This short 8mm color film footage was shot by an audience member of I Love Lucy, on the evening of October 12, 1951, at Sound Stage #2 of Desilu Studios, Hollywood, California. The episode that night was only the 6th show of the first season, The Audition.

Many people tried to capture the on-set filming, but producer and writer Jess Oppenheimer, forbid it, because of the possibilities of leaking before air. This footage is thought to be the only surviving material of “Behind-the-Scenes” of this legendary sitcom. Desi Arnaz filmed some filming scenes using his own 8mm movie camera, but they’ve never been seen.

Vivian Vance (Ethyl) does not appearing here, but Lucy, Desi, William Frawley (Fred Mertz) do. Jess Oppenheimer and their famous cameraman, Karl Freund, are seen briefly.

It’s been edited together with the black and white scenes of the episode that were broadcast.

Watch.

(via Thatericalper)