With the start of vacation season in full swing, we’d like to share a snapshot of Lucille Ball and Gary Morton taking sun and enjoying their tropical surroundings. This 5×7 photo of the couple was taken most likely in Hawaii in the early to mid-1960’s. With its gold/bronze color frame, the picture once hung in the Morton’s home. Aloha!
Tag: Gary Morton
Lucille Ball & Gary Morton Bedside Turn Down Mat
Turn down mats are placed bedside on the floor so when you step into bed it reads “Good Night.” Then when you arrise and get out of bed, the opposite side reads “Good Morning.” This white linen turn down mat was made for Lucille Ball and Gary Morton. Embroidered with light blue thread the mat reads:
“Good Morning Lucy – Good Night Gary”
It’s unclear if this is a prototype sample or a gift to the couple as the same name should appear on both sides but it is certainly a unique item from the Morton’s bedroom.
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.’
Lucille Ball’s Lip Print on birthday note card from Gary Morton
On Lucille Ball’s 69th birthday in 1980, Gary Morton gave her a beautiful piece of jewelry. Inside a small envelope with Lucy on the outside was this notecard which Gary affectionately wrote:
“Lucy – Cause I Love you Happy Birthday Morty”
Lucille adored what Gary gave her not only keeping this card but writing what she got in blue marker “gold diamond and pearl necklace!!” On the front of the envelope, she also wrote the year and kissed it leaving a big lip print. This was something Lucy was known to do if she was really impressed by something, or it had special meaning.
Television Academy Arts & Sciences 14th Annual Ball Honoring Lucille Ball Ticket & Program
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 in the International Room at the Beverly Hilton Hotel, 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, Lucie Arnaz and Desi Arnaz, Jr., Vivian Vance and many other friends.
Shown here is an original program, ticket and RSVP stub from the ball. A three-inch gold-plated metal table favor was also given to guests that evening. Lucy wore a beautiful aqua chiffon grown adorned with beads and rhinestones that trimmed the collar and front hem with sleeves that were engulfed with ostrich feathers at the ends. (to be featured in another post)
Lucille Ball’s Tan Mink Car Coat
Lucille Ball kept warm in the winter months for over three decades wearing this tank mink car coat. Her husband Gary Morton gave her the fur in the mid 1960’s, wearing it on camera for their mid-January appearance of the gameshow Password.
The coat features a gold silk lining, two side pockets, a large lapel and collar that can be stood up or laid down and a rear belt. While on Password she says, “I like furs better than I do jewelry,” this fur being one of her favorites.
While in New York Lucy had a series of publicity shots taken in the coat high above the NYC skyline. She took it with her on overseas trips to Europe and into the 1980’s wore the coat to a “Little Shop of Horrors” show.
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.
Lucille Ball & Gary Morton Gifted Lucite LCD Clock
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.
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.’
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.
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.