Willian Frawley and Vivian Vance became a problem during production
William Frawley (Fred Mertz) was a veteran of vaudeville, Broadway, and film, when he actively lobbied for the part of Fred Mertz. Desi Arnaz, and later Lucille Ball, both decided he was the best man for the role, though his well-known heavy drinking presented a problem for both. As executive producer of the program, Arnaz installed rules proscribing Frawley’s drinking during working hours, as well as absences from work caused by drinking outside of working hours. Frawley was 64 years of age in 1951, suitable roles were becoming scarce, and he agreed to Desi’s terms. He stuck to them. Throughout the years of production, Frawley was on time, sober, knew his lines, and was ready to work. Before production of the series was over Arnaz, no slouch with the bottle himself, and Frawley had become close friends. It was a friendship which lasted until Frawley’s death in 1966.
For his wife, Ethel Mertz, Lucille Ball preferred her long-time friend, Bea Benaderet, or Barbara Pepper, whom Lucy knew well from their days together in the Goldwyn Girls. Pepper also had a reputation as someone with a fondness for the bottle, Benaderet had scheduling conflicts. Lucy settled on the little-known Vivian Vance, 22 years younger than Frawley, who was to play her husband. During tests and rehearsals, Vance and Frawley displayed an immediate chemistry, including the comedic timing required of the roles. What didn’t show, at least at first, was from almost the moment they met, they loathed each other when not in character. The source of their mutual dislike has been explored by many, with conflicting reasons as to why, but its existence is undisputed. Whether their frequent off-screen barbs reinforced those scripted for their roles remains a source of dispute.