THE LUCY SHOW

Lucy's car breaks down in the middle of nowhere. Lucy and Viv, who is visiting Lucy in Hollywood on vacation, hike to the nearest house to use the phone to call an auto club. The house they stumble upon just happens to belong to Joan Crawford, the movie star.

They find her dressed shabbily with no furniture, which leads the girls to think she is destitute, broke and starving. Crawford has sent all of her furniture out to be redone since she is redecorating.

The two scheme with Mr. Mooney to get Joan a job in show business. They talk Crawford into performing in a benefit show that Lucy writes. Set in a 1920's speakeasy, the gals are flappers while Mooney is gangster "Scarface".

Special Notes: The story line that Crawford is a cleaning fanatic is taken right out of her personal life. This is one of the episodes that Lucille Ball was not happy to make. According to known Hollywood sources, Joan Crawford was often drunk on the set during taping which lead to frequent arguments between Lucy and her. Crawford was also late for rehearsals, and couldn't remember her lines. Lucille hated working with people who weren't professional and on their toes. Joan feared that Lucy wanted to replace her with Gloria Swanson. There are many opinions as to why Crawford's behaviour is less than professional. Some say she is so intimidated by Lucille that she is nervous and shy. Others say she is already an out-of-control alcoholic. Crawford does seem ill at ease playing herself, and has trouble projecting her voice.

This is the last episode to guest star Vivian Vance and her final appearance on the series. She returns with Lucy in her next series, Here's Lucy on the two-parter, episodes #71 and 72, "Lucy Goes Hawaiian". She will appear with Lucy in several episodes and specials in the coming years.