It's ironic that all three Lucy and Desi films have scenes that take place out in the wilderness, from the football musical "Too Many Girls" to the roadside camps of "The Long, Long Trailer" to the Yellowstone locations in this comedy, not necessarily a classic but certainly very enjoyable as a family comedy. in addition to Lucy and Desi coming off of their TV series, you have the future Lovey Howell, Phyllis Stevens and Miss Jane Hathaway, with Natalie Schafer, Mabel Albertson and Nancy Kulp among the supporting staff. No wondering what one wears to a rescue, the call for help after having a sick headache and answering to "Chief!" here as they provide laughs just by being onscreen and their beloved faces instantly recognized.
This film starts at Lucy and Desi's wedding, and it's interesting that Mabel Albertson doesn't know that the man that Natalie Schafer is gossiping about is the bride's father. Didn't he walk Lucy down the aisle? It's Louis Calhern, in real life the ex-husband of Natalie Schafer, and he's very funny in his limited screen time as a rather bohemian character. Schafer's married to Ralph Dumke here and it's obvious that Desi can't stand either him or his passive/aggressive wife who's claims of the fact that she could just die never result in that. this dinner scene is very funny because it's also obvious that Kulp can't stand her either, and she gets laughs without even saying a word just through her looks of disgust.
So what does a husband do to get his wife away from these hideous so-called friend? Take her away for 2 years on a bug killing spree, investigating a new insecticide that he has helped patent at the company he works for. By this time it's 5 years into their marriage and she is very troubled, having hallucinations of seeing what she believes is an angel in the form of James Mason. When they go to see a movie starring the real James Mason and Marilyn Maxwell Lucy begins to see herself in Marilyn's blonde wig. but soon, the plot twists again, Mason is out of the picture and they are in Yellowstone where typical Lucy antics threatened to destroy his attempts at killing bugs.
Yes, this is an episodic sitcom like big screen comedy, building glorious Technicolor and giving Lucy the chance to look truly stunning in some terrific gowns. There's also the Ames Brother's singing the title song (which Desi later reprises), Lucy's attempts to help her husband while camping, getting Desi up to chase away a hooting owl and later hoping out of the tent, trapped in her sleeping bag. Lucy is obviously unable to escape from Lucy Ricardo in this different role, but she's still very funny and Desi is still the perfect straight man. I found watching it for the third time, I still continue to smile a lot, laugh a little and ooh and ah at the colorful sets and scenery. Unfortunately not a success, it still has a lot to enjoy throughout and over 60 years later, hasn't become dated.
This film starts at Lucy and Desi's wedding, and it's interesting that Mabel Albertson doesn't know that the man that Natalie Schafer is gossiping about is the bride's father. Didn't he walk Lucy down the aisle? It's Louis Calhern, in real life the ex-husband of Natalie Schafer, and he's very funny in his limited screen time as a rather bohemian character. Schafer's married to Ralph Dumke here and it's obvious that Desi can't stand either him or his passive/aggressive wife who's claims of the fact that she could just die never result in that. this dinner scene is very funny because it's also obvious that Kulp can't stand her either, and she gets laughs without even saying a word just through her looks of disgust.
So what does a husband do to get his wife away from these hideous so-called friend? Take her away for 2 years on a bug killing spree, investigating a new insecticide that he has helped patent at the company he works for. By this time it's 5 years into their marriage and she is very troubled, having hallucinations of seeing what she believes is an angel in the form of James Mason. When they go to see a movie starring the real James Mason and Marilyn Maxwell Lucy begins to see herself in Marilyn's blonde wig. but soon, the plot twists again, Mason is out of the picture and they are in Yellowstone where typical Lucy antics threatened to destroy his attempts at killing bugs.
Yes, this is an episodic sitcom like big screen comedy, building glorious Technicolor and giving Lucy the chance to look truly stunning in some terrific gowns. There's also the Ames Brother's singing the title song (which Desi later reprises), Lucy's attempts to help her husband while camping, getting Desi up to chase away a hooting owl and later hoping out of the tent, trapped in her sleeping bag. Lucy is obviously unable to escape from Lucy Ricardo in this different role, but she's still very funny and Desi is still the perfect straight man. I found watching it for the third time, I still continue to smile a lot, laugh a little and ooh and ah at the colorful sets and scenery. Unfortunately not a success, it still has a lot to enjoy throughout and over 60 years later, hasn't become dated.