MAME – The Lucy Room

Handwritten Birthday Letter from Lucille Ball to Fred Williams

Fred Williams was a renowned makeup artist and celebrity portrait painter. He became Lucille Ball’s primary makeup man in the early 1970’s on her series Here’s Lucy and feature film, MAME. Lucille wrote this letter on her personal stationary to Fred and his wife Christine thanking them for remembering her birthday.

“Dearest Chris & Fred – Have tried to call you several times to tell you how happy I was with your birthday remembrance – I’m glad I caught you that nite you two are a slippery pair! Hope everything is well with you – My love as always Lucy”

Williams continued helping Lucy look incredible throughout the 80’s as well. Today fans can see a portrait of Lucy from MAME Fred painted on display at the Lucy-Desi Museum in her hometown of Jamestown, New York.

July 31, 2025July 31, 2025 by The Lucy Room Categories: Autograph, Birthday, CBS, Film, Fred Williams, Handwritten, Here's Lucy, Jamestown, Letter, Lucille Ball, Makeup, MAME, Movie, Personal, TelevisionTags: 1970s, 1980s, Artist, Autograph, Birthday, Film, Fred Williams, Friendship, Handwritten, Here's Lucy, I Love Lucy, Jamestown, Letter, Love, Lucille Ball, Lucille Ball Owned, Makeup, MAME, Movie, New York, Note, Painter, Personal, Signed, Stationary, TV 2 Comments

Lucille Ball’s film MAME Pinback Button

‘She’ll coax the blues right out of your heart’ was the tagline used in promotion of the 1974 motion picture MAME starring, Lucille Ball. In addition to posters, hanging mobiles, and even a fashion line, this rare pin button help advertise the Warner Bros. film. Worn by theater works and ushers the badge measures roughly three inches across and features the seated Lucy Mame drawing with her one roller skate, fur trimmed coat and gloves.

January 22, 2025January 22, 2025 by The Lucy Room Categories: Film, Gifts, Lucille Ball, MAME, Movie, Warner BrothersTags: Auntie Mame, Film, Lucille Ball, MAME, Movie, Musical, Pin, Pinback, Warner Brothers Leave a comment

MAME Ashtray Gift from Lucille Ball

Friends, some press as well as cast and crew of the 1974 motion picture MAME received this off-white porcelain ashtray from its star, Lucille Ball. The circular, gold rimmed ashtray features the film’s title in the center and Lucy’s signature Love Lucy below. This particular piece was never used and still included the original box when it was aquired. Two versions of ashtrays were made, possibly for different years. The other is a square style that has a felt bottom.

October 23, 2024October 22, 2024 by The Lucy Room Categories: Ashtray, Christmas, Film, Gifts, Lucille Ball, MAME, Movie, Personal, Warner BrothersTags: Ashtray, Auntie Mame, Film, Gifts, Gold, Lucille Ball, MAME, Movie, Musical, Personal, Porcelain, Warner Brothers 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’s MAME Costume by Theadora Van Runkle

On March 7, 1974 Lucille Ball brought “Mame Dennis” to the big screen for her final feature film, MAME. She wore an unprecedented number of costumes in the movie, all of which were designed by Theodora Van Runkle.

One of the gowns was this three piece ensemble consisting of a silver lamè sleeveless, floor length gown with high collar, silver lamè turban with black lace lining, and a black wool and satin jacket with silver lamè lapels and cuffs with large covered buttons. The labels have large ornate deco-style diamond pins attached.

Lucy wears the costume for roughly ten seconds in the film during Robert Preston’s serenade of “Loving You” but dawns it more often for the press luncheon at the start of filming, publicity photoshoots as well as other events.

March 14, 2023August 29, 2024 by The Lucy Room Categories: Film Worn, Lucille Ball, MAME, Movie, Shown Worn, Warner BrothersTags: Film Worn, Lucille Ball, Lucille Ball Worn, MAME, Movie, Personal, Screen Worn, Warner Brothers Leave a comment

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.

October 8, 2022August 29, 2024 by The Lucy Room Categories: Lucille Ball, MAME, Movie, PersonalTags: Black, Lucille Ball Owned, Lucille Ball Worn, MAME, Screen Worn, Velvet Leave a comment