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Lucy, the Coin Collector

S3;E13~ December 14, 1964

Synopsis

When Jerry finds a rare penny worth $16.50, Lucy and Viv decide to search through thousands of pennies to find a rare one and pay for a new coat and fix their leaky plumbing. They finally succeed but clumsily drop the coin down the storm drain in the street. To retrieve it, they must go undercover as sewer workers.

Regular Cast

Lucille Ball (Lucy Carmichael), Vivian Vance (Vivian Bagley),Gale Gordon (Theodore J. Mooney), Jimmy Garrett (Jerry Carmichael)

Ralph Hart (Sherman Bagley) and Candy Moore (Chris Carmichael) do not appear in this episode. Chris is, however, mentioned by Lucy.

Guest Cast

Ray Kellogg (Policeman) played the loud, barking Assistant Director (“Roll ‘em!”) in “Ricky’s Screen Test” (ILL S4;E6) and later appeared in “Bullfight Dance” (ILL S4;E22). This is the second of his seven episodes of “The Lucy Show.” He also did two episodes of “Here’s Lucy.” Just as in his other screen credits, most most times he played policemen, as he does here.

Monya Andre (Miss Ferguson, Mr. Mooney's Secretary) had appeared as an uncredited background player in such Oscar-nominated films as Imitation of Life (1934), Ninotchka (1939) and It's a Wonderful Life (1946). This is her only appearance on “The Lucy Show” and her final screen credit before retiring from the business.

Ferguson is the perfect surname for Mr. Mooney's secretary. It is Scottish in origin, a people stereo-typically known for being thrifty. Ferguson was also the name of the Mayor of Kildoonan in “Lucy Goes to Scotland” (ILL S5;E17). In “Lucy Gets Locked in the Vault” (S2;E4) Mr. Mooney's secretary was Miss Tanner played by Ellen Corby.

William Meader (Bill, Bank Teller) had appeared as an airport extra in “The Ricardos Go to Japan,” a 1959 episode of “The Lucy-Desi Comedy Hour.” He made many appearances on “The Lucy Show,” most times as a clerk in Mr. Mooney’s bank, as he does here.

Mr. Mooney calls him Bill during when he is requesting $20 for Lucy. Meader has lines in this episode.

James Gonzales (Jim, Bank Teller) was a popular Hollywood extra who first acted with Lucille Ball in the 1953 film The Long, Long Trailer. He was previously seen on the series as Stan Williams in “Lucy Digs Up a Date” (S1;E2). He was seen in more than 20 episodes of “The Lucy Show” and 3 episodes of “Here’s Lucy.”

Mr. Mooney calls him Jim during when he is requesting $20 in pennies for Lucy. Gonzales has lines in this episode.

Tex Brodus (Sewer Worker) appeared in the stage to screen musical movies South Pacific (1958) and My Fair Lady (1964). This is his only appearance with Lucille Ball. He left the business in 1967.

The character is dressed in a vest and hat with a pushed up brim, very reminiscent of TV's most famous sewer worker, Ed Norton (Art Carney, inset photo) from “The Honeymooners.” It is possible that Carney was intended to play this cameo role, but declined. In 1968, Jackie Gleason turned up in full bus driver's uniform as Ralph Kramden in a cameo on “Here's Lucy.”

Sid Gould (Distracting Passerby) made more than 45 appearances on “The Lucy Show,” all as background characters. He also did 40 episodes of “Here’s Lucy.” Gould (born Sydney Greenfader) was Lucille Ball’s cousin by marriage to Gary Morton. Gould was married to Vanda Barra, who also appeared on “The Lucy Show” starting in 1967, as well as on “Here’s Lucy.”

A dozen background performers play the bank customers, staff, and gawkers in the street.

This is the first and only episode written by David Braverman and Bob Marcus. The two wrote exclusively for television from 1964 to 1969.

The date this episode first aired (December 14, 1964) actor William Bendix died. Although best known for playing the title role in “The Life of Riley” (1953-1958) on NBC, Bendix and Lucille Ball had both starred in the 1946 film The Dark Corner.

A still photo from this episode with Lucy and Viv in overalls was featured in the photo collage on the Official Season 3 DVD box.

A scene from this episode was included in “Lucy and Viv Reminisce” (S5;E16), a clips show retrospective aired during the second half of the final season.

The opening scene has Viv debating whether to have a second cup of ‘rust’ (aka coffee). In the mid-1970s Vivian Vance became a spokesperson for Maxwell House 'rust’.

