I Love Lucy (1951–1957): Season 6, Episode 21 - Ragtime Band - full transcript
Lucy puts together her own band for a fund-raiser, consisting of herself, Little Ricky, Fred and Ethel.
(light-hearted music playing)
("I Love Lucy" theme song playing)
(theme song ending)
Hi, honey, I saw you drive in.
Hi.
How was the meeting?
Oh, it was all right.
Did you see Fred and Little Ricky out
there
playing baseball with the
neighborhood kids?
Yeah, I saw them.
Uh-oh, Fred struck out again.
He's so vain, he won't wear his
glasses
and he can't see the ball without
them.
Well, what's new with the Westport
Historical Society?
What's the matter, honey?
Oh, Ethel,
I've done something awful.
What is it this time?
Now, if you take that tone, I may not
tell you.
Good.
Come back here.
I have to tell someone.
Okay.
What is it?
Well, our historical society's having
its annual fundraising drive
and today we were planning the show
and everyone was promising what their
husbands would do.
Uh-oh.
Betty Ramsey said
that her husband would get the
advertising for the program
and Gertrude Foote said that her
husband would
print the programs
and Grace Munson said that her
husband
would take care of the floral
decorations and...
(sighs)
well...
Out with it.
Well, everyone was volunteering their
husbands
and I jumped up and said
that Ricky and his band would play
for the show.
You volunteered Ricky?
Well, he's the only husband I've got.
Oh, Lucy, how are you going
to break this to him?
Oh, I don't know.
This is a tough one.
Gee!
I could try buttering him up; that
always works...
sometimes.
Lucy, there isn't buttering-up in the
world
that could get Ricky to bring his
band
out here to Westport to play for a
show
put on by a historical society.
You forget I'm a pretty good
butter-upper.
Let's see now.
When he gets home,
I'll have a delicious dinner waiting
for him.
I'll put him down on the divan.
I'll give him the evening paper and
his slippers.
I'll get him in a very good mood.
How's that sound?
Great, as long as you don't tell him.
Oh, Ethel!
Heavens!
Well, hi, dear.
What's the matter, Ricky?
Oh, nothing!
What's the matter with him, Fred?
Oh, the other kids threw him out of
the ball game
because he can't play as well as they
can.
Aw, the poor little thing.
Yeah, well, these country kids get
more time to practice
than the city kids, but he'll learn.
Oh, sure he will.
Oh, poor kid.
Now, now, Lucy, let him alone.
There are some things a man has just
got to
work out for himself.
Yeah, I guess you're right.
Well, how'd you do, Babe Ruth?
Oh, they threw me out of the game,
too.
You poor little thing.
Good luck with both your Rickys.
Well, hi, darling.
Hi, honey.
Did you have a hard day?
Well...
How'd everything go at the club?
I'll bet that was
a long, tiring ride home on the
train, huh, honey?
You just sit down here and don't you
worry
about a thing, sweetheart.
You just sit, and here's your evening
paper
and here are your bedroom slippers.
Thank you.
My, I sure missed you today.
My shoes, dear.
Oh.
I sure missed you today, dear.
I wish you didn't have to go
into New York every day, sweetheart.
It would be nice if you could stay
around here with me all the time.
It would be kind of nice.
Oh, I'd sure love that.
Now, honey, you just sit right up
there
and you be comfy-cozy, see?
And don't you worry about a thing.
And dinner will be ready in a little
while.
And do you know what we're having?
It's one of your favorites.
Smell that?
What does it smell like?
It smells like you want me and the
band for that show.
Oh, no, no, no.
We're having chicken and rice and
fried bana...
How'd you find out?
Betty Ramsey just told me.
(exasperated sigh)
I forgot Betty Ramsey was gonna drive
you home
from the station.
Well, that's one of the hazards of
living in the suburbs.
Yeah, well.
Well, now that you know
all about it, Ricky, will you?
No.
And I spent two hours over a hot
stove
cooking chicken and rice.
Well, don't worry about that, honey,
I'll eat it.
But Ricky, just tell me why.
Because I love chicken and rice.
Oh, I mean, why won't you play for
the show?
Look, I'm not gonna transport my
whole band
to Westport, Connecticut,
and besides, you know that we have to
play at the club.
Well, maybe you could just give us a
few of them,
you know, like the piano and the
drums and the...
(imitates Latin percussion)
whatever you call them.
The claves and the maracas.
Yeah.
No.
Oh.
It's such a worthy cause, honey.
I know, dear, and I'll be very happy
to give them some money.
Oh, the money's not important;
it's the spirit of the thing.
It's a community project.
And we need your band to play if we
want the entertainment good.
Oh, honey, I'm sorry, but I cannot do
it, and that's final.
But, uh, thanks for the paper and the
slippers
and the chicken and rice and the soft
soap.
Where's Ricky?
