This show aired on Oct. 25, 1965. Bill passed away on March 3, 1966. What a great tribute Lucy made to him when she said "He looks like someone I used to know"
@@timothycornell3032 If memory serves me, March 3, 1966 was also the day that Alice Pearce of 'Bewitched' fame passed away. I remember reading a headline that said "Hollywood Loses Two Comedians". Uh-uh, I won't say how old I was, but I was close to a birthday. LOLOLOLOLOLOLOL.
@@Juliaflo I think Alice Pearce was 48 at the time of her death, but you're right, she did die the Z same day William Frawley died. Vivian Vance was so excited when she heard the news, she was reportedly told everyone, champagne for everyone!
@@kevinmiller6324 Miss Pearce had been diagnosed with ovarian cancer at the time 'Bewitched' was playing on television, but reportedly told only a handful of people. (Don't quote me on this, as I may not know the whole story myself; I only know that she somehow knew her illness was terminal). She was around 47 or 48.
William Frawley 1887-1966 Vivan Vance 1909-1979 Desi Arnaz 1917-1986 Lucille Ball 1911-1989 All of them were true greats and made America laugh for 7 years. They are all National Treasures. My they all RIP.
Krayola D i dont think he smoked thats why, desi and lucy were freaking chimneys if you look at one of desi final interview with david letterman he can barely breathe and he still smoking during the interview, just like yul brynner that guy died young from smoking
JUNE: I was never much of a "I Love Lucy" fan until I met Vivian Vance's youngest sister years ago and then I got to appreciate the show much more than before. The so-called "comedy" shows of today are GARBAGE compared to the REAL comedy of 'Lucy'.
Krayola D yes you're exactly right, he lived to 79 one year older then when Lucille Ball died at age 78 in 1989. He was also the oldest. I didn't realize that until you mentioned it. Waw that's crazy.
Doug Celeste yup I agree, the only show I loved was The Golden Girls, All in the Family, and Will&Grace is like a throwback, other then that they do stink now, especially now. Today they lack sitcoms that are really funny, its not like the golden era of sitcoms in the 1950s, 1960s, 1970s, 1980s, today is bores me and its hard to connect and be invested, with I love lucy, All in the Family, and The Golden Girls and even the honey mooners all had me glued to the television and I laughed so hard to hysterics. Nowadays it's so horrible.
@@elvicare35 Yes and William Demarest was there also. Surprising, because there had been tension between them after Frawley was not allowed back on My Three Sons due to his failing health (network couldn't get him insured). So Demarest replaced him and that caused some hard feelings.
@@TWS-pd5dc I didnt know that was the reason why Bill didnt return to "My 3 Sons" I just thought he was to sick to come back. It was what he wanted.. I guess not. 😟
@@garychambers5850 Yes, I've seen interviews with Stanley and Barry Livingston, who played Chip and Ernie. It was awkward when Frawley came by to wish them well and Demarest was there. But, the show went on successfully after that. I always thought Uncle Charley was too cranky compared to Bub, the grandfather played by Frawley. Bub was not quite as cranky. Still, two very good actors who had many movie roles in the 1940's and 1950's behind them. Not surprised that the show worked well with both characters.
My dad as a 16 yr old on vacation from Ohio to California in 1955 met Bill Frawley sightseeing on Hollywood Blvd, chatted for a few, had a few pics taken....said he was most down to earth man...RIP sir.
His line delivery is perfect here. What a pro; he never lost it. That shuffle though --- at first I was saddened by how he had deteriorated physically, until I realized, "I hope I can still walk that well at 78!" Nice swan song, Mr. Frawley.
Remember he had a bad drinking problem and no one wanted to hire him cause of his drinking. When desi Rickey Ricardo thought to us him in the show,people told him dont but he took a chance with him and it worked out perfect.
They've IMPROVED a lot with heart issues since the 1960s My grandmother died in early 80s of a heart problem My mom had the same one, but they operated, and she did ok.. However, she died of colon cancer Totally unrelated
Feminists today would get riled up at Frawley's use of the word "dame", but no other word would have captured his character so well. He cut through all the high class pretense of Ann Sothern's line and got right to the point. "There's a dame here to see you." Great line.
Considering Bill 's advanced heart issues I think this was about all he could handle at this point in his amazing career...A true professional until the end !
Vivian Vance was also on the show as a regular. Seeing how she was uncomfortable with Frawley at the beginning of "I Love Lucy", and this grew to outright hatred by the end of the show's run, I wonder if she was even in the studio on the day that Frawley did this scene!
Vivian Vance was no longer a series regular when this episode was filmed. She was a regular only during the first three seasons, then made a guest appearance in season five, and two more in season six. This episode was from season four. At this time, she was far, far away from the set of this show (and William Frawley), living in Connecticut.
I have heard that was just an unsubstantiated rumor. Even if she did not care for him personally, I am sure Vivian would have been loath to celebrate someone's passing like that, let alone in such a public manner.
Timing like an atomic clock. Great to see. I saw a pretty old Joe DiMaggio, bat not too fast, get great wood on a pitch during an old-timer's game. The ball was a solid line drive to centerfield. My dad was with me that day and he'd seen DiMaggio's whole career. He whistled and said, "Damn, he can still hit those frozen ropes." Well, Frawley could still time those laughs. :)
For someone who struggled with alcoholism and a lot of other junk Frawley actually lived a long life. Living to 79, he beat the rest of the ILL cast in age longevity. Lucy was 77 when she passed, Desi was 69, and Vivian Vance was 70. While he may look frail in this scene the fact that he was still able to get around was very good.
