I Love Lucy: Ultimate Season 1 Blu-ray Movie

Rating summary

Movie		5.0
Video		3.5
Audio		3.0
Extras		5.0
Overall		4.0

I Love Lucy: Ultimate Season 1 Blu-ray Movie Review

Fascinating to Vulcans, unforgettable to humans.

Reviewed by Martin Liebman May 10, 2014

There's television royalty, and then there's I Love Lucy. The 1950s decade-defining program, remembered fondly as one of television's greatest accomplishments more than six decades after its debut, has solidified itself as one of the giants in the medium's history both in terms of numerical viewership records and, less quantifiable but more important for longevity and its place in history, in the hearts of audiences around the world. A hit Comedy from the outset that enjoyed incredibly high ratings and that remains on-air even today in reruns, I Love Lucy reaped the benefits of perfectly performed roles, expertly timed jokes, and keenly scripted episodes. It remains a quintessential television program, up there with the greats of its era -- including The Honeymooners and The Andy Griffith Show -- as well as Seinfeld, The Sopranos, The Simpsons and Star Trek (in which it even earned a loving reference in the Star Trek: Enterprise episode "Carbon Creek") -- and, now with its incredible Blu-ray release and lovingly preserved for generations to come, it's more accessible than ever before to today's modern, technologically savvy audience and those who fondly remember the show and wish to experience it again, almost as if for the first time.

We're on Blu-ray!

I Love Lucy centers on the amusing lives of theater-district New Yorkers Lucy Ricardo (Lucille Ball) and her husband Ricky (Desi Arnaz), the latter of whom is a Cuban-born orchestra leader, singer, and general entertainer whose success in show business has only served to reinforce Lucy's desire to get in the game. She's not completely untalented, though she's not the entertainer that Ricky is. That doesn't keep her from trying to wiggle her way into the industry. Ricky, a veteran of show business, understands that the glitz and glamour is only skin-deep, that the world of entertainment takes an unseen toll on a person. He efforts to keep Lucy away from show business, effectively living vicariously through her freedom, telling her he wants a wife who is "just a wife," someone to clean house, care for the children, cook, and fetch him his pipe when he returns home from work (never mind that he doesn't actually smoke a pipe). The couple enjoys spending time with their neighbors, Fred and Ethel Mertz (William Frawley and Vivian Vance), who are also entertainers.

I Love Lucy masters the sitcom. The show revolves around situational humor, exaggerated expressions and scenarios, and only builds on its core story while organically maneuvering through little bits of isolated humor within the greater, general narrative. The show is endlessly joyful and fulfilling, a product of solid writing but much more importantly its incredible performances matched with effortless chemistry. The lovable leads and the precision with which they carry out story lines by emphasizing the humor but also embracing the more subtly dramatic currents gives the show the proper balance where humor dominates but doesn't completely define the experience. Lucille Ball is absolutely masterful, one of the finest performers ever to grace the small screen and in complete control of her massively impressive skills as a physical entertainer, dominating the series as much with her eyes and mannerisms as her sharp verbal timing. Desi Arnaz is equally impressive, a master of the external comedy but also more than capable of taking over the show either as a musical entertainer or verbal communicator, capable of turning his Spanish on and off on a whim and carrying a scene even if the audience has no idea what he's saying.

Below is a list of all season one episodes. Summaries are provided courtesy of the Blu-ray insert. Episodes are available with original commercial content included, and in some cases viewers may choose to view the episode's original broadcast production or slightly altered rerun editions. Included in the menu are original film dates and original air dates.

Disc One:

• The I Love Lucy Pilot: Ricky tries to keep Lucy away from his TV audition, but when a clown can't make it, Lucy shows up in his place.
• The Girls Want to Go to a Nightclub: A spat aver where to go on the Mertzes' anniversary leaves the men and women celebrating separately, until Lucy and Ethel show up in Hillbilly disguises as Ricky and Fred's blind dates.
• Be a Pal: Lucy tries everything to rekindle romance with Ricky -- pouring on the glamour, joining his poker game, even turning the apartment into "Little Havana."
• The Diet: Ricky will finally let Lucy be in his show -- if she can starve and steam her way into a size 12 costume.
• Lucy Thinks Ricky is Trying to Murder Her: After reading a murder mystery and listening to Ethel's fortune-telling, Lucy is convinced that Ricky is planning on doing away with her.

