James Kern Movies
A former lawyer, James V. Kern was briefly popular in the 1930s as a member of the Yacht Club Boys, a "nut" singing group best described as a WASP version of the Ritz Brothers. Changing career directions in 1939, Kern was signed as a scriptwriter at RKO Radio, where his first assignment was the Kay Kyser vehicle That's Right, You're Wrong (1939). His acute appreciation of bandleader Kyser's bucolic comedy style led to Kern's next screenplay, You'll Find Out (1940), a mediocre affair distinguished by its one-time-only teaming of master menaces Boris Karloff, Peter Lorre and Bela Lugosi. Moving to Warner Bros., Kern made his directorial debut with the all-star musical Thank Your Lucky Stars (1943). Ending his film career with the Howard Hughes-produced musical Two Tickets to Broadway (1952), James V. Kern turned to the world of television; he served as sole director for the fifth season of I Love Lucy, which included the classic "Trip to Europe" episodes. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide- 1965
Tim (Bill Bixby) accidentally interferes with the special "black light" that was intended to give Martin (Ray Walston) a small jolt of rejuvenation--and as a result, Martin regresses to infancy. When Detective Brennan (Alan Hewitt) shows up and asks where the baby came from, Tim alibis that the child was abandoned at his doorstep, whereupon Brennan whisks the miniaturized Martin to a hospital nursery. Dutifully, Tim sneaks into the nursery to rescue Martin--but which baby is which? ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1965
It is "Martian Mother's Day", and Martin (Ray Walston) is depressed over being so far away from his own mother. His spirits are lifted when he encounters Miss Cora Darling (played by Batman's "Aunt Harriet", Madge Blake), who is an exact lookalike of his mom. Martin vows to perform a good deed for his "surrogate parent" Cora, but his plan backfires, plunging the dear old lady into some serious trouble! Featured as Cora's sister Dora is Sara Haden, best remembered as Aunt Milly in MGM's "Andy Hardy" series. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1965
Seeking the ideal pollution-free environment to de-rust the spaceship, Martin (Ray Walston) and Tim (Bill Bixby) head to Death Valley. While Martin labors away, the capricious Tim dons Martin's spacesuit for laughs--only to be spotted by Daniel Farrow (Olan Soule), a well-armed vacationer. Daniel and his kids are convinced that Tim is a Martian--forcing Martin to sustain this illusion to cover up the truth! Seen as Farrow's teenage daughter Sally is a pre-Big Valley, pre-Dynasty Linda Evans. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1965
Receiving the urgent message "Contact Shorty Smith!" from his home planet, Martin (Ray Walston) mistakes a hobo named Shorty Smith (Guy Marks) for his contact man. Before long, Shorty is installed in the home of Martin and Tim--and becomes so accustomed to the luxuries and privileges therein that he absolutely refuses to leave. Martin figures that the only thing that will get rid of Shorty is the proverbial Love of A Good Woman...and that's where middle-aged Jenny Holbrook (Amzie Strickland) comes in. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1965
Martin's newest invention is the Dimensional Separator, which is unwittingly activated by Mrs. Brown (Pamela Britton), who immediately morphs from a fully formed three-dimensional person to a flat 2-D! In this state, Mrs. Brown is mistaken for a painting, and hung in a gallery--where she is subsequently stolen by art thieves. Martin (Ray Walston) and Tim (Bill Bixby) endeavor to rescue Mrs. Brown, all the while avoiding Detective Brennan (Alan Hewitt), who is convinced that they're in on the heist. This is the last episode of My Favorite Martian's second season, and the last to be filmed in black and white. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1965
This is the first of several episodes built around Martin's most remarkable invention, a time machine--or more specifically, the Cathode-Ray Centrifugal Time Breakascope (CCTBS for short). Accidentally activating, the machine, Tim (Ray Walston) is hurtled back to the England of the year 1215, just before the signing of the Magna Carta. Equally accidentally, Tim prevents the crucial document from being signed into law by King John (Anthony Eustrel)--and it is up to Martin (Ray Walston) to make certain that world history is not disastrously altered! ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1960
Sheriff Dan Trevor (Peter Breck) of Devil's Flat concocts a plan to steal a chest of gold from the town's new "sky pilot", Deacon Curt Eaker (Frank Ferguson). Bart (Jack Kelly) decides to stop Trevor in his tracks by replacing the gold with stones--failing to take in consideration the old adage "No good deed goes unpunished." Guest star Peter Breck would later appear on Maverick in the recurring role of Doc Holliday...and much later would costar with Barbara Stanwyck on another popular TV western, The Big Valley. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1959
