I LOVE LUCY

Ricky is reading a newspaper account that describes the recent theft from Grauman's Chinese Theatre of John Wayne's footprints by a "dishwater blond and a frowsy redhead." Ricardo calls the theatre, explains the situation, and agrees to have the slab back before the premiere that night of Blood Alley, John Wayne's latest film.

While the girls are having their hair done by Irma, the hotel beautician, Ricky calls "the Duke" to explain the predicament. Being a good sport, the actor agrees to come to the Beverly Palms Hotel and plant his footprints in a fresh slab of cement.

When Lucy and Ethel see the replacement, they erase the impressions, assuming they are the work of "Freddie the Forger," who earlier had tried unsuccessfully to duplicate Wayne's prints. Duke is good enough to oblige a second time, but this effort is obliterated by Little Ricky, who decides to plant his own prints in the fresh mixture.

Next, Lucy and Ethel sneak into Wayne's studio with another slab of wet cement, intending to ask Wayne to oblige yet a third time. Posing as the actor's masseur, George, Lucy gains entrance into the star's dressing room, but the deception doesn't work.

Finally, Wayne arranges for "a six-month supply" of prints, and the gals are relieved to learn they will not have to face theft charges.

Special Notes: The "I Love Lucy" hairdresser was named Irma Kusely. John Wayne's fee for appearing was $280, but the true value was tied up in plugs for "Blood Alley". The scene featuring Little Ricky slopping around in the cement slab took an hour and a half of expensive overtime because three-year old Michael Mayer stubbornly refused to do it. Even Lucy's cajoling didn't make him budge. Finally, Mrs. Mayer deciphered the mutterings of her son, discovering that he didn't want to spoil his new red shoes. Lucy promised to buy him a new pair and the film was shot.

Bloopers: When Lucy gets the phone call about her hair appointment, she looks at her wrist but there is no watch there.