With the start of vacation season in full swing, we’d like to share a snapshot of Lucille Ball and Gary Morton taking sun and enjoying their tropical surroundings. This 5×7 photo of the couple was taken most likely in Hawaii in the early to mid-1960’s. With its gold/bronze color frame, the picture once hung in the Morton’s home. Aloha!
Category: Gary Morton
Lucille Ball’s Lilac 3-Piece Ensemble
Lucille Ball returned to TV in the Fall of 1986 in Life With Lucy. The show was produced by Aaron Spelling in association with Lucille Ball Productions for ABC. Her return to a weekly sitcom was heavily publicized, and for good reason. Fans could not wait to see the beloved redhead on television again. One publicity photoshoot of Lucy was done at Spelling’s Holmby Hills mansion dubbed “The Manor.” Photos of Ball wearing various outfits were taken by the pool and in and around the lush backyard.
One such garment was this custom-made, silk 3-piece ensemble. Pale lavender with a scattered floral pattern in black and white, it consists of a deep V-neck short sleeved blouse, loose fitting jacket with long, bell sleeves and pants featuring a bow attached at the waist, side pockets and French cut slits at the hemline. The jacket securely attaches to the blouse at the shoulders with snap buttons.
One image taken during this session can be seen in the October 1986 issue of Life Magazine in a beautiful, color full page spread. Had the series continued longer, Lucille would most likely have worn this outfit on the show. A very similar gown was constructed using the same material but in pale blue and worn in the episode “Mother of the Bride.” Lucy then wore this to Desi Jr. and Amy’s wedding in 1987.
Lucille Ball & Gary Morton Bedside Turn Down Mat
Turn down mats are placed bedside on the floor so when you step into bed it reads “Good Night.” Then when you arrise and get out of bed, the opposite side reads “Good Morning.” This white linen turn down mat was made for Lucille Ball and Gary Morton. Embroidered with light blue thread the mat reads:
“Good Morning Lucy – Good Night Gary”
It’s unclear if this is a prototype sample or a gift to the couple as the same name should appear on both sides but it is certainly a unique item from the Morton’s bedroom.
Lucille Ball’s Silk Emilio Pucci Blouse
Emilio Pucci is known for creating garments full of colorful, geometric prints. Founded in 1947 the brand is still in operation today and headquartered in Florence, Italy, producing ready-to-wear clothes that stay true to Pucci’s original distinct style. In the 1960’s Emilio Pucci was thrusted into worldwide popularity when Marilyn Monroe became a fan, with some of her last photographs in a selection of Pucci items.
Lucille Ball owned and wore this pink paisley pattern Emilio Pucci silk blouse throughout the 60’s. Publicity shots were taken in her Beverly Hills backyard wearing the blouse, one of which became the cover to a writing pad. She also wore it to a Hawaiian themed party as seen in the photo with a young Lucie Arnaz behind her, and in a photo session with husband Gary Morton inside the Roxbury home. The size 16 elongated top features six covered buttons down the front, button cuffs and a scalloped hemline. Sewn into the back neckline is the Emilio Pucci label reading ‘Made in Italy for Saks Fifth Avenue.’
Lucille Ball’s Lip Print on birthday note card from Gary Morton
On Lucille Ball’s 69th birthday in 1980, Gary Morton gave her a beautiful piece of jewelry. Inside a small envelope with Lucy on the outside was this notecard which Gary affectionately wrote:
“Lucy – Cause I Love you Happy Birthday Morty”
Lucille adored what Gary gave her not only keeping this card but writing what she got in blue marker “gold diamond and pearl necklace!!” On the front of the envelope, she also wrote the year and kissed it leaving a big lip print. This was something Lucy was known to do if she was really impressed by something, or it had special meaning.
Television Academy Arts & Sciences 14th Annual Ball Honoring Lucille Ball Ticket & Program
The Television Academy Arts & Sciences honored Lucille Ball on October 25, 1969 with an award and event proclaiming her “The First Lady of Television.” Held in the International Room at the Beverly Hilton Hotel, the 14th annual affair was emceed by ‘Mr. Television’ himself Milton Berle in front of 1,000 members. Also in attendance was Lucy’s husband Gary Morton, Lucie Arnaz and Desi Arnaz, Jr., Vivian Vance and many other friends.
