Today's post marks the fiftieth post on this blog, and a great way to celebrate would be to write about one of my favorite actresses ever, Ingrid Bergman. Though I always liked her movies, I really started paying attention to her more and liking her better around the beginning of this year. And, now, of course, she is one of my Top Five.
Also, any good Ingrid fan will know that today is also her death date (dying on her birthday, out of all 365 days of the year, makes Ingrid even awesomer). But I always like to think of August 29th as a celebration of her life, and especially since this year it will mark my last day of summer vacation, I think I'll end it on a high note -- by celebrating her life, which, frankly, my dear, was quite interesting!
Biography
Ingrid Bergman was born on August 29th, 1915 in Stockholm, Sweden. From a young age she expressed a love of acting. Her parents died when she was still young and she found her on her own in the world. When a teenager, she won a scholarship to the prestigious Royal Dramatic Theater, where Greta Garbo had also studied. She practiced there for a short period of time. After appearing in a small role as an extra in a Swedish film, she turned her love to the movies. About this time she married a family friend and dentist, Petter Lindstrom. Her career in the Swedish cinema began to flourish and she also made several films for a German studio. She gave birth to her first daughter, Pia. By then plans had already been made for Ingrid to go to Hollywood, under the guidance of the famed producer David O. Selznick (who was already deeply engrossed in the filming of "Gone With the Wind"), and make a English version of "Intermezzo". Shortly after giving birth to her daughter, she traveled to the States and thus began her American career. Movies like "Gaslight" (which would win her her first Oscar), "Notorious" (among two other pictures for Hitchcock), and "The Bells of St. Mary's" would follow, but the single movie that would embolden her into film history was her role as the luminous Isla Lund opposite Humphrey Bogart's Rick in "Casablanca", the enduring classic. One of the big stars of the Golden Era, off screen Ingrid felt trapped in her marriage and sometimes indulged in affairs... among others, with the wartime photographer Robert Capa or the director, Victor Fleming. This was in striking contrast to her movie star persona, who, no matter how controversial the role may be, was marketed as "St. Ingrid of Stockholm" - pure, natural, and virginal. In 1949, she wrote to the Italian director Roberto Rossellini and said she had watched one of his films and would love to work with him. The plans were made for Ingrid to star in Rossellini's "Stromboli" - by the time she headed to Italy to make the picture in 1950, she had begun an affair with him. This time, she became pregnant with his baby, shocking the American public off their feet. Suddenly, she was condemned and driven out the country by angry moral guardians. (One senator even took to the floor of the U.S senate to condemn her, calling her a "powerful influence for evil"). She divorced Lindstrom quickly and married Rossellini. She would live in Italy for about five years, making Rossellini pictures that did not do so well and having two more children (twins, one of which became the actress Isabella Rossellini). America forgave her with the film "Anastasia", which would win her her second Oscar. After that, she divorced Rossellini and returned to her work in American pictures. Marrying one more time and winning a third Oscar (a Best Supporting Actress for her work in "Murder on the Orient Express"), Ingrid became an enduring face. Her last role was as Golda Meir in a TV documentary, and it would win her a posthumous Emmy. She died from a cancer she had been long suffering from on her sixty-seventh birthday in 1982 (London, England).
Some Trivia
Ingrid was a movie star who embraced her job and loved it with all her heart; she once dramatically declared, "If you took acting away from me, I'd stop breathing!" (I like that.... if you took writing away from me,I'd stop breathing!)
She became orphaned at a young age. When she was two years old, her mother died. When she was thirteen, her father died. She was sent to live with an aunt, who, in succession, died shortly after as well.
As a young girl (and throughout her life), she idolized St. Joan of Arc. Not exactly for religious reasons, but for the fact that she admired Joan's enduring bravery. She would play her in a movie in the late 40's, but despite the fact she was nominated for an Oscar, it was not a success at the box office.
After watching the Richard Burton / Liz Taylor episode of "Here's Lucy", she, too became intruiged with the idea of appearing on Lucy's show. An episode was put into works but because of tax problems Ingrid was forced to back out. The episode eventually became Ginger Rogers' vehicle and was called "Tea for Two." (I read this in "The Lucille Ball FAQ" and, as much as I love Ginger, went "ARE YOU SERIOUS?? INGRID AND LUCY COULD'VE WORKED TOGETHER???". If only!!!)
And some of my favorite Ingrid pictures...
Looking all awesome and chic, probably on the set of "Indiscreet", her 1958 movie with Cary Grant
Ingrid cuddling with a kitten - how ADORABLE is that?? hmm??
Come on. This is just an awesome picture. You know it is. (I think it's for "The Arc of Triumph", her second pairing with Charles Boyer, who was yesterday's birthday boy).
Of course, I've made Ingrid a birthday video on Frankly My Dear TV. So... the song I used is "She's Like the Wind" by Patrick Swayze. Yeah, yeah, I know - it's a corny, cheesy, way too 1980s song. It really has some of the most awful lyrics ever: "She's like the wind -- through my tree" among many. But I had to pick a song, and I was running out of time, so I went with this. I think the music (forget about the lyrics) kind of fits Ingrid, doesn't it? Anyways, I also did kind of a look back at Ingrid's life, though most of the clips are from her 1940's movies, there's more variety and variation in this video then I have done before. Leave me a comment and let me know what you think ;)
Well, that's my birthday blog for Ingrid! Tomorrow is my first day of school.... s i g h. I guess I'll write about that tomorrow.
Ciao!
PS: I thought I should tell you all I saw "Now, Voyager" yesterday and I LOVED it!!! So romantic and sweet and great script. ;) More on that on Sunday.
I'm going to be keeping today's post kind of short and sweet. (And sharing with you a few videos and pictures).