@@bdjoh011 You got a point there. If he didn't have a bad ticker, who knows, he could've lived another 10 or so years. Maybe the booze ruined his Heart? I don't know if booze has that effect? 💔
@@bdjoh011 And after doing 5 seasons of My Three Sons. He was still getting around quite well when he died. It was a sudden, unexpected heart attack after seeing a movie.
Yes, I was cracking up. He had just the right facial expression and just the right tone of voice. I'd say Frawley was a comic genius. Too bad he was so unhappy in life. If only he could have been as happy as he made all of us.
Small piece of trivia, the first person believed to have performed the song "Silver Bells" was William Frawley, but it was never recorded. The first recorded version of the song was in the movie "The Lemon Drop Kid" starring Bob Hope with William Frawley having a small part during the scene.
@@garychambers5850 Vivian Vance and Frawley hated each other too much in real life. Right before ILL ended, the show’s producers had wanted Frawley and Vance to continue portraying Fred and Ethel in a spin-off series. Reportedly, Frawley was interested in the idea but Vance refused wanting nothing more to do with Frawley
I remember when this first appeared on TV. I think Lucy did the same for Moe of the Three Stooges. It was touching to see that these old comedy stalwarts were not forgotten. They still have fans even now.
William Frawley's last appearance as a regular TV cast member was on 1/7/65 playing Bub O'Casey in the episode called "A Woman's Work " in the TV series "My Three Sons." By the show's fifth season, Frawley was in such poor health that he couldn't pass Desilu's studio's annual health insurance exam. Consequently, he was released from the program and replaced by William Demarest. Bub was referred to by name numerous times in the subsequent episode "Here Comes Charley", and once more in a later episode in season 5, "Be My Guest", after which he was never mentioned again. William Demarest took over as Uncle Charley instead but he never equaled the talent or performances of his predecessor. I forgot about his last appearance here on "The Lucy Show." Thanks for showing it.
I suggest Meet the Mertzes by Rob Edelman and Audrey Kupferberg. It’s the only book I know that contains his life story and anecdotes. Vivian’s life is also featured in it, but I bought it mostly for Bill. It’s a great read.
Don't know why this is on my list, but I wasn't disappointed. Frawley's timing was perfect in every role he played, including this one. Without it, this bit would have fallen flat! But Frawley nailed it and this was hilarious!
The myth was that William Frawley and Vivian Vance hated each other. In truth, Vance was upset that she was cast as the wife of a man much older than she was. (Frawley was 22 years Vance's senior) But by all accounts, although they weren't friends off screen, they were professional and cordial when filming I Love Lucy.
I heard when Vivian heard the news of Frawely's death (she was dining with friends in a Hollywood restaurant) she lifted her glass to a toast and said:" Champaign for everyone on ME"!
@@markmcgee2369 If true, it speaks volumes about who between the two was the class act, and who was the jerk. I could not imagine toasting the death of anyone.
@@RK-db4oq I read it in a Hollywood Magazine about 21 years ago and do not know if it was TRUE! That is why I said: " I Heard". What I hear, read or know as a fact are different and see you and I are on the same wavelength.
The two of them simply did not like each other. Some people just don't get along. But they sometimes still have to work with each other. Its just like Aunt Bee didn't like or get along with Andy Griffith in real life but always said he was a professional and the true success of the show was him. They never spoke on the set unless it was technical to do with the show. With Vance, it wasn't that she was upset she had to PLAY being married to an older man (their ages were never disclosed on the show...only Lucy's). It was the fact that Frawley in real life was 22 years older than her and she complained that he was old enough to be her father. And Frawley used to call Vance some horrible names on the set. They were equally as guilty.
@@markmcgee2369 Those kind of stories, like Vance toasting his death, are likely somewhat distorted or outright lies. I've only seen one quote directly from Frawley. It was a TV Guide article on Vance circa 1964. His statement: She was one of the finest gals to come from Kansas but I often wish she would go back there. I don't know where she is and she doesn't know where I am and that's just the way I like it". So, clearly they did not care for each other. That said, they were complete professionals on the set and to my knowledge never had any conflicts.
You see things like this in TV shows from time to time, where people who used to be together in another show are put together again, and something is said as kind of a nudge, nudge, wink, wink to the audience. For example, Tom Bosley and Marion Ross, who used to be in the show Happy Days, appeared as a married couple in an episode of The Love Boat, and refer to their offscreen son Chuck. I wonder if this clip is the first time ever, that this had been done. I bet it was!
@@Jeff98177 Or, more recently, when Kurtwood Smith from That Seventies Show calls Danny Masterson a dumb ass in The Ranch. czcams.com/video/UKY1eLe9rh4/video.html
I LOVE LUCY is my all-time favorite television program. Nothing ever made me laugh harder than LUCY on the candy line or LUCY stomping grapes in Italy. WILLIAM FRAWLEY was a HUGE part of what made that show so special. FRED MERTZ was an irascible curmudgeon with a heart of gold. And I was BORN two years after he died.
Bill and Viv and Desi and Lucy made I Love Lucy one of the most loved and watched sitcoms of all time. Each brought their own unique talents to the show. The chemistry between those four was spot on.
Dezi got Frawley the job. The networks, and Lucy I think, wanted Gale Gordon for the role. He went on to appear on the show and was Lucy's boss on The Lucy Show. But Frawley's drinking was a problem for the network big shots.
Plus, Gale still commanded a large salary in radio (still a medium to reckon with, albeit soon to become weaker with the rise of TV) & would have been paid scale for I Love Lucy. Best to stay where the regular money & work were (even Vivian was not sure the show would last past 13 weeks at the time).