Disc Two:

• The Quiz Show: To win $1,000, Lucy has to introduce a stranger to Ricky as her "long-lost husband."
• The Audition: Ricky tries to keep Lucy away from his TV audition, but when a clown can't make it, Lucy shows up in his place.
• The Séance: The Ricardos and the Mertzes host a phony séance to convince Mr. Merriweather, a Broadway producer, to hire Ricky for a show.
• Men are Messy: Tired of Ricky's messy habits, Lucy divides the apartment in half -- he can be a slob in his half, but not hers.
• The Fur Coat: Ricky borrows a mink coat for an act at the club, but Lucy thinks it's for her. Now she won't take it off!

Disc Three:

• Lucy is Jealous of a Girl Singer: Lucy, upset by a gossip column item linking Ricky with a girl at the club, dons a disguise and heads for The Tropicana.
• Drafted: Lucy and Ethel, convinced their hubbies are about to be drafted, start knitting them going-away presents.
• The Adagio: Lucy takes dance lessons so she can be in a number at the club. But her Parisian teacher has more than dancing on his mind.
• The Benefit: Ricky agrees to do a Vaudeville routine with Lucy for Ethel's women's club benefit, but when Lucy discovers that Ricky has all the punchlines, she decides to make a few changes.
• The Amateur Hour: Lucy lands in double trouble when she takes a baby-sitting job to earn money to pay for an expensive new dress.
• Lucy Plays Cupid: Lucy delivers a romantic note to the grocer from her shy neighbor, the elderly Miss Lewis. Now the grocer thinks that Lucy is the one who's interested in him.

Disc Four:

• Lucy Fakes an Illness: Lucy fakes a nervous breakdown from Ricky keeping her out of show business. To get even, Ricky brings home a "doctor," who convinces her she has a rare disease.
• Lucy Writes a Play: For her club's production, playwright Lucy pens a Cuban-themed drama to star Ricky. He refuses the part -- until he learns that a famous producer will be in the audience.
• Breaking the Lease: A feud with Fred and Ethel over noise has Lucy and Ricky ready to move out. But can the Ricardos make such a racket that the Mertzes will let them out of their lease?
• The Ballet: To break into Ricky's act, Lucy trains as a ballerina, then gets a pie-filled lesson in burlesque from a professional comic.
• The Young Fans: To rid Ricky of Peggy, an amorous teenage fan, Lucy teaches Peggy's clumsy schoolmate, Arthur, how to dance. Now the schoolboy has a crush on Lucy!
• New Neighbors: Lucy is certain that the new tenants are planning to murder them.

Disc Five:

• Fred and Ethel Fight: Lucy manages to patch up a quarrel between the Mertzes, but now the Ricardos aren't speaking to each other. To gain Ricky's sympathy, Lucy pretends she's been hit by a bus.
• The Moustache: To get Ricky to shave his upper lip, Lucy glues on a white beard. Only one problem -- she accidentally used permanent cement!
• The Gossip: Ricky and Fred bet Lucy and Ethel that the girls can't give up gossiping, then "talk in their sleep" about Mrs. Foster and the milkman.
• Pioneer Women: When the boys bet the girls they couldn't live the same rugged existence as their ancestors, Lucy and Ethel try baking bread from scratch -- using just a little bit too much yeast.
• The Marriage License: An error on her marriage license convinces Lucy she's not legally married, so she drags Ricky back to Connecticut to propose to her again.
• The Kleptomaniac: Lucy's stash of money and valuables for the women's club bazaar has Ricky and Fred convinced that she's been on a crime spree.
• Cuban Pals: Jealous of Ricky's dance partner, the voluptuous "Renita," Lucy schemes to take her place in the show.

