Television – Page 4 – The Lucy Room

La Jolla Postcard from Vivian Vance to parents

In the Summer of 1951 Vivian Vance was on stage at the La Jolla Playhouse in the production of “The Voice of the Turtle.” While staying at the La Jolla Palms Hotel, Vance wrote to her parents with this postcard postmarked July 16, 1951 which reads:

“This is the greatest place since Italy – we just love it – and so cool cool. We’ll be here 3 week – Love Vivian”

The show opened on Tueday, July 24, 1951. Around this time the ‘Lucy‘ crew was desparately searching for someone to play Ethel Mertz on a new TV show set to begin production in a few weeks. Director Marc Daniels recalled an actress he’d worked with that was performing at the La Jolla Playhouse. Desi Arnaz and Jess Oppenheimer drove down to see the Saturday, July 28th matinee. They found their Ethel and the rest is history.

February 29, 2024February 29, 2024 by The Lucy Room Categories: Autograph, Card, Desi Arnaz, Ethel Mertz, Handwritten, I Love Lucy, Jess Openheimer, Personal, Television, The Lucille Ball-Desi Arnaz Show, The Lucy Show, The Lucy-Desi Comedy Hour, Vivian VanceTags: Autograph, Broadway, Desi Arnaz, Ethel Mertz, Handwritten, I Love Lucy, Jess Oppenheimer, La Jolla, La Jolla Playhouse, Lucille Ball, Personal, Play, Postcard, Theater, Vivian Vance Leave a comment

Lucille Ball’s Wool & Silver Fox Fur Coat

Lucille Ball once said, “I love furs. I actually like them more than jewelry.” This black wool coat trimmed in silver fox fur was one of her favorites. For their one year anniversary Lucy and Gary decided to head East to New York City and celebrate where they first met. During the Thanksgiving holiday hiatus, Lucy and Vivian Vance flew into Idlewild Airport to meet their husbands on November 15, 1962 where Lucy was photographed wearing the coat.

An image of Lucy and Viv taken on this trip inspired famed characture artist Al Hirschfeld to capture the dynamic dou which he rendered into the well-known sketch of Lucille holding her purse and cigarette. This artwork would be used over the years for such things as the 1984 Museum of Broadcasting event honoring Lucy as the First Lady of Comedy.

Lucy Carmichael would wear the coat as part of a disguise on the March 22, 1965 episode of The Lucy Show entitled, “Lucy and the Beauty Doctor.” It is most likely around this time Lucille gifted the coat to close friend and actress Carole Cook who often guest starred in the series and lent her voice as ‘Lady Cynthia’ for this particular episode. Carole would wear and retain the coat for over the next 50 years.

February 14, 2024February 15, 2024 by The Lucy Room Categories: Al Hirschfeld, Carole Cook, CBS, Costume, Desilu, Fur Coat, Gary Morton, Gifts, Lucille Ball, Personal, Shown Worn, Television, The Lucy Show, Vivian Vance, WeddingTags: Al Hirschfeld, Carole Cook, Desilu, Fur, Fur Coat, Gary Morton, Gifts, Idlewild Airport, Lucille Ball Owned, Lucille Ball Worn, New York City, NYC, Personal, Screen Worn, Show Worn, Silver Fox, Television, The Lucy Show, Vivian Vance, Wool Leave a comment

My Favorite Husband 1950 Audience Ticket

Lucille Ball ventured into a regular radio show in 1948 with CBS’s My Favorite Husband. Ball starred in the program as “Liz Cooper”, a slightly zany housewife, alongside her husband “George”, a business man, played by Richard Denning. The show was based on the book by Isabel Scott Rorick called Mr. & Mrs. Cugat.

It was very popular with high ratings and CBS decided to turn the radio show into a television series by 1950, keeping Lucy as the main character with Denning recurring his role as well. She refused wanting her real husband, Desi Arnaz to be her TV husband. Writers for the show were Bob Carroll, Jr. Madelyn Pugh Davis and Jess Oppenheimer who also all moved to the TV version. They were the brillant minds that turned Lucille into the LUCY we all know and love.

