I wonder why they dropped the stick cartoon figures of Lucy and Viv from season 1, for the opening. The second season opening looks like it was just thrown together at the last minute. What was wrong with the original opening?:confused:

I wonder why they dropped the stick cartoon figures of Lucy and Viv from season 1, for the opening. The second season opening looks like it was just thrown together at the last minute. What was wrong with the original opening?:confused:

Yeah, I think they should have colorized the cartoon opening for the second season. It would have looked something like this: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sYa7fL0a9qE&feature=related

I've been wondering myself.

...Lucy changed the opening title for season two because Desi was no longer in charge of Desilu (she bought him out in November 1962, effectively taking over the studio): he preferred animated titles, from 'I LOVE LUCY" through "THE LUCILLE BALL-DESI ARNAZ SHOW" . She decided [I]she wanted a live-action "montage" title sequence {'The Many Faces of Lucy'}, of which several variations were used for the remainder of the series.

:tv:

I agree. The departure of Desi Arnaz from Desilu and Lucy taking over as sole owner was a big factor behind the changes in the opening.

I agree. The departure of Desi Arnaz from Desilu and Lucy taking over as sole owner was a big factor behind the changes in the opening.


And a big factor in the decline in the quality of the series. I am not saying the series was poor after Desi left - that is not true at all! - but you can feel the "Arnaz Touch" was missing from anything Lucy from there on.

While were on the subject of Desi Arnaz' preference for animated openings for both I Love Lucy and The Lucy Show, why was the animated opening dropped and the "heart" opening used in syndication for ILL? I'm glad the animation was restored for dvd!

They switched to the satin heart because of the references to the original sponsor, Philip Morris, in the original animated openings.

Oh that's right. But they did bring back the animated sequence for TVLand, replacing the "Phillip Morris" Logo with the TVLand Logo. :cool:

Also, It seems to me the kaleidoscope version opening of The Lucy Show was used for all seasons for syndication.

Oh that's right. But they did bring back the animated sequence for TVLand, replacing the "Phillip Morris" Logo with the TVLand Logo. :cool:

Also, It seems to me the kaleidoscope version opening of The Lucy Show was used for all seasons for syndication.
the kaleidoscope opening wasn't always used for the sydnicated airings of "THE LUCY SHOW"; I remember watching reruns of it on a local station in the 70s, and they showed the animated opening on the black-and-white ones and another opening with a montage of pictures of Lucy for some of the color episodes.

And a big factor in the decline in the quality of the series. I am not saying the series was poor after Desi left - that is not true at all! - but you can feel the "Arnaz Touch" was missing from anything Lucy from there on.
For those who recognize the loss of the "Arnaz Touch" on The Lucy Show should check out The Mothers-in-Law, since that is a Desi Arnaz production.

I always find that Kaleidoscope opening a bit disturbing. I don't think it is well done at all but the part I hate is one of the shots of Lucy were she is wearing some strange white poncho thing that weirdly I always think looks like a strait jacket!! The look on Lucy's face too always seems a bit deranged. Luckily the sequence ends with another very dignified (and beautiful) shot of Lucy in formal wear but that earlier shot is the pits, can't understand perfectionist Lucy settling for it when there were so many beautiful shots of her available. I wish as well they had just done a colour animated opening sequence for all 6 seasons like they did for the entire run of Bewitched

Oh that's right. But they did bring back the animated sequence for TVLand, replacing the "Phillip Morris" Logo with the TVLand Logo. :cool:

Also, It seems to me the kaleidoscope version opening of The Lucy Show was used for all seasons for syndication.

For those who recognize the loss of the "Arnaz Touch" on The Lucy Show should check out The Mothers-in-Law, since that is a Desi Arnaz production.

I have read some posts on the MIL forum on here who did not like that series, but the episodes I've watched so far I have really enjoyed! Sure, it's not ILL and Eve Arden and Kaye Ballard are no Lucy and Vivian, but if you don't try to do a "side by side" in your mind of the two shows and stars, it's pretty good IMO.

I love Eve Arden and Kaye Ballard. I think both actresses have been very underrated over the years. Love TMIL !

