Jack Donohue Movies
Onetime Ziegfeld Follies chorus boy Jack Donohue was a busy Broadway choreographer during the 1930s. He came to Hollywood in 1936 to stage the dances and co-write the screenplay for the Joe E. Brown vehicle Sons o' Guns. A valuable member of MGM's Joe Pasternak musical unit of the 1940s, Donohue choreographed many a Technicolor Esther Williams extravaganza. In 1948, he was given his first opportunity to direct a picture: Close-Up, an Eagle-Lion melodrama which Donohue also co-scripted. Back at MGM, Donohue put Red Skelton through his paces in The Yellow Cab Man (1950) and Watch the Birdie (1951) before moving to Warner Bros., where he returned to musicals. During the 1950s and 1960s Donohue was one of the principal directors for Red Skelton's and Frank Sinatra's TV variety series. Jack Donohue's final big-screen musical was Disney's Babes in Toyland (1961); he closed out his directorial career with two Sinatra vehicles, Marriage on the Rocks (1965) and Assault on a Queen (1966) ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide- 1968
After several years of servitude as the secretary of banker Mr. Mooney (Gale Gordon), Lucy (Lucille Ball) finally gets the chance to get Mooney out of her lovely red hair. It seems that Mooney is in line to become president of the bank's San Francisco bank, and Lucy is determined to make this so by lobbying for him to win the "Boss of the Year" award--little realizing that Mooney has nominated his own boss Mr. Cheever (Roy Roberts) for the same award. This 156th and final episode of The Lucy Show culminates with an incredible musical number staged by Lucy in Mooney's honor, utilizing snatches of both "76 Trombones" and "Thanks for the Memory." ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Roy Roberts, Jack Collins, (more)
- 1968
'Twixt and 'tween his sitcom-star assignments on F Troop and Mayberry RFD, dancer-comedian Ken Barry does a guest-star turn in this Lucy Show episode. When Ken Jones (Berry) is unable to secure a loan from Mr. Mooney (Gale Gordon) to open his own dance school, Lucy (Lucille Ball) takes a hand in matters. Figuring that all Ken needs is some publicity, she arranges for a group of truck drivers to sign up as Ken's first dance students, then wangles a TV appearance on the local human-interest show emceed by real-life LA video personality Ralph Story. Somewhere along the way, Ken offers a song-and-dance interpretation of the classic Fred Astaire number "One for My Baby", and duets with Lucy for a rousing rendition of "Lucy's Back In Town". ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Ken Berry, Ralph Story, (more)
- 1968
Entertainer Phil Harris capitalizes on his public image (largely fabricated!) as an amiable boozer in the role of alcoholic cocktail-lounge pianist Phil Stanley. Hoping to help Phil succeed as a composer, Lucy (Lucille Ball) brings him to her apartment to "dry out" while he writeshis newest sing. Unfortunately, Lucy's efforts to sing the ballad are enough to drive a man back into the bottle--and that's just what happens when Phil suffers through our heroine's off-key wailings! ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Phil Harris, Lew Parker, (more)
- 1968
Sid Caesar pulls double duty in this episode, playing "himself" and his lookalike, Frankie the Forger. Upset that Frankie is going around time forging checks with his name, Sid conspires with Lucy (Lucille Ball) to catch the crook in the act. Alas, Lucy is so confused by the plethora of Caesars that she ends up "capturing" only Sid and herself--over and over and over and over again! ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Sid Caesar, Jack Collins, (more)
- 1968
Joan Crawford makes her TV sitcom debut in this dancin'-and-singin' half hour extravaganze, which also features former Lucy Show regular Vivian Vance). When their car breaks down near Joan's house, Lucy (Lucille Ball) and Vivian enter the place to use the phone. They are surprised to find the living room stripped of furniture and the famous movie diva on all fours, scrubbing the floor (yes, even here she's a neatness freak--and note the absence of wire coat hangers!) Unaware that Joan is having her furniture repaired and that it's the servants' day off, Lucy and Viv jump to the conclusion that La Crawford is flat broke--whereupon they hatch a scheme to restore her fortune by staging a musical titled "Speakeasy Daze." (Urban legend time: Lucille Ball was reportedly so demanding and dictatorial with Joan Crawford during filming of this episode that Joan was heard to exclaim, "And they call ME a bitch!") ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Joan Crawford, Vivian Vance, (more)