This is an original audience ticket for the May 10, 1950 recording, admitting entrance into the Columbia Square Playhouse on Sunset Blvd. in Hollywood.

January 31, 2024August 29, 2024 by The Lucy Room Categories: Babalu, CBS, Desi Arnaz, Desilu, Ethel Mertz, I Love Lucy, Lucille Ball, Lucy Ricardo, Ricky Ricardo, Television, Ticket, Vivian Vance, William FrawleyTags: CBS, Desi Arnaz, Desilu, Ethel Mertz, Fred Mertz, I Love Lucy, Lucille Ball, Lucy Ricardo, My Favorite Husband, Radio, Ricky Ricardo, Ticket, Vivian Vance, WIlliam Frawley Leave a comment

Lucille Ball Velvet Hat worn on The Lucy Show

In Season 6 of The Lucy Show, Lucy Carmichael finds herself needing a second job to pay for a television set of Mr. Mooney’s she broke in episode 17, “Lucy Gets Involved” which aired on January 15, 1968. Working as a carhop at a drive-in restaurant, things don’t go so well for Mrs. Carmichael and she gets repeatedly repremanded by her manager, played by former child actor Jackie Coogan. Lucie Arnaz also makes an appearance dancing in a roadster. Another guest star in this episode is Phil Vandervort who would go on to marry Lucie a few years later.

Lucy wears this black velvet fatigue cap as part of her uniform at the drive-in. A red mesh, selected to match Lucy’s hair, was sewn around the inside which helped secure it to her head. During this scene if you look closely, the mesh is visible when her side profile faces the camera. This accessory was originally part of Universal Studio’s “Lucy A Tribute” exhibit that was once at both amusment parks. It remained unidentified until recently.

December 14, 2023August 29, 2024 by The Lucy Room Categories: CBS, Costume, Hat, Lucie Arnaz, Lucille Ball, Shown Worn, Television, The Lucy ShowTags: Carhop, Drive-In, Hat, Hollywood, Jackie Coogan, Lucie Arnaz, Lucille Ball, Lucille Ball Worn, Personal, Phil Vandervort, Screen Worn, Television, The Lucy Show, Universal Studios, Velvet, Waitress Leave a comment

Lucille Ball – Desi Arnaz Show Ticket to “Lucy Hunts Uranium”

For the third episode of the new Lucille Ball-Desi Arnaz Show (aka The Lucy-Desi Comedy Hour) the Ricardos and Mertzs are in Las Vegas for Ricky’s band performing at The Sands Casino. Fred MacMurray and June Haver are the special guest stars with MacMurray joining the two couples in hunting for uranium around the desert.

Shown here is an original audience ticket for the November 15, 1957 filming of the episode. Tickets for all the LBDAS are much larger than previous I Love Lucy tickets or any future ‘Lucy series’ for that matter with more of an invitation, square style.

This show had a couple of ‘firsts’ for the series. It was the first epsiode to go outside the studio for location filming as well as the debut of Lucille Ball’s and Lucy Ricardo’s new hairstyle, dubbed by Irma Kusley as the “artichoke cut” which Lucy had variations of for the rest of her life.

December 7, 2023August 29, 2024 by The Lucy Room Categories: Babalu, CBS, Desi Arnaz, Desilu, Ethel Mertz, I Love Lucy, Lucille Ball, Lucy Ricardo, Ricky Ricardo, Television, The Lucille Ball-Desi Arnaz Show, The Lucy-Desi Comedy Hour, Ticket, Vivian Vance, William FrawleyTags: 1957, CBS, Desi Arnaz, Desilu, Ethel Mertz, Fred MacMurray, Fred Mertz, I Love Lucy, Invitation, June Haver, Lucille Ball, Lucy Ricardo, Lucy-Desi Comedy Hour, Ricky Ricardo, The Lucille Ball Desi Arnaz Show, Ticket, Vivian Vance, WIlliam Frawley Leave a comment

Vivian Vance’s Large Embroidered Shawl

Vivian Vance owned and wore this oversized, off-white silk shawl. It features an ornate floral pattern embroidered in a champagne color with very long tassels around the hem for added drama. Viv gave the wrap to her little sister Lou Ann Graham who kept it for many years before consigning the piece for an auction held in Lucille Ball’s hometown of Jamestown, New York in the mid 2000’s.

