Lucille Ball – Page 2 – The Lucy Room

Wildcat Broadway Playbill Signed by Lucille Ball

The musical comedy “Wildcat” debuted in Philadelphia on October 29, 1960. However, the official Broadway premiere was delayed because of a major blizzard that left the trucks hauling sets and costumes to New York City stranded for several days. Finally on December 16th it opened at the Alvin Theatre in Midtown Manhattan.

This an original playbill from one of the performances on West 52nd Street that has been signed “Love Lucy” by the headliner herself, Lucille Ball. Three other signatures also adorn the cover who are believed to be dancers or other actors in the show.

May 8, 2025 by The Lucy Room Categories: Desilu, Lucille Ball, Television, WildcatTags: 1960, Alvin Theatre, Autograph, Broadway, Desilu, I Love Lucy, Lucille Ball, Musical, New York City, NYC, Playbill, Program, Promotion, Signed, Wildcat Leave a comment

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.’

April 10, 2025April 10, 2025 by The Lucy Room Categories: Emilio Pucci, Gary Morton, Lucie Arnaz, Lucille Ball, Personal, Television, The Lucy ShowTags: 1960's, Emilio Pucci, Gary Morton, Hawaiian, Italy, Lucie Arnaz, Lucille Ball, Lucille Ball Owned, Lucille Ball Worn, Marilyn Monroe, Paisley, Personal, Pink, Publicity, Publicity Photo, Sak Fifth Avenue, Screen Worn, Television Leave a comment

Lucille Ball’s “FLAME” Max Factor Creme Rough Makeup

We dug into Lucille Ball’s travel cosmetics case from a previous post to share one of her creme rouges. Made by Max Factor, a preferred makeup brand, the color is called ‘FLAME’ (cue the reference to her flaming red hair). Directions say to use finger tips to apply and blend. The swirl marks made by Lucy’s can easily be seen inside of this heavily used cosmetic.

March 26, 2025March 26, 2025 by The Lucy Room Categories: Here's Lucy, I Love Lucy, Life With Lucy, Lucille Ball, Lucy Ricardo, Makeup, Max Factor, Personal, Shown Worn, Television, The Lucille Ball-Desi Arnaz Show, The Lucy Show, The Lucy-Desi Comedy HourTags: Cosmetics, Flame, I Love Lucy, Lucille Ball, Lucille Ball Owned, Lucille Ball Worn, Makeup, Max Factor, Personal, Rouge Leave a comment

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.

March 12, 2025March 12, 2025 by The Lucy Room Categories: Autograph, Birthday, Card, Gary Morton, Gifts, Handwritten, Jewelry, Letter, Lucille Ball, PersonalTags: 1980, Birthday, Diamond, Gary Morton, Gift, Gold, Handwritten, I Love Lucy, Kiss, Letter, Lipstick, Love, Lucille Ball, Lucille Ball Owned, Necklace, Note, Pearl, Personal Leave a comment

Gale Gordon Commemorative Theater Glasses

Veteran character actor Gale Gordon appeared in all of Lucille Ball’s television series from the 1950’s until the 1980’s. Lucy originally wanted him to play the roll of Fred Mertz however he was commited to Our Miss Brooks. He was an incredible talent and perfect foil for all of Lucy’s antics.

In the 1980’s there were dinner theaters throughout Canada operated by Stage West. This included two locations in Winnipeg and Edmonton. Gale performed on the Edmonton stage in 1980 for “A Ghost on Tiptoe.” Then in 1982 at the Winnipeg location in “Norman is That You?” These were promotional drinking glasses the theater company produced to honor the stars performing in their shows. Each stand around seven inches tall and hold 8 oz. of liquid.

Today, Stage West still operates a dinner theater in Calgary. The Winnipeg theater was dempolished in 1985, while the one Edmonton now operates under the name Mayfield Dinner Theater.

March 6, 2025March 6, 2025 by The Lucy Room Categories: Gale Gordon, Here's Lucy, I Love Lucy, Life With Lucy, Lucille Ball, Television, The Lucy ShowTags: Advertising, Canada, Drinking Glasses, Edmonton, Gale Gordon, Here's Lucy, I Love Lucy, Life With Lucy, Lucille Ball, State West, Television, The Lucy Show, Theater, TV Leave a comment

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)

February 19, 2025February 19, 2025 by The Lucy Room Categories: Al Hirschfeld, Awards, CBS, Desi Arnaz Jr, Emmy Awards, Gary Morton, Gifts, I Love Lucy, Lucie Arnaz, Lucille Ball, Milton Berle, Personal, Photo, Program, Television, Ticket, Vivian VanceTags: Award, Carol Burnett, Desi Arnaz Jr, Emmy Award, Gary Morton, I Love Lucy, Lucie Arnaz, Lucille Ball, Milton Berle, Personal, Program, Table Favor, Television, Television Academy Arts & Sciences, Ticket, TV, Vivian Vance Leave a comment

Lucille Ball’s Curly Red Wiglet

If a hairstyle called for a certain look or something extra, wiglets were used in addition to the regular wig. Simply pinned on the main wig these added height, shape, more curls or possible used to cover something.

This was one of Lucy’s red wiglets. Her longtime hairstylist Imra Kusely dyed it to match her hair color and the piece still retains the original curls and shape with hairspray from when it was used.

