Hollywood – The Lucy Room

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.

July 23, 2025 by The Lucy Room Categories: Gary Morton, Gifts, I Love Lucy, Lucille Ball, PersonalTags: Bed, Bedroom, Bedside Mat, Beverly Hills, Gary Morton, Good Morning, Good Night, Hollywood, I Love Lucy, Linen, Lucille Ball, Lucille Ball Owned, Personal Leave a comment

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

Finger Cots Worn by Lucille Ball on I Love Lucy “The Audition” Episode

“The Audition” was filmed on October 12, 1951, a mere three days before the official television premiere of I Love Lucy. This was the sixth episode of the show where Lucy Ricardo replaces a clown named Buffo for an act at Ricky’s club. Lucy is referred to as “the professor” and is dressed in an oversized blue suit who plays the cello.

This act was initially conceived by the Arnazes along with Pepito & Joanne Perez as part of a vaudeville style act Lucy and Desi used, touring the country proving to CBS audiences across America would accept them. They also used the skit for the I Love Lucy pilot.

Part of Lucy’s costume were these cotton finger cots. Each used to cover the fingers of her left hand as she takes them off in dramatic fashion to the beat of the drum. The entire costume was originally on display at Universal Studios Hollywood ‘Lucy A Tribute’ exhibit for over 20 years. The rest of the outfit is now displayed alongside the prop cello in Lucy’s hometown of Jamestown, NY at the Lucy-Desi Museum.

February 6, 2025February 6, 2025 by The Lucy Room Categories: Babalu, CBS, Costume, Desi Arnaz, Desilu, Ethel Mertz, I Love Lucy, Jamestown, Lucille Ball, Lucy Ricardo, Pepito the Spanish Clown, Prop, Ricky Ricardo, Shown Worn, Television, Vivian Vance, William FrawleyTags: CBS, Cello, Costume, Desi Arnaz, Desilu, Ethel Mertz, Fred Mertz, Hollywood, I Love Lucy, Jamestown, Lucille Ball, Lucille Ball Worn, Lucy Ricardo, Pilot, Prop, Ricky Ricardo, Screen Used, Screen Worn, Show Worn, Universal Studios, Vaudeville, Vivian Vance, WIlliam Frawley Leave a comment

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.

January 9, 2025January 9, 2025 by The Lucy Room Categories: Autograph, George Cukor, Handwritten, Here's Lucy, Lucille Ball, MGM, Movie, Paramount, Personal, Prop, The Lucy ShowTags: Friendship, Gone With The Wind, Handwritten, Hawaii, Here's Lucy, Hollywood, I Love Lucy, Lucille Ball, MGM, Note, Paramount, Personal, Postcard, Prop, Signed, The Lucy Show Leave a comment

Joseff of Hollywood Earrings worn by Lucille Ball in MGM’s “Meet the People”

Lucille Ball’s fourth film with MGM was 1944’s “Meet the People.“ She stars alongside Dick Powell, featuring Virginia O’Brien, Bert Lahr, Rags Ragland and June Allyson in the World War II era musical. Lucy plays Julie Hampton, a Broadway star who leaves the stage to join Rosie the Riveters, becoming a welder and falling in love with her coworker “Swanee” played by Powell.

Lucille wears this pair of simulated diamond and pearl earrings in the movie. Made by Joseff of Hollywood each clip back earring is designed as a cluster of three pear-shaped simulated diamonds, centered upon a simulated pearl.

Eugene Joseff was the premier costume jeweler during Hollywood’s golden age. He developed a matte metal finish for his jewelry which minimized the glare from lighting. Their custom jewels were designed, manufactured, and rented to movie studios and can be seen in nearly every production from the 1930’s to the 1950’s.

December 5, 2024December 5, 2024 by The Lucy Room Categories: Costume, Earrings, Film, Film Worn, Jewelry, Joseff of Hollywood, Lucille Ball, Meet the People, MGMTags: Bert Lahr, Broadway, Cowardly Lion, Diamond, DIck Powell, Earrings, Film Worn, Hollywood, Jewelry, Joseff of Hollywood, June Allyson, Lucille Ball, Lucille Ball Worn, Meet the People, MGM, Movie, Musical, Pearl, Rags Ragland, Screen Worn, Virginia O'Brien, Wizard of Oz, World War II Leave a comment

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.

October 9, 2024October 9, 2024 by The Lucy Room Categories: Autograph, Birthday, Film, George Cukor, Handwritten, Letter, Lucille Ball, MAME, MGM, Movie, Paramount, Personal, RKOTags: Audrey Hupburn, Birthday, DIrector, Friendship, George Cukor, Gone With The Wind, Handwritten, Hollywood, I Love Lucy, Judy Garland, Letter, Lucille Ball, Lucille Ball Owned, MAME, MGM, Note, Oscar, Paramount, Personal, RKO, Signed, Stationary Leave a comment

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.

January 11, 2024August 29, 2024 by The Lucy Room Categories: Costume, Jewelry, Lucille Ball, MAME, Movie, Ring, Warner BrothersTags: Auntie Mame, Broadway, Diamond, Film, Gene Saks, George Cukor, Hollywood, Jewelry, Lucille Ball, Lucille Ball Owned, Lucille Ball Worn, MAME, Movie, Musical, Premiere, Rhinestones, Ring, Warner Brothers 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

Desilu Productions Stock Certificate

Desilu Productions was a well respected and successful corporation, one that other studios looked at for their inspiring “Desilu Method” of filming shows using three cameras in front of an audience. In 1962, Lucille Ball became the first woman in history to own a television studio and under her reign some very important productions were made – The Untouchables, Mission Impossible and of course Star Trek.

Desi and Lucy were president and vice president of Desilu Productions when it became a publicly traded company in 1958. Investors and everyday people could own a piece of the Desilu empire. This is an original stock certificate for 100 common shares retained by Desilu Productions Inc. that was redeemed on January 19, 1966.

September 20, 2023September 21, 2023 by The Lucy Room Categories: Autograph, Desi Arnaz, Desilu, Desilu Sales, I Love Lucy, Lucille Ball, Paramount, Personal, RKO, TelevisionTags: Desi Arnaz, Desilu, Desilu Sales, Hollywood, I Love Lucy, Investment, Lucille Ball, Mission Impossible, Star Trek, Stock, Stock Certificate, Stock Exchange, Studio, The Twilight Zone, Traded 2 Comments

Lucille Ball Earrings worn on The Lucy Show

Lucy Carmichael tries to go on a date with Frank Winslow played by Clint Walker in The Lucy Show episode “Lucy and the Sleeping Beauty” which aired on November 15, 1965. Frank is a construction worker who is extremely tired when she shows up to Lucy’s place. If startled from sleeping he goes into combat mode from being in the war and starts swinging. Lucy unfortunately finds this out when he dozes off on her couch.

Lucy looks absolutely gorgeous in her new dress and wears these beautiful earrings for the date. The clip-on set features a circular gold base with emerald green beads and a cluster of lighter jade beads in a series of layers. They are very similar to the Miriam Haskell set Lucille owned and could very well been made by Haskell as well.

August 29, 2023August 29, 2024 by The Lucy Room Categories: Desilu, Earrings, Jewelry, Lucille Ball, Miriam Haskell, Shown Worn, Television, The Lucy ShowTags: Clint Walker, Desilu, Earrings, Hollywood, Jewelry, Lucille Ball, Lucille Ball Worn, Miriam Haskell, Personal, Screen Worn, Television, The Lucy Show Leave a comment

Necklace worn by Lucille Ball in “Annabel Takes a Tour” by Joseff of Hollywood

Annabel Takes a Tour (1938) was an early comedic film Lucille Ball starred in while under contract with RKO. It was the sequel to The Affairs of Annabel released that same year. Lucy played Annabel Allison a movie star who is desperate for some good publicity to help boost her career so she does a variety of wacky stunts.

In the film as well as publicity photos, Lucille wears this simulated diamond and sapphire necklace made by Joseff of Hollywood. Measuring twenty three inches in length, it features open metal work centering on a large central medallion.

The necklace as also worn by Bette Davis in a 1930’s publicity portrait, John Bennett in a wardrobe test for The Man in the Iron Mask (1939) Ruth Donnelly in Pillow to Post (1945).

Eugene Joseff was the premier costume jeweler during Hollywood’s golden age. He developed a matte metal finish for his jewelry which minimized the glare from lighting. Their custom jewels were designed, manufactured and rented to movie studios and can be seen in nearly every production from the 1930’s to the 1950’s.

June 13, 2023August 29, 2024 by The Lucy Room Categories: Annabel Takes a Tour, Film Worn, Jewelry, Joseff of Hollywood, Lucille Ball, Movie, Necklace, RKOTags: Annabel Takes a Tour, Bette Davis, Diamond, Film, Hollywood, Jewelry, Joan Bennett, Joseff of Hollywood, Lucille Ball, Lucille Ball Worn, Movie, Necklace, RKO, Ruth Donnelly, Sapphire, Screen Worn Leave a comment

Lucille Ball’s Ruby Ring from “The Magic Carpet” by Joseff of Hollywood

The Magic Carpet (1951) was the last film Lucille Ball starred in while under contract with Columbia Pictures. She plays Narah, a villainess Iraqi princess. Columbia gave her the part in the low-budget, B movie hoping Lucy would break her contract and not pay her for the remaining term. She did the film anyway to force their hand as well as hid her pregnancy with daughter Lucie.

Lucille wears gold ring in the film made by Joseff of Hollywood using their signature Russian plating technique. The piece features a white pearl surrounded by five simulated ruby stones.

Eugene Joseff was the premier costume jeweler during Hollywood’s golden age. He developed a matte metal finish for his jewelry which minimized the glare from lighting. Their custom jewels were designed, manufactured and rented to movie studios and can be seen in nearly every production from the 1930’s to the 1950’s.

April 21, 2023August 29, 2024 by The Lucy Room Categories: Columbia Pictures, Jewelry, Joseff of Hollywood, Lucie Arnaz, Lucille Ball, Movie, Ring, The Magic CarpetTags: Columbia Pictures, Film, Hollywood, Jewelry, Joseff of Hollywood, Lucille Ball, Lucille Ball Worn, Movie, Pearl, Ring, Ruby, Screen Worn, The Magic Carpet 1 Comment