Never one to turn down a beautiful woman--especially one with a lofty title--Bart (Jack Kelly) lends $10,000 to Countess Michelle de Barot (Roxane Berard), accepting her pearl necklace as security. Unfortunately, the necklace turns out to be just as phony as the Countess. Teaming with his brother Bret (James Garner), Bret concocts a counter-swindle to get even with Countess Michelle and her equally larcenous uncle, Baron de Montaigne (played by the brilliant Marcel Dalio, some distance removed from his starring roles in the Jean Renoir classics La Grande Illusion and Rules of the Game). ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1958
After a fistfight with his friend Gentleman Jack Darby (Richard Long) over the affections of beauteous dancer Elena Grande (Adele Mara), Bart is charged with Jack's murder. Somehow, this turn of events is connected with Bart's efforts to reclaim a gold mine--and in this endeavor, he is teamed up not only with Elena, but also with the not-quite-dead Gentleman Jack. (Trivia alert: guest star Adele Mara, a busy B-picture actress since the 1940s, was the wife of Roy Huggins, producer-director of Maverick). ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1957
When Little Ricky (Richard Keith) brings home a puppy, Lucy (Lucille Ball) and Ricky (Desi Arnaz) decide that the mutt cannot stay -- especially since their son has already turned their apartment into a menagerie with such pets as a frog, a lizard, and a turtle. Alas, both Lucy and Ricky fall in love with the puppy and can't bring themselves to evict it. Finally, landlord Fred Mertz (William Frawley) takes a hand in matters -- but even he is unable to throw the doggie out, especially upon learning that Little Ricky has named the puppy "Fred." Voice actress June Foray of Rocky and Bullwinkle fame provides the barks and yelps for the "guest dog." ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- John Emery
- 1957
Jockey Johnny Longden and his wife, Hazel Longdon, appear as themselves in this episode, in which Ricky (Desi Arnaz) is chosen to present a loving cup to Longden at a dinner for the National Turf Association. Having been chided for purchasing what Ricky regards as a ridiculous-looking hat, Lucy (Lucille Ball) jokingly places the loving cup on herself -- and then can't get it off! The situation reaches outrageous heights when Lucy tries to hide her "adornment" while riding on a subway train in search of a silversmith who will extricate our heroine from her dilemma. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Johnny Longden, Hazel Longden, (more)
- 1956
The famous "lost" Christmas episode of I Love Lucy is built around a tacky-looking Yuletide tree that Fred (William Frawley) has bought for the Ricardos. While Lucy (Lucille Ball) spends a goodly amount of time attempting to "improve" the looks of the tree by methodically pruning its branches, Ricky (Desi Arnaz), Fred, and Ethel (Vivian Vance) try to convince Little Ricky (Richard Keith) to go to sleep so that "Santa Claus" will arrive. This slender plotline is used to bookend some choice excerpts from previous I Love Lucy episodes, all drawn from the period in which Lucy was pregnant: "Lucy Is Enceinte," "Lucy's Showbiz Swan Song," and "Lucy Goes to the Hospital." Things come to a surprising end with a rare "supernatural" gag. Originally telecast but once on CBS, "The Christmas Episode" was never included in the standard I Love Lucy syndicated package; in fact, it did not resurface until December 18, 1989, when CBS presented a new, partly colorized print of the episode as a Christmas special. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Cameron Grant
- 1956
Having arrived in Florida, Lucy (Lucille Ball) and Ethel (Vivian Vance) immediately run up a hotel-boutique bill of 150 dollars. Hoping to prevent their wives from spending any more money, Ricky (Desi Arnaz) and Fred (William Frawley) invite them to go on a deep-sea fishing trip. Adding intrigue to the venture is the fact that the boys have bet the girls another 150 dollars that they will catch the largest fish. Determined to win the wager, Lucy and Ethel resort to their seemingly boundless repertoire of sneaky tricks. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Jim Hayward
- 1956
Intent upon preventing Ricky (Desi Arnaz) and Fred (William Frawley) from judging a bathing beauty contest in Miami Beach, Lucy (Lucille Ball) and Ethel (Vivian Vance) arrange for the foursome to "accidentally" run out of gas while taking a boat cruise. Unfortunately, the backup gas tank planted by Lucy is mislaid, and the two couples (as well as Little Ricky [Richard Keith]) end up on a seemingly deserted island. By a stunning coincidence, this island is also being used by a movie company to film a documentary featuring actor Claude Akins, and two gorgeous swimsuit-clad starlets, Joi Lansing and Jill Jarmyn. Taking Akins into their confidence, Ricky and Fred decide to teach Lucy and Ethel a lesson for marooning them -- and without giving any more of the plot away, it should be noted that Akins is made up as a fierce Native American warrior. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Claude Akins, Joi Lansing, (more)
- 1956
In 1956, it was still possible for Americans to take a working vacation in Cuba, and the Ricardos and the Mertzes are no exception. Upon setting foot on his native soil, Ricky (Desi Arnaz) makes a beeline to the home of his mother (Mary Emery), hoping to introduce Lucy (Lucille Ball) and Little Ricky (Richard Keith) to his Cuban relatives -- especially the highly regarded head of the Ricardo clan, Uncle Alberto (George Trevino). Naturally, Lucy makes a shambles of the reunion, but all ends happily in a lavish nightclub performance at Havana's Casino Parisien, where Desi Arnaz sings "I'm a Lucky Guy" and duets with Richard Keith in a con brio presentation of his signature number "Baba Lu." ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Mary Emery, George Trevino, (more)
