How William Frawley became Fred Mertz

[caladon]

Howdy Folks,

For those who've never had the opportunity to read "A Book" by Desi Arnaz, I thought I'd post this one segment from it. I hope you enjoy it.

Here's the story behind the hiring of William Frawley, as told by Desi Arnaz.

"The writers said, "It may be tiresome just to have Lucy and Ricky week after week. Also, the Lucy character needs someone to be her ally. The Ethel character should be the one she would talk into helping her with her wild plans and schemes, and even though Ethel many times would say. "Oh no you're not going to get me into that deal," Lucy would eventually connive or blackmail her into it."

They also felt that Ricky needed the counterpart to Ethel. That would be Fred, her husband. Ricky's ally in these battles of the sexes.

While we were trying to resolve all the physical, mechanical and bureaucratic problems, the writers had been busy writing the first few segments of the series, which we would have to start doing soon in order to meet our on-the-air schedule. So we had to find somebody -- two anybodies--who fitted what those neighbors were supposed to be like.

I must say we were pretty lucky (all due respect to Philip Morris, who never allowed us to use that word while they were sponsoring our show) to find two people we found to play Fred and Ethel Mertz.

Soon after this writer's conference and decision I got a call from William Frawley. I hadn't thought about him for the part, but somehow he knew about the series format and wanted to be considered for Fred. I had seen Frawley in many pictures with Bing Crosby, James Cagney, Pat O'Brien and other stars. He had been a top character actor for years but hadn't done anything lately.

"Thanks for calling, Mr. Frawley," I said. "I think you might be a possibility. Let me call you back."

After I hung up I kept seeing his puss and remembering how good he was at playing the kind of gruff character he usually played. The more I thought about it, the more I became convinced he was Fred Mertz.

I then checked with the CBS people, the sponsor and the advertising agency. They all said, "Yeah, we know what he had done in the past, but what has he done lately? Besides, he's an alcoholic. You'd be out of your mind to hire him. There are a lot of actors who are much more dependable and can play that part."

The more they kept tearing this guy apart, the more I liked the idea of hiring him, and the more I thought he would be perfect for Fred.

According to my contract as executive producer, I had complete creative control of the show. I knew I could land on my ass by doing the wrong thing, but I'd rather land on it by doing that than by having someone else talk me into doing something which would land me there anyway.

I made up my mind to hire Frawley, regardless of what they said. I made a date to meet him the next day at Nickodell's, a restaurant and bar on Melrose Avenue, right behind RKO Studios. We had a drink together and I told him that everybody was telling me he was an alcoholic, that he might not even show up. etc.

"Well those bastards, those SOB's," he said "They're always saying that about me. How the hell do they know, those bastards?"

"Look, I don't give a damn whether you drink or not. I like to drink myself and I'll drink you under the table anytime you'd like to give it a try, except during working hours. But Lucy and I have everything going on this project. She's given up her motion-picture career and I've given up my band business. If we fail, I don't want it to be because some character like you loused us up."

"Give us another drink here, will you?" He told the waiter.
"Now listen, Mr. Frawley."
"Call me Bill."
"All right, Bill, I want you to know that I have given this thing a lot of thought. I have considered many good character actors for this part, especially Gale Gordon, who's very well liked by the agencies and the networks."
"What can he do, that I can't?" Bill asked.
"Nothing, it's what you do that he doesn't do that louses you up. But I am convinced that there is no one better in the whole world to play Fred Mertz than William Frawley."

The drinks arrived and he told the waiter this was his tab.

The he turned to me and said, "All right, so what's your problem? William Frawley is now sitting next to you and willing to listen to the kind of proposition you are willing to offer him to make your show a success."

"Okay, Bill, I'll tell you what I'll do with you. The first time you are not able to do your job, I'll try to work around you for that day. The second time, I'll try to manage again. But if you do it three times, you are through, and I mean through, not only on our show, but you'll never work in this town again as long as you live. Is that fair enough?"

"All right, g..damn it, that's fair enough."

"After work if you feel like coming to Nickodell's, and splitting a bottle of whatever you like, I'll be happy to come and split it with you."

"Hey waiter, what the hell is this, the Sahara Desert? We are thirsty. Okay, Cuban, we have a deal and we'll show all them bastards how wrong they are."

He never missed a day's work nor was he even a few minutes late during all the years he was with us.

[Janice]

That's very interesting. Thanks for typing it out. I'm glad it worked out for William Frawley. They took a gamble on him, believed in him; and the rest, as they say, is history. It's hard to imagine anyone else as Fred Mertz.

[caladon]

You're welcome. I was glad to do it. The book is a very interesting read. I agree, William Frawley was the best choice for the part. I think that casting him in the part is also another example that Desi Arnaz's reputation as a smart business man and producer was well earned. The man new talent when he saw it and knew exactly how to showcase the actors specific gifts.

[TJL]

Good story!

[The Great One]

I didn't read the book but it was very interesting to read what you posted.
Thanks for the information. I could never imagine anyone else playing the character of Fred.

[TV Knowledge Fan]

...that, after Lucy's first choice, Gale Gordon, was unavailable to play "Fred Mertz" (he was appearing on the radio version of "OUR MISS BROOKS" and at least four other radio series at the same time!), Lucy wanted veteran character actor James Gleason, with whom she worked in a few movies, to be "Fred". Problem was, he wanted more money than Lucy & Desi were willing to offer him. So that's when Desi turned to Bill Frawley.....

[The Great One]

Originally Posted by TV Knowledge Fan

...that, after Lucy's first choice, Gale Gordon, was unavailable to play "Fred Mertz" (he was appearing on the radio version of "OUR MISS BROOKS" and at least four other radio series at the same time!), Lucy wanted veteran character actor James Gleason, with whom she worked in a few movies, to be "Fred". Problem was, he wanted more money than Lucy & Desi were willing to offer him. So that's when Desi turned to Bill Frawley.....

What books are you talking about? It would be great to read the complete story on this topic.