Vance as Ethel Mertz
- William Frawley as Fred Mertz
Guest Stars/Recurring Cast[]
- Jerry Hausner as Jerry (Ricky's agent)
- Margie Liszt as Marion Strong
- Ida Moore as Mrs. Knickerbocker
- Hazel Pierce as Grace Munson
- Peggy Rea as Club member
- Doris Singleton as Lillian Appleby
- Lurene Tuttle Club President