Lucy is having trouble with her kitchen sink garbage disposal. It bears noting that these disposal units were common on the West Coast, but rare in the New York metropolitan area because they were banned by New York City law as a threat to the sewage system. The ban was finally lifted in 1997. While not totally unknown in outlying areas they were not at all common in the New York suburbs during the 1960s.

Lucy complains that she can't afford to call a plumber. Lucy has previously employed plumbers Joe Melvin (Stafford Repp) in “Lucy and Viv Put in a Shower” (S1;E18) and Harry Tuttle (Jack Benny) in “Lucy and the Plumber” (S3;E2).

Viv initially compares the geyser spurting from the sink to Yellowstone National Park and later to Old Faithful. Mostly located in Wyoming, Yellowstone features dramatic canyons, alpine rivers, lush forests, hot springs and gushing geysers, including its most famous, Old Faithful. The kitchen sink also erupted in “Lucy and the Plumber” (S3;E2).

An early road map drawn by Lucy Ricardo of the gang's car trip to California shows a planned stop at Yellowstone, but it was not shown on air or ever mentioned as being visited.

Among the items Lucy and Viv pull out of their handbags to offer Mr. Mooney as collateral are:

three earrings

a collapsible cup

Jerry's Mickey Mouse watch

Viv's faux diamond wristwatch (from her cheap ex-husband)

a tarnished brass compact Lucy said was jade

a locket of Chris' hair

a doggie bag of spaghetti and meatballs (which Viv snatches back)

a jeweled garter

Jerry's bronzed baby shoe (made into a bank)

Lucy's high school broad jump medal

Jerry's bronzed baby shoes were mentioned by Lucy in a season one episode, and were always on display on the top shelf of the bookcase behind the dining room table, even in this episode (see “Blooper Alert” below).

A visual gag about the many unusual items Lucy keeps in her handbag was featured in 1954′s “Bonus Bucks” (ILL S3;E21).

Viv volunteers to sing a couple of choruses from “Pennies from Heaven” or “Three Coins in the Fountain.” "Pennies from Heaven" is a song written by Arthur Johnston and Johnny Burke. It was introduced by Bing Crosby in the 1936 film of the same name. It has been covered by numerous artists, including Andy Williams, the same year this episode was first aired. “Three Coins in the Fountain” was written by Jule Styne and Sammy Cahn. It was introduced in the 1955 film of the same name and won that year's Oscar for Best Original Song. “I Love Lucy” actors James Conaty, Harold Miller, Alberto Morin, Vincent Padula, Mario Siletti and Norma Varden, were all uncredited extras in the film. Varden played Mrs. Van Vlack in “Lucy Gets Her Maid” (S3;E11).

Jerry finds a rare 1927S Lincoln penny that is worth fifty cents. Currently, that coin is worth between $1.75 and $125, depending upon condition. Jerry reads in a book that an 1887 Indian Head penny may be worth $800. Actually, most 1887 Indian Head pennies are fairly common (45 million were made) and only fetch about $2.50. However, proof specimens (only 2,900 were ever made) in excellent condition can go for more then $6,000! The 1912S penny found by Lucy and Viv is listed in their book as being worth $16.50. Adjusting for inflation, that would be equivalent of nearly $130 today. As of 2017 the coin was listed online for between $22 and $270, depending upon condition.

2,000 pennies weigh 5 pounds 14.5 ounces.

In 2001, the Merrick Mint issued “I Love Lucy” commemorative 24 karat plated half dollar coins.

Callbacks!

This is a slightly re-dressed and re-painted version of the Danfield city street used in “Lucy, the Meter Maid” (S3;E7). That episode's street also featured a florist, a restaurant, a realtors, a mailbox and a Danfield Cab call box. The parking meters, however, have been removed. The taxi call box was also seen in the train station during “No More Double Dates” (S1;E21).

Blooper Alerts!

Inconsistencies! When Lucy and Viv come back from the bank lugging the heavy sack of pennies, Jerry's baby shoe is already sitting back on the living room shelf, when it should still be in Lucy's purse!

Generic! Lucy's box of dish washing soap has no label on it. This is a contrast with “Lucy Digs Up a Date” (S1;E2), where brand name cleaning products like All and Whisk were seen on camera next to the sink.

“Lucy, the Coin Collector” rates 4 Paper Hearts out of 5

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