Maybe a month and a half ago, towards the beginning of the summer, I finally decided to give in and subscribe to TCM's "Now Playing" magazine. I had seen enough commercials on their channel (Turner Classic Movies), with Robert Osborne appealing the "exciting features" of the magazine. Here's what I was promised:
Editorial articles
Rare photographs
TCM's full schedule for the month (and by this, they're not kidding)
A crossword puzzle
Ben's picks (AKA, Ben Mankiewicz, Joe's nephew and host of TCM)
And many more thrilling features for you to pay $12 a year for!
Here's how the photographs of this "magazine" looked on their site:
Looks pretty great, right?
So, here I am, waiting for weeks and weeks excitedly for this amazing magazine about classic movies to show up. You can picture what I imagined - something big and glossy.
Yesterday, we came back from the orthodontist, strolled in the door, and I just happened to look over at the counter at the stack of mail - some clothing catalogs, some bills, some junk mail... and then something that looked like a pamphlet. Not even a magazine. A PAMPHLET.
It had a picture of Kirk Douglas on the cover. And it said "NOW PLAYING."
I went, "Oh no, oh no, this can't be it," as I held it in disbelief. Because it was made out of newspaper material. And it was so skinny, I was sure I could get through it in a few minutes. And so tiny.
Then my dad took it from me and he started laughing, "This is it? This it?" And he began to flip through it. "I can fit it in my wallet!" And - "Good thing you saw it, otherwise I would've thrown it away." The first couple pages consisted of those "editorial articles promised" - maybe two or three squeezed onto a page, and the rest of it was their schedule for the month of September. And, oh. A crossword puzzle with Marilyn Monroe's face in the middle.
I'm not kidding. To show you how small it is, I've placed my pamphlet next to my iPod touch. It is about twice the height of my iPod.
But that's not all. Look how THIN it is.
It even had those little tabs on the top, like the little brochures in the mail do.
See? Right above Kirk's head.
I believe that good things can come in little packages. (I mean, look at Edward G. Robinson.) I would NOT have been disappointed with the size, or thinness, of the magazine if each page inside were filled with interesting articles. But the "editorial articles" written by the hosts take up only about the first five pages of the magazine. The rest is this -
Doesn't Helen Bonham Carter look like Ingy up in that picture? She's obviously no where near as pretty though.
Now, come on! If I wanted a program schedule, I would've ordered TV Guide.
So, I did check out the few, measly articles that were included. On the crinkly paper, a tiny worded tribute to Kirk Douglas on the first page, written by Robert O. Well written, but simply one page? I was looking for full spreads on the "stars of the month."
There is a "Book Corner," featuring a book about Judy Garland. A little note about the films they'll be showing on September 11th for the 10th anniversary of 9/11, and "Ben's Pick." A very quick note from the guest programmer of the month, Cher (I was actually surprised to learn from it that one of her favorite movies is "The Big Street," starring my one and only, Lucille Ball).
These articles are good and entertaining, but WAY too short. They could easily be expanded to fill the thin pages of this magazine. If they cannot afford a thicker magazine, they should cut down on the film schedule and fill it with articles instead. That would be a much more interesting read.
I expected a lot more and I was very let down. As for the "crossword puzzle," this is a let down, too. Most of the clues are too easy to make it any bit challenging. For example - "Some like it ____." Even the dumbest dimwit could tell you that it's "hot."
I'm going to give it a try, but what a disappointment! Especially since I love TCM. If you check out their page about the magazine, it looks a lot like some false advertisement to me...
I notice now that they tell you the size of the magazine and how long it is - 36 pages! Yippee! - but still, they don't make it very clear that all it really is a program guide.
* Lets out a sigh. * Oh, well. At least I know what's coming up on TCM this month.
On a brighter note, I received one of the many books I've ordered through the mail - "The Lucille Ball FAQ," which looks really great. And, also, my Lucille Ball Film Collection. At least that turned out alright.
Before I start my movie review for "Woman of the Year," I'd like to quickly mention a few things. The first is that I have entered a new blogathon. Participating in the Loving Lucy Blogathon was so much fun and also helped get the word out about my blog, so I decided to join another. This one is called the "Fashion in Film" Blogathon, hosted by The Hollywood Revue (hollywoodrevue.wordpress.com). The blogathon will take place on September 24th and basically the idea is to discuss fashion in film. I'm not sure yet of what I'll blog about, but I've got time. I encourage other bloggers to join this too, because it looks like great fun.
