Lucy Raises Chickens (4 Mar. 1957)

Life in the country is very costly, but the Ricardos devise a plan to offset expenses.

Director:

William Asher

Writers:

Bob Carroll Jr., Madelyn Davis,

Stars:

Lucille Ball, Desi Arnaz, Vivian Vance

Cast

Episode credited cast:
Lucille Ball	...	Lucy Ricardo
Desi Arnaz	...	Ricky Ricardo
Vivian Vance	...	Ethel Mertz
William Frawley	...	Fred Mertz
Rest of cast listed alphabetically:
Mary Jane Croft	...	Betty Ramsey
Mary Alan Hokanson	...	Magazine Team
Richard Keith	...	Little Ricky Ricardo (as Little Ricky)
Tyler McVey	...	Magazine Team

Storyline

Bills, bills, bills! Ricky is on a rant about how, indeed, living in Connecticut is very expensive. Lucy suggests that they are not being resourceful and that many of their neighbors run small businesses to help with the high cost of living. Lucy's idea is to buy some chickens and sell fresh eggs. The Ricardos run the idea by the Mertzes during a visit and Fred thinks it's a great plan. Fred was raised on a farm, so when the Ricardos advertise for a hired hand, the Mertzes apply and, of course, get the job. Not only are they partners in business, but neighbors yet again - the Mertzes have a manager for their NYC apartment building. In the meantime, Betty Ramsey tells Lucy that her editor friends at House and Garden Magazine would be interested in featuring her home. Lucy is thrilled, but is sidetracked when she and Ethel buy 500 baby chicks before Fred is finished working on the chicken coop. Things run amok when the chicks are let loose in the house, and amid the chaos, Betty arrives...

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Plot Keywords:

high cost of living | bird in title | animal in title | character name in title

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Genres:

Comedy | Family

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Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

4 March 1957 (USA)

Filming Locations:

Ren-Mar Studios - 846 N. Cahuenga Blvd., Hollywood, Los Angeles, California, USA

Company Credits

Production Co:

Desilu Productions

Technical Specs

Runtime:

30 min

Sound Mix:

Mono

Color:

Black and White

Aspect Ratio:

1.33 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

In this episode, while deciding to raise chickens, Lucy states that eggs cost 75 cents a dozen which is $5.74 inflation adjusted to 2010 dollars. Large Eggs can be purchased for $2.89 in 2012.

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Goofs

When Little Ricky comes in the front door to find the chicks, a hand and the shadow of a stage hand assisting him is visible as he opens the front door.

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Soundtracks

"Theme From 'I Love Lucy' (Instrumental)"
Written by Eliot Daniel
Performed by Wilbur Hatch and the Desi Arnaz Orchestra

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