It's more birthday wishes, and this time being sent in the direction of the always lovely Maureen O'Hara, who turns 91 today. Maureen is even more deserving of these wishes considering it's not a would be birthday... but we are blessed because we still have her with us.
Happy birthday, Maureen!
Maureen has worked with two of my favorite actresses - Lucille Ball and Natalie Wood. Maureen, I think, was in two movies with Natalie, but the more famous one being "Miracle on 34th Street", the classic Christmas story in which Maureen plays Natalie's mom. The two got along very well and formed a mother daughter relationship (Natalie even called her "Mama Maureen") that lasted up until Natalie's death in 1981.
Maureen and Lucy made one movie together, the 1940 RKO flick "Dance, Girl, Dance". Both redheads played dancers, but of totally different types. Maureen played a ballerina and Lucy played the wisecracking burlesque queen.
Above is a hilarious cat fight scene between the two redheads in the movie in question.
Maureen and Lucy befriended each other backstage, and Maureen was with Lucy when she first met Desi Arnaz. It is also said that Lucie Arnaz and Desi, Jr. used to run countless screenings of "The Parent Trap" (the campy, 60s Disney movie Maureen made with Haley Mills) at their house in the last, crumbling years of Lucy and Desi's marriage in hopes of bringing them back together.
Though I am not an avid fan, I have always enjoyed her on screen performances and love to hear that she got along so well with two of my personal favorite actresses. Plus... since we're so lucky to still have us with her, it would be so cool to meet her.
But anyway, that's probably not going to be happening anytime soon.
Maureen has also written an autobiography, entitled "Tis Herself." I plan to read it quite soon, as I hear it's supposed to be pretty good.
Maureen and Natalie with a big china doll - on the set of "Miracle"
I'll leave you with this "What's my Line?" clip featuring Maureen. It's one of my personal favorites.
I have this little app on my iPod that tells me what celebrities celebrate their birthday today (I know, lame right? But that's not the main feature of the app, so don't think ill of me)... ANYWAY, I happened to look at that app today, and I freaked out because guess who's birthday it is!
.... Well, I already told you in the title. But WHATEVER. Let's pretend like you don't know....
Can't figure it out???
It's Alfred Hitchcock's birthday!
I don't know if I've mentioned it yet, but let me tell you: Hitch is one of my all time favorite directors. Nobody really did it like Hitch. The suspense, the crazy awesome camera angles, the romance - all of that. I just love it.
I mean, come on! The man had cameos in all of his films! How awesome is that?
So I just thought I'd share with you some Hitchcock related fun for the day.
One of my favorite stories about Alfred Hitchcock is one that my dad told me. He said he read it some place once upon a time - I'm not sure if it's true, but it's entertaining if anything. The story goes that Hitch was directing Grace Kelly, and he needed her to open a door and scream on cue. However, he couldn't get her to do it just the way he wanted her to. So finally, on one of many takes, when Grace opened the door she found Hitch standing there with no pants on (I guess he was in his boxer shorts or something, otherwise Grace would've been scarred for life) and she let out a shrill scream. "That's perfect," said Hitch. (I have seen all three of Grace's collaborations with Hitch, but I can't figure out which one it may be. I heard the story after I'd seen all of them, so...)
Hitch also worked with some of my favorite actors and actresses. He didn't work with Lucy (darn it! How AWESOME would that have been? A Lucy-Desi-Hitch thing!!), or Natalie Wood. But he almost worked with Audrey Hepburn, and he worked with Grace and Ingrid three times each. Also, let's not forgot his work with Cary Grant and Jimmy Stewart. (AND Gregory Peck).
Ingrid was at the AFI Salute for Alfred Hithcock in the late 70's, and here's what she has to say. Hitch looks a little out of it, but that's because he was nearing the end of this life. (He told Ingrid about this, who said, "But we all have to die, Hitch", which totally calmed him down.) But it's so cute the way Ingy speaks of him, and I love how Cary Grant is laughing up a storm.
An "adorable genius"
What's your favorite Hitchcock film? There are many that I love.... among them, "Rear Window" and "The Man Who Knew Too Much." But I guess my very favorite would have to be (and my father will cringe) "Notorious." I mean... it's INGRID, CARY, AND HITCH. All together. So I can't help but love it. Anyway, feel free to leave your comments because I'd love to hear.
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Oh, and lastly, I have changed my blog... drastically. Yesterday I played around with another header, but it totally clashed with everything. And then I got to thinking how, despite the fact the flowery background was pretty, (you can see a screenshot of the original blog design in my last blog), it doesn't really read "movie blog." And the header clashed anyway. So, I got to brainstorming with my mom and we came up with this. And I must say, I LOVE it. Drive ins are so neat (I wish they still existed), and I really love the whole feel. What do you think? Also (and this is in my side bar, too, as a reminder), I'm going to change the movie that's playing in the drive in every week.
Usually it will change depending upon a new feature that I will begin starting tomorrow, The Sunday Movie Review. Sometimes, it will change according to someone's birthday or a certain time of the year... for example, Christmastime. I know this week I reviewed "Woman of the Year," but I really love that photo of Clark and Vivien... and since this blog is called "Frankly, My Dear" it's only appropriate. Oh! And another thing. If anyone has an idea for a classic movie (pre 1970) that could be playing at the drive in, just leave a comment and I'll be happy to do so if it hasn't already been included.
Actually, I've been blogging for Lucy for five days now (today is day sixth!), all in celebration of her big 100.
Here's a quick review of what I've already blogged about Lucy for her birthday....