He's up in his room.
Hey, partner!
I think maybe you'd better go up and
have a talk with him.
He's a little upset.
Oh, what's the matter?
Well, the kids wouldn't
let him play baseball with them
today.
They said he wasn't good enough.
Oh, dear.
Well, I'll go up
and have a little father-and-son talk
with him.
And after dinner,
you can have a little
husband-and-wife talk with me.
This little husband is through
talking.
Now, the issue is closed.
Well, if you won't bring your band,
what are we gonna do for music?
Well, you play a pretty mean
saxophone.
Maybe some of your friends can play.
Organize your own band.
I promised them Ricky Ricardo.
All right, just go...
(imitates claves tapping and maracas
rattling)
Maybe they won't notice.
Oh!
Honey, I forgot
to bring these eggs over this
morning.
Thanks.
Look at the size of that one.
That's nothing compared to the one
I just laid with Ricky.
Uh-oh.
What happened to your buttering-up
plan?
Well, Betty Ramsey spilled the whole
thing
before I even got my churn started.
Well, I hate to say I told you so...
Well, don't, then!
I have to call the historical society
and tell them Ricky can't make it.
Oh, honestly, that Betty Ramsey-- big
blabbermouth.
Hello, is this the Westport
Historical Society?
Well, this is Mrs. Ricky Ricardo.
Yes, I just called to say that...
Oh.
Oh, really?
Oh, well, that's wonderful.
Yes.
Yes, that...
Oh, that's wonderful.
Well, I just called to say that...
Ricky will be delighted to play.
Good-bye.
What'd you say that for?
She said on the strength of Ricky's
appearance,
tickets are selling like hot cakes.
Oh, dear.
Wait till they hear the bad news.
They'll have to change their name
to the Westport Hysterical Society.
Ethel, I promised them Ricky Ricardo
and I'm gonna deliver Ricky Ricardo!
Huh?
Junior.
Little Ricky?
Yeah, why not?
They both play drums.
Yeah, that's right.
Oh, Lucy, I gotta hand it to you.
You get caught in a jam
and you're able to produce another
Ricky Ricardo.
Well, I always believe in having a
spare.
So you got a drummer.
Where are you going to get the rest
of the band?
I got the rest of the band.
Lucy Ricardo on saxophone, Ethel
Mertz on the piano...
Ah-ah-ah-ah-ah-ah.
Who was that on the 88 again?
The wizard of the ivories, Ethel May
Mertz.
Well, maybe so.
Yeah, and I got...
Just to round out the rest of the
quartet,
I have Fred Mertz on the violin.
Does he still have his fiddle?
Yeah, but the last time he played, it
was three chins ago.
Don't worry. I'm sure if he
practices,
he'll play just like he used to.
Oh, well, then, Lucy, whatever you
do,
don't let him practice.
Now, Ethel, it's gonna be great.
Our little band is gonna burst upon
the music world.
We are gonna be the new sound.
Okay, Fred, you stay right there
and be our audience.
You tell us what you think.
What are you doing?
I'm limbering up my fingers.
(playing piano off-key)
Think what she'd have sounded like
unlimbered.
Oh, now, Fred.
Boy, I haven't had this thing out of
the case in years.
Ooh, I even forgot to take this off.
How do you like that?
(plays loud, harsh note)
What? Oh!
Gosh!
You ought to take that out
in the backyard and beat it.
Oh, I know.
(playing scratchy tune)
oh, Fred, Fred!
That cat sounded better when it was
alive.
Oh, never mind the wisecracks.
There's something wrong.
Yeah, what is all that?
Confetti.
The last time I played this thing
was at a Roosevelt rally.
He means Teddy.
She knows who I mean.
Mommy, can we start now?
Yeah, as soon as we get tuned up,
honey.
Give me an "A," Ethel.
An "A"?
Yeah.
Oh, an "A."
Is that a black key
or a white one?
Ethel plays by ear.
Oh.
The trouble is, we have to listen by
ear.
Lucy, how about a middle "C"?
I know where that one is.
(plays middle "C")
Well, thanks a lot, girl, but I gotta
have an "A."
Oh, well, there has to be one on here
someplace.
Let's see now.
(Ricky plays "A")
Is that an "A"?
Oh, thank you, honey!
(playing loudly and off-key)
So you had to go and find the "A."
Let's hear your "A," Jascha.
(plays scratchily)
Sounds more like a "Z."
Oh, is that so?
Oh, come on, you two, let's get
started, huh?
Yeah, what are we gonna play?
Well, I only know that one tune
"Comin' 'Round The Mountain."
For heaven's sake, Ethel, don't you
know "Sweet Sue"?
No. Why?
'Cause that's the only tune I know.
I never learned "Sweet Sue."
Well, you could; you play by ear.
Come on, try "Sweet Sue."