Shown here is an original program, ticket and RSVP stub from the ball. A three-inch gold-plated metal table favor was also given to guests that evening. Lucy wore a beautiful aqua chiffon grown adorned with beads and rhinestones that trimmed the collar and front hem with sleeves that were engulfed with ostrich feathers at the ends. (to be featured in another post)
Lucille Ball’s Tan Mink Car Coat
Lucille Ball kept warm in the winter months for over three decades wearing this tank mink car coat. Her husband Gary Morton gave her the fur in the mid 1960’s, wearing it on camera for their mid-January appearance of the gameshow Password.
The coat features a gold silk lining, two side pockets, a large lapel and collar that can be stood up or laid down and a rear belt. While on Password she says, “I like furs better than I do jewelry,” this fur being one of her favorites.
While in New York Lucy had a series of publicity shots taken in the coat high above the NYC skyline. She took it with her on overseas trips to Europe and into the 1980’s wore the coat to a “Little Shop of Horrors” show.
Lucille Ball Inscribed Portait to Gary Morton
Lucille Ball penned to husband Gary Morton “Gary! Gary! Gary! My Guy “Your Missus – Lucy” on this uncommon side portrait of her from the mid-1940’s. Against a red background that almost matches her lips, Lucy wears a white top that has her initials embroidered on the center neckline – LDB for Lucille Desiree Ball. During their marriage she and Gary would write each other many notes and letters and Lucille sometimes gave him photos of herself with inscriptions such as this.
Lucille Ball & Gary Morton Gifted Lucite LCD Clock
Lucille Ball’s Prescription Pill Bottle
Gary Morton told reporters that in May of 1988 that wife, Lucille Ball had a “very slight heart attack” and was taken to Cedars-Siani. At the time cardiac tests failed to pinpoint the actual problem. Less than a year later on Tuesday, April 18th Lucy was rushed to the hospital again suffering from yet another heart attack. This would lead to several hours of open-heart surgery to replace an aortic value from a 27-year old donor.
After the surgery, Dr. Robert Kass said “the next 24 hours would be crucial and her condition is guarded, but optimistic” especially since she had a history of high blood pressure. This was Lucille Ball’s medication bottle for Procardia, a prescription issued on March 30, 1989, to treat hypertension and chest pain.
Lucille Ball Handwritten Note to Gary Morton
Lucille Ball wrote this note to her husband Gary Morton on her personal stationery, crossing out the word desk and writing Love, requesting in part:
“I wish you’d write me a letter – I know it’s asking you to do something you really don’t give a damn about but I’d love it – Your wife”
Many personal letters between Lucy and Gary such as this were first made available to the public through an entertainment auction held in Beverly Hills in 2010. Gary’s former wife after Lucy, Susie Morton (McAllister) consigned many effects retained by Gary in the Palms Springs home he once shared with Lucille. This is the same home she built in the 1950’s with Desi Arnaz.
“Lucy Calls the President” Script & Audience Ticket
A ‘Lucille Ball Special’ was an occasional show presented in prime-time after Here’s Lucy finished its run in 1974. Fans were able to see Lucille in various avenues all produced by her production company – Lucille Ball Productions.
One of the last of these specials was 1977’s “Lucy Calls the President.” Lucy plays ‘Lucy Whittaker’ a housewife opposide ‘Floyd,’ her husband played by Ed McMahon, who live in Bundy, Indiana. Lucy calls The White House when then President Jimmy Carter did weekly radio shows. Carter tells Lucy he’ll be in the area to discuess the matter of her call which evolves to a dinner at her home. When word gets out in this small town, all her friends want to be invited.
These friends are thankfully a wonderful reunion of favorite ‘Lucy’ co-stars including Gale Gordon, Vivian Vance, Mary Wickes and Mary Jane Croft. This show as amazing as it was also turned out to be one of sadness and unfortunate ‘lasts.’ Lucille’s mother DeDe had recently passed before filming and it was the first show she was not in the audience for. Lucy was emotional espeically at the begining of filming. Vivian Vance also found out she had bone cancer and this would be their last on screen performance together.
Presented here is an original production used script from the show as well as an audience ticket. It was filmed in Burbank, CA for CBS on Friday, September 2, 1977. As seen on both pieces a title for the special was yet to be determined.