Day One:
I discussed Lucy tributes on TV, on the web, in press releases.... etc. Btw, since that post (which I wrote on Monday), the coverage on Lucy's 100th has doubled. Among many, you can check out LIFE.com for a gallery of "Lucy's many faces," "I Love Lucy," and my personal favorite, unpublished photos of Lucy taken by LIFE. Also, Access Hollywood honored Lucy on their Friday, August 5th show with loving words about her from Mary Tyler Moore and Carol Burnett, who are just a few of the many television actresses, and actresses in general, who benefited from what Lucy has given us, as well as their five favorite "Lucy" moments. It's on their website, so check it out. That's not all - just Google "Lucille Ball," and you'll be hit with articles from top news services everywhere.
So, I thought long and hard about how to make this post on her actual birthday a really awesome tribute to the funniest lady that ever lived. I'm going to be sharing a couple things with you (And I'm really sorry if this gets a little long.... you're welcome to stop and turn away at any time, because I'm not that interesting. Well, actually, this is about Lucy. Well, Lucy and me. But anyway, it's just - I really wanted to make it an awesome post so everything will come spilling out sort of).... about why I love Lucy, what "I Love Lucy" and Lucille Ball/Lucy Ricardo means to me, and, of course, a tribute video from Frankly My Dear TV. (You expected, that right?)
(from LIFE magazine)
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How Lucille Ball Became My Favorite Actress of all Time,
And how "I Love Lucy" Became my Favorite TV Show, and all of That Jazz
The first time I ever actually watched an episode of "I Love Lucy," (and not just in passing), was when I was nine years old. That was the same year I fell in love with classic movies - but that's another story, for another day.
The thing is, even though it wasn't until then that I'd actually watched an episode, I'd always heard of "I Love Lucy" - even before I loved classic film and all things Golden Age. It was a show that my mother loved and I think, really, even if you don't watch the show, is simply the show that comes to everyone's mind when you think of "classic television." There are other shows, other shows that are wonderful -- but "I Love Lucy," holds a place in our hearts, minds, memories, etc. that other shows are forced to compete with.
The episode was "Return Home from Europe." I did not know much more than Lucy and Ricky were married - I didn't even know who Fred and Ethel were! How embarrassing is that? But it was just after dinner, and I sat down to watch it. I didn't understand where they'd been (Europe) or where they were going (New York) but I decided to watch. needless to say, I'm very thankful for watching!
That's the episode where Lucy wants to bring a heavy, Italian cheese home to her mother, who, with Mrs. Trumbell, has been watching Little Ricky back in New York. However, Ricky's not about to pay for the pricey cheese's airfare, so Lucy disguises it as a baby, thinking it will fly for free in her arms. Needless to say, the results are priceless - especially when Lucy is seated next to a fellow "mother", played by the woman who would later become Betty Ramsey in the Connecticut episodes (Mary Jane Croft, I believe).
From the opening credits of the satin heart, to the moment where Ricky finds melted cheese in an instrument in the band, I could not stop laughing. I just couldn't get over how plain funny it was. It wasn't like anything I'd ever seen before. Up until that point, I'd seen Disney Channel and was used to sarcastic humor that you could only chuckle at - but Lucy was different. The laughter I got from her was the type that makes you clutch your stomach, with tears running out of your eyes. I loved laughing like that.
That was really all it took. After that, every day after school I'd settle in for two episodes of "I Love Lucy", to make myself laugh like mad. (Those were the days when homework was just a "worksheet".) No episode failed me. I was religious. I was quickly drawn into the show and the characters in ways I'd never felt with another show (I still stand on that, by the way) - why can't Fred buy Ethel a new dress??? Why can't Ricky just let Lucy be in the show???
By November of that year, they began to air the pregnancy episodes. I was so excited and happy for Lucy and Ricky. I didn't even know anything about Lucy and Desi's real marriage, and the reason that they began to tear up in the end of "Lucy is Enciente." Even though I already knew that the baby would be a boy and his name would be Little Ricky, I was excited and almost on the edge of my seat in the "Lucy Goes to the Hospital" episode... I acted as if this was a new show, airing for the first time.
I loved seeing Lucy Ricardo, the mother. As a young kid I often paralleled TV characters with my own life, and for me to like them, or love them in this case, they needed to be likable characters... characters I could relate to. In the episodes with Lucy and Little Ricky, I was happy about the way Lucy cared for Little Ricky. Take the episode "Lucy and Superman," for example. Lucy is willing to climb out onto the ledge with all of New York City below her (and in a helmet and cape, mind you!) just to keep a promise to Little Ricky. With this episode, i could feel her love for Little Ricky in the ways my own mother loves me, and keeps her promises.
Of course, as a nine year old, I was not analyzing this as I watched. It was somewhere in the back of my brain, someplace I couldn't understand yet - but it was there. And I knew I loved Lucy because I loved to laugh, but also because I loved to smile. It's impossible to watch an episode without smiling. All of these episodes were new to me when I first watched them, despite being so old, and I anxiously awaited to see what Lucy, Ricky, and the Mertzes would be up to next... I knew "I Love Lucy," was classic. But it hadn't really yet registered in my brain how important it was in history, and all of that... I just knew I liked it.
Then there was Lucille Ball, the actress who played Lucy Ricardo. I wasn't a great researcher, as most nine years old aren't, and I didn't know much about her... it took a while for that to come. But I loved her show, and so it was as simple as that: Lucille Ball was my new favorite actress.
Over the years came the books, the TV specials, the documentaries, and the Googling... but then it was very simple. I just loved Lucy.
It's still that way. It's always going to be that way. I just can't imaging not loving Lucy, and not needing to watch the show. Because sometimes I need to - sometimes I think we all need to. Whenever I'm feeling stressed or just need cheering up, a single episode of "I Love Lucy" does the trick.