Well, I'll try it, but don't blame me
if it sounds like "Sweet Sue is
Comin' 'Round The Mountain."
Ready, everybody?
ALL: Yeah.
A-one, a-two...
(musical cacophony)
Hold it, hold it.
Honey, aren't you playing
a little too fast?
No, Mommy, you're playing too slow.
Oh, we're playing too slow.
Well, we'll try to speed it up.
Let's try it again now.
A-one, a-two...
(all continue playing poorly)
Honey...
honey, are you sure you're not
playing too fast?
Yes, Mommy, I'm sure.
How would you like to go outside and
play
and let us practice for a while?
Great! Thanks.
Thanks, yet.
Come on, we can get it.
Let's try it again.
I can do that "a-one, a-two" thing.
A-one, a-two...
(loud off-key playing continues)
Honey, I'm home!
Oh, hi, darling.
Hi, dear.
Aw, gee, you look tired.
I'm bushed.
Dinner ready?
Not yet. Why don't you stretch out
and take a nap?
Good idea.
There you are.
Okay?
Yeah, thanks.
(sighs)
Ricky?
Mm.
We had our first rehearsal today.
Mm-hmm.
Aren't you gonna ask me how it went?
All right. How'd it go?
Don't ask.
What happened?
Well, naturally, Little Ricky was
just wonderful on the drums
and I was pretty good on the
saxophone if I do say so myself.
But Fred's violin and Ethel's piano--
sheesh!
Pretty bad, huh?
Oh, Fred's violin sounds
like he's breaking in a new pair of
shoes.
And what Ethel does to those ivories
is enough to make an elephant want to
take back his tusks.
So what do you want me to do?
Well, honey, we're having another
rehearsal after dinner
tonight, see, and I thought maybe you
could tell them
in a nice way, you know, what they're
doing wrong.
All right, dear, I'll see what I can
do.
Will you do that, dear?
Sure.
Well, now you just take a nice nap
and I'll let you know when dinner's
ready.
Thank you.
Ricky.
(gasps)
Where's Lucy?
She's in the kitchen.
What's the matter?
Oh. Well, uh... Rick,
we had our first rehearsal this
afternoon,
and I want to talk to you about our
little group.
All right.
Well, of course, Ricky, Jr., was
just wonderful on the drums
and I was pretty good on the piano,
too,
but Lucy and Fred...
whew-ew!
Pretty bad, huh?
Oh, yeah, it was bad.
Well, maybe they'll get better with
practice.
Well, maybe, but you should have
heard them.
Lucy playing the saxophone
sounds like a wounded moose calling
to its mate.
And Fred's violin?
Oh, I make better music when I file
my nails.
Rick?
We're gonna have another rehearsal
tonight
and I thought maybe you might just
stick around
and-and straighten them out, huh?
All right, I'll see what I can do.
You will?
Mm-hmm.
Oh, bless you, Rick.
Thank you.
You're welcome.
Where is...?
She's in the kitchen.
I'm in trouble.
What's the matter, Fred?
Rick, could I talk to you
as one professional musician to
another?
Sure, Fred.
Well, we had that rehearsal this
afternoon.
Oh, is that so?
Yeah.
Well, how did it go, Fred?
Little Ricky and I were okay.
But the women...
(whistles in disgust)
Bad, eh?
The way Ethel hits those piano
keys...
I wouldn't blame them if they hit her
back.
And Lucy with that saxophone...
it's a wonder every hog in Westport
didn't answer the call.
Well, now, look, Fred, you're gonna
have another rehearsal
after dinner, is that right?
Yeah.
Well, I'll tell you what I'll do.
I'll see if I can tell the girls
in a nice way what they're doing
wrong.
You took the words right out of my
mouth. See you later.
Right, bye-bye.
Bye.
(door opens, then shuts)
(sighs)
(chuckling)
Daddy?
Oh, hiya, partner.
How are you?
Can I talk to you a minute?
Sure. What is it?
Our band.
Your band? Well, how did the
rehearsal go?
Eesh!
You mean that Uncle Fred and Aunt
Ethel
and Mommy are pretty bad, huh?
Boy, I'll say.
Well, maybe they're not as bad as you
think.
Oh, yes, they are.
Well, maybe they'll get better
with a little practice.
I don't want to play with them
anymore.
Don't want to play with them anymore?
Well, now, wait a minute, that's not
very nice.
You remember what happened to you
yesterday
when you were playing baseball with
those kids
and they didn't want you to play with
them anymore?
But I play baseball better than they
play music.
That's not the point, though.
You know, when we had our little
talk,
we agreed that it wasn't nice
to be unkind to people, right?
Yes, Daddy.
So we can't just tell them
that they don't play well, can we?
No, Daddy.
Now, the thing to do is
to teach them to play better.
So, tonight after dinner,
you're gonna have a rehearsal
and I'll stick around
and I'll see what I can do, okay?