Also, you may have noticed that my "Old Hollywood Bio" book has changed (see the sidebar). I know I promised everyone a review of "Not the Girl Next Door", but here's the thing - I lost it. The book, I mean. I wasn't very far and then somehow it got misplaced, and I can't find it. I hate when that happens! Anyway, I decided to finish "Desilu" instead. I want to write a book review of that and plan to do so soon, but I thought I'd give you all a break because you're probably tired of me babbling about Lucy (even though I could never get sick of it!). So, I've started "I Know Where I'm Going", and it looks great.
Last night I watched "Woman of the Year." I really love Spencer Tracy and Katharine Hepburn films - they are one of my favorite screen pairings. Now that I've seen "Woman of the Year," I've viewed six of their total nine films and I plan to watch the other three eventually, too.
I'm sure most of you have already seen "Woman of the Year" and know what it's all about, but here's a brief summary, anyway.
Katharine Hepburn plays Tess Harding, a greatly respected wordly feminist who gives her views on politics in a column she runs in the newspaper. Spencer Tracy is Sam Craig, who is serious about baseball and writes the sports column. The two begin a war of words after Tess openly criticizes baseball over the radio, despite working for the same newspaper. When the two finally meet face to face, it's an instant attraction and all is forgiven. They fall in love, despite the fact that their personalities are quite different. They decided to get married but it is not long before Sam discovers he is living life as "Mr. Harding," playing second fiddle to Tess - The Woman of the Year.
This film is certainly not the BEST of the Hepburn and Tracy set, but I still enjoyed myself. It is more of a romantic comedy then you would have expected. This is the first film the two ever made together and, I think, they fall in love on the set of this movie. (Apparently, when Joseph Mankiewicz introduced Katharine Hepburn to Spencer Tracy, she went, "I'm afraid I'm too tall for you, Mr. Tracy." Ha! I love Kate).
Anyway, I think Kate and Spencer's backstage rendezvous helped them on screen. In many ways, it's quite hard to understand what makes the two of them fall for each other so hard and all of a sudden. (Besides the fact that Sam seemed to have some sort of an infatuation with Tess's legs). I think it's the most obvious "love at first sight" scenario that I've ever seen.
Whatever they lose in back story, they make up in chemistry. They're all quite affectionate and cute with each other, which is nice ("That's nice," as Tess would whisper often), but makes it more of a romance than a comedy.
I really liked Kate's performance. Actually, I quite liked the character. If you're a male chauvinist you'd probably hate her - well, then you'd hate the whole film. I guess some people could call Tess Harding annoying, but I'll tell you why I liked her. It was 1942, and, maybe with the exception of Roz Russell's Hildy Johnson in "His Girl Friday", her character was most unusual. Think about it: besides the fact that she's a woman who writes a column about politics, men and women alike actually value her opinion on serious topics. The Sam Craig character pales next to her - his greatest priority is discussing last night's fights while Tess, a woman of the world, covers the war in Europe.
That's why I liked Tess Harding. And, I liked Kate's portrayal of her.
Then there is Spencer as Sam Craig. Really, Spencer Tracy is Sam Craig and Sam Craig is Spencer Tracy. He really fits his character. Sure, maybe a younger actor would have been more physically appropriate to be romancing Kate but I still think he did a good job. He quite falteringly plays second banana to Kate - to be fair, it's really Kate's film, though. That's why it's called "Woman of the Year."
I found some weaknesses in the plot. I was kind of upset with the way Sam and Tess just fall for each other without much explanation - but even though I can take that, it annoyed me when later in the film Sam becomes all of a sudden upset of Tess's successes. For God's sake, when they were dating he crumpled in her dinner parties of foreign tongued big wigs. He knew what an important person she was to begin with, so he obviously should have been prepared if he planned on marrying her. His only excuse, I guess, was he was blinded by love.
Still, it was enjoyable. I really enjoyed the ending. Even though this movie is quite light fare and you can probably predict the ending yourself, I'll give you a big spoiler alert right here:
** SPOILER! SKIP THE NEXT TWO PARAGRAPHS IF YOU HAVEN'T SEEN THE FILM! **
My favorite scene was the last one in which Kate tries to cook breakfast for Spencer. She realizes she really wants to be with him and make him happy like the average retro housewife. So she sneaks into his house early in the morning (no, it's not as creepy as it sounds) and attempts to make him coffee and waffles. Attempts. Even when he walks in on her and rebuffs her for what she's trying to do, she determinedly continues on. She destroys the waffles, which rise from the iron in a bubbling concoction due to yeast, and the coffee comes exploding out of the peculator. It's a really a cute scene and gives Kate a chance to show off her comedic abilities. It is quite symbolic that Tess Harding may be the Woman of the Year, but she can't do a simple task like cook breakfast.
