Television – The Lucy Room

Lucille Ball’s 1983 March of Dimes Jack Benny Memorial Award

On Thursday evening, June 2, 1983 Lucille Ball was honored by the March of Dimes with the Jack Benny Memorial Award at the Century Plaza Hotel in Los Angeles. Guests for the event included Julie Andrews, Bob Hope, Jack Lemmon, Dean Martin and Gregory Peck. Close friend and fellow comedian Carol Burnett presented Lucy the award for lifelong contributions to the world of entertainment and her dedicated support of charitable causes.

The award is actually an enameled wood music box that measures roughly 9 inches by 5 inches and features a bronze plaque on the inside engraved “March of Dimes Jack Benny Memorial Award presented to Lucille Ball – June 2, 1983” along with a depiction of Benny’s signature violin and the March of Dimes logo.

The exterior lid is adorned with a decorative antique porcelain rose from the People’s Republic of China, crafted circa 1862-74 by Tung Chih. Also shown here is an original silver program from the ceremony with an illustration sketch of Lucille on the cover. Ball also signed it on the front as well inside with an inscription “To Eddy.” The program is filled with photos and salutations from various celebrities, friends, industry leaders and networks.

July 30, 2026July 30, 2026 by The Lucy Room Categories: Autograph, Awards, Bob Hope, Carol Burnett, Jack Benny, Lucille Ball, Personal, Program, TelevisionTags: Autograph, Awards, Beverly Hills, Carol Burnett, jack benny, Lucille Ball, Lucille Ball Owned, March of Dimes, Music Box, Personal, Program, Signed Leave a comment

I Love Lucy Zippo Lighter Gifted by Lucille Ball and Desi Arnaz

After their show became a succesful hit, Lucille Ball and Desi Arnaz gave this unqiue Zippo lighter to family, close friends as well as the cast and crew of I Love Lucy. This particular one belonged to Lucy’s brother Fred Ball. It features the I Love Lucy heart logo with Lucy and Ricky stick figures engraved on the front, while the back has facsimiles of Lucy and Desi’s signatures. The Desilu team was considered family to the Arnazes and this is just one small token of their appreciation for all their hard work.

June 17, 2026June 17, 2026 by The Lucy Room Categories: Desi Arnaz, Desilu, Gifts, I Love Lucy, Lighter, Lucille Ball, Lucy Ricardo, Personal, Ricky Ricardo, TelevisionTags: Desi Arnaz, Desilu, Gifts, I Love Lucy, Lighter, Lucille Ball, Personal, Zippo Leave a comment

Desilu Sales Promotional Coffee Mug

Desilu was a powerhouse in the television industry by the late 1950’s. Thus, a department called Desilu Sales Inc. was created to handle the sales, marketing and distribution of its shows and productions to markets across the country. Promotional items were created as gifts that were not available to the general public, such as this rare coffee mug.

The gold rimmed, off-white ceramic mug features a Lucy Ricardo stick figure along with Lucille Ball’s signature and the Desilu Sales logo underneath. What makes this particular mug extra special is a name was printed in the “Hi!” bubble. Could this be Bill Frawley or Bill Asher? Hard to say but most of these were made without a name. Other promotional gifts included pencil cups, ashtrays, letter openers and more. See the previous posts of Desilu Sales items as examples.

April 30, 2026April 30, 2026 by The Lucy Room Categories: Desi Arnaz, Desilu, Desilu Sales, Gifts, I Love Lucy, Lucille Ball, Lucy Ricardo, Mug, Personal, Ricky Ricardo, Television, William FrawleyTags: Ceramic, Coffee Mug, Desi Arnaz, Desilu, Desilu Sales, Gifts, I Love Lucy, Lucille Ball, Mug, Personal, WIlliam Frawley Leave a comment

Lucille Ball’s Favorite Beaded Jacket from The Lucy Show with Dean Martin

On Valentine’s Day 1966, The Lucy Show’s “Lucy Dates Dean Martin” aired. Lucille Ball considered this show to be her favorite episode of all her series. Fans can agree the script was adorable and Lucy looked simply stunning with her flip-style hairdo while wearing this gorgeous, beaded jacket. The piece was Lucy’s actual personal garment she brought on set to represent an auction item for a Hollywood charity ball, purportedly worn by Audrey Hepburn in “Danger in Paris.”

The jacket was custom made for Ball using a plush olive-green velvet damask with thousands of hand sewn fuchsia sequins, beads, and rhinestones. The inside is lined with a pink silk fabric, and the stand-up collar has a single gold hook and loop closure. The black underdress was also Lucy’s however it is not the one used in the episode. It is similar and for displaying of this jacket.