Lucy and Desi wanted Gale Gordon but he was contracted to another project. Bill Frawley knew Lucy from her movie career as Bill was character actor. Bill called Lucy and asked for the role.. Desi was hesitant but gave Bill a shot & the rest is history
@@lisakarwoski697 Gordon was already on a show, Our Miss Brooks, at the time, so he was unavailable. They wanted Bea Benaderet for Ethel but she was doing Burns and Allen show at the time. One can only wonder if the show would have been as successful if those 2 had taken the roles of Fred and Ethel. Both very talented but, well, not sure.
@@TWS-pd5dc well I'm sure they would have been great. But Vance and Frawley's acting just hit the nail on the head! Just Vivian Vance's expressions were priceless
Many of these writers and producers today have no godly values. That's one reason. Even Disney would roll over in his grave if he could see some the the movies that are made by the Disney company today.
I'm so glad he at least Mr frawley got to do this he was so frail but not an easy life then being pushed out because of your age. He still proved to be a very funny guy.. He certainly made a great Fred mertz landlord and great friend of the Ricardo's. R.I.P. BILL/BUB/FRED 🙏✝️ OK WE SORELY MISS YOU AND YOUR CONTRIBUTION TO THE TV FILM ACTING WORLD.
I'm guessing Vivian Vance disliked this video just kidding lol William Frawley was such an amazing actor & Lucille Ball was a fantastic comedian. I Love Lucy & Lucy show will forever live on. I grew up with these shows and still love to watch them everyday. I recommend them to everyone. 😍😘💕
QueenAnitaSoul1 the honeymooners lasted 1 season, and I love Lucy was iconic and lasted 7 years and they each won emmys...lucille ball is a national treasure, she wasn't silly, she was hilarious and funny, nobody does face expressions like her, the I LOVE LUCY show still holds the record for the highest ratings in American history for a sitcom...you don't ever see ratings like that anymore. I like honeymooners, but in no way they were better than the cast of I LOVE LUCY...smh🤔
June giovani what's your point ? and still Ed Norton was funnier and it was icons him and Jackie Gleason that's why they have all the episodes of The Honeymooners with the original Alice and original Trixie and no it wasn't one season
Those old Vaudeville guys came up the hard way. They smoked, drank, and ate terribly which took it's toll. You could see his hands shaking on "I Love Lucy", but, amazingly, he did the show all those years without a flaw. I think he did it to prove to Desi that he made the right choice to hire him for the show against everyone's advice.
The first time I seen William frawley's work was his role as the nightclub owner Roscoe in the movie one night in the tropics (1940). Then I later seen him in the television show I love lucy as Fred Mertz, and the television show my three sons as bub o'casey. He was a wonderful actor, I heard he was rough around the edges but a nice man may he rest in peace.
Lucy's hair looks especially good here. I like it a little longer like this, instead of just the bubble. Lover her outfit as well, those early to mid '60s skirt suits were so sophisticated, timelessly elegant!
Yeah, from everything that I've read, she wasn't very human/nice towards him (You would hope that the rumours are false???)...I love his characters right up to this one, including Bub, it's a toss up between Fred and Bub, oh, William is pretty good too!!!!!!!
True, although it did allow for Fred and Ethel’s frustration to be more accurately portrayed. No, Vivian should not have said “He’s old enough to be my grandfather.” However, didn’t she apologize? Even so, they should have approached one another and made amends, because then, they probably would have been okay with eachother. I mean, Lucille and Vivian didn’t get along at first, because Lucille wanted Vivian off of the show. She was afraid of Vivian out-glamouring her, but Lucille quickly changed her mind about Viv when she saw how dedicated Vivian was. Anyways, back to the Bill vs Viv feud, despite the fact that she and William Frawley didn’t get along, I still love both of them. Fred and Ethel actually reminded me of my grandparents. (I know, Vivian would shoot me for that comment. Lol)
It's such a shame that the entire cast of I Love Lucy never reunited after the series ended. Viewers would have loved to see them all together again, but this appearance by William Frawley is the closest they ever got to a reunion. I wish Lucy and Frawley had gotten to exchange at least a few lines in this scene.
Around late 1985 Lucille Ball was discussing with CBS the possibility of a reunion with Desi as Lucy and Ricky Ricardo (they had recently had huge ratings success with an Andy Griffith Show reunion special, and Lucy herself had recently done well in the ratings with a TV movie on CBS, Stone Pillow). But Lucille Ball soon called off the plan, publicly claiming that it was because CBS wanted the Fred and Ethel characters written out as having died, and that she did not have the heart to kill off the Mertzes. But I think the reality of the situation was she was really just making an excuse to cover for Desi, who was not in condition to take on the project. His wife, Edie, had recently passed away and he was in poor health. I don't think his health situation had been made public at this point, but it turned out that he had cancer, which ended his life in late 1986.
Well, Bill went on to My Three Sons, another series, Vivian did a short lived series before Lucy Show, and Desi sort of stepped back from performing. But I think Vivian never wanted to work with Bill again after the series ended, so there would never have been a reunion. As to this, maybe Bill could only handle a few lines. He was very old at the time so it would've been hard for him to do so much.
He was in his late 70s by then. He had to leave My Three Sons because his health was such that the producers could not get him insured for the show. It hurt him to leave & apparently, the rest of the cast & crew felt the same.
Legends, there’s also a scene from the Desi Arnaz produced show The Mothers in Law w Eve Arden, that Desi does a musical number The Big Straw Hat, Desi jr plays drums in it
It was a real treat to see Bill in the Deanna Durbin film, "Stranger on a Train" from the 1930's. He (Frawley) was ageless. He looked the same then, as he did in this scene, some 30 years later.
I heard that Frawley used to teach the boys to roll empty film cans at the studio down the hall so they would crash against Vivian Vance's dressing room door. Vivian was recovering from a nervous break- down at the time. Oooh, Vivian appreciated that!
