My "Ricky" aka my dearly beloved husband gave me the entire DVD set of the "I Love Lucy" series. I've saved some to watch on a soft, rainy afternoon, my favorite kind of lazy day. Like today. Naturally, now that I've watched so many epis, I've become interested in delving farther into Lucy's character development--from a writer's POV. Not the little kid's this time.
Lucy's submissive housewife routine seemed pretty phony the first season. But only Lucy Ball could carry it off with her fabulous comedic timing. Her voice was squeaky, sometimes it would crack...I thought it was an affectation, but realize it's probably because she smoked cigarettes. Regardless, the more assertive she became with Ricky, the lower her voice got, the more confidence she had, the funnier she was. However, her performance wasn't based in slapstick; the tension between husband and wife was more believable and mixed with her physical humor, the result was hilarious. These are subtleties we don't see till we're older.
As I watch Ricky go after Lucy when she's done something outrageously childish, I sometimes flash onto what their real marriage must have been like. Just as you could clearly see the chemistry between them in their many "let's make up" scenes, you can also imagine the fire and ashes that blew out the windows of their happy Hwood home. When I was a kid, I wouldn't have imagined there being anything cross between them in real life. To me, they were real life.
I've also begun to notice Lucy's choice of wardrobe which transformed her from silly housewife, wearing dowdy house dresses (one-piece creations) that looked like a pinafore and apron, to sophisticated New Yorker attired in gorgeously tailored coats and suits. Yet, Lucy's innocence showed through regardless of what she wore.
Lucy had great gams--racehorse legs--my Louisvillian sister calls them. After the first two seasons she was a reed and looked terrific fashion wise. She had one stunning, beautiful velvet suit she wore twice. Was it red? Purple, blue? With her hair and coloring, green velvet would have been my choice. I would love to see it and other memorable outfits in the original colors.
It's also interesting to look at Ethel's transformation in the shadow of Lucy. Even though she was what people used to call "plump," she was allowed to wear good looking clothes as well. Obviously, there was a strong person with great taste in charge of the show's wardrobe. She or he knew how American women wanted to look post WWII Rosie the Riveter.
Is this important? No, not if you look at things superficially. As long as it kept me and my childhood pals clueless about the Cold War, who am I to doubt why everyone loved Lucy? She kept us laughing.
You've just gotta love Lucy.
