I LOVE LUCY

The day before their departure for California, Lucy's mother, Mrs. McGillicuddy, arrives, suitcase in tow, ready to accompany her daughter and son-in-law "Mickey." Ricky won't hear of it and finally refuses to take her along, lamenting: "Everyone we've ever known is coming with us to California."

Overhearing Ricky's comment, the "Tag-along Mertzes' decide not to go, which, in turn, prompts Mrs. McGillicuddy to cancel. Now Lucy says she isn't going either. Confusion ensues, but everything is straightened out and departure time for the six is scheduled for 6am.

It takes Fred four hours to pack the car with all the junk the ladies want to take along, and, upon viewing the mad melange of paraphernalia strapped to the shiny Pontiac, Ethel comments: "I could have loaded it better with a pitchfork!"

They decide to send the extra baggage ahead by rail. Mrs. McGillicuddy then changes her mind about the long motor trip, opting for a plane ride to California with Little Ricky.

Twelve hours later, but with all problems solved, the Ricardos and Mertzes are finally on their way west. As they cross the George Washington Bridge, the four excited travelors sing "California, Here I Come."

Special Notes: This was Kathryn Card's debut as Mrs. McGillicuddy, although she previously had appeared on "Lucy" in episode #83, Fan Magazine Interview. The final scene where they cross the bridge was TV's first use of the "process shot" (a moving image projected on a screen behind live actors). In fact they were only allowed to film one take of the Pontiac crossing the bridge, so the car in the background in the process shot is actually the Pontiac the Ricardos and Mertzs are riding in.

Bloopers: Ricky says "You couldn't even get through the Holland Tunnel" with the car packed like that. But as the cast sings "California Here We Come" the car is seen crossing the George Washington Bridge.