Disc Six:

• The Freezer: After installing a walk-in meat locker in the basement, Lucy learns the hard way just how cold the new freezer is!
• Lucy Does a TV Commercial: Lucy is hired to do a commercial for "Vitameatavegamin" health tonic. After four takes she's "happy," but not very "peppy."
• The Publicity Agent: Ricky's publicity has fallen off, so Lucy dreams up a stunt that involves her posing as the "Maharincess of Farnistan."
• Lucy Gets Ricky on the Radio: Lucy is so impressed at Ricky's correct answers to a radio quiz show that she gets him booked on the show as a contestant.
• Lucy's Schedule: To teach Lucy the importance of punctuality, Ricky puts her on a time schedule. She serves up a high-speed meal to teach him a lesson.
• Ricky Thinks He's Getting Bald: Ricky's worried that his hairline is receding, so Lucy decides to give him scalp treatments.
• Ricky Asks For a Raise: Lucy convinces Ricky to demand more pay. Now he's out of a job until Lucy dreams up a scheme to sabotage his replacement's opening night booking.

I Love Lucy: Ultimate Season 1 Blu-ray Movie, Video Quality 

I Love Lucy: Ultimate Season 1 does not reach that Blu-ray zenith of picture quality perfection, but all things considered it looks quite good and, for most, will be nothing short of a revelation for most, easily the best most anyone has ever seen the show look. The pilot episode, presented in a "Kinescope" format (details are provided within the menu, offering three paragraphs of description of the hows and whys behind the process) fares rather poorly. Frozen grain, dirt, and debris; shimmering; jagged edges; motion artifacts; poor definition; and softness all run rampant and, while not rendering the show unwatchable by any means, certainly doesn't set a good, positive tone for the Blu-ray release, even considering the admitted limitations. Fear not, however, as the material stabilizes considerably with the next episode and on through to the end of season one. All of the remaining episodes offer a more organic grain field, one that's a touch spiky but certainly much more pleasurable. Details improve significantly, revealing adequate clothing and facial details while revealing rock-solid texturing on brick façades, furniture, and other around-the-apartment items and surfaces. Some materials, like tweed sports coats, don't offer quite as much in the way of sturdy definition, but the end result is a positive, mostly organic collection of fine object details. Image clarity also rates highly, and the image is almost always consistently sharp, going only soft and fuzzy and flat as the program cuts to commercial. Grayscale shading looks quite good, with fine transitions from one shade to the next. Blacks are suitably deep. Overall, this is a very good, highly enjoyable transfer that's sure to dazzle longtime series fans and satisfy newcomers.

I Love Lucy: Ultimate Season 1 Blu-ray Movie, Audio Quality 

I Love Lucy: Ultimate Season 1 features a serviceable LPCM 2.0 lossless soundtrack. A Spanish Dolby Digital 2.0 track is also included. As one might expect, there's not a lot to the track, and what's there isn't all that well defined. Dialogue does play effortlessly and clearly, for the most part, with good center-focused stage placement and natural volume at reference level. Opening music comes across as a somewhat muddled and cramped, lacking both energy and range. In program music rates about the same. Basic sound effects are passable; a ringing alarm clock is identifiable as such, for example, but does't replicate real life. The laugh track enjoys decent presence but plays with somewhat muddled detailing and a cramped sensation. This is a rather basic listen, effective on the macro level but lacking the fine sonic details found in newer tracks.

I Love Lucy: Ultimate Season 1 Blu-ray Movie, Special Features and Extras 

I Love Lucy: Ultimate Season 1 contains a wealth of bonus content across all five discs. There's enough here to keep fans busy for hours on end.

