Pioneer Women

In Season 1, episode 25 of "I Love Lucy" titled "Pioneer Women," Lucy and Ethel revolt against housework and want modern conveniences, specifically a dishwasher. Their husbands refuse, betting that they can survive longer than the girls without using anything invented after 1900, including electricity. The Franklin Mint released an outfit representing the checkered shirt, jeans, and apron that Lucille Ball wore during this episode.



The highlight of the episode is when Lucy attempts to bake a loaf of bread from scratch, using 13 cakes of yeast instead of the 3 that the recipe calls for.



See more "I Love Lucy" doll photos on my regular website.

Lucy Meets Tom of Finland!

In 2003, the Rebel 001 action figure was released by the Tom of Finland Foundation, a huge name in erotic art. 12 years later, the Rebel met Lucy Ricardo and as you can see, it looks like it might have been a very hot encounter. I wonder how long Lucy was able to hold onto that cup of coffee?!?

The 13" Rebel figure was designed by Norman Franklin Lloyd, a professional and experienced toy sculptor and CEO of Adult Action Figures.



Although the sculpt is supposedly based on James Dean, the finished product looks more like Steve Reeves.



Not only is this figure articulated, but it is anatomically correct and comes with a choice of 3 male genitalia, depending upon your preference.

See more Gene Marshall Doll photos on my regular website.

We Still Love Lucy: The Operetta

In celebration of what would have been Lucille Ball's 100th Birthday last week, I am going to feature a few tribute posts to this comic legend. Today's entry features the Mattel Lucy doll based on an October 13, 1952 episode of "I Love Lucy" titled "The Operetta."

Always trying to crash her way into show business, Lucy is determined to be heard above the other (trained) singers during the number "Queen of the Gypsies."



Once you hear Lucy sing this song, you'll never get it out of your head!



Mattel has done an outstanding job of capturing her comic facial expression as well as the outfit with this 12" doll. The sculpt is out of this world.





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Gene & Lucy

She’s plain, she’s classic, and her hair is aflame! She’s Gene Marshall Color Deal Special Scene Turquoise. I had visions of her wearing Lucille Ball’s wardrobe when I snagged her on ebay. From the story card:

Gene Marshall looked across the table at her good friend Ivy Jordan as the clink of coffee cups at Mac’s Diner filled the air.

“Just one last touch…” Ivy raised her coffee to her lips and took a sip. “I just need one last touch to make ‘Color Deal’ a true smash hit.”

“Color Deal” was a project that was near and dear to both women’s hearts. To Ivy, it was a film she had written, incognito, and acted in AND took over as director of when the original director, Miles Martin, had stalked off the set. And for Gene, it was not only a film with a wonderful role written by one of her oldest and dearest friends—she was the one who had encouraged Ivy to go to Reuben Lilienthal and ask to direct the picture, fulfilling Ivy’s dream.



So the stakes were high.

Gene started in on the steak and egg plate the women were sharing. “So you’re looking for a special little scene—the cherry on the sundae, right?”

Ivy noddded as she chewed her steak.“Just that one little something,” she sighed.

Gene poked at her eggs and began hatching an idea. “What if…”
“What if…” Ivy repeated, knowing that most “what ifs” were the start of brilliance.



Meanwhile, back to present day...I decided to try this particular Gene in a few Lucy outfits from the Franklin Mint. Doing so really showed me the superior quality of the Gene Marshall outfits.



Sadly, the beautiful pattern on this outfit appears to be some kind of iron-on transfer. Figured I'd better photograph it before it began to yellow and crack!



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Lucy: LA at Last by The Franklin Mint

Before I saw the Mattel version, the Franklin Mint vinyl Lucy was more than adequate in my opinion. I thought the sculpt did a fairly good job of capturing Lucy (although not as good as their porcelain sculpt) and I loved the fact that most of her memorable TV outfits were available in fashion-doll size. Once I saw the Mattel version (and popped the episode in my DVD player to refresh my memory), I was able to see just how much they had missed the mark by.

The facial sculpt is more of a "beautiful Lucy" than a comic Lucy, and I think this is a huge mistake. On top of that, there are many subtle details that Mattel was able to capture that the Mint chose to ignore. This is even more astounding when considering that Mattel's doll is a much smaller scale. FM has no sparkles on Lucy's tie or waist, they omitted the rhinestone glasses, there is no coffee cop as a prop, and no putty nose is available to make the situation laughable. Instead, they released a barebones classic 1950’s outfit that is true to the period, although somewhat misses the mark of its inspiration.



To see more I Love Lucy doll photos, visit my regular website.

Lucy: LA at Last by Mattel

"I Love Lucy" is still one of my favorite TV shows, and "L.A. at Last" ranks as one of my all-time-favorite episodes.



After a particularly grueling cross-country car trip for the Ricardos and the Mertzes, the gang finally arrives in Hollywood where Ricky is to film a movie. Anxious to see all of the movie stars, Lucy goes to their "watering hole": The Brown Derby. There she encounters her ultimate dreamboat, William Holden. Tired of being stared at by too many fans, a playful Holden turns the tables and focuses his gaze on Lucy. Unable to handle the situation, Lucy promptly leaves the restaurant, but not without repercussions: she runs into a waiter who accidentally dumps a pie onto Holden’s face.



Wanting to please his wife, Ricky decides to bring his new Hollywood film-star friend home to meet her: William Holden. Lucy is terrified to leave her bedroom to meet him, so she dons an outlandish disguise: fake rhinestone glasses, a turban, and a large putty nose, which continues to change shape as Lucy itches her nose.



When Holden lights her cigarette, her nose catches on fire and Lucy's ruse is over. All ends well as Holden graciously changes the story from their previous encounter so that Ricky won't be angry with her.



This episode must be seen; words just can't describe the comedy. The facial expressions (of which Lucille Ball had a mastery), the lines, the story...it is absolute perfection.

Speaking of perfection, Mattel's version of this particular show is also perfection. Not only is the costume the most accurate one ever done, it captures the comedic beauty of Lucille Ball. My one regret is that the nose is not removeable. Other than that, they have captured just about every other detail, including the sparkles on her waistband and necktie.





Kudos to Mattel on a job well done, which is even more astounding at this small scale. And yes, the coffee cup is included!

To see more I Love Lucy doll photos, visit my regular website.