CBS SALUTES LUCY – THE FIRST 25 YEARS (CBS 11/28/76) EXCELLENT QUALITY!!! Lucille Ball, Desi Arnaz, Vivian Vance, Gale Gordon, Bob Hope, Johnny Carson, Carol Burnett, Dean Martin, John Wayne, Dick Van Dyke, Danny Kaye, Jimmy Stewart

This 1976 tribute to Lucille Ball captures prize moments from her three television series (most notably I Love Lucy), highlights from her movie career, and excerpts from numerous other TV appearances.  

Known as the funniest woman in television history, Lucille Ball was one of a kind. With her outlandish schemes and deadpan zingers, the red-headed actress became legendary, and with her TV shows in wide syndication for years, loved for generations around the world. For good reason, CBS adored Lucy and in 1976 gathered the cast members and many guest stars to participate in a very special television celebration of Lucy's amazing TV life--"CBS Salutes Lucy: The First 25 Years."

Guest stars includeDesi Arnaz, Vivian Vance, Gale Gordon, Jimmy Stewart, Richard Burton, John Wayne, Milton Berle, Johnny Carson, George Burns, Sammy Davis Jr., Dick Van Dyke, William Holden, Bob Hope, Harpo Marx, Dean Martin, Red Skelton and more.

Beginning at the beginning, ex-husband Desi Arnaz and Vivian Vance introduce highlights from "I Love Lucy'' (which premiered in 1951). They include Lucy getting tipsy by drinking 'Vitameata Vegamin,'' breaking the news of her pregnancy, making a shambles of a chocolate-factory assembly line, and spoofing operetta as the toothless 'Queen of the Gypsies.'

Disguise and surprise are elements in sketches with Milton Berle, Jack Benny, Bob Hope, Dean Martin and Richard Burton.

Song-and-dance segments show Lucy performing with such stars as Carol Burnett, Danny Thomas, Red Skelton, Eddie Albert and George Burns

Also: a 'Tonight Show' takeoff with Johnny Carson; a barroom brawl with John Wayne; a pantomime sketch with Harpo Marx; spots with William Holden and Danny Kaye; and tributes to William Frawley and Gale Gordon.

In closing, James Stewart gives Lucy a special award.

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Number of DVDs: 1

Quality: 9.5/10

Running Time: 1 hr 34 mins (approx)

Aspect Ratio: Fullscreen 1.33:1

NOTES: This is a fan-made DVD set. Not a studio release.

 (97 min, Full Screen)