- 1968
Unable to sleep unless her television set is on, Lucy (Lucille Ball) borrows Mr. Mooney's TV while hers is on the blink. Predictably, she breaks the set, forcing her to moonlight as a carhop at a drive-in restaurant in order to purchase a replacement. While on the job, Lucy champions the cause of a young cyclist (played by Philip Vandervort, soon to be the husband of Ball's daughter Lucie Arnaz) who has been wrongly accused of stealing and stripping cars. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Roy Roberts, Mary Jane Croft, (more)
- 1968
Making her first visit to the local pool hall upon its redecoration, Lucy (Lucille Ball) enters a tournament in hopes of winning the $100 prize. Her main competition is formidable indeed: A heavily rouged and perfumed female pool hustler named Laura Winthrop. Only the audience knows that "she" is a "he"--Laura is actually a man named Ace (played by comedian Dick Shawn), who has entered the tournament because he needs the money even more than Lucy. At the time this episode originally aired, Lucille Ball's husband Gary Morton described the script as a heady combination of The Hustler and Some Like It Hot. Well, sort of... ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Dick Shawn, Stanley Adams, (more)
- 1968
Lucy (Lucille Ball) and Mr. Mooney (Gale Gordon) head to a discount store to buy low cost fur for Mrs. Mooney. Before any legal transaction can get under way, Lucy is approached by a fence named Harry Barton (guest star Buddy Hackett) who talks her into buying a mink stole at a bargain price. Alas, the stole turns out to be "hot", and Lucy and Mooney are promptly arrested--and in their efforts to track down Barton and get back their money, the hapless duo are re-arrested, re-re-arrested, and re-re-re-arrested! ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Buddy Hackett, John "Red" Fox, (more)
- 1968
While cutting up at an out-of-town bank convention, staid Mr. Mooney flirts (harmlessly, of course) with sexy waitress Nanette Johnson (guest star Edie Adams). Mooney's minor indiscretion comes back to haunt him--and how!--when Nanette shows up in L.A., insisting that the very married Mooney has proposed to her. In order to save her boss, Lucy (Lucille Ball) impersonates Mr. Mooney and paints a horrifying word picture of her life of abuse at the hands of her heartless "husband." ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Edie Adams, Roy Roberts, (more)
- 1968
Former Lucy Show regular Vivian Vance makes her second and final guest appearance as Vivian Bagley Bunson, best pal and former roommate of Lucy Carmichael (Lucille Ball). Driven to a frazzle while caring for Lucy, who has broken her leg, Mr. Mooney (Gale Gordon) invites Viv to California in hopes that she will take over Lucy's maintenance. Naturally, the two old pals reminiscence, chiefly in the form of filmclips from such past Lucy Show episodes as "Lucy Puts Up a TV Antenna", "Lucy and Viv Put In a Shower" and "Lucy the Coin Collector"--but the fun really begins when Viv breaks her leg as well, forcing Mooney to play nursemaid all over again! ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Vivian Vance
- 1967
Singer Robert Goulet appears both as himself and as his exact double, truck driver Chuck Willis. When Mooney (Gale Gordon) turns Chuck down for a loan, Lucy (Lucille Ball) takes pity on the guy and enters him in a Robert Goulet lookalike contest, for a $5000 prizes. Unfortunately, Chuck loses the contest--but then, so does the real Goulet! Somewhere along the line, Robert Goulet sings his own composition, "Why Be Ashamed?" ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Robert Goulet
- 1967
Anticipating a huge bonus, Lucy (Lucille Ball) tries to convince comedian Jack Benny to open an account at the bank. Hollywood's most notorious tightwad scoffs at this notion, observing that he already has a burglar-proof bank vault in his own cellar, replete with a moat, a collection of alligators and a 200-year-old security guard. However, Jack is willing to strike a bargain: If Lucy can convince him that her bank is even more secure than his vault, he will gladly open an account. The climax of this classic episode is a masterpiece of visual and "mechanical" humor, as Lucy gives Benny a guided tour of the most impenetrable (and gadget-laden) vault this side of Fort Knox--and by episode's end, both Lucy and Jack are up to their necks in quicksand! (Incidentally, the episode was cowritten by Milt Josefsberg, who had worked for Jack Benny during the comedian's "Golden" era on radio and TV). ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Jack Benny, Roy Roberts, (more)