Okay, Daddy.
Okay, son.
LUCY: Dinner, everybody!
Did you have
a nice nap, sweetie?
Sheesh!
Look, let's try it one more time from
the top.
Okay.
Now, please, everybody, will you try
to remember
what I told you that you were doing
wrong?
Oh, sure, sure, sure.
One more time.
It's a nice simple tune.
It should be bright and happy and
relaxed.
(humming tune)
Yeah, aha, that's the way it should
go, just like that.
Yeah, boy.
Right here, eh?
Right here, huh?
One, two...
(band playing loudly and off-key)
(loud off-key playing continues)
Hold it, hold it, everyone. Hold it.
Hold it.
Hold it, everybody.
Before we go any further, there is
something that I have to say.
We'll listen to you.
Oh, well, just say it, Rick.
Go ahead and say it.
Go ahead, honey, go ahead.
Well, you know, Little Ricky's fine
on the drums.
Yeah.
Oh, yeah.
That's right.
But some of the rest of you need a
little work.
Yeah, some of us are pretty bad.
Yeah, some of us are.
Yeah, some of us.
Well, to tell you the truth, you
know...
Go ahead, Rick, be frank.
Sure, just speak right out.
Sure, they can take it.
I mean, we can take it.
Well... it's... it's...
the situation is, you know
that you play fine, you play good,
you know.
As a matter of fact, you play too
good.
Well, it's that you-you're so far
ahead of your time
the public is not ready, for your
type of music.
Really?
Take my word for it as a musician.
They are not ready.
Oh. Well, that's too bad
because the show is tomorrow night.
Yeah.
What are we gonna do?
Yeah, well, you know, honey,
I-I-I-I realize that, you know, it's
such an emergency--
and boy, is it an emergency--
that, uh, well, I thought maybe I can
get away from the club
for an hour and bring a couple of the
boys down
and I'll do a calypso number.
A calypso.
That would be wonderful.
RICKY: From my album, you know.
Oh, that's wonderful.
Well, if you're just gonna bring a
couple of the boys,
then you'll need some of us,
some of us that aren't too bad, you
know.
Oh, sure, sure, you will.
No.
You said we were pretty good.
I did, didn't I?
Yeah, I did that, and I meant it.
Meant every word of it.
And, by God, I think that you should
be in it!
Oh.
Yes, sir, and I want you in it.
I want you in the band.
LUCY: Oh, well, good.
Right. I tell you,
right in that rhythm section, that's
where you'll be.
The rhythm section?
Yeah.
What do we do?
Oh, well, you, you...
I'll tell you what.
Little Ricky can play the bongos
and Fred can play the quijada and
Ethel can play the cencerros
and you can play the cuica.
Oh, well, that's wonderful!
What are we gonna play?
The quijada, the cuica
and the cencerros.
Oh, is that good?
Good. Oh, honey,
that's the most, the most important
part.
The cuica Cuica?
is the most important part of the
calyso...
I play the cuica.
Hey, hey
Hey, hey...
Let us put men and women together
To find out which one is smarter
Some say men, but I say no
The women got the men beat, they
should know
Samson was the strongest man long ago
No one could have beaten him as we
all know
He clashed with Delilah and before he
knew what
Samson had the world's very first
crew cut.
Not me, other people, they say
That the men are a-leadin' the women
astray
But I say that the women of today
Smarter than the man in every way.
That's right, the woman is...
(grunt) Smarter!
That's right, the woman is...
(grunt) Smarter!
That's right, the woman is...
(grunt) Smarter!
That's right.
(clang)
(slap)
(honk...)
That's right.
(bongo solo)
Your wife announces that you and she
Are expectin' an addition to the
family
You sing and dance and yell hurrah
But she only expectin' your
mother-in-law.
Not me, other people, they say
That the men are leadin' the women
astray
But I say that the women of today
Smarter than the man in every way.
That's right, the woman is...
(grunt) Smarter!
That's right, the woman is...
(grunt) Smarter!
That's right, the woman is...
(grunt) Smarter!
That's right.
(clang)
(slap)
(honk...)
That's right.
(bongo solo)
Wife want husband to be in show
She beg and plead, but he still say
no
Husband here with calypso band
Which proves that woman is smarter
than man.
Not me, other people, they say
That the men are leadin' the women
astray
But I say that the women of today
Smarter than the man in every way.
That's right, the woman is...
(grunt) Smarter!
That's right, the woman is...
(grunt) Smarter!
That's right, the woman is...
(grunt) Smarter!
That's right.
(clang)
(slap)
(honk...)
That's right.
(clang)
(slap, slap, slap, slap)
(honk, honk)
(band plays finale)
(applause)
(closing orchestral flourish playing)
("I Love Lucy" theme song playing)
ANNOUNCER: "I Love Lucy" is a Desilu
production.