While we are at this discussion, I'm surprised that no one mentioned that the first three seasons of "The Lucy Show" were originally broadcast in black & white, but seasons 2 and 3 were of course filmed in color....but stations ran them in black and white because stations were not ready and neither were television watchers as color didn't become a standard till around 1965 with NBC being the leader, hence the NBC peacock!

The Season 2 set offers the option of viewing the opening/closing and the vintage commercials in b&w, but the show itself is only in color.

The Season 2 set offers the option of viewing the opening/closing and the vintage commercials in b&w, but the show itself is only in color.

That is because the vintage cast commercials were not shot in color, as they would never be shown again as the show entered syndication, to shoot in color was very expensive, even when color tv came into fashion, many commercials remained in black & white, its kinda like now when watching something in HD and the commercials aren't, so you see bars on the side.

I'll admit that the season 2 opening does seem to be a step back in the progression of openings.....but season 3 is very well done!! Speaking of season 3......November 30 is the tentative date :D

Well I suppose no one mentioned because we all know those details about "The Lucy Show' and its broadcast history and change from black and white to colour . Why would we need to mention it?

While we are at this discussion, I'm surprised that no one mentioned that the first three seasons of "The Lucy Show" were originally broadcast in black & white, but seasons 2 and 3 were of course filmed in color....but stations ran them in black and white because stations were not ready and neither were television watchers as color didn't become a standard till around 1965 with NBC being the leader, hence the NBC peacock!

Hi Jude,
Any info yet on what the DVD cover art for the third season release for "the Lucy Show' is? I hope it is as beautiful as seasons one and two were!

I'll admit that the season 2 opening does seem to be a step back in the progression of openings.....but season 3 is very well done!! Speaking of season 3......November 30 is the tentative date :D

Well I suppose no one mentioned because we all know those details about "The Lucy Show' and its broadcast history and change from black and white to colour . Why would we need to mention it?
we ALL didn't know; I didn't . I knew that the show was broadcast in black-and-white even when they started filming it in color, but I didn't know that about the commercials.

Hi Jude,
Any info yet on what the DVD cover art for the third season release for "the Lucy Show' is? I hope it is as beautiful as seasons one and two were!

no, no mention yet but it will be faithful to the show's opening using the third season's logo and I'm sure more photos from the third season--with maybe a shot of Mr. Mooney and the Countess thrown in the mix....just a guess.

We were talking about the opening and closing sequences of the show not about the commercials at all. That's why I was saying no one would have mentioned it as most Lucy fans know about the change from black and white to colour.

w was broadcast in black-and-white even when they started filming it in color, but I didn't know that about the commercials.[/QUOTE]

Those are great suggestions for the season three DVD Cover Art. Hope that the Countess AND the children are featured on the cover this time along with Lucy and Viv of course.

a no, no mention yet but it will be faithful to the show's opening using the third season's logo and I'm sure more photos from the third season--with maybe a shot of Mr. Mooney and the Countess thrown in the mix....just a guess.

we ALL didn't know; I didn't . I knew that the show was broadcast in black-and-white even when they started filming it in color, but I didn't know that about the commercials.

Thanks sincerely for the support, I really don't know why I even bother sometimes, I have worked in television for over 30 years and hardly have time to visit the boards, but I occassionally do because I like reading the posts and sometimes answering questions or just skimming threads and posts.....as soon as I get slightly off-topic someone points it out, more than half of every thread gets off topic sometimes by the second post! The thread subject can be about "I Dream Of Jeannie" and by the third response, someone is talking about 'The Addams Family"...lol...but that is sitcomsonline and to me we were talking about the season set and the commercials are certainly part of the second season set. All my best to you treky as we ALL anxiously await for the third season.

