58 Years: "Lucy Meets Superman"

Above, Desi Arnaz, Keith Thibodeaux and George Reeves.

Fifty-eight years ago today on January 14, 1957, actor George Reeves guest-starred on the CBS television sitcom, I Love Lucy, starring Lucille Ball and Desi Arnaz.

The title of the show, "Lucy Meets Superman" has Little Ricky about to celebrate his birthday but his friend also has a birthday and Lucy and Carolyn Appleby are arguing over who was going to have the "first dibs" on having the party on the following Saturday.

It appeared that Carolyn was going to win the argument until Lucy said that Superman was going to attend Little Ricky's. When her son Stevie hears this, she concedes the day for Little Ricky's party. Earlier, Ricky told Lucy that Superman was in town for personal appearances and he would contact him about the party. Unfortunately, Superman really wasn't available to appear.

On the day (a rainy one) of Little Ricky's party, Lucy hatches a scheme to dress up like Superman (with a football helmet to cover her red hair) and appear quickly on the outside window ledge. She goes out there through a window of a vacant apartment, but some prospective tenants shut and lock the window. So Lucy is stuck outside in the pouring rain.

Meanwhile, Superman (George Reeves) did manage to juggle his schedule and shows up at Little Ricky's party, much to the delight of the kids.

Above, a collection of scenes compiled by Brad Shey.

After the party, Superman laments that he "didn't get to meet Lucy. I've heard so much about her." Ethel Mertz (Vivian Vance) blurts out that she's out on the ledge. They all then run to the window to find Lucy on the ledge, but her cape is stuck on a drain pipe.

Superman then goes out the window to rescue Lucy.

Adventures of Superman's special effects director Thol Simonson assisted Reeves for his spectactular entrance through the shuttered window between the living room and kitchen of Lucy's apartment.

It is interesting that Reeves appeared as Superman on I Love Lucy as both shows have had the highest longevity rates of any television shows from the 1950s.