Tag: Movie

The Long, Long Trailer Original Title Artwork

During the hiatus of I Love Lucy in the summer 1953, Lucille Ball and Desi Arnaz filmed a romantic comedy for MGM called The Long, Long Trailer. Fans of the couple got to see them together on the big screen and in color for the first time and it was a blockbusting success.

The movie opened with the instrumental version of “Breezin’ Along with the Breeze” along with this title card. Hand painted with thick, glossy royal blue paint the artwork measures over 32 inches by 24 inches, and was shot by the camera with added layers of a red, white and blue ribbon with wagon wheel and shadows of leaves to give it depth. The copyright information, MGM logo and text “produced” are missing but the adhesive used for them can still be visible at the bottom.

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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.

by Categories: Autograph, Birthday, CBS, Film, Fred Williams, Handwritten, Here's Lucy, Jamestown, Letter, Lucille Ball, Makeup, MAME, Movie, Personal, TelevisionTags: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , Leave a comment

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.

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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.

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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.

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Lucille Ball’s 20th Century Fox Personal Statement

By the late 1940’s Lucille Ball was freelancing, not under contract with any studio and able to do whatever work she wanted. In 1946 she did a movie for 20th Century Fox called “The Dark Corner” a crime film noir and genre she had not done before. Lucy protrays ‘Kathleen Stewart’ a secretary who sets out to clear her private eye boss (Mark Stevens) of false murder charges.

Lucille completed this employee personal statement for the studio which included all biographical data on January 15, 1946. Most of the information is typed but she did write in some missing details including her middle name, age, date of birth and place of birth. She signed her full name at the bottom and was assigned employee number 03733. This would be the only film she would do for the studio.

by Categories: 20th Century Fox, Autograph, Card, Film, Lucille Ball, Movie, Personal, The Dark CornerTags: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , Leave a comment

Forever Darling Jamestown Premiere Poster & Newspaper

Lucille Ball and Desi Arnaz traveled across the country in early 1956 to promote their second film for MGM, “Forever Darling.” The premiere was held on February 6th at the Palace Theater in Lucy’s hometown of Jamestown, NY. Both Desi and Lucy were awe struck by the amount of love and support the people of Jamestown showed them during their whirlwind two-day visit.

Shown here is an original poster which most likely hung in many stores and businesses throught the city along with a February 7, 1956 second edition of the Jamestown Post-Journal. The Arnaz’s covered the headlines with photos and articles throughout the paper documenting their journey.

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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.

by Categories: Costume, Jewelry, Lucille Ball, MAME, Movie, Ring, Warner BrothersTags: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , Leave a comment

Lucille Ball Autographed ‘Stone Pillow’ Poster

Lucille Ball stepped out of her “Lucy” comfort zone in 1985 to portray a homeless woman living on the streets of New York City. In the TV film Stone Pillow, Lucille plays ‘Florabelle’ (named after her grandmother) an eccentric bag lady who prides herself on being an independant loner toting all her worldly possessions in cart.

This window card sized poster was made to promote the movie however a selection of 100 were autographed ‘Love Lucy’ for a charity event. Production took place during an unusal warm spell in the Big Apple and wearing layers of winter clothing for her costume, Lucy at age 73, endured extreme temperatues well into the triple digits. Reviews are mixed but she should be commended for completing the project all while giving a superb performance.

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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.

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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.

by Categories: Columbia Pictures, Jewelry, Joseff of Hollywood, Lucie Arnaz, Lucille Ball, Movie, Ring, The Magic CarpetTags: , , , , , , , , , , , , 1 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.

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