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I guess I'm not a Lucy expert, but I'm pretty close! I've read books, watched documentaries and interviews... I know a lot. So I thought it would be appropriate to give you a brief biography of her, and some of my favorite trivia (like I did on Natalie Wood's birthday).
Biography
Lucille Desiree Ball was born on August 6th, 1911 in Jamestown, New York. Her parents were Desiree "DeDe" and Henry Durrell Ball. DeDe was a beautiful pianist and was working to that profession when she met Henry. She was seventeen when she married him (it was common of those days to be married so young), and became pregnant with their first child - Lucille. Not long after she was born, Lucille and DeDe traveled to Detroit, where her father was holding down a job. There the family was united, but soon after they traveled to Michigan for a softer change of scenery. It was here where Henry worked as a telephone linesman. He worked through a rough winter storm and caught the grippe - not much longer after, he died. DeDe was about nineteen, pregnant with their second and, obviously, last child. Lucille was not yet four. They went back to New York to live with DeDe's parents, Fred and Florabelle, who raised Lucille when DeDe was gone, holding down jobs wherever she could get them. Fred, Lucille's brother, was born soon after. Lucy's childhood was tough, often parceled off from relative to relative. They were also quite poor. But she maintained a strength that she would carry with her for the rest of her life, and developed a love of acting, putting on "plays" in her front yard with friends. When she was fifteen, DeDe sent her rebellious daughter to acting school in New York. However, everyone there was too enchanted by the star pupil, Bette Davis, and did not think Lucille had any talent - she was sent home. Lucille was not discouraged, and it was not long after when she was on her way to Hollywood as one of Samuel Goldwyn's "Goldwyn Girls." She made a home there, and after she had enough money, sent for her family. She did her best to climb up the Hollywood chain. Eventually she was getting lead roles in B movies; the public dubbed "RKO's Queen of the B's." It was in 1940 when she met a Cuban drummer named Desi Arnaz on the set of one of these B movies, "Too Many Girls." They fell in love and six months later they were married. Their union proved to be a tumultuous one. They were often separated, which resulted in nasty fights. They wanted children; but Lucille suffered many miscarriages. Desi called her "Lucy," and the name stuck. Lucy continued to be the Queen of B movies, her career stuck. It was not until the late 1940's, when her radio show "My Favorite Husband" was turned into a TV show - it was called "I Love Lucy." (We don't really need to get into that, do we?) It was an amazing success. In 1960, the Arnazes ended the show and divorced. Lucy got custody of the two kids they eventually were able to have - Lucie and Desi, Jr. She did two more television shows, "The Lucy Show" and "Here's Lucy" - successful and popular in their own right, but not with the same impact of "I Love Lucy." She also made a few movies. She continued to be insanely popular with the public. She died on April 26th, 1989, at the age of 77 from a ruptured aorta.
Once again, that's just a brief little biography... there are lots of books about Lucy's life, most notably her autobiography, "Love, Lucy." So you should be sure and check that out to learn more.
Some Trivia
Carole Lombard was her favorite actress - Carole and husband Clark Gable would often come over to Lucy and Desi's ranch in the years before Carole's death, and vice versa.
She made over 100 movies, most of them B movies before "I Love Lucy" turned her into a sensation. Her own personal favorite was "The Big Street," where she played a beautiful yet cold hearted chanteuse... her co-star was Henry Fonda.
TV Guide says her face has been seen by more people than any human being who ever lived. (How awesome is that????!!!)
"I Love Lucy" went on air in 1951, and thanks to reruns, has never been off since. It plays on television someplace in the world, every day, and every day, someone's watching it. It is dubbed in twenty-two different languages.
There is a Lucille Ball Diabetes Research Library, named after her when she was honored by the Variety Club ("All Star Party for Lucille Ball.")
Her favorite song was "Make Someone Happy."
She loved the show "Three's Company," and even made a guest appearance.
Whoismorefamous.com (a little lame sounding - but they have a substantial list of "the most famous people of all time") lists Lucille Ball as the 103rd most famous person of all time.
After Desi Arnaz gave up his position as president of Desilu Studios, Lucy ran the company - she was the first woman to do so.
Her favorite episode of "I Love Lucy" is the one in which she dresses up as Queen of the Gypsies.. "The Operetta."
When Americans were polled a few years ago, they named Lucille Ball the most missed deceased celebrity.
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Okay, so this is the first of my two special tributes for Lucy.... since she is turned one hundred, I thought I'd share with you my top 100 favorite TV episodes and movies starring Lucy. I promise not to go into detail. I'll just list them. Because if I did go into detail, you'd be here forever... and I've already blabbed for too long! (But it's Lucy blabbing... so... I think that makes it better. I hope!)
Oh, and by the way - after the first few, it's kind of in no particular order. I mean... these are my one hundred favorite, just I didn't want to get into the technicalities after about the first ten.
