"The Light Housekeeper" opens with Fred wearing his sprained arm in a sling, after a sudden step on the brakes by Lamont while driving the truck. Fred receives a visit from Aunt Ethel (Beah Richards, previously seen in "By the Numbers"), who rejoices at his injury: "just look at you, you look ridiculous!" "Ethel I fell off a truck, what's your excuse?" Needing to get back to work Lamont sends for a temporary housekeeper, with Fred hoping she isn't a sex maniac. Neither is pleased to see Mary (St. Louis native Mary Wickes), an older white woman, who spends more time resting than working. After just two appearances, Beah Richards' Aunt Ethel would be replaced by the intimidating Aunt Esther, LaWanda Page making her debut in "The Big Party."
2 Reviews
Wickes Enters
richard.fuller128 January 2006
Warning: Spoilers
Fred and Lamont were going to hire a maid to clean the house.
Fred wanted a pretty young maid, Lamont wanted one with experience who would get the job done.
Fred knew such a woman would mean that she more than likely would be homely.
Sure enough, here she came, ready to get to work.
Listen for the gasps from the audience when she enters. It was Mary Wickes, known for . . . . virtually nothing.
Wickes stands as one of the most prolific performers to never be connected to a single role in a movie or TV show, along with Kathleen Freeman and Charles Lane (still alive at this time and over 100 years old).
And here is Wickes, on Sanford and Son.
Kate Hepburn and Meryl Streep can win the Oscars and nominations, but could they walk into foreign territory like Wickes did here and be immediately recognized?
Fred wanted a pretty young maid, Lamont wanted one with experience who would get the job done.
Fred knew such a woman would mean that she more than likely would be homely.
Sure enough, here she came, ready to get to work.
Listen for the gasps from the audience when she enters. It was Mary Wickes, known for . . . . virtually nothing.
Wickes stands as one of the most prolific performers to never be connected to a single role in a movie or TV show, along with Kathleen Freeman and Charles Lane (still alive at this time and over 100 years old).
And here is Wickes, on Sanford and Son.
Kate Hepburn and Meryl Streep can win the Oscars and nominations, but could they walk into foreign territory like Wickes did here and be immediately recognized?
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