I always find that Kaleidoscope opening a bit disturbing. I don't think it is well done at all but the part I hate is one of the shots of Lucy were she is wearing some strange white poncho thing that weirdly I always think looks like a strait jacket!! The look on Lucy's face too always seems a bit deranged. Luckily the sequence ends with another very dignified (and beautiful) shot of Lucy in formal wear but that earlier shot is the pits, can't understand perfectionist Lucy settling for it when there were so many beautiful shots of her available. I wish as well they had just done a colour animated opening sequence for all 6 seasons like they did for the entire run of Bewitched

From what I've read, most of the kaleidoscope opening credits shots come from Season 3 eps. The "straitjacket" shot is from a Season 3 ep where Lucy ends up stuffed in a sack of mail when she tries to retrieve a rare postage stamp from a letter on a mail conveyor belt.

That should make season 3 interesting to watch, seeing the episodes where the kaleidoscope scenes came from. I always thought that scene where she's crying, she had a champagne bottle burst on her.

From what I've read, most of the kaleidoscope opening credits shots come from Season 3 eps. The "straitjacket" shot is from a Season 3 ep where Lucy ends up stuffed in a sack of mail when she tries to retrieve a rare postage stamp from a letter on a mail conveyor belt.

I remember seeing that episode.

Another scene in the kaleidoscope comes from when Lucy goes on the air for a radio broadcast, IIRC, and has major problems. I think that's the champagne explosion markway895 refers to.

As a very young person I grew up watching The Lucy Show in syndication with the kaleidoscope opening. I was probably in my thirties before seeing any other opening.

I remember seeing that episode.

Another scene in the kaleidoscope comes from when Lucy goes on the air for a radio broadcast, IIRC, and has major problems. I think that's the champagne explosion markway895 refers to.

You are correct. That was from the final Season 3 ep, where Pat Harrington as a radio station manager stupidly leaves Lucy alone to run the station. It was actually a fire extinguisher going off there, but it does look like champagne from that angle.

From what I've read, most of the kaleidoscope opening credits shots come from Season 3 eps.

Except that shot of Lucy framed inside a valentine at the end of the opening. That "finish" changed each season during the last three years. The version in Season Four, which shows her in a pink dress, is from the second season episode, "Lucy Meets a Millionaire."

didn't the opening of "HERE'S LUCY" also end with a shot like that?

Does anyone remember the Jack in the Box opening they used for a couple of episodes during season 5???

This opening can be seen on Youtube. Apparently Lucy hated this sequence, so they changed it back to the kalidascope opening. I wonder if they will use this opening for the season 5 dvd release.

Does anyone remember the Jack in the Box opening they used for a couple of episodes during season 5???
I don't remember that, I'll have to check it out.

Here's the link, the bouncing balls remind me of the opening credits for "The Lucy-Desi Comedy Hour" airings of the hour long ILL shows.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Jx9K2EHV7Fw&p=75A6C916996CF204&playnext=1&index=27

You are correct. That was from the final Season 3 ep, where Pat Harrington as a radio station manager stupidly leaves Lucy alone to run the station. It was actually a fire extinguisher going off there, but it does look like champagne from that angle.

The radio show episode where the fire extinquisher explodes on Lucy I aways thought that was electrical sparks for some reason. Looked like she was crying while being sarounded by electrical sparks. Then I saw that episode on Youtube one day and found out it was a fire extinquisher.

Does anyone remember the Jack in the Box opening they used for a couple of episodes during season 5???

I still have on tape from the Nick at Nite era, the episodes where they slapped on the kaleidoscope opening but left the theme music from the Jack in the Box opening--very surreal to say the least! Wonder if those will end up like that on the DVD? The production credit sequence that has the bouncing balls as the backdrop is on for at least 5-6 episodes during the 5th season before they switched to the Lucy bust cartoon head.

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I know I'm kind of weird, but I actually like the Jack in the Box opening. The bouncing balls and the music are pretty cool. And Lucy's head bouncing out of the Jack in the Box reminds me of the episode of 'The Twilight Zone' where Billy Mumy turns the guy into a Jack in the Box and wishes him into the corn field.

the kaleidoscope opening wasn't always used for the sydnicated airings of "THE LUCY SHOW"; I remember watching reruns of it on a local station in the 70s, and they showed the animated opening on the black-and-white ones and another opening with a montage of pictures of Lucy for some of the color episodes.

