Meet the Mertzes

An expansive dual biography of two of America's most popular sitcom actors, William Frawley and Vivian Vance—Fred and Ethel Mertz on I Love Lucy . This meticulously researched book contains interviews with Frawley's and Vance's colleagues, friends, and relatives, and explores their personal and professional lives before, during, and after I Love Lucy. With a complete filmography and videography of each, Meet the Mertzes finally sets the record straight on the lives and legacies of these compelling stars who detested one another. You'll learn about: Vance's successful Broadway career prior to I Love Lucy Frawley's vaudevillian roots and his passion for baseball Vance's nervous breakdown after the collapse of her first marriage Frawley's drinking and carousing Lucille Ball's caustic relationship with both of her costars Vance's hatred of being known to the world as Ethel Mertz "She's one of the finest gals to come out of Kansas, but I often wish she'd go back there." ―William Frawley on Vivian Vance "I loathed William Frawley and the feeling was mutual. Whenever I received a new script, I raced through it, praying that there wouldn't be a scene where we had to be in bed together." ―Vivian Vance on William Frawley