Lucille Ball and Desi Arnaz
will be back next week at this same
time.
("I Love Lucy" theme song playing)
(theme song ending)
Hi, honey, I saw you drive in.
Hi.
How was the meeting?
Oh, it was all right.
Did you see Fred and Little Ricky out
there
playing baseball with the
neighborhood kids?
Yeah, I saw them.
Uh-oh, Fred struck out again.
He's so vain, he won't wear his
glasses
and he can't see the ball without
them.
Well, what's new with the Westport
Historical Society?
What's the matter, honey?
Oh, Ethel,
I've done something awful.
What is it this time?
Now, if you take that tone, I may not
tell you.
Good.
Come back here.
I have to tell someone.
Okay.
What is it?
Well, our historical society's having
its annual fundraising drive
and today we were planning the show
and everyone was promising what their
husbands would do.
Uh-oh.
Betty Ramsey said
that her husband would get the
advertising for the program
and Gertrude Foote said that her
husband would
print the programs
and Grace Munson said that her
husband
would take care of the floral
decorations and...
(sighs)
well...
Out with it.
Well, everyone was volunteering their
husbands
and I jumped up and said
that Ricky and his band would play
for the show.
You volunteered Ricky?
Well, he's the only husband I've got.
Oh, Lucy, how are you going
to break this to him?
Oh, I don't know.
This is a tough one.
Gee!
I could try buttering him up; that
always works...
sometimes.
Lucy, there isn't buttering-up in the
world
that could get Ricky to bring his
band
out here to Westport to play for a
show
put on by a historical society.
You forget I'm a pretty good
butter-upper.
Let's see now.
When he gets home,
I'll have a delicious dinner waiting
for him.
I'll put him down on the divan.
I'll give him the evening paper and
his slippers.
I'll get him in a very good mood.
How's that sound?
Great, as long as you don't tell him.
Oh, Ethel!
Heavens!
Well, hi, dear.
What's the matter, Ricky?
Oh, nothing!
What's the matter with him, Fred?
Oh, the other kids threw him out of
the ball game
because he can't play as well as they
can.
Aw, the poor little thing.
Yeah, well, these country kids get
more time to practice
than the city kids, but he'll learn.
Oh, sure he will.
Oh, poor kid.
Now, now, Lucy, let him alone.
There are some things a man has just
got to
work out for himself.
Yeah, I guess you're right.
Well, how'd you do, Babe Ruth?
Oh, they threw me out of the game,
too.
You poor little thing.
Good luck with both your Rickys.
Well, hi, darling.
Hi, honey.
Did you have a hard day?
Well...
How'd everything go at the club?
I'll bet that was
a long, tiring ride home on the
train, huh, honey?
You just sit down here and don't you
worry
about a thing, sweetheart.
You just sit, and here's your evening
paper
and here are your bedroom slippers.
Thank you.
My, I sure missed you today.
My shoes, dear.
Oh.
I sure missed you today, dear.
I wish you didn't have to go
into New York every day, sweetheart.
It would be nice if you could stay
around here with me all the time.
It would be kind of nice.
Oh, I'd sure love that.
Now, honey, you just sit right up
there
and you be comfy-cozy, see?
And don't you worry about a thing.
And dinner will be ready in a little
while.
And do you know what we're having?
It's one of your favorites.
Smell that?
What does it smell like?
It smells like you want me and the
band for that show.
Oh, no, no, no.
We're having chicken and rice and
fried bana...
How'd you find out?
Betty Ramsey just told me.
(exasperated sigh)
I forgot Betty Ramsey was gonna drive
you home
from the station.
Well, that's one of the hazards of
living in the suburbs.
Yeah, well.
Well, now that you know
all about it, Ricky, will you?
No.
And I spent two hours over a hot
stove
cooking chicken and rice.
Well, don't worry about that, honey,
I'll eat it.
But Ricky, just tell me why.
Because I love chicken and rice.
Oh, I mean, why won't you play for
the show?
Look, I'm not gonna transport my
whole band
to Westport, Connecticut,
and besides, you know that we have to
play at the club.
Well, maybe you could just give us a
few of them,
you know, like the piano and the
drums and the...
(imitates Latin percussion)
whatever you call them.
The claves and the maracas.
Yeah.
No.
Oh.
It's such a worthy cause, honey.
I know, dear, and I'll be very happy
to give them some money.
Oh, the money's not important;
it's the spirit of the thing.
It's a community project.
And we need your band to play if we
want the entertainment good.
Oh, honey, I'm sorry, but I cannot do
it, and that's final.
But, uh, thanks for the paper and the
slippers
and the chicken and rice and the soft
soap.
Where's Ricky?
He's up in his room.
Hey, partner!
I think maybe you'd better go up and
have a talk with him.
He's a little upset.
