tcchelsey

Thanks CATCHY TV and METV for the memories.

It's the girls and the kids spending Christmas together -- and ya' know there's going to be conflicts. Yes, a link to the classic LOVE LUCY episode where Lucy and Ethel wore the same dress on a tv show -- and pulled apart each others clothes! What writers Bob Carroll and Madelyn Davis cleverly did was switch it to Christmas trees...

Problem between Lucy and Viv is how to do this and that, such as what to serve for Christmas dinner and when to open gifts. Sooo... the girls decide to put up SEPARATE holiday trees in the house and that's when there's TROUBLE. Not long before Lucy and Viv declare war on each other's trees -- until they learn a poignant lesson. And as it should be, right?

What fun, and the kids are cute as always, lead by Candy Moore, Lucy's teen daughter, generally the adult in the room. Joseph Mell stops by, this time playing Ernie the butcher.

Directed by Jack Donohue, who always tossed in some gags, senior director for the show.

***Remastered dvd box set, the entire series. For Lucy fans. 24 discs. Released 2016. SEASON 1 EPISODE 13 CBS.

Mary Tyler Moore reflecting about her years on this classic show claimed the most difficult episodes to film were after the assassination of President Kennedy. Emmy winning writers Sam Denoff and Bill Persky likely put together this Christmas special to change the mood, particularly because the show had such a large audience. They did their part.

In fact, the whole cast has to be commended for doing a fine job, the usual goofy material, however spruced up with a holiday connection. It's all Alan Brady's idea to put on a Christmas show, though this time he wants something different. Rather a salute to his writers and their talents! What follows is some funny bits with the entire cast, and I agree, Sally (or rather Rose Marie) steals the show by singing, "Santa Send a Fella to Me..." Morey Amsterdam returns with his famous cello, which you can't miss, a part of his real act when he was a standup comedian.

Nervous Rob (of course) and Mary do a memorable 60s jazz song and dance routine (their specialty), and even Richie (Larry Matthews) gets a spot on the show. Last but not least, never forget Mel. Only wish it was color to show off Santa's costume.

Fun for the holidays, all about the memories then and now.

SEASON 3 EPISODE 13 remastered CBS dvd box set. ***The entire series on blu ray in a beautiful blue box. 15 discs. Released 2012.

My question; Was writer Ernest Frankel (who wrote 25 other fine episodes) borrowing from BURKE'S LAW? The over-the-top performances and a plot designed to catch you off guard, a winner. Even Raymond Burr looking amazed at times.

Perry comes to the aid of Hollywood Jeweler Gerald Van Ness who just happens to be driving a car containing the dead body of an international jewel thief. Not an open a shut case as the priceless lost tiara crown of Tsarina Alesandra, dating back to the Bolshevik Revolution, throws a ringer into the case.

Virginia Field (WATERLOO BRIDGE) playing Madame Galinov is the scene stealer of the hour. She is now in possession of the crown, demanding swift justice, insisting she was swindled. Convinced it's a fake, and was Van Ness somehow connected to it? Perry picks it up from here, balancing two cases, plus getting an ear-full from Madame Sonya and her complaints. Prime suspects include Russian Gerznov, played by Leonid Kinskey, just as outrageous as Sonya (and looking like a slippery character) and Van Ness' smoothe partner, DeVry (Wesley Addy, in an excellent role).

Look for stage actress Vivienne Segal (Pauline Thorsen) as a well-healed friend of Madame Galinov. She often appeared on Hitchcock's tv show, making this episode her final screen appearance.

An "eccentric" murder mystery not to be missed, particularly for the camp performances. And is it all an act? You be the judge.

SEASON 9 EPISODE 13 remastered CBS dvd box set. The entire series in a single mega gift box. 72 discs. Released 2020.