Disc One:

• I Love Lucy Costume & Makeup Tests (HD): Available as both a "Special Presentation" (9:56, with Robert Osborne commentary) and as "Raw Footage" (11:03). From the disc: "Filmed late August/early September, 1951 (Not made for broadcast). Shortly before I Love Lucy started production, silent costume and makeup "tests" were filmed of Lucille Ball and Desi Arnaz. Director of Photography Karl Freund (and others) used the tests to evaluate everything from lighting to hair styling to wardrobe selections. Once production of the series commenced, the tests were filed away and ultimately forgotten. During the preparation of this Blu-ray release, we discovered the tests in the CBS vaults -- wrapped in packaging that dated to the early 1950s -- and are presenting them here for the first time. Two versions of the tests are offered: one, with a special introduction and augmented commentary by Lucy's protégé, Hollywood Historian Robert Osborne; and a second with just the silent footage itself."
• "I Love Lucy: The Very First Show" (1990): From the disc: "Airdate: 04/30/1990. In early 1990, Joanne Perez, the widow of "Pepito the Clown," discovered a copy of the original I Love Lucy pilot in her collection of 16mm films. It had been a present to her husband from Desi Arnaz back in the early 1950s, as a "Thank You" for the work Pepito had done on the Arnazes' vaudeville act. Ms. Perez took the film to her friend, producer B. Donald Grant, who, as a former president of CBS Television Network, knew the film (long considered lost) was highly prized. He suggested a television special be built around it. The special aired on CBS a few months later, ranked as the nation's most-watched television program of the week, and was nominated for an Emmy Award. In 1998, the special was released on VHS home video. A new, digitally-remastered version of the special is presented here." The supplement includes the entire episode (HD, 48:02) and outtakes (SD, 16:39). For the outtakes, from the disc: "These rare "dailies," filmed on April 17, 1990, for "I Love Lucy: The Very First Show," feature longtime Lucy writers Madelyn Pugh Davis and Bob Carroll, Jr. (Footage courtesy of writer/producer Billy Van Zandt)."
• 1951 Promo (SD, 0:21): From the disc: "Networks traditionally call attention to new programs with short promo pieces that air adjacent to other shows in their schedule. In the fall of 1951, CBS broadcast this rarely-seen promotion for its then brand-new series, I Love Lucy.
• Audio Commentary: From the disc: "This audio documentary, produced in 1991 for inclusion on the Criterion Collection's I Love Lucy LaserDisc, includes comments by Lucille Ball, Desi Arnaz, writer-producer Jess Oppenheimer, writers Bob Carroll Jr. and Madelyn Pugh Davis, director William Asher, actors Jerry Hausner, Doris Singleton and Mary Jane Croft, stage manager Herb Browar, and TV historian Bart Andrews." From the episode "Lucy Thinks Ricky is Trying to Murder Her." The supplement also includes a text-based Bart Andrews profile.