Oh, what's the matter?
Well, the kids wouldn't
let him play baseball with them
today.
They said he wasn't good enough.
Oh, dear.
Well, I'll go up
and have a little father-and-son talk
with him.
And after dinner,
you can have a little
husband-and-wife talk with me.
This little husband is through
talking.
Now, the issue is closed.
Well, if you won't bring your band,
what are we gonna do for music?
Well, you play a pretty mean
saxophone.
Maybe some of your friends can play.
Organize your own band.
I promised them Ricky Ricardo.
All right, just go...
(imitates claves tapping and maracas
rattling)
Maybe they won't notice.
Oh!
Honey, I forgot
to bring these eggs over this
morning.
Thanks.
Look at the size of that one.
That's nothing compared to the one
I just laid with Ricky.
Uh-oh.
What happened to your buttering-up
plan?
Well, Betty Ramsey spilled the whole
thing
before I even got my churn started.
Well, I hate to say I told you so...
Well, don't, then!
I have to call the historical society
and tell them Ricky can't make it.
Oh, honestly, that Betty Ramsey-- big
blabbermouth.
Hello, is this the Westport
Historical Society?
Well, this is Mrs. Ricky Ricardo.
Yes, I just called to say that...
Oh.
Oh, really?
Oh, well, that's wonderful.
Yes.
Yes, that...
Oh, that's wonderful.
Well, I just called to say that...
Ricky will be delighted to play.
Good-bye.
What'd you say that for?
She said on the strength of Ricky's
appearance,
tickets are selling like hot cakes.
Oh, dear.
Wait till they hear the bad news.
They'll have to change their name
to the Westport Hysterical Society.
Ethel, I promised them Ricky Ricardo
and I'm gonna deliver Ricky Ricardo!
Huh?
Junior.
Little Ricky?
Yeah, why not?
They both play drums.
Yeah, that's right.
Oh, Lucy, I gotta hand it to you.
You get caught in a jam
and you're able to produce another
Ricky Ricardo.
Well, I always believe in having a
spare.
So you got a drummer.
Where are you going to get the rest
of the band?
I got the rest of the band.
Lucy Ricardo on saxophone, Ethel
Mertz on the piano...
Ah-ah-ah-ah-ah-ah.
Who was that on the 88 again?
The wizard of the ivories, Ethel May
Mertz.
Well, maybe so.
Yeah, and I got...
Just to round out the rest of the
quartet,
I have Fred Mertz on the violin.
Does he still have his fiddle?
Yeah, but the last time he played, it
was three chins ago.
Don't worry. I'm sure if he
practices,
he'll play just like he used to.
Oh, well, then, Lucy, whatever you
do,
don't let him practice.
Now, Ethel, it's gonna be great.
Our little band is gonna burst upon
the music world.
We are gonna be the new sound.
Okay, Fred, you stay right there
and be our audience.
You tell us what you think.
What are you doing?
I'm limbering up my fingers.
(playing piano off-key)
Think what she'd have sounded like
unlimbered.
Oh, now, Fred.
Boy, I haven't had this thing out of
the case in years.
Ooh, I even forgot to take this off.
How do you like that?
(plays loud, harsh note)
What? Oh!
Gosh!
You ought to take that out
in the backyard and beat it.
Oh, I know.
(playing scratchy tune)
oh, Fred, Fred!
That cat sounded better when it was
alive.
Oh, never mind the wisecracks.
There's something wrong.
Yeah, what is all that?
Confetti.
The last time I played this thing
was at a Roosevelt rally.
He means Teddy.
She knows who I mean.
Mommy, can we start now?
Yeah, as soon as we get tuned up,
honey.
Give me an "A," Ethel.
An "A"?
Yeah.
Oh, an "A."
Is that a black key
or a white one?
Ethel plays by ear.
Oh.
The trouble is, we have to listen by
ear.
Lucy, how about a middle "C"?
I know where that one is.
(plays middle "C")
Well, thanks a lot, girl, but I gotta
have an "A."
Oh, well, there has to be one on here
someplace.
Let's see now.
(Ricky plays "A")
Is that an "A"?
Oh, thank you, honey!
(playing loudly and off-key)
So you had to go and find the "A."
Let's hear your "A," Jascha.
(plays scratchily)
Sounds more like a "Z."
Oh, is that so?
Oh, come on, you two, let's get
started, huh?
Yeah, what are we gonna play?
Well, I only know that one tune
"Comin' 'Round The Mountain."
For heaven's sake, Ethel, don't you
know "Sweet Sue"?
No. Why?
'Cause that's the only tune I know.
I never learned "Sweet Sue."
Well, you could; you play by ear.
Come on, try "Sweet Sue."
Well, I'll try it, but don't blame me
if it sounds like "Sweet Sue is
Comin' 'Round The Mountain."
Ready, everybody?