MY TOP 100 LUCILLE BALL APPEARANCES
(in films and movies)
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"Lucy is Enciente" - I Love Lucy
"The Handcuffs" - I Love Lucy
"First Stop" - I Love Lucy
"The Girls Want to Go to a Nightclub" - I Love Lucy
"Lucy Goes to the Hospital" - I Love Lucy
"Lucy Does a TV Commercial" - I Love Lucy
"Return Home from Europe" - I Love Lucy
"Stage Door" - movie
"Yours, Mine and Ours" - movie
"Lucy Fakes Illness" - I Love Lucy
"Lucy Thinks Ricky is Trying to Murder Her" - I Love Lucy
"The Quiz Show" - I Love Lucy
"Lucy is Jealous of Girl Singer" - I Love Lucy
"Breaking the Lease" - I Love Lucy
"The Ballet" - I Love Lucy
"Young Fans" - I Love Lucy
"Fred and Ethel Fight" - I Love Lucy
"The Gossip" - I Love Lucy
"Pioneer Woman" - I Love Lucy
"The Marriage License" - I Love Lucy
"The Publicity Agent" - I Love Lucy
"Lucy's Schedule" - I Love Lucy
"Job Switching" - I Love Lucy
"The Anniversary Present" - I Love Lucy
"The Courtroom" - I Love Lucy
"Pregnant Woman are Unpredictable" - I Love Lucy
"Lucy Hires an English Tutor" - I Love Lucy
"Sales Resistance" - I Love Lucy
"Inferiority Complex" - I Love Lucy
"The Black Eye" - I Love Lucy
"No Children Allowed" - I Love Lucy
"Ricky and Fred are TV Fans" - I Love Lucy
"Never Do Business with Friends" - I Love Lucy
"Lucy and Ethel Buy the Same Dress" - I Love Lucy
"Sentimental Anniversary" - I Love Lucy
"Fan Magazine Interview" - I Love Lucy
"Ricky Loses his Temper" - I Love Lucy
"Home Movies" - I Love Lucy
"Lucy Writes a Novel" - I Love Lucy
"The Black Wig" - I Love Lucy
"Tennessee Ernie Visits" - I Love Lucy
"Tennessee Ernie Hangs On" - I Love Lucy
"The Golf Game" - I Love Lucy
"The Sublease" - I Love Lucy
"Lucy's Mother-in-Law" - I Love Lucy
"Ethel's Birthday" - I Love Lucy
"Getting Ready" - I Love Lucy
"Lucy Learns to Drive" - I Love Lucy
"California, Here we Come!" - I Love Lucy
"Ethel's Hometown" - I Love Lucy
"L.A At Last" - I Love Lucy
"Lucy Gets in Pictures" - I Love Lucy
"The Fashion Show" - I Love Lucy
"The Hedda Hopper Story" - I Love Lucy
"Hollywood Anniversary" - I Love Lucy
"The Star Upstairs" - I Love Lucy
"Lucy in Palm Springs" - I Love Lucy
"Dancing Star" - I Love Lucy
"Harpo Marx" - I Love Lucy
"Ricky Needs an Agent" - I Love Lucy
"Lucy Visits Grauman's" - I Love Lucy
"Lucy and John Wayne" - I Love Lucy
"Ricky Sells the Car" - I Love Lucy
"The Great Train Robbery" - I Love Lucy
"Nursery School" - I Love Lucy
"The Passports" - I Love Lucy
"Staten Island Ferry" - I Love Lucy
"Bon Voyage" - I Love Lucy
"Second Honeymoon" - I Love Lucy
"Lucy Meets the Queen" - I Love Lucy
"Paris at Last" - I Love Lucy
"Lucy Gets a Paris Grown" - I Love Lucy
"Lucy in the Swiss Alps" - I Love Lucy
"Lucy Gets Homesick in Italy" - I Love Lucy
"Lucy Goes to Monte Carlo" - I Love Lucy
"Little Ricky Learns to Play the Drum" - I Love Lucy
"Visitor From Italy" - I Love Lucy
"Off to Florida" - I Love Lucy
"Lucy and Superman" - I Love Lucy
"Lucy Hates to Leave" - I Love Lucy
"Lucy Misses the Mertzes" - I Love Lucy
"Lucy Does the Tango" - I Love Lucy
"The Celebrity Next Door" - The Lucy-Desi Comedy Hour
"Lucy's Summer Vacation" - The Lucy-Desi Comedy Hour
"Too Many Girls" - movie
"The Facts of Life" - movie
"Lucy and Viv Put in a Shower" - The Lucy Show
"Lucy Gets Trapped" - The Lucy Show
"Lucy and Joan" - The Lucy Show
"Lucy Gets the Burtons' Ring Stuck on her Finger" - Here's Lucy
"The Long, Long Trailer" - movie
"Forever Darling" - movie
"Lucy's Italian Movie" - I Love Lucy
"The Big Street" - movie
"Best Foot Forward" - movie
"Easy to Wed" - movie
"Dance, Girl, Dance" - movie
"Sorrowful Jones" - movie
"Lured" - movie
"Mame" - movie
If you're wondering why there is a lack of "The Lucy Show" and "Here's Lucy" episodes, it's because i haven't seen that actual many. I can't find it on TV and not all the seasons our on DVD yet, so whatever I watch is usually whatever I can find on YouTube. Also, some of these movies, like "The Big Street" and "Mame" aren't actually good movies... but I enjoyed Lucy's performances in them.
(from LIFE magazine)
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Finally, I of course made a special tribute for her on Youtube... I'm still getting used to this tribute thing. I have this really old, unfortunate version of Windows Movie Maker that for some reason sticks at the beginning of clips, which really annoys me - but there's nothing I can do about it. * sigh *...and the ending is choppy, too. I really wanted this to be good and perfect, because it's Lucy's birthday, and it's her 100th!!! So I worked on it for several days... and yep. I used clips from several "I Love Lucy" episodes, and the movies "The Big Street," "Dance, Girl, Dance," "Too Many Girls," "Du Barry was a Lady" and "Beauty for the Asking".... as well as a few clips from "Lucy and Desi: A Home Movie."
I decided to use the song "Isn't She Lovely" by Stevie Wonder. Okay, so, I know the song is about a baby girl being born - you can tell from the lyrics... Just one minute old! - BUT I just liked the feel of it.... and maybe since it's a birthday tribute, it's somewhat appropriate. I know at times the lyrics don't work, but I really wanted to use this. I decided to use Lucy's "pretty" moments from her movies and television shows, and "Isn't She Lovely" just went very well. Besides. She was lovely..
So.... yep. I really hope you enjoy it and I hope it captures... I don't know the word. "Birthday spirit"? Lol.
