I notice that people seem to overlook or forget that Mary Jane Croft also played the role of Audrey Simmons for the first two seasons. Audrey was married to a banker I think and was more like her Betty Ramsey character on ILL. MJC did not appear during the 1964-1965 season and Audrey was only mentioned in one episode where Lucy is on the phone with her.

When Lucy meets Mary Jane Lewis at the start of the 1965-1966 season, she apparently does not notice the striking resemblence to her old friend Audrey from Danfield.

Mary Jane Croft was awesome, no matter who she was playing.

I especially loved her as the passenger in the next seat with that baby cheese. But her best role was that of the neighbor in Connecticut, it fit her so well, and was miles away from her dingbat role on the later shows.

Wasn't Audrey married to a doctor? Audrey Simmons, according to Lucy, had a direct line to all the elegible single doctors in town.

Audrey Simmons's very first appearance was in Lucy the Music Lover (episode #8). I think her last appearance was in Lucy Enters A Baking Contest (#58).

Out of Mary Jane's three roles , I prefer her protrayal as Mary Jane Lewis. She seemed so cheerful and go-lucky. She was really one of Lucy Carmichael's close friends in the show. Betty Ramsey on the other hand . . . wasn't as go-free nor as cheerful as Mary Jane Lews, IMO.

You're absolutely RIGHT, i just meant it was a more well rounded out character, as opposed to the one dimensional but still ever effevescent and bubbly Mary Jane.

Yeah, I've seen a few eps with her as Audrey. The character was very close to Betty, but not too far from Mary Jane. The main difference was that she just got more kooky, like Lucy, which only made the character more likeable. She was no Viv, but IMO she was a good "replacement". I find eps without her in it in the later eps of this series a little boring...she was a great co-star, and it bugs me a little that Lucy never allowed her better billing and more recognition...:( I've said this before, but since we're on the subject I'll say it again...one of my fav Mary Jane quotes was in "Lucy and Pat Collins":

Saleslady: And this coat is a steal at only $35,000 (or something)...
Lucy: (cough)
Mary Jane: It's really beautiful Lucille...
Saleslady: Yes, madam, the coat is you, it's really you...
Mary Jane: It's just lovely, why don't ya get it?

LOL! I just find that really funny. They should have given her better one-liners like that...RIP Mary Jane!

Originally posted by bb25
She was no Viv, but IMO she was a good "replacement". I find eps without her in it in the later eps of this series a little boring...she was a great co-star,

I too think Mary Jane served as a good replacement. I absolutely enjoy The Lucy Show episodes that she was in. One of my favorites that featured her was episode #112- "Lucy, the Bean Queen". She really had a big part to play in that particular episode.

Some of my favourite Mary Jane lines from TLS include:

MJ: "Down at the studio I work at they were filming a movie called Gun Fight At Gower Gulch. They found a new way to not have to pay the actors.
Lucy: How?
MJ: They used real bullets. :D


Oliver Kaston: You have a good friend in Red, she's going to get ahead!
MJ: I hope so, she needs one!

"I have to stay on a diet. I could outgrow my patio!"

Lucy: Mr. Mooney took Mr. Snowdon home with him and gave him a job at the bank.
MJ: :eek: MmmmHmmmm! Ahhhh Haa! Ohhhhhhhh HO!!!!!!!


"12 minutes for lunch? Lucy, you have to stop using that soft water. It is seaping into your brain!"

What eps are the 3rd and 4th set of quotes from? I haven't seen any season 4 eps of this show and just a handful from season 6. Seen every ep from season 5 except "Lucy Puts Main Street on the Map"...

o i love mary jane croft!

What does everyone here think of Mary Jane Lewis on Here's Lucy? Was the character the same? I posted a thread about her on the HL board...so far no one's touched it...