Kate's waffles
Finally, Sam gives in and takes Tess in his arms and says some meaningful lines: "I don't want to be married to Tess Harding any more than I want you to be just Mrs Sam Craig. Why can't you be Tess Harding Craig?" I think this is a telling compromise to the end the film. It's not stereotypical: give up your job to cook the breakfast and kiss me good bye in the morning and when I come back hang up my coat for me and tell me what you and the girls did all day.Instead, it is more of a symbol of some kind of an awkward equality between the two. The best of both worlds.
Here's the trailer, because I couldn't find a video clip:
Over all, I enjoyed this movie because I enjoy Tracy and Hepburn, and I enjoy them together. Maybe I'm being a little generous, but I'll give it four out of five. Not the very BEST of their films, but being the first Hepburn/Tracy film, it's one everyone should try and see.
The other day, I went downstairs into our basement library (a room filled with bookshelves of old looking books that my father hasn't read in years - "I'll read it in my old age," he claims). I was actually in search of my calculator (I've affectionately named it Dexter) because I had some disgusting summer math to do. But let's talk about something more pleasant...
My father has his own little collection of film books - though I may be beginning to challenge him in my own extensive collection! Anyhow, besides the hardbound copies of "Hollywood's Best Musicals," and biographies of Montgomery Clift, Humphrey Bogart, etc., that sat on the shelf, crammed away in another corner amongst some of my mom's old Mills & Boones 25 cent romance novels were a few old, yellowing - though not exactly tattered - paperbacks on movies.
Here's what I found:
From left to right:
Singin in the Rain - From the MGM Library of Film Scripts, Trivia Mania: Movies Volume II by Xavier Einstien, Hitchcock's Films by Robin Wood
The first, "Singin in the Rain", is pretty cool - it is the complete script of the movie.
I really love that movie, so it's going to be fun just to skim through it and look over the lines I love and remember.
Yep - the whole script!
They're also a introduction to the script that discusses the movie and its successes, so that should make an interesting read, as well.
Next, I found the "Movie Trivia" by Xavier Einstien. As you can tell, it's got no cover -
But, the rest of it is in pretty good shape.
"In what movie did Elizabeth Taylor and Eddie Fisher appear together?"
Easy - Butterfield 8!
It's written in the 80's so we avoid any trivia questions about modern films, mostly. (I love the 80's, so I can take it). They vary in difficulty... I knew what Sydney Poitier movie introduced Lulu to the United States ("To Sir, With Love"), but despite the Cary Grant fan I am, I'm puzzled about who discovered him. (Perhaps because I've yet to read his biography...)
It seems like a good little book to test your movie trivia. I'm glad the questions vary throughout decades and difficulty - I may be quite sharp on a 1940's movie question while I'll stumble over the 70's. (I love the 70's, too, but I've yet to see many films from that decade). I guess this book will help sharpen me up on my movie trivia for the next time I play Trivial Pursuit against my dad (Did I mention I LOVE that game??).
And lastly, a critical analysis of Hitch's films in a book entitled "Hitchcock's Films" by Robin Wood.
This looks pretty interesting. It's supposed to be in depth look at, appropriately, Hitchock's films. I have yet to read a book about Hitch's films, but I love him as a director and I love his movies so this out to be a very interesting read.
Books like this aren't around much anymore - movie trivia books are filled with little tidbits about current films, which I really couldn't care less about... it's not often when you'd find a full movie script, and a classic movie at that, and I guess reading "Hitchcock's Films" will give me a good dose of those 80's bio writers that I've heard so much about.
Also on the topic of books, I'm going to have a huge book haul of new movie books coming my way. In the mail I have biographies of Vivien Leigh and Jean Arthur coming... also, "Goodbye Natalie, Goodbye Splendour", which is written (I think) from the prospective of the skipper who was on the Splendour the night Natalie died. (I've got a shortage of Natalie books so I'm excited for this)... and, "The Lucille Ball FAQ." NOT to mention I just bought Lauren Bacall's autobiography (I've been holding out for this for a while), so I'm going to have tons and tons of reading to do (not to mention some boringly awful summer reading books for school... ew). I've also ordered in two box sets - The Natalie Wood Collection (originally like $50, but I got it for about $30 so I'm happy about that) and the Lucille Ball Collection.
