Ep 5. Lucy and the Ring-a-Ding Ring

Lucy and the Ring-a-Ding Ring, the fifth episode of The Lucy Show's first season, follows Lucy Carmichael (Lucille Ball) as she discovers an old telephone ring that used to belong to her grandmother. This ring, which has been in her family for generations, was made by a famous artist and is said to be worth a lot of money. Eager to find out if this is true, Lucy takes the ring to a local jeweler to have it appraised.

Though she is initially skeptical of the ring's value, Lucy is surprised to learn that it is worth $1000. Excited by this news, she decides to sell the ring to make some quick cash. However, as she is about to make the sale, Lucy has a change of heart and starts to second-guess her decision. She realizes that the ring has sentimental value and that it would be a shame to let go of it. Determined to keep the ring, Lucy devises a plan to trick her friend Vivian Bagley (Vivian Vance) into buying it for her.

Lucy invites Vivian over to her apartment and convinces her to try on the ring. When Vivian puts it on, Lucy pretends to accidentally spill a glass of water on her hand. She quickly removes the ring and tells Vivian to take it off so she can dry it. Unknowingly, Vivian hands the ring back to Lucy, who then claims that she never intended to sell it in the first place. Vivian is disappointed but accepts Lucy's decision.

As the episode continues, Lucy discovers that there is a large diamond hidden inside the ring. Excited by this discovery, she takes it back to the jeweler to have it appraised again. This time, the jeweler tells her that the ring is worth $10,000. Overwhelmed by the amount of money she could make, Lucy decides to sell it after all. However, as she is about to make the sale, she has yet another change of heart and decides to keep the ring once again.

In the end, Lucy's love for the ring outweighs its monetary value, and she decides to pass it down to her own granddaughter when the time comes. The episode ends with Lucy realizing that the sentimental value of the ring is far more important than any amount of money it could bring in.

Overall, Lucy and the Ring-a-Ding Ring is a heartwarming and humorous episode that showcases Lucy's signature brand of comedic charm. The episode also touches on themes of family, tradition, and sentimental value, making it a timeless addition to The Lucy Show's first season.