• Before and After (HD, 2:12): From the disc: "The original 35mm broadcast masters of I Love Lucy have been repurposed and re-edited many times throughout the years; they currently exist only as the familiar heart-on-satin version. However, in the 1950s, long before the days of satellites, CBS sent 16mm prints to their affiliates that were not connected to the great coast-to-coast cable link -- and those stations which, for one reason or another chose to air the series in a time slot other than that selected by the network. The original (and rerun) broadcasts included on this set are derived from those low resolution 16mm prints, many of which now have a great deal of film deterioration issues as well as "backed in" dust and debris that dates back to when they were originally created. A great amount of effort has been made to at least partially restore these original broadcasts to a quality not even seen when the episodes originally aired." The supplement features a split-screen showing the original content on the left and the restored version on the right.
• Flubs (HD): A collection of scenes that are accompanied by detailed text describing the flub, from the removal of a wedding ring to misspoken lines. Included are The Drum Has a Familiar Ring (0:13), They Want Us To Meet Us? (0:08), Not So Fast, Desi! - Part 1 (0:08), No So Fast, Desi! - Part 2 (0:10), The Wrong Drink (2:13), and Who's "Yorky?" (0:19).
• Lucy on the Radio (Audio Only): Includes "The Wills" and "Iris and Liz's Easter." Both play through the menu when selected rather than transitioning to a new screen. Included are the following text blurbs. "The Wills:" "This episode, originally broadcast on CBS Radio on March 19, 1950, inspired the I Love Lucy episode, "Lucy Thinks Ricky is Trying to Murder Her," as well as a scene in the I Love Lucy pilot." "Iris and Liz's Easter:" "This episode, originally broadcast on CBS Radio on March 24, 1951, and featuring guest-stars Frank Nelson and Shirley Mitchell, inspired the I Love Lucy episode, "The Diet."
• Behind the Scenes (Audio Book Featurette): A collection of clips from the audio book Laughs, Luck...and Lucy by Jess Oppenheimer. Clips include Lucy Loosens Up, Trying for Television, Making the Deal, The Premise, Writing the Pilot, Casting Jerry, and The Perfect Title. All of these play through the menu when selected rather than transitioning to a new screen. The supplement also includes the text-based Larry Dobkin Profile.
• Special Slide Shows (Audio & Photos) (HD): Slide Show 1 "Rehearsing the Pilot" and Slide Show 2 "Lucy Thinks Ricky is Trying to Murder Her" are available, and both include text and behind-the-scenes photos. The option to hear the text from Slide Show 1 "Rehearsing the Pilot" read aloud is included. The supplement also includes the same Larry Dobkin Profile found in the previous supplement grouping.
• Guest Cast Profiles (HD): A collection of text-based profiles, broken down by episode. Included are, from The "I Love Lucy" Pilot: Narrator -- Bob LeMond, Jerry, The Agent -- Jerry Hausner, and Pepito, The Clown -- Himself; from "Be a Pal:" Hank - Richard J. Reeves and Charlie - Tony Michaels; from "The Diet:" Marco, The Piano Player - Marco Rizo; and from "Lucy Thinks Ricky is Trying to Murder Her:" Jerry, The Agent -- Jerry Hausner and Dog Act -- Hector and His Pals.
• Sponsor Talent (HD): Text-based profiles for Johnny Roventini, John Stephenson, Jay Jackson, and Bob Shepard.
• Production Notes (HD): Text-based anecdotal blurbs about the show's history.
• Photo Gallery.
• Take a Bow: Disc credits.