This show aired on Oct. 25, 1965. Bill passed away on March 3, 1966. What a great tribute Lucy made to him when she said
"He looks like someone I used to know"
I turned 10 that day!
@@timothycornell3032 If memory serves me, March 3, 1966 was also the day that Alice Pearce of 'Bewitched' fame passed away. I remember reading a headline that said "Hollywood Loses Two Comedians". Uh-uh, I won't say how old I was, but I was close to a birthday. LOLOLOLOLOLOLOL.
@@Juliaflo I think Alice Pearce was 48 at the time of her death, but you're right, she did die the Z same day William Frawley died. Vivian Vance was so excited when she heard the news, she was reportedly told everyone, champagne for everyone!
@@kevinmiller6324 Miss Pearce had been diagnosed with ovarian cancer at the time 'Bewitched' was playing on television, but reportedly told only a handful of people. (Don't quote me on this, as I may not know the whole story myself; I only know that she somehow knew her illness was terminal). She was around 47 or 48.
@@kevinmiller6324 which will probably be spoken by more than a few celebrities when another reddish haired person buys the farm
William Frawley 1887-1966
Vivan Vance 1909-1979
Desi Arnaz 1917-1986
Lucille Ball 1911-1989
All of them were true greats and made America laugh for 7 years. They are all National Treasures. My they all RIP.
June giovani A BIG round of applause to these HUGE GREAT ACTORS/ACTRESSES!!!👏👏👏👏
Krayola D i dont think he smoked thats why, desi and lucy were freaking chimneys if you look at one of desi final interview with david letterman he can barely breathe and he still smoking during the interview, just like yul brynner that guy died young from smoking
JUNE: I was never much of a "I Love Lucy" fan until I met Vivian Vance's youngest sister years ago and then I got to appreciate the show much more than before. The so-called "comedy" shows of today are GARBAGE compared to the REAL comedy of 'Lucy'.
Krayola D yes you're exactly right, he lived to 79 one year older then when Lucille Ball died at age 78 in 1989. He was also the oldest. I didn't realize that until you mentioned it. Waw that's crazy.
Doug Celeste yup I agree, the only show I loved was The Golden Girls, All in the Family, and Will&Grace is like a throwback, other then that they do stink now, especially now. Today they lack sitcoms that are really funny, its not like the golden era of sitcoms in the 1950s, 1960s, 1970s, 1980s, today is bores me and its hard to connect and be invested, with I love lucy, All in the Family, and The Golden Girls and even the honey mooners all had me glued to the television and I laughed so hard to hysterics. Nowadays it's so horrible.
I like how Frawley acknowledges the audience as he enters the scene.
It is the first time I see William Frawley in color!
Joe Ledbetter tru me too
And the last. :(
impressive sight isn't
He hated color.
Wasn't he in color during My Three Sons?
“He remind’s me of someone I used to know” Love that they included a nod back to the I Love Lucy days😂😂
Yes....pretty kewl.
@@douglasgriswold2533 LOL! I was thinking the same thing...!
Really!? How perceive of you!
@@rixx46 I think you mean, "perceptive."
@@bigvrocks2480 🤣😂🤣😂🤣😂🤣
At Frawley's funeral his pallbearers included Desi Arnez, Fred MacMurray and Don Fedderson, who produced My Three Sons. Class act by all three.
That's nice to know!!!!!
@@elvicare35 Yes and William Demarest was there also. Surprising, because there had been tension between them after Frawley was not allowed back on My Three Sons due to his failing health (network couldn't get him insured). So Demarest replaced him and that caused some hard feelings.
Wow I didn’t know that. Thx
@@TWS-pd5dc I didnt know that was the reason why Bill didnt return to "My 3 Sons" I just thought he was to sick
to come back. It was what he wanted.. I guess not. 😟
@@garychambers5850 Yes, I've seen interviews with Stanley and Barry Livingston, who played Chip and Ernie. It was awkward when Frawley came by to wish them well and Demarest was there. But, the show went on successfully after that. I always thought Uncle Charley was too cranky compared to Bub, the grandfather played by Frawley. Bub was not quite as cranky. Still, two very good actors who had many movie roles in the 1940's and 1950's behind them. Not surprised that the show worked well with both characters.
There's no mistaking Bill's voice, he would have made a great voice actor.
For Bill Frawley's last TV appearance, it's only right and proper that it should be with Lucy!
William
Lisa Smith Bill is short for William.
Patrick O'Riley only a personal friend would call him Bill, through out his career of 50 years he was William.
@@LisaSmith-tb8bb shut up lisa
@@cobhcdr I would address him as Mr. Frawley.
My dad as a 16 yr old on vacation from Ohio to California in 1955 met Bill Frawley sightseeing on Hollywood Blvd, chatted for a few, had a few pics taken....said he was most down to earth man...RIP sir.
He didn't like Vivian Vance
@@ricj7517 Only because she loathed him.
@@Sarasdad91 they both couldn't stand each other
@@Sarasdad91Talk about a toxic working environment!!
@@ricj7517 she hated the fact that he was 20 years older than her. he heard her call him an old coot
His line delivery is perfect here. What a pro; he never lost it. That shuffle though --- at first I was saddened by how he had deteriorated physically, until I realized, "I hope I can still walk that well at 78!" Nice swan song, Mr. Frawley.
Remember he had a bad drinking problem and no one wanted to hire him cause of his drinking. When desi Rickey Ricardo thought to us him in the show,people told him dont but he took a chance with him and it worked out perfect.
They've IMPROVED a lot with heart issues since the 1960s
My grandmother died in early 80s of a heart problem
My mom had the same one, but they operated, and she did ok..
However, she died of colon cancer
Totally unrelated
"Hey boss, there's a dame here to see ya"
That's a classic Frawley line.