February 12, 2025February 12, 2025 by The Lucy Room Categories: Here's Lucy, I Love Lucy, Irma Kusely, Life With Lucy, Lucille Ball, Lucy Ricardo, Max Factor, Personal, Shown Worn, Television, The Lucille Ball-Desi Arnaz Show, The Lucy Show, The Lucy-Desi Comedy Hour, WigTags: Custom-made, I Love Lucy, Lucille Ball, Lucille Ball Owned, Lucille Ball Worn, Max Factor, Museum, Personal, Red Wig, Redhead, wig, Wiglet Leave a comment

Finger Cots Worn by Lucille Ball on I Love Lucy “The Audition” Episode

“The Audition” was filmed on October 12, 1951, a mere three days before the official television premiere of I Love Lucy. This was the sixth episode of the show where Lucy Ricardo replaces a clown named Buffo for an act at Ricky’s club. Lucy is referred to as “the professor” and is dressed in an oversized blue suit who plays the cello.

This act was initially conceived by the Arnazes along with Pepito & Joanne Perez as part of a vaudeville style act Lucy and Desi used, touring the country proving to CBS audiences across America would accept them. They also used the skit for the I Love Lucy pilot.

Part of Lucy’s costume were these cotton finger cots. Each used to cover the fingers of her left hand as she takes them off in dramatic fashion to the beat of the drum. The entire costume was originally on display at Universal Studios Hollywood ‘Lucy A Tribute’ exhibit for over 20 years. The rest of the outfit is now displayed alongside the prop cello in Lucy’s hometown of Jamestown, NY at the Lucy-Desi Museum.

February 6, 2025February 6, 2025 by The Lucy Room Categories: Babalu, CBS, Costume, Desi Arnaz, Desilu, Ethel Mertz, I Love Lucy, Jamestown, Lucille Ball, Lucy Ricardo, Pepito the Spanish Clown, Prop, Ricky Ricardo, Shown Worn, Television, Vivian Vance, William FrawleyTags: CBS, Cello, Costume, Desi Arnaz, Desilu, Ethel Mertz, Fred Mertz, Hollywood, I Love Lucy, Jamestown, Lucille Ball, Lucille Ball Worn, Lucy Ricardo, Pilot, Prop, Ricky Ricardo, Screen Used, Screen Worn, Show Worn, Universal Studios, Vaudeville, Vivian Vance, WIlliam Frawley Leave a comment

Appreciative handwritten notecard from Lucille Ball to Frank Gorey

The Ball/Arnaz families were very loyal and generous to those close to them. These people were more like extended family, there for decades, through the good times and bad. One such person was Frank Gorey. He first started working with the Arnazes in 1959 as a chauffeur. After the divorce he stayed with Lucille Ball for the next 30 years, becoming the majordomo of the households.

An example of her admiration for ‘Francis’ is written in this note which included a check:

“Frank dear – I do appreciate how thoughtful and helpful you have been these last few months – which have been really so difficult for me – I never expected to fall apart as I have – Please buy your camera or whatever you want – Greatfully Lucy”

Frank was kind-hearted and loved to tell stories about his days with the redhead. He remained close to the family, as well as friends and loved ones met along the way until his passing in 2019.

January 29, 2025January 29, 2025 by The Lucy Room Categories: Autograph, Card, Desi Arnaz, Desilu, Gifts, Handwritten, Letter, Lucille Ball, PersonalTags: Desi Arnaz, Frank Gorey, Gift, Handwritten, I Love Lucy, Letter, Love, Lucille Ball, Lucille Ball Owned, Note, Personal Leave a comment

Lucille Ball’s film MAME Pinback Button

‘She’ll coax the blues right out of your heart’ was the tagline used in promotion of the 1974 motion picture MAME starring, Lucille Ball. In addition to posters, hanging mobiles, and even a fashion line, this rare pin button help advertise the Warner Bros. film. Worn by theater works and ushers the badge measures roughly three inches across and features the seated Lucy Mame drawing with her one roller skate, fur trimmed coat and gloves.

January 22, 2025January 22, 2025 by The Lucy Room Categories: Film, Gifts, Lucille Ball, MAME, Movie, Warner BrothersTags: Auntie Mame, Film, Lucille Ball, MAME, Movie, Musical, Pin, Pinback, Warner Brothers Leave a comment

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.

January 15, 2025January 15, 2025 by The Lucy Room Categories: Fur Coat, Gary Morton, Gifts, Lucille Ball, Personal, Shown Worn, TelevisionTags: Car Coat, Europe, Fur, Fur Coat, Gary Morton, Gifts, Ginger Rogers, Lucille Ball Owned, Lucille Ball Worn, MInk, New York City, NYC, Password, Personal, Screen Worn, Show Worn, Television Leave a comment

Lucille Ball Handwritten Postcard to Prop Master Kenny Westcott

While vacationing on the Island of Hawaii in June of 1973, Lucille Ball and Gary Morton sent Kenny Westcott and his wife Betty this postcard from the Manua Kea Beach Hotel. Lucy simply writes:

“Dear Betty and Kenny – This place is heavenly! See you soon – Love Lucy & Gary”

Kenneth Westcott first worked at MGM’s commissary when he was in high school during the late 1930’s, then joined the Navy before the start of World War II. Following his service to the US, Kenny went back to work at MGM becoming the second assitant property master and then did a brief stint at Hal Roach Studios before going back to MGM. Around this time he first started working with Lucille Ball on her new series The Lucy Show, continuing onto Here’s Lucy. In between these shows and after, he worked on Lucy’s other films and specials. Kenny was responsible for all the props for every scene of every show or movie.

January 9, 2025January 9, 2025 by The Lucy Room Categories: Autograph, George Cukor, Handwritten, Here's Lucy, Lucille Ball, MGM, Movie, Paramount, Personal, Prop, The Lucy ShowTags: Friendship, Gone With The Wind, Handwritten, Hawaii, Here's Lucy, Hollywood, I Love Lucy, Lucille Ball, MGM, Note, Paramount, Personal, Postcard, Prop, Signed, The Lucy Show Leave a comment