I think the mixup on the openings has to do with the original openings for s2 and s3 not ever being colorized. If you look closely at the syndicated episode openings for s2/s3, they have scenes from seasons which were not even filmed yet (so they had to come from s4 or later). And if you listen closely, Vivian Vance's name is dubbed in.

...season two and three's opening titles WERE filmed in color (with the episodes they were featured in, even though they were originally shown in black and white): season two's montage of Lucy's many faces slowly covering the show's title, ending with with Viv's face in the middle- and season three's montage of scenes from previous episodes {Lucy's Chaplin imitation, the "stilts in the bedroom" sequence, balloons carrying Lucy into the sky, etc.}. See, in order for repeats of several of those season two/three shows to be "compatible" with later episodes when they were initially repeated in color in the spring of 1966 and '67, the later "kaleidoscope" opening was substituted, and Vivian's name substituted for Gale Gordon's (he didn't receive credit in the opening title until the fourth season). When those episodes finally went into syndication in the early '70s, Paramount didn't bother to restore most of the original titles....got it?

:tv:

...season two and three's opening titles WERE filmed in color (with the episodes they were featured in, even though they were originally shown in black and white): season two's montage of Lucy's many faces slowly covering the show's title, ending with with Viv's face in the middle- and season three's montage of scenes from previous episodes {Lucy's Chaplin imitation, the "stilts in the bedroom" sequence, balloons carrying Lucy into the sky, etc.}. See, in order for repeats of several of those season two/three shows to be "compatible" with later episodes when they were initially repeated in color in the spring of 1966 and '67, the later "kaleidoscope" opening was substituted, and Vivian's name substituted for Gale Gordon's (he didn't receive credit in the opening title until the fourth season). When those episodes finally went into syndication in the early '70s, Paramount didn't bother to restore most of the original titles....got it?

:tv:
I'm glad you mentioned the "kaleidoscope opening" was indeed used, at one time for the earlier seasons in reruns, because I swore I remembered "co-starring Vivian Vance" instead of Gale Gordon, in this opening. I guess that explains it.

I still have on tape from the Nick at Nite era, the episodes where they slapped on the kaleidoscope opening but left the theme music from the Jack in the Box opening--very surreal to say the least! Wonder if those will end up like that on the DVD? The production credit sequence that has the bouncing balls as the backdrop is on for at least 5-6 episodes during the 5th season before they switched to the Lucy bust cartoon head.
I just saw the slapped on version on you tube: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zrU57U-wBdE. The first few seconds are the most surreal, but the whole thing is definitely different.

^Agreed! I'm sure it will be on the season5 DVD as a bonus extra, but not actually used as the opening itself.

...season two and three's opening titles WERE filmed in color (with the episodes they were featured in, even though they were originally shown in black and white): season two's montage of Lucy's many faces slowly covering the show's title, ending with with Viv's face in the middle- and season three's montage of scenes from previous episodes {Lucy's Chaplin imitation, the "stilts in the bedroom" sequence, balloons carrying Lucy into the sky, etc.**. See, in order for repeats of several of those season two/three shows to be "compatible" with later episodes when they were initially repeated in color in the spring of 1966 and '67, the later "kaleidoscope" opening was substituted, and Vivian's name substituted for Gale Gordon's (he didn't receive credit in the opening title until the fourth season). When those episodes finally went into syndication in the early '70s, Paramount didn't bother to restore most of the original titles....got it?

:tv:

That's not what I remember. I most definitely saw all the individual season openings (except for the "jack in the box" one) in Chicago during the 1970s. (The show ran in daytime syndicated reruns on WFLD-Channel 32.) Many years later I saw some of the reruns on Me-TV and those all seemed to have the opening from the last seasons on them, even the black and white ones.

When CBS repeated The Lucy Show in the 60s and early 70s on its daytime schedule, they used 35 mm prints which had the kaleidoscope pasted onto almost all the episodes (with the exception of a few from season 1).

When the show went into syndication in the 70s, the distributor used 16 mm prints (as was the standard for the time) and left the original openings intact.

When Nick at Nite picked up the show in the 90s, they used the CBS daytime prints. ME-TV uses the same prints, which are looking a bit shabby these days.