Would you kindly acknowledge to the owner that the Countess Henri Gaston Armond Jean Louis Phillipe Framboise de Cul de Sac has arrived!
Feminists today would get riled up at Frawley's use of the word "dame", but no other word would have captured his character so well. He cut through all the high class pretense of Ann Sothern's line and got right to the point. "There's a dame here to see you." Great line.
The line reading on “okay” is killer.
@@karlakor I think "broad" would have been even funnier. That would have really riled the feminists!
@@retroguy9494 Framboise means raspberry in French.
Who remembers Frawley in “Miracle on 34 St?
I have that on DVD. He plays a sort of adviser to the judge.
@@docadams7099 I do.
Me! Loved him in that Movie!
Considering Bill 's advanced heart issues I think this was about all he could handle at this point in his amazing career...A true professional until the end !
Who the hell is Bill
Bill is a common nickname for the name William
Lisa Smith 😂 that’s hilarious
Yes. He looks so frail here. He was 75 at that time
. ..and his alcoholism
Anyone notice how Lucy was looking at William Frawley, almost like she wanted to shout "FRED!, WHAT ARE YOU DOING HERE?!"
definitely did
Sam Cusimano
Yah!!!
It was a shame that Lucy and William Frawley did not have any exchange in this scene. I wish they had spoken to each other.
Uh, no. No one noticed the OBVIOUS. Sheesh...
karlakor. I was thinking the same thing!
"You know, he reminds me of someone I used to know!" Love it!
Love how the audience starts clapping when he comes out.
Those were the days of live audiences! What a thrill!
You know, most of the canned laughter used on later comedy shows came from "I Love Lucy".
I love Fred.....William Frawley, and I love how Lucille said he reminded her of someone she used to know....
Vivian Vance was also on the show as a regular. Seeing how she was uncomfortable with Frawley at the beginning of "I Love Lucy", and this grew to outright hatred by the end of the show's run, I wonder if she was even in the studio on the day that Frawley did this scene!
No. SHe hated his guts. On hearing of his death, she excitedly exclaimed, 'CHAMPAIGN FOR EVERYONE!"
Vivian Vance was no longer a series regular when this episode was filmed. She was a regular only during the first three seasons, then made a guest appearance in season five, and two more in season six. This episode was from season four. At this time, she was far, far away from the set of this show (and William Frawley), living in Connecticut.
She wasn't on the show at this point.
I have heard that was just an unsubstantiated rumor. Even if she did not care for him personally, I am sure Vivian would have been loath to celebrate someone's passing like that, let alone in such a public manner.
The stage set is so beautiful. I love how they coordinated all their wardrobe colors with it too.
Probably because most Americans were still watching black and white TVs.
He looked like he was moving mighty slow, but that timing was as solid as ever.
If he had been in better health, he would have made a perfect Uncle Joe on Petticoat Junction.
He was moving slowly, so that is the reason it looked like he was doing that.
Timing like an atomic clock. Great to see. I saw a pretty old Joe DiMaggio, bat not too fast, get great wood on a pitch during an old-timer's game. The ball was a solid line drive to centerfield. My dad was with me that day and he'd seen DiMaggio's whole career. He whistled and said, "Damn, he can still hit those frozen ropes." Well, Frawley could still time those laughs. :)
Wonderful cameo!! Very nice gesture by Lucille Ball to bring him on her show.
He looked old and tired in this scene, but he did a great job. A true legend. God bless him.
I mean he was born in 1887 this is was the 1960's
For someone who struggled with alcoholism and a lot of other junk Frawley actually lived a long life. Living to 79, he beat the rest of the ILL cast in age longevity. Lucy was 77 when she passed, Desi was 69, and Vivian Vance was 70. While he may look frail in this scene the fact that he was still able to get around was very good.
GBoi1 yep he was 78 here. He lived longer than his co-stars. Could probably have lived to 100 if he didn't drink and smoke so much
@@bdjoh011 You got a point there. If he didn't have a bad ticker, who knows, he could've lived another 10 or so years. Maybe the booze ruined his Heart? I don't know if booze has that effect? 💔
@@bdjoh011 And after doing 5 seasons of My Three Sons. He was still getting around quite well when he died. It was a sudden, unexpected heart attack after seeing a movie.
I remember watching this when it aired. This is when television was watchable.
It is watchable now. You are watching this. You can find any kind of show on TV or on CZcams. We know how to choose the right shows.
How can you know if it's not watchable if you don't watch it.
I love how he turns and glances at the audience when they start clapping for him. 😌
And in the closing credits, they listed him as 'OUR OWN BILL FRAWLEY." 😄
I actually love that they don't speak in this scene together , and of course Lucy's meta line is fabulous.
So happy Lucy ended on that comment.... she was looking at Fred like he was an alien the entire time..
In the closing credits: "And our own Bill Frawley as The Trainer."
And it was VERY fitting! Lucy was one class act!
frawley's "Ok" is comedy Gold
I agree-that’s the funniest moment, pure audience bait! 😄
Yes, I was cracking up. He had just the right facial expression and just the right tone of voice. I'd say Frawley was a comic genius. Too bad he was so unhappy in life. If only he could have been as happy as he made all of us.
Small piece of trivia, the first person believed to have performed the song "Silver Bells" was William Frawley, but it was never recorded. The first recorded version of the song was in the movie "The Lemon Drop Kid" starring Bob Hope with William Frawley having a small part during the scene.
One of my favorite TV characters ever - and a fabulous actor. Even Harry Houdini wouldn't be able to steal a nickel off of him.
That voice! So immediately recognizable.
His gravely voice is priceless!
some people should be immortal and the cast of i love lucy are a few of them
DatGrA2b
agree. in their golden age of I love Lucy
They may not be immortal, but the characters they played certainly are.
