Menu
  • Home
  • News
  • Cancelled or Renewed?
    • Cancelled TV Shows (lists)
    • Cancellations
    • Renewals
    • TV Show Status Pages
    • Vulture Watch
  • TV Ratings
    • Daily Network Ratings
    • Ratings by Season/Channel
    • Weekly Averages
    • Soap Opera Ratings
    • Archive
    • Viewer Votes
      • ABC TV shows
      • CBS TV shows
      • The CW TV shows
      • FOX TV shows
      • NBC TV shows
      • All Viewer Votes
  • About
  • YouTube
  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • RSS
  • Mail

canceled + renewed TV shows - TV Series Finale

   

I Love Lucy: The Movie You’ve Never Seen

by Trevor Kimball, August 21, 2007

The cast of I Love Lucy on CBSI Love Lucy is unquestionably one of, if not “the” most beloved sitcoms of all time. We all have our favorite episodes of this black and white classic and have likely seen all of the zany adventures of Lucy, Ricky, Fred and Ethel. Or so we thought.

Lucy began back in 1951 and ran until 1957, producing 180 half-hour episodes for CBS. Lucille Ball, Desi Arnaz, Vivian Vance, and William Frawley continued in 13 hour-long episodes of The Lucille Ball-Desi Arnaz Show that were released sporadically over three years. Likely due to the fact that Ball and Arnaz divorced in 1960, the cast never reunited for any kind of reunion or new adventures.

It may surprise you to know that, in the early day’s of I Love Lucy’s popularity, the cast and crew produced a theatrical version of the series. The I Love Lucy movie consisted of three first season episodes (“The Benefit,” “Breaking the Lease,” and “The Ballet”) combined with new footage to make a cohesive story. The film was directed by Edward Sedgewick (an old friend of Ball’s from her MGM days) and gives the viewer a taste of what it would have been like to attend the filming of the show.

The movie opens with eight minutes of new footage shot on May 16, 1952. Arnaz speaks to a studio audience and introduces his costars, just as he did prior to the start of each episode’s filming. The three episodes follow, with additional new scenes intermingled to link them together. Five minutes of new footage finishes the movie with Arnaz thanking the audience and calling the cast out to take their bows.

This sort of project had never been attempted before and was possible largely due to Arnaz’s foresight. Unlike other programs of that era, I Love Lucy was recorded on film, like a movie. As a result, the television episodes would look just fine enlarged for the big screen. On top of that, TV shows weren’t rerun as they are today so audiences could only have seen the TV footage once, two years before the movie was made. A great idea. So why wasn’t it ever released in theaters?

The I Love Lucy movie was shown to a test audience in Bakersfield in 1953 and the reaction was very positive. Desilu (the studio owned by Arnaz and Ball) was going to release it but MGM prevented it. MGM was producing The Long, Long Trailer starring Ball and Arnaz and wanted to promote it as their return to the big screen. MGM didn’t want the I Love Lucy movie to contradict that claim so they demanded that it be shelved. Ball and Arnaz were contractually bound to promote Trailer and complied.

The film was largely forgotten and lost for many years but, was finally found in the Summer of 2001 by the film’s editor Dann Cahn. It was screened for a small group of “Loving Lucy” convention attendees that year and a few bits were included in The I Love Lucy 50th Anniversary Special. For the most part, few people have ever seen the entire movie — until now.

Paramount is including the little-seen film as a bonus disc with the I Love Lucy Complete Series Boxset on October 27th. Unfortunately, the set is a little pricey (it contains the complete series on 34 discs) and the movie’s not being sold separately right now. There’s no word if the studio will release it as a standalone item but it seems like a distinct possibility for the future. Stay tuned! TV Series Finale home page


