I LOVE LUCY

To replace the clunker Cadillac, Ricky buys a brand-new, 1955 Pontiac convertible (180 hp, with automatic transmission) for the upcoming trek to Hollywood. Against his better judgment, he agrees to teach his wife how to drive.

When they return from the first lesson, they're not on speaking terms. Lucy tells Ethel: "Oh, he makes me so mad! How was I supposed to know we didn't have enough room to make a U-turn in the Holland Tunnel?"

Before Ricky departs for the Tropicana, he reminds Lucy to notify the insurance agent about a policy for the new convertible. Now Ethel itches to learn how to drive, and "experienced" Lucy decides to teach her. Within seconds, Ethel collides with the old Cadillac, locking together the two bumpers.

Fearing Ricky's temper, Lucy attempts to take the two cars to be repaired, but meets with an added disaster on a hill, another crack-up. When Ricky sees the tangled mass of steel, he shakes his head in disbelief. Luckily, he's insured, or is he? Lucy forgot to call the insurance man; but Ricky, having been married to Lucy for fourteen years, has made the policy arrangements himself.

Special Notes: The 1923 Cadillac and 1955 Pontiac seen in this episode are probably the biggest "props" used in the Lucy series. As they were shooting on a sound stage, actually driving the cars was not feasible, so they moved the vehicles on and off with cables. The Pontiac's cable can be seen clearly in the shot where Ethel is driving and she rams the back of the Cadillac. The cable can be seen again as Lucy drives off in the Cadillac (with the Pontiac stuck in back) to get the cars repaired; and once more when Lucy returns driving the Pontiac (with the Cadillac stuck in back). The windshield of the 1955 Pontiac convertible was removed to avoid studio light reflections that would ruin takes. Alert "Lucy" fans realize that, according to Episode #64 (The Camping Trip), Ethel already knew how to drive!

Bloopers: In the last scene when Lucy "freezes," if you look closely a fly lands right on top of her head.