- 1956
In another "on the road" story arc, the Ricardos and the Mertzes prepare to vacation in Florida. When Lucy (Lucille Ball) loses two of the train tickets, she and Ethel (Vivian Vance) advertise for a traveling companion to help drive to Florida and pay expenses. The ad is answered by Mrs. Grundy (Elsa Lanchester), an eccentric health-food fanatic who seems to be in a terrible hurry to get to the Sunshine State. En route to their destination, Lucy and Ethel are confronted with "evidence" suggesting that Mrs. Grundy may be the notorious ax murderer Evelyn Holmby! Also appearing in this episode is a young, clean-shaven, decidedly pre-Cool Hand Luke Strother Martin. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Elsa Lanchester, Strother Martin, (more)
- 1956
The Ricardos and the Mertzes are enlisted to perform in Little Ricky's kindergarten play "The Enchanted Forest." Although Ricky (Desi Arnaz) had hoped to direct the production, he is instead assigned the role of "The Hollow Stump," while Fred (William Frawley) and Ethel (Vivian Vance) are respectively cast as "Hippity-Hoppity the Frog" and "The Fairy Princess." But the big money act is, as always, Lucy (Lucille Ball), making a meal of her role as "The Wicked Old Witch" -- and adroitly covering for Little Ricky (Richard Keith) whenever the five-year-old trouper goes up in his lines. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Candy Rogers
- 1956
Upon their arrival in London, Lucy (Lucille Ball) and Ethel (Vivian Vance) pay a visit to Buckingham Palace, where they spend a hilarious few minutes trying to get a stone-faced palace guard to crack a smile. Later on, Ricky (Desi Arnaz) is invited to meet the royal family -- but alas, Lucy hasn't been included in the invitation. Determined to land an audience with Queen Elizabeth, Lucy secures a job as a dancer in a Royal Command Performance -- and develops a charley horse just before she is to take her customary bow in the queen's presence. Watch for The Beverly Hillbillies' future Miss Jane, Nancy Kulp, as a cockney hotel maid. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Sam Edwards, Nancy Kulp, (more)
- 1956
While boarding the USS Constitution on the first leg of the Ricardos' and the Mertzes' trip to Europe, Lucy (Lucille Ball) impulsively races down the gangplank to bid one last goodbye to Little Ricky. Unfortunately, she gets her dress caught on a bicycle chain and is unable to return to the ship, which sails without her. Desperate to be reunited with her husband and friends on the deck of the Constitution, Lucy ends up placing her life in the hands of a friendly helicopter pilot. Watch for future Chico and the Man star Jack Albertson in the small role of a helicopter dispatcher. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Kathryn Card, Elizabeth Patterson, (more)
- 1956
As the Ricardos and the Mertzes prepare for their ocean voyage to Europe, Fred Mertz (William Frawley) struggles gamely but vainly to overcome his chronic seasickness. Lucy (Lucille Ball) suggests that Fred take a trial run on the Staten Island Ferry, and that he fortify himself with seasickness pills. Unfortunately, it is Lucy who develops a bad case of mal de mer -- and worse still, the pills make her extremely drowsy, just at the moment that she must apply for her passport. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Charles Lane, Stanley Farrar, (more)
- 1956
When Ricky (Desi Arnaz) refuses to buy Lucy (Lucille Ball) an original French designer gown, she goes on a hunger strike. Terrified that his spouse will starve to death, Ricky finally relents -- only to discover that, throughout Lucy's "strike," Ethel (Vivian Vance) has been smuggling food to her. By means of revenge, Ricky commissions a hideous-looking "outfit" comprised of two burlap sacks and a horse's feedbag, and presents this masterpiece to Lucy -- while Fred (William Frawley) does the same to Ethel. The girls unwittingly parade through the streets of Paris in their ersatz gowns -- and instead of making public spectacles of themselves, they emerge as fashion trendsetters. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- John Bleifer
- 1956
No sooner has Lucy (Lucille Ball) arrived in Paris than she is greeted by a friendly citizen (Larry Dobkin) -- who is willing to exchange her dollars for French francs, at bargain prices. She is then introduced to a "starving" artist (Shepard Menken), who at great personal loss to himself sells her his masterpiece for a mere 1,000 francs. As the day progresses, Lucy gets into a brouhaha at a French restaurant -- and then ends up in "the bastille" when her money turns out to be counterfeit. Episode highlights include a hilarious round-robin "translation" sequence involving Lucy, Ricky (Desi Arnaz), a gendarme, and a German drunk, and the closing gag, wherein the true value of that "artistic masterpiece" is finally revealed. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Fritz Feld, Lawrence Dobkin, (more)
