Ep 11. Getting Ready

In I Love Lucy season 4 episode 11, called "Getting Ready," Lucy and Ethel get themselves in trouble as they attempt to get ready for a fancy dinner party at Ricky and Fred's club. The episode begins with Lucy and Ethel receiving invitations to a prestigious dinner party at their husbands' club. Excited about attending the party, the two women start to plan their outfits and makeup for the evening.

However, things soon go awry as Lucy, who has been saving a lot of money to buy a new dress, realizes that she has miscounted and doesn't have enough money to purchase the dress she wants. To make matters worse, she discovers that the store is closing in ten minutes and only one dress is left in her size. With no time to go home and get more money, Lucy makes the decision to steal the dress and replace it once she gets paid.

Ethel is initially shocked at Lucy's impulsive decision, but eventually gives in and helps her friend steal the dress. The two women try to make a quick exit, but are caught by a security guard. In order to avoid getting arrested and ruining the evening, Lucy and Ethel come up with a creative lie and convince the security guard that the dress is actually a donation to a charity auction.

With the stolen dress now in their possession, Lucy and Ethel rush home to get ready for the party. While Lucy tries to hide the stolen dress from Ricky and Fred, Ethel struggles to do her own hair and makeup. When the two women finally arrive at the party, they are far from ready and end up causing a scene as they run around trying to fix their hair, makeup, and clothing.

The episode is filled with hilarious moments, including Lucy and Ethel's attempt to steal the dress, their lies to the security guard, and their frantic efforts to get ready for the party. The show's signature physical comedy is on full display as Lucy and Ethel stumble and trip their way through the evening.

Overall, "Getting Ready" is a classic episode of I Love Lucy that showcases the show's strengths: the comedic talents of Lucille Ball and Vivian Vance, the chemistry between the central pair, and the ability to turn seemingly mundane situations into riotously funny moments.