Lucy’s reaction when Eddie Feldman (Dean Martin) buys the jacket for her is genuine, heartfelt and purely emotional that comes through on camera. In that moment we are truly happy for Lucy Carmichael getting the chance to own something so expensive and beautiful.

Lucille previously wears the jacket when she portrays Judy Garland on Danny Kaye’s 1962 special. Then in the 1974 episode of Here’s Lucy – “Lucy Carter Meets Lucille Ball” the jacket can be seen hung in the closet of her dressing room next to other personal clothing.

April 23, 2026April 23, 2026 by The Lucy Room Categories: CBS, Costume, Desilu, Gale Gordon, Here's Lucy, Lucille Ball, Mary Jane Croft, Personal, Shown Worn, Television, The Lucy ShowTags: Danny Kaye, Dean Martin, Desilu, Gale Gordon, Here's Lucy, I Love Lucy, Judy Garland, Lucille Ball, Lucille Ball Owned, Lucille Ball Worn, Personal, Screen Worn, Sequins, The Lucy Show Leave a comment

Life With Lucy “Mother of the Bride” Script Signed by Lucille Ball

Actress Audrey Meadows, best known for portraying Alice Kramden on The Honeymooners, guest starred on the 8th episode of Life With Lucy which aired on November 15, 1986. This was sadly the last show of the series ABC released on television. The show was titled ‘Mother of the Bride’ and Audrey (using her real name for her character) is Lucy Barker’s sister who visits and takes over planning the wedding vows renewal of Ted (Larry Anderson) and Margo (Ann Dusenberry).

The on-screen chemistry between Lucy and Audrey was palpable and had the series continued, Audrey would have most likely become a regular cast member and cohort to Lucy’s antics. This is an original, revised first draft script from that show and has been signed on the cover boldly by Lucille Ball using her signature – Love, Lucy.

October 29, 2025October 29, 2025 by The Lucy Room Categories: Autograph, Gale Gordon, Handwritten, Life With Lucy, Lucille Ball, Script, Television, WeddingTags: ABC, Audrey Meadows, Bride, Gale Gordon, Handwritten, Jackie Gleason, Life With Lucy, Lucille Ball, Script, Signature, Signed, Television, The Honeymooners, TV Leave a comment

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.

September 25, 2025September 25, 2025 by The Lucy Room Categories: Desi Arnaz Jr, Gary Morton, I Love Lucy, Life With Lucy, Lucille Ball, Personal, Shown Worn, Television, WeddingTags: 1986, Aaron Spelling, ABC, Custom Made, Desi Arnaz Jr, Life Magazine, Life With Lucy, Lilac, Lucille Ball, Lucille Ball Owned, Lucille Ball Worn, Personal, Publicity, Publicity Photo, Screen Worn, Silk, Television Leave a comment

Lucille Ball’s Nu-Trex Wig Cleaner

Categorized under unique and unusual is this empty tin quart of Nu-Trex Wig Cleaner once owned and used by Lucille Ball. Since 1947, Nu-Trex has created shampoos, conditioners and cleaners for hair industry professionals, including products for synthetic and real wigs.

Lucy famously wore many wigs starting in 1960’s so she and longtime hairstylist Imra Kusely most likely went through many bottles of this product. The tin was part of a collection of pieces Frank Gorey kept as he assisted the estate of cleaning and clearing out items from the Beverly Hills home, after Lucille’s passing. Frank was the Ball/Arnaz/Morton family’s majordomo for over three decades.

August 21, 2025August 21, 2025 by The Lucy Room Categories: I Love Lucy, Irma Kusely, Lucille Ball, Max Factor, Personal, Television, WigTags: Beverly Hills, Cleaner, Frank Gorey, Hair, Irma Kusley, Lucille Ball, Lucille Ball Owned, Max Factor, Nu-Trex, Personal, wig Leave a comment

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.

July 31, 2025July 31, 2025 by The Lucy Room Categories: Autograph, Birthday, CBS, Film, Fred Williams, Handwritten, Here's Lucy, Jamestown, Letter, Lucille Ball, Makeup, MAME, Movie, Personal, TelevisionTags: 1970s, 1980s, Artist, Autograph, Birthday, Film, Fred Williams, Friendship, Handwritten, Here's Lucy, I Love Lucy, Jamestown, Letter, Love, Lucille Ball, Lucille Ball Owned, Makeup, MAME, Movie, New York, Note, Painter, Personal, Signed, Stationary, TV 2 Comments

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

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