In one measure they are and always will be
Would've been even funnier if then the boss came out and Desi had played it.
I thought the same thing!
Or Vivian Vance! 🐎
@@garychambers5850 Vivian Vance and Frawley hated each other too much in real life. Right before ILL ended, the show’s producers had wanted Frawley and Vance to continue portraying Fred and Ethel in a spin-off series. Reportedly, Frawley was interested in the idea but Vance refused wanting nothing more to do with Frawley
That would have been classic! Desi as the boss, or Vivian Vance
Vivian Vance left the show the prior season and Lucy purchased Desi's remainder shares in Desilu.
He had great comedic timing. He was a great actor
He was a really good actor, Just watched him recently in "Abbott & Costello" meet The Invisible Man.
Bill Frawley played Detective Roberts.
Miss Ball was such a class act.
Great to see him in television again even if it was for the last time.😔
William Frawley was a great actor
I remember when this first appeared on TV. I think Lucy did the same for Moe of the Three Stooges. It was touching to see that these old comedy stalwarts were not forgotten. They still have fans even now.
if lucy did the same for moe howard what tv show was it or in a movie or on stage play?
@@weclean9312 If I remember correctly, it was a cameo on the Lucy Show. It has been a very long time ago.
The Internet Movie Database has no listing for Moe Howard appearing on The Lucy Show.
@@SymphonyBrahms sorry, but it has been so long ago, I can't recall.
@@SymphonyBrahms could have been an uncredited cameo. Or maybe he didnt speak which could have made him officially an "extra".
Lol,..as a kid that grew up in the late 60's and 1970's when this show was on (and reruns of I love Lucy)...i still smiled and laughed at this clip.
William Frawley had such a great voice (and delivery).
I got called Fred so many times growing up in school. It actually happened to me 3 days ago by my server at a restaurant.
This brings back beautiful memories of a long gone fabulous era!
Just loved Ann Sothern. She had a series where she was a secretary. Frawley, true professional.
He deserves the recognition great actor
William Frawley's last appearance as a regular TV cast member was on 1/7/65 playing Bub O'Casey in the episode called "A Woman's Work " in the TV series "My Three Sons." By the show's fifth season, Frawley was in such poor health that he couldn't pass Desilu's studio's annual health insurance exam. Consequently, he was released from the program and replaced by William Demarest. Bub was referred to by name numerous times in the subsequent episode "Here Comes Charley", and once more in a later episode in season 5, "Be My Guest", after which he was never mentioned again. William Demarest took over as Uncle Charley instead but he never equaled the talent or performances of his predecessor. I forgot about his last appearance here on "The Lucy Show." Thanks for showing it.
A day we all must meet. Our last appearance.
I'd love to read a biography of this fine man's life. I love his style and humor! God bless Bill Frawley.
I suggest Meet the Mertzes by Rob Edelman and Audrey Kupferberg. It’s the only book I know that contains his life story and anecdotes. Vivian’s life is also featured in it, but I bought it mostly for Bill. It’s a great read.
Don't know why this is on my list, but I wasn't disappointed. Frawley's timing was perfect in every role he played, including this one. Without it, this bit would have fallen flat! But Frawley nailed it and this was hilarious!
That's why I love Lucy works too this day - all four had perfect comedic timing.
it was on my to watch as well
I really love Ann Sothern and Lucy together If I couldn't have Vivian that is!!
Her and Bill didn’t get along
jennifer holzman Maybe it was offered but Vivian V. turned it down...
The myth was that William Frawley and Vivian Vance hated each other. In truth, Vance was upset that she was cast as the wife of a man much older than she was. (Frawley was 22 years Vance's senior) But by all accounts, although they weren't friends off screen, they were professional and cordial when filming I Love Lucy.
I heard when Vivian heard the news of Frawely's death (she was dining with friends in a Hollywood restaurant) she lifted her glass to a toast and said:" Champaign for everyone on ME"!
@@markmcgee2369 If true, it speaks volumes about who between the two was the class act, and who was the jerk. I could not imagine toasting the death of anyone.
@@RK-db4oq I read it in a Hollywood Magazine about 21 years ago and do not know if it was TRUE! That is why I said: " I Heard". What I hear, read or know as a fact are different and see you and I are on the same wavelength.
The two of them simply did not like each other. Some people just don't get along. But they sometimes still have to work with each other. Its just like Aunt Bee didn't like or get along with Andy Griffith in real life but always said he was a professional and the true success of the show was him. They never spoke on the set unless it was technical to do with the show. With Vance, it wasn't that she was upset she had to PLAY being married to an older man (their ages were never disclosed on the show...only Lucy's). It was the fact that Frawley in real life was 22 years older than her and she complained that he was old enough to be her father. And Frawley used to call Vance some horrible names on the set. They were equally as guilty.
@@markmcgee2369 Those kind of stories, like Vance toasting his death, are likely somewhat distorted or outright lies. I've only seen one quote directly from Frawley. It was a TV Guide article on Vance circa 1964. His statement: She was one of the finest gals to come from Kansas but I often wish she would go back there. I don't know where she is and she doesn't know where I am and that's just the way I like it". So, clearly they did not care for each other. That said, they were complete professionals on the set and to my knowledge never had any conflicts.
I'm so glad I happened upon this clip.
You see things like this in TV shows from time to time, where people who used to be together in another show are put together again, and something is said as kind of a nudge, nudge, wink, wink to the audience. For example, Tom Bosley and Marion Ross, who used to be in the show Happy Days, appeared as a married couple in an episode of The Love Boat, and refer to their offscreen son Chuck. I wonder if this clip is the first time ever, that this had been done. I bet it was!
