Edith Meiser (May 9, 1898 - September 26, 1993)

Edith Meiser spent most of her career on the Broadway stage. She did very little television and even fewer films only appearing in five to be exact. But during her long career on stage she did work with some amazing people including Vivian Vance. Her television credits: "Kraft Television Theatre" "Goodyear Television Playhouse" "Broadway Television Theatre" "Producers' Showcase" "Playwrights '56" "The United States Steel Hour" "The Defenders" "Naked City" And of course... "I Love Lucy" Yes in 1952 she appeared in two season one episodes playing Mrs. Phoebe Littlefield, wife of Tropicana Nightclub owner Mr. Alvin Littlefield (Gale Gordon). Her first appearance in "Lucy's Schedule" is rather prominent but her second in "Ricky Asks for a Raise" is much smaller. In "Lucy's Schedule" she reacts in horror when she finds Lucy stuck with a wax apple in her mouth...I can still hear her shout "Mrs. Ricardo!" She then plays double agent when she hears her husband and Ricky plotting to make their wives stay on schedule (or in Mrs. Littlefield's case go on one) and tells Lucy all about it. The two wives with the help of Ethel teach the men a lesson. It is a great episode...Lucille Ball, Desi Arnaz, Vivian Vance and William Frawley are all at the top of their game and their supporting players Gale Gordon and Edith Mesier round out the cast making it absolutely flawless. I'm sure at the time she was doing it she never imagined anyone would ever remember it, but here it is 56 years later and she is still Mrs. Phoebe Littlefield.

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