ALL: Yeah.
A-one, a-two...
(musical cacophony)
Hold it, hold it.
Honey, aren't you playing
a little too fast?
No, Mommy, you're playing too slow.
Oh, we're playing too slow.
Well, we'll try to speed it up.
Let's try it again now.
A-one, a-two...
(all continue playing poorly)
Honey...
honey, are you sure you're not
playing too fast?
Yes, Mommy, I'm sure.
How would you like to go outside and
play
and let us practice for a while?
Great! Thanks.
Thanks, yet.
Come on, we can get it.
Let's try it again.
I can do that "a-one, a-two" thing.
A-one, a-two...
(loud off-key playing continues)
Honey, I'm home!
Oh, hi, darling.
Hi, dear.
Aw, gee, you look tired.
I'm bushed.
Dinner ready?
Not yet. Why don't you stretch out
and take a nap?
Good idea.
There you are.
Okay?
Yeah, thanks.
(sighs)
Ricky?
Mm.
We had our first rehearsal today.
Mm-hmm.
Aren't you gonna ask me how it went?
All right. How'd it go?
Don't ask.
What happened?
Well, naturally, Little Ricky was
just wonderful on the drums
and I was pretty good on the
saxophone if I do say so myself.
But Fred's violin and Ethel's piano--
sheesh!
Pretty bad, huh?
Oh, Fred's violin sounds
like he's breaking in a new pair of
shoes.
And what Ethel does to those ivories
is enough to make an elephant want to
take back his tusks.
So what do you want me to do?
Well, honey, we're having another
rehearsal after dinner
tonight, see, and I thought maybe you
could tell them
in a nice way, you know, what they're
doing wrong.
All right, dear, I'll see what I can
do.
Will you do that, dear?
Sure.
Well, now you just take a nice nap
and I'll let you know when dinner's
ready.
Thank you.
Ricky.
(gasps)
Where's Lucy?
She's in the kitchen.
What's the matter?
Oh. Well, uh... Rick,
we had our first rehearsal this
afternoon,
and I want to talk to you about our
little group.
All right.
Well, of course, Ricky, Jr., was
just wonderful on the drums
and I was pretty good on the piano,
too,
but Lucy and Fred...
whew-ew!
Pretty bad, huh?
Oh, yeah, it was bad.
Well, maybe they'll get better with
practice.
Well, maybe, but you should have
heard them.
Lucy playing the saxophone
sounds like a wounded moose calling
to its mate.
And Fred's violin?
Oh, I make better music when I file
my nails.
Rick?
We're gonna have another rehearsal
tonight
and I thought maybe you might just
stick around
and-and straighten them out, huh?
All right, I'll see what I can do.
You will?
Mm-hmm.
Oh, bless you, Rick.
Thank you.
You're welcome.
Where is...?
She's in the kitchen.
I'm in trouble.
What's the matter, Fred?
Rick, could I talk to you
as one professional musician to
another?
Sure, Fred.
Well, we had that rehearsal this
afternoon.
Oh, is that so?
Yeah.
Well, how did it go, Fred?
Little Ricky and I were okay.
But the women...
(whistles in disgust)
Bad, eh?
The way Ethel hits those piano
keys...
I wouldn't blame them if they hit her
back.
And Lucy with that saxophone...
it's a wonder every hog in Westport
didn't answer the call.
Well, now, look, Fred, you're gonna
have another rehearsal
after dinner, is that right?
Yeah.
Well, I'll tell you what I'll do.
I'll see if I can tell the girls
in a nice way what they're doing
wrong.
You took the words right out of my
mouth. See you later.
Right, bye-bye.
Bye.
(door opens, then shuts)
(sighs)
(chuckling)
Daddy?
Oh, hiya, partner.
How are you?
Can I talk to you a minute?
Sure. What is it?
Our band.
Your band? Well, how did the
rehearsal go?
Eesh!
You mean that Uncle Fred and Aunt
Ethel
and Mommy are pretty bad, huh?
Boy, I'll say.
Well, maybe they're not as bad as you
think.
Oh, yes, they are.
Well, maybe they'll get better
with a little practice.
I don't want to play with them
anymore.
Don't want to play with them anymore?
Well, now, wait a minute, that's not
very nice.
You remember what happened to you
yesterday
when you were playing baseball with
those kids
and they didn't want you to play with
them anymore?
But I play baseball better than they
play music.
That's not the point, though.
You know, when we had our little
talk,
we agreed that it wasn't nice
to be unkind to people, right?
Yes, Daddy.
So we can't just tell them
that they don't play well, can we?
No, Daddy.
Now, the thing to do is
to teach them to play better.
So, tonight after dinner,
you're gonna have a rehearsal
and I'll stick around
and I'll see what I can do, okay?
Okay, Daddy.
Okay, son.
LUCY: Dinner, everybody!
