Vaudeville – The Lucy Room

1952 Holiday Card from Lucille Ball & Desi Arnaz

Christmas 1952 was a special one for the Arnazes as their family would soon grow in less than a month with the birth of their second child. Lucille Ball sent this holiday card to Joanne & Pepito Perez, close friends and former vaudeville entertainers who helped Lucy and Desi develop acts that eventually lead to I Love Lucy.

The card is printed on the inside with Lucille, Desi and Lucie Arnaz however Lucy wrote the following:

“and “Thumper” – Hope you’ll call us & come up over the Holidays – Please do – Empire 3-1597 Love Lucy & Desi“

Joanne also wrote in pencil the intersection of Sepulveda Blvd. and Devonshire St. along with the street number 19700 of the Desilu ranch in Chatsworth, CA.

I Love Lucy fans can thank Joanne for discovering an original print of the I Love Lucy pilot long thought lost and never seen by the public until the early 1990’s. To learn more about Pepito and Joanne and their incredible time in show business, please visit: https://pepitoandjoanne.com/

December 17, 2025December 17, 2025 by The Lucy Room Categories: Autograph, Card, CBS, Christmas, Desi Arnaz, Desi Arnaz Jr, Desilu, Gifts, Handwritten, I Love Lucy, Lucie Arnaz, Lucille Ball, Pepito the Spanish Clown, PersonalTags: Card, Chatsworth, Christmas, Desi Arnaz, Desi Arnaz Jr, Desilu, Handwritten, I Love Lucy, Love, Lucie Arnaz, Lucille Ball, Pepito the Spanish Clown, Personal, Vaudeville 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

Christmas Card from Lucie Arnaz to Pepito & Joanne Perez

Lucie Arnaz wrote in this Christmas card to Pepito and Joanne Perez in the early 1960’s. The couple were former veteran vaudeville entertainers known as “Pepito the Spanish Clown” and “Joanne the Twisting Marvel.” It was the Perez’s who helped Lucy and Desi develop the props and acts they took on the road to prove to CBS the public would accept them for a new TV show in 1950.

They remained close friends with Ball-Arnaz-Morton families throughout their lives, going on vacations and sending correspondence to one another over the better part of three decades.

December 12, 2024December 12, 2024 by The Lucy Room Categories: Autograph, Card, Christmas, Desi Arnaz, Gifts, Handwritten, I Love Lucy, Lucie Arnaz, Lucille Ball, Pepito the Spanish Clown, PersonalTags: 1960's, Card, Christmas, Desi Arnaz, Desilu, Handwritten, I Love Lucy, Love, Lucie Arnaz, Lucille Ball, Pepito the Spanish Clown, Personal, Vaudeville 2 Comments

Christmas Card from Lucille Ball to Joanne Perez

People close to Lucille Ball would surely receive a Christmas card from the redhead every holiday season. This is one such card from the early 1980’s that was sent to Joanne Perez, former veteran vaudeville entertainer along with her husband “Pepito the Spanish Clown.” It was the Perez’s who helped Lucy and Desi develop the props and acts they took on the road to prove to CBS the public would accept them for a new TV show in 1950.

Lucy and Joanne remained close friends throughout their lives as evident in this handwritten card which reads:

“Joanne dear, think of you all the time and love you always – Love Lucy”

December 20, 2023August 29, 2024 by The Lucy Room Categories: Autograph, Card, CBS, Christmas, Desi Arnaz, Desilu, Gifts, Handwritten, I Love Lucy, Lucille Ball, Pepito the Spanish Clown, PersonalTags: Card, Christmas, Desi Arnaz, Desilu, Handwritten, I Love Lucy, Love, Lucille Ball, Pepito the Spanish Clown, Personal, Vaudeville Leave a comment

Joanne Perez Letter from Lucille Ball

Many people assisted Lucille Ball and Desi Arnaz in the early days of the television journey. Two such individuals were Pepito and Joanne Perez, veteran vaudeville entertainers better known in those days as “Pepito the Spanish Clown” and “Joanne the Twisting Marvel.” It was the Perez’s that helped Lucy and Desi develop the props and acts they took on the road to prove to CBS the public would accept them for a new TV show in developement.

The couples remained close friends throughout their lives as evident in this handwritten letter from Lucille to Joanne which reads:

“Dearest Joanne, I love you more each year for your thoughfulness. Please know I think of you often and appreciate you. – Love Lucy”

October 26, 2023October 26, 2023 by The Lucy Room Categories: Autograph, Desi Arnaz, Gifts, Handwritten, Letter, Lucille Ball, Pepito the Spanish Clown, PersonalTags: Desi Arnaz, Handwritten, Letter, Love, Lucille Ball, Note, Pepito the Spanish Clown, Personal, Vaudeville Leave a comment

William Frawley Inscribed Brown Derby Menu

The Brown Derby was once an iconic restaurant in Hollywood and the surrounding area. It was a place where one could spot their favorite movie stars enjoying a meal – “Remember, they’re just people like you and me.” Said to be birthplace of the Cobb Salad, the building was also shapped like the hat which it was named.

Lucy Ricardo, Fred and Ethel Mertz went to ‘the watering hole’ in a famous epsiode of I Love Lucy, seeing the likes of Cary Grant, Eve Arden and of course William Holden. This original dinner menu from ‘The Derby’ was used by a fan to obtain an autograph from William Frawley. Bill inscribed on the back in part…”hello and good wishes.”

September 5, 2023August 29, 2024 by The Lucy Room Categories: Autograph, Brown Derby, Ethel Mertz, Handwritten, I Love Lucy, Lucille Ball, Lucy Ricardo, Vivian Vance, William FrawleyTags: Autograph, Brown Derby, Cary Grant, Ethel Mertz, Eve Arden, Fred Mertz, I Love Lucy, Lucille Ball, Lucy Ricardo, Menu, Signed, Vaudeville, Vivian Vance, WIlliam Frawley, William Holden Leave a comment

William Frawley Signed Early Career Photo Card

William Frawley came to Hollywood in 1933 after some success in vaudeville and Broadway. Much of his work in films was as a character actor well before being known as the lovable Fred Mertz on I Love Lucy. This uncommon photo card of Bill is from the late 20’s-early 30’s and has been signed in blue ink. Unfortunately his last name is spelled incorrectly, which may not have been a good thing seeing it was most likely a publicity card used by studios for casting talent.

October 19, 2022October 19, 2022 by The Lucy Room Categories: Autograph, Handwritten, Movie, William FrawleyTags: Autograph, Broadway, Photo, Signed, Vaudeville, WIlliam Frawley Leave a comment