@@Jeff98177 Or, more recently, when Kurtwood Smith from That Seventies Show calls Danny Masterson a dumb ass in The Ranch. czcams.com/video/UKY1eLe9rh4/video.html
@@DavidLS1 🎄
I LOVE LUCY is my all-time favorite television program. Nothing ever made me laugh harder than LUCY on the candy line or LUCY stomping grapes in Italy. WILLIAM FRAWLEY was a HUGE part of what made that show so special. FRED MERTZ was an irascible curmudgeon with a heart of gold. And I was BORN two years after he died.
Bill and Viv and Desi and Lucy made I Love Lucy one of the most loved and watched sitcoms of all time. Each brought their own unique talents to the show. The chemistry between those four was spot on.
I was expecting William to say "I got wind of it"
Lucy always did Her BEST to Help others including giving William a job on I Love Lucy!
Dezi got Frawley the job. The networks, and Lucy I think, wanted Gale Gordon for the role. He went on to appear on the show and was Lucy's boss on The Lucy Show. But Frawley's drinking was a problem for the network big shots.
Plus, Gale still commanded a large salary in radio (still a medium to reckon with, albeit soon to become weaker with the rise of TV) & would have been paid scale for I Love Lucy. Best to stay where the regular money & work were (even Vivian was not sure the show would last past 13 weeks at the time).
Lucy and Desi wanted Gale Gordon but he was contracted to another project. Bill Frawley knew Lucy from her movie career as Bill was character actor. Bill called Lucy and asked for the role.. Desi was hesitant but gave Bill a shot & the rest is history
@@lisakarwoski697 Gordon was already on a show, Our Miss Brooks, at the time, so he was unavailable. They wanted Bea Benaderet for Ethel but she was doing Burns and Allen show at the time. One can only wonder if the show would have been as successful if those 2 had taken the roles of Fred and Ethel. Both very talented but, well, not sure.
@@TWS-pd5dc well I'm sure they would have been great. But Vance and Frawley's acting just hit the nail on the head! Just Vivian Vance's expressions were priceless
Why oh why can't television still be like this?
Because writers and actors have gotten lazy
Many of these writers and producers today have no godly values. That's one reason. Even Disney would roll over in his grave if he could see some the the movies that are made by the Disney company today.
Spot on comeback. He seemed 👍 fine. Rest in Paradise William Frawley. 🙏💗
He never changed, a little older but otherwise he looks the same as always.
It was good to see William Frawley guest starring on The Lucy Show as a horse trainer. But we learned that this episode was his final role.
He lived the longest out of all 4 of them.
You mean age wise, correct? Because he was actually the first one to die.
The way Lucy was looking at him, I kept expecting her to yell, "FRED!!!!"
Did you notice his brief turn of the head towards the audience as they applauded ... a sort of acknowledgement
Gary Wright I've watched it ten times, and I don't see her look at the audience.
Not her ... look at William Frawley as he enters and he every so quickly looks at the audience. It is quick it is at the 0.12 mark
If I learned to read my pronouns correctly, I would have seen it. I see it now. Thanks.
Yes!!!!!
Yes, for a brief second, he broke the 4th wall to acknowledge the audience applause for him. I think its awesome!
I love his response to the woman, "okay"...lol
Makes me laugh every time I see it. Classic. Professional.
That "Ok" Response Was Priceless 😂🤣😂
William Frawley he still had it
You learn something new every day, I always thought his last appearance was on my 3 son's.
I just love Lucy, Ricky, Ethel, and Fred, but my favourite is Fred. What a pro!
Don’t think I’ve ever seen Bill Frawley in color until now.
William Frawley was a great comedic actor. lol
He was a great actor and perfect on I Love Lucy ❤❤❤❤
Madame de Cul-de-sac was greatly acknowledged! A riot! Great actor!
I'm so glad he at least Mr frawley got to do this he was so frail but not an easy life then being pushed out because of your age. He still proved to be a very funny guy..
He certainly made a great Fred mertz landlord and great friend of the Ricardo's.
R.I.P. BILL/BUB/FRED 🙏✝️
OK WE SORELY MISS YOU AND YOUR CONTRIBUTION TO THE TV FILM ACTING WORLD.
I'm guessing Vivian Vance disliked this video just kidding lol William Frawley was such an amazing actor & Lucille Ball was a fantastic comedian. I Love Lucy & Lucy show will forever live on. I grew up with these shows and still love to watch them everyday. I recommend them to everyone. 😍😘💕
The Honeymooners
was my favorite
To me Ed Norton and Ralph Kramden was more funnier
I think Lucy was just plan
silly
Hahaha
QueenAnitaSoul1 the honeymooners lasted 1 season, and I love Lucy was iconic and lasted 7 years and they each won emmys...lucille ball is a national treasure, she wasn't silly, she was hilarious and funny, nobody does face expressions like her, the I LOVE LUCY show still holds the record for the highest ratings in American history for a sitcom...you don't ever see ratings like that anymore. I like honeymooners, but in no way they were better than the cast of I LOVE LUCY...smh🤔
June giovani I agree with you 100%!!!!👍Hooneymooners??? Yeah, right!!👎
June giovani
what's your point ?
and still Ed Norton was funnier and it was icons him and Jackie Gleason that's why they have all the episodes of The Honeymooners with the original Alice and original Trixie and no it wasn't one season
June giovani
and she was silly and I stand by my opinion
Those old Vaudeville guys came up the hard way. They smoked, drank, and ate terribly which took it's toll. You could see his hands shaking on "I Love Lucy", but, amazingly, he did the show all those years without a flaw. I think he did it to prove to Desi that he made the right choice to hire him for the show against everyone's advice.