Disc Two:

• On-Set Color Home Movies (HD, 3:19): From the disc: "On October 12, 1951, three days before I Love Lucy premiered, Desilu filmed Episode 6, "The Audition." An enterprising member of the studio audience secretly brought a 16mm movie camera with him into the bleachers that evening, and when no one was looking, he managed to take a few "home movies" as the filming proceeded. Gregg Oppenheimer, son of series producer and head writer Jess Oppenheimer, discovered and obtained this rare color footage in 2006. It is presented here, edited together with scenes from the actual show. The gentleman on the set with the Arnazes between the scenes is the show's director, Marc Daniels. This unusual film is the only known color footage of the Tropicana and Ricardo apartment sets."
• The Sunday Lucy Show (SD, 4:21): From the disc: "In the spring of 1955, with I Love Lucy continuing on CBS Monday Nights at 9PM (EST), the network launched a "new" Lucy repeat series that aired every Sunday evening at 6PM -- so younger viewers could watch and so that viewers of all ages could enjoy again the early first-season Lucy programs. The series was titled The Sunday Lucy Show. New opening and closing materials were prepared for the broadcasts." This supplement includes clips from the program.
• Flubs (HD): A collection of scenes that are accompanied by detailed text describing the flub. Included are Audience Participation (0:13) and A Lengthy Ladder (0:29).
• Meet Marc Daniels (HD): A two-page text biography of the famed director.
• Lucy on the Radio (Audio Only): Includes "Anniversary Presents", "Numerology," and "George is Messy." All three play through the menu when selected rather than transitioning to a new screen. Included are the following text blurbs. "Anniversary Presents:" "This episode, originally broadcast on CBS Radio on May 13, 1949, and featuring guest star Elvia Allman, inspired the I Love Lucy Episode "The Fur Coat." "Numerology:" "This episode, originally broadcast on May 14, 1950, and featuring guest stars Hans Conried, Jay Novello, and Hal March, inspired the I Love Lucy episode "The Séance." "George is Messy:" "This episode, originally broadcast on CBS Radio on June 4, 1950, and featuring guest stars Eleanor Audley, Doris Singleton, and Harry Bartell inspired the I Love Lucy episode "Men Are Messy."
• Guest Cast Profiles (HD): A collection of text-based profiles, broken down by episode. Included are, from "The Quiz Show:" Freddie Fillmore - Frank Nelson, Announcer - Lee Millar, Mrs. Peterson - Hazel Pierce, Harold, The Tramp - John Emery, and Arnold, The First Husband - Phil Ober; "The Audition:" Buffo, The Clown - Pat Moran, TV Network Rep #1 - Jess Oppenheimer, TV Network Rep #2 - Harry Ackerman, TV Network Rep #3 - Hal Hudson, Stagehand - Bennett Green; "The Séance:" Mr. Merriweather - Jay Novello; "Men Are Messy:" Kenny, The Press Agent - Kenny Morgan, Jim White, The Photographer - Lewis Martin, Maggie - Hazel "Sunny" Boyne; and from "The Fur Coat:" Thief - Ben Welden.
• Sponsor Talent (HD): Text-based profiles for Johnny Roventini, John Stephenson, Jay Jackson, and Bob Shepard.
• Production Notes (HD): Text-based anecdotal blurbs about the show's history.
• Photo Gallery.
• Take a Bow: Disc credits.

Disc Three:

• Flubs (HD): A collection of scenes that are accompanied by detailed text describing the flub. Included are Desi Can't Miss (0:13) and Quiet on the Set (0:15).
• Lucy on the Radio (Audio Only): Includes "Valentine's Day" and "Liz Has the Flimjabs." Both play through the menu when selected rather than transitioning to a new screen. Included are the following text blurbs. "Valentine's Day:" "This episode, originally broadcast on CBS Radio on February 11, 1949, and featuring guest stars Hans Conried and Gale Gordon, inspired the I Love Lucy episode "Lucy Plays Cupid." "Liz Has the Flimjabs:" "This episode, originally broadcast on CBS Radio on December 30, 1950, and featuring guest star Frank Nelson, inspired the I Love Lucy episode "Lucy Fakes Illness."
• Guest Cast Profiles (HD): A collection of text-based profiles, broken down by episode. Included are, from "Lucy is Jealous of Girl Singer:" Rosemary - Helen Silver; "Drafted:" Party Guest - Hazel Pierce, Santa Claus (Tag Scene) - Vernon Dent; "The Adagio:" Jean Valjean Raymand - Shepard Menken; "The Amateur Hour:" Mrs. Hudson - Gail Bonney, Timmy Hudson - David Stollery, Jimmy Hudson - Sammy Ogg; and from "Lucy Plays Cupid:" Miss Lewis - Bea Benaderet, Mr. Ritter - Edward Everett Horton.
• Sponsor Talent (HD): Text-based profiles for Johnny Roventini, John Stephenson, Jay Jackson, and Bob Shepard.
• Production Notes (HD): Text-based anecdotal blurbs about the show's history.
• Photo Gallery.
• Take a Bow: Disc credits.