More about: I Love Lucy

Related Articles

  • Lucy and Desi movie on Amazon
    Lucy and Desi: Amazon Acquires Movie That Will Star Cate Blanchett
    August 7, 2017
  • I Love Lucy: New “Superstar” Special Coming to CBS in May
    April 27, 2017
  • I Love Lucy: Cate Blanchett on the Upcoming Lucy-Desi Movie
    October 24, 2016
  • I Love Lucy TV show on CBS: colorized special; I lLove Lucy Lucille Ball John Wayne.
    I Love Lucy: CBS Special Gets New Night
    May 6, 2016
  • I Love Lucy: CBS to Air Colorized Special in May
    April 22, 2016
  • I Love Lucy art
    I Love Lucy: The Artist Who’s Drawn Lucy Hundreds of Times
    February 10, 2012
  • Janet Waldo on I Love Lucy
    I Love Lucy: Voiceover Legend Janet Waldo Recalls Lucy and Desi
    August 22, 2011
  • I Love Lucy on Google
    I Love Lucy: Google Celebrates Lucille Ball’s 100th Birthday
    August 6, 2011
  • <em>I Love Lucy:</em> Writer Madelyn Pugh Davis Dies at 90
    I Love Lucy: Writer Madelyn Pugh Davis Dies at 90
    April 21, 2011
  • <em>I Love Lucy</em> Costumes Popular Choice for TV Stars
    I Love Lucy Costumes Popular Choice for TV Stars
    November 1, 2010
  • <em>I Love Lucy:</em> Desi Arnaz's Kids Keep Legacy Alive Through <em>Babalu</em> Musical
    I Love Lucy: Desi Arnaz’s Kids Keep Legacy Alive Through Babalu Musical
    September 13, 2010
  • <em>I Love Lucy:</em> Lucille Ball and Desi Arnaz Studio to Receive Emmy Honor
    I Love Lucy: Lucille Ball and Desi Arnaz Studio to Receive Emmy Honor
    August 1, 2010
  • <em>I Love Lucy:</em> The Movie Finally Comes to (Affordable) DVD
    I Love Lucy: The Movie Finally Comes to (Affordable) DVD
    February 4, 2010
  • <em>I Love Lucy:</em> The Very Brief Reunion of Lucy Ricardo and Fred Mertz
    I Love Lucy: The Very Brief Reunion of Lucy Ricardo and Fred Mertz
    July 22, 2009
  • <em>I Love Lucy:</em> Watch the Classic TV Show -- Finally in Full Color!
    I Love Lucy: Watch the Classic TV Show — Finally in Full Color!
    December 14, 2008
  • I Love Lucy
    I Love Lucy
    October 7, 2007

Canceled and renewed TV show
« Previous Post
Next Post »

4
Leave a Reply

avatar
4 Comment threads
0 Thread replies
0 Followers
 
Most reacted comment
Hottest comment thread
3 Comment authors
AnonymousMaria HernandezWilliam Trentcharlie Recent comment authors
avatar

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

Anonymous
Reader
Anonymous

I also agree! I had the first six seasons in box sets before I found out that the complete series set even existed, let alone that it also had a rare bonus disc with it. Once I found out, I was really depressed that the movie isn’t available on it’s own. I hope they’ll be kind enough to release it separately soon!

Vote Up00Vote Down Reply
September 13, 2009 3:09 pm
Maria Hernandez
Reader
Maria Hernandez

I agree with Mr. Trent. i have the whole collection of I Love Lucy and it’s not fair that only a few of Lucy’s fans have this movie.

Vote Up00Vote Down Reply
July 17, 2008 7:32 pm
William Trent
Reader
William Trent

IT’s not fair to ones of us that have already bought the whole 9 seasons and not have the I love Lucy movie included. It’s almost $200.00 to buy the set that you already have paid more than that for. I think someone should show the decency to at least release the by it’s self so all the other fans can get a chance to see it!!!!!!
William Trent

Vote Up00Vote Down Reply
April 2, 2008 11:12 pm
charlie
Reader
charlie

I love this show!I want the complete series on dvd!best show ever.

Vote Up00Vote Down Reply
August 22, 2007 7:31 am
wpdiscuz   wpDiscuz
Fall 2020 Schedule Cancelled TV Show Lists Ratings (by TV Channel) Status Lists of 800+ Shows
  • Cancellations
  • Renewals
  • Year of the Rabbit TV Show on IFC: canceled or renewed? Year of the Rabbit: Season Two Cancelled; Channel 4 and IFC Renewal Reversed
  • At Home with Amy Sedaris TV show on truTV: (canceled or renewed?) At Home with Amy Sedaris: Cancelled by truTV, No Season Four
  • Peaky Blinders TV show on BBC One and Netflix, ending no season 7 Peaky Blinders: Season Six; BBC & Netflix Series Ending But the Story Will Continue
  • High Maintenance TV show on HBO: (canceled or renewed?) High Maintenance: "Cancelled," No Season Five for HBO Comedy Series
  • Animal Kingdom: season six renewal, no season 7 Animal Kingdom: Season Six; TNT Series Gets Early Renewal for Final Season
  • Insecure TV show on HBO: ending, no season 6 Insecure: Season Five to End Issa Rae TV Series on HBO
  • More...
  • Weakest Link TV show on NBC: canceled or renewed for season 2? Weakest Link: Season Two Renewal for NBC Game Show Revival January 25, 2021
  • Help! I Wrecked My House TV Show on HGTV: canceled or renewed? Help! I Wrecked My House: Season Two Renewal for HGTV Series January 25, 2021
  • Eli Roth's History of Horror TV Show on AMC: canceled or renewed? Eli Roth's History of Horror: Season Three Renewal for AMC Series January 24, 2021
  • Bridgerton TV show on Netflix: season 2 renewal Bridgerton: Season Two Renewal for Netflix Period Drama Series (Video) January 21, 2021
  • Snowpiercer TV show on TNT: season 3 renewal Snowpiercer: Season Three; TNT Series Gets Early Renewal Ahead of Second Season premiere January 19, 2021
  • Tyler Perry's Sistas TV show on BET: season 3 renewal Tyler Perry's Sistas: Season Three; BET TV Series Renewal Announced January 19, 2021
  • More...
  • TV Ratings
  • Quick Questions
  • The CW TV show ratings (cancel or renew?) The CW 2020-21 Season Ratings (updated 1/25/21)
  • Whose Line Is It Anyway? TV show on The CW: season 17 ratings Whose Line Is It Anyway?: Season 17 Ratings
  • Masters of Illusion TV show on The CW: season 10 ratings Masters of Illusion: Season 10 Ratings
  • Dateline NBC TV show on NBC: season 29 ratings Dateline NBC: Season 29 Ratings (2020-21)
  • The Blacklist TV show on NBC: season 8 ratings The Blacklist: Season Eight Ratings
  • More...
  • Salvation TV show on CBS: season 3 (canceled or renewed?) Salvation: Season Three? Should the CBS Summer Series Be Renewed? September 18, 2018
  • Take Two TV show on ABC: canceled or renewed for season 2? Take Two: Season Two; Should the ABC TV Show Be Renewed? September 13, 2018
  • Shooter TV show on USA Network: canceled, no season 4 Shooter: Season Four? Would You Watch the Cancelled Show on Another Channel? September 13, 2018
  • Shades of Blue TV show on NBC: no season four Shades of Blue: Season Four? Would You Have Kept Watching the NBC Series? August 20, 2018
  • Quantico TV show on ABC: canceled, no season 4 Quantico: Season Four; Would You Have Watched More of the Cancelled ABC Series? August 4, 2018
  • More...

