Desi Arnaz Jr. – The Lucy Room

Large 1957 Hawaiian Postcard from Lucille Ball to Journalist Radie Harris

In May of 1957, during the hiatus of filming I Love Lucy, the Arnaz family vacationed on the Big Island of Hawaii. The last photo shown of Lucy, Desi, Lucie and Desi Jr. is believed to have been taken on this trip in the eastern city of Hilo. While on the island, Lucille Ball sent this oversized postcard of an erupting Mauna Loa to journalist Radie Harris with the quirky message:

“Dear Radie – I took 1 cup of sugar, 1 cup of flour, just a pinch of baking soda – and look what happened – but everything is so different and gigantic over here I should have known – Love Lucy Arnaz”

Radie was best known for her work for The Hollywood Reporter, writing columns from the 1940s until 1989. She then had her own radio show interviewing celebrities, befriending many of them, on CBS. Harris also was a contributing writer to Photoplay magazine, Variety, and other movie magazines throughout her career. In 1982, Radie was honored by the Publicists Guild of America and lived to be ninety six passing away in 2001 at the Actors Fund Nursing Home in Englewood, New Jersey.

May 21, 2025May 21, 2025 by The Lucy Room Categories: Autograph, Broadway, Card, CBS, Desi Arnaz, Desi Arnaz Jr, Desilu, Handwritten, I Love Lucy, Lucie Arnaz, Lucille Ball, Personal, RadioTags: Broadway, Desi Arnaz, Desi Arnaz Jr., Desilu, Friendship, Handwritten, Hawaii, Hawaiian, Hollywood, I Love Lucy, Journalist, Lucie Arnaz, Lucille Ball, New York City, Note, Personal, Postcard, Radie Harris, Signed, Vacation Leave a comment

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.

May 30, 2024May 30, 2024 by The Lucy Room Categories: Autograph, Babalu, Desi Arnaz, Desi Arnaz Jr, Desilu, Here's Lucy, I Love Lucy, Lucie Arnaz, Lucille Ball, TelevisionTags: 1977, Autograph, Del Mar, Desi Arnaz, Desi Arnaz Jr., Desilu, Horse Racing, Horses, I Love Lucy, Lucie Arnaz, Lucille Ball, Racetrack, Signed, Television, Thoroughbred Leave a comment

Television Academy Arts & Sciences Table Favor Honoring Lucille Ball

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 at the Beverly Hilton, 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, two children, Lucie Arnaz and Desi Arnaz, Jr. and close friend Vivian Vance. During her emotional speech talking about Viv she said,

“I’m supposed to say something like ‘the vivacious, vital, Vivian Vance.’ But that isn’t it. We’ve been through so much together on the screen and off. Some good times, some bad times.”

This three inch gold plated metal table favor was given to guests that evening. The souvenir statue is made to look like a TV atop the academy’s acronym: ‘NATAS.’ An engraved insert features the Lucille Ball caracature drawn by Al Hirschfeld and the text ‘A Salute To Lucille Ball – October 25, 1969.’

May 1, 2024May 1, 2024 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, Television, Vivian VanceTags: Award, Desi Arnaz Jr., Emmy Award, Gary Morton, I Love Lucy, Lucie Arnaz, Lucille Ball, Milton Berle, Personal, Table Favor, Television, Television Academy Arts & Sciences, TV, Vivian Vance Leave a comment

Desi Arnaz’s 1959 US Passport

By the late 1950’s Lucille Ball and Desi Arnaz’s marriage was sadly coming to an end. As a “last ditch effort” attempt to possibly rekindle what was left, they went on a trip to Europe in May of 1959. What should have been a getaway of just the two of them became a mini entourage that included their children, Lucie and Desi Jr., Lucy’s cousin Cleo and her husband Ken Morgan.

The group traveled to London, Paris and Rome from the end of May to early June. This was the passport Desi carried with him on that trip. Issued on April 21, 1959 this U.S. Passport includes a handsome photo of Mr. Arnaz, multiple signatures, the addresses in Beverly Hills and Del Mar, plus all the original visa stamps entering and exiting various countries.

In November 1959 Desi left the country alone, going back to Europe as he and Lucy’s marrage was all but over by that point. The visa stamps from this trip are also present. The estate created “Lucy & Desi: The Real Life Scrapbook of America’s Favorite TV Couple” in 2004 which includes copies of documents and photos throughout their lives. This passport was used in that book to illustrate that particular time in their relationship.

January 18, 2024August 29, 2024 by The Lucy Room Categories: Autograph, Babalu, Desi Arnaz, Desi Arnaz Jr, Desilu, Handwritten, I Love Lucy, Lucie Arnaz, Lucille Ball, Passport, Personal, Ricky RicardoTags: Desi Arnaz, Desi Arnaz Jr., Desilu, Europe, France, Handwritten, I Love Lucy, Italy, London, Lucie Arnaz, Lucille Ball, Paris, Passport, Personal, Rome, United Kingdom, United States Leave a comment