Disc Four:

• Flubs (HD): A collection of scenes that are accompanied by detailed text describing the flub. Included are Fred's Getaway (0:12), Jumpin' Jack Flash (0:09), A Good Cover Story (0:18), and Vanishing Cream (0:20).
• Lucy on the Radio (Audio Only): Includes "Liz Teaches the Samba." It plays through the menu when selected rather than transitioning to a new screen. Included is the following text blurb. "Liz Teaches the Samba:" "This episode, originally broadcast on CBS Radio on February 17, 1950, and featuring guest stars Dick Crenna and Jim Backus, inspired the I Love Lucy episode "The Young Fans."
• Guest Cast Profiles (HD): A collection of text-based profiles, broken down by episode. Included are, from "Lucy Fakes Illness:" Hal March - Himself; "Lucy Writes a Play:" Club Chairwoman - Myra Marsh, Stage Manager - Maury Thompson; "Breaking the Lease:" Bum - Bennett Green, First Party Guest - Barbara Pepper, Second Party Guest - Hazel Pierce; "The Ballet:" Madame LeMond - Mary Wickes, Burlesque Comic - Frank Scannell; "The Young Fans:" Peggy Dawson - Janet Waldo, Arthur Morton - Richard Crenna; and from "New Neighbors:" Tom O'Brien - Hayden Rorke, Mrs. O'Brien - K.T. Stevens, Sergeant Morton - Allen Jenkins.
• Sponsor Talent (HD): Text-based profiles for Johnny Roventini, Jay Jackson, and Frank Simms.
• Production Notes (HD): Text-based anecdotal blurbs about the show's history.
• Photo Gallery.
• Take a Bow: Disc credits.

Disc Five:

• Flubs (HD): A collection of scenes that are accompanied by detailed text describing the flub. Included are We Got Married 'Where?' (0:25), It's About Four Blocks (0:18), and Desi Forgets His Spanish (0:55).
• Clowning Around: Pictures from, and text describing, a moment of levity on the set.
• Lucy on the Radio (Audio Only): Includes "The Marriage License." It plays through the menu when selected rather than transitioning to a new screen. Included is the following text blurb. "The Marriage License:" "This episode, originally broadcast on CBS Radio on January 21, 1949, and featuring guest stars Frank Nelson, Parley Baer, Doris Singleton, and Ted de Corsia, inspired the I Love Lucy episode "The Marriage License."
• Guest Cast Profiles (HD): A collection of text-based profiles, broken down by episode. Included are, from "Fred and Ethel Fight:" Soda Jerk - Hazel Pierce; "The Moustache:" Mr. Murdoch - John Brown; "The Gossip:" Mr. Foster - Richard J. Reeves, First Party Guest - Barbara Pepper, Second Party Guest - Hazel Pierce; "The Ballet:" Milkman - Bobby Jellison; "Pioneer Women:" Mrs. Pettebone - Florence Bates, Mrs. Pomerantz - Ruth Perrott; "The Marriage License:" Bert Willoughby - Irving Bacon, Mrs. Willoughby - Elizabeth Patterson; "The Kleptomaniac:" Dr. Tom Robinson - Joseph Kearns; and from "Cuban Pals:" Carols Ortega - Alberto Orin, Maria Ortega - Rita Condé, Renita Perez - Lita Baron, and Sergeant Morton - Allen Jenkins.
• Sponsor Talent (HD): Text-based profiles for Johnny Roventini, John Stephenson, and Frank Simms.
• Production Notes (HD): Text-based anecdotal blurbs about the show's history.
• Photo Gallery.
• Take a Bow: Disc credits.

Disc Six:

