Tag: Lucille Ball Worn

Lucille Ball’s Emerald Necklace 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 this 13″ choker style necklace in the film made by Joseff of Hollywood. The piece features large oval, bezel-set emerald color jewels and alternating diamonds with a spring clasp closure. The necklace was previously worn by Natalie Draper in Forever Amber (20th Century, 1947) and Adrian Booth in The Last Bandit (Republic, 1949).

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.

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Lucille Ball’s Pink Nolan Miller Gown

On January 6, 1989 Lucille Ball and Gary Morton attended the 6th Annual American Cinema Awards held at the Beverly Hilton Hotel. The event presented by David Gest and sponsored by American Airlines honored Bette Davis, Clint Eastwood and Julio Iglesias.

Lucille look incredible wearing this 3-piece pale pink gown by Nolan Miller. The floor length ensemble with front slit consists of a sleeveless sheath dress with deep v-neck made of a nude crepe material, a sheer silk-chiffon long sleeve gown to go over top featuring pink and silver rhinestones encrusted in a floral pattern along with loop button cuffs and high neck closures. Adding a bit of drama to the look is a large sheer silk chiffon cape trimmed in pink ostrich feathers.

An original program from the awards features a congratulatory page to Bette and Clint from the Mortons with a photo of the couple taken on the set of Life With Lucy.

by Categories: Awards, Gary Morton, Lucille Ball, Nolan Miller, Personal, TelevisionTags: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , Leave a comment

Lucille Ball’s Red ‘Du Barry Was A Lady’ Wig

After signing with MGM, Lucille Ball’s first film at the studio was 1943’s Du Barry Was a Lady. At the time Lucy’s hair was close to her natural color, a mousey-brown and since it was going to be shot in Technicolor a change needed to be made so her look would pop more on screen. MGM’s hair stylist, Sydney Guilaroff decided to dye her hair a vibrant red/orange. Along with her porcelain skin, blue eyes and red lips, the new hair color made her look sensational on and off camera. She remained a redhead for the rest of her life.

This was the wig Lucille wore in the movie. Considered a “3/4 fall” it was attached to the crown of her head providing long locks while her real hair was made in an updo. The interior lace has two labels sewn onto it – a Max Factor Studios label and a Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer label with 493 written in blue. This number matches that found on the original black wig box. The box has a label affixed detailing the color (tech. red) size and performer who it was created for. Also included is the original wig stock record card with all this information and production number. The wig would be reused in 1967 by actress ‘S. Yarnell’ as written on the card however this may actually be Celeste Yarnall of Star Trek fame.

by Categories: Film Worn, Lucille Ball, Max Factor, MGM, Movie, Shown Worn, WigTags: , , , , , , , , Leave a comment

Plaid Tartan Blazer worn by Lucille Ball in ‘Sorrowful Jones’

In 1949, Lucille Ball starred opposite Bob Hope in the comedic film Sorrowful Jones. Lucy plays Gladys a nightclub singer and can be seen wearing this plaid wool tartan blazer. Featuring dark brown velvet cuffs and lapels, the jacket originally had three covered buttons in the front however only one is still present. Inner design elements include shoulder pads and metal weights sewn into the back hem to help keep it weighted down. The neckline still retains the original designer label and Paramount studio label with “L.Ball” written in pen. The black wool skirt photographed with this blazer also belonged to Lucille Ball’s personal wardrobe circa 1980’s.

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Here’s Lucy & Happy Anniversary and Goodbye Butterfly Dress

Lucille Ball’s custom-made butterfly house dress worn on Here’s Lucy. Lucy can be seen wearing this one of a kind frock in the episode entitled “Lucy the Mountain Climber” from Season 4, episode #1 and originally aired on November 20, 1971. It’s then seen again later that season in the episode “Lucy’s Replacement” which aired on January 17, 1972. After Lucy broke her leg skiing later that year, she’s confined to a wheelchair wearing the dress in the episode “A Home Is Not an Office” that was part of Season 5 – episode #4 that aired October 2, 1972.

After Here’s Lucy went off the air in early 1974, Lucille starred in a handful of TV specials under her production company – Lucille Ball Productions. One of them was Happy Anniversary and Goodbye alongside Art Carney which aired on November 19,1974. Arnold Schwarzenegger, who played Rico a message therapist, had his first television appearance in a scene with Lucy wearing the butterfly dress.