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Soo, there it is. I hope I was able to give Lucy a little bit of the 100th birthday tribute she deserves!!!!
Lucille Ball was - and is - truly amazing. She's inspirational, too. She had a spirit in her that never gave up. And she inspires me to do the same...She was just a girl growing up in a small town in New York, struggling a little, and she was able to make herself famous around the whole world! Chances are, I'm not likely to become an actress like she. But I love to write. And Lucy proves to me that with handwork and determination, anything is possible - and if I want to write, I'll write.
Thanks a billion, Lucy. And happy birthday. <3
One of my favorite photos of Lucy
I can hardly wait to see other blogger's tributes, and I hope you've enjoyed mine. I'll be watching Lucy all day long, and I've got a feeling I won't be the only one.
So, today I'm just going to share with you some interesting articles about the redhead that I have from my two "scrapbooks" about her (I wrote about them in my Day Two post)... these are not rare in any way, but I thought they'd just be sort of interesting to share with you for those of you who don't own the books... you know.
Of course, I haven't written ANY of this, don't own it, take no credit, etc. etc. Now with that out of the way, let's get started.
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From my "Lucy-Desi" Scrapbook:
August 1911, in a section of birth notices. (Which newspaper, I am not sure of).
BALL - At Jamestown, N.Y, Aug. 6 1911, to Henry D. and Desiree Hunt Ball, 123 Stuart Avenue, a daughter.
Dancing School - Lucy and Desi become dance instructors (1940's)
(I made this so fantastically huge so you can try to read it... you may still have to squint. I'm sorry! But typing it all up would have taken quite a while...)
Movie Contracts Say 'No,' But Lucy and Desi Wed (December 1940)
When love has been laughing at locksmiths for centuries, what chance has an old Hollywood marriage clause got?
About equal to that of the snowball in perdition, i twas amply proved yesterday at the Byram River Beagle Club in Greenwich, Conn. by Lucille Ball, the film actress, and Desi Arnaz, Cuban dancer.
They were married there by Justice Joseph J. O'Brien.
Just eight days ago, Miss Ball, who is 26 and a Butte, Montana native (ha! Both lies!) sighed at the Stork Club:
"Love? Of course it's love. Desi and I very much want to get married, but we have three year contracts with the same studio and both contracts have no marriage clauses, so..."
So they just went ahead and got married.
The bridgeroom, in fact, ducked his 12 o'clock show in the Roxy for the dash to Greenwich and they bought a ring in a 5-and-10 cent store.
Lucille Ball Sues Sgt. Desi Arnaz for Divorce (Summer of 1944)
An explosive romance formula - a redheaded woman and a fiery Latin - blew up yesterday when Lucille Ball filed suit for divorce against Staff-Sgt. Desi Arnaz.
The "blast" rocked Hollywood as the titian tressed actress and her actor soldier husband were considered one of the film colony's most devoted couples.
"I can't believe it," said a friend of the couple. "I had a dinner date with them for tonight."
CRUELTY CHARGED
Filed in Superior Court by Atty. David Tannenbaum, the action charges extreme cruelty, but is barren of details. No community property was involved and they have no children.
Sgt. Arnaz, a Cuban, is serving in the special service office at the Army's Birmingham General Hospital near Van Nuys, but was not off duty yesterday and was unavailable for comment.
Miss Ball's attorney said that, 'We expect Sgt. Arnaz to waive his right to postpone trial of the suit until after he leaves the service.'
Married Nov. 30th, 1940 in Greenwich, Ct., they separated only last Wednesday, according to the complaint. It was the first marriage for each.
Notice for Lucy and Desi's rexchange of vows, 1949
Lucille Ball will adopt Desi Arnaz' religion and they'll be married again in a church service. RKO, incidentally, ordered her to leave her bridegroom and fly back to Hollywood for work, and Desi, who is under contract to the same studio, is sizzling.
Variety, 1950
Lucille Ball's bow out of "The Greatest Show on Earth" because of impending motherhood, "caused a number of repercussions in the DeMille production offices," Paramount flackery exhuded yesterday. "Thousands of dollars in costumes for Miss Ball may have to be discarded if her successor is a different size," the blubbery panted. "The script itself will be affected on certain portions which were written to suit Miss Ball's personality and acting technique." From Miss Ball's corner came this: "I was very excited over the opportunity of working for C.B, but there will be other times; at least, I hope so, and the baby is more important."
Hubby and Wife Together, At Last, Thanks to Video (plus other bits and pieces!) (1951)
(I know, I'm sorry - you probably can't read that...)
There are plenty more to share, but it would take forever to type up or scan them all!
So, that's it.
ONE MORE DAY. LESS THAN 24 HOURS... until Lucytennial.
Just can't wait!!!!!!
PS: I bought a lot of books and DVDs to add to my Old Hollywood collection recently. I'm still waiting for some of them to come through the mail, but when Lucytenniel's over, I'll do a blog on it.
This is my fourth day of blogging for Lucy, the birthday girl. On Day One, we discussed tributes and press releases in this news for Lucy's big 1-0-0- (read it here). After that, I shared with you reviews of my extensive Lucille Ball Book Collection (see here), and finally, yesterday the topic was Lucy's appearances on game shows (here).
Today's post will be a little shorter. I often watch biographies, and I've seen several of Lucy's. A few days ago I stumbled upon one I hadn't seen - "Finding Lucy," by American Masters. It is an incredible tribute to everyone's favorite redhead.
