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 Ricardo
Car
- Pontiac Star Chief convertible automobile seen on classic episodes
of the CBS sitcom I LOVE LUCY during the 1954-55
season. When Ricky and Lucy Ricardo (Desi Arnaz/Lucille
Ball) take a cross country trip from New York to
California on episode #110 "California, Here We
Come" (January 10, 1955) they drive a red &
white 1955 Pontiac convertible passenger car. It
had 180 horse power and an automatic
transmission.
The car first appears in episode
#109 "Lucy Learns How to Drive" as the Ricardo's
prepare to drive West. Additional passengers for
the journey included Fred and Ethyl Mertz
(William Frawley/Vivian Vance), the Ricardo's
close friends and landlords.
Right before the trip begins, Fred finishes
loading up the car but his wife Ethyl complains
" Honestly, Fred. I could have loaded it better
with a pitchfork " When the car is packed to
everyone's satisfaction, the Ricardo's (in the
front seat) and the Mertz's (in the back seat)
drive West to California. As they leave the
city, the whole group begins to the sing the Al
Jolson standard "California Here I Come."
When the Ricardo's prepare to return to New York
City (Episode # 131 "Ricky Sells the Car") Ricky
sells the car for more than he paid for it and
buys Union Pacific train tickets for everyone
for the trip East to New York City.
When the Mertz's hear that Ricky sold the car,
they inadvertently fear being stranded in
California and so Fred purchases an antique
Harley-Davidson motorcycle for $50. Of course,
he trashes the bike. In the end, the Ricardo's
and the Mertz's board the train for the long
ride home.
TRIVIA NOTE: General Motors
paid a promotional fee and provided several extra cars for
these now classic on-the-road episodes #110 - #113. The
"Pontiac" brand of car derives its name from a chief of the
Ottawa Indians who began to war on the British in New York in
1763
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"California, Here I
Come"
When the wintry winds are blowing,
And the snow is starting to fall,
Then my eyes turn westward,
Knowing that's the place
I love best of all.
California I've been blue
Since I've been away from you
I can't wait 'til I get going,
Even now I'm starting to call
California, here I come
Right back where I started from
Where bowers of flowers bloom in the sun
Each morning at dawning,
Birdies sing an' ev'rything.
A sun kissed miss said "don't be late"
That's why I can hardly wait,
Open up that Golden Gate,
California here I come.
Any one who likes to wander,
Ought to keep this saying in his mind
"Absence makes the heart grow fonder"
Of the good old place you leave behind.
When you've hit the trail a while
Seems you rarely see a smile;
That's why I must bly out yonder,
Where a frown is mighty hard to find!
California, here I come
Right back where I started from
Where bowers of flowers bloom in the sun
Each morning at dawning,
Birdies sing an' ev'rything.
A sun kissed miss said "don't be late"
That's why I can hardly wait,
Open up that Golden Gate,
California here I come.
Music by Joseph Meyer
Words by Al Jolson - Buddy De Sylva |
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