The first time I seen William frawley's work was his role as the nightclub owner Roscoe in the movie one night in the tropics (1940). Then I later seen him in the television show I love lucy as Fred Mertz, and the television show my three sons as bub o'casey. He was a wonderful actor, I heard he was rough around the edges but a nice man may he rest in peace.
Lucy was the Greatest.
Impeccable Timing.
They aged so quickly in just ten years
His voice is as strong as ever
I can hear Ethel yelling “Fred!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!” ❤️
Lucy's hair looks especially good here. I like it a little longer like this, instead of just the bubble. Lover her outfit as well, those early to mid '60s skirt suits were so sophisticated, timelessly elegant!
RIP William Frawley 1887-1966
Happy 137th Birthday, Mr William Frawley.
thats so sweet, and what a wonderful send off !
You know he reminds me of someone I used to know - Lucy .... Hahahahahaha
Back then, those roles were called a "walk on" or a "cameo".
That was great.
They still are.
Aren't they still called cameos or walk-ons? Even though they're not as common now as they were back then. 🤔🤔
@@der22672 they're still called cameos, though for many the definition has kinda changed to a very broad "hey, I recognize them from that other thing"
A "walk-on" part is a small part for an unknown actor. A "cameo" is a small part for a famous actor.
They're still called that.
Bill Frawley. Always with the pants up to his chest. LOL
William Frawley was a GREAT character actor! I always thought it was a shame that he and Vivian Vance didn't get along.
Well, Vivian started it by saying that Bill was old enough to play her grandfather.
Yeah, from everything that I've read, she wasn't very human/nice towards him (You would hope that the rumours are false???)...I love his characters right up to this one, including Bub, it's a toss up between Fred and Bub, oh, William is pretty good too!!!!!!!
True, although it did allow for Fred and Ethel’s frustration to be more accurately portrayed. No, Vivian should not have said “He’s old enough to be my grandfather.” However, didn’t she apologize? Even so, they should have approached one another and made amends, because then, they probably would have been okay with eachother. I mean, Lucille and Vivian didn’t get along at first, because Lucille wanted Vivian off of the show. She was afraid of Vivian out-glamouring her, but Lucille quickly changed her mind about Viv when she saw how dedicated Vivian was. Anyways, back to the Bill vs Viv feud, despite the fact that she and William Frawley didn’t get along, I still love both of them. Fred and Ethel actually reminded me of my grandparents. (I know, Vivian would shoot me for that comment. Lol)
It's such a shame that the entire cast of I Love Lucy never reunited after the series ended. Viewers would have loved to see them all together again, but this appearance by William Frawley is the closest they ever got to a reunion. I wish Lucy and Frawley had gotten to exchange at least a few lines in this scene.
Around late 1985 Lucille Ball was discussing with CBS the possibility of a reunion with Desi as Lucy and Ricky Ricardo (they had recently had huge ratings success with an Andy Griffith Show reunion special, and Lucy herself had recently done well in the ratings with a TV movie on CBS, Stone Pillow). But Lucille Ball soon called off the plan, publicly claiming that it was because CBS wanted the Fred and Ethel characters written out as having died, and that she did not have the heart to kill off the Mertzes. But I think the reality of the situation was she was really just making an excuse to cover for Desi, who was not in condition to take on the project. His wife, Edie, had recently passed away and he was in poor health. I don't think his health situation had been made public at this point, but it turned out that he had cancer, which ended his life in late 1986.
Well, Bill went on to My Three Sons, another series, Vivian did a short lived series before Lucy Show, and Desi sort of stepped back from performing. But I think Vivian never wanted to work with Bill again after the series ended, so there would never have been a reunion. As to this, maybe Bill could only handle a few lines. He was very old at the time so it would've been hard for him to do so much.
Vivian did an unsold series pilot before TLS, but she was never actually in a series.
He had an unfortunate illness, but right to the end he's classic, Fred/Bub, William Frawley!!!!!!!
He was in his late 70s by then. He had to leave My Three Sons because his health was such that the producers could not get him insured for the show. It hurt him to leave & apparently, the rest of the cast & crew felt the same.
William Frawley died on the very same day as Alice Pearce, the actress who played the first Gladys Kravitz on Bewitched.
Legends, there’s also a scene from the Desi Arnaz produced show The Mothers in Law w Eve Arden, that Desi does a musical number The Big Straw Hat, Desi jr plays drums in it
I ALWAYS THOUGHT RANKIN BASS SHOULD HAVE MADE HIM TGE VOICE OF ONE OF HIS ANIMAGIC CHARACTERS IN ONE OF THERE SPECIALS.
That quiet “okay” kills me every time
Three of the greatest comedic actors in one scene!
Who was the other lady?
@@troykruse5161 Was actually referring to Lucille Ball, Ann Sothern and William Frawley as comedic actors.
@@lnl3237 thank you
The man was comedic giant.
I always liked Bill Frawley in any regard...
It was a real treat to see Bill in the Deanna Durbin film, "Stranger on a Train" from the 1930's. He (Frawley) was ageless. He looked the same then, as he did in this scene, some 30 years later.
“YA KNOW HE REMINDS ME OF SOMEONE I USED TO KNOW!” Omg I’m so happy to the tiny nod/reference to “I LOVE LUCY!” I love Lucy sm!
Mr. Frawley worked in Omaha, Nebraska in the 30's at the UPRR I knew a person who had a sign time card with his signature..
that was so awesome
PRICELESS and CLASSIC!
Chris, this is pure excellence. Enjoyed this clip .
I heard that Frawley used to teach the boys to roll empty film cans at the studio down the hall so they would crash against Vivian Vance's dressing room door. Vivian was recovering from a nervous break- down at the time. Oooh, Vivian appreciated that!