Did you have
a nice nap, sweetie?
Sheesh!
Look, let's try it one more time from
the top.
Okay.
Now, please, everybody, will you try
to remember
what I told you that you were doing
wrong?
Oh, sure, sure, sure.
One more time.
It's a nice simple tune.
It should be bright and happy and
relaxed.
(humming tune)
Yeah, aha, that's the way it should
go, just like that.
Yeah, boy.
Right here, eh?
Right here, huh?
One, two...
(band playing loudly and off-key)
(loud off-key playing continues)
Hold it, hold it, everyone. Hold it.
Hold it.
Hold it, everybody.
Before we go any further, there is
something that I have to say.
We'll listen to you.
Oh, well, just say it, Rick.
Go ahead and say it.
Go ahead, honey, go ahead.
Well, you know, Little Ricky's fine
on the drums.
Yeah.
Oh, yeah.
That's right.
But some of the rest of you need a
little work.
Yeah, some of us are pretty bad.
Yeah, some of us are.
Yeah, some of us.
Well, to tell you the truth, you
know...
Go ahead, Rick, be frank.
Sure, just speak right out.
Sure, they can take it.
I mean, we can take it.
Well... it's... it's...
the situation is, you know
that you play fine, you play good,
you know.
As a matter of fact, you play too
good.
Well, it's that you-you're so far
ahead of your time
the public is not ready, for your
type of music.
Really?
Take my word for it as a musician.
They are not ready.
Oh. Well, that's too bad
because the show is tomorrow night.
Yeah.
What are we gonna do?
Yeah, well, you know, honey,
I-I-I-I realize that, you know, it's
such an emergency--
and boy, is it an emergency--
that, uh, well, I thought maybe I can
get away from the club
for an hour and bring a couple of the
boys down
and I'll do a calypso number.
A calypso.
That would be wonderful.
RICKY: From my album, you know.
Oh, that's wonderful.
Well, if you're just gonna bring a
couple of the boys,
then you'll need some of us,
some of us that aren't too bad, you
know.
Oh, sure, sure, you will.
No.
You said we were pretty good.
I did, didn't I?
Yeah, I did that, and I meant it.
Meant every word of it.
And, by God, I think that you should
be in it!
Oh.
Yes, sir, and I want you in it.
I want you in the band.
LUCY: Oh, well, good.
Right. I tell you,
right in that rhythm section, that's
where you'll be.
The rhythm section?
Yeah.
What do we do?
Oh, well, you, you...
I'll tell you what.
Little Ricky can play the bongos
and Fred can play the quijada and
Ethel can play the cencerros
and you can play the cuica.
Oh, well, that's wonderful!
What are we gonna play?
The quijada, the cuica
and the cencerros.
Oh, is that good?
Good. Oh, honey,
that's the most, the most important
part.
The cuica Cuica?
is the most important part of the
calyso...
I play the cuica.
Hey, hey
Hey, hey...
Let us put men and women together
To find out which one is smarter
Some say men, but I say no
The women got the men beat, they
should know
Samson was the strongest man long ago
No one could have beaten him as we
all know
He clashed with Delilah and before he
knew what
Samson had the world's very first
crew cut.
Not me, other people, they say
That the men are a-leadin' the women
astray
But I say that the women of today
Smarter than the man in every way.
That's right, the woman is...
(grunt) Smarter!
That's right, the woman is...
(grunt) Smarter!
That's right, the woman is...
(grunt) Smarter!
That's right.
(clang)
(slap)
(honk...)
That's right.
(bongo solo)
Your wife announces that you and she
Are expectin' an addition to the
family
You sing and dance and yell hurrah
But she only expectin' your
mother-in-law.
Not me, other people, they say
That the men are leadin' the women
astray
But I say that the women of today
Smarter than the man in every way.
That's right, the woman is...
(grunt) Smarter!
That's right, the woman is...
(grunt) Smarter!
That's right, the woman is...
(grunt) Smarter!
That's right.
(clang)
(slap)
(honk...)
That's right.
(bongo solo)
Wife want husband to be in show
She beg and plead, but he still say
no
Husband here with calypso band
Which proves that woman is smarter
than man.
Not me, other people, they say
That the men are leadin' the women
astray
But I say that the women of today
Smarter than the man in every way.
That's right, the woman is...
(grunt) Smarter!
That's right, the woman is...
(grunt) Smarter!
That's right, the woman is...
(grunt) Smarter!
That's right.
(clang)
(slap)
(honk...)
That's right.
(clang)
(slap, slap, slap, slap)
(honk, honk)
(band plays finale)
(applause)
(closing orchestral flourish playing)
("I Love Lucy" theme song playing)
ANNOUNCER: "I Love Lucy" is a Desilu
production.
Lucille Ball and Desi Arnaz
will be back next week at this same
time.