- 1967
To cover up a 48-cent bank shortage, Lucy (Lucille Ball) secretly takes the missing money out of her own pocket. Unfortunately, when the shortage is revealed, Mr. Cheever (Roy Roberts) becomes convinced that Mr. Mooney (Gale Gordon) is responsible for the coverup, and promptly fires Mooney. To get her boss' job back, Lucy concocts an elaborate ruse to convince Cheever that he will literally go insane if Mooney is not reinstated! ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Roy Roberts, Mary Jane Croft, (more)
- 1967
Accidentally tearing up an important letter, Lucy (Lucille Ball) wonders exactly who is planning to pay her a visit. Much to her chagrin, the "mystery guest" turns out to be her zany Aunt Agatha (Mary Wickes), an overbearing physical-fitness freak. Driven to the brink of madness by Aunt Agatha's strict exercise regimen and horrible health food, Lucy must cook up a scheme to rid herself of her martinet relative. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Mary Wickes, Mary Jane Croft, (more)
- 1967
Frank McHugh guest stars as Charles Snowden, a homeless hobo whom Lucy (Lucille Ball) invites home for a good hot meal. When Snowden explains that he's looking for a job--any job--Lucy takes him down to the bank in hopes that Mr. Mooney (Gale Gordon) will hire him for some menial job or other. Meanwhile, Mooney has gotten word that an eccentric millionaire is prowling around town, posing as a bum in order to give huge cash rewards to Good Samaritans. Five'll getcha Ten you can guess what happens next! ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Frank McHugh, Mary Jane Croft, (more)
- 1967
While working overtime in the home of boss Mooney (Gale Gordon), Lucy (Lucille Ball) falls down and incurs a leg injury. At the insistence of her pal Mary Jane Lewis (Mary Jane Croft), Lucy hires Mary Jane's lawyer cousin, Willy Wiley (Jack Carter). Smelling out a huge financial turnover, Willy talks Lucy into taking Mooney to court--and then taking both Mooney and the bank for every penny that they've got! ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Jack Carter, Mary Jane Croft, (more)
- 1967
In the first episode of a two-part story, Lucy (Lucille Ball) temporarily leaves her bank job to train as a flight attendant for Trans-Global Airways. Lucy's bunkmate and fellow trainee is one Carol Tilford (Carol Burnett)--who happens to be terrified of heights. Small wonder, then, that the girls' first flight for Trans-Global is an unforgettable experience, especially when the in-flight movie breaks down and Lucy and Carol are forced to improvise a show of their own. Highlights include the ladies' a capella performance of "That's Entertainment", not to mention Lucy and Carol's on-target impersonations of Charlie Chaplin, Jimmy Durante and George M. Cohan. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Carol Burnett, Rhodes Reason, (more)
- 1967
Totally negating what we were told in the second-season episode "Lucy's College Reunion", Lucy (Lucille Ball) is in danger of losing her job at the bank because, way back in her teen years, she was one week shy of getting her high school diploma. Returning to school to make up for this gaffe, Lucy not only becomes the campus' most popular student, but she also helps out a fellow senior (Robert Pine) who is having trouble passing his courses. In the final scene, a beaming Lucy delivers the valedictory speech at the graduation ceremonies. Among the supporting players in this episode are Lucille Ball's real-life daughter Lucie Arnaz and Lucie's future husband Philip Vandervort. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Doris Singleton, Robert Pine, (more)
- 1967
Jacques Bergerac guests in this episode as international movie idol Jacques Dupres, who shows up at the bank in hopes of financing his latest Hollywood movie. On orders from Mr. Mooney (Gale Gordon), Lucy arrives at Jacques' apartment to draft a formal letter of agreement. Unfortunately, our heroine is quickly swept off her feet by DuPres' continental charm--not to mention a few too many sips of champagne! ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Jacques Bergerac, Roy Roberts, (more)
- 1967
