The Long, Long Trailer (1954)

38% of critics liked it
(8 reviews)
79% of users liked it
(4,521 ratings)

At the height of their TV fame, Lucille Ball and Desi Arnaz were contracted by MGM to make two theatrical films. The first of these, The Long, Long Trailer, stars Lucy and Desi as an upwardly mobile couple who decide to buy a trailer so they can live together while his job takes him around the… More At the height of their TV fame, Lucille Ball and Desi Arnaz were contracted by MGM to make two theatrical films. The first of these, The Long, Long Trailer, stars Lucy and Desi as an upwardly mobile couple who decide to buy a trailer so they can live together while his job takes him around the country. Thanks to their naivete in such matters, they end up with a huge, bulky RV that costs five times what they planned. Their "seeing America" trip turns out to be a slapstick disaster, topped by Lucy's foolish decision to hide a heavy rock collection in the trailer; as Desi tries to maneuver a treacherous mountain road, the weighted-down home-on-wheels nearly loses its balance and almost tumbles off a cliff. The story is told in flashback, as Desi 'splains the breakup of his marriage to a motel court manager. Happily, Lucy shows up, goes "Waaaaah" a little, and all is forgiven. Despite the fact that audiences were getting Ball and Arnaz for free each week on television, The Long, Long Trailer was a big hit at the box-office. The film was adapted by Albert Hackett and Frances Goodrich from a novel by Clinton Twiss, with uncredited assistance from the I Love Lucy writing staff. ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi

Rating, Runtime: G, 1 hr. 43 min.
Directed By: Vincente Minnelli
Written By: Clinton Swiss, Albert Hackett
Genres: Romance, Classics, Comedy

On DVD: May 2, 2006

Critic Reviews

Michael E. Grost, Classic Film and Television
Strange, surreal film, notable for Minnelli's brilliant use of color and visual style.
Emanuel Levy, EmanuelLevy.Com
One of Minnelli's few broad comedies, more of a collection of anecdotes than a coherent tale, about the wacky misadventures of a middle-class couple (Lucille Ball and Dazi Arnaz) during a long cross-country trek.
Don Willmott, Filmcritic.com
doesn't earn a place on my DVD shelf next to my I Love Lucy collection
John J. Puccio, Movie Metropolis
...the only saving grace is a brief interlude with the song "Breezin' Along With the Breeze," reminding us what Minnelli could really do.
John J. Puccio, Movie Metropolis
...not even Minnelli and Berman could do much with a predictably inane script.
Jeffrey M. Anderson, Combustible Celluloid
The ordinarily graceful Minnelli tries his best to guide this material and he finally gets his momentum in a climactic sequence... But until then, it's a largely unfunny TV sitcom romp.
Jon Niccum, Lawrence Journal-World
hilarious
Dennis Schwartz, Ozus' World Movie Reviews
A disaster for anyone but "I Love Lucy" fans.

Read all 8 critic reviews

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Fresh (60% or more critics rated the movie positively)

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Featured Audience Ratings

AJ V

This movie is funny for the most part, but some of the jokes (like the title suggests) go too long, so they're not that funny. The story is also predictable, but it's cool to see a movie with Lucy and Ricky.
Sarah P

As a huge "I Love Lucy" fan, I found that this movie didn't live up to their chemistry in the show. It was funny and a cute movie, but in comparison, the show is hard to beat!

Cast

            Lucille Ball as Tracy Collini

            Desi Arnaz as Nicholas Collini

            Marjorie Main as Mrs. Hittaway

            Keenan Wynn as Policeman

            Gladys Hurlbut as Mrs. Bolton

            Moroni Olsen as Mr. Tewitt

            Bert Freed as Foreman

            Madge Blake as Aunt Anastacia

            Walter S. Baldwin as Uncle Edgar

            Oliver Blake as Mr. Sudloy

            Perry Sheehan as Bridesmaid

            Richard Alexander as Father

            John Call as Shorty

            Geraldine Carr as Girl

            Edgar Dearing as Manager

            Frank Gerstle as Attendant

            Charles Herbert as Little Boy

            Jack Kruschen as Mechanic

            Norman Leavitt as Driver

            Alan Lee as Mr. Elliott

            Ruth Lee as Mrs. Tewitt

            Peter Leeds as Garage Manager

            Karl Lukas as Inspector

            Howard McNear as Mr. Hittaway

            Ida Moore as Candy Store Clerk

            Dorothy Neumann as Aunt Ellen

            Christopher Olsen as Tom

            Emory Parnell as Policeman

            Phil Rich as Mr. Dudley

            Fay Roope as Judge

            Edna Skinner as Mrs. Barrett

            Herb Vigran as Trailer Salesman

            Emmett Vogan as Mr. Bolton

            Ruth Warren as Mrs. Dudley

            Wilson Wood as Garage Owner

            Howard Wright as Uncle Bill

            Juney Ellis as Waitress

            Dallas Boyd as Minister

            Dennis Ross as Jody

            Sarah Spencer as Girl Friend

            Connie Van as Grace

            Robert Anderson as Carl Barrett

            Desi Arnez
            
See full cast