^^ This is part one
I think it did an excellent, excellent job of showing Lucy's life, and all her hardships, successes, marriage and divorce with Desi, and just the amazing person she was... It was beautifully filmed, with special little touches here and there that make it all the more wonderful to watch. It also has a great many special guest stars to take about Lucy, like:
Fran Drescher of "The Nanny"
Dean Martin
Madelyn Pugh Davis and Bob Carroll, Jr. ("I Love Lucy" writers)
Maury Thompson (family friend and involved with the production of "I Love Lucy")
Van Johnson
Edie Adams
Carol Burnett
It just really felt like a loving, warm tribute to Lucy. My very favorite part of all was a montage of Lucy's clips in the end, set to "My Funny Valentine," followed by excerpts of Lucy's eulogy, written and read by Diane Sawyer (entitled "Is There Laughter in Heaven?"). It was sooo moving.
^^ Last part, with "My Funny Valentine" bit at the end
Everyone who speaks has a lot of respect for her; the producers do not criticize her but praise her... they remind you of how wonderful she really was, and what an impact "I Love Lucy" made on the American public and just history in general. and I really got shivers down my spine watching the last part! So far, it is one of the best Lucy documentaries I have ever seen.
Here are some screencaps:
"TV Guide says the face of Lucille Ball has been seen by more people than the face of any human being who has ever lived... She reigned as the First Lady of Television for 35 years."
- 'Finding Lucy'
^^ From the "My Funny Valentine" montage.
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It's really a loving, wonderful documentary... and so if you want to watch some Lucy related in honor of her birthday, this is a good thing to add to your lineup.
Well, that's all for today. Just two more days!
Ciao!
PS: As a good American citizen, i guess I find it my duty to wish our President a happy birthday... he turns 50 today. Happy Birthday!
Okay, so I think everyone has an opinion on game shows. Some people hate them, some people love them, some people are in between and others just don't care. Well, about a year ago I stumbled across vintage "What's My Line?" clips with Old Hollywood celebrities as mystery guests, and, of course, I just fell in love!
I was even more ecstatic to find that Lucy was a frequent contestant on these game shows - "What's My Line?", "I've Got a Secret" and "Password." Her appearances on these shows are just awesome and funny and wonderful, so I thought I'd share them with you for Day 3.
Enjoy!
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"What's My Line?"
^^ I love this one, it's one of my favorites. I believe this was her first appearance, and sometime during the run of "I Love Lucy."
^^ I'm guessing that this is her second, or maybe it's her first and the latter one is second. (??) Haha! But I love this one, too. During "I Love Lucy"s run for sure. I love her 'Swedish' accent!
^^ If she seems a little different here, that's because she was doing "Wildcat" on Broadway at the time and was becoming very ill from overwork.
^^ I think this is to publicize for "Critic's Choice."
^^ 1965
^^ Aren't the audience receptions for her just ahmazzing?
"Password"
^^ Lucy, her kids, and Gary Morton. I loveeee this episode. This is just the first part; double click to go to the Youtube page to get the following parts.
^^ Another one I love, this is in 1964 with Vivian Vance, her husband, and Peter Lawford.
^^ An appearance in the 1980's with her son and Betty White... there are lots of other parts, so double click the video for the rest!
^^ In 1980, with Dick Martin... once again, click the video for more!
"I've Got a Secret"
^^ Lucy in the panel!!! This is part one. You know what do. ;)
^^ And with Johnny Carson on the panel and Lucy with "the secret."
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Okay, that's all for Day 3.
Just a few more days!! We'll back tomorrow, and with more loving Lucy!!
Hello everyone, and welcome to day two of blogging for the birthday girl: Lucille Ball!
Of course, our favorite redhead won't turn 100 until Saturday, but that's not going to stop me. We're already celebrating here at Frankly, My Dear. Yesterday, we discussed Lucy's 100th in the news and special televised tributes (click Here to view the post.)
Today, I thought I'd go over my extensive Lucille Ball book collection by showing you what I've got and reviewing them for you... Below is a short clip of my entire collection, with the exception of the "Lucille Ball Trivia Book" by Michael Karol, which i own but could not find for some reason. (If the music sounds familiar, it's me with that "Love Story" theme again - the same one I used for the intro of my "No Sad Songs For Me" video. :P)
Yeah, I know that's not exactly the work of Hitchcock there. But anyway, I hope you got the gist of it.
So, now, I'll review each of the books. I'm not going to make these reviews very detailed because my collection is somewhat large (though it can always get huger, and I have a feeling it will), and I know you don't have all day to read posts by little old me. :)
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"Love, Lucy" by Lucille Ball
So, if you're a classic movie fan (which you probably are if you're reading this), you ought to have known by now, either through the grapevine or other bloggers or book reviews, how wonderful Lucy's autobiography truly is! This book was published posthumously by Lucy's children when they found the manuscript among her papers in the late 90's. It was originally written at some point in the 1960's (circa "Yours, Mine and Ours" if I am to set a timeline for you), with the help of a ghost writer. Lucy never published it though, likely because she didn't want to hurt people that were still alive that she spoke of - mostly, Desi, who'd she just divorced. However, Lucy needn't have worried. She speaks with such class and talks of everyone fondly. Even when it comes time to write about the divorce with Desi, she doesn't dish the dirt... And I think that was very classy of her. It's the best celebrity autobiography I have ever read, and I don't care if it sounds biased. 5/5.
"Desilu: The Story of Lucille Ball and Desi Arnaz" by Coyne S. Sanders and Tim Gilbert
I'm not finished with this yet. So far it looks okay, but I'm seeing a lot of focus on "Desilu Studios" instead of Lucy and Desi. But I'm not even halfway through, so we'll see how it goes. And because of that, I can't give it a rating yet.
"Laughing with Lucy" by Madelyn Pugh Davis and Bob Carroll Jr.
