Not completely of course but Elsa Lanchester makes a guest appearance as a rather eccentric ( or maybe just ahead of the time) character.
Lucy and Ethel are set to take a train to Florida while Ricky, Fred and Little Ricky are going by boat .
The problem is Lucy can't find the tickets and they don't have enough money to buy two more. They end up sharing a ride with another woman Miss Grundy ( played by Lanchester) that they found in the newspaper.
It's seems fine except the woman never stops for food ( oh didn't I tell you to pack a lunch?!) She offers to share and despite Lucy's misgivings Ethel can't hold out and they help themselves to a sandwich it's a watercress sandwich. Lucy " very tasty if you like buttered grass " Ethel attempts to take Lucy's half but Lucy's hungry too and responds " I love buttered grass!" .
At one point they have a flat tire and Miss Grundy goes off for a catnap leaving Ethel and Lucy to do the job. She yells out " you'll find everything you need in the trunk "! Ethel " I hope we find a mechanic back there " They find what they need plus a hatchet! They do actually manage to change the tire - twice! They put the same tire back on they took off! It's one of the funniest things !
Miss Grundy doesn't stop at motels either ( oh didn't I tell you to bring a sleeping bag?!) she parks overnight in the Everglades . She claims taking the backroads is time saving.
The sounds of animals makes it even harder for Lucy and Ethel to sleep in Miss Grundy's little convertible. They turn on the radio and learn there is a hatchet murderess who escaped and is heading south. They suddenly remember the hatchet .Ethel is more inclined to believe the woman is innocent. Ethel " she brought that hatchet along to uh , to uh " Lucy " to what ? Chop watercress?!" The description of the woman does sound like her .
They are on their guard but doze off. Miss Grundy turns on the radio and hears a similar bulletin but now the woman has companion and they sound similar to Lucy and Ethel!
All three women are panicked and stop at a cafe looking for a phone ( which is out of order ) they have some coffee and Lucy hands all the knives and forks to the waiter and makes a chopping motion to her neck ! When they aren't looking Miss Grundy also tried the same but with a much bigger motion. It's hilarious.
Finding out the phone isn't to be fixed until the next morning Miss Grundy makes an excuse to go to the car . Lucy and Ethel tell the waiter the problem but he informs them the hatchet lady was already caught hearing just before they came in. Ethel feels terrible but even worse Miss Grundy drove off without them! Leaving their suitcases.
The women end up hitchhiking on a poultry truck with live chickens! They also can't explain how they got their an hour ahead of the train and without tickets ( found in little Ricky's wallet!)
Ricky's part is minimal and Fred has even less time or purpose in this one but it's not a problem. This has to be one of the best Lucy/ Ethel episodes and Elsa Lanchester is the MVP of guest stars.
One of my top ten episodes.
Lucy and Ethel are set to take a train to Florida while Ricky, Fred and Little Ricky are going by boat .
The problem is Lucy can't find the tickets and they don't have enough money to buy two more. They end up sharing a ride with another woman Miss Grundy ( played by Lanchester) that they found in the newspaper.
It's seems fine except the woman never stops for food ( oh didn't I tell you to pack a lunch?!) She offers to share and despite Lucy's misgivings Ethel can't hold out and they help themselves to a sandwich it's a watercress sandwich. Lucy " very tasty if you like buttered grass " Ethel attempts to take Lucy's half but Lucy's hungry too and responds " I love buttered grass!" .
At one point they have a flat tire and Miss Grundy goes off for a catnap leaving Ethel and Lucy to do the job. She yells out " you'll find everything you need in the trunk "! Ethel " I hope we find a mechanic back there " They find what they need plus a hatchet! They do actually manage to change the tire - twice! They put the same tire back on they took off! It's one of the funniest things !
Miss Grundy doesn't stop at motels either ( oh didn't I tell you to bring a sleeping bag?!) she parks overnight in the Everglades . She claims taking the backroads is time saving.
The sounds of animals makes it even harder for Lucy and Ethel to sleep in Miss Grundy's little convertible. They turn on the radio and learn there is a hatchet murderess who escaped and is heading south. They suddenly remember the hatchet .Ethel is more inclined to believe the woman is innocent. Ethel " she brought that hatchet along to uh , to uh " Lucy " to what ? Chop watercress?!" The description of the woman does sound like her .
They are on their guard but doze off. Miss Grundy turns on the radio and hears a similar bulletin but now the woman has companion and they sound similar to Lucy and Ethel!
All three women are panicked and stop at a cafe looking for a phone ( which is out of order ) they have some coffee and Lucy hands all the knives and forks to the waiter and makes a chopping motion to her neck ! When they aren't looking Miss Grundy also tried the same but with a much bigger motion. It's hilarious.
Finding out the phone isn't to be fixed until the next morning Miss Grundy makes an excuse to go to the car . Lucy and Ethel tell the waiter the problem but he informs them the hatchet lady was already caught hearing just before they came in. Ethel feels terrible but even worse Miss Grundy drove off without them! Leaving their suitcases.
The women end up hitchhiking on a poultry truck with live chickens! They also can't explain how they got their an hour ahead of the train and without tickets ( found in little Ricky's wallet!)
Ricky's part is minimal and Fred has even less time or purpose in this one but it's not a problem. This has to be one of the best Lucy/ Ethel episodes and Elsa Lanchester is the MVP of guest stars.
One of my top ten episodes.