And lastly, through the blog Via Margutta 51 I had found this really funny "Audrey Airlines" clip on Youtube, made by this group called PunchyPlayers. Through that, I found more parodies and impersonations of Old Hollywood stars made by the same people. Here's one of my personal favorites --
Okay, so I hope you all don't mind me talking about Lucy just a little bit more this week.... Yesterday, August 6th, was Lucytenniel and it was so amazing and literally one of the best days ever, so I felt the need to just reflect back on it a little!
The first thing was I participated in my first blogathon. "The Loving Lucy Blogathon," hosted by True Classics, was so fun to be a part of! My blog was only one of so many that honored Lucy... and I got to read so many different, interesting posts about the most intriguing aspects of Lucy's life, career, even her radio show! Also, I got to read touching personal tributes with people expressing their love for Lucy... It was just so great.
Besides that, I finally got some traffic to my blog! I got a couple comments and, according to my newly installed hit counter (see the sidebar), I got a few visitors. That's totally great! Thanks for commenting/visiting, and I hope you'll subscribe or come back and visit Frankly again.
I was so happy with the way the media turned out for Lucytenniel. Especially television, because it totally owes her! One of my personal favorites was the Google homepage. If you didn't catch it, here's a screenshot:
You could move the little dial for six different clips of Lucy - from "We're Having a Baby, My Baby and Me" to the famous candy scene in "Job Switching."
Needless to say, I adored it! I seriously wish it was like that all the time. Maybe they'll make a webpage for it, like some past animated Google Doodles.
"Lucille Ball" was top searched on both Yahoo and Google (her keyword was "on fire", accordingly!), which filled me with childish pride - on Google, it was quickly followed with "I Love Lucy." I heard about Lucytenniel on all the major news stations, and there were dozens of articles from news services everyplace - not to forget TCM's 24 hour long block of movies devoted to her (I tuned in for most of them), and Hallmark's marathon for her, which is all weekend long.
I'm glad she's remembered. Isn't it kind of amazing? She died 22 years ago, but everyone still loves her and thinks of her... on her 100th. <3
Another highlight of this most awesome day was the success of my Youtube video. I posted it a little bit before 1 AM on August 6th. It had 25 views by then. When I checked in the morning, it had reached 225 - and as I refreshed the page, it had hit 250. Last night, when 24 hours were completed, it was raging at 572 (I think), and now, as I check, is nearly at 800 with 792 views and 25 likes (and 0 dislikes). You're amazing, Lucy! I also discovered, after curiously searching the title of my video, that it's been shared by just random people who happened to come across it on Youtube on Facebook... 29 times, I think. So awesome! Wonderful to be a part of the spreading of the Lucy love.
How did I celebrate Lucytenniel? I kept up with the TCM marathon through, and through - and on my laptop enjoyed other Lucy tributes... then I talked my dad into watching "The Facts of Life" with me... no, not the TV show (though I do enjoy a visit to Peekskill), but the 1960 movie with Lucy and Bob Hope. I also tuned in for "I Love Lucy" on several occasions, of course, and on my DVR I have "Panama Lady" (too early in the morning for me!), "Miss Grant Takes Richmond" (I came in just for the ending), and "The Affairs of Annabel" (too late at night... 3 AM.)
I was just dizzy with all the Lucy love!
Last night on ABC news, the anchor said, "Today is a big day for anyone who loves Lucy." And it sure was.
Before I leave you, I found this totally awesome video on Youtube, starring Joan Crawford and Barbara Stanwyck (best friends, if you didn't know), set to Katy Perry's "Last Friday Night (TGIF)." It's always cool to see old movies set to modern songs (I plan on doing one pretty soon... stay tuned!), and this one is just perfect and amazing, lyric to lyric.
And finally, some classic movie humor for you that I picked up when rewatching the "The Long, Long Trailer." Towards the end of the movie, when Lucy and Desi are taking that perilous flight up the mountain, they're trying to make some (very nervous) short talk about a book Lucy was reading. Apparently, she stopped reading it because they had seen the movie.
LUCY: It had what's-his-name in it... You know, he was married to the beautiful brunette girl who likes squirrels?
DESI: Michael Wilding?
LUCY: Yeah, him.
I really lol'ed at this. And if you're puzzled, Michael Wilding was married to Elizabeth Taylor - AKA, the beautiful brunette girl who likes squirrels.
Well, I think I'll go and catch the rest of that Hallmark marathon, so I'll say goodbye for now. But Lucytenniel was amazing, wasn't it? Happy birthday, Lucy!
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.
♥♥♥
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.
♥♥♥
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.
