Category: Movie

The Long, Long Trailer Original Title Artwork

During the hiatus of I Love Lucy in the summer 1953, Lucille Ball and Desi Arnaz filmed a romantic comedy for MGM called The Long, Long Trailer. Fans of the couple got to see them together on the big screen and in color for the first time and it was a blockbusting success.

The movie opened with the instrumental version of “Breezin’ Along with the Breeze” along with this title card. Hand painted with thick, glossy royal blue paint the artwork measures over 32 inches by 24 inches, and was shot by the camera with added layers of a red, white and blue ribbon with wagon wheel and shadows of leaves to give it depth. The copyright information, MGM logo and text “produced” are missing but the adhesive used for them can still be visible at the bottom.

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Handwritten Birthday Letter from Lucille Ball to Fred Williams

Fred Williams was a renowned makeup artist and celebrity portrait painter. He became Lucille Ball’s primary makeup man in the early 1970’s on her series Here’s Lucy and feature film, MAME. Lucille wrote this letter on her personal stationary to Fred and his wife Christine thanking them for remembering her birthday.

“Dearest Chris & Fred – Have tried to call you several times to tell you how happy I was with your birthday remembrance – I’m glad I caught you that nite you two are a slippery pair! Hope everything is well with you – My love as always Lucy”

Williams continued helping Lucy look incredible throughout the 80’s as well. Today fans can see a portrait of Lucy from MAME Fred painted on display at the Lucy-Desi Museum in her hometown of Jamestown, New York.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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MAME Ashtray Gift from Lucille Ball

Friends, some press as well as cast and crew of the 1974 motion picture MAME received this off-white porcelain ashtray from its star, Lucille Ball. The circular, gold rimmed ashtray features the film’s title in the center and Lucy’s signature Love Lucy below. This particular piece was never used and still included the original box when it was aquired. Two versions of ashtrays were made, possibly for different years. The other is a square style that has a felt bottom.

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Lucille Ball Letter to director George Cukor

George Cukor was one Hollywood’s most respected directors, especially during the Golden Age. The Oscar-winning filmmaker directed 48 feature films, 22 of which earned a collective total of 70 Oscar nominations and 18 wins. He personally took home the Oscar for Best Director in 1965 for My Fair Lady starring Audry Hepburn. Lucy was a huge fan of Cukor, especially for his work on the film A Star is Born (1957) starring Judy Garland. She wrote this birthday letter to George on her personal stationery which reads:

“George darling – I have very few regrets or unfulfilled desires but one of them is that I have never had the pleasure and good fortune to have been directed by you “The Fabulous Cukor” Someday – Maybe – Somehow – Have a Happy Happy Birthday Love As Always Lucy”

It is unknown when this letter was written but Lucille would almost get her wish. Cukor was scheduled to direct Lucy’s film version of Mame, but left the project after she broke her leg in a skiing accident and production was delayed a year. Gene Saks took over when she was well enough to return in 1973. Lucy and George would correspond often and remained friends until his passing in 1983.

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Lucille Ball’s 20th Century Fox Personal Statement

By the late 1940’s Lucille Ball was freelancing, not under contract with any studio and able to do whatever work she wanted. In 1946 she did a movie for 20th Century Fox called “The Dark Corner” a crime film noir and genre she had not done before. Lucy protrays ‘Kathleen Stewart’ a secretary who sets out to clear her private eye boss (Mark Stevens) of false murder charges.

Lucille completed this employee personal statement for the studio which included all biographical data on January 15, 1946. Most of the information is typed but she did write in some missing details including her middle name, age, date of birth and place of birth. She signed her full name at the bottom and was assigned employee number 03733. This would be the only film she would do for the studio.

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Lucille Ball Signed Oversized MGM Publicity Photo

Lucille Ball was awarded the title “Technicolor Tessie” by make-up artists and cameramen when she was with MGM in the early 1940’s. Her blue eyes, coral-rouged lips, fair skin and newly changed haircolor to a shade of “Tech Red” made her apperance in technicolor sensational and pop on screen.

This oversized publicity photo highlights this very glamourous time in Lucy’s career. Taken during the run of the films Du Barry Was A Lady and Best Foot Forward, images from this session were used throught the press world to showcase the studio’s new leading lady. Measuring roughly 15 inches by 19 inches it has been signed in blue ink by the redhead and beautifully framed in gold, one of Lucy’s favorite colors.

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Forever Darling Jamestown Premiere Poster & Newspaper

Lucille Ball and Desi Arnaz traveled across the country in early 1956 to promote their second film for MGM, “Forever Darling.” The premiere was held on February 6th at the Palace Theater in Lucy’s hometown of Jamestown, NY. Both Desi and Lucy were awe struck by the amount of love and support the people of Jamestown showed them during their whirlwind two-day visit.

Shown here is an original poster which most likely hung in many stores and businesses throught the city along with a February 7, 1956 second edition of the Jamestown Post-Journal. The Arnaz’s covered the headlines with photos and articles throughout the paper documenting their journey.

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Lucille Ball’s Rhinestone Ring Worn to MAME Premiere

Auntie Mame returned to the big screen in 1974 with Lucille Ball starring as Mame Dennis in her last theatrical performance. Directed by Gene Saks (originally George Cukor) the technicolor musical was slated to begin production in early 1972 but was postponed a year after Lucy broke her leg in a skiing accident.

Finally on March 26th the film was released with a lavish Hollywood premiere at the Cinerama Dome on Sunset Blvd. Lucy wore a white ensemble, the same costume she would also wear in the movie, as well as this rhinestone encrusted ring. Featuring clusters of jewels balled together in a mound with an elastic band, it can be seen on her left index finger. Lucille celebrated and danced the night away along side her family, cast, crew and celebrities with the picture at last coming to fruition.

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Lucille Ball Autographed ‘Stone Pillow’ Poster

Lucille Ball stepped out of her “Lucy” comfort zone in 1985 to portray a homeless woman living on the streets of New York City. In the TV film Stone Pillow, Lucille plays ‘Florabelle’ (named after her grandmother) an eccentric bag lady who prides herself on being an independant loner toting all her worldly possessions in cart.

This window card sized poster was made to promote the movie however a selection of 100 were autographed ‘Love Lucy’ for a charity event. Production took place during an unusal warm spell in the Big Apple and wearing layers of winter clothing for her costume, Lucy at age 73, endured extreme temperatues well into the triple digits. Reviews are mixed but she should be commended for completing the project all while giving a superb performance.

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