Hoping to attend a sale at Stacy's Department Store, Lucy (Lucille Ball) ducks out of work by fabricating a story about being seriously ill. Unfortunately, the ruse blows up in her face when she shows up at Stacy's and is promptly lauded as the store's ten-millionth customer. The trick now is to prevent Mr. Mooney (Gale Gordon) from seeing Lucy's picture in the paper. Just when it looks as if Lucy's goose is cooked, Mooney's boss Mr. Cheever (Roy Roberts) unexpectedly comes to the rescue. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Mary Jane Croft, Roy Roberts, (more)
- 1967
Singer-comedian Dennis Day guest stars as Cornelius Heatherington Jr. the octogenarian president of the Wesleyan bank. To keep Heatherington in a good mood while he and boss Cheever (Roy Roberts) arrange a banquet in the old guy's honor, Mooney (Gale Gordon) persuades Lucy to be Heatherington's date--a task that requires our heroine to don an elaborate "age" makeup, complete with grey wig and shawl. What results is one of The Lucy Show's most energetic episodes ever, as the young-at-heart Heatherington enthusiastically squires Lucy's superannuated alter ego "Amelia Van Dyne." (Trivia note: At the time this episode was filmed, Dennis Day was actually all of 49 years old--or roughly eight years younger than Lucille Ball!) ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Dennis Day, Mary Jane Croft, (more)
- 1967
Singer Frankie Avalon guests in this episode as Thomas Cheever, the nephew of Mooney's boss Mr. Cheever (Roy Roberts). Although the elder Cheever wants Thomas to give up his dreams of a showbiz career and go into the banking business, Lucy (Lucille Ball) becomes convinced that the boy has star potential--and to prove it, she arranges an "accidental" meeting between Thomas and talent scout Mr. Penrose (Lew Parker). Frankie Avalon sings "Walking Happy" and a spoof of "I'm Looking Over a Four-Leaf Clover", then shows off his skill as a trumpeter in the ensemble number "When the Feeling Hits You." ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Frankie Avalon, Mary Jane Croft, (more)
- 1967
In this first episode of The Lucy Show's sixth and final season, Lucy (Lucille Ball) has briefly parted company with boss Mooney (Gale Gordon) to work part-time as a secretary for comedian Milton Berle). At the same time, Berle is attempting to change his image and become a dramatic actor, and to this ends rehearses a passionate movie love scene with actress Ruta Lee). Overhearing this rehearsal, Lucy jumps to the wrong conclusion--and spends the rest of the episode trying to save the marriage between Uncle Miltie and his wife Ruth Cosgrove Berle. The closing "salad" gag is priceless--and so funny that a giggling Ruta Lee is unable to deliver her lines, forcing Lucy to briefly take over both parts! ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Milton Berle, Ruth Cosgrove Berle, (more)
- 1966
Assault on a Queen is a complex, exciting crime-caper film in which a gang of clever mercenaries try to rob the famous luxury liner, the Queen Mary. Mark Brittain (Frank Sinatra) is hired by wealthy Italian adventuress Rosa Lucchesi (Verna Lisi) and her German partner-in-crime, Eric Laufftiauer (Alf Kjellin) to refurbish a WWII German U-Boat and use it to hold the entire ship hostage while it is robbed. Scriptwriter Rod Serling does his best with an interesting, but rather implausible premise, and director Jack Donohue gets above-average performances from his cast of veteran character actors, including Richard Conte and Reginald Denny, but Frank Sinatra is not particularly believable as an action hero. The true star of the show is the terrific color photography of the magnificent ocean liner by William Daniels and a musical score by Duke Ellington. While Assault on a Queen fails to generate much suspense, fans of Frank Sinatra should enjoy this, although it fails to reach the level of fun and excitement of his excellent Ocean's 11. ~ Linda Rasmussen, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Frank Sinatra, Virna Lisi, (more)
- 1965
Lucy (Lucille Ball) and Viv (Vivian Vance) are dying of curiosity: What did Mr. Mooney (Gale Gordon) buy Mrs. Mooney for her birthday. Peeking into the package, the girls discover that the present consists of a huge ceramic cat--which, in a twinkling, falls to the floor and breaks into a million pieces. It turns out that there is only one duplicate cat left in town...and nothing will stop Lucy from getting her hands on it, even if it requires a bit of creative larceny! ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Larry Dean, John "Red" Fox, (more)