The Latest

  • Weakest Link: Season Two Renewal for NBC Game Show Revival
  • Rebel, Grey's Anatomy, Home Economics: ABC Announces Series Return and Premiere Dates
  • Head of the Class: Five Cast in Pilot for HBO Max Sitcom Reboot
  • Behind Every Man: OWN TV Series Returns This Month
  • Help! I Wrecked My House: Season Two Renewal for HGTV Series
  • NBCSN Cable Channel Shutting Down at the End of 2021
  • Eli Roth's History of Horror: Season Three Renewal for AMC Series
  • Chad: TBS Sets Premiere of New Single-Camera Comedy Series (Video)
  • Below Deck Sailing Yacht: Season Two Premiere Date Announced for Bravo Series (Video)
  • Invincible: Robert Kirkman Animated Series Coming to Amazon in March
  • America's Most Wanted: FOX Reviving Cancelled Series with Elizabeth Vargas as Host
  • Sister Wives, Outdaughtered, Return to Amish: TLC Sets Returns of Four TV Series
  • The Beast Must Die: AMC Acquires Revenge Thriller Series
  • Year of the Rabbit: Season Two Cancelled; Channel 4 and IFC Renewal Reversed
  • The Walking Dead: Season 10; AMC Releases Trailer Ahead of Series' Return
  • American Dad!: Season 16; 2021 Premiere Date Revealed by TBS
  • Bridgerton: Season Two Renewal for Netflix Period Drama Series (Video)
  • Batwoman, Superman & Lois, Black Lightning: No CW Arrowverse Crossovers This Season
  • The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel: Season Four; Production Resumes on Amazon Series
More...

Popular

  • FOX TV Shows: 2020-21 Viewer Votes
  • The CW TV Shows: 2020-21 Viewer Votes
  • CBS TV Shows: 2020-21 Viewer Votes
  • Viewer Votes Ranking for the 2020-21 Network TV Shows
  • ABC TV Shows: 2020-21 Viewer Votes
  • NBC TV Shows: 2020-21 Viewer Votes
  • The CW 2020-21 Season Ratings (updated 1/25/21)
  • NBC 2020-21 Season Ratings (updated 1/25/21)
  • CBS 2020-21 Season Ratings (updated 1/25/21)
  • ABC 2020-21 Season Ratings (updated 1/25/21)
  • FOX 2020-21 Season Ratings (updated 1/25/21)
  • Cancelled or Renewed? Status of FOX TV Shows
  • Cancelled or Renewed? Status of Cable & Streaming TV Shows (A-D)
  • 2020-21 TV Show Season Ratings (week 17)
  • 2020-21 Season Ratings for New TV Shows (week 17)
  • Showtime TV Show Ratings (updated 1/20/21)
  • Starz TV Show Ratings (updated 1/20/21)
  • Soap Opera Ratings for the 2020-21 Season (updated 1/15/21)
  • Cancelled or Renewed? Status of Cable & Streaming TV Shows (E-L)

No infringement of previously copyrighted material is intended on this site. DMCA.

Copyright © TV Series Finale. All rights reserved. Privacy Policy.

wpDiscuz