WILLIAM FRAWLEY
February 26, 1887 - March 3, 1966
We loved Lucy, and desired Desi, but secretly, we really preferred the Mertzes to the Ricardos. And although Ethel Mae Potter will forever be our favorite, the contributions of Bill Frawley as little Freddy Mertz, the crustiest, curmudgeonliest crusty curmudgeon (as well as the most lovable) to ever hit the screen, shouldn't be overlooked. In 1965, five years after I Love Lucy and its hour-long spin-off went off the air, Frawley made a brief, funny cameo on Lucille Ball's second series, The Lucy Show. The audience's recognition applause was tremendous, and the punchline priceless. It turned out to be Frawley's final appearance before his death from a heart attack, a sweet send-off if there ever was one.
P.S. We'll be back with regular updates on Sunday! Thanks for being patient, darlings!
He was so wonderful...
ReplyDeleteMy dad adopted a terrific Fred Mertz impersonation for a running gag with me. When I was about five, I'd say, "Daddy, Daddy, Daddy, let's play!" To which he'd reply in his best Mertz gravelly growl, "Ok, let's play house. You be the door and I'll slam ya." We'd both crack up, and go play.
It is freightning how much I am like Fred Mertz. He was a great character actor. I love that we both do birthday posts, but don't overlap. Love your blog.
ReplyDeleteI love the way Fred said, "Ok . . ."
ReplyDeleteCan we talk about Lucy, tho? What happened to her? Why did she change? And get not funny? Was it the face-lifts?
I must say, tho, Lucy looked great in this episode. Love the suit color with her hair.