Category: Lucille Ball
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 Birthday Letter to Marion Van Vlack
Lucille Ball sent this letter to her childhood friend from Jamestown, Marion Van Vlack on what would be Lucy’s 59th birthday in 1970. The typed, signed letter on Lucy’s personal blue stationery reads in part:
“Thank you for remembering my birthday, and I’m glad you and yours are all shipshape.” “Will be calling Jamestown for some Swedish rye bread and some Swede Sill in the near future… – Lucy”
Lucille would often call The Jones Bakery in her hometown to have her favorite bread and pastries shipped out West. She and Marion would communicate over the years via many letters keeping their special bond forever cemented.
Desi Arnaz Indian Wells Hotel Liquor License Application
In 1957, Desi Arnaz opened a hotel outside of Palm Springs in Indian Wells, CA reported by The Desert Sun as “a new, luxurious, million-dollar hotel which nestles at the edge of the desert near the Santa Rosa mountains, bordering on the beautiful greens of the Indian Wells Golf Course.”
Presented here is Desi’s application for an alcoholic beverage license for the hotel. Filed on November 15, 1956 in front of Sergeant Forbes of the L.A.P.D., the two page document includes Arnaz’s personal information, signatures and full set of fringerprints.
The hotel still exists today under the name Indian Wells Resort Hotel and pays homage to its founder with many photos of Desi and Lucille Ball throughout the property.
Lucille Ball’s Bandmaster Uniform from The Lucy Show “Main Street U.S.A.”
Lucy Carmichael and Mr. Mooney (Gale Gordon) travel to Bancroft, a small town whos mayor is asking the bank for a loan to build a highway. Unfortunately this construction would tear right down the middle of Main Street. Lucy joins the residents opposing the demolition for this January 1967 episode in season five of The Lucy Show.
Lucy performs a catchy song and dance number with guest stars Mel Torme and John Bubbles wearing this sequined bandmaster uniform. Designed by Edward Stevenson the costume consists of three, handmade pieces. The heavy, elongated jacket is completely covered in pink sequins with a matching mesh material placed over the top to soften the reflection and shine in the studio lights. It is adorned with gold metal buttons, gold lame trim on all the hems and gold metal fringe on the shoulder epaulettes, cuffs and bottom hem.
To complete the look, Stevenson constructed a custom-made hat that still has the original aqua feather attached and a pink velvet undergarment. This is also trimed with the metal fringe on the leg openings and is visible at the very end of the routine when Lucy does her big finish, raising her arms into the air. This is an incredibly detailed costume that must have taken hours to complete and Lucille looked sensational in it for the show-stopping finale.
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.
Lucille Ball Large 1960’s Photo inscribed to Jess Oppenheimer
Jessurun (Jess) Oppenheimer was called “the brains” behind I Love Lucy. He was the series creator, producer and head writer. It was in radio where Lucy and Jess would first work together on My Favorite Husband that eventually spawned, arguably, the most popular TV show of all time.
This oversized photo of Lucille taken in the mid to late 1960’s has been framed and matted with Lucy’s inscription to the “force” behind the ‘Lucy’ show, simply put:
“Dear Jess with my Love Lucy”
Here’s Lucy Audience Tickets
A change in format was necessary for the Lucy series after Lucille Ball sold Desilu to Gulf & Western in 1967. The rights and ownership were now under their control so she formed Lucille Ball Productions and created a new sitcom called Here’s Lucy.
The Carter family lived in Los Angeles with Lucy’s character employed as a secretary at “Carter’s Unique Employment Agency” owned by brother-in-law Harry, played by co-star Gale Gordon. Lucille’s real-life children portrayed her on screen kids with Lucie Arnaz as Kim and Desi Arnaz Jr. as Craig. The show ran for six seasons from 1968 to 1974.
Here are two original audience tickets – one to the December 11, 1969 filming in season two and the other for a July 9, 1971 episode from season four. There are a few noticable difference between the tickets. For the first couple of seasons the show was filmed at Paramount Studios (formly Desilu). Now a tenant, Lucy and company began to have issues with their new “landlords” so it was decided to move to more favorable conditions at Universal Studios where they remained for the rest of the show’s run. Second, the Lucy image was changed from the 60’s sketch to a favorite of hers by Al Hirschfeld. Lastly, a member of the cast is absent on the ticket from 1971. After the third season Desi Arnaz Jr. left the series to pursue other career opportunities but would return for one last appearance in the fifth season espisode “Lucy and Joe Namath.”
Lucille Ball’s Canary Yellow Pantsuit
Lucille Ball wore this bright, canary yellow pantsuit to a luncheon in the mid-1980’s. The raw silk, custom-made ensemble consists of three pieces. A long sleeve, knee length duster jacket lined in off-white silk, a pair of pleated loose-fit pants with elastic waistband and rear zipper clousure, and a white short sleeve top featuring a mandarin collar with plunging neckline. Construction and materials used on this garment are similar to another pantsuit we have found here: Lucille Ball’s 3-Piece Aqua Pantsuit
Desi Arnaz Autographed Del Mar Race Track Program
Desi Arnaz loved horse racing and even had a ranch in Corona, California where racers were bred. In the 1950’s a favorite getaway of his was going down to Del Mar, just north of San Diego. There at the famous race track and thoroughbred club “where the turf meets the surf,” Mr. Aranz could be found each racing season. After he and Lucy divorced, Desi bought a home mere feet from the track, right on the ocean and lived there until his passing. This program from the 1977 season was signed by Desi on the cover. Many photos of Desi and family can be seen in and around the track to this day.
“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.
Lucille Ball’s Cowhide Western Boots
One organization Lucille Ball supported for many years was SHARE. Founded in 1953 by the wifes of the Rat Pack, it is the oldest charity in Beverly Hills. In its 70+ years of exisitance, the members have raised over $65 million for children in need throughout the Los Angeles area.
Many of their fundraising events were a western theme. Lucy can be seen costumed in variations of this concept accompanied by Desi during the 1950’s, then Gary and family over the next three decades. These cowhide and leather western boots were Lucille’s and most likely worn to one of these galas. They were originally sold to the public during one of the estate auctions held in the mid-1990’s.