November 29, 2023August 29, 2024 by The Lucy Room Categories: Ethel Mertz, I Love Lucy, Personal, Television, Vivian VanceTags: I Love Lucy, Jamestown, Lucille Ball, Personal, Shawl Leave a comment

Lucille Ball’s Wig Braid from The Lucy Show & Here’s Lucy

Lucy Carmichael wins a trip to London in The Lucy Show episode entitled “Lucy Flies to London” from the fifth season in 1966. For one day she tours the city in a whirlwind adventure. To mark the occasion of Lucille Ball actually going to London, a one hour prime-time special called “Lucy in London” aired a week later. During a 60’s “mod” montage she wears this long, red braided pony tail extension in a series of poses.

Fast forward three years later during Here’s Lucy, the braid is reused for a Roman-inspired scene in the episode “Lucy and the Generation Gap.” Along side Lucie Arnaz, Desi Arnaz Jr. and Gale Gordon (portraying Julius Caesar) Lucille Ball wears the braid, this time the bow which was pink in the London special has been changed to gold to match her costume. Its appearance today is the result of Lucy entangling the locks in Gale’s laurel corona by accident when reaching for their harps, snarling it.

November 15, 2023August 29, 2024 by The Lucy Room Categories: CBS, Desi Arnaz Jr, Desilu, Gale Gordon, Here's Lucy, Lucie Arnaz, Lucille Ball, Shown Worn, Television, The Lucy Show, WigTags: Braid, Desi Arnaz Jr, Desilu, Gale Gordon, Here's Lucy, Julius Caesar, London, Lucie Arnaz, Lucille Ball, Lucille Ball Owned, Lucille Ball Worn, Musical, Roman, Screen Worn, The Lucy Show, wig Leave a comment

Lucille Ball’s Glass Coaster from NYC Apartment

Lucille Ball returned to New York City in the early 1980’s when she and Gary moved into an apartment on the East side of Manhattan so she could be closer to her grandkids and daughter Lucie. Paula Stewart, close friend and co-star of the Broadway musical Wildcat, was tasked to be the interior decorator. Lucy wanted a “clean, uncomplicated space that was cheerful and child-proof.” This glass coaster with silver trim was part of that decor and adorned her dining room table as featured in the May 1984 issue of Architectural Digest.

November 8, 2023August 29, 2024 by The Lucy Room Categories: Gary Morton, I Love Lucy, Lucie Arnaz, Lucille Ball, Personal, TelevisionTags: Broadway, Coaster, Gary Morton, Glass, I Love Lucy, Lucille Bal Owned, Lucille Ball, Manhattan, New York City, Paula Stewart, Personal, Silver, Wildcat Leave a comment

Lucille Ball’s Crystal Cigarette Box

This ornate crystal cigarette box was used by Lucille Ball and Gary Morton to hold their favorite ciggies. It features an etched line pattern with brass hinges and trim along with a sold brass rose handle.

In 1974 The Sunday Times Magazine interviewed Lucille Ball and did a spread at home for their coverstory entitled, “The eternal Lucy show” where the box is visible on a side table in her Beverly Hills sitting room. The crystal lighter we featured in a previous post can also be seen next to this holder.

November 1, 2023August 29, 2024 by The Lucy Room Categories: Cigarettes, Gary Morton, I Love Lucy, Lucille Ball, Personal, TelevisionTags: Beverly Hills, Brass, Cigarettes, Crystal, Gary Morton, I Love Lucy, Lucille Ball, Personal Leave a comment

Lucille Ball’s Yellow Paisley Blouse Worn on Dinah!