Any good Lucy fan knows that Madelyn and Bob were the two consecutive writers of "I Love Lucy," as well as several episodes of Lucy's other shows and her 1968 box office hit "Yours, Mine and Ours." And though Bob gets credit for writing this, this is all Madelyn's book - written in first person - with little input from Bob. I have always had great interest in the brilliant writers, and this is a nice, short read featuring bits and pieces o Madelyn's and Bob's lives, and their relationship with Lucy - and Desi too. Madelyn clarifies all the stereotypes about the backstage atmosphere of the show... Lucy was the perfectionist, Desi was the charmer, etc. etc. Though most of the information isn't new, we do get to learn a few, rare and charming backstage stories - like the time Tallulah Bankhead visited the set as a guest star. According to Madelyn, Tallulah was always late, messing up her lines, and tipsy. It drove Lucy, who had a high standard, nuts. The cast decided to hold a private meeting about what to do about her. Just before they began, Tallulah wandered in and bellowed something about them forgetting to invite her. To try and break the awkwardness, Lucy complimented Tallulah on a sweater she was wearing - to which Tallulah replied, "You like, it dahhlling? You can have it," and pulled it off on the spot. Vivian cracked, "Good thing you didn't compliment her on her slacks," but then Tallulah said, "You want those too?" And the pants came down. 3.5/5
"Lucy A to Z: The Lucille Ball Encyclopedia" by Michael Karol
Any Lucy fan will really enjoy this. Michael Karol is the writer of several Lucy books and founder of www.sitcomboy.com. Though he misses a few entries that he could have added, for the most part, Karol gets it all. The newest edition also comes with photographs. Over all, very nicely comprised. The presentation could have been better - Karol self publishes, which ought to explain it - so with that in mind I give it 4/5.
"The Lucy Book of Lists: Celebrating Lucy's Centennial and the 60th Anniversary of I Love Lucy" by Michael Karol
Once again, not too crazy about the presentation. ALSO, since this is supposed to be a celebration of Lucytenniel and ILL's 60th anniversary, we could have gone for something thicker... however, the written work is of great quality. Kaye Ballard also makes a "guest appearance," and my favorite segment is "Ethel Mertz A-Twitter."... (Yes, Ethel Mertz Twittering). So, still great fun. 4/5
"Lucy at the Movies" by Cindy de la Hoz
This was the first Lucy book I ever got. I found it in the bookstore on a routine shopping trip a few years ago... I was extremely excited but was disappointed to learn it was thirty-five dollars. I didn't get it, but read it everytime I visited and hid it behind other books to make sure no one would buy it. I was very excited when my friend bought it for me as a Christmas present that year, and thus my collection of Lucy books was started. This is a wonderful book, big with lots of glossy pictures and movie posters... Lucy made over 100 films and this documents each and everyone of them. It includes a mini-bio of Lucy, as well as summaries of her movies, cast and production information, and critic reviews. It also has a gorgeous photo of Lucy on the cover. An excellent job. 4.5/5
"The Lucille Ball Book of Treasures" by Cindy de la Hoz
I got this as a Bargain Book from Barnes & Noble about a year. I was sooo excited to find it and very pleased with the information. It is a biography of Lucy with a lot of pictures and pull out "treasures" - just so awesome. Just great, great memorabilia. Every Lucy fan needs to own it. 4.5/5
"Lucy & Desi: The Real Life Scrapbook of America's Favorite Television Couple" by Elisabeth Edwards
This is another excellent, excellent Lucy book. Taken straight out from the estates of Lucy and Desi, this features bits from both of their real life scrapbooks (they were avid keepers of them), as well as more "pull-outs," like the "telegram" sent to Lucy and Desi by Desi's father in Florida the day they eloped, the marriage certificate of the two (with both of them lying about their ages!), and a Valentine's Day card to Lucy written by Desi ("To my favorite wife...")... just to name a few. It is just the greatest, best thing any Lucy fan could every stumble across! 5/5
"The I Love Lucy Scrapbook" by Elisabeth Edwards
A follow up to the latter book, this is just as wonderful! This features more excerpts of their scrapbooks, except all of the written bits are about "I Love Lucy." Also, you get a chance to take a peek into "The Mockingbird Murder Mystery" (the notorious novel Lucy was reading when she thinks Ricky is going to murder her - second episode, season one), pull out Little Ricky's "birth certificate", and much, much more! It is also a little bit of an episode guide to the series. Just lovely! 5/5
"I Love Lucy: Celebrating 50 Years of Love and Laughter" by Elisabeth Edwards
If there ever was a collective episode guide to every since "Lucy" episode, this is it! Includes plot summary and lots of photos. 4/5
"Lucille Ball" by Nick Yapp
Found by me the same day I found "Lucille Ball Treasures." With a couple lengthy captions, this is a great picture book of Lucy - in black and white, sepia, color... a lot of wonderful photos. I believe I noticed some typos and misprints, but otherwise it was very well put together. Buy it for the photos alone, if not anything else... 4/5
"Lucy: A Life in Pictures" by Tim Frew
I got this for a very good price - a new copy for $6. Another picture book of Lucy... I would say the latter book has more pictures, of rarer quality, but this is a good book, too. 3.5/5
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So, there it is. That's my collection, and that's day two of partying for Lucy! The big day gets closer... and closer...!
Before signing off, I'd like to wish a quick happy birthday to Myrna Loy, who would have turned 106 if she were still alive today. I really enjoy Myrna's movies, and I think she doesn't get enough credit. In fact, one of the first classic movies I ever saw starred Myrna (and William Powell) - a slapstick comedy called "Love Crazy." It made me laugh my head off and contributed to my following obsession with old movies.
Happy birthday, Myrna!
Well, that's all for today. We'll back tomorrow with more Lucy related fun... have a great day!
Ciao!
PS: I believe you can buy all of the mentioned books at Amazon.com