• Flubs (HD): A collection of scenes that are accompanied by detailed text describing the flub. Included are Where's Lucy (0:25) and Call Me "Mauriece" (0:20).
• Audio Commentary: From the disc: "This audio documentary, produced in 1991 for inclusion on the Criterion Collection's I Love Lucy LaserDisc, includes comments by writers Bob Carroll Jr. and Madelyn Pugh Davis, stage manager Herb Browar, actors Jerry Hausner and Ross Elliott, and TV historian Bart Andrews." From the episode "Lucy Does a TV Commercial." The supplement also includes a text-based Bart Andrews profile.
• Fancy Editing (HD): Alternate rerun takes for "Lucy Does a TV Commercial" (1:49) and "Lucy Gets Ricky on the Radio" (1:07).
• Lucy on the Radio (Audio Only): Includes "Selling Dresses," "Quiz Show," "Time Budgeting," and "George Tries for a Raise." All play through the menu when selected rather than transitioning to a new screen. Included are the following text blurbs: "Selling Dresses:" "This episode, originally broadcast on CBS Radio on May 28, 1950, and featuring guest stars Hans Conried, Florence Halop, Viv Janiss, and Barney Phillips, inspired the butcher shop scene in "The Freezer." "Quiz Show:" "This episode, originally broadcast on CBS Radio on November 25, 1949, and featuring guest stars Hans Conried, Frank Nelson, and Hal March, inspired the I Love Lucy episode "Lucy Gets Ricky on the Radio." "Time Budgeting:" "This episode, originally broadcast on CBS Radio on April 22, 1949, and featuring guest star Hans Conried, inspired the I Love Lucy episode "Lucy's Schedule." "George Tries for a Raise:" "This episode, originally broadcast on CBS Radio on October 7, 1949, and featuring guest star Frank Nelson, inspired the I Love Lucy episode "Ricky Asks for a Raise."
• Behind the Scenes (Audio Book Featurette): A collection of clips from the audio book Laughs, Luck...and Lucy by Jess Oppenheimer. Clips include Writing 'The Freezer' (Part 1), Writing 'The Freezer' (Part 2), and Writing 'Lucy Does a TV Commercial'. The supplement also includes the text-based Larry Dobkin Profile.
• Guest Cast Profiles (HD): A collection of text-based profiles, broken down by episode. Included are, from "The Freezer:" 1st Delivery Man - Frank Sully, 2nd Delivery Man - Bennett Green, Butcher - Fred Aldrich, 1st Woman in Butcher Shop - Hazel Pierce, 2nd Woman in Butcher Shop - Kay Wiley, 3rd Woman in Butcher Shop - Barbara Pepper; "Lucy Does a TV Commercial:" Ross Elliott, The Director - Ross Elliott, Joe, The Propman - Jerry Hausner, Maury, The Script Clerk - Maury Thompson, Sound Man (Voice) - Jess Oppenheimer; "The Publicity Agent:" Reporter - Peter Leeds, Photographer - Bennett Green, 1st Assassin (Mr. Foster) - Richard J. Reeves, 2nd Assassin (Joe) - Gil Herman; "Lucy Gets Ricky on the Road:" Freddy Fillmore - Frank Nelson, Office Boy - Bobby Ellis, Radio Announcer - Roy Rowan; "Lucy's Schedule:" Alvin Littlefield - Gale Gordon, Phoebe Littlefield - Edith Meiser; "Ricky Thinks He's Getting Bald:" Mr. Thurlow - Milton Parsons; and from "Ricky Asks For a Raise:" Alvin Littlefield - Gale Gordon, Phoebe Littlefield - Edith Meiser, Maurice, The Headwaiter - Maurice Marsac.
• Sponsor Talent (HD): Text-based profiles for Johnny Roventini, John Stephenson, Frank Simms, and Roy Rowan.
• Production Notes (HD): Text-based anecdotal blurbs about the show's history.
• Photo Gallery.
• Take a Bow: Disc credits.

I Love Lucy: Ultimate Season 1 Blu-ray Movie, Overall Score and Recommendation 

I Love Lucy is one of the unquestioned highlights of television's storied history. Ask most anyone whose scope of knowledge extends beyond the here-and-now and most will inevitably call out the show's name when asked to list the top two or three most popular, and best, television shows over the years. It's a bonafide cultural phenomenon still many decades after its original airing, and it's been painstakingly restored and lovingly brought to Blu-ray in this impressive six-disc set. Featuring excellent video, serviceable audio, and a seemingly endless assortment of extra content -- a mixture of video, audio, and text supplements -- this is a set to treasure for fans and a detailed introduction for newcomers. It ranks as one of the year's must-own Blu-ray releases. I Love Lucy: Ultimate Season 1 earns my highest recommendation.