This yellow paisley blouse was custom-made for Lucille Ball in the early 1970’s and is constructed of a sheer silk chiffon. It features a deep V, ruffled neckline and balloon sleeves with snap closure ruffled cuffs, all in a yellow and green print. The inside is lined with champagne silk and has a built-in adjustable waistband with snap buttons.

The blouse was first worn on screen by Lucie Arnaz in an episode of Here’s Lucy “Lucy and the Mountain Climber” which aired on September 20, 1971. In June of 1976 Lucille was a guest on Dinah Shore’s show DINAH! wearing the top with guests Carol Burnett, Valerie Harper and a surprise appearance by Gale Gordon. Later that same year Lucy is seen in it again, guest starring on Danny Thomas’ show The Practice playing an eccentric patient named Matilda Morrison. This blouse is an example where if Ms. Ball liked a particular style of clothing she often had similar ones made. We have a nearly identical top but with pink polka-dot fabric so please check out our past post!

October 11, 2023August 29, 2024 by The Lucy Room Categories: Dinah Shore, Gale Gordon, Here's Lucy, Lucie Arnaz, Lucille Ball, Personal, TelevisionTags: Broadway, Carol Burnett, Chiffon, Danny Thomas, Dinah Shore, Dinah!, Gale Gordon, Lucille Ball Owned, Lucille Ball Worn, Personal, Screen Worn, Show Worn, Television, Valerie Harper, Wildcat Leave a comment

Lucille Ball’s False Teeth Used On The Lucy Show & The Tonight Show with Johnny Carson

These false teeth were worn by Lucille Ball on two separate occasions. The first was in an epiosde of The Lucy Show entitled “Lucy and the Soap Opera” from season four where Lucille Carmichael disguises herself as a Japanese gardener (distasteful and offensive stereotype) opposite comedian Jan Murray.

The prosthetic front dentures were made by the Wilkinson Company of Santa Monica, CA who in the 1960’s and 70’s, was a leading dental manufacturer. The date stamped on the box reads October 6, 1965 which corresponds to the timing when rehersals and filming would soon begin for the January 31, 1966 airing of the show.

Lucy retained the teeth and use them again in 1974 during her appearance on The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson. In a gag to shock and surprise Johnny, Lucy pulls them out of her purse when he wasn’t looking, pushes them on and casually acts like nothing is wrong. Remnants of Poligrip are still present on the teeth from them being used nearly 50 years ago.

October 5, 2023August 29, 2024 by The Lucy Room Categories: Costume, Gale Gordon, Johnny Carson, Lucille Ball, Personal, Shown Worn, Television, The Lucy ShowTags: Costume, Dentures, Gold, Johnny Carson, Lucille Ball, Lucille Ball Owned, Lucille Ball Worn, Screen Worn, Teeth, Television, The Lucy Show, The Tonight Show Leave a comment

Lucille Ball’s Italian Ceramic Ashtray

French Empire, Venetian and Provincial was the decor of Lucille Ball’s Manhattan apartment in the early 1960’s. The color scheme of sunshine yellow and whites were all throughout the 23th floor of the Imperial House at 150 E. 69th Street.

This large, circular shaped ashtray with rooster design sat on the side table in her ‘comfortable’ guest-study. Measuring 9″ across the hand-painted ceramic piece was made in Italy with less than 495 in existance, this one being #50. When Lucy moved back to Beverly Hills she gifted the ashtray to her neice, Pamela Ball-Von Pinnon who retained it for the next five decades.

October 3, 2023August 29, 2024 by The Lucy Room Categories: Ashtray, Cigarettes, Desi Arnaz Jr, Desilu, Fred Ball, I Love Lucy, Lucie Arnaz, Lucille Ball, Personal, TelevisionTags: Ashtray, Beverly Hills, Broadway, Desilu, I Love Lucy, Lucille Bal Owned, Lucille Ball, Manhattan, New York City, Personal, Wildcat Leave a comment