This polyester garment features a long and dramatic collar, indicative of the 70’s. Faux plastic buttons are visible down the front with hidden snap buttons and full zipper closure on the inside. Also present are two side seam pockets on the hips. The oversized style of this dress allowed for comfortability and helped play into Lucy’s “thicker” stature with the use of a bodysuit in the first half of Happy Anniversary and Goodbye.

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Lucille Ball’s “Panama Lady” Brooch by Joseff of Hollywood

In 1939 Lucille Ball starred in Panama Lady an RKO film about a nightclub girl who gets involved with an oil rigger played by Allan Lane (he would come to be the voice of Mr. Ed). For the publicity shots of the movie Lucille wore this ornate, door knocker-style brooch with simulated amethysts by Joseff of Hollywood.

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.

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Lucille Ball’s Pink Polka Dot Blouse

Lucille Ball’s custom-made pink polka dot blouse. Made of sheer silk chiffon it features a ruffled neckline, balloon sleeves with snap closure ruffled cuffs, plus matching pink chiffon belt and scarf. The inside is lined with champagne silk and has a built-in adjustable waistband with snap buttons.

Lucy wore the blouse in promotional photos for Here’s Lucy in the late-1960’s. One of which was used as a photocard with her facsimile signature that would be sent to fans who wrote letters to the star. She is also known to wear it at a private party in the early 70’s. If Lucille liked a particular style of garment she often had similar ones made but in different colors, patterns, or materials. This blouse is an example, where another was made in a yellow/green paisley fabric.

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Lucille Ball’s Blonde Wig from Here’s Lucy

Lucille Ball’s blonde wig worn on Here’s Lucy in the show entitled “Lucy and Jack Benny’s Biography” from Season 3, episode #11 and originally aired on November 23, 1970. (Synopsis: Harry sends Lucy to Jack Benny’s house to write down his biography. Throughout the series of flashbacks we meet many of the women in Jack’s life whom are all played by Lucy.)

Lucy portraying blonde bombshell, “Lola,” wears this Max Factor Studios wig in the ‘fifth chapter’ of the show. The laced sides and front high quality wig was originally styled by Irma Kusely, and it is possible Lucy wore it more than once in other skits. This item was acquired from the estate of Frank Gorey who was the Ball/Arnaz/Morton family’s majordomo for over three decades.

by Categories: Here's Lucy, Jack Benny, Lucille Ball, Max Factor, Shown Worn, Television, WigTags: , , , , , , , Leave a comment

Lucille Ball Family Locket Brooch

Lucille Ball’s gold-toned brooch suspending a round locket with metal filigree, measuring 1 1/2 inches. The locket opens to reveal three panels, each with black and white photographs of Lucy’s relatives pasted on them, and “LB” scratched on the inner lid. The photographs are of Ball’s brother Fred Ball, her cousin Cleo Mandicos-Smith, and her maternal grandfather Fred Charles Hunt.

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Lucille Ball’s Black Velvet Maxi Dress

  • (Original Caption) Comedienne Lucille Ball, who says she’s leaving her long running television series soon, will still remain quite active in her real life, which is a far cry from TV characterizations. She’s shown here in her suite at the Waldorf Towers.

Lucille Ball’s custom-made black velvet maxi dress worn during the promotional tour for MAME and in publicity photos taken in New York City during the mid-1970’s. Comprising of a swirl patterned design the floor length house dress features a high standing collar, zippered front closure, bottom slit and black lace trimmed around the neckline and cuffs. Lucy can also be seen wearing the dress in a 1974 interview with Warner Roberts.

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Lucille Ball’s Beaded Necklace

Lucille Ball wore this triple-strand, sky blue beaded choker for The Lucy Show publicity photos that were taken in Lucy’s backyard on Roxbury Drive sometime in the mid 1960’s. The strands of glass beads feature an ornate gold clasp studded with rhinestones that is so pretty she wore it in front. The necklace was eventually given to her niece, Pamela Ball (Von Pinnon).

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Here’s Lucy Apricot-Color Artist Smock

Lucille Ball’s one-of-a-kind, custom-made, apricot color artist’s smock worn on Here’s Lucy. The show is titled “Lucy and Danny Thomas” from Season 6, episode #1 and originally aired on September 10, 1973. (Synopsis: Lucy schemes with a starving artist to fake his death, hoping his paintings will begin to sell.)

This polyester garment features faux covered buttons down the front with hidden snap button closures. It has large bell sleeves with cuffs that have the same faux button and snap closure at the wrists. Also present are two deep pockets. Topping it off is a beautiful navy, crepe scarf that descends down the front. Our favorite redhead wears this vivid smock in the